Deltaria

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The 41 Martyrs of Badara
January 28, 3867


Sacred art depicting the 41 Martyrs of Bier Qassem

In a ceremony held in Dolinka, Pápež Tomáš IX has declared the 41 missionaries and diplomats executed by ASIB in November 3865 to be 'martyrs of the Hosian faith.' Many of the martyrs had been sent by Pápež Augustus IV on an embassy to the self-proclaimed Caliph Najeef, with the mission of converting him to Hosianism. The Pápež waived the normal rules for beatification after two aged nuns claimed to have been healed of various maladies after asking for the martyrs' intercession with Boh and the Blazhi. The Pápež called for Majatran Hosian nations to form a league to destroy the 'satanailic cancer on Majatra that is ASIB. He also condemned the Majatran sea pirates and called on Majatran Sea nations to 'unite to fight this scourge'.

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Pirates Loot Bălgrad
September 16, 3668

In a stunningly well coordinated eight hour attack, the Majatran Sea pirates have raided the northwestern port city of Bălgrad and a handful of small coastal towns in the area. The elaborate attack saw infiltration of the computer system which manages the small naval base at Bălgrad and runs the surveillance system in the area. Soon after, the Czar Lubomir the largest Deltarian battleship was on fire, distracting many naval personnel while the pirates appeared and took advantage of the chaos they appear to have to have created themselves. The pirates had been thought to largely dispersed after their crushing defeat by the Selucian Navy off the coast of eastern Vanuku.


The Czar Lubomir on fire

Questions have been raised over how the pirates managed to get hold of the sophisticated ships they used in the attack. The pirates looted the Bălgrad city centre, stealing large sums of money from the city banks. Dozens were killed in the raid while an estimated 700 citizens were captured and likely sold into slavery, held as concubines and some are being forced to man the pirate fleet. The attackers immediately led the area after the looting. The attack hits the raw nerve of the Pápežsky Guard. The navy is poorly funded and some mutter that the Papez’s nephew Kapitan General Vovjoda Haymanot worsened the situation by stuffing his pockets with money meant for refurbishing the navy.


A young pirate posing on a beach in Bălgrad

Recent budget cuts which saw a 20% cut to the defence budget, starting from the early 3860’s also weakened both northern and southern naval defences considerably. The Pápež is said to have been ‘extremely shocked’ by the attack which has weakened his regime and remains isolated from all in his rooms in the Apostolic Palace. He has left the task of finding a solution to his nephews.

OOC: Forgive me if the ship is the wrong type or something.

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VBR: ASIB Involved In Bălgrad
November 12, 3869

Secretary for Internal Affairs Karol z Šimko has announced in a report that the General Security Directorate (VBR) has 'conclusively' proven that the Ahmadi State in Badara (ASIB) was involved in last year's raid on the northwestern city of Balgrad. He said that it had founded donations to the pirates channelled through the Ahmadist state along with possible donations by that State itself. The report did not address rumours that the Ahmadist State provided the pirates with some of the sophisticated weaponry and ships that the pirates used. Šimko said the ASIB connection had been firmly established after 'sharp questioning' of several local Ahmadi figures who were founded to have been involved in the attack.


The Pápež at a Bălgrad memorial service

Pápež Tomas IX is said to have accepted the results of the investigation and said he would expand diplomatic efforts to rally Hosian powers in Majatra to fight the evil of the ASIB. The Pápež also said his government would address the security threat posed by the Majatran Sea pirates in a 'novel way recognising our naval limitations and economic constraints', a statement which even his critics hailed as brutally honest.

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Anti-Corruption Drive Heats Up
August 2, 3870

Economics (Trade and Industry) Minister Dr. Marek z Lacjak has been the first major victim of a new anti-corruption drive announced by Pápež Tomáš IX. Lacjak was accused of mismanaging his Ministry's funds, diverting as much as 25% of his 3.6 billion LOD ministry budget to 'supporting' enterprises held by his family the Lacjaks of northern Alazinder. Funds were also distributed to other related families, many of them membes of the north Alazinderian nobility.


Dr. Zoltán Radović

In a television address announcing this arrest, the Pápež thanked Dr. Zoltán Radović the disgraced Minister's 37 year old deputy who blew the whistle on the corrupt activities in the Ministry. Radović was rewarded by appointment to replace Dr Lacjak. He however rejected an offer of ennoblement, rejecting the title of Grof and an estate, citing the expense to the Treasury - a popular move. The Deltarian nobility joins the Pápežsky establishment on the unwanted club of unpopularity and association with corruption. Public feeling against the two has grown decidedly negative in the past few years.

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Controversial Report on Serfdom
October 4, 3871

The Pápežsky Commission on Serfdom has adjourned after a year long investigation into the practice. The Commission's report has shocked the country with reports of widespread abuse, inefficiencies and poverty in the system. The system of serfdom is practiced heavily in Ushalande, central Deltaria and the eastern province of Dissuwa with an estimated 18 million serfs working under 27,000 noble families across the country. The Commmission was appointed by the Pápež on the advice and urging of the Economics Minister Dr. Zoltán Radović.



Dr Radović has repeatedly pointed out that any substantial economic, agricultural or political reform would require the reform of serfdom first, a notion which troubles the country's great nobles. Serfdom since its restoration around four centuries ago has been the main power base for the nobility, a steady source of obedient and cheap labour. The system is believed to amongst the harshest in Terra, much worse than the Jelbek system noted in Jelbania, 'just a step above slavery,' as the Majatran Office for Human Rights noted in last year's report on forced labour.

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Outrage at Sale of Bălgrad
Unlikely Allies Unite To 'Liberate' Deltaria'

March 13, 3873

Dr. Zoltán Radović the Secretary for Economics has resigned from the Papez's Secretariat, outraged at the Papez's nephews' plan to sell the city of Balgrad to the Republic of Selucia. The 41 year old Radović said the decision was a 'blow to Deltaria's very heart', words that will please the nationalists who have been grumbling about the deal for months. In his short tenure as Secretary for Economics, Radović managed to earn the friendship of many of the largest corporations and trade unions in Deltaria with his Industrial Support Act which will provide subsidies to the numerous failing corporations, saving thousands of jobs.


Radović launches his election campaign

Radović has already announced his intentions to organise a new political movement which will campaign for full responsible government in the Deltarian territories. The new movement Spojení do Centra (Union of the Centre) is to take part in the next election in October and ambitiously seeks an alliance of nationalists, unionised workers, agrarian interests and industry. All have suffered under the rule of the Papezes and all are willing to come together and wrestle government from the Church after 14 years of a dismally performing economy, nauseating corruption and a generally regressing society.

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Radović Takes Charge
April 3, 3873

Dr. Zoltán Radović the leader of the Union of the Centre (SDC) was formally sworn in as Chairman of the Government of Deltaria by Pápež Tomáš IX. This formality seals the deal between the Church and Radović's SDC which will see the country regain a fully responsible government, appointed by the Veche(legislature) while the Papez will remain as the mostly ceremonial head of state of Deltaria. Governance of the Holy Lands remains in the Papez's hands as always.


Dr. Radovic (centre)

Radović's first day in office was not an easy one. After calling several regional heads of government, the new Prime Minister immediately issued some directions to Deltarian diplomats about the change in foreign policy direction. The changes are limited but still sent shockwaves in the Deltarian diplomatic community. The first was the expulsion of the Imperial Cildanian Ambassador to Deltaria, withdrawal of the Deltarian Ambassador and then sending an envoy to the opposition leadership to negotiate the establishment of full diplomatic ties. He also signalled that Deltaria might in time, provide support if the MU doesn't decide to so soon.

Next Radović recalled Deltaria's Ambassador to the Majatran Union Pán Stefan z Borec, sending career diplomat Ana Tudor to replace him. A small scandal broke out with Pán Borec being accused of taking bribes to slow down the MU in its dealings with ridiculous insistence on the full observance of established procedures during the debate. Political observers however see this as a first show of ruthlessness on the part of the new Prime Minister, removing an ineffective diplomat who failed to be pragmatic after allowing the spreading of unfounded rumours in the domestic diplomatic circles.


Balgrad citizens welcoming back the Papezsky Guard

An early success was the regaining of the northwest port city of Balgrad. Radovic sent 5,000 troops and a small fleet to secure the city and other settlements which had been sold to Selucia. Deltaria took advantage of the decisive defeat of Imperator Lucius Cassius Aquilinus's Navy and his allies by the Cildanian opposition in the naval battle of Qart Ramesh. The Operation: Prodigal city was carried out without casualties and the success earned the new Prime Minister much capital with his party's conservative nationalist wing. All these challenges mean that the implementation of his ambitious domestic agenda has had to be slowed down for now.

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Radovic’s Majatran Tour
July 21, 3873

Prime Minister Dr. Zoltan Radovic today returned home after a five day tour of two of his allies’ countries and a surprise visit to northern Majatra. Dr. Radovic first landed in Belgae, Zardugal, possibly the first ever official visit to Zardugal by a sitting Deltarian head of government. In Belgae the PM met top officials and discussed the Ahmadi State, the Cildanian Civil War and furthering of economic ties. He spent two days in Zardugal and even attended a session of the Council of Majatra, introducing Deltaria’s new Ambassador to the MU, Ana Tudor. Ms. Tudor is expected to express an ever harder line against Cildania in the MU.

Next, he flew north to longtime ally Vanuku, landing in Wiel. There, he could be more certain as the two countries have enjoyed excellent relations for centuries and have been members of the Tripartite Alliance for nearly 150 years now, along with Jelbania and Indrala. The Prime Minister met the high officials of states and expressed his full agreement with the realignment between the Tripartite Alliance countries and Zardugal, if only to tackle the Ahmadi State. The Prime Minister also discussed trade ties and his hopes that a super-highway linking the two countries through Jelbania could be constructed in the coming decade in order to improve trade ties further.


Radovic meeting with Cildanian opposition officials

The third visit was the most dangerous and most challenging as well. In a surprise to most observers, Dr. Radovic visited the opposition held part of Qart Ramesh, Cildania. He met with several rebel leaders and announced that his country would be sending arms, medical and food aid to the city. Gvien the situation, such would likely have to be smuggled into the city as the government is shelling the opposition held parts of Qart Ramesh. A planned open-air address to the people was cancelled due to the security risks for all. The PM only spent about three hours in the city, returning home after the third visit.

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Deltaria Proposes NFZ
October 16, 3873


A D-7 fighter jet

Prrime Minister Dr. Zoltan Radovic has proposed the enforcement of a no-fly zone (NFZ) over the besieged city of Qart Ramesh, Cildania. Dr. Radovic expressed 'extreme frustration' at the Majatran Union's slow response to the Cildanian civil war. He said he had proposed the idea to Deltaria's allies and neighbours, saying Deltaria was wiling and able to provide up to 18 planes supported by 3 ships and 800 men for the mission. Dr. Radovic also said Deltaria would be also working to build a 'sanctions 'n embargo coalition' against the Cildanian Imperialist government. Deltaria's latest measures are viewed by domestic political analysts as more of 'rough diplomacy', with the government hoping that Imperial Cildania will end its siege of Qart Ramesh merely because of the threat of the imposition of a multi-national NFZ. As the Prime Minister growled bluntly at a press conference, 'NFZs are not the only option we have. If they escalate, we escalate."

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The Republic Restored
October 6, 3875

Deltaria has been 'granted independence' from the Papezsky States, becoming a federal republic, officially the Fourth Deltarian Republic. The move towards republicanism began when Papez Tomas IX died last February aged 85, ending a nearly decade long Papezate. It was at that point Dr. Zoltan Radovic announced that Deltaria would become a republic, days before the Holy Sobor met to elect Tomas IX's successor Augustus V, born Lubomir z Borec the Grand Inquisitor and a 63 year old nephew of Augustus IV. The new Papez accepted Dr. Radovic's decision - the Church will retain a lot of influence given its grip on education and healthcare, running the vast majority of schools and hospitals which thanks to the Government, still receive state funds.


Prezident Radovic addressing the Veche

It was no surprise when Radovic decided to run for the new post of Prezident leaving the premiership which he has held for two and a half years. The new Constitution had created a Prezident with powers that a commentator for the Hradnice Today said, 'would rival those held by any Czar'. The Prezident is to be directly elected for a six year terms, immediately renewable once. His main responsibilities will be directing foreign and defence policy along with the appointment of several high ranking public officials such as judges and senior military officers In the Deltarian tradition of semi-presidentialism, the Prezident will appointed a Prime Minister and Cabinet. After his election on October 4, Radovic appointed a political ally Vaclav Knotek the Mayor of Hradnice as the new Prime Minister. With no federal political base, Knotek is perfect for a malleable Prime Minister.

Prezident Radovic's first official action was visiting the Papez in Dolinka and consulting him on the ongoing Cildanian crisis. The Papez urged the Deltarian government to 'continue standing shoulder to shoulder with the Cildanians as they face great danger in Hebil.' The Cildanian issue has become a complex political knot for Radovic with his Civic Democratic Union Party increasingly divided on how to respond. A populist backbencher's motion to 'declare permanent neutrality' got about a third of votes in the Veche. The Prezident for now however has declared his Government's intention to support Queen Sarah and her government against the ASIB vassal Free Ahmadi Army, pledging to send annual military aid worth 150 million LOD.