News & Actions of FUSAR

[Uberstein]

Lesotho has declared independence, and is currently functioning under a transitional government as the parliament forms. Little other news of international significance is available at this time.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be contacted should anything announced* here be concerning to a foreign government.

 

 

OOC: *This includes classified things that people have reason to know.

This thread should be considered closed to all posters but myself.

 

[Classified]: This shows what is actively being hidden by the government, and carries with it being an official government action. For example, troop movements.

 

[Private]: This shows an event that is simply not being broadcast. This could include two characters plotting to overthrow another character's position, or simply the details of an event that the media has not managed to report on.

Edited July 20, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The Lesotho Republican National Guard has been formed, with a total of 296,170 soldiers being organized. The following equipment is to be standardized: FN FAL (7.62 NATO), Sword Bayonet, Browning Hi-Power Sidearm, FN FALO (Squad Automatic Weapon variant of FN FAL), M203 Grenade Launcher, FN BRG-15, M67 Hand Fragmentation Grenades, and PASGT protection.

 

Further equipment is currently being evaluated. The ability to natively produce the listed items is currently being developed.

[End Classified]

Edited July 3, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

Federal High Court of Lesotho Formed

 

The Ministry of Justice has been formed under the Execuative Branch; however, it is granted special provisions to allow a balanced government. While the Minister of Justice and members of the Federal High Court are appointed by the President, they serve for life and can only be removed via a 80% majority in Parliament. This removal can be vetoed by the President, and must receive a 90% majority the second time, though it cannot be vetoed if it passes the second round through Parliament.

 

[Classified]

It has been decided to produce the following vehicles: AMX F3, AMX-VCI, AMX-13/105. A proper MBT is not currently planned for the Lesotho Republican Guard.

 

The Lesotho Republican National Guard Air Service (Balebedi ya Rephabliki Naha Moya Gafa)(BRNMG) has begun paper evaluation of aircraft which would fall within their budgetary constraints. License production or outright purchase of foreign aircraft is to be considered.

[End Classified]

Edited July 3, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

Bold Expansion Into Free State: President Cites Drakan Collapse and Sotho Heritage

 

The Lesotho Republican Guard has moved 24,000 soldiers into the territory of the Free State, with the publicly stated goal of bringing the territory under direct governance. "While our own abilities are limited, we must guarantee the safety of our own people. While we wish we could do more to aid all of South Africa after the sudden collapse of Draka, we are limited by our ability, as well as our ethical duty to aid our own people first. I hope that our fellow African nations see this move as we see it, as regions long split by ancient colonial lines finally coming back together."

 

((OOC: Post 1/7))

 

Negotiations Open with KwaZulu-Natal Local Leadership Over Possible Protectorate Status: Is President Basia Thirsty for the Sea?

 

With the collapse of Draka, a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has allegedly been sent to discuss either protectorate status or annexation of KwaZulu-Natal with local leadership in the province. Polling shows that many feel that this could be reaching too far; while the action to bring together the Sotho people are widely supported, the ethnic and cultural differences between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal brings into question what exactly the relationship would be between Maseru and Pietermaritzburg. Adding to this feeling are concerns over if the President should even be thinking of pledging this kind of support while the armed forces and parliament are still forming. However, with no official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs besides a vague two-sentence announcement on their website, it is difficult to say what exactly the future holds.

[Uberstein]

Workers' Strike At Major Diamond Mine - Calls for Basic Safety Regulation Clash with Owner's Request For Government Troops

 

Lighobong mine, one of the largest diamond mines in the world, fell into private ownership following the great collapse which rocked the world. Its production has been slowly returning to pre-collapse levels, but today a strike has completely halted production. The workers claim that the mines are completely unsafe, and that they are tired of losing their friends and family to the greed of management. Its current owner, former Dutch national, Oranje Party founder, and multimillionaire Gerhard Kikkert, has personally asked the President to intervene with government soldiers. While BRN forces have set up a temporary command near the mine, the situation has remained non-violent, and President Basia has stated that his soldiers will make no move against the striking workers unless they turn to "violence and insurgency."

 

[Classified]

Republican National Guard (Balebedi ya Rephabliki Naha)(BRN) forces have engaged with extremist forces utilizing "Drakan" emblems in the province capital of Bloemfontein. However, commander of the expaditoinary force into Free State province, Kananelo Bakgaga, remains confident in his forces ability to root out these forces. The first AMX vehicles off the line, counting no more than half a dozen combined total, have been provided to the forces in the Free State province.

 

Other major towns and cities have shown significantly less resistance, especially with BRN forces promising the locals that a second parliamentary election will be held once the province is fully integrated into Lesotho.

((Post 2/7))

[End Classified]

 

OOC: I apologize for the poor translation of the Sotho language. The resources I have found online are limited.

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

After review, the AMX-13/105 is to face an incredibly limited production run, and President Basia has personally requested that the BRN field some kind of MBT. The AMX-40 is considered to be within the nation's limited capabilities, should appropriate funding be given over a year.

 

The two other AMX-13 based vehicles are to continue production, as the BRN is not expected to face any significant military forces, and both suggested vehicles do their job adequately. The Casspir has been adopted due to its combat success and availability through local manufacturers. The following utility vehicles are to be adopted: Land Rover Defender, Pinzgauer 716/718, SAMIL 20, SAMIL 50, and SAMIL 100.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

Potential Autonomous Union Between KwiZulu-Natal and Lesotho?

 

The Ministry of Foreign affairs has finally released a more detailed statement on their talks with KwiZulu-Natal:

"Lesotho, which will soon include Free State province, has significant resources. Diamonds, gold, coal, petrochemical, as well as an emerging manufacturing market, all with nowhere to go. A union between KwiZulu-Natal and Lesotho would both recognize the cultural differences between the nations, while also greatly enriching both states. The resources of Lesotho would flow through the port of Durban to the world, and of course Durban and the rest of KwiZulu-Natal would profit greatly from this as well. What we seek is for KwiZulu-Natal to join us an as autonomous province, one which its own parliament, judiciary branch, and languages. There would of course be a shared Presidency, uniting the two nations. Talks are going well."

 

((Post 2/7))

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The following equipment is to be adopted: NTW-20, RPG-29, 9K38 Igla, MPL SMG, L16 81mm Mortar, Obusier de 155mm, Valkiri, Firefinder Radar. This should complete the BRN's inventory for weapons and vehicles. The current goal is to support 6 standing mechanized divisions, and 18 reserve infantry divisions.

 

The Otomatic Anti-Aircraft turret is to be refitted for use on an AMX-40 chassis.

 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has organized the Office of State Intelligence & Security (Ofisi ya Mmuso Hlalefa & Tshireletso)(OMHT), which is tasked with:

• Gathering information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals
• Analyzing that information to provide national security intelligence assessment to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Office of the President.
• Carrying out or overseeing covert activities and some tactical operations by its own employees, by members of the Lesotho military, or by other partners.
• Serving as an internal intelligence agency (counterintelligence).
• Serving as a federal criminal investigative body.

Their headquarters is to be a newly constructed building, which is to be well fortified with concrete against insurgent-style bomb attacks. An underground bunker with two-week survivability is to be installed and connected via underground tunnel to other government offices.

 

In order to preserve the armed forces as a body dedicated to the preservation and protection of the civilian-elected government of Lesotho, a Political Officer from the OMHT is to be attached to every military unit of battalion size and larger.

[End Classified]

Edited July 3, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

Diamond Strike Ended With Government Action: Is Basia's Word Worth Anything Questions Peoples' Popular Party

 

Early this morning,using mainly tear gas and rubber bullets, BRN forces stormed the picket lines outside the offices and mines of Kikkert Diamonds Inc. and assisted the police in mass arrests. The strike leaders have been imprisoned, and have been charged with disrupting the peace, while the rest of the workers have been released with no charges. While the workers have returned to work under threat of another incursion by the BRN, pro-Union leaflets and newsletters continue to be spread through the nation. The Peoples' Popular Party has strongly opposed the action and has threatened to bring it to the Federal High Court for review.

 

[Classified]

With French aid, the modernization of Lesotho's military should be possible within record time. While already produced units will be kept and used by the forces currently operating in the Free State province to fight the Drakan extremists in the region, the following equipment will cease production: Obusier de 155mm, AMX-VCI. The following equipment will begin production as soon as possible: AMX-10P, Mortier 120mm, TRF1, AMX-10 RC, Transall C-160, and Dassault Mirage 2000 in the C, D, and B variants. As leader of the Oranje Party, Gerhard Kikkert has agreed to sell the 10% shares in each mine to the French in exchange for government soldiers ending the current strike.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

"Plan Green" has been proposed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This involves the potential ultimate expansion of Lesotho; all of South Africa, as well as Swaziland, is to be considered a potential future part of the nation, and free game for military intervention. However, it is stressed that beyond the territory of Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and potentially Transvaal and Swaziland, that there is not to be a major push for South Africa unless it shows no signs whatsoever of raising an independent government. President Basia has stated that Lesotho should be a nation for the Sotho people first, and that to desire a return to colonially-drawn lines would be a step in the wrong direction.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

Parliamentary Elections Close; President Basia Accuses Oranje Party of Voter Fraud

 

As results come in, the Oranje Party has taken a completely unexpected lead in the polls. Projections prior to the election estimated that the party would earn no more than 10% of the vote. It is perhaps more telling that several of the areas which had Oranje victories did not actually have party members prepared for a seat. President Basia has used these projections as the basis for an official investigation into the election. Oranje Party founder, Mr. Kikkert, has refused to allow to have his property searched on what he calls "completely ridiculous claims" and has vowed to fight the investigation. We will report more on the situation as it develops.

 

[Private]

Local and foreign mercenaries have been hired by Gerhard Kikkert; these forces have begun to arrive via private airstrips and back roads, with the diamond mines and his personal estate being given the highest priority.

[End Private]

[Uberstein]

Troops in Free State Greeted With Open Arms Except in Bloemfontein

 

The BRN forces have generally been greeted with open arms in the Free State province, with the exception of the city of Bloemfontein. Forces entering the city reportedly were ambushed by heavily armed insurgents originally believed to be stragglers from the short-lived Drakan state. However, after a successful raid against a insurgent-held apartment complex, the BRN has released an official statement:

"These terrorists are a white-power group; among their goals are the return to an apartheid state based off of the pre-collapse, per-Mandela South Africa. While their exact strength and numbers are unknown, we suspect that their support is limited entirely to the urban areas where white people are a significant minority. Out forces are perfectly capable of dealing with this fringe terrorist element."

 

((3/7))

 

[Classified]

Tlokoeng Airport, and the village it services, has been seized by unknown forces. Communication has also been cut off with Letseng diamond mine. BRN forces are currently moving to access the situation.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

Arrest Warrant and Seizure of Property Announced for Gerhard Kikkert. Oranje Party Removed from Parliament

 

Reports that Gerhard Kikkert has hired foreign mercenaries to fight the government have been confirmed. President Basia released the following statement:

"I will not allow this country to fall to the selfish ambitions of an economic elite. Mr. Kikkert has shown he has no strength of character. His willingness to lie, cheat, and murder for his own personal gain speaks for itself, and such we must deal with this villain with a heavy hand. Already his vile mercenaries have take both the people and resources of this nation hostage; several villages have been seized. I pray that no crimes against the innocents have been committed, and vow that the Republican National Guard will liberate our people and force Mr. Kikkert to answer for his crimes!"

 

The Oranje Party has been stripped of its parliamentary seats and given the ultimatum to denounce Gerhard Kikkert or face disbandment. It is still being decided if they will be allowed to participate in the next election.

 

New Prime Minister Announced: Popularist-Centerist Party Holds Both Office of the President and Prime Minister

 

With the removal of the Oranje Party from Parliament, an emergency session of the remaining members of parliament has been held to determine what should happen to the open seats. It has been decided that the seats will remain empty for the time being, leaving only 90 seats of the 150 member parliament filled. The Popularist-Centerist Party, as the largest party remaining, has been granted the position of Prime Minister, and has put forward Bohlale Makololo, a long respected community leader from the city of Roma. Parliament has now turned to the issue of the civil conflict started by Mr. Gerhard Kikkert, founder of the ousted Oranje Party.

 

Talks in Durban: A Future Union Between Lesotho and KwiZulu-Natal Becomes Likely

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that a formal meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Lerato Bafokeng, and the various local leaders of the KwiZulu-Natal province, has begun. The talks are expected to last for several days, and are only intended to create a possible framework for future unification by initiating greater economic co-dependance. A security agreement has also been signed between several cities in the province and Lesotho, allowing two divisions of the BRN to station themselves in the province to guard against potential foreign incursions and lawlessness.

 

((3/7))

[Uberstein]

Southern African Unity Party Formed

 

The Southern African Unity Party has been formally recognized by the government after it successfully submitted its 250,000 signature petition. The party has stated its long term goals openly; the unification of South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, and Botswana, through democratic means, under a single federal government. The party has found a surprisingly large amount of support in Lesotho, and among its founders is General Andikan Verdoorn, an Afrikaner who is currently leading the anti-insurgent forces in Bloemfontein. He released this statement for the press:

"I see something greater here. Something beyond individual peoples. My forefathers came to this land seeking opportunity; colonialism was a foul creature that unleashed itself upon the continent, but the past must not prevent us from seeing a better future. We all must live together here, and the entry of Lesotho into the African League is a sign of things to come. The people of southern Africa must stand together, we must face the crimes of the past and build a new history together."

Already support has started to come in from across the old nation of South Africa. Experts cite the careful and democratic actions of the military and Foreign Ministry in incorporating neighboring provinces into Lesotho.

 

((OOC: I'm combining my incorporating of separate provinces of South Africa into one general expansion into all of South Africa. As such this is technically post 7/7, as I've made 6 combined posts already. But I'll be making more because I enjoy RPing, lol.))

 

[Classified]

Fighting around the village of Tlokoeng has intensified. The BRN estimates that foreign mercenary forces in the region number in the range of two or three divisions. They have been using civilians as cover, preventing the BRN from using its artillery. Forced to use infantry with little support, the fighting has been drawn out and indecisive. Casualties appear to be low on both sides.

 

The mercenary-held diamond mines are proving to be easier to retake. As the workers were not there to be taken hostage, rocket artillery has been used to great effect by the BRN. Engineer forces are being prepared to clear the mines of damage and unexploded ordinance, as resistance is not expected to last beyond the next few days.

 

Mr. Kikkert's current location is unknown. His country estate outside the capital, raided by the military, was found to be empty. The OMHT is currently working closely with military intelligence to determine his exact location. It is currently believed that he has not left the country.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

Travel Warning Issued for East & Southeast Asia

 

After much review of relatively recent events in the region of East Asia and Southeast Asia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared a Travel Warning for these regions. The government of Lesotho cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens in these regions, given the history of nuclear conflict, piracy, religious extremism, and ultranationalism in the area.

 

National Healthcare Initiative Debated in Parliament

 

The parliament of the Federal Republic of Lesotho is currently debating a bill which would nationalize the healthcare and health insurance industries into a new Ministry of Health & Safety. The majority of the parliament agrees that healthcare is a basic human right which should be afforded to all citizens, regardless of their financial status. However, the details of the bill remain undecided.

[Uberstein]

Arrests & Violence Continues in Bloemfontein

 

The city of Bloemfontein continues to be a source of violence. While General Verdoorn's soldiers have reached the city center, terrorist attacks such as drive-by shootings and car bombs continue. The BRN has begun to work with the local police, and has promised to end the violence as soon as possible.

 

Southern African Unity Party Representative Visits Cape Town

 

A founding member of the Southern African Unity Party, Ms. Amahle Modise, has arrived in Cape Town with great fanfare. The local populace reportedly greeted the lawyer-turned-politician with a small parade. While most of her time was spent in a private meeting with the city's leadership, our reporters did manage to reach her for a brief comment:

"I am here to push forward my party's agenda, I will be honest about that. And with that same honesty I will say, that southern Africa must be united. Lesotho cannot focus on one tribe, we must push for a modern nation. Do not mistake this visit as some pleasure trip; I am here to discuss the possibility of South Africa becoming whole once more."

 

((8/7))

Edited July 7, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

Security Guarantee For High-Level Politicians and Foreign Officials

 

The government has announced that a new security protocol has been enacted; all motor convoys of high-level politicians, and all foreign officials visiting on official business, will use mine-resistant Casspir vehicles. In addition, the OMHT is to provide security. This security guarantee comes with the establishment of the Internal Security Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; a paramilitary force which is to exclusively be used when local police are incapable of handling an assignment. The President has signed a law which makes it illegal for the Republican National Guard to be used against the citizens of Lesotho. Should the need arise, the OMHT is allowed to petition Parliament for the temporary power to control specific BRN forces as Internal Troops.

[Uberstein]

[Private]

The members of the Southern African Unity Party have met in relative secrecy to determine the future of the nation. Their goals, reaching far beyond Lesotho, has led the party to secure popular support across former South Africa. Founding members have visited major cities, and General Verdoorn's precise and swift actions against terrorist forces has earned him the moniker "The Good Policeman of Bloemfontein." Lesser party members have had much success spreading pro-unity propaganda.

 

With these operations well underway, the meeting instead focused on the future of Lesotho as a member republic of something greater: The Federal Union of Southern African Republics, or in Afrikaaner, Federale Unie van Suid-Afrikaanse Republieke (FUSR). Of course, all major languages would be officially recognized under the Union, and individual republics would be well within their right to authorize more. The planned set of republics would be the Cape, Transvaal, Lesotho (which would include the Free State province), and KwaZulu-Natal. The capital for now would remain in Lesotho, but the eventual annexation of Botswana and Namibia would allow its movement to the city of Gaborone.

 

Existing law would likely be kept in place, though the South African Unity Party knew that President Basia would never authorize the creation of the Union unless forced too by Parliament. As such, the party decided that they must get as many of the current members of Parliament on their side as possible, through any means necessary.

[End Private]

[Uberstein]

Foreign Mercenaries Surrender After Republican National Guard Seizes Diamond Mines in Heroic Effort; Traitor Gerhard Kikkert Arrested!

 

After nearly a week of siege and shelling, BRN forces stormed the Letseng and Lighobong diamond mines. Mercenary forces were swept aside by the brave soldiers of Lesotho, and many surrendered soon after their lines were broken. The leader of the mercenaries ordered her soldiers to stand down and turn over the vile traitor, Gerhard Kikkert, shortly afterwards.

 

Mr. Kikkert will be tried by the Federal High Court on charges of High Treason, Mass Election Fraud, and violation of the nation's labor laws. The mercenaries have been disarmed and face deportation; however the village of Tlokoeng is currently pressing charges for both damage to property and loss of life.

 

Swaziland Considers Union with Lesotho

 

Due to efforts by the Southern African Unity Party, the local leaders of Swaziland have entered negotiations with the government of Lesotho. President Basia has urged caution against the SAUP's "broad stroke actions," but so far the majority of Parliament seems to support the movement towards a larger nation. A team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with a division of the BRN, has allegedly been sent to Swaziland to open negotiations and provide security.

 

((1/7 Swaziland))

Edited July 11, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

General Verdoorn Announces Bloemfontein "Safe and Secure"

 

After a series of surgical strikes in the city of Bloemfontein, General Verdoorn, who was tasked with securing the city, has announced that any and all terrorist forces within the city have been either disarmed or destroyed. Soldiers have assisted police in rounding up any weapons beyond basic handguns and hunting rifles; several shipping containers worth of military-grade equipment was confiscated from various extremist factions within the city.

 

A parade honoring the General's contribution to peace is to be held on the city. Already Republican National Guard forces has begun to leave the city, in order to follow the articles of the Public Security Guarantee which prohibit the use of the armed forces on the civilian populace.

 

South Africa Gears Up For Election After Parliament Approves Unification

 

Despite President Basia's veto, Parliament has passed the laws allowing for the formation of a larger union. Four semi-autonomous republics will join the nation in the creation of the Federal Union of Southern African Republics. The Cape, Transvaal, Lesotho (which would include the Free State province), and KwaZulu-Natal, have already signed a unification agreement, contingent on immediate elections being held to determine both the local and federal government.

 

Negotiations have approved of Afrikaans as one of the main administrative languages of the nation. However, other languages will still be recognized and given full support in a federally funded school system.

 

((9/7 South Africa))

 

Swaziland Negotiations Go Well, Leadership of Swaziland Holds "Wait and See" Approach Given Formation of FUSAR

 

After several days of allegedly heated discussions, the diplomatic team representing Lesotho has announced that Swaziland is willing to consider becoming a member republic of the upcoming Union. However, it has requested substantial economic and security aid in order to prove that the upcoming FUSAR will not be a puppet state run from and for Lesotho. Parliament has delayed any funds until after the upcoming election, saying that it needs time to consolidate the resources of the nation.

 

((2/7 Swaziland))

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The Otomatic Anti-Aircraft turret, refitted for use on an AMX-40 chassis, has entered limited service. It will continue to be produced and is to be attached to Mechanized divisions.

 

A new Self-Propelled Howitzer is to be adopted by the Republican National Guard. A Palmaria turret modified to fit on an AMX-40 chassis is to be used. This turret is promising given pre-collapse Argentina's ability to mount them on their TAM tanks.

 

With French aid, production of aircraft for the Republican National Guard Air Service has begun. Trainer aircraft are the first to be produced, to allow the French-trained officers and pilots a chance to actually practice.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

Federal Union of Southern African Republics Officially Forms

 

South Africa and Lesotho have been united through popular support into the Federal Union of Southern African Republics (FUSAR). Elections are scheduled to begin shortly. Each member republic will have its own Judicial and Legislative branches; however the Federal Government (Executive branch, Federal High Court of the Union of Southern African Republics, and National Assembly) holds authority. Laws passed by the National Assembly override those passed by Sub-national parliaments, but can be appealed to the Federal High Court.

 

President Basia, in a surprise move, has announced his resignation, stating that he owes no service to to the people outside of Lesotho.

 

[Classified]

The Office of State Intelligence & Security has received a new acronym based on its title in Afrikaans: Kantoor van die Staat Intelligensie en Sekuriteit (KSIS).

The Republican National Guard: Republikeinse Nasionale Wag (RNW)

The Republican National Guard Air Service: Republikeinse Nasionale Wag Lug Diens (RNWLD)

 

The Ministry of Defense has been given the task of organizing a naval force for the nation, as well as finding a way to guarantee the sovereignty and safety of the FUSAR's waters.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The following fixed-wing aircraft are to be adopted for service: Heron-1, C-212, 707 EL/M-2075, O-2 Skymaster

 

The following rotary-wing aircraft are to be adopted for service: Rooivalk, Oryx, Fennec, Lynx

 

Native production of all equipment is planned.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

[Private]
Private negotiations between SAUP leadership and Swaziland leaders has resulted in a deal. Significant economic investment by SAUP will occur.
[End Private]
((3/7 Swaziland))

[Uberstein]

Negotiations Open with Botswana

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Botswana has agreed to host negotiations in its capital. A security agreement has allowed a single division of the Republican National Guard to provide assistance in maintaining Botswana's peace and stability.

 

((1/7 Botswana))

 

Namibia Considers Membership

 

With the signing of an economic and security agreement, Namibia is on the path to becoming a full fledged member republic. Republican National Guard soldiers were greeted with a parade when they arrived in the capital.

 

((1/7 Namibia))

 

[Private]

The Southern African Unity Party has been renamed the Unity & Justice Party.

[End Private]

[Classified]

The 4th and 5th Mechanized divisions, with full equipment loadouts, have been deployed to Botswana and Namibia respectively. Their mission includes peacekeeping duties and engineering assistance.

[End Classified]

Edited July 20, 2014 by Uberstein