Karakas returns to international news (or, Mr. President is bored)

[Mr. President]

Since the collapse of the government of neighboring Pasiphae, tensions have been on the rise between the Republic of Karakas and the Sandline militia that controls the border territory of Shanodin.

After the dissolution of the Commonwealth of Pasiphae, Karakas attempted to gain control of Shanodin, a province that was once ruled by the medieval barony of Pendelhaven, via non-violent channels. Its plans were thwarted by the Sandline, which seized control from the remnants of the local Pasiphae government.

The issue now under debate in Karakas is whether to claim Shanodin by force. Some politicians are advocating an armed assault on the Sandline and the incorporation of the province to guarantee Karakas' economic interests in Shanodin (during the Pasiphae administration, it was a major source of raw materials and iron for Karakas' factories). Others use the historical angle, and say that Shanodin belongs to our nation by right of descent and ancestry.

[GeneralTacticus]

What kind of government have the Sandline instituted? Would the people of Shanodin be better off under the rule of Karakas? Are there any particular ties (cultural, linguistic, geogrpahic, etc.) between the peoples of Karakas and Shanodin?

[Mr. President]

The questions are valid. Karakas' representatives will prepare a presentation on the topic, and will attempt to post it tomorrow.

[GeneralTacticus]

Centralis awaits the answer with interest. We shall decide our position based upon it.

[Mr. President]

We apologize for delivering the presentation slightly earlier than first anticipated. The President authorized us to present our case early, after receiving an express intelligence item.

Allow me to open with some background information on the region's history. (OOC: I made a modified map for the purposes of this thread. I decided I wasn't quite happy with the layout of the one I made a long time ago. If there are any comments on this, please let me know. /OOC) During the Age of Legends, many small kingdoms and principalities ruled the coastal plain that is now the home of the Republic of Karakas. The most important were Amjad, Akron, and Katipiro (after the great lake in Pasiphae). The smaller ones included Sursi, Pendelhaven, and Ithaca - these mostly acted as allies and support for the larger nations in the wars that were a periodic occurrence during that period.

At the end of the Age of Legends, the Numenorean Empire rose in the far west, as is recounted elsewhere (see especially Gaius Publius History Guy's Akallabeth), and eventually took control of much of the western coast of Apolyton - the Ivory Coast, as they called it. In the year 1344, Princess Lucrezia of Amjad, an vassal ruler of the Numenorean Empire, conquered Pendelhaven and Shanodin.

Around fifty years after this, the War of Desecration in eastern Apolyton drove the ancestors of the Pasiphaeic tribes westward. They settled in the lands of Katipiro, allying themselves to their hosts be marriage. Soon after, fierce conflict with the Numenorean Ivory Coast began, which continued sporadically for the next three hundred years. In the end, the line of Lucrezia was eradicated by assassins, and the Ivory Coast was compelled to cede the territories of Shanodin and Mercadia. It heralded the weakening of the Numenorean power in western Apolyton, and in 1788 Amjad, Akron, and Karakas (an administrative entity created by the Numenorean overlords based around the city of the same name) asserted their independence. Numenor's position was weakened due to wars elsewhere in its empire, and the three countries quickly gained full independence, followed by Pendelhaven and Ithaca. The Articles of Confederation were signed in 1794, creating the Republic of Karakas.

Now that we have run over the history, we shall address some of the questions specifically relating to the current dispute.

We will answer Centralis' last question first: Are there any particular ties - cultural, linguistic, geographic, and so forth - between the peoples of Karakas and Shanodin? Although almost three hundred years of incorporation into the Pasiphaeic nation has evolved Shanodin's culture and language somewhat, the core of this culture and language is basically Karakasian in nature. For much of its history, Shanodin was ruled by one of the three most powerful Karakasian kingdoms.

According to last year's Commonwealth of Pasiphae regional census, a plurality of Shanodin's population was ethnic Karakasian. These made up 41% of the population. Ethnic Pasiphaeics accounted for 22%, while Numenoreans and Mirrodin (a group related to the indigenous tribes of southern Centralis) each accounted for around 15% of the people. Of the Karakasian people, about half spoke a Karakasian language (Numenorean, Akronese, Amjadi) as their first language.

As for the question of: What kind of government have the Sandline instituted? Would the people of Shanodin be better off under the rule of Karakas? We are now able to answer this better, having been provided important information by our own intelligence agency and that of CFC's Matrix Theory.

The Sandline first appeared during the recent War of Five Armies in southern CFC, where it was enlisted under Sheep Springs' Mercenary Act to fight the Matrix Theory invasion forces. Its core consisted - and still consists - of Stornlanders from CFC's far north. Since the Stornland Federation supported Matrix Theory during the war, its citizens who fought for Sheep Springs (as well as any of the other nations that opposed Matrix Theory) were stripped of their citizenship. Hunted by the Matrix Theory military administration of Sheep Springs, many of them fled to Apolyton.

Here, they found employment in the civil war of the Sovietskii Soyuz. After that, some moved to Ubinia to serve its various district strongmen. Others went to Zoran to aid the government in its fight against the Southern Alliance. Most, though, relocated to Pasiphae, where central control was breaking down and the cantons were turning to mercenary and vigilante forces for law and order. With the final collapse of the Commonwealth, the Sandline Central Command seized control of Shanodin. By this time, it had attracted many Apolytonian soldiers of fortune to its ranks, including many from Pasiphae, Ubinia, the RNF, Zoran, and Lavor.

We believe that this action was largely economic in motivation. Shanodin is rich in mineral resources (including gold, silver, iron, and oil), has close access to international shipping lanes, and is near the trouble spots of southern Zoran and Atradaitoshi. We believe that the Sandline's intention is to run Shanodin as a "mercenary state" - to train and equip mercenary forces, and hire these forces to conflicts within Apolyton, gaining a large cut of the profits.

Which brings us to the question of government. Reports coming out of Shanodin are patchy, since our consulate in Caer Darrow was escorted out of the country by Pasiphaeic soldiers who had defected to the Sandline early in the takeover and journalists have also been expelled. What reports we have, though, suggest that the Sandline met some resistance from local Pasiphaeic garrisons, and that some fighting has taken place. Due to the media blackout, and the fact that the Sandline Central Command has not made itself available for comment, we do not have any confirmed reports on civilian casualties or property damage. Residents of Shanodin who crossed into Sursi just before the border was closed reported that Sandline soldiers were conscripting men of fighting age in some towns - again, intelligence has not yet confirmed this.

We understand that the lack of news on the Sandline's current policies may, in some eyes, weaken our assertion that Shanodin belongs to Karakas. Our main argument, then, is the strong ethnic, linguistic, and cultural ties between the two that stretch back to the Age of Legends. We hold up the Pasiphaeic census as evidence of this, and also the archaeological analysis of D.M. Warner on behalf of the Tolarian Academy. Gaius Publius History Guy devotes an entire chapter to the Ivory Coast and the Karakasian nations in his work, Fire, Steel, and Wonder: The Age of Legends in Apolyton.

While the Commonwealth of Pasiphae still existed, we had no quarrel with its ruling Shanodin. Now that it does not, however, we believe that our claim to Shanodin is more legitimate than that of Stornland mercenaries.

Let us close by assuring our allies that Karakas does not wish to further destabilize western Apolyton, and would be willing, under the right circumstances, to use diplomacy rather than force to resolve the dispute over Shanodin. (The debate on Shanodin is far from over in the Senate. Secretary of the Interior Siti Nurhaliza Abdul Rahman, a staunch supporter of the President on most other issues, suggested just before the last recess that the moon and stars on Karakas' flag should be replaced by a skull and crossbones if Shanodin were invaded. Action is still a long way away.) For public reference, we have attached a map of the region in question. It is quite large.

(OOC: Hope all that wasn't too boring for you. )

[GeneralTacticus]

OOC: The only real problem i have with the new map is that Centralis is supposed to be located on the southern coas tof Apolyton. /OOC

Having reviewed the presentation given by Karakas, we believe that the case for annexation appears to hold up, and hence, for the moment, we support it. We believe that it would be preferable for the people of Shanodin to be integrated with Karakas, especially given that the alternative appears to be rule by an outside force that intends to run Shanodin along military lines. We suggest, however, that Shanodin be given the status of a semi-autonomous region, given that it is defintiely not homogenuous.

As to the issue of what exactly is going on in there - we would investigate, btu right now we're a bit busy attemtping to contain a military coup in our own country.

[ceroomaster]

Has anybody though what the people of Shanodin think? The might want to be aligned with the Sandline despite any ethnic or historic differences. Perhaps with the permission of the Karakas and Sandline a referendum could be a possibility. The Shanodin could make their voices heard, whether they want to align with Karakas or Sandline, or even go independant.

However since the Sandline 'siezed control' they may not be so open to this idea.

Ceroo's position will remain thus until we hear what the Shanodin people want.

[Mr. President]

Karakas is not opposed to a referendum on Shanodin's status; however, we have yet to establish any contact at all with the Sandline. (OOC: I can speak for them as well, sometime later. )

OOC: The only real problem i have with the new map is that Centralis is supposed to be located on the southern coas tof Apolyton. /OOC

Oops.

[DarkCloud]

Karakas' return is happily noted by the Government of Iguana Fire as Komnenus and top aids placed it in their dossier days ago as an example of the true ideals of Iguana Fire put into action.

The issue now under debate in Karakas is whether to claim Shanodin by force. Some politicians are advocating an armed assault on the Sandline and the incorporation of the province to guarantee Karakas' economic interests in Shanodin (during the Pasiphae administration, it was a major source of raw materials and iron for Karakas' factories). Others use the historical angle, and say that Shanodin belongs to our nation by right of descent and ancestry.

However, Iguana Fire deplores Karakas' recent expansionist tactics, citing their already large size as "alarming" and that their expansion needs to be "checked" or else Karakas will soon grow emboldened and swallow other, smaller nations.

Iguana Fire suggests a small return to sanity- granting the ancestral peoples of Shanodin to rule themselves or, barring that, UN intervention

According to last year's Commonwealth of Pasiphae regional census, a plurality of Shanodin's population was ethnic Karakasian. These made up 41% of the population. Ethnic Pasiphaeics accounted for 22%, while Numenoreans and Mirrodin (a group related to the indigenous tribes of southern Centralis) each accounted for around 15% of the people. Of the Karakasian people, about half spoke a Karakasian language (Numenorean, Akronese, Amjadi) as their first language.

Iguana Fire notes that interesting fact, but still maintins its hardline position against expansionism, stating that nations "should remain always in their current borders- the status quo must be maintained. We must not be reactionary and follow the past- the current must as always be maintained."

(Although it has been noticed that Iguana Fire has several ulterior motives for their wish for the status quo to remain- one being Iguana Fire's situation in a strong region ethnically populated by a large population of IICans and people of the Kingdom of Wine, as well as a plurality of tough men of steppe-descent from the uncharted Western regions... A pro decision on the splitting of Shandoin into ethnically pure nationalities would set a standard to throw Iguana Fire into Upheaval while an annexation by Karakas would lead to another superpower on the continent- something Iguana Fire cannot stand... despite Karakas' favorable economic stance.)

[Mr. President]

While Iguana Fire's objections are understandable, annexation would still be a favorable outcome from Karakas' point of view. In addition to any economic benefits that would be gained, Shanodin is a region of great historical importance to Karakas. Much of its population is ethnically and linguistically linked to ours.

At the moment, Karakas has no ambitions to annex any territory in western Apolyton other than Shanodin. In fact, we have already recognized the independence of the former Pasiphaeic canton of Mercadia (to the south of Shanodin).

Additionally, if the Sandline eventually transforms the province into a mercenary camp, the result could be increased instability in western Apolyton.

Since Karakas is not a member of the United Nations, we would prefer to resolve this matter with a minimum of U.N. involvement.

[DarkCloud]

While Iguana Fire's objections are understandable, annexation would still be a favorable outcome from Karakas' point of view. In addition to any economic benefits that would be gained, Shanodin is a region of great historical importance to Karakas. Much of its population is ethnically and linguistically linked to ours.

Secretly, in top secret documents, Iguana Fire notes that it could care less; however, Emperor Komnenus publically notes in a great speech that "despite the ethinic majoity in the region of Shanodin; Iguana Fire must protest, as the Shanodinis should be given a vote to put to referrendum upon the establishment of a new state, remaining with their current nation or joining the Nation of Karakas."

However, to make certain that voting is done properly, Iguana Fire suggests a Regional Coalition of Peacekeeping forces to be sent to the region immediately.

[GeneralTacticus]

Centralis would strongly support a referendum on future status being held among the inhabitants of Shanodin, although this would need to be under intenrationla supervision and involve the (possibly) temporary suspension of Sandline contorl, lest they attempt to pull an East Timor on us.

[Mr. President]

I am Marcus Vecchio, second-in-command of the Sandline militia.

It is my pleasure to announce the Free Republic of Shanodin to Apolyton. Under the glorious rulership of the Sandline, this nation, exploited for so long by a succession of imperialist overlords, shall finally assume its rightful place among the nations.

We condemn and deplore the militaristic rhetoric on the part of the Republic of Karakas. The collapse of Pasiphae meant that its territories were to be governed by their inhabitants. The Sandline were brought to Shanodin by the previous canton administration to act as security, and were granted citizenship. On top of that, a general election has just been completed, where the Sandline was given the mandate of the people to rule the Free Republic of Shanodin.

We warn Karakas to cease and desist its colonialist ambitions over the Free Republic of Shanodin. Our National Defense Force will resist any aggression against our nation to the last man. We also warn Karakas' allies not to support its illegal and expansionist policies.

As a matter of fact, we will agree to a regionally-subsidized referendum - it will only serve to prove the legitimacy of the Sandline's rule of Shanodin.

We await with interest the replies of any concerned parties.

[GeneralTacticus]

Centralis would support a referendum to determine the future status of shanodin, but we believe that it must be one observed and policed by an international force, excluding both Sandline and Karakas, to ensure that no-one attempts to make the voting any less than free and fair. We also ask that Sandline allow observers into Shanodin to assess the current situation there, allowing us to make a more informed decision.

[Mr. President]

Karakas concurs with Centralis on the referendum. It further promises not to deploy propaganda of any kind to influence the voters.

[Privately, Karakas notes that the difficult economy and the situation in Centralis, in which it is involved, are not conducive to an armed takeover of Shanodin.]

The Sandline will accept international observers, as we have nothing to hide.

[Privately, some in the Sandline note the economic advantages possible through confederation with Karakas, but the majority of the Central Command is still in favor of a mercenary state.]

[DarkCloud]

Iguana Fire's Emperor Komnenus IV announces his intent to decree his support of Shanodin, stating that "free nations and free enterprise must reign freely in their own lands." and that "expansionism has no place in modern society" even if it is done in the interests of "preserving peace"

[GeneralTacticus]

*BUMP*

[Mr. President]

The results of the referendum are in: almost a dead heat. Last news had 42.7% for annexation and 43.1% for independence, with 95% of votes counted. Turnout is estimated at 77% of eligible voters.

Several pro-Karakasian organizations in Shanodin have pleaded with their larger neighbor not to push for annexation as they fear the reprisals of the Sandline's supporters. Reluctantly, Karakas is preparing to abandon its plans for integration.

[GeneralTacticus]

How can a referendum be deemed representative when one out of every four people have not voted? The results can ahrdly be accepted until those who have not voted have their say as well.