Department of External Affairs

[MasterJedi]

The Department of External Affairs Welcomes You!




Now that I have finally been confirmed I can announce that tomorrow I will be making a stop in Monrovia, Liberia for a meeting with many African leaders that has recently been set up. And before heading home I shall also make a stop late in the day in Iraq before heading back to Atlasia.

Upon my return the Foreign Policy Review shall begin in earnest.

[MasterJedi]

Firstly I Congratulate you formally on the appointment and wish you the best of luck as Atlasia's new Secretary of External Affairs. I'm sure it's better than being Chief Judical Officer of the Mideast

Thanks, and yes. I've had the job of being Superior Court Judge since July and done nothing so I'm happy I can actually be active now.

[MasterJedi]

*SoEA MasterJedi walks out onto a platform along with doezens of African leaders*



This meeting has been planned for a long time now from behind the scenes and with the approval of President Phil. We have asked the leaders of many countries to come here today and to hammer out a plan for an Atlasian-African Free Trade Agreement. And I can announce that we have all come to an agreement with all the countries that have been asked here today. The plan that has been agreed upon can be seen here:

Atlasian-African Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Egypt, Namibia, Botswana, Mali, Gabon, Benin, Ghana, Senegal, Madagascar, Nigeria, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Zambia, Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Lesotho, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Liberia.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

With this agreement, if passed by all our governments, can really help the development of Africa. The thing that people don't realize is that without free trade Atlasia, as well as other countries, are misallocating our resources as well as decreasing the amount of trade both our countries can benefit from.

I know that many on the left will not like this agreement but what they should realize is that instead of proping up failing industries in Atlasia that is hurting our economy more than helping it and increasing the price of goods accross the board we should invest government money into retraining these workers that have lost their jobs as certain industries move out so they can still make a living in another prosperous industry in Atlasia. In the end this will benefit us and the world a lot better than the course we are on now.

To end this announcement I call for someone in the Atlasian Senate to introduce this bill and begin working on another that calls for what I layed out above so we can move on and increase the strength of the Atlasian economy.

Before I leave I will announce that I will be giving another speech in Iraq later in the evening before heading back to Atlasia and start working on the Foreign Policy Review.

[MasterJedi]

Official Press Release

The Department of External Affairs and the Government of Atlasia would like to congradulate the new Belgian Prime Minster Yves Leterme after finally getting the 9 month stalemate to end.

[MasterJedi]

Knowing Yves Leterme, he wouldn't approve of his name being misspelled. Or else he'll call you a "lazy francophone who can't learn Flemish".

That has been fixed, my E key must have stuck or something.

[MasterJedi]

*SoEA MasterJedi walks onto the stage with Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki*



Ever since way back in early 2005 when then Defense Secretary John D. Ford held the position Iraq has been a peaceful nation and a powerful ally with Atlasia. (Note for most of you newer people and probably older people who forgot: Ford and Niles Caulder, GM at the time, helped make Iraq peaceful and end the insurgency, or at least got it down to nothing, that's what I am talking about here, so it's not like in real life.) Because of this we always must make sure this alliance holds strong and because of this we must continue to help grow the Iraqi economy and supply them with arms so their military can be strong and provide a counterweight to Iran in the region.

As many of you can probably guess I have another free trade agreement to announce tonight, and it is the last one, at least for awhile. The agreement that we have agreed upon, with support for President Phil, is shown below:

Atlasia-Iraq Free Trade Bill
1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Iraq.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

If we help the Iraqi economy grow we will continue to grow closer and significantly improve their population's standard of living. And so tonight I urge a Senator to introduce this bill as well as soon as possible.

I shall be leaving to return to Atlasia tonight and when I return to Nyman tomorrow I will begin work on the Foreign policy review. I will do it in parts in this order:

1. North and Central America and the Caribbean
2. South America
3. Europe
4. Africa
5. Middle East
6. Asia

Good night and may God bless Atlasia and Iraq.

[MasterJedi]

Foreign Policy Review Part I of VI: North and Central America and the Caribbean

*Note* As when my predecessor did it "Normal" means normal diplomatic relations. *Note*

Canada: Normal
Mexico: Normal but we have major concerns about the lack of control the Government has on the border region and their lack of regard for immigration control.
Belize: Normal
Costa Rica: Normal
El Salvador: Normal
Guatemala: Normal but we have concerns about the Government’s ability to always keep control of the rule of law.
Honduras: Normal though we are concerned about the security situation and are fully behind the Government’s efforts to get rid of the gangs that have been causing problems.
Nicaragua: Normal
Panama: Normal, we would like to begin looking at purchasing back the Panama Canal though.
Cuba: Full Restrictions though we realize Raul Castro is a very small step up.
Antigua and Barbuda: Normal
Bahamas: Normal
Barbados: Normal
Dominica: Normal and we support their claim to Bird Island.
Grenada: Normal
Dominican Republic: Normal
Haiti: Normal though we are concerned with the continued instability and will continue to support the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.
Jamaica: Normal
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Normal
Saint Lucia: Normal
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Normal
Trinidad and Tobago: Normal

[MasterJedi]

Foreign Policy Review Part II of VI: South America

Argentina: Normal, though we continue to reject their claim on the Falkland Islands.
Bolivia: Normal, though we will continue to push for the reduction in Coca production.
Brazil: Normal
Chile: Normal
Colombia: Normal
Ecuador: Normal
Guyana: Normal
Paraguay: Normal
Peru: Normal
Suriname: Normal
Uruguay: Normal
Venezuela: Normal though we strongly condemn Hugo Chavez’s move towards a dictatorship and the continued reduction in political freedoms and other basic rights.

[MasterJedi]

The sanctions on Cuba should remain abolished unless we want to continue contributing to a massive decrease in the quality of life for Cubans for no good reason...

If you really want to get the policy toward Cuba changed you need to talk to President Phil. Though I do right the Foreign Policy Review everything goes by President Phil to see if it meets what foreign policy he'd like to put forward so the only way it will change is if he wants it to change.

As for the quality of life of Cubans considering every country South of Atlasia is mostly poor Cuba is much better off than most of the countries that are surrounding Cuba. Restrictions on Cuba aren't hurting the people, it's mostly hurting the Government who has in turn been hurting the people for over 50 years. Also consider the health of Cubans, besides the US they are some of the most medicated in the world.

Venezuela: Normal though we strongly condemn Hugo Chavez’s move towards a dictatorship and the continued reduction in political freedoms and other basic rights.

Examples?

Since you are young and don't know what you are talking about I shall give you examples. He's nationalized the oil and natural gas fields in his country. He has Rule by Decree for many things which is oh so democratic. His last batch of referendum's were thankfully defeated which would have been disasterous for any form of democracy.

[MasterJedi]

Foreign Policy Review Part III of VI

Belarus: Full Restrictions
Bulgaria: Normal
Czech Republic: Normal
Hungary: Normal
Moldova: Normal though we have concerns of media freedom.
Poland: Normal
Romania: Normal
Slovakia: Normal though we have concerns about the treatment of the Roma people.
Ukraine: Normal though we have concerns about the political climate in general.
Finland: Normal
Denmark: Normal
Estonia: Normal
Iceland: Normal
Ireland: Normal
Latvia: Normal though we have serious concerns about the treatment of the Russian minority.
Lithuania: Normal
Norway: Normal
Sweden: Normal
United Kingdom: Normal
Albania: Normal though we have concerns about corruption and democracy.
Andorra: Normal though we would like a complete transition to democracy.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Normal
Croatia: Normal
Greece: Normal
Italy: Normal
Kosovo: Normal
Macedonia: Normal though we have concerns about political stability.
Malta: Normal
Montenegro: Normal
Portugal: Normal
San Marino: Normal
Serbia: Normal though full restrictions are ready to be implemented depending on what comes.
Slovenia: Normal
Spain: Normal
Vatican City: Normal
Austria: Normal
Belgium: Normal
France: Normal
Germany: Normal
Lichtenstein: Normal though we want a complete transition to a democracy.
Luxembourg: Normal
Monaco: Normal though we want a complete transition to a democracy.
Netherlands: Normal
Switzerland: Normal
Azerbaijan: Full Restrictions
Georgia: Normal
Armenia: Normal though we have concerns on many issues, situation to be kept monitored.
Cyprus: Normal with full support going to Greek Cyprus
Russia: Normal though we fully condemn the moves toward authoritarianism and basic freedoms, along with the treatment of the Chechen people.

[MasterJedi]

Serbia: Normal though full restrictions are ready to be implemented depending on what comes.

Does that full restrictions mean if the Radicals do well and/or enter government?

Not necessarily. It mostly would be what happens in the treatment of minority groups and what the government chooses to do with Kosovo.

First I need to ask why we are implementing full restrictions on Belarus and not nations like Russia who put down their Chechnyan citizens.  I am calling for full recognition of the nations of Chechnya and Basque in Europe as well.

As you realize a power like Russia is always a sticky situation to deal with. If it continues on the path that it does now, and more importantly Putin still controlling the government behind the scenes I would be more than willing to implement full restrictions but we still need to see how these things work themselves out.

As for Chechnya I would eventually like to support the recognition of the nation but the violence displayed by both sides at the time makes it impossible to do so. What would be the best thing would to get the violence to be almost done and then bring all sides together to talk about independence. Though we also have to realize that Russia will almost never let this happen by it's own choice.

As for Basque I can't support independence at this time especially with some of the actions the independence groups take. Also we have to realize that this country would more than likely be a combination of two countries lands. Maybe in the future this could be an option.

[MasterJedi]

I note that Australia and Oceania will not be included in the review; and ask the question as to why one of Atlasia's areas of key concern, especially considering this SoEA's stated aims for a state of 'Pacifica', is excluded from this already bare-bones review.

They have always been planned to be apart of Asia, the last section to be done. I just forgot to mention it in there. Just because it wasn't mentioned doesn't mean it wasn't going to be done. Besides, my support for a state of Pacifica is made up of territories that are already part of Atlasia.

[MasterJedi]

Foreign Policy Review Part IV of VI

Burundi: Normal though we are still concerned about ethnic violence.
Comoros: Normal though we are still concerned with the political situation.
Djibouti: Normal though we want to continue to push for more political freedom.
Eritrea: Full Restrictions
Ethiopia: Normal though we are concerned about political freedom.
Kenya: Normal though we are concerned about political freedom and the recent ethnic violence.
Madagascar: Normal
Malawi: Normal though we are concerned about voting irregularities.
Mauritius: Normal
Mozambique: Normal though we are concerned about the political situation.
Rwanda: Normal though we are still concerned with the political situation and the problems in setting up and maintaining freedom of the press.
Seychelles: Normal
Somalia: Full Restrictions
Tanzania: Normal
Uganda: Normal though we are concerned with the political situation and massive corruption.
Zambia: Normal though we are concerned with the political situation and massive corruption.
Zimbabwe: Full Restrictions
Angola: Normal though subject to change based on the upcoming elections and the political situation.
Cameroon: Normal though we have concerns about the political situation and the massive corruption.
Central African Republic: Normal though we are concerned about the political situation and the violence in the north.
Chad: Normal though vast changes need to be made in the political landscape and the corruption.
Congo: Full Restrictions
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Normal though we have serious concerns about the political condition, the continued violence, basic rights and treatment of woman.
Equatorial Guinea: Full Restrictions
Gabon: Normal
Sao Tome and Principe: Normal
Algeria: Normal
Egypt: Normal
Libya: Full Restrictions
Morocco: Normal though we reject their claim to Western Sahara and we would like a complete move to democracy.
Western Sahara: We support a free and independent nation of Western Sahara.
Sudan: Full Restrictions and we condemn them for Darfur and demand they stop the killings.
Tunisia: Full Restrictions
Botswana: Normal
Lesotho: Normal
Namibia: Normal
South Africa: Normal
Swaziland: Full Restrictions
Benin: Normal
Burkina Faso: Normal
Cape Verde: Normal
Cote d’Ivoire: Full Restrictions until the political position has been dealt with.
Gambia: Normal though we have concerns about the political situation.
Ghana: Normal
Guinea: Normal though the political opposition needs to be strengthened.
Guinea-Bissau: Normal though we have concerns about the political situation.
Liberia: Normal
Mali: Normal
Mauritania: Normal
Niger: Normal
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: Full Restrictions
Togo: Normal though subject to change with the political situation. Will be kept monitored.

[MasterJedi]

Somalia: The new "government" only controls part of the country, in all the whole country is a mess and needs to be sorted out before anything can be decided upon.

Tunisia: Dictatorship, no political freedom, and extreme censorship by the government.

Libya: Dictatorship, no political freedom and poor human rights record.

Swaziland: Very oppressive monarchy with no political freedom and a bad civil rights record which is mostly ignored by anyone.

Sierra Leone: The country is still a mess, massive problems with freedom of the press and corruption. If the country continues on the path it is now it will be changed back to normal relations.


As for Somaliland and other areas seeking independence that will all be dealt with after the Foreign Policy Review is done.

[MasterJedi]

Foreign Policy Review Part V of VI

Turkey:Normal though we condemn Turkey for not recognizing the Armenian Genocide and their treatment of the Kurdish people.
Kuwait: Normal
Bahrain: Normal though we want a full transfer to democracy.
Qatar: Normal though we want a full transfer to democracy.
Saudi Arabia: Normal though we want a full transfer to democracy along with the removal of the House of Saud from politics along with complete changes in the law concerning human rights as well as many other things.
Oman: Normal though we want a full transfer to democracy.
Yemen: Normal though we would like a change of law in the country.
United Arab Emirates: Normal
Israel: Normal
Jordan: Normal though we would like a transfer to democracy.
Lebanon: Normal though we want them to completely root out Hezbollah from within their borders.
Syria: Full Restrictions
Iraq: Normal
Iran: Full Restrictions
Palestine: Normal though we would like the removal of Hamas from any form of power. We would eventually like a free and independent state of Palestine with the land they control now and either some reparations paid for the land taken by Israel or some other land given in exchange.
Pakistan: Normal though we would like a transfer to a full democracy.
Afghanistan: Normal
Kazakhstan: Normal
Kyrgyzstan: Full Restrictions
Tajikistan: Full Restrictions 
Turkmenistan: Full Restrictions
Uzbekistan: Full Restrictions

[MasterJedi]

Official Press Release

Mideast Governor HappyWarrior has been contracted to provide the Department of External Affairs information on areas around the world that have serious active independence movements since he is very knowledgeable in these areas.

[MasterJedi]

Foreign Policy Review Part VI of VI

China: To Be Determined
Japan: Normal
Mongolia: Normal
North Korea: Full Restrictions
South Korea: Normal
Brunei: Full Restrictions
Cambodia: Normal though we would like a complete transfer to democracy and have major concerns about the massive corruption.
East Timor: Normal though we have concerns about the political situation.
Indonesia: Normal
Laos: Normal though we have concerns about political and basic freedoms.
Malaysia: Normal
Burma (Myanmar) Full Restrictions
Philippines: Normal
Singapore: Normal though we would like a true democracy to form.
Thailand: Normal though we have concerns with the political situation.
Vietnam: Normal though we want a full change to democracy.
India: Normal
Bangladesh: Normal though we have concerns over the political situation.
Maldives: Normal
Nepal: Normal though we would like a complete transfer to democracy.
Bhutan: Normal
Sri Lanka: Normal though we have concerns about the political situation and the frequent disappearances.
Australia: Normal
New Zealand: Normal
Fiji: Normal though we have major concerns over the political situation.
Papua New Guinea: Normal
Solomon Islands: Normal
Vanuatu: Normal
Federated States of Micronesia: Normal
Kiribati: Normal
Marshall Islands: Normal
Nauru: Normal
Palau: Normal
Samoa: Normal
Tonga: Normal though we want a full transfer to democracy.
Tuvalu: Normal

[MasterJedi]

Why do we have full restrictions on Brunei? I'm quite interested to hear your reasoning. Especially since Laos and Vietnam are not given any restrictions.

Mostly to do with the almost constant state of marshall law and the arrests that still come because of it.

[MasterJedi]

Yes we missed Bangladesh, and it has been added. Just calm down there Xahar, we older people have lives outside of the forum.

And Hamas is a terrorist organization, and as you said if the people want to be stupid they can elect them and lose our support.

[MasterJedi]

I'll be getting to a few things either later today or tomorrow. School has been busy this week.

[MasterJedi]

The Baathists and Al Qaeda could be elected too, but would you support a government run by either?

Baathists are tricky, especially in Atlasia since Iraq has been peaceful for several years. We wouldn't like it if the ones who fought against Iraq and the US were elected and conditions could get strained but I'm not sure if restrictions would be put in place.

As for Al Qaeda that would obviously be full restrictions and almost certainly military action since we are at war with Al Qaeda as they are with us.

I am rather disturbed personally over the choice to not make any restrictions at all against the DR of Congo, and request the SOEA review the information on the country, at the least, as the new constitution has given us little to find comfort in.

I dont believe I even got a response on this issue. Can I at least get a response from the Secretary?

Sorry, I didn't think you were asking a question at all, it just seemed like you were making a statement. Now that I know you are I can answer your question. It's mostly because of the decline in violence lately. Even though we don't have restrictions we are watching the country and if violence continues and gets worse or if the country gets farther from democracy full restrictions are very likely to return.

[MasterJedi]

Official Press Release

The Department of External Affairs and the Government of Atlasia would like to congradulate the new President of Botswana Ian Khama on his election.

[MasterJedi]

A statement on the situation in Zimbabwe would be nice.

The DoEA is waiting for everything to fall into place before making an official statement on the matter though we are watching it closely.

Official Press Release

The Department of External Affairs and the Government of Atlasia would like to congradulate the new President of Botswana Ian Khama on his election.

Ian Khama was not elected.

You are right, I just copied the last election notice and forgot to take out that the previous President resigned.

[MasterJedi]

Time for backlog work!

Official Press Release

The Atlasian Government would like to congratulate Silvio Berlusconi on getting re-elected back to Prime Minister of Italy.

Official Press Release

The Atlasian Government would like to congratuate Fernando Lugo on being elected President of Paraguay.

Official Press Release

The Atlasian Government is happy that elections have again happened in Nepal but we aren't happy that the Maoists won a plurality.

Official Press Release

The Atlasian Government is keeping a close eye on the situation in Zimbabwe. We are hoping that the current ruling party doesn't try and rig the upcoming runnoff election and are standing fully behind Morgan Tsvangirai

[MasterJedi]

Time for backlog work!

Official Press Release

The Atlasian Government would like to congratulate Silvio Berlusconi on getting re-elected back to Prime Minister of Italy.

Official Press Release

The Atlasian Government would like to congratuate Fernando Lugo on being elected President of Paraguay.

Official Press Release

The Atlasian Government is happy that elections have again happened in Nepal but we aren't happy that the Maoists won a plurality.

Official Press Release

The Atlasian Government is keeping a close eye on the situation in Zimbabwe. We are hoping that the current ruling party doesn't try and rig the upcoming runnoff election and are standing fully behind Morgan Tsvangirai

Is it a good idea to take such strong positions based on political ideologies (basically why do we congratulate the corrupt Berlusconi and yet condemn the Maoists in Nepal who may not be as bad as the monarchy?)

We didn't condemn them, we'd just rather have a different group in but we are happy that they were democratically elected in.