Department of External Affairs (DOEA)

[HappyWarrior]

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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.

[HappyWarrior]

Under the recent Amendment to the LGBT Trade Act the following Free Trade Agreements are declared null and void until such time as the nations within the agreements agree to follow it's provisions.

F.L. 17-1: Atlasian-Kuwait Free Trade Act
F.L. 13-12: Atlasian-Bahrain Free Trade Act
F.L. 13-11: Atlasian-Morocco Free Trade Act
F.L. 13-10: Atlasian-Singapore Free Trade Act

As well are the following segments of the following free trade agreements.

F.L. 13-7: Caribbean Free Trade Act (with Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago)
F.L. 13-6: South American Free Trade Act (Guyana)

If I am at all overstepping my bounderies I hope someone will inform me as such.

[HappyWarrior]

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

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?

[HappyWarrior]

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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.

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.

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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

[HappyWarrior]

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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.

[HappyWarrior]

Official DOEA Policy: The Americas

Argentina: Normal
Bolivia: Normal, though we have concerned over the President's close ties with Hugo Chavez.
Brazil: Normal
Chile: Normal
Colombia: Normal, though we have concerns over corruption and other stuff
Ecuador: Normal, with a few concerns.
Guyana: Normal
Paraguay: Normal
Peru: Normal
Suriname: Normal
Uruguay: Normal
Venezuela: Partial restrictions due to what seems to be the attempted establishment of a dictatorship by President Chaves.
Canada: Normal
Mexico: Normal though we have concerns over stability and the drug trade.
Belize: Normal
Costa Rica: Normal
El Salvador: Normal
Guatemala: Normal
Honduras:  Partial economic restrictions due to the ongoing political crisis.
Nicaragua: Normal
Panama: Normal
Cuba: Atlasian policy regarding Cuba is currently F.L. 18-6, Cuban Relations Act.
Antigua and Barbuda: Normal
Bahamas: Normal
Barbados: Normal
Dominica: Normal
Grenada: Normal
Dominican Republic: Normal
Haiti: Normal, though we have concerns regarding instability
Jamaica: Normal
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Normal
Saint Lucia: Normal
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Normal
Trinidad and Tobago: Normal

[HappyWarrior]

DoEA Policy: Europe

Albania: Normal, but we have concerns over corruption
Andorra: Normal
Armenia: We have concerns over voting rights and a few other problems, partial restrictions.
Austria: Normal
Azerbaijan: Full restrictions
Belarus: Full restrictions
Belgium: Normal
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Normal
Bulgaria: Normal
Croatia: Normal
Czech Republic: Normal
Denmark: Normal
Estonia: Normal
Finland: Normal
France: Normal
Georgia: Normal, though we have concerns over free and fair elections.
Germany: Normal
Greece: Normal
Hungary: Normal
Iceland: Normal
Ireland: Normal
Italy: Normal though we don't much approve of Berlusconi
Kosovo: Normal
Latvia: Normal
Liechtenstein: Normal
Lithuania: Normal
Luxembourg: Normal
Macedonia: Normal, concerns about a few things, particularlly relations with Greece
Moldova: Partial restriction we have concerns about media freedom and so forth
Monaco: Normal
Montenegro: Normal
Netherlands: Normal
Norway: Normal
Poland: Normal
Portugal: Normal
Romania: Normal
Russia: Partial restrictions. We have serious concerns about democracy, press freedom, Chechnya
San Marino: Normal
Serbia: Normal
Slovakia: Normal
Slovenia: Normal
Sweden: Normal
Switzerland: Normal
Turkey: Normal, although concerns remain about treatment of Kurds
Ukraine: Normal, but we have concerns regarding current political stability, corruption, and various other problems
United Kingdom: Normal
Vatican City: Normal

[HappyWarrior]

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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

Why?

[HappyWarrior]

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

Why?

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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

Why?

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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

Why?

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.

[HappyWarrior]

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?

[HappyWarrior]

DOEA Policy:Asia and Oceania

Turkey: Normal, though we have concerns about the treatment of the Kurdish people.
*Kuwait: Normal, though hope that citizenship will be more freely granted.
*Bahrain: Normal though we are troubled by the power of islamist extremist groups in the parliament.
Qatar: Normal, though we want a full transfer to democracy.
*Saudi Arabia: Partial restrictions. We are concerned about the human rights situation and censorship
Oman: Partial restrictions.
Yemen: Normal, though we are concerned about freedoms and corruptions.
United Arab Emirates: Normal, though we are concerned about workers rights and political freedoms.
Israel: Normal
*Jordan: Normal
*Lebanon: Normal, and we are quite happy with the recent defeat of Hezbollah in the legislative elections.
Syria: Full restrictions
Iraq: Normal, though we have major concerns about corruption and other issues.
Iran: Full restrictions
Palestine: Normal, though we are gravely concerned by the current political situation. Atlasia supports a two-state solution and would like a democratic and independent state of Palestine in the near future.
Pakistan: Normal, though we are concerned about corruption and other issues.
Afghanistan: Normal, though we are concerned about corruption and a plethora of other issues.
Kazakhstan: Partial restriction. We want a full transfer to democracy.
Kyrgyzstan: Full restrictions
Tajikistan: Full restrictions
Turkmenistan: Full restrictions
Uzbekistan: Full restrictions
*China: Normal despite our concerns due to concerns with things such as workers rights, environmental problems, and corruption.
Japan: Normal
Mongolia: Normal
North Korea: Full restrictions
South Korea: Normal
Brunei: Partial restrictions
Cambodia: Normal, though we are concerned about corruption.
East Timor: Normal
Indonesia: Normal
Laos: Normal, though we have concerns about human rights and basic freedoms.
Malaysia: Normal, though we are ready to re-evaluate the Free Trade deal with them if need be based on political freedoms.
Burma (Myanmar): Full restrictions
Philippines: Normal
Singapore: Normal, though we would like a true democracy.
Thailand: Normal, though we are keeping a close eye on the political situation and we will re-evalute the Free Trade Act with Thailand in the near future.
Vietnam: Normal
India: Normal
Bangladesh: Normal
Maldives: Normal
Nepal: Normal
Bhutan: Normal
*Sri Lanka: Normal, and we hope that final concessions between the Tamil Tigers and the government will be finalized before too long.
Australia: Normal
New Zealand: Normal
Fiji: Normal, though we are concerned by 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: Nuke it! Normal
Samoa: Normal
Tonga: Normal
Tuvalu: Normal

[HappyWarrior]

DOEA Communique

Atlasia would like to say that it will not go along with Iran's actions today.  Iran, whose nuclear facilities are under threat of possible Israeli military strikes, proposed Wednesday that a 150-nation conference convening in the fall ban such attacks.

Though they said such a ban would not be for their own interests, but rather worldwide, it is still clear to this administration that it is solely for the protection of their own nuclear facilities from Israel.

__________________________________________________________________________

The DOEA would also like to offer it's support on measures to place troops and/or weapons on Atlasian merchant vessels.

[HappyWarrior]

Palau: Nuke it!

I saw that!

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

[HappyWarrior]

Communique

The DOEA would like to say that it fully supports the actions of Columbia in regards to FARC and President Chavez and also that should President Chavez engage in any sort of warlike posturing or saberratling, Atlasia simply will not stand for it.

[HappyWarrior]

Communique

The DOEA would like to say that though we are quite supportive of Columbia we do hope that they do not invade Venezuela unless attacked, though if Venezuela does launch an offensive we will clearly and wholely support our Columbian allies.

Also on a related note, if there are any interested parties the DOEA would support an expansion of the GTO with further coutries at the discretion of our own President and Senate, as well as various other foreign nations' governments.

[HappyWarrior]

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?