Talk Elections

This is my new office for the Department of External Affairs.  This is specifically my governmental office.  I will also be using a second public office.  Thank you for your attention.

DOEA COMMUNIQUE

Atlasia would like to issue a statement issuing their concern over Afghan President Hamid Karzai's recent pardon of five heroin traffikers.  It has come to light that at least one is related to a member of his campaign staff.

However we would like to congratulate the Afghan Government's recent cutting of a clause in their marriage law that would seem to legalize marital rape.  This is a crucial step forward for human rights in the nation.

___________________________________________________________________________

The Republic of Atlasia would like to state it's support for the return to power of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.  We are of the opinion that any Democratically elected leader should retain their position unless it is the will of the people that they be voted from office.  We do not take the leaders' ideology into the idea at all.

___________________________________________________________________________

The DOEA would also like to express our worries over the recent rise of an Al Qaeda affiliate in various nations in Northern Africa.  Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb as the group calls themselves is based in Algeria and has recently been kidnapping and ransoming westerners while also hitting government patrols, resulting in more than a dozen deaths.  They have even claimed to have killed a man from our nation.  All Atlasians traveling to any North African country are being told to cancel travel plans to the region and if that is not possible, to be very careful while there.

Degemer! If you find my crap in your office, forward it to me mar plij!

Ah, what's that smell, human rights? ;)

I'm very pleased with your actions thusfar HW, keep up the great work.

You have the job I want the most, but I'm sure you will do an excellent job.  Best of luck to you.

I fear for the world's future should you ever get this job ;)

Why would you want the least powerful most do-nothing job in Atlasia?

Um do you notice the fact that I have been putting out consistent reports and policies since my swearing in?

I could write whatever I felt too, doesn't make any difference toward the game

Because I like foreign affairs.


Thanks :P

DOEA Communique

The Republic of Atlasia wishes to offer our condolences to Mexico after the recent violent murders of twelve federal officials by the La Familia drug cartel in the Mexican state of Michoacan, which has been a center of the current President's crackdown on organized crime.

Initial reports indicated the victims were likely killed over the weekend, when federal agents arrested Arnoldo Rueda Medina, who is suspected of being chief of operations of the Michoacan-based La Familia cartel. 

Atlasia as already stated offers its condolences and also hopes that we can provide some sort of aid to the difficult times our neighbor is experiencing.

___________________________________________________________________________

We would meanwhile like to congratulate Nigeria on the recent ceasefire between the federal government and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta rebel group.  We hope that this ceasefire will last, though we are concerned over the attempt to disrupt it after only 12 hours of the ceasefire.

What sort of actions and assistance does the SoEA believe is appropriate for Atlasia to take to assist our southern neighbor in combating the organized crime and drug groups so as to prevent such horrific events from continuing to occur in Mexico, as well as from spreading North.

Isn't Mexico a vassal Country of the Dirty South or something?

Don't be ridiculous.

Oh, is that about the time SPC was playing Army Men with his "Security Force"?

I think so.

Semi-related: We should scrap all GM decisions made before Brandon. It would make things a lot easier.

As of this moment I am not entirely sure of what sort of actions would be called for other than a crackdown on border-crossings when it comes to drug runners considering alot of their harder products are mostly desired here in our nation.  I will speak to the President if he desires further measures than that and will of course be open minded to any Mexican proposals as well.

Just to let everyone know I plan to start my first foreign policy report in the next day or two.  That is all.

I look forward to it :)

The DOEA will not offer it's support to any furthur free trade agreements, however should they pass I will not impede their being enacted so long as the don't violate the LGBT Trade Act.  Also I would like to encourage as much fairness in trade deals as possible by including clauses wherein we won't have FTAs unless another country reciprocates.  It is only proper and fair.

Aren't FTAs agreements with another country, indicating reciprocity? It's not a unilateral announcement. It is an agreement among nations. That's why we don't do a "general free trade resolution," but individual FTAs with nations on a case by case basis.

They are called Free Trade AGREEMENTS but we can not determine ourselves whether these nations would accept them or not.  I think for that to take effect we'd need someone like the GM to act as those we are engaged in negotiations with.  Otherwise my interpretation is that we are simply lifting trade barriers unilaterally.

Well with this GM I don't think that will be much of a problem. :P

A++

Wow, the DoEA of taking an official stance against of the world's great leaders?  What a joke this already joke department is making itself into

Great Leaders?  Berlusconi is no Washington my friend!  He is a constant philanderer and not a particularly strong leader either.  Have you heard of Bettino Craxi, his overt media control, or his well known suspicion of Mafia ties?  Yup a great leader!  He has also hired prostitutes, been caught on wiretaps, and has a quite questionable sense of humor.  All of these are not the marks of a GREAT leader by any stretch of the imagination DWTL.

Berlusconi is a corrupt bastard. I fully support the DoEA's labeling of him as such.

Honestly, though, Berlusconi is far more interesting and likable than the joke opposition.

HW, do you think you could denote, with an asterisk or underline, which countries represent a shift in Atlasian external policy?

The only significant change so far is in our policy towards Honduras, though I am thinking of revising the stance toward Russia.  I willl do so in the future however.

DOEA Policy: Africa

Burundi: Normal, though we are still concerned about ethnic violence.
Comoros: Normal, though our concerns remain on the political situation
*Djibouti: Djibouti has recently shown itself to be a strong ally againest terrorism.  Normal, though we still have concerns about the politics of the country.
Eritrea: Full Restrictions, and we have strong concerns about the current situation
Ethiopia: Normal, though we have concerns about political freedoms
*Kenya: Normal
Madagascar: Normal
Malawi: Normal
Mauritius: Normal
Mozambique: Normal
Rwanda: Normal, though we have concerns pertaining to freedom of the press and politics.
Seychelles: Normal
*Somalia: Full restrictions, the government might as well not exist frankly.
Tanzania: Normal
Uganda: Normal, though we are concerned by the political situation and corruption.
Zambia: Normal, though we are concerned by the political situation and corruption.
Zimbabwe: Full Restrictions
Angola: Normal, though we are concerned by corruption. We are pleased by their recents election, which was generally fair, despite flaws.
Cameroon: Normal, though we are concerned by the political situation and corruption.
Central African Republic: Full restrictions.
Chad: Full restrictions
Congo: Partial restrictions, and we are concerned by the massive corruption.
*Democratic Republic of the Congo: Full restrictions because of serious concerns about the political situation, continued violence, basic rights, corruption and treatment of women.
Equatorial Guinea: Full Restrictions
Gabon: Normal, though we continue to call for full democracy.
Sao Tome and Principe: Normal
*Algeria: Partial Restrictions because we have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruption.
Egypt: Normal, though we have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruption.
Libya: Partial Restrictions, we also have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruption.
Morocco: Normal, though we would like full democracy. On the matter of Western Sahara, we demand immediate negotiations concerning the status of Western Sahara, and the failure of Morocco to engage into talks will results in recognition of Sahrawi independence.
Sudan: Full Restrictions, and we strongly condemn the situation in Darfur.
Tunisia: Partial restrictions
Botswana: Normal
Lesotho: Normal
Namibia: Normal
South Africa: Normal, and we are pleased with their new Health Minister's policy regarding HIV/AIDs.
Swaziland: Full restrictions
Benin: Normal
Burkina Faso: Normal
Cape Verde: Normal
Cote d’Ivoire: Partial restrictions until political issues have been resolved.
Gambia: Normal, though we have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruption.
Ghana: Normal
Guinea: Normal, though we have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruptions.
Guinea-Bissau: Normal, though we have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruption.
Liberia: Normal
Mali: Normal
Mauritania: Full restrictions until the political situation is resolved and democratic government is re-instated.
Niger: Normal, though we have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights.
Nigeria: Normal, though there needs to be serious political reform and we are also worried about violence in the Niger Delta.
Senegal: Normal
Sierra Leone: Normal, though we have some concerns.
Togo: Partial restrictions.
*Somaliland: Normal

I would also like to add that the SOEA would support any bill establishing Atlasian support for Western Saharan independence.

I would to express my disapproval of the new policy regarding Djibouti.

Why?

Thanks for the asterisks.

It's a repressive dictatorship and we shouldn't hold hypocritical positions regarding repressive dictatorships.

In my research I never found evidence that they were still repressive or a dictatorship... in fact the UN has called their elections fair.

rofl.

The world disagrees with you and the UN.

I'm doing the best I can man.  Give me some of your sources so I can look into it personally to see what to do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_Press_%28report%29#Sub_Saharian_Africa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reporters_Without_Borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indices_of_Freedom

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Democracyindex2.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djiboutian_parliamentary_election,_2003#Election_results

Even Freedom House, the United States' government outfit, classifies it's close military ally as 'partially free'.

Well after looking at these sources I'll probably have to change our official policy.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Re; Nigeria, I think being worried only by violence in the delta looks bad - makes it seem as though Atlasia is only worried when its interests (oil in this case) be involved. Violence (and certain other things) in the north of the country is a much more serious concern in certain ways.

With things like the Sharia law you mean?

Does an asterisk mean it has changed from the last update?

I saw that!


Yes.

They have it coming.

Is the SoEA testing us to see if we are reading his reports?

As well as to see if anyone notices when I do or do not make changes ;)

The SOEA would like to at this time ask if any Senators would be interested in drafting a bill for the recognition of the nation of West Africa?

Hmm?

Oops pardon me, Western Sahara, not Africa

Can't the SoEA or President simply declare that Atlasia recognizes them?

FTR, I don't think the legislature should have to confer diplomatic recognition.

EDIT: Darn you to heck, PS.

I'm just going on precedence as with the Somaliland Recognition Bill.

I think Senate recognition is a nice gesture, but it is within the power of the President and his Cabinet to make such choices.

One of the most interesting parts about this game is that the President tends to wield disproportionately little power, even compared to his own appointees. Presidential declarations and executive orders are incredibly rare. Utilization of the bully pulpit is generally left to individual Senators. Even campaigning for the presidency is relatively low key. It is very similar to early American history, when campaigning for president was viewed as beneath the office.

It will be interesting to see when, if ever, an Atlasian President breaks the mold and revolutionizes the office in the same way Jackson did.

Porce certainly tried.

not unless there is a Pres. DWTL

Hey, I could do it.

I'd do it, as well, but while I have the same level of opposition as Jackson, I lack his supporters :P

Tomorrow I the SOEA will be travelling to Columbia to meet with President Uribe, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bermudez, and Minister of National Defense Lujan.  I will be releasing a statement in regards during my trip.

I protest the absence of the accentuation on the names of the honorable ministers Bermúdez and Luján.

I've never known how to insert those. You better teach me before I write a story on it. ;)

I was kidding. I don't know how to write them on your keyboards. I only know for ''Canadian multilingual'' keyboards (for French-speakers, in short)

I feel like I would fail terribly if confronted with a multilingual keyboard. I've invested so much time memorizing my single language one.

That is still a QWERTY keyboard. We just have more things programmated with Shift+A number, Ctrl+A right key, Alt+A right key and Alt Car+A right key.

Why? The SADR ain't no Somaliland.

Is Atlasia a member of the UN ?

Which international conventions and treaties has Atlasia signed (and ratified) ?

Which big international conventions and treaties has Atlasia not signed at all, or just signed but not ratified ?

Thanks a lot.

Quite simply the fact that though it has been on the backburner for the past ten years or so, it still creates alot of tension between the Arab and African worlds and hopefully this will remove alot of that tension.



I believe we are still UN members. For other treatys just look at the SOEA page on the wiki.

I'm sure our Moroccan allies will be overexcited about this.

Use US-International. It's excellent.

Just to inform everyone I will be having a hard time getting on the internet for the next few days due to internet problems in my new college apartment, however once I start at the college I should be back on frequently.  I start monday :)

I will be boarding a plan in about an hour to go to St. Petersburg for a meeting with the President and Prime Minister of Russia to discuss the ongoing situation in Colombia.

Could you please bring back some cheap Russian vodka? Our Senate supplies are running pretty low. :)

The Secretary should note that today Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8231717.stm

FTR, as a Senator, I support authorizing the use of the Atlasian armed forces against the AIAA. It's an important problem and a direct threat to Atlasia, unlike sending troops to fight the FARCs in the jungle.

I'd just like to chime in here to concur with Hash. This is a different situation where I will support the use of force. Of course, with some minor reservations.

Senatorial oversight must exist. This can't be a blank check.

Mr. SoEA, can you pronounce the name of the city you're in? Because I can.

I would like to request that the SoEA address the war in Uganda.

I will address it in my speech tomorrow in Midgand.

My meeting in Africa went well and I and the President will be working on a few initiatives on this.  I will be travelling to the EU within the next week to discuss the situations in Africa, the Americas, and the Mid-East, largly focusing on Yemen, Somalia, and the situation in Venezuela.

I'm not sure but I think than the Senate should autorize it first?

Dagon why is it that either way I do it people say I'm wrong? lol

We must authorize joining an operation, but not which ships will be sent.

Gotcha.  Well I'll wait for the Senate's gohead.

I am quite pleased by Acting President Bacon King's actions during this crisis the past couple of days, I have been very busy in real life so I have'nt been able to get on long enough to post.  I'll be able to do better in the next couple days.

Real life is always a priority. Still, it's good to have your support.

I will be gone for most of this weekend but I will be back on the job Sunday.

Hurry Back!

Communique:

First off I would like to ask that Japan reconsider it's tabling of it's agreement to allow a new military base in the country.  I will be visiting there next week on another of my diplomatic tours.  Secondly I hope that the Yemeni government will not take the recent Saudi attack on terrorists just across the Yemeni borders as an attack on Yemen but rather as helping againest the terrorist forces in that nation.  Also on my tour I will be once again travelling to Europe to meet with various leaders on a number of issues.  I'd also like to congratulate our forces on their progress, along with the EU task force in the region, in their attempts at stopping the piracy from Somalia.  Finally I am truly hoping that the conflict in Venezuela will soon come to an end and would once again like to offer my diplomatic services if the two sides would accept it, though there is little that I can offer in the situation otherwise.

Currently I am speaking with various leaders on what we should do to finally end the conflict in Albuquerqe, though I am pleased by our present progress.

I don't think the Saudis ever crossed the border into Yemen, but rather vice-versa actually.

That's what I read on Arab News anyway.

Thats what I got out of the GM thread.

I will be beginning a new foreign policy review within the week.

Could you please wait until the Senate approves your last one? There's a law which requires approval of FPR, so I'd like the last FPR to be approved. In addition, I have some amendments to the last FPR which I'll propose once the bill is up, which may hopefully help you in preparing the next FPR.

Of course, thought it'd already been passed.  Sorry.

This Senator would like to inform the SOEA of this expressed condemnation of the proposed anti-gay bill in Uganda.

Link?

DOEA Communique

I'd just like to take a quick moment today to protest the recent attempt at banning minarets by the Swiss government.  This crucially cuts down on the religious freedom of the Muslim peoples living within Switzerland.

DOEA Communique

First of all I would like to offer to the Russian people my and the Atlasian people's condolenses following the recent fire in the Russian city of Perm.  I will make a trip to meet with President Medevev and Prime Minister Putin in regards to this terrible tragedy, recent foreign policy developments, and the Prime Minister's recent announcement that he may run again for the Presidency in 2012.  I'd also like to say that I hope the recent unrest in the Phillipines will cease within the coming weeks.  Finally I'd like to say that the Atlasian government is very much opposed to the recent actions of Uganda in the proposal of the recent anti-homosexual legislation and the actions of the Iranian government in outlawing the presence of media corespondents during the upcoming student protest rally. 

DOEA Communique

The Atlasian Government will not be supporting Colombia's request to send former President Hugo Chavez to the Justice Court (WJC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity due to the fact that though his methods in the war were questionable, we do not feel there is sufficient evidence to prosecute for such serious charges and actions on both sides of the conflict may have been questionable. 

Best spell Medvedev's name right if you want productive relations. :P

Pardon, I've been in a rush all day considering this is finals week lol

Secretary of External Affairs HappyWarrior, President Medvedev, and Prime Minister Putin walk out to the podium together.  First up to the podium is the SOEA.

Hello everyone first of all I'd just like to say that today was a very large step forward for Russo-Atlasian relations.  Myself, the President, and the Prime Minister have come to a number of agreements, which of course the Senate and President would have to approve.  First of all we have agreed that Atlasia will provide humanitarian aid in the Caucasus, which will hopefully help to calm down the brewing rebel movements of the various secession movements in the region.  This issue is especially important considering the recent terrorist attack on Russian rail lines.  In exchange the Russians will work on improving oil pipelines throughout their nation and the manner in which they connect with Europe, as well as improved diplomatic and economic relations between our two nations.  I will be returning to Atlasia with a bilateral treaty of friendship between our nations for the Senate to sign, esentially guaranteeing that we will not oppose one others interests economically or diplomatically.   

As Acting President, I'd like to officially and personally thank Secretary HappyWarrior for his work in strengthening our diplomatic ties to Russia.

I will be heading to both Taiwan and China following the holidays.  Also I hope to work with the GM on the previously mentioned bilateral treaty with Russia within the coming weeks.

I am sure that I speak for the Senate in demonstrating our distraught at the earthquake in Haiti that has filtered through the news over the past few hours and extend our condolences to the dead, wounded and displaced. Once the Secretary has reported on this matter I feel that it is appropriate for Atlasia to offer what humanitarian assistance that we can in order to ensure Haiti recovers as soon as it can.

The DoEA would like to extend its condolenses to the people of Haiti following the tragic earthquake this week.  I would be happy to assist in any such bill as you are now writing Senator Afleitch in regards to aid to Haiti.  Also I would like to discourage Haitian refugees from fleeing into the Dominican Republic and instead to stay in Haiti and aid in the restoration of their nation.

Just to let everyone know the reason my activity has been so low lately is because of my slow internet at home.  I will be returning to college next Sunday and from there I shall be making my trips to China, Taiwan, and now also Haiti.  Thank you all for your patience.

Whoops! Hope I didn't step on your toes in proposing the relief bill in the Senate just now, Aflteich.

Communique

The DOEA would like to hereby condemn the recent Iranian nuclear ambitions, a nuclear Iran will only destabilize an already volatile region.  We will try entering into diplomatic means of preventing this outcome no matter what.

Just to let everyone know I will be retiring from my position as SOEA following President-elect Afleitch's inauguration.  I hope to allow him to appoint his own cabinet.  If he would like me to continue on in this capacity if I do lose the Senatorial election to take his place in the Senate I will of course do so.  Though recently I have slackened in my activity I am proud of how I performed in this role and I hope to be well remembered for it.

I think that you have done a terrific job in this office, and you should be proud of how well you've done.

Absolutely.

I will hereby be resigning the office of Secretary of External Affairs in order to allow the incoming President to make his choice as to who he wishes to have in his cabinet.  I'd like to thank President Lief for his appointing of me, as well as the people who have gotten me here.  I simply hope I have served adequetly in my office and that whomsoever succeeds me shall carry on what has been done recently.