Executive Military DismantledNovember 4365Members of the Special Investigation Unit Making an ArrestA spokesperson for Minister of Internal Affairs Marko Jaksino has announced that the former head of the Executive Military, Aston Drakoro, has been arrested following his refusal to dismantle the Executive Military.
The arrest, executed by a special response unit of the Special Investigation Unit of the Zardic Federal Police Service, was carried out in the early morning taking him at his home by surprise. Brigadier General Thomis Velacour, commander of the Zardic 7th Airborne Division, was appointed Head Director to oversee the Executive Military's dismantlement. The 1st Division, the White Guard, was dismobilized and members that passed through screening and vetting given to the Presidential Military Office, the Office and detail directly responsible for the protection of the President. 2nd Division's members that again were cleared by ZNSO, were given back to their affiliate military and special operations units while 3rd Division was dismantled and it's personnel given back to the various Zardic Security and Intelligence organizations that had been taken from. Following his short stint as head of the Executive Miltiary Brigadier General Velacour was promoted to Major General and made Deputy Commander of Presidential Security in the Presidential Military Office.
ZNSO Director Julia Calistro has stated that all reassigned members were reassigned without penalty or loss of pay while members proven to be "privy to corruption" were honourably discharged and given a severance package.
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President Kalo Gives State of the Republic AddressDecember 4365President Kalo's Speech to the National AssemblyIn a rousing speech to the National Assembly, President Patro Kalo reflected on his Administration's first year and his plan for the second. Here are bits of that speech.
President Patro Kalo wrote:Good evening My Fellow Citizens of the Republic
I am proud to say that the State of Our Republic is Strong!
In the first year of this new Administration we have begun working a long term plan to return Zardugal to relevancy and strength in Terra. While it failed the first time due to procedural rules I have moved to have the Mozby Doctrine Re-Issued into the National Assembly and this time when it passes Zardugal can reclaim its place in Terra on it's own terms!...
The passage of the Anti-Trust Act was an excellent first step to break the corruption inside of our economic and political system. No company or entity should get soe big that it becomes too big to fail and the SPR allowed the Maksimuma Corporation to become exactly that; with the passage of the Anti-Trust Act their iron grip on our economy has been broken and we can return to a true free market economy, not one where there is just one winner...
While the first year of this Administration has been success we must build upon the success we have done. We will engage with our allies internationally, economically and militarily, bring our Republic back to the forefront. We will fight against corruption, against oppression and against extremism throughout the world and at home and we will take the lead on confronting evil and restoring Terra to a fair and good place to live for all!
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Cuko to Maksimuma "Sell Your Assets or we do it for you!"January 4366Minister of Trade & Industry Smilo Cuko Speaking to the Chairman of the Konstandia Bay Maritime CorporationWith the passage of the Anti-Trust Act Zardic Minister of Trade & Industry Smilo Cuko has given a stern warning to the powerful Zardic based Maksisuma Corporation "Sell of Your Assets or we will do it for you."
In a meeting with the Konstandia Chamber of Commerce Cuko laid our his economic plan, and took a direct shot at the massive company.
The Zardic Economy has long been defined by a competitive edge, that the government got out of the of and let the private sector work on its own. However that spirit has been corrupted by the Corrupt and Unethical Business Practices at the Maksumima Corporation, who have used predatory tactics and their former friends in government to enrich themselves to take key portions of the economy hostage. No more! The passage of the Anti-Trust Act has forbidden Monopolies and stopped companies from owning too much of the market share. This will encourage small and medium sized business and competition that will serve as the backbone of the company. For companies that are attempting to hold onto those monopolies I have only one statement for you. "Sell off those assets, or the Ministry will sell them off for you, and we do not promise you will be earning a profit.
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"Stay out of Zardic Business"March 4366Zardic Minister of Foreign Affairs Citto MamaloThe Zardic Foreign Minister fired back a shot at the Deltarian government over their "observation" of the situation in Zardugal.
What is currently occurring within the Republic is the result of local insurgents who grew used to being in charge, being in power, and being on top. The Zardic electorate rejected their corrupt and inept leadership and lead us to what we have today. Our Administration is strong and stable; leadership shuffles happen. The investigation by the ZNSO is being down to root corruption out of our system where the Feniskos and Thallers allowed it to fester and be bought off. We are not the one arming paramilitary forces to move against the lawfully, legally and dually elected democratic government of Zardugal like the Holy Orderist Church and their SRP political puppets. We are not the one encouraging religious violence in Vanuku against their down elected authorities. If the Deltarians wish to aid us in cracking down on insurgents and terrorists President Kalo will gladly speak to you. If you are only hear to meddle because your friend is no longer in the Presidential Palace we have a simple statement for you "Stay out of Zardic Business." This is our house and we will get it in order on our terms.
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[u]Legion of Zardic Patriots Founded[/u]June 4366Members of the Legion Kalvario, a section of the newly founded Legion of Zardic PatriotsIn response to the arming of the Holy Orderist Military, the Zardic New Patriot Party's Executive Committee has sought and received permission from the Federal Ministry of Defence for the creation of a political paramilitary group, the Legio de Zardik Patriotoj (Legion of Zardic Patriots). The LZP are being trained by the Terran Security Group, Zardugal's foremost and most elite Private Miltiary Contractor and is receiving it's weapons and equipment at a discount from Zardic Land Systems, a renewed military arms firm that was able to grow out of the aggressive sell off and break up of the Maksisuma monopoly on the arms industry. Legions have been created in all five states of the Republic, though the largest are in the States of Kalavario and Ingomo, both states where the ZNPP achieved majority in the 4364 elections. The State Governors in both cases have offered use of Zardic National Guard Bases and resources and indeed, the Legate of the Legio Kalvario, also serves as the commander of the State National Guard.
The newly appointed commander of the LZP, Legion General Augustus Tullius, a Selucian born Zard and former Director of Security at the Terran Information Group, took pains to not that the Legion was only being used for the defence of the Republic and the Zardic New Patriot Party against "extremists in all veins. Legionaries are loyal Zardic citizens, loyal to the nation and Republic first and foremost."