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Region: Commonwealth of Liberty

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Post by The Confederate State Of Louisiana suppressed by Paramountica.

The Confederate State Of Louisiana

What are we talking about

August 1968

The government of Hong Kong has formally requested all residents to wear masks and or gloves to prevent spread of the H3N2 strain of the influenza A virus otherwise known as the Hong Kong Flu. The order also encourages residents to not gather in groups of more than 3 people to prevent the spread of the virus. Anyone caught breaking the order without a valid reason will receive a HKP 100 fine.

The strain was first spotted in Hong Kong in mid July and has caused hundreds of deaths. It is expected that the flu will rapidly spread throughout Hong Kong by the month's end. This is the worst flu ever recorded so far in Hong Kong since 1918. The flu has been suspected to come from mainland China. The worst is expected to come as it could rapidly spread across the globe. Hong Kongers are highly encouraged to wash their hands frequently and self-isolate if you have symptoms.

Those traveling to and from Hong Kong internationally are highly encouraged check themselves for a fever, chills, stuffy or runny nose, muscle aches and more. If they do have these symptoms, they are encouraged to immediately self-isolate and report themselves to the proper health authorities to be tested for the flu.

Paramountica, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Le Equatoria

[list]August 1968

[sub]New Opportunities[/sub][/list]

[pre]D I E B U N D E S R E P U B L I K[/pre]

WHISPERS OF NO CONFIDENCE

[sub]BONN, THE FEDERAL CAPITAL, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, New Provenance - MORNING[/sub]

| KARL CARSTENS and RAINER BARZEL were the two unofficial deputy leaders of the Christian Democrats, subordinate only to the great statesman, LUDWIG ERHARD. Now, however, it appeared that they were now on opposite sides of the table from their elderly leader after a potentially consequential - positive or negative, it depends on who you ask - conference of the CDU and CSU party leadership in Frankfurt in early August, as Chancellor WILLY BRANDT of the liberal Social Democrats worked to spin his victories in Ostpolitik implementation before an anxious German public. The meeting was held to decide on whether or not the CDU/CSU would support a potential motion of no confidence in the government of Chancellor Brandt, especially amid increasing rumors that right-leaning members of the FDP - Brandt's coalition partner - were planning on defecting on future votes relating to the economy. ERHARD, having lost narrowly on becoming chancellor in the 1966 elections, was adamantly and firmly in favor of it; he pointed to polls that showed the CDU with a three percentage point lead over the SPD, indicating that were an election to be held now, a majority could be formed with the support of the center-leaning German Democrats. He was, however, opposed by the skeptical Barzel and the mellow Carstens, who both worried about the potential ramifications of leading the charge to remove a government from power. A motion of no confidence had never been intiated in the entire existence of the Bundesrepublik Deutschland since 1949, and every election had, so far, taken place on time. The next federal election was presently scheduled for a month from now, in AUGUST of 1969, over a year out. |

[list]| [sub]KARL CARSTENS, Deputy CDU Leader[/sub] | "We must be careful and moderate in the political tactics we employ. The nation is still now trying to process the imminent reality of normalcy with the East Germans."[/list]

| The party leadership was, in essence, divided between the moderate wing of Barzel and Carstens, and the more hardline conservative wing of Erhard and his allies. The party had been united for years, unifying under a single front during the 1966 federal elections, where they won 14.1 million votes and 175 seats in the Bundestag. Now, however, the cracks where showing as Germany became more politically volatile. The CDU had in the past six months alone ratified a new platform on national security that firmly opposed any recognition of borders with the German Democratic Republic and Ostpolitik generally, and called for increases in defense spending, heavy tax cuts, welfare-to-work programs, and multi-million dollar investments into the German defense industry. Moderates like Carstens and Barzel were opposed to the platform, particularly to the provisions against Ostpolitik. They both agreed that a recognition of borders could be disastrous for Germans, but they did not agree that Ostpolitik - incremental steps - was worth prohibiting from policy. Pointing to the growing strength of the German Democrats (DPD) of Reinhold Meier among centrist voters, Erhard called for a courting of more right-wing conservatives who had, so far, sat out most elections or cast their vote for minor parties that did not gain parliamentary representation. |

| The platform for the CDU is likely to be finalized in the February pre-election conference, while the SPD is expected to convene on the same matter as early as December. Only a year out from the elections, questions remain over whether a vote of no confidence is worth it, or whether holding out for the coming election is the best course of action. Nonetheless, the growing pull of the CDU towards 'hard conservatism' more akin to that of Barry Goldwater in the United States than that of Nixon, could open NEW OPPORTUNITIES for the varying political factions aiming to take advantage of Chancellor Willy Brandt's government as it seeks to hold on to power. The argument for a decade of Social Democratic governance had always been better wages, union protections, and people first. But with the economy only doing reasonably well and the markets clearly unconfident amid the situation between the Slovenes and Yugoslavians, and the German manufacturing industry clamoring for less regulations and a stronger business environment, could that argument still be made? |

| The Social Democrats have also, however, leaned into social issues as a way of gaining strength, especially among progressive 'socialist democratic' voters. Legislation had been narrowly passed by Brandt's government affirming civil rights regardless of race or religion, as well as legislation pushing for payroll equality between men and women. Legislation investing in education and the sciences had also been passed. At the request of their FDP coalition partners, so were bills aimed at supporting German automobile corporation's international ambitions. With polls showing the SPD down multiple percentage points, however, concerns are growing over whether or not the SPD can hold onto power, especially with Mende's grip on the FDP now weakening, potentially opening the door to their departure from any future coalition with them post-election. Most newspapers and political sciences professors report that the best option for the SPD to continue into a third term will be to court progressive and younger voters who have historically been rising in terms of share of the vote, but continue to lag behind the middle-aged Germans who are favorable towards the Christian Democrats. |

| The two largest potential playing factors in the coming election could also be how the Free Democratic Party of Erich Mende and the German Democratic Party of Reinhold Meier will do. Mende has led the FDP since 1961, having risen to the leadership from the moderate centrist wing of the party. He's done a relatively good job at holding the party together but now faces criticism and chafing from his conservative, free-market flank, who criticize Mende regularly for bending to the socialists. The FDP more likely than not is going to adopt a more right-leaning policy platform for the coming election and the door could be open to the FDP ruling out a future coalition with the SPD, making CDU governance even more likely. The German Democrats, meanwhile, have been seeking to make a breakthrough after they pulled 5.9% of the vote and 23 seats in 1966, a 15 seat gain. Pushing hard into 30 or 35 seats could allow them to play kingmaker with either the CDU or an SPD/FDP coalition grouping, which could empower their agenda that has become increasingly agrarian but still relatively centrist. The DPD has been making plays to secure the support of agricultural groups and farmers' unions who feel the CDU too focused on heavy industry and manufacturing, and the SPD as the kings of regulation. If they are able to corner this niche but still sizable group of voters, the DPD could open the door to their entry into government for the first time. |

[list]| [sub]KNUT VON KUHLMANN-STUMM, FDP parliamentarian[/sub] | "Centrism doesn't work for Germany. Socialism doesn't work for Russia. What works for Germany is a strong, capitalist economy built on production, exports, and a prosperous middle class. The SPD does not serve that."[/list]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Paseo, Lieobria, Amsterwald, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, Hatzburg, Spain-, Bhaarat Lok, Victoria Harbor Ii, Le Equatoria

[list]July 1968

[sub]Foreign Affairs[/sub][/list]

[list][list] ON SLOVENIA

ÜBER SLOWENIEN

CONCERNANT LA SLOVÉNIE

SULLA SLOVENIA

—[/list][/list]

BERN

[sub]ALPENLAND, THE ALPINE REPUBLIC[/sub]

| The shocking news of yet another Slovenian ( Amsterwald ) ship attacked by Yugoslavia ( Ranponian ) would be no small story in Alpenland. All of the major papers that warm June afternoon would display it on their front pages for the evening commute. The news would leave those living in the new republic shaken. An Alpine neighbor victim to a blatant attack by another country? For many, the thought of war on Alpenland’s doorstep had been far in the past. It had been 23 years since the end of World War II. Violence now would seem closer than it had been in a long time. |

| The surprising events would have a profound effect on Alpenland. In the streets of Vienna an unusual lack of life in the air, Zurich’s busy banks quieter than usual, and the halls of the Federal Palace in Bern tense. More surprisingly would be the lack of an official government response despite the circumstance. Many would be expecting a rightful condemnation of Yugoslavia, but a 1958 promise would say otherwise. At its union, Alpenland agreed in a treaty with the Allied victors that it would remain neutral in its foreign dealings, favoring neither East nor West in global disputes. However, the Yugoslavian threat would hit much closer to home than any other event witnessed by the Alpine Republic. After all, this had not happened somewhere in Southeast Asia, this would be just over the mountains. In some places the border with Slovenia would be nothing more than a wooden fence dividing two pastures. Slovenia and Alpenland had a long history of friendship stretching back to before either country existed in its current state. However, those who would be expecting timely Alpine political support for Slovenia would be mistaken. |

| Almost a week after the attacks, constant pressure from the Slovenian Embassy and bombardment from the press would set in and Alpine President Hans Schaffner would finally address the situation. In a televised speech from his office in Bern he would emphasize Alpenland’s commitment to neutrality. There would be no condemnation. Instead, a broad message to the world: |

[list]| President HANS SCHAFFNER, [sub]of the Alpine Republic[/sub] | "As for the recent offenses to Slovenian vessels, the Alpine Republic is a neutral one, as it always has been, and will not be getting itself involved in disputes between two sovereign nations. That being said, the Alpine Republic is watching its borders and will not hesitate to defend itself from any threat that might arise."[/list]

| That last warning would close his statement. At 60 years old, President Schaffner’s address would fall short for many of Alpenland’s youth. Born after the devastating war into an economic miracle, the new generation of Alpine lawyers, doctors, writers, and engineers would not be so hard set in the idea of perfect neutrality on the global stage as their parents had. The world would not be the same as it was in 1945. With an election just a year away, the Slovenian problem would be one to follow. Already escalating more every day, it would undoubtedly cause even more tension in the coming months. Walking the fine line of perfect neutrality would not be as easy anymore for Alpenland. |

[spoiler=THE WORLD TAKES NOTE . . .

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Paseo, Amsterwald, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Bhaarat Lok, Victoria Harbor Ii

| WORLDVISION SONG CONTEST 1968 |

[sub]29th of July, 1968[/sub]

| KHARTOUM being the host city of this Worldvision Song Contest has been an epic symbol of African freedom and liberty, with SUDAN being the second African host of the Contest in history. This is the first time that an East-African state has won Worldvision, and many thought that SUDAN won't be capable of hosting the show. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Despite already high security around the capital city, the Sudanese organisers have issues much higher security forces onto the streets of the city during the contest. Sudanese organisers have brought their best forward into hosting the show this year, and giving us a real tase for Sudanese culture during the opening and interval acts, they have also brought a larger interest to the contest in East Africa and the Middle East. Each contestant had a small interview performed before their performance, showing the audience where they came from and how they ended up at the Worldvision this year. |

| WORLDVISION RESULTS 1968 |

[list]1st Place - SLOVENIA with 146 Points!

2nd Place - YUGOSLAVIA with 145 Points!

3rd Place - ROMANIA with 124 Points!

4th Place - SPAIN with 119 Points!

5th Place - KOREA with 116 Points!

6th Place - UNITED KINGDOM with 115 Points!

7th Place - EAST GERMANY with 101 Points!

8th Place - FRANCE with 96 Points!

9th Place - SUDAN with 78 Points!

10th Place - ITALY with 74 Points!

11th Place - ZAIRE with 73 Points!

12th Place - IRAN with 62 Points!

13th Place - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with 51 Points!

14th Place - CZECHOSLOVAKIA with 39 Points!

15th Place - INDONESIA with 25 Points!

16th Place - CHINA with 24 Points!

17th Place - SOVIET UNION with 23 Points!

18th Place - INDIA with 22 Points!

19th Place - ARGENTINA with 20 Points!

20th Place - SOUTH AFRICA with 19 Points!

21st Place - BENELUX with 18 Points!

22nd Place - ETHIOPIA with 12 Points!

23rd Place - JAPAN with 5 Points!

24th Place - POLAND with 4 Points!

25th Place - BRAZIL with 2 Points![/list]

| The winner of Worldvision Song Contest 1968 is MILAN PETROVIC with his song SUZY from SLOVENIA. Eleven years on, Slovenia wins Worldvision for the second time. This means that Slovenia joins France in having won the Worldvision twice, with the first victory coming to Slovenia in 1957. However, despite the friendly atmosphere created, many incidents took place. For instance the GREEK delegation that were present, despite not performing, had their hotel rooms filled with sewage water. A more unnerving incident occurred when the SLOVENIAN delegation held up a banner citing SLOVENIAN NATIONALIST & PATRIOTIC SENTIMENTS during the performance of the YUGOSLAVIAN representative, which caused outraged on the Yugoslavian part. When it became clear that Slovenia has won, the YUGOSLAVIAN delegation stormed out amidst the press and media present. With next year contest to be taking place in Slovenia, it is yet unclear whether Yugoslavia shall participate or not.

[spoiler="...it is such a blessing and honour for me to bring this award back to Slovenia, it's a symbol of the triumph of Slovenian culture and heritage..." - MILAN PETROVIC, Winner of Worldvision Song Contest 1968]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Bhaarat Lok, Victoria Harbor Ii

★ UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC ★

[list][list][list][pre]

"Fear is, I believe, a most effective tool in destroying the soul of an individual - and the soul of a people."

ANWAR EL-SADAT

[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

_________________

[list][sub]𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥:

RISE OF KHALID MUHYI AL-DIN[/sub]

[sub][sup] JUL 1968 - UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC[/sub][/sup]

[list][sub]Khalid Muhyi al-Din's career is one of highs and lows, a close personal friend of Gamal Abdel Nasser who might have influenced his Socialism, a committed administrator, one of the foremost intellectual voices of the original Free Officers movement, and a pragmatic but disciplined man. Much like his cousin, Zakaria Muhyi al-Din, Khalid's rise to power has its origins in his involvement in Nasser's Free Officers movement which overthrew the corruption of King Farouk as one of its five founding members. It was in fact Khalid who wrote the first address to the nation in the wake of the coup (that was read by Anwar el-Sadat), and it was Khalid who had a leading hand in the populist direction the Revolutionary Council took in the early years.[/sub]

[sub]However Muhyi al-Din was a man too strong for his own good, and soon his radical ideals clashed with Nasser's more moderate views, not to mention clashes with the more reactionary and conservative elements of the military. Despite having held post as Prime Minister for 6 months, Khalid's decision to side with Mohammed Naguib over Nasser eventually saw his downfall. Much like Icarus whose wings burned as he flew too close to the sun, Khalid's wings burned as his radicalism and idealism drew the ire of his comrades.[/sub]

[sub]Exiled to Switzerland, Khalid never lost hope in his return. Indeed, as the Nasser grew closer with the U.S.S.R, Khalid found himself back in his home country. Within two years he had become a member of the parliament, a liason between Egypt and the U.S.S.R, and editor-in-chief of one of the revolutionary newspapers set up in the wake of Nasser's rise to power. Yet Khalid never really escaped the scrutiny he faced, as his continued association with the Egyptian communist movement once again landed him in trouble.[/sub]

[sub]But perhaps as a testament to his stubbornness, or his sheer will to contribute to the well-being of his country, Khalid Muhyi al-Din continued in his stride and overcame challenges from all sides of the Egyptian political spectrum. Despite two prison stints, Khalid never became disillusioned with Nasser himself, and it was perhaps this dedication, and his general ability, that with the formation of the Arab Socialist Union as Egypt's first truly organized political party since 1952, that his worth once again came.[/sub]

[sub]By 1965, Khalid Muhyi al-Din, was a member of the Supreme Executive of the ASU, its head of the propaganda and press department, and even at some point, overseeing the construction of the Aswan Dam. With a desire for the strengthening of the ASU, as Nasser blamed the secession of Syria on a lack of an organized political vehicle, Khalid was perhaps one of the few members who actually had the ideological drive and force to structure the party as a true one.[/sub]

[sub]Alongside Ali Sabri, Khalid Muhyi al-Din oversaw the integration of the A.S.U into the state apparatus. He, alongside Sabri, oversaw the formation of the Central Bureau of the A.S.U and its subsequent mass elections. However Sabri and Khalid saw a falling over, with Muhyi al-Din viewing Sabri as a weak administrator and his ideological position motivated by dogmatism. The 1967 Naksa gave Khalid the opportunity, and worked with an inside collation of nationalist and populist forces to force the resignation of Ali Sabri and then the appointment of Muhyi al-Din as General-Secretary. [/sub]

[sub]Now as General-Secretary, Khalid Muhyi al-Din has called for greater discipline within the party and the elimination of corruption, the introduction of a strong ideological foundation, and a stronger presence of the Arab Socialist Union in society.[/sub]

[/list]

Rutannia, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Spain-, Bhaarat Lok, Victoria Harbor Ii

★ UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC ★

[list][list][list][pre]

"Fear is, I believe, a most effective tool in destroying the soul of an individual - and the soul of a people."

ANWAR EL-SADAT

[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

_________________

[list][sub]𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥:

RISE OF KHALID MUHYI AL-DIN[/sub]

[sub][sup] JUL 1968 - UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC[/sub][/sup]

[list][sub]Khalid Muhyi al-Din's career is one of highs and lows, a close personal friend of Gamal Abdel Nasser who might have influenced his Socialism, a committed administrator, one of the foremost intellectual voices of the original Free Officers movement, and a pragmatic but disciplined man. Much like his cousin, Zakaria Muhyi al-Din, Khalid's rise to power has its origins in his involvement in Nasser's Free Officers movement which overthrew the corruption of King Farouk as one of its five founding members. It was in fact Khalid who wrote the first address to the nation in the wake of the coup (that was read by Anwar el-Sadat), and it was Khalid who had a leading hand in the populist direction the Revolutionary Council took in the early years.[/sub]

[sub]However Muhyi al-Din was a man too strong for his own good, and soon his radical ideals clashed with Nasser's more moderate views, not to mention clashes with the more reactionary and conservative elements of the military. Despite having held post as Prime Minister for 6 months, Khalid's decision to side with Mohammed Naguib over Nasser eventually saw his downfall. Much like Icarus whose wings burned as he flew too close to the sun, Khalid's wings burned as his radicalism and idealism drew the ire of his comrades.[/sub]

[sub]Exiled to Switzerland, Khalid never lost hope in his return. Indeed, as the Nasser grew closer with the U.S.S.R, Khalid found himself back in his home country. Within two years he had become a member of the parliament, a liason between Egypt and the U.S.S.R, and editor-in-chief of one of the revolutionary newspapers set up in the wake of Nasser's rise to power. Yet Khalid never really escaped the scrutiny he faced, as his continued association with the Egyptian communist movement once again landed him in trouble.[/sub]

[sub]But perhaps as a testament to his stubbornness, or his sheer will to contribute to the well-being of his country, Khalid Muhyi al-Din continued in his stride and overcame challenges from all sides of the Egyptian political spectrum. Despite two prison stints, Khalid never became disillusioned with Nasser himself, and it was perhaps this dedication, and his general ability, that with the formation of the Arab Socialist Union as Egypt's first truly organized political party since 1952, that his worth once again came.[/sub]

[sub]By 1965, Khalid Muhyi al-Din, was a member of the Supreme Executive of the ASU, its head of the propaganda and press department, and even at some point, overseeing the construction of the Aswan Dam. With a desire for the strengthening of the ASU, as Nasser blamed the secession of Syria on a lack of an organized political vehicle, Khalid was perhaps one of the few members who actually had the ideological drive and force to structure the party as a true one.[/sub]

[sub]Alongside Ali Sabri, Khalid Muhyi al-Din oversaw the integration of the A.S.U into the state apparatus. He, alongside Sabri, oversaw the formation of the Central Bureau of the A.S.U and its subsequent mass elections. However Sabri and Khalid saw a falling over, with Muhyi al-Din viewing Sabri as a weak administrator and his ideological position motivated by dogmatism. The 1967 Naksa gave Khalid the opportunity, and worked with an inside collation of nationalist and populist forces to force the resignation of Ali Sabri and then the appointment of Muhyi al-Din as General-Secretary. [/sub]

[sub]Now as General-Secretary, Khalid Muhyi al-Din has called for greater discipline within the party and the elimination of corruption, the introduction of a strong ideological foundation, and a stronger presence of the Arab Socialist Union in society.[/sub]

[/list]

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Bhaarat Lok, Victoria Harbor Ii, Mutawakkiliti, Le Equatoria

[list]May 1968

[sub]The Last Man Standing[/sub][/list]

[pre]A N I N T E R V I E W[/pre]

[sub][pre]PREVIOUSLY: https://www.nationstates.net/page=rmb/postid=54624833[/pre][/sub]

A MYSTERY WORTH TELLING

[sub]CALATAGAN, BATANGAS PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES, Provenancia - MORNING[/sub]

| There is a brief rustling of papers as the young female reporter sat in the quaint BAHAY KUBO, while a man, partially injured, dressed in slightly bloody DRESS UNIFORM, ate before her. The reporter's gaze passed over the man as she cleared her throat. The wind blew quietly outside, as a dog could be heard barking in the distance. The young college graduate hadn't been so far away from her home, from the capital her entire life, yet here she was, following up on an extremely vague report that promised a possible career breakthrough - or a very long stint in a government jail, depending on how the entire thing would end. |

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "Kuya, I understand that you might be tired, but if you have something you want to say, you have to say it now."[/list]

| The man puts down his banana and takes a few moments to finish chewing, before offering a quiet grunt. |

[list]| [sub]INTERVIEWEE, Philippine Army[/sub] | "I know. But how can I trust you? You might very well be a government agent."[/list]

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "You have my word, I'm not. I just want to tell the truth, like you do. What is the truth, Sergeant Caprio?"[/list]

| A smile inches across his face; small and quaint, but a smile nonetheless. He turns to her and nods. |

[list]| [sub]MR. CAPRIO, Sgt., Philippine Army[/sub] | "They stationed me on Corregidor along with my unit in November or December of last year, I can't remember for sure. We were told that we'd gotten one of the best assignments possible, Corregidor being an American fortress and all. We got there, we enjoyed. I saw nothing out of the ordinary for the first few weeks of my assignment."[/list]

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "When did you start seeing things out of the ordinary?"[/list]

[list]| [sub]MR. CAPRIO, Sgt., Philippine Army[/sub] | "Around April, I think. That new Moro unit had arrived already and they were training for something. Top secret, not even the guys in the unit knew. All we knew is they were special forces and their orders came from very high up. Their commander left for Manila every week to receive orders."[/list]

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "How far up do you think the orders came from?"[/list]

| The man HESITATES- |

[list]| [sub]MR. CAPRIO, Sgt., Philippine Army[/sub] | "Malacanang. I believe the orders came from the Secretary of Defense, the President."[/list]

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "And what did you and your colleagues think these orders were?"[/list]

[list]| [sub]MR. CAPRIO, Sgt., Philippine Army[/sub] | "Counter-terrorism, probably. Shady stuff. That's been the President's big message, hasn't it? Security for everyone. These Moros were very good at fighting quietly, we always assumed they did CT in Mindanao against communists."[/list]

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "But is that what they were really there for?"[/list]

| A shadow passes over the man's face. He frowns slightly. |

[list]| [sub]MR. CAPRIO, Sgt., Philippine Army[/sub] | ". . . No. After the, er, incident, I don't think they were training for counter-terrorism ops."[/list]

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "What did you think they were training for?"[/list]

[list]| [sub]MR. CAPRIO, Sgt., Philippine Army[/sub] | "Something illegal. I don't know. But there's no reason why they would have had to keep it from even the soldiers conducting the mission."[/list]

| The reporter scribbles furiously before nodding at him to continue. |

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "Okay. And what about this incident you talk about? Can you discuss it?"[/list]

[list]| [sub]MR. CAPRIO, Sgt., Philippine Army[/sub] | [sub](sigh)[/sub] "It's . . . complicated. But it'll be the report of your lifetime."[/list]

[list]| [sub]REPORTER, The Manila Daily[/sub] | "I'm all ears."[/list]

[pre]TO BE CONTINUED[/pre]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, Spain-, Victoria Harbor Ii

International Association Football Federation | Fédération internationale de football association

1968 UEFA European Championships

LIVE - Italy

--------------------------

GROUP STAGES

1968 has been a tremendous year for international football, where we've seen teams rise and fall in the rankings, the triumph of the underdogs and some of the most exciting tournaments held in the sports illustrious history. However, all good things must come to an end as we arrive in Italy for what will be the final major international football competition of this calendar year, the UEFA European Championships. Europe is widely considered the home of football, but comparatively with the other tournaments the Euros are relatively young, with the 1968 edition being the third edition of the games. 16 teams have qualified to compete, but only one will leave with the title "Champions of Europe".

Amongst the changes from the 1964 edition, the number of teams have increased from 4 to 16, but also a rebranding of the tournament from the 'European Nations Cup' to the 'European Championship'. Spain won their first international title after defeating Hungary and then the defending champions, the Soviet Union, to take the title. All the 1964 qualifiers have requalified with the notable, and shocking, exception of Hungary, who have failed to qualify for a major tournament for the first time in recent memory. The hosts, Italy, are one of the strongest performing teams in Europe and the World, finishing as runners-up in the 1966 FIFA World Cup after a thrilling performance against the eventual champions, West Germany. Now, in front of their home crowd, the hopes of the Italian side are undoubtedly going to be high. Now, for a quick look back to the qualifiers.

In Group 1, Yugoslavia qualified first with 12 points, ahead of second-placed Norden with 10 points. East Germany managed to clinch third place, only 2 points away from a directly qualification spot, while the Republic of Ireland finished fourth, but were able to claim a win to top off their campaign.

In Group 2, Benelux advanced in first with a dominant performance, claiming 15 points and finishing 8 points ahead of second-placed Slovenia, who qualify for their first major international competition. Hungary dramatically finished in third, only losing out to Slovenia on goal difference. Wales finished in fourth, but managed to secure a win.

In Group 3, England qualified in first, followed by Greece who managed to qualify in second. This resulted in another shock exit from qualification by Czechoslovakia, who failed to qualify directly. Newcomers San Marino finished last in their first ever qualification outing, but managed to secure their first ever point with a draw against Greece.

Group 4 saw the defending champions Spain qualify at the top of the group, with the Soviet Union qualifying in second-place. Romania failed to qualify directly, missing out only on goal difference. Northern Ireland only managed to score a single point and finished in fourth.

In Group 5, the reigning World Champions West Germany finished in first, leading the Alpine Republic who make their return to competition after a notable absence from qualifying. Turkey managed to finish in third ahead of Iceland who managed to secure 2 points and finished in fourth.

Group 6 saw France qualify well-ahead of second-place Bulgaria, with 14 points to 8 points. Third-place went to Scotland who only managed 6 points and Finland rounded out the group in fourth with 4 points, managing to take a win and a draw.

Finally, in Group 7, Portugal took 15 points to finish top of the group, followed by Poland who finished with an equally high 13 points. Both teams were dominant in their group, with third-placed Israel only managed 6 points, making the largest gap between qualifying places. Andorra finished in fourth with only one point.

In the play-off round, Turkey knocked out Romania to advance to the final play-off, defeating the Romanians 2-0 and 1-0 consecutively. Czechoslovakia managed to defeat a strong East German side, defeating them 2-0 in the first match and narrowly missing out on a shock upset after the East Germans won in the second match 3-2. Turkey were the final qualifiers, making their first ever appearance, after defeating Czechoslovakia 1-0 and 3-2 to secure their spot in the tournament.

The final groups were drawn as such:

Group A: Italy (hosts), France, Poland, Slovenia

Group B: West Germany, Yugoslavia, Benelux, Greece

Group C: England, Spain, Norden, Turkey

Group D: Soviet Union, Portugal, Bulgaria, Alpenland

The hosts opened up the tournament with a hard-fought but triumphant victory over Poland, scoring a 1-0 victory to start their campaign strong. Debutants Slovenia were unable to show off their qualifying skill after being faced by a dominant French side, who claimed victory 4-0. In the second match day, the Slovenian side almost caused one of the upsets of the tournament by taking an early lead against the hosts, but were unable to convert it with Italy ultimately winning 3-2. Poland managed to secure a point against France in a 1-1 draw, with both teams still in the running for the next round. Italy and France secured their spots in the next round despite a underwhelming 1-1 draw. The news of the group was the surprise victory of Slovenia against Poland, marking their first ever win in an international football tournament, and despite failing to advance, a breath of fresh air for the Slovene side.

In Group B, the world champions West Germany were held in their opening match to a 1-1 draw against Benelux, whilst Greece suffered a heavy opening defeat to Yugoslavia 3-1. Greece did not have much luck in the second match, with their hopes for the knockout round dashed after another heavy defeat to West Germany 4-1, securing the Germans spot in the next round. Yugoslavia failed to join the Germans this round, as they were held by Benelux 2-2 in a difficult draw. Yugoslavia would not see the knockout round this tournament, losing to West Germany 2-1 in the final match, with Benelux defeating Greece 2-1 to take the second-place in the group.

In Group C, Norden managed to pull off a shock 2-1 victory over favourites England in the opening match, while defending champions Spain took a 2-0 victory over Turkey. The Turkish side looked set to cause an upset against England, mounting a strong second-half performance to come back from 2-0 down, but were unable to convert, losing 3-2 and exiting the tournament. Spain were held 2-2 by Norden in the second match. England and Spain saw themselves through to the next round with a 1-1 draw, and Turkey managed to cause the shock they wanted by defeating Norden 1-0 in the final match, preventing Norden from advancing to the knockout stages.

In the final group, the Soviet Union were held to a 3-3 draw by Bulgaria in a thrilling match that came down to the very last moments. Portugal managed to defeat Alpenland in a similar five-goal thriller, claiming victory in their match 3-2. Alpenland were unable to secure a win against the Soviet Union, losing 2-0 and thus losing their chance to advance to the next round, while Portugal demolished Bulgaria 4-0 in a dominant display. The Soviet Union and Portugal could only muster a 1-1 draw in their final match, followed by a 2-2 draw between Bulgaria and Alpenland.

Join us next time for our coverage of the knockout stages of the 1968 UEFA European Championships!

Rutannia, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Victoria Harbor Ii, Le Equatoria

[list][pre]T H E S L O V E N E R E P U B L I C • S L O V E N S K A R E P U B L I K A[/pre][/list]

REFERENDUM AUTHORIZES SLOVENE GOVERNMENT TO NEGOTIATE WITH ALPENLAND REGARDING NORTHERN PROVINCES

[list][sup]THE QUESTION OF THE TEUTOPHONES

SEPTEMBER 1968[/sup][/list]

Despite harassment at air and sea, the Slovene Republic had been given a brief reprieve by President Božidar Jakac’s O, mirna Slovenija speech in August 1968. Government insistence on zedinjenje served as an illuminating bout of optimism in a nation that was ever-beleaguered by its eastern neighbor. Still, even this flicker of hope was hardly enough to begin quelling those issues that existentially faced the nation.

Despite constitutionally enshrined minority representation, the matter of ethnic unrest had not magically vanished with the work of Jakac’s administration. On most fronts, Slovenia was an exceptionally functional European democracy—progressive values were held dearly, the population was generally well-read, and it has witnessed remarkable economic growth and value in the post-war era. On others, though, matters began to break down. Aggressive Slovenification after the end of the war—a form of ethnic cleansing characteristic of many countries who expelled German or otherwise Axis-aligned inhabitants due to territorial concessions—had not only chronically embittered Germans and Italians in particular against the Slovene majority, but had not even succeeded in totally uprooting them. Even fueled by returned Slovenes from the New World, settlement efforts had achieved a majority-Slovene population in the province of formerly Italian Venetia (Beneška) and other territories, but not in the northernmost once-Austrian regions of Salzia (Solska) or Carantania (Korotanje), where considerable Slovene minorities clashed and elbowed for room with the preexisting Teutophones. Jakac’s ‘people’s councils’ had been a sufficient gesture and quieted some large-scale complaints, but the day-to-day situation of Salzia and Carantania in particular was becoming unignorable. It had only been inflamed by the Sloveno-Yugoslavian crisis as tensions inside and outside the Republic were brought to a boil.

Indeed, the Slovene annexation of these previously Austrian regions has been one of the most contentious of the post-war concessions, as it went far beyond the ethnic boundaries of the Carinthian Slovenes in a heavy-handed and ill-advised attempt by the Western Allies to divide Europe’s ethnically German territory. Even among Slovenes, the matter inspired debate. That national funds ought to be dedicated to ‘provincial Nemci’—Slovene for Germans, historically related to nem (“mute”)—was considered controversial, and the lands in question had not been Slavic-speaking in nearly a dozen centuries. By the late 1960s, many Slovenes had begun to see the territory as a living burden—an occupation gone on for far too long, hardly worth the trouble and unnecessary to the Slovene nation. A poll from August 1968 revealed that only 31% of Slovenes under 30 years old confidently asserted that ‘Korotanje and Solska are rightfully Slovenian territories’, a record low which had plummeted from a figure of 78% in 1945. These circumstances afforded the government of President Jakac an interesting opportunity—a way of currying favor with Alpenland and the broader West, ridding the Republic of a considerable ethnolinguistic problem, and possibly winning a much-needed boon to the national budget in the form of a considerable monetary sum from the Alpine government in a trade for the two provinces: the complete sale of the territories should a referendum confirm their preference to secede from the Slovene Republic.

To gauge the collective willingnesses of the provinces to partake in such a gambit, the Jakac government worked with legislators for months to organize this referendum in Carantania and Salzia, questioning voters whether they assented to give the Slovenian government permission to negotiate with Alpenland for the accession of the two provinces to the Alpine Republic. Amazingly, despite some instances of voter intimidation from ethnic Slovenes, the Austrian-German secessionist bloc eked out a majority in both cases, affirming the restive nature of the Teutonophonic population well-known to Ljubljana. Widespread outrage at the referendum flared up in centers of Slovene nationalism, and one political analyst noted that Jakac had damned any chance of his re-election in the gambit—the aging painter has, however, indicated his retirement from politics may come soon. Many speculate this winnowing of borders may be his magnum opus, at last completing the sculpture of the Slovene nation, appeasing the international community and putting an end to a long-asked question. Critics, however, are more skeptical, dismissing the land-sale proposal as a cheap attempt to gain funding, excite public attention, or preempt ethnic conflict that could be otherwise solved with longer, more comprehensive reform.

[list][sup]“Let this be a lesson to Belgrade—peace is our language. Reconciliation and trust are the seeds which have grown our faith to negotiate with Alpenland, and yet not with Yugoslavia.”[/sup]

[sup]— BOŽIDAR JAKAC, President of the Slovene Republic, Sep. 1968 statement to press[/sup][/list][/list]

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1864437

[list][sub]IN OTHER NEWS: The qualification of Slovenia to the group stages of the 1968 UEFA European Championships was galvanizing, and the first such participation by Slovenia in the international sporting event. That the Slovenian team did not advance was mourned, but it stoked the continually growing fire of football in Slovenia, which has been continually mounting since the heart-stopping Slovenian bid to qualify for the 1966 world cup.[/sub][/list]

Rutannia, Arcanda, Lieobria, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Victoria Harbor Ii, Sport-Internationale, Le Equatoria

[list][list][sub]S O C I A L I S T‎ ‎ ‎ R E P U B L IC‎ ‎ ‎ O F‎ ‎ ‎ R O M A N I A‎ ‎ ‎ •‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ R E P U B L I C A‎ ‎ ‎ S O C I A L I S T Ă‎ ‎ ‎ R O M  N I A [/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list]Romania and the GDR - Solidarity[/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]Iulie 1968, Comitetul Central al Partidului Comunist Român, București, Republica Socialistă România[/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]July 1968, Central Committee of The Communist Party of Romania, Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania[/sub][/list][/list]

| On the hot sunny day of 28th July the German delegation, led by prominent GDR officials, was warmly welcomed upon their arrival in Sibiu for important talks with their Romanian counterparts, as well as His Excellency Comrade Constantin Rotaru, General Secretary of The Communist Party of Romania, President of The Presidium of The Great National Assembly, President of the State Council, President of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Supreme Commander of The People's Army, beloved and esteemed son of all Romanian people, the Genius of the Carpathians, the revered Conducător of the nation. The local German minorities in Sibiu played a crucial role in extending a heartfelt reception by greeting the delegation in their native language.

Traditional Saxon music echoed through the streets, and the air was filled with the aromas of both Romanian and German cuisines offered to the guests from Berlin.

The atmosphere was further enhanced by a cultural exchange program, where representatives from both nations shared insights into their respective histories and traditions. The Romanian people proudly showcased their heritage, and the German delegation reciprocated with exhibits highlighting the rich culture of the German people.

Unlike other Warsaw Pact member states, Germans in the Socialist Republic of Romania have been allowed to stay and have not been subjected to discrimination.

Local artisans set up stalls displaying traditional Saxon crafts, providing a unique opportunity for delegates to engage in cultural immersion. The unity displayed during these exchanges laid a solid foundation for the diplomatic discussions that followed.

| One of the key highlights of the meeting was the signing of bilateral agreements on economic cooperation. The German Democratic Republic expressed a keen interest in acquiring Romanian-made Dacia 1100 cars starting with August, recognizing their quality and economic viability. In return, the Socialist Republic of Romania agreed to exchange them for the Praktica Cameras from the GDR, a move that would support Romanian photography and photographers.

The discussions weren't confined to consumer goods; the two nations also sealed a deal involving the exchange of 5000 pieces of military equipment. This included strategic machinery, weaponry, and other essential assets.

| Throughout the meetings and negotiations, a pervasive sense of friendship and solidarity prevailed. His Excellency Comrade Constantin Rotaru, General Secretary of The Communist Party of Romania, President of The Presidium of The Great National Assembly, President of the State Council, President of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Supreme Commander of The People's Army, beloved and esteemed son of all Romanian people, the Genius of the Carpathians, the revered Conducător of the nation, and his German counterparts engaged in open and constructive dialogue, emphasizing the importance of socialist collaboration in the face of global challenges. The exchange of ideas and resources reinforced the belief that unity among socialist nations was paramount for a brighter future but also that the two nations get along with other countries, regardless of their political or economic position.

[list][list][sub]| As the meetings concluded, the delegates expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the people of Sibiu. The cultural exchange and economic agreements forged during this meeting laid another brick in the groundwork for a strengthened alliance between the Socialist Republic of Romania and the German Democratic Republic, setting the stage for continued collaboration in the years to come. |[/sub][list][list]

[sub]E scris pe Tricolor unire! Pe roșu steag liberator! Prin lupte sub a lor umbrire, spre Comunism urcăm în zbor![/sub]

[sub]Trăiască Partidul Comunist Român în frunte cu al său secretar general, tovarășul Constantin Rotaru![/sub]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Le Equatoria

“All that Romains”

[Leipzig, Deutsche Demokratische Republik]

September 1968

As August turned to September, the German Democratic Republic continued to ride its wave of economic prosperity.

Representatives of the Socialist Unity Party returned from their recess following a trip to Sibiu in Romania, reporting that trade deals had been struck to import Romanian cars and to export East German photography equipment.

The representatives had compiled a full report, a report which Erich Honecker read out at the beginning of the Politburo meeting. It documented that not only had the DDR found a strong economic partner, but also a cultural friend that it could extend an olive branch to. As a traditional leftist state, the Socialist Republic of Romania also looked better on Honecker’s ally list to the Communist hardliners who had blasted him so heavily for his dealings with Slovenia and West Germany.

It was another key victory for the East German Leader, and another piece of the ever-growing narrative he was building for himself that painted a picture of a seasoned diplomat.

However, for all his bluster, Honecker was still being cautious behind the scenes. He knew that whilst things were going well in East Germany for now, he couldn’t afford to make a mistake. Things were still precarious and the threat of instability was still there.

But as the DDR continued to prepare itself for its experiment with the Federal Republic to the West, it seemed as if they would enter these negotiations with slightly more credibility than they perhaps expected to.

Whatever your political persuasion, if you viewed the East German situation as Summer came to a close in 1968, there was one clear fact. Honecker’s international experiment was working. Nobody could deny it.

Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt Euch!

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, New Provenance, Spain-

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞

/ 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 & 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝟕𝟎% 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒔 (𝟑/𝟒), 𝟏𝟑% 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟗% 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅,

𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑮𝑫𝑷 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝑼𝑺$𝟓𝟏𝟔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒆𝒆 𝑲𝒖𝒂𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘, 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆'𝒔 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒚, 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒐 "𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕" 𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔, 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒖𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚'𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒂, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑳𝒆𝒆 𝑲𝒖𝒂𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚'𝒔 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍, 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔, 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏. 𝑻𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑

𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆-𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐, 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑴 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒂 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆. 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒃𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚'𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒊𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚.

𝑳𝒆𝒆 𝑲𝒖𝒂𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟖, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒋𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒅, 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚. 𝑷𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔. 𝑨𝒔 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒔, 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 "𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒄𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒄𝒕" 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒚 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑩𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅 ("𝑯𝑫𝑩") 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔, 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂 𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒚-𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒚. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅, 𝒊𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒓,

𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕.

𝑰𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒆, 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑳𝒆𝒆 𝑲𝒖𝒂𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔, 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔. 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆, 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 [𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈] 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒅 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐-𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒂𝒙𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚. 𝑻𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕-𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔, 𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒔. 𝑻𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒂 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑨𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚'𝒔 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚, 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆.

𝑺. 𝑹𝒂𝒋𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒏𝒂𝒎, 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝑨𝒇𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔, 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 '𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑨𝒄𝒕' 𝒐𝒇 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟖 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒆𝒔. 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔, 𝑳𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑶𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟓, 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒑 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑶𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑶𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 '𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 (𝑨𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕) 𝑨𝒄𝒕' 𝒐𝒇 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟖 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅, 𝒃𝒚 𝑺. 𝑹𝒂𝒋𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒏𝒂𝒎, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒆𝒔. 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆, 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅, 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆. 𝑯𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 "𝒅𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔" 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅. 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅, 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑭𝒖𝒏𝒅 ("𝑪𝑷𝑭") 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟓 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔, "𝑶𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚", "𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆", 𝒂𝒏𝒅 "𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍" 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 "𝑶𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚" 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, "𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆" 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 "𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍" 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕.

𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑩𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅 ("𝑬𝑫𝑩") 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝟏 𝑨𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟏, 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒂 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑯𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒅 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟖 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑩𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒑𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒇𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚.

𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒔, 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒄 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔, 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒚. 𝑳𝒆𝒆 𝑲𝒖𝒂𝒏 𝒀𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄, 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒋𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕.

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-

The Burning South

ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ

[list][sup]Aden, Federation of South Arabia

August 1968[/list][/sup]

[sup]With the escalation of hatred towards the British by Yemeni citizens in the south against the backdrop of rumors about their support for Israeli forces during the Six-Day War, demonstrations and protests escalated in Aden, And fighters of the South Yemen Liberation Army began targeting British soldiers and officers in streets of Aden.[/sup]

[sup]The Command Council of South Yemen Liberation Army planned to assassinate the British High Commissioner of Aden at Royal Air Force Khormaksar base and agreed with some Yemeni workers in base . A bag of explosives that was supposed to be transported was inserted among the High Commissioner’s belongings, but it exploded at the airport during the inspection, leading to the killing of an officer, three British soldiers, and the Yemeni worker who Enter the explosives.[/sup]

[sup]At the same time, the civil movement tried to avoid violence, as some lawyers proposed creating a petition to be signed by the largest number of citizens in the south, demanding that the British government immediately withdraw from the occupied territories of south Yemen. The idea was accepted by many citizens, but the idea was rejected by the South Yemen Liberation Army fighters.

[/sup]

Great Britain Gb

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Arcanda

Brazil Toucan

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Neepal

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Sudesam

Turkiye 1St

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-

The Great Game: Prologue

Indonesia is a nation of contradictions. For centuries, its islands were home to small, petty kingdoms yet these were connected by vast trade routes that criss-crossed the archipelago, effectively connecting them. An empire settled in their place later and upon the arrival of the Europeans, the islands were forcefully unified for their own ends. Resistance soon followed and the people who spoke hundreds of different languages and belonged to many dozens of ethnic groups found unity in resistance against European and later Japanese occupation. When independence came, many questioned how a country so varied and so separated could ever come to be, yet in 1947, after fighting for their independence against the Dutch and the British, a unitary, presidential republic under the nation’s revolutionary leaders emerged. Leaders who, only a decade later would be sidelined by the quickly shifting tides of politics and ideology.

Sukarno, a man from the historically and politically significant island of Java emerged as the most powerful man in Indonesia. From its early days under Japanese sponsorship, he led pro-independence organizations and helped organize youth and community-based groups which would one day serve as the basis for proper Indonesian institutions. Initially a proponent of democracy, Sukarno would later shift toward autocratic rule and establish so-called “Guided Democracy”, a tenuous balance between political groups and the increasingly influential military which would one day become his undoing. Between 1957 and 1965, Sukarno was the undisputed strongman of Indonesia. He was President-for-Life, the founder of the Republic and the guarantor of its independence. Yet, a single event would bring it all crashing down.

On the 30th of September 1965, Sukarno’s increasingly left-wing stance and close association with the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI), the Soviet Union and China triggered a reaction from the right-wing elements of the military who lashed out by killing various senior officers connected to the military’s left-wing faction. Sukarno, who was practically powerless in the midst of what was essentially a coup d’etat against him was outmaneuvered by Suharto, a senior general in charge of Kostrad (the main combat arm of the Indonesian armed forces), he managed to establish order amid the chaos, confined the rebelling troops to barracks and then went on a campaign which placed the blame on the PKI for the aborted coup d’etat.

In the aftermath of the coup, the PKI was purged from power. Between late 1965 and 1966, the PKI, its members and suspected members were killed or imprisoned en masse at the orders of Suharto who simultaneously began to concentrate power around himself and some of his allies. The final coup de grace against Sukarno was the so-called Supersemar, an order which gave Suharto near-unlimited authority to “restore order” amid a series of mass killings that ensued in the aftermath of the September 30th incident. In the end, the order was one of the final executive decrees signed by Sukarno as President of Indonesia. On the 12th of March 1967, the People’s Consultative Assembly stripped Sukarno of his remaining powers and named General Suharto as Acting President of the Republic of Indonesia.

Since his appointment as Acting President, Suharto has attempted to cement his power. Proclaiming a “New Order”, most of the Indonesian government has been purged of pro-Sukarno politicians and military officers, leaving only his allies and those loyal to Suharto. However, despite his attempts to sideline the groups and individuals who propelled his rise to power, Suharto has failed in his endeavors. Time and time again, his subtle tactics have ended in failure and attempting anything overt could diminish his legitimacy before the Indonesian people or worse, trigger unrest and a counter-coup against him. Yet, that has not deterred the determined Suharto.

Now, the General is engaged in the Great Game, a new strategy that will create a balancing act between his own ambitions and those of his ‘allies’ with the ultimate goal of wresting control from them and concentrating it on himself. After all, it was Suharto who had single handedly saved Indonesia from the claws of the Communists in Moscow and Beijing, from economic collapse and mass hunger. Who else but him to be the man to lead Indonesia into the future?

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-

The 4th anniversary of Revolution

ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ

[list][sup]Sanaa, Yemen Arab Republic

August 1968[/list][/sup]

[sup]During the celebrations of the 4th anniversary of the August Revolution, Yemeni President Lieutenant General Hassan al-Zaidi and government officials attended the opening of the August 5 Air Base near Sanaa, to be the first air base in Yemen, where fighters were stationed at civilian airports, and squadrons of MiG-17 and Fouga CM.170 Magister jet fighters were transferred to the new base Equipped to receive jet aircraft.[/sup]

[sup]On the day following the revolution celebrations, President Al-Zaidi attended the graduation of the first batch of students from the Sanaa College of Agriculture, where he delivered a speech in which he said:

We are still seeking to develop our economy. Today, four years after our revolution, I see that we are on the path, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us.

Today we are witnessing the blooming of a new flower in the future of Yemen. These students will be an important part of the development of agriculture in Yemen, as we all dreamed that agriculture in Yemen would achieve multiple times the current income of our national economy.

I repeat, we will continue to support all freedom fighters throughout our Arab homeland, and those who fight colonialism in the south are no different from those who fight Israeli colonialism in Sinai and Palestine, and we will support these just causes until the last man.[/sup]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Arcanda

Brazil Toucan

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Neepal

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Sudesam

Turkiye 1St

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-

[list][list][spoiler=​𝓓𝓮𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓸𝓵𝓪𝓲𝓼]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0IwCCJpOvU[/spoiler][/list][/list]

[list][pre]✰✰✰ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐀 ✰✰✰[/pre][sup][pre] 𝟷𝟿𝟼𝟼 - 𝟷𝟿𝟼𝟾 | 𝚁𝙴𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝚀𝚄𝙴 𝙳𝙴𝙼𝙾𝙲𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙸𝚀𝚄𝙴 𝙳𝚄 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙶𝙾[/pre][/sup][/list]

[sup]In the aftermath of the Congo Crisis, Mobutu reached new heights of power with the death of Adoula and the collapse of Gizenga's Simba Rebellion. It seemed that the time had come to seize the moment and establish himself as the Congo's sole ruler. Yet, two hurdles remained in Mobutu's path to complete control. Firstly, there were still pockets of resistance and opposition from Simba groups scattered across the east. Secondly, Mobutu had to contend with a sudden revolt from the very mercenaries that had saved his regime. A Belgian by the name of Jean 'Black Jack' Schramme, two South Africans, a pilot named Jerry Puren, and Thomas Michael "Mad Mike" Hoare had concocted a plot to carve out their own little state in the Oriental Province. The reason for this revolt came from Mobutu's distaste for the white mercenaries, as they reflected negatively upon his amy and his own abilities as a commander during the Simba rebellion. Over the course of 1966 and the first half of 1967, Mobutu steadily reduced the number of mercenaries. Originally going from 650 in 1966 to a meager force of 189 by 1967, most of them had been paid the last of their wages and then sent home. Mobutu's military advisor, Colonel Bob Denard, had given Schramme and Hoare their notices to disband their units and return to their home countries. Schramme, having spent most of his life in the Congo since the colonial era, was unwilling to cede what he viewed as his land to the natives, thus providing the impetus to rebel. The Mercenary Revolt began on the 5th of July, 1967, when Schramme's unit, the 10th Commando, launched a raid on a POW camp in Bunia. With 11 white mercs, they raided the camp, killing most of the Congolese soldiers there and releasing hundreds of Simbas. Schramme gave them two options: stay in the camp or take up arms with the mercs. The choice was rather easy for the Simbas. Mad Mike and Jerry Puren would lead the rest of the unit to take over the regional airport. Taking it with little resistance, the Congolese garrison had not been paid in weeks and was ill-equipped.[/sup]

[sup]Once in control of Bunia, the local ANC garrison was either killed or paid to switch sides. Schramme's little revolt grew from a meager 70 to 440 soldiers. With their numbers growing, Schramme's forces began to establish control over the surrounding areas, seizing key strategic locations and expanding their influence. The Congolese government, caught flatfooted by the sudden uprising, struggled to respond effectively, allowing Schramme's rebellion to gain momentum. Schramme, feeling confident, ordered a march on Stanleyville; however, his overconfidence would prove to be his downfall. As the mercenaries advanced towards Stanleyville, they encountered fierce resistance from the Congolese army at the town of Mambasa. The poorly coordinated attack resulted in heavy casualties for Schramme's troops, weakening their position and diminishing their momentum. Put on the backfoot, Schrammer mercenaries retreated back towards Bunia and dug themselves in for an ANC offensive. At first, Schramme was able to hold Bunia for seven weeks, defeating most ANC troops who attempted to take the town. The ANC lacked artillery and air support, which made it difficult for them to effectively dislodge Schramme's forces from their fortified positions in Bunia. However, as supplies began to dwindle for the mercenaries, Mad Mike and Puren, seeing the writing on the wall if they remained, stole the only working plane at the Bunia airport and abandoned Schramme. Disillusioned and dangerously running out of supplies, Schramme and his mercenaries made a desperate break eastward to Lake Albert. For several days, the ANC hunted down the fleeing mercenaries in the Hoyo mountains but failed to stop them from reaching Lake Albert, where they used boats to flee to the Ganda. Once landing on Gandan soil, Schramme and his mercenaries were arrested and held in detention. Eventually, being released from detention despite Mobutu's demands to King Muteesa of Ganda.[/sup]

[sup]Unable to deliver his vengeance upon Schrammer and his mercenaries, Mobutu opted to settle the score with what remained of the white population in Congo. He would issue Order 1230, which declared that all property owned by Belgians belonged to the state. They were also ordered to evacuate the country in a week, less they suffer the consequences of staying. However, it should be noted that by 1968, less than a hundred Belgians remained, as the chaos of the last few years saw a mass flight of Belgians from the country. When the dust settled and the crisis finally ended, Mobutu stood alone as the sole ruler of the Congo. Adoula was dead; the remaining CNM was subdued; and Gizenga was in exile. Finally, at the height of power, Mobutu wasted no time securing his new regime.[/sup]

[list][list][spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, Hatzburg, Spain-

[list][list][list][pre]RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE

FRENCH BUREAUCRACY

MINISTÈRE DE LA DÉFENSE NATIONALE[/pre][/list]

______

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: FRANCE ESTABLISHES A NAVAL PRESENCE IN THE ADRIATIC

[sub]VTH FRENCH REPUBLIC | PARIS, SEPTEMBER 1968 [/sub][/list]

[sub]| HELM OF WARFARE, MINISTÈRE DE LA DÉFENSE NATIONALE, FRANÇAIS RÉPUBLIQUE - | After private discussions between President De Gaulle and Slovene President Jakac were held, in which the two agreed on a number of security issues currently facing Slovenia and the Adriatic region; direct orders from President De Gaulle to Minister of National Defense Pierre Messmer will see the French Navy deploy a strike carrier group to the increasingly hostile environment of the Adriatic Sea where they will coordinate with other NATO vessels in the area of operations. The Adriatic region has quickly spiraled out of control in the aftermath of the Slovenian fishing trawler sinking in June by the Yugoslavian Navy, with Yugoslavia having admitting to committing the unprovoked attack. Now NATO forces are required to respond with the two countries remaining "neck and neck" in a stand-off over what authorities say is a resurgence of a decades long territorial dispute. The French Defense Ministry has drawn significant parallels between this crisis and the one that occurred in 1952 when Yugoslavia was suspected of having sank a Slovene fishing vessel. If conflict erupts, the Slovene Republic has the full support of NATO backing them, with concerns to their national defense and ultimately the security of the Adriatic region.[/sub]

[spoiler=French Navy Ships Deployed to the Adriatic Sea][sub][list][*]FNS Foch (Clemenceau-class aircraft carrier)

[*]FNS Strasbourg (Dunkerque-class fast battleship)

[*]FNS Calais (Europa-class battlecruiser)

[*]FNS Suffren (Suffren-class guided missile frigate)

[*]FNS Duquesne (Suffren-class guided missile frigate)

[*]FNS Colbert (Colbert-class guided missile cruiser)

[*]FNS Ariane (Aréthuse-class attack submarine)

[*]FNS Argonaute (Aréthuse-class attack submarine)

[*]FNS Sabre (Gladiolus-class minesweeper)

[*]FNS Javeline (Gladiolus-class minesweeper)

[*]FNS Commandant Teste (Seaplane tender)

[*]FNS Saar (Submarine tender)[/list][/sub][/spoiler]

[sub]The Ministry of National Defense has outlined the mission for the French fleet which will include providing security to Slovenia and all international shipping. Meanwhile the French government in Paris will continue to work tirelessly to pressure the Slovenians and Yugoslavians into some sort of bilateral peace discussions that will hopefully put a final end to the Slovene-Yugoslav rivalry. With Romania even coming into the fold against the actions of Yugoslavia, the crisis has spelled out a clear division between the Iron Curtain nations and their former Yugoslav comrades, although it is undoubted that the increased NATO presence has placed a bit of worry on the minds of leaders in the Eastern bloc states. They have used this to justify deploying military units of their own to the Balkan region, however for France the message sent is intended to beckon a call for a peaceful solution while ensuring regional security and stability at the same time. President De Gaulle has called Slovenia and Yugoslavia both vital partners to France in the Balkan region, with France long having had relations with Slovenia since its founding and most recently having encouraged French industrial giants to buy up a large swath of the recently privatized Yugoslavian economy. It would be clear to the international community that France is not only there to send a powerful message, but also to protect what it sees as vital national interests in both countries.|[/sub]

[list]______[/list]

[list][list][pre]VIVE LA RÉPUBLIQUE!

VIVE LA FRANCE!

VIVE L’EMPIRE![/pre][/list][/list]

[list][spoiler=[sub]𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐘[/sub]]

Abessinienreich

Adriatican Islands

Al-Jammahirya Al-Arabiyya

Amsterwald

Andorra-

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Astarina

Brazil Toucan

Canovia

Cascadla

Connomia

Earstenia

Falastinyya

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Hollunde

Holy Vatican City States

Hong Kong Delta

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Le Equatoria

Lieobria

Lucki

Maziya

Medarc

Meerkien

Metropolitan Francais

Monaco-

Mutawakkiliti

Nasrid Algeria

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Ngiera

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Osivoiii

Paramountica

Paseo

Poland1St

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Republica De Cuba-

Rio De La Plata Basin

Rutannia

Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia

Saudi Arabiyah

Slipway

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spain-

Spartansk

Tallahan

The Confederate Prussian Empire

The Kemalist Republic Of Turkiye

The United States Of Africa

Vancouver Straits

Veliki-Kolombia

Victoria Harbor

Victoria Harbor Ii

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

Zeitenwende

Zingium

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, The Confederation Of Northern Germany, Lieobria, Amsterwald, Federated Arab Emirates, Sixth French Metropolitan Republic, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Holy Vatican City States, Federated Turkey, Nasrid Algeria, New Provenance, Monaco-, Andorra-, Hatzburg, Spain-, Victoria Harbor Ii

[ The Portuguese Bear & the NATO Question ]

[ Lisbon, Portugal: August, 1968 ]

| The return of the monarchy to Portugal has seen vast change beginning to occur, as within months of the kings return many corrupt politicians have been arrested. A few already have been put to death by public hanging, depending on the severity of their crimes. One of the major crimes, was tampering with the funds allotted to the research and development of domestically made weapons, vehicles and equipment for the Royal armed forces of Portugal. A major project that had to be scrapped, was the creation and production of the Pantera-1a tank as the funds for it were stolen by many of the politicians currently under arrest, or already dead. Because of this major occurrence, a new name for the project and new funds were allocated. The new project fell under the name of ‘Urso’, rather than the standard ‘Lobo’ pattern which has been given to the light assault tanks of the older M-24 variants. Primarily, the project was meant to be seen as a proving ground for the arms developers of Portugal. Rather than relying on purchasing weapons from non-European states, the hope was to fully integrate domestic production so that it would open up jobs for many within the country. While also boosting the economy, as the plan was to advertise for the selling of such arms to nations in need of them, no matter their political ideology. Frederico Braganza himself was primarily a Portuguese patriot firstly and a European populist secondly. He believed in the power that Europe itself held over most of the world, and that the relinquishing of colonial lands was simply appeasing the powerful money mongrels in Wall Street and Washington DC. Hence the importance of such a project succeeding, at least in the eyes of Frederico and his advisors. A domestic production of tanks, ones that can be produced and sold to other European nations without them having to currently rely on American equipment whatsoever. While he himself knew the idea was a farfetched one, his own ambitions were to try and turn Europe back into the powerhouse of a continent it once had been, before being plunged into WW2 and the rise of both America and the USSR. Believing that the key to doing so, was to focus strictly on European partnership while excluding American interventionism. Frederico and his defense ministers planned more than to create a new tank for Portugal and Europe, rather, be the center piece for European nations to take back what was once theirs. A fully funded and dedicated tank project would hopefully be the start of that, as the design itself was meant to be versatile for almost all European militaries. The ‘Urso-1a’ main battle tank, was hopefully the magnum opus of domestic military production. Time would only tell, and Frederico could only hope that one small project such as this could lead to so many more.

While this project was set to be underway by then end of the year, another one was already taking place. Which was the standardization of royal army small arms, leading to domestically produced FAL rifles being made the standard rifle for most units. American designed AR-10’s were slowly being placed in storage, and production of newly made ones were being cut or outright stopped. Tooling for them specifically was being switched for that of FAL’s. Cutting back on royalty payments towards the United States, along with current R&D within the royal army ordnance department looking for European produced replacements for the M24 ‘Lobo’ pattern light tanks. Focusing on cutting any and all royalty ties between Portugal and the United States, especially in regards to weapons and vehicles. The current tanks and vehicles would be maintained and used, no more will be produced. More so than ever before, the focus was on European made designs or better yet, Portuguese designed ones. Another decision of the Salazar regime that has coming under scrutiny, was the induction of the nation into NATO. Which occurred in August of 1949, and from the point of view of Frederico, while it helps with the defense of Europe and its development it also allows the United States to dictate to the other nations of what should be done or what they should have to do. None of which made sense to the king of Portugal, as the EU itself could very much defend itself and develop itself without the need of the United States. Every passing day and every passing week, Frederico Braganza himself becomes more and more open to the idea of leaving NATO entirely. |

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Lieobria, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Victoria Harbor Ii

Hello guys. For being a real country, can I be Finland or Lithuania?

Post by Reichskommissariat-0Stland suppressed by a moderator.

International Association Football Federation | Fédération internationale de football association

1968 UEFA European Championships

LIVE - Italy

--------------------------

KNOCKOUT STAGES

After a thrilling set of matches in the group stages, eight teams advance into the dreaded knockout stages where we will discover which teams will make it to the final for a chance at taking the coveted trophy. Our hosts Italy advance from Group A, followed by France. West Germany advance on top of Group B, followed by Benelux, with the shock exit of Yugoslavia so early in the tournament. Spain lead a very tight Group C, with England narrowly taking second place ahead of Norden. Finally, Portugal lead Group D, with the Soviet Union advancing in second. All of the remaining teams are very experienced and each stand a fairly strong chance of making it to the final. In the quarter finals, we see defending champions Spain against Benelux, Portugal against England, West Germany against France and Italy against the Soviet Union.

Spain's title defence unfortunately ends at the quarter-finals at the hands of Benelux in an extremely hard-fought match. The match was even until just before the end of the first-half, when the Spanish side managed to secure a goal to put themselves in the lead. However, the tables turned against the Spaniards early in the second half, with Benelux managing to secure 2 goals and control the pace of the match well into the final moments. A free-kick from the Spanish captain managed to tie the game just as the game passed 90 minutes, leading into extra-time. Although the goal brought a brief boost in morale, the Spaniards were unable to hold on and Benelux secured the final goal that would see them advance to the semi-finals.

Portugal and England met yet again, after their prior quarter-final meeting in London at the World Cup. The match was looking to be a repeat of the same circumstances, with England scoring an early goal, but from that point the game was commanded by the Portuguese, who looked strong heading into the second half. Despite some fantastic play from the Portuguese forwards, it was ultimately fruitless in comparison to the strong English defence, resulting in the score line reading 1-0 to England.

West Germany were stunned by France in a heavy defeat in their quarter-final match. The World Champions managed to secure an early penalty, taking the lead in the first ten minutes. However, this was quickly responded to by the French, equalising minutes later and having the score even by the half time. As the second half began, the French side were far superior, outpacing the Germans to secure two more goals in quick succession, before hanging back to control the midfield. The expert play was too much for the Germans to handle, with France advancing to the semi-finals.

The hosts Italy had a brief scare but ultimately overcame the challenge posed by the Soviets in the longest match of the Euros so far. The Soviet Union scored early, with a thundering shot from outside of the box, to secure the lead. The Italian side were unable to keep up with the more physical play of the Soviets, who ran circles around the Italian midfield for much of the game. As the minutes went on, the atmosphere in the stadium was one of disappointment, until Italy's star striker secured the goal they needed to equalise in the 75th minute, reviving the crowds spirits and Italian hopes for the match. Neither side could secure a winning goal, and so the match went onto penalties. Despite missing their first penalty, a combination of precision goalkeeping and the home crowd saw Italy overcome the Soviets 4-3 on penalties.

Moving to the semi-finals, England faced yet another painful defeat, as Benelux set up their first ever international final. Benelux managed to secure two early goals in the first half, and held onto this lead by the end of the half. Looking firmly in control, Benelux secured their third goal just after the second-half had started, leaving the English team with a serious mountain to climb. Despite the English side managing to reclaim a single goal, it was not enough and England go out in the semi-finals, while Benelux head into the final.

The hosts might have set up a fairy-tale tournament, as they advance to the final after defeating France. The French side, emboldened by their crushing defeat of the World Champions, scored early, but were met with an immediate equaliser and a second goal to follow, putting the Italians ahead at half-time. Tensions between these old rivals ran high as players and fans could be seen jeering and riling each-other up. The French managed to secure an equaliser by the 60th minute, and took control of the game from there. What looked to be a third French goal was controversially disallowed, with the linesman claiming off-side. In the 80th minute, a clumsy tackle saw an Italian penalty, converted to give the hosts the lead which they would hold onto. The final score: Italy 3-2 France.

Join us next time for our coverage of the 1968 UEFA European Championship final!

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Victoria Harbor Ii, Independent Singapore, Arezahi

[pre]D I P L O M A T I C . C O M M U N I Q U É . FROM . THE . M O S T . S E R E N E . M A R S E R I AT . OF . V E N I C E[/pre]

[pre]O P E N[/pre]

Venice, August 12th 1968

To All Sovereign States of the World

The Most Serene Marseriat of Venice is delighted to extend a cordial invitation to all sovereign states of the world to establish a diplomatic mission to our Venetian Republic.

The Marseriat has a rich history of sovereignty that it looks forward to resuming in all essence for the first time since Venice's sovereignty was abridged in the 1940s. Under the terms of the post-war Provisional Basic Law, put in place following Venice's liberation from the Italian and German occupation during the Second World War, Venetian foreign affairs have been handled by the Kingdom of Italy, with the exceptions of the relations of the Venetian Republic with the Kingdom of Spain, the State of Malta, and the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta. In accordance with international law and treaties, specifically the Treaty of Chioggia, the the Provisional Basic Law is expired, and with immediate effect the Venetian Basic Law has entered into force. On behalf of Her Most Serene Highness, the Duchess of Venice, of the House of Participazio & Savoia di San Marco sulle Onde, the Venetian Authority now forth assumes all responsibilities for administering the Marseriat's relations with other sovereign states.

On the basis of mutual respect for international law, norms, and inter country peace and prosperity, the Marseriat endeavors to create relations with all sovereign states, and will welcome diplomatic missions to the Free City of Venice, within the Marseriat. We also welcome honorary guests to the Court of Venice, before Her Most Serene Highness. Wem also officially inform the national institutions of the nations of the world that the respective institutions of the Venetian Republic have assumed all authorities formerly managed by the Kingdom of Italy, and that official records and advisory dossiers should be updated to reflect such.

The Foreign State Office of the Venetian Authority thank all receivers of this communiqué.

[pre]C L O S E[/pre]

[pre]D I P L O M A T I C . C O M M U N I Q U É . FROM . THE . M O S T . S E R E N E . M A R S E R I AT . OF . V E N I C E[/pre]

[spoiler=[sub]for the Regional Message Board of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Arcanda, Lieobria, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Victoria Harbor Ii, Poland1St, Le Equatoria, Arezahi

[list]1968년 08월 28일

[sub]Rat In The Trap[/sub][/list]

[list][sub]The Prince in Yugoslavia[/sub][/list]

[sub]Hotel Moskva, Belgrade, Yugoslavia[/sub]

| The announcement had come as a slight shock to many, many had expected the Foreign Minister to travel to Belgrade as tensions racked up, but the addition of Prince Hee-seung was unexpected. The Government and Palace’s joint statement said the Prince’s visit was a cultural one, further exploring the multiple cultures of Yugoslavia, several media outlets have speculated that the Prince’s visit has more to do with reinforcing the growing friendship between the two nations amidst the rising tensions. Foreign Minister Choi Kyu-hah, Prince Hee-seung and their respective entourages had been put up in the Hotel Moskva, a hotel regarded as the hotbed for cultural elites. The Prince himself enjoyed one of the luxury suites, while others had been booked into ’regular’ rooms, which were by no means regular. |[list]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “Suzu.”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku: “Mhm?”[/sub]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “Mhm? Is that all I get?”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku: “You used my nickname. Speak informally, and get spoken to informally. Now what do you need?”[/sub][/list]

| The Prince would merely roll his eyes as he stood up from the wingback chair, meandering his way over to Suzaku, draping his arms over the other man. |[list]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “I need an answer. Now, I can deduce why we are here. It doesn’t take a genius to realise sending a Prince into a country where war could break at any moment is not a smart idea. However I assume we, well more me, are here to generate a buzz, a show of friendship if you will.”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku: “You would be correct, while Kyu-hah nim handles the real diplomacy, your job is to visit cultural landmarks on a formal short tour. We are here for a week, well just over a week.”[/sub][/list]

| Suzaku would raise his brows as Hee-seung had yet to move from his position, listening contently as Suzaku spoke. Suzaku would let out a small cough, jolting Hee-seung from his position. |[list]

[sub]Suzaku: “Mightily affectionate of you, your majesty.”[/sub]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “Do I not normally show affection? Am I not the Prince of Charisma?”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku: “More like the Prince of Cold Stares and Gummy Smiles”[/sub][/list]

| Suzaku’s response would earn him a light smack, feigning a severe injury Suzaku would fall back into the lavish ‘loveseat’ decorated in a contemporary French style. Hee-seung would merely shake his head in response turning away from his Secretariat walking towards the windows looking out across Belgrade. |[list]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “Ignoring your insubordination, where am I off to first on this cultural tour?”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku: “We, and Kyu-hah nim are off to Batajnica Air Base. It’s about twenty-five kilometres north of here.”[/sub]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “Wait. I thought this was cultural?”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku: “It is. Save for this bit where we will be inspecting the might of the Yugoslav air force in all its glory.”[/sub]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “Why do I distinctly feel this is going to haunt me in thirty-years time? Why can't we go to somewhere sunny, like Malta? I've heard good things about it.”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku: “I thought that was just an island of religious charity workers?"[/sub][/list]

| Hee-seung would merely place his head in his hands with a loud sigh. While the Princes' suspicions where not misplaced, using the royals as a diplomatic tool was not something distinct to Korea, it had become one of the prime functions of most modern monarchies across the globe. Visiting an airbase like Batajnica was not something particularly out of the ordinary, the timing however could not send more of a message, Korea was willing to put its trading relationship above everything. Some in the Government feared that Park had been overly listening to one particularly powerful figure, and could easilt jeopodise Korea's image if it wasn't careful. |

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Lieobria, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Poland1St, Arezahi

[list][list][sub]𝚅.1968[/sub][/list]

I L • R E G N O • D' I T A L I A

[list][sub]LIBRI, BANDIERE E RIVENDICAZIONI[/sub]

BOOKS, FLAGS, AND DEMANDS, III[/list]

[list][list]ALL AGAINST AUTHORITY

[pre]All across the country,

Street battles and faculty occupations unfold,

As a generation of politicized students clash with authority,

Many attempting to spread the revolution throughout Europe.[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

[list][list][pre]▌ R.A.I. — Radiotelevisione italiana

[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdn3FZ-D-jo ][/pre][/list][/list]

[list]| UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, "LA SAPIENZA" [sup][nation=short]Arcanda[/nation][/sup] — The main amphitheater of La Sapienza would see yet another youthful orator take the stage. With some exceptions, none of them sported the long-haired looks of their American counterparts; for the most part, they were well-groomed architecture, law or letter students donning impeccable polo shirts, a Beatles-like hairstyle and, for the women, skirts stopping just above the knee. Yet, those allowed inside—virtually all who desired, except the police and those suspected of being part of it—would hear radical discourses. The university, having now been occupied for a week, has transformed into the epicenter of various burgeoning student movements, its walls adorned with revolutionary slogans: "YANKEES, FUORI DAL VIETNAM" (self-explanatory), "FINE AI SAVOIA" ("DOWN WITH THE SAVOYS"), "AUTOGESTIONE PER GLI OPERAIO" ("WORKER SELF-MANAGEMENT"). Copies of the Little Red Book, magazines from the independent left covering the war in Vietnam and in the Middle-East, as well as publications from Cuba, the U.A.R., Palestine and North Vietnam would be handed out in the hundreds. Outside the walls of the Fascist-era campus and its angular architecture, an unending ballet of police vehicles and the sound of their sirens would continue long into the night, smoke rising in the air. All throughout the country, the diffuse student movement, whose first real clash with public order has taken place just one month ago ago, would see generalized occupations of faculties and widespread street battles between student protesters and riot police. |

| From Rome to Bologna, Milan to Genoa and Turin, the police were directed to maintain order. The SIFAR, fearing that the agitation could soon spill over to the large factories of the North, would spare no efforts in stopping it— alas, too little, too late. In FIAT's flagship Turin factory, workers have declared an unthinkable spontaneous strike, sidelining the mainstream unions that were, along with the PCI, also a target of the students' critics, demanding higher wages and some form of self-management and worker participation; production has all but stopped, forcing the Agnelli Empire to the table of negotiations. Elsewhere in the Kingdom, various marches have taken place; demands are multifold, ranging from the right to sex education and mixed dorms, to the end of the patriarchal Monarchy, to those against American imperialism. Meanwhile, in the less industrialized South, disturbances on a lesser scale have also been reported: In Calabria and in the outskirts of Naples, non-unionized, illegally-employed farm workers protested and laid siege to local administrative buildings; police intervention led to several heavy injuries. |

| Quick to react and determined, more radical student groups have taken to direct attacks on what they see as representatives of the established order; PCI and DC offices have been sacked; the prestigious presses of the Corriere della Serra stopped in Milan when trucks were blocked from leaving the premises; in several city centers, the streets have become no-man's lands of burning carcasses; phone and power lines have reportedly been cut down, adding to the mayhem. Hoping to spread their movement to other European countries, several student leaders have jumped on trains running to Paris ([nation=short]Metropolitan Francais[/nation]), Cologne ([nation=short]New Provenance[/nation]) and Ljubljana ([nation=short]Amsterwald[/nation]), where they hope to meet with like-minded counterparts, and stoke the flames of dissent. The heated situation in the Balkans, although not the prime concern of students, has also spilled over: the Yugoslav ambassador has been attacked by an unidentified youth during a dinner on Via Veneto, with only minor injuries; the Slovene embassy, on the other hand, has had to contend with groups of neo-fascists lobbing stones and defacing it with pro-Istrian slogans on a nearly daily basis. With a mounting domestic crisis, once barely considered, and the embers of conflict burning hot across the Adriatic, the Moro cabinet now seems all but worn out as it gears for the June general elections; while the Minister of the Interior Paolo Taviani has asked for the deployment of Army units in supplement to the riot police, Minister of the Education Luigi Giu has lended a more understanding ear to students' demands; with Moro himself silently devoting his energy to foreign affairs. Amid such confusion, few know when, and how, this period will end. |

[list][list][list][spoiler=[sub]Commonwealth of Liberty[/sub]

EVVIVA L'ITALIA!

—]

[nation]Adriatican Islands[/nation]

[nation]Al-Oman[/nation]

[nation]Amsterwald[/nation]

[nation]Arcanda[/nation]

[nation]Brazil Toucan[/nation]

[nation]Cascadla[/nation]

[nation]Cheezaslovakia[/nation]

[nation]Connomia[/nation]

[nation]East Germany DDR[/nation]

[nation]Great Britain GB[/nation]

[nation]Greater Kurdistane[/nation]

[nation]Israelli[/nation]

[nation]Kewtpuff[/nation]

[nation]Kotakuan II[/nation]

[nation]Ma-li[/nation]

[nation]Maziya[/nation]

[nation]Metropolitan Francais[/nation]

[nation]Neepal[/nation]

[nation]Nevbrejnovitz[/nation]

[nation]Newauroria[/nation]

[nation]New Provenance[/nation]

[nation]Nileia[/nation]

[nation]Nippon-Nihon[/nation]

[nation]OsivoII[/nation]

[nation]Paramountica[/nation]

[nation]Paseo[/nation]

[nation]Peking Zhongguo[/nation]

[nation]Pontianus[/nation]

[nation]Provenancia[/nation]

[nation]Ranponian[/nation]

[nation]Rutannia[/nation]

[nation]Saudi Arabiyah[/nation]

[nation]Socialist Democratic Republic Romania[/nation]

[nation]Spainard[/nation]

[nation]Sudesam[/nation]

[nation]Turkiye 1st[/nation]

[nation]Vancouver Straits[/nation]

[nation]Victoria Harbor[/nation]

[nation]Vietnam SV[/nation]

[nation]Virnall[/nation]

[/spoiler][/list][/list]

Rutannia, Amsterwald, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Poland1St, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Arezahi

[list][pre]T H E S L O V E N E R E P U B L I C • S L O V E N S K A R E P U B L I K A[/pre][/list]

THE ‘CELOVEC CONFERENCE’ CONFIRMS THE RESULTS OF THE NORTHERN REFERENDUMS—KOROTANJE AND SOLSKA TO BE SOLD TO ALPENLAND

[list][sup]THE QUESTION ANSWERED

OCTOBER 1968[/sup][/list]

Božidar Jakac had seen—and seized—his opportunity. The Golden Horns’ aim for Slovenia to trade the provinces of Korotanje and Solska was to be their attempt at a political master-stroke in the service of manifold purposes: solving a chronic ethnic conflict during a period of considerable tension, shoring up relations with a valued neighbor, and demonstrating that the spectacle now unfolding with Yugoslavia was not the result of Slovenian recalcitrance to negotiate. The benefits for both sides seemed clear. Slovenia would lose a longstanding thorn in its side, returning it to the internationally recognized successor of the government whence it had first come; Alpenland (Cascadla), in turn, would relieve itself of a strategic bottleneck, gain a wide expanse of natural resources and territory, and receive a population which had been roughly disjointed from its native nation decades ago. Still, the transfer of these lands—sparsely populated though they may be—was no easy matter, politically or logistically. It took a full month for Jakac to wrest full governmental approval for the negotiations to proceed with any authority.

The idyllic lakeside town of Celovec had, twenty-three years previously, been called Klagenfurt am Wörthersee. Now, a cultural capital of the Carinthian Slovenes and an integral part of the Republic, it was to be host to a summit that would determine the fate of two provinces some eighty kilometers north. Fair skies meant that the first day of negotiations proceeded in the open air, with talks held in the gardens at the south front of the Deželni dvorec, formerly the city’s Landhaus. The Slovene delegation comprised scholars, diplomats, and seasoned politicians selected from among the nation’s most prestigious ranks. At the head of the group, Slovene President Božidar Jakac and Slovene Minister for Economic Development Stane Kavčič each led a packed away team of advisers and specialists. They were joined by the usual bevy of aides, envoys, and emissaries, including Celovec mayor Marjan Doležal, Slovene Ambassador to Alpenland Matjaž Škof, and community leaders of the Teutonophones of Carantania and Salzia. They met their Alpenlander equals with a distinct optimism; leading the delegation of his native country was career politician Hans Schaffner, President of Alpenland. Together, the two sides spent four days in talks; central to the Slovene proposal was attaining assurances of Slovene minority rights in the provinces and attaining a monetary sum, originally proposed to be $100 million (1968) paid over ten years. Schaffner acknowledged the lucrative nature of the transfer of the provinces but counteroffered until the sum was reduced to $60 million (1968) paid over twelve years. Various logistical discussions followed, and Jakac was said to have privately apologized to Schaffner on behalf of the Slovene nation, admitting to the wrongnesses of the size of the Austrian concession after the Second World War and committing to continued friendship between the two nations.

The delegates emerged victorious on the twentieth of October, and the whole of Celovec appeared to hear Jakac deliver an address declaring the results: Korotanje and Solska, according to their will as demonstrated by a provincial referendum, would be sold to the Alpine Republic and would transfer ownership at 11:59 PM local time on 31 December 1968. The responses of the crowd were mixed. Hesitant cheers scored the address, as Celovec itself had been a wellspring of Slovenian nationalism after the war’s end and was not largely fain to forfeit any land occupied by Slovenes. The sale of the provinces, henceforth known as the Alpski nakup (“Alpine purchase”), would long be Jakac’s most controversial gambit. It was lengthily foreshadowed by ethnic conflict, but even if the troublesome lands had proven their true leanings via referendum, Slovene nationalists would not take the loss easily. It would no doubt damn the Golden Horns’ chance of re-election in 1970 unless they were to masterfully spin the benefits of the sale to the Slovenian people. Regardless, it had been agreed upon. What few Slovenian military assets occupied the region would begin the process of withdrawal, as would several thousand Slovene settlers in turn, before the year’s end.

[list][sub]IN OTHER NEWS: Slovenia’s razor-thin Worldvision victory over Yugoslavia was rapturously celebrated in Slovenia and the once-obscure rocker Milan Petrovič has enjoyed a colossal tide of new interest. The Slovenian record in Worldvision has generally been one of success, and preparations are already underway to host the 1969 event in Trst (Italian Trieste).[/sub][/list]

Rutannia, Arcanda, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Poland1St, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Arezahi

“Warum?”

[East Berlin, Deutsche Demokratische Republik]

September-October 1968

The DDR’s undisputed leader Erich Honecker and the military commander Heinz Hoffman had made East Germany’s official position on the Yugoslavia-Slovenia situation very clear to everyone across the party.

The German Democratic Republic would not support Yugoslavia on this matter and would not get involved in any kind of military engagement. However, what everyone really wanted to know was why.

Having sensed the murmurings amongst members of the Volkskammer and the closer ring within the Politburo, Paul Verner published a private document on it.

He had stated that the official line that must be taken when questioned by members of the public or the outside world was that the German Democratic Republic was committed to guaranteeing peace in Europe.

In reality, whilst nobody really wanted to go to war within the East German hierarchy, the real reasons were more selfish:

- They couldn’t afford to irritate the West now that they had begun to build relations with both West Germany and Slovenia.

- They were still in the process of overhauling the military and knew that any military engagement would likely end in humiliation.

- And, most crucially, the East German population were the most contented they had been in over a decade. East Germany had a fragile stability.

Realistically, this whole episode within the DDR had very little to do with Slovenia or Yugoslavia. Honecker and Verner had been plotting out a new foreign policy that placed stability ahead of ideology and patriotism (though they could never admit that as it would end in some kind of coup attempt from the hardcore communists that still lurked around every corner) and would ensure regime survival, these specific world events simply served as a test for it. The DDR wasn’t a major player in this conflict and they were simply on the fringes, but it allowed the leadership to push their agenda domestically and internationally.

So why did the DDR shun Yugoslavia? Because East Germany wasn’t an angry little Communist agitator that thrived on chaos and bluster anymore. The German Democratic Republic had changed.

Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt Euch!

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, New Provenance, Spain-, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Arezahi

[list][list][pre]| V E R E N I G DㅤㅤK O N I N R I J KㅤㅤB E N E L U X

| "ㅤE E N D R A C H TㅤㅤM A A K TㅤㅤM A C H Tㅤ"[/pre]

[list][list][pre]Een parasiet doodt langzaam het gastlichaam,

dus het beste wat je kunt doen is er vanaf komen...[/pre][/list]

[pre]// 23 SEPTEMBER 1968, MAANDAG

WALLONIË //[/pre][/list]

O M N I AㅤㅤB E N EㅤㅤE R U N T :ㅤㅤT H EㅤㅤP A R A S I T EㅤㅤL E A V E S

[list]ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ[sub]The region of Wallonia was swept by majestic crowds, bathed in the ethereal glow of the morning sun that kissed the green valleys and mediaeval towns. A diverse tapestry of folks, encompassing every conceivable background and life path—old and young, rich and poor—filled the streets. As the clock struck eight, this fervent assembly embarked on a pilgrimage to churches, community centres, libraries, and schools, drawn together by the weight of a historic referendum to cast their votes, casting its shadow across Western Europe's modern history. The air buzzed with anticipation and tension, thick enough to be cut with a knife. The pulse of the moment beat within the hearts of the people, as they faced the most consequential decision of their collective existence. The streets of major cities, Namur and Charleroi among them, were not just guarded; they were fortified fortresses against the potential eruption of violence. The heavy security measures painted a stark and foreboding picture, as Benelux teetered on the brink of dissolution—a union state about to crumble, and with it, the final gasps of an era echoing in the wind.[/sub]

[sub]“Good afternoon, folks,” he panted, a hint of desperation in his voice. “I hope my tardiness hasn't cast a shadow over our meeting. My trusty bike had some problems with its front wheel, forcing me to come here on foot. But I have arrived, nonetheless.”[/sub]

[sub]As voters cast their ballots, a ritual unfolded across the diverse landscapes, from the vibrant cities in the south to the tranquil farming towns up north. The democratic process, like a grand symphony, reached its crescendo. With the ascent of the moon and the descent of the sun, the final ballots were collected and closed, each one a testament to the hopes and convictions of the people. The night draped its veil over the world, and a quiet hush settled in. Ballot boxes, one by one, were loaded onto tracks, destined for The Hague—their journey paralleling the collective breath-holding of a nation. The city gradually succumbed to slumber, with lights flickering off in the windows of houses, a symbolic curtain call marking the end of an intense day.[/sub]

[sub]The days following the referendum were eerily silent, a ghostly quietude that gripped the towns and cities of the region. Streets, once alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life, now lay deserted. The occasional clip-clop of horse carriages echoed through the stone-paved backstreets, the only audible signs of movement in an otherwise still landscape devoid of human activity. The oppressive silence lingered like a malevolent spell, casting its shadow over the homes of Wallonia. Only the resounding toll of church bells on Sunday mornings managed to pierce through the deafening quietude. It was as if the very essence of life had been muted, leaving behind an unsettling void. However, this pervasive silence met its end with the electrifying announcements that reverberated from every television in the region. Newspapers, televised news programs, and radio stations eagerly broadcasted the groundbreaking news, shattering the oppressive quietude and heralding the dawn of a new era.[/sub][/list]

RENAUD DUCHEMIN [sup] LEADER OF THE PARTI SOCIALISTE, TÉLÉ-1 BROADCAST[/sup]: [sub]Dear Walloons, our esteemed and valued citizens. I am grateful to announce myself that all of the ballots sent to The Hague have been counted. With 96.6% of the 1.3 million votes cast, it is a honour for me to declare that Wallonia, starting today, has became an independent and sovereign state. In accordance with the five-clause agreement signed prior to the referendum and the Wolsheijner-Bakker Plan, Wallonia's statehood will be instantly recognised by The Hague by default, and Wallonia will form its own sovereign government within the next 48 hours. Today is a day of celebration for the victory of the oppressed against the oppressor. We have achieved this together, all of us, all Walloons. This is our celebration. The Republic of Wallonia is born today, exactly on 23 September 1968. So take the streets, my people, go to the streets and celebrate our newfound liberty![/sub]

[list][sub]Chers Wallons, nos chers et estimés citoyens. Je suis heureux de pouvoir m'annoncer que tous les bulletins de vote envoyés à La Haye ont été comptés. Avec 96,6% des 1,3 million de suffrages exprimés, c'est pour moi un honneur de déclarer que la Wallonie est devenue dès aujourd'hui un Etat indépendant et souverain. Conformément à l'accord en cinq clauses signé avant le référendum et au plan Wolsheijner-Bakker, le statut d'État de la Wallonie sera immédiatement reconnu par défaut par La Haye et la Wallonie formera son propre gouvernement souverain dans les prochaines 48 heures. Aujourd'hui est un jour de célébration de la victoire des opprimés contre l'oppresseur. Nous y sommes parvenus ensemble, nous tous, tous Wallons. C'est notre fête. La République de Wallonie est née aujourd'hui, exactement le 23 septembre 1968. Alors descendez dans la rue, mon peuple, descendez dans la rue et célébrez notre liberté retrouvée![/sub][/list]

_______________________________________________

[/list][spoiler=[sub]Dit is een fictief stukje creatief werk voor[/sub]

de GEMENEBEST VAN FRIJHEID [ CoL ]

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler][/list]

Rutannia, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Burnet Republic, Arezahi

The Proclamation of the New Dictatorship.

Earlier in November 1968, The La Republique De Gambia, A coup d'etat happened which succeeded in toppling the previous Republique. The new dictator, Abubakar Malik Hussain has proclaimed martial law and strict laws for both men and woman. The government has requested that none shall get out of their house at any given time as rebels are lurking in alleyways armed with AK-47s and RPGs supplied to them by Islamic Terrorist Groups such as the the Islamist Reform Organisation of Gambia. Abubakar has also been the Commander of the Airforce. The previous Prime Minister was killed when a bomb exploded in his room and at the same time destroying several top secret files. Earlier on the morning of November the 2nd, College Students protested and this was met with guns and total bloodshed. Overall, 23 dead, 46 wounded and 8 missing.It is a sad day for the History of Gambia.

Viva La Revolution!

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Burnet Republic, Arezahi

International Association Football Federation | Fédération internationale de football association

1968 UEFA European Championships

LIVE - Italy

--------------------------

THE FINAL: BENELUX v ITALY

The eternal city of Rome plays host to the last major international football match of the year and the final of Euro 68, as fans flood the streets heading towards the Stadio Olimpico, the city swarming in blue and orange shirts. Italy, the hosts, make it to a second consecutive international final, after the World Cup, and all hopes are pinned on the national team to bring the trophy home after a dominant performance this year. Their opponents, Benelux, make it to their first international final after a strong performance, defeating defending champions Spain and then England to make it to the final. Benelux are enjoying a football renaissance in recent years, having made it to the knockout stages of the World Cup in 1966.

The crowd roared into life from the very first kick, as the match began with both teams fighting for control of the midfield. From the very start, the Italian side looked far more confident, bolstered by the home crowd. Benelux made sure to put up a fight, and in the early stages of the match looked strong and capable of producing chances. However, it was the hosts that scored first, making it 1-0 in the match by the 28th minute. Shortly after, a scuffle in the centre resulted in an Italian yellow card, much to the anger of the home fans. Despite strong efforts from Benelux, they were unable to find an equaliser, and in a horrible turn of events, their top scorer found himself caught in the middle of a nasty challenge just outside the box, and after some medical attention was escorted off the pitch, leaving Benelux without a crucial player.

The loss of this playmaker was evident in the second half, with Benelux unable to create as many chances as they were in the first half. The western European side were seen to be struggling, and the Italians took advantage of this, expertly cutting their way through the midfield and putting the side under pressure. Italy made it 2-0 by the 65th minute, with a thundering shot from outside the box resulting in the wild cheering of the Roman crowds. From this point, Benelux were looking increasingly frustrated and far less tolerant of Italian antics on the pitch. A poor tackle resulted in a red card for an Italian midfielder, understandably received poorly by the fans. Despite the loss of this player, it wasn't enough and the Italians made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute, securing their victory and confirmed by the final blow of the whistle.

Italy lifts their first European Championship and signals to the continent and the world that they are a forced to be reckoned with. The cheers and parties celebrating their success will likely continue for a long time here in Rome. Benelux, despite their loss, once again show they are on the up in the football world, and will be looking to continue their strong run of form into the World Cup qualifiers. After a successful year, we say goodbye to continental football until 1972, and the World Cup qualifiers will be beginning very soon. First, join us next time for our live coverage of the 1968 Summer Olympics in Madrid!

Arcanda, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Burnet Republic, Arezahi

[pre]| SEPTEMBER 26, 1968 - SEPTEMBRE 26, 1968 |[/pre]

[list][list][list][pre]DRW ★ DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF WALLONIA

RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DE WALONEYE ★ RDW|[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

THE APPALACHIA OF EUROPE AND ITS FIRST ELECTIONS SCHEDULED:

INDEPENDENCE HAS BROUGHT EVEN MORE QUESTIONS TO WALLONIA AS THE PEOPLE WAIT FOR PROGRESS TO BE MADE!

LES APPALACHES D'EUROPE ET SES PREMIÈRES ÉLECTIONS PRÉVUES :

L'INDÉPENDANCE A APPORTÉ ENCORE PLUS DE QUESTIONS À LA WALLONIE ALORS QUE LE PEUPLE ATTEND QUE DES PROGRÈS SONT RÉALISÉS!

[pre]| The industrialized and naturally rugged land that is Wallonia now sat alone. Outside the grip of Dutch control it was lost as politicians frenzied to establish coherent political parties and movements now that independence was not the main political cause, they have won but what did they win? Once the most prosperous region of Europe and fastest to industrialize on par with England and the like it now stood as a slowly decaying beast as extraction economy began to be outsourced to the former colonies of the world and diversification of its economy slow as it was battling for investments and losing that fight to that Flemish. Now that we are on our own will the world care more about or slow death to mediocrity and assist or continue to supply the former occupier to exacerbate the Walloon demise? |[/pre]

[pre]| Two elections would be promised to be held before the end of September comprising of the 1968 Presidential Election and the 1968 People’s Assembly Election with the People’s Assembly Electing the Prime Minister. These elections will be proportional with a party needing to gain 1% of the vote to gain a seat at the 100 member People’s Assembly. |[/pre]

[pre]| Can a new government forge a path saving Wallonia from its current path of painful economic decay or shall it too allow the country to slip further from its glory such as the Dutch did? |[/pre]

Rutannia, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Arezahi

★ UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC ★

[list][list][list][pre]

"Fear is, I believe, a most effective tool in destroying the soul of an individual - and the soul of a people."

ANWAR EL-SADAT

[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

_________________

[list][sub]𝗪𝗔𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:

ESCALATION[/sub]

[sub][sup] SEP 1968 - UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC[/sub][/sup]

[list][sub]The constant banging drums of the artillery barrage that hit the East Bank of the Suez filled the previously quiet night as the 'War of Attrition' entered its next stage. As previous operations focused more on testing the enemies capabilities and restoring morale, the next phase has been more focused on inflicting as much damage on enemy defenses as possible. Quietly rebuilding the military forces through a mix of domestic production and soviet aid, the United Arab Army has built a formidable wall of artillery along the Suez Canal that has been going nonstop since the 'official' declaration of war.[/sub]

[sub]Land was not the only place where this battle has been contested however. Ongoing fights for the control of the skies between the latest Egyptian MiG-21s and Israeli Phantoms have been going on parallel and in much grueling brutality as the artillery barrages and constant back and forth raids across the Suez. Egyptian MiGs have not been content with simply contesting the skies however, and has engaged in air strikes across the Suez aimed at destroying vital Israeli targets.[/sub]

[sub]As President Nasser would come to call it, the current stage is 'Active Confrontation', in which the plan was to inflict as much material losses as possible. In part due to this, the artillery line constructed across the west bank of the Canal reached thirty-eight artillery battalions all firing at the same time, non-stop, for three hours each day starting from the beginning of the declaration. With aims to inflict damage on Israeli targets up to twenty kilometers into the Israeli line, which would work alongside anti-tank weaponry which would also contribute to the shelling.[/sub]

[sub]Besides the barrage, lower scale raids focused on capturing prisoners of war, espionage, sabotage, and destruction of military installation were approved through the months of June to September. Overall, military operations through both land and air had contributed to significant damage on the Israeli front, with 19 tanks, 8 missile sites, and a couple dozen administrative offices destroyed through a combination of artillery shelling, bombing raids, and commando raids throughout the Suez front. Meanwhile Egyptian losses were mainly through Israeli counter-raids on civilian targets, such as dams, oil refineries, as well as military aircraft losses due to the inexperience of Egyptian Air Pilots. These civilian losses have led to a quiet on the border as President Nasser has ordered fortification and increased military presence on vital installations. Meanwhile, the enemy side has reportedly begun construction on a so-called 'Bar Liev Line', named after the current military Chief.[/sub]

[sub]President Nasser has devoted himself to the military command of the army, partially due to the persecution of most of the previous high command due to their failure in war. This has left the field wide open for Vice-President Sadat to devote himself to domestic affairs, where he has reportedly been engaging in the implementation of the March 30 Program.[/sub]

[/list]

Paramountica, Arcanda, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Burnet Republic, La Republique De Gambia, Arezahi

Post by Astyoma suppressed by Paramountica.

Astyoma

found this Russin document should I open it?

[list][list][sub]𝚅𝙸.1968[/sub][/list]

I L • R E G N O • D' I T A L I A

[list][sub]LO STATO OSTACOLATO[/sub]

THE STAGGERING STATE[/list]

[list][list][pre]The '68 elections,

Delivering a fatal blow to Moro's center-left coalition,

And triggering a drawn-out political crisis;

Impeding any decisive action in the Balkans.[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

[list]| PALAZZO MONTECITORIO, ROMA [sup][nation=short]Arcanda[/nation][/sup] — The chaos in Italian cities would finally recede, after a tense month of widespread protests and occupations—ultimately, the lack of a unifying organizational force behind all groups, and the multiple requests to which Education Minister Luigi Giu had conceded, chief among which an agreement to grant a second chance to most Italian students for the upcoming exams, had sufficed to tone down the spread of the protests; police action, on the other hand, had increased and by the end of April, sweeping formations of Celeri units would patrol the streets to the sounds of sirens and their light motorcycles. And, in the perpetual ebb-and-flow of a torn Kingdom, neither did long-lasting student-worker coexistence materialize, even after a promising start; after two weeks of strike, the Turinese employees of FIAT went back to the assembly line, with promises of a moderate raise in salary and another annual meeting between employees and managers—an embryo of the "worker participation" model. However, the revolts would leave a strong mark on both minds and stones; for weeks afterwards, as the nation geared for parliamentary elections, revolutionary slogans and burnt cars would litter many public areas, with some neighborhoods still lacking electricity. |

| Finally, on July 12, a month before the traditional parliamentary recess, elections were held—without the shadow of electoral disturbances, millions of Italians queued below the graffiti and the dozens of political posters that adorned the streets of their cities. As night fell, the verdict was clear: It would be a humiliating defeat for the moderate left, a staunch victory for the Communists, and stagnant Christian Democracy, albeit a dominant one. Aldo Moro's center-left coalition was no more, and although the DC retained a slight majority, it would need a good amount of political horse-trading to make any cabinet function. Moro, immediately sensing the turn, would tend his resignation to His Majesty, King Umberto II. In his stead, the DC's affable Giovanni Leone, deemed man of compromise, was appointed caretaker Prime Minister for the foreseeable future. With the summer recess, and possibly long months ahead, all politicians at the Palazzo Montecitorio are preparing for a drawn-out political gridlock. |

[list]𝑬𝑳𝑬𝒁𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑰 𝑷𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑬

GENERAL ELECTION

[sub]Chamber of Deputies (630 seats) • Senate (315 seats)[/sub]

[sub]JULY 1968

[*] Christian Democracy, DC : 266 (CoD) • 135 (S)

[*] Italian Communist Party, PCI : 177 • 101 (Common list with the PSIUP, Italian Socialist Party of Proletarian Unity)

[*] Socialist Party and Italian Socialist Democratic Party, PSI-PSDI : 91 • 46

[*] Monarchist National Party, PNM : 31 • 16

[*] Italian Social Movement, MSI : 24 • 11

-

Turnout : 93.4%[/sub][/list]

| The internal crisis, precipitated neither by the student protests nor the international context—indeed, no issue had galvanized one party or the other—but simply by the natural division of ideas and movements across Italy, would come as great harm to Rome's foreign policy, especially regarding the Yugo-Slovene crisis; Italy's reaction could be called tepid at best, or entirely lacking, with only mild condemnation and the attendance of a NATO summit in France and no concrete action. The Regio Esercito and the SIFAR have grown restless, asking for decisive action—for many, both within and without those circles, the deployment of French and Greek ships to the Adriatic while the Italian Navy remained docked was seen as a particularly stinging humiliation. And among the public, the sinking of two Slovene ships by the Yugoslav Navy has generated diverse responses. The PCI's l'Unità, once considered sympathetic to Belgrade due to its attempt to distance itself from Muscovite communism, published a polemical first page titling "A BARBARIAN ATTACK ON PEACE"—nothing had irked more the Gramscite newspaper than Tito's recent decision to name a royal as his heir and to liberalize his economy. Meanwhile, in a paradoxical shift of positions, some among the neo-fascist MSI are staunchly supporting Yugoslavia, as it recognizes Italian sovereignty over Trieste and Istria. For the common citizen, however, it would be nothing more than another worrying event in what seemed to be an equally worrying year for the country. Far from providing any definite answer, the '68 election had only raised new ones. |

[list][list][list][spoiler=[sub]Commonwealth of Liberty[/sub]

EVVIVA L'ITALIA!

—]

[nation]Adriatican Islands[/nation]

[nation]Al-Oman[/nation]

[nation]Amsterwald[/nation]

[nation]Arcanda[/nation]

[nation]Brazil Toucan[/nation]

[nation]Cascadla[/nation]

[nation]Cheezaslovakia[/nation]

[nation]Connomia[/nation]

[nation]East Germany DDR[/nation]

[nation]Great Britain GB[/nation]

[nation]Greater Kurdistane[/nation]

[nation]Israelli[/nation]

[nation]Kewtpuff[/nation]

[nation]Kotakuan II[/nation]

[nation]Ma-li[/nation]

[nation]Maziya[/nation]

[nation]Metropolitan Francais[/nation]

[nation]Neepal[/nation]

[nation]Nevbrejnovitz[/nation]

[nation]Newauroria[/nation]

[nation]New Provenance[/nation]

[nation]Nileia[/nation]

[nation]Nippon-Nihon[/nation]

[nation]OsivoII[/nation]

[nation]Paramountica[/nation]

[nation]Paseo[/nation]

[nation]Peking Zhongguo[/nation]

[nation]Pontianus[/nation]

[nation]Provenancia[/nation]

[nation]Ranponian[/nation]

[nation]Rutannia[/nation]

[nation]Saudi Arabiyah[/nation]

[nation]Socialist Democratic Republic Romania[/nation]

[nation]Spainard[/nation]

[nation]Sudesam[/nation]

[nation]Turkiye 1st[/nation]

[nation]Vancouver Straits[/nation]

[nation]Victoria Harbor[/nation]

[nation]Vietnam SV[/nation]

[nation]Virnall[/nation]

[/spoiler][/list][/list]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Slipway, Le Equatoria, Zingium

[list]1968년 09월 5일

[sub]A Small Diversion[/sub][/list]

[list][sub]That Holiday in Malta After All[/sub][/list]

[sub]Hotel Moskva, Belgrade, Yugoslavia[/sub]

| The trip had been long, the possibility of war hanging over their heads wasn’t the best sleeping aid, however the trip could be regarded as somewhat successful. While nothing had yet to be announced on the diplomatic front, Prince Hee-seung’s tour of Yugoslavia’s cultural hotspots had drawn crowds, particularly his visit to Subotica near the Hungarian border. The city in particular was chosen for its Hungarian Succession (a variant of Art Nouveau) stylised buildings, a particularly favoured style by the Prince. Crowds seemed to follow the entourage around the city as they visited various buildings and cafes, the Prince having become distinctly more recognisable compared to his first visit just over a year ago. |

| Media had suggested that the Prince’s visit to Batajnica Air Base had enamoured him most with the Yugoslavian people, the Prince who had not received any military training (the most he could claim was having been in the Scouting Association for six years) was noted to be respectful, giving bows to the servicemen, and watching with great enthusiasm. However the trip was nearing its end, following eight days of touring, discussion quickly turned to a possible detour. The entourages of both the royal household and the foreign office were currently filling the lavish bar at the Hotel Moskva, somewhere the group had become quite accustomed to, on first name basis’ with most of the bar staff. The bar itself was decorated in an imperial Russian type finish keeping the original style from its construction back in the 1900s. |[list]

[sub]Suzaku Tanaka: “You’re still thinking about Malta, aren’t you, your highness?”[/sub][/list]

| In such crowded environments, the pair often had to speak formally to one another, any informality could easily be misinterpreted by those not within the royal household staff. |[list]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “Is it that obvious? I just need to relax for a bit, spending eight days in a country, a beautiful one I will add, with the threat of war looming over your head isn’t exactly relaxing.”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku Tanaka: “I can certainly understand that, perhaps we can split off the two entourages? Kyu-hah nim can travel back to Seoul, and we could pop over to Malta, perhaps Turkiye as well?”[/sub]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “That would be nice, just the royal household, we can drop all this formal rubbish. Right, I must use the restroom, I’ll be back”[/sub][/list]

| Hee-seung would stand up, adjusting his jacket, smiling at Suzaku before leaving. Suzaku would give a small smile in return before taking out Morava branded cigarettes. As he reached for a lighter, one appeared before him, Choi Kyu-hah was looking down smiling before taking a seat next to him. |[list]

[sub]Choi Kyu-hah: “Save you the trouble. I trust you’ve been enjoying yourself too Suzaku?””[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku Tanaka: “Of course, Kyu-hah nim, it’s been a lovely trip despite the looming threats. It’s a beautiful country.”[/sub]

[sub]Choi Kyu-hah: “Please. Kyu-hah, is fine. I’m pretty sure you outrank me. Do forgive me if I am prying too much, but you and his highness seem awfully close.”[/sub][/list]

| Suzaku would give a bewildered look, almost missing what Choi was suggesting to him. The confusion seemed apparent on Suzaku’s face as Choi gave a small smile. |[list]

[sub]Choi Kyu-hah: “Forgive me, you just seem to talk informally a lot, and that’s not something that any particular member of the public can do.”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku Tanaka: “Oh. No, no. We are good friends as well as his highness being my employee. We went to school together, and it just carried on, we try to stay as formal as possible to set an example in public, sometimes the mask slips.”[/sub]

[sub]Choi Kyu-hah: “Hm, very well, not that I wanted to pry, but it looks very different from my view. You know he lights up when you walk in the room right?”[/sub][/list]

| Choi would offer a chuckle before patting Suzaku on the shoulder and making his leave back to a group of workers from the foreign office. Just as Choi made his leave, Prince Hee-seung would return, seating himself back next to Suzaku. |[list]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “What was that about?”[/sub]

[sub]Suzaku Tanaka: “Oh, just discussing splitting off, your highness. I think a trip to Malta would be nice, and give the entourage a chance to relax too.”[/sub]

[sub]Prince Hee-seung: “Okay. Oh! Perfect, we can make a stop to the Hospitaller Order. They do some amazing charity work apparently. The architecture is also top tear.”[/sub][/list]

| Suzaku would let out a small chuckle, taking a drag of his cigarette as he contently listened to the Prince ramble about Malta’s architecture. As the next morning rolled around, the two parties planned out the next stages of their journey. Foreign Minister Choi and his entourage would fly back to Seoul making stop offs along the way, and Prince Hee-seung’s entourage would make a stop off at Malta for several days, before heading over to Turkiye for a couple of days. These trips would be unofficial, but the respective governments would be informed of the arrival for security reasons. |

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Free Nova Scotia, Lieobria, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium, Burnet Republic

[list][list][list][pre]THE ALGERIAN DISPATCH

البيان جزائري

AL BAYAN JAZA'ĪRIYUN[/pre][/list]

______

NASRID ALGERIA: AN INTRODUCUTION TO THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT ALGERIAN NASRID EMIRATE

[sub]EMIRATE OF ALGERIA | ORAN, SEPTEMBER 1968 [/sub][/list]

[sub]| COURT OF THE LIONS, ZIANIDE ROYAL PALACE - MEXUAR المشور‎ | On 2nd of January 1492, Emir Abd Al-Rahman Nasri I (or Abu Abdallah Muhammad XII bin Abd Al-Rahman Ibn Nasri), Emir of Granada, surrendered Granada, Spain, to the forces of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile following months of siege. For a couple months he meandered around the Alhambra in shame, but as he met – for the final time on his native soil – with his Grand Chamberlain, they decided to survive the Spanish onslaught. They did so not by fighting on and allowing the last precious petals of the flower of Andalusian civilization to rot to Christian invaders, they did so by invading another foreign shore. His Royal Majesty instructed that all the treasures, manuscripts, philosophers, mathematicians, artists, and all who could pick up and leave, make way towards Málaga. From there, 120,000 refugees left towards the Hafsid Kingdom, current in turmoil. His Royal Majesty Abd Al-Rahman Nasri I, once a coward, redeemed himself. His mother, Sharifa Ayesha, no longer saw her son as a cockroach, for he became a man.[/sub]

[sub]As the Nasrids fought off the wali (governor) of Oran, they secured a new land for their people – a small city hugging the rugged coast. As hundreds of thousands more Jews, Moors, Muslims, and even Christians fled the Spanish inquisition, they found intellectual, physical, and political refuge with the Nasrids of Oran – the last jewel of Al-Andalus. The Nasrids continued their expansion across Algeria, taking Algiers in 1504 - Only 12 years after the arrival of Abd Al-Rahman Nasri I. The Nasrids effectively created a state whose fierce independence guarded the treasures of a progressive society. This era of Nasrid progressivism in Algeria lasted until 1516 when the mighty Ottomans came in and set up a puppet state called the Regency of Algiers. Emir Abd Al-Rahman Nasri I died in exile in 1518, with his beloved Algeria falling under the authority of radical Berber pirates that proclaimed allegiance to the Ottoman Empire. The once great Nasrid dynasty fell into obscurity for the next 450 years as Algeria fell under the domination of the Ottomans and then the French. Though this would all change by the early 1950s when the Algerians finally rose up against their colonial oppressors and fought France in what would become known as the Algerian War which lasted from 1 November 1954 to 19 March 1962. The Algerian F.L.N. forces would unfortunately lose their war for independence, however the burning flame of self-determination still burned in the hearts and minds of all Algerians.[/sub]

[sub]Seeing this continued struggle, the head of the House of Nasrid and self-styled "prince of Oran", Omar Muhammed Abd Al-Rahman Nasri sought to capitalize on it by appealing to the hearts of the Algerian people and gave them the "legitimate" leader for an independence movement, which they had lacked before. In January of 1968 Abd Al-Rahman proclaimed himself the rightful Emir and ruler of the Algerian people which sparked a massive popular uprising across Algeria and saw large-scale protesting and violence against the French controlled government. Within a matter of just 3 months, the self-proclaimed Emir was able to wrestle the French government, led by Charles de Gaulle into finally negotiating a peaceful transition towards Algerian independence. After 137 years under French colonial rule and previous domination by the Ottoman Empire, Algeria finally got it's independence on September 28, 1968. Emir Omar Muhammed Abd Al-Rahman Nasri immediately set about with his reforms, separating Algeria from French government institutions and redefining the Algerian identity as that of a Arab Muslim nation, rooted deep in a history stretching all the way back to the Umayyad Caliphate. The decision to move the capital from Algiers (seeing it as the bastion of French institutionalism) to Oran was also made. The Emir also began the implementation of liberalizing reforms to attract investment. This was coupled with the discovery of more oil deposits in the Algeria Saharan Desert Basin; undoubtedly Algeria would conserve its natural boons, electing to use them towards the gradual liberalizing of Algerian society. The Algerian Emirate will not waste this money on the splendor of its past, it instead has utilized its vast oil wealth to pave roads for its future. Diversifying the economy, creating new airlines, welcoming investment, projecting power throughout the North African region, the Nasrid Emirate of Algeria is destined to become a rising power. It now stands on the cusp of a new economic age – welcoming any and all partners in a new liberalizing world. | [/sub]

[list]______[/list]

[list]ECONOMIC LIBERALIZATION PROCESS NEWS

[sub]ORAN FINANCIAL QUARTER | 8 AM - MORNING, SEPTEMBER 30, 1968[/sub][/list]

[sub]| ORAN STOCK EXCHANGE, ORAN FINANCIAL QUARTER - WAHRAN وهران |As first economic plenary between the Emir's Privy Council (The Grand Secretariat = The Government) and the Royal Secretariat of Trade and Finance, with the inclusion of the Royal Commission on State Advancement, the Grand Chamberlain, Hakkim Sidiqi has elected to submit a new plan to fast track the liberalizing of the newly independent Algerian economy. Following the formulation of what has been called the Ramān Plan (Arabic: رمان, Ramān, Pomegranate), he expects that the new Consultative Assembly, will ratify the plan. Because Algeria has several vested interest groups and organizations (called Movements) within and outside the Hizb Aldamjou Almaliki Party (Party for Royal Consolidation, HDM), they are to be considered voting blocks in the new Consultative Assembly. The vote and backing of his movement, the Hizb Aldamjou Almaliki Party, and the National Arab Movement, will be crucial to passing the Ramān plan. The Ramān Plan enunciates the need to liberalize the Algerian economy through a multifaceted approach that will do the following: | [/sub]

[list][sub]• Curb subsidization

• Increasing interest rates by creating natural demand

• Engaging in breaking public sector programs to create competition

• A direct tax code, with a goods-services tax

• Empowering the farmer through:

[list]- teaching new agricultural techniques

- expanding and establishing vocational schools

- National Universities will stay open to encourage enrollment during Monsoon season

- new soil-testing laboratories will be established

- separating the ability to distribute, procure, and store foods[/list]

• Interlinking navigable rivers

• 5F' Formula for the export economy - Farm to fiber; fiber to the factory; factory to fashion; fashion to foreign

• Enticing foreign investment and economic corridors to fast-track investment, giving reduced tarriffs and primacy to a specific state[/sub][/list]

[list]______

FOREIGN POLICY NEWS

[sub]RSFA FOREIGN RELATIONS DISPATCH | ROSE ROOMS, ZIANIDE PALACE - 3 PM, SEPTEMBER 30, 1968[/sub][/list]

[sub]| ROSE ROOMS, ZIANIDE ROYAL PALACE - MEXUAR المشور‎ | Following the sending of the Ramān Plan to the Consultative Assembly, the Sidiqi Grand Secretariat unilaterally sacked the Central Council on Foreign Policy within the Royal Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, replacing the CCFP with pro-investment Foreign Relations Officers and Department Heads. The shift from isolation under French rule towards an open economy with all states has been highlighted by a desire to trade with the East and Europe, with a large disdain for certain Arab states that have remained silent over the years being held firm. Despite this singular animosity, relations with all nations have been opened. Thus, the Nasrid Emirate has elected to send a series of diplomats from Oran to the capitals of any nation that takes an interest – hoping to secure positive relations. The Nasrid Emirate of Algeria has truly entered a new age of global cooperation that seeks to create a better state. On this note, Algeria is moving towards securing close relations with nations that border it or are present in the region. Nations like the United Arab Republic of Egypt (Al-Jammahirya Al-Arabiyya), Republic of Sudan (Nileia), Kingdom of Jordan (Falastinyya), Republic of Türkiye (The Kemalist Republic Of Turkiye), Kingdom of Spain (Spain-), Kingdom of Italy (Arcanda), Republic of Slovenia (Amsterwald), Republic of Malta (Kewtpuff), Confederation of Yugoslavia (Ranponian), the United States of America (Paramountica) and more should become strategic partners especially in Algeria's lucrative petroleum trade. | [/sub]

[list]______[/list]

[list][list][pre]!آَخَرٌ مِنٌ الْرَمانِ

ĀKHARUN MINUN ĀLRAMĀNI!

LAST OF THE POMEGRANATE![/pre][/list][/list]

[list][spoiler=[sub]𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐑𝐈

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐘[/sub]]

Abessinienreich

Adriatican Islands

Al-Jammahirya Al-Arabiyya

Amsterwald

Andorra-

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Astarina

Brazil Toucan

Canovia

Cascadla

Connomia

Earstenia

Falastinyya

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Hollunde

Holy Vatican City States

Hong Kong Delta

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Le Equatoria

Lieobria

Lucki

Maziya

Medarc

Meerkien

Metropolitan Francais

Monaco-

Mutawakkiliti

Nasrid Algeria

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Ngiera

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Osivoiii

Paramountica

Paseo

Poland1St

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Republica De Cuba-

Rio De La Plata Basin

Rutannia

Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia

Saudi Arabiyah

Slipway

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spain-

Spartansk

Tallahan

The Confederate Prussian Empire

The Kemalist Republic Of Turkiye

The United States Of Africa

Vancouver Straits

Veliki-Kolombia

Victoria Harbor

Victoria Harbor Ii

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

Zeitenwende

Zingium

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Free Nova Scotia, The Confederation Of Northern Germany, Amsterwald, Federated Arab Emirates, Sixth French Metropolitan Republic, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Holy Vatican City States, Federated Turkey, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Monaco-, Andorra-, Spain-, Slipway, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Burnet Republic

November, 1968.

The Many, Many Problems of Gambia.

1) A British Cargo Ship called HMS Valeria, was going through the Atlantic Ocean and slowly it began to slightly ridge against the cost of West Africa. Finally, HMS Valeria crashed into Port Mahmud and destroyed many ships and tons of goods that were both imports and exports. This severely damaged the commerce in Gambia. It also caused a major oil spill when the ship crashed into 42 Barrels of Oil. This has reduced the amount of Fresh Fish in the sea and this has caused many people to starve to death as fish is a staple and cheap food in Gambia. Action is yet to be taken by The Ministry of Fisheries.

2) Riots continue to happen as the new dictator Abubakar Malik Hussain, has increased the prices of basic food like Bread, Milk and Eggs. To add insult to injury, the inflation of Gambia has gone by 94%.

3) A bomb blast has happened in Banjul International Airport. It was done by two staunch members of the Islamist Reform Organisation of Gambia. 301 dead, 871 injured and 12 missing.

4) The dictator Abubakar Malik Hussain, has executed 6 members of the previous Republique. Here are the list of the people who were executed :

Ahmed Wakasi

Bilal Ahmed Wakasi

Rehan Yasir Yangol

James Mwanga

Mohammed Abdollah Barsi

Kareem Kalasi

5) Refugees pour from Gambia to neighbouring Senegal. The Senegalese government has now buit a concrete wall with barbed wire 5000 Soldiers are now at the border to prevent anymore refugees and migrants from coming to Senegal.

We hope the situation in Gambia will improve.

Viva La Revolution!

Paramountica, Rutannia, Free Nova Scotia, Lieobria, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, Osivoiii, New Provenance, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium, Burnet Republic

Post by Sandria Figure suppressed by Paramountica.

Sandria Figure

Can I please be the Congo

[list][pre]Whispers in the Jungle: The Tet Offensive | Lời thì thầm trong rừng: Cuộc tấn công Tết[/pre]

[sub][pre]30 January 1968[/pre][/sub][/list]

The distant echoes of gun and artillery fire resonated through the dense jungles of Vietnam as the Tet Offensive unfolded in the early hours of January 30, 1968. The narrow, muddy paths of the Ho Chi Minh trail echoed with the steady sound of marching People's Army soldiers, moving silently and meticulously through the darkness toward their targets. The air was thick with tension as the Viet Cong guerrillas and People's Army soldiers prepared to strike against unsuspecting South Vietnamese and American troops.

In the aftermath of quiet rebuilding efforts and painstaking planning, the North Vietnamese had amassed a formidable force. The plan, as envisioned by General Vo Nguyen Giap, was to launch a surprise, simultaneous attack across multiple fronts, catching the South Vietnamese and American's off guard.

As the clock struck midnight, signaling the beginning of the offensive, the first explosions could be heard in the southern capital city of Saigon. The Tet Offensive was designed not just as any military operation; it was a coordinated assault on the psychological resilience and morale of the enemy. The once crowded and hectic streets of Saigon now echoed with the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and the distant cries of the wounded.

Major Tran, an experienced Viet Cong officer, led his unit through the tangled maze of Saigon's streets. His mission: to capture the headquarters of Radio Saigon and broadcast a message from President Ho Chi Minh, urging the citizens of the South to rise up against their American puppet regime and free themselves.

In the heart of the enemy Capital, determined Viet Cong operatives stealthily infiltrated an American military compound. With the aim of disabling communication systems and spread chaos within the American ranks. The American soldiers, caught off guard in the early hours, struggled to mount a cohesive defense.

Meanwhile, in the rural areas across the Ho Chi Minh Trail, groups of Viet Cong guerrilla's and elements of the People's Army lead ongoing assault's against American and South Vietnamese held towns and outposts, gaining significant ground and much needed supplies in the early hours of the offensive.

Back in the enemy Capital, the continuous sound of gunfire and explosions created an atmosphere of chaos and fear for South Vietnamese civilians and military personnel alike. The offensive was achieving one of it's primary aims, ending the American and South Vietnamese belief that they were in control of the war and its outcome.

The combined assault of the People's Army from the North and the Viet Cong from within pressed on, achieving many successes in the early hours of the offensive. However, as dawn approached, the intensity of fighting increased. American and South Vietnamese forces, recovering from the shock of the surprise attacks, began to rally and mount a determined and sustained defense.

The Tet Offensive had begun, and the outcome of this pivotal moment in the Great Resistance War hung in the balance. The jungles and urban centres of the South were transformed into battlefields where a clash of ideologies unfolded amidst the relentless sounds of gunfire and artillery.

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Abessinienreich

Adriatican Islands

Al-Jammahirya Al-Arabiyya

Amsterwald

Andorra-

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Astarina

Brazil Toucan

Canovia

Cascadla

Connomia

Earstenia

Falastinyya

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Hollunde

Holy Vatican City States

Hong Kong Delta

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Le Equatoria

Lieobria

Lucki

Maziya

Medarc

Meerkien

Metropolitan Francais

Monaco-

Mutawakkiliti

Nasrid Algeria

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Ngiera

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Osivoiii

Paramountica

Paseo

Poland1St

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Republica De Cuba-

Rio De La Plata Basin

Rutannia

Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia

Saudi Arabiyah

Slipway

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spain-

Spartansk

Tallahan

The Confederate Prussian Empire

The Kemalist Republic Of Turkiye

The United States Of Africa

Vancouver Straits

Veliki-Kolombia

Victoria Harbor

Victoria Harbor Ii

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

Zeitenwende

Zingium

[/spoiler][/list][/list][/list]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Lieobria, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, Osivoiii, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Spain-, Le Equatoria, Zingium

[list][list]SHOWA 43 | OCTOBER 1968[/list]

[list][list]東京証券取引所

[pre]TŌKYŌSHŌKENTORIHIKIJO[/pre][/list][/list]

[pre] N I P P O N K E I Z A I N O C H Ū S H I N C H I [/pre]

[list][list][sub][pre] オー・スネイル 富士山に登ろう でも、ゆっくり、ゆっくり

O Snail; Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly![/pre][/sub][/list][/list]

KABUTOCHŌ — EVENING

[sub]TOKYO, Nippon-Nihon[/sub]

| The New York Stock Exchange is not the only one that has performed well. On the Tokyo Stock Exchange, prices rose until they surpassed the previous peak reached in ‘61. Japan’s Dow Jones day ended at 1,839 yen ($5.09). This performance reflected the growing strength of the country’s economy. Although the inflation rate is 6%, Japan could surpass West Germany in terms of Gross National Product. EISAKU SATO’s government made several revisions to GNP growth estimates for 1968, from the original 7% to 8.5% and, recently, to 9.6%. Exports reached $13.3 billion, an increase of 23%, thus transforming the 1967 balance of payments deficit of $535 million into a surplus of around $750 million. The mood was different when the Tokyo Stock Exchange peaked in ‘61. It turned out that this height was based on very fragile soil and soon quickly collapsed. Rampant speculation by unregulated brokers, who used clients’ portfolios as collateral, was the main reason for the price increase. When the bubble burst, investors lost the money they had saved their entire lives. |

| The type of speculation that occurred in ‘61 has now been curbed by the licensing of security companies. The bad memories of 1961 have also been overshadowed by today’s prosperity. In 1967, 6% of Japan’s population owned securities, and in 1968, small investors invested about $1.9 billion of their savings. Foreigners are also keeping an eye on the Tokyo Stock Exchange despite the 15% dividend tax. European investors are buying Japanese companies at a monthly rate of $21 million, up from the average of $5 million a month in 1966. Trading in Sony Corp., one of the favorite stocks of blue-chip companies, has already reached the government-imposed 20% limit on shares that foreigners can own in a company. The Tokyo Stock Exchange seems like a paradise for speculators. The maximum of 574 million shares has already been reached. Shares are priced at prices that appear to be very low; most stocks are below the $1 level. The most expensive stock, Sony, is selling for $3.60 per share. The 1,245 companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange hold a total of 91.6 billion shares. Auto giant Toyota Motor Co. has 765 million — almost three times more than General Motors. |

Paramountica, Rutannia, Free Nova Scotia, Lieobria, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium

[list][list][sub]21.𝚅𝙸.1968[/sub][/list]

I L • R E G N O • D' I T A L I A

[list][sub]"NON SOLO PAROLE"[/sub]

"NOT JUST WORDS"[/list]

[list][list][pre]Breaking the gridlock,

PM Giovanni Leone mobilizes the Deputies,

And the military is put on high alert.[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

[list]| PALAZZO MONTECITORIO, ROMA [sup][nation=short]Arcanda[/nation][/sup] — "Not just words, but concrete actions, rooted in the indestructible partnership of the allied Western nations, supported by the laws of the United Nations and the respect of peace". With these words, the affable Giovanni Leone—a potbellied, bespectacled, mustachioed cacique of the Democrazia Cristiana handling a long interregnum at the helm of government—would justify the deployment of several assets belonging to the Regio Esercito, the first time since 1945. While the new class of parliamentarians had not yet [url=https://www.nationstates.net/page=rmb/postid=54754730]taken office[/url], the situation had been urgent, and the matter, if left unaddressed, would have soon become something of a national shame in terms of inaction. The vote had therefore mobilized all of the DC and most Socialists who had previously participated in Aldo Moro's coalition, while Liberals and Monarchists also followed suit. |

[list]▌[sub]Regio Esercito:

[list][*]Armored Division "Ariete" in Conegliano[/sub][/list]

Regia Marina:

[list][*]Submarine Alfredo Cappellini, in Bari

[*]Submarine Enrico Toti, in Bari

[*]Impavido-class guided missile destroyer Impavido, in Ancona

[*]Impavido-class guided missile destroyer Intrepido, in Ancona[/list][/list]

| The naval assets would be directed to patrol the Adriatic in international waters, namely the Strait of Otrante and the northern portion, while the Regio Esercito would stand on high alert in the eventuality of a Yugoslav assault. The mobilized Armored Division "Ariete" is comprised of three motorized brigades, one artillery brigade—comprising one light air-defense group with L60 40mm anti-aircraft guns—and is equipped with M47 Patton MBTs, M113 infantry carriers and M7 Priest self-propelled howitzers; it is expected to reinforce Slovene divisions in support against any JNA incursion; however, it is also expected to perform as part of a multi-national force, and not on its own; the cabinet has been cautious in its mobilization, fearing that putting too many troops on alert could be detrimental to the fruitful economic and diplomatic bonds so far enjoyed by both Rome and Belgrade. |

| Despite the decision, the Kingdom's security apparatus still voiced its frustration with the government's disorganized response. On the condition of anonymity, one Army colonel would speak in the Corriere della Serra of a growing discontent among the ranks of the Armed Forces and the SIFAR military intelligence. Rumors, hushed and spoken with distrust and worry, would [URL=https://www.nationstates.net/page=rmb/postid=53682684]once again[/url] surface concerning the spread of radical ideas of some within the Regio Esercito and the intelligence services... |

[list][list][list][spoiler=[sub]Commonwealth of Liberty[/sub]

EVVIVA L'ITALIA!

—]

[nation]Adriatican Islands[/nation]

[nation]Al-Oman[/nation]

[nation]Amsterwald[/nation]

[nation]Arcanda[/nation]

[nation]Brazil Toucan[/nation]

[nation]Cascadla[/nation]

[nation]Cheezaslovakia[/nation]

[nation]Connomia[/nation]

[nation]East Germany DDR[/nation]

[nation]Great Britain GB[/nation]

[nation]Greater Kurdistane[/nation]

[nation]Israelli[/nation]

[nation]Kewtpuff[/nation]

[nation]Kotakuan II[/nation]

[nation]Ma-li[/nation]

[nation]Maziya[/nation]

[nation]Metropolitan Francais[/nation]

[nation]Neepal[/nation]

[nation]Nevbrejnovitz[/nation]

[nation]Newauroria[/nation]

[nation]New Provenance[/nation]

[nation]Nileia[/nation]

[nation]Nippon-Nihon[/nation]

[nation]OsivoII[/nation]

[nation]Paramountica[/nation]

[nation]Paseo[/nation]

[nation]Peking Zhongguo[/nation]

[nation]Pontianus[/nation]

[nation]Provenancia[/nation]

[nation]Ranponian[/nation]

[nation]Rutannia[/nation]

[nation]Saudi Arabiyah[/nation]

[nation]Socialist Democratic Republic Romania[/nation]

[nation]Spainard[/nation]

[nation]Sudesam[/nation]

[nation]Turkiye 1st[/nation]

[nation]Vancouver Straits[/nation]

[nation]Victoria Harbor[/nation]

[nation]Vietnam SV[/nation]

[nation]Virnall[/nation]

[/spoiler][/list][/list]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Free Nova Scotia, Lieobria, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Hatzburg, Spain-, Bhaarat Lok, Sport-Internationale, Le Equatoria, Zingium

| DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF KURDISTAN - KOMARA DEMOKRATA KURDISTANÊ |

Syria and Kurdistan Sign Articles of Friendship and Cooperation

[sub]| Amed Capital District

| October, 1968[/sub]

-

The Syrian Arab Republic and Democratic Republic of Kurdistan cement historical relations with a new commitment to regional peace.

___________________

With strife in the Middle East seemingly never-ending, leaders in both Damascus and Amed saw cause to meet. The two nations had maintained positive relations historically, both when Syria was independent and when it was a part of the larger United Arab Republic. Nowadays most power in Syria lies in the hands of the Minister of Defense, the Ba’athist General Hafez al-Assad, and it was he who traveled by rail to the Kurdish capital of Amed. With the Great Leader of Kurdistan still recovering from a sudden stroke, responsibility for the meeting fell to the country’s own Minister of Defense, General Serhildan Bahram. The meeting was arranged by the Kurdish Foreign Minister, Colonel Diyako Memreshi, who has sought to shore up Kurdistan’s regional diplomatic ties.

The result of Assad and Bahram’s meeting was revealed on October 15th: The Syrian-Kurd Articles of Friendship and Cooperation. The central tenet of the Articles is a commitment to non-aggression between the nations coupled with an agreement to partially demilitarize the Syrian-Kurd border by having neither nation deploy more than 4,000 personnel to the border area at any time. The Articles also open the door for a deeper economic relationship between the countries by committing each government to provide some 20 Million USD for the expansion and maintenance of rail and road connections linking Syria and Kurdistan over the next 5 years. The Kurdish government also committed an undisclosed but significant sum to be spent on trade with Syria by Kurdish state-owned enterprises. The treaty guarantees Kurdish access to Syrian ports and permits the attachment of a Kurdish government liaison with any Syrian port authority. Finally, the treaty stipulates both nations will loosen visa restrictions to facilitate travel between the two.

Though unspoken, the Articles also represent a new sort of diplomatic understanding between Syria and Kurdistan. Both nations have identified common threats to peace and security in the Middle East and see room for diplomatic cooperation in this regard. In the power struggle of Syrian politics, the agreement further represents unofficial Kurdish backing for the rule of the rising Hafez al-Assad.

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Mutawakkiliti, Le Equatoria, Zingium

[list][list]SHOWA 42 | NOVEMBER 1967[/list]

[list][list]日米共同協議

[pre]JOINT U.S.—JAPAN DISCUSSIONS[/pre][/list][/list]

[pre] D I S P A T C H W O R K [/pre]

[list][list][sub][pre] オー・スネイル 富士山に登ろう でも、ゆっくり、ゆっくり

O Snail; Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly![/pre][/sub][/list][/list]

WASHINGTON D.C., Paramountica

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1978370

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞


/ ⚓️ 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔

𝑰𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒋𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒖𝒃, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚'𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝑨𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 ("𝑷𝑺𝑨") 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟑, 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆. 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆, 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔. 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚. 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 ("𝑷𝑺𝑨") 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐, 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔, 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒆𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓-𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔, 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒖𝒊 𝑺𝒆𝒏, 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔, 𝒊𝒏 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟖. 𝑺𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒑, 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕, 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒚, 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒚𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆, 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔, 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔, 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒆𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆, 𝒊𝒏 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔. 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑲𝒆𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒈’𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅'𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔, 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒅, 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚. 𝑺𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑰𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅, 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚, 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒆𝒔, 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅, 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔.

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Spain-, Zingium

Post by Buradoma suppressed by Paramountica.

Buradoma

To all WA members, do not vote in favor of these new regulations as they will reduce economic freedom which I and many other countries are trying to increase. I f you want these regulations in your country, implement them as you wish but do not make it an international resolution. Vote NO to increased regulations!

“Statesmen”

[Magdeburg, Deutsche Demokratische Republik]

November 1968

Erich Honecker’s visit to Magdeburg as 1968 neared its close was a perfect representation of his first full year in charge.

As he toured a local factory, which was in pristine condition, he was greeted by the smiling faces of the local workers but also confronted by some pretty low-quality housing on the fringes of the city.

Like most factories in East Germany at the time, it was benefitting both from the reforms that the Honecker regime had begun implementing and the increased productivity of its contented workforce.

The visit had come at an inconvenient time. Honecker was due back in East Berlin imminently to oversee the appointment of a new minister to handle the ongoing issues with the Catholic Church, following the departure of Werner Eggerath to West Berlin. However, the Socialist Unity Party couldn’t afford to allow a chance to boost their image to go to waste. Especially given the continued prosperity that the nation was experiencing.

Images of Honecker, Paul Verner and Heinz Hoffman had become mainstream over the past year. The three men were being painted like the elder statesmen of old Germany. A shared personality cult was forming.

The numbers presented to Honecker weren’t exactly groundbreaking. If the United States or their allies were to look at them they probably wouldn’t do so with much envy, but for a perpetually stagnant nation, things were continuing to go in the right direction. However, it continued to be blown out of proportion to serve propaganda needs.

Whether wrongly or rightly, 1968 had been the year of Statesmen in the German Democratic Republic. Erich Honecker was at the helm and he had Verner to his left and Hoffman to his right. All the Politburo could do was pray that the success they had enjoyed was not just luck.

Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt Euch!

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Nippon-Nihon, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Spain-, Zingium, Independent Singapore

[list][list][list][pre]REINO DE ESPAÑA[/pre][/list]

______

1250 Anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom of Asturias and the Battle of Covadonga

[sub]KINGDOM OF SPAIN | MADRID, September 8, 1968[/sub][/list]

[sub]today mark the 1250 Anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom of Asturias and the Battle of Covadonga. This is one of the most important event in the whole of Iberian history as it is thanks to King Pelayo and his men, along with the miraculous help from the Blessed Virgin that the Umayyad conquest of the Iberian Peninsula was stop in it tracked and established the independence of the Kingdom of Asturias in north west Spain. This first major Christian victory over the Umayyad Caliphate initiated the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. King Pelayo is considered the forefather of all the Iberian monarchies, including the Kings of Castile, the Kings of León, the Kings of Spain, and the Kings of Portugal. The royal family and the Prime Minister travel to Covadonga, the site of the battle to celebrate the anniversary there. There the Governor of the Principality of Asturias, Ferdinand de Vigil greeted the Royal Family and the Prime Minister and welcomed them to Covadonga.[/sub]

[sub]They then watched a parade to celebrate the anniversary. They then went to the Santa Cueva de Nuestra Señora de Covadonga (the Holy Cave of Our Lady of Covadonga), where the Virgin Mary appeared to Pelayo and his men to promised them victory over the Arabs, to attend the mass being held there, finally, on the balcony of the mayoral office, King Juan III’s son and heir, Prince Juan Carlos of Asturias, deliver a speech on behalf of the royal family and the government to the entire nation addressing the importance and the contribution that Pelayo and the 300 men gave to defend the Iberian Peninsula and Europe from the invading Forces of the Caliphate and that this day and anniversary should remind everyone Spaniards that Spain is and shall always be an an great nation in Europe and the world and its glory and greatest days are far from over.[/sub]

[sub]Once the day have ended the Royal Family and the Prime Minister headed back to the capital where the preparations for the summer Olympic are about to begin.[/sub]

[list]______[/list]

[list][list][pre]VIVA EL REY!

VIVA ESPAÑA!

VIVA LA IMPERIO![/pre][/list][/list]

[list][spoiler=[sub]“Our hope is in Christ;

this little mountain will be

the salvation of Spain

and of the people of the Goths;

the mercy of Christ will free us

from that multitude.”

— Pelayo of Asturias, King of Asturias[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Nippon-Nihon, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Zingium, Independent Singapore

★ UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC ★

[list][list][list][pre]

"Fear is, I believe, a most effective tool in destroying the soul of an individual - and the soul of a people."

ANWAR EL-SADAT

[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

_________________

[list][sub]𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓[/sub]

[sub][sup]NOV 1968 - UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC[/sub][/sup]

[list][sub]When Syria seceded in 1964, President Nasser approved a new program to elevate Libya's status to an equal republic within the union as a way to ensure that the reasons that Syria left the union would not be allowed to happen again. In the following months, a program to promote and train young cadres to administer the country began. Young military officers, politically active within the Arab Socialist Union - Libya (ASU-L), were built up, first as deputies and then given the reigns to administer their own fiefdoms. This program eventually proved to be successful, being able to wield an iron fist as military-governors but also act as technocratic planners, this new generation of officers unlike the older ones led by Nasser, combined efficiency and stability.[/sub]

[sub]Fast forward 4 years since 1964, this program has yielded a number of active cadres. With Nasser falling out with most of the original Revolutionary Free Officers, from Abdel-Latif Boghdadi, and Zakaria Muhyi al-Din, to his own purges in the wake of the humiliation in 1967, a number of positions opened up that required new blood to induce a revival of the dynamism and activity of the political vehicle in the United Arab Republic. Furthermore, the promotion of Anwar el-Sadat as Vice-President who oversaw the program in Libya, has given them the connection needed to advance their careers.[/sub]

[sub]The Libyan Young Turks were not the only part of this program of renewal however. A succession of student protests in 1967 and 1968 called for the end of the old military elite's involvement in government. Acquiescing to popular demand, President Nasser approved a government reshuffle that introduced a number of new civilian officials from some of Egypt's technocratic institutions. These appointments are mostly non-political, and focused on shifting the powerbase from ideologues to capable administrators.[/sub]

[sub]President Nasser was not the only one focused on renewal however. Besides the aforementioned Libyan cadres, General-Secretary Khalid Muhyi al-Din has been undergoing a program that is the opposite of the one undertaken in the executive branch. For his reshaping of the party, Khalid has begun seeking out ideologically strong supporters, mainly from the party's youth wing, long harboring a radically ideological undercurrent, as well as drawing from those that were sidelined by previous officials, such as exiled intellectuals and persons of notable stature. One of those has been prominent economist Samir Amin who has been devoting his time between working as an economic advisor in Africa and continuing his studying in France, though his love for his home countries nonetheless always remained strong.[/sub]

[sub]This renewal has been long coming, the Egyptian political apparatus was desperately yearning for a new direction as it slowly chugged along its heavy weight that has grown beyond what any state can carry. Between personal intrigues, heavy intelligence presence, military elites, the radical student movement, and Nasser's own myth, the political vehicle in Egypt was barely functioning under all of its weight. However the defeat in '67 served as a wake-up call, and now its up to the once divided to reform the state stronger and better.[/sub]

[/list]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Nippon-Nihon, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Mutawakkiliti, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Independent Singapore

Ozymandias: Half Sunk, and Shattered Visages

Post-Nyerere Removal, 1968

I met a traveler from an antique land, who said “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. . . Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

Across Tanzania, those traditional tribes of the nation cry out in long ignored pain. The Maasai were driven from their ancestral homes in the Serengeti. Their homes slashed and burned down, bringing a permanent quiet, to an environment where human, and animals once lived in symmetry.

The Maasai’s occasional rival, but now equal sufferer, the Akie, one of Africa’s last remaining hunter gatherer groups, who were renowned for their sweet honey beers, found their way of life shattered. The natural apiaries they had taken care of for generations, were now “nationalized.” Greedy businessmen, and government bureaucrats teamed up to capitalize and produce their own honey. The once renowned honey beer, became a commodity pressed and stamped upon with a branding label, and sent to the market.

The Hadza were a moribund ethnic group. Only around 600 existed by the time of the Villagization Project, the Tanzanian government had been ruthless in annihilating their hunter-gatherer culture. Children were separated from their families, and those who resisted, lost their parents entirely. In one fell swoop, the Nyerere government had boldly and proudly damned an entire group of people to certain extinction. Those who had resisted the least, fearing to lose their children too, were resettled in local villages. Pushed to adopt farming they became a maize and cattle based group, in one fell swoop their culture largely perished.

In Zanzibar, the Arabs of the Isles largely captured the majority of the public attention regarding the monstrous abuses of the Nyerere regime. Families broken apart and pawned off to sick cretins in the Afro-Shirazi Party and the so-called Revolutionary Government. Businessmen seeing their wealth slowly sucked out, as the Karume government grew more corrupt.

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read. Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things. The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed.

Despite their best attempts, the people survived. The so-called oppressive Arabs, the apparently anachronistic Maasai, and the supposedly savage Hadza. With all their mocking, their rage, and their hatred, the socialists could not wipe away the people they had called backwards.

These oppressed people awaited their vindication, for the government to not only clear them of the claims, and harassment leveled upon them for nearly a decade by the Nyerere regime. Sadly, they were mistaken, and their awaited recognition never came. The Hadza would not see their children returned, the Maasai still prevented from returning to their lands in the Serengeti, and the Akie’s product, their apiaries remained under the cold grasp of local businessmen. Even the Arabs of Zanzibar, who had been a loud focal point of the criticisms of the Nyerere regime, and played an instrumental role in its downfall were snubbed. For all groups, the biggest source of their anger was the various soldiers, administrators, and even high-ranking generals who had been allowed to integrate back into the normal military and government. Many began to point their fingers at Kambona himself, proclaiming he was covering for the crimes of the regime, as he himself played an important role in them.

As Kambona furthered his own political ambitions to be the next Prime Minister of Tanzania, the oppressed people formed their own political organization the Committee for Truth and Justice, and began petitioning the High Court of Tanzania to hear their case. Behind the scenes, Kambona, who was still setting up his new government, reluctantly gave the High Court his approval to hear the case. The demands of this new group were simple, recognition that the attempted extinction of the minority groups in Tanzania was deliberate and planned. Secondly, they demanded restitution in the form of payment, land redistribution, and the return of children and political prisoners. Lastly, they called for an immediate investigation, and arrest of all those in the military and bureaucracy who had played an active role in Nyerere’s crimes. For the UTR, it was their last chance, for if they failed here, then Nyerere truly had won.

And on the pedestal, these words appear:

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Nothing beside remains.

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Nippon-Nihon, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Al-Jammahirya Al-Arabiyya, Mutawakkiliti, Le Equatoria, Independent Singapore

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Nippon-Nihon, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, 11Canada, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Mutawakkiliti, Poland1St, Le Equatoria, Zingium

THE LION OF AFRICA VI

A Republic in Crisis

______________

[sub]March 1968[/sub]

By November, 1968. The Republic of Biafra had entered a political crisis. Divided on two factions, that being the more moderate and pragmatic members who wanted to work with the NDF on a peace deal and wanted to continue the ongoing truce, and the radicals, who wanted to end the truce and refused to work on a peace deal for the civil war. Stability may have been achieved by 1965, but now the republic faced a crisis of division, it’s catalyst being a backroom deal between leading members of the Biafran Nationalist Party (BNP) - all of them being moderates - and the NDF’s chief leadership, that being Balewa and his leadership team. The deal simply laid out the end of an independent republic in the face of a “Single, United Nigeria” with various concessions, including a regional governor, a regional parliament, legalization of the BNP and special powers concerning tax, spending and social policy, something other regions were not to receive post-war. Agreed by the moderates, who were led by Timothy Onwuatuegwu. A leading general since the dawn of the republic, Timothy had slowly become a leading voice of a more moderate nationalism and opposed to the radical Igbo nationalism of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the BNP’s party leader and President of the Republic of Biafra since it’s accession.

Divisions had been growing since 1967 during the demise of the ULMN and by September 1968, become apparent that it could lead to a crisis at heart. But the backroom deal, agreed without the notice of Emeka and his radical loyalists, was only known to him a few days later. Two routes seemed the only likely pathways for Emeka. The first was to arrest Timothy and his allies and refuse to sign what was to become of the Lagos Peace Accords. The second was to accept the deal and betray his loyalist allies, submitting to the NDF and the end of an Independent Republic. These two positions had even divided his own faction - perhaps the more understanding faction saw submitting as the only option, with a conflict with a more united and powerful NDF to lead to a bloody conflict and likely, a bitter and blood-soaked strife.The more radical and to a certain extent, loyal, part of the faction, saw conversation or even acknowledgment of the NDF’s treaty being traitours and that war and conflict was the only option. Emeka new he had to be pragmatic, but the security and continuation of an independent republic took first base.

By the 12th November, around 6 days after the informal backroom deal between Timothy and the NDF, he as-well as 4 other key generals and military advisors, all part of the moderate faction to the BNP, were arrested by the Republic’s loyalists and Igbo-dominated police. Following their arrest, two senior officers also arrested by Biafran Authuories, as they were seen to have facilities the talks on Biafran grounds. Arresting opposition was one thing, but killing them was another matter. Just a day later following their arrest, Timothy and 4 other advisors/general were executed and branded by the government as the “5 Traitors” - although it was likely many more who had allowed or agreed with a deal with the NDF for peace in Nigeria, the key 5 members had allowed it to occur. Putting an end to this ideological opposition of Timothy, who had grown in strength and numbers loyal to him and his more moderate and pragmatic ideals, saw the military internally divided.

While the majority were loyal only to Emeka, seeing him as the true representative of the Igbo People and for the continuation of an ethno-state of the Biafran People, a minority of the military had been scooped by the personality of Timothy and his promises of a new deal and peace in Nigeria once more. Following his death, known as the Biafran People’s Army declared a mutiny, led by a collective branch of advisors and loyalists to the former General Timothy. Support for the group was across the country, with no real bedrock of support in a certain area. It was a combination of the academic elite of the South and a few hotspots in the North, but the vast majority of the country had remained loyal to Emeke. The BPA attempted to gain control of various local governments in order to attempt to force Emeke to resign. This failed, and saw the internal deployment of 5,500 troops, all loyal to Emeke and his radicals.

Lasting a total of 14 days up to the 26th November, the BPA’s uprising, widely named as the 1968 November Uprising, was a failure, ultimately. Initial successes in securing support from some local governments quickly faded as Emeke’s loyalists sought to route out militant opposition in ruthless fashion. The BPA at one point attempted to gain control of the capita, Enugu, of which did have some support for the BPA, but key government officials and advisors all backed the Loyalists, who by the 19th, had all but defeated the disorginsed and amaetur set-up of the BPA. A desperate attempt to oust Eweke and his loyalists fell through in a matter of days and by the 23rd, saw a collapse of the collective leadership. It’s leading voice, Joseph Achuzie, was arrested following his capture on the 25th November.

The ruthless crushing of the rebellion had been quick and decisive. But Eweke’s refusal to recognise the treaty would have much wider effects. The NDF were economically exhausted from the war and still faced a battered-up rural economy and a flattened industry, and with a still-active routing out of the militia’s still occupying miles of land in Central Nigeria, the war effort still remained at large, intact. A war with Biafra would be devastating for a nation on the brink of peace and throw the NDF and Nigeria back into a bloody battle of supremacy.

Whether that war is to come or not, it is clear that even if the treaty is signed, Nigeria still faces challenges right, left and center. An economy struggling through a civil war, hundreds of thousands displaced, tribes demanding greater autonomy, a nation ideologically and ethnically divided.

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, 11Canada, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Greater Kurdistane, Spain-, Zingium

[list][list]SHOWA 43 | NOVEMBER 1968[/list]

[list][list]宗教の自由

[pre]RELIGIOUS FREEDOM[/pre][/list][/list]

[pre] D I S P A T C H W O R K [/pre]

[list][list][sub][pre] オー・スネイル 富士山に登ろう でも、ゆっくり、ゆっくり

O Snail; Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly![/pre][/sub][/list][/list]

TODAIJI TEMPLE

[sub]NARA, Nippon-Nihon[/sub]

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1989383

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Cascadla, Nasrid Algeria, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Spain-, Zingium

Post by Kingdom Of Kurnisia suppressed by Paramountica.

Kingdom Of Kurnisia

hi

Occidental Florida

[list][list][sub]13.𝚇𝙸𝙸.1968[/sub][/list]

I L • R E G N O • D' I T A L I A

[list][sub]IL TURNO DI RUMOR[/sub]

RUMOR HAS IT[/list]

[list][list][pre]Ending a months-long crisis,

Mariano Rumor, DC Secretary, forms a sprawling cabinet,

Reviving Aldo Moro's center-left coalition.[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

[list]| PALAZZO MONTECITORIO, ROMA [sup][nation=short]Arcanda[/nation][/sup] — The Palazzo would see great agitation, beneath the grey sky of December. The affable Giovanni Leone would exit the helm of government, and to take his mantle, in would come Mariano Rumor—Aldo Moro's right-hand man, Secretary of the DC since 1964 (one year after Moro's first cabinet) who immensely helped to make more palatable the former's overtures to the left with the party base. Rumor, a well-spoken 54-year-old bachelor, is known within the DC as a man of comprise, practicality and attention, talents that he will surely need. As His Majesty Umberto II proceeded to appoint him following a vote in the Chamber of Deputies, observers were already commenting the size of his cabinet: the largest since the War, comprising 27 ministers and 57 under-secretaries, hailing from all the factions of the DC—Moro and Rumor's center-left, Amintore Fanfani's social Catholics, and even Luigi Andreotti's conservatives—as well as Pietro Nenni's Partito Socialista¹, and two smaller parties, the Liberal and the Monarchist parties. An unwieldy coalition, made more vulnerable after the Socialist defeat this past July, and one that will almost certainly struggle in passing major legislation. And while the Kingdom's bureaucracy has had a long tradition of semi-independence, effectively learning how to operate more or less efficiently since half a century of erstwhile cabinets and unstable governments, there are fears that such a motley team will be at a disadvantage when it comes to foreign policy, as the past year has shown. |

| In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Rumor would touch on many subjects, ranging from the reform of higher education to pension increases for the workers and the industrialization of the South, and a re-affirmation of Italy's commitment to common European defense. But once again, despite the tense social climate and strikes almost every month, the focus would be drawn inwards by the DC's complex structure of factions: the Andreotti faction, as per tradition, requested the Secretariat of the Party—to keep a balance, the Prime Minister and the Party Secretary are more often than not from different factions—an issue to which Rumor's aides would agree. The Secretariat will therefore go either one Flaminio Piccoli or Arnaldo Forlani, two solid members of the conservative faction chaired by Andreotti. With divisions both within and without his party, and an even larger coalition, not to mention the galvanized workers' unions and a PCI at the height of its power in recent memory, Mariano Rumor's task is immense and difficult—but after six months of a minority cabinet, Italy has retrieved, at last, the shadow of a stable government. |

[list]______

[sub]¹[/sub][sub]Pietro Nenni has been awarded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

while another Socialist, Francesco de Martino, is now Deputy Premier.[/sub][/list]

[list][list][list][spoiler=[sub]Commonwealth of Liberty[/sub]

EVVIVA L'ITALIA!

—]

[nation]Adriatican Islands[/nation]

[nation]Al-Oman[/nation]

[nation]Amsterwald[/nation]

[nation]Arcanda[/nation]

[nation]Brazil Toucan[/nation]

[nation]Cascadla[/nation]

[nation]Cheezaslovakia[/nation]

[nation]Connomia[/nation]

[nation]East Germany DDR[/nation]

[nation]Great Britain GB[/nation]

[nation]Greater Kurdistane[/nation]

[nation]Israelli[/nation]

[nation]Kewtpuff[/nation]

[nation]Kotakuan II[/nation]

[nation]Ma-li[/nation]

[nation]Maziya[/nation]

[nation]Metropolitan Francais[/nation]

[nation]Neepal[/nation]

[nation]Nevbrejnovitz[/nation]

[nation]Newauroria[/nation]

[nation]New Provenance[/nation]

[nation]Nileia[/nation]

[nation]Nippon-Nihon[/nation]

[nation]OsivoII[/nation]

[nation]Paramountica[/nation]

[nation]Paseo[/nation]

[nation]Peking Zhongguo[/nation]

[nation]Pontianus[/nation]

[nation]Provenancia[/nation]

[nation]Ranponian[/nation]

[nation]Rutannia[/nation]

[nation]Saudi Arabiyah[/nation]

[nation]Socialist Democratic Republic Romania[/nation]

[nation]Spainard[/nation]

[nation]Sudesam[/nation]

[nation]Turkiye 1st[/nation]

[nation]Vancouver Straits[/nation]

[nation]Victoria Harbor[/nation]

[nation]Vietnam SV[/nation]

[nation]Virnall[/nation]

[/spoiler][/list][/list]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, 11Canada, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium

[list][list][sub]P O L I S H‎ ‎ ‎ P E O P L E ' S ‎ ‎ R E P U B L IC‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ •‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ P O L S K A‎ ‎ ‎ R Z E C Z P O S P O L I T A‎ ‎ ‎ L U D O W A [/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]New Chairman Elected![/sub]

[sub]November, 1968[/sub][/list]

[list]|[sub]Arnold Domżalski assumes chairman position[/sub]|[/list]

|[sub] Following the resignation of former Chairman Edward Ochab, a discernible power struggle unfolded within the party, known primarily to political elites and party members, and foreign leaders. While the nation paid tribute to the esteemed retiree, an ambitious journalist delved into Ochab's life story for intriguing details. In the Council of State and Sejm, the [New Generation[ and the [Old Guard] strategically played their cards. As months passed with no announcement of a new chairman, public curiosity intensified. Eventually, on November 8th, in an 11-5 vote, [Arnold Domżalski], the [New Generation] candidate, triumphed over the [Old Guard]'s nominee, [Łukasz Galica]. [/sub]|

[list]Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed members of the Council of State, honored guests, and my fellow citizens,

Today marks a pivotal moment in the history of our great nation as I stand before you with a deep sense of humility and responsibility. It is both an honor and a privilege to address you as the newly elected Chairman of the Council of State.

I am profoundly grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I assure you that my commitment to serving our beloved country is unwavering. As we embark on this journey together, let us recognize the challenges that lie ahead and the immense potential for positive change within our grasp.

Firstly, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my predecessor, Edward Ochab, for his dedicated service to our nation. He leaves behind a legacy that we shall honor and build upon, guided by the principles of justice, equality, and progress.

Our nation stands at a crossroads, and it is incumbent upon us to navigate these challenges with resilience and unity. The power of the people, coupled with the strength of our collective determination, will drive our nation forward.

In the spirit of inclusivity, I pledge to listen to the diverse voices within our society. Every citizen, has a role to play in shaping our collective destiny. Let us embrace our differences and forge a path that reflects the values we hold dear.

In conclusion, I stand before you not just as your Chairman but as a fellow citizen deeply invested in the prosperity and well-being of our nation. Together, let us embark on this journey, inspired by the values that define us as a people.

Thank you, and may we build a brighter future for all.

Arnold Domżalski

Chairman of the Council of State[/list]

|[sub] On November 9th, the declaration of [Arnold Domżalski] as the newly elected Chairman reverberated, accompanied by an inauguration speech addressing both the council and the broader public. The public's warm reception marked the end of months of vacancy in the position. Following the inauguration, private celebrations ensued among key leaders of the [New Generation], solidifying the faction's newfound significant influence. [/sub]|

‎ ‎

[list][sub]WARSAW CITY, P.Z.P.R. HEADQUARTERS, Poland1St — AFTERNOON[/sub][/list]

|[sub] The meeting room carried an air of tension, palpable as soon as one crossed the threshold. The walls, adorned with stern portraits of revolutionary figures, seemed to close in on the occupants, casting a shadow on the proceedings. The afternoon sunlight, struggling to penetrate heavy curtains, lent an uneasy glow to the room's atmosphere. Around the imposing mahogany table, senior party officials, including Party Chairman [Władysław Gomułka], occupied high-backed leather chairs. The usually stoic expressions of the attendees were marred by subtle signs of strain – furrowed brows, tense shoulders, and stern gazes that hinted at an undercurrent of disagreement. The table, typically a symbol of collective decision-making, now seemed like a battleground for conflicting ideologies. Papers lay scattered, bearing the weight of unresolved disputes. The emblem of the P.Z.P.R., once a unifying symbol, now served as a silent witness to the simmering discord. [/sub]|

[list]| [sub]IWAN PODOLSKI, Party Official[/sub] | “The results of the vote have just been announced to the public.”[/list]

|[sub] Upon Iwan Podolski's announcement, a charged silence engulfed the room. Eyes darted nervously, glances exchanged, and the collective breaths of the gathered men hung in palpable suspense. The atmosphere, once united, now crackled with unspoken tension, each man bracing for the impending storm. [/sub]|

[list]| [sub]PRZEMYSLAW DULAK, Party Official[/sub] | “Damn it, this mess is all because of that traitor Ochab! He's been working against us for ages, and he conveniently retires just when those renegade hooligans get the upper hand? That ungrateful schemer probably orchestrated this whole thing!”[/list]

|[sub] Przemysław Dulak's emotional outburst reverberated through the room, sparking a chorus of mild, chaotic agreement among the other party officials. Some couldn't help but join in, voicing their frustrations with audible outbursts, while others enthusiastically nodded in accord. The atmosphere, once buttoned-up, now brimmed with a spontaneous energy as the officials, in a mild state of chaos, shared and echoed Dulak's sentiments. Many also voicing personal issues against members of the opposing faction, citing incidents of conflicting orders, memos, and general resistance with certain policies that the party adopted. [/sub]|

[list]| [sub]WŁADYSŁAW GOMUŁKA, Party Chairman[/sub] | “Enough! Bickering like children won't undo this setback. They've gained too many members on the Council and bribed the rest. Get me information on what they used to sway the councilors, and heads will roll for allowing this to happen.”[/list]

|[sub] Chairman Władysław Gomułka, exasperated by the heated exchange, released a heavy sigh. His shoulders slumped momentarily, and his brows furrowed in annoyance as he leaned back in his chair. With an impatient gesture, he waved off the lingering tension in the air, a physical manifestation of his irritation. The atmosphere shifted as he sought a brief moment of relaxation, his body language conveying a mix of frustration and a readiness to address the challenges at hand with a more composed demeanor. [/sub]|

[list]| [sub]WŁADYSŁAW GOMUŁKA, Party Chairman[/sub] | “Consider this a setback. While the chairman position is lost, we can reclaim the other seats and win back those who have turned. Monitor their activities and provide me with actionable intelligence to purge these upstarts. We don't need Moscow's attention now. Meeting adjourned.”[/list]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Abessinienreich

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, 11Canada, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium

[list][list][list][pre]REINO DE ESPAÑA[/pre][/list]

______

The 19th Summer Olympic Games being host in Madrid

[sub]KINGDOM OF SPAIN | MADRID, September 30, 1968[/sub][/list]

[sub]After Madrid has been selected to host the 1968 Summer Olympics, the Spanish Olympic Committee has officially established a organization committee to organize the 19th Olympic Summer events called the Spanish National Summer Olympic Committee Organization. The group began planning the events as early as July 10, 1967. The committee consists of upper panel consisted of the 360 members of the general assembly and the 40 members of the supervisory board, 19 of whom were appointed and the remaining 21 elected. There were fifteen smaller divisions and eight larger divisions under the general secretary. As of September 1968, there are 3,000 workers on staff.[/sub]

[sub]Preparations for the big events has gone smoothly and quickly in the capital for the 19th Summer Olympic Games and His Most Catholic Majesty’s Government has played a major role in the preparations for the 1968 Summer Olympic Games, as Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez has seen this as an opportunity to present Madrid as a symbol for a new Spain. The Minister of Culture and Sport, Pablo Abarca, formed an interministerial committee for the coordination of the work commissioned by Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez. Over 2,000 soldiers of the Spanish Royal Armed Forces and also employees of the Ministries of Culture and Sport, Finance, Social Affairs, Education, and Transport were employed. The sum of the investments contributed to Spanish National Summer Olympic Committee Organization is 1 billion Peseta (roughly $645,677.33 dollars). These funds have been used accordingly; 500 million dollars for the infrastructure of transport and communications, 300 million for the olympic village and press area, 100 million for the sports arenas, 25 million for television and radio, 25 million for culture, 25 million for the city's infrastructure and 25 million for the running and maintenance of the stadium.[/sub]

[sub]The path of the torch relay crossed Mount Olympus and arrived in Athens, the capital of Greece. From there, an Iberia Boeing 302 took the torch to Alfonso XII International Airport, where it was picked up on August 30th by 3 times Grand Prix motorcyclist champion Ángel Nieto, who then gave it to Olympic gold medallist Alejandro Martinez (1964 Marathon). Over a journey of 424.2 kilometers, the Spanish torch relay passed through 300 cities and 60 districts before arriving at Madrid. 7,000 torchbearers participated in the relay, carrying the torch by bike, scooter, motorbike, boat, or air. A diver swam the length of the route that stretched through Marseilles' historic harbor, holding the flame just above the water's surface. There were roughly 100,000 athletes among the torchbearers, and over three million spectators observed them. The final destination on the day preceding the inaugural event was the town of Chinchón. The torch was then transported to Madrid for the opening ceremony. The ceremony began on September 30th at 3:00 p.m., with His Most Catholic Majesty (HMCH) King Juan III in attendance. Among the 600 invited guests of honour was US President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Portuguese King Frederico, the Korean King Haneul and the French President Charles de Gaulle. After the Spanish national anthem, Marcha Real, was sung, the cultural performances followed. The procession of the athletes into the stadium was traditionally led by the Greek team. The other teams proceeded into the stadium, starting with the United Kingdom and then West Germany. The last team out was the hosts, the Spanish team. King Juan III then went on the stage to open the Games by reading out the opening set-phrase.[/sub]

[sub]A massive 58-meter Olympic flag was brought inside the stadium by 14 soldiers of the Royal Guards, who then raised it atop the flagpole. Organizers had made the decision to continue the custom of releasing the peace dove. His Highness Infante Alfonso, Duke of Toledo, a runner, was the final torchbearer to enter the stadium after this. He ascended the stairs to the bowl, where the loudspeakers amplified his heartbeat. He lit the Olympic torch after reaching the summit, signifying the official opening of the 1968 Summer Olympics. Antonio Lopez, a swimmer, read the Olympic oath shortly after that. Then the aerobatic flight show team, Daniel Delgado, performed a final routine over the stadium, illuminating the Olympic rings' colors with their vapour trails.[/sub]

[list]______[/list]

[list][list][pre]VIVA EL REY!

VIVA ESPAÑA!

VIVA LA IMPERIO![/pre][/list][/list]

[list][spoiler=[sub]“Our hope is in Christ;

this little mountain will be

the salvation of Spain

and of the people of the Goths;

the mercy of Christ will free us

from that multitude.”

— Pelayo of Asturias, King of Asturias[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Mutawakkiliti, Poland1St, Zingium

[list]April 1969

[sub]The Winds of Change[/sub][/list]

[pre]D I E B U N D E S R E P U B L I K[/pre]

THE WINDS OF CHANGE

[sub]WEST BERLIN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, New Provenance - MORNING[/sub]

[list]| [sub]JOSCHKA FISCHER, left-wing student leader[/sub] | "Our history is our history. We must turn to face it head on and acknowledge what is true, so we may allow the winds of change and progress to guide us into the future. The antiquities of traditional norms are no longer sufficient for our changing society."[/list]

| LAST YEAR, amid scrutiny of former chancellor Kurt Georg Kiesinger's Volkist roots, the so-called "1968 Movement" - composed of students, younger citizens, and left-wing organizations - began mass demonstrations against a political system they viewed as unrepresentative of their interests. Groups from the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), New Left, the Socialist German Students Union, and others demonstrated throughout the winter of 1968 as the presence of former Volks in German government all the way to the year of 1968 spilled into the media, and into public view. The protests were a culmination of increasing nationwide sentiment that the current political system, essentially a duopoly between the center-left Social Democrats, in power since 1961, and the right-wing Christian Democrats. While the CDU has long been the party with the greatest amount of former wartime politicians, commanders or officers, the SPD also received flak during the protests for refraining from initiating a government inquiry into the matter until the last moment. Chancellor WILLY BRANDT only called the winter of '68 inquiry into Kiesinger after a bombshell media article was published in the SUDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG (SZ) that revealed communications and meetings were taking place between former Volkist officials. |

| The demonstrations were Germany's equivalent of the anti-war movement in the United States. A mass shift in ideology among the youth led to the falling of dominoes in other sections of society as well. Calls for personal liberation, withdrawal from Vietnam, opposition to consumer culture and more dominated the airwaves of the younger Germans. Criticisms of moral values of the older generations ushered in a new wave of younger candidates in the coming 1969 federal elections, causing tensions with older demographics. There were the occasional riots, but generally the movement remained largely peaceful beyond the criminal actions of the Auberparlementarische Opposition (AO), a left-wing organization that was disavowed by most of the 1968 Movement. These protests continued well into the new year, with the investigative inquiry into Kurt Georg Kiesinger running all the way through February. He was eventually cleared of any potential wrongdoing, including accusations of foreign collusion and cooperation with far-right entities within the nation, but the societal effects of his trial by fire was clear. |

[list]| [sub]KURT GEORG KIESINGER, Former Chancellor[/sub] | "The Germany I emerge from now after this inquiry is not the Germany I saw when I first walked through these doors some months ago."[/list]

| The movement also held significant political ramifications. Legislation proposed by the opposition German Democrats, who were by far the greatest opponents of the 1968 Movement, to reform the university system and encourage "law and order" was gutted by SPD deputies in a rare act of solidarity with the student demonstrators. Chancellor Brandt held a historic televised town hall with representatives of the peaceful groups, a move that was criticized by Ludwig Erhard and Karl Karstens as appealing to socialists. Eventually, the aforementioned legislation was succeeded by an SPD-CDU bill that included universities in the reform process. The protests also resulted in a foreign policy shift for the government of Brandt, who was not aiming to antagonize such a large, mobilized group of progressive voters so close to the election. The Chancellor announced in April of '69 that Germany would not be committing any ground personnel to the American military effort in Vietnam. |

| Beyond this, the government engaged continually in the affairs of state. BUNDESPRASIDENT Helmut Schmidt, largely silent on the issue of the still-ongoing 1968 Movement demonstrations, staged a state visit to NORDEN, Germany's northern neighbor, to discuss bilateral relations. Schmidt also visited a Saab factory where he touted the possibility of German-Nordic defense cooperation that would empower European defense capabilities significantly. Included in the visit were attaches from the Ministry of Defense's office for weapons procurement, hinting at the possibility of a potential sale in the future. |

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Victoria Harbor, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Spain-, Poland1St, Zingium

Post by Buradoma suppressed by Paramountica.

Buradoma

Dear members of The Commonwealth of Liberty,

Almost half a day before posting this message, the country Atlavo Anatolia ceased to exist. And just after I endorsed them. This is a huge loss to me and The Commonwealth of Liberty.

RIP Atlavo Anatolia; 2019-2024

- The Republic of Buradoma

[list]April 1969

[sub]A Constitutional Proposition[/sub][/list]

[pre]A M E N D I N G O U R F U T U R E[/pre]

THE QUESTION OF CONVENTION

[sub]MANILA, MANILA PROVINCE, THIRD REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Provenancia - AFTERNOON[/sub]

| In November 1967, a group of 40 civil service, veterans rights and academic organizations signed a memorandum urging the administration of President FERDINAND MARCOS SR. to press the Philippine Congress into forming a CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION to amend the 1935 Constitution amid what they describe as 'increasing disparity'. Since President Marcos ascended into power in the narrow 1966 presidential election, the economy had stagnated and buckled under aggressive spending programs on welfare, national defense and infrastructure. Most of this spending was funded by state-taken loans, which were beginning to take a toll on economic confidence in the nation. Despite this, MALACANANG PALACE touted strong jobs growth especially in blue collar sectors across the nation. The disparity, however, was 'changing the landscape', and the aforementioned memorandum pointed to the 1935 Constitution as the real cause of the nation's economic woes. |

| The proposition of a constitutional convention to amend the constitution's economic statutes was popular among conservatives, but President Marcos remained silent on the issue, while opposition politicians from the Liberal Party including Senator Jose Diokno and Senator Ninoy Aquino all expressed their 'deep concern' in the possibility of a constitutional convention. Students groups, including the National Union of Students in the Philippines, the National Students League and more, protested the possibility as Congress moved to deliberate in early 1968. This effort, however, was thwarted after moderate Nacionalista senators in the Senate voted the resolution down 14-10. All the while, the government continued approving greater spending and cutting back on spending regulations instituted by the Magsaysay and Osias administrations to maintain austerity policies. Marcos, it was known, was a lavish spender, especially when it came to infrastructure and national security. A Greater Manila Subway System (GMSS) project was formalized in late 1968, and would cost the government millions of dollars in future spending. This, however, Marcos argued, was the sacrifice necessary to reach the "New Society" ("Bagong Lipunan") he was pursuing. |

| In late 1968 and early 1969, however, the calls for a constitutional convention were echoed as the next presidential election approached. Marcos was deeply popular, yes, and if he chose to run for a second term for president in the 1970 elections, he would probably win. The concern, however, was beyond that. Secretly, members of the Nacionalista Party loyal to the Marcos government believed that their president deserved beyond two terms. A constitutional convention would allow them to amend this, to allow Marcos the "time necessary to implement sufficient economic reforms to uplift the nation". These arguments were brought up and frequently criticized by the Liberal opposition, especially Senator Aquino, who was widely viewed as the only opposition leader who had a shot at retaking Malacanang in the next election. On 4 April 1969, to expressions of concern from moderate Nacionalista representatives in the House chamber, President Marcos by radio address publicly endorsed a constitutional convention to amend its provisions to allow for "lasting growth, change and progress". The House Speaker, a Marcos ally, pledged to give the proposal priority in the lower chamber, despite protests and demonstrations from the aforementioned student groups. |

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Victoria Harbor, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium

[ Recognition of a Friend ]

[ Lisbon, Portugal: December, 1968 ]

| Following the announcement of the sale of weapons and equipment to the growing nation of Rhodesia, Frederico Braganza had begun the process of recognizing the African nation as its own independent state. Something of which he noticed many other European nations were reluctant to do, given the current geopolitical environment of the world. Even before he was announced as king of Portugal, and the monarchy itself reinstated, the Salazar regime itself had failed to recognize the lands of Rhodesia and its government. Which was something he wished to rectify, the sooner the better. Because while he intended to recognize the nation, he also intended to sell and even produce more weapons and vehicles for the African state. Perhaps if the relationship between the nations grew closer, even sending volunteers to supplement the smaller force that the nation currently had. All of this planning was not spontaneous of course, as it had begun a year or more ago when it was allowed for Rhodesian troops to operate along their territorial border with Mozambique. Frederico himself saw a perfect opportunity to stabilize Rhodesia, as the selling and producing of equipment to them would allow for the Portuguese arms industry to continue growing. Allowing for more jobs and opportunities for Portuguese people, and even Rhodesians if the government of the nation allowed it to be so. Currently, the king was writing a proclamation to declare that the Kingdom of Portugal would formally recognize the state of Rhodesia as an independent and sovereign state.

Permission to declare such a proclamation came from the judges he spoke with and a vote within the parliament itself, which of course was headed up by one of the many supporters of his reign. The vote came about when deciding on the upcoming budget for the year of 1969, which included the creation of more public services and working with the various corporations in order to deregulate and allow for a more free market within Europe and other states in the eastern and southern hemisphere’s. Frederico was of course doing what he thought was best to ensure more jobs in Portugal, while also doing what he thought was right politically. Which was the recognition of a relatively young country that was more or less born out of conflict, one in which Portugal shared the bloodshed and lives lost. Finishing writing the proclamation, he sprinkled sand over the ink to help with drying it faster. Pouring hot wax at the bottom of the parchment, he would stamp it with the seal of the Portuguese royal family. After doing so, he would call his press secretary over the phone and inform her of the proclamation so that it could be spoken of over the news. |

[ Lisbon National News, Portugal: December, 1968 (2 hours Later ) ]

| The reception at the Lisbon National News was one of intrigue, as the journalists and editors went about typing up the story. Making sure to include the detail of the proclamation in intricate details, and being sure not to try and embellish the story. Because of this it made for a very dry read when the first newspapers had been printed off, but it got the message across. Formally, the Kingdom of Portugal formally recognized the state of Rhodesia as an independent and sovereign nation. One in which the nation of Portugal would assist in the progress and growth of, so long as the assistance was needed and warranted. While the declaration would have very mixed thoughts and reviews, it was clear that Frederico Braganza had no second thoughts on the matter itself. Nor did the politicians and judges who agreed on the signing of the proclamation itself. Officially and wholeheartedly, the nation of Rhodesia was now recognized by the Kingdom of Portugal. |

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Victoria Harbor, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Spain-, Mutawakkiliti, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia, Le Equatoria, Zingium

[list]17 NOVEMBER 1968

[sub]BUDAPEST - HUNGARIAN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC[/sub][/list]

[list][list][pre]| 16 DEMANDS REVISITED AS THE PSB BEGINS TO IGNITE WIDESPREAD REFORMS [/pre][/list][/list]

[list][list][pre]| 16 A MAGYAR FORRADALOM KÖVETELMÉNYEI ÚJRA LÉGZŐDVE, MIVEL a PSB KIGYÚJTANI KEZDI A SZÉRETESSÉGES REFORMOKAT [/pre][/list][/list]

| In December of 1967, the Government announced a new era of sweeping reforms in both the economic and social space. Much of the social reforms thus far have come in the form of relaxed restrictions in academia and speech. Furthermore, many of those previously detained in the Revolution of 1956 would also be rehabilitated. The rehabilitation of conspirators of the revolution would also include their 16 demands which the Political and Social Affairs Committee (PSB) would review and make their decision.

Since the end of the Second World War, Hungarian-Soviet relations have been a contentious issue within both the Hungarian government and society. In 1956, protestors' primary demand was the immediate evacuation of Soviet troops from Hungary, following the provisions of the Peace Treaty. Among all the demands made, this particular one has garnered the most widespread support within Hungarian society. In a new era of reform, this demand has also gained popularity within the government, especially among members of the Political and Social Affairs Committee (PSB), to which much decision-making authority has been delegated. The committee has aimed for a complete revision of relations between Hungary, the Soviet Union, and other members of the Bloc, based on principles of political and economic equality and non-interference in each party's internal affairs. Recognizing the committee's ambition for a complete revision of relations and its connection to the first and sixth demands of the 1956 protests, which called for a complete withdrawal and reorganisation of relations, the Political and Social Affairs Committee would approve these two demands.

The imperative for additional reform of the political sphere is emphasised by the Political and Social Affairs Committee (PSB). The approval of the evacuation of Soviet troops and the reorganisation of affairs within the bloc represents an initial step in the right direction, for political reform and the establishment of an independent communist state. Furthermore, the PSB is actively pursuing comprehensive political structural reforms, which will include the establishment of an advisory body directly elected by the population. This body will provide consultation to the government on political and social matters and may propose solutions to ongoing social issues. While there is general agreement within the PSB regarding the necessity of political structural reform, some members advocate for caution regarding the scale and pace of reform. They argue that this is necessary to prevent overwhelming the PSB and the state, and to ensure that the Party remains the central driving force behind all political and social activities. Nevertheless, the consensus within the PSB, and thus within the government, is that successful reform of political institutions will allow for the reform of economic institutions to be carried out through the end by the Central Economic Commission and for new social problems to be addressed. |

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

Greater Adriatican State

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Neepal

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Sudesam

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Le Equatoria, Zingium, Independent Singapore

Post by La Republique De Gambia suppressed by Paramountica.

La Republique De Gambia

Updates on Gambia coming soon…..

[list][list]SHOWA 43 | NOVEMBER 1968[/list]

[list][list]日本映画

[pre]JAPANESE CINEMA[/pre][/list][/list]

[pre] D I S P A T C H W O R K [/pre]

[list][list][sub][pre]アーティストであるということは、決して目をそらさないということだ。

To be an artist means never to avert one's eyes.[/pre][/sub][/list][/list]

TOKYO, TOKYO BAY, Nippon-Nihon

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1990263

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Mutawakkiliti, Zingium

[list][list]SHOWA 43 | NOVEMBER 1968[/list]

[list][list]新宿の照明

[pre]LIGHTING IN SHINJUKU[/pre][/list][/list]

[pre] G A K U S E I N O K О̄ G I K A T S U D О̄ [/pre]

[list][list][sub][pre] オー・スネイル 富士山に登ろう でも、ゆっくり、ゆっくり

O Snail; Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly![/pre][/sub][/list][/list]

SHINJUKU STATION — NIGHT

[sub]TOKYO, Nippon-Nihon[/sub]

| Tokyo’s busiest rail way station, Shinjuku, was filled with throngs of yelling students. The students, donning plastic helmets and covering their lower faces with towels to ward off tear gas, clambered over tracks and platforms, shattering train windows, destroying seats, and shattering and igniting doors, benches, and stairwells. Down the rails, in the darkness, riot police gathered and launched a charge as railroad workers sprinted to put out the fires. A shower of rocks met them but did not stop them. Reinforcements from the student body flooded into the large plaza outside the station. The students sang, “Stop the war in Vietnam!” and “End the Security Treaty!” as they trotted ahead in their columns to the sound of whistles. The purple dye, which had been combined with water in fire hoses to repel them during a previous attack on Japan’s defense headquarters, discolored a large number of people. Shinjuku was selected as the main target despite attempts by students to attack the Diet building and the American embassy. This is because Shinjuku serves as the departure point for a large portion of the supplies that are transferred to American forces in Vietnam. However, the stated goal of the rioters was to compel the Japanese-American Defense Pact to be suspended. |

| The police were aware of who their enemy was: Zengakuren, the divided Japanese student union, which consisted of four breakaway organizations. The Communists and the great majority of Zengakuren members avoided the clashes. Like the New Left everywhere, those who actually did riot saw themselves as the conscience of the country and see Communists as bourgeois and politically regressive. $1,000,000 in public property damages, The Public Safety Commission convened an emergency meeting as the fight over Shinjuku station continued late into the night, and they decided to enforce the antiriot statute, which carries 10 years in prison as punishment. Rioters had previously simply faced misdemeanor charges, which carry a minor fine. The station and the square were cleared by the riot police by two in the morning. They may have caused damages totaling about $1,000,000, sent over 700 people to jail, 140 people to the hospital, including 61 police officers. |

| The rioting was the worst Tokyo had witnessed since Premier KISHI was overthrown and President EISENHOWER’s state visit to Japan was thwarted by the Zengakuren in 1960. Even so, Zengakuren was unable to stop the Japanese-American Security Pact from being signed, despite the fact that at the time there was far greater public support and unity than there is now. Signed in 1960, the agreement superseded the preceding Security Treaty of 1951. In fact, it grants Japan more influence than it had previously over any American military operations on its soil and commits both nations to taking undefined action in the event that any of them is attacked in areas governed by Japan. The agreement is set to be reviewed in 1970, and either country may leave it by providing a year’s notice in writing. The most likely scenario is that neither Tokyo nor Washington will take any action, in which case the agreement will continue to be automatically in force. |

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium

[pre]| SEPTEMBER 27, 1968 - SEPTEMBRE 30, 1968 |[/pre]

[list][list][list][pre]DRW ★ DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF WALLONIA

RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DE WALONEYE ★ RDW|[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

1968 ASSEMBLY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS:

THE TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT OF WALLONIA DECLARES ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 27TH AND RESULTS WILL BE REVEALED ON THE 30TH!

ASSEMBLÉE ET ÉLECTIONS PRÉSIDENTIELLES DE 1968 :

LE GOUVERNEMENT DE TRANSITION DE WALLONIE DÉCLARE DES ÉLECTIONS AURA LIEU LE 27 SEPTEMBRE ET LES RÉSULTATS SERONT RÉVÉLÉS LE 30!

[pre]| A historic event was set to take place this month, the first election in Walloon history, the people would be tasked with voting in the first government solely By Walloons, For Walloons, and Of Walloons. Wallonia has slowly sunk from the highs of industrialization and the people have felt the shock of loss of investment post-ww2 with the west favoring Flanders. Now it was up to this coming Walloon government to establish relations with the world, establish defense, establish economic policies, and define to the world what a Walloon Republic is. Political analysts predict a strong showing from the Walloon-Left who has been the strongest voice for independence since Dutch oppression began. A economic right wing faction had begun to form during the last days of the independence campaign with suspected support from the west due to fears of a Soviet-leaning Left taking hold in Wallonia. Culture has become a huge talking point in Walloon politics as a large faction has begun to form to reinstate a strict Walloon culture including phasing out French completely to the other extreme of joining France as an autonomous province. |[/pre]

| 1968 PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY ELECTION AND ASSEMBLY MAKE-UP AND THE PARTIES - ÉLECTIONS À L'ASSEMBLÉE POPULAIRE DE 1968, COMPOSITION DE L'ASSEMBLÉE ET LES PARTIS |

[list]Major Political Parties - Principaux partis politiques[/list]

• Socialist Party {SP} - Parti Socialiste {PS}: The Socialist Party was the political organization that led the charge towards independence with its head Renaud Duchemin being one of the most outspoken Proponents of Walloon Independence. The Party’s main ideology is Social Democracy and Pro-Europeanism with hopes to quickly bring Wallonia into the European Union. On culture the PSW stands neutral with no opposition to reteaching the Walloon language, but also keeping French integral to Walloon identity and as a useful language for business. The PSW opposes all talks of integration into the France.

• Communist Party of Wallonia {CPW} - Parti communiste de Wallonie {PCW}: The main Far-Left political party of Wallonia this Party advocates for Communism, but heavily advocates for independence from the Soviet Union and Luxemburg-Thought to preserve democracy and personal freedoms opposed to the Soviet and Chinese System. They side with the Parti Socialiste on the Cultural issue.

• Marxist-Leninist Organization of Wallonia {M-LOW} - Organisation marxiste-léniniste de Wallonie {OM-LW}: The more militant offshoot of the Walloon-Left. The Organisation marxiste-léniniste de Wallonie is a Small percentage of the Walloon left and subscribe for a Stalinist framework for Walloon Communism.

• The Democratic Liberal Party {DLP} - Le Parti Libéral Démocrate {PLD}: The main ideology of the PLD is that of Conservative-Liberalism and Paternalistic Conservatism. This party makes up the bulk of right wing votes and the party identifies as Center-Right. Culturally it agrees with the Parti Socialiste on the French-Walloon debate.

• The National Party {NP} - Le Parti National {PN}: A Walloon Nationalists party they heavily advocate the Walloon language over the French language and preach Conservative Catholic values. Economically they find themselves to the Center-Right with a very small faction of Neo-Fascists finding a home in the new party, but this faction is heavily suppressed by the heads of the party.

• The Rally for Union Party {RUP} - Le Rassemblement pour le Parti Union {RPU}: This party advocates for Rattachism. An ideology aiming for Wallonia to become an autonomous region of France and disassembling of the Walloon Republic in an effort to get more assistance from Paris.

[list]Election Results - Résultats des élections[/list]

• Parti Socialiste - Socialist Party: vote: 54%, Assembly Seats: 54 seats

• Le Parti Libéral Démocrate - The Democratic Liberal Party: vote: 30%, Assembly Seats: 30 seats

• Parti communiste de Wallonie - Communist Party of Wallonia: vote: 10%, Assembly Seats: 10 seats

• Le Parti National - The National Party: vote: 4%, Assembly Seats: 4 seats

• Le Rassemblement pour le Parti Union - The Rally for Union Party: vote: 1%, Assembly Seats: 1 seats

• Organisation marxiste-léniniste de Wallonie - Marxist-Leninist Organization of Wallonia: vote: 1%, Assembly Seats: 1 seats

[pre]| The People’s Assembly once voted in and the seat holders were chosen by the parties, and would now elect the Prime Minister. Jacques Rouzet a member of Parti Socialiste and the former head of a militant Walloon group who engaged the The Hague government, although this fact would be downplayed by the now current Walloon government. |[/pre]

| 1968 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND CANDIDATES - ÉLECTION PRÉSIDENTIELLE DE 1968 ET CANDIDATS |

[list]Presidential Candidates - Candidats à la présidentielle[/list]

Renaud Duchemin {PS}: Born in Namur and raised in Charleroi, Duchemin has held multiple political positions in municipal and party politics. Once a chance of independence was fully realized Duchemin was the force in the Walloon Socialist Party that pushed the party into the “independence party”. He has gained a high popularity for this and enjoys a good relationship with the Walloon working class.

Fabien Galthieu {PLD}: Another Independence leader, Galthieu, headed the conservative faction calling for independence and held an amicable partnership with Duchemin.

[list]Second round election results - Résultats des élections du deuxième tour[/list]

• Duchemin {PSW}: 68%

• Galthieu {PLD}: 32%

[pre]| Duchemin has been voted in as the First President of the Democratic Republic of Wallonia. |[/pre]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Nippon-Nihon, New Provenance, Adriatican Islands, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium

Post by Nova Dixieland suppressed by Paramountica.

Nova Dixieland

--- ELECTORAL COLLEGE DEADLOCKED AS WALLACE EXCEEDS 100 EVs! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? ---

November 8, 1968

In a twist befitting of this cruel year, the presidential election has not provided a winner. Southern Independent Governor of Alabama George Wallace and his running mate, Senator of South Carolina Strom Thurmond, have deadlocked the electoral college with their unexpected victories in Florida, Kentucky, and Virginia. Along with Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, the "protest ticket" as many are calling it - achieved a total of 112 electoral college votes, and a national voting total of 23.6%, one of the highest totals for a third party ticket in American history.

According to the Constitution, the election for president will now head to the House of Representatives, and whoever wins a majority there becomes president-elect.

The Southern Independents' have made their goals well-known, and its likely that the Republican nominee, Richard Nixon, will receive support from the South, likely in exchange for a traitorous repeal of desegregation.

What does this mean for America going forward into the 1970s? Well, your guess is as good as ours.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, racism is never justified. And I'm aware that some of you are thinking that the simple idea of my nation is racist. That is not my end goal. I plan to move the South from conservative to moderate-liberal over the course of fifty years. I have the presidents and VPs planned up until 2028 even. So I already have a good plan that everyone can be okay with. If you want to know what the presidents and VPs are/will be, send me a telegram.

[list]November 1st, 1968

[sub]The haunted hills of the west - 1E, 1S[/sub][/list]

[list][pre]. . . A Mojave Ranger attempts to save two kidnapped Rangers from his unit. . . Written by Nicolas Godart, Ray Bradbury, and Rod Serling [/pre][/list]

BONEYARD SALOON, THE BONEYARD, MOJAVE RANGER TERRITORY, — LATE NOON

| The airplane traps the heat of the Mojave in the cabin of the abandoned Boeing 307 Stratoliner. The plane is now known as the Boneyard Saloon. Abandoned planes dot the landscape, but no one knows how to work these beasts of the sky, that knowledge has been lost for generations. Ranger Cullen sips on the clean water from a sheet metal mug, a luxury in these parts of the Mojave. Cullen isn’t a stranger to the Boneyard; his unit’s patrols have brought him to this region before. Cullen wears loose brown cargo pants, attempting to camouflage in the arid landscape, and a dirty formerly white shirt, now more of a tan brown from days of dust storms. The man behind the counter, Mr. Gannon, has become a decent friend to the young ranger, his rugged wrinkle covered face showing how long he’s been in the boneyard. Mr. Gannon cleans behind the counter before speaking to the Ranger. |

[list]| Mr. Gannon [sub]Saloon Owner[/sub] | “Any action in the mountains lately Ranger?”[/list]

| Mr.Gannon grabs the bottle of beer the Ranger finished a couple moments ago. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Not much, unless you count arguing with caravan guides about what pass is safe as action.”[/list]

[list]| Mr. Gannon [sub]Saloon Owner[/sub] | “If arguing with them counts as combat then I’m a five star general.”[/list]

| Mr. Gannon points to a couple bullet holes in the ceiling. |

[list]| Mr. Gannon [sub]Saloon Owner[/sub] | “They had a fresh face here yesterday pounding the drink and ended up letting off a couple shots on accident. Nearly took out Shannon. . . They keep on losing men on the road to Sactown and are replacing them with idiots.”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Explains why we keep on finding them wandering off the route, taking those boys from Ciudad and throwing them to the waste. . . I pity them, I really do.”[/list]

| The silence that accompanies most people in the waste returns as the two men go back to their tasks. Cullen leaves some coins on the bar as he gets up and puts his canvas duster on, an important part of the Mojave Ranger uniform, and grabs his straw hat. |

[list]| Mr. Gannon [sub]Saloon Owner[/sub] | “Hey! Ranger Cullen, rangers drink for free.”[/list]

| As Cullen turns Mr. Gannon softly tosses the coins back to the Ranger, smoothly landing into his glove-covered hands. . . Cullen gives a thankful nod before turning back around and continuing out of the saloon. Cullen swings open the metal doors, exposing his face to the heat of the Mojave. His eyes scrunch, allowing him to get adjusted to the bright noon sun. Once adjusted, the view of the Boneyard was made clear. Around 50 commercial planes lay across the desert, each in a different state of structural decay, nonetheless still housing people and businesses inside them. Shacks also dot the landscape of the settlement, each with their own function, from residential and business. The settlement was rather lively today, but Cullen couldn’t stay for the Boneyard Nightlife tonight. His R&R had ended, it was time to return to camp. The Ranger approaches his horse Beau, a brown mustang in near perfect health. A homemade mahogany trapdoor rifle holstered on Beau connected to the Ranger’s saddle. Cullen jumps onto Beau and whistles loudly, kicking Beau into action. Cullen exits the Boneyard and begins to trek through the town. Children play in the street as the Ranger passes through, crowds seem to part for the Ranger. The camera lifts up showing the Ranger leaving the settlement and slowly entering the uncivilized wastes. |

[list]| [sub]Screen fades to black[/sub][/list]

TEHACHAPI FOOTHILLS — 5PM

| The screen fades back in. Cullen is now riding in the Tehachapi foothills, his eyes slowly scan his surroundings. His hands loose on the reins, ready to equip his rifle at a moment's notice. Cullen and Beau walk along the ridge of a hill, making their way to camp. While looking west, Cullen notices across a small valley, five figures dressed head to toe in white robes hike along the ridge. Cullen pulls on Beau’s reins bringing him to a stop, his right hand now slowly moves toward his rifle. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “You think I can hit ‘em Beau?”[/list]

| He lifts the rifle out of its holster and brings it to his lap, only breaking eye sight from the men in white to check his rifle is loaded. He looks back up towards the men in white. They continue to walk, unaware of the Ranger’s presence. Cullen raises the rifle to his shoulder putting the man in white in front in the iron sights. |

[list]| [sub]Cuts to a close up to the first man in white[/sub][/list]

| The man in white raises his fist and comes to an abrupt stop, the four men behind him stopping on a dime in complete unison. The man turns his head to the east and sees the Ranger across the valley and makes eye contact through the thin fabric covering his face. Then continues the close up on the man in white’s covered face, the head covering moving as he heavily breathes under it. The man watches the Ranger, unfazed, knowing he is in the Ranger’s sights and seemingly in a staring contest. |

[list]| [sub]Cuts back to the Ranger still aiming his rifle towards the group.[/sub][/list]

| Cullen lowers the rifle from his shoulder and back into his lap still maintaining the long distance staring contest. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “I’m not that good, Beau.”[/list]

| The man in white breaks the staring contest with Cullen and turns on his heels to once again face the trail. Lowering his fist the 5 men in white begin their march in perfect unison. Cullen holsters his rifle. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “They’re getting brave Beau, we gotta tell Captain.”[/list]

| Cullen grips Beau’s reins and kicks his sides launching them in a fast gallop to reach camp as fast as possible. |

[list]| [sub]Screen fades to black[/sub][/list]

3RD SQUAD CAMP, TEHACHAPI MOUNTAINS — LATE NOON

| Cullen and Beau gallop over a crest entering the camp area of his squad, a surprised look on Cullen's face showed as the 10 members of the 3rd squad were fully equipped in combat clothes rather than the typical camp wear. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Captain! I saw a Shunned pack a couple miles west, they’re pushing further than usual.”[/list]

| Cullen exclaims towards the Captain as he rides up to him, before stopping a couple of feet in front of the Captain. |

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “We are aware, Dusfar…”[/list]

| Cullen’s eyes scan the camp he had only left 2 days ago. Obvious scenes of an attack come pouring in: smoldering ashes from fires, broken tents, and supplies strewn about the grounds in a violent manner. 3 bodies covered in tan sheets are a strewn across the camp |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “What …what happened Captain?”[/list]

| The young Ranger continues to scan his surroundings. He boasts loudly in the Boneyard, but once in the field out of the sight of civilians he is just a boy from Dego Harbor. |

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “They came in the night, this pack had rifles…the fight lasted till the morning.”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “How many casualties?”[/list]

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “…Five… three KIA and two MIA. Pardos dead, Montes dead, and uh Woods dead. Ross and Gisbert were taken or dead farther up the hill. They attempted a flank…haven’t seen ‘em since”[/list]

| The Captain kicks a Mojave Ranger helmet on the floor. |

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Hell, I told them to stay put. ”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Well, I’m ready to go look for ‘em.”[/list]

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Don’t have the manpower, there were at least fifteen of ‘em when they first hit us, we need to get out of here before they come back. We can search when we get more men to reinforce.”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “We can’t just leave ‘em out there not knowing, sir. You know that ain’t right.”[/list]

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “I’m not risking what we have left to go on a scavenger hunt for body parts, atleast not till we have the guns and men to give those freaks what they deserve.”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “They ain’t gonna make it that long if they are still around.”[/list]

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “We are going back to Monolith and regroup with 1st squad before coming back to get what’s left of Ross and Gisbert.”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Sir, with all due respect that just ain’t right. We ain’t doing what’s right by Gisbert and Ross”[/list]

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “You’re right, we are doing what’s right for us. Same thing they’d do in our shoes.”[/list]

| The rest of the Squad remaining begins walking past Cullen and the Captain, another staring match for Cullen begins. Him and the Captain lock eyes waiting for the other to make their move. |

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “I ain’t gonna stop you from going out there to get yourself killed. Just know there won’t be any help from us till we come back to retrieve your corpse.”[/list]

| Cullen turned, breaking the staring contest and made his way back to Beau and grabbed his reins about to jump onto his saddle. The Captain knew the young naive Ranger’s plan. |

[list]| Captain Santee[sub]Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “You ain’t taking a good horse to its death, that’s Ranger property.”[/list]

| Cullen stopped just as he was about to hoist himself up. He let go of the reins and walked around grabbing his rifle from the holster on Beau’s side. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “This Ranger property?”[/list]

| Cullen walked past shaking his rifle near the Captain and ripping his Ranger insignia off and tossing it at the feet of the Captain. The young Ranger continued to walk out of the camp towards the last known whereabouts of Ross and Gisbert. |

[list]| [sub]Screen fades to black[/sub][/list]

4 MILES NORTHWEST OF 3RD SQUAD CAMP, DISPUTED SHUNNED-RANGER TERRITORY, — EARLY EVENING

| His footsteps were light, careful not to make any unnecessary noise in the shrubs. The lowering California sun painted a golden hue across the foothills he treks across. His hands tight around his rifle ready to fire upon a threat at any moment. |

| As he crests a ridge his eyes fall upon a lone boot, a standard issue Ranger boot. He jogs farther and kneels before the boot inspecting the area around the boot. He can’t tell whose boot it is, looking farther ahead he sees a line dug into the dirt trail, made from the heels of someone digging into the ground as they were dragged. |

| The Ranger rises back to his feet and begins to jog up the trail determined to save his comrades before it’s too late. |

[list]| [sub]Screen fades to black[/sub][/list]

FOREST OF THE SHUNNED, SHUNNED TERRITORY, — NIGHT

| The camera lowers from the tree canopy as Cullen attempts a silent jog, his eyes squinting as he attempts to slice through the darkness of night. He kneels down next to some bushes along the trail, a look of uncertainty across his sweat covered face. He looks down back at the trail noticing the once deep drag marks subtly softening till gone. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (Voice Over) [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “How far could they have gone?”[/list]

| As he thinks through his thoughts and weighing his situation, a flash of torchlight from up the trail catches his attention before a disturbing cacophony of maniacal laughter and gibberish that one could assume used to be the language of English. The gibberish slowly morphs into a unintelligible word unknown to Cullen. |

[list]| Shunned Pack (Chanting in Unison) [sub]5 Shunned[/sub] | “…Mhyz’ro…Mhyz’ro…Mhyz’ro…”[/list]

| The chant seems to echo in waves across the forest, causing the Ranger to shiver. He attempts to shake his nerves away as he begins to prowl in a crouched stance towards the cacophony. His rifle gripped tightly and in position to be aimed at a moment's notice. The slope of the hill concealing the pack from his view slowly steepend as he attempts to stay undetected by the Shunned. His eyes were able to crest above the hill and he saw 5 Shunned surrounding a cobblestone well and passing around a glass cup continuing the chant. He glances to the right and sees a man with ranger boots slumped against a tree, his body covered in a shunned sheet with the typical face covering that would be a clean white now covered in splotches of blood in various stages of drying, but air moving around the mouth and the chest heaving show that the body is still alive. The body is a ways away from the chanting pack, Cullen believes he could make it to the body without getting noticed due to the darkness of night. He starts to stand up slightly and starts moving towards the body following the hill hoping it conceals him. He steps down and hits a dry branch creating an audible crack. |

[list]| [sub]As the crack is made the camera quick cuts to the view of the Shunned pack[/sub][/list]

| The pack leader looks up as the rest of the pack continues the chant and scans the grounds around them. |

[list]| [sub]The camera follows a POV shot of the Leaders eyes.[/sub][/list]

| The leader scans from the body against the tree and slowly scans towards the direction of Cullen. As the leaders eyes reach where Cullen was, the space was empty, just a bush where the Ranger’s body used to be. |

[list]| [sub]Cuts back to Cullen crawling on his stomach towards the body against the tree.[/sub][/list]

| His hands grip into the ground as he pulls himself forward. His rifle is strapped to his back now. As he gets close to the body he taps on the boot as he pulls himself over to the side to cover himself behind the tree and body if the Shunned happen to look over. |

[list]| Mason Ross (ragged whimper) [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “…I…saw…Mhyz’ro…I…saw…Mhyz’ro…”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (Whisper)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Shut up, man I’m tryin to get ya out.”[/list]

[list]| Mason Ross (ragged whimper) [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “…I…saw…Mhyz’ro…I…saw…Mhyz’ro…”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (Whisper)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Is it you Ross? Where’s Gisbert?”[/list]

[list]| Mason Ross (ragged whimper) [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “He wasn’t…worthy…of Mhyz’ro.”[/list]

| Ross gave a pained quiet laugh |

[list]| Mason Ross (ragged whimper) [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “I…was…worthy Dusfar, I was worthy.”[/list]

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (Whisper)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Stop it with that stuff Ross, I’m gonna get you out of this.”[/list]

| Cullen’s Bowie knife slices through the thick rope tying Ross to the tree. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (Whisper)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Okay, okay, okay we got this man. Come on let me get this hood off ya so you can see.”[/list]

| His hand reached around to grab the hood and began to lift it up. The white hood slowly starts to reveal the face of Mason Ross. A damp texture comes into view as he continues to lift up the hood. Ross begins to laugh, getting louder and louder as the hood gets removed. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (Whisper)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “What did they do to you Ross? What did they do to Gisbert?”[/list]

| The hood makes a loud splotch as it smacks against the cold dirt of the mountain. Ross’s laughter has only gotten louder. The shunned have noticed the commotion. Cullen averts his gaze from his comrade’s face. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (shout)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “Dear god Ross!”[/list]

| Cullen throws himself back from Ross, he quickly swings his rifle over to his front and fumbles to bring it up as the five shunned begin to walk towards the Rangers. Ross begins to stand up and once up turns toward Cullen. |

[list]| Mason Ross [sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “You can join us Cullen, if you’re worthy…you’ll find bliss. If you’re unworthy…you’ll find salvation.”[/list]

| Cullen rises to his feet and begins to walk towards flat ground in the clearing. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (shout)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “I don’t want to find bliss like this Ross.”[/list]

| He finds himself back on the flat ground and slowly backing up towards the way he came. Moving the gun to aim at whoever got closer to him in that moment. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (shout)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “You can stay in bliss or whatever man, just let me get out of here. I don’t want to hurt you.”[/list]

| The familiar trail allows him to focus more on the threats enclosing upon him, as he continues to back up on the trail. The shunned only got closer and closer to him. He notices one of them has some distinct markings on their shoulder. Quickly he whips his barrel over to the marked one. A loud boom erupts from Cullen along with a brief flash illuminating the Shunned in front of him. Before a haunting shriek erupts from the pack in unison. They all turn to converge on their leader to protect him from the fall. |

| Cullen turns and attempts his escape from the pack. Now sprinting with all his will as the inhuman shrieking continues to pierce his eardrums. |

[list]| [sub]Fades to black with the shrieking continuing.[/sub][/list]

A MILE FROM THE WELL, SHUNNED TERRITORY, — NIGHT

[list]| [sub]Fades back in from black[/sub][/list]

| Cullen is seen bent over and coughing harshly as he is once again alone in the foothills. He pants heavily as he attempts to catch his breath. He looks up at his surroundings, he remembers this part of the trail. The shrieking is now replaced with the droning of crickets and the sounds of night. |

[list]| Cullen Dusfar (panting whisper)[sub]Infantryman of the 2nd Ranger Platoon[/sub] | “I…I…I made it.”[/list]

| Cullen begins to walk forward slowly, still trying to regain his breath. He looks down the hill and stops in his tracks. Down the hill he sees a line of torches making their way towards him. |

[list]| [sub]Fades to black[/sub][/list]

____________

[sub]The Haunted hills of the west - Les collines hantées de l'ouest Season One, Episode One, Directed by: Nicolas Godart - Written by: Nicolas Godart, Ray Bradbury, and Rod Serling - Owned by: Studio de travaux imaginatifs & Universal Television [/sub]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, New Provenance, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zingium

Ozymandias II: Which Yet Survive, Stamped On These Lifeless Things,

1968

| The three representatives of the wronged, and scorned groups of Tanzania, after being formerly told they would have their day in front of a judge, met to plan with an attorney. They had scraped together enough to hire one of the few attorneys in the nation, not in the state's employ. His name was Jafari Juma (JJ for short), and he would become one of Tanzania’s most well-known legal minds. However, despite the eagerness of the three representatives, Jafari Juma, in their next meeting would lay out the bleak path that lay ahead.

Jafari Juma: ” Please, please, all of you sit down. I know you're all excited about having your day in court, but it’s not going to be that simple. All of the evidence-gathering, and presenting proof will be on us, the court itself is going to be under immense political pressure to bury us.”

Ngoyai Lowassa: ” Is the state not going to investigate OUR claims? Shouldn't it be them out there finding evidence when they committed this genocide, and now claim to wish for reconciliation between the different people of this nation?

| Ngoyai Lowassa would have never been anyone’s choice for the man that would bring down a President. A herdsman from the Monduli District who had previously worked as a part-time civil servant for the British colonial government, Lowassa, while not being intellectually inept, was extremely naive to the nature of politics. His naivety seemed to have an extremely profound effect on his son Edward Lowassa, who would later become known as perhaps the most corrupt president in Tanzanian history.

Letua Senteu: ” Surely you can't be this naive Ngoyai, I would rather have had a child sent, lest someone in your forsaken tribe have any sense.”

| A bitter little man, from a bitter little tribe, these were the words used by the Ministry of Home Affairs dossier to describe Letua Senteu. From the Akie tribe, a group that was known to be the less prestigious, and less significant cousins of the Maasai. This created a culture of hostility and resentment between the two groups only exacerbated by increased competition over land following the ejection of the Maasai from their ancestral lands. Nonetheless, Senteu would be chosen as a high-ranking village elder, to represent the Akie and Hadza people. Arrogant, pessimistic, and overcompensating, Senteu is the polar opposite of Lowassa.

Amani bin Hamid: [sigh] “Both of you, quiet! Why couldn't I have been graced with better allies?”

| In an archipelago seeped in slavery, it was hard for any family of businessmen to have been not connected to the trade of Africans across the Indian Ocean. But the Hamid family was more seeped in slavery than most. The family descended from some of the earliest supporters of the Omani Empire who had helped the Omani Sultans conquer Zanzibar from the Portuguese. Attaining high positions of power, the Hamid helped Tippu Tip conquer eastern Congo, and establish a brutal slaving operation masquerading as a nation named the Sultanate of Utetera. Despite its short-lived existence, the Hamid family became extravagantly wealthy. When the German and British Empires both cracked down upon the trade of slaves, the Hamid’s quickly pivoted. Buying up the vast clove estates, and becoming wealthy over supplying around 25% of the world’s cloves. When the revolution came, most of the Hamid family was killed, and their lands broke up, now the last of the Hamids, Amani would make strange allies with native tribal Africans, a group his family had once happily sold.

Jafari Juma: “Thank you, Mr. Hamid, now to address your questions. The state is not going to help us here. We will have to prove your claims, and gather our evidence.”

Letua Senteu: ”Claims? Have you not seen our suffering, the dead, the pictures in the newspaper? Yet you still call our suffering a claim?”

| As Senteu became increasingly enraged, Juma held up his hands in a show of faux innocence.

Jafari Juma ”Mr Senteu, I mean no disrespect but you are going to have to calm yourself. If you lose your composure every time someone questions the validity or calls the events that have taken place against your tribes a claim, you will not only be arrested for contempt, you will lose us this case!”

| Senteu would stand there for a moment stunned. Realizing he was being tested by Juma, he sat down, still glaring daggers at him across the table.

Jafari Juma: ”Thank you, now as I was saying, we have a large amount of legwork to do. I will stay here with Mr. Hamid in Zanzibar City first. We’ll be collecting witness testimony, pictures, and any other evidence we can uncover. After that, I will join Mr. Senteu in Arusha. Then finally head north to Mr. Lowassa. We have a few months to prepare our evidence at most. We will have to be careful, the state will be very hesitant to hand over anything, especially if it implicates President Kambona. That’s why we’re gonna subpoena the Ministry of Home Affairs itself, and President Kambona. I won’t lie to you, the road ahead is dangerous, physically, financially, and reputationally, but if this is still the path you all wish to take, I will represent you.”

| Lowassa, Senteu, and Hamid all exchanged glances. There were no objections between them. This was the only way forward, whatever the cost may be, they had to fight for their people.

Jafari Juma: ”Good, I’ll reach out to some of my contacts, they aren’t savory, but they will be able to get us what we need. Have a safe trip home gentlemen.

| With that the 3 men departed the office. Juma’s night had only just begun; however, he called for his intern to come into the office.

Jafari Juma: ”Son, send a note, to Potlako Leballo, I have a feeling he’ll be very interested in a chance to bring Kambona down a peg.

Intern: ”Leballo? Didn’t he support Kambona entirely? If I recall from rumors he helped plot to bring down President Nyerere.

Jafari Juma: ”That he did my boy. But notice anything? Leballo has been given no position in government, no public praise, not even a medal. Why do you think that is?

Intern: ”He’s sidelining him?

Jafari Juma: ”Exactly, once Kambona used him, he had no reason to keep a criminal like Leballo around. It’s bad for the image of a clean government to associate with a communist with ties to regimes across the globe. So, we’ll reach out to Mr. Leballo, I’m sure his help and testimony will be useful in this investigation.”

| As the intern left with Juma’s letter to Leballo, Juma sat back in his chair and sighed. One way or another, he had a feeling this would be the case he was remembered for.

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Victoria Harbor, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia, Le Equatoria

[sup]-- SOUTHERN RHODESIA --[/sup]

╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾

[sup]NOVEMBER 1968[/sup]

[sup]|-| BUSH WAR ESCALATES, PROBING ATTACK LAUNCHED BY ZANU, MUGABE WANTED, AND A LETTER TO F. BRAGANZA. |-|[/sup]

[sup]A series of attacks organized by ZANU have led to a significant escalation in the Rhodesian Bush War, Mugabe has been declared wanted by the Rhodesian government, and Ian Smith has sent a letter to King Frederico Braganza of Portugal.[/sup]

[sup]The Bush War; a report[/sup]

[sup]The Bush War, a conflict that started in the early 60s as a result of UDI and the refusal of the Ian Smith administration to step down, has generally been limited to a series of small clashes and civil unrest. Before recent months, RSF deaths hadn't even surpassed five (5) in a single month, and most RSF troops reported no action at all. The events in January of '68, during which Chinhoyi and Kariba were attacked, changed the attitude of not just the average soldier but the attitude of officers and government officials managing the country and army too. Following the attacks, serious questions were discussed in a court hearing held in February by five (5) court-appointed judges of the Rhodesian court. During the hearing, the testimonies of civilians, soldiers, and officers were heard. Many individuals saw their positions called into question during the hearings, such as Frank E. Barfoot, then Commissioner of the BSAP, who was dismissed as a result of the trial. The trials were broadcast on both TV and radio for the nation to hear, as was the closing speech made by Ian Smith outside the court, during which he emphasized the consequences of the attack would likely become nationally noticeable.[/sup]

[sup]Following months of discussion and input from officers, Ian Smith made an executive decision on the 9th of November to remove the BSAP from all high-intensity counterinsurgent operations, and for BSAP's counterinsurgency force to be transferred to the Rhodesian Security Forces. The transporting of hundreds of individuals from bases around the country to others has led to increased tension, especially as counterinsurgent soldiers fear their convoys open to attack even when traveling through major roads or highways. Fighting has been reported in rural areas since the attacks in January, however, this isn't anything out of the usual, ZANU has repeatedly attempted to spread their movements in poorer African communities, usually sending armed militants to hand out ideological books, take recruits and to communicate with their infiltrators in the areas. A recent conclusion, however, on reported fights shows that attacks have significantly lowered within two (2) months, believed to be the result of a build-up of forces. ZANU has received a boost in recruits following the establishment of Race Rolls for multiple reasons, and concerningly, many militants in ZAPU who felt cheated also ran to join Mugabe's side, quick to abandon their moderate leaders.[/sup]

[sup]Overview of the Outpost Attacks and Hill 31[/sup]

[sup]Whilst attacks have become far less frequent in recent months, their severity and goals have changed drastically. In an operation believed to be a probing attack, ZANU rebels launched the largest attack ever since the beginning of the bush war, believed to be numbered five hundred (500) spread across multiple offensive zones, one being an outpost North of Hill 31, another south of Hill 31, and Hill 31 itself. Hill 31, located within the Honde Valley, is a strategic location in the defence of not just the east of Rhodesia but Salisbury too. The attack started in the early morning, with an estimated seventy (70) militants firing at the northern outpost from the east with machine guns and ATGMs at the chainlink fence and brick walls whilst remaining in defensive positions, RSF personnel in the base numbering thirty (30) grabbed their firearms located within their barracks and put on a makeshift basic uniform as instructed by their new guidelines, usually just a cap or boonie with a rig and pants to ensure that soldiers are identified and can operate efficiently. Quickly, RSF personnel exchanged fire with the militants, both sides remained in defensive positions. Mazda B series pickups with mounted MGs fired on militants from the north. The pressure, untrained nature of militants, and the inability to coordinate routes ZANU forces. Their retreat is unorganized and leaves them open to fire from the back, resulting in over twenty (20) confirmed casualties. Scenes of militants dragging their dead cadres, some of whom are heavily injured or their bodies damaged, are photographed by war correspondents located at the Northern Outpost.[/sup]

[sup]The Southern Outpost, being smaller, only saw a force of an estimated forty-three (43) ZANU militants. Due to a focus on ATGMs and Machine Guns on the Northern and main offensive force, the southern offensive comprised mainly of small-arms forces launching human wave assaults in groups of five (5) (with a singular group of 3) from the north-east, east, and south-east. Whilst they were spotted, Rhodesian forces in the base numbering twenty-three (23) could not organize in time, and militants entered the outpost. Fighting was tense, but the militants, who had very little idea of the layout of the base, and who likely weren't trained to fight in close-quarters conditions, were eventually also routed from the outpost. Thirty-five (35) deaths were confirmed just outside and within the outpost by the end of the exchange, believed to have a direct connection with the unplanned nature of the attack.[/sup]

[sup]Hill 31, manned by one hundred and twenty-six (126) soldiers, came under mortar fire almost immediately upon the beginning of the other two attacks, which could be seen from the hill as machine gun fire and explosions from ATGMs lit up the ground and rang out into the air from both sides of the hill. Before soldiers in their barracks were awoken, the mortars fired. Due to several factors, very little hit or did damage to the base, and no RSF personnel were killed, the base was however stunned for a second, with those on night watch gathering their senses and officers not even outside their buildings. Upon the ceasing of the mortar fire, which lasted around twenty (~20) seconds, somewhere from three hundred and fifty to three hundred and eighty (350-380) militants launched a human wave against Hill 31. Like a scene from a medieval battle, a line of ZANU troops, a few of whom were children, ran up the hill wielding small arms of various types. By the time RSF personnel began firing back, they were already metres from the chainlink fences. Utilising whatever damage was done to the chainlink fence from the mortars, ZANU militants filled into the base, many with tears in their uniform and deep scratches from the fences. A few entrances into the base were blocked by the bodies of militants, forcing some of their cadres to push or flip their bodies to get through. Fighting was intense and foggy, both sides stopped attempting to advance as they consolidated their positions. Mazda pickups from the west of the base arrived and began firing at the militants, forcing them to take cover and allowing for RSF forces to advance. Likely realising their inability to take the base as the RSF organized, what was assumed to be ZANU "officers" ordered retreats, screaming out to those under their command. Deaths and injuries in this stage were relatively low despite heavy fighting, with both sides spending more time exchanging some fire and running than actually engaging in combat.[/sup]

[sup]Whilst most ZANU militants got out, tens (10s) were abandoned by their cadres and left to die. The wave fractured by this point, running down the hill many organized into small groups and fired upon the base, some larger groups organized and attempted to flank. Additionally, until now, ZANU could not use ATGMs due to the close-quarters nature of the battle, but from their positions, lying down on the hill, they fired into the base, lighting up the sky and sending shrapnel everywhere. RSF personnel, now awake and prepared, fired upon the flankers, resulting in the assaults on the flanks also fracturing. RSF personnel began throwing grenades in an attempt to dislodge the ZANU from their positions. An estimated thirty (30) minutes into the battle, gunfire around the other two outposts completely ceased. The highest-ranking individuals in both outposts communicated to Hill 31's officers via radio that the retreating forces from their attacks were likely regrouping in the forests around the hill to form another human wave to assault Hill 31, adding to the pressure already imposed, both outposts dispatched a group of Mazda B series' with mounted MGs to Hill 31. Salisbury Airbase was notified of the events early on in the attacks and had deployed three SA 316 Alouette IIIs, one of which contained commandos from the Rhodesian Light Infantry to assist the defenders. Around forty (~40) minutes from the beginning, the SA 316s had arrived. One Alouette with a machine gun continued east to disperse the regrouping forces, while the other two fired upon those assaulting Hill 31 and landed Rhodesian Light Infantry personnel. One Alouette was fired upon by ATGMs, causing it to erratically fly and damage itself.[/sup]

[sup]The arrival of the helicopters destroyed the morale of the ZANU militants, who promptly abandoned their orders and began fleeing, officers didn't even bother to shout commands, instead opting to begin running. It's unclear whether they retreated at the sight of the Alouettes, or if the regrouping simply never managed to occur, however, the retreated outpost attackers abandoned much of their weaponry, ammunition, injured, and dead along the forest, suggesting they became severely disorganized. Rhodesian Light Infantry deployed into the forest and along the Mozambique border within an hour of the attack, aiming to cut off any retreat into Portuguese territory. It is unlikely that ZANU militants fled into Mozambique however, as tracks suggest movement north almost unanimously among the remaining troops. BSAP forces will continue to position north and near the border with Portuguese Mozambique in an attempt to catch retreating ZANU forces.[/sup]

[sup]Three (3) Rhodesian personnel died in the attack, rather low but expected given the nature of the terrain and the general lack of proper facilities for ZANU to train its forces. Injuries recorded are at thirty-two (32), with only a single permanent/disability-inducing injury.[/sup]

[sup]Status of Mugabe[/sup]

[sup]Early in the morning, just hours after the attacks on Hill 31, Rhodesian courts placed a criminal status over Mugabe, declaring him a terrorist and making him wanted by the state. Unlike previously where he was allowed to operate as a "political agitator", Muagbe will now be prosecuted and likely sentenced to death or life in prison for his crimes. Rhodesia has urged all nations to hand over Mugabe if he is found in their territory, and has stated that Rhodesia would pay for his return. Within Rhodesia, via a radio broadcast, the decision of the courts was communicated to the civilians within the nation alongside the reports of the battle for Hill 31.[/sup]

[sup]DECEMBER 1968[/sup]

[sup]Ian Smith's Letter to the Portuguese King[/sup]

[sup]Portugal's status as a potential friend and ally has been an extremely important issue to the Smith administration, especially as the number of countries with no embargoes on Rhodesia comes to a resounding two (2) and Rhodesia remains on a mostly unfriendly continent. Whilst Rhodesian and Portuguese officials met to discuss issues over Mozambique and improve relations, Rhodesia had never expected Portugal to recognize the nation. So when news of Portugal's recognition came in December, Rhodesian politicians and citizens alike were equally beyond surprised. In response to the recognition, Ian Smith wrote to King Frederico Braganza in a lighthearted letter. The contents of the letter, including a wish for a positive Christmas to come and a Happy New Year, were mainly focused on the strengthening of ties between the two. Ian Smith also expressed his gratitude to the king, stating that he hoped Rhodesia could "be of use" to Portugal, especially in Mozambique and possibly Angola. In a part of the letter not released to the press, he also made notice of the fact that Rhodesia's military infrastructure, usefully placed between Angola and Mozambique, could assist Portuguese operations in Africa and could even be used to transport Portuguese military forces if needed.[/sup]

╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Victoria Harbor, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Spain-, Le Equatoria, Zingium

THE UNION OF NORDEN

29 November, 1968 - Gothenburg

-----------------------------------------

1968 GENERAL ELECTIONS: LABOUR TAKE NARROW MAJORITY, CONSERVATIVE-LIBERAL COALITION FORMS THE OPPOSITION

After much anticipation, the final votes have been counted on the Nordic elections, and perhaps not to the surprise of many, it will be another Nordic Labour government after a sweeping victory across the nation. Their victory signals yet another successive Labour government in Norden, a fact which has yet to change since the founding of the nation. An approximate 9.7 million people arrived at the polls to cast their votes to decide the future of their nation. These general elections were especially significant as they herald the first government to operate under the new constitutional amendments that passed earlier this year. The key feature of this will be the triumvirate positions of the Prime Minister, all of which will be held by Nordic Labour politicians for this term.

The main figures of this election were of course Nordic Labour, formed of several parties across Norden and the oldest Nordic coalition party. Labour have held the government since the formation of the Union and remain the most popular party, with the largest party membership in the nation. Their policies have included progressive steps towards liberal social policies, high taxation that has funded the Nordic model of social welfare that remains a landmark example across the world and high government spending. However, support in recent years has increased for the main opponents of Labour, these being the Conservative Alliance and Venstre, the Nordic liberals. These parties have received support from the higher earners in Norden, some of whom oppose high taxation, state-ownership of key industries and restrictions and regulations being placed on trade and commerce. Venstre, in particular, were among the key voices and supporters of the recent constitutional amendments that will shape the face of Nordic politics in the future.

In Denmark, it was the Social Democrats that won the most seats with 62, but had started to show signs of faltering, losing many of their previously safe seats. The Conservative People's Party managed to take 37 seats, followed by Venstre with 34, the combined coalition forming a majority in the Danish assembly. The Faroe Islands saw the conservative People's Party take a majority of the vote, but share seats with the Social Democrats. Greenland entirely voted independent. There was a clear majority in Norway with 74 seats for the Labour Party, the traditional stronghold for social democracy in Norden. The Conservatives only managed 28 seats, and the Liberals only 13, with the Nordic agrarian Centre Party taking 21 seats, marking the only time the liberals would be out done in this election. Sweden saw an even bigger majority for the Social Democrats, taking 125 seats, with the Centre Party taking 39 seats in another shock result. The Liberals managed to take 34 seats while the conservatives did not manage to achieve success, only managed 32 seats.

In the Nordic Parliament, newly formed with 562 seats, Nordic Labour take a combined 262 seats, just shy of the 281 seats required for a true majority. Reports indicate, however, that Labour has struck an agreement with the Social Liberalist Party, who have 40 seats, and the Socialist Party, with 18 seats, to form a loose coalition which will secure power for Labour. The Conservative-Liberal coalition could only manage a total of 187, suffering from their lack of votes in Norway and Sweden, and even with the potential support of the Christian Democrats, with 14 seats, they will not be able to challenge the dominant Labour Party.

Following the elections, High King Gustaf VI Adolf will swear in the new Nordic Prime Ministers, joined by the monarchs of the individual constituent nations. The High King will be rotated in 1970, in accordance with the new law. The new Prime Ministers of Norden will be Jens Otto Krag of Denmark, Trygve Brattelli of Norway, and the newly sworn Nordic Prime Minister Tage Erlander of Sweden. In keeping with tradition, the new Prime Minister will be sworn in at Gothenburg.

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Spain-, Zingium, Independent Singapore

[list]November 1968

[sub]Culture and Politics[/sub][/list]

[list][list] EXPANDING THE ALPINE UNION

ERWEITERUNG DES ALPINEN UNIONS

ÉLARGIR L'UNION ALPIN

AMPLIARE L'UNIONE ALPINA

ŠIRITEV ALPSKE UNIJE

—[/list][/list]

BERN

[sub]ALPENLAND, THE ALPINE REPUBLIC[/sub]

| In a landmark development that would emphasize the spirit of cooperation and diplomacy between two nations, Alpenland and Slovenia ( Amsterwald ) would reach a historic agreement regarding the transfer of the provinces of Korotanje and Solska, or Carantania and Salzia as they would be known outside of the Slovene language, to Alpenland. The Celovec Conference, the culmination of extensive negotiations, would act on the results of the Slovene northern referendums, paving the way for a smooth transition of ownership. The agreement, which would come to be known as the Alpine Purchase, would come at the expense to Alpenland $60 million (1968 USD) paid over twelve years, as well as assurances to Ljubljana that the Slovene minority in the area would be respected. |

| Carantania and Salzia had been part of various Pre-war Austrian states more than 20 years earlier. Following liberation, Austria had found much of its territory in the south given to Slovenia, in part as punishment for its role in the war. However, in 1958, the Alpine Unity Treaty had changed everything. Two main developments had been made with the treaty. Now, the official stance of the Allies had become that Austria had been a victim of the war rather than an aggressor. Secondly, its remaining lands had been united with the Helvetic Republic of Switzerland to form the new nation of Alpenland. Among Alpenland’s formerly-Austrian population, the rightful owner of Carantania, Salzia, and other lands now part of Slovenia had been subject to debate. To many, they had been wrongfully taken by foreign powers, stolen from them at their weakest hour. Time had brought acceptance though, and this view within Alpenland had become more and more fringe as the status quo would set in. In Carantania and Salzia however, the Germanic majority’s relations with their Slovenian government had only worsened, eventually forcing the northern referendums and bringing the Slovenian government to the debate table in Celovec. |

| Alpenland would have its own reasons for accepting the deal. Devoid of any large population centers, Carantania and Salzia had not been coveted for its potential workforce. Salzia’s claim to fame had come from its picturesque lakeside towns and mountains, something Alpenland would already have no shortage of. Aside from its millennium old salt mines that had given it its name (“Salz” meaning salt in German), there would not be much to offer in terms of industry or natural resources either. The answer would become immediately apparent upon seeing a map of Alpenland. The current troublesome border situation in the Hochkönigs, a group of mountains in the Alps, would see Alpenland squished between Slovenia in the south and West Germany ( New Provenance ) in the north. A product of post-war hasteful division of lands, the extremely thin space that had been left over for Austria had been an afterthought and a security nightmare for Alpenland’s defense experts. The strip at its narrowest part would be barely wide enough to build a road through, that is if the terrain would even allow it. Instead, Alpenland had been forced to rely on roads and railways though either Slovene or West German territory to link its states of Tyrol and Salzburg together. It had been nearly impossible to travel between Alpenland’s two largest cities Zürich and Vienna entirely within Alpine land. Only by plane, flown by the most skilled pilots, could one thread the needle that would be the border in the Hochkönigs. This dire situation had caused numerous headaches for the Alpine Army. Although both neighbors had been more than friendly for as long as Alpenland had existed, such an obvious flaw in the otherwise precise Alpine border would not allow paranoid officials in Bern to let it be. For all of the thought and internationally recognized work that had been put into building up the Alpine border on the slim chance of an attack, the Army’s only solution to the Hochkönigs had been to train a special force in Tyrol and Salzburg specifically to rush through and claim the important infrastructure in either Slovenia or West Germany if need be. In their eyes, they had been extremely lucky to have neighbors that would allow vital unrestricted movement, but eventually this luck would have to run out. When Slovenia would make an offer to sell Carantania and Salzia to Alpenland, the opportunity would be too good not to seize. |

| Despite a nearly perfect human rights record, Alpenland would struggle to retain many of the ethnically Slovene settlers who had moved to Caratania and Salzia in the past 20 years. Following the announcement address of Slovenian President Božidar Jakac, thousands would leave behind the lives they had built to migrate south. The transfer time had been set to 23:59 on 31 December 1968, but there would already be a lot of work ahead for Alpenland. In order to raise confidence in the two lands and keep true to its promises at Celovec, multiple political moves would have to be made by Bern. Hundreds of lawmakers in the nation’s capital would focus their minds on the issue. After a month and a half of deliberation and amendments, the Former Slovenian Territories Act would be passed. The resulting law would outline the procedures to take to ensure Caratania and Salzia’s smooth transition to Alpine territory. Come 00:00 on 1 January 1969, the following would take effect: |

[sub][list]ALPENLAND will admit the purchased territories of Carantania and Salzia into the Union as states.[/list][/sub]

[sub][list]ALPENLAND will grant full citizenship to all living in former Carantania and Salzia with at least one year of residency in the lands at the time of the Celovec Conference.[/list][/sub]

[sub][list]ALPENLAND will recognize Slovenian as one of five official languages alongside German, French, Italian, and Romansh and will maintain its place on all public civic and road signs in former Carantania and Salzia.[/list][/sub]

[sub][list]ALPENLAND will reaffirm its responsibility to respect and guard the rights of the French, Italian, Slovene, and other minorities in all of its territory as described in the 1958 Alpine Unity Treaty.[/list][/sub]

| Only mere months would remain until the events described in the Former Slovenian Territories Act would take place. The Alpine Purchase would surely be remembered as a defining moment in the histories of Alpenland and Slovenia, marking the beginning of a new era of partnership and progress and testament to the power of diplomacy as a tool to see the betterment of both sides. As Carantania and Salzia would prepare to leave Slovenia and become integral parts of the Alpine Republic, both countries would look forward to building a more stable, secure, and brighter future for generations to come in the Alps. |

[spoiler=THE WORLD TAKES NOTE . . .

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Spain-, Zingium

International Olympic Committee - Comité international olympique

Games of the XIX Olympiad - Juegos de la XIX Olimpiada

1968 - Madrid, Spain

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A thrilling year of sport concludes here in the sun-kissed city of Madrid, with the closing of the 19th Summer Olympic Games. The ultimate expression of athleticism and sportsmanship, the Olympics round off an exciting and at times dramatic year which has seen the world of international sport light up and leave us all with memories to cherish for the near future. Our attention turns to the Mediterranean Jewel that is Spain, and the city of Madrid, that hosts these games. A historic and beautiful city, Madrid will present a showcase of the best athletes in the world at the peak of their competitive prowess, set the background of state-of-the-art facilities and venues, contributing to a wider sense of the Olympic fever that has caught the European nation.

Madrid was granted the Olympic hosting rights after it defeated Istanbul at the 61st IOC session in Baden-Baden, West Germany. The bid was part of a wider push by the Spanish government to promote Spain on the world stage, with a similar bid being put forward for the 1970 FIFA World Cup, though ultimately failing. The success of the bid marks the first Olympic games to be held in the Spanish-speaking world, and marks a historic moment for all Spanish-speaking countries across the world. It would also be the first Olympic Games in history to be transmitted in colour to the world.

The Spanish government have spared no expense in construction of the Olympic village and for the Stadio Olimpico, with the multi-million dollar effort resulting in one of the largest and most modern Olympic centres ever constructed. Major efforts to improve and modernise the infrastructure and communication lines of the city have helped in the development of Madrid for years to come. Over 2,000 people from a variety of government ministries were employed by the Minister of Culture and Sport, Pablo Abarca, to ensure the smooth running of the events. Among some of the achievements of these games is the first use of all-weather surface for track and field events, utilising the "Tartan" surface developed by American company 3M. The torch relay, which began traditionally in Greece, was transported across Europe by plane before being taken on a massive tour, visiting 300 towns and cities before its eventual arrival in Madrid.

Taking a journey back to the 1964 Summer Games, the United States were the clear winners, taking the most gold medals and finishing at the top of the table. Given recent performances, there is little to suggest that this would change. The Soviet Union, given their recent success in the Winter Games, are closing in on the United States, progressively winning more medals with each year. Previous hosts Japan finished at an all-time high, bolstered by their home advantage, and some might expect the hosting Spanish team to repeat that success. Hungary continue to prove themselves a strong force in the Olympic games while the two German teams combat each other for gold medals.

The opening ceremonies saw over 600 guests of honour, including King Juan III and various other dignitaries from across the world in attendance, along with a capacity crowd with fans from across the world. The playing of the national anthem was followed by a series of cultural displays and the athletes parade. King Juan III declared the games open, followed by the raising of the 58-metre Olympic flag and the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by HH Infante Alfonso, Duke of Toledo. With this ceremony of grandeur, the Summer Games could begin.

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THE GAMES

In the diving events, the United States took gold in the men and women's 3m springboard events, with Italy taking a gold in the men's 10 m platform and Czechoslovakia taking gold in the women's. The United States also took the bronze medals in all four diving events. The Soviet Union managed to clinch both silver medals in the women's events, with Italy taking a silver in the men's 3 m and hosts Spain taking their first medal of the games with a silver in the women's 3 m.

The swimming events saw the incredible dominance of the United States, with a record breaking performance in the swimming events. The United States took an incredible 20 gold medals, securing themselves well ahead of their competitors early in the Games, and securing one of the best ever Olympic performances by any nation in a single sport. Spain would take their first gold medal of the games in the men's 200 m breast stroke, giving the hosts their first gold. Australia and East Germany each performed well, taking gold medals, as well as Yugoslavia. Benelux secured the remaining Gold medal on offer. Canada secured a number of silver medals but were unable to convert these to golds due to the dominant American side. The Soviet Union placed on the podium, but were similarly unable to secure more than a silver medal. The dominance of American swimmers was best showcased by 16-year old Debbie Meyer, a student at Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, California, who became the first swimmer in Olympic history to win three individual gold medals at a single Olympic Games. The young swimmer has surely etched her name into the history books with that stunning performance. This incredible feat was repeated by fellow American Charlie Hickcox, who won three gold medals and one silver medal in both individual and team events.

Yugoslavia took gold in the men's water polo events, a dominant event for the Yugoslavians, defeating long-time rivals the Soviet Union in the final. Hungary took third place after a hotly contested play-off match against East Germany.

The athletics events were, as always, the most anticipated and most watched off all the events at the Olympic Games. The United States once again scored very well, securing a variety of gold medals, alongside the Soviet Union, Australia, France, Kenya, Hungary, Romania, East Germany and West Germany. This years athletics included some of the most controversial happenings in Olympic history. In the men's 200 metre race, athletes Tommie Smith (gold medal) and John Carlos (bronze medal) took a stand for civil rights by raising their black-gloved fists and wearing socks in lieu of shoes during the playing of the American national anthem. Australian athlete Peter Norman, who placed second, wore an American "human rights" bade as a gesture of support to them.

They were not the only Americans to make headlines in the athletics events. Al Oerter won his fourth consecutive gold medal in the discus events, becoming the second athlete in history to have achieved this incredible feat. In the long jump, Bob Beamon leapt an incredible 8.90 metres, marking an improvement of 55 cm over the previous world record. Jim Hines, Tommie Smith and Lee Evans also set new world records in the 100 m, 200 m and 400 m races respectively, marking the dominance of US athletes in the athletics. Dick Fosbury won the gold medal in the high jump with an unconventional technique, now known as the Fosbury flop, which some are saying is already being replicated by high jumpers across the world.

Despite the dominance of the Americans in the athletics, there was more news from these historic events. The triple jump event saw the previous world record broken five times by three different athletes, with the Soviet competitor Viktor Saneev eventually taking the Gold. Distance running saw the ruse of the African nations, who for the first time dominating the men's events. Athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia were seen to perform exceptionally well in these games. Two men stood tall in these events, the first being Kipchoge Keino of Kenya, who competed in spite of unexpected bouts of severe abdominal pain, finishing the 10,000 metres race despite collapsing with two laps to go, winning silver in the 5000 metres race and winning gold in the 1500 metres race. John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania became a fan favourite for finishing the marathon event, in last place, with a dislocated knee.

In the basketball events, the dominant Soviet team took Gold ahead of Yugoslavia, marking another year without a basketball medal for the United States. Brazil took a surprising bronze medal with an exceptional performance.

Boxing saw a myriad of nations taking Golds in one of the most diverse medal tables at this years Games. Colombia took gold in the light flyweight ahead of Korea, hosts Spain took gold in the flyweight, the Soviet Union narrowly took gold ahead of minnows Buganda in bantamweight, Spain took a third gold in the featherweight, the United States taking Gold in lightweight, Poland taking gold in light welterweight, East Germany taking gold in the welterweight, the Soviet Union taking gold in the light middleweight and light heavyweight and Great Britain taking gold in the middleweight. The main event was the victory of American George Foreman in the heavyweight event, defeating Soviet boxer Ionas Chepulis in a dramatic fight.

The Canoe events saw the Soviet Union take three gold medals, improving from their 1964 performances, with Romania taking two gold medals. West Germany and East Germany each took a medal each. Silver medals were won by Hungary, Norden, Alpenland and West Germany, as well as some by the Soviet Union.

In the cycling, Italy performed the strongest with three gold medals, and taking 5 out of 7 bronze medals. France and Norden won 2 gold medals each to round out the table. Benelux, despite being a traditionally strong competitor in cycling, failed to win any golds this year. Japan and Argentina each took surprising medals in a sport in which neither have much experience.

The equestrian events saw a myriad of gold medallists, including from the Soviet Union, West Germany, France, Great Britain, the United States and Canada. Other medallists included Alpenland and Australia.

The Soviet Union clawed back vast number of gold medals in the Fencing events, claiming all but three of the available gold medals and many of the silver and bronze medals as well. The only other gold medals were claimed by Romania and Hungary. France and Italy were among those countries that were unable to claim gold medals but each picked up multiple silver medals.

The Hungarian team won gold in the association football events, marking their best ever performance after defeating the Bulgarian team which came in second. Japan marked their best ever Olympic football performance by finishing third and claiming bronze medals.

Japan and the Soviet Union each shared four gold medals each in the gymnastics events, with the Japanese team looking like they are losing their traditional grip on the gymnastics events to the emerging Soviet athletes. Czechoslovakia managed to secure three gold medals, their best ever performance in the Olympic gymnastics events. Slovenia managed to secure one gold medal in the men's pommel horse event.

Pakistan took gold in the men's field hockey events, narrowly defeating Australia to take the victory. Long time Pakistani rivals India were defeated in the semi-finals, having to settle for third place and bronze medals.

In the modern pentathlon, Hungary won gold in both events with both Norden and the Soviet Union taking a silver and a bronze each. The Hungarian performance however was overshadowed by the controversial disqualification of Nordic pentathlete Hans-Gunnar Liljenwall, who was caught in a doping test just after the event had finished and he had provisionally placed first. He was found to have alcohol in his system, and later admitted to having drunk several beers before the final event.

Rowing at these Olympics once again saw a mixed bag of winners, with East Germany taking three gold medals in their best ever performance. West Germany, France, Alpenland and the United States each claimed a single gold medal. The Soviet Union took 4 silver medals but were unable to convert these into a single gold medal.

The United States took two gold medals in the sailing events for the first time, with the Soviet Union also taking two gold medals. The traditional teams dominant in the sport, Great Britain and Norden, only managed to claim a single gold medal each. Brazil managed to win their first ever sailing medal, with a bronze in the Flying Dutchman event.

Shooting events saw the United States secure their place at the top of the medal table with three gold medals, with the Soviet Union, Romania, Norden and Argentina each claiming a gold medal. Bulgaria, Poland and France also managed to claim medals in what was largely dominated by the United States.

Men's volleyball was won by Czechoslovakia, defeating Romania in the final. The Soviet Union managed to claim third after defeating Bulgaria in the play-off. In the women's, Japan took a gold medal after defeating the United States in the final, and Korea managed to secure a bronze medal after defeating East Germany in the play-off.

The Soviet Union took three golds in the weightlifting events, with Finland, Poland, Japan and Iran each taking a gold medal. France and Hungary failed to take gold medals but were able to secure a silver and bronze medals respectively.

Freestyle wrestling saw Bulgaria take three Gold medals in their best performance, with Japan taking two gold medals behind them. France took a shock gold medal in the wrestling, defeating the favourite Turkish wrestler to take the gold. The Soviet Union secured a gold medal, and Türkiye secured the heavyweight freestyle gold defeating their rivals Mongolia. In the Greco-Roman events, Bulgaria won two gold medals alongside Hungary, also winning two golds. The Soviet Union, Japan, France and East Germany would all take a gold medal each in these events.

----------------------------------------------------

CLOSING CEREMONY AND MEDAL TABLE

The closing ceremony was held once again at the Stadio Olimpico, closed by HMCM King Juan III to conclude what had been an incredible Olympic games. The final medal presentation was for the winners of the Equestrian events. The Olympic flag was lowered and packed away for storage ready for the next summer games, due to be held in Munich, West Germany in 1972.

In the medal table, the United States took the top spot, followed by the Soviet Union. East Germany secured an incredible performance to finish in third, with Japan securing enough medals to nearly replicate their incredible 1964 performance. The top ten medallists are as follows:

1. United States - 47 gold, 28 silver, 34 bronze, 109 total

2. Soviet Union - 33 gold, 37 silver, 23 bronze, 93 total

3. East Germany - 10 gold, 8 silver, 7 bronze, 25 total

4. Japan - 9 gold, 10 silver, 11 bronze, 30 total

5. Hungary - 8 gold, 5 silver, 15 bronze, 28 total

6. France - 7 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze, 15 total

7. Romania - 6 gold, 7 silver, 4 bronze, 17 total

8. Czechoslovakia - 6 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze, 12 total

9. Australia - 5 gold, 6 silver, 5 bronze, 16 total

10. Bulgaria - 5 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze, 11 total

The conclusion of the 19th Summer Olympic Games brings to an end an exciting year of sport. The world now waits patiently until 1972, where we will be seeing the Winter Games travel to Sapporo, Japan and the Summer Games travel to Munich, West Germany. Next, we follow the qualifiers for the 1970 FIFA World Cup, so join us next time!

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, Amsterwald, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Spain-, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia

The Great Game: Prologue Addendum; The Players

By 1968, Soeharto had come to a frustrating realization. He would have to cooperate with the people that had brought him to power. Even as he attempted to sideline them and demote them, his moves were countered and at times he even fell victim to counterattacks. His strategy was failing and even as he sought to renew it, he realized that he would need to work alongside his so-called allies if he wanted to remain in power and not fall victim to the same plot as his predecessor Sukarno. Even with the United States and the CIA at his back, there was no way for them to rid Indonesia of so many influential and powerful people all at once.

For now, all he could do was sit at the table and play, surrounded by the people who had put him at the table in the first place. All of them had their cards close to their chest while simultaneously pretending like they were all playing as a team for the same prize. In reality, the situation was much more complex. Each player had a very different vision for Indonesia, and whoever emerged victorious would be given the keys to the future of a nation built upon centuries of history.

Soeharto and his Loyalists top the list among the players sitting at the table. For all intents and purposes, they hold the best cards, have control of vast resources, the backing of a superpower and the men and arms to enforce their will upon the nation. But even their resources weren’t infinite and depended upon other factions sitting at the table. Soeharto’s main lifeline of support rests among the members of the Asisten Pribadi or “personal assistants” and often shortened to simply “Aspri”, a group of military officers, bureaucrats and members of the Indonesian legislature who make up the President’s inner circle. Its prominent members include Soeharto’s right-hand man and arguably most loyal supporter, Ali Murtopo, a military officer who had helped closely organize the coup d’etat which brought down the Sukarno presidency. Other members also include Sujono Humardhani (who advised Suharto on matters of the economy) and Tjokropranolo who was placed in charge of the President’s security.

Aligned with Suharto are also the New Order Radicals, often only called Radikals. These “radicals” are the most devoted to Suharto’s ideas but only, his ideas. These military officers, who have been responsible for the mass killings and arrests of communists and suspected communists have become adherents to Suharto’s New Order and an extreme interpretation of Pancasila, the national ideology of Indonesia. Seeing Suharto merely as a transitory figure, they hold no personal loyalty to the Acting President. Instead, the Radikals see themselves as the harbingers of the truest and purest form of Suharto’s ideas and Indonesia’s national ideology. The Radikals are led by a triumvirate composed of Edhie Wibowo, Kemal Idris and Hartono Rekso Dharsono.

Part of the foundation of the New Order and the overthrow of Sukarno, was the influence the armed forces had over Student Groups, most of which coalesced within the KAMI, Kesatuan Aksi Mahasiswa Indonesia or the Indonesian Student’s Action Group. KAMI has become the most powerful student organization in the country since the rise of Suharto and while he has attempted to persuade and later undermine their leadership they have solidified themselves as a quasi-faction within Indonesia. Split between New Order-Pancasila radicals and moderates, KAMI’s power rests in their ability to shake the foundations of Indonesia’s economy and education system, a major threat which could cripple or even destroy the Suharto regime.

Suharto’s most important yet most tenuous wing of support is that of the Old Guard, also known as the Penjaga Lama. The Old Guard are members of the military and political elite who supported Sukarno prior to his overthrow, yet switched sides during the 30th of September Incident. In fact, as Suharto moved to seize power, several military units aligned with the Old Guard, particularly the navy and the air force were instrumental in the implementation of the New Order and the eradication of the PKI. Their control over the police apparatus and the legislature also grant them significant leverage over Suharto. Its leadership is composed of Abdul Haris Nasution, Mohammed Jusuf, Amir Machmud, and Basuki Rahmat. In the eyes of the leadership of the Old Guard, Suharto is a mere ‘first among equals’ and see themselves as a continuation of the state itself, and therefore an essential part of the reforms proposed by Suharto’s New Order. Other prominent members include Benny Moerdani, Try Sunistro, Sumitro and Sudharmono, along with tacit support from former Vice President Mohammad Hatta. The nominally centrist position of the Old Guard and their stabilizing presence has drawn in others including public servants, along with Islamist and Christian leaders.

To most outsiders, Acting President Suharto’s power seems absolute. His portrayal in Indonesian and foreign media is as a reformer and staunch anti-communist leader who has saved Indonesia from communist control. The reality is much more complex. Suharto’s efforts to seize absolute power have been thwarted by the same forces who restrained Sukarno during his time. While his position isn’t as delicate as that of his predecessor, removing any of these groups from the game too early or too late may threaten to empower another or topple Suharto from his own position. With so many players at the board simultaneously working together and against one another, Suharto finds himself in an interesting situation where at times the best move is to not play at all.

Paramountica, Amsterwald, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia, Zingium, Independent Singapore

Ozymandias III: My Name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look On My Works, Ye Mighty, and Despair!

January - April 1969

_______

| Across Tanzania people listened to their radios as the trial of the century began in Dodoma. Tanzania v. Union for Truth and Justice would take place before the whole nation, and change the political scene in Tanzania forever.

_______

Act I: Opening

| As the trial began Jafari Juma would lay out the case. The main charge levied by Juma would be that not only had the state readily committed an attempted extermination of multiple ethnic groups, but had also actively obfuscated any attempts to properly prosecute those who perpetrated these crimes. While Juma would not directly implicate any single member of the government, he would openly point towards the efforts of covering up the extent and purpose of resettlement of these groups, having been undertaken in the Ministry of Home Affair, Tanzania People’s Defense Force, and the Presidency between the years 1961-1968. To end his opening statement Juma would decry the severe mutilation of justice that had not only allowed Julius Nyerere to escape, but also had allowed the government to shift the entirety of the blame for the deaths and destruction, while quietly reintegrating the perpetrators.

In the state’s defense would be Rashid Ngugi, one of the better attorney’s on the state’s payroll. Ngugi would point out firstly that claims of extermination were entirely unjustified. While there had been some deaths attributed to the process of villagization, there were no more casualties than in Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising, or Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency. In fact evidence proved, most casualties came as a direct role of bad harvests, and resistance to the state’s policies, and not an active targeting of any specific group. In closing, Ngugi would point to the hyperbolic nature of the claims, that in no way crossed the Geneva Convention.

__________

Potlako Leballo Takes the Stand

| Considered a strange choice, due to his close alignment to Oscar Kambona, nonetheless, Juma would call upon Potlako Leballo as the first witness. While initially questioning would follow a somewhat simple narrative, asking his relation to Kambona, his role in the moves against Nyerere, among others. Then, the bombshell hit. When asked:

Jafari Juma: “To what extent did your contacts within the Ministry of Home Affairs (a thinly veiled target on Kambona) know of the crimes being committed by President Nyerere.”

Potlako Leballo: ”Oh he knew alright, not only did the Minister know of the things they were doing, but he knew it was a targeted campaign of extermination.”

Jafari Juma: ”So then, tell me Mr. Leballo, why did the Minister not reveal the truth immediately or resign?’

Potlako Leballo: ”Because he said it wasn’t politically advantageous”

| Gasps go through the crowd as the judge bangs his gavel bringing the courtroom back to order.

Jafari Juma: ”What you’re saying is, not only did the Minister of Home Affairs at the time, Oscar Kambona, know of the attempted extermination of entire groups of our nation’s people, he actively chose not to do anything because it was not advantageous to his political goals?”

Potlako Leballo: ”Of course, Kambona was always greedy, he wanted to jump and be President now. He willingly covered up and participated in everything the government did. While, he may say otherwise, he was the second most powerful man in Tanzania, even more so than Karume. If he wanted to end the bloodshed, he would’ve.”

_______

The State On the Back Foot: Ministry Staffer Flips

| Why the anonymous staffer flipped will never be known. Some say, it was because Leballo got to him and strong armed him. It certainly would not have been the first time Leballo did something like that in the service of his own ends.Others claimed he had been bribed by the Union for Truth and Justice, desperate and not being able to hold up their case purely on the word of a known scoundrel, no matter how close he was to the Acting President. A more storytale answer was, the man had a change of heart. Whatever the case may be, the recanting of the witnesses testimony on the facts of how much Minister Kambona knew, and his willingness to act in accordance until it no longer fit his political goals, would completely annihilate the government’s defense. Worryingly, while the case had previously been about the crimes of the government, it quickly became clear, it was now about the crimes of Oscar Kambona, and a direct challenge to his presidential ambitions.

Ngugi for his part had been absolutely humiliated now twice in a row. Unable or perhaps unwilling to see the “tribals” as anything more than illiterate savages, and Jafari Juma as a attention seeking upstart, had allowed the much smaller Union for Truth and Justice to blow holes through the state’s case left and right.

_______

Oscar Kambona on the Stand

| Despite being upset at how the case had quickly shifted towards being about Kambona, and had very quickly stopped being about the UTJ’s actual case nonetheless, Jafari Juma would push forward. Finally, Oscar Kambona announced he would be taking the stand, after weeks of silence. Likely, this was an attempt to salvage his plummeting reputation, and salvage something from the case with a strong showing in court.

Instead, Kambona would be picked apart by Juma upon the stand, and his political opposition in the streets. Firstly, when Kambona would try to discredit Potlako Leballo as unsavory, and a criminal. Quickly, Juma would fire back saying that while Potlako may be unsavory, he must have been trustworthy enough to rely on in plotting against the Nyerere government. While Kambona would sputter attempting to salvage his conversation, Juma would add another attack. While he may denounce his conspirators, would he also openly denounce his handpicked aides in the Ministry. As a killing blow, Juma would directly question that if instead of, his conspirators lying, his staffers lying, the entirety of the UTJ lying and the Hadza, Akie, and Maasai people lying as well, that instead Kambona himself, who was instrumental in keeping state secrets, and implementing state policy, had a direct hand in some of the worst crimes the nation had seen in its history.

As a stunned silence reverberated through the crowd, and most importantly Kambona himself, Juma ended his questioning and took his seat. While it was obvious they would not win the case, and it was unlikely anyone in government would face jail time let alone any further prosecution, Juma and the UTJ had delivered a devastating blow to the Acting President, and government itself in the eyes of the public.

_______

A Shockwave Sent Across the Nation

| As crowds gathered outside the High Court of Tanzania for the verdict, everyone outside of the city sat glued to town radios. Chief Justice Philip Telford Georges would deliver his verdict, and change Tanzania forever.

Philip Georges: ”On the count of attempted extermination, as outlined in the Geneva Convention I find the government not guilty. While its actions are unconscionable, they do not constitute an attempted destruction of an entire group, or culture. Instead, one may describe actions as harsh, or damaging to aspects of the offended parties, they do not seem to display an attempt to wholly destroy them. Nonetheless, I do find the government guilty in destruction of property, and kidnapping. The government shall facilitate the return of children separated from the Hadza, reparations for the Akie’s lost profits from apiary theft, and compensation for harm done to the Maasai during their resettlement. It is chilling in which the state, previously, and now has displayed such a callous disregard to these cultures, and people’s, and immediate action must be taken to rectify these injustices done upon them.”

| As the crowd exploded into both shocked, and elation, Jafari Juma shook the hands of Lowassa, Hamid, and Senteu.

Jafari Juma: ”Gentlemen, I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you. I did say it was a long shot.

Letua Senteu: ”Believe me Jafari, you’ve even impressed me. I think things are going to drastically improve because of what you’ve done here today. Plus you’ve just become a national icon, after all, you killed a presidency.”

As Juma and the members of the UTJ exited the High Court of Tanzania they were greeted by the roaring crowd of protestors both in their favor and against, as well as the snap of photos and the badgering of questions from the press. Senteu was right, everything was going to change now.

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Spain-, Le Equatoria

★ UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC ★

[list][list][list][pre]

"Fear is, I believe, a most effective tool in destroying the soul of an individual - and the soul of a people."

ANWAR EL-SADAT

[/pre][/list][/list][/list]

_________________

[list][sub]𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐘𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐗[/sub]

[sub]C H A P T E R 1[/sub]

[sub][sup]DEC 1968 - LIBYAN ARAB REPUBLIC[/sub][/sup]

[list][sub]The Arab Republic of Libya is place of contrasts, relatively autonomous but within the iron fist of its bigger neighbour within the Union, a place which produces most of the wealth in the country, but also where its inhabitants wear simple clothing and remain deeply traditional. Rich with heritage and strongly nationalistic, but also proudly part of the Union that has brought it together with Egypt, upholding the United Arab Republic despite the seccession of Syria. Libya has always been a paradox, and as a new decade approaches, it's contradictions grows stronger.[/sub]

[sub]Today's main ruling power is the tripartite council. In 1958, as a way to oversee affairs in Syria easier, President Nasser authorized the creation of a three-man council headquartered in Cairo to rule over the 'Northern region'. The council was staffed by one Egyptian (Zakaria Muhyi al-Din) and two Syrians. The council would eventually fizzle, however the idea was revived as part of reforms in 1965 which established the Libyan Arab Republic as its own region within the United Arab Republic.[/sub]

[sub]When it was first created, the Tripartite Council followed the same composition. One Egyptian (Anwar el-Sadat) and two Libyans. However this time the council was headquartered in Libya, with little oversight from Cairo, as it had learned from its previous mistake. With Sadat serving in part to ensure that Libya remained part of the union and pacify any separatist sentiment. Thus also came one of the first policies of the council, which was to put the entire of Libya under military governorship.[/sub]

[sub]These military governors were young but they brought with them dynamism and a sense of purpose. These governors established a dual system of authoritarian rule and technocratic development. It was a huge gamble, but it ended up paying off. With the most succesful of all, Mu'mmar al-Gaddafi, proving himself capable of running for the position of Premier of the union itself. However on the sidelines, technocatic politicians, mostly trained in Cairo and unique in being career politicians, began to stake their claim, calling for less military influence. Furthermore, a conservative bloc of islamists, businessmen, and former elite began to also make their voice heard, led by former royal-turned-businessman Hasan as-Senusi.[/sub]

[sub]When Sadat left the council, a fully Libyan composition was established, this time ensuring equal representation for all three growing factions. The council is dysfunctional, but it is united in ensuring that the good of Libya is achieved. At the same time, a new dynamic has presented itself, in the shape of indigenous Libyan businessmen, taking advantage of the influx of oil money into the country. These businessmen used connections, bribery, and military favors to bring themselves to the top in Libya's many emerging sectors such as construction or consumer goods.[/sub]

[sub]Finally, there's Libya's greatest asset and perhaps also its greatest threat. The dominance of the national oil company, PetroNasr. It has embedded itself in every part of the state, from running dozens of schools and hospitals, to funding construction projects and irrigation. PetroNasr is a political force in itself, and its firmly in the control of Cairo, something that has not gone amiss on many of the more nationalist oriented Libyans. Overall, it promises to be an interesting decade for the young nation.[/sub]

[/list]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Greater Kurdistane, Spain-, Mutawakkiliti, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia, Le Equatoria, Independent Singapore

[list]April 1968

[sub]European Engineering[/sub][/list]

[pre]D I E B U N D E S R E P U B L I K[/pre]

SAAB & GERMANY

[sub]LINKOPING, SOUTHERN SWEDEN, THE KINGDOM OF NORDEN - MORNING[/sub]

| The SAAB factory at LINKOPING was brought to a de facto stand-still with the visit of one of the most respected men in Europe's defense industry, BUNDESPRASIDENT HELMUT SCHMIDT of the Federal Republic of Germany. With a delegation from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government's weapons procurement office. The visit was historic in the sense that ever since its inception, the Federal Republic had been almost entirely dependent on U.S. surplus equipment from the Second World War and, later the Korean War. This left the German Bundeswehr - the armed forces - extremely large and in possession of large surpluses of still relatively modern equipment, but it left it dependent on U.S. support and the age of these weapons were, after all, showing. The issue was addressed by the government of Willy Brandt with the dispatching of Schmidt to NORDEN - Germany's northern neighbor - to hold meetings with SAAB, one of the most prominent aircraft manufacturers in Europe. Attending the meetings were Curt Mileikowsky, CEO of Saab, Erik Bratt, the Chief Designer of the J-35 Draken, Saab's top-of-the-line fighter, Stig Noren, the Air Force Chief of Staff, and Erik Ninn-Hansen, the Deputy Minister of Defense. |

| At LINKOPING, Schmidt toured the factory and visited the various assembly lines, as well as conducting a private viewing of the aircraft with a delegation of representatives and experts from the Ministry of Defense and the Luftwaffe, the GERMAN AIR FORCE - which would be the operator of any J-35 Drakens that may be procured under a possible deal between the Bundeswehr and Saab. The delegation after two days in Linkoping traveled towards UPPSALA FIGHTER BASE, where a demonstration of the J-35 took place with the involvement of the NORDIC AIR FORCE. Schmidt and German representatives also met with general business representatives from across Norden, as the visit was not only militarily focused (though that, of course, was the primary objective with the visit). Discussions between both sides took place over the course of the next few days, concluding with a commitment by the German government and the Bundeswehr to put forward a proposal to the Bundestag for possible procurement of Saab aircraft. |

| Domestically, the trip's details were received lukewarmly, and mildly positive at best. Many were enthusiastically supportive of greater support for EUROPEAN ENGINEERING, and Saab was an extremely well-respected aircraft manufacturer even in Germany. The largest concerns, however, were with whether or not such a deal would undercut and potentially compromise the German defense industry, which had just recently secured historically high investments from the German government as they sought to build up domestic manufacturing of advanced weaponry. Social Democrats lined up one-by-one to speak in support of the possible agreement in the Bundestag, however, hailing it as a step forward for trans-European advancement and especially for German-Nordic relations. |

[list]| [sub]HELMUT SCHMIDT, The Federal President[/sub] | "Our relationship with our northern neighbor is one of vital importance. In recent years, Norden has only grown to become a prominent player on the European scene and a close trade partner for Germany. Expanding this relationship into the area of national defense is something that we would be absolutely willing to welcome, with great enthusiasm."[/list]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, Maziya, Spain-, Independent Singapore

Post by Occidental Florida suppressed by Paramountica.

Occidental Florida

What am I supposed to do here

[list][list]SHOWA 43 | DECEMBER 1968[/list]

[list][list]帝国領地

[pre]IMPERIAL ESTATES[/pre][/list][/list]

[pre] D I S P A T C H W O R K [/pre]

[list][list][sub][pre] オー・スネイル 富士山に登ろう でも、ゆっくり、ゆっくり

O Snail; Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly![/pre][/sub][/list][/list]

CHIYODA — AFTERNOON

[sub]TOKYO, Nippon-Nihon[/sub]

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1991127

Paramountica, Rutannia, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Spain-, Independent Singapore

[list][pre]T H E S L O V E N E R E P U B L I C • S L O V E N S K A R E P U B L I K A[/pre][/list]

CERAR WINS GOLD AT THE OLYMPICS—AN OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL NEWS AS SLOVENIA CLOSES OUT 1968

[list][sup]BRIGHTER SKIES LIE EVER AHEAD

DECEMBER 1968[/sup][/list]

Miroslav Cerar was, nobody could doubt, Slovenia’s athlete of the year. Cheering crowds lavished praise on the returning gymnast and Ljubljančan as he triumphantly held up Slovenia’s sole gold medal from the 1968 Olympics (Sport-Internationale), earned in the men’s pommel horse event, while descending the airstair to the tarmac at Matija Majar airport to shake hands with President Božidar Jakac himself. Gymnastics had, after all, long been a dominant art in the nation, thrust ever forward by the return of sokols after independence under six-time Olympic medalist Leon Štukelj. Cerar’s medal was another sigh of relief for a nation which had, in the early months of 1968, been bitterly beleaguered. Yugoslavian attacks on civilian ships had haunted Slovenes at sea, and the Republic’s refusal to give in nearly prompted an invasion by Tito’s armies. However, Slovenia had clung on through the storm, negotiating a partial return of concessions to Alpenland (Cascadla) to demonstrate its commitment to its European allies and reiterate its openness to diplomacy. Now, a hesitant Slovene economy was churning once more at full steam, and cultural victories such as Cerar brightened a once-clouded sky. The national moto of the 1968 Olympic team—Za domovino športajmo! (“Let us sport for the homeland!”)—became a rallying cry for all Slovenes.

Though the Slovenian populace may have been divided on Jakac’s response to what would be eventually termed the Jadranski napadi (“Adriatic attacks”), it had not been divided by the attacks themselves. “Force and bullying are not the way of the modern state,” Jakac insisted to a crowd in Ljubljana in November, “and Yugoslavia shames Europe altogether and inspires enmity when it engages therein.” The imminent, shadowy threat of a Titoic invasion had, indeed, generally stiffened the national resolve; record numbers of Slovenes now poll as willing to defend their country by force, and, over the course of 1968, the share of the population identifying as “Slovene” increased by a disproportionate figure (the territorial sale excluded), shifting from 84% to 87%. Student leaders who descended upon Ljubljana from Italy (Arcanda) would generally find themselves put down by throngs buoyed by a strange patriotism. It was, some suggested, a coming of age—a move towards a more coherent, national Slovenia, sans the era of true ideological contention with the question of the Teutophones now answered and the enemy clear. The tragedy of the killed and injured Slovenes on the high seas, while some of the most remarkable calamities in Slovene history, had also constituted one of the nation’s proudest hours; it had been an hour in which the Republic had demonstrated its maturity and its ability to stand tall and peaceful, even in the face of a militarized, neighboring juggernaut.

Patriotic entrepreneurship also gained a chance to shine amid and after the darkness. A record number of new businesses and renovations were proposed in Slovenia in 1968, with many of these focusing on the tourist industry and national symbols. The unprecedentedly intense international attention on Slovenia had, for better or for worse, been publicity, and the Republic was eager to reap the rewards. New restaurants and dance halls sprang up, tourist offices were cleaned and repaired, and more than a few of these capitalized on geopolitical developments by marketing themselves as, in some manner, “National Slovenian”. There could be no doubt: the pressure of 1968 had been intense, but it had been a catalyst. “The world knows Slovenia now,” President Jakac told one trade delegation as the year neared its end, “and I am certain that we can make the best of this.”

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Cascadla, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Greater Kurdistane, Spain-, Independent Singapore

| DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF KURDISTAN - KOMARA DEMOKRATA KURDISTANÊ |

Culture & Life In Independent Kurdistan, Issue #01

[sub]| The Newroz Holiday, or Kurdish New Year[/sub]

___________________

The holiday of Newroz is celebrated in Kurdistan every March 20th. It derives from the widely observed Persian New Year, Nowruz, but has developed into a distinct Kurdish holiday in the 20th century. Newroz celebrates the new year and the return of spring. In traditional Kurdish mythology, it marks the liberation of the Kurds from a Persian tyrant named Zahak. Zahak was reputed to be so evil that spring had stopped coming to the land. So the story goes, a legendary blacksmith named Kaveh raised an army and ousted Zahak. After slaying Zahak with his hammer, Kaveh makes a bonfire on a hillside to mark the end of his reign. With the tyrant gone, spring returns to Kurdistan.

Newroz is thus celebrated with large bonfires as people gather for a day of feasting, dancing, games, and celebration to mark the beginning of spring. Elaborate and colorful traditional clothing is donned, and the sharing of Kurdish jokes and stories is the raison d’etre. The reading of poetry is also a common sight at Newroz celebrations, and in recent years a competitive tradition has started to develop as men and women alike try to compose the cleverest or most moving poem. Another common tradition is the act of jumping over a bonfire, symbolizing the transition to a new year. All schools and public buildings are closed in observance of Newroz, as are the majority of businesses. As an official matter, the government does not collect tax for the day of March 20th.

Newroz celebrations expanded rapidly in the 1930s alongside the crystallization of Kurdish nationalism as a philosophy. Thus the holiday has come to carry deeply political connotations for Kurds. The Newroz of 1941, for example, was the first celebrated in a now independent and sovereign Kurdish state. Newroz’s themes of renewal and deliverance from tyranny rang especially true that year. The same was true in 1952 when socialist military officers led a popular movement that deposed the tribalist President Mustafa Barzani. The military explicitly associated their actions with Newroz as the socialist revolution would surely usher in a new springtime in Kurdistan. Nearly twenty years past the “Newroz Revolution” the left-nationalist government of President Mazar Remman still strives to politicize the holiday.

The majority of Newroz observers do so with their family and friends, and the sense of community derived from the holiday is crucial to Kurds. But alongside these localized celebrations are national efforts, like the annual military parade held in the Amed Capital District just the day after Newroz. Thousands of men from the Kurdish People’s Army and People’s Revolutionary Guard take to the city's streets, extolling the virtues of the state and reminding the city’s residents to whom they owe loyalty. Such parades are held in many Kurdish communities alongside ceremonies dedicated to the ruling Revolutionary National Labor Front. And just as quickly as competitive poetry has emerged as a feature of Newroz, the government has intervened to ensure poets also compete in categories like “most patriotic” and “strongest revolutionary rhetoric.”

But looking past the political associations built around Newroz since 1952, the day is still a voluntary and fervent affirmation of the Kurdish identity for millions of people. Far from an archaic story, the mythology surrounding Newroz has been an enduring and accurate metaphor for the political woes of the Kurdish people. Ever since the country’s independence the day is increasingly celebrated as a fulfilled prophecy of the Kurdish people. They had risen up, as Kaveh did, and once again delivered themselves from tyranny.

_____________________

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-, Mutawakkiliti

Post by Marksica suppressed by Paramountica.

Marksica

WE FIGHT FOR RIGHT!!!

Post by Marksica suppressed by Paramountica.

Marksica

we need help to fight for right guys we need to work together i cant do it myself im going to need support dont fail me and dont fail justice and dont let evil win AND DONT FAIL THE ROBBIN!

[list][list]SHŌWA 43 | DECEMBER 1968[/list]

[list][list]自動車

[pre]JIDŌSHA[/pre][/list][/list]

[pre] D I S P A T C H W O R K [/pre]

[list][list][sub][pre] オー・スネイル 富士山に登ろう でも、ゆっくり、ゆっくり

O Snail; Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly![/pre][/sub][/list][/list]

TOKYO, Nippon-Nihon

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1991376

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Hatzburg, Spain-

[pre]١٩٦٨, Disambar — December, 1968

South Sudan Regional Council, Bunchy Avenue, Juba, Equatoria Province (Mukata’et Equatoria)[/pre]

[list][pre]The Republic Of Sudan • جمهورية السودان[/pre][/list]

[list][list]JANUBIA AND DARFUR, SUDAN’S FEDERAL REGIONS[/list][/list]

The Sudanese Republic consists of 15 Sudanese Provinces, all of which had been inherited from the colonial administrations before the independence of 1950. The borders and relations among the provinces had also been inherited from the colonial era’s subdivision lines. Sudan’s constitution of 1959 that established the Republic had brought with it a series of reforms that expanded the rights and autonomous capabilities of those provinces, whose power primarily consists of a great degree that allows self-government and administration that gives local communities greater power in achieving their interest.

Within Sudan’s federal framework, exists another level of government that shares a slightly lesser degree of autonomy, in comparison with the Provinces, which are known as “Special Regions”, or officially “Federal Regions”, of which there are two of them. The simplest of the two, is the Federal Region of Darfur, which only contains the territorial borders of the Darfuri Province. The powers and abilities of this Federal Region are mostly set to protecting cultural, ethnic, and tribal identities, many of these tasks go towards ensuring peaceful resolving disputes on behalf of the central government in Khartoum, which may be too far off or distant from the troubles and concerns of Darfuri citizens, for Khartoum to better resolve those situations. The other region, the Federal Region of Janubia, the Arabic translation of “The South”, is a much larger federal region encompassing the three South Sudanese Provinces of Equatoria, Bahr El-Ghazal, and the Upper Nile, along with the Northern Provinces of Nuba Mountains and El Funj, which despite their more diverse and multicultural demographics, still share many ethnic and African cultural attributes with their southern counterparts.

The existence of the Federal Regions has received many criticisms since their inception. Those critics are mostly driven by Arab nationalist and Islamist political parties that saw the increasing federalization of Sudan as a threat to the unity of the Republic. With the increased polarization of Sudanese politics amidst the tumultuous series of events unfolding in recent months, the ruling Liberal Party under President Benjamin Lwoki remains the sole hardline advocate of this system of Federal Government. The Democratic Unionists on the other hand, Lwoki’s allies in Parliament, had supported the Federalist system established by the Azheri Administration in 1959, but almost a decade later now, the DUP had been flirtatious with centralized government and reorganizing the nation into a Unitary Republic, a concept which risks divisions and opposition from the Sudanese South as well as other minority groups that feel best represented under the Federal Republic. The upcoming 1970 elections may see the Arab Nationalists finally thrust into power should they play their cards right, especially regarding their foreign policy, which stands to be popular amongst the Sudanese youth.

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1512508

———————————————

AL-NASRU LENA!

AL-NASRU LE SUDAN!

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, New Provenance, Maziya, Greater Kurdistane, Hatzburg, Spain-, Mutawakkiliti, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia, Le Equatoria

Dawn

Since the nation's birth in 1947, Pakistan had been governed though bureaucracy. In 1958, the army seized power through a coup led by Ayub Khan. Under his rule, the country's economy grew at an average yearly rate of more than 5%.However, due to income inequality, Pakistan became a country with extreme wealth and extreme poverty. Ayub Khan's policies nourished the capitalist class, whose fortunes amassed, but it oppressed ordinary people with increasing material poverty, as well as intellectual poverty due to rigorous political and cultural censorship.On April 21, 1968, Dr. Mahbub ul Haq, the then Chief Economist of the Planning Commission, identified Pakistan's 22 richest families that controlled 66 percent of the industries and owned 87 percent shares in the country's banking and insurance industry.Similarly, the Ayub regime implemented its own version of land reforms, under which a limit was imposed upon land holding. However, it failed miserably, and over 6,000 landowners exceeded his defined ceilings, owning 7.5 million acres of land. The average income in West Pakistan was a mere £35 per year; in East Pakistan, the figure was lower at £15.In 1965, presidential elections were held. These elections were not based upon adult franchise but on basic democracy. A few thousand so-called elected representatives of local bodies had to elect the president. There were wide speculations of election interference which also led to the opposition's protest.That same year, Pakistan went to war with India. The costs of the war put an end to economic growth and saw massive increase in defence spending. Private investment growth in Pakistan saw 20% decline in the following years.In the early months of 1968, Ayub Khan celebrated what was called the "Decade of Development", outraged citizens erupted into agitations. In response to the "Decade of Development" in early week of October 1968 the National Students Federation associated with the Maoists faction of the Communist Party of West Pakistan started demands weeks and started a protest campaign to expose the so called "development". Demands week started on 7 October 1968 and the first demonstration took place in front of board of secondary education,Karachi. The movement spread across the country when later in November a group of students from Rawalpindi were heading back from Landi Kotal, and were stopped at customs checkpoints near Attock. They were aggressively met by customs officials. On returning to Rawalpindi, they staged a protest against their mishandling by police as result of their experience. Protests grew to a sizeable amount, resulting in the police trying to dismantle the protests and shots being fired.A student of Rawalpindi Polytechnic College, Abdul Hameed, was shot dead. Already, outraged citizens were protesting against a rise in the price of sugar; the death of Hameed sparked the whole society and workers to join. Prominent writer Tariq Ali narrates incident in following words-

[B]Without any physical provocation the police, who were fully armed with rifles, batons, and tear-gas bombs, opened fire. One bullet hit Abdul Hamid, a first-year student aged seventeen, who died on the spot. Enraged, the students fought back with bricks and paving stones, and there were casualties on both sides.

In February and March 1968, a wave of strikes occurred in the country. On February 13, for the first time in ten years, the red flag was hauled up in Lahore, as more than 25,000 rail workers marched along the main street chanting: "Solidarity with the Chinese people: Destroy capitalism." However, there was no mass Marxist party to provide leadership.In the industrial district of Faisalabad, the district administration had to seek the permission of a local labor leader named Mukhtar Rana for the supply of goods through trucks. All censorship failed. Trains were carrying the revolutionary messages across the country. Workers invented new methods of communication. It was the industrialisation, exploitation, and oppression widening the gulf between rich and poor which brought this change.In this movement as of now, a total of 239 people were killed, 196 in East Pakistan and 43 in West Pakistan. According to details police firing killed 41 in West Pakistan and 88 in East Pakistan. Most of them were students. By November,the movement was joined by peasant committees and organisations in the country's rural areas. In December 20, a group of senior military men advised Ayub to step down, fearing the eruption of a full-scale civil war in East Pakistan and the political and social anarchy in the country's west wing.Even Ayub Khan conceded how the movement had paralysed the functioning of the state and society.Whether Premier Ayub Khan resigns or not would be seen in the coming days... !

The civilian labor force in Karachi dockyards had struck and stopped work. No loading or unloading of ships was being done. In one case a ship went back empty as it could not be loaded with cotton. Bhashani has been in Karachi and elsewhere spreading disaffection. Expectations were that the situation was likely to deteriorate".

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Nileia, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, Osivoiii, New Provenance, Maziya, Greater Kurdistane, Hatzburg, Spain-, United Jericho, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia

[list][list][sub]S O C I A L I S T‎ ‎ ‎ R E P U B L IC‎ ‎ ‎ O F‎ ‎ ‎ R O M A N I A‎ ‎ ‎ •‎ ‎ ‎ ‎R E P U B L I C A‎ ‎ ‎ S O C I A L I S T Ă‎ ‎ ‎ R O M  N I A [/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list]State Visit to the Federal Republic of Germany[/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]Decembrie 1968, Comitetul Central al Partidului Comunist Român, București, Republica Socialistă România[/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]December 1968, Central Committee of The Communist Party of Romania, Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania[/sub][/list][/list]

| In Romania`s quest for European and Global peace and understanding, His Excellency Comrade Constantin Rotaru, General Secretary of The Communist Party of Romania, President of The Presidium of The Great National Assembly, President of the State Council, President of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Supreme Commander of The People's Army, beloved and esteemed son of all Romanian people, the Genius of the Carpathians, the revered Conducător of the nation, accompanied by the Romanian Foreign Minister, Comrade Corneliu Mănescu, led a high-profile diplomatic and trade delegation to the "New Palace" in Stuttgart, marking a significant milestone in Romanian-German relations. This visit comes in the wake of the successful East German meeting in Sibiu earlier in the year.

| The expected and highly anticipated declaration of this summit was the formal acknowledgment of the Federal Republic of Germany by the Socialist Republic of Romania. In an epoch-defining gesture, Romania extended its hand in friendship, collaboration, solidarity and peace.

As His Excellency, the Genius of the Carpathians, Comrade Constantin Rotaru signed the document of recognition, everybody attending stood up and clapped, signaling a start of a new era of mutual respect and understanding.

Amidst growing tensions in the Balkans, both parties also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the ongoing Yugoslav-Slovene crisis, affirming their commitment to peace and stability on the European continent. This collaborative effort demonstrated a shared desire to address geopolitical challenges through diplomatic means, setting a positive precedent for future continental cooperation.

Deliberations during the summit delved into the multifaceted realm of diplomatic relations. Eager to foster deeper bonds between their nations, both sides explored avenues for expanding bilateral trade agreements and enhancing cultural exchanges to facilitate a more profound understanding and appreciation of each other's heritage and values in the coming future.

Throughout the discourse, an atmosphere of warmth and friendship permeated the grand halls of the New Palace, underscoring the shared commitment of His Excellency, Comrade Constantin Rotaru and Chancellor Willy Brandt to open, transparent dialogue and collaboration. Their exchanges were characterized by a profound sense of camaraderie and empathy, indicative of the profound respect they held for each other's nations and aspirations.

| After the Romanian delegation led by the revered Conducător of the Romanian nation left the Palace and headed towards the Airport to head back home to Bucharest, His Excellency the Genius of the Carpathians, Comrade Constantin Rotaru, looking out the window as the car drove to the airport, could not help but remark:

[sub]"...Look at this... these Germans sure take their work seriously, look how far they`ve come from 20 years ago... Everywhere you look construction sites, highways, developed cities... stunning really..."[/sub]

[list][list][sub]| As the sun set on this cold momentous day, the Romanian delegation departed Stuttgart with hearts brimming with optimism and determination to fortify the bonds of friendship between the Socialist Republic of Romania and the Federal Republic of Germany. Their visit to Germany had not only solidified diplomatic ties but had also imbued the future with the promise of continued collaboration, prosperity, and solidarity. |[/sub][list][list]

[sub]E scris pe Tricolor unire! Pe roșu steag liberator! Prin lupte sub a lor umbrire, spre Comunism urcăm în zbor![/sub]

[sub]Trăiască Partidul Comunist Român în frunte cu al său secretar general, tovarășul Constantin Rotaru![/sub]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Arcanda, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Nileia, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, Osivoiii, New Provenance, Maziya, Greater Kurdistane, Hatzburg, Spain-, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia, Klingenthalerburg, Le Equatoria

Post self-deleted by United Jericho.

“An honest government”

[Auckland, New Zealand]

December 1968

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Keith Holyoke had been in office for eight years.

In that time he had been able to maintain his own dominance in the National Party, abolish capital punishment and even make strides in ending the country’s discriminatory treatment of the Māori people in sport. However, the looming 1969 election posed the biggest threat that his leadership had ever faced.

Canterbury native, Norman Kirk, had reinvigorated the Labour Party and early polls suggested that the public were responding. The election was to be held in November, meaning that New Zealand was potentially just eleven months away from a new government. If Holyoke wished to prevent that, he was going to have to do something that pushed the country into accepting continuity.

He was already losing four of his MPs to retirement on election day, and the boundary changes that had come into effect after the 1967 election had opened the door to further gains for the Labour Party.

In all, 84 seats would be contested when it came to election day in 1969. Retaining the 44 seats that they had from the previous election would be enough to guarantee the Nationals another term in office. However, the growing momentum of Kirk’s Labour Party had made that look even more challenging that it had done before.

In the next eleven months, Holyoke was going to have to find something to polish the image of himself and his party. He would have to find an issue that would allow him to create the perception of a strong working government with a strong leader that could guide New Zealand into the next decade.

As such, time off for the Christmas period was heavily limited for his strategists as they searched for the magic policy, but would all this effort prove to be futile?

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Osivoiii, Maziya, Greater Kurdistane, Hatzburg, Klingenthalerburg, Independent Singapore

[list][list][sub]R E P U P L I C ‎ ‎ O F‎ ‎ ‎S A U D I ‎ ‎ A R A B I A‎ ‎ •‎ ‎ الجمهورية العربية[/sub][/list][/list]

Yosefen denounced as Sultan

| Since creation by the 'Pact of Arabia' the Saudi Arabian Republic has been dedicated to be a free monarchy, and the position of Sultan was seen as a holy position, and the chosen messenger by Allah and his grand servant. However, when a Sultan disobeys the gospel; They may be immediately disposed of. That was the case with Yosefen, who was seen breaking a law of the Sultan after he did not follow Gospel tradition, therefore, after held in the Court of the High Sultan, he was disposed and declared a traitor to not only Allah, but his people. The Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia (Vinsofef Hansan IXX) declared;

"By Means of this great crime, the Sultan has been declared a traitor, betrayer of not only Arabia, but the people of the Arab Republic.

By means of the law of succession; He was to be denounced and replaced by his heir, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, who is to be coordinated on the morning of Feburary 10th. All national officials were invited, including foreign ministers, and those who are interested in witnessing the event. The Arabian Republic is happy to accommodate anyone who wishes to come and feast by the side of their hosts.

the Communist Party of Arabia begins to become Violent

| Per say Article 435, Footnote 45 of the Arabian Constitution; "*Political Parties are permitted within the Arabian Republic, however, all must follow the laws passed and enforced by the republic" this footnote, (though relatively vague) permits any and all Political Parties in the republic, however, no the footnote, it states they must follow the laws of the republic, and says nothing more. The Higher Courts have not yet deciphered what to do with nations that break this divine link, however, it can be said that many believe what they see right for the Arabs. The High Court Offical, Yosef Axeol, declared; "This footnote in no way denotes the which way of when parties may be deposed, dissolved, or destroyed, as the constitution, nor any other legislative document, state anything against it." This demeanor is stating that the republic has no way of dealing with the Arabian Parties of Policy, although, they can be deciphered to be that this footnote specifically states against the dissolution of political parties, however, does it apply with all? The Communist Party of Saudi Arabia (CPSA) have become more violent with their protests, beginning to disgrace the country and her allies. For instance, the CPSA recently took down over 145 flags, and raised up the flag of the United Soviet Socialist Republics, (USSR), and pledging allegiance to the country, as to prevent further corruption through the USSR, the Arabian Republic has halted their oil transports to Russia for now. The country, until found out how to work out the situation, halts all oil transports to countries which have relations with the USSR.

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

United Jericho[/spoiler]

Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Osivoiii, Maziya, Hatzburg, Klingenthalerburg, Le Equatoria, Independent Singapore

[list]December 1968

[sub]BUDAPEST - HUNGARIAN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC[/sub][/list]

[list][list][pre]| SOVEREIGNTY, DEMOCRACY AND SOCIALISM [/pre][/list][/list]

| The Political and Social Affairs Committee, the highest organ of state power in the Hungarian People’s Republic approved, in November of 1968, the evacuation of Soviet troops on the territory of Hungary and the complete revision of relations between Hungary, the Soviet Union and all members of the Pact. The Political and Social Affairs Committee, acting as the central authority of sovereign power in Hungary, peacefully sought the revision of relations between all members based on the long-standing principles of international relations, as well as the content of the Warsaw Treaty. The decision by Hungary to exercise its sovereign right to not only call for the evacuation of occupying forces but also to engage in sovereign relations with member states of the United Nations enlisted a visceral reaction of social imperialism intended to be enforced upon Hungary and its people. The government of Hungary however, would not back down in the defence of its sovereignty and would instead strengthen its resolve to see that the approved directive from the Political and Social Affairs Committee made on the 17 November see fruition.

As a response to Hungary exercising its sovereign right, foreign powers who claim fraternity to the Hungarian People’s Republic issued widespread and heightened mobilisation in neighbouring states. The notice of “heightened mobilisation” was also given to troops within the Hungarian People’s Republic who were ordered by the Political and Social Affairs Committee to begin their complete evacuation from the territory of Hungary. The government of the Hungarian People’s Republic is the sole legal authority on the territory of Hungary, and the only authority authorised to mobilise armed forces and to partake in the use of force. As such, the Hungarian government views any attempt to use force on the territory of the Hungarian People’s Republic without the explicit authorisation of the government as a hostile act.

Recognising the failure to begin preparations to evacuate from the territory of the HPR and the response of “heightened mobilisation” on the territory, the government has issued the following orders:

[LIST][B]I.[/B] Orders the Border Service to enforce a closing of all border crossings with the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics.

[B]II.[/B] Order to the staff of the Soviet Mission in Budapest to vacate within 48 hours. The mission, having partaken in activities of espionage among other non-diplomatic practices, is considered to be in breach of the Vienna Convention and is therefore subject to expulsion. Failure to vacate within the 48 hour window will result in prosecution.

[B]III.[/B] Orders the issuance of a general warrant for the arrest of all Soviet servicemen found outside of the perimeter of their hosting military installation. Arrested individuals, having failed to adhere to the order of evacuation issued by the government, will suffer immediate deportation.

[B]IV.[/B] Orders the recalling of the 7th Mechanised Rifle Division, and accompanying equipment aid, from joint exercises in Yugoslavia.

[B]V.[/B] Orders the complete mobilisation of active and reserve forces, and retired servicemen of the Hungarian People's Army.

[B]VI.[/B] Orders the complete mobilisation of the Hungarian Workers’ Militia.[/LIST]

The orders issued by the Hungarian government are designed to uphold the law on the territory of the Hungarian People's Republic and to defend the sovereignty of the state. In response to Moscow, the Hungarian government rejected the “memorandum” issued by the Soviet Union calling for Hungary and Yugoslavia to “refrain from unnecessarily escalating tensions. The government posits that the Soviet Union, having failed to respect the sovereignty of the HPR, and mobilising forces on the territory of the HPR has illegally and unnecessarily ratcheted up tensions. The government would further condemn the Soviet Union for interfering in the internal affairs of and the undermining of the laws of the Hungarian People’s Republic. Simultaneously the government reiterates that it maintains its general commitment to the Pact. Meanwhile, all Hungary reiterates the orders of the Political and Social Affairs Committee on the evacuation of Soviet troops from the territory of Hungary and for the revision of relations.

Said orders, rejection of the Soviet “memorandum” and the condemnation of the Soviet Union would be broadcast to the population. The government understood that it was on the brink, yet remained wholly unwavering. Mass popular support from all sectors of Hungarian society would remain the electrifying driving force behind the defence of Hungarian sovereignty, Hungarian democracy and Hungarian socialism. All Hungarians are prepared to secure Hungarian socialism against social imperialism disguised as fraternity.[B]|[/B]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

Greater Adriatican State

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Neepal

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Sudesam

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, Osivoiii, Maziya, Greater Kurdistane, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zeitenwende, Mutawakkiliti, Poland1St, Klingenthalerburg, Le Equatoria

[list][list][sub]R E P U P L I C ‎ ‎ O F‎ ‎ ‎S A U D I ‎ ‎ A R A B I A‎ ‎ •‎ ‎ الجمهورية العربية[/sub][/list][/list]

[pre]Hostile Takeover of The Democratic Party And Communist Party[/pre]

| By Deceleration, the DPSA (Democratic Party of Saudi Arabia) declares they are the new supreme powers in the country. The CPSA begins to plot their own revenge against the party in which their downfall resides. The DPSA began to instill new laws in protest of the unfair compromises presented by the Sultan and the High Courts of the nation, now, a Parliament is installed with the Sultanate being a mere leader figure, while the Prime Minister, a position once very weak in the legislative scene, is given supreme power over the legislative powers of Saudi Arabia. The Countries major cities, that of Riyadh, were hostile to the DPSA. In an announcement by the Minister of The National News Outlet of Arabia (NNOA); "The Arabian public has never been oh so greatly influenced by the ever growing threat of Capitalism and Communism alike, beginning a whole new chapter in Arabian history, a chapter of asperity of the people, a chapter of desperate cries into the infinite void of helplessness, may Allah liberate us from this predicament of hell; May he be our savior!". This announcement further routed Saudi Arabia's outcome to the manner, the current sultan humiliated and distraught, the Leading Courts now brought in their own trial of failure; The Communist party finally agrees to a pact with the democrats, where some communist ideas were to be established in Arabia. The Worker Class was 'liberated' by means of their own politocans, and the DSPA had officially agreed to the "Pact of Yemen" which effectively stated;

Saudi Arabia is now a Democratic-Communist Country

[pre]Visit to the British Yemenis Territories[/pre]

| By Decree of the Prime Minister of The Esteem Republic of Saudi Arabia;

The Yemeni Territories held by British Forces is to accommodate the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, in which the Grand Sultan of Arabia will accompany the Minister to whomever is to meet the Sultan or the Prime Minister. This is for diplomatic purposes only, and the Arabian Government, or now the Provisional Government will dictate what else can be done to tighten relations, to the main country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain, the republics would like to accommodate by sending more oil in order to help with your provisional needs. This relationship is sure to bring prosperity to both parties;

Sincerely,

~PM Orion Yoseflan

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

Greater Adriatican State

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Neepal

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Sudesam

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Maziya, Zeitenwende, Klingenthalerburg, Le Equatoria

[list][list]SHŌWA 44 | JANUARY 1969[/list]

[list][list]基地を返還する

[pre]RETUNING THE BASES[/pre][/list][/list]

[pre] A M E R I C A N O K I C H I [/pre]

[list][list][sub][pre] オー・スネイル 富士山に登ろう でも、ゆっくり、ゆっくり

O Snail; Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly![/pre][/sub][/list][/list]

HAKATA — AFTERNOON

[sub]FUKUOKA, Nippon-Nihon[/sub]

| Since Japan’s surrender at the end of the war, an economic miracle has been created from the ruins. This was only possible by the American military aid; Japan’s defense spending represents 3% of its gross national product. (U.S. defense spending: nearly 10%.) American military bases, located on four main islands, played an important role in the Korean and Vietnam Wars — as well as in ensuring Japan’s security. The presence of American military personnel generated serious problems, but also benefits. American military facilities have been targeted by Japanese radicals, who have supported U.S. withdrawal from Japan for years. There are 148 American bases with 41,000 Army, Air Force, and Navy personnel. An establishment of this size caused enormous discomfort to the local population. Since the Korean War, Washington has reduced the size of American troops — but the discomfort remains. Near an American base, a jet crashed into a college computer center. No one was injured, but protesters took to the streets across the country. The jet is still on campus; Protesters prevented its removal. |

| With the Japanese-American Security Pact about to be renewed in 1970, it seemed obvious that American concessions to EISAKU SATO’s government could be useful, at least in giving The PRIME MINISTER a firmer hand in dealing with the wave of protests. After the Itazuke accident, Japanese and American authorities drew up a list of bases that could be abandoned. The Americans were ready for dialogue when a formal Japanese request to reduce U.S. bases emerged. Washington’s decision: 50 military facilities will be returned, relocated, or shared with Japan’s forces. But the Tachikawa and Yokota air bases near Tokyo and the Yokosuka and Sasebo naval bases on Kyushu were not on the list. The items on the list were: a few shooting ranges, a golf course, a laundry, a set of small airstrips near Tokyo, and a maneuvering area near the base of Mount Fuji. American authority continues, and so does, unfortunately, the issue of bases. Once the cuts take effect, they will trigger new demonstrations aimed at forcing broader concessions. |

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, Hatzburg, Zeitenwende

[B]LA RECONFORMA

[sub]| January 1969 | Quito, Quito Canton, Pichincha, Ecuador |[/sub]

Closing on a year into his fifth presidential tenure, José María Velasco Ibarra is a wealthily popular Quiteño Conservative statesman well-regarded throughout Latin America. Despite the great many reforms and infrastructural works provided throughout his first four presidencies, Velasco's current administration has yet to prove itself above populist idealism. Difficulties emerged early on in the term, with Velasco managing less than a plurality of one-third of the popular vote, with his fledgling Federacion Nacional Velasquista (FNV), falling short in both congressional houses. Velasco attempted to form a coalition with a handful of other minor political groups, though consensus in a working foundation for such has not been reached.

Above politics, the fifth presidential term of José María Velasco Ibarra is widely contrasted with the previous administration which in minimal time-frame bore rapid widescale infrastructural, economic and civic development cornerstoned by the most recent March 1967 Texaco Petroleum deal brokered after oil struck at Lago Agrio Well #1 in the northeast Oriente during the two-year tenure of Otto Arosemena. The public embraced the deal, viewing it as a 'good luck' blessing in favor of the country having been restored to constitutional rule. Approaching nearly the same time in-office as Arosemena's short yet successful term, Velasco's presidency is considered unorganized and fragile, alleged with an astonishing 'revolving door' of cabinet ministers and frivolous mismanagement of public funds. In November 1968, met with substantial public outcry, Velasco decreed a new set of tax statutes which placed near total control over foreign commerce exchange in the hands of the state, worsened by a controversial statute raising import tarrifs to aggregious proportion. The measures, rumored as a prod against the United States, did manage to win Velasco a particular level of infamy both potentially detrimental and beneficial.

Shortly after the tax decrees, in December 1968, the U.S. suspended all military aid and arms sales to Ecuador under the auspices of unpaid restitution to the captain(s) of seized U.S. fishing vessels which contest and violate Ecuador's 200-mile maritime territorial limit, most notably in a 1963 incident, though this limit remains unrecognized by the rest of the world with the exception of Peru and Chile. Regardless of the officially published reasonings, the general public quickly casted blame upon Velasco, who is already viewed within a scope of unpopularity over his 'shock tactic' economic policies which only prove to meddle the livelihoods of everyday people. In January 1969, Velasco's vice-president, Jorge Zavala Baquerizo, a Guayaquileño Liberal, called for a motion of no confidence in the current administration. Though the action of the vice-president greatly aided in reducing Velasco's political assets, he still maintained one crucial ally, sitting beyond the sphere of politics, his nephew and Minister of Defense, General Jorge Acosta Velasco, who effectively rotated the military's high command to retain loyal officers in key positions and prevent uprisings. Since, the public have become increasingly aware the level of corruption and nepotism propping up the Velasquista government.

As executive inaction erodes the already turbulent relationship between the state and the masses, rumors of a presidential autogolpe made rounds across the country, striking fear that the constitution would yet again be defuncted. Coupled with the sudden major economic shift and a record of aggressive diplomacy with the United States, Velasco is detested by more than 3/4 of the military, isolating the overwhelming minority of loyalists. The only factor keeping the anti-Velasquista oppositionists within the military at bay was their Defense Minister, the President's nephew, linchpin and successor of the Velasquista political movement. Left with little options, Velasco's enemies plot in silence.

——

[spoiler=[sub]Dios, Patria y Libertad![/sub] —] Adriatican Islands Amsterwald Anglo Channel Arcanda Bhaarat Lok Cascadla Cheezaslovakia Connomia East Germany Ddr Great Britain Gb Greater Kurdistane Hatzburg Israelli Kewtpuff Klingenthalerburg Kotakuan Ii Ma-Li Maziya Metropolitan Francais Mutawakkiliti Nevbrejnovitz Newauroria New Provenance Nileia Nippon-Nihon Osivoii Paramountica Paseo Peking Zhongguo Pontianus Provenancia Ranponian Rio De La Plata Argentina Rutannia Saudi Arabiyah Socialist Democratic Republic Romania Spainard Spain- The Confederate Prussian Empire Vancouver Straits Victoria Harbor Vietnam Sv Virnall [/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, Hatzburg, Zeitenwende, Poland1St, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia, Klingenthalerburg, Le Equatoria

A Fairytale in East Berlin

[East Berlin, Deutsche Demokratische Republik]

January 1969

Hermann Matern had never been a man who broke rank. He had quietly gone about his business as a simple Communist functionary and been rewarded with the prestigious title of ‘Regional Chairman’ for his efforts. However, as 1968 turned into 1969, he was becoming a thorn in Honecker’s side.

Matern was now giving fiery and intense speeches in the Volkskammer reiterating support for the USSR and for the Socialist Revolution and going as far as to calling for an end to relationships between East Germany and non-leftist states.

When someone spoke against the regime in East Germany, normally they would be either brought back into line quietly or silenced with bullets. Neither of these options would work with Matern.

Honecker and his regime were not advocating for a breakaway from the Warsaw Pact nor were they planning to abandon Socialism, they were simply trying to guarantee regime survival. However, these radical changes to DDR foreign policy had unsettled many party members and many of them had fallen into the same beliefs as Matern.

From Honecker’s perspective, Matern was selling the Volkskammer on a Communist Fairytale, where a stagnant economy could be overcome by a hard diet of leftist propaganda. From Matern’s perspective, Honecker was living in his own fairytale where the West would welcome him with open arms despite how the DDR was governed. Neither were true.

If Honecker silenced Matern, he would be punishing somebody for pledging their loyalty to communism and the Warsaw pact. That was political suicide. If Honecker caved to Matern’s demands and turned his back on West Germany, Slovenia and the other trade deals he had in the pipeline, that would be economic suicide.

The current administration may have succeeded in getting East Germany moving once again, but they couldn’t ignore the growing mumblings from within their own ranks. Something would have to be done before it was too late.

Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt Euch!

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Spain-, Zeitenwende, Poland1St, Klingenthalerburg, New Zealand Nz

[list][pre]JANUARY of 1969[/pre][/list]

[pre]THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

Союз Советских Социалистических Республик[/pre]

[pre]THE RED ARMY PREPARES FOR IMMINENT CONFLICT WITH GENERAL MOBILIZATION OF EASTERN EUROPEAN AND CAUCUSES FORCES[/pre]

[pre]КРАСНАЯ АРМИЯ ГОТОВИТСЯ К НЕИЗБЕДИМОМУ КОНФЛИКТУ С ВСЕЙ МОБИЛИЗОВАНИЕМ ВОЙСК В ВОСТОЧНОЙ ЕВРОПЕ И КАВКУСЕ[/pre]

| [sub]Facing the possibility of Yugoslav aggression against member states of the Warsaw Pact, General Secretary of the CPSU, and de facto head of government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Alexei Kosygin, convened an emergency meeting of the Politburo and the USSR's Central Committee to discuss an immediate plan of action. Already, well over 100,000 Soviet troops, predominantly infantry, mountain and armored divisions, have already begun the march westward to be stationed on high alert in the Polish and Romanian people's republics. Days after that order was issued, an additional 85,000 troops organized under the Secondary Expeditionary Force (Вторичный экспедиционный корпус, or VEK) also begun the trip southward from the Baltic States, where they were originally stationed. The Foreign Ministry offices in Moscow became some of the busiest offices in the entire country for the remaining few days, as the Kremlin sought to reach out to partners and other nations in the region while hardening Moscow's stance against Yugoslavia and Hungary. The 1956 revolution in the latter was clear enough proof that the Warsaw Pact, with the firm backing of the Soviet Union, was capable of putting down any possible effort to destroy the socialist brotherhood of like-minded nations, especially one led by the increasingly liberal capitalist Yugoslav state. The Foreign Ministry also reached out to the Slovene government in Ljubljana, who also had significant reason to stand against the rouge government in Belgrade.[/sub] |

| [sub]With the Yugoslav government instituting mobilization of over 100,000 troops, Moscow made the decision within days to respond in kind. Directives were issued to allied governments in Warsaw, Bucharest and Sofia for the Poles, Romanians and Bulgarians to mobilize their own contingent forces. The Red Army was given express orders to prepare for the possibility of "imminent conflict" and to begin the general mobilization of select Eastern European and Caucuses forces numbering at least 300,000, which will be deployed in addition to the Primary and Secondary Expeditionary Forces (185,000 in total) which are already well en route to Eastern Europe. The existing Soviet military presence in Hungary, as high as 160,000 troops (estimate), would NOT be withdrawn by the Red Army, but instead placed on high alert. Memorandums would be delivered to Budapest requesting their commitment to peace and security in the region. Furthermore, orders to mobilize Soviet troops in Hungary would not be issued until Yugoslav troops were confirmed to be approaching the borders of the Warsaw Pact.[/sub] |

[list][pre]FORCES CURRENTLY STATIONED IN HUNGARY

Organized under the Southern Group of Forces

Commanded by Konstantin Provalov

21st Tank/13th Guards Tank Poltava Division in Veszprém, Hungary

19th Guards Tank Nikolayevsk-Budapest Division - in Esztergom, Hungary

3th Guards Motor Rifle Kharkov Division - in Kecskemét, Hungary

27th 'Cherkassy' Motor Rifle Division - in Székesfehérvár, Hungary

36th Air Army

22nd Missile Brigade became part of the Southern Group of Forces at Dombóvár.

327th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (327 ZRP), headquartered at Szolnok and tasked with airfield defence.[/pre][/list]

| [sub]In a meeting with members of the conservative hardliner faction of the Communist Party, former president of the Presidium Leonid Brezhnev - who had been allowed to return to Moscow under probation and surveillance in 1968 - offered his full support to efforts by the General Secretary to prepare for a possible conflict. "It is clear that the Soviet Union and its military is superior in all areas," Brezhnev said, "And it is our right to invoke that fact and affirm to Belgrade that Moscow is not a bear you can poke without severe repercussions". Indeed, it were the hardliners who were advocating aggressively for military intervention, while Kosygin's own reformist wing was most skeptical. Broadly, however, the Soviet government was in agreement that intervention was growing increasingly necessary, in Hungary and, if the provocations continued, against Yugoslavia itself.[/sub] |

| [sub]A classified memorandum issued to allied Warsaw Pact nations including the German Democratic Republic, the Polish People's Republic, the Romanian People's Republic and the Bulgarian People's Republic noted that a Warsaw Pact contingency force of over 550,000 personnel and at least 4,000 tanks and other armored vehicles were to be mobilized within two months maximum. Moscow also released additional ultimatums to both Belgrade and Hungary requesting that they stand down lest they face the possible consequences. Noting that it was clear NATO would not come to the aid of the Yugoslavs, seeing as they were already standing opposed to Belgrade and together with the Slovenes, General Secretary Kosygin made an ominous warning on a radio interview, declaring that if Yugoslavia were not to "acquiesce to fair demands to stay out of the affairs of an organization it chose to abandon in favor of traitorous capitalistic ideals", there would be "severe consequences" and "reprimanding actions" in order to ensure that "such tomfoolery does not happen again".[/sub] |

| [sub]In good faith action, the Soviet consulate in London would be asked to deliver to the British government a notice of the Warsaw Pact's clear position on the situation, but no details on mobilization or other crucial national security information would be provided. Notice would also be delivered to the Hungarian government that while Moscow remained "completely open" to talks to reduce tensions, the Soviet government remained "firmly committed" to preventing Yugoslavia from "grossly violating the borders of the Warsaw Pact and allowing capitalistic influences to penetrate the borders of socialism".[/sub] |

____

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Bhaarat Lok

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, Hatzburg, Spain-, Poland1St, Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia, Klingenthalerburg, Le Equatoria, New Zealand Nz

[list][list][sub]S O C I A L I S T‎ ‎ ‎ R E P U B L IC‎ ‎ ‎ O F‎ ‎ ‎ R O M A N I A‎ ‎ ‎ •‎ ‎ ‎ ‎R E P U B L I C A‎ ‎ ‎ S O C I A L I S T Ă‎ ‎ ‎ R O M  N I A [/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list]Purge of the Treacherous[/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]Ianuarie 1969, Comitetul Central al Partidului Comunist Român, București, Republica Socialistă România[/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]January 1969, Central Committee of The Communist Party of Romania, Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania[/sub][/list][/list]

| The Socialist Republic of Romania, under the wise leadership of His Excellency Comrade Constantin Rotaru, General Secretary of The Communist Party of Romania, President of The Presidium of The Great National Assembly, President of the State Council, President of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Supreme Commander of The People's Army, beloved and esteemed son of all Romanian people, the Genius of the Carpathians, the revered Conducător of the nation, has long been vigilant against the threats posed by internal as well as external enemies seeking to undermine the integrity and sovereignty of the Romanian nation. Recent intelligence gathered by the Department of State Security [sub](Securitate)[/sub] has revealed a disturbing conspiracy orchestrated by Hungarian former members of the Romanian Communist Party. This cabal, consisting of approximately 1000 individuals, has been identified as actively colluding with hostile forces from Yugoslavia and Hungary, with the aim of destabilizing the Socialist Republic of Romania and the Warsaw Pact.

| The Department of State Security utilized its extensive network of informants and surveillance techniques to identify individuals suspected of involvement in anti-state activities. Through meticulous analysis of communications, financial transactions, and social connections, a list of high-priority targets was compiled.

Teams of skilled operatives were deployed to monitor the movements and activities of the identified targets. This surveillance provided crucial intelligence regarding the nature and extent of the conspiracy, as well as the identities of key operatives within the network.

Undercover agents were embedded within the ranks of the conspirators, gaining their trust and gathering vital information regarding their plans and affiliations. Suspects were discreetly detained and subjected to rigorous interrogation techniques, yielding valuable insights into the scope and objectives of the conspiracy.

With the full support and authorization of the highest authorities within the Socialist Republic of Romania, the operation culminated in a series of coordinated strikes against the heart of the conspiracy. Special forces units, supported by elements of the regular military and police, conducted raids on the hideouts and safehouses of the treacherous elements, swiftly and decisively neutralizing them before they could carry out their nefarious plans.

As a result of the operation, the threat posed by the former members of the Romanian Communist Party has been effectively neutralized. Approximately 1000 individuals identified as ringleaders or active participants in the conspiracy have been liquidated, ensuring that they can no longer pose a danger to the Socialist Republic of Romania or the Warsaw Pact. The decisive action taken by the Department of State Security serves as a clear message to all enemies of the state: treachery and subversion will not be tolerated, and those who conspire against the Romanian nation will be dealt with swiftly and without mercy.

| In a weekly meeting of His Excellency, Comrade Constantin Rotaru, the Genius of the Carpathians, the revered Conducător of the Romanian nation and his advisors, His Excellency is reported to have declared:

[sub]"...Traitors are trying to bring Socialist Romania to its knees. You saw what went with Tito`s Yugoslavia, they sold out and now they are not only threatening us but the whole European continent with their actions. Now they even have those Hungarian lunatics on their side, thinking they can shake our sovereignty. Well, they've got another thing coming...

No mercy for these or any backstabbers...." - Comrade Constantin Rotaru[/sub]

| It has also been overheard that the Department of State Security of the Socialist Republic of Romania is ready to take espionage and intelligence gathering in the neighboring traitorous country of the People`s Confederation of Yugoslavia, however no viable source can back this information up.

[list][list][sub]| The successful execution of the traitors of the state represents a significant victory for the Socialist Republic of Romania and the principles of Rotarism-National Communism. By rooting out and eliminating the internal enemies seeking to sow discord and division within the ranks of the Republic, Romania has reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of the revolution and the safeguarding of the interests of the Romanian people. The Department of State Security (Securitate) stands ready to continue its vigilance against all threats, both foreign and domestic, ensuring the continued stability and prosperity of the free, independent, sovereign Socialist Romania. |[/sub][list][list]

[sub]E scris pe Tricolor unire! Pe roșu steag liberator! Prin lupte sub a lor umbrire, spre Comunism urcăm în zbor![/sub]

[sub]Trăiască Partidul Comunist Român în frunte cu al său secretar general, tovarășul Constantin Rotaru![/sub]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, The Confederate Prussian Empire, Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zeitenwende, Poland1St, Le Equatoria

[list][pre]T H E S L O V E N E R E P U B L I C • S L O V E N S K A R E P U B L I K A[/pre][/list]

LJUBLJANA RECEIVES SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER AMID ARRIVAL OF NATO ALLIES, RELEASES MEMORANDUM OF PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING

[list][sup]THE FOREMOST BRIDGE

JANUARY 1969[/sup][/list]

Twenty thousand American soldiers and a team of Greek military advisors were welcome arrivals to the Slovene Republic in early 1969; after a cleaning and retrofitting period, the Americans were to temporarily take up their former premises at Reka, Marčji Grad and Gradec, which they had utilized until their original lease on military installations in Slovenia expired in 1955. It was a return of foreign soldiers to the Republic largely marked by appreciative relief from the Slovene people, who accepted the general need for NATO soldiers on the forefront of the unfolding Sovieto-Hungarian crisis. The Greek team was treated to a prestigious dinner with Slovenian military chief Albert Jakopič, and despite the skepticism of some intellectuals—who could not help but to observe both nations’ considerable investments into Yugoslavia—streaming columns of American soldiers were celebrated by the townspeople who witnessed them, many of them former Sloveno-Americans or their descendants.

Still, Slovenia was not a nation of exclusive allegiances. Its Eastern sentiments ran high, especially under internationalist President Božidar Jakac. There was a titan to the east with which Slovenia was dealing increasingly amicably this decade, and Jakac was not content to ignore it. Aware that the Alpski nakup may have—while affording his government spending room and international acclaim—already cost him the upcoming 1970 elections, Jakac had become increasingly uninterested in pandering to his opponents, and now openly espoused his agenda of reconciliation with the East and a return to wholesome Slavic unity. However, a growing heap of murdered Slovenes at the foot of Belgrade meant that achieving this means with Yugoslavia was impossible; with Russia, however, some promise lay. The Soviet Union had characterized Yugoslavia’s attitude toward Slovenia as ‘imperialistic’, earning it considerable appreciation in Ljubljana, and was now entangled with another foe: Hungary, which laid claim to the Slovenian province of Gradiščanska as Őrvidék. Common interests were thus had. In January 1969, Soviet Foreign Minister Anastas Mikoyan was subsequently warmly received at Brdo Castle near Kran—the historic former residence of Prince Paul of Yugoslavia—where, behind pristine stone walls, Mikoyan met with Jakac personally to draft a memorandum of peace and understanding between the Slovene Republic and Soviet Union for immediate public release, stating Ljubljana’s appreciation for a peace in Europe “kept by our estimable friends in both the East and the West.”

Within Slovenia, the move to host Mikoyan was a surprisingly popular one. The Soviet Union had enjoyed several years of friendly press in the country as the USSR grew increasingly disconnected from Yugoslavia and open to collaboration with Slovenia, inevitably tugging at century-old pan-Slavic sentiments. It seemed for a moment that Slovenia stood a genuine chance of bridging the gap between East and West, though its role in the coming conflict was convoluted. Supporting the Soviet Union logistically or militarily would starkly alienate Slovenia’s NATO allies; however, were the USSR to take action against Hungary or Yugoslavia, launching a simultaneous invasion of the countries could bolster relations with Moscow and open the door to possible concessions in the Adriatic, Kajkavia or even Blatenska—those regions of Hungary bordering and west of Lake Balaton (Slov. Blatno jezero). These were, however, mostly the hopes of chauvinists and expansionists. Jakac scarcely showed an appetite for aggressive expansion, only reiterating his idealistic hope for a peace that could transcend the first and second worlds and an end to the decades of violence waged by Yugoslavia on Slovenian nationals. If that end came from the ends of guns pointed by Muscovites, then so be it.

[list][sub]IN OTHER NEWS: The University of Ljubljana’s medical staff is set to mark its fiftieth anniversary in 1969. In January, the faculty was accordingly issued a semi-centennial grant for its achievements, the funds drawn from the first payments of the Alpski nakup. The staff intends to immediately begin an overhaul and expansion of the medical department’s facilities, using any surplus for a scholarship program open to Slovenian and Alpine students.[/sub][/list]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Socialist Democratic Republic Romania, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, Indonesian Federal Peoples Republic, Hatzburg, Spain-, Zeitenwende, Mutawakkiliti, Poland1St, Le Equatoria

[list][list][sub]S O C I A L I S T‎ ‎ ‎ R E P U B L IC‎ ‎ ‎ O F‎ ‎ ‎ R O M A N I A‎ ‎ ‎ •‎ ‎ ‎ ‎R E P U B L I C A‎ ‎ ‎ S O C I A L I S T Ă‎ ‎ ‎ R O M  N I A [/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list]A single thought - The Party and the People[/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]Ianuarie 1969, Comitetul Central al Partidului Comunist Român, București, Republica Socialistă România[/sub][/list][/list]

[list][list][sub]January 1969, Central Committee of The Communist Party of Romania, Bucharest, Socialist Republic of Romania[/sub][/list][/list]

| In response to the evolving socio-political landscape and the need to solidify allegiance to the Rotarist-National Communist Ideology, the Romanian Communist Party (PCR) initiated a concerted effort to undertake mass recruiting. This strategic endeavor aimed at bolstering the party's ranks with loyal adherents while concurrently fostering a pervasive atmosphere of ideological conformity through mass indoctrination and propaganda, as a response to the now outdated March Thesis of 1954.

| [sub]January 1969 - January 1970: The Launch of the Campaign[/sub]

Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Comrade Constantin Rotaru, General Secretary of The Communist Party of Romania, President of The Presidium of The Great National Assembly, President of the State Council, President of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Supreme Commander of The People's Army, beloved and esteemed son of all Romanian people, the Genius of the Carpathians, the revered Conducător of the nation, a comprehensive blueprint was drafted to ensnare the masses into the folds of communist ideology. Utilizing an array of mediums ranging from state-controlled media to grassroots mobilization, the Party embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive, targeting individuals from diverse strata of society. The narrative of national pride, socialist solidarity, and the veneration of party leadership became ubiquitous across public forums, workplaces, and educational institutions.

| [sub]January 1970 - January 1973: The Epoch of Mass Indoctrination[/sub]

The ensuing years will witness an unprecedented proliferation of indoctrination programs aimed at saturating society with Rotarist-National Communist doctrine. Educational curricula are to be overhauled to extol the virtues of the Romanian proletarian revolution, the infallibility of party directives as well as the glorification of His Excellency, the Genius of the Carpathians, Comrade Constantin Rotaru and his successes from 1952 onwards. Mass rallies, propaganda posters, and public addresses inundated the public psyche with slogans glorifying the party and vilifying dissent. The party apparatus assumed an omnipresent role in shaping public discourse, instilling a sense of ideological orthodoxy among the populace.

| [sub]January 1973 - 1975: Consolidation and Expansion[/sub]

Buoyed by initial successes, the PCR intensifies its efforts to consolidate ideological hegemony while expanding its reach into previously uncharted territories. Grassroots organizations such as the "Șoimii Patriei" (Falcons of the Fatherland) emerge as vanguards of ideological purity, mobilizing young cadres to propagate party ideals. The coercive apparatus of the state is deployed to quell dissent and silence dissenting voices deemed antithetical to party doctrine. The narrative of national unity and socialist progress becomes sacrosanct, relegating alternative ideologies to the fringes of political discourse.

[list][list][sub]| The period spanning January 1969 to January 1975 is set to be the Romanian Communist Party's relentless pursuit of mass recruiting and indoctrination as indispensable tools for perpetuating its hegemony, also called the "January 1969 Thesis" as its way of replacing the previous March Thesis of 1954. By mobilizing the populace behind the banner of Rotarist-National Communism and laying the foundations of ideological fortifications against internal dissent and external encroachments, the PCR seeks to consolidate its grip on power and propel Romania towards the utopian vision of a socialist paradise. |[/sub][list][list]

[sub]E scris pe Tricolor unire! Pe roșu steag liberator! Prin lupte sub a lor umbrire, spre Comunism urcăm în zbor![/sub]

[sub]Trăiască Partidul Comunist Român în frunte cu al său secretar general, tovarășul Constantin Rotaru![/sub]

[spoiler=[sub]Written for the RMB Screen of the[/sub]

COMMONWEALTH OF LIBERTY

—]

Adriatican Islands

Amsterwald

Anglo Channel

Arcanda

Cascadla

Cheezaslovakia

Connomia

East Germany Ddr

Great Britain Gb

Greater Kurdistane

Hatzburg

Israelli

Kewtpuff

Klingenthalerburg

Kotakuan Ii

Ma-Li

Maziya

Metropolitan Francais

Mutawakkiliti

Nevbrejnovitz

Newauroria

New Provenance

Nileia

Nippon-Nihon

Osivoii

Paramountica

Paseo

Peking Zhongguo

Pontianus

Provenancia

Ranponian

Rio De La Plata Argentina

Rutannia

Saudi Arabiyah

Socialist Democratic Republic Romania

Spainard

Spain-

The Confederate Prussian Empire

Vancouver Straits

Victoria Harbor

Vietnam Sv

Virnall

[/spoiler]

Paramountica, Rutannia, Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Batallon De Dignidad, Metropolitan Francais, Hatzburg, Spain-, Poland1St, Le Equatoria

Assembled with Dot's Region Saver.
Written by Refuge Isle.