Chapter 13: Global Reaction and America Gears Up.
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New York Times:-
Polish Foreign Minister speaks up! Paints a target at Russia!
November 8th
Yesterday evening in a press conference, Polish Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz has denounced the Russian intervention in Georgia and has stated that ‘The Russian occupied territories in Georgia did not conduct a free and fair referendum nor election. It is highly likely they were rigged in favor of Russia and her allies in Georgia’.
Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov of the Russian Federation has denounced this statement from the Polish Foreign Ministry calling it ‘a disgraceful statement to the hundreds of Georgians and Russians who gave their lives for the betterment of the Caucasian peoples’. He has called on to the Turkish embassy alongside the Armenian and Azerbaijani Embassy as these countries oversaw the elections and the referendums. The Turkish Foreign Minister Sukru Sian Gurel has called upon the Polish ambassador to Turkey to provide support on behalf of Russia. The new Georgian government under President Tarkhan-Mouravi has also denounced this statement stating that the Georgian elections and referendums were free and fair. He also lambasted the Polish Foreign Ministry stating that ‘if the referendums were fake and not fair, then Abkhazia would be an independent nation today to weaken the Caucasian unity amongst its peoples. This would be a sound geopolitical strategy and the mere fact that this has not happened is proof enough that the referendums were not rigged, and unfair.’
Poland however has not changed its stance from all statements, and from what we know, the Poles and Turks are currently talking about this issue to NATO. The heavyweights of NATO such as France and Britain have advocated for peace and resolution with French President Jacques Chirac stating that ‘NATO must not be hurdled with such things.’
The unity of NATO is being called into action without a ‘bogey man’ like the Soviets to keep their interests tied together due to this small crisis that is becoming enveloped in Eastern Europe.
Polish Foreign Minister, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz
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The Times:
Baltic Assembly meets in Tallinn to decided official stance regarding Russia.
November 11th,
The leaders of the countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are meeting each other today this day to decide on a firm united foreign policy regarding the Russian intervention in Georgia. The Russian government has stated that they will also send observers as Estonia is an observer member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Expectations are low, however as the diffraction between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania continues to grow. The Latvians and Lithuanians are largely opposed to the continued Estonian membership as an observer state in the CSTO and this has become a huge hurdle for the nations to face.
President Yavlinsky has announced that should Estonia leave the CSTO, then the alliance would honor the decision, however the diplomatic fallout between the members and Estonia would be too heavy a price for Estonia to even consider. Considering around 30% of their economy is driven by the Russian oil, Azerbaijani oil, Yugoslav minerals, Russian agriculture and Kazakh food, the Estonians are very aware of this, and are largely trying to mediate the crisis developing in Eastern and Northern Europe.
Logo of the Baltic Assembly.
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The Sun:
Baltic Assembly Meeting Fruitless!
November 13th,
Unfortunately for the Republic of Lithuania and Latvia, the diffraction between Estonia and the other two seems to have been a large contributor to the fact that none of the meetings seem to have gone ahead as planned. The Estonians have planned to remain neutral in the issue whilst Latvia and Lithuania are planning for a joint declaration in support of the stance of Poland.
Russian Prime Minister Nemtsov has warned that should tensions escalate then the economic discrepancy would be very hard for all nations involved to overcome.
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BBC News Headlines
November 14th
“Hello everyone, I’m Zulab Abuladze, the local BBC correspondent here in Georgia. The situation here in Georgia is very calm in fact. Despite what the outside world seems to be doing, the question about the electoral fraud here in Georgia itself isn’t a big issue. The election of David Tarkhan-Mouravi seems to have paved the way for internal stability within the nation, and the country is very happy to see this after months and years of ethnic and political violence.” Zulab started as he stood behind a column of Russian tanks moving out of the capital city of Tbilisi.
“As you can see behind me, the Russian troops are now evacuating Georgia, their original goals of restoring stability in the region accomplished. As you can see behind me, many Georgians are on the streets giving out gifts to the Russian soldiers. This is largely due to the fact that the Russian intervention saved multiple lives and restored the collapsed economy of Georgia. This has made livelihood in Georgia all the better, and the people are expressing their gratitude to the soldiers.” Zulab stated as the cameraman showed a few middle aged women handing over packets of Georgian dishes to some Russian soldiers who seemed to be very uncomfortable with them.
Zulab walked forward and managed to bag one of them for an interview.
“Hello Miss. I am the local BBC correspondent here in Georgia, and I was hoping that we could interview for a few minutes.” Zulab asked politely.
The woman, a middle aged blonde smiled slightly timidly and nodded.
“Thank you miss. What is your name?”
“Natella Abkhazi.”
“Thank you. Ms. Abkhazi, we here saw you hand out food to that uncomfortable Russian soldier along with several other Russian soldiers. Forgive me for being curious, but why?” Zulab asked.
“Ah well, the Civil War had destroyed the monetary system of Georgia. As a local you must have known that besides the cities and urban populace, the country was in utter anarchy. Food was hard to come by and electricity by that point was utterly gone. The Russian intervention has not only restored the stability of the nation, but they have also made the living situation here in our glorious country easier and more proper. For that, I and my sister along with hundreds here are thanking the Russians.”
“Thank you Ms. Abkhazi.” Zulab thanked and turned back to the camera. “And well, that is all for today here in Georgia. For better or worse, it seems that the Russians have won over the hearts of majority of the Georgian population. President David Tourkhan-Mouravi is going to be have a press conference today regarding the Russian withdrawal of troops.”
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Washington Journal:-
Pope John Paul II lambasts President Bush! Calling possible Military Intervention in Iraq, a crime against God.
November 28th
With the recent events going on in the Caucasian Mountains, President Bush has publically announced that military intervention in Iraq is ‘on the table’. News of this circulated worldwide yesterday and by the evening, the world’s reaction was tumultuous. NATO obviously supported its American ally, however the Pope, has denounced the option.
In a public mass yesterday evening in the Sistine Cathedral, Pope John Paul II stated “Mr. President you know my opinion loud and clear. Let’s talk about something else. Every violence, against one or against millions, is blasphemy addressed against the likeness of God.”
Pope John Paul II
Similarly, the option for military intervention in Iraq has generated mass anti-war riots all across the world. The Russian intervention in Georgia already created a tense situation, and now with the capability of America going off on her own intervention has rattled everyone in the international stage. German Foreign Secretary Joshka Fischer blatantly point blank told reporters yesterday evening in Berlin “Weapons of Mass Destruction? Excuse me, but I am not convinced.”
Joshka Fischer.
Pre-eminent World Leaders have also condemned the option and the passing of the legate in the American Congress. Nelson Mandela, the President of South Africa denounced it stating that ‘All that Mr. Bush and by proxy America wants is Iraqi Oil.’
Russian President Yavlinsky has also lambasted the option. He and I quote said “Intervention in Georgia was the last option for us. We did what we could to find a proper peaceful solution, however events forced us into intervention. Currently the Iraqi government has already agreed to honor United National Resolution 1441 and disarm their nation alongside observers from neutral states. This doctrine of pre-emptive strikes is not something that is viable at all today. It was once viable until the 19th century, but President Bush must understand that is no longer the case. Every single Iraqi that will die, their faults shall be laid down on your feet. That is not a legacy anyone today wants.”
President Bush has however protected his stance stating that the military option being on the table is necessary and required for a proper negotiating table with the Iraqis. How this will unfold in the future is unknown.
Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom had been initially supportive of the option, however with the widespread opposition to this, from the conservatives and the labour party itself, he has stated that the United Kingdom is currently debating on its stance regarding this issue.
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The Global Times:
Sierra Leone announces Monarchial Restoration!
December 7th,
After the widely popular British intervention in Sierra Leone, the pro-British feelings in Sierra Leone is at an all-time high. The President of Sierra Leone, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, announced on December 6th, that after much consideration and deliberation with the Parliament and the lower house of Sierra Leone, the government has overwhelmingly agreed to restore Sierra Leone within the Commonwealth as a ‘Realm of the Queen’. The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has received this message with open arms calling it ‘an avenue for future expansion and cooperation between the members of the Commonwealth of Nations.’ Personally, Queen Elizabeth II has announced that should the new amendment to the Sierra Leone Constitution be passed through the higher house, then she would be more than delighted for the restoration.
Sierra Leone's President, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah
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The Economical Times:
Russia announces New Infrastructural Deal
December 28th, 2002
Russian Minister of Economics, Yevgeny Yasin has announced that Russia is going to implement a new Infrastructural Deal within the construction companies of the nation to upgrade the infrastructure of Russia. In the past few years, the Russian economy has made great strides and leaps forward, however the infrastructural level remains comparatively behind in comparison to other states in the near vicinity. In order to rectify this, a new deal has been implemented. This deal includes tax breaks, incentives and rationalization being offered to Russian construction companies to grant them more incentives to conduct upgrading works in the infrastructural sector of the nation.
Russia’s infrastructure remains one of the best at least in European Russia, and it is believed that this deal is aimed at Siberia. This deal is thought to create more competition between construction companies, and all in all, it seems that this new deal is the brainchild of Prime Minister Nemtsov, which has been supported by President Yavlinsky. This deal is to be implemented from next year, as the date of the implementation of the common area and free market of the CSTO looms over everyone in Eurasia.
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