Badara

[Drax]

BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


President ibn Ortoq

FREE RADICAL PARTY DIDBANDING

After a cabinet meeting, newly elected President Bashir ibn Ortoq announced that the Free Radical Party was disbanding and candidates would no longer be running for office as members of that party. The People's Assembly was still there, the government was still there, and the President expected that soon policy would be shaped by other parties coming forward.

[PaleRider]

BADARA RESTORED

BFA affiliated militias on patrol to establish the authority of the central govt
After years of decay and chaos the Badaran Forces Alliance has emerged to restore order to Badara. Uniting a wide range of political, social, and economic groups the BFA has taken control of the capital city, establishing itself as the major governing force. Long a historic force on the Majatra continent, the new Badara Republic seeks to reclaim that status, rebuild international ties, and importantly: provide for domestic prosperity.

[PaleRider]

BADARAN OIL TO START FLOWING AGAIN

As the new Badaran Government works to restore the stability and economy of the country there is new hope in the form of natural resource extraction, specifically oil and gas. For years Badara has long been known to have some of the largest oil and has reserves worldwide but extraction has well been under potential, partially due to woeful governance. Now the new government, working closely with patriotic business leaders to restart and expand production. Terra is as hungry for oil and gas as ever, and the potential windfall will be sizable. Rumors abound now of possible foreign investment in oil production as well. Despite the legislature moving to vote affirmative in the creation of two new state oil companies, concerns are present about the role of foreign investment. Rumors circulating in the Trade and Foreign ministries reveal intense interest from Deltaria and Dorvik to secure key petrol supplies.

TROUBLE IN THE NORTH?

Despite the Badaran Forces Alliance constituting the new and internationally recognized government there are brewing troubles in the restive northern parts of the country. Long less industrialized than the southern provinces there are growing worries about rural and communal violence despite the government moving to deploy security and police units north. Forces from the newly constituted Badaran Republican Army are moving to secure and provide increased security to key urban centers and larger rural towns. Local police forces remain extraordinarily weak with local officials still relying on, and being in fear of, well armed local militias under the control of influential tribal leaders.

[Rogue]

Deltaria and Badara: "In serious discussions" over potential gas pipeline

[Auditorii]

Der Globus: Dorvish Supreme General Staff in Badara

[PaleRider]

NEW LEVEL OF BADARAN-DORVISH SECURITY COOPERATION

Dorvish advisors arriving at Bab al-Mira International Airport, which also doubles as Bab al-Mira Air Base
Following international reports of Dorvish forces arriving in Badara, Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Zakariyya al-Kassem issued an official statement regarding a new level of "security cooperation":

At the request of the Central Government, Dorvish security and military forces have begun arriving in small numbers to Badara in order to help improve our security situation. Numerous security issues require enhanced international cooperation to stop terrorism and separatism as well as to rapidly train our still developing Defense Forces. This does not presage a foreign occupation; this is sovereign nations assisting each other.

Further reports from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Internal Affairs indicate a robust training and advising mission has been set up to infuse Dorvish capabilities and training into the new Badaran Defense Forces. A military focused Dorvish Military Training Mission (DMTM) has been set up at the Bab al-Mira Air Base focusing on developing the professional and technical skill of soldiers while another Dorvish Police Assistance Mission (DPAM) has been set up on the ground of the Internal Affairs Ministry to traing the new state police. A source in the Defense Ministry also indicated that Dorvish advisors are being integrated into BDF units for direct security training and advising.

BADARA OIL RESERVES ATTRACTING INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION

An international oil tanker filling up at the northern port city of Sharji
After the formation of the Natural Resources Development Working Group (NRDWG) there is positive news in the new Deltarian-Badaran relationship. Hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil are now expected to be shipped between the two countries as Badaran oil production begins to ramp up. A close relationship has been formed between Deltarian oil companies and engineering firms and the Badaran Trade and Industry Ministry to provide skilled workers to ramp up production. Badaran Ambassador to Deltaria Fahd el-Saladin noted the strength of the growing relationship and expected the oil to keep flowing in strength, powering the Deltarian economy.

Additionally and of much discussion at the Trade Ministry is the discovery of long forgotten oil deals with Istalian companies to develop ashore oil fields. Specifically fields in the North Island, around Bier Qassam were slated for development but with the new government in place there remains uncertainty about how to proceed, especially given a delicate security situation in the north. There are reports of confidential and ongoing discussions between the foreign ministries of both countries to resolve any contractual, legal, and property disputes that have arisen. No matter how this turns out, our Great Republic is rapidly building a new influence as a key oil supplier for Terra.

[Drax]

BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


President Soqman

NEW AHMADI PARTY ELECTED

Dar as Salam, February 14, 4814: A new party, the Hizb Muasisiun, was formed from various elements believing there was a need for a competent government. Remnants of Free Radicals and People's Democracy, as well as some religious scholars, military officers, corporate executives and civil servants came together in August 4813 to form the party.

This new party embraces the safety net set by People's Democracy and protected by Free Radicals. It plans to reintroduce Ahmadism as the state religion as had People's Democracy and will retain the mixed economy brought in by Free Radicals. Sabriiqa Soqman, a Foreign Minister at the time of the Free Radicals, was elected President in December 4813. She set out the main objectives as foillows:

Hizb Muasisiun was formed to protect the Ahmadi religion and Majatran culture in a time where there is great prejudice abroad not just among those seeking ethnic cleansing but also among the rulers of many nations. That is why we came together; to combat this manifest evil.

With respect to other matters we are trying to be practical. The safety net must be protected. Both state ownership and private ownership of the means of production will continue in the mixed economy we have. The defense of Jumhuriat al-Badara will not be neglected. Whether the regionalization of much of government by the recent ruling party was too much or not will have to be evaluated.

[Drax]

BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


Minister of Justice Farah al-Sharif

AHMADI STATE RELIGION

Bab al-Mira, June 12, 4814: Hizb Muasisiun has introduced a bill in the Majlis to make once again the Ahmadi religion the state religion of Jumhuriat al-Badara. Another bill is moving the capital from the holy city of Bab al-Mira to Bier Qassem once again. Minister of Justice Farah al- Sharif commented on these bills and their implications:

The easier to address is returning the capital to its rightful place in Bier Qassem. Hizb Muasisiun never saw any advantage either potential or revealed over time by the move and sees the move as correcting a no doubt well meaning mistake. There are admittedly those among government officials who will miss the religious pilgrims and religious sight seers.

The return to state religion status for the Ahmadi religion is obviously more complicated. We anticipate it will be little different than under People’s Democracy. Membership is voluntary and other religions will not in any sense be oppressed. Well, you might very well say, what of other religions that might want to come here. Generally speaking, if some of our people want to start something new they are welcome to do so. One would assume we are not talking torturing animals or otherwise breaking our criminal laws. What of foreigners wanting to come in and set up something new among our frankly unreceptive population. Likely we will say no.

There is of course a problem; not in some mythical attractive foreign religion devoid of religious politicians if that is even possible but within Ahmadism itself. First, having an Ahmadi State Church will be assumed by the Abadi to be an Israi State Church discriminating against Abadi. It was true at the time of People’s Democracy and is true now. You like me have heard the rumblings already. It was even true during our years of secularization. So it goes.

Second, there is an attractive new Ahmadi group who believe there is a new prophet. At this point some of our scholars are aware of this but few of our citizens who value their Ahmadi religion. Our thinking at this point is contact should not so much be between the government and the followers of the new prophet but between their leaders and our religious leaders. So we shall certainly see how that develops.

So why is your Justice Minister addressing this instead of our Ministry of Education and Culture? First there will be no religious police. None. The State religion as other religions may persuade but not coerce. There will be no cudgels, whips or bundles of rods. That is barbarism and it is also assault and battery and punishable as such.

Second, with respect to the laws governing Jumhuriat al-Badara, our laws are not overruled by the Book of Bliss nor will there be any religious council vetoing or changing our laws. This is not to say the religious leaders can not have influence. One would hope they will be advocates of love, kindness and human understanding. Yes one can hope. And we can pray it will happen. Be that as it may, they will be in no position in any respect to dictate social policy to our sovereign nation.

Hizb Muasisiun was established to protect our Ahmadi population from the evils of discrimination and hatred running loose in other nations. Akim willing we will succeed.

[Drax]

BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


Finance Minister Hamad al-Nazir

OIL POLICY EXPLAINED

Bab al-Mira, November 3, 4814: Hizb Muasisiun has introduced a bill in the Majlis to repeal the State Owned Enterprises Act which created three state owned corporations, Badaran Oil and Gas Company (BOGO), Majatran Oceanic Oil Company (MOOC), and Badaran State Airlines (BSA). Finance Minister Hamad al-Nazir explains:

The government believes Badaran State Airlines (BSA) is simply unnecessary. We have 2 airlines with both regional and international operations and 1 with regional operations. We just do not believe commercial aviation needs government competition or that it seriously benefits national security.

We also believe Badaran Oil and Gas Company (BOGO) and Majatran Oceanic Oil Company (MOOC) are redundant since Petroleum Development of Badara (PDB) has the same functions. Admittedly some of us prefer the new names to PDB but PDB has its established place among the national and international business community. Hence the repeal.

To be clear, the nation owns the oil reserves. At one point long ago international ownership of some of it was permitted but subsequently nationalized. We are aware of only one claimant, an international corporation, asserting ownership of Badaran oil without it seems any known evidence. At least so far.

PDB operates oil and natural gas extraction and sale as a government owned corporation. Additionally, leases permitting oil and gas extraction are available to domestic business interests. Lease application is made through Central Bank offices acting on behalf of the Ministry of Ttrade and Industry. Leasing rates and royalties are entirely reasonable.

What of foreign investment? Under our law, ownership of domestic businesses by foreign interests is allowed up to less than a majority interest.

So, free trade agreements with some 22 nations allow purchase of our oil and gas. Citizens or businesses of three nations, one foreign government entity and one international corporation are specifically permitted to invest in Badaran businesses including oil and gas leasing, extraction and sale but not in PDB or in the underlying oil reserves.

[Drax]

BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


General Narouz Qahtani

PARAMILITARY MILITIA ON WAY OUT?

Bier Qassem, June 7, 4815: Hizb Muasisiun has introduced a bill making some changes in the military establishment most notably delegitimizing paramilitary private militia. General Narouz Qahtani, the Defense Minister, commented on the changes and more generally on security for Jumhuriat al-Badara:

Obviously Hizb Muasisiun is not the same as the Badaran Forces Alliance. Just as we disagree with People’s Democracy on state ownership of the whole defense industry but agree with them on having an Ahmadi State religion. Or agree with Free Radicals on a mixed economy but disagree with their total secularization.

We certainly disagree with Badaran Forces Alliance on health care, budget priorities and paramilitaries, are considering how much of their regionalization is too much and recognize there is some real reform in their military approach.

We are not acting precipitately; there is a great deal of tension abroad and Badaran Forces Alliance was we believe quite right in approaching maintaining our military readiness in good order and also in approaching entanglements with feuding blocs very cautiously.

In point of fact, we have diplomatic relations with 51 other nations, free trade agreements with 22, investment agreements with three, and mutual defense pacts with three. We want to trade with other nations, be a place where Ahmadi religion and Majatran culture can thrive and be at peace. Our approach to accomplish this is not to disengage but be involved. Akim willing, we may succeed.

The security approach is simple. First use diplomacy first. Second be militarily prepared for invasion. Third conduct our affairs so our citizens have hope for the future not despair. And fourth listen to what our intelligence services are telling us.