Fakhri-Zaahir State News Service

[Uberstein]

On this glorious day, the Diarchs of the nation, Amal Ibn Fakhri and Abd-Al-Aziz Ibn Ali Zaahir, held a small ceremony to celebrate the formation of the Fakhri-Zaahir State News Service (FZSNS.) His Majesty, Abd-Al-Aziz Ibn Ali Zaahir gave the first radio and television broadcast:

"People of the island of Bahrain, and other islands of our realm, today is an auspicious day. Under the mercy of the Tianxian Empire, we have been granted self-determination. To honor this, the Tianxian flag will never be flown under the national flag; only equal to or above. Today also marks the implimentation of new policies, policies which will ensure peace, freedom, and stability. As of this day, firearms are illegal in the realm unless in the hands of the honorable police for use in defense of the government and people. Alcohol, drugs, and gambling are illegal within the realm, with the exception of the capital city of Manama. The capital is our envoy to the world, and in the policy of non-violence, our views will not be forced on foreigners unless they exit the city."

 

Later detailed were the following decrees:

• Umm an Nasan Island is to be the private property of the Dual Monarchy, violation of which is punishable by exile or life imprisonment.
• The Fakhri-Zaahir Diarchy will raise no armies, no navies, nor any military aircraft. The nation will be protected through diplomacy and its civilian police force.
• Following the ideal of charity, public healthcare, welfare, education, and mass transit will be provided from the government. A new monorail system will bring the nation closer. This system will also be designed to carry the majority of cargo, to limit the propagation of trucks.
• All automobiles will be taxed individually. Bicycles and the mass-transit system will be subsidized.

 

His Majesty Amal Ibn Fakhiri, has also announced the following:

• A diplomatic conference on the topic of world peace and demilitarization will be held, followed by a royal ball.
• The Fakhiri University will be built to ensure the educational future of the populace.

Edited February 3, 2014 by BaronUberstein

[Uberstein]

[Classified to all but Commonwealth nations]

 

While the policy of non-violence and negotiation is applicable to rational nations, His Majesty Amal Ibn Fakhri understands the necessity to protect against the irrational. Terrorists, saboteurs, and revolutionaries all serve to undermine the state while providing no government or reasonable body to negotiate with. As such, while the nation will refrain from forming any military force, a paramilitary counter-terrorist organization (also known as SWAT) must be formed to ensure the safety and continuation of the state.

 

The State Special Response Unit (SSRU) has been formed to fill this counter-terrorism gap. This force is to be complimented by the formation of the State Intelligence & Security Service (SISS) which is tasked with the investigative and preventative segments of counter-terrorism and counter-revolutionary work. As these are non-military forces, their actions can not, and will not, leave the legal jurisdiction of the Diarchy. Abd-al-Latif Ruh Nimat has been assigned as the Director of the State Intelligence & Security Service.

 

[End Classified]

 

The renovation of Bahrain International Airport into a world-class facility has been approved, and will be expanded over what was once Muharraq Airfield. Once completed, it should be capable of handling the largest known civilian airliners.

 

Construction of the Ali Zaahir Casino & Resort has begun, with a monorail connection to the airport and beachfront location, has begun.

 

Construction of Fakhiri University, which is to be located in the town of Askar, has also begun with the construction of the Sa'sa'a bin Sohan Library.

[Uberstein]

Construction of the Sa'sa'a bin Sohan Library, at the planned site for Fakhiri University, has been temporarily halted. While the majority of the population in the nation is Shia Muslim, an organization of Sunni Muslims and Non-Muslim citizens have brought up this question: Is it appropriate to name a tax-funded library after a religious figure? The Diarchs have not commented on the situation.

 

In other news, a televised ceremony was held today as the directors of various state institutions were sworn in. These distinguished individuals were invited to Umm an Nasan Island for a private meeting on the future of the nation.

 

In sports news, the Fakhiri-Zaahir State Football (Soccer) Team was formed, and try-outs have begun. His Majesty Abd-Al-Aziz Ibn Ali Zaahir, out of love for the people of the nation, has declared that the physical health of our children shall be preserved and nurtured with state-subsidized Football programs for Primary and Secondary schools.

[Uberstein]

The keels for two new Oasis-class cruise ships have been lain down. These ships will in turn be named after the currently reigning Diarchs, so that their names will bring peace and joy across the world. Each ship will have the ability to carry 5,400 passengers, and will likely hold regular stops at Commonwealth ports.

 

The Diarchs have responded to the Sa'sa'a bin Sohan Library situation through the release of a joint statement:

"The library's name will remain the same, for we honor those who came, and taught, before us, no matter their religious affiliation. We hear your concerns, but they are unwarrented. The name of the library is not an issue. No prejudice will come from a name, the university will not discriminate against non-Shia just because one building is named after a historical figure. This concern is unwarranted, and the university will continue its construction."

Police have directed the protesters off of the construction site, and cordoned off a designated protest zone elsewhere in the town of Askar. While the University is still in the planning stage, almost all of the existing campus plans rival the host town in size, in line with the idea that it shall serve as a center of adult education for the entire island, and perhaps, the Persian Gulf.

[Uberstein]

Bear Islands In direct response to the Construction of the Ali Zaahir Casino & Resort the Bear Islands Nation of the Bear will be constructing a better casino.
Designed intentionally with twice of everything Ali Zaahir Casino & Resort has planned.
Construction has begun on three monorail connections between three airports and three beachfront locations has begun.
Twice proposed tables with twice proposed staff will be serving twice proposed capacity.

[Classified]
Given the difficulty of expanding the existing plans, a devious plot has been approved by the Diarchy. Given the odd use of non-renewable currency by the Bear Islands, several representatives of the Diarchy have been sent with substantial funds to the Bear Islands' currency exchanges. Their task: return with as much Bear Islands currency as possible.

This new coin collection is to be melted down for re-minting into proper currency (and other uses) once returned to Bahrain.
[End of Classified]

The Diarchy welcomes the competition, and hopes that the Bear Islands' guests do not freeze to death. Edited January 26, 2014 by BaronUberstein

[Uberstein]

Today, police intervened and succesfully stopped a potentially violent group of protesters who attempted to cross the bridge to Umm an Nasan Island. These protesters were carrying signs, many of which had statements of seditious intent. The protesters were small in number and easily dispersed with non-violent means. Chief of Police Saifullah Jamal issued the following statement:

"These, so called protesters, are nothing more than an insignificant segment of the population who disagrees with the merciful and generous rule of the Diarchy. Rest assured, we have seen no such inclinations from the rest of the populace. We are currently investigating the matter, but it is of my professional opinion that these protesters are the remnants of a hyper-conservative segment of the population which seeks to install Theocratic law."

 

The Diarchs, in response, have declared that all social programs currently under development will have their implementation sped up, and that they will not give one millimeter to reactionary, theocratic militants.

[Uberstein]

The State Special Response Unit (SSRU), at noon today, prevented disaster. Thanks to excellent intelligence work, a ship coming into national waters was stopped prior to entering the port, and boarded by the SSRU. The crew has been arrested for questioning, and the following press release was issued by Director Nimat:

"Simply put, we did our job. Weeks of careful investigation led us to believe that a small group of militants was going to bring in materials necessary for a bomb, along with firearms and illegal surveillance equipment. As of right now, all of the cargo containers are being searched, but as this is an on-going case, I cannot say more than that. The nationality nor name of the ship will be released, as we wish to avoid a diplomatic incident. I suspect that the crew, and nation of origin, were ignorant of the hazardous materials, given the nature of the shipping industry; so it's likely that this case will be handed over to the police."

[Uberstein]

The expansion and renovation of the Bahrain International Airport is well underway, and a committee has been formed to discuss an appropriate name.

 

The energy situation of the nation is currently under review, with the State Water & Power Authority being formally created. Director of Water & Power Hasan Bassam Saqqaf has been tasked with finding a long term solution for the nation. Potential construction of a fusion plant with foreign aid is on the list of ideas, though Director Saqqaf has stated his support for a "Completely internal power source." Solar power is being considered as a major contender to replace the petroleum power plants currently in operation.

 

Construction of a large-scale desalinization plant has also begun in Askar, near the construction site for Fakhiri University.

 

The Durrat Al Bahrain project, long abandoned, has been resumed with government subsidies.

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

 

Off the shores of the Bahrain International Airport, a large floating structure has begun construction. (300m long, 300m wide, and 70m tall.) Stockpiles of helium, aluminum, and other such materials has begun. Job offers have been extended to certain specialists from the ex-nations of Terre Regius and Ubersteinia, and several "agents" under direct orders from the Diarchs have begun to search through public, and if available through financial means, private records of these nations for the appropriate information. Another pair of "agents" have been sent to Tehran to inquire into any records on the abandoned (and likely demolished) Ubersteinian bunker complex which existed there. Similar efforts would be put forth to any records left of the Second European Union and its extranational capital. All of these efforts would be enacted within any and all legal constraints.

 

Within several days, a considerably aged Dr. Kettenheim would arrive in the still functional section of the airport and be driven directly to one of the guest estates on Umm an Nasan Island, and provided a driver and armored limosine for getting between the estate and the construction site.

 

Any and all inquires towards the off-shore construction would be responded to with the simple message of it being related to the expansion of the airport. Workers associated with the construction were required to sign Non-disclosure agreements.

 

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The Fakhiri University is to have an additional building added to the campus. This building is to be secured by SISS personnel, and is to be a hardened concrete structure. The design should blend in with the brutalist nature of the university. A model of the building.

 

This building is for the active research into military technology, so that the SISS will have a better understanding of how to deal with threats using military equipment, and also have the resources to develop their own superior counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist technology. The cover-story for the building shall be "Applied material sciences."

 

An underground fallout-shelter-capable structure is to be constructed underneath the university, connected to this building via high-speed elevator. A similar structure is to be constructed under the island of Umm an Nasan, with connections to the various palaces and estates.

[End Classified]

 

The Fakhiri University continues to take shape, and the brutalist design chosen has become more readily apparent. The Sa'sa'a bin Sohan Library has been completed, as well as a pair of flanking dorm towers. Several buildings have started construction; a humanities center, a science center, and social science center. Construction of elevated and underground walkways has also begun, to allow for students to go anywhere on campus in the comfort of air-conditioning.

 

The Ali Zaahir Casino & Resort in the capital of Manama has been completed, and is now open for business. While the monorail to the airport is still under construction, a second monorail system has begun construction. This second monorail will connect the Ali Zaahir directly to the cruise docks.

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The production of four Lycoming XR-7755 engines, along with the transmissions needed to use them for counter-rotating propellers, has begun. The floating structure outside of the Bahrain International Airport nears completion.

 

[End Classified]

 

Construction of the twin Oasis-Class ships continues, along with the luxury terminals at which they will dock. The state firm in charge of operating the ships has already started booking passage at a discount; a limited time offer for those with foresight.

 

The Bahrain International Airport naming committee has come to the conclusion that the current name is appropriate.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

OOC: I am slowly recovering from my illness. Huzzah!

 

IC:

 

The Askar Desalinization Plant nears completion; its construction being given priority to ensure that it will be able to provide clean drinking water for the university.

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

Construction of shelters and classified structures continues in earnest. SISS personnel have secured a small area in the south of Bahrain for training in urban operations, counter-terrorist tactics, and counter-insurgency tactics. Director of the State Intelligence & Security Service, Abd-al-Latif Ruh Nimat, has reported that there will be no further anti-Monarchist protests, as a joint effort with the normal police has resulted in a slew of quiet arrests and "disappearances." Screening of imports and monitoring of hobby websites has also been intensified, to ensure that the ban on firearms and other similar weapons remains effective.

 

Research into active defense systems, similar to the Russian "Arena" system, has begun, with emphasis of implementation on light vehicles such as armored limousines.

 

Construction of the floating hanger complex off of the Bahrain International Airport has been completed, and work within the structure has begun.

[End Classified]

 

The Durrat Al Bahrain project, having had the majority of the work done before, nears completion. Luxury housing has already been sold, and the marinas have been completed. Hotels (with the addition of state-run casinos) should be complete by the start of the next tourist season, and have started to take early reservations at discount.

 

The expansion of the Bahrain International Airport, along with the construction of the monorail connecting it to the Ali Zaahir Casino & Resort, has been completed, and can now service more (and larger) aircraft than ever before.

Edited February 28, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The following vehicles are to be acquired for R&D purposes:

AMX-13/105 Modèle 58

HMMWV

M113 APC

 

The Lycoming XR-7755 engines have been moved to the floating hanger complex.

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The SISS facility at Fakhiri University has been completed, and full scale research has begun. Other research projects are expected to be expedited with the aid of a formal research center.

 

The State Security Commission On Modern Warfare (SSCMW) has been formed, and has been given the task of analyzing the industrial and commercial aspects to modern forces, as well as the task of assisting the SISS on developing small-unit tactics.

 

The fallout shelters underneath the royal residences and the university continue construction.

[End Classified]

 

Fakhiri University, along with the Askar Desalinization Plant, have finished construction and begun operations.

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The following vehicles are to be secured for research.

M60 Patton MBT

T-72 MBT or T-64 MBT

Tornado ADV Interceptor

Daphne-Class Diesel-Electric Submarine

 

[End Classified]

[Uberstein]

The formation of the National Council for the Popular Advisement of the Diarchy (NCPAD) has been announced, and an election of 5 advisers will happen as soon as possible. The NCPAD will function primarily as a purely advisory body, meant to give the Diarchs a system of feedback from the populace. However, the NCPAD will have the ability to veto legislation passed by the Diarchs with a unanimous vote.

 

His Majesty, Abd-Al-Aziz Ibn Ali Zaahir, has personally funded a celebration in the capital, saying, "We march towards the harmonious unity of paternal autocracy and democracy. A Bahrain which will be led by benevolent nobility who knows they must listen to the populace, and supply their needs. I welcome these changes."

 

His Majesty, Amal Ibn Fakhri, commented as well, "Of course, the Diarchy has always respected the rights of the people, and much of the national budget goes towards the various programs and departments which aid our people. Education has been my passion, and the construction of Fakhri University, which is free to citizens of the Diarchy, has been the first step towards ensuring that the people of this nation do not go without. We are small, but that is no excuse for not taking these steps. With the aid of this council, we will be able to determine what exactly the people feel is most pressing, be it jobs, food prices, pensions, any of the countless issues which a nation must deal with."

 

The Royal Office of the Diarchy has also announced that the first action of the NCPAD would be to aid in the creation of a formal constitution and supreme court.

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The formation of the Fakhri-Zaahir Royal Land Force (FZRLF), Fakhri-Zaahir Royal Air Force (FZRAF) & the Fakhri-Zaahir Royal Navy (FZRN) has been approved by the Diarchy. The Air and Sea forces, at this time, are not to be developed outside of basic training vehicles for the Air Force, and organization of a basic officer training program for both.

 

The FZRLF will at once recruit a company-sized force of 100 men and women, and establish an appropriate military hierarchy. This force is to train with the paramilitary SISS forces until such time that a purely military training program has been established. This force is to be kept classified, and recruitment to be done entirely within the ranks of the police and SISS, with non-disclosure agreements under threat of life imprisonment for treason. As it will take time to test and secure enough military-grade equipment for this force, the training courses for now are to use wooden rifles and emphasize hand-to-hand combat and sidearm proficiency.

 

The SSCMW has been given full access to all military communication and records, and will aid in supervising the establishment of the armed forces.

[End Classified]

 

Today, police were forced to use non-lethal force on a group of protesters in the capital. These protestors carried a mix of signs and chanted treasonous slogans, many of which called for the dissolution of the Diarchy and the removal of Bahrain from the "Imperialist claws of the Chinese." The protestors also accused the Diarchy of "selling out" and of "suppressing the traditions of the Bahrahni people." The protest was small, and was easily contained into one street before being dispersed with tear gas and water hoses.

 

Following the protest, and Chief of Police Saifullah Jamal released the following:

"Just like before, this protest is an insignificant portion of the population, who feel that their only way to express themselves is violence. I feel that this may be related to the theocratic movement which we saw before. It is just as well that we get these protests, as it shows us who the subversives are. Treason, religious extremism, and race-fueled violence will not be permitted under my watch, and I have increased security in the capital to ensure that these criminals do not attack tourists."

Edited March 21, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

The National Council for the Popular Advisement of the Diarchy (NCPAD) has formally met for the first time after a successful election.

[Uberstein]

[Classified]

The FZRLF forces are to engage in small-scale war games with the FZRAF, in which the FZRAF will practice ground attack tactics with their training aircraft. The FZRLF in turn is to practice taking cover and engaging hostile aircraft with small arms.

 

Laser designators and receivers have been acquired for use in the war games under the guise of establishing a "Laser Tag" franchise. The SISS and the SSCMW are to act as observers during this operation.

[End Classified]

 

The National Council for the Popular Advisement of the Diarchy continues to deliberate over the contents of the constitution, with several plans having already been rejected by the Diarchy. Among the few points of agreement are basic human rights and the secular nature of the state.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Uberstein

[Uberstein]

The completion of the twin Oasis-Class ships, which have been named after the Diarchs, has been met with much fanfare. The luxury terminals were at capacity as the ships docked to receive their first passengers. The national anthem of the nation was played by live orchestra in what has been deemed the beginning of a worldly Bahrain.

 

In other news, funding for the pan-island monorail system, mentioned in one of the first royal decrees, has finally been secured, and work has begun to make the island of Bahrain less dependent on automobiles.

[Uberstein]

The following decrees have been announced:

"In the spirit of cooperation and peace, the Fakhri-Zaahir state greets and accepts any non-criminal refugees with open arms. These refugees are welcome to apply to become citizens, and if accepted, welcome to be included in the social support networks of the state. All refugees with criminal records will be turned away, and if the extradition policy with the Commonwealth becomes relevant, we will of course respect it."

 

"Extradition of criminals to the Commonwealth is to be allowed with minimal questioning, unless the person in question is a native born citizen of the Fakhri-Zaahir Diarchy. All foreign-born people within the jurisdiction of the state, if they have commited a crime within another Commonwealth nation, will be send to the appropriate jurisdiction without hesitation."