HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense, utilizing the top-secret plans that had been given to them by their ally, the Tahoe Republic (it had been always top-secret, to the point that it was never shared to other members when New England was a part of the United States of America), initiated the programme of building the nation’s border defenses, akin to Tahoe’s.



As Tahoe’s Ministry of Defense stated, the success of border defenses depend on the topography of the nation implementing it. The reason Tahoe’s border defenses are so successful is due to the fact that Tahoe is a mountainous nation. Enemy forces would have to traverse various mountain ranges, passes, hills, canyons, rivers, valleys, and basins, thus compounding the difficulty of successfully invading a nation with such defenses.

According to the Department’s instructions, the projected border defenses was to involve several fortified lines that would spread out throughout the nation, taking advantage of the Appalachian mountain range that covers the majority of New England. This includes the Adirondack Mountains in New York State, the Green Mountains in parts of Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and Catskills Mountains in New York State.

A rough estimate of the nation’s projected static and border defenses are below:


According to the Tahoe defense plans, the first line (border lines) is to pin the enemy in place as to enable the Army to mount an effective counterattack. It is also designed to prevent illegal immigration and smuggling. It is to consist of electrified fences, walls, and barriers, and is to utilize a well-developed road system that would quickly transport troops/reinforcements to the area.

The succession of lines that were to cascade throughout New England was to be a combination of natural lines and fortified lines. Natural lines aim to utilize natural defenses, such as mountains and rivers and the like, to compliment man-made defenses. It is the most effective defense since it is impossible for the enemy to alter the topography of the earth (meaning it is impossible for him to level entire mountains and the like). Hundreds of forts, bunkers, and underground lines are to be implemented along the mountain ranges and other strategic lines. They are designed to impede the enemy’s advance. Fortified lines are the cream of any static defense: they utilize massive fortifications in conjunction with natural and border defenses to stop the enemy dead on his tracks.

Lastly, thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of artillery guns, anti-aircraft guns, and missiles are to be placed along the New England coast, as well throughout the entire nation. Major urban installations (Boston, Providence, New York City, etc) are to be heavily-fortified against an attack from the sea. Bunkers, pillboxes, and minefields are also utilized in this defensive line (denoted as ‘red’). They are designed to stop/impede the enemy advancing from the sea and serve as a basis for the Army to mount an effective response. Minefields and underwater torpedoes are also to be utilized at the sea. There are plans to create what is similar to Tahoe’s SOSUS network off the coast of New England.

Construction was to begin immediately. As the central government had largely increased its powers over the states, this was to proceed as smoothly as possible.

PUBLIC

Following the signing of an agreement with the Holy Imperium of Man, the government in Boston, after transferring $20 billion to the Imperium, authorized three divisions of the New England Army to advance into New Brunswick. The troops faced no resistance (why would they?) as they entered various cities, towns, and villages on their way to the capital of Fredericton. Soon, the capital was under New England control and so was Saint John, the largest city in New Brunswick, and soon all of the region.



The transition from Imperial rule to New England rule was seamless as New England administrators took their Imperium counterparts’ places in many parts of New Brunswick. As per the Brunswick Accords, Imperium companies and corporations came under the personal protection of the Boston government, the border between New Brunswick and Maine were permanently opened to Imperium citizens, and various parts in the region remained open. By an Act of the National Assembly, New Brunswick became an organized incorporated territory of New England and Shawn Michael Graham, a native, was appointed as Governor of New Brunswick to head the new territory.



Under Governor Shawn, most Imperium laws were to remain in place while the transition of rule in New Brunswick progressed on. Through this course of action, New England acquired a border with the Tahoe Republic (finally!) and gained an outlet to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

To ensure the success of implementing the nation’s planned border and static defense systems, the Boston government issued orders for increased steel and coal production, as well as other vital resources, such as rubber and oil and the like. To help attain this goal, the government offered financial incentives to industries specializing into the aforementioned resources. It is expected that production will increase over several years.

To help shoulder the costs of such a nationwide project, the government is looking into several options to reduce or even cease funding into ‘nonessential projects’ as a way of diverting more funds. There are unconfirmed rumors that the government may downgrade or abandon the Socialist economic system and steer New England in the direction of a capitalist nation.

PUBLIC

Today, the National Assembly passed a resolution suspending the Government Reforms Decree, effectively placing the States under the federal government’s control once again. This, interestingly, garnered the support of some 60 percent of the population. This may be the fact that both the people and government saw the dangers of granting too much freedom/autonomy while they were a part of the now-defunct United States of America, and they feared that their nation may face the same fate if it continued on the way it was.

To symbolize the centralization of power, another resolution was passed designating the States as Provinces (they can be still referred to as ‘States’, however). The States’ responsibilities remains the same: they are responsible for police, National Guard, tax collection, along with many others.


CLASSIFIED

The collapse of the United States had invoked concerns along members of the federal government, particularly President John F. Kennedy, his Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and his Secretary of State Franklin D. Roosevelt. In secret discussions in the Briefing Room in the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Secretary Roosevelt opened up the discussions with the statement, “In the interests of national security, we cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we have set.”

Roosevelt went on to explain that in order for this to succeed, a civilian national security force will have to be established that’s just as powerful, and just as strong as the military. “It will be as well-funded.” Roosevelt concluded with a smile, stating that a sizeable portion of the government budget will be allocated to this proposed organization.

All members of the government, despite some reservations, agreed with the plan, including President Kennedy himself. The telegrams of this discussions were kept in a secure location. Later in the day, President Kennedy gave a speech to the nation regarding this. The speech went as this:

[PUBLIC SPEECH]

…”Ladies and gentlemen, I come before you all with a preposition that I feel will symbolize the sentiments of the nation and People as a whole. As we are in an increasingly dangerous world, the issue of national security and matters pertaining to national security will be assessed.”

[PAUSE]

“Loving your country shouldn’t mean just celebrating our national holiday or celebrating our liberties and democratic virtues. Loving your country means accepting your responsibilities and duties, as citizens of the Republic of New England, to do your part to change it, for the good. If you do, your life will be richer, our country will be stronger…”

Kennedy then went on to quote one of Roosevelt’s statements, one that he had listened to hours earlier. “We…cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security priorities that we have set. Thus, we need to have a civilian national security force that will be just as powerful, just as strong, and just as well funded as the military.”

[PAUSE]

“Only through this can we properly answer the national security question that have been an issue with us. Only through that can we ensure domestic tranquility and national safety and security without relying too much on the military. Through this, the People can play as much role in this nation’s defense and national security! I assure you that we will be more freer, more safer, and more prosperous in this world!”

President Kennedy smiled and stepped off the podium midst cheering from his audience.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

Shortly after President Kennedy’s speech, the National Assembly drafted and passed a bill. Signed into law by Kennedy, the bill now stood poised to implement Kennedy’s plans to establish a “civilian national security force”. First of all, a new institution was established, the National Security Command (NSC). Subordinate to the Department of State Security, the NSA shall have powers to “utilize resources, including labor and funds, for the purpose of protecting the Republic of New England from ‘domestic threats’, including but not limited to terrorism and emergency situations.” The NSC is to assume and oversee responsibilities over security procedures and serve as law enforcement in areas that falls “out of normal police jurisdiction.” The NSC is also to advise the President of the Republic of New England on homeland security affairs. A rough draft of organization of the DSS is below:



In addition, a paramilitary force is to be established under the President’s exclusive command through the Department of State Security and exercised through the National Security Command. The State Security Militia (SSM) is to comprise of approximately five divisions (about 100,000 soldiers) and will serve as a ‘combat arm’ of the Department of State Security. Also known as the Militia-SS or the Military-SS, the SSM is separate from the National Guard and the regular Army. Lastly, the State Security Police (SSP), under jurisdiction of the DSS, will function as police on the local, provincial, and national level in conjunction with their regular police counterparts. But the SSP, along with the Military-SS, will be endowed with extrajudicial powers that will enable them to deal with external and internal threats in any way they see fit. Both the SSP and the Military-SS will be accountable only to the President (and the Executive branch).

The headquarters of the State Security Militia will be stationed in Boston and branches of that aforementioned organization will be established in every major city and town in New England; the same goes for the State Security Police, also known as the Stasi (State Security Police). The DSS is expected to employ at least 40,000 staff workers and about 100,000 informants for the Stasi.

(OOC: )

PUBLIC

The Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy announced today that there was going to be a rearrangement of the Armed Forces. Taking effect immediately, the Marine Corps will cease to exist and its chain of command and soldiers will be formally incorporated into the 150,000-strong reserve Army. Next, the personnel of the Navy are earmarked to be reduced from nearly 200,000 to fewer than 90,000. A reduction of the Coast Guard from 30,000 to 20,000 is well-underway. The newly-formed Military-SS, 100,000-strong, isn’t considered a part of the Armed Forces, although it will serve as an auxiliary force in conjunction with the National Guard during peacetime and wartime.

PUBLIC

The federal government today announced that it will be withdrawing two of the three divisions that were sent into New Brunswick over a week ago, leaving only 20,000 troops in the region. The transition of power in New Brunswick went smoothly as expected and control of the region was turned to local and provincial police forces as the troops withdrew.

PUBLIC

After the recent takeover of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, New English citizenship was formally extended to the remaining inhabitants of both regions. English law and acts formally took effect in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland as their new authorities implemented Boston’s orders.

Today, President Kennedy signed into law the National Security and Protection Act, authorizing the formation of a Territorial Armed Force (Army, Air Force, and Navy) and Territorial National Guard in the territories of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. In addition, territorial police forces were also formed to maintain law and order in both regions. The federal government had consented the establishment of a permanent base in New Brunswick for the Holy Imperium of Man and one in Newfoundland (in Saint Pierre and Miquelon-Langlade) for Ardonia; the Department of Defense now ordered new military and naval bases to be established in all three regions.

Lastly, the Department of Defense issued an order withdrawing the Sixteenth Division back home, leaving the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Division stationed in both Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.


CLASSIFIED

In addition to signing the National Security and Protection Act, President Kennedy also signed into law a secret resolution expanding the newly-established Stasi and Military-SS into New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. It is expected that branches from these two institutions would crisscross all over these regions, further tightening Boston’s control over them over time.

PUBLIC

The government publicly announced the existence of both the State Security Militia (Military-SS) and the State Security Police (Stasi) today, although much information remained classified. In addition, the National Assembly passed a bill formally incorporating the New England Border Patrol (NEBP) into the Stasi and abolishing the New England Customs and Border Protection (NECBP). All staff workers, agents, and troops of the NEBP and the now-defunct NECBP were incorporated into the Stasi. Border troops and guards were subsequently organized into the Stasi Border Patrol (SBP), also known as the Stasi Border Troops.


CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense authorized the expansion of the nation’s border defense programme to the territories of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland - although the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border (or the New England-Tahoan border) were never to be fortified. Construction of the defenses in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland began immediately as massive quantities of labor and resources were channeled to the three regions. Progress in the building of the border and static defenses in the ‘mainland’ continued; everything was going good so far.

The planned static defenses in New Brunswick was going to be a success as the Appalachian mountain range, an important feature of the current border defense project, also extended into the region. Various river valleys and low rolling hills, along with eroded mountains, cover a large part of the province, making static defenses ideal and practical in New Brunswick. The northwestern portion of New Brunswick is remote and contains the rugged terrains of the Miramachi Highlands, Chaleur Highlands, and the Notre Dame mountains, which can reach up to 820 meters. In addition, New Brunswick is crisscrossed by major river systems; they include the St. John River, Petitcodiac River, St. Croix River, and the Restigouche River.

Prince Edward Island, however, is less mountainous and more pastoral. It has rolling hills, beaches, ocean coves, forests, and cliffs. But even so, Prince Edward Island’s shorelines and terrain was going to be configured in a way that any invasion of the island was going to be extraordinary difficult, if not impossible, for any foreign aggressors that try to do so. The bays, marshes, and natural harbors were going to be fortified (and mined); the beaches was going to be littered with Czech hedgehogs and similar defenses to impede and repulse a sea-borne invasion.

Most of Newfoundland is covered by an extension of the Appalachian mountain range, and this of course was going to be a factor in the fortification of the island. The Long Range mountains lies along the island’s western coast, for instance. Newfoundland also has thousands of lakes (or fjords) that can be utilized for defense. As in Prince Edward Island, any invasion of Newfoundland was going to be incredibly difficult, not least because of the planned defenses, but also the island’s sheer size and terrain.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense had transmitted a series of detailed instructions to various Army commands, border commands, and the National Security Command pertaining to the current border defense programme (or border fortification project, as referred to by some others). They are as follows:

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense transmitted further instructions to the National Security Command, the Army, and these participating in the project:




HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

In addition to the extensive fortifications planned at the border, shore defenses were to be established. Midst anti-aircraft guns, large coast artillery batteries were to be established at or near military/naval bases in all of the major port cities, starting immediately.






In addition, the beaches were configured to be fortified quickly at a moment’s notice. As such, thousands of Czech hedgehogs and other obstacles were manufactured for this purpose. They were to be placed across the Eastern Seaboard of New England, including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland.


PUBLIC

The federal government has declared Block Island, a part of the State of Rhode Island, to be an Exclusive Zone. From this moment on, no foreign vessels of any kind will be allowed to enter or even go near Block Island without prior authorization. Any vessel, either civilian or military, that ventures near Block Island will be requested to turn back, and failing that, sunk without warning. This shall be enforced by both the Navy and the Coast Guard.


HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense authorized the construction of a top-secret underground facility on Block Island, which has now begun. Whatever the purpose of the facility, the Department has declined to comment.

"How far out to sea does the Block Island restriction extend?"

OOC: *looks at wall-o-text* Holy crud...you're building a nation-fortress!

OOC: Indeed, I find it surprising how little soldiders he placed on my border. Maybe because my only border defenses are some 8 meter tall barbed wired fences with a few border patrols.

"We too, would like to know how far out the exclusion zone extends."

Statement from the Department of Defense:

The exclusion zone extends about three nautical miles beyond the shores of Block Island. Foreign vessels will not be allowed to cross any farther than that. The zone has been configured in a way that commence vessels can traverse around Block Island without trouble.



OOC: I plan to emulate Tahoe's border defenses.



OOC: Ah, they may be small, but do not underestimate them.

OOC: Which is when those giant driller machines come in handy.

OOC: Heh, like they're going to be silent. My men on the ground will know something's up when they hear/feel sounds from beneath the surface.

OHWAI-

If you can do that to me, I can do that to you too. Yay!

OOC: You soldiers can feel drilling 200 meters underground?

If you do that to me, my drillers underground would notice something is up since they have activity monitors, which senses any ground shaking. If they noticed that the rock is shaking from an activity outside of the tunnels, they know something is up.

If your drillers accidentally drill into my tunnels...

(Lets just say bullets will fly)

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense, in addition to detailing of the current border fortification projects, transmitted several more classified documents to the National Security Command, Army, border commands, and anyone working on the project. They will concern air-defense networks:



OOC: If anyone's RPing them, I'm sorry. I didn't know, and I'm far too lazy to search the forums.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

After classified communications with the Tahoan Ministry of Defense, the Department of Defense has mandated that a deployable system would be needed to maximize sea-defense potential. According to the Tahoans, such a system can be deployed when needed and can be upgraded at any time.

And so the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) was born. The IUSS will utilize fixed, mobile, and deployable acoustic arrays that will provide the Navy with a means of detecting both diesel and nuclear submarines. Work stations, enhanced signal processing, and communication technology will enable the Navy to utilize remote array monitoring, which would reduce manpower costs and improve efficiency. The IUSS will utilize certain features based off on Tahoe’s SOSUS network in the sense that it uses a mix of sea-based launchers that can be placed on the ocean floor and used to launch mines and torpedoes. In addition, features in the ocean floor can be used to house underwater bunkers that can be armed with torpedoes and the like. Because they are situated on the ocean floor, they are virtually undetectable to enemy and foreign sonar, providing New England an advantage into monitoring any activity in the Atlantic Ocean.

The undersea components and arrays will be placed on the seafloor near the Eastern Seaboard along New England’s coast, at certain intervals; they can be imbedded into the continental shelf along New England’s coast, including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. They will be configured in a way that they can be deployed and upgraded at a moment’s notice, as well as enable the Navy to compile a comprehensible database pertaining to submarines and other aspects.

We will work together with the Tahoans, in technical development and construction, to implement the system.

PUBLIC

Citing national defense concerns, the Department of Defense placed the Stasi Border Troops on “shoot-to-kill” orders as a pretext to enforce the closure of the border. “We are not responsible for any loss of life that may happen from this.” A spokesperson from the State Security Bureau (SSB) stated in a press statement today.

In addition, the Exclusive Zone around Block Island was expanded from 3 nautical miles to over ten nautical miles for as “long as the war lasts”; any unauthorized vessels, military or civilian, found near Block Island will be decimated without warning.

PUBLIC

Following the recent turn of events (the collapse of the Greater Nordlandic Reich, followed by Greater Germany, the Western Empire, and Wästerdyskreich, along with other aspects), the Department of Defense lowered New England’s DEFCON from 2 back to 5 – although the Armed Forces, Military-SS, Stasi, and police forces were to remain at full-alert for the time being.

CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense has announced that the emergency security measures were being suspended, at least for the time being as the federal government assesses the situation at hand, and that martial law will be lifted. The “shoot-to-kill” orders issued to the Stasi Border Troops, however, will continue to stand for the time being (it does not apply to the New England-Tahoan border).

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

Weeks and months after the border fortifications project went underway, the National Security Command, Army command posts, and border commands has reported in a classified report to the Department of Defense that everything was well underway. It is estimated that the first border line of defense was approximately 15% completed, with the second line (the Kennedy Line) being about 10% completed. Furthermore it was reported that the coastal defenses (such as anti-aircraft guns, coast batteries, Czech hedgehogs, etc) were estimated to be as far as 12% completed – although much progress on the bunkers, pillboxes, and other installations had been made (it is estimated as far as 85% of bunkers and the like have alteady been constructed along the shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie, as well as most of the Atlantic coast).

Regarding air-defense networks, approximately 18% of progress had been made as hundreds of missile sites are being constructed as we speak. The PATRIOT PAC-3 and THAAD missiles are currently being configured into the system. The IUSS Department hasn’t reported about the status of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System yet, although it is expected that they will do so soon enough.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense has transmitted a series of new orders, all concerning one subject: EMP-proofing. Having seen the harmful effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) against a neighbor in a recent (and ongoing) crisis, the federal government has now ordered increased priority – and emphasis – to EMP-proofing the country against the devastating effect of an EMP in case of war. Several defense scenarios conducted by the Army have seen the entire country, save for a save few institutions, being shut down by a couple of EMP weapons and effectively disabling New England’s capabilities to wage war against an opponent armed with such weapons.

The EMP-proofing project is expected to take years to finish, from start to finish, and is projected to be immensely expensive (conservative estimates place the cost at around $300 billion, perhaps more). Thus, the federal government has decided to take a ‘step-by-step’ approach to the planned project, first focusing on “hardening” vehicles (both military and civilian) and government institutions, as well as vital electronic components in select areas. Once accomplished, the government planned to steadily expand the scope from building to building, from city to city, and from state to state, EMP-proofing as they go.

One way to EMP-proof the country against such attacks is to utilize Faraday Cages (and blankets), which will be encased around every electronic component that shields it from the disabling effects of an EMP attack. However, much detail are classified as the federal government has yet to figure out how to implement the system according to its planned timetable.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

The National Security Command, in another report to the Department of Defense, has stated that much progress has been made. Regarding the border fortifications, according to the report, the first line were 23 percent completed and the second line 17 percent completed. The coastal defenses were now one-fifths completed, and the success rate of the air defenses increased to over 27 percent.

The IUSS Department finally released a report regarding the status of the current Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) project; it was reported to be about 15 percent completed so far.

PUBLIC

The Department of Defense has announced today that the Exclusive Zone around Block Island has been retracted back to three nautical miles as the “wartime state of alert“ has passed by. In addition, the Republic of New England was placed back on DEFCON 5 and its Armed Forces and police forces placed on ‘normal readiness’.

PUBLIC

The City Hall of Albany, New York, passed a resolution today renaming the former state capital to its original name, Fort Orange. The resolution was passed with wide approval of the city’s inhabitants (approximately 60 percent of the population). Fort Orange has a long history: it was established by the Dutch in 1624 in what was then the New Netherlands. But when the British took over the region (along with the city) in 1664, they renamed Fort Orange to Fort Albany, then Fort Frederick, and finally Albany.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED



Today, the National Assembly, at President Kennedy’s initiative, passed a resolution modifying the current state security apparatus to make it “more streamlined and administratively-effective”.

According to Resolution 0624-2009, the State Security Militia (Military-SS) and the State Security Police (Stasi) were placed under an entirely new organization independent of the National Security Command: the State Security Administration (SSA or, interestingly, Stasi). In turn, the National Security Command was renamed the National Security Administration (NSA) and converted to an executive government committee empowered with wider powers to “direct the allocation of necessary resources to deal with emergency situations or situations of state emergency”; in other words, it was responsible for emergency management. Sub-branches of the NSA (referred to as Commands) were established in major cities and towns, and each Command were to be responsible for areas in their jurisdictions.

The Stasi (as the new SSA was referred as from now on) was to be a sub-organization of the State Security Bureau in the Department of State Security; as with the State Security Police, it was to be accountable directly to the Executive branch and nothing else – though it was to report to the DSS. The Stasi was also given control and jurisdiction over core and other emergency services (except regular police) on all levels, including but not limited to:

• Fire and rescue service
• Emergency medical service
• Technical rescue
• Immigrant and Customs
• Search-and-rescue
• Disaster relief
• Poison control
• Animal control
• Emergency road service

The Stasi was still to retain police responsibilities on all levels. Regarding emergency services, the Stasi will cooperate and work together with other government institutions (the NSA, for instance) on all levels.

In addition, control of the Stasi Border Troops was transferred to the new organization under the same aegis. The labor camps and their staff (guards, superiors, etc) were also transferred to the Stasi – although control of the country’s jails, prisons, and correctional institutions remained with the regular administrative institutions. Not only was the Stasi to conduct domestic affairs in the country, it was also to conduct foreign affairs abroad, both public and secret (it will work together with the State Intelligence Agency of the DSS to gather intelligence both domestically and abroad). It was tasked with planting sleeper agents (and infiltrate) in many nations (save for a few) throughout the world as to expand its powers and scope; it was also tasked with protecting the Republic of New England from espionage and counter-espionage.

Lastly, the Stasi was responsible for compiling a comprehensive database to keep track of people, organizations, or anything it deemed a “potential threat to national and domestic security.” It will utilize human intelligence (HUMINT) to infiltrate factories, schools, social and political organizations, housing, as well as other institutions where the issue of national security was concerned. It will have considerable powers to compile dossiers on individuals, both inside and outside the country; this includes photographs, surveillance, and other means. It will utilize commando units of the Military-SS to conduct clandestine operations. Lastly, the Stasi was authorized to conduct its affairs outside normal justification, including but not limited to routine methods of extracting information, such as physical persuasion, and ‘ensuring cooperation’ with any means available.

The Military-SS was still to be under the exclusive authority and final command of the President; it will serve as the combat arm of both the DSS and the Stasi. It is tasked with protecting and defending all DSS and Stasi institutions, buildings, personnel, installations, as well as regular government institutions and officials, and the like. The Directorate of the Stasi was upgraded to being the head of the new organization; he will head both the Stasi and the Military-SS and carry out the President’s orders without question.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

In one of its first reports to the Department of Defense, along with various Army and Border commands, the National Security Administration (NSA) reported that approximately 30% of progress was completed on the first line of the border fortifications, and 24% on the second line. Regarding the coastal defenses, significant progress had been made, due to abundant resources and funding from the federal government: about 28% were completed. In addition, it was reported that about 34% of the air defenses were completed and operational.

Lastly, the IUSS Department reported that about 21 percent had been completed so far.

HIGHLY-CLASSIFIED

The Department of Defense has announced that EMP-proofing of all federal government buildings, institutions, and installations, as well as Army bases and installations, are currently underway. All electronic and power grids and generators are being ‘hardened’ against EMP as well. So far, the scope of this operation is limited to Boston and a few select areas of New England.

PUBLIC

The Department of the Navy has announced that it is dispatching an aircraft carrier to the Naval Base Guantanamo Bay. The aircraft carrier, the NES John Fitzgerald Kennedy, is scheduled to leave port from Boston to its new posting on July 1.

PUBLIC

The National Assembly passed a series of bills, of which were signed into law by President Kennedy. The first of all, the National Public Safety Act prohibited any demonstrations within a ten-mile radius of the Massachusetts State House without the tacit approval of the Federal Police Commissioner. Secondly, the Health Protection Act raised taxes on alcoholic and tobacco products (also called sin taxes) by a further 20 percent and imposed a ten-percent ‘health protection tax’ on companies and industries specializing in the production and commerce of such products. Lastly, the Airport and Customs Protection Act elevated airport and customs security to near-draconian levels. In addition to extensive X-ray and advanced metal detectors, airports will be required to implement full-body cavity searches. At border crossings, anyone will now be required not only to show their identification cards, but also to show their registration papers and submit their vehicle to a thorough inspection (and if traveling by foot, to a full body cavity search).

CLASSIFIED

A secret clause of the Airport and Customs Protection Act made it mandatory that at least two undercover Stasi agents be present on every outbound airplane; the Act also stipulated at least one in seven airport staff workers be a Stasi agent and one in five be a Stasi informer.

The National Assembly also passed the Police Labels Act, which required that police on all levels, including the Stasi and the Military-SS, remove any labeling and signs on their vehicles, or anything that signals them as 'law-enforcement.' However, they will be required to retain their audible and visual warning systems (such as beacons, sirens, etc).

CLASSIFIED

The National Security Administration stated in a status report to the Department of Defense that progress on the border fortifications was going well so far: about 36 percent of the first line were complete, and 31 percent of the second line had been completed so far. On the coastal defenses, about 38 percent of progress had been made, and 40 percent of the air defenses were completed.

Lastly, the IUSS Department reported that much progress were made on the IUSS, that approximately 30 percent have been completed. It was looking good so far.

PUBLIC REPORT

A recent survey conducted by the federal government revealed that, among many others, there were two prevailing ethnical groups in the nation: New England American and New Netherland Dutch. According to the report, Dutch is the fastest growing ethnic group in the Republic of New England and the Dutch language is on a steady rise. One instance is that many street names and/or signs and even some city/town names are/or is becoming Dutch, such as the newly-renamed Fort Orange (formerly Albany) in New York State and the five boroughs of New York City; another instance is that approximately twenty-five percent of the population in Rhode Island speaks Dutch or a variant of it. Even in the newly-admitted states of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland, a considerable of the population speaks Dutch.

According to the report, New York State is home to the largest Dutch community in the Republic of New England; approximately 35% of its population is Dutch, mostly centered in New York City and Fort Orange, as well as outlying areas. Close second is Massachusetts, which has a Dutch population of about 31 percent, mostly centered in Boston. Thirdly, Connecticut has the third largest Dutch community in New England, about 27 percent. Rhode Island has similar ethnic group; about 24 percent of its population is Dutch, most of them centered in Providence, the capital. Next, the percentage of the Dutch ethnic group in both New Hampshire and Vermont are about 22 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

Lastly, in the state of New Brunswick, the population is about 20 percent. In Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland respectively, the figures are 18 percent and 17 percent. Maine, however, is the only state in the Union that the Dutch is in the absolute majority: about 7 percent is Dutch, where the overwhelming majority of the population is French.

The report concluded that the Republic of New England is quickly becoming 'Europeanized', and that the federal government should encourage the immigration of workers from Europe and other parts of the world that have come to New England for job and financial opportunities.

With the recession in Promised Land still showing no end in sight, though the pressure was relieved to a ssmall degree by the immigration of many thousands to the Hanseatic Commonwealth, a movement not unlike the old Europeans' hopeful travels to the new world took place, with a steady trickle of families and individuals coming from the Land Down Under to the New World in search of new opportunities.

OOC: Sorry, couldn't resist. The opporutunity was too good to pass up. you'll get a few thousand, probably about 5000 in total, from me.

OOC: lol, no problem. Thanks, though.

IC: New England customs officials would notice a steady influx of workers from Promised Land. According to their records, there were approximately 5,000 such workers, who immediately settled in Boston and New York City.

OOC2: Hope you don't mind...

OOC: I have no problem. I generally see immigrants as belonging to the nation they immigrate to. The only exceptions being, of course, when the 'giver' asks and recieves permission from the 'receiving' nation to Rp them.

PUBLIC

The National Assembly passed a bill today. Signed into law by President Kennedy, the Fair Tax Act repealed most federal taxes (payroll tax, corporate tax, gift tax, estate tax – but excluding income tax, sin tax, and others) and replaced them with a national retail sales tax of thirty percent. Under the Act, the federal government would pay a monthly rebate to lawful New Englander citizens depending on the total of FairTax paid on poverty level spending. These rebates would be disbursed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the form of paper checks, electronic transfer, or a ‘smartcard’. According to the government, the FairTax would be progressive on consumption and regressive on income at higher level, and is designed to ease the tax burden by expanding the tax base and help stimulate the economy by increasing purchasing power. Also, the Act would lead to increased economic growth, provide incentives for international businesses to move to New England, increase competition for New Englander businesses on the world market, as well as many others.

According to the federal government, the FairTax would help to target the underground economy (the ‘black market’, so to call it) by mandating that proceeds from such activity be subject to a FairTax when they are used for legal consumption (thus making non-filers paying their share in taxes to the government). The FairTax shall be a federal tax enforced at the federal level, and shall be enforced by the National Revenue Service (NRS) in the Department of the Treasury (the NRS will work together with the Stasi to achieve this). The states shall be responsible for imposing and collecting tax revenues generated by the FairTax, and as is the federal government. To combat the possibility of tax evasion and ‘financial crimes’, businesses are required to have a registered seller’s certificate approved by the Stasi, keep complete records of all business transactions, record all taxable goods produced and brought, provide consumers with a written receipt, regardless of type of transaction, and submit a report to the Department of the Treasury each a month. Severe penalties shall be imposed upon businesses that fail to do so.

However, there are exemptions from the FairTax. Church property would not be taxed, and as are taxable property and service purchased by a religious (and nonprofit) organization. In addition, some businesses/industry protected by the federal government, such as Imperium companies and businesses in New Brunswick and the like, shall be exempt from the tax.

A FairTax has been implemented in Tahoe for some time, with the abolition of a socialistic income tax in 1976, and needless to say, its contribution to the Tahoan economy has been immense. Instead of 30%, the Tahoan tax rate is 23% which is high enough to be tax inclusive and low enough to provide all the benefits low taxes provide.

Furthermore, Tahoe collects no payroll or capital gains tax, further allowing our citizens to retain a maximum amount of their income without unfairly taxing corporations twice, allowing them to grow and provide expansive employment opportunities.

We are sure New England is headed for explosive economic growth and a new dawn of prosperity.

CLASSIFIED

The National Security Administration stated in its bi-weekly report to the Department of Defense that the first line of the border fortifications was now 43 percent completed, and the second line (the Kennedy Line) 38 percent completed. In addition to that, the coastal defenses were about 44 percent completed; the air defenses were reported to be 47 percent completed. The IUSS Department reported that about 36 percent of the network were in place.

Everything was good so far.



PUBLIC

The Department of Defense has announced that the New England-Canadian border (the border with the Tahoan/Vinilandese protectorate) has been re-opened and the "shoot-to-kill" orders issued to the Stasi Border Troops has been rescinded. However, the border with the former UAS will remain closed and the order will remain in effect there for the time being. The New England-Tahoan border between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia was never closed and remains the 'freest border' (the Airport and Customs Protection Act doesn't apply).

PUBLIC

The National Assembly, after passing the Fair Tax Act, also passed a series of bills. Packaged into the ‘National Issues Package Act’, the bills focused on the issues of concern to the Republic of New England and its people as a whole.

The National Issues Package Act, subsisting of the following bills (which will be detailed below), detailed the following:


The National Issues Package Act immediately went into effect the moment it was signed by President Kennedy. The Department of State Security, including the Stasi, was tasked with enforcing the Act. The passage of the Act was greeted with universal celebrations by the Catholic Church and its supporters, as well as the majority of the population.

PUBLIC

Today, the National Assembly passed a resolution, the Federal Property Act, declaring all major military bases in the Protectorate of New Jersey to be federal government property, taking effect immediately. Implemented by the Protector-General and approved by the New Jersey government, the New England Army immediately began taking over military bases in the region, including Fort Dix, the largest military base in the region, and Fort Monmouth. The Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, was also taken over and nationalized.

In addition, a clause of the Federal Property Act ‘grandfathered’ the federal government’s claim and control of Fort Dix, Fort Monmouth, and Picatinny Arsenal, meaning that these bases shall remain under the control – and become a sovereign territory of New England – of the federal government unto perpetuity should New Jersey be granted independence.

PUBLIC

Today, the border between the former UAS and the Protectorate of New Jersey was closed and its border guards – basically regular New Jersey guards subordinated to the Stasi – placed on “shoot-to-kill” orders. This was done on the request of the Protector-General, approved by the New Jersey government, and ratified by the federal government. In addition, the Protector-General passed a resolution relocating the state’s capital from Trenton to Newark. The New Jersey government approved of the resolution and its members promptly packed up and moved to the new capital.

On an unrelated note, the New Jersey Coast Guard was placed under the command of the New England Coast Guard, at least for the time being, and was to be accountable to the federal government.

CLASSIFIED

The federal government passed a resolution renaming the National Security Administration to the Unified National Security Command (UNSC); the UNSC’s functions and responsibilities remained unchanged. Besides, the UNSC reported to the Department of Defense that much progress had been made on the two border fortification lines: 51 percent on the first line and 47 percent of the line had been completed so far.

Secondly, the UNSC reported that approximately 52 percent of the coastal defenses were in place and fully functional, and that over 54 percent of the nation’s air defense system was completed. Finally, according to the UNSC, the IUSS and sea-based defenses was reported to be 47 percent completed.

PUBLIC

With the recent passage of the Military Professionalization Act, the current conscription system was petered out. Mindful about the thousands of conscripts that were undergoing conscription at the time, the federal government passed a separate resolution, the National Service Act.

The Act established the National Service System (NSS) that would enable the federal government to maintain a comprehensive database on people eligible for military service. Through this, lawful citizens aged 18 to 27 would be required to register with the NSS; this is applicable for various federal programs and benefits (student loans, federal employment, Social Security benefits, etc). The NSS will work together with the Stasi, and all levels of government, to enforce the Act.

Under the Act, all male citizens are required to register with the NSS within thirty days after turning eighteen; foreign citizens living in New England between the age 18 and 27 also must register. Failure to do so entails severe consequences, and is investigated by the Stasi as well as the regular police. The consequences includes, but is not limited to, the loss of federal and employment benefits, ten-year imprisonment in federal prison (and an additional five years in a correctional facility), and a fine of $250,000 if convicted.

PUBLIC

The National Assembly passed yet another law, this time regarding public security. Signed into law by President Kennedy, the Secret Service Act established a special branch in the Stasi dedicated to “protecting the President, his family and friends, his associates, as well as other members of the Government of the Republic of New England from internal and external threats.”

The Stasi Secret Service (also called the SSS or SS) was authorized by law to execute the following responsibilities and duties of protecting:

• The President, Vice President, and these next in succession
• The immediate families and friends of the aforementioned individuals
• Former presidents and their families, for life
• Children of current and former presidents
• Former Vice Presidents for six months after their term(s) ends
• Families of former Vice Presidents for six months after term(s) end
• Visiting foreign leaders and their spouses, other foreign visitors, and official representatives of the New England government travelling abroad
• Other individuals designated by the President

OOC: Wouldn't the president's children over 18 still be protected since two bullets above it says "the immediate families" of the president, etc. and one bullet above former presidents and their families for life?

OOC: Hm, edited the post.

PUBLIC

In par to the Military Professionalization Act, the government had now put in place a series of initiatives designed to ‘reform’ the military – or rather the classification of military units.

From now on, the Divisions (20,000 troops each) shall be replaced by the smaller and more maneuverable Brigades (11,000 troops each). As such, Divisions 1-15 (in the regular Army) and Divisions 16-24 (in the Reserve Army) were rearranged into Brigades 1-14 in the regular Army and Brigades 15-19 in the Reserve Army. Divisions in both the National Guard and the Military-SS were also replaced by Brigades.

The Brigades shall be commandeered by their respective Brigadier-Colonel, who shall report to a General, Field Marshal, and the Supreme Commander (who is second to the President himself), and is accountable to the Supreme Commander.

CLASSIFIED

The Unified National Security Command (UNSC) has announced that the first border fortification line was now 60 percent completed, and the second line (the Kennedy line) were approximately 56 percent completed.

In addition, the UNSC stated in its report that over 60 percent of the coastal fortifications were completed so far; the air defenses were 62 percent completed. Lastly, the IUSS Department reported that much progress had been made: approximately 59 percent of the IUSS network was completed.

PUBLIC



The Department of the Navy has announced today that a new larger class of aircraft carrier will replace about half of the Navy’s current aircraft carriers. It is estimated that the aircraft carrier, named the NES New York of the John Fitzgerald Kennedy-class, will be about 300 meters long and will displace about 60,000 tons. A ship of the John Fitzgerald Kennedy-class will be capable of carrying up to 50 aircrafts at any given time, making it one of the largest vessels in the New England Navy.

Specifications of the new aircraft carriers have been provided:


According to the Department of the Navy, it is estimated that each aircraft carrier of the John Fitzgerald Kennedy-class will cost about $3 billion each to build, bringing the figure to approximately $9 billion or possibly more. It will begin immediately.

PUBLIC



The Department of the Air Force had announced that the Air Force is receiving an update, at least in the ranks of its unmanned aerial vehicles. A new Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), named the U-1, shall provide the Air Force a tactical and strategic advantage in a wide variety of reconnaissance missions, including penetrating protected airspace to identify targets during war.

The U-1 will be powered by a single JT15D-5C small high-bypass turbofan engine with 3,190 lbf (14.2 kN) thrust. It shall be built of several composite materials, of which the airframe will be consisted of four main assemblies (two on the above and two on the bottom).

The specifications of the U-1 are as below:

PUBLIC

Several members of the National Assembly had called for a bill to increase action against global warming, which they stated was a “serious issue that the Republic of New England and other nations would have to address.” To this effect, they introduced the Global Warming Bill; the bill, if signed into law, would combat global warming by introducing legislation designed for such purpose. One provision of the bill called for the penalization of industries/companies found to be contributing to global warming. The bill, midst fierce debate, managed to pass both houses of the National Assembly by a narrow margin.

However, to the bill’s proponents’ surprise, President Kennedy vetoed the bill. When asked about this, Kennedy explained that while global warming was a serious issue, there was actually no hard evidence of global warming as far as he was concerned, and so New England can continue to grow and prosper.

OOC: IG event