Vestnik: The Viceroy Discusses the International Role of TriguniaHis Grace Vasya Mashkov, 2nd Duke of Petrovgrad and Viceroy of TriguniaFebruary 2948 - Heinrichgrad, ChadoniaHis Grace Vasya Mashkov, 2nd Duke of Petrovgrad and
Viceroy of Trigunia called a press conference outside his official residence
Igl Krest, Heinrichgrad, Chadonia to discuss recent accusations of isolationism by the newly formed
Avtoritarnyĭ Sindikat.
“In recent weeks,
Národnis Obesitis, leader of the newly formed
Avtoritarnyĭ Sindikat has made several statements that paint the
Molodaya Gvardiya Partiya (Young Guard Party) in a poor light. The Party has therefore asked me, as both political and Governmental leader, to discuss these issues at length for the benefit of all Trigunians.
“The Young Guard Party has always maintained positive relationships with foreign nations, relying more on the importance of trade and free markets to interconnect us together, rather than through military or defensive alliances. Trigunia has been, and should remain, a peaceful nation, content to remain friends with all nations willing to open their markets to our products and open their governments to free and fair elections.
“The Young Guards, as well as myself, wish to remind the Trigunian people that wealth comes from trade and markets, and not from the guns or conquest. Sabre rattling will not feed nor clothe our children, and neither will an obsession with vast military spending at home or abroad. Peace and open relationships bring the wealth and prosperity for which war and destruction can never fulfill.
“Trigunia is currently, and has been in the recent past, an internationalist nation. The
Volkonsky Reforms (
http://particracy.wikia.com/wiki/Demographics_of_Trigunia#Romanization &
http://particracy.wikia.com/wiki/Economy_of_Trigunia) of the early part of the century paved the way for the transformation of the Trigunian economy under the Reforms of my father, R.D. Mashkov. We changed our alphabet to better fit the needs of the international business community, thus opening vast areas of opportunity to our nation and its economy. We opened the borders to all visitors, encouraging trade and tourism, and we have opened our arms to many immigrants and asylum seekers who wish to bask in the light we have created here in the frozen North.
“Due to the current and ongoing policy of minimal income taxation, low government spending funded through a nationwide luxury goods sales tax, we have seen our economy grow and the rabol remain both one of the strongest currencies and the envy of all of Terra.
“Our economy has risen in real numbers as seen in our government surpluses. In 2910, after a slow start to the reforms, the nation already had a GDP of TRA 2.2 trillion. Now, in early 2948, Trigunians have risen that number to nearly 2.4 trillion; an increase in 200 billion rabols, or nearly 5.25 billion rabols each year and continues to grow daily! In the 2920s, we witnessed a surplus of around 1 billion TRA; now it is over 6 billion! Just last year, in 2947, it was only at 5.8 billion, now, only several short months later it is over 6 billion which will mean that we can make a permanent tax cut for the second time in 15 years. To say that we do not have an economy is a perplexing comment; and I wish to remind all Trigunians that the rabol is a very strong currency thanks to the efforts of Minister Zhirinovsky, Ph.D, and the rest of the Finance Ministry.
“On the domestic front, the Young Guards wish to convey their gratitude for nearly forty years of continued governance. During this time, the Party has maintained stability in order to foster cultural, economic, social, and political growth. The Young Guards rebuilt the nation and reintroduced democratic traditions and conditions after several centuries of oppression and tyranny.
“The re-introduction of democracy is one of the major achievements of the Young Guard Party and my father who served as the first Viceroy. It is true that we have returned the Monarch to position after several centuries of interregnum, however, the Party has never put the Great Prince, nor the nobility, above the well being of the people or institutions of Trigunia; alas, they are one-in-the-same.
“Our great nation continues its autonomy and independence from the Hulstrian monarch who serves as our Great Prince. The relationship we have is, and was, maintained only through personal union with the monarch himself. No Hulstrian, nor any other nation, holds power domestic affairs and nor will we let them, but nor are we in danger of such a thing.
“All the changes the Young Guards have established have been for the Trigunian people. Indeed, this was not a case of word coming from on high to dictate to the people, instead, the initiatives and changes established by the Party came from the people, with the Party as the harbinger of such reform.
“The democratic institutions of Trigunia must never give way to the hands of totalitarianism. The past has shown that Trigunians do not wish for such things to ever return. Trigunia must always remain a beacon of light for the world, a Northern Star for which the rest of the world turns its weary eyes upon and sets sail to reach. The Young Guard Party has been the vessel to which the people have worked in order to create just such a nation. And with the people of Trigunia’s aid, we shall maintain this new democratic order, grow our progressive economy, and procure positive relations with other nations. Good night and may God bless all of you, the nation, and the Great Prince.”