Badara

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON



BEN-BELLA CONFIRMS DEFENSE CUTS

Former President Ibrahim ben-Bella has been moved from Environment and Tourism to the Finance Ministry. Ben-Bella confirmed that the government has shifted funds from various Ministries to the ones most likely to be impacted by likely disruption of the economy from tanking oil prices and a possible oil glut. Responding to questions on how that was going, he stated:

First, quite a few nations and industries will feel no impact or will benefit from cheaper oil and gas products. Among these will be tourism and transportation of all kinds. The danger for our investors is to put money into expansion which is dependent on oil prices remaining low. There is opportunity for some but investors and borrowers need to be cautious in that regard.

Second, three of the five nations with the largest oil and gas reserves have already cut oil production including Jumhuriat al-Badara; ours by 20% of planned production and 18% of current production. This should have some effect and may mitigate the decline. We really do hope to hear at some point what the other two are doing but are aware they have had other things on their mind.

Third, we are working through the Majatran Economic Association (MEA), which has among its members and associates a number of oil producers, to alleviate the effects of economic ills. The Northern Council Treaty Organization (NOCTO) has recently been reenergized and represents a number of oil producers and strong economies. Our thinking is NOCTO and MEA should be talking. Our expertise is in the impact of increasing and decreasing production on various elements of our economy and what increases are possible over time. Although we are coming out of isolation we lack the actual knowledge others have on countering price fluctuations. So we are ready dy to cooperate with others.

When asked about the changes in the budget, the Finance Minister said Health and Social Services, Infrastructure and Transport and Food and Agriculture were the Ministries that had received new funds; most of those increases were from shifts; and The Ministry of Defense was one of those that was budgeted less.

When asked about the cabinet changes, ben-Bella said:

I have been President and Chancellor and know there always lots of reasons for changes. Having talked with Sabriiqa Soqman I can say she and the Chancellor felt since she was the primary author of the current budget she should be the one making it work as Minister of Defense where the changes were likedly most difficult to make.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON

President Kerbogha

DAENISTS AND HOSIANS TO HELP MALIVIA

Statement issued by the Office of the President:

President Moqtada Kerbogha has been contacted by Yusuf al-Thani, Patriarch of Al'Kamelah for the Apostolic Church of the Isles. He had in turn been approached by Deng Xiao Lai, the Daenist Sharji Lama, who suggested they collect food, clothing and medicine for the destitute of Malivia. They have agreed to do so. The Sharji Lama will oversee the effort in the Channese communities throughout Jumhuriat al-Badara while the Patriarch of Al'Kamelah will pursue this effort among Hosians using the structure of the Apostolic Church of the Isles for the solicitation. Knowing the government might have difficulty with funds going directly to the government of Malivia because of the alleged oppression of Hosians and other minorities in Malivia, they decided to concentrate on obtaining non perishable food and medicine and clothing either by direct donation or purchase of these items by funds raised..

The cabinet has indeed discussed the plight of Malivia but for the reasons the religious leaders discerned has waited to see what the Majatran Economic Association might do. The Health and Social Services Industry is contacting canneries, food processors, drug producers and clothing manufacturers throughout both islands so funds can be turned into goods. Qat Oil Services has assured the President free shipping to Malivia will be available while Big Island Air, Air Mu'Tasim and Nashwa Air Lines have promised the President air delivery will also be free of charge. Any other such offers of help of this nature should be directed too the Office of the President.

The President sincerely commends this effort to all Jumhuriat al-Badara as an exsample to us all.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON




Grand Mufti of Dar as Salam and Ayatolloh of Abu Yacub

ISRAI AND ABADI COMMUNITIES TO JOIN IN HELP FOR MALIVIA

The Israi Grand Mufti of Dar as Salam and the Abadi Ayatollah of Abu Yacub issued a joint statement as follows:

We have heard the words of President Kerbogha and seen the example of our Daenist and Hosiians brothers and taken it to heart. We have put aside our many differences to work together throughout the Ahmadi community to help the destitute in Malivia. We have learned from the Office of the President that collection sites are being established by the Ministry of Heath and Social Services which will take the responsibility for screening donations so they will be in line with dietary considerations appropriate for Malivia. We promise to fill them.

We humbly thank our Daenist and Hosian brothers for showing us the way.

[Aquinas]

Vemulakonda grumbles as Badaran aid softens anti-Hosian sentiment

[Drax]

BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON

Internal Affairs Minister Beheshti Reviews Police Graduates.

BEHESHTI ADDRESSES POLICE GRADUATES

Internal Affairs Minister Achmed Beheshti inspected the cadets at the Police Academy and addressed them at their graduation baccalaureate. Behesti stressed their part in one of the corners of the security of Jumhuriat al-Badara. His remarks included:

Citizens must feel there is law and order in the nation and that is administered fairly and justly. This is the job of the People's Assembly and the government; we must have the citizens know there is no favored group or class but all are treated fairly. This is job of the courts; the citizens must know the courts are about justice not favoritism for the rich and powerful. And this is the job of the police; the citizens must support the police not believe you are treating them unfairly and unjustly but must believe you are protecting them, their lives and their property. They know and we know it has not always been so. This is hard work and you are the ones selected to do it. You can and you will; I know you want to.

The Minister was asked by reporters if the usually quiet and boring intelligence reports had an item of interest as was being suggested in social media. Beheshti responded:

The news I have been hearing is exaggerated and distorted. We have a third hand report that a senior official of an unidentified government wants a war with Ahmadis. The context seems to have been a joke as it was in the context of a number of fanciful suggestions. We know of no current outside threat to Jumhuriat al-Badara.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


President Kerbogha

KERBOGHA NOT RUNNING

President Moqtada Kerbogha confirmed that he was not running for President this time. As to questions about who was running and whether he was returning to Qat Oil Services (QOS), The President responded:

Thinking within the Free Radical Party has changed on whether after my term the Old Guard leadership formed from disillusioned former managers in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should be replaced by younger members of the party; the current thinking is one more Old Guard president. My own suggestion was rejected not by the party leadership or the party itself but by the individual in which I have the most confidence who did not wish to run again.

As to going back to the oil business, one never knows what the will of Akim will be; our duty is to obey. My plan is to return to Qat Plantation where I can again be a farmer, enjoy my falcon and ride my horse. Narouz al-Sadr will continue as managing partner of QOS, my son is now President of Majatran Refining Company, my nephew is President of Majatran Leasing Corporation and my son in law is going to Majatran Refining Company as Executive Vice President overseeing technological development. Our oil interests are in good hands.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON




CHANCELLOR DISCUSSES ECONOMIC MEASURES

At a meeting of Heath and Social Services Ministry managers for Marakesh province at the Dromedary Hotel in Ras el-Haram, Chancellor Abdul Aziz responded to the question of what was being done about the oil price downturn:

The government has reviewed and modified legislation where necessary and shifted funding in the budget so that the safety net is still in place and displaced workers will have health care, food, housing and income. We have reduced oil output as have some others among those with the largest oil and gas reserves. We are working with the Majatran Economic Association to help the people hardest hit. Business expansion has slowed although some parts of the economy benefit from low fuel cost; this a time for investors to be cautious. We believe the bottom has been hit and recovery has begun. Obviously international coordination would have been nice but it did not occur. Maybe next time.

When asked if he would be the Free Radical candidate for President, he z responded, "No." as to the Contributions by our religious communities to Malivia, Aziz stated:

The deliveries were made to the people in Malivia who were intended recipients of the food, clothing and medicine collected by our religious communities to relieve their plight. The government arranged collection sites and transportation businesses volunteered to deliver to Malivia where the Malivian government arranged for delivery to people who are suffering. The government is very appreciative of the work done by the Malivian government to make this operation a success. The government is also knows it is very honored to be serving this nation in this hour.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


Minister of Justice Khalifi el-Qassem at Bier Qassem mixed league football finals

COURTS LIKELY TO BE FEDERALIZED

At a training meeting for civil division attorneys of the Justice Ministry on litigating cases of eminent domain, Justice Minister Khalifi el-Qassem indicated the government was seriously thinking of allowing a regional court system below that of the national courts, a major reversal of the Free Radical agenda which has always favored centralization and uniformity.

The likely shift was because there has come to be some thinking the Abadi population might feel more of a stake in the system if it could have more influence on selecting judges which were chosen on a more localized basis. Taking measures to prevent festering grievances to become serious problems is a part of the national security approach of the government which is likely to trump the predisposition toward uniformity.

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BIER QASSEM COURIER BEACON


President Beheshti and General al-Khodr

MILITARY BEGINS STAFF STUDY Of RIGHT SIZING

After conferring with President Beheshti and Defense Minister el-Radwan, General Karim al-Khodr, Chief of Defense Command, ordered the Chiefs of Staff of all services to prepare staff studies for himself and the Cabinet setting out how the current budget appropriations could best be used by each service to further their vision for long term development.

It was expected the Army would be closest to on target for the long term vision while the Navy would be concentrating on training, repairs, refitting and modernization with few new ship purchases for the moment. It was also expected ship yard expansion might become a short term priority with economies elsewhere. The Air Force budget currently lends itself to more flexibility so building in room for purchase opportunities might be the path chosen.

General al-Khodr assured the Chiefs of Staff that what the President wanted was for the Cabinet to understand where we are and where we want to go.

[Aquinas]

Malivian cow terrorists release pregnant Badaran hostage