Noverian News and Movements

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

Ever since its formation, the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order (COMPNOR) had been an extrajudicial body operating outside the tenets of normal law procedures, being empowered with broad powers through the Inquisition, which served as the Imperator's personal muscle. Many people all over the Empire, from businesspeople to the highest government officials, certainly knew of the existence of COMPNOR--although they certainly did not air their grievances of the excesses of COMPNOR Director Arnardo Isard's 'personal fiefdom.'

Still, several of these grievances eventually reached the ear of the Imperator when the Inquisition accidentally arrested one high-ranking official of the Imperial Ruling Council on mistaken charges of treason against the Empire. This brought to the awareness of the Imperator of widespread concerns about COMPNOR's status within the Imperial government, most especially its lack of accountability and implied lack of legitimacy.

Wanting to address such concerns, but not desiring to undermine the security service apparatus, which certainly was useful in many ways, the Imperator decided to elevate COMPNOR into a Ministry-level status. COMPNOR thus was transformed into the [b]Ministry of State Security (MSS)[/b], with its Director becoming the Minister of State Security (Isard would become the first Minister of the MSS, joining the ranks of the Imperial Cabinet). Through such, the Inquisition and Imperial State Intelligence became branches of the MSS, retaining their current names, powers and responsibilities. The Ursalian Border Agency, which was a separate organization headed by COMPNOR, was amalgamated into the MSS as the third branch (it would retain its name, powers, and responsibilities).

Lastly, in the interests of steamlining government bureaucracy, as in eliminating redundancies, the Ursalian Intelligence Agency (UIA), stationed in Nadrink, was officially merged into the ISI of the MSS, becoming one of the Field Offices established all over the Empire.

[JEDCJT]

[b]PUBLIC NEWS[/b]

URSALIA CITY - Imperator James Norton made a special press announcement to the nation today, where he publicly declared -- in front of various reporters, journalists, and bloggers -- that he had signed an economic treaty with the Republic of Texas.

"The Holy Empire of Ursalia has signed an economic treaty with the Republic of Texas, one of which will greatly benefit both our nations," The Imperator said, "We strive to further relations with Texas, as well as other nations inside and outside the North American continent."

The text of the treaty, officially named the Ursalian-Texan Treaty, went as follows:

[quote][center][b]Ursalian-Texan Treaty[/b][/center]
[b]Preamble:[/b]
We, the Holy Empire of Ursalia and the Republic of Texas, strive to aspire for improved economic and trade opportunities. Through such, we seek to further economic growth, ensure cooperation, and provide mutual trading and economic assistance, and to provide our nations the opportunity to achieve the highest economic potential as possible.

[b]Article I:[/b]
Each signatory shall agree to reduce or eliminate tariffs on goods and products from the each other, with the tariff rate set as agreed upon by both nations.

[b]Article II:[/b]
Each signatory shall share information pertaining to trade mediums, as well the relative infrastructure needed to sustain and faciliate trade between both nations.

[b]Article III:[/b]
Each signatory shall recognize the sovereignty of the each other, and as such shall pledge themselves to a peaceful co-existance and non-aggression. Both signatories shall not commit hostile actions against the each other in any way, including but not limited to waging war or conducting espionage.

[b]Article IV:[/b]
Should, for any reason, either signatory deem it necessary to cancel this treaty, the signatory shall give a ninety-six (96) hour notice to the other signatory. This agreement shall remain in effect during that time period.

Signed for the [b]Holy Empire of Ursalia[/b],
[i]James Norton, Imperator and Protector of the Holy Empire of Ursalia
J Thomas Christopher, Grand Vizier[/i]

Signed for the [b]Republic of Texas[/b],
[i]Michael Croix
Chancellor

Gabriel Valcoste
Vice-Chancellor [/i]
[/quote]

The copy of the treaty is available for government or civilian personnel, both local and foreign, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should they wish to request one.

===

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

The Ministry of Corrections, working in conjunction with the newly-established Ministry of State Security, passed a special resolution authorizing the establishment of five Labor Camps in the length and breadth of the Empire. The general purpose of these Camps are to house all prisoners currently on death row and whose are deemed "extremely dangerous."

In each Diocese, the resolution stated, every jail, prison, correctional facility (excluding juvenile detention centers), and penitentary on the federal, provincial, and local level are required to send all their prisoners currently on death row, and which are deemed "extremely dangerous", to the aforementioned Labor Camps.

The standards and configurations of the Labor Camps were established as to stipulate that they would be legally permitted to hold no more than 3,000 and no less than 500 at any given period of time. They were to be built in locations which physical features (such as valleys) would actively discourage escapes or breakouts.

Edited July 6, 2011 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

The Navy continued its expansion: the National Council of the Imperial Ursalian Navy placed yet another order of an additional thirteen vessels, of which would increase the size of the Navy from fifty-two to sixty-five vessels. One Landing Ship, one Frigate, ten Submarines, and one Aircraft Carrier had been ordered, and are to begin construction shortly.

Moreover, the Ministry of Defense issued a special resolution formally organizing the Imperial Navy into two fleets: [b]Battlefleet North[/b], to be headquartered in Juneau, and to be based in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Sipatau; and [b]Battlefleet South[/b], to be headquartered in Nadrink, and to be based in Nadrink, Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo.

[quote][u]Battlefleet North:[/u]
3 Corvettes
4 Landing Ships
3 Battleships
2 Cruisers
4 Frigates
2 Destroyers
15 Submarines
3 Aircraft Carriers

[u]Battlefleet South:[/u]
3 Corvettes
4 Landing Ships
3 Battleships
3 Cruisers
3 Frigates
2 Destroyers
15 Submarines
3 Aircraft Carriers[/quote]
Finally, the Ministry of Defense adjusted the numbers of troops and tanks to be stationed in each Military District of the Empire, as well the Holy Ursalian Protectorates. They are as follows:

[quote]Nova Coimbra Military District (100,000 troops, 1,000 tanks)
Columbina Military District (200,000 troops, 1,500 tanks)
Alta Vancavite Military District (100,000 troops, 1,200 tanks)
Rio Grande Military District (70,000 troops, 1,000 tanks)
Nova Alasca Military District (100,000 troops, 1,100 tanks)
Southern Holy Ursalian Protectorate: (20,000 troops, 100 tanks)
Northern Holy Ursalian Protectorate: (10,000 troops, 100 tanks)

Total: 600,000 troops, 6,000 tanks[/quote]

Edited July 7, 2011 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

[b]PUBLIC NEWS[/b]

URSALIA CITY - A spokesperson of the Imperial Ruling Council announced in a special press statement in the capital that the Holy Empire of Ursalia would be freezing all assets owned by the Cajun Federation, be it both military and civilian, within the Empire in protest of the Cajun Federation's actions against the Holy American Empire, starting immediately.

Oil and gas companies, both domestic and foreign-owned, in the Empire have received orders from the Imperial National Energy Commission (INEC) to cease shipments of oil and gas to the Cajun Federation, and reroute them to neighboring nations such as the Republic of Texas and the Austrian Protectorate, or convert them for domestic consumption. Moreover, all Cajun-owned businesses, companies, and corporations has been placed on "economic probation", that is, nationalized by the Ministry of Commerce "until the present crisis is satisfactorily resolved."

Banks across the Empire have been ordered not to process any transactions by Cajun entities and individuals (and Ursalian citizens on behalf of Cajun individuals and entities as well), and to freeze accounts owned by Cajun individuals, either within or outside the country.

Finally, a travel ban was instituted on travel to the Cajun Federation; the Ministry of the Interior has enacted a special resolution, named [i]'Cajun Assets Control Regulations'[/i], making it illegal for lawful Ursalian citizens and permanent residents to travel to the Cajun Federation, and for Ursalian organizations, branches, and subsidiaries of such organizations to establish themselves in the Federation.

According to the spokesperson, the sanctions on the Cajun Federation has been done in "protest by the Holy Empire of the Cajun Federation's aggressive actions against the Holy American Empire in regards to the Holy American province of Cuba." He stated that such measures would be temporary, to be lifted only when the Cajun Federation "ceases its aggressive moves and remove its military forces from Cuba."

[TheShammySocialist]

"We watch this development in the Holy Ursalian Empire with mild interest."

[OOC: ]

[JEDCJT]

[quote name='TheShammySocialist' timestamp='1310172290' post='2752959']
"We watch this development in the Holy Ursalian Empire with mild interest."

[OOC: ]
[/quote]

OOC: Hey hey, thats my catchphrase!

[Triyun]

[quote name='TheShammySocialist' timestamp='1310172290' post='2752959']
"We watch this development in the Holy Ursalian Empire with mild interest."

[OOC: ]
[/quote]

With mild interest; we watch the Cajun Federation watch the Holy Ursalian Empire with mild interest.

[HHAYD]

OOC: Where's the thread regarding Cajun Federation's actions against HAE? I can't seem to find it.

[TheShammySocialist]

[quote name='HHAYD' timestamp='1310191127' post='2753131']
OOC: Where's the thread regarding Cajun Federation's actions against HAE? I can't seem to find it.
[/quote]

[b][OOC: http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?showtopic=103330&st=0][/b]

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

In Project SHADOWHAND, millions of krakatoa mines had been installed in beaches around Alta Vancavite, and hundreds of thousands more are being fitted.

In Project DREADNOUGHT, the seawall was coming into being, growing more taller and formidable with each passing day and week as engineers and construction workers labored around the clock.

In Project DECEPTION, thousands of RADAR stations, SONAR emitters, and torpedo launchers had been built into place, both under the sea and on land; Alta Vancavite was steadily being crisscrossed by RADAR stations, which would provide aerial and radar coverage over and around the island. Not only that, but thousands of artillery guns, anti-aircraft guns, SAM sites, and flak emplacements were located across Alta Vancavite.

For Project FORTIFICATION, millions of krakatoa mines had now been fitted all over Ursalian urban centers in Alta Vancavite; major roadways, highways, streets, tunnels, bridges, and even sidewalks had these mines placed under them, waiting to be manually or automatically activated. Hundreds of Fortresses, forts, bunkers, and pillboxes had been completed and/or are being built.

Thanks to Project ORBITAL, the Empire now had a pretty extensive, although still-incomplete IUSS network that gave the Empire an eagle eye over and under the sea adjacent to its territories. Acoustic arrays, underwater bunkers, and sea-based launchers had been built in the hundreds, and continues to be built.

[quote]Project SHADOWHAND: 75%
Project DREADNOUGHT: 62.5%
Project DECEPTION: 75%
Project FORTIFICATION: 62.5%
Project ORBITAL: 70%[/quote]

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

At Grand Vizier J Thomas Christopher's behest, Foreign Affairs Minister Salvador Nava passed an addendum to the Nava Doctrine regarding stationing troops and military personnel of the Imperial Ursalian Armed Forces overseas. The [i]Nava Addendum [/i]defined the word, "overseas", to be outside the "internationally-defined boundaries of the Americas", effectively meaning that stationing the "troops, vassals, aircrafts, personnel, and resources" to regions outside the Americas (such as Asia or Europe) was prohibited by the Nava Doctrine.

Copies of the Nava Addendum would be faxed to foreign governments around the world.

This cleared up the legal obstacle that the Empire has had to contend with in regards to its commitments to the Confederation of Arctic Nations (CAN). Accordingly, troops from part of the Seventh Division and the Fifteenth Division, stationed in Nova Coimbra and Columbina respectively, were called out and formed into the 10,000-strong [b]Ursalian Peacekeeping Force (UPF)[/b].

Ten thousand troopers of the UPF boarded military transport aircrafts, and flew in the direction of the CAN protectorate in northern Canada. The governments of CAN members (Blue Heaven, Manitoba, Greenland, and Quebec) would be notified of this regarding the transit of Ursalian peacekeepers through their airspace.

Edited July 12, 2011 by JEDCJT

[JEDCJT]

[b]PRIVATE[/b]

Grand Vizier J Thomas Christopher quietly sat at his desk in his office in the mostly-completed Imperial Palace in Ursalia City, looking out the large window that accentuated his office, the sun shining over the landscape of the Ursalian capital. As he surveyed the still-cluttered office, which resembled more that of a warehouse than the elegant office of the second most-powerful man of the Empire, Christopher thought about the changes and events in both domestic and international affairs that had taken place so recently.

These changes had been precipitated by the decision of Foreign Ministry Salvador Nava to issue what was now known as the Nava Doctrine that had all but reduced the Empire to a position of isolationism in both North America and the world. Such momentum had led the secret police, COMPNOR, to be elevated into a full Ministry under the direction and control of its dictatorial head, Arnardo Isard -- a person whom he distrusted very much. And it didn't help that both Nava and Isard didn't confer with him regarding their plans of actions; they completely skipped over him in favor of the Imperator himself, despite the fact they were formally responsible to the Grand Vizier!

And this irked Christopher to no end.

On the foreign affairs sphere, there was the current embargo against the Cajun Federation, the war between the Cajun Federation and the Holy American Empire, the increased foreign military presence near Holy Ursalia's borders (of which he strongly suspected were UFE forces), and the looming dispute between the Confederation of Arctic Nations and the Empire of Pravus Ingruo regarding Ontario. And not to mention, the breaking off of relations with the UFE over the expansion of Austria into North America in recent times.

All this had conveyed to the Grand Vizier the impression that Holy Ursalia's power, influence, and prestige had declined in recent times. It increasingly seemed to him that the son had failed where the father had succeeded; under the leadership of the late Giancarlo Norton, the Kingdom of Ursalia had been a powerful stalwart of western North America. Instead of the UFE controlling (or at least having a strong influence over) Alaska, it was Ursalia who determined Alaska's fate. Instead of Austria controlling its protectorate, it was Ursalia who had a strong influence over the United Kingdom of Idaho-Montana. Foreign involvement in North America at that time had been minimial compared to what was happening right now. It seemed to him that North America was slowly but steadily sinking to the nadir of its power and influence that had not been seen since European powers had carved up the Americas into spheres of influences in the eighteenth century.

And moreover, the Ursalian Kingdom's international position had been secure as much as it was strong; it had allies such as the UFE, of which proved unfortunate when the Communist revolution broke out that disposed the Kingdom. The only allies Holy Ursalia had now were the CAN, and it greatly concerned him. If foreign nations such as the UFE or Austria chose to attack Holy Ursalia, it would be a disaster not only for the Ursalian people, but also for North America as a whole.

But it was not what was bothering the Grand Vizier; it was the fact the Imperator didn't take his suggestions and proposals into account. Whereas he had urged the Imperator not to withdraw from the Pacific Harmony Accords, arguing that it was crucial to the Empire's international security, Norton had instead done just that. Whereas he had urged the Imperator to stand up for itself in the former Cascadia and go to war against the UFE and its Austrian allies for its "honor", Norton instead chose to stand down and as such weakened the Empire's image and prestige in North America.

All because of Norton's inflated sense of North American pride. Despite the Nava Doctrine, the Imperator still aspired to make North America free from foreign influence, one way or another. Again and again, the Grand Vizier had tried to convince his friend that such a proposition was clearly an impossibility. After all, the Tahoe Republic had tried, again and again, and every time they utterly failed. How could Holy Ursalia hope to achieve where Tahoe failed? Unlike Norton, Christopher liked the Austrians and the Chinese. Despite their...overbearing actions at times, they truly provided for a stabilizing force, along with Pravus Ingruo and the Holy American Empire, that North America had desperately needed since the collapse of Viniland and Tahoe. His offers to the Imperator to reconcilate with the Chinese had been ignored -- although he had succeeded to a certain extent with the Austrians through the Nava Doctrine.

And that's not mentioning the fact that a growing majority of the Ursalian populace were becoming disillusioned with the way the Empire functioned, especially with the lack of political freedom due to the Nonpartisan Decree, the growing centralization of power in the federal government, and especially what they viewed as the "humiliating" position the Empire was in on the international stage, so to name a few. Rumblings from businesses and corporations across the Empire had steadily grown louder and louder. This was apparent in various reports he had received from various government ministries and departments.

What was the point of being a Grand Vizier if he couldn't do anything in the Imperial government, especially when he was the head of the entire Holy Ursalian bureaucracy? Well, he actually could, but it would involve...[i]serious[/i] measures to achieve what he wanted. But could he be willing to do it?

He heaved out a sigh.

Well, he [i]certainly[/i] could. But he would have to be careful. And he'd have to make some calls as well.

Snatching his personal phone off its receiver on his desk, the Grand Vizier quickly tapped in a number before placing it on his ear.

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

In a secret session of the Imperial Senate convened by the Grand Vizier, the second most-powerful man in the Empire proposed before the Imperial Senate a wide-ranging proposition that would modify the Constitution of the New Order (Imperial Charter).

As expected, half of the Imperial Senate exploded in protests or praises, with at least one-thirds of Senators in support or against what the Grand Vizier had to offer. The proposed amendments to several articles put forth by the Grand Vizier went as follows:

Article Six would be modified to state the following:

[quote]Legislative power shall be vested in, and exercised through, the Imperial Senate of the Holy Empire of Ursalia. The Imperial Senate shall have the right to pass amendments to this Constitution by a two-thirds vote, and this shall be binding. The Imperial Senate shall, in addition to passing laws and resolutions, have the power over the Imperial budget.[/quote]
Article Nine would be modified in turn:

[quote]The Imperator of the Holy Empire of Ursalia, in accordance to his role as official Head of State, shall have executive powers, including but not limited to performing ceremonial duties such as bestowing all honors and dignities, creating all peerages, granting knighthoods, and wielding veto power under certain circumstances. The Imperator, in addition to appointing and dismissing any official of the Holy Ursalian government on all levels and forming as well disbanding the Imperial Cabinet, all with a two-thirds vote of approval in the Imperial Senate, has the final authority to exercise the aforementioned veto power to override any decisions or actions of the Grand Vizier, any bill passed by the Imperial Senate, and any decision passed by the Supreme Tribunal should he/she sees fit; the Imperial Senate shall have appropriate power to override the Imperial veto by a two-thirds vote of approval in the Imperial Senate. The Imperator has the power to dissolve the Imperial Senate and call new elections at any time, as well as declare martial law, under certain circumstances. The Imperator also reigns for life, unless stated otherwise. Oaths of allegiances shall be made to the Imperator of the Holy Empire of Ursalia.[/quote]
In turn, Article Ten would go as following:

[quote]In accordance to the Decree on the Daily Administration of the New Order, the Grand Vizier of the Holy Empire of Ursalia, in accordance to his role as official Head of Government, shall head the Imperial Cabinet on the behalf of the Imperator and shall have appropriate powers to appoint and remove government officials in the Imperial Cabinet, as well appointing or removing officials and personnel from the various government ministries, bureaus, and offices that falls under his jurisdiction. The Grand Vizier shall be tasked for overseeing the various government ministries, bureaus, and offices that comprise the Holy Ursalian bureaucracy, and shall have control of access to the Imperator. Furthermore, the Grand Vizier will not only provide advice to the Imperator, but shall lead the Imperial Senate as its head, and lead the Imperial Ruling Council on the Imperator's behalf.[/quote]
Next, Article Eleven was modified to state the following:

[quote]In accordance to the Decree on the Daily Administration of the New Order, the Imperial Ruling Council shall consist of the Imperator, the Imperial Cabinet, the Grand Vizier, and other high-ranking government and military officials such as Supreme Commander, Military Executor, and Procurator of Justice, among others. Under the leadership of the Grand Vizier on behalf of the Imperator, the Imperial Ruling Council is to serve as an administrative body of the Holy Empire of Ursalia, though it shall not supplant the Imperial Senate as a legislative body. In the case the Imperator is unable to serve his position, is incapitated, dies, or resigns, the Imperial Ruling Council will serve as an executive body alongside the Imperial Senate until a new Imperator is coronated. In this, the Imperial Ruling Council shall have the power to elect a new Imperator, and with a two-third majority vote of approval in the Imperial Senate.[/quote]
Next in turn was Article Thirteen:

[quote]Senators of the Imperial Senate, Diocese Governors of the various Dioceses that constitutes the Holy Empire of Ursalia, and other government officials appointed by the Imperator are proscribed from questioning, challenging, or otherwise undermining any Decrees issued by the Imperator or the Grand Vizier acting on the Imperator's behalf.[/quote]
Article Twenty-Eight was changed as well:

[quote]The Armed Forces of the Holy Empire of Ursalia, to be referred as the Imperial Armed Forces and organized into the Imperial Ursalian Army, Imperial Ursalian Navy, Imperial Ursalian Air Force, and Imperial Ursalian Strategic Rocket Forces, are under the final and ultimate authority, control, and command of the Military Executor on the behalf of the Imperator, and whenever appropriate, the Imperial Ruling Council.[/quote]
Finally Article Thirty was slightly modified:

[quote]The provisions within the Constitution are binding through executive, legislative, and judicial institutions. Laws, Propositions, and as such, shall not differ from the Constitution. This does not affect Decrees issued by the Imperator or the Grand Vizier on the Imperator's behalf.[/quote]
Despite the Grand Vizier's great persuasion skills and commendable logic, debate within the Imperial Senate continued for hours on end, even days, in secret. Most Senators, however, were mollified by the modification of Article Six that strengthened the Imperial Senate vis-a-vis the Imperator, and were happy to approve the proposed modifications.

In a lengthy session, Senators voted, in varying margins -- but all of which were over the two-thirds majority needed for passage and ratification -- to approve the proposed modifications, and copies of the modified Imperial Charter were printed out and forwarded to the Office of the Grand Vizier, as it was the central administrative hub of the government, for distribution to the Imperator, Imperial Ruling Council, Diocese Governors, military officers, and lower government and military officials.

Of course, the Imperator himself and the Minister of State Security would not receive copies of the modified Charter, and every and each official that received a copy also received orders instructing them to keep their copies "in the secrecy of their offices" in the "interest of national security."

This paved the way for the next part of the Grand Vizier's plan.

[JEDCJT]

[b]PRIVATE/CLASSIFIED[/b]

With a strengthened Imperial Senate by his side, and armed with a modified Constitution, the Grand Vizier moved to utilize his control of the Holy Ursalian bureaucracy as a way to sideline and isolate the Imperator as well anyone in the Imperial Cabinet (a certain Arnardo Isard comes in mind) that posed a possible obstacle to his plan.

Despite his strengthened position in the Imperial government, despite his virtual control over the Imperial Armed Forces because of the new status of the Military Executor - who supported him - as the new Commander-in-Chief, the Grand Vizier knew he couldn't remove Isard from power directly; it wasn't that simple. As head of the powerful state security apparatus in the form of the Inquisition and Imperial State Intelligence, as well a private army (COMPForce) that reported directly to the Imperator, Isard held considerable power, influence, and prestige in the entire government.

Instead, the Grand Vizier intended to use his considerable connections with major corporations and companies from many parts of the Empire as a base of which to build a rapport that would place him in a strong position over Isard when the time came. Utilizing a secure connection, encrypted with codes transmissions resistant to these utilized by the Ministry of State Security, the Grand Vizier invited heads and CEOs of major corporations, such as the oil and gas giants, ViniPetro, Petroleo & Cia, and Ouro Negro; private security corporation Elanus Risk Control Services; private military corporation Silver Corporation; defense contractor Tulio & Armando; construction firm Astaldi; steel manufacturer Gruppo Riva; Internet corporation DiNet; and consumer product manufacturer Semco; so to name a few, to meet with him at the headquarters of the Noveria Defense Corporation, located at the center of Ursalia City. Each CEO was ordered to come one or two at a time, and to go to the meeting place from different directions, as to avoid attracting unneeded attention, and security around the NDC HQ would be conducted by private security forces employed by Elanus Risk Control Services.

What few people knew about the Grand Vizier was, that, he was a CEO and board chairman himself, the head of the Noverian Defense Corporation, a vast and yet little-known corporation that specialized in research and development, gas and energy, manufacturing, and technology, and other related fields. Given that the NDC itself was a holding company, and only controlled many other corporations and companies under its umbrella through percentage of shares purchased through the Grand Vizier's vast wealth, it attracted fairly little attention from the central authorities.

And that was perfect for Christopher's plan.

After considerable period of time waiting for all the delegates and CEOs to arrive, the meeting duly began, and lasted for many hours, days, and even weeks - punctuated by the Grand Vizier having to perform his official duties - of which all the involved discussed a wide variety of topics, such as business interests, control and allocation of resources such as steel and electricity, the involvement of corporations in the Ursalian state - even going as far as to discuss replacement of the Holy Empire of Ursalia with a completely new state - corporate tax rates, among with many discussions.

Perhaps more significantly, the Grand Vizier and the CEOs worked out a working "blueprint" for which the CEOs and their respective corporations/companies would play their roles as determined by negiotations in the upcoming plan (neither sides mentioned the word, 'coup' or 'overthrow', although they knew well perfectly that what they were going to do was tantamount to as such). The CEOs were authorized to utilize everything in their arsenal as "permitted under appropriate circumstances"; the CEOs of Elanus Risk Control Services and the Noveria Defense Services, military and security organizations, agreed to send in their private armies to provide "military strength." Perhaps more significantly, the CEOs - although differing in opinions and beliefs that at times veered into conflict - agreed to launch a nationwide general strike to bring the Empire's economy to a standstill, and to disorient the Ministry of State Security.

After much time had passed, with considerable discussions concluded and finalized, with all sides knowing their expectations, roles, and responsibilities in this deal, it was now time for the plan to move into action. The Grand Vizier certainly knew that the odds were slightly tilted in his favor, with control of the military through the Military Executor and the regular police through the Ministry of the Interior; still, he knew that plans, no matter how perfectly detailed or executed, were bound to go wrong or off-hand at some time. He hoped not, but he would be prepared with a fallback plan for such eventuality.

Still, there was only one thing to do.

Wait for the Imperator to take a personal vacation.

[JEDCJT]

[b]PRIVATE[/b]

The Grand Vizier smiled to himself.

The Imperator had recently informed him that he would take a short break at his personal residence located just outside of Ursalia City.

It seems that everything was going perfectly according to plan, despite his fears and concerns. Several Ministers in the Imperial Cabinet, being former CEOs themselves, had been briefed into the plan, and MSS head Arnardo Isard had been kept in the dark.

Thank God for his high position in the Holy Ursalian government.

Upon informed that the Imperator would be going on his break, the Grand Vizier made a private call, through a secure, encrypted channel, to the Elanus Risk Control Services to arrange an 'operation' to seize control of the Imperator's security detail around his private residence. Elanus operatives, supported by security forces, were to infiltrate the residence and neutralize the head of the security detail, Rufus Villimar. The plan, once executed, went smoothly for the most part; although several disguised Elanus operatives messed up at the start of the operation while trying to gain entry, and nearly jeopardized the entire mission, Elanus agents nevertheless managed to infiltrate the compound through alternate entry points, being supported by their heavily-armed security forces. Villimar himself was shot in his office when he tried to alert the compound to what was happening. Soon, the remainder of the security guards were forced to surrender to Elanus forces, and were taken into captivity in the residence building itself.

The entire operation took over twelve hours.

With the compound under firm Elanus control, a cleanup was conducted at a frenzied pace as Elanus forces tidied the place up to the way they found it, hidden Villimar's body, shot all prisoners they captured and hidden them in a panic room, disposed of the bodies of the security guards that had fell in firefights, covered up any part of the interior damaged by fighting such as bullet holes, and dressed themselves up in security detail uniform they retreived from the prisoners prior to shooting them.

Soon, everything was back to 'normal' around the residence. Elanus security forces disguised as residence security detail now 'patrolled' the residential grounds and gates, awaiting the arrival of the Imperator.

===

"The Imperator has just left the Palace, and is on the way to his residence."

The Grand Vizier looked up at the aide who had informed him, and smiled. "Thank you, sir." Turning to Julius Thrawn, the Military Executor, he nodded. "I'm guessing the operation is ready to be launched soon."

Thrawn nodded. "Everything is in place. To reiterate, the general plan is to cut off all communications to and from the Imperator's residence from the outside world. From there, we will mobilize Army troops under my command - the generals will play their parts, you have my assurances - to seize government and strategic buildings, and to arrest anyone who stands in our way."

Christopher nodded. "What about the Diocese Governors? Will they participate, or will they oppose us?"

Thrawn smiled. "That is not a concern, sir. The Governors has a degree of control and command over troops and resources within the boundaries of their Dioceses, yes, but I outrank them, and can override their commands and utilize their troops against them if the need arose."

"That, and we can deal with Diocese Governors, and low-ranking officials who oppose us." Abran Balfour, the Alta Vancavitean Diocese Governor (!) spoke up.

"But remember." Christopher piped in. "We are not organizing your classic military coup. We are effecting a change of government. The military will play a role in this, yes, but not an overt a role. We will cooperate with corporations, who have stake in this and who will be expected to launch a general strike soon. Do you understand this?"

"Tell me about the general strike." Thrawn inquired.

"What better way to distract Isard's state security apparatus than organizing a nationwide strike that would bring enough instability to disorientate the secret police, and provide for a pretext for your troops to restore law and order, thus enhancing your prestige and support in the eyes of the population?"

There was silence as everyone digested the Grand Vizier's words.

"Then we arrest Isard?" Balfour spoke up.

"If necessary, yes."

"But everything starts with the arrival of the Imperator at his residence, when he is safely out of the capital. And the Imperator must be kept in the dark when the strikes break out."

"Yes sir" chorused throughout the top-secret Military Situation Room.

===

"Janus has arrived at destination. He is safely inside now."

Christopher nodded, smiling as he held the phone receiver to his ear, listening to Johnny Cho, Elanus operative who would masquerade as Villimar's 'second-in-command' at the residence. Janus was the code name for the Imperator, and the plan was now about to begin.

"Excellent. Initiate Plan Quarantine."

The tenet of Plan Quarantine was, as it name suggests, to 'quarantine' the Imperator in his residence. All communications, public and secret, were to be cut off from the rest of the world, enforced by jamming and encryption that Elanus operatives would put to use. Residence 'security' would lock all the gates, guard the doors, and be placed on 'shoot-to-kill' orders; they were given orders not to let anyone in or out without prior clearance from the Grand Vizier himself. The Imperator would, effectively, be placed under 'house arrest'.

"Yes, sir." With that, the Grand Vizier hung up, looking at Thrawn, Balfour, and other high-ranking mlitary officials who were in the room with him.

"Plan is now on. I will send an alert to our corporate friends." Christopher said as he turned to a large HDTV screen depicting an electronic map of the Holy Empire of Ursalia, doing what he set out to do what he said he would do.

From all over the Empire, the phones of all the relevant CEOs would ring, signaling them that it was now time to begin.

It had now begun.

===

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

In major urban centers across the Empire, starting in Ursalia City and Nadrink, and then spreading over to Bastion, Byss, Vancouver, Regina, Saskatoon, going as far south as Victoria and as north as Juneau, crowds of workers took to the streets, waving signs and chanting slogans. At first, they started out small, but then steadily grew from the hundreds to thousands, then tens of thousands, and finally hundreds of thousands nationwide. Following the protests, career professionals such as bankers, investors, journalists, and other white-collar workers walked out in turn, joining the general strike that was to be the largest in Ursalian history.

Interestingly, while the strike was going on, oil and gas corporations would continue their shipments of oil to other nations, particularly the Republic of Texas.

The 'strikers', who actually were sent to the streets on corporate orders to 'protest', protested the low wages, police repression and brutality, and hypocrisy of the Imperial government, along other aspects. As predicted, the stock market in Bastion, Bolsa de Valoris di Calgari, plummeted in stock value overnight as the strike wore on.

Predictably, police were alerted. Following orders by the Ministry of the Interior - which was actually performing its role in the Grand Vizier's internal coup - Polizefederal units were rushed to the scene, reinforced by Polizemunicipal and Polizelocal units. True, MSS units also arrived at the scene, surrounding the strikers.

All according to the plan.

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

With the general strike well-underway, the Imperator marginalized, and the MSS preoccupied, the Grand Vizier proceeded to carry out the next part.

The next part involved the arrest of Arnardo Isard by Elanus security forces, along with the suppression of the MSS if it decided to resist. The latter was to be done with overwhelming force with the element of surprise, if necessary.

It began when the Grand Vizier convened a special meeting of the Imperial Cabinet, including Isard, at the Imperial Palace to "discuss the present situation taking place across the Empire", and what to do about it. As soon the Ministers sat down at the conference table, highly-armed Elanus troops were silently posted at the doors of the room, ready to be called in.

While the Grand Vizier was having discussions at the Imperial Palace, military generals at the nearby Pentagono building were reviewing and coordinating strategy. According to their communications, it was revealed that the vast majority of military generals and officials accepted and recognized the amendments to the Imperial Charter, accepting the command of the Military Executor over the troops and assets under their command.

The plan went as follows: Army units from the Seventh Division, Eleventh Division, and Twenty-First Division stationed near Ursalia City (and the administrative unit of Imperial Center) were to be sent into the Ursalian capital to "restore law and order." In this, Army troopers and police units from all levels were to secure several points of interest, including the Ursalia City International Airport, the Thompson Rivers University, the Ursalia City Metro, and the Imperial Palace; they were to garrison all roads leading into and out of the capital. They were also to protect and defend the Diplomatic Sector, located in the northeastern part of the capital.

However, the troops had another purpose: to crush any potential resistance to the takeover of the city. Their targets were MSS police units, COMPForce troopers, and any assets associated with the MSS - if they chose to resist - and they were authorized to utilize everything at their disposal to achieve this purpose. The same went for other major cities: what went on in Ursalia City was to be replicated in Bastion, Nadrink, Vancouver, Byss, Saskatoon, Juneau, Sitka, Nanaimo, Victoria, Regina, Medicine Hat, Cervo, Prince George, and other cities. Military units stationed in and/or near these aforementioned cities were given orders to assault MSS Field Offices all over the Empire, if the MSS resisted first.

Not only that, but private military forces under command by Elanus Risk Control Services, the Noveria Defense Corporation, and the Silver Corporation, was to partake in the operation, and indeed, to lead the spearhead in the upcoming operation.

As the military got into position, the meeting in the Imperial Palace went on for several hours, filled with various suggestions and proposed solutions. Isard, to no surprise, advocated "serious measures" to be undertaken against the protestors, whether they were peaceful or not, and to use "whatever means deemed necessary to maintain law and order in the Holy Empire of Ursalia." Surprising the MSS head, the Grand Vizier rejected his suggestion, stating that it was "too heavy handed" and "inappropriate", citing the various "abuses and exploits by the MSS" under Isard's leadership, being supported by the other Ministers. An angered Isard stated that he would "confer" with the Imperator, and that he would do something about all this.

It was at this that Elanus troops entered the room and placed Isard under "protective custody." As they dragged the screaming Isard out of the room, the Grand Vizier knew that the next phase of the plan was already well-underway.

However, moments before Isard's arrest, dozens of strikers in parts of Ursalia City decided to get violent, attacking several MSS units, and provoking a brutal response. MSS units, in full view of police units, proceeded to open fire on the crowds, killing dozens, and wounding many others. Worse, police units who tried to intervene to meditate this were actually shot by the MSS troopers. As soon the Grand Vizier and the military generals received news of this, they knew they had to do something about this, and fast -- lest this turn ugly. Christopher sent out a directive to the MSS, under Isard's name, ordering them to "stand down."

However, this was too late, for MSS forces inside Ursalia City were soon mired in heated firefights with units of the Polizelocal, of which the Polizefederal, Elanus and NDC forces soon joined in. COMPForce units soon made their appearance, and actually stood their ground against their opponents. Panic gripped the streets of the capital as half of the strikers fled while the other half stood their ground and fought against the MSS. As for the Imperial Palace, Elanus military forces were tasked with its defense, although they, interestingly, would not experience battle.

At orders by the military generals, tens of thousands of heavily-armed, heavily-armored Army troopers filed into Ursalia City, heading toward their objectives. Alongside the infantry, dozens of Juggernaut II Main Battle Tanks and Titan tanks rumbled into the capital. The Army, with help of Elanus, NDC, and Silver forces, occupied and secured the Ursalia City International Airport with ease. However, as they advanced toward the Imperial Palace, they began to encounter resistance from MSS and COMPForce troopers, and now Inquisitors. After several orders by Army commanders to "cease and desist" were ignored, the Army prompted launched an offensive against the MSS, COMPForce, and Inquisitors in full force, overwhelming them in several pitched battles in scattered locations all over the city. Before long, the Downtown Sector was under military control.

In the northeast, Elanus and NDC forces, and Polizelocal units, along with several platoons from the Seventh Division that crossed the North Thompson River, moved into the Diplomatic Sector, housing the Empire's Embassies, and formed a defensive cordon around the region. Army commanders urged foreign ambassadors and officials to remain inside "for their safety". The defenders of the Diplomatic Sector repulsed several offensives by MSS and COMPForce attackers, utilizing their heavy artillery, self-propelled howitzers, and submachine guns to inflict heavy casaulties against them.

Over the course of several hours, the Army gradually resumed control of the capital, imposing martial law along the way, as they occupied the Imperial Palace itself as well Metro stations, transportation and communication stations. The secret police forces were decimated in a series of battles before their commanders finally received the "cease and desist" orders and surrendered.

Ursalia City was now fully occupied.

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

With the Ursalian capital, and effectively Alta Vancavite due to the participation of its Governor, under his control, the Grand Vizier proceeded to undertake the daunting task of "restoring" law and order to the rest of the Empire, as well to lay out the frameworks of the new state that he intended to consolidate in place.

The Grand Vizier's concerns about his plan going out of hand, or of Holy Ursalia descending into civil war, would prove to be misjudged when Military Executor issued a formal order for all Army troops to move into the major urban centers to "restore law and order" and impose martial law - and when his directive signed under Isard's name reached MSS Field Offices throughout the Empire, and unlike these in Ursalia City, MSS personnel and forces largely remained at their bases when Army troopers and tanks rolled into Bastion, Byss, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Regina, Juneau, Sitka, Sipatau, and Nadrink, along with other cities.

This didnt prevent the occassional clash between Army troops and several misguided MSS troops and personnel in few locations all over the Empire, though. This also didn't prevent Nova Coimbran Diocese Governor Wilfur Baskin from expressing concern and doubt of what was happening in Ursalia City; his questions regarding the Imperator were met with replies that the Imperator was "unavailable at this time due to other responsibilities and obligations."

Nadrink, for one, factored into the Grand Vizier as one of the most important part in his plan, being the second city of the Empire. Because of that, it was a relief when Christopher received news, through Thrawn, that troopers had succeeded to occupy and institute martial law in Nadrink without too much bloodshed - although several battles broke out in the city's Downtown Sector with 'lost' MSS troopers. And what surprised him was that, it wasn't Army troops that restored law and order in Nadrink, but private armies of the Noveria Defense Corporation, with the Army serving a support role in the operation.

Accordingly, the 'strikes' ongoing in the cities slowly faded away when the troops entered the major cities, with the 'strikers' receiving secret orders by their companies and corporations to return to work. And to put the 'finishing touches', the Grand Vizier sent a series of directives, signed under Isard's name, to the Ursalian Border Agency (UBA) to seal off the Empire's northern and eastern borders (the southern border was deemed 'closed' enough, although foreign businesspeople still could enter the country).

Having secured, less or more, effective military control of the country - well, most of it anyways - the Grand Vizier sent a secure, encrypted transmission to all the CEOs that he had met with earlier, requesting them to meet with him in Nadrink to discuss "matters of high urgency." The same safety and security precautions were applied: each CEO was to come one or two at a time, and to go to the meeting place - the second Imperial Palace located off the city's coast - from different directions.

Once again, after considerable period of time, the CEOs and their delegations arrived at the meeting place, where they not only revisited the issues discussed in the previous meeting, such as corporate interests, tax rates, the role of their private forces, but they also proceeded to open discussions of the networks of the new state that they would institute in place once everything was all in place. They received assurances from the Grand Vizier that their corporations would play a certain role in the new state, that they would be allowed a "considerable degree of autonomy", and that their interests would be "protected". Perhaps more significantly, they sanctioned the establishment of an interim 'executive council' in Nadrink, of where corporate representatives would participate in.

With the hardest part of the plan out of the way, the Grand Vizier would proceed to the next part.

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

The next part involved garnering public support for the 'new' government through providing public justification for the 'coup' and the battles that had taken place in Ursalia City and several places across the Empire, and organizing a nationwide referendum to gauge the Ursalian public's approval rating.

And so the Grand Vizier decided to go on public television.

===

[b]PUBLIC NEWS BROADCAST[/b]

Grand Vizier, J. Thomas Christopher gave a special, televised public statement in Ursalia City, to inform the public of what was happening.

In front of news reporters and journalists, the Grand Vizier stated that the "recent instability and chaos" that had been taking place in the Ursalian capital, had been in fact an attempt against the Holy Ursalian Government perpetuated by the Ministry of State Security. "Evidence reveals that the Ministry of State Security attempted, with considerable effort and planning, to overthrow the government through extrajudicial, and violent, means", the Grand Vizier stated. "They succeeded in their actions against the Imperator, but thanks to the vigilant efforts by the Imperial Ursalian Armed Forces, such a deplorable attempt by the Ministry of State Security had been thwarted, and peace and order restored in the Holy Empire of Ursalia once again."

In response to a question by a news reporter from the Ursalia Times regarding the Imperator's condition, the Grand Vizier explained that the Imperator "had been found unable to execute his duties and obligations", and as such had transferred his powers and obligations to his second-in-command. At this, in light of the "dishonorable action" by the Ministry of State Security, the Grand Vizier vowed to "undertake the necessary measures to deal with the M.S.S., including but not limited to dissolving said Ministry."

Finally, the Grand Vizier stated that this "episode" had but been a recurring bout of instability that had plagued the country ever since the collapse of the Kingdom of Viniland, which had been the "bastion of stability" in North America. Ever since Viniland's collapse, Christopher continued, various governments and nations had risen and fallen in "astonishing succession", including but not limited to the Tahoan regime in British Columbia, Republic of Canuckistan, the Great Lakes Provinces regime in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Franciscan Republic, the first Ursalia, then the Union of Revolutionary Socialist Republics, and finally the current Holy Empire of Ursalia.

The Grand Vizier went on to state that the name, 'Ursalia', had now forever become associated with instability and chaos, and he implied that the country would undergo a name change, as well regime change, as to "wipe the slate clean and start anew." He also stated that "a national referendum" would be held all over the nation shortly, to be followed with "new national elections" in several months's time. The martial law current in effect all over the country, the Grand Vizier promised, "will be repealed as soon as possible as to ensure the smoothest transition to civilian authority."

"Yes, the Nonpartisan Act will be repealed," The Grand Vizier said, smiling, at another news reporter's question, precipitating a round of thunderous applause inside the press briefing room.

"Let us start anew," The Grand Vizier reiterated in his closing statement, "let us, as a nation and as a people, look forward to a new era in this part of North America, to a new era where the Ursalian people would enjoy not war, but peace; not poverty, but prosperity; not oppression, but freedom."

===

[b]PUBLIC NEWS[/b]

The Bureau of National Statistics, a department of the Ministry of Communications responsible for collecting, researching, and analyzing statistics as well organizing national referendums, has announced that it is currently in the process of organizing a nationwide referendum. BNS officials are currently working together with Army officials to organize the referendum, placing voting booths in major urban centers, towns, and villages all over the nation.

The proposed questions to be included in the referendum are as follows:

[quote]1). [b]Should a Republican system of government be established in the lands currently composing the Holy Empire of Ursalia?[/b]
A). Yes.
B). No.
C). Abstain.

2). [b]Should Ursalia retain its current name?[/b]
A). Yes.
B). No.
C). Abstain.

3). [b]Do you approve of the current administration's handling of the recent situation?[/b]
A). Yes.
B). No.
C). Abstain.[/quote]

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

The Bureau of National Statistics would receive assistance from various Mafioso in many major cities. The Grand Vizier didn't confer only with the CEOs; he also privately conferred with the mafioso, promising them he would provide them with "state protection" if they in turn did what he asked. The Grand Vizier's vast wealth made it hard for many Mafia leaders, many of them descendants of the Gebivian refugees that had migrated to Viniland and subsequently formed Mafia groups modeled on the Sicilian Mafia, to resist such offer.

The mafioso, dressed up as security guards, would not only maintain order at voting booths, but act as 'enforcers' in the sense that they would help to 'influence' public opinion in support for the new 'regime'. The mafioso, along with military forces from Elanus Risk Control Services, Noveria Defense Corporation, and Silver Corporation, would be utilized for other...darker purposes: they were to dismantle the Ministry of State Security when the time came.

[JEDCJT]

[b]PUBLIC NEWS[/b]

URSALIA CITY, Imperial Center - Political freedom has been restored to the Holy Empire of Ursalia once again, to a level that has not been seen since the days of Viniland. The Imperial Senate voted 132 to 5, with 3 abstentions, to officially repeal the Nonpartisan Act, which had until recently forbade the formation of political parties in the Empire.

The news has been received with a huge wave of popular support for the Grand Vizier, whose popularity had been steadily rising due to his recent handling of the recent crisis that had rocked the Holy Empire of Ursalia as of lately. "For over two years since the Empire was formed, the freedom of the people to express their views on varying issues through politics had been stymied," A resident, Huey Allandale, stated to a news reporter of the Ursalia Times in the city of Calgari (recently renamed from Bastion). "This is no longer the issue now, and although I cannot speak for the people, I can say with confidence that this is a breakthrough that we all had been waiting for."

As soon the repeal of the Nonpartisan Act was announced by Andrew Paulone, Spokesperson of the Imperial Ruling Council, it was revealed by several newspapers that the political parties that had once played a major role in the former Viniland's politics, are in the process of reforming: the Libertarian Party, the Monarchist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party, the Conservative Party, the Labor Party, the Martencist Party, and even the People's Republican Party.

"We look forward to the upcoming elections, when the people of Ursalia (or whatever the new name that is adopted) would be able to determine the country's future." Labor Party founder Geno Inacio stated in a public speech in Regina, Rio Grande do Leste.

[TheShammySocialist]

"The Cajun Federation lauds this recent move towards more democratic government in the Holy Ursalian Empire."

[Yawoo]

"The Republic joins with its Cajun neighbor to applaud the move for more political freedom in the Holy Empire of Ursalia".

[Shadow hawk]

"Newfoundland is glad to see that the Americas will see a more democratic Holy Empire of Ursalia"

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED/PUBLIC THROUGH COMMON SENSE[/b]

The referendum, officially termed the [b]'National Referendum of 20XX'[/b], duly took place across the Empire as promised. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, their officials were reporting that the turnover rate was much higher than they had initially reported (indeed, the mafioso reported that they didn't really have to do some 'encouraging', as their reports to their heads indicated), with thousands of votes - submitted either manually (as in attending voting booths) or electronically (as in voting on the BNS website on the Internet) - increasing to hundreds of thousands, then millions.

In the days and weeks since the referendum began, and the results tallied and verified, it was reported that out of the thirty-seven million Ursalian citizens, approximately twenty-eight inhabitants voted, a final turnout rate of over seventy-five percent. It seems that the ongoing democratization of the Empire through the repeal of the Nonpartisan Act had boosted the Grand Vizier and his government's popularity; indeed, one poll indicated that J. Thomas Christopher's approval ratings had reached a whopping eighty-six percent.

As for the questions in the referendum, over eighty percent of the citizens voted overwhelmingly in favor of generally transforming the Holy Ursalian Empire into a republic. As for the second question, over sixty-eight percent of the citizens voted against Ursalia retaining its current name, inputting various suggestions such as renaming the country to Viniland, or Canuckistan, or Western Canada, or Borealia. A considerable percentage suggested the name, Noveria. Finally, a unprecedented ninety percent of the voters indicated their approval for the "current administration's handling of the recent situation"; the general consensus was that the Grand Vizier had saved the country from catastrophe and collapse.

===

[b]CLASSIFIED[/b]

With such an outpouring of public support and approval, much more than he had initially expected, the Grand Vizier felt embolded to go ahead and do what he set out to do immediately, instead of waiting for the right time to further consolidate the new regime in power.

With that, the Grand Vizier arranged series of meetings with Senators - 'convienently' stationing armed mafioso guards at the doors - where he informed them that he would be relocating the capital from Ursalia City (which name would be reverted back to Kamloops or another name, depending on its population) to the City of Nadrink, and that they should begin packing immediately. He also told them that the country would be undergoing a name change, and that they were to pass a bill confirming as such; he assured them that their current powers and responsibilities would remain as they were -- as long as they didn't interfere with the corporations and their interests. In turn, the Senators assured the Grand Vizier that they would sanction the formation of a 'provisional government' that were to rule the country until the planned elections.

With the Senate's support and approval, the Grand Vizier met with CEOs next, informing them that the stage for a republic was now set, and the actors - him and them - were scheduled to appear shortly, and that the audience - the people - were not to be disappointed. He told them that he would form the Noveria Development Council (NDC), which would serve as an exective branch of the new government, and which would involve Ministers and representatives from all corporations and companies involved. In other words, the Imperial Ruling Council was to be transformed into the Noveria Development Council, with the Grand Vizier serving as its head, with the title of Chairman.

===

[b]PUBLIC NEWS[/b]

NADRINK, Columbina - The Holy Empire of Ursalia is no more. According to the results of the recent National Referendum, of which over seventy-five percent of the population voted in, an overwhelming majority of the people had publicly indicated their desire for change in government, that is, for a republican system of government to be instituted in place.

In a public speech broadcast in the City of Nadrink, with the secondary Imperial Palace seen in the background, Grand Vizier J. Thomas Christopher declared, with the "support and approval from the populace", the official formation of the [b]Republic of Noveria[/b]. He stated that the official capital of the new Republic was to be the City of Nadrink, although the seat of government were to remain in Ursalia City for the time being while the relocation of the capital is underway. He informed that foreign Embassies and their staffs were to move to Nadrink, "as soon as possible", and that the costs of their transportation would be covered by the government.

Furthermore, Christopher stated that citizens should refer to him no longer as Grand Vizier of the Holy Empire of Ursalia, but as provisional [b]President of the Republic of Noveria[/b], and that the Imperial Ruling Council would become the [b]Noveria Development Council (NDC)[/b], which would function as the executive branch of the government until the planned elections, and that the Imperial Senate was to be referred to as the [b]National Assembly of the Republic of Noveria[/b].

Finally, the new President stated, the embargo on the Cajun Federation would be lifted, taking effect immediately, and that he hoped that would be catalyst to "improved relations" as well "productive friendship" with the Cajun Federation.

[KaiserMelech Mikhail]

The change in both name and embassy location has been noted, and will be put into action as soon as feasible. Noveria is a very interesting name, may we inquire to its origins?

Private: A sexy pin-up calender would be sent to the Noverian legislative body to show them that it was indeed 2011.

OOC: So you go from Star Wars to Mass Effect.

[TheShammySocialist]

[quote name='JEDCJT' timestamp='1310892203' post='2757676']Finally, the new President stated, the embargo on the Cajun Federation would be lifted, taking effect immediately, and that he hoped that would be catalyst to "improved relations" as well "productive friendship" with the Cajun Federation.
[/quote]

"The Cajun Federation thanks the newly-christened Republic of Noveria for their lifting of the economic embargo placed against the Federation, and hopes that our economic relations are quickly repaired by this move."