Knowz

Finally got some free time - unlocking, but still generally quite busy.

Indefinite lock - very busy this month.

^"A wise choice" one of the dogs of the President of the Oceanesian Congress would think while secretly browsing the web on the computer in the Presidential office while the President was away, "Now how do I get myself into a governmental position.. hmm..."

OOC: Now how did miss this.. must have been while I was away, anyways: "The United States of Oceanesia extends full recognition to the Republic of Bharat and wishes its people well. We look forward to cooperation of any sort with our new neighbour. If the government of Bharat is interested in establishing formal diplomatic connections with the USO, they are welcome to initiate talks at any time."

"Let me get straight to the point - the capital of the United States of Oceanesia, as you may already know, is located on an island off the tip of Queensland - on Muralug Island. The Oceanesian Congress would like to retain the areas immediately surrounding our capital - that is, the rest of the Torres Strait Islands and the very uppermost part of the tip of Queensland. If you would agree to the proposal our government would be much obliged" replied the Governor-General. "Afterwards we can move on to the more important part of our business here - my signing over of full control of Australia over to the Australian Independence Council, or if you prefer, the Commonwealth of the Southern Cross." "Lastly, of course, I also propose a small declaration of friendship between the United States of Oceanesia and the Commonwealth of the Southern Cross. In future we shall like to enter into negotiations for a comprehensive treaty of amity between our two governments, but for now we shall begin with a simple declaration of intent perhaps." With that one of the aides of the outgoing Governor-General pulled out a document from a briefcase: [quote] [center][img]http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa325/VictorDeltaRomeo/AUSflag3.png[/img] [img]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u392/knowz1/USOSmall.png[/img][/center] [center][b]Joint Declaration by the Governor-General of the Oceanesian Protectorate of Australia & the Federal Government of the United States of Oceanesia and the Australian Independence Council / the Commonwealth of the Southern Cross[/b][/center] [b](1)[/b] The United States of Oceanesia relinquishes all sovereignty over the territories of the former 'Socialist People's Republic of Australia' which the United States of Oceanesia began to govern and exercise sovereignty over - i.e. the Oceanesian Protectorate of Australia - when the government of the afore named entity collapsed, excepting the islands in Torres Strait and the tip of Queensland, as shown in red in the map below, with the islands encircled in red and the uppermost part of the tip of Queensland coloured in red: [center][img]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u392/knowz1/Oceanesia-Australia-Documentmap.png[/img] [/center] [b](2)[/b] The afore mentioned and demarcated territories shall be retained by the United States of Oceanesia under its full sovereignty - all other territories, the territories which the USO is relinquishing control over, shall be placed under the full control and sovereignty of the Commonwealth of the Southern Cross, here represented by the Australian Independence Council. [b](3)[/b] The Commonwealth of the Southern Cross and the United States of Oceanesia declare their intent to form bonds of friendship and cooperate in all issues and things in or occurring in the region in future. [b][i]Signed:[/i][/b] *[b]For the United States of Oceanesia[/b]: [i]Kevin Barton[/i], outgoing Governor-General of the Oceanesian Protectorate of Australia *[b]For the Australian Independence Council / the Commonwealth of the Southern Cross[/b]: --- [/quote]

[quote name='TheShammySocialist' timestamp='1336087490' post='2963127'] "The Commonwealth of the Southern Cross, as Australia has now stylized itself, appreciates the well-wishers of the world, and the confirmation of independence by Selenarctos. The Australian Independence Council shall dispatch a delegation to Canberra to speak with Oceansesia, as dictated by their open letter to us, and we look forward to that meeting. On the matter of being a questionably intolerant state towards Socialism, we specifically stated that our country is politically tolerant, but the last regime (which happened to stylize itself "Communist"), showed massive inefficiency and little regard for the people of Australia. Our government is already conducting investigations over possible political prison camps for dissidents and 'enemies of the people', and we hope to bring to justice any who persecuted any innocent person for their political affinities." - [i]Michael Abel[/i] --- As the Commonwealth's independence committee continued to formulate a strong working action plan, working mostly from plans set down during the Union years, the Australian Independence Council would convey a group of five individuals to Canberra for the meeting at the Yarralumla House. Although hastily assembled, the group included many veteran politicians from the former nations of Australia, as well as the Union of the Southern Cross, and they were ready to make their mark to ensure a smooth transition of governance. [/quote] Across Australia Oceanesian troops were preparing to withdraw from the major cities they had been stationed in. Not much feelings of regret were in the minds of those in the Oceanesian Congress as the President of the Congress gave the approval for the Governor-General to begin the transfer of power - especially considering the type of nation the Australian Independence Council had declared they would set up - something not unlike the one envisioned by the Constitution of the United States of Oceanesia was established a few weeks back. -- In Canberra the Oceanesian Governor-General who had been appointed to oversee the protectorate, Kevin Barton, an Australian-Oceanesian, met the representatives of the Australian Independence Council who were given a grand ceremonial welcome at Yarralumla House - the old home for about a century of Australian Governors-General. Notwithstanding the pomp and ceremony Barton welcomed the representatives in the usual Australian style, in a rather informal way: "G'day mates, welcome Yarralumla House, please make yourselves comfortable - I and the Oceanesian federal government look forward to a strong a mutually beneficial relationship between the United States of Oceanesia and the Commonwealth of the Southern Cross. Firstly, there is a certain proposal I would like to discuss as requested by the Oceanesian Congress."

"We thank you for your understanding - I wish you and your nation well." the Vice President would reply. An escort to the airport would be then provided to the Prime Minister.

"I have just received news that a native sovereign nationhood movement has arose in Australia - and we would have to suspend these talks in the meantime - we must give precedence to any native nation arising out of our protectorate" Vice President Julia Manuel would say after receiving a phone call from Canberra, the headquarters of the Oceanesian Governor-General for the USO protectorate over Australia.

OOC: Welcome back TSS. "The United States of Oceanesia, which had declared a protectorate over Australia following the fall of the previous government, would like to enter in discussions with the Australian Independence Council. In the meantime Oceanesian forces will begin withdrawing from major cities when the Australian Independence Council is prepared to take control. We shall formally hand over all control to the Australian Independence Council shortly after our discussions. We invite Mr. Abel and any other representatives to come to Yarralumla House in Canberra, to meet the Oceanesian Governor-General of the protectorate for these talks."

Vietnamese Prime Minister Giang Seo Hue was given a welcome by the Governor of the Oceanesian State of Timor-Leste at Dili International Airport with an honour guard and a gun salute, and was then escorted to a state limousine which drove him to the Gubernatorial Palace where the Vice President of the USO Congress, Julia Manuel awaited him. A welcome speech was given by Julia Manuel in the various languages of the USO: English, Dhivehi, Sinhala, Tamil, Balinese, Bahasa Indonesian, Ambonese, Ternate, Tetum, Portuguese, Kalaw Lagaw Ya, Torres Strait Creole, Māori - which took about 2 hours. Finally Julia Manuel sat down with Giang Seo Hue to speak: "So Prime Minister, what do you have in mind for Tasmania? It is a rather unusual request."

[quote name='Yawoo' timestamp='1335961792' post='2962242'] Contested. Edit: To better clarify, I'm contesting Tasmania but worded it as Australia since it isn't a separate nation. [/quote] Okay so, please mark the Australian mainland as [i]USO Protectorate[/i] and Tasmania as 'Disputed'. Thanks.

[quote] [center][img]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u392/knowz1/USOSmall.png[/img][/center] Reply to the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: This is a most interesting proposal - since the future of all new territorial acquisitions of the United States of Oceanesia are anyhow decided upon by referendum(s) in the new territories, it is easily agreeable for us to conduct one for Tasmania separate from the referendum for the Australian mainland. The ballot options in the referendum for Tasmania will include the choice to hand over sovereignty of governance to Vietnam - although the request is unusual, the will of the people is the single most important deciding factor. Furthermore the United States of Oceanesia would like to conduct some diplomatic discussions with Vietnam, and we invite you to come to Dili, Timor-Leste, the location of the Oceanesian Foreign Affairs Department headquarters, for these discussions. Best regards, [i]Ishara Iskandar[/i] President of the Congress of the United States of Oceanesia [/quote]

[quote name='Yawoo' timestamp='1335962796' post='2962247'] Private Message to Procinctia Australia: Vietnam urgently requests the status of Procincitian Australian citizens. If reports are correct, the O.U. is currently invading Australia. Vietnam again urges that its brothers and sisters in Tasmania have the right to decide their citizenship wishes. Vietnam stands ready, and willing to provide assistance in Procintia's defense of its Communist brothers and sisters in Australia and Tasmania. [/quote] OOC: As I understand, graniteknight said that he hadn't confirmed this (see third post) - so he kept Australia till he rerolled, in which case it became completely free?

OOC: The region would have to explode when I'm busy... <_< IC: The United States of Oceanesia heartily endorses the talks proposed by Selenarctos and hopes that all parties will accept the offer - it is an important goal for the USO that peace prevails in this region. We implore all parties whom are belligerents in the conflict on the island of New Guinea put down their arms and send representatives to the talks proposed by Selenarctos.

"This is a most saddening piece of news, the Atlantic Confederacy was a very respectable nation - we wish American nations all the best in securing the lands of the former Atlantic Confederacy from anarchy." - brief dispatch from the Oceanesian Department of Foreign Affairs.

Please mark Australia as an [i]USO Protectorate[/i]. Thank you.

[quote] [b]USO declares protectorate over Australia[/b] Following the apparent sudden collapse of the Australian government, the United States of Oceanesia has dispatched 100,000 troops across Australia to ensure the security and wellbeing of the Australian people. Forces were dispatched to Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, and Darwin primarily. A civilian government headed by Australians is soon expected to be set up to govern the protectorate. [/quote] [quote] [b]Refugee crisis[/b] Thousands of refugees have been overwhelming Oceanesian border security and entering the nation from New Guinea where a bloody conflict has occurred. The USO Congress has resolved to grant official refugee status to these peoples, who may later receive a chance to permanently settle in USO territory. [/quote] [quote] [b]Census begins[/b] Federal census workers have begun work on collecting data for the national census ordered by Congress – data collected will aid the future elected federal government which is expected to come into office in early June – and will also decide the number of seats each State receives in the House of Representatives. [/quote]

Back early and unlocked.

Locked indefinitely - very busy in RL, and will soon not have access to a computer for several days.

[quote] [b]Congress schedules elections[/b] Using the Temporary Provisions section of the new Constitution, the USO Congress has brought forward federal elections to early June from the expected early July time. Local elections and State elections (for local and state governments which have not yet held elections) will be held first, then it will be followed by elections for the President & Vice President, and Congressional elections. [/quote] [quote] [b]Nationwide census to be conducted[/b] Before elections are to be conducted a nationwide census is to conducted to assist especially in the apportionment of seats in the future House of Representatives to each state. It will also collect statistics on languages used in the nation, levels of literacy and wealth, education status of people, and other various details to assist the future elected federal government. [/quote]

Unlocking for a little while.

Locking; little busy for a few days, should be back by the weekend, probably fairly earlier.

[quote] [b]USO Congress certifies ratification of the Constitution[/b] The USO Congress certified the ratification of the Constitution today in unanimous 11-0; all states in favour. The Constitution has been unanimously ratified by all 11 states. Congress issued a special resolution proclaiming the establishment of the Constitution, finally paving the way for the first federal elections. The following document was issued by Congress today: [quote][center][img]http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u392/knowz1/USOSmall.png[/img][/center] [center][b]Special Resolution by the Representatives of the United States of Oceanesia in Congress Assembled:[/b][/center] We, the Representatives of the United States of Oceanesia in General Congress Assembled, do solemnly publish and proclaim that the Constitution which was drafted by the Federal Convention convened by us for that task, which submitted its proposal to us on the 6th of April 2012, which we then submitted to the States for ratification on the 16th of April 2012, has been ratified by all States unanimously as proposed by the Federal Convention in an unaltered form, and do certify this ratification, and declare that the Constitution is therefore established as the supreme law of the United States of the Oceanesia, it shall begin to come into force, and the first federal elections shall be scheduled as the Constitution requires. [center][i]By the Unanimous decision of all of the States - Sealed with the Great Seals of the States and imprinted with the Coat of Arms / Emblem of the United States of Oceanesia[/i][/center] [center]/s/ the State of the Maldives /s/ the State of Sri Lanka /s/ the State of Christmas Island /s/ the State of Bali /s/ the State of Nusa Tenggara Bharat /s/ the State of Nusa Tenggara Timur /s/ the State of Timor-Leste /s/ the State of North Maluku /s/ the State of South Maluku /s/ the State of the South Torres Strait Islands /s/ the State of New Zealand[/center] [center][i]Done in the City of Oceanopolis, in the Special Congressional Federal District, on the 22nd of April 2012, in the First Year of the Union of the United States of Oceanesia[/i][/center] [/quote] [/quote]

"The United States of Oceanesia welcomes Evonian to the international community of nations." - Vice President of the USO Congress, Julia Manuel.

[quote] [b]Constitution ratified by remaining states[/b] Earlier today the state of Nusa Tenggara Bharat voted in a special legislative session of the state legislative convention to ratify the proposed Constitution, following the ratification of the Constitution by its sister state Nusa Tenggara Timur yesterday. This had brought the number of ratifying states to 7. Soon following, the state of Christmas Island also ratified the Constitution, and as it became inevitable that the Constitution would be completed ratification, the state legislatures of North Maluku and South Maluku, which had been hesitating, soon followed after heated debates in their respective state legislatures. Afterwards the number of the ratifying states reached 10, a unanimous ratification by all states which were in the union when the Constitution was submitted for ratification. Later also today, in Sri Lanka, after voters voted for statehood and to join the United States of Oceanesia, and after the USO Congress approved the accession, an interim state legislative conference voted to ratify the Constitution. This leaves the final tally of ratification at 11-0, with all states voting to approve the Constitution. Congress is expected to certify the ratification soon, and proclaim the establishment of the Constitution. [/quote] [quote] [b]Sri Lanka joins the USO[/b] Sri Lankans today voted in a referendum to join the United States of Oceanesia, following heavy campaigning by USO Congress President Ishara Iskandar, who is part Sri Lankan, urging voters to opt for union. Voting results from the referendum were as follows: [u]Question: Do you approve of Sri Lanka joining the United States of Oceanesia?[/u] [i]>Total population: aprox. 20 million >Eligible voters estimate: aprox. 15 million (USO has uniform universal suffrage from age 16 onwards) >Turnout: ~13,500,000 - 90% of Eligible voters[/i] *Yes (statehood) - ~12,750,000 - 94.44% of turnout *No (remain as federal territory / other option) - ~700,000 - 5.186% of turnout *Blank/Invalid vote - ~50,000 - 0.37% of turnout The outcome was celebrated across Sri Lanka's major cities - Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy - with massive firework displays, and smaller displays across others cities, towns, and villages. There was also a 21-gun salute at Galle Face in Colombo, and the raising of the flags of the United States of Oceanesia and Sri Lanka also at Galle Face, which was presided over by President Iskandar who could hardly hold back tears of joy, which was attended by members of the state's interim government. The USO Congress immediately voted, 10-0, all states in favour, to grant Sri Lanka a seat in Congress, completing its accession to the USO as the 11th state. Later the same the day a special legislative conference convened at Sri Lanka's newer Parliament House in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and ratified the proposed Constitution of the United States of Oceanesia. [/quote]