Likatonia -Kalopia Conflict

[MapleUnity]

"Our sword is peace, but the blade is conflict"

In the afternoon of March 31st, 3159, a bomb destroyed most of downtown Libertina, Likatonia. The capital city was shocked and devasted by the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians. Quickly, the National Police began investigating the attack and came up with five terrorist suspects. The suspects were located in suburban Anakagrad shortly thereafter, and three were arrested without a fight. After a gunfight with National Police, the two remaining terrorists retreated into international waters.



The two captured terrorists first claimed diplomatic immunity as diplomats of Kalopia. When Likatonian investigators demanded proof, the terrorists switched stories to claiming to be Kalopian Imperial Army militants, sent by leaders of the Kalopia party. The terrorists were then immediately deported to northern Sorbanika for further questionning.

Early, the Likatonian Government had been in heated discussions with the Kalopian party over fundamental human freedoms. The Likatonian Government was left with the conclusion that the Kalopian party had then retailiated by attacking Libertina. Likatonian Armed Forces (LAF) was requested to enter Kalopia and capture or execute the leaders of this militant group. However, the Wantuni Party, now the Government of Kalopia, refused entrance into Kalopia, claiming only unarmed investigators may enter. Currently, the Likatonian Government is considering the situation while looking for international allies.

[LNRulez01]

Tensions between Kafuristan and Likatonia increase as the Imperial Kafuri Airforce shoots down unmanned Likatonian spy plane.

LEHONTI-- Kafuristan's Imperial Air Defence Forces shot down an unmanned Likatonian spy plane that was trying to gather information on military installations in the Kafuri-Kalopian border region. Air Force Commander General Ali Mohammed Abd al-Hamed said the drone was flying over the Ashad military complex near the holy city of Helem in western Kafuristan when it was shot down. The report did not say when the plane was shot down.

The Ministry of Defence released a statement short after the unmanned spy plane was shot down saying that Likatonia had violated Kafuri airspace and had infringed on Kafuristan's sovereignty. The Minister of Defence has put the Imperial Kafuri Airforce on an increased state of alert and has ordered the increase of air patrolles in Kafuristan's airspace.

The Secretary of the Empire of Kafuristan, mr. Yussuf ibn Muhammed al-Hammad has convened an emergency session of the H.I.M. Cabinet to decide on possible sanctions against Likatonia. These sanctions will probably be either a economic embargo or the suspencion of diplomatic ties between the two nation. As a first action, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Likatonian Ambassador to Kafuristan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain this incident. A government offical stated that if the explaination is not satisfactory, this will result in severe sanctions against Likatonia, both economic and diplomatic. The government offical was also quoted saying that: "The use of satellites and unmanned drones to spy on not only Kafuristan, but on many Majatran nations is an unacceptable act. These actions are a complete violation of the sovereignty of the Majatran nations. Continuation will undermine Likatonia's influence and relationships with the nations on the Majatran continent.

Kafuristan is locked in a dispute with Likatonia and its allies over its neighbour Kalopia, which Likatonia believes funded and armed alledged Kalopian militans who bombed the main inter-provincial highway of Likatonia.

[MapleUnity]

THE LIKATONIAN TIMES
PRESIDENT IRATE OVER SHOT DOWN DRONE
Libertina, Likatonia

The recent Kafuri attack on a Likatonian drone over the Majatran continent has the President very upset. Not only is the President angry over the recent disaster, but most Likatons are demanding answers and actions by their Goverment. However, the President in a speech today announced his more patient attitude about the attack on an unmanned and unarmed drone. In a press release made earlier, President Fournes announced that the Likatonian Government sees this as an act of war, and expects the correct response from Kafuri leaders.

"This is an absolute disregard for Likatonia and our national dignity. Every single soldier, every single vechile, and every single piece of equipment that is owned by the Federal Republic of Likatonia is a representation of all Likatonian people. Any attack against one of these is akin to war, and we will not put up with it. It is a horrible and disgraceful act, and we find hypricritical of some Nations to preach calm actions, and then respect another Nation to completely destroy an unarmed, unmanned drone. What could that drone have harmed? Everyone knows it wasn't even there for the Kafuristan Nation, it was meant to make sure that the Wantuni Government would be arresting the Kalopian militants properly. It makes one wonder what Kafuristan is hiding.

"That being said, I have decided to not respond with guns blazing, and try to advocate peace and stability. We are asking the Kafuri Government and Armed Forces to apologize to the Likatonian Government and people, and repay our Armed Forces the 200 Miliion Likaths the drone was worth. If this happens, we will happily never worry about Kafuristan and simply be able to be friends.

Should they not be able to find the humanity to apologize to the Likatonian people and Armed Forces, and admit their fault, then we will have no choice but to understand it as a delibirate act of war against Likatonia, and we will respond as such."

This message wasn't taken very well from Likatonia's Minister of Defense. Victor Campan, the Minister of Defense, claimed that although he respected President Fournes very much, it appeared to him "that President Fournes is taking this too lightly and trying to warm up to the international community. We should respond with bombs and stealth attacks, not making them say their sorry while they laugh behind our backs. They shoot down a drone, we shoot down one of theirs. It's how the world works!" While we here at the Likatonian Times may not fully agree with Minister Campan's statement, we have to say that it does appear President Founres has changed his policy so that Likatonia can understand the situation better before getting involved. It appears to make him a better leader.

Out on the streets, the people seem to agree with this. "This is the right thing to do!" claims Katherine Waltras, one of hundreds outside the Likatonia Government buildings today waiting for our response. "If they don't apologizze, then we must retiliate!" says another passerby. In all, Likatonian people seem to be behind this new stance by the Government and are waiting anxiously for Kafuristan's response.

[LNRulez01]

Kafuristan expels Likatonian ambassador, recalls its own ambassador.

LEHONTI-- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a written statement saying that the Kafuri Government has ordered the Likatonian ambassador to Kafuristan to leave the country within 48 hours. This action was taken by the Kafuri Government as a reaction to the demands issued by the Likatonian government with regards to the Likatonian spy plane shot down by Kafuristan's Imperial Air Defence Forces. In the statement the Kafuri Government states that the demands made by the Likatonian government, namely paying damage reparations and issuing a formal apology to Likatonian Armed Forces and the Likatonian people, is unacceptable as Kafuristan was fully within its rights to defend Kafuristan's sovereignty. The accusations made by the Likatonian government that the shooting down of the unmanned spy plane was an act of aggression or even war on the part of Kafuristan, is a false claim. The Kafuri Imperial Air Defence Forces acted in self defence on their part. The courages soldiers of the Imperial Army defended their Motherland against the aggression of a foreign power, namely Likatonia. The mere act of spying with spy planes inside Kafuri airspace is a act of war against the Kafuri Empire, thus making the Likatonian government the aggressor in this case.

Sources inside the Ministry of Defence have stated that the Kafuri Government is debating to raise the Imperial Military Readiness Level (IMRL) of the Imperial Armed Forces from code Green to Code Yellow, the second highest readiness level.. If the IMRL is raised, it would mean that the Imperial Armed Forces is anticipating a strong possibility of an attack against Kafuristan.

[MapleUnity]

THE LIKATONIAN TIMES
LIKATONIA ANNOUNCES ARMED DRONES



Libertina, Likatonia

"This is not an act of war, this is an attempt for peace,"

Those were the first words that the Minister of Defense Victor Campan announced when he meet with the entire Foederalis Legatorum in Domus, and over 130 men and women who represent the people of Likatonia. Minister Campan went on to discuss the new armed drone scout plan that the Ministry of Defense had created.

"We will be arming five drones with conventional missiles for further reconnassiance missions in South Majatra. This armed drones will not fire unless they are fired upon. We hope that these armed drones will be able to fulfill what the previous scouting plan unarmed drones were not able to do. We have orders to simply scan and check the area of Kalopia and Kafuristan for any bomb or missile sites that may be used against the Federal Republic of Likatonia."

Along with the drones, Minister Campan announced that two manned and armed aerial reconnassiance crafts will be patrolling in the international arispace around South Majatra. Should the drones be attacked, these two armed air crafts will be used to defend Likatonia's interests in this part of Terra. Also delegated to this new conflict is the Naval Fleet Ruina, with Air Craft Carrier Fugae, who will be in international waters along the South Majatra for refuelment of the various aircrafts.

The public in Likatonia are rejoicing the decision, happy to not see the Government back down on this important issues. "All we want is for those Kalopian militants to be brought here to Libertina to see the destruction, to see the dead bodies, and then let them be sentenced by our people." says one passerby on the streets. The next gentleman we talk to declares that "Any Nation who tries to stop our capture of these militants ought to be ashamed of themselves. Why are they allowing this horrific crime to go unpunuished?"

Indeed, the Likatonian Government said as much during the press release to the media about this new Advanced Scouting Plan II. Ministers were quick to point out that although this is not an act of war, they don't see it as much of an act of peace either. However, the Likatonian Government did tell Kafuristan and most of the international media, that they would try a peaceful approach for apologies. When this wasn't given, it became obvious that Kafuristan was looking for a fight. As the Ministers have said though, this isn't about Kafuristan and they don't want to draw innocent civilians into what was supposed to be a quick in and grab the militants scouting mission.

The Likatonian Government did say however, that if any of these new armed drones are engaged in combat, then the Federal Republic of Likatonia will announce war against said intervening Nation, regardless of who it is. As such says the Minister of Defense, Victor Campan:

"Our patience is up, and if any foreigner who so much as touches those planes, then we will not hesitate to use the full might of our millitary forces agaInst that Nation.

[LNRulez01]

Kafuristan raises military readiness level.

LEHONTI-- In a short communique by the Ministry of Defence, the Kafuri Supreme Military Council has announced the complete mobilization of the Imperial Armed Forces. All sections of the Armed Forces have been put at Imperial Military Readiness Level (IMRL) "Code Orange", the second highest IMRL level. This means that foreign military incursions into Kafuri territory are considered highly likely. Because of this all leaves have been cancelled and all military personal are ordered to report to their units. The Imperial Armed Forces have been ordered to prepare for, and prevent an invasion of Kafuristan by foreign powers.

The Supreme Military Council has also ordered that the Queranzari Guard and the Kafuri Imperial Army Corps of Engineers (KIACE) to begin building and extending defensive positions and anti-air positions across Kafuristan

The Kafuri Imperial Naval Forces have been ordered to intercept hostile ships entering Kafuri territorial waters in order to prevent an invasion of Kafuristan.

The Kafuri Imperial Air Force has been ordered to take down any unidentified and/or hostile flying objects entering Kafuri airspace

[MapleUnity]

THE LIKATONIAN TIMES
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES JUSTICE COMMISSION

Libertina, Likatonia

President Rob Fournes announced the beginning of the Likatonian Peace and Justice Commission, whose goal will be to co-ordinate justice with the international community over the recent militant attacks by the Kalopian Imperial Army. The commission is to also be incharge of holding Likatonia's negotiations with Kafuristan over the recent attacks of the Likatonian drones.

In a press release to the Likatonian Times, President Fournes had this to say: "We are 110% committed to bringing justice to the Kalopian militants who attacked our innocent civilians. We are hoping that by creating this commission, we can find supporters in the international community who will be able to drown out the pro-terror and pro-militant nations such as Kafuristan, Kalopia and Hulstria who are attempting to aid the horrific individuals behind the attacks."

The Minister of Defense, Victor Campan, also noted after the Dorum was let out "that Likatonia now realizes that the Wantuni Independance Party is not willing to arrest these militants, nor release them to the LAF. Our recent armed drones that haven't been interfered with by the Kafuri Armed Forces have relayed such images to the LAF. We will not stand for this, and this commission that President Fournes created is going to be the last attempt for peace that our Government will initiate. We hope this commission works."

Along with Minister Campan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the newly elected Ty Maclean will be joining the new peace conferences that the Government of Trigunia have decided to hold. Both Ministers calimed that they were happy to join the Conference and make their plea to the international community. The Government of Likatonia is now waiting for the Conference to start, and for the Kalopian and Kafuri reaction.

[LNRulez01]

Kafuristan supports Peace Conference initiative.

LEHONTI-- The Kafuri Government announced today that it would send the Minister of Foreign Affairs, mr. Mehmet ibn Ahmed Said Muhammed, to the Peace Conference in Trigunia. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Kafuri Government has very high hopes that this Conference will be the start of serious discussions between the opposing sides. The Minister also said that Kafuristan would not give in to threats nor would it surrender its sovereignty.

In the same statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs critized the Likatonian President, who stated that Kafuristan and Hulstria are pro terror and pro-militant nations, by saying that neither Hulstria or Kafuristan have supported millitants and terrorists in the past and that the statement made by the President was a deliberate attempt by the Likatonian Government to undermine the Conference in Trigunia.

[MapleUnity]

PRESIDENT SPEAKS OUT AGAINST CLAIMS BY TERRA LEADERS


Large crowds gather to listen to President Fournes public announcement

Libertina, Likatonia

President Robert Fournes spoke for the first time all month to the terra press about the recent claims that some nations that are largely seen as peaceful entities in the international community have said, depicting Likatonia as looking for a fight. President Fournes spoke outside of the Dorum today infront of crowds of supporters and reporters.

"We are attempting to find peace in a situation where we have been shorted and mis-guided almost 24/7 by leaders in nations all across Terra. We are very upset that some of the leaders of these so-called peaceful nations would attempt to slander the Federal Republic of Likatonia by denouncing us as attempting to create a conflict.'

"Let's get this straight. We were attacked by militants in our own Nation, who were sent by a foreign Government to kill our citizens. We have done nothing wrong, we are the victims! What happened when Kalopia said they wouldn't allow our Armed Forces to enter Kalopia? Did we invade them? No, we sent an unmanned and unarmed drone to make sure that the militants would be arrested properly. And the Government of Kafuri shot down that drone, effectively ending our peaceful method of making sure that justice is being served.'

We will remind Kafuristan and Hulstria for the last time that both of these nations have expressed no concern for the Likatonian loss of innocent life, and that both the Kafuri Government and the Hulstrian Government have seemed to side with the militants hiding in Kalopia, critizing every Likatonian move and even, in the case of Kafuristan, intervening in these matters.'

"Militants entered our Nation and killed civilians. If we had sent soldiers to your land and attacked your innocent soldiers, would you not respond? Justice will trump sovereignty every day, in the Likatonian mind-set."

This news comes after weeks of international blasting from the internation community over President Fournes announcing that Kafuristan and Hulstria are pro-militant and pro-terrorist. President Fournes later claimed that he would not be rescinding either claim, and still supports what he said earlier. Victor Campan, the Minister of Defense recently also spoke about initiating a new survelliance in Kafuristan and Kalopia, but will on the ground covert teams. Currently, the issue is being discussed with other Defense staff.

[MapleUnity]

COVERT TEAMS LEAVE LIKATONIA


Soldier stands guard outside Metiri Likatonian Armed Air Forces base

Libertina, Likatonia

The Federal Republic of Likatonia announced early this morning that covert teams have taken off from an LAAF base on Metiri. Although the Ministry of Defense did not announce the destination for the covert teams, and neither has the President spoken about this recent development, we here at the Likatonian Times deem that it would be prudent of the Government to send these covert teams to Kalopia or Kafuristan. At the time, neither location has been announced or commented on by either the President or Minister Campan. It has been announced though that 3 teams have been mobilized, and that for security's sake the destination cannot be announced. We will update you further once there have been more recent developments.