NationStates Jolt Archive

The Members of the Federal Council, the Executive Body of the Democracy, stepped out on to the stage where an international press conference was being held. The Council had called this, saying it may affect the world standings of some nations. Immediately, flashes from cameras went offf, almost blinding the council members. Suddenly, Aranethon Wazzi, the one-time dictator and military leader of Faurea, got up out of his chair and went to the podium. Everything started calming down. "Thank you all for being here this morning" began Wazzi, and immediately the room was silent. He still had a commanding presence. He began again, " In recent times, our nation has undergone some dramatic change. We have had three new governments and a civil war within a year's time. Now, that is alot that can happen to any nation. We, the members of the Council and the people of Faurea, have realized that we need to achieve peace and that the greatest way to lead is by example, and not by force. We feel as though this government has helped achieve the closest thing ever to direct democracy besides being in Athens." A couple of reporters laughed, and Wazzi continued. "So, as by a unanimous vote of the Federal Council and by an astounding 86% vote by a referendum directly by our citizens, the government of Faurea announces that as of this day, July 12, 2008, we a now a militarily neutral nation." Reporters immediately started asking questions, but Wazzi quieted them back down for a second. "We will not make military pacts with anyone, and we will not favor one nation over another. However, we are still open to any and all nations for trade and for embassy exchange. Thank you all for being here today." Then the reporters started back with loud voices, waiting to get their questions answered.

The Most Holy Bishop of the Theocracy of Gabriel Possenti was at the pistol range, shooting at television sets that had quit working in the palace that week.

Over the din of the gunfire and exploding cathode ray tubes, he heard, piped through the Public Address System, ostensibly by one of his well-meaning cabinet ministers:

"...will not favor one nation over another. However, we are still open to any and all nations for trade and for embassy exchange. Thank you all for being here today."

The Most Holy Bishop, looking over his shoulder at the only working television in the shooting range, at the far corner behind the firing line, smirked.

"Good," he said to himself as he turned from the firing line and aligned his sights on the talking head projected on the television. "That means exports will stay pretty much the same. What a waste of good airtime and equipment."

And with that, he fired a shot dead center into the energized television set, causing it to explode.

"Now that," he said smugly, turning back downrange while horrified cabinet ministers and bored bodyguards watched in silence, "was a much better use of that particular set."

He turned to his closest bodyguard, a stoic man who had seen more than his share of these kinds of behaviors from the Most Holy Bishop, and said, "It was a good shot, though, right?"

"Yessir," said the bodyguard. "Right in the middle of the picture tube, sir."

And with that, the Most Holy Bishop went back to his television-destroying target practice.

Charlotte Ryberg welcomes the news as it will promote world peace. By co-incidence a WA resolution on the similar genre is being laid out, and will pave way for protection of neutrality of WA nations who act as neutral nations. it can be found here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=555964).

One of the reporters spoke up,"Excuse me, excuse me, The Daily Star would like to know if the government will spend less on the defence budget? and if they do what will you be doing with the extra finances?"

"Where's the catch?"
"Sir?"
"Declaration of Neutrality. Might as well be painting a bullseye on your forehead."
"People are stupid, sir."
"I hope so. Get me the Ministry of Information. Do they have gold? Oil? Coal? Iron?"
-- Lord Alban Moritz, Minister of War, and a subordinate.

To: The Council of Faurea

From: Q. Octavius Lepidus, Minister of Diplomacy for the Holy Empire of Rathanan

The Holy Empire of Rathanan fully understands and respects Faurea's claim to neutrality. It should be stated, however, that the Holy Empire of Rathanan shall not offer military aid if Faurena is attacked. While we sincerely doubt an attack will come, Rathani foreign policy dictates that we do for others as they have done for us.

Palma ut Imperator,

<signed>

Q. Octavius Lepidus, Minister of Diplomacy for the Holy Empire of Rathanan

Zanski recognises and vows to protect Faurea's neutrility.

One of the reporters spoke up,"Excuse me, excuse me, The Daily Star would like to know if the government will spend less on the defence budget? and if they do what will you be doing with the extra finances?"

"Well" began Wazzi, " we have made cutbacks. Any military will now be either used for border patrol or to patrol the waters around the islands to keep pirates off. Also, a Gendarme or National Police Force is also coming into effect, as this was also passed by direct referendum by the people of our nation. Any leftover money will either go towards education or the welfare system, as the people have also voted for more reform in those two departments."

Zanski recognises and vows to protect Faurea's neutrility.

The Holy Empire of Rathanan fully understands and respects Faurea's claim to neutrality. It should be stated, however, that the Holy Empire of Rathanan shall not offer military aid if Faurena is attacked. While we sincerely doubt an attack will come, Rathani foreign policy dictates that we do for others as they have done for us.

Palma ut Imperator,

<signed>

Q. Octavius Lepidus, Minister of Diplomacy for the Holy Empire of Rathanan

Thank you both and understood Rathanan. And Charlotte Ryberg, is that issue gonna be voted on anytime soon, because even though I'm now neutral, I am still keeping my status as a WA member.

If everyone is happy about the current incarnation of my draft, I will. your opinion?