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The Jelbék Purple Stripe is the oldest media outlet in Jelbe. It is written to a foreign and Settled (Jeztaghényr) Jelbék audience. Grzkaids Join Brn MinistryOctober 11, 5432Baofluz, Khanate of Jelbe The Khan has appointed three Grzkaid Mnistrs to join the Brn government. The Mnistrs are leading activists in the hugely popular nationalist movement which arose following the rediscovery of the tomb of the First Khan Grzkai "One Eye". Tri Jrkatri, formerly chair of the Economics Department at the Terran Patriarchal University of Jelbe is the new Ministr of Economics and Industry. Dr. Jebr Merlkaisrmko Baokrt a retired civil servant who once headed the Children's Fund a local NGO is the new Mnistr of Education while Dr. Hemze Grakkrt one of Baofluz's most eminent physicians is to be Minister of Health.
While many observers in Baofluz and beyond view this as the beginning of the end for the military dominated government, the Khan himself proclaimed that he had made the appointment based on "recommendations of our most loyal and well beloved chief Mnistr, the honourable Brn".
Brn's mild treatment of the Grzkaids and attempt to co-opt the most moderate among them appears to be paying off. Most Grzkaids remain dissatisfied with the pace of reform in the Khanate and only grudgingly acknowledge the Brn government mostly for the stability it has restored to the government of the Khanate. The lack of resources has so far impeded the implementation of even the most modest of reforms. An attempt to set up a national education system was deemed too expensive and the Government chose instead to encourage the clan territories to set up and support schools.
Another problem faced in promotion of education and improved literacy is that of most rural and semi-nomadic Jelbeks' viewing it as largely unnecessary. As one herder from Jeztridomura told the Stripe,
"who will mind the flock when my son Juhn is busy making squiggles on a piece of paper? Will squiggles produce meat and milk for his family, I ask you? And why spend on my daughter Mri when she will marry and leave? Educated women are aggressive and no right man wants that." Municipal governments in the country's handful of cities and towns have proven more positive while pleading for funding. Municipalities in Jelbe are well known for their widespread corruption and tend to be controlled by small family and clan based cliques who view public funds as fair game.