Kalistani Republic
Grognard reviews troops in the Field; Launches more Fast boats
President welcomes Deltarian Guarantees; announces expulsion of Indralan Diplomatic corpsEshar, Odufaray District
February 7, 3985Defense Minister Grognard meets with elements of the Center Army of the Kalistan Regular Forces in OdufarayDefense Minister Millicent Grognard reviewed Kalistani Regular force preparations in Odufaray and Neveras last week. Increased tensions between Kalistan and its neighbors to the south have led the Defense Minister to retain alert status for All regular forces.
"We can't trust that those who seek to violate our national security will simply stand down, neither at sea, nor it seems anywhere else. There is, of course, a danger to keeping forces on alert: Eventually you can sharpen a stick to too fine a point and then it suddenly dulls. But I assure you- Indrala's patrols in our waters are becoming more aggressive by the day. We have been patient with them thus far, but there is no telling how long we will be able to put up with that Empire attempting to regain their former glory in our territory. We reiterate: The Anantanese Ocean is closed to Indralan Aggressive Naval Units. We insist that the Faded Empire respect this cordon, and if they continue to refuse, we will take matters to them. Our forces are ready for any reprisals they may launch in response, but we will not relent on this. Their threats will not continue unacknowledged!"
The Units of the Center Army treated the Defense Minister to a show of firepower which was relayed over State television. We should also note: the Center Army still plays host to Trigunian Naval Infantry units who have passed a year in Kalistan. The Minister's tour comes after she has ordered another 12 LAFA ships into the Anantanese Sea, bringing the total up to 63 LAFA ships, primarily focused along the southern Edge of the International Zone, along Indrala's patrol route.
"The one thing we agree with the Indralans on: their increased presence in our waters definitely increases the potential for an accident, though I assure you, it will be Indrala that commits the error. We do not want war. We just want Indrala to turn aside, and we are prepared to defend ourselves if they opt not to."
President of the Republic, Poppy Smith Bennots, addressing a massive crowd of Odufar Partisans yesterday, in a message meant implicitly for the Indralan EmpireIn other news, The President of the Republic addressed a huge crowd assembled in Eshar. The President detailed the provocations by the Indralan Empire and for the first time linked Gaduridos to Indrala, arguing that any loses Kalistan experiences as a result of Indralan aggression will be a gain for Gaduridos. She also acknowledged
the Czar of Deltaria's recent message of support and guarantee."We welcome the Czar onto the side of good and justice in the Anantanese Ocean. While we may not share the same governing ideology, nonetheless, we both have an interest in containing Imperial Aggression, Deltaria in Majatra, and Kalistan in Selaya. Kalistan is a nation of peace, and we demand respect for our sovereignty from all nations of the world. Indrala insists on stepping on us at every turn, and it is not something that free nations must accept. I need not remind you that Indrala once claimed ownership of our land. They still insist that they have free reign in our national territory.
But we reiterate: The Anantanese Ocean is closed to their militarism. We will stand up against that aggression even if we have to do it alone. But we appreciate the fact that we do not: With Deltaria at our back, Indrala must think twice before continuing their provocative behavior. Kalistan has never been more prepared to defend its rights than now. We call on Indrala to stand down. Once they leave our waters and cease this petty and ridiculous bellicose behavior, we will be happy to discuss their outstanding concerns. Until that time, we will continue to prepare for the time when we have to defend our liberty and independence from the Faded Empire."
In making the speech, Smith-Bennots went further, to dismiss the Indralan claims of Kalistani support for Piracy, and reiterated that Kalistan is a neutral nation, uninterested in Indralan schemes for world domination.
"We know that the arrival of Indrala's Tortoise Fleet under the thin guise of anti-piracy action is laughable, to say the least. We know that their actual goal is to re-subjugate our Nation to their hegemony and to use it against their enemies further to the North. Their escalation indicates the disrespect that have for Kalistani National Integrity and Sovereignty, and their desire to seize a key point in the waterways between three continents. And in bringing their major fleet north into our Ocean, they have clearly chosen the route of vinegar rather than Honey. We will never back down. Kalistan will remain united and strong, and we demand our rightful place among the Peace Loving and Sovereign Nations of the World."
The President also addressed recent developments in the Kalistani Navy, now that 6 Light cruisers have been added to Kalistan's proto-fleet. The President finished the speech by announcing the expulsion of the Indralan and Gaduri diplomatic Missions from Kaliburg.
"Yeah- they have 48 hours to leave the country, and they will be welcomed to return when Indrala comes to its senses,"
The President stated to wild cheering. The event ended with the singing of the "Hymn of the Revolutionary Socialist Militia of Kalistan" a song which has not been publicly sung for hundreds of years, since the end of the Fourth Crisis, but which has remained popular all this time, given the ubiquitous presence of the RSMoK in Kalistani public affairs.