SLF conflict not over?

Mr. President · June 3, 2003, 04:25

(I don't ever know if I'm doing this kind of thing right, so bear with me.)

* * *

Dakmoristan had breathed a sigh of relief at the collapse of the Sandrakkan Liberation Front, that 20 years of intermittent violence might finally be coming to an end. Warning to the public: hold that thought.

Many SLF members fled to [Nation 68] after the end of the war, where it was thought that they could do no further harm. This may have been overly optimistic. Former SLF elements have joined with the provincial administration of [Nation 68]'s northern borderlands, where they appear to have influenced policy that may be detrimental to Dakmoristan.

The policy in question invovles the return to traditional farming methods in [Nation 68]. Before the rise of the Numenorean nations on the island, locals in the borderlands used slash-and-burn farming techniques. The administration of [Nation 68] has authorized its northern province to resume these techniques.

The implementation has seen a lot of burning and not so much farming. Huge fires have been set in the forested lands around the Dakmoristani border and allowed to grow out of control. Press releases confirm that the fires were authorized and, in many cases, started by SLF exiles. The government of [Nation 68] has refused to curb these activities, stating that "the Northern Province is autonomous and exercises its own authority in these matters". The Northern Province, of course, will not comment.

The forest fires are spreading into southern Sandrakkan, where authorities have been attempting to rehabilitate the industry after twenty years of the drug trade's economic domination. It is reaching the point where newly-cultivated rubber plantations and logging camps are under threat. South-western Dakmoristan is being choked by smoke clouds. Firefighters from across the country have been deployed to combat the blaze, with mixed success.

Dakmoristan's government claims that the Northern Province officials of [Nation 68] allowed the slash-and-burn operations to become uncontrolled to damage Sandrakkan's reconstruction effort. Even more seriously, the Border Rangers claim that some of the fires were started on Dakmoristani soil by former SLF elements that crossed the border to ignite Dakmoristani forests directly - destruction of the environment by foreigners is an act of war under Dakmoristan's constitution.

The inaction of [Nation 68]'s government is pushing Dakmoristan towards direct action to stop the destruction. The Praetor is already coming under criticism for allowing any SLF elements to escape. Barring a sudden reversal of policy by [Nation 68], the Empire may return to war sooner than expected.

GeneralTacticus · June 3, 2003, 05:41

Should any assistance at all in this matter be required - whether in putting out the fires, rebuilding the area, or taking any action that may be necessary against [Nation 68] - Centralis is fully prepared to give it.

Archaic · June 3, 2003, 06:05

As is Alecrast. Sabotage of this nature should not be tollerated.

Guardian · June 3, 2003, 06:51

Guardinia also stands ready to assist in any way we can.

Whaleboy · June 3, 2003, 08:16

Our army, navy and airforce are being pulled back from Elethar to protect that Marijuanian home Island and Stanleystan, seeing as how we are nation number 69. We wont attack unless we are attacked, or required to defend someone under the terms of the alliance.

We are hightening our patrols of our waters, especially those close to nation 68, and if war does occur INVOLVING Marijuania, we are willing to let friendly nations base their troops in Marijuania.

Mr. President · June 3, 2003, 19:06

Our first priority at the moment is to get the fires under control. We have been attempting water-bombing operations, but only short-range flights since the smoke clouds hamper these sorts of air missions that rely on visual contact. The Praetor has declared Sandrakkan an environmental disaster area, and invited foreign expertise in controlling the blazes.

We recommend economic sanctions against [Nation 68], at least until such time as that government takes direct action against the sabotage. In the event that they do not, Dakmoristan is preparing plans to raid the Northern Province with the objective of dismantling the "arson squads", a term coined by the local media. These squads are really groups of nominal farmers based on collective farms in the border region.

Military intelligence is currently preparing information on the security situation in the Northern Province. At the moment, it seems that the majority of any action taken would fall to special-forces soldiers. Dakmoristan's army remembers guerrilla warfare from its years of fighting the SLF. Air support would be made difficult by the smoke; bombing raids would have to be carried out from high altitudes, but this might decrease their accuracy. The thick smoke means that satellite photos and laser-painting would be ineffective as targeting techniques.

GeneralTacticus · June 4, 2003, 04:40

If Dakmoristani airfields are made available to us, Centralis can deploy heavy bombers from our air force to drop water on the fires, and we can also provide infra-red imaging from our satellites to help keep track of the fires.

Mr. President · June 4, 2003, 05:23

Let it be so.

GeneralTacticus · June 4, 2003, 05:25

If you can provide directions to suitable bases, the planes and their cargo will be on their way very shortly.

Mr. President · June 4, 2003, 05:33

This is the best map I have presently.

The afflicted area is in the far south-west corner of Dakmoristan. Kagorst has extensive air base facilities. We will prepare an air corridor from there to the sea for your use.

Edit: Darn sense of direction.

GeneralTacticus · June 4, 2003, 05:35

The aircraft are on their way now, and should arrive in a few hours. Communication and identification details have been sent by secure transmission to the Dakmoristani military.

Whaleboy · June 4, 2003, 20:19

Does this nation have any naval/air power?

Mr. President · June 4, 2003, 20:20

Centralian, Dakmoristani, and Silveran aircraft have stepped up water-bombing operations in southern Sandrakkan. Firefighters are creating large firebreaks to contain the blazes.

Mr. President · June 4, 2003, 20:42

Quote:

Originally posted by elijah
Does this nation have any naval/air power?

There's not a lot of naval power; slightly more aerial capability.

[Nation 68] invests most of its military capital on a comparatively large but ill-equipped land force.

Whaleboy · June 5, 2003, 11:51

As such, Marijuania will utilise her naval and air superiority to monitor and patrol any threat to our nation. A small naval force will guard the approaches and exists.

Land forces are based in defensive deployments in Marijuania, while our expeditionary force remains in Elethar.

Urban Ranger · June 6, 2003, 00:00

Noosland tightens up patrols along the border with Dakmoristan, with checkpoints stepping up searches for any suspects. Meanwhile, our fire services are also taking precautionary measures along our border.

If you need any help in putting out the fires, we can help.

Mr. President · June 6, 2003, 00:08

OOC: I think I might have inadvertantly confused you. Dakmoristan is Nation 71 - far west.

Urban Ranger · June 6, 2003, 00:12

OOC: Oh.

Mr. President · June 6, 2003, 00:13

Doesn't matter. You can help anyway, if you want.

Mr. President · June 6, 2003, 03:29

The Praetor expresses his and the nation's gratitude for the assistance pouring into Sandrakkan from both East and West.

Major results are beginning to be seen. Several of the largest fires are dying down. The price has been significant, though. Hundreds of acres of forest are burned; three rubber plantations finally succumbed and were consumed by fire. The economic impact will be significant.

More sinister developments have also come through. Three Dakmoristani firefighters have disappeared from a burned zone near the border with [Nation 68]. The Border Rangers have declined to comment on their investigation, saying only that the circumstances are "suspicious".

Military intelligence has discovered a disturbing Northern Province governmental publication that sheds light on the fires, extracts of which are below:

Quote:

The government of Dakmoristan is an imperialist arm, that is even now destroying the nation of Sandrakkan and eliminating its culture. For this crime, the Sandrakkan Liberation Front sentences the Empire to death . . .

Quote:

. . . Crucial to the imperialist military camp of Dakmoristan is the forest industry. Their fascist government collects billions of dollars each year from the cultivation of coffee, rubber, and cocoa. This money pays for mercenaries who rape and oppress the common people, and for weapons that destroy the institutions of communalism. The Praetor has turned the forest itself into a tool of oppression. This abomination must be erased. The Sandrakkan Liberation Front will bring freedom to the forests, cleansing by fire the plague that is Dakmoristan . . .

Quote:

[Nation 68] will facilitate the liberation of Sandrakkan. Neither act of God nor law of man shall enchain that captive nation forever . . .

GeneralTacticus · June 6, 2003, 03:32

This is most disturbing. We have conveyed a message to the government of [Nation 68] that they must either put a halt to these activities in their northern provinces immediately, or we will join with Dakmoristan in taking action against them.

Urban Ranger · June 6, 2003, 23:26

The Dominion of Noosland will assist in the firefighting efforts. We will send heavy transport helicopters that are modified to fight forest fires.

Mr. President · June 9, 2003, 03:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. President

Three Dakmoristani firefighters have disappeared from a burned zone near the border with [Nation 68]. The Border Rangers have declined to comment on their investigation, saying only that the circumstances are "suspicious".

The Border Rangers have declared that the missing firefighters were kidnapped by elements that crossed from the northern province of [Nation 68]. Representatives from the Border Rangers presented Dakmoristan's Chiefs of Staff with evidence that they say shows this to be the case, including expert analysis of trails in the burned zone and aerial photographs.

In the wake of the presentation, the Praetor ordered more than 2,000 combat troops to Sandrakkan. Another 5,000 have been placed on alert. In a press conference, he said that he phoned [Nation 68]'s government on the hotline to deliver his "final ultimatum": act against the Sandrakkan Liberation Front, or Dakmoristan will.

OOC: They tell me 68 is actually Sheep's new nation. Whoops. /OOC

Whaleboy · June 9, 2003, 08:29

Isnt nation 68 sheeps new leaf induced etc nation?

Mr. President · June 9, 2003, 19:36

God, I hope not.

. . .

Quick check shows it is. Whoops.

Oh well. As long as Sheep knows the score.

Sheep · June 12, 2003, 03:49

Its all good, I purposely put the new nation there.

The Jingoistic Republic of Leaf Induced Munchies will make a deal. Not wanting the Sandrikhanian people in its borders JRLIM will ceede this are to Darmokistan. In retrun Darmorkistan will not press for futher reperations incurred by these events.

Mr. President · June 12, 2003, 03:51

Defeating the Dakmoristani branch of the SLF, retooling Sandrakkan's economy, and fighting the fires has been enormously expensive.

Raiding JRLIM would be even more expensive. Dakmoristan accepts.

Sheep · June 12, 2003, 03:53

JRLIM officals hop that this will bring more closer ties to its neighbour in the future. I the meanwhile the government has isued a decree allowing the Bong Brigade, JRLIM's crack military troops to assit in the clean up of Sandrakkani terrorism.

Mr. President · June 12, 2003, 04:23

Excellent. Representatives from the two nations should discuss a timetable for the transition of governance for the territory, and to mark exactly the new border.

Does the JRLIM require military assistance in dealing with the SLF?

Whaleboy · June 12, 2003, 05:09

So... whats actually going on? This has gotta be the most complicated thread since the court!