Greetings. This is Maya Ibuki, the Dominion Blog administrative contact at Toukyou-3. I've made a few changes to the system; untitled entries display nicer, now, and author's names appear beside the title of the entry in the "Recent Posts" box. Also, we've shifted the blog to weekly archives instead of monthly archives; the post volume was too much for the latter.
Admittedly, these are fairly insignificant changes, but we'd like to do what we can. If anybody has any suggestions about the Dominion Blog, we'd love to hear them.
We would also like to invite nationstates to submit their websites to us, either by email (ibuki.maya at kumokasumi dot org) or by announcing them here. We will post a link.
Thank you,
Maya Ibuki
Level 1 Control Room Operator
The PRRF is suffering from a terrorist attack directed at the largest power plant in our country. Thousands are without electricity, and all communications are down. The government will be out of contact until Tuesday, at which point we project that we will have our plant operative again.
We thank you for your patience in the matter and celebrate that there was very little damage and no loss of life.
Wu ZeTian
President and Exalted Leader
The Warsaw Pact will now be taking votes for allowing the accession of the PCAA into the Pact. The PRRP would strongly urge that we acceed the PCAA, for a membership of seven is an excellent number to make decisions. Voting will end Tuesday. Either you can comment on this message, or you can telegram the office of the preisdent.
Comrade Sergei Molotov
President of the New Warsaw Pact Executive Council
We are glad for the HEO's cooperation, and we will forgive them any "wear" to our men. However, the HEO makes the point that "loss of human life is still loss of human life." The courtmartial is under the impression, however, that the only loss of life in this crisis were those of PRRP citizens.
Also, it is not simply the intent of Trotsky which makes us question what to do with him. It is instead his utmost devotion to the state. The only thing that he has told us of his intentions was that he would use the weapon to "defend the People against their enemies." Is that the speech of a traitor? I think not. This is what makes the trial so difficult.
Comrade Ivan Zhandov
Generalissimo of People's Republic of Revolutionary Power
and
Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Military Tribunal
General O'Malley's divisions of the Holy Army are currently escorting the men who assisted Trotsky through Shillelagh and to the border with the PRRP. The Holy Empress trusts that they will be prosecuted under Dominion law and receive due punishment for their actions. She also trusts that PRRP officials will not mind if said terrorists appear slightly worse for the wear, as the Holy Interrogater was under severe pressure at the time.
The nuclear weapon recovered from the black van was completely dismantled by the time O'Malley received the PRRP's request to have it returned safely. As not all the pieces can be salvaged, though they are all still located in the black van, it is assumed that PRRP officials will not mind if the black van is also delivered to the PRRP-HEO border, along with the remains of the nuclear weapon inside.
The HEO has taken another vote this afternoon and the Oakton opinion has been decided: Trotsky must be punished for his actions, no matter what his intent was. Terrorism is still terrorism, and loss of human life is still loss of human life, no matter what a person's intentions are. The Holy Empress understands that Oakton is not a WP nation, but she expressly hopes that the PRRP consider the opinion of the HEO people, who, as of now, appear to have been the target of the nuclear weapon.
Shannon McMonherty
Holy Press Secretary
The ASFE is immeasurably relieved to see the end of this nuclear crisis, and we applaud all nations for cooperating on a swift resolution. ASFE investigators have uncovered five border security officials responsible for allowing Trotsky to exit ASFE territory, and they have been dealt with per ASFE law. Even as we normalize relations, if the PRRP so allows, we will be sending an envoy to observe the trial of General Trotsky, although we are confident it will be carried out to the satisfaction of all.
As to General Trotsky's fate, the ASFE is curious: has the General given any indecation of his target and the full depths of his plan?
Nevertheless, the citizens of the Dominion are safe today.
Adrien Foucet
Ambassador to the Dominion
Today was the first day of General Trotsky's trial. While the evidence is stacked against him, he chose to defend himself and has given many eloquent, impassioned speeches. It is obvious that he considers himself a patriot, loyal to the state in all ways. This has, of course, left both the tribunal and the People of the PRRP is a very difficult situation. Can we condemn a man so patriotic to die as a common traitor? This has brought up a new quandry in our justice system: what makes the traitor; the actions or the intent? Furthermore, can a man with only the state in his heart be convicted of crimes against it? Perhaps this trial will answer these questions. We ask for foreign input into the situation as well, particullarly by WP nations.
Unsettled,
Comrade Ivan Zhandov
Generalissimo of People's Republic of Revolutionary Power
and
Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Military Tribunal
We thank the HEO for their controlled stance during this crisis. We trust, of course, that our citizens and our weapon will be returned posthaste. General Trotsky has been indicted for treason, grand larceny, crimes against the state, and...conduct unbecoming an officer. His courtmartial will begin promptly tomorrow morning. His officers have also been indicted, even though they are in in HEO hands, of the same crimes. Three have also been indicted for assault of the ASFE guards based on information we received from ASFE security. Those same three have also been indicted for murder of guards at the weapon's facility where the nuclear device was stolen. We are glad that this crisis has finally come to an end.
Relieved,
Comrade Vasily Kirov
Deputy General Secretary of the People's Revolutionary Communist Party
General O'Malley, currently inside the Shillelagh, has released the following information for all Dominion nations to see:
The suspects detained yesterday were, in fact, cronies of the renegade general. After the inept "chase" by the ASFE (the Holy Empress concurs with the opinion that an ASFE officer allowed Trotsky and his men to escape, though she is certain the ASFE itself did not approve of the action), troops under General O'Malley's command cornered the black van in an abandoned lot. The tense stand-off lasted well into the night and into this afternoon, during which it is assumed that General Trotsky delivered his most recent message to the PRRP. After over 30 hours, Trotsky's men surrendered, listing in the interrogation that followed that they neglected to store sufficient water and food inside the van.
Trotsky then remained alone in the black van with the nuclear detonation switch in his hand. He proceeded to break through the strategically-placed blockade that once held him cornered. Holy Army troops would have opened fire on him directly, and thereby killing him, if not for the surety of a nuclear explosion. O'Malley's men persued Trotsky all the way until a tenth-mile from East Shillelagh (or East New Crimea) when the van completely ran out of gas. Trotsky set the timer on the nuclear weapon then ran for the safety of his homeland, and he made it, mostly due to O'Malley's successful concentrated effort on disarming the nuke.
Trotsky is currently located back in PRRP territory and the Holy Empress trusts that he will be treated in regards to international law. The nuclear weapon threat has passed, thanks to the special ops forces under O'Malley. In his honor, the dividing barrier has been renamed O'Malley's Wall.
Shaun Killarney
Holy Secretary of Internal Affairs
Unfortunately, we fear that the bomb is active. The locationing device is programmed only to come online when the bomb is able to be detonated manually. Because the device came online, we believe Trotsky has the ability to detonate the weapon. We believe that he would be in favor of the New Berlin Wall, and so will probably not target it or other PRRP targets. We believe he will instead go after an HEO target.
However, we have received a back-channel communique from someone claiming to be Trotsky. We have reason to believe that it actually is him. While he does not disclose his location, he pleads for asylum. He denies any guilt of treason and notes in his letter that "...patriots should not be treated as the foul traitors that the appeasers are..." This seems to confirm his hardline tendency. As he is still a citizen of the PRRP, though, we are going to attempt to bring him in. We ask that all foreign forces do not interfere with our attempts. If foreign security forces detain him, we demand that he be returned to the PRRP.
Comrade Vasily Kirov
Deputy General Secretary of the People's Revolutionary Communist Party
Once more, a new resolution has come to the floor of the UN. The ASFE wishes to know the opinions of the other nations in the region before voting.
Adrien Foucet
Ambassador to the Dominion
I have more disturbing news to report. Today, a group of twelve men matching the descriptions of Trotsky's gruop exchanged gunfire with ASFE Internal Security officers in the city of Phillipes, near the HEO border. Two police officers were wounded in the fight, while three of the dozen men were killed (upon closer inspection, two were found to be wearing PRRP insignia, and one was the nuclear scientist). The remaining forces escaped in the black van in the ensuing chaos. ASFE forces pursued the van, but could not destroy it for fear of setting off an atomic explosion. The tires of the van were shot and deflated, but the van eluded ASFE and HEO border security forces and crossed into the disputed region. The remaining men were witnessed leaving the van carrying a large crate, but ASFE forces did not have jurisdiction to enter HEO territory to pursue them. The ASFE regrets that our border security forces could not contain Gen. Trotsky, but as the van clearly knew ASFE tactics at the time, we are now opening an investigation into the possibility of the involvement of an ASFE official in this crime.
In summary, Gen. Trotsky is now in the disputed province, but without his scientist. The PRRP can better speak to his capabilities at the present time. The results of the ASFE internal investigation will be forthcoming.
Adrien Foucet
Ambassador to the Dominion
The Holy Empress is pleased that the PRRP has agreed upon the proposed "New Berlin Wall", called Patrick's Wall by Oaktonians after a mythical war hero. She suggests that the PRRF oversee the specific locationing of Patrick's Wall in order to avoid any further border disputes.
A select few Holy Army troops are accompanying skilled HEO construction workers through Western Shillelagh (also known as "West New Crimea" to some) to build the Wall. Several Shillelaghians have volunteered their services along the march.
Border security is as tight as ever. The Holy Empress doubts that the renegade general will be able to get inside her nation's borders. However, suspects matching the descriptions given by the PRRP have been detained and are currently undergoing questioning. Not much information is known about the situation currently, as the matter is highly classified. The Holy Empresss is certain that other nations, specifically the PRRP, understand the need for secrecy in this day and age.
Aislin Finnegan
Holy Ambassador to the Dominion
The PRRP was not aware that refusing to give secrets about our nuclear arsenal to an enemy of the People was unreasonable. However, the HEO's solution is reasonable. The PRRF may consider their difficult task ended, though they are of course invited to join the PRRP in building a better, socialist New Crimea. The PRA is entering eastern New Crimea as we speak. Our army corps of engineers will begin construction on a wall posthaste. It will go the extent of New Crimea and pass through the center of its capital city, New Berlin.
Perhaps Comrade Trotsky will yet find his way into the HEO.
Comrade Ivan Zhandov
Generalissimo of People's Republic of Revolutionary Power
The Holy Empress is outraged that the PRRP has denied her citizens the right to live safely and freely. Information known to one nation regarding a potential global hazard should be made clear to all other nations affected, especially when said information is so clearly able to prevent said global hazard. The HEO realizes that the territory crisis is not yet resolved (see below), however, the HEO has reached out a trusting hand to the PRRP by allowing some special ops forces in to the land, and the HEO citizens are offended that the PRRP is unwilling to extend even a barely-similar level of trust back.
As for news on the renegade general, Holy Army troops are proud to report that no one has traveled from the ASFE-HEO border, or twenty miles to either side of said border.
Developments in the ongoing territory crisis: The Holy Empress suggests that, since the PRRP is clearly unwilling, or unable, it is impossible to discern which, to put any margin of trust into a Dominion neighbor, then perhaps it would be best to put a "neighbor hedge", if one will, between the two nations. Due to growing concerns of safety from the PRRP border, the Holy Empress thinks that perhaps it would be best if a large, semi-permanent barrier were put between the two nations, "in order to keep all the riff-raff out". For example, constructing a large wall to divide the Shillelagh demographic groups may work if the PRRP continues to demonstrate its current lack of trust.
Advisors to the Holy Empress suggest that the PRRP government either consider the above proposal or reconsider its current stance on foreign policy. The Holy Empress tires of the dangerous game of weighing human lives against backward politics. Oakton anticipates a quick reply.
Iaida Mulligan
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
ASFE Internal Security has located the satellite tracking system today. It was found in a garbage can in a Motel near the ASFE-HEO border. ASFE Internal Security is at this point searching the Motel and interrogating those who stayed there recently, and we believe we have identified a group of men, two of which match the descriptions given to us by the PRRP for Gen. Trotsky and the scientist. We now believe that Trotsky, the scientist, and the bomb are travelling in two large, black vans, alongside approximately eight people described as "military-types" (we believe that they are rogue PRRP soldiers). This group was NOT reported to have crossed the ASFE-HEO border in the two days since they left the Motel, but records are not clear.
The ASFE, deeply troubled by the abuse of our country, will continue to inform the Dominion of any further developments.
Adrien Foucet
Ambassador to the Dominion
Need I remind the HEO that we have still not resolved the dispute over New Crimea. Is it in the interest of our national security to divulge highly classified information about the safeguards for our nuclear arsenal as well as ways to track our weapons? We would have preferred not to have shared this information to anybody. But, if it must be done, then it will only be with our closest allies, our socialist brothers.
We would like to offer all assistence possible to the ASFE. We have special ops teams standing by to be deployed to assist in the hunt for Trotsky and the weapon.
This crisis has shown the immense dangers that can come if just a few men cross a border. Effective immediately, we are remilitarizing our border with the HEO to insure that nothing like this happens again.
Comrade Ivan Zhandov
Generalissimo of People's Republic of Revolutionary Power
The Holy Empress disapproves of the tactics used by the PRRP regarding its current release of information. Oakton is, obviously, not a WP nation, however it is more closely affected by the renegade general and his purloined nuclear weapon than some WP nations. Do the Oakton citizens not deserve as high a safety net than any other nation's citizens? The Holy Empress demands that the information that the PRRP has recently released to only WP nations also be available to the other Dominion nations.
The Holy Empress is also confident that the general will be caught if he tries to cross the ASFE-HEO border. As mentioned before, security surrounding all borders is as tight as can possibly be, and some backup forces from less-endangered areas, such as the Emerald Desert, are being relocated to help screen the more at-risk areas.
Aislin Finnegan
Holy Ambassador to the Dominion
Derikunian mapmakers are uniting in an effort to create a complete map of the Dominion, to contain nations, major cities, etc., to make it easier to figure out where on earth all this crisis stuff is taking place. So... first our mapmakers must figure out where everything is.
If you have some specific image of what your country is like --where it is located, what other countries it borders, its climate, or anything else of some importance-- please post this information in reply to this message (or telegram Deriku) and it shall be incorperated into the map as soon as possible. If you honestly don't care about what your country is like or where it ends up, tell me and I'll... put you where there's space.
And if you don't tell me anything, I might just be forced to give you a 5-square-foot, heart-shaped island in the middle of nowhere. Bwa.
-The Puce Knight
Minister of Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
We have some bad news to report. One of the safeguards on the nuclear device is a sattelite tracking mechanism active when the bomb is active. The tracking device came active for a 2-minute window this afternoon. This means that the bomb is active. What is most unusual is that the bomb was neither in the PRRP, New Crimea, nor the HEO. Instead, it was near the HEO-ASFE border, on the ASFE's side. Obviously, Trotsky decided to take a round-about way. We alerted the ASFE, but we are not as of now aware that they have located the weapon. We apologize that the ASFE has become embroiled in this. In order to insure that Warsaw Pact nations are prepared to deal with this, the PRRP is releasing classified information to all WP nations regarding the security precautions on the bomb so that it may be safely disarmed as well as tracking frequencies so that it can be quickly located if any of the tracking devices should come on-line again. Of course, we trust that this information will be held in the closest confidence as allowing it to non-WP nations would violate our national security.
Comrade Vasily Kirov
While we thank nations for their concern, the PRRP needs no assistance in the matter. We have a large enough defense force to deal with the situation as much as it can be dealt with. With my expression of fear, I only mean to say that, even with the PRA's finest work, Trotsky could do unimaginable damage.
Comrade Vasily Kirov