Zodno-Pomorskie War Continues
ZP Defense Up $200M; Civilian Risks; Queen Mother in ZP
REPUBLIC OF ZODNO-POMORSKIE -- The Republican government of Zodno-Pomorskie (ZP) today announced its latest approved budget. It increased its defense spending an additional $200 Million, for 22% of the overall national budget. Total spending is now $7.66 Billion. Law enforcement was an additional 28%, or $9.75 Billion.
The government continues to lack coordinated investments in healthcare, education, transportation and welfare. The zloty slid slightly to 4.5995 against the dollar in foreign exchanges.
The $200 Million spending increase was due to a last minute public-private consortium to launch the nation's first domestically-produced military spacecraft. The details of the purpose or mission of the launch vehicle and payload have not been disclosed, but already local retail businesses, including a popular local soft drink company, were accepted as sponsors of the mission to increase patriotism and boost the economy.
SLI Sector defense contractors, in unison with the corporation that produces "Bouncy Bubble Beverage" were turned down for a competing bid. The ZP government wished it to be an exclusively domestic consortium.
Counterterroism Operations Continue
Since the terrorist incidents, both military and paramilitary police units have been operating in tight integration for common defense of the nation. The Frontier Corps, Militia and other ad hoc units were quickly adapting to situations on the ground.
More activity was reported along the Wilk front, with Republican forces staging counterterrorist operations and even forays deep into the wilderness areas, once thought to be safe havens for the Wilk separatist movement.
So far, irregulars of Wilk have been somewhat neutral to Kingdom of Listeneisse forces. But a hard core of insurgents, reputed to be sponsored by the Empire of Fujikawa were believed responsible for various terrorist attacks and bomb blasts in recent months.
Listeneisse Civilians Drawn Further into Conflict
Military planners were still wondering what to do against the threat from the sea if there was to be an attack by the Empire of Fujikawa. It has stationed its massive fleet off the coast, and has been performing miltary exercises in preparation for a declared intent to invade.
Last minute diplomatic protests by the Kingdom of Listeneisse halted the invasion, at least temporarily. It remains to be seen what will unfold in the coming days. Tensions in the capital remain high.
All requests for comment by members of the Ministry of Defense or armed services were refused, as this was a tightly-controlled diplomatic situation.
Besides Listeneisse's purely military commitments, over 30,000 civilians attached to the peacekeeping effort are also in country, with more expected as the violence of the counteroffensive against Wilk increases. This included diplomatic corps, law enforcement (such as intelligence agents and analysts, Royal Forestry, and Constabulary), defense contractors (everything from personal security firms to radio tower technicians and unexploded ordnance specialists), customs officials, plus medical and humanitarian aid workers.
A member of the Foreign Secretary's office spoke under condition of anonymity that "forces were fully prepared in case of any eventuality," yet hoped that sanity and peace might still prevail.
Professor M. M. Bleise of the Royal University, an expert in foreign policy, offered his opinion, "I think we know full well who is behind the recent violence in RZP [Republic of Zodno-Pomorskie]. This began as a UN mission dedicated to the national sovereignty of a people. Each small nation in the world has to face this sort of threat from larger and far more hostile neighbors."
He contrasted the plight of the people of Zodno-Pomorskie with our nation's own history, "Recall the Kingdom of Listeneisse during its infancy. We had to dedicate 10% of our GDP to national defense for exactly this reason. Zodno-Pomorskie is in that same position -- quite at risk. But unlike us, it actually was attacked by foreigners, or foreign-sponsored insurgents, during its time of great economic weakness. To force a small nation into such a state of militarization is crippling for a people. If they manage to stave off these incursions, it can galvanize them as a nation and will be seen patriotically in decades and centuries to come. If they fail to rally in a united purpose, you can see the nation carved up into Zodno, Pomorskie, and a few other small claimed territories, such as Kilani Protectorate Zone."
Queen Mother Visits Zodno-Pomorskie
In a surprise visit, the aged Queen Mother came to Zodno-Pomorskie. She was escorted by members of the Order of the Knights of the Temple of the Holy Grail (KOTHG).
Taking both Listeneisse and ZP officials by surprise, she did not bother with state visits but went directly to a field hospital run on behalf of the UN International Red Cross Organization (UN IRCO) staffed by sisters of the Order of the Grey Nuns (OGN).
There, she donned hospital nurse garb and began to work with the local medical staff for the care of trauma victims, many of them children suffering from gunshot and explosives wounds.
Word of her visit spread only after she had been in ZP for a full day and a half. When reporters from the Times-Herald finally met with her during a break from her duties in hospital, the aged but still doughty royal had this to say.
"When We heard that there was going to be a war, We wished to come and be part of it. In Our own way. We wanted to see whether these nations truly understood the suffering they were causing. Whether their people truly supported these means to achieve whatever ends their leaders sought. Whatever profits they hoped to make, We wanted them to see the cost on the balance sheet of their souls. For now, We shall work here to heal and to care for what others have put to grief. If there is anything that We would ask of them it would be this: to act nobly in spirit. For this quality of how profits are made, and the suffering that is required to produce them, is the true differentiation between wealth and mere money."
The Queen Mother, it is to be noted, has usually not spoken with the royal plural since her retirement upon the death of her husband, Parzival XIII. Since then, she has lived a modest life of charitable works on behalf of the Kingdom. She has never taken a public political stand on any matter of foreign policy before this.
She then broke from her formal declaration and added this candid remark of a personal basis.
"I am a mother. And I know what my son is doing to stop this crisis. I came here to be with these sons and daughters of our nation. Those who have chosen to aid in this crisis, many volunteers who have put aside jobs and families to be here, to assure them that our nation and our royal family cares about their fate. I came here also to care for the people of Zodno-Pomorskie. These poor, dear children who have been made fatherless, and motherless, or have had their own bodies torn apart from the fighting. I can only wonder what the mothers of other nations involved in this event are thinking. Especially the mothers of their leaders. I wonder what they might do, to help morally counsel and aid their own sons and daughters at this time."
"We recently passed domestic law for equal rights for women. Well, here I am, an equal participant in the war here. Only, I shall not pick up a weapon. I am here to heal, not harm."
The Queen Mother surely did not need to pick up a weapon. The Grail Templar contingent that protects her is dressed in white surcoats with red crosses, but do not mistake them for unarmed aid workers. They bear the Cross of St. Josephus in rememberance of the struggles fought by Christians to survive in a world frought with cynicism and war. They are armed to fight such a war.
The bodyguard of the Queen Mother is small. Roughly a platoon in size. Other Royal Army units responding to Her presence were sent away. Many of the Templars are not allowed to stand around, but are required to also aid in medical treatment for the hospital. Many of them are trained surgeons, doctors and dentists who were selected for their ability to provide security as well as pragmatic care.
They differentiate themselves from other soldiers participating in the UN peacekeeping mission and Red Cross personnel by not wearing the blue UN helmet. Instead, their helmets were lined specifically for this mission in purple. Their red crosses are also thinner and extend to the end of their surcoats, unlike the truncated Greek cross of the Red Cross.
In fact, most Red Cross vehicles operated by the Kingdom of Listeneisse are now starting to sport the "Red Crystal." It is a hollow diamond shape, neutral in religion, to encompass all religious and secular Red Cross volunteers.
The Queen Mother, for her part, wears the traditional Red Cross, as do the nurses and workers of the Order of Grey Nuns and the Order of White Monks (OWM) working in the nation.
After her break, she once again began her duties, which were to be conducted in private between the Red Cross staff and their patients.
The ZP government officially claims casualty figures in the hundreds, but other reports put casualties in the thousands nationwide since the fighting began. Regardless of the actual figure used, based on the cries of sirens arriving at the Red Cross aid station, the number was going to continue to rise for some time to come.
ZP Defense Up $200M; Civilian Risks; Queen Mother in ZP
REPUBLIC OF ZODNO-POMORSKIE -- The Republican government of Zodno-Pomorskie (ZP) today announced its latest approved budget. It increased its defense spending an additional $200 Million, for 22% of the overall national budget. Total spending is now $7.66 Billion. Law enforcement was an additional 28%, or $9.75 Billion.
The government continues to lack coordinated investments in healthcare, education, transportation and welfare. The zloty slid slightly to 4.5995 against the dollar in foreign exchanges.
The $200 Million spending increase was due to a last minute public-private consortium to launch the nation's first domestically-produced military spacecraft. The details of the purpose or mission of the launch vehicle and payload have not been disclosed, but already local retail businesses, including a popular local soft drink company, were accepted as sponsors of the mission to increase patriotism and boost the economy.
SLI Sector defense contractors, in unison with the corporation that produces "Bouncy Bubble Beverage" were turned down for a competing bid. The ZP government wished it to be an exclusively domestic consortium.
Counterterroism Operations Continue
Since the terrorist incidents, both military and paramilitary police units have been operating in tight integration for common defense of the nation. The Frontier Corps, Militia and other ad hoc units were quickly adapting to situations on the ground.
More activity was reported along the Wilk front, with Republican forces staging counterterrorist operations and even forays deep into the wilderness areas, once thought to be safe havens for the Wilk separatist movement.
So far, irregulars of Wilk have been somewhat neutral to Kingdom of Listeneisse forces. But a hard core of insurgents, reputed to be sponsored by the Empire of Fujikawa were believed responsible for various terrorist attacks and bomb blasts in recent months.
Listeneisse Civilians Drawn Further into Conflict
Military planners were still wondering what to do against the threat from the sea if there was to be an attack by the Empire of Fujikawa. It has stationed its massive fleet off the coast, and has been performing miltary exercises in preparation for a declared intent to invade.
Last minute diplomatic protests by the Kingdom of Listeneisse halted the invasion, at least temporarily. It remains to be seen what will unfold in the coming days. Tensions in the capital remain high.
All requests for comment by members of the Ministry of Defense or armed services were refused, as this was a tightly-controlled diplomatic situation.
Besides Listeneisse's purely military commitments, over 30,000 civilians attached to the peacekeeping effort are also in country, with more expected as the violence of the counteroffensive against Wilk increases. This included diplomatic corps, law enforcement (such as intelligence agents and analysts, Royal Forestry, and Constabulary), defense contractors (everything from personal security firms to radio tower technicians and unexploded ordnance specialists), customs officials, plus medical and humanitarian aid workers.
A member of the Foreign Secretary's office spoke under condition of anonymity that "forces were fully prepared in case of any eventuality," yet hoped that sanity and peace might still prevail.
Professor M. M. Bleise of the Royal University, an expert in foreign policy, offered his opinion, "I think we know full well who is behind the recent violence in RZP [Republic of Zodno-Pomorskie]. This began as a UN mission dedicated to the national sovereignty of a people. Each small nation in the world has to face this sort of threat from larger and far more hostile neighbors."
He contrasted the plight of the people of Zodno-Pomorskie with our nation's own history, "Recall the Kingdom of Listeneisse during its infancy. We had to dedicate 10% of our GDP to national defense for exactly this reason. Zodno-Pomorskie is in that same position -- quite at risk. But unlike us, it actually was attacked by foreigners, or foreign-sponsored insurgents, during its time of great economic weakness. To force a small nation into such a state of militarization is crippling for a people. If they manage to stave off these incursions, it can galvanize them as a nation and will be seen patriotically in decades and centuries to come. If they fail to rally in a united purpose, you can see the nation carved up into Zodno, Pomorskie, and a few other small claimed territories, such as Kilani Protectorate Zone."
Queen Mother Visits Zodno-Pomorskie
In a surprise visit, the aged Queen Mother came to Zodno-Pomorskie. She was escorted by members of the Order of the Knights of the Temple of the Holy Grail (KOTHG).
Taking both Listeneisse and ZP officials by surprise, she did not bother with state visits but went directly to a field hospital run on behalf of the UN International Red Cross Organization (UN IRCO) staffed by sisters of the Order of the Grey Nuns (OGN).
There, she donned hospital nurse garb and began to work with the local medical staff for the care of trauma victims, many of them children suffering from gunshot and explosives wounds.
Word of her visit spread only after she had been in ZP for a full day and a half. When reporters from the Times-Herald finally met with her during a break from her duties in hospital, the aged but still doughty royal had this to say.
"When We heard that there was going to be a war, We wished to come and be part of it. In Our own way. We wanted to see whether these nations truly understood the suffering they were causing. Whether their people truly supported these means to achieve whatever ends their leaders sought. Whatever profits they hoped to make, We wanted them to see the cost on the balance sheet of their souls. For now, We shall work here to heal and to care for what others have put to grief. If there is anything that We would ask of them it would be this: to act nobly in spirit. For this quality of how profits are made, and the suffering that is required to produce them, is the true differentiation between wealth and mere money."
The Queen Mother, it is to be noted, has usually not spoken with the royal plural since her retirement upon the death of her husband, Parzival XIII. Since then, she has lived a modest life of charitable works on behalf of the Kingdom. She has never taken a public political stand on any matter of foreign policy before this.
She then broke from her formal declaration and added this candid remark of a personal basis.
"I am a mother. And I know what my son is doing to stop this crisis. I came here to be with these sons and daughters of our nation. Those who have chosen to aid in this crisis, many volunteers who have put aside jobs and families to be here, to assure them that our nation and our royal family cares about their fate. I came here also to care for the people of Zodno-Pomorskie. These poor, dear children who have been made fatherless, and motherless, or have had their own bodies torn apart from the fighting. I can only wonder what the mothers of other nations involved in this event are thinking. Especially the mothers of their leaders. I wonder what they might do, to help morally counsel and aid their own sons and daughters at this time."
"We recently passed domestic law for equal rights for women. Well, here I am, an equal participant in the war here. Only, I shall not pick up a weapon. I am here to heal, not harm."
The Queen Mother surely did not need to pick up a weapon. The Grail Templar contingent that protects her is dressed in white surcoats with red crosses, but do not mistake them for unarmed aid workers. They bear the Cross of St. Josephus in rememberance of the struggles fought by Christians to survive in a world frought with cynicism and war. They are armed to fight such a war.
The bodyguard of the Queen Mother is small. Roughly a platoon in size. Other Royal Army units responding to Her presence were sent away. Many of the Templars are not allowed to stand around, but are required to also aid in medical treatment for the hospital. Many of them are trained surgeons, doctors and dentists who were selected for their ability to provide security as well as pragmatic care.
They differentiate themselves from other soldiers participating in the UN peacekeeping mission and Red Cross personnel by not wearing the blue UN helmet. Instead, their helmets were lined specifically for this mission in purple. Their red crosses are also thinner and extend to the end of their surcoats, unlike the truncated Greek cross of the Red Cross.
In fact, most Red Cross vehicles operated by the Kingdom of Listeneisse are now starting to sport the "Red Crystal." It is a hollow diamond shape, neutral in religion, to encompass all religious and secular Red Cross volunteers.
The Queen Mother, for her part, wears the traditional Red Cross, as do the nurses and workers of the Order of Grey Nuns and the Order of White Monks (OWM) working in the nation.
After her break, she once again began her duties, which were to be conducted in private between the Red Cross staff and their patients.
The ZP government officially claims casualty figures in the hundreds, but other reports put casualties in the thousands nationwide since the fighting began. Regardless of the actual figure used, based on the cries of sirens arriving at the Red Cross aid station, the number was going to continue to rise for some time to come.
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