NationStates Jolt Archive

After decades of oppression by their fellow countrymen and government, the key province of Arestabol -- known for its rich mining reserves which had uplifted Cordena economy since its discovery when the nation was first founded -- has announced today its declaration of independence from the rest of Cordena. Party leaders had vied for seperation for years using elective votes and proposed bills. Each time the majority vetoed the propositions made by the Arestabol representatives.

Seperation was teasingly close at hand during the last national vote in 1997, when seperation was turned down by a mere three hundred votes. Citizens in the province have openly delcared their feelings that Arestabol feels like a nation within a nation. The entire culture, language, and lifestyle is vastly different from that of the rest of the country.

A representative from the People of Arestabol Movement had this to say:

"I sincerely hope that that the president of Cordena recognizes our new-found sovereignty and that the rest of the world will come to respect us and see us as equals -- not servants -- in our global community. For too long we have been forced as labourers in our mining, only to have our revenue stripped from us so that the rest of the country could grow fat on our wealth. No longer! Today we are our own masters, making our own future!"

More on the story as it develops.

President's Office, Cordena.
7:01pm.


The Prime Minister, Dmitry Josefovich, knocked on President Vladimir Ivanovich's door.

"Come in, comrade," said Vladimir. "The door is unlocked."

"Yes, comrade," nodded Dmitry, setting a large batch of documents on the President's desk. "Arestobol has declared independence, just after we invaded Kosifa."

"They're mad," observed POTROC. "Then again, our forces are streched at the moment with that Kosifan buisness."

"Good point. However, we cannot handle two invasions, Vladimir," explained Dmitry. "I believe our only sane option is to welcome them."

"No, we still have the reserves, remember?" smiled Vladimir.

"Sir, that is relations suicide," pleaded Dmitry. "Fighting two wars..no, invasions will destroy our friendships with other nations."

"We must unite our country. We cannot allow all our provinces declare independence! We must war!" boomed Vladimir.

"You're a...warmonger," gasped PMOTROC. "We cannot.."

Vladimir simply stared at Dmitry. His cold, deathly stare was well known in the world.

"How about.." thought Dmitry. "We reconigse them and welcome them, but the reason we didn't welcome Kosifa was because they were communist? It's a win-win situation."

"Yes," submitted POTROC.

*

Prime Ministry Press Conference Room.
7:11pm.

"My comrades," started Dmitry A. Josefovich, brushing his brown hair away from his young, handsome face. "After discussion with the President, I am glad to annouce that Cordena welcomes Arestobol into the community of nations, as a independent and sovereign republic."

A young reporter from Arestobol raises her hand.

"Alexandris Kamarov, Arestobol," spoke Alexandris. "Why have you reconigsed us, yet not Kostifa?"

"That reason is because Arestobol is a democratic state, unlike communist Kosifa. We do not wish for a communist nation anywhere near our borders," answered Josefovich, smiling at the crowd.