A Response to Empress Shizukesa
The specific concerns I have raised are in regards to what I view as unjustified actions by the Chrysanthemum Throne, you cannot without cause order a political party to "reform itself", to assert that when the investigation by East Moreland does not find enough evidence, that is passing sentence before trial, if such an order is given then it is for the courts not the Empress to determine, equally to outlaw the party as per "Upon the expiration of this prohibition any move to reform the Centre Party will be met with resistance; no Party bearing the name will be certified, nor will its legitimacy be recognized." represents an attack by the Crown on Rokkenjiman Democracy. The evidence shows a manipulation of the election, it does not show the Centre Party to be responsible for that manipulation, there are numerous countries out there with enough opportunistic thinking to try and interfere in a Rokkenjiman election, Tamora has it as a foreign policy aim, there is a disconnect between the findings and showing culpability, if members of the Centre Party are found to be involved then they should of course face justice but to effectively ban a political party as suggested by your own words is a sanction that is not justified at all, that must be recanted or clarified to do neither means you are arguably breaching MCUR provisions. At minimum this alarming public statement which does not tally with your assurances must as a matter of urgency be walked back.
Wording matters in communications so before you cast aspersions look at what Emperor Eijiro said "This military action, taken in accord with the International Community and with the backing of the Imperial Diet, follows constant and virtually endless diplomatic activity on the part of the Assembly of Ardia, the Empire of Daitō, and many, many other countries. Yet in spite of this, the leadership of the Empire of Rokkenjima instead sought to shift blame, to "point the finger" at others so that they may save their own skin. Even following our Ambassador's—the honorable Haruki Edano—numerous meetings with the Rokkenjiman government, we were unable to secure a peaceful resolution. As a last ditch effort, Prime Minister Konishi himself had sought to meet with Rokkenjima's leadership, but he was refused."
I make the following observations based on those words:
1) there is truth to them - it is known by public statements from various nations including Tytor, Heyra, Daito, Achkaerin, East Moreland, Lodja and organisations such as the Assembly of Ardia that there was diplomatic activity around this issue, no one wanted to see it spark into a full scale war.
2) The terms "Leadership" and "Government" have multiple interpretations in this context, you have interpreted them narrowly as pertaining to yourself as head of state, however I suggest you consider the broader interpretation of those terms you were not either
the leadership or
the government you were
a part of the leadership and government, it is entirely within the realms of possibility that approaches were made to other elements of the Rokkenjiman Government such as the then Premier something which would serve his interests, this particular suggestion makes significant sense in light of the "finger pointing" comment as that is an apt description for Charles Ofdensen's rhetoric.
A state of war was declared by Daito they had every right to do so, especially given Rokkenjima's apparent inability to share evidence. It is also the case that deception plays a part in warfare, Daito took advantage of that and yes it's greatly concerning that the attacks on in the Suisenjima and Akarishima happened in the manner it did. However you are making a very unfair comparison in respect of Tytor and Achkaerin. Tytor's government dispatched support after Rokkenjima released a press statement saying "Following continued hostilities of the Empire of Daito the First Empire is giving due notice that continued action by the Empire of Daito will constitute grounds upon which the First Empire shall invoke defensive arrangements. The Empire of Daito is hereby called to return its forces to positions prior to February 18th." I have no doubt that had Daito not complied that you and I would have had a conversation as it turns out that was unnecessary. You are also ignoring the deployment of the CSG formerly stationed at Antares which was ordered to the Tokara islands within hours of the crisis starting with orders to "operate in a peacekeeping manner to deter both sides in this from further escalation." in my personal estimation Daito made the calculation and acted before the CSG was in position to deter. As far as I can see on that level Achkaerin and Tytor have behaved equivalent to each other and you appear to be trying to garner my support against Daito in this crisis, you will not get that and neither will Daito, because I respect the fact that Achkaerin has treaties with both nations and is not about to prejudice the Ardian Assembly.
Achkaerin will not change its policy on voicing its opinion on matters that are of significant concern to its government and people. This storm has not passed yet, in fact it is at its most deadly and unpredictable, we will get through it, but you need to take a leap of faith and start trusting me as your sister does, expect to see me when it passes.
Serenity