The Athens Times

[Centurius]

With the collapse of another Slavic country in Europe the decision was made to immediately deploy elements of the Second Army into the country to establish order throughout the region. These elements would be joined by forces from the Polish protectorate while the territory would be added to said protectorate to form a greater Slavic protectorate of Athens.

Edited April 6, 2014 by Centurius

[Centurius]

Classified

With the recent collapse of nations in Europe the military readiness level throughout the Athenian Federation would be raised to Gamma.

 

Public

Despite the recent collapse of nations and the need for greater military readiness previous plans to prepare the ever growing Hellenic Forces for combat would remain ongoing. As such a massive exercise including elements of all Hellenic Forces would gather in and near France to participate in a series of simulated battles and the like. The exercises would be some of the longest in Athenian histories with the final stages being months away.

[Kevin Kingswell]

Private

 

To: The Athenian Government

 

From: The Gabon Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

RE: Military equipment

 

Currently the nation of Gabon is in the midst of reorganizing our military to be better suited for defending the nation and its people from outside attack however, our air force is currently all but gone. We have no planes of any kind and though we had wished to design and construct our own it would be too costly in time and resources. Therefore we would like to turn to Athens to assist us in out fitting out air force. We are willing to discuss terms for purchase and maintenance of our air force if Athens is willing.

 

We hope to hear from you.  

[Centurius]

Prince of Orange to Marry Princess of Luxembourg

 

Luxembourg - Earlier today William, Prince of Orange and Alexandra, Princess of Luxembourg have officially announced their engagement. A spokesperson for the couple states that the engagement occurred two months ago but that the decision was made to keep it private until two weeks before the wedding. The timing of the engagement was significant as votes in the Assembly of the People and French National Assembly are planned later this week on the reintegration of Luxembourg and Wallonia as an autonomous Duchy under the Athenian Federation. Should both votes pass several sources have indicated Princess Alexandra, as a relative to the Emperor of Rome, is a favoured candidate for Duchess. As a direct descendent of William of Orange the Prince would grant additional legitimacy to this push for more autonomy. 

[Centurius]

Private

 

To: The Athenian Government

 

From: The Gabon Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

RE: Military equipment

 

Currently the nation of Gabon is in the midst of reorganizing our military to be better suited for defending the nation and its people from outside attack however, our air force is currently all but gone. We have no planes of any kind and though we had wished to design and construct our own it would be too costly in time and resources. Therefore we would like to turn to Athens to assist us in out fitting out air force. We are willing to discuss terms for purchase and maintenance of our air force if Athens is willing.

 

We hope to hear from you.  

Classified Reply

 

Following an internal review of Gabon's military capabilities and an ideal combination between ease of maintenance and combat use we have come with the following combination of aircraft to optimize air defences and provide the capability to engage in limited operations abroad.

 

-60x Eurofighter Typhoon 

-216x Panavia Tornado GR5

-20x Panavia Tornado ADV

-4x Panavia Tornado ECR

 

It has been determined that the current infrastructure will be capable of maintaining the Tornado aircraft, while assistance is required to support the Typhoon aircraft the Hellenic Corps of Engineers can convert some facilities to be able to sustain these more modern aircraft.

[Kevin Kingswell]

 

Classified Reply

 

Following an internal review of Gabon's military capabilities and an ideal combination between ease of maintenance and combat use we have come with the following combination of aircraft to optimize air defences and provide the capability to engage in limited operations abroad.

 

-60x Eurofighter Typhoon 

-216x Panavia Tornado GR5

-20x Panavia Tornado ADV

-4x Panavia Tornado ECR

 

It has been determined that the current infrastructure will be capable of maintaining the Tornado aircraft, while assistance is required to support the Typhoon aircraft the Hellenic Corps of Engineers can convert some facilities to be able to sustain these more modern aircraft.

 

 

Classified Reply

 

The offer provided is more than acceptable by the New Gabon government and military command alike and we will gladly take receipt of the specified aircraft as well as accept the support of the Hellenic Corps of Engineers for converting the necessary facilities. If you would provide us with a cost figure for all of this we will begin to work out a repayment system that hopefully Athens would find agreeable.  

[Centurius]

Transitional Authority of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg Formed, Prince William At Head

 

Luxembourg - With the recent dissolving of the Noord-Unie Staat the Assembly of the People on the recommendations of the Megale Autokrateira has officially formed the Transitional Authority on the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. The authority, composed of fifty individuals with space for another fifty, will maintain full executive, legislative and judicial authority within the territories affected and members have been chosen based on their contributions to and status within society. Prince William, a favoured candidate to lead the state following the conclusion of the transitional period has been named Chairman of the Authority and will take residence in Luxembourg within the Grand Ducal Palace until the security in The Hague can be guaranteed. 

 

One of the first actions passed by the Authority is to pass a general right of return to all Dutch and Belgian citizens forced to leave the country due to past ineffective governments such as Greater Germany and the Noord-Unie Staat.

 

Pending the commission of new armed forces the Hellenic Forces and High Guard have been requested to guarantee the security of the Authority and its members.

 

---

 

Meanwhile elements of the Hellenic Forces in Africa would secure Legion and restore it to the Exarchate.

 

Edit:

 

OOC: The Transitional Authority will also be a place of open rp territory. I am maintaining the same rules as Triyun with one addition, it is a 'country' at war and has not yet fully developed a political system so you will not be allowed to form political parties at this point and inciting resistance will have consequences from law enforcement and military.

Edited April 13, 2014 by Centurius

[Uberstein]

[Classified Message to Dassault & The Athenian Government]

 

The Sudanese Airforce is interested in the purchase of 180 (30 squadrons) of the Dassault Rafale multi-role fighter. Price is no object.

 

[End Classified]

[Centurius]

Dassault would respond with a price indication and upon confirmation and payment begin immediate supply.

[Uberstein]

Payment would be wired to Dassault promptly.

[Kevin Kingswell]

Classified with maximum security message to Athens

 

The New Gabon military would like to start production on two series of submarines for the New Gabon naval fleet. A surface fleet is almost pointless for our nation so our future lies in an underseas fleet. Thus we have designs for two types of submarines one is a type of fast attack submarine that will form the backbone of the New Gabon submarine fleet and the other type is SSBN.

 

However, the reason we are contacting yourselves is that to achieve maximum stealth capabilities the best form of propulsion would be by nuclear and as you know we agreed to stop all nuclear development in Gabon. Therefore we would first like your permission to go ahead with this project and whilst this project was ongoing would welcome Athenian observers to watch over all areas of the project.

[Centurius]

Socialist Majority Government Restored in Assembly, Underwood Replaces Picard

 

Athens - Following one of the most difficult and dirtiest election seasons in the history of Athenian politics the leading coalition of the Socialist Alliance, Green Party and Dove Party has once again obtained an absolute majority in the Assembly of the People, combined with the earlier victory in the Council this gives the Council of Magistrates the ability to pass laws at will.

 

Despite the good news this is for Gabris many consider the New Orleans-native Francis Underwood the true winner of the election as he has managed to move from the Assembly of the People to the office of the Magistrate of Foreign Affairs.

 

In his statement to the world Magistrate Underwood has stated that "now is the time for the Athenian Federation to show it's true power" and to "reinforce global dominion with partners and willing nations to establish a true stable global order". He went on to state that in coordination with the Magistrate of Defence a new program has been launched to build another 1260 aircraft for the Hellenic Air Force and to expand the Hellenic Navy. He has also announced his intent to reorganize the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[Centurius]

Despite Europe remaining the focus for now situations beyond the continent had not escaped the eye of the Hellenic Forces, to be able to respond more effectively to the situation in southern Africa elements of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets operating in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean respectively were ordered to establish positions closer to the Cape. Additionally at the Athenian base in Puerto Vallerta increased security precautions would be taken due to the ongoing dispute leaving the fate of the lands next to the base still disputed. 

[Centurius]

With ownership of the Low Countries a fact the Transitional Authority would spare no effort to bring back the country from devastation. From the population of the newly liberated territories the best and brightest would be chosen to become part of the Authority and together with the current members represent the population in this vital period of transition. The one hundred chosen would formally take residence at the Binnenhof in The Hague. Once seated one of their first actions would be the execution of the previously announced right of return. During the war tens of thousands had formally applied and now their return would be facilitated. Additionally several hundred personnel from the Hellenic Forces of Dutch origin were formally discharged and allowed to return to the Low Countries where they would become leading members of the Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten formed to maintain order and secure the country. Supplied from Athenian strategic reserves these soldiers, and fifty thousand from all parts of the new country would form ten 'Oranje Brigades' and were deployed throughout the country. With that established the Hellenic Army and Hellenic Marine Corps would withdraw from the country with the exception of keeping some forces in major cities to act as a deterrent against possible foreign actors. For now order would be maintained while the future of the Low Countries was to be negotiated in The Hague.

[Centurius]

​Remembrance of the Dead in Low Countries

 

Amsterdam, Transitional Authority of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg - Despite the liberation of the Dutch territories having happened mere days ago the population of the Low Countries has come together to remember the dead of the last war and all those before it since World War 2. In a tradition that has existed since the end of the second World War but abandoned since the rise of the original Martencist German state a sense of collective suffering and survival has been restored. Events happen throughout the country but the most significant is the remembrance at the war monument on the Dam in Amsterdam.

 

At 19.50 exactly the Commissioner of Defence, Cynthia Vermeer, addressed the thousands that had come, saying the following "During the National Remebrance we remember all, civilian and military, who in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg or anywhere in the world, died or were murdered after the start of the second World War, and in all wars and peacekeeping operations after. All memories of these come together during the National Remembrance. At 20.00 it will be silent throughout the Transitional Authority, two minutes of silence in which we realize that we can be here for two minutes in peace and freedom. In remembrance for all those who died we offer these wreaths at the National Monument."

Edited May 4, 2014 by Centurius

[Centurius]

Operation Chupacabra

 

All forces inside the Atlantic Free State are ordered to maximum readiness and to fully mobilize.

[Centurius]

Retaking the Serbs

With the apparent immediate reversion to anarchy upon independence the Ministry of Imperial Affairs would formally revoke Serbian independence and restore it to a protectorate status. Hellenic Military Police would detain the leadership to have them investigated on charges of inefficient government.

[Centurius]

Terrorist Attack in Damascus

 

Damascus, Phoenicia - Dozens were killed earlier today in a car bombing in front of the regional headquarters of the Socialist Alliance in Damascus. According to the Damascus Police Department 56 were killed and another 100 wounded. 

 

The explosion came during the busiest time of the day and on the eve of the Socialist National Congress in Rome, while no party has claimed responsibility yet the location of the blast has caused police departments throughout the Federation to increase security at Socialist Alliance property and at the houses of important individuals within the party. The High Guard has announced they will not be taking special measures at this point in time.

[Beauty]

The Rotavelic States of Europe are deeply saddened by the act of Terrorism in Damascus and hope for The Athenian Federation to recover quickly.

[Centurius]

The Rotavelic States of Europe are deeply saddened by the act of Terrorism in Damascus and hope for The Athenian Federation to recover quickly.

"We thank the RSE for their sentiment"

 

---

 

70 Deaths, 86 Wounded, Still No Suspect

 

Damascus, Phoenicia - The number of death continues to rise as emergency services prove barely capable to deal with the aftermath of the car bomb detonated in Damascus earlier today. 

 

From police departments and military assets throughout the region reinforcements are being sent to Damascus while nearby hospitals prepare to take on wounded while teams from the Ministry of Health have started the long and difficult process of identifying all the dead. 

 

In a public statement the Imperial Administrator of Phoenicia has said she strongly condemns the attack against innocents and will guarantee the swift capture and prosecution of those responsible. This promise may prove empty however as both the Damascus Police Department and the anti-terrorism task force of the Imperial Police Department struggle to find any leads and no party has yet to come forward claiming responsibility. 

 

Following the news the Megale Autokrateira has made an initial statement condemning the attack and expressing sympathy for the death, wounded and their families. She has also cancelled her plans to join her family at the Winter Palace and will fly to Damascus to personally visit the site of the attack.

[Zoot Zoot]

Nordboerne Kongedømme strongly condemns these cowardly attacks against our friends in Athens and we send our deepest sympathies to those in mourning.

[Centurius]

General of the Guard Killed in Shooting, Related to Damascus Attack?

 

Athens - Only a day after the attacked that killed 70 a drive-by shooting in Athens killed Adam Antrhis, the General of the Guard and most senior officer within the High Guard responsible for the protection of the Athenian government and diplomats.

 

The shooting comes as a shock as it is the first murder in Athens in the last two decades. The Imperial Police Department has closed off the scene and forensics teams have been sent in to gather as much evidence as they can. In an initial joint statement by the High Guard and the Imperial Police Department they pledged to find those responsible and will continue to guarantee the security of all those under High Guard protection. They have also stated that the murder of the General does not impact the security of anyone under High Guard protection. 

 

When asked if investigators believed the murder to be linked to the terrorist attack the spokesperson for the IPD stated it was too soon for those kind of conclusions but that they are investigating every angle.

 

The Magistrate of Defence has authorized the Hellenic Army to aid in the protection of government buildings.

[Centurius]

Arrest Made in Athens Shooting

 

Athens - Mere hours after the shooting the Imperial Police Department has made an arrest in the case. Iason Sanna, a 20-year old Athens native, was arrested only 3 blocks away from the site of the shooting with what the IPD believes to be the gun used to kill the General of the Guard. While they believe to have the man responsible in custody now the IPD has stated it will continue investigating the case and is not yet ready to close it.

 

While the spokesperson has declined to give specifics he has stated that initial interrogations had proven unsuccessful and that they were unable to determine a motive so for or for that matter if others were involved.

[Centurius]

Terrorist Attack on Socialist National Congress, Thousands Dead, Tens of Thousands Wounded

 

Rome, Italia - Despite all the measures taken the Federation is once again rocked by terrorism, this time of unknown proportions. At 4pm exactly explosions came from the conference centre where the Socialist National Congress was held. Mere minutes later additional explosions released radioactive materials into the building and the area. Initial reports state that thousands died in the initial explosions and that the amount infected with radiation and other injuries is in the tens of thousands. 

 

Authorities have yet to comment officially on the incident however sources have reported that the Imperial Administrator of Italia has ordered the Home Guard to mobilize and deploy to the area to aid emergency services. 

 

This is a developing story.

[Centurius]

Greatest Attack Against Athens in Modern History, State of Emergency

 

Athens - Still dealing with the effects of the terrorist attack against the Socialist National Congress the Magistrate of Intelligence and National Security has made a formal statement regarding the attack and the moves made by the Italian Home Guard to secure the area.

 

At 3.55 a telephone call was made to the IPD terror hotline reporting the presence of an explosive device at the Socialist National Congress, despite the best efforts to set up an evacuation the first explosions at 4.00 destroyed any possibility of an orderly evacuations as the 40,000 people inside the building rushed to emergency exits. While these first explosions were conventional additional devices designed to spread some kind of radioactive material had been set up at various emergency exits dealing a fatal blow of radiation to the immediate area and a significant amount in the rest of the building. According to official records 6,700 people died from the blasts and the radiation so far while another 5,600 were subjected to an almost certainly deadly amount of radiation and 25,198 were subjected to treatable amounts making it the single deadliest attack against the Athenian homeland in its history. Charon Karagounis, the Magistrate of Internal Affairs, and Konstantinos Papagos, the Magistrate of Labour, were among the fatalities as were a number of Assemblymen, -women and Councillors belonging to the Socialist Alliance.

 

In a televised statement the Megale Autokrateira has declared the attack an act of cowardice and the day the darkest in the history of the Athenian Federation, she went on to state that there would be no mercy for those responsible and declared a state of emergency authorizing the immediate deployment of all branches of the Hellenic Forces on Athenian soil. She also instructed the Hellenic Border Police to close off all borders, called up the reserves and nationalized the various Home Guards to aid the Hellenic Forces and Border Police in securing the state. Athenian airspace has been closed to all aircraft with the exception of the Hellenic Air Force which is tasked with enforcing this no-fly zone. 

 

Despite the swift action taken following the attack many voices inside Parliament and the military have been critical of the government's recent attitudes towards national security and have accused the IPD, Imperial Intelligence and High Guard in general but the Magistrate of Intelligence and National Security in specific of ignoring obvious threats and allowing the attacks of the last few days to happen. A group of members of parliament, headed by the Magistrate of Foreign Affairs Francis Underwood, who was at the SNC but managed to get out with minor injuries, have called for the creation of a special committee tasked with investigating all relevant branches to find those responsible in government. The vote for the creation of such a Committee is expected to pass.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Centurius