TheShammySocialist

Both delegations would be afforded plainclothes security escorts from various irregular units of the SCDF when they arrived, with the option to land at military installations, and out of the public limelight an options. Either route which was taken, the Union would afford several mid-level officials and aides that would be at the beck and call of the visiting dignitaries before the meeting. With the time of meeting set, the Lord Protector of the Southern Cross, the relatively elusive Solomon Winder donned a simple black suit with a Southern Cross flag as a sash across his chest, a platinum medallion with an armored gauntlet, the symbol of his seal, holding the sash together right over his heart. The Lord Protector would enter the room, now populated by both Khendon and the Empress, adjusting the flaps on his suit jacket, with a hearty smile and a nod. "Welcome Your Majesty, Lord Khendon, to Brisbane, an honor to be hosting you, I trust your travel and accommodations before our meeting here were to your liking?" He took a seat at the rounded table, as aides poured glasses of water for all of them, leaving a pitcher off to the side, whilst a cart with more heavier beverages was wheeled in so that the delegates could get such refreshments as needed. The room selected had its windows open and the chairs all seemed to be quite comfy, and the entire venue screamed of a relaxed affair, despite the gravity of the meeting itself. The songs of various birds could be heard from the gardens outside the old Diet building, whilst the air that wafted in from outside was refreshing and cleaning, every so often the sounds of a car honking could be barely heard in the distance. The streets around the Diet building had been cleared for obvious security reasons, with elements of the police, as well as the SCDF providing security for the entire meeting.

For the wedding between the Swedes and French, the Union of the Southern Cross would offer a positive response to the invitation that was received, with a return letter detailing who would be sent to the gathering. Representing the Union, and the peoples of Australia and Tasmania, the Deputy Lord Protector, Marcus Strahan, and Constellation Council Member Elizabeth Varinis, a close friend to the Lord Protector, Solomon Winder, would be detailed for the task. The two members of the Southern Cross government would board a government-owned Airbus A380 for the long-haul flight to Sweden, sleeping most of the flight, so that they could adjust to the time difference, they would time their arrival with early morning in Sweden. The members would be afforded security by plainclothes operators from the 2nd Commando Regiment, who would remain at the appropriated accommodations, beyond providing transportation to and from the wedding venue. The two Australians would be dressed impressively, both with flags of the Southern Cross draped across them in a sash like fashion, pinned with a platinum medallion over their hearts, which denoted their status as members of the Constellation Council. They would arrive at the venue shortly before the ceremony began, and would find themselves faced with the Empress of France playing the part as usher. When they drew level with her, both would bow deeplym, and Strahan would speak, "Your Majesty, its an honor to make your acquaintance. Deputy Lord Protector Marcus Strahan, and Esteemed Council Member Elizabeth Varinis, of the Union of the Southern Cross. We were honored by the invitation for our nation to attend, despite our proximity to Europe."

[b]Secure Dispatch[/b]

<+Hereno> assholes <+Hereno> http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?/topic/122358-announcement-discussion/?p=3269236 <+Hereno> go support me /me waves a flag of support?

A random Southern Cross blogger picked up on the documentary, and after watching it in entirety, posted the following image to the internet in response to the international release of the documentary on a Twitter Feed. [center][/center]

Public - Economy The Constellation Council has released a new decree on increasing average miles per gallon on all vehicles in the Union, and decreasing the large amounts of larger vehicles on the road. This is aimed at producing a society based around smaller vehicles, with lower emissions and lower costs for fueling up, as well as increased use of public or non-motorized transport for transit. Several carmakers have expressed some dismay at the Council's findings, but many welcome the chance to become competitive in smaller models of cars, and several have energetically announced concepts that are already being introduced for consumer perusing. The Constellation Council noted that "the Union has a bumper crop of people utilizing modes of transportation that are beyond the scope of their needs, simply because they can own such vehicles". The Council went on to say that "smaller cars wear less on the road, contribute to lower fuel costs for all citizens, are more easier to handle in metropolitan areas". Several people on the street, who approve of the Council's decision noted that it was a "patriotic thing" to do, to lowering fuel costs for all, and in turn, helping with economic movement. The government believes that tax credits and the introduction of some carbon emission crediting systems to help ensure that larger vehicles are taken off the road, will be more than enough incentive to invest in smaller vehicles. The decision is expected to have a ripple effect across the Union's carmaking industry, as carmakers move to introduce small crossover models, as well as new hatchbacks and small sedans to their vehicle line ups. Private - Defense Several units from the International Stabilization Force in the Philippines would, instead of being deployed directly back to Australia, would instead be deployed to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, as part of the first batch of units to receive climate training in the region. This would include maneuvers involving navigation and jungle/mountain warfare in the Owen Stanley Range, as well as amphibious maneuvers along the coastlines of several islands as part of their training. SCDF Naval and Air Forces are expected to partake in critical roles of ushering these maneuvers along, as well as contributing and take part in them. In related news, Remington Australia has begun limited production runs of its R5 RGP assault rifle, chambered for 6.5 Grendel Ammunition, targeted specifically for mostly operators within the irregular formations of the Ground, Air, and Naval Forces. The R5 RGP has shown a resilience in adverse weather conditions, including jungle swamplands and cold uplands, as displayed with experimental deployments to both the Solomons, as well as the Kerguleun Archipelago. A trooper from 4th Battalion, RAR, on maneuvers with a newly-produced R5 RGP assault rifle, in Central Australia.

To: Priscila Ferreira, Premier of Brazil From: Valerie Pomerleau, Minister of Foreign Affairs The Union of the Southern Cross would be honored to see its diplomats return to a formal capacity in the mission in Rio de Janeiro, and would be honored if Brazil reciprocated with opening a mission along Worldlong Boulevard in Brisbane, home to the diplomatic quarter of the capital. We will begin the process of putting together a diplomatic team for our newly renewed mission in Brazil immediately. Beyond these measures, we can gladly host talks between one of our ambassadors and the home country government if you wish, or fully conduct a formal delegation to your shores to discuss matters of formal affairs.

"With the resumption of effective governance in the Philippines, the Union of the Southern Cross has effectively begun a pull out of its stabilization forces duties, and will continue to do so over the next week. The SCDF Naval Forces and auxiliary units of the Air Forces will both be engaged in the effort, while humanitarian aid will flow into Manila, Davao, and Cebu as needed, to ensure continued stability in the region. The [i]Valor[/i] Carrier Battle Group has been shifted to the Celebes Sea to support the safe transit of military and auxiliary transports, whilst a small surface action group has dispatched for international seaway patrol in the Java Sea."

[b]Classified[/b] Under the auspices of its forward defense policy, the Constellation Council has appropriated strong funding for the rehabilitation of active radar networks to provide the SCDF with over-the-horizon radar coverage, both on the surface and in the air. Although all branches of the SCDF already possess several types of radar for air defense, IFF, air traffic control, the use of fixed over-the-horizon networks have not been considered until now. This coverage has, up until now, been settled utilizing the Ground Forces' deployable monostatic over-the-horizon radar at sites around the nation. The new system will essentially rehabilitate the JORN, utilizing a relatively low-level frequency, whilst being able to track thousands of potential targets should an attack against Australia commence from any direction. To this end, old JORN network will be extended to cover every approach to the continent, whilst radar arrays will be deployed to several offlying islands to ensure ample coverage throughout the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and the Coral Sea. The so called "JORN II" network will be reinforced by the utilization of mid-sized AWACS aircraft flying patrol in the northern territories as well as regular patrols through the Solomons and over New Guinea. These systems will be supplemented by the addition of JLENS airborne radar, utilizing aerostats tethered at relatively mid-level altitude in several locations to provide additional coverage against airborne targets, particularly cruise missiles, utilizing look-down radar to detect and identify threats. Additionally, the SCDF has begun the deployment and configuration of the TRIPWIRE Radar, built specifically to counter both stealth threats, as well as low-flying cruise missiles. Utilizing a relatively low cost receiver and transmitter, the TRIPWIRE Radar, which is also known as an Associative Aperture Synthesis Radar, utilizes stepped frequencies to be able to pick up on the backscatter created by an airborne threat entering the Union's airspace. Although this requires the target to fly between the receiver and transmitter, the system allows for defensive forces to be moved to intercept at relatively short periods of time. High speed surface to air missiles or fighter aircraft can be vectored onto a target, and the threat neutralized in short order. The TRIPWIRE Radar has also proven itself in that it is cheap to produce receivers and transmitters, and even harder to destroy, given the number of receivers being almost uneconomical in any modern war situation to actually destroy.

[b]Secure Dispatch[/b] "Under the auspices of fomenting a new defense partnership between our two nations, the Union of the Southern Cross expresses the interest in selling twenty-four refurbished F/A-18F Super Hornets to the government of New Zealand for two-thirds normal pricetag option. This sale would also include an option for adding twelve Hawk advanced jet trainers from SCDF Air Forces' stocks at low cost, to increase the capabilities of New Zealand's aerial defenses component. The ANZAC spirit will always live on, in the hearts of all our countrymen, and I hope that it lives on in New Zealand as well."

[b]Secure Dispatch[/b] "The Union of the Southern Cross is currently reviewing its foreign policy regarding Pacific affairs and stability, and at this time, strategic partnerships are not being considered with any potential powerbrokers in the Pacific theatre. We are always open to diplomatic discussions regarding Pacific policy and peaceful coexistence, but our arms are currently unopened due to this foreign policy review. If you would like to meet for reasons other than strategic relations, we would gladly be willing to dispatch a delegation, or host one in our territory."

[b]Secure Dispatch[/b]

"The Union of the Southern Cross does not condemn nor find reason to congratulate this movement nor the ideals it has stood for. The desire for the sanctity of sovereignty and championing social equality and welfare for those who need it, is on paper, a wonderfully attractive idea. That being said, there has been much dabbling in history that threatens to fracture and factionalize along old historical lines, stemming from rhetoric and heightened tensions throughout the Pacific and the Pacific Rim. There are those who say that forgetting the past will set us on a path that is bound to repeat it, but on the flip side, there is too much baggage on many sides of the aisles to claim a historical moral high ground in the entirety of the Pacific. Frankly, dabbling in the past for too long will jade our view of those who we may have seen as traditional enemies in history, and to live in the past will only cause old wounds, long healed, to be renewed and the scabs of the healing process be torn off. The Union of the Southern Cross urges caution of action by all members of the Pacific, and its Rim, going forward, and to not reopen old wounds, nor act unilaterally in what they might claim is liberation, but is far from the truth. The Southern Cross will always stand for balance and stability in the Pacific Rim and beyond, it is why we are in the Philippines as a stabilization force and providing aid to those who so desperately need it, it is why we have installed forces to ensure law and order in the Solomons and New Guinea, it is why our coast guardsmen roam the roiling Southern and south Indian Oceans, and we will work decisively with any tool in our workshop against anyone who would seek to destabilize the Pacific and outlying Rim. We stand for our own economic and security interests, and the interests of peace and stability in a wider world. We cannot find any reason why dialogue and reason cannot overcome and work out any historical grievances or concerns that one party may have with another."

"The Southern Cross Foreign Service amicably confirms the news coming from New Zealand, in allowing the NZ merchant marine 'significant allowances' in providing transportation services for freight and goods. New Zealand's merchant marine will be working alongside a handful of other major domestic-run carriers to provide oceangoing freight services. The Southern Cross Maritime Safety Authority has approved the validity of the NZ merchant marines' safety track record, and is currently working to streamline customs and bureaucratic processes involved in the NZ ships docking in the Union. The Foreign Service lauds this new positive trade relationship as steps towards 're-aligning New Zealand and Southern Cross to comparable and conjunctive interests that they once were'."

"The Union of the Southern Cross pledges to continue its efforts to provide humanitarian relief and law and order within the Philippines, and are ready to stand committed to continued operations to keep the Philippines stabilized. Especially while international aid is dispersed. The decision to maintain SCDF forces in the Philippines archipelago until these operations are deemed fulfilled is up to the newly-revitalized Philippine state, and we will gladly follow any directive, so as to respect the sanctity of their sovereignty."

"The Union of the Southern Cross, in response to deteriorating conditions betwixt regional Pacific powers, always moves with the interest of balance and security, both for the greater good, and for itself. It is thus that the USC hereby puts a protectorate status over the Solomon Islands, as well as the entirety of Papua New Guina, and its offlying islands. It is the unfortunate world that we live in, that forces this movement, but we will not tolerate the movements of one party or another into our sphere of influence. The SCDF will begin deployments immediately, any nation that feels the need to protest this movement, can take it up with the Southern Cross Foreign Service." [i]Constellation Council Statement[/i] --- With the situation in the Pacific reaching a point that warranted action, the age old Australian response to threats to its sphere of influence would be once again called upon to action, with the SCDF operating under the auspices of forward deterrence. This meant keeping potential threats at an arms' length, whoever those destabilizing forces would be, and to shield the southwest Pacific, that meant returning to the age old stomping grounds of Australian forward deterrence; the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The battles in these rugged islands and the semi-continent had stopped Imperial Japanese ambitions back during the Second World War, and now they would be utilized once again, with the SCDF moving forward with plans for a multi-pronged security advance into the region. The movement would essentially see the deployment of close to sixty-thousand soldiers in total, when all was said and done, into garrisons on various islands in the Solomons and in Papua. The [i]Victory[/i] Battle Group would be recalled from the Philippine Sea directly north of the Bismarck Sea, while naval surface and subsurface components began assembling in eastern shore ports to escort transports carrying troops and equipment into the archipelago. Several small airborne components, with long-range refuelers providing fighters the extra escort sortie range, would begin deploying from the Brisbane and Townsville areas, to establish forward garrisons in the region on several key islands. Although this movement was expected to be peaceful in nature, the SCDF units moving into the region were on full alert and were well loaded with munitions in the eventual possibility of a nation lashing out against them.

Union of the Southern Cross puts a protectorate status on Papua New Guinea and all of the Solomon Islands, roleplay inbound.

Yeah... contesting... just about all those as well... lol...

"The Union of the Southern Cross urges for additional deployments of peacekeeping and security forces to other affected regions, particularly Cebu and Davao, to assist with SCDF forces that are pouring into the region. We have formed an International Stabilization Force, to spearhead efforts to maintain law and order and prop up surviving local officials and constabulary forces. Nonetheless, our forces are well equipped to form the core of regional security support forces, but additional forces are required to be truly effective. Sending national police force trainers to assist with the training of local constabulary forces would also be useful in redeveloping and strengthening policing efforts, and allow for local units to handle the brunt of peacekeeping, whilst international troops provide support. Beyond this, the Union has pledged to continue humanitarian aid shipments until the Philippines can assure local food sources can handle demand, as well as caring for the injured and ensuring the health and safety of the living."

[b]Public[/b] As efforts to stabilize the situation are ongoing in the Philippines, the SCDF Ground Forces have doled out assignments for its units, which will form the core strength of regional units of the ISFP. Task Force Hope - 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment - Central Luzon Task Force Serenity - 3rd Battalion, Pilbara Regiment - Southern Luzon Task Force Faith - 2nd Battalion, Australian Scottish Regiment - Mindoro Task Force Tranquility - 4th Battalion, Australian Scottish Regiment - Negros/Panay Task Force Justice - 1st Battalion, Queensland Rifles Regiment - Cebu Task Force Reconciliation - 2nd Battalion, 2nd Light Horse Regiment - Leyte/Samar Task Force Unity - 4th Battalion, 2nd Light Horse Regiment - Southeastern Mindanao Task Force Harmony - 2nd Battalion, Royal Tasmanian Regiment - Northwestern Mindanao Additionally, sub-units have been assigned for smaller islands of the Philippine archipelago, and have been appropriated for deployment as soon as possible; "Lark Force" - B Co./6th Btln./Royal Australian Regiment - Basilan "Swallow Force" - C Co./6th Btln./Royal Australian Regiment - Palawan "Jay Force" - D Co./6th Btln./Royal Australian Regiment - Masbate "Kingfisher Force" - A/C Cos./39th Australian Infantry Battalion - Northern Luzon Several units have been assigned support and logistics formations to help make their mission easier. Several of these support formations include liaison units, military police, field and construction engineers, medical support and evacuation, army aviation elements, and special reconnaissance teams. All of these units are integrated under battalion headquarters control, to essentially form battalion task force teams that can cover wide areas of responsibility and effectively coordinate with local security forces. Elements of these units are beginning to arrive via air transport, but the balance of several units will be sealifted into position, whilst being covered by the various elements of the [i]Valor[/i] and [i]Victory[/i] carrier battle groups.

"The movements of large formations of troops to a single base does not preclude a humanitarian operation, the Union of the Southern Cross questions why such large formations are being moved to a single base, instead of being dispersed. The fact of the matter remains that the reasoning for such large formations being moved into the region without dispersal as part of a wider humanitarian mission, makes them seem more suspicious. The Union of the Southern Cross recognizes the reasons behind Cascadia's concern as this being movement to potentially use the situation to secure basing rights for power projection into the Pacific. Peace and security in the region would be best sustained by ensuring that these constructions are temporary, and not permanent, as these movements are unsettling to partners in the region. The Kingdom of India has to understand that every nation is entitled to feel threatened by moves of others, for whatever reason. Cascadia has brought up credible points to keep in mind, and it would do India well to keep in mind how its actions can effect other nations. If India is so interested in an organized international humanitarian response to events in the Philippines, the Constellation Council urges the Kingdom of India to make contact with SCDF assets moving into the region. The SCDF is taking a leading role in response to the fall of the Philippine government, under the auspices of the International Stabilization Force - Philippines. It would be useful for our units if Indian units could integrate themselves into the chain of command, and work alongside elements of the SCDF Ground Forces that are beginning to arrive in the Philippines as we speak." [i]Valerie Pomerleau[/i] [b]Minister of Foreign Affairs[/b] [b][OOC: Might have been okay'ed by the Filipinos, but that doesn't stop others from being not-so-happy about it, especially the movements after the fact.][/b]

[b]Public[/b] [i]Operators with 1 Commando Battalion return to base, somewhere in the State of Queensland.[/i] Following unprecedented collapse of the Philippines, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis ongoing in the large, widespread archipelago, the Constellation Council has ordered the SCDF to organize a large task force built specifically for peacekeeping and stabilization duties. As part of this call to the SCDF, the government has also had the Foreign Service announce the formal creation of the "International Stabilization Force - Philippines" or "ISFP", to include any and all governments, regional and worldwide, to contribute to this force. As part of efforts to ensure that this force is led by a non-aligned regional power, the Union has taken responsibility for spearheading command and control of operations, as the coordinating authority of the ISFP. The SCDF Ground Forces has publicly announced muster for its ground forces component for the ISFP, which will include the 1st Battalion, RAR; 2nd and 4th Battalions, Australian Scottish Regiment; 1st Battalion, Queensland Rifles Regiment; 3rd Battalion, Pilbara Regiment; 2nd and 5th Battalions, 2nd Light Horse Regiment; and 2nd Battalion, Royal Tasmanian Regiment. These main components will form battalion-sized action groups to cover wide swaths of territory, supported by civilian and military support units, particularly including field and construction engineers, CBRN response teams, SCDF Medical Corps Special Reaction Teams (SRTs). The SCDF Ground Forces will also provide army aviation elements, whilst the SCDF Air Force will provide several facets of support for on-the-ground forces that are to be deployed by both air and sea. "The creation of the ISFP is a direct response to the threat of widespread chaos in the failure of a regional government, this, coupled with the tragic situation and gravity of situation in the Philippines has left the Union of the Southern Cross with no choice but to act. With the absence of China and Japan, which have come to blows with one another, the Southern Cross will assume the duties of protection over the Philippines to ensure a smooth political movement to transitional governance, until a more concerted central government can be formed," stated Lord Protector Solomon Winder, during a press conference outlining the sudden movement of the Union to action. The first elements of the ISFP are expected to be departing within the next six hours for various arrival points across the Philippines, with forward action teams assessing ground conditions, being support by SCDF Naval Forces that are already in the region.

"We understand the desire to provide efficient humanitarian aid to the Filipino people, and we are, ourselves, engaged in such movements, yet our movements are much more tempered than that of India's. We seek to receive reassurances that should a new government form in the Philippines, that India will respect its wishes should it ask the return of territory being used for such a base, without question. We understand that the situation in Asia is next to unprecedented at this time, and the collapse of the Philippine government is a tragedy in and of itself, but the sanctity of sovereignty should be ensured should a new government rise from the ashes." [i]Valerie Pomerleau[/i] [b]Minister of Foreign Affairs[/b]

"The Union of the Southern Cross, whilst being very interested in the humanitarian needs of the Filipino people, express the use of humanitarian grounds to establish strategic forward bases in other nations without their consent. We laud India for their efforts thus far, but these efforts come to suspect when utilized as blanket causation for establishing permanent military bases in an already volatile region without consideration for the relevant security balance. We hereby issue a request for India's foreign ministry to give explanation of these movements without collusion and cooperation with regional powers that be that find these movements at the very least, a concern."

[b]Private Dispatch[/b] [b]Public[/b] Whilst the Southern Cross Navy had been able to put a carrier battle group on station in both the South China Sea and Philippine Sea in significantly short order, these movements would be followed by unarmed auxiliary transport vessels within forty-eight hours of the Navy's departure. These vessels would have intrinsic capabilities for operating with or without port facilities, with the inclusion of an auxiliary amphibious ship-to-shore connection hub vessel, which could host three LCACs. Beyond carrying humanitarian goods such as food, medical supplies, blankets, tents, and other needed equipment, the SCDF Ground Forces had been able to assemble a deployable special response team for each of the effected countries. These teams would include primarily SCDF Reservist medical staff, whilst also having field engineer and NRBC personnel with the capability to clear and decontaminate a region for use as a humanitarian "green zone", where victims could be lodged and treated. The special response team would also include a platoon of military police, carrying only non-lethal weaponry to keep order within the humanitarian zone, along with their standard issue sidearms. Several special vehicles would be embarked on the vessels destined for each effected country, with the ability to survey radiological-contaminated areas without harming the vehicle crew or occupants inside. All vehicles destined for the effected nations would be painted stark white, with large red cross markings on them, as well as the Southern Cross constellation in dark blue, to help indicate the neutrality status. The ships bearing these assets would depart the eastern coast ports in short order after being loaded for bear, meant to form three main convoys; one destined for China, the other for the Philippines, the other for Japan when they rendezvoused in the Coral Sea.