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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Sun Oct 07, 2018 1:36 am

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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Mon Oct 08, 2018 2:16 am

Noumonde Constitutional Convention: Day Two
Malgy and Canrillaise representatives clash bitterly over "power-sharing"
General Leroux loses his rag at squabbling politicians

Today has been a day of difficult challenges and fiery exchanges at Parliament House, where the Noumonde Constitutional Convention is taking place. The topic on the agenda was perhaps the biggest one of all: the basic issue over whether Noumonde should return to a "power-sharing agreement" along similar lines to the previous one, or move towards what the Malgy parties call "Full Democracy" and the Canrillaise parties call "Malgy Majority Rule".

National Party leader Leon Cormier began proceedings by conceding that under the previous power-sharing agreement, "hardline elements within the political establishment were able to block real reform, and this led to some injustices - most particularly towards the Malgy community". Even some of the representatives from his own party were stony-faced as he said this, but some of the Canrillaise Front members were openly hostile, jeering and pulling faces.

Cormier then went on to propose what he called "power-sharing plus", suggesting power-sharing should be resumed, but with guarantees about certain issues agreed right at the beginning in order to reassure the Malgy that there would be real change. In particular, he emphasised the need for land reform - an issue dear to the hearts of most Malgy.

Alliance leader Masoandro Androkae spoke next, praising Cormier for his recognition of the problems that went on with the previous power-sharing experience, but insisting that "we will never have meaningful change in Noumonde for as long as the powerful and privileged minority have a veto over the oppressed and disadvantaged majority".

Cormier and several of his other party members then tried to cajole Androkae, suggesting power-sharing would not need to be a permanent state of affairs, but could be set to last for a set period, such as 20 or 30 years.

At this, the Canrillaise Front leader, Count Henri Beaumanoir, rose to his feet and said it was "preposterous that Malgy are allowed the vote at all" and argued "the Malgy are not ready to govern the country, and by the time they are ready it will be closer to 400 years than 30".

Androkae then became impassioned, thundering "Noumonde wants and needs Full Democracy now - not in 20 years, not in 30 years, not in 400 years - now, now, now!"

Jacque St. Pierre, the Convention chairman, then invited the parties to consider a proposal whereby there would be no formal "power-sharing", but the Canrillaise minority would be guaranteed a fixed 45% proportion of the seats in Parliament. He suggested this "might give justice to the Malgy majority, whilst also giving significant protection to the Canrillaise minority".

Barijaona Rahantasoa, the Malgy People's Party leader, protested this proposal was "unacceptable and racist" because it "attaches more electoral weight to a Canrillaise vote than a Malgy vote". National Party and Canrillaise Front representatives complained the proposal would still mean "Malgy Majority Rule" and that this would be intolerable for the Canrillaise.

After this, angry clashes began between Canrillaise and Malgy representatives, with chairman Jacque St. Pierre seeming to increasingly lose control of the proceedings. General Fabien Leroux, the Federation-appointed Governor of Noumonde, could be seen talking to St. Pierre, and is witnessed to have been urging him to start suspending certain representatives from the sitting, but St. Pierre was reluctant to do that, apparently feeling it was better to let the situation unroll "naturally" and hope for the best.

Some time later, with order still not being restored, a visibly angry General Leroux marched up to the podium himself and picked up the microphone, taking everybody by surprise, and commanding their silence. He then delivered a very stern speech, telling both the Canrillaise and the Malgy sides that "you are not here to bicker, you are here to do business" and warning them "unless you lot come to an agreement, the Federation will impose its own solution on the whole damned lot of you".
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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Tue Oct 09, 2018 12:31 am

Peace Talks: Day Three

Following the failure of the parties to reach agreement on the principle of power-sharing yesterday, Convention chairman Jacque St. Pierre decided the parties should spend the next several days outlining their views on other key issues to the talks, so all of the different sides could come to a better understanding of each others perspectives. St. Pierre emphasised that whilst some of the key issues are constitutional in nature, others are not, but are still very, very important when it comes to the future of Noumonde and the future of relations between the Canrillaise and Malgy communities.

Today, the Convention discussed issues related to the monarchy, land reform and Action Canrillaise International.


Monarchy

The Alliance argued for the abolition of the monarchy and the introduction of a republic, headed by an executive President. Alliance leader Masoandro Androkae was careful not to personally criticise King Tristan, who he called "a fine man" and praised for "conducting himself absolutely correctly". This was a reference to the fact that unlike his father before him, King Tristan has stayed out of politics, and has also shown respect to republicans by declining to officially use the title of "King" unless and until that position is confirmed by the Constitutional Convention.

The National Party (NP) and the Canrilliase Front (CF) argued strongly for the retention of the Demitreous monarchy, although representatives amongst both parties seemed divided and unsure over what political power, if any, the monarch should hold.

The Malgy People's Party (MPP) argued for replacing the House of Demitreous with what they called a "Malgy Monarchy", but their representatives seem divided and sometimes vague about what exactly they meant by that. Some clearly support putting Lakshmi, the former Kalistani Empress, on the throne. Others were decidedly against that particular idea. An array of Malgy noblemen were proposed as possibilities, although amongst these, none emerged as being convincingly at the head of the pack.


Land reform

The discussion about land reform evoked strong feelings on all sides, and reminded some observers of yesterday's debate about power-sharing.

The Alliance proposed a program of compulsorily purchasing land from large Canrillaise landowners at 40% below market value, and then selling it on to landless Malgy for cheap prices, and in some cases with the offer of cheap state-assisted loans.

The NP agreed on the need for land reform and acknowledged that land reform did not go nearly far enough under the previous power-sharing government, but nevertheless insisted that all state purchases of Canrillaise-owned land should be voluntary, not compulsory. Leon Cormier, the NP, seemed sheepish and uncomfortable whilst articulating his party's position. He is known to be privately in favour of using compulsory purchase powers to achieve land redistribution, but his party colleagues are adamantly opposed to such a policy.

The CP objected to any land reform being introduced at all, arguing land reform is motivated by anti-Canrillaise racism, would be far too expensive and would reduce agricultural efficiency by giving the land to people who do not know how best to operate it productively.

The MPP demanded the compulsory requisition of huge tracts of Canrillaise-owned land without any compensation whatsoever, with MPP leader Barijaona Rahantasoa arguing that "if anybody should be compensating anybody, it should be the Canrillaise compensating the Malgy for stealing our land and exploiting us by making us do backbreaking labour on their fields for paltry wages".


Action Canrillaise International

Action Canrillaise International (ACI) is probably the most notorious and controversial organisation in Noumonde right now. It was established by General Blanchard during the dying days of his dictatorship, in order to promote his ultra-conservative brand of politics across the Canrillaise word. Blanchard generously lavished the organisation with funds and supplies. Even with the fall of the Blanchard regime, ACI has never been far from the spotlight, and had repeatedly been accused of being behind violent attacks and other criminal activity. The ACI, however, has always denied this, and insists the illegal activities attributed to it have all been carried out by a separate group called the "Canrillaise Liberation Army" (CLA). There is a lot of scepticism, however, about whether the ACI and the CLA are really all that separate. At present, the ACI remains a legal organisation in Noumonde, although how long that situation will last remains to be seen.

The Alliance and the MPP called for an immediate ban on the ACI, and arrests of those who are connected to it.

The NP acknowledged the concerns, but insisted "due process" should be followed, and that a ban should only be imposed once sufficient evidence of criminality has accumulated.

The CF, to the horror of the other representatives in the chamber, demanded not only that the ACI should not be banned, but that the existing police investigations into it were "harassment" and should be "called off immediately".
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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Tue Oct 09, 2018 4:08 pm

Peace Talks: Day Four

Today the Convention discussed issues relation to the role of religion in Noumonde.


Religion

The Alliance outlined the case for a secular state with no official religion, no religion favoured above any other and legal protections against religious discrimination. They also supported reducing - but not eliminating - the existing system of state funding for Hosian schools.

The National Party (NP) supported retaining the Aurorian Patriarchal Church as the official state religion, and continuing with the current arrangement whereby the state grants the Church funding in return for running some of the country's schools, health clinics, homeless centres and other social services. However, the party's representatives also made clear other religions should not face unfair discrimination, and that, for example, Malgyist (OOC: Malagasy pagan) organisations should be able to apply for state funding on equal terms to the Aurorian Patriarchal Church, and that regulations should be introduced to tackle discrimination against Malgyists, particular in the public sector and in housing provision.

The Malgy People's Party (MPP) proposed establishing Malgyism as the official state religion, nationalising much of the land and wealth of the Aurorian Patriarchal Church in Noumonde, and passing strict laws against Hosians attempting to "evangelise" Malgyists.

The Canrillaise Front (CF) defended Hosianism's position as the official state religion, and argued for reintroducing all of the rigorous laws implemented under the Blanchard dictatorship, including laws against blasphemy and laws heavily regulating the organisation and expression of non-Hosian religions.
Last edited by Aquinas on Tue Oct 09, 2018 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Tue Oct 09, 2018 4:38 pm

Peace Talks: Day Five

Today the Convention discussed issues related to language. The Malgy have long felt their language has been under-valued in Noumonde, whilst the Canrillaise language has been over-privileged.


Language

Both the Alliance and the National Party (NP) called for Malgy and Canrillaise to be the joint official languages of Noumonde. However, the Alliance's plans were more radical in terms of requiring all areas of the public sector and all reasonably large private organisation to facilitate the use of both languages. The Alliance was also more radical in terms of wanting to publicly fund schemes to promote the Malgy language and to encourage Malgy literature in particular.

The Malgy People's Party (MPP) called for Malgy to be made the only official language. MPP leader Barijaona Rahantasoa dubbed Canrillaise "the language of the oppressor", which provoked some protest from the Canrillaise representatives.

Count Henri Beaumanoir, the Canrillaise Front leader, called for Canrillaise to be the only official language, and caused offence by describing Malgy as "a primitive language which by its very nature, encourages primitive thinking and primitive actions". He also attacked Malgy representatives for "talking to each other in Malgy, so that we can't understand what they are saying", suggesting that "whenever you see Malgy talking in Malgy, you know they are up to no good - a good, honest Malgy always talks in Canrillaise, always".
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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:55 pm

ACI asks Deltaria to add Canrille Federation to "Imperialist Blacklist"

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Leila Lajoie

Leila Lajoie, granddaughter of former Noumon dictator General Remy Blanchard and Chief Executive of Noumonde's most controversial organisation, Action Canrillaise International (ACI), has written an open letter to Deltaria's military leader, General Manosindus Von Thaller, encouraging him to add the Canrille Federation to his planned "Imperialist Blacklist" of nations.

Lajoie has a track record of using her media appearances to lavish praise upon General Manosindus, who she calls "the greatest statesman in the world today" and refers to gushingly as "Daddy".

In her letter, Lajoie writes at length about General Manosindus's "achievements" and how much she admires him, and tells him he reminds her of "my dearly beloved grandfather, the great and inestimable Remy Blanchard".

She goes on to praise him further for "standing up to liberal neo-imperialism", then continues to condemn the Federation for invading Noumonde in order to overthrow her grandfather's regime, describing the Federation as "international war criminals". However, she then proceeds to talk about how "fundamentally good" and "great" the Canrillaise people are, and pleads with General Manosindus not to judge all Canrillaise by the actions of their governments. She finishes the letter by saying she looks forward to "the day when the liberal elite who run the Federation can be removed, and the Canrilaise people can truly be able to be themselves, and to achieve greatness, and to work with the Deltarian people in co-operation, friendship and deep understanding".

Lajoie's letter has provoked outrage in Noumonde and led to renewed calls for ACI to be declared an illegal organisation. General Fabien Leroux, the Federation-appointed Governor of Noumonde, has responded to this latest incident by imposing a ban on Lajoie and other ACI officials appearing on television or radio. She may still, however, continue to feature in newspapers, magazines and online media.

ACI was established by General Blanchard during the dying days of his dictatorship, in order to promote his ultra-conservative brand of politics across the Canrillaise word. Blanchard generously lavished the organisation with funds and supplies. Even with the fall of the Blanchard regime, ACI has never been far from the spotlight, and has repeatedly been accused of being behind violent attacks and other criminal activity. The ACI, however, has always denied this, and insists the illegal activities attributed to it have all been carried out by a separate group called the "Canrillaise Liberation Army" (CLA). There is a lot of scepticism, however, about whether the ACI and the CLA are really all that separate. At present, the ACI remains a legal organisation in Noumonde, although how long that situation will last remains to be seen.
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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:21 pm

Peace Talks: Day Five

Today the Convention discussed the arrangements concerning the military occupation of Noumonde, and the issues surround the name of the nation.


Military occupation arrangements

The National Party (NP) and the Canrillaise Front (CF) urged that Noumonde should only be occupied by troops from the Canrille Federation. Both warned that allowing in troops from other powers would be a mistake, and warned particularly that allowing in troops from Esinsindu nations would, in the words of NP leader Leon Cormier, "be experienced as offensive, humiliating and terrifying to a significant part of the Canrillaise population".

The Malgy People's Party (MPP) called for the Federation troops to leave Noumonde, and for order to be maintained instead by troops from Esinsindu nations, including, amongst other possibilities, Hawu Mumenhes, Talmoria, Cobura, Temania and New Alduria.

The Alliance suggested the Federation could remain in overall charge of the occupation, but that it could devolve certain roles to troops from Esinsindu nations, who would operate under Federation supervision.

All parties agreed the presence of overseas troops in Noumonde might be necessary for some years.



Nation name

The NP and CF argued strongly that "Noumonde" is an integral part of the country's history and sense of identity, and should be retained as the nation's name.

Meanwhile, the Alliance and the MPP argued that "Noumonde" is a Canrillaise name, bestowed upon the territory by Canrillaise colonialists, and that the nation now needs a new name to reflect the liberty and the aspirations of the Malgy people. The MPP proposed "Firenena", which means "Nation" in Malgy, whilst the Alliance suggested a compromise - "Firenena-Noumonde". However, the Alliance's proposed compromise was strongly rejected by both of the Canrillaise parties, and they also strongly rejected Alliance leader Masoandro Androkae's follow-up compromise offer of altering the order of the two names (ie. "Noumonde-Firenana"). Some Canrillaise representatives from both the NP and the CF became quite agitated about the suggestion the nation's name should be changed, and there were quite a few red faces and raised voices.
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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Thu Oct 11, 2018 12:14 am

Peace Talks: Day Six

On day six, the Convention discussed issues related to war crimes and the future of Noumonde's role in the world.


War crimes

During the period of General Blanchard's dictatorship, many human rights abuses took place. These were mainly carried out by the army, the police and occasionally by officially-tolerated Canrillaise militias against the Malgy population. There have also been some reported incidents of abuse on the Malgy side, including by the armed Malgy Liberation Front resistance group, committed mainly against Canrillaise but in some cases against perceived Malgy rivals as well.

The Alliance made the case for prosecuting 56 named individuals who worked for the Blanchard regime, but issuing a general pardon for the rest.

The National Party (NP) pushed for prosecuting 10 named individuals, 9 who worked for the Blanchard regime, and 1 from the Malgy Liberation Front.

The Malgy People's Party (MPP) argued strongly for a wide-ranging investigation to uncover individuals who committed abuses on behalf of the Blanchard regime, with mass arrests and trials.

Meanwhile, the Canrillaise Front (CF) demanded all individuals associated with the Malgy Liberation Front should be executed for treason, and also that the senior military leaders of the Federation forces in Noumonde should be put on trial for waging an "illegal war" against Noumonde. The CF made clear its furious opposition to putting Blanchard's men on trial, suggesting instead that they should be issued with "medals for valour".


Noumonde's role in the world

A broad-ranging discussion was held about what Noumonde's future place in the word should be.

Of the four parties, the NP was the warmest in its enthusiasm for strengthening Noumonde's relations with the Federation and with the Canrillaise world generally, making the case for a pro-Federation foreign policy and negotiating a special trade deal with the Federation.

The Alliance showed less obvious warmth to the Federation, although many observers, reading between the lines, are judging that in practice, the Alliance position is probably not really much less pro-Federation than the NP's, because they recognise the central importance of that relationship to the country. However, Alliance representatives did talk a lot more about furthering Noumonde's relations with the broader world, particularly with the Esinsindu nations, and also with Noumonde's Temanian neighbours (New Alduria and Temania), who previous Canrillaise governments always tended to be cool towards.

The MPP came across as very isolationist in their perspective and not very interested in discussions about foreign policy generally. They clearly saw the economic and cultural forces of globalisation as a threat and something to be resisted. Like the Alliance, they favoured stronger links with the Esinsindu world and with Noumonde's immediate neighbours, but unlike the Alliance, they were somewhat hostile towards the Federation.

The Canrillaise Front expressed they are in principle strongly pro-Canrillaise, but object strongly to the "cultural and moral decadence" and "liberal neo-imperialism" of the Federation and of the present governments of some of the Canrillaise countries. They called for Noumonde to form links with the Consortium Alliance.
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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Thu Oct 11, 2018 4:44 pm

February 4468

CLA guns down Blanchard killer

Thibaut Barbeau, the military general responsible for shooting General Blanchard after he refused to surrender to the invading Federation army, has been gunned down outside his small cottage in a rural area of western Noumonde.

Barbeau had been living a quiet life living on his own under an assumed identity since the war. It is believed he had been given immunity from prosecution by the Federation, due to his role in helping to bring the war to a swifter end.

Federation authorities in Noumonde have revealed Barbeau had been offered police protection, since he was an obvious target for Canrillaise extremists, but that he had declined the offer, preferring to try to live his life discreetly and without intrusion.

The Canrillaise Liberation Army (CLA), which is widely believed to be linked to Action Canrillaise International (ACI), has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, ACI has put out a statement denying involvement in the murder, but commenting that Barbeau was "traitorous scum who got what he deserved".
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Re: Noumonde News Service

Postby Aquinas » Fri Oct 12, 2018 10:33 am

Days Six to Nine: Talks in deadlock

After three days of trying to thrash out an agreement, Convention chairman Jacque St. Pierre has admitted "the negotiations are in a difficult phase right now" but insisted "people are still talking to each other and there is a will to try and make this work, so we are by no means giving up - we will go on and on, we will do everything humanly possible to make this work".

The biggest logjam at the moment is the issue over whether Noumonde should become a "Full Democracy", which would mean what the Canrillaise despairingly refer to as "Malgy Majority Rule". The National Party are insisting on a structured power-sharing arrangement, but the Malgy parties see this as introducing a "Canrillaise veto" which would entrench Canrillaise privilege. The Canrillaise Front, the more hard-line of the two Canrillaise parties, is not even wanting to accept power-sharing, and is still trying to make the case for a continuation of the traditional Canrillaise ascendancy.

Political journalists who have been following the talks and talking to the participants are suggesting that at the moment, it looks like it might be that the most that can be achieved is an agreement between the more moderate Malgy party, the Alliance, and the more moderate Canrillaise party, the National Party. The Malgy People's Party is being very reluctant to make concessions, and is also believed to be the least generally organised and politically united of the delegations, which is making the negotiation process tricky. On the other hand, the National Party delegation is very organised, disciplined and united, but is simply vetoing all proposals that do not conform to its exact agenda.
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