Cobura

[RPC]

CNSO releases most recent economic report
July 2781, Coburan National News Network


Finance Minister Jeff Bennett

The Coburan National Statistics Office today presented the Finance Minister with its economic report (http://www.freewebs.com/cobura-nso/eco_report_2780.pdf) for the decade 2771 to 2780, highlighting in particular Cobura's rise through Terra's economic rankings and also drawing attention to the total deficit carried by the government, which now amounts to over 12% of GDP. The report also breaks down the contributions to Cobura's economic growth, showing that the rise of consumption has powered the Coburan economy alongside heavy government spending.

The report says that the period of economic growth was a 'remarkable achievement' for the Coburan government, as it saw a rise of 8.31%, a figure it claims beats out most other nations in their economic performance. The Finance Minister Jeff Bennett told CNNN he agreed with the findings and the conclusions of the report saying "The economy is indeed in a much better state, and we have certainly made great progress. However we must take actions to reduce our total deficit before it gets out of hand and overshadows our achievements." The Finance Minister has already called for a broad party consensus on a financial plan to be undertaken, which most likely will see tax increases to combat any further increases in government debt.

You can visit the CNSO website at: http://www.freewebs.com/cobura-nso/

[RPC]

Headlines for December 2781

Government planning to raise taxes to quell fears over deficit

Following talks with his fellow cabinet ministers, Finance Minister Jeff Bennett has put forward proposals to deal with the financial situation in the Republic of Cobura. In order to combat the rising total deficit, which stands at over 12% of the nations Gross Domestic Product, Mr. Bennett has submitted a new taxation budget as well as an amendment to the essential goods tax. According to the legislation, income tax brackets would be raised 2% across the board, while sales tax would also rise 2%, from 3% to 5%. The minister suggested that the taxation levels were still 'remarkably low' and that he didn't anticipate any further increases, despite rumours that defence spending may increase, and with no plans afoot to slash the budget.


Coburan Army reservists mobilised


Troops of the 64th Mountain Division assemble on the parade ground.

With the insurgency operations against the PMU dragging on and with what the defence minister terms 'new developments' which involve 'national security' the Army has begun to mobilise its reservist forces. Totalling around thirty-four divisions of mostly infantry, the new units are likely to be used to defend the frontier and to rotate tours with active units which are already in combat operations. The current offensive, codenamed 'Curveball' has seen the Army deploy its ground units throughout the nation, taking and holding terrain deemed to be 'guerilla friendly'. The Armed Forces have said that no plans are under way to call up Air Force or Navy reserves.


Oda Watanabe may not re-sign with the Red Falcons



Free agent pitcher Oda Watanabe has indicated he may not be joining the Rio Irkawa Red Falcons for another season, citing a breakdown in contract negotiations. Watanabe, who had been traded to the Red Falcons midway through the 2781 season from the Lochshire Lancers, posted a 2.72 ERA, the best record in the Northern League for a starting pitcher, and the Falcons were determined to hold onto him. Rumours are circulating however that the Augustus Capitals are the team that Watanable will now go for.

[RPC]

June 2782

Operations against PMU are coming to a 'conclusion' claims Armed Forces Chief of Staff


Chief of Staff Diego Andrade.

Coburan Armed Forces Chief of Staff Diego Andrade today told gathered journalists at a military briefing, that the campaign against the PMU insurgency was 'arriving at a definitive conclusion'. Referring to recent developments in the field, Andrade said "Our forces are encountering fewer and fewer numbers of PMU militia. It would appear that either their forces are dwindling in size or that they are just very good at hiding from us. I am leaning decidedly toward the former." Asked if it was indeed possible that the majority of the PMU was hidden from their sight, Andrade retorted "It would be a minor miracle to say the least if that were the case. We are standing on their ground, we have destroyed, captured and held their own camps and bases. We have flooded the jungles and the mountains with soldiers. Where could they possibly be hiding? Perhaps they are hiding under this podium in front of me? Who knows."


Men of the 45th Infantry Division following the destruction of a PMU held camp.

The Coburan Army reports that it has destroyed the vast majority of PMU camps in the countryside and is now engaged in a low-intensity level conflict against roving small bands of insurgents. "They have scurried like the disease infested rats that they are." Andrade thundered as a projector flashed the traced movements of PMU groups during the campaign. "We have engaged and destroyed them using sophisticated techniques. In one case we destroyed one of their camps by our Special Forces identifying a supply truck that they were using. Our soldiers then deployed a GPS tracker on the vehicle and traced its movements as it went from camp to camp. Needless to say, those camps are no longer in operation." Andrade then went on to outline how he saw the conflict coming to its end. "This will end when they give themselves up in an unconditional surrender or when we gut the last terrorist. I am not fussed about which option they choose."


Army reservists being transported to a forward operating base.

With the mobilisation of the Army reservists, the Chief of Staff said that the troops currently in the field would be given long periods of rest to recuperate. Citing reasons of morale and cohesion, Andrade outlined the reasons behind the new rotation system which was being put in place. The system is designed to take units out of combat after a certain period of time or 'other mitigating factors' and to replace them with a reserve unit. When pressed with questions about casualty rates promoting this new system, Andrade said "Of course that is a factor. You take losses in every conflict, and over time those losses add up. So you need to act to keep your units intact, but that is not necessarily indicative of heavy casualties. The kill ratio is still very much in our favour."

[RPC]

April 2783

Defence Minister 'concerned' by developments in Kazulia


Defence Minister Miguel Horacio

Coburan Defence Minister, Miguel Horacio today announced that he was 'concerned' and 'anxious' about recent events in the Nordiske Republikken av Kazulia. The announcement came following high-level meetings with members of the Kazulian H+ Paradigm Party, who met with Revolutionary Party members as well as officials of the Coburan Armed Forces. No details have been given as to what was discussed, but it is believed that the proposed ban on paramilitary forces in Kazulia was on the agenda. Mr. Horacio told reporters that "freedom and democracy are being undermined [in Kazulia]" and that "Cobura has an obligation to protect its allies." referring to the fact that the H+ Paradigm Party was a certified member of the Axis Agreement Organisation. Referring specifically to the ban on paramilitary forces being proposed, the minister said "this is nothing more than political persecution being carried out by authoritarian elements in Kazulia wishing to establish a dictatorship, and doing so by destroying all perceived threats from non-state actors."

No other government ministers could be reached for comment.

[RPC]

December 2783

Socialist parties triumphant in election

Members of the Revolutionary Party and the Social Democratic Party were celebrating another successful election last night, as the people of Cobura voted for the Socialist coalition in droves, giving them a clear mandate for the future. A total of 65 seats were gained by the socialists, with the Revolutionary Party taking the biggest slice of new seats with 46, taking their total seats in the Coburan Senate to 125. The Social Democratic Party made a smaller gain of 19 seats, taking their tally to 168, cementing their place as the largest party in the senate. The Coburan Pride Party also made some gains, managing to take 13 new seats, taking their total seat number to 101. The Party for Individualism were the biggest losers on the night as they relinquished 16 seats, bringing their total number to 102. In the Presidential election, Patricia Clark won her second straight term, beating out the challenge of John Terry of the SDP in the second round.


Supporters of the Revolutionary Party rally in Nova Roma

Speaking to supporters in Domale, Revolutionary Party leader Emilio Blazquez proclaimed the results as "Clear and unwavering support shown by the people for the socialist project in Cobura." Blazquez said that people had voted for the socialist parties in part because of their "excellent performance, socially, economically and militarily." Referring to the war against the PMU insurgency, he said that the Coburan people had "embraced those parties who truly care for their freedom and safety, and who have defended their rights vigorously and competently against all threats - in particular the terrorists of the Party of Marxist Unification." Blazquez also took a swipe at the President Patricia Clark and the Party for Individualism, saying "President Clark must recognise the people's will, and should understand that this election signified the whole-hearted rejection of free-market fundamentalist idiocy."

It is expected that a new cabinet will be formed comprising the Revolutionary Party, the Social Democrats and the Pride Party.

[RPC]

December 2783

'Surrender while you still can' says Chief of Staff to PMU


Field Marshall Diego Andrade speaking to journalists.

Field Marshall Diego Andrade, the Coburan Armed Forces Chief of Staff, has urged the surviving members of the Party of Marxist Unification to surrender unconditionally, giving up their guerilla struggle. At a press briefing regarding the operations against the PMU and their militia, Andrade suddenly interrupted half-way through to make his statement in which he addressed the prospects for the PMU. Referring to the casualties they've sustained in the conflict, estimated at 48,214 by the Coburan Armed Forces, Andrade made an impassioned speech in which he told the PMU, "You are beaten! Your numbers are dwindling by the day, you have no popular support and no hope of victory. Give up this pointless stuggle! At once!" Andrade said that if the PMU surrendered then "[they] will be treated no differently than any other defeated army. We want to see the PMU give up armed struggle and instead take up the struggle at the ballot box once more. I have no desire to see the legitimate political grievances of the PMU go unheard. The only way such views can be heard however is in a democratic manner, because this is a democracy, there is no repression here."

The Field Marshall said that the consequences of the PMU rejecting his "generous offer" would consist of "[the] complete and utter annihilation of their terrorist forces and themselves as a political entity." He also said that a "stubborn refusal" to surrender would be a "grave insult" to the Coburan people, who have "brothers, sisters, sons and daughters" fighting against the PMU, and would neither be forgiven nor forgotten.

[Mr.Conservative]

-Coburan News Central (CNC), Augustus reports:
"The election results open new doors to a stable and secure executive coalition"
Says the newly elected National Chairman of the Progress Party of Cobura (PPC), Rupert Bork.

In a press conference today, the chairman was quoted: "...we will always be a party that will fight for a cabinet that can bring stability to our nation. There is nothing good for neither the people or our economy by having coalitions coming and going" After the recent internal revolution many of the former prominent members of the party, which was named "unhinged" by the chairman himself, have been excluded. However, internal sources are giving significant evidence for contrary to exclusions of large quantities of members, the party itself is being highly influenced by the lack of funding they now are receiving from their natural business donors.

Mr. Bork was asked by our press representative "Doesn't the donors, mostly consisting of CEOs and other business owners, pose a threat for the future of your party now that they are cutting, and some of them even removing all of their donations towards your party?" Bork said the following: "We don't believe that neither the labor union boss nor the CEO controls our party, we made significant progress in the recent election and showed that we are an independent party that can, and will acquire the political positions which we deserve, because the people wants us."


The new chairman of the PPC: Rupert Bork.

Rupert Bork was recently elected in the national conference of the PPC. Here many of the provisions originally passed on the milestone national conference in 2836, where the name change and revolution in policy occured, have now been revoked. Policy Analysist at the Augustus News Central, Matthew Smith had the following to say: "This only shows that the National _Business_ Party, which they indeed are, only are attempting to show the voters that they are becoming more moderate, even though they are not; the recent proposed bills in the Senate have shown that the new "Progress Party" which they like to call themselves haven't done any significant changes in their policies."

CNC - Reporting Fair and Balanced News so you can decide.

[lombas]

"Administration under siege"


Rio Irkawa City --- When walking in quiet, urbanesque Rio Irkawa one may, from time to time, be stopped by police for a variety of reasons. However, this proces has since very recent been copied by members of the Popular Brigade (PB; APRE's small paramilitary force) in the surroundings of the National Administrative Bureau. In the neighbourhood, several patrols have been reported to stop citizens, asking for identification and reason for being there.


APRE militiawoman having fun with the camera

Party officials formally deny the existence of the PB as a party paramilitary. Karel Asch, as former Minister of Foreign Affairs one of the most respected members of the Political Bureau, said in an interview with an independent newspaper: "Yes, there are indeed volunteers who keep order during party manifestations. Mass gatherings need guidance, I'm sure our police forces appreciate that. But a party instrument? I do believe this is not the case. No such activities are listed in the budget reports I read. And I think I speak for the entire Political Bureau when I say that these kind of organizations have no official place in a party that defends the values of politeness and peace."

Karen Emmerling, a 42-year old nurse who lives close to the National Administrative Bureau complex (which is over 20 ha in size and includes roads and fortified walls), said when asked about the paramilitary's activities: "Well, the neighbourhood certainly is quiet, and generally the patrols never ask me anything as they know me. But I've heard rumours of people being stopped when simply visiting relatives closeby. The police isn't doing anything and I'm not the one who'll lay charges against them, but I do wonder from time to time whether all this is legal."

Some APRE Senate members interpellated President of the Republic Johan Caspel about the matter. He shushed them off: "Dear comrades, you are well aware of the dangers that exist. Counterrevolutionary terrorist acts may turn up everywhere. This isn't a matter of politics, eh? Mmph, I say..."


President Johan Caspel, usually shunning the camera's

[Mr.Conservative]

The Hawk Institute: "New economic policy in Cobura is necessary..."
Coburan News Central (CNC), Augustus reports:

The Hawk Institute has for a long period of time been conducting respected analysis' and reports on the economic situations in Cobura. The recent report states "..significant improvements in the economic policy is needed to keep a sustainable growth" "It's about time to rethink monetary and fiscal policy and introducing plainer policies that eliminates bureaucracy and less taxes on business" "...there is no doubt that the high corporation tax is penalizing on business and must be cut to ensure growth"

The CNC's finanical dep. thinks that the current report issued by the Hawk Institute is firmly entrenched in common sense policies, and should be taken into consideration when now trying to discuss a new economic policy. The new cabinet, consisiting of all sides of the political spectrum, should be at the forefront of committing to a common sense fiscal policy as well as economic policy to show their competence for bipartisanship.

While left-wingers are screaming about the right-wing tendencies of the Hawk Institute, these voices should be silenced with hard facts: The Hawk Institute suggests in their report: "To introduce a firm regulatory committee to strongly regulate and promote social responsibility of business' in Cobura is fundamentally a sound policy to adopt."

The Progress Party of Cobura's spokesman on finance has the following important quotes from his press statement: "We agree with many of the evaluations of the Hawk Institute and believe that the cabinet should take the report into account." "Swift action is needed, our economy is almost stagnating and the growth is minimal; this is not acceptable."

The Hawk report is an important tool in the new economic debate, and lets hope the debate will be driven by logical, rational arguments and not extremists on either sides calling for ideological manfiestos to be implemented.

CNC - Reporting Fair and Balanced News so you can decide.

[Mishakal]

Collapse of APRE and the New Left's Monopoly on Power!!!
Snap Elections Loom as the fall of the APRE brings the Executive Branch to a Stand Still.

Augustus --- The Aesthetic Party of the Revolution's unexpected collapse last month has sent the Coburan political scene into a tailspin since this renders five offices in the Ministry vacant (most notably the Finance Office) and leaves the current President of Cobura, Johan Caspel without proper political representation, in effect he is a leader without a party.

In light of this the Workers' Communist Party of Cobura (WCPC) has proposed a snap election to the senate which currently all parties with seats in the Senate have voted yes for, with the exception of the Republican Party which has abstained pending further internal discussions regarding said snap elections.

Attempts to contact the leaders of the Republican Party were rebuffed, however Anna-Eugenia Faust, the current Commissar of the WCPC had this to say earlier today.

"It is the hope of the Central Committee and myself that the Republicans take a firm positive stance on the Snap Elections soon so that Cobura can create a new stable government for the good of the workers!" Anna-Eugenia said to this reporter.

The Commissar herself has come under fire from various hardliners within the WCPC for what they consider to be her soft line regarding the Capitalist rollback of several important pieces of legislation passed by the previous government that had brought Cobura closer to a Communist economy than it has had in decades. Several anonymous sources within the party have stated that if the elections go badly for the WCPC there could be an internal coup and a new Commissar selected by the Central Committee.

Other sources state that the more moderate factions within the party also wish to replace Anna-Eugenia and lead the WCPC towards a more "Democratic Socialist" political viewpoint. Anna-Eugenia was dismissive of both rumours stating that she had "firm control" of the party leadership and that she was not leaving office anytime soon.

--By Charlie M. Paxman