Pharaoh Challenges First Minister al-Nour"In one of those most rarest of moments in recent history the hearts and minds of peoples across Mundus are held by the interests of a Midaranye state and people, not against them." Taking a moment from reviewing intelligence and ongoing operations against rebel terrorists in the Southern Lands Pharaoh Akasha Di-‘nh-mi-Re took a moment to address concerns aired by First Minister al-Nour of Abuqiya.
"The myriad interventions in the sovereign affairs of Midaranye has been a collective of issues which stretch back long before my reign began. At first the target of internationalist ire was the United Soviet Russia, yet, with the fall of such a great foe to whom could the internationalists look to fill the role of their monster under the bed? Of course we know that the free states of Midaranye would come to eventually fill that role and, to an extent, the Bene Gesserit freedom fighters of Kaitaine do as well. Indeed, as we have seen in the great sanctions regimen against the Empire of Tamora, there are many targets for the internationalists to point at to justify their maltreatment of our region and its continuation to a new generation."
"The Kingdom of Clysperis has, and remains, a staunch voice against interventionist and imperialist powers and the policies they pursue, however, the First Minister is mistaken in both the scope and intent of those forces fighting alongside the Royal Clysperi Army in defeating the rebel terrorists. For Midaranye, and indeed the world around us, to make any form of positive change we must look to building bridges with the world around us; initiating bonds with like-minded states who have just as much to lose from the continuation of the present international order as our own states who have bore the brunt of the internationalist campaign. Likewise, states which have just as much to gain from the establishment of a new, more open, fair and free global order are not voices to be distrusted, but to be heard and judged based upon their actions and deeds."
"I would be most interested in knowing whether the First Minister may present me with an example, in recent history, where the concerns of a Midaranye state have even received a sincere nod from a nation removed from our region? Most often it's the Rokkenjimans chiding states for even talking to our states or the Kingdom of Seaforth casting itself into the domestic affairs of the Kingdom, never a state considering the concerns of a Midaranye state and acting in a manner which does not subvert them. The terrorist threat in Clysperis is the first time in as long as I can remember that states foreign to our region have taken an interest in being part of the solution, not pursuing objectives at the detriment or expense of a Midaranye state, and that is an event which perhaps shows that the tides are turning from the global status quo on interacting with, or rather
at, Midaranye."
"In one of those most rarest of moments in recent history the hearts and minds of peoples across Mundus are held by the interests of a Midaranye state and people, not
against them. Nations disgusted by the theft of Clysperi cultural heritage by the rebel terrorists, people shocked and horrified by acts of sheer brutality, people moved to action because actions such as those of the rebel terrorists touch on a common fibre imbued upon all people by their gods: compassion and righteous anger which act almost as a compass that guides all souls to restore justice, harmony and balance while seeking out truth even when it is not readily apparent or visible.
"The First Minister would perhaps have a point if these powers had extracted concessions from the Kingdom, however, the fact remains the Kingdom of Clysperis has engaged in partnership with the Holy Empire of Achkaerin, the NQF and Dragovah under no pre-conditions, no demands for changes in Clysperi policy, no promise of land or resources, and most certainly not an allowance of foreign troops remaining beyond the scope of eliminating this terrorist threat. As such it is more than abundantly clear that no imperialist mandate
can exist; the past, present and future of Clysperis remains well within Clysperi hands. It is also readily apparent that the scope of these forces is as clear as the mandate allowed to them by the Kingdom, and once Ma'at has been restored they shall return home, but they shall return home with a vision renewed. Avenues which previously would never have existed and opportunities to foster future cooperative efforts shall exist which can only serve the interests of Midaranye and all free Peoples of Mundus."
"For you see, the liberation of Midaranye is a more encompassing issue than merely looking at the present and immediate future while hiding in distrust because of the actions of the internationalist cartel. The struggle of Midaranye is merely the most visible aspect of a truly global struggle against a status-quo which has hampered the interests of developing countries from Alba Karinya, Ardia and our very own Midaranye: that various great powers see Mundus as the board upon which they play, upon which the spoils and gains are inevitably destined to their hands. To secure our interests, certainly and so that our future generations never know the unfair hands that we have, truly the world itself much change as well. Anything less merely ensures a measure of freedom tolerated by the internationalists, with anything beyond our 'allowance' serving as a line with which they may use to justify their own versions of 'liberation' and 'freedom' across Midaranye."
"We must also recognize when we are wrong, just as I did in regards to the Holy Empire, lest we reenforce a false position just as the internationalists so often do, if only to preserve ideological purity along with a sense that we are always right. In my actions, undertaken with respect to my People and the concert of the gods I have betrayed nothing, just as I have not abandoned my words or the principles by which I have long stood.
"Before we part, let us compare two statements, two viewpoints, to the events within the Kingdom:
"I also want to be clear Mr Speaker that it is my position that Pharaoh Akasha of Clysperis is the legitimate head of state of that country, and that is perhaps the most significant point here because even if we disagree with her on some things are we really going to leave a fellow northern ocean nation, one of our neighbours to burn? No we cannot and we must not, for to do so would be to go contrary to everything we stand for, everything we have strived for in recent times and it would be to abdicate our responsibilities and it is not our way to do any such thing.
Mr Speaker we are a nation of laws, we are a nation that respects the rule of law, the very fact that I am standing here tonight bringing this matter to this chamber testifies to that fact, we are a nation defined by and that takes pride in our role in the international community, we are not a nation that walks by on the other side. And we all know don't we that when the rule of law is challenged unjustly, when people seek to make a mockery of the foundations of society that such arrogance, such malice, such ill intent must be stood up against and sealed away back into the void from whence it came! And if it does somehow re-emerge to cast it out again and again and again until much like the schoolyard bully it takes the hint and stops bothering you."
Emperor Peter Azurewind of the Holy Empire of Achkaerin"The people have spoken in a clear message. One that comes with no surprise. What we have here is quite simply an issue that does not concern Abuqiya. Is it a sad state of affairs? Yes. However it is also one that could have been avoided. Why must Krušezevac be burdened with a solution forged by the failure of foreign powers? Why should Abuqiya have to pay for the incompetence of the Clysperi government? Would we in Abuqiya stand for the intervention of foreign powers in our affairs? Then why should it be any different with Clysperis? This issue is one for the people of Clysperis to address and, so far, it seems they have made their concern's quite clear.”
Governor Plenipotentiary Veljko Grgurović of the Krušezevac Federal Administrative Region
"There was a time, not long ago, where the Kingdom feared its neighbours stronger than itself, and with good reason. We look to the Soviet occupation of the Kingdom, and all the horrors wrought during that era, and it is readily clear why the Kingdom would be most weary. However, I've stood face to face with Emperor Peter of Achkaerin, heard the nuances of his voice and the reflection of the soul within his eyes, as well as the manifestation of his principles put to action. He, an Emperor removed from Midaranye whose state I criticized, could have told me many things, and perhaps if he represented a state as vile as I portrayed the Holy Empire as a Helusian puppet, he'd have taken advantage of the chaos in Clysperis and enacted the imperialist mandate the First Minister claims to exist. Only he didn't."
"He also could have said, as one Governor did, that this isn't his problem, nor is it one which his People should be burdened with. Only, again, he didn't. He saw the evil before us, put aside his biases, and put to action his words and the principles the state he represents stands for. Midaranye cannot mistrust
everyone, for it to do so would most certainly be at its gravest of perils. To ensure our future, to preserve and protect it, the mandate before all of us is large and carries many responsibilities. While there may be moments, just as when I sat writing a letter to the Emperor, where we doubt whether the course we're about to take is right or if we should reach our heads back into a protective shell, I hope that we have the foresight and courage to always venture, never to hide."
"Should the First Minister have any further questions as to my principles, my dreams, or that which I most solidly stand for he may address me personally. Thank you."