NationStates Jolt Archive

Breaking News
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In an Annoucement today, Dyelli Beybian Parliment in Cyro has announced the passing of two new and highly controversial Acts.

The first, the Recognition Act brings several radical changes to Dyelli Beybi's status as a secular state, more or less reforming it into a theocracy;

1. A new upper house of Parliament has been created with the power to veto up to three times any legislation passed by the lower house, or 'House of Commons' as it is now to be referred. The Upper House will be the 'House of Clergy', and will be made up of one Clergy member appointed from each geographical constituency. This position will not be elected, but rather the Clergy member will be appointed by the Head of State, "in consultation with local religious bodies." This member will be apponted from the majority religion in the constituency.

2. A tax break of c. 20% has been given in the Act, however at the same time, all persons belonging to a certain religion will be obliged to pay a tithe of an equivalent amount to their respective religious body. Persons professing no Religious leaning will pay a "morality tax" of roughly double the tithe.

3. Religions must now be registered. In order to register they must have at least one representative on the 'House of Clergy' or be of "significant cultural value to Dyelli Beybi". As of this morning the only Religions registered are the Episcopal Church of Dyelli Beybi, the Roman Catholic Church, The Lutheran Church of Dyelli Beybi, the Dervish Union and the Cult of Hat. Adherance to or the practicing of a non-registered religion has been made illegal.

4. Conversion has been outlawed. Except in the case of persons of no religion who are permitted to convert as well as in the case of people wishing to join the Episcopal Church of Dyelli Beybi. The 'Caliph' (position unfilled) has also been granted the right to permit of converson to the Dervish faith in the case of marriage into a Dervish family.

Many critics of the Recognition Act see it as yet another attempt to consolidate the power of the Tzarina (who is the head of the Dyellian Episcopal Church as well as Prime Minister) and another step towards Dyelli Beybi becoming an Absolutist Theocracy.


The Second Act, the Public Service Rewards Act, while much shorter, has also drawn it's fair share of criticism. To explain simply, this act has legalised the "imposition of arbitrary personal fees on foreign Nationals" by public servants, in effect legalising and encouraging extortionate demands for bribery from foreign Nationals.

In further news, Inquisitor Guard members have today raided the homes of four Buddhist families, arresting a further 12 people, while yet another six, including a five year old child have been killed 'resisting arrest'. When asked how a five year old child could be shot twenty seven times, a spokesman for the Inquisitor Guard refused to comment.

Dervish and Episcopal Ministers are reportedly in heated debate over whether an option of conversion to a legitimate Religion should be offered prior to sentencing.

*tag* for later interest

Does the Terror Know no End? (Headline from the Infamous Cyro newspaper the Grauniad)

In a continuation of the excesses of the Recognition Act, the "Islamic Matyr's Army", a paramilitary force made up of Dervish supporters of the current administration have raided the houses of leading Sunni clerics in Quisa, imprisoning some twenty seven members of the now illegal Islamic denomination. Dervish preachers have been allocated to take over the roles of those imprisoned, vowing to eliminate blasphemous elements.

Meanwhile in Cyro, Judaism has been added to the list of official religions following a mass demonstration of Jews, resulting in riots during which three police officers were injured. Eight rioters were arrested but later released without charge. This move has been hailed by the AJCM (Association of Jews, Christians and Muslims) as a positive move, and one which will restore peace and 'Abrahamic purity' to Dyelli Beybi.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Hussein, a senior spokesman for the Dervish Union has given light criticism to the act stating that while it acknowledged the importance of the Dervish faith to Dyelli Beybi, the anti-conversion laws inherrent in the Act were 'a step backwards for society'.

In other news, the purge of Buddhism has gone Nationwide, with over a hundred arrests and numerous deaths. In Saint Guineford's, A total of seventeen Buddhists were killed and numerous others injured when an angry mob stormed a temple. With the continuation of violence, a joint statement calling for calm has been issued by jointly the Tzarina and Archbishop of Saint Guineford's, while three members of the Inquisitor Guard and twelve members of the public are under investigation regarding the riot. Police sources have confirmed the possibility of charges including 'inciting a riot', 'accessory to murder' and 'murder' being laid in the near future.

Valdir's eyes tracked over the glowing text without a flicker of emotion.
"So much for a new beginning..." her voice was flat, and held only a trace of disappointment. "Peter, I need the next free minute the First Minister has available..."

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Ministry of External Affairs
TRAVEL ADVICE
Nation of Dyelli Beybi [entire]

All Macisikani citizens are strongly advised to defer any and all travel to the nation of Dyelli Beybi until further notice due to a clear and present danger to personal safety; all Macisikani citizens currently in Dyelli Beybi are strongly urged to leave that nation at once. Those who consider their presence in Dyelli Beybi to be essential should suspend their activities and leave that nation as soon as possible.

All Macisikani citizens in Dyelli Beybi, whether departing or remaining, should register with the Ministry of External Affairs or the Macisikani Embassy in Port Olympus (contact details below).

The Ministry of External Affairs (the Ministry) cautions all Macisikani citizens that the Ministry does not have confidence in the ability of the government of Dyelli Beybi to guarantee their safety. The Ministry advises that the government of Dyelli Beybi may pose the greatest risk.

All foreign citizens wishing to leave Dyelli Beybi and travel to Macisikan must register with the Ministry, Secretariat of State for Immigration and Tourism (contact details below); MinExAff (SSIT) reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone deemed a security risk.

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Ministry of External Affairs
GENERAL NOTICE
Citizens of the nation of Dyelli Beybi

This General Notice is current for all nations, dominions, dependencies, and territories of the Covenant.

Citizens of the nation of Dyelli Beybi are strongly urged to exercise caution and avoid protests, political demonstrations, Constans Square, and all loci of religious activities including churches, monasteries, cathedrals (including St. Theresa's Cathedral in Arn-Maciska), and temples of the Old Religion due to an identifiable danger to personal safety.

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http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/citationxiv/sealgovernment-heavenlasts.png
_________________________
Official Communiqué

Classification: Diplomatic-In-Confidence
From: Primarch Alexis Valnard
To: Tzarina Alxia ap Adam of Dyelli Beybi
Subject: Public Service Rewards Act, Recognition Act

To Her Royal Majesty, the Tzarina of Dyelli Beybi, Greetings,

I have the pleasure to inform your Majesty that as of 06:00 hrs this coming Monday (Arn-Maciska Standard Time), your Majesty's Subjects will be recipient to a full symmetry of measures regarding the Public Service Rewards Act and the Recognition Act to ensure a full and complete balance in effect that Your Majesty's recent actions have had on His Serene Majesty's subjects in your nation.

Your Majesty is also regretfully advised that Your Majesty is no longer welcome to travel to His Serene Majesty's several nations and dominions. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Regards,

His Excellency, the Primarch Alexis Valnard
His Serene Majesty's Most Excellent Ambassador to the Federated Klatchian Coast
Head of the Maciskan Orthodox Church in the Same
UIK/COV

Dyellians had a tendency to be cryptic, but the response sent from the Tzarina really took the cake. Although one might assume that it would not have been sent if it were not assumed someone would recieve it who would understand it.

From: Alexia ap Adam, Prime Minister
To: Primarch Alexis Valnard
Subject: RE certain Acts

It is of course regretable that Arn-Maciska has chosen to take this path of action. However, as it says in Proverbs 22:7, we cannot act against our conscience. Fear of what we do not know may guide us in previously unexpected directions. For for me the day has come that was spoken of, and there can only be rejoicing among the people, Luke 19:43, Psalm 17:9. I pray that you may meditate upon these verses, but most especially upon Psalm 71:2 in which I hope you will find some degree of solace.

Finally, I must state that any person going by the name of Bedwyr Gwalchmai who may be found associated with the Klatchian Embassy is not a friend of this administration (Song of Solomon 5:16 and 6:3).

Regards,
Alexia ap Adam,
Prime Minister,
Tzarina of the Blessed Kingdom of Dyelli Beybi,
Primate of Cyro.

<snip; to be reposted further along>

OOC: It's 6 verses... lol you missed out the last 3 :P They kinda alter the tone a bit

OOC: couldn't find Pslam 71, and they've really got nothing to say to someone who's threatened invasion. There'll be visible signs of panic after one NS day or so.

OOC: There are 150 Psalms... 71:2 "Because you are righteous, help me and rescue me. Listen to me and save me!" so it isn't actually an invasion threat ;) The other two are from the Song of Solomon and are a pretty strong implication that 'Bedwyr Gwalchmai' is the Tzarina's lover or at the very least someone she trusts.
*hiding fact is the only practicing Episcopalian under the age of 50*

OOC: Ah. Now I feel decidedly silly... seeing as OOC reasons stopped me from actually putting out the proper IC response, would it be acceptable for me to re-work that? We'll still be absolutely silent on the issue (so any response you post will stay the same), but the fractal event won't be on the cards. Alternatively, I can have the Emperor (who is yet to actually be informed of this) be the one who says "Hang on -- did you read the whole damn thing before you panicked?"

OOC: Hey NP. I make lots of mistakes through not reading posts properly. Most of which I'm kicking myself for after :P Anyway, go with whichever story you think would be more fun.

OOC: re-working it was just easier. Thanks for the understanding! :)

IC:
For the recipients, the meaning was as hazy as the ice crystals had flooded the air in Arn-Maciska and made the city, in the words of His Serene Majesty "bloody freezing". Threat, plea, information... no.


New Business
Dyellian (CMIRI12.02) Actions Against the Covenant
The External Affairs Minister detailed recent developments in CMIRI12.02, including missives between the Ambassador to CMIRI12.00 and responses from CMIRI12.02.

The memo from CMIRI12.02 Head of State to the Ambassador to CMIRI12.00 was tabled.
(This document is appended to these minutes as Appendix E)

It was noted that a message, composed of six biblical passages, was included in this memo (read into these minutes):
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.
For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side
From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about.
Because thou art righteous, help me and rescue me. Listen to me and save me!
His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.


It was agreed unanimously that the CMIRI12.02 Act entitled Registration Act constitutes an attack upon the UIK, and creates an extreme risk to personal safety. It was agreed unanimously that the act of the same nation entitled Public Service Rewards Act poses a threat to the safety of HSM's subjects in CMIRI12.02

Debate on the nature of the hidden message followed, and it was agreed that the message was as follows; a threat against the sovereignty of the Covenant, a request for assistance, and advice that one "Bedwyr Gwalchma", currently attached to the Embassy of CMIRI12.00 and resident in Arn-Maciska, is a person of high value to the Head of State of CMIRI12.02.

Discussion responses took place. It was generally agreed that no official reply would be tendered unless additional communications were forthcoming. With the recent travel warnings imposed on CMIRI12.02 by the External Affairs Minister, it is highly unlikely that any of HSM's subjects are aboard in that nation at this time. The External Affairs Minister stated that any such travellers would not be in keeping with records.

The External Affairs Minister went on to observe that, given the general relucatance of HSM's subjects to travel abroad since the assault on our Embassy in the capital of CMIRI17 by CMIRI21, numbers in the Klatch are extremely low. It is recorded into these minutes as currently numbering 2,038 in the Klatch as a whole, including diplomatic personnel, out of a combined expatriate/abroad population of 12,839.

Symmetry measures were discussed at length; it was agreed that, for the present, they would remain in effect, and only be applicable to citizens of CMIRI12.02, however the Minister of State recommended that these measures not be enforced in practice; it was generally agreed that this arrangement would be implemented, with further revisions in the near future.

The option of detaining "Bedwyr Gwalchma" was discussed, and dismissed as legally infeasible at present.

It was agreed unanimously that no direct aid would be given to the Head of State of CMIRI12.02 under any circumstances.

The option of sending a message via informal channels to the Tzarina was dismissed as unfeasible.

The First Minister orders continuous monitoring of all citizens of CMIRI12.02 present in the Covenant; each and every one is now considered a distinct threat to the security of the Covenant as a whole.

The Defence Minister proposes, in the event of militaristic action -- [record damaged; text missing. Unable to recover; abort/retry?]


Although there was no formal response, and although it readily and quickly became clear that the symmetry measures weren't being enforced, there was a noticeable shift in Macisikani attitudes towards Dyellians. The terminally polite Covenanters didn't stoop to violence or aerial fruit donation; they simply stopped interacting. A Dyellian in a shop would be given curt, almost machinelike service, while one on the street would be treated as a highly mobile streetlight. Attempts at conversation were ignored, and eye contact strenuously avoided.

In the Federal capital, they withdrew to their Embassy, while ships that were formerly bound for Dyellian ports, and were able to avoid contract violations, diverted to Vrak, Ilek-Vaad, or even to Alcona and Hubris.

"Hey Bruce did you hear?" Bruce was at the basr of his local Pub downing a bear as the Bruce he just basically yelled at entered the pub.

"Nah, Bruce been working. My tongues as dry as Sand Paper."

"Oh, My Shout then..." Bruce said as he patted a stool next to the bar a mug of beer suddenly appeared infront as the Barman placed it down as the the new Bruce sat down.

"Hear what Bruce?"

"You know those Jelly Babies?"

"Oh, you mean those weirdos from way up north?"

"Yeah, they've gone crazy mate. This Recognition Act and what's worse they've gone now and basically given free reign for paper-pushers demand bribes. It's gone way too far Bruce."

"Too right it has Bruce!" exclaimed the Barman who was listening to trhe conversation despite not being involved.

"What should we do Bruce?"

"Well Bruce, I've got an idea....."

--- About 3 Hours Later ---

A randon collection of associated Barmen and Barmaids collected together a radio announcement is going to be made any minute, hopefully to be picked up by foreign media.

"We Bruces and Sheilas work hard and we're battler's we work hard, yet we enjoy the freedom to choose religion, or not. The government of Dee-yell-ee Bay-bee has gone crazy, and until both this Recognition Act and Public Service Rewards Act are gone. We can no longer export any Brucian beer to Dee-yell-ee Bay-bee nor serve beer to any Dee-yell-ee Bay-bee people who are here in the Free Land."