The Truman Building: SoEA Talleyrand

[Talleyrand]

STATEMENT

This will serve as my official office for the duration of my tenure at the Department of External Affairs. All official statements, executive orders, and travel plans while I lead the agency will be posted here. I would like to thank Рresident Αverroës for appointing me to this exalted position, and the Senate for its swift confirmation. I hope that we can make the world a better place over the next few months, to use a hackneyed phrase.

The Global Enquirer

[TNF]

Great selection in a building name, Mr. Secretary. I know you'll do just as good of a job as sticking up for Atlasia's interests as did Mr. Truman.

[Talleyrand]

Great selection in a building name, Mr. Secretary. I know you'll do just as good of a job as sticking up for Atlasia's interests as did Mr. Truman.

Thanks for your vote of confidence, TNF!

STATEMENT

I strongly encourage the Senate to quickly pass the Help the Refugees Act sponsored by the Senator Kalwejt. The Department of External Affairs has already been actively coordinating aid to Syrian refugees in Jordan, and this bill would extend that assistance to refugees in neighboring nations. I hereby instruct the Department to prepare to handle food, clothing, medicine, contraceptives, and other necessary items for dispersal in the region following a recommendation from the Atlasian Agency for International Development.



Lebanon, Turkey, and Iraq will receive the same high priority that we have given Jordan. Egypt and North Africa will receive limited assistance pending approval from the governments of the respective nations.

SCHEDULE (July 9, 2013)

• Appointment of new Ambassadors
• Briefing by the Undersecretary of State

[Talleyrand]

STATEMENT

I am encouraged by the announcement by the Egyptian Prime Minister and President of the parliamentary election to be held later this year, followed by presidential elections soon after. That said, I still remain concerned about how human rights and democracy will be handled by this new regime. The DoEA condemns the massacre of 41 protesters in Tahrir Square earlier this week at the hands military, and simultaneously calls for the Muslim Brotherhood to stand down in its use of increasingly violent tactics in protest of the government. I will be traveling to Cairo tomorrow for a meeting with the new President, plus several other key leaders in Egypt, including the Coptic Pope and opposition members.

SCHEDULE (July 10, 2013)

• Briefing with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Undersecretary of Defense
• Swearing-in of new Ambassadors to 46 nations
• Dinner with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov at the United Nations
• Video-conference with NATO Foreign Ministers regarding Egypt

[Talleyrand]

STATEMENT

Today I had a private meeting with the interim President of Egypt, Adly Mansour, and several of the Generals pivotal to his installation as the nation's leader. I reiterated my concern about the brutal government crackdown to the new government, and offer my condolences to the victims lost in today's continued violence. While I trust the President's word that elections will be held later this year, I remain unconvinced that he intends to protect Egypt's institutions of democracy and free speech. The arrest of certain members of the Muslim Brotherhood is warranted without a doubt, but the round-up of innocent leaders affiliated with the movement will not be tolerated by Atlasia.

There are no plans to restore full aid to the nation anytime in the coming weeks, although some limited aid supervised by U.S. agents may commence based on AAID recommendations to my office later this week. The President and I stand firm in our resolve that Egypt must demonstrate its commitment to justice and good governance by restoring a civilian-led elected government to power as soon as humanly possible.

SCHEDULE (July 11, 2013)

• Arrival at Cairo International Airport
• Meeting with President Adly Mansour and key military leaders
• Visit to the Egyptian Musem
• Meeting with Coptic Pope and other religious leaders
• Departure from Cairo International Airport

[Talleyrand]

STATEMENT

Over the last week and a half, I've had the honor of visiting all of Atlasia's "Most Priority" foreign partners. Having traveled to Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, I am pleased with Atlasia's relationship abroad with our closest allies, and would encourage the Senate to add two more vital nations to this list; Brazil and Mexico. These countries will play a vital geopolitical and economic role on the global stage, and have proven themselves to be worthy neighbors to Atlasia.

SCHEDULE (July 12, 2013 to July 23, 2013)

• July 12- Ottawa, Ontario
• July 13- Montreal, Quebec
• July 14- Vancouver, British Columbia
• July 15- Berlin, Germany
• July 16- Paris, France
• July 17- London, United Kingdom
• July 18- New Delhi, Delhi
• July 19- Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
• July 20- Mumbai, Maharashtra
• July 21- Jakarta, Indonesia
• July 22- Brisbane, Australia
• July 23- Auckland, New Zealand

[Talleyrand]

Department of External Affairs: July 2013 Foreign Policy Review

Definitions of the DoEA's Foreign Policy Review

Economic/Trade Restrictions:

Most Priority: Free exchange of intelligence and trade, as well as top priorities for military and/or economic aid if needed

Normal/None: Atlasian government and corporations are free to due business unhindered by government enforced restrictions.

Partial: Specific restrictions such as selective tariffs or partial embargoes are to be in place to attack the government and not the regime. Foreign aid can be granted if the regime shows signs of progress towards democracy.

Full: Complete embargo and trade is forbidden with the nation in question. Corporations in violation may face fines decided by the Senate.

Military Restrictions:

Normal/None: Any military hardware produced by private firms, or by the government of Atlasia may be sold to the government in question. However, nuclear material, technology and nuclear weapons may not be sold unless the Senate agrees with the sale of atomic technology to the nation in question.

Partial: Personnel weapons may be sold by private corporations or the state to the country in question. Personnel weapons are weapons, which are carried and operated by one man, i.e. assault rifles, mortars, RPGs, etc. No vehicles, armour, aircraft, or ships may be sold.

Full: No military equipment of any nature may be sold privately or by Atlasia, i.e. no uniforms, guns, vehicles, nothing.

DoEA Policy: The Americas

Antigua and Barbuda: Normal
Argentina: Normal
Bahamas: Normal military relations and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about The Bahamas’s role as a tax haven.
Barbados: Normal
Belize: Normal
Bolivia: Normal, although we have concerns regarding corruption and human rights.
Brazil: Most Priority
Canada: Most Priority
Chile: Normal.
Colombia: Normal, although we are deeply concerned about political instability and human rights.
Costa Rica: Normal
Cuba: Normal. Atlasian policy regarding Cuba is currently F.L. 18-6, Cuban Relations Act.
Dominica: Normal
Dominican Republic: Normal
Ecuador: Normal
El Salvador: Normal
Grenada: Normal
Guatemala: Normal
Guyana: Normal
Haiti: Normal, though we have concerns regarding corruption and political instability.
Honduras: Normal
Jamaica: Normal
Mexico: Most Priority, although we have serious concerns about the drug warlords conflict.
Nicaragua: Normal
Panama: Normal
Paraguay: Normal
Peru: Normal
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Normal
Saint Lucia: Normal
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Normal
Suriname: Normal
Trinidad and Tobago: Normal
Uruguay: Normal
Venezuela: Normal

DoEA Policy: Europe

Albania: Normal
Andorra: Normal
Armenia: Normal
Austria: Normal
Azerbaijan: Full military and economic restrictions until free elections are held, civil liberties respected and transparency is restored.
Belarus: Full military and economic restrictions until free elections are held and civil liberties respected.
Belgium: Normal
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Normal
Bulgaria: Normal
Croatia: Normal
Czech Republic: Normal
Cyprus: Partial economic restrictions; we are concerned about Cyprus's role as a tax haven.
Denmark: Normal
Estonia: Normal
Finland: Normal
France: Most Priority
Georgia: Partial Military and economic Restrictions. We have concerns over civil liberties and other issues within the area.
Germany: Most Priority
Greece: Normal. We have concerns over Greece's economic situation.
Hungary: Normal, though we have concerns regarding political freedom.
Iceland: Normal
Ireland: Normal
Italy: Normal, though we have concerns about corruption.
Kosovo: Partial military and economic restrictions; we are concerned with political freedoms and civil liberties.
Latvia: Normal
Liechtenstein: Normal; we call for a complete transition to democracy and full transparency in banking, and Atlasia has signed a treaty to assist the nation in the latter regard.
Lithuania: Normal
Luxembourg: Normal
Macedonia: Normal, although we have concerns about corruption, ethnic minorities and relations with Greece.
Moldova: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We have serious concerns about corruption, political instability, drug trafficking and the Transnistria issue.
Monaco: Normal military restrictions and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about Monaco’s role as a tax haven.
Montenegro: Normal
Netherlands: Normal
Norway: Normal
Poland: Normal
Portugal: Normal. We have concerns over Portugal's economic situation.
Romania: Normal
Russia: Partial military and economic restrictions. We have serious concerns about democracy, civil liberties, press freedom and the situation in Chechnya and the Russian Caucasus.
San Marino: Normal
Serbia: Normal
Slovakia: Normal, though we have some concerns about worrying nationalist trends in the country and their negative effect on internal and external ethnic relations.
Slovenia: Normal
Spain: Normal. We have concern over Spain's economic situation.
Sweden: Normal
Switzerland: Partial economic restrictions; we call for full transparency in banking.
Turkey: Partial military and economic restrictions. Concerns remain about treatment of Kurds, the increasing trend away from secularism, and political instability.
Ukraine: Normal, but we have concerns regarding current political stability, corruption, and various other problems.
United Kingdom: Most Priority
Vatican City: Normal

[Talleyrand]

Department of External Affairs: July 2013 Foreign Policy Review

Definitions of the DoEA's Foreign Policy Review

Economic/Trade Restrictions:

Most Priority: Free exchange of intelligence and trade, as well as top priorities for military and/or economic aid if needed

Normal/None: Atlasian government and corporations are free to due business unhindered by government enforced restrictions.

Partial: Specific restrictions such as selective tariffs or partial embargoes are to be in place to pressure the government to change course, not to change the regime itself. Foreign aid can be granted if the regime shows signs of progress towards democracy.

Full: Complete embargo and trade is forbidden with the nation in question. Corporations in violation may face fines decided by the Senate.

Military Restrictions:

Normal/None: Any military hardware produced by private firms, or by the government of Atlasia may be sold to the government in question. However, nuclear material, technology and nuclear weapons may not be sold unless the Senate agrees with the sale of atomic technology to the nation in question.

Partial: Personnel weapons may be sold by private corporations or the state to the country in question. Personnel weapons are weapons, which are carried and operated by one man, i.e. assault rifles, mortars, RPGs, etc. No vehicles, armour, aircraft, or ships may be sold.

Full: No military equipment of any nature may be sold privately or by Atlasia, i.e. no uniforms, guns, vehicles, nothing.

DoEA Policy: Asia and Oceania

Afghanistan: Partial military and economic restrictions, though we are concerned about corruption, drugs, woman's rights and other issues, plus the government’s apparent hostility to Atlasian interests.
Australia: Most Priority, although we encourage the government to take a more relaxed stance on asylum seekers.
Bahrain: Full military and no economic restrictions.  The Atlasian Government strongly condemns the measures taken against protesters in Bahrain.
Bangladesh: Normal military and partial economic restrictions. We are extremely concerned about workers’ rights.
Bhutan: Normal
Brunei: Partial military and partial economic restrictions
Burma (Myanmar): Partial military and no economic restrictions.  The DoEA applauds the Government for beginning to make the transition towards democracy, and hopes to see such progress continue.
Cambodia: Normal, though we are concerned about corruption and civil liberties.
China: Partial military restrictions and no economic restrictions, though we are very concerned over human rights, and political liberties. We encourage the Chinese government to grant independence to Tibet.
East Timor: Normal
Federated States of Micronesia: Normal
Fiji: Full military and partial economic restrictions.
Gaza Strip: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about acts of terrorism against Israel committed by the Hamas and the human rights situation.
India: Most Priority
Indonesia: Most Priority
Iran: Full military and economic restrictions will remain in place until the Iranian regime makes full, honest and lasting overtures to democracy, as well as fully renouncing any attempt at a nuclear program. We are currently in peace talks with Iran. We are pleased with the recent democratic elections held. Status pending.
Iraq: Normal, though we have major concerns about corruption and other issues.
Israel: Full military and no economic restrictions; the DoEA urges Israel to begin to negotiate in earnest with Atlasia and stop persecution of the Palestinian peoples, at which time Most Priority will be granted.
Japan: Most Priority
Jordan: Normal, though we want a full transfer to democracy.
Kazakhstan: Partial military and no economic restrictions. We want a full transfer to democracy.
Kiribati: Normal
Kuwait: Full military restrictions and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by a lack of regard for human rights and democracy.
Kyrgyzstan: Partial military and no economic restrictions
Laos: Normal, though we have concerns about human rights and basic freedoms.
Lebanon: Full military and no economic restrictions.
Malaysia: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Maldives: Normal
Marshall Islands: Normal
Mongolia: Normal
Nauru: Normal
Nepal: Normal
New Zealand: Most Priority
North Korea: Full military and economic restrictions
Oman: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by a lack of regard for human rights and democracy.
Pakistan: Full military and partial economic restrictions; we are extremely concerned about the apparent role of the ISI in harboring terrorists and the corruption rampant within the Pakistani military. We are displeased with the lack of protection for religious minorities as well.
Palau: Normal
Papua New Guinea: Normal
Philippines: Normal
Qatar: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We want a full transfer to democracy, and are concerned with the human rights situation, especially trafficking.
Samoa: Normal
Saudi Arabia: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about the human rights situation and urge the government to make major democratic reforms. If the human rights situation does not improve, more restrictions may follow.
Singapore: Normal, though we would like a true democracy.
Solomon Islands: Normal
South Korea: Normal
Sri Lanka: Normal, though we are concerned about a few issues. We urge the government to build a modern, peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic state with peaceful ethnic relations in the wake of the end of the civil war.
Syria: Full military and economic restrictions.  The regime of Bashar al-Assad has committed significant human rights violations against its people, and it is time for Mr. Assad to accept the will of his people and resign his position and allow Syria to become a democratic state.
Tajikistan: Full military and economic restrictions
Thailand: Normal, although we are concerned about political freedoms.
Tonga: Normal
Turkmenistan: Full military and economic restrictions
Tuvalu: Normal
United Arab Emirates: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about workers rights and political freedoms.
Uzbekistan: Full military and economic restrictions
Vanuatu: Normal
Vietnam: Normal
West Bank: Normal. We are concerned about the current political situation, support a two state solution and would, in the near future, like a democratic and independent State of Palestine. As stated above, we hope that the Palestinians will come to negotiate in earnest.

[Talleyrand]

Department of External Affairs: July 2013 Foreign Policy Review

Definitions of the DoEA's Foreign Policy Review

Economic/Trade Restrictions:

Most Priority: Free exchange of intelligence and trade, as well as top priorities for military and/or economic aid if needed

Normal/None: Atlasian government and corporations are free to due business unhindered by government enforced restrictions.

Partial: Specific restrictions such as selective tariffs or partial embargoes are to be in place to pressure the government to change course, not to change the regime itself. Foreign aid can be granted if the regime shows signs of progress towards democracy.

Full: Complete embargo and trade is forbidden with the nation in question. Corporations in violation may face fines decided by the Senate.

Military Restrictions:

Normal/None: Any military hardware produced by private firms, or by the government of Atlasia may be sold to the government in question. However, nuclear material, technology and nuclear weapons may not be sold unless the Senate agrees with the sale of atomic technology to the nation in question.

Partial: Personnel weapons may be sold by private corporations or the state to the country in question. Personnel weapons are weapons, which are carried and operated by one man, i.e. assault rifles, mortars, RPGs, etc. No vehicles, armour, aircraft, or ships may be sold.

Full: No military equipment of any nature may be sold privately or by Atlasia, i.e. no uniforms, guns, vehicles, nothing.


DoEA Policy: Africa

Algeria: Partial military and partial economic restrictions.  We have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruption.
Angola: Normal
Benin: Normal
Botswana: Normal
Burkina Faso: Normal, though we are concerned about corruption and certain political freedoms.
Burundi: Partial military and no economic restrictions, though we are still concerned about ethnic violence, corruption and certain political freedoms.
Cameroon: Normal, though we are concerned by the political situation and corruption.
Cape Verde: Normal
Central African Republic: Partial military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by the lack of political freedoms and certain civil liberties.
Chad: Full military and economic restrictions. We are concerned by the lack of political freedoms, certain civil liberties and the political situation.
Comoros: Normal, though we are concerned by the current political situation
Congo: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by the massive corruption and lack of political freedoms.
Cote d’Ivoire: Normal
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Full military and economic restrictions because of serious concerns about the political situation, continued violence, basic rights, corruption and treatment of women.
Djibouti: Partial military and no economic restrictions
Egypt: Partial military and no economic restrictions.  We are very concerned about government instability and political freedoms. The DoEA is currently conducting talks with the Egyptian government as soon as possible regarding this matter.
Equatorial Guinea: Full military and economic restrictions
Eritrea: Full military and economic restrictions. We have strong concerns about the current situation, civil liberties and illegal weapons trading with Somalia.
Ethiopia: No military and economic restrictions. We have concerns about political freedoms, internal violence and relations with Somalia.
Gabon: Partial military and partial economic restrictions.
Gambia: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Ghana: Normal
Guinea: Partial military and no economic restrictions. We have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruptions. We support a return to civilian government.
Guinea-Bissau: Partial military and no economic restrictions
Kenya: Normal
Lesotho: Normal
Liberia: Normal
Libya: Normal. The DoEA is pleased with the transition that the Libyans are taking towards Democracy.
Madagascar: Normal, though we are concerned by corruption and political instability.
Malawi: Normal
Mali: Partial economic and no military restrictions.  We are very concerned about government instability.
Mauritania: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Mauritius: Normal
Morocco: Normal, though we are concerned about certain political freedoms.
Mozambique: Normal
Namibia: Normal
Niger: Normal, though we have serious concerns about political freedoms and basic rights.
Nigeria: Normal.  There needs to be serious political reform and we are also worried about violence in the Niger Delta and the situation in the north.
Rwanda: Partial military and no economic restrictions, though we have concerns pertaining to freedom of the press and politics.
Sao Tome and Principe: Normal
Senegal: Normal
Seychelles: Normal
Sierra Leone: Normal
Somalia: Full military and economic restrictions. We have strong concerns regarding piracy and continued violence.
Somaliland: Normal.
South Africa: Normal, though we have concerns over corruption and their response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Sudan: Full military and economic restrictions.
South Sudan: Normal.
Swaziland: Full military and economic restrictions
Tanzania: Normal
Togo: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Tunisia: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Uganda: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by the political situation, human rights and corruption.
Western Sahara: Normal, though we are concerned about certain political freedoms.
Zambia: Normal/ though we are concerned by the political situation and corruption.
Zimbabwe: Full military and economic restrictions

[MaxQue]

Wierd. That thing talks of Somaliland and West Back, but nothing about Taiwan.

[Talleyrand]

Wierd. That thing talks of Somaliland and West Back, but nothing about Taiwan.

Past foreign policy reviews have not included Taiwan, so if the Senate consents, we can probably add Taiwan in, although it is currently covered under "China" as far as I am aware.

[Dereich]

Are we a member of the World Trade Organization? If we are, do the restrictions in place with partial or full status comply with our international obligations?

[Talleyrand]

Are we a member of the World Trade Organization? If we are, do the restrictions in place with partial or full status comply with our international obligations?

I can find nowhere on the Wiki a mention of our membership in the World Trade Organization, but assuming that we did not exit the organization after 2004, it should probably be considered canon that we still hold membership in it as far as I am aware. The restrictions in place comply with our international obligations in search of democratic values, human rights, and civil liberties.

[Talleyrand]

The government of Atlasia has joined a push by fifty nations, including key allies France and the United Kingdom, to press the United Nationals Security Council into referring the Syrian Regime under Bashar al-Assad to the International Criminal Court.

A letter, addressed to the Council and released to the media, implored the ICC “to begin prosecution, or at least a detailed review as soon as possible in order to address the pressing issues occurring in Syria, including the detainment and torture of civilians, extensive military attacks in residential areas (coinciding with the use of chemical weapons), rampant sexual assaults, and the disappearance of hundreds of thousands, including innocent children”. It stated that the crisis in the nation, which has continued for over two years, has led to the “displacement of several million” and showed “immense disregard for basic human rights and international law”.

The letter contained an extensive list of atrocities contained by the regime, and ended with a warning that the government of Atlasia and associated allies would not hesitate to take further steps to address the situation if the Security Council did not take measures similar to those proposed, and the ICC did not pursue charges.

The SoEA was unavailable for comment this morning, citing prior engagements, although his office indicated he would comment further on the situation later this week.

[Talleyrand]

With a UN Security Council vote scheduled for tomorrow evening regarding the issue of Syria's referral to the ICC, the outgoing SoEA, Talleyrand, has been in talks with Chinese and Russian officials (including the Presidents of these nations) regarding the issue over the past twenty-four hours. A senior official indicated to press members that the vote's chances of succeeding seem to be somewhere just under 50-50, although the situation is still developing.