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The Shinra Republic hereby declares its intention to attend the First International Convention on the Laws of the Sea. In recognition of the historic importance of this event, the President has announced he will be personally attending, and urges fellow world leaders to do the same.

The Sovereign Duchy of Baerne shall send a delegation to the conference. We support any attempt to make the high seas a safer place for commerce.

EDIT:

Baernish News Service
File BNS-4

In yet another recent press release, the Duke of Baerne announced that he shall personally attend the First International Confernence on the Laws of the Sea.

Representative of the People to Attend Talks

Topics include WMD proliferation and anti-piracy measures

In a press conference earlier today, the Glorious People's Minister of Public Affairs announced that our nation would also be sending a delegation to the unprecedented summit. In addition, the Representative of the People Losonti Tokash would also attend, to show the GPRDB's commitment to peace.

The summit, which has been hyped as the largest of its kind, will start in less than two weeks. It will cover a wide range of topics, focusing primarily on nuclear proliferation and various maritime treaties.

It also represents an opportunity for our Representative to meet personally with our glorious allies in the Fungal Axis, a rare occurrence given our relative geographic isolation from other member states. The Glorious People's Ministry of Public Affairs issued a statement after the press conference stating their confidence that the diplomatic team will be able to secure foreign aid for the purpose of reclaiming the wastes.

I accept this invitation to this conference, on behalf of the Monarhcy of the Mermaid and to argue on the behalf of the Alliance for AN&SD.

And what's this about Mermish gunfights?

His Majesty, King Zor-I, Leader Protector and Defender of the Sovereign Kingdom of Zoria and Lord Protector of the Commonwealth has declared that he shall attend this summit. In praticular we are prepared to debate on the issues of Nautical boarders, rise of piracy and the policy in regards to WMDs, in praticular that of biological weapons.

Zor

And now time for the BBC news hour

...."In other news the Foreign Minster announced Representatives from His Majesties Government would be attending the upcoming conference. The government is still seeking agreement on the issue of the laws of the sea and is holding fast to the 22 mile limit purposed earlier."

"In National News the second launch complex should be completed next month in the city of Outer Heaven, the original launch complex was to small hold all of the purposed Space-based projects the Crown has requested. The second launch complex was funded in part from the Crown's own purse along with technical help from the Red Technocracy."

"The Space Minster today announced that by the end of this year (OOC:April 12th/OOC) the first ever on our world GPS and Weather system would be completed. Thanks to the highly aggressive focus by his Majesties government the UKB is the first country to be able to claim that they can successfully put a man into orbit. It's expected that by the end of this month just such an operation will be launched. The Space minster added that manned space exploration was not at this time the goal of the UKB, but a happy byproduct of the UKB's dedication to get the fully comprehensive satellite system in place for a future Global Positioning system.

The Space Minster added that it had cost old Earth America over 18 billion dollars to get to the point at which they could even think about launching Apollo missions which cost them a further 135 Billion dollars on top of that. While exact numbers have not been released the Government confirms the program to date has cost roughly 41 billion dollars including construction of both launch complexes, the training involved and the materials need to construct the orbital craft. It should be noted that the satellites themselves cost only 44 million dollars to make, while the rockets used to launch them into space costs twice times that at just over 90 million dollars. The total cost of all 200 orbital craft and rockets is estimated at just over 240 billion dollars. Which is why the project is not due to be complete for another two years at present."

The Red Techocracy delegation, consisting of Secretary General Stanislav and the Foreign Ministry, including Foreign Minister Vilen, has arrived in the Airport of Acadia on a special An-225 diplomatic transport, and moved to the Congress Hall in their armored ZILs.

We would like to discuss the recent naval tensions, to establish the International Law of the Seas, and the problem of weapons of mass destruction proliferation.

Our proposals are:
1) establish a free inspection rule regarding the Nuclear and Biologic Weapons of Mass Destruction - this rule allows any nation to freely send inspectors to the nation which has a nuclear programme, to determine the threat assessment level correctly at least.

This is not aimed at curtailing the production of nukes, which would be impossible - many states remain isolationist and would probably develop them no matter what our Conference decides - however, to ensure at least basic trust between Conference attendees, this rule would be essential.

Biologial weapons however should not be developed, and should be banned, due to the dangerousness of possible outbreaks as well as a greater possibility for terrorist use than Nuclear Weapons. Any nation found to be creating biological weapons should be penalized, and if it fails to stop the program, it should be stopped from doing so through military force.

2) the International Law of the Seas should allow any vessels, trade or otherwise, to pass in the straits and seas between the attendee nations; territorial waters do not extend more than 10 miles off-coast to allow free passage of freight and supply ships to places currently requiring such resupply (like the military operation in Syndromia and possible future operations of that sort).

It should also make mandatory for Attendee nations to warn of naval exercises and the movement of navies. In case a nation covertly moves it's navy, it could be penalized by the decision of the relevant Treaty or Pact members who felt threatened due to lack of information about those movements.

The High Lord of Strumpegård has has in a press summit declared that he is to attend the confrence.


In other news, civil unrest rocks Dracoville as citizens armed with stones and molotov cocktail attack police stations and other goverment installations. Police and state militia units dispersed the protestors with water canons and teargas. Several of the suspected ringleaders was arrested and is under intergation.

The Duchy of Langley is announcing that it will dispatch several observers to the First International Convention on the Laws of the Sea. Also, it is waiting on the status of its applications of membership for OMSK and the FUNGAL AXIS.

BBC
"In Science news, New Earth's first GPS system came online today as the first half dozen satellites have settled into GEO-Orbit in and around the UKB. The Space Minster announced an aggressive plan of one launch a week starting two months from now and going until the end of the year"

"In International news the Lonestar Republic Military has hotly denied the pictures posted today where in fact Hull-shots of two ships taken while the LR Navy was engaging in exercises off-shore of the UKB. The UKB Goverment issued the photo's this morning along with a statement that they had been taken while the LR's Navy had been conducting exercises just off the UKB coast. The photo's themselves the Government said were taken by the HMS Wayrest which had been laying doggo outside UKB International waters. The UKB Navy also separately published a copy of five minutes of the HMS Wayrest tracking parties copy of the ongoing exercise."

The Hammer

THE ECONOMIC MINISTRY IS ALARMED BUT CANNOT FIND ENDS
It seems that errors in ECSOC programming led to accounting errors, which led to shortages of goods allocated to some remote regions of the nation.

The Ministry of Economic Planning has investigated whether this is a simple error of a machine, stealing due to corruption, or loss of funds due to incompetence, but has been unable to find the ends in ECSOC. It seems as if the machine was unwilling to provide information beyond a certain point.

The Bureau of Programmers tampered with it for a few days, but has been unable to discover the cause of loss. The sum is really enormous, around 30 billion roubles.

The Ministry of Economy has been observing a massive drain of funds from the economy. However, some sectors have shown good progress in the past months, and the PRAVDA reported a corrected 200% increase in the additional space exploration program funding.

The ECSOC has assured that the economy remains stable and most basic needs are provided for; the country's private sector, especially in the food, light and agriculture industry, grew rapidly for around 20%, which, as ECSOC has evaluated, will make up for the unprecended losses. Food exports have likewise increased. Domestic supply remains stable.

A second GLADOS satellite has been launched by a basic carrier the Molniya rocket today; mass celebrations across Korolev.

OMSK Pact Communique:

Proud to announce that the Duchy of Langley has been accepted into the OMSK pact by the so-far majority member vote

News from the Qudlivun Free State

The Qudlivun Free State Ministry for Foreign Affairs has announced the government's intentions to attend the First International Conference on the Law of the Sea, a naval protocol this nation proposed and is a party to. "In light of our original proposal," began Minister Fredrick Isgrig, "it would be silly to not attend international talks on the Law of the Sea."

The Ministry of Defense has announced that construction of 12 new Kilurki class patrol boats has begun and will be constructed over the six months at an estimated cost equivalent of $20 million USD (paid upon completion and delivery). The ships will be produced in batches of 6 each and each batch from construction to shake down and outfitting will take approximately 3 months. The Ministry is still accepting frigate or destroyer designs for the MSDF flagship.

- Country Name: Grand Duchy of Baal
- Capital: Sanguinius
- Land Area: 9,104 Square KM Island
- Location: 100 miles off Southeast coast of Shinra Republic
- Population: 300,000
- GDP: $6,250,000,000 USD per year
- Main Export: Rum
- Military:
Active Army (~3000 Personnel):
1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team
-Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company
-1 Recon Squadron
--Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
--3 Recon Troops
---14 M3A3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles/Company
-2 Combined Arms Battalions
--Headquarters and Headquarters Company
--2 Infantry Companies
---14 M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles/Company
--2 Armor Companies
---14 M1A2SEP Abrams/Company
-1 Fires Battalion
--Headquarters and Headquarters Battery
--Q-36 Radar
--Q-37 Radar
--Target Acquisition Battery
--3 Firing Batteries
---8 PzH2000 SP Howitzers/Battery
--1 MLRS Battery
---8 M270A1 MLRS
-1 Brigade Support Battalion
--Headquarters and Headquarters Company
--Distribution Company
--Maintenance Company
--Medical Company
-1 Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB)
--BSTB Headquarters and Headquarters Company
--MI CO
--Signal CO
--Engineer CO
--Air Defense Artillery Company
---6 Platoons of 8 Avengers each.
--UAV Company
---16 Predator UAVs
-1 Aviation Battalion
--Headquarters and Headquarters Company
--1 Assault Company (UH-60)
---10 UH-60M Blackhawks
--1 Heavy Lift Company (CH-53)
---10 CH-53K Super Stallions
--1 Recon Company (RAH-66)
---10 RAH-66 Comanches
--3 Attack Companies (AH-64D)
---10 AH-64D Longbows/Company
Navy:
-2 Legend Class Maritime Security Cutters
-4 Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutters
-8 Famous Class Medium Endurance Cutters
-8 Reliance Class Medium Endurance Cutters



The Grand Duchy of Baal requests an alliance with the Shinra Republic.

The Secretary General is alarmed at the fact the Grand Duchy of Baal wields 24 F-22 Raptors, and immediately raises the following question on the 1st Grand Conference of Nations:

1) Who sold to Duchy of Baal advanced arms far beyond it's means.
2) What rules shall we make regarding arms proliferation - free arms exports? Even if nukes or WMDs are exported to small states?

What say you, other honourable delegates of this great body?

Mangka Daily News

MOFA Diplomatic Missions in St. George

[Wanhua] J.S. Jan, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the MOFA is participatng for a series of diplomatic missions in The Most Curious Kingdom of St. George.

The first of these missions is the First International Conference on the Laws of the Sea, held at St. George. Recent events have urged the international community to take notice on various issues.

The second of these missions is to meet with L.T. Chai, the Mang diplomat at St. George. Chai has been in talks with St. George officials over various cooperation projects. According to sources, it is expected that there will be a 10 member visiting scholar program assisting the Acadian Institute of Technology's biotech department development, as well as interisland transportation, starting with a rapid ferry between Shingang and St. George. A Mangka based pharmaceutical company will also set a branch in St. George, although company names have yet to be decided, it would likely be one of the two companies based in southern Mangka.


Gang War in Legislative Hall

[Wanhua] A massive fight occured in the Legislative Hall today, caused by alleged gang based legislators.

During a provisional motion, the non-partisan legislator F.J. Luo suddenly took a can of chicken blood and poured it on another non-partisan legislator, Q.R. Deng's head. A fistfight immediately followed, and although a couple of legislators tried to separate them, more came in to give a punch or two on Luo or Deng, suddenly 50 out of the 130 members of the Hall were in a chaotic brawl around the podium. The Hall President had to call in security to stop the fight.

It has been long rumored that Luo and Deng are opposing gang members and with the recent personnel quake, it is rumored that Deng's gang has lost much power in the government, and they are hampering Luo's gang for retaliation by leaking gang information to authorities, including those in other nations where the Triads have their operations.


Edit: OOC: Changed "preparing" into "participating" since the Conference has begun.

The Shadow Empire shall attend the conference and hopes that good things will come from it.

The Emperor has expressed that he will support the 22 mile limit, that has been proposed.

Stas Bush wrote:The Secretary General is alarmed at the fact the Grand Duchy of Baal wields 24 F-22 Raptors, and immediately raises the following question on the 1st Grand Conference of Nations:

1) Who sold to Duchy of Baal advanced arms far beyond it's means.
2) What rules shall we make regarding arms proliferation - free arms exports? Even if nukes or WMDs are exported to small states?

What say you, other honourable delegates of this great body?

We have a contract with Lockheed Martin/Boing to produce the F22. Being as we can buy toilet seats for only $10 instead of the $10000 that the US does, we are able to produce the F22 at 10% of the cost that the US does. At $33.9 Million per F22, this is a total cost of ~$800 Million. We spread the payments over a 5 year period, and the amount the we have not paid we put into a high yield saving account to earn some of the money back.

Shinn Langley Soryu wrote:The Duchy of Langley is announcing that it will dispatch several observers to the First International Convention on the Laws of the Sea. Also, it is waiting on the status of its applications of membership for OMSK and the FUNGAL AXIS.

Perhaps due to a breakdown in communication, Shroomania would like to repeat its statement of accepting the Duchy of Langley into the FUNGAL AXIS.

Shroom Man 777 wrote:Shroomania happily accepts the Sovereign Duchy of Baerne and the Duchy of Langley into the FUNGAL AXIS! Shroomanian defense corporations are currently in discussion with the Baernish Minister of War in regards to the provision of weaponry.

Shroomanian corporations have stated that the development of air travel would alleviate these communication problems - pointing out the international over-reliance on shipping as a problem to be surpassed.



The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
CONFERENCE OF CONCERN

Prime Minister Shroom the Seven Hundred Seventy Seventh surprised many by personally traveling to The Most Curious Kingdom of St. George for the Grand Conference, as many did not expect the Prime Minister's arrival.

The Prime Minister's personal convoy moved to the Congress Hall of St. George where, for the very first time, he personally met his ally and close friend, Secretary General Stanislav. The two quickly agreed to the proposals made by the Secretary General (who was first to arrive for the Conference) in regards to the proliferation of WMDs and the International Laws of the Sea.

The Prime Minister also expressed disapproval over significant arms shipments made in secret, perhaps alluding to the recent announcements of the Grand Duchy of Baal - stating that the proliferation of advanced weaponry should not be concealed to the world public.

Prime Minister Shroom is expected to release secret Shadow Empire intelligence documents later in the Conference.


[General Deathdealer: The wikipedia F-22 article says that the Unit cost US$137.5 million (2008 flyaway cost)]

A new map.

General Deathdealer wrote:We have a contract with Lockheed Martin/Boing to produce the F22.

But which SD Nation hosts this military corporation? We would like to be informed on which sovereign subject has allowed a small nation to procure such advanced arms.

[@ all: just to make sure, dear conference attendees, that the Secretary General is very displeased by the fact that a large Mess nation can pick on KoM fishermen when KoM did not get any advanced weaponries, eh "ready to teach those shrimp-farmers a thing or two if they want to play with the big boys", but when a Mess-allied small nation suddenly gets an armed-to-the teeth miltary WAY in excess of what is allowed to it by OP (the F-22s sure are not) nothing happens - when those weapons were CLEARLY supplied by the MESS?

This is really strange, perhaps we should in a move of diplomacy, accept K of Mermaid into O.M.S.K. and sell it some ASMs. To get a point across]

The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel wrote: Prime Minister Shroom is expected to release secret Shadow Empire intelligence documents later in the Conference.


[General Deathdealer: The wikipedia F-22 article says that the Unit cost US$137.5 million (2008 flyaway cost)]

Prime Minister Shroom would also like to say that while the FUNGAL AXIS and the O.M.S.K. Pact have strived to avoid upsetting its neighbors with uncalled for proliferation, it seems as though other parties have other plans - including the destabilization of the region.

To peacefully resolve the subject, I would be happy to change our air force from the F-22 to the F/A-18.

Shroom Man 777 wrote:

The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel wrote: Prime Minister Shroom is expected to release secret Shadow Empire intelligence documents later in the Conference.


[General Deathdealer: The wikipedia F-22 article says that the Unit cost US$137.5 million (2008 flyaway cost)]

I was looking at the program coat that included R&D. That is where the $339 Million per aircraft came from.

[@ F-22 cost: look, they are not allowed to be had at start point for Duchies per the OP. This means either he bought them, or was given them from the Mess, OR he should start up his own R&D from startpoint, which is going to take many many YEARS to make that plane, not to mention the R&D costs wrecking his economy

For starters:

A military of 1,000-2,500 personel (depending on US) and a basic fleet of a couple of Patrol boats and choppers for naval policing

Duchies, you get THIS at startpoint.

I will now rundown the Duchy list and those found with an active modern airforce will have some explaining to do]

Understood. I shall edit my above post to list us as having the F/A-18.

EDIT: If Switzerland has them, then I think I should be able to have them

General Deathdealer wrote:To peacefully resolve the subject, I would be happy to change our air force from the F-22 to the F/A-18.

The Prime Minister Shroom expresses relief that this issue has been resolved so quickly without misunderstanding. Clearly, there is something good to this Conference after all