Badara

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Badara News

MoJ replies to Hizb Muasisium
Today, the Minister of Justice, Shafiq bin Rashid, replied to the statement of Hizb Muasisium and Royal Casino. "The plea of Hizb Muasisium to postpone the fate of casinos till the next election has been agreed reluctantly" he said. When asked about what would happen to investors after Casino closes, he stated "Some casino owners are planning to have casinos on cruise ships, but we must make it clear that we will not let any such ship dock at our port.". The minister continued "We will not even allow any such ship to fly our nation's colors".

This has polarized the situation in Badara and led to the break up of the coalition after next elections.


Ratifying the Badara Channel Treaty
After proposing the Badara Channel Treaty to the Majlis. the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaffer bin Javyed said "This will be historical and it will protect our nation better." He was asked what he thought about the response of the international community, "Once the bill is ratified by the Majlis it will be put forward before the international community. I am hoping that the international does accept it as it has accepted similar treaties by other nations" he replied

Minister of Foreign Affairs was not the only cabinet member to have talked to the media, Minister of Defense, Nisaar bin Omer also stated "This is a great advantage to our naval strategy, I seriously do not know why previous governments did not propose such a treaty." Internal Minister, Saad bin Ali stated "We appreciated Hizb Muasisium for voting for the countries future." He is reported to have said that the establishment of the Committee to Govern the Badara Channel (CGBC) will be established soon.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


Finance Minister Hamad al-Nasir

TAX REFORM?

Bier Qassem, May 3, 4840: Hizb Muasisiun has introduced a tax bill that will slightly reduce income taxes. The Finance Minister, Hamad al-Nazir, had comments on the reasoning:

When People’s Democracy left office, the entire tax structure was frankly confiscatory and heavily dependent on income tax. The move to a mixed economy from an entirely state owned economy benefited by income from tourism and a revived oil and gas industry. We now have a more diverse economy and the safety net is still in place.

Over the years governments have gradually lowered the income tax, luxury tax and corporate tax. This bill is one in a series that have gradually reduced the overall tax burden.

It raises the floor of most of the income tax brackets for a higher rate of taxation. There will be more citizens under this bill who do not have to pay income tax should it pass.

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Badara News

Hizb Al-Muhafizeen Wins Elections
July 4840 Hizb Al-Muhafizeen has won the election yet again and will continue to hold seats in the cabinet. Party leader Mehmood bin Sajjad said, "We are happy after this victory and we seek to continue the reforms that we made during the last 4 years.". Mehmood will now also be taking the position of Rayiys, or head of state, while his second Abdullah bin Ammar is to continue as Almustashar, or head of government. Mehmood also stated that all cabinet members of Hizb Al-Muhafizeen shall continue to serve in their respective positions while cabinet members of Hizb Muasisium will be replaced members of the ruling party.

Rayiys Orders Reopening of Royal Oasis Case
After the 4840 election victory for Hizb Al-Muhafizeen, Party leader Mehmood bin Sajjad, took the office of Rayiys. The first order of business he gave was to reopen the Royal Oasis case that was temporarily closed by former Rayiys Hamad El-Radwan. Mehmood said "As I reopen this case, I expect all casino shareholders to wrap up their businesses. I have also used my reserved Presidential powers to confiscate the property (land and building) of all casinos and I have placed these under state ownership without any compensation to former owners. We hope to turn these sites in to kitchens where the poor may eat quality food for free. I believe the opposition party will be furious but we can not make everyone happy."

Liberalization of the Marketplace
New Minister of Finance, Shoaib bin Gibran said "We will work toward a gradual liberalization of the market, and seek to privatize at least 30% of the government's non-vital companies before nest elections." Hizb Al-Muhafizeen has made it clear that they intend to work with the opposition to lower taxes as well to encourage a better flow of wealth.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON



ROYAL OASIS CONFUSION CONTINUES

Dar as Salam, December 13, 4840: Today Farrah al-Sharif, former Minister of Justice now of counsel with Aziz, Al’Akim, Wallenstein, Bourguiba and Vasilevskii, attended trial runs at the Dar as Salam Yacht Club for the annual Mu’Tassim Boat Race from either Ras el-Haram or Dar as Salam around My’Tassim to the other. The yacht owned by she and her brother was third last year. When asked about the seizing by President Mehmood bin Sajjad of certain Royal Oasis properties where casinos were at one time operating she responded:

Speaking as among the counsel for Royal Oasis, we are primarily confused. There are three types of seizures. First there is loan default and a taking in the nature of a foreclosure. The Bactrian and Dromedary never had loans from the government except for a while for bio buses transporting tourists, primarily foreign, from the airport at Bier Qassem. The Chameau, Sultan and Genie do have some payments remaining but have never been in default. So we are not talking loan default.

What of criminal condemnation? As soon as President Kerbogha ceased to be President and his pardon lapsed, all five casinos ceased gambling operations so criminal condemnation was clearly not in order. We understand there was talk among some casino owners about off shore gambling but when the clear intent against that was expressed by Hizb Al-Muhafizeen we know of none that actually tried to do this. Certainly none of the properties of Royal Oasis tried this ploy.

That leaves taking for any purpose. Presumably to have the government operate the kitchens for the poor. This use of eminent domain requires just compensation under the law of Jumhuriat al-Badara. Since the President is taking them without compensation this is clearly not the authority under which he is acting.

Which leaves several questions besides whether the President will correct this mistake. Is it the intent to seize the hotels themselves as well as the casino portions of the properties? Will the airport shuttles be seized? Will the government continue to operate the tours especially the ones for religious pilgrims?

When asked whether Hizb Muasisiun was furious, she responded.

Frankly, I believe this is just the media trying to stir up controversy to make things worse than they are. I think our candidate for Rayiys, Khalifa al-Qassem, has correctly indicated that domestically we have entirely different views. We do have hopes for having reconcilable views on national security and foreign policy even though we have had disputes concerning these areas

Farrah al-Sharif

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Badar News

Rayiys Responds
In response to the recent arguments put up by Hizb Muasisium, the Rayiys Mehmood bin Sajjad said that since a huge amount of damage to the social fabric of the society was done by the gamblers and those who facilitated them, this confiscation will be a way of paying back to the society. He also says that although there were no laws at the time, gambling is known to be a very harmful activity and all those who engaged in it knew about this therefore gamblers will be punished. 'It also stands against religious value" he added.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON



SOUTH OCEAN SHIPYARD EXPANDS BUSINESS

Ras el- Haram, July 21, 4841: The Board of directors of South Ocean Shipyard met today to consider its future. Jamal IX al-Sadr, President of South Ocean Shipyard issued the following statement afterward:

When Qat Oil Services first bought oil tankers, it bought used vessels from other oil transportation concerns. South Ocean Shipyard is building new crude oil tankers as replacements for the Qat Oil Services transport fleet as they age and reach obsolescence. This was the original reason for the creation of South Ocean Shipyard.

Former President of Jumhuriat al-Badara Narouz Kerbogha was elected Chairman of the Board.

Several future ventures were discussed and approved. South Ocean Shipyard has been approached by a startup cruise line to build a luxury cruise liner and perhaps more than one. This will be pursued.

Initial talks with Majatran Fishing of Al’Baharia indicate they might well be willing to sell their division which produces refined oil product tankers and natural gas tankers both of which are considerably smaller than crude oil tankers but considerably bigger than the fishing boats and military patrol boats where it wishes to concentrate its business. If Majatran Fishing will sell we will buy.

We have also entered talks with two import export companies that are interested in buying some freighters now that their business is expanding. This will be pursued.

Apparently the question of seeking contracts with the Navy came up but was tabled.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON




OIL AND GAS TANKER DIVISIONS SOLD BY MFA’B

Al’Buqiyaa, December 13, 4842: Today Majatran Fishing of Al’Baharia executives met with executives of South Ocean Shipyard at its headquarters in the port of Al’Buqiyaa to finalize the sale of its natural gas and refined oil products tanker divisions to South Ocean Shipyard. Farrah al-Sharif, former Minister of Justice now of counsel with Aziz, Al’Akim, Wallenstein, Bourguiba and Vasilevskii, handled the paperwork.

Majatran Fishing will now be free to concentrate on its core business of building and maintenance of fishing boats. As of now it plans to continue to produce patrol boats for the Navy.

For its part, South Ocean Shipyard has now expanded from building crude oil tankers and cruise liners to building the smaller natural gas and refined petroleum product tankers. It has no contacts with the Navy at this time.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON



PATROL BOATS LIKELY TO BE UPGRADED

Al’Buqiyaa, June 16, 4844: Majatran Fishing of Al’Baharia (MFA’B) wants to propose a small developmental change to its standard design for the MFA’B RB – HS patrol boat it supplies to the Navy (and Coast Guard) for port security, law enforcement, search and rescue.

The RB – HS has a length of 25 feet (29 feet counting engines), is powered by twin 225 horsepower outboard engines, needs a minimum crew of 2 but can carry 10, has a speed of 46 knots, has a range of over 150 nautical miles, displaces 2.7 tons, has a draught of 3’ 3”, has a beam of 8’6”and is easily transportable by truck or air transport.

MFA’B proposes that future orders and replacements for existing patrol boats be upgraded to a type RB – S – C by slightly lengthening the cabin, adding spotter windows aft, having shock mitigating seats, a climate control system and increased armament of a .50 caliber machine gun on a modified forward mount and two smaller machine guns port and starboard and just aft of the cabin.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defender- ... rpedo_boat

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


Finance Minister Hamad al-Nasir

LEGISLATION SEEKS AID FOR KUNDRATI AND REDUCES TAXES

Bier Qassem, December 3, 4844: Hizb Muasisiun has introduced legislation including a tax bill that will reduce income taxes. The Finance Minister, Hamad al-Nazir, had comments on the reasoning:

The entire tax structure under People’s Democracy rule was frankly confiscatory and heavily dependent on income tax. The move to a mixed economy from an entirely state owned economy benefited by income from tourism and a revived oil and gas industry. We now have a more diverse economy and the safety net is still in place.

Over the years governments have gradually lowered the income tax, sales tax, luxury tax and corporate tax. This bill is one in a series that have gradually reduced the overall tax burden. It raises the floor of the income tax brackets for a higher rate of taxation at the lower end of the income scale.

Legislation also includes returning the Coast Guard to the Navy. Under Badaran Forces Alliance a separate Coast Guard was pulled from the Navy and assigned to the Internal Affairs Ministry along with a 35,000 strong paramilitary force which has since been abolished. The Coast Guard has already been returned to the Defense Ministry and now will be returned to the Navy.

There are a number of proposals to change social policy to the view of Hizb Muasisun rather than the view of Hizb Al-Muhafizeen such as executions for adultery. We fully expect when Hizb Al-Muhafizeen is restored to power they will reverse our policies once again.

Finally, we have funds available to aid Kundrati. We did not approve of their banning religion and now that they have a new government that allows religious freedom trying to recover from a military strike against it, it seems in order to us for Jumhuriat al-Badara to give aid. Our Foreign Ministry is contacting them to see if they need specific types of aid or whether funding for recovery would be more useful.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


President al-Radwan

CASINOS MAY REOPEN

Office of the President, Bier Qassem, December 23, 4844: President Hamad el-Radwan issued the following statement concerning casino gambling under the legislation introduced by Hizb Muasisun in the Majlis:

Hizb Muasisun has quite different social views than Hizb Al-Muhafizeen so naturally we are undoing some of the changes they made as the ruling party. One of the articles in the legislation Hizb Muasisun introduced in the Majlis allows local authorities to decide if gambling is to be allowed. Although most of us in Hizb Muasisun are Ahmadi and do not gamble, we believe this a matter on which religious leaders should persuade not a matter for religion to decide. A major difference we fully expect Hizb Muhafizeen to reverse when they return as ruling party.

We have had a ruling on the taking of Royal Oasis property from the Ministry of Justice which held that the taking by the President of the property for religious and personal philosophy was for any purpose which was allowed at the time by then current law. At the time taken the law also required just compensation to be paid. It will be paid now with interest since the President refused to pay it then.

Royal Oasis is being urged to reopen its five casinos by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism since it was for many a bulwark of our tourist industry which now needs serious repair. Personally, as much as Jumhuriat al-Badara needs for Royal Oasis to get back to work, I would recommend the owners take the money and put it in much less risky ventures elsewhere rather than face the consequences of the next election.

The government does recognize the feeding of the less fortunate from the kitchens of the five casinos at government expense was a quite good idea from Hizb Al-Muhafizeen. Should the casinos reopen Royal Oasis and the Ministry of Finance are close to an agreement whereby eligible recipients could eat at the buffet and the hotel chain would receive a tax credit. This would save the government out of pocket expenses so this arrangement is likely should Royal Oasis risk reopening.