Kalistan

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President Orders Diplomatic Missions to pull back on heels of Report
Diplomatic missions in Trigunia, Indrala, Aldegar, Baltusia and Dundorf to close within the Month
Socialist Privateer Fleet formed in Anantanese Ocean
June 3, 3926
Sulari, Suldanor


President Smith issues recall of Kalistani Diplomatic Staff

On the heels of the final report into the death of Late President Bjorksdattir, and almost a year after the tragic mid-ocean disaster, the President of Kalistan, Delia Smith recalled all Kalistani Diplomatic missions to Kalistan for consultations last month. All embassies will be closed indefinitely. The President issued the following statement on the recall:

"In close consultation with the Foreign Minister, we have decided to recall all Kalistani diplomatic staff to Kalistan for consultations. In the light of the apparently unjustified attack against our President in a state visit, it is our impression that Kalistani citizens overseas have become targets, and rather than establish repressive security procedures, all Embassy officials will return to Kalistan until our various friends overseas can assure the safety of our embassies and diplomatic personnel. ODEN and KALNAPECO offices will remain open overseas."

The President has also ordered a limited activation of the Kalistani Navy in Vrassa. The Navy will begin patrolling the Ocean between Keris and Seleya. The President also authorized the RSMoK, the Militia of the Socialist Party to begin arming private vessels for the purpose of searches and seizure on the Anantanese Sea between Ananto and the Mainland. Fourteen captains have been commissioned within the first two weeks of the program, as Privateers with Letters of Marque issued by the President. The Privateers have been granted the freedom to stop all ships found in Kalistani Waters and seize shipping flying a Vanuku flag, as well as any merchandise either originating in Vanuku or transiting through Vanukean Harbors.


First Privateer Crews launch from Vrassa District after the President authorized Letters of Marque to the RSMoK

Letters of Marque may be authorized to owners of private ships if 1) their owners are Partisans with the RSMoK, 2) their ships are less than 75 feet long, and 3) their ships possess no fixed armaments. Captains operating under a Letter of Marque will be indirectly supported by Kalistani Naval forces to ensure searches and seizures of Vanuku shipping in and around Kalistan takes place in full security. The Letters of Marque shall expire within 2 year's time, but may be reauthorized by act of the Assembly.

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reprinted from
IZQUIERDA- The Voice of the Kalistani Left
Socialist Party Leader Hails Success of Partisans
Society of the Bretheren makes great strides
Vrassa City, Vrassa
December 20, 3926

Leader Clark notes success of Privateer Navy

The Naval component of the Revolutionary Socialist Militia of Kalistan was lauded by Socialist Party Leader Hillary Clark-Reid for their efforts in the Anantanese Sea over the past half year. The Party Leader reported that Kalistani Privateers seized more than 31 million Rubles worth of commercial cargo, and repatriated 238 merchant seaman to their home countries. Ships bearing manifests indicating Vanuku as a point of origin or transhipment have been confiscated and towed to Sulari Suldanor, where they are held in quarantine until the issues between Kalistan have been resolved.


Socialist Party Leader Hillary Clark-Reid Praised the efforts of the Socialist Partisan Fleet

Individual countries, other than Vanuku, have applied for the return of 14 separate oceangoing vessels. 8 small cargo ships belonging to Vanukean merchants remain in Kalistani custody. Clark made the following short statement, in addition to making these statistics public:

"Kalistani Partisans have successfully ensured that Kalistan is able to prevent Vanukean agents from infiltrating our country, without resorting to open war. More than 75 Partisans now operate under Letters of Marque issued by our Administration, and they range from the northern point of Vrassa to the southern edge of Suldanor. We also have evidence that our efforts are making a dent on Vanukean Commerce. In denying the results of our report, Vanukean officials noted that at least some of the vessels we have seized were neutral scientific vessels- in fact, those vessels were espionage vessels carrying highly sensitive surveillance equipment through Kalistani Waters. Their manifest indicated that they were on their way to Talmoria, but given the absolute and unconscionable denial of the findings of our report on the death of our President, our Privateers indicated that it was in the National interest to merely confiscate the equipment, and impound the craft. We stand by the results of our investigation, and will continue to provide Letters to Socialist Partisans at sea- Our policy will continue as long as Vanuku refuses to acknowledge their role in the event and bring the criminal behind this assassination to justice. Furthermore, we call on all nations sympathetic to Kalistan to join with us in the embargo of Vanukean commerce in the Anantanese Sea."

Society of the Bretheren makes great Strides in Kalistan


Bennots-Plum, in retirement, now working full time for the Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan

Seeing Bretheren propaganda on the streets seems to be somewhat more commonplace in the major cities across Kalistan. Bretheren spokespeople have put the number of members of the Society of the Bretheren at 45,000. The Society has seen a dramatic increase over the last year following the death of President Bjorksdattir. Former Party leader Jonas Bennots-Plum, now working full time for the Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan, stated that he has made contact with Trigunian Brethren, and has invited representatives to Kalistan. He also discussed a possible international conference of all members of the Society internationally.

"Well, to be completely honest with you, as long as the President maintains the embargo on shipping through the Sea, we won't be able to have the conference. There is no reliable way for foreign nationals to arrive in Kalistan without harassment by the Privateers. While I understand the need for the Government to maintain the embargo, it is my hope that the President will see an end to it and a return to normal relations, a lift of all travel and commerce restrictions, and renewed friendship with our neighbors."

The Society of Bretheren in Kalistan are currently working on minutes for a new Faith and Practice, to replace the ancient one which has been used by Bretheren for more than 1500 years, but which reflects a connection between the Brethren and the Hosian council. The Bretheren remain almost exclusively tied to the Socialist Party of Kalistan- only a handful of members claim affiliation outside the SP.

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Kalistani Privateers Score Major Success
Largest Vanukean Ship to date Quarantined in Vrassa
Kaliburg, Ananto
March 7, 3927

Kalistani Privateers have quarantined the largest ship to-date, a Vanukean supercargo container ship, the Shifu No. 1. The capture took place in late February, and was carried out by a crew of 35 Partisans just inside the Embargo zone. The Privateers took an estimated 26 million Rubles worth of merchandise off this single vessel alone. Ship manifests established that the Indrala-manufactured containership originated its voyage in Wiel Vanuku, and made stops in Telamon and Trigunia before continuing its voyage into the Embargo Zone on its way to Talmoria. The various stops on its route made Vanukean naval escort impractical, and the Captain told Kalistani reporters that he had deliberately opted to not ask for an escort due to the unpredictability of his itinerary.


Socialist Partisan Ahmad Al-Khalid-Hjelmson stands in front of the skeleton of the Shifu No. 1,
captured in February and beached in Vrassa

The Ship's manifest identified products of several nations on board, but the country of origin for almost all materials seized from the ship was deliberately obfuscated to make it difficult for Kalistani Privateers to separate Vanukean goods from goods from the various other nations represented aboard. As such, the Kalistani Government issued a special order, declaring all items on board contraband being transported in contravention of the Embargo Order, and therefore forfeit to its owners. Items consisted of all manner of consumer goods, foodstuff, textiles, and light weaponry and munitions destined for the Vanukean-suported Talmorian Government.

The seizure of the ship was not without incident. After the Privateers had boarded the Cargo ship and subdued its crew, the Partisans began driving the ship toward Quarantine in Suldanor. However, the ship had apparently gotten a message to Vanukean naval craft operating in the vicinity. As a small Vanukean Frigate task force appeared several nautical miles off, the majority of the privateers disembarked the container ship and returned to their craft to harass the frigate fleet and draw them off them off. This provided the 10 Privateers still on board the container ship an opportunity to escape.

The Partisans dealing with the Vanukean Naval unit engaged in a brief firefight, with the Vanukeans sinking 2 of the 4 private ships, critically damaging the other two, and killing 14 Partisans. At this point, a Kalistani Destroyer group appeared on the scene and intervened. The standoff lasted into the night, and the remaining two ships, though crippled, were able to put the Destroyer between them and the Vanukean Navy. By morning, the Vanukean group broke off contact with the Destroyer and headed back to the shipping lane to continue their escort mission. Meanwhile, the remaining 9 Partisans were fished out of the Ocean and put aboard the Kalistani Destroyer.


Vanukeans aboard the Shifu No. 1 attempt to fight off Socialist Privateers with watercannon, to no avail

Back on the supertanker, the ship's Vanukean crew were able, under the cover of night to disable one of the ship's two engines by sneaking into the engine room and destroying the gearing mechanism on the Starboard engine. They were also able to briefly gain access to small arms and manage to kill two Partisans who were standing watch. The small arms fire woke the remaining Privateers, who quickly scrambled into position, wounded one of the Vanukean crew, and ordered the others to drop their weaponry. The Leader of the Privateers aboard the Cargoship, Ahmad al-Khalid-Hjelmson, reportedly said to the Vanukean defenders "Give up and you will not be harmed. These materials are not yours- is it worth losing your life to defend things that belong to other people?" The Vanukean resistance was not ended, however, as they got off another three shots, one of which wounded another Privateer aboard before finally running out of ammunition. Al-Khalid accepted the surrender of the Vanukean crew, who were taken below and locked in the ship's stateroom.

The disabled engine provided the Privateers with yet another challenge. Ultimately, with no possibility of making it to Quarantine at Suldanor, the Privateers decided instead to beach the ship on the coast of Vrassa. At the maximum speed the ship could muster, the privateers pointed the ship toward the shore and ran the ship aground. Luckily, the tide was in, and the ship made it significantly further inland than otherwise possible. This essentially made the ship into a monument to the success of the Partisan crew. Once aground, the crew was led off the ship and to a pair of waiting vehicles of the Socialist militia, who debriefed the crew and handed them over to Kalistani State authorities. The Privateers, assisted by other elements of the Socialist Militia and the National Steveadores union, then emptied the cargo from the ship over the next three days.

The Kalistani Privateers were paid more than 26 million rubles by private distributors for the goods from the ship, though it is likely that the cargo was worth as much as 30% more than that amount. Split between the 19 remaining Privateers, the haul made each Privateer a millionaire overnight. Al-Khalid privately donated his share to the relief of the families who had lost brothers and sisters in the incident. Speaking to Reporters later, he said "I am a good socialist, of course, and have no need for this money, especially when others need it more than me. It is an honor simply to assist my nation in this troubled time. I would be happy to return to peace- I am a simple fisherman by trade, and this business has really hurt my livelihood. But when the Republic calls, I answer. And any opportunity to strike a blow of vengeance for the loss of my President is an opportunity I cannot help but take."

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Socialist Party Leader condemns Trigunian Escorts of Shipping in Schismatic Sea
Denies Privateer Activity
Vrassa City, Vrassa District
June 17, 3927

In a stunning turn of events, Kalistani Opposition Speaker Hillary Clark denounced the comments of The Trigunian Navy, warning Socialist Partisans to not attempt to quarantine shipping passing through the Schismatic Sea. Clark spoke before the graduating Class at Kalistani Naval Warfare University in Vrassa two years after the assassination of Kalistani President Elga Bjorksdattir, and one year after the inauguration of the Kalistani Privateer program.


Opposition Leader Clark addresses the KNWU Graduating Class of 3927, in Vrassa

"We absolutely deny operations in the Schismatic Sea by our Partisans. Letters of Marque only extend to the straits between Lodamun and Dolgaria in the north and the National Waters of Gaduridos and Vorona in the South. The Quarantine Zone does not continue to the south of there. If Privateers are operating beyond that line, they are obviously not operating under Kalistani Letters of Marque- they may be pirates from other nations. The Trigunians should feel free to sink all vessels to whom they attribute piracy operating in the Schismatic Sea, rather than attempting to pin these acts on Kalistani Nationals.

"What really frustrates us in Kalistan is that our friends in Trigunia still ship their goods in Vanukean ships, and those ships still attempt to run our Embargo with impunity. We would instead hope that Trigunia would press Vanuku to accept responsibility for their actions, and offer Kalistan reparations for the useless destruction of life two years ago. But, the President has announced, the other day that Kalistani naval vessels will patrol the borders of the Embargo Zone to ensure that Vanukean and Trigunian naval vessels remain outside of danger and to ensure that Kalistani Privateers remain inside the Embargo Zone. The Government of Kalistan has committed an additional aircraft carrier group to the edges of the Embargo Zone, as well as two quick deployment Destroyer taskforces, and a missile frigate group. This is in addition to the normal patrols and coast guard units that are regularly dispatched from Kalistani Ports to offer whatever assistance that Kalistani Nationals may require at sea.

"One final thing- We would like to highlight that this escalation in Trigunian naval activity in the Schismatic Sea is unprovoked. We must disclose that, in encounters with Vanukean shipping over the last few months, as Privateers were attempting to enforce the Embargo on Vanukean shipping near Kalistan, Vanuku has sunk or completely disabled 27 ocean going vessels flying Kalistani colors in international waters. More than 85 Kalistani Privateers, operating with the full authority of the Kalistani Government on the High Seas, have lost their lives since the beginning of this year enforcing the Embargo Policy. All were Socialist Partisans. We have not asked for a single Ruble in compensation for the destruction caused by Vanukean Naval escorts in International Waters within the Embargo Zone. We have not sought additional sanctions against Vanuku. We have not denied Vanuku the opportunity to trade with any nations outside the Embargo Zone.

"We established this Embargo with our national security interests in mind, following the assassination of our President and Foreign Minister, which Vanuku mendaciously denied any sort of involvement in. Naturally, given our long friendship with Trigunia, and our recent warm relations, we encourage Trigunia to not extend their anti-Piracy policy into the Kalistani Embargo Zone. We hope that someday our relations may be repaired, and we look for the day when we can end the Embargo and restore normal shipping in and around Kalistan. Hopefully, Vanuku will do the right thing and reach out to our Nation in an attempt to settle this issue in a way which satisfies all involved."

To date, Kalistani Privateers have seized more than 60 Million rubles worth of goods from ships attempting to run the Embargo Zone and quarantined more than 250,000 DW tonnes of shipping. The vast majority of that amount was seized before March of this year, when seizures throughout the Anantanese Ocean dropped off significantly due to re-routing of Vanukean shipping to the South and then the use of overland shipping. Increased patrols of International Waters by Vanukean naval vessels have also put a severe dent in Privateer activity within the last few months.

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Kalistani Ambassador flies to Indrala
Ambassador Olgar Benito-Gonzales first Ambassador to Travel abroad in two years
Kaliburg, Ananto District
April 7, 3928


Defiant Crowd greets Kalistani Foreign Minister just before departure of Ambassador Benito to Indrala

Kalistan's Foreign Ministry dispatched newly appointed Ambassador to Indrala, Olgar Benito-Gonzales to Indrala to meet with his counterpart last week. The Ambassador is the first high level diplomat to depart Kalistan in nearly two years, following the establishment of the Embargo Regime in the international waters around Kalistan, and ahead of the upcoming Presidential Elections. The President is said to be considering non-renewal of the Embargo. Before leaving Kalistan, Foreign Minister Suarez issued the following statement:

Representatives of the Government of Kalistan will meet with our counterparts in Indrala in the coming weeks. Topics of conversation will include:
a) A Statement on the official policy of the Government of Kalistan with regard to the Embargo
b) A Statement on the official policy of the Government of Kalistan with regard to recent comments about vacated title regarding our National Territory
c) A Statement on the official policy of the Government of Kalistan regarding the so-called "zoo" alliance.

With regard to topic "A" of this discussion, the official policy of the Government of Kalistan has been to issue private individuals LIMITED letters of marque, which authorized them, in the name of the Kalistani Government to stop and search all shipping on the Anantanese Ocean for contraband items, and then to confiscate said contraband. There is no evidence that we have seized anything on the Schismatic Sea, or even patrolled that far south. And within the last year, we have even sent elements of our navy to ensure that Privateers do not venture, for any reason, outside the Embargo Zone. We have done so specifically to avoid contact with Trigunian naval elements who have been dispatched to the region, and apparently now will be joined by Indralan ships. And there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that we have harrassed shipping flying under any other nation's flag, quarantined their ships, or seized cargo which has not transshipped through or originated from Vanukean ports. The government of Kalistan has ALWAYS made public precisely what has been seized or quarantined, to whom it had initially belonged, and precisely which article of the Embargo Order it violated. Those reports are made public, and are printed on the Government of Kalistan's Website. We have not tried to hide or underestimate what we have confiscated- to do so would be counterproductive to the stated purpose of this Policy, which is to drag Vanuku, kicking and screaming if need be to a settlement of the outstanding issue which remains unsettled between our two countries. We want the Vanukean murderers behind the assassination of our President brought to justice along with a full accounting of WHY our President was murdered in mid air, and will not be satisfied until that occurs. We seek no other form of compensation nor accommodation, by anyone. Nor shall we offer compensation to Vanuku.

The Ambassador will re-iterate, for the dozenth time: The Embargo includes all shipping which sails under a Vanukean Flag, as well as all goods aboard ships that originated in or transshipped through Vanukean ports, and then attempt to pass through the Anantanese Ocean. Our target is Vanukean commerce, ONLY. Our seizures have been designed to discourage other nations from trading with Vanuku, until such time as Vanuku approaches the Kalistani Government with a settlement offer in regard to their assassination of our former President. We do not want war with any nation- we merely wish to continue, in Kalistan, under a peaceful and non-aligned orientation toward the world which is happy to trade with all who are willing to trade with us. The Embargo hurts Kalistani trade as well, as surface shipping has all but ended through the Anantanese Ocean. But this is a wound which our people have endured nonetheless, because the cause of Justice is far more important than the benefits we receive from Commerce. Whatever the President's decision on the Embargo after the Letters of Marque expire in June of this year, we will never stop working for Justice for our President, and we will continue in enmity with those states who continue to support the reactionaries in Vanuku as long as they refuse to seek a settlement of this major outstanding issue for Kalistan.

On a side note- The Ambassador will mention that the Government of Kalistan is currently drafting a program which will offer limited compensation to those nations who can demonstrate that their cargoes and vessels were quarantined in error. If enacted, this policy will repay any nation who can demonstrate that the merchandise or cargo vessels quarantined by Kalistani Privateers had not been shipped on Vanukean Ships or through Vanukean ports at 102% of the value lost. This offer would only apply to cargo quarantined in error. Cargo confiscated on the Seas which had any contact with Vanukean ships or ports would automatically be disqualified from any compensation program in the future. There is no evidence that any ship or cargo was seized in error, and we have returned a number of ships to various countries who technically violated the Embargo by merely docking at Vanuku for logistical support, but the Ambassador is expected to make this suggestion to the Indralan Minister to determine whether this would allay some of the concerns of that Nation and its friends.

With regard to Issue "B", We will not acknowledge any establishment of claim over any single inch of our national territory by any foreign power. Making any claim against any of our national territory will result in an immediate declaration of war by the Government of Kalistan. We encourage the Government of Indrala, who professes friendship toward Kalistan, to seriously consider this fact before even hinting at the possibility of such an action. Kalistan makes no foreign claims, but will absolutely not tolerate any suggestion of a violation of its sovereignty by an equal, nor will it tolerate the suggestion that Kalistani sovereignty will be used as a bargaining chip to gain concessions toward assassins and thugs. Such a suggestion by the Chief Counselor is absolutely beyond the Pale.

With regard to issue "C", we do not understand the "Zoo" alliance. We have heard diplomatic chatter with regard to such an alliance, and now we have official confirmation from the mouth of the Indralan Counselor, concerning the existence of such an alliance, but as Kalistan does not usually involve itself in the goings on of other nations, we lack the motivation to interfere with alliances made by other nations. Ours is a desire to remain completely free of foreign entanglements, and consequently we have no interest in disrupting alliances. Doing so would be of no benefit to Kalistan. It would not serve any interests we have. In fact- what is more likely is that we would hope that Vanuku's allies would lean on Vanuku to settle the issues leading to the Embargo with us so that they may continue with their own security and commercial arrangements without any input whatever from Kalistan. It would seem that a strong, stable alliance that our "friends" were a part of would be to Kalistan's interest- We would receive a proxy benefit. A strong alliance in lands and seas around us keeps peace in our own neighborhood, ensures orderly commerce, and bears much of the security costs that Kalistan would otherwise have to bear on its own. We are at a loss with regard to why anyone would think we were attempting to disrupt this, especially now that it means military escalation in the waters around Kalistan by people who are growing hostile to us due to their association with assassins.

We send our Ambassador in Good Faith to represent Kalistan to the Indralan Government. We hope that any meeting with our Indralan counterparts will be conducted in this spirit as well.

Ambassador Olgar Benito-Gonzales, pictured on Left at SPoK HQ, last December
Benito was mayor of Eshar, Odufaray before being named Ambassador to Indrala

Foreign Minister Suarez ended her lengthy comments with a commitment of the Kalistani Government to peace and an offer, at any time, to speak with any official of Vanuku with the authority to speak on behalf of the Vanukean Government, at any time, and in any neutral place of Vanuku's choosing. She reiterated that Kalistan would like to resolve this issue with Vanuku, but will not countenance threats or escalation made on behalf of Vanuku by its allies.

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President to Suspend Embargo
Opts not to extend Letters of Marque
Kaliburg, Ananto
May 21, 3928


President Smith addresses a stunned crowd, announcing the end of the Embargo

The President of the Republic, Delia Smith-Phillips shocked Kalistan today as she delivered the following address regarding the Embargo of Vanukean Shipping in the Anantanese Sea

Kalistanis, I humbly come before you today to announce that the Embargo of Vanukean shipping, which has brought sea-based surface shipping to a complete halt, has reached a natural end, and, upon recommendation of the Foreign Minister of Kalistan, the Government of the Imperial Republic of Kalistan will not be extended after Letters of Marque expire on June 1 of this year. All of the Socialist Party's Privateers have been recalled from International Waters overnight, and any action of former privateers after the expiration of the Letters of Marque will be deemed piracy and will be prosecuted as such by the Minister of Justice, in accord with the Laws of Kalistan and the rights of Defendants. No actions occurring and sanctioned under the letters of Marque, unless it is judged to have been treacherous and deleterious to the interests of Kalistan, shall be prosecuted.

The Government of Vanuku, and all vessels belonging to it, will remain barred from Kalistani Ports and Kalistani Markets. All third Parties attempting to ship things made in or shipped through Vanuku will be denied access to Kalistani Markets. Kalistan will also not sell anything to those countries which insist on maintaining commercial ties with that Country. We reiterate- we want a settlement on the question of the murder of our President by agents from the government of Vanuku, and we will not do business with Vanuku or their allies until this matter is settled. We will also refuse to receive or send out diplomats from Vanuku or their allies, unless the matter is specifically related to settlement of this issue.

We are taking this necessary first step to demonstrate Kalistani willingness to avoid any sort of open conflict with other sovereign states on the High Seas. We are committed to peaceful negotiations, and as long as the Embargo is maintained, this cannot happen. But our position vis-a-vis Vanuku has not altered, one iota. Nor will it as long as Vanuku refuses to accept the responsibility for their part in the death of the Kalistani President and bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice, in a public fashion. Nor has our opinion of those who continue to succor the criminals in other countries changed. If you assist Vanuku in hiding its dastardly deeds, you can count yourself as among them, as far as Kalistan is concerned. We repeat, we do not want war. We seek to have peaceful and prosperous exchanges between ourselves and our neighbors and friends across the world. We want to sell our national products to the world and buy the wonderful things everyone else has to sell us. We love cultural exchanges, and we, even to this day celebrate our openness to the world. And yet- we cannot allow this injustice to stand, not when the key to the matter is right in front of us all.

The President then left the stage. The crowd was reportedly subdued and stunned, and few sounds, but certainly no cheers, were heard as the President departed without a further word. Though the policy had ground Kalistani commerce to a halt over the past two years, along with all other trading, it was an incredibly popular nationalist policy among the majority of the country. The effectiveness of the policy was said to have dwindled to almost nothing along with the tonnage captured by privateers over the last year, and the number of privateers still active on the Anantanese Ocean is thought to be less than 50, as most have drifted back to their normal lives in other fields.

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reprinted from
IZQUIERDA- The Voice of the Kalistani Left
Socialist Party Proposes Compensation Fund
President declares that she will not seek Re-election in 3929
Kaliburg, Ananto District
June 22, 3928

Opposition Leader Hillary Clark-Reid proposed a compensation fund for all cargo and shipping seized in error during the two year Embargo. The key word to all of this is "in error". The controversial proposal, which endured significant internal debate over the past month before finally being put before the Assembly, offers foreigners the opportunity to make a claim on a 1 million Ruble fund. If cargo or shipping was found, in a Kalistani Court, to have been seized and impounded in error, claimants may be compensated at as much as 104.0404% of the total value of their loss, which represents a 100% compensation plus 2% interest over the term of the Embargo. Any compensation over and above 1 million Rubles will be covered by the Socialist Party of Kalistan, under the law.


Socialist Party Leader and Speaker of the Opposition, proposing the Compensation Bill

There are some fairly strict conditions under which an owner may be considered eligible for compensation under this law: All Vanukean citizens and representatives of the Government are automatically ineligible. All cargo that touched Vanukean soil on its journey to the point of seizure in any way is ineligible. Any ship that put into port in Vanuku for any reason on the particular voyage that it was seized for any reason other than refueling or repairs is ineligible. Any cargo or ship whose point of origin or transshipment was deliberately hidden for the purpose of masking its origin or point of transshipment is ineligible. Party Leader Clark stated,

"Under these terms, we are about 99.9% that all the cargo and shipping vessels seized during the Embargo was contraband, by the definition of the Strict Embargo Order. If we deplete that fund after 4 years, it will be a complete surprise. And yet, we do want to make sure that all people whose ships and cargo was impounded in error are adequately compensated for their losses, and made more than whole. We encourage claimants to come forward, file a suit in Kalistani court and let's air these cases. I am convinced that you will find that it was foreign shippers trying to smuggle Vanukean contraband through our waters who are the ones who broke Kalistani Laws during the last two years, and not Kalistani Privateers, as is so often claimed in the foreign press."

The Law is incredibly unpopular among Socialists in Kalistan. In an important compromise to radical nationalists in the Assembly, the Speaker added a sunset provision to the bill- the fund is to be liquidated after 4 years and no further compensation claims will be entertained after that point.


Foreign Minister Milena Suarez fields Reporters' Questions after President Smith announced her retirement

The President of the Republic endorsed the Bill, along with the Foreign Minister, as an adequate measure to sooth tensions abroad. The President then underscored the unpopular nature of the bill by vowing to not run for Office in the 3829 elections. The President stated,

This last term has been incredibly trying for me. My priorities have been absolutely overshadowed by the Embargo, and at this rate, I use what political capital I have remaining to promote this bill which I feel is entirely necessary. Therefore it is incumbent upon me to choose to step out of the way, so that less distracted individuals may take the reigns of State and perhaps heal the divisions that were caused during my Administration. Upon leaving, I do not wish to make any endorsement for my successor. It is my hope that whoever succeeds me will be committed to peace for Kalistan, and eventual normalization with all nations. But I fully encourage the Government and whoever leads it, to continue to search for justice in the case of my Late predecessor. Kalistan should not rest until that murder is resolved. It was our hope to bring the murderer or murderers to justice in my Administration, but I am out of time and out of patience. After January, I will join my Friend Jonas Bennots-Plum in working to build the Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan.

The President's remarks were followed by questions from the Press, mostly handled by Foreign Minister Suarez, who is widely expected to remain in her post, whoever becomes President.

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reprinted from
IZQUIERDA- The Voice of the Kalistani Left
Socialists nominate Benito-Gonzales to run for President
Party remains deeply split over Embargo Bill
Kaliburg, Ananto District
October 5, 3928

Olgar Benito-Gonzales, recently provisional Ambassador to Indrala and former mayor of Eshar, Odufaray received a slim majority of votes on the 16th Ballot to earn the nomination of the Socialist Party of Kalistan for the Office of President of the Republic. Benito is seen as a moderate and a compromise candidate between hardliners who were pushing for a restoration of the Embargo against Vanuku and its allies, and the free-trade libertarian elements of the Party. Added to the mix were an active faction of members of the Society of the Bretheren, who wished for a peace and isolationist candidate to be promoted to National Office. Several Socialist Assembly members promoted their own campaigns from the floor as well.


Mayor Olgar Benito-Gonzales in 3927, recently nominated SPoK Candidate for President in 3929

Benito, age 57, was drafted by the political establishment within the Party to run and was not even at the Convention. Party Leader Hillary Clark-Reid spoke fiercely for his candidacy, and a solid block of Assembly members stood with her on each ballot. Given the lack of coordination of the opposition, Benito took the plurality of votes in each canvass, but only finally received a majority when Foreign Minister Suarez released her bloc to vote for Benito. Suarez herself was promoted as a candidate early, but dropped out of the running and backed the Bretheren Candidate, Nathaniel Bennots through the 12th Ballot, when Bennots was dropped off the list due to getting too few votes. At the end of the day, Benito was nominated, and given the state of Kalistani politics, there is a strong possibility that he will therefore be Kalistan's next President.


An exasperated Speaker Clark watches as votes come in on the 13th Ballot

When asked for comment later, Benito said "It will be an honor to serve my Republic once more. I look forward to being able to meet the challenges faced, and with the help of the Assembly, I am sure that Kalistan will thrive together." Benito has early been on record supporting the dual system which was opposed by the two previous Presidents, but he will have a rough time pushing that agenda as long as Nationalists like Clark remain in control of the Party in the Assembly.

In other news, Clark easily kept her seat as Party Leader and Opposition Speaker, running for the office unopposed. She has recommended that the Shadow Government from the Socialist Party remain absolutely unchanged, a recommendation that the Party also confirmed without objection in a voice vote.

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First Year of President Benito's Administration "Uneventful"
Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan to hold first International Summit
Kaliburg, Ananto District
November 8, 3929

It has been almost a year since President Olgar Benito-Gonzales was elected President. During this time, the Socialist Party has had to cope with being a Minority in the Assembly, and yet still occupying several key roles in Government. But, analysts say that this period of quiet following the turbulent half a decade preceeding the election of Benito is a welcomed change for Kalistan. We sat down with the President to get his take on his first year.


President of the Republic Benito meets with the Beacon at National Capital

KB: Has the first year met your expectations?

B-G: Well, yes and no. I ran on the platform of calming the waters. When we decided to pull back from the Embargo, it was because we were making enemies of people who weren't enemies. We were no longer offsetting the cost of the Embargo to Kalistani commerce with contraband shipping and cargo. And the Privateers had more or less left the line anyway. The policy became unsupportable. We are still working to pass the Compensation act, which was unpopular with the majority of socialist voters, but is necessary to signal to the world that we are willing to admit our mistakes. But now- well, commerce is still lagging, so we have to work on that... Overall, my first year has been rather uneventful.

KB: Kalistan still has outstanding issues with Vanuku. Has there been any progress on those issues?

B-G: Well, to be completely honest, we don't have any diplomatic contact with Vanuku, and they have made no attempt to settle anything with us, not directly, and not through a third Party. We have not returned to our old embassies abroad, and the only country we have visited since the end of the Embargo was Indrala, where our legation was invited, was dispatched, and when we landed in Indrala, we were not met by anyone, our presence was not acknowledged by anyone, official or non- and we spent several hours in the airport waiting on a return flight to Kalistan. It was a complete waste of time and energy. It seems that Vanuku and their allies have opted, once we ended the Embargo, to fall off Kalistan's radar.

KB: And where does that leave Kalistan?

B-G: Kalistan has had a long history of going it alone in the world. International conflicts are not something that we do well in Kalistan. We have plenty of conflict domestically, as it is. So it more or less leaves Kalistan where it has been for the majority of its history. But I can assure you, this conflict has allowed Kalistan to develop some new security assets. We won't find ourselves being sucker punched again.

KB: Different topic. We understand that the Society of Bretheren is planning the first International convocation of Bretheren for the first time in over 1000 years here in Kaliburg. Bretheren representatives from all over the world will meet and will lay out the state of the Faith as it stands right now. What is the position of the Government of Kalistan on the re-establishment of a new Faith in traditionally secular Kalistan?

B-G: Well, as you are probably already aware, Kalistani Bretheren are almost exclusively members of the Socialist Party of Kalistan, so this question hits even closer to home than it would if it was just about Kalistan. This movement has taken a life of its own, though. There are more than 200,000 Bretheren in Kalistan now, half of them have joined since the Embargo began, and many of them have joined in opposition to the Embargo. They are people of peace, of course, and I assume that their influence plays out in the Party. But of course- they don't take direction from the Party. I suppose I can say, I wish them luck. What is somewhat more concerning, however is a recent indication that foreign Governments are beginning to notice the sect in other countries, especially in some places where it wouldn't necessarily be welcomed. This might cause friction in those countries, and as for Kalistan, we may end up becoming the destination for many of them if there should be some religious repression. Kalistan always welcomes the oppressed of other nations, and any addition of foreign Bretheren in Kalistani society will provide a nice infusion of talent and diversity.

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First International Meeting of the Society of Brethren (Bretheren) begins in Eveari
Brethren from over 20 countries to Join Kalistani-led
"Bretheren General Council"
Eveari, Ananto
June 4, 2930

Major Conference of International Bretheren Opened by Big Names in Kalistani Government

A major international conference of representatives of the Society of the Brethren (or as they are spelled in Kalistan, Bretheren) began this week in the resort town of Eveari, on the Island of Ananto. The two week conference is aimed at the establishment of connection between all Brethren worldwide and the Kalistani National Meeting, as it is now called. Bretheren also seek to compose, using the ancient method of discernment known as "Brethren Practice", a new code of worship and ethics for the member of the Society of Brethren. Due to concerted effort within Kalistan, Kalistani Brethren number more than 200,000, with an additional monthly meeting beginning across Kalistan every third month, on average. Kalistan now holds the greatest concentration of organized Brethren of any country on Terra, due largely to parallel membership and recruiting among Socialists in Kalistan and meeting building by committed Bretheren. Consequently, it is Kalistani Bretheren who represent the most dynamic force in the world Brethren movement, and it has therefore been incumbent upon Kalistani Bretheren to bring other members together.


Jonas Bennots-Plum, New General Clerk of the Brethren General Council (BGC)

The Meeting began with invited Speeches. Former Socialist Party Leader Jonas Bennots-Plum and former Kalistani President Delia Smith-Phillips opened the Conference with speeches of welcome to delegations from more than 20 countries with Brethren Populations. Bennots-Plum emphasized the importance of organizing locally- Most participants were not members of organized Monthly Meetings. But Smith-Phillips underscored the importance in the study groups which met occasionally in homes across the world, and pointed out that these Study Groups were the precursors to Monthly Meetings. Both speakers offered words of encouragement to isolated Brethren.


Former President Smith and Foreign Minister Suarez at Bretheren Conference

The Next Invited Speakers were the current head of the Socialist Party, Hillary Clark, and the Kalistani Foreign Minister, Milena Suarez. Neither speaker is a member of the Society of Bretheren, but have worked close with Bretheren in the ranks of SPoK. Clark stressed the importance of the alliance between the Socialist Party of Kalistan and the Society of the Brethren. She attributed the decision to end the Embargo and stand down from belligerence to Bretheren pressure within the Party organization. While noting that the two organizations remain separate groups, functionally, the two seem to be natural allies, due to the stress toward social justice, equality, feminism, environmentalism, human rights, and liberty held by both organizations. She stopped short of offering her Party's resources to promotion of the Society worldwide, and underscored the point with a reminder that the SP is a secular, non-religious Party, and Kalistan is a secular state, but her words of encouragement demonstrate that Kalistan will remain a fertile ground for the development of the Society of Brethren in peace and safety for the foreseeable future. Suarez reiterated the Opposition Leader's statements on the parallel missions of both the SP and the Bretheren, and publicly committed to the peaceful resolution of Kalistan's outstanding foreign relations matters. She also pledged Kalistani aid for all Brethren in foreign Nations who sought to relocate to Kalistan as religious refugees.


Speaker for the Opposition Clark, SPoK, Speaking at conference, stops short
of declaring full alliance between SP and Brethren, though highlights parallel mission

Once opening speeches ended, the delegates got down to business. Their primary task is to write a new Faith and Practice, but before doing so, the gathered Bretheren declared the foundation of a new "Brethren General Council (BGC)" as the international Meeting for Brethren world-wide. The Brethren General Council supersedes the ancient and defunct "Friends General Council" from which Bennots-Plum drew inspiration when working to found the movement in Kalistan fifteen years ago. The BGC was immediately offered offices in the KYM building in downtown Kaliburg, and has named Bennots-Plum the first General Clerk of the BGC, Dian Hoffs as the Recording Clerk for the BGC, Delia Smith as the Staff Clerk, and Thomas G. Boxer as the General Treasurer. Bennots-Plum expressed his gratitude at the appointment, and will clerk the rest of the conference.

New Faith and Practice

Before committees broke out of General Session, Bennots-Plum explained the purpose of the Faith and Practice. The Faith and Practice for the Bretheren General Council will be a set of statements and Quieries on Brethren faith and practice. Not a book of rules or a bible, instead, it is meant to provide guidance for Brethren when attempting to address an issue that may rise in meeting. It is meant, Bennots stated, as a living document, to be amended and aggrandized by Yearly meetings across Terra, with new changes being considered at each subsequent BGC conference, which will be held once every 4 years.

Initial Items to be found in the Faith and Practice include:
Brethren Testimonies- Bretheren hold the following five article of practice- Integrity and Honesty, Simplicity, Peace, Equality and Social Justice and Stewardship and Community. Each testimony should also contain Queries meant to invite Bretheren to challenge their own commitment to these testimonies.
Meetings- Brethren Monthly Meetings for Worship are conducted in silence, though Bretheren are invited to "Speak out of the silence" if they are led to do so. Meetings are called to silence and risen from the silence by the Clerk or some other senior member who has the respect of the meeting. Meetings for Worship, with attention to Business are conducted in much the same way as a regular meeting, however, the Clerk presents a business agenda for the reflection of the community, and minutes are recorded only after discerning the sense of the meeting. Other meetings (such as meeting for worship with attention to marriage) are conducted in similar fashion.
Brethren Practice- All Bretheren Meetings will be conducted according to Brethren Process, which is a method of discernment of the Truth by the entire meeting. The Clerk will ensure that all who wish to speak on a topic have the opportunity to speak before anyone who has spoken can speak again. All decisions will be made by every person present in the Meeting (whether a Member of the Society or not at the time) by allowing anyone with significant objection to a proposed course of action to "stand in the way" of the decision, thereby giving the Meeting cause to pause. Only those questions which have properly seasoned should be considered, and if there is significant disagreement as to a course of action for the meeting, the meeting will postpone a decision and allow the question to season more. There should be no voting.
Oaths- Bretheren should not swear any oaths, nor are they required to violate their consciences to do their duty to any state. Nor should they use titles oher than Brother and Sister among equals (family titles may continue as before), pay tithes, or observe any sort of arbitrary privilege. All are equal, and should let their yea be their yea and their nay be their nay, without needing to make an additional oath as to the fact.
The Inner Light- All humans have an inner light which is the still small voice of God talking to them. People will hear it if they listen for it. Others can help them hear it by listening to their own light and sharing the message with the friend. A group of people gathered together may discern the Truth of some matter easier than a single person, though a Truth discerned in private and tested is no less true. We are all equals in this regard- we all have that measure of the truth within us, and no person is more important than any other.
The Book- The Hosian Bible is a book, and where the Bible conflicts the Truth, the Truth must win. The Truth is more holy than the Book is. Bretheren may use any religious text for discernment that they feel they can derive Truth from, because all holy writers themselves had an equal measure of the Truth in them, and wrote it as they saw it in their holy books.
Hosianism- While the Brethren were initially convinced that Eliyahu was the son of God, Modern Brethren do not necessarily need to subscribe to the religion of the followers of Eliyahu. Bretheren believe that Eliyahu, were he alive today, would be a person of considerable virtue, and in that his example is worthy of observation. But there is no article for salvation among the Brethren, most especially belief in Eliyahu, and certainly not the dogma built after his death in his name. Whatever individual Brethren think of Eliyahu, the dogma of Hosianism stands between individuals and the Truth, and therefore, Brethren are explicitly non-Hosianism, though they may still follow the moral examples of Eliyahu. Just as Eliyahu had the spirit of God in him, so too does each other person alive today.
Non-Hierarchy- Similarly, there is no hierarchy over any member of the Society of the Brethren, anywhere, which should stand between that Brethren and the Truth. The BGC is non-hierarchical, and exists specifically to assist individual yearly and monthly meetings as they need assistance, either through sufferings funds for Brethren in need, or counseling or organization services. Brethren are guided by the Truth, discerned in silence and with the help of other Brethren or other people. No meeting exerts any more authority over the moral life of any person than he or she exerts over him or herself. The Meeting may only expel those from the meeting who the meeting deems to be dangerous to the community, and yet, as long as those people seek it, the Meeting still holds even expelled Brethren in their care.
Instruction for Brethren Under Nineteen (BUN)- Brethren Meetings may establish specific non-religious education opportunities as they are able. Brethren institutions will adhere to all National curriculum. Additionally, BUN education may also occur at Meetings, and that education, open and free to all, will be specifically related to Brethren Testimonies and Queries.
Queries- The Majority of the Faith and Practice will be made up primarily of Queries, designed to give advice on specific topics likely to be encountered by Bretheren on a day to day basis. The focus of these general Queries will be on the testimonies, but all meetings should feel free to add other topics of investigation.

The Conference will provide the initial steps toward a complete Faith and Practice. Bennots-Plum stated that a final edition will be completed within two years and will be made available across the world for consideration and discernment by Brethren across the world.