Kanjor

[Calum S]

Grève Rouge: Ellion to lead PRT into next election


Frances Ellion (PRT), newly-elected Party Chairman

Frances Ellion (PRT), hawkish former Foreign Minister, has been sworn in as the new Chairman of the PRT after the retirement of Pierre Vascoin (PRT) at the 2821 Party Conference.

Originally a liberal member of the PRT, known for her opposition to the development of nuclear weapons in Kanjor, Ellion rose to prominence when she publically questioned the leadership credentials of Dominique Villepin (PRT), unpopular left-wing Chairman of the party from 2786-2795. As time passed Ellion moved many of her political positions to the right, particularly in foreign affairs, and during her tenure as Foreign Minister was known for her brash and bold policy line.

Ethnically a member of the Gao-Showa, with a family heritage tracing back to Indrala, Ellion will be the second Chairman of the PRT who is not ethnically French.

Ellion has described her policy platform as "socially moderate, with the intention of developing a harmonious society, yet bold in foreign affairs". Ellion has made the concept of a 'harmonious society' a theme in many of her speeches, describing a technologically-advanced, egalitarian vision of a future Kanjor, and a major superpower in international affairs.

[Calum S]

Grève Rouge: Ellion claims communism is the "progressive force" in Kanjorien politics


Former Foreign Minister, Frances Ellion (PRT), is elected Président

"Communism is the progressive force in Kanjorien politics - from poverty relief to social welfare to labour relations, communists have led the way in Kanjor," claims Frances Ellion (PRT), newly-elected Président. Speaking to Coeur , critically-acclaimed women's magazine, Ellion states in her first post-election interview that communists have paved the way in progressive politics.

Ellion's comments signal a shift in tone, as the PRT attempts to position itself as the torchbearer of a new progressive coalition, working alongside recently-reformed allies le Alliance pour la Démocratie . Formerly a liberal within the party, Ellion moved many of her policy positions rightwards during her tenure as Foreign Minister, having previously campaigned for nuclear disarmament and women's rights.

Ellion also pointed to the opposition's support for the Monarchy as representative of how they were out of step with the concerns of ordinary people. "Le Parti de l'Union Royale claims to be the party of moderate and progressive politics, yet its unwavering support for a return of the Monarchy symbolises how really it is the party of the elite, the aristocracy and social exclusivity."

Seen as confrontational and an attack-dog, Ellion is a sharp departure from the moderate Pierre Vascoin (PRT), the recently-retired former Chairman. Her term as Foreign Minister was marked by a surprisingly internationalist line, acting as a strong critic of corrupt administrations and calling for international condemnation of corruption.

[van Rijn]

Le Gardien: Royal Union Announces Policy Shift


Premier Ministre Alexandra Sercquiais (UR-Yewao) makes first address to the États-Généraux.

The Parti de l'Union Royale has announced a change in their party platform following a lackluster results in previous elections. The new Premier Ministre, Alexandra Sercquiais (UR-Yewao) spoke to a rare joint session of the États-Généraux and announced the new party direction.

The people have spoken. And they have spoken clearly and forcefully. The people of Kanjor want a more federal style of government and a more responsive government that is strong on defense and tighter market regulation.

Sercquiais was joined by the heads of her coalition members' parties: Akarin Azoth of The Parti Socialiste National, James Royale of the Union Conservatrice, and the interim leader of the reformed Action Kanjorien during her speech. UR Party Leader Katherine d'Angoulême (Sovalt) was unable to attend due to illness but released a statement from her home in Atyr saying she was 'pleased' to see the coalition back in power and expressed her interest in reigniting the monarchy debate in the legislature.

Sercquiais also addressed charges of elitism directed towards her party by communist and socialist factions. She said that

To say the UR is an elitist party is simply not true. We are a party of talented people from all socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds united in our resolute support of one of our most treasured national institutions. I truly believe that we, as a party, represent the real spirit of Kanjor. And such comments from the PRT only highlights their ignorance and intolerance.

The Union Royale currently holds 125 seats in the États-Généraux and has proposed several bills on devolution to a vote, the results of which are expected next Spring.

[van Rijn]

Lys D'or: Sercquiais to Condemn Militant Regimes in Indrala


Sercquiais (UR-Yewao) proposes sanctions on Indrala's junta government.

"We are sorry" says Alexandra Sercquiais (UR-Yewao) PM of Kanjor in a coalition address earlier today. At 12pm KST the Premier Ministre and Foriegn Secretary expressed sorrow for her party's inaction nearly 20 years ago against a Maoist coup in Indrala which she believes has a direct correlation to the tumultuous situation today in the country.

Some time ago, we were approached by the then President of Indrala for help. And we did nothing. For this we are sorry.

The Premier Ministre spoke for 45 minutes on the lawn of the Chateau de Fin du Nord, the former royal estate in northern Sovalt. She was followed by Foreign Secretary Raymond Poincare (AK-Sovalt) who expressed sympathy and pledged support, "to the peace-loving, democratic people of Indrala, we support you. You are our brothers, our allies; we embrace you."

Sercquiais went on to say that her government would not rule out sanctions or a possible peacekeeping intervention if the situation does not improve. These statements mark a shift in Foreign policy from former President Frances Ellion's government.

[Captain-Socialist]

Letter to Lys D'or

We were approached by the then President of Indrala for help.

Hortal was not President, he lost the election to Gekokujō, and it was the Nationalista Party who banned elections, not Gekokujō. The idea of a "Maoist Coup" has no historical credibility but is simply a anti-Gekokujō smear, especially since Indrala has no Maoist Party to speak of seeing as Mao was a leader of Conservative and Morality Party in Solentian in 2607! We demand that Sercquiais retract this false statement and apologise to those who who have suffered under Nationalista terror.

[Calum S]

Grève Rouge: Auriol calls for Poincare's resignation and issues withering attack on the Coalition


Président Auriol (PRT) condemns actions of the Coalition gouvernment

Président Félix Auriol (PRT) called for the resignation of Raymond Poincare (AK), Foreign Minister, following his recent address condemning the Gekokujō regime of Indrala. Auriol further demanded that Premier Ministre Alexandra Sercquiais (UR) issue a full apology to the people of Indrala, for what he describes as "using sensitive issues in international history for political point-scoring".

Calling an Emergency Press Conference, Auriol claimed that Poincare and Sercquiais were running the serious risk of damaging Kanjor's relations with a close and long-term ally. "Such ill-informed statements go beyond mere idiocy, and transgress into a threat to international harmony. While PRT governments have strove for harmony and the peaceful rise of Kanjor as a world player, such sabre-rattling by the current Coalition will undermine all the progress our gouvernment has made."

Auriol further criticised Sercquiais's attack on the record of the Ellion gouvernment in foreign affairs. "The Premier Ministre's blind and unsubstantiated attacks on the record of former Président Frances Ellion's gouvernment symbolise how low the Coalition is willing to sink to score a political point; the fact that President Hortal had been defeated in a demoncratic election by a massive majority apparently is not enough to satisfy our Premier Ministre. Her anti-communism blinds her to the fact that people may wish to strive for equality and justice, and may reject the elitist system she reveres. By throwing her lot in with Hortal, a disgraced figure who was known for his regime's rampant corruption and his rejection of democracy, signifies how opposed the UR is to the everyday concerns of the ordinary people."

Auriol continued, "If this Coalition gouvernment has any fragment of legitimacy and morality, Monsieur Poincare will resign from the post of Foreign Minister, and Madame Sercquiais will issue a full apology to the people of Indrala."

He concluded, "If this Gouvernment has any intention of taking military action in Indrala, and violating our neutrality, then they must be prepared for a revolution on the streets. The people of Kanjor will not stand idly by as this Gouvernment ignores their wishes."

A tough former Defence Minister under both Présidents Frances Ellion and Guy Bérégovoy, Auriol holds considerable sway with the military, who respect his commitment to international neutrality but a strong defence budget. Amongst military heads, Auriol's average approval ratings for his 18 years as Defence Minister was 58%.

[van Rijn]

L'Heurat: d'Angoulême Fires Back Amidst PRT Criticism


Defense Minister Jean-Marie Martin (UR-Tondola) briefed by d'Angoulême (UR-Sovalt) before a press conference.

Former President, Katherine d'Angoulême responded to criticism lobbied at her party and the Prime Minister by both current Président Félix Auriol (PRT) and the Gekokujō government of Indrala. d'Angoulême rejected Auriol's calls for Prime Minister Sercquiais' and Foreign Secretary Poincare's resignation saying the Communists accusations were "tantamount to hypocrisy."

In a statement issued online from the Union Royale website, d'Angoulême praised the the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary for their leadership in confronting alleged human rights abuses by the Gekokujō. "It is our position, that we do not recognize the legitimacy of regimes that have come into power by force of arms and not by the force of democratic process. Past gouvernments led by the PRT has pandered to such regimes but we will not. The instability and gross human rights abuses by the Gekokujō pose a threat to the security of the entire region and I personally applaud this coalition for taking a stand."

The statement goes on to read: "The PRT's support of General Ran Pan's junta government comes as a slap in the face to the very principles of democracy it has accused to UR of ignoring. We will not abide these accusations especially those that are tantamount to hypocrisy. Our commitment to democracy and equality is solid as evidenced by our rejection of Mr. Ran Pan as he sits on a throne of bayonets while the people of Indrala suffer needlessly. We are, of course, willing to enter a dialogue with the regime but should our diplomacy become exhausted we will explore other options. "

The Prime Minister's office was not available for comment and calls to the office of the Foreign Minister were not returned immediately. The Defense Ministry has been equally mum stating that "It is the policy of [the Ministry of Defense] to support and defend the gouvenment, as necessary, in its aims abroad." citing a source that refused to be named as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

d'Angoulême concluded her statement by saying, "We will not apologize for justice."

[Calum S]

Le Gardien: General Jean-Louis Valjean resigns in protest


General Valjean steps down, dealing significant blow to Coalition's military credentials

General Jean-Louis Valjean, Chief of the Defence Staff, has publically resigned from his position amid a growing tension over possible military intervention in Indrala. A close ally and friend of Président Félix Auriol (PRT) during his time as Defence Minister, many have interpreted Valjean's resignation as a political move aimed at damaging the Coalition's military standing.

In a rare public address, Valjean claimed, "The growing possibility of military intervention has forced me to resign from a position I have worked my whole life to hold; I cannot honestly promise to carry through with the intentions of this [Coalition] Gouvernment abroad when my conscience is in direct conflict with their motivations. I must therefore resign from my position as Chief of Defence Staff."

Vincent Ramadier (PRT), former Finance Minister and the PRT's Shadow Foreign Minister, further intensified the debate over the issue. In a press release made following General Valjean's resignation, Ramadier claimed, "The PRT has consistently opposed dictatorships and condemned corruption; Frances Ellion was one of the first critics of the corrupt Hortal regime and called on international condemnation of his regime. The PRT similarly refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the Ran Pan regime, despite what the Coalition claims. We do however oppose military intervention, and instead insist on an international response to the crisis."

Président Auriol, writing in Grève Rouge, commented that General Valjean's resignation "represents the extent to which the military is opposed to intervention" and that "the Coalition is jeopardising their relationship with their own military by refusing to heed warnings".

[Duke]

GENERAL RAN PAN "THROWS" KANJORANS OUT OF INDRALA




Kigami, November 2839 - In a statement made by General Ran Pan, leader of Indrala, the Indralan government want all Kanjorans out of the country within two days. In his speech, the General said:

"If the Kanjorans think they can intervene in our politics, then they are very wrong! We are a nation of our own, and if we need foreign interverence, then we shall ask for that. Be we haven't asked for it. So get the hell out of my country!! I also like to condemn the international community for opposing my government, who is trying to destroy terrorism in my country. If terrorism can do what they want freely, then this world is doomed! We must act against terrorism and against that muslim and communist scum! We rule this country, not the Kanjoran government!"

The General has immidiately ordered to close the Kanjoran embassy, and asked all Kanjorans to get out of Indrala within 48 hours. If not, Kanjorans will be arrested as "criminals against freedom and democracy" and "supporters of terrorism".

[van Rijn]

Le Garden: Sercquiais Downplays War with Indrala


Sercquiais appears before a special legislative committee on military affairs.

The Premier Ministre calmed fears of a possible war with Indrala while continuing to denounce Ran Pan's administration. This week the government of Indrala ordered all Kanjorians out of the country over allegations of human rights abuses made by PM Sercquiais. The Premier Ministre stood by her earlier comments but downplayed an invasion. " We have no intention of a physical invasion of Indrala at this time," She said. "We will, however, explore all possible venues to restore democracy to the country. I have instructed the Foreign Ministry to close our embassy and missions in Indrala and urge all Kanjorian citizens to leave the country as we can no longer guarantee their protection. "

When asked about possible air-strikes, she responded: "We are exploring all possible options at this time."

Defense Secretary Jean-Marie Martin (UR-Tondola) announced that he was seeking a replacement for former Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jean-Louis Valjean. He went on the record commenting, "It is unfortunate the General felt such conflict between his personal political beliefs and service to his country. His expertise will be missed and we are in the process of selecting his replacement."

The Secretary had no further comment on the resignation or possible military action in Indrala.