[Prussian News and Movements]

[center][b][u][size="6"]Grand Marshall Appointed[/size][/u][/b][/center]
Duke Alaric I recently announced the appointment of a suitable candidate for the rank of Grand Marshall, the highest position in the Kurlandic Army. Emelrich von Reval, formerly a major general in the Livonian Army, has been deemed appropriate for the position by both the Duke and the Regency, and he accepted the position in a ceremony held in Riga. Just hours later, he announced plans to completely organize the Kurlandic Army with a series of reforms. He has recalled many former Livonian soldiers, and set up recruitment stations in every town. Veterans will undergo a two-week training program, while new recruits will spend two months in boot camp before joining active service, though any Kurlandic soldier may be subject to extra training. Grand Marshall von Reval refused to comment personally, though his aide refused to release any further information.
[center][img]http://media.cleveland.com/world_impact/photo/bundeswehr-eid-marienplatz-muenchen-073009jpg-f8c791e7b8c27d6c.jpg[/img]
[size="2"][i]Livonian veterans stand at ease in their new Kurlandic uniforms[/i][/size][/center]

[i]Classified:[/i]
Grand Marshall von Reval placed an order with several private Kurlandic arms manufacturers in an effort to standardize the Kurlandic armory.

[code]Order for Standard Light Weapons
300,000x G36K
300,000x USP
500,000x KM2000
100,000x MG3
100,000x MP5
50,000x Remington 870
40,000x M82
15,000x PzF 3
5,000x FIM-92
10,000x HK69A1


Order for Armored Fighting Vehicles
910x M1A1
910x Marder A3
910x M113A3
150x Wiesel 2 AWC
200x Bv 206
150x Gepard
100x MIM-23


Order for Artillery
910x M270
300x M198
300x FH77
300x 2A36
100x L118

Order for Aircraft
30x F-15E
20x F-111
[/code]

The necessary ordnance would be issued to troops and units, and the surplus would be kept in reserve storage in bases throughout Kurland until they were needed. It is rumored that von Reval, formerly a businessman, had dipped into his own savings to assist in the massive payment.

[center][size="6"][u][b]Census Completed![/b][/u][/size][/center]
With all forms processed, the First National Census has been completed, showing that 5,800,000 citizens reside within Kurland. More in-depth details will be available on the Bureau's webpage.

[u][b][center][size="6"]Administrative Divisions Finalized[/size][/center][/b][/u]
A subcommittee created by the Regency has used the population data from the census to separate the country into different administrative districts, or counties. Counties will be assigned seats in the legislative body depending on population. County governments will mirror the central elective monarchy, with an elected Graf as the executive. Grafs may be elected for life, but they must undergo a confirmation vote every two years. Each county will also have a fifteen-member Council, also elected.

[center][img]http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/6123/kurlandiccounties.png[/img]
[i][size="2"]Counties of Kurland and Population
1: Kurland (650,000)
2: Semgallen (525,000)
3: Livland (2,275,000)
4: Lettgallen (450,000)
5: Kreis Dorpat (310,000)
6: Kreis Pernau (150,000)
7: Jewe (215,000)
8: Harrien (875,000)
9: Ösel (150,000)[/size][/i][/center]

Provisional councils have been appointed by Duke Alaric and the Regency, pending the first county elections.

[The Duchy of Kurland]

[quote name='Chancellor Patrick' timestamp='1310727602' post='2756554']
Deutsche-Bohemia welcomes the Duchy of Kurland to the world stage, providing independence was granted by the Germanic Union.

-[b]Kaiser Frederick I of Bohemia[/b]
[/quote]

[quote name='TheShammySocialist' timestamp='1310751864' post='2756709']
"The Cajun Federation, providing that Germany recognizes the validity of this claim, extends recognition to the Duchy of Kurland."
[/quote]
[quote name='Domingo the Honored' timestamp='1310756210' post='2756740']
We the government of the Chancellery of Cyrantia recognize this state when the Germanic Union acknowledges its independence.

-Dmitry Garin
High Chancellor of Foreign Affairs

[b]OOC: Hey Rauchen, I'm pleased you've joined us. Nice to see a familiar name.[/b]
[/quote]
"We thank these nations for their recognition, and we would like to dispatch ambassadors and request consulates, if you would accept them."
-Reinald Jaeger, Regency Councilor and [i]de facto[/i] Minister of Foreign Affairs

OOC: Likewise.

[quote name='Kaiser Martens' timestamp='1310765680' post='2756809']
"Upon having been able to verify the fact that the majority of the locals support this, we have decided to recognize the sovereignty and legitimacy of the new Land and Government and have withdrawn. We hope that, this time around, the area will be able to achieve stability and then prosperity, and, of course, will continue to protect this Brother Nation."

-Haas

[i]Privately he added,[/i] "In these times of our ongoing war against Austria and their allies, if the nation is ready we would like to request some sort of small Expeditionary Force to be sent to the defense of Germany. Larger participation, which would undo Kurland's neutrality, would be however undesireable."
[/quote]


"We are extremely grateful to the Germanic Union for their support and protection."
-Duke Alaric I von Kurland

[i]Private Reply[/i]
"But of course. It is the least we can do. First Regiment, First Division, consisting of 5,000 soldiers and fifty tanks will be dispatched from Riga to wherever they are required. Their commanding officer is one Colonel Týr Bernat."

[CNRP World Map III]

[quote name='Lynneth' timestamp='1310766394' post='2756816']
With Martens' approval in your DoE, I'll add you the next time I open photoshop, Rauchen.
Which should be soon enough.
[/quote]

Thanks!

[Prussian News and Movements]

[center][b][u][size="6"]First Monarch Elected![/size][/u][/b][/center]
Following preliminary elections, the Regency of Kurland has recognized the appointment of Alaric von Ösel, who was today crowned Duke of Kurland, in the restored castle near his home town of Arensburg, on the Isle of Ösel. The ceremony took place just before noon, out in the courtyard of the castle, with spectators allowed on the wall and sides of the courtyard. Von Ösel swore his undying loyalty to the State and People of Kurland, and was presented with the crown at high noon. Initially, the plan was for the People's Council that had been governing the isle to present the crown to the Duke, but the Duke-elect refused to accept it from any governing body, and in a surprising move, pulled a family of four from the crowd, and ordered the Councilors to allow them to do the honors.
"I will not accept the crown from a politician, governor, religious figure, or businessman," he'd declared. "I rule for the people, and thus, I shall accept my crown from the people."
And so, the Ducal Crown was placed upon the new monarch's head by seven-year-old Jörg Huff, a moment that was photographed and caught on film, and Alaric was officially named Duke Alaric I von Kurland. His former surname will not be used in national matters, as a way of showing the bond of Monarch and State, though it is unclear whether this will become commonplace.


[center][b][u][size="6"]Population Census Conducted[/size][/u][/b][/center]
In order to govern the people, one must know how many people must be governed. Duke Alaric I, with the support of the Regency, has established a stand-alone Census Bureau, headed by Regency Councilor Wilhelm Schräder of Kurland, and has also reorganized all old Livonian post offices into the new Kurlandic Postal Service. Census forms are being distributed door-to-door by the KPS, and, to ensure accuracy, rounds will be made again in one week's time to collect the forms and distribute replacements, which then must be filled out and handed back to the KPS employee on the spot. The Duke was quoted as saying that this action was vital to the establishment of permanent central governance, as it would allow the people a proper voice.

[center][b][u][size="6"]Regency Government Establishes Police Force[/size][/u][/b][/center]
The Regency of Kurland, realizing that the various local police departments were struggling to contain crime on their own, has passed a bill that will establish a National Kurlandic Police Department, under the direct authority of the newly crowned Duke Alaric I. The NKPD will, over time, build stations in every major town, but until then, NKPD officers will form attaches at the local departments, wherein their authority will surpass that of the local police. A somewhat unpopular clause in the act allows the officers to shoot to kill if a suspect draws a firearm. Opponents say that this is giving the law enforcement agencies an alibi for persecution of minorities. In response, the Duke has warned the NKPD that if 'any foul play is suspected' and if there is 'reasonable evidence that the life of an officer or civilian is not at risk,' he would personally see to it that the officer responsible would be discharged from the force and imprisoned for 'Abuse of Power' charges, and if he was found guilty, he would be executed. Some have called this barbaric, but nonetheless, only a fool would notice that every police officer in Kurland was on their best behavior.

[CNRP World Map III]

Could you mark what was previously Livonia as Kurland?

[The Duchy of Kurland]

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/51/Flag_of_courland.svg/700px-Flag_of_courland.svg.png[/img]
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The lands formerly controlled by the realm of Livonia are now formally under the control of the Provisional Government of Kurland, which shall proceed to draft a Constitution and begin elections over the coming months, led by the new Duke and Chancellor. The government shall be elected now, and a more definitive Constitution will be voted on by the general populace upon completion.

[u][i]Ducal Elections[/i][/u]
[b]Alaric von Ösel- 54%[/b]
Theodorich Kasun- 33%
Georg Markus Hoch- 6%
Wendelin Aurel Volk- 4%
Invalid Form/Other- 3%


[u]Chancellery Elections[/u]
[b]Diethelm Tiedemann- 52%[/b]
Sigimund Schräder- 21%
Matthias Spannagel- 14%
Gotthold Hubert Klein- 6%
Leon Emil Gerig- 5%
Invalid Ballot/Other- 2%


[i][u]Provisional Regency Council[/u][/i]
District- Winner (% of votes)
Ösel: Fabian Zellweger (73%)
Kurland: Wilhelm Schräder (57%)
Semgallen: Reinald Jaeger (61%)
Selonia: Erich Bergfalk (54%)
Livland: Clovis Eberhardt (68%)
Estland: Ulrich Sebastian Hass (55%)

[CNRP World Map III]

[quote name='Triyun' timestamp='1310450690' post='2754796']
You can ask people for land in a protectorate or sometimes people will give land even if its currently part of their nation.
[/quote]

Ok, thanks.

Who owns the nation Azcelonia?

[CNRP World Map III]

[quote name='Aggressivenutmeg' timestamp='1310447275' post='2754761']
yeah, but there is still a lot of unmarked white land there.
[/quote]
Isn't all of it a protectorate?

[CNRP World Map III]

Is there any white space left that isn't a protectorate?

[CNRP World Map III]

Does anyone own the white patch on the Adriatic between Austria and the Greater Nordic Empire of Dalmatia?