November 4339Onglian Liberation Army declares "Kilana Free State" in HulnewGovernment troops pour into Central ProvinceFamine relief aid bannedOOC: Please ignore the map's dated references to Kazulian & Hulstrian territoriesFollowing weeks of failed negotiations between the New Englian government and representatives of Onglians farmers in famine-hit Central Province, the government has sent in troops to quell an uprising by the Onglian Liberation Army and seize control of the agricultural land from the Onglian farming co-operatives.
The government had insisted that the Onglian farming co-operatives were responsible for the famine, because they grew subsistence crops like potatoes rather than profitable "cash crops" like coffee and chocolate. On the other hand, farming co-operatives were reluctant to change their policies, partly because they saw subsistence farming as part of their way of life, and partly because they distrusted the Inglian merchants who control New Englia's agricultural export trade.
The government was insisting the farming co-operatives surrender control of the land, so it could be run along more profitable lines by Inglian-owned agricultural corporations, but the farming co-operatives resolutely refused, vowing to fight rather than give up an inch of field.
To begin with, the government sent in the New Englian Constabulary, but it soon became clear they were not up to the task of putting down the revolt. The farmers, closely working with the Onglian Liberation Army, then seized control of Hulnew City, hanging the mayor, the local police chief and several other unpopular local officials, and declaring the "Free State of Kilana". To this, the government responded by sending in heavily armed troops who, as we speak, are rampaging through Central Province, shooting at all suspected resistors and raiding Onglian homes pretty indiscriminately.
More controversially, the government has evicted all famine relief and famine relief aid workers from the region, asserting that the aid "is only fuelling the situation" and that "arms and explosives are being smuggled in amongst the aid".
Foreign governments accused of "fermenting terrorism and rebellion"Foreign Minister Bernard Grobbam has blamed "the Terran Liberal Elite" for "undermining New Englian society by fermenting terrorism and rebellion, giving succour and direct support to those who would murder us all in our beds as we sleep". He pointed the finger particularly at Beiteynu, a country he accused of having "warmongering intentions" and "being a prime source of the armaments supply the Onglian Liberation Army has acquired".
Lord Protector invites "respected and impartial Istalian observers" to tour of New EngliaResponding to
sanction measures and public criticism from Istalia, Lord Protector Rafe Shevington has commented he is "disappointed and pained by the lack of understanding for our situation in countries like Istalia" and has announced he has invited "12 respected and impartial Istalian observers to visit our country on a tour, so they can see for themselves what the conditions are like here, what the challenges are that we are facing and how the government is addressing them".
The attention of the international media was initially sparked by this, but it soon became clear the proposed plan was not anything that would be likely to carry any weight with the Istalian government or any other foreign critics. All of the invited "12 respected and impartial Istalian observers" are apparently members of the Amici di Nuovi Englia (Friends of New Englia), an Istalian group which in effect is a front organisation for the New Englian government.
New Englia only sends limited aid to PericaOnglian Landmine Clearance TeamIt is no secret that the New Englia government is sympathetic to Edvard Perica's struggle to retain control of Statrica and would like to do more to assist him, but due to the situation in Central Province, only limited extra support has been offered in response to Perica's
call for more help. However, amongst the extra support has been included the dispatch of the Onglian Landmine Clearance Team, a poorly-paid and poorly-trained army regiment. In the past, the New Englian government has received international criticism for its use of this regiment, with the accusation being that the lives of these soldiers are put unnecessarily at risk because they are not properly prepared to take on the dangerous tasks they are given.
Transcontinental Rail extension to New Englia postponedBuilding work on the extension of the Transcontinental Rail extension from Delagogesa to New Englia has been postponed as result of the security situation in Central Province. The security situation, combined with the government's increasingly poor international reputation, is raising questions in some quarters about whether the extension will go ahead at all.