Tadin
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by Tadin on Jul 30, 2008 20:49:27 GMT -5
THE MEDITERRANEAN TIMES
27.JUL.08
MEDITERRANEAN CONFEDERACY FOUNDED Last week the Mediterranean Region gained another alliance in the region--The Mediterranean Confederacy (MC). Debate over the formation of the confederacy had gone on for week prior to the adoption of the Confederate Constitution. The drive to create the Confederacy was led by the author of the constitution and recently elected Prime Minister, the Sultan of Tadin.
"I want to say that this confederation will only be fun if everyone uses their imagination. You will need to imagine that there are 'issues' for us to deal with. NS is a game in the end, so why not extend it to this logical conclusion," stated the Prime Minister.
The confederacy consists of a Senate, a Prime Minister, Ministers of government and a Supreme Judge. All nations who join the confederacy are given a seat in the Senate. One Senator is elected Prime Minister and another is elected Supreme Judge. Currently, the Confederacy has a total of six nations: Tadin, Idrisi, Sierraofmonoroco, Mavonen, Ioniopolis and Ixzara. All are serving in roles of government.
The Senate did not waste any time after their election to begin enacting legislation. Minister for Commerce and the Treasury, Ioniopolis introduced legislation today to create a unified currency and a tax system for the confederacy.
FOOD SHORTAGE HITS THE MEDITERRANEAN Economists today at the University of Ixzara stated that the regional food shortage was the worst in decades. "we are seeing prices spike up in some of the most vulnerable countries," said Prof. Bartling. "Grains and other staple foods were wiped away by the droughts."
This year's unusually dry weather is seen as one main problem for the food shortage. Geography professor Pat McChaffie of Ixzara University agrees that the vulnerable countries are being effected: "We see that in regions like ours here in the eastern half of the Mediterranean are dryer than the western half. The shortage is not evenly distributed. This is also a problem because we also export more of our food. We are probably going to become less competitive."
Other reasons for food prices going up is the use of ethanol in the region. "We are finding more and more of our foods are going to these biofuels and less and less is actually going to our regional food supply," says the Confederate Ministry for Commerce and the Treasury Spokesperson. "Continuing with this system is only going to starve more and more people. What is needed is some sort of international policy that will create some sort of balanced system in order to sustain a good food supply as well as a fuel supply!"
So far, no alliances or nations have begun to draft a policy to deal with the food shortage. James Blaikie of Mavonen states that he has found it harder and harder to pay for things with rising food costs: "I used to be able to buy so much more food and still be able to pay all my bills. Now, food is becoming one of my biggest expenses!"
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Tadin
Junior Member
Posts: 99
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Post by Tadin on Jul 30, 2008 20:52:58 GMT -5
Alright. This is the new space for the Mediterranean Times. Sorry to all for placing it in the Role Play section. I thought that that was the space where all regional news was going.
So, I am going to make an unofficial rule that the Supreme Judge shall be the editor of the newspaper for several reasons:
1. Because the Supreme Judge is the most apolitical member of the government (theoretically)
2. Anyone else could put in their own agenda if they were editor.
3. The Supreme Judge doesn't have all too much other work to do usually, so why not give them this task?
Also, if you would like to submit an essay into the editorial section of the paper, submit it to the editor.
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Post by idrisi on Aug 2, 2008 15:10:08 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]THE MEDITERRANEAN TIMES[/shadow]
August 2, 2008
CONFEDERATE BANK FOUNDED
Last week the Mediterranean Confederacy announced the creation of the Bank of the Mediterranean (BOM). The legislation was introduced by the Senator from Ioniopolis, Minister for Commerce and the Treasury. "...We are creating one unified currency for our confederacy so we can have one single monetary unit when it comes to drafting budgets for projects" said the Minister.
The legislation was passed with fairly little debate on it. The Minister and the Prime Minister have both endorsed a central bank as a necessary corner stone of the confederate government. The legislation also provided for the Senate to tax member-states. "The current tax rate is 10 Medis per person in each nation. I shall calculate out how much in taxes each nation shall 'pay' for each Senate term" said the Commerce and Treasury Minister.
This morning the Minister unveiled to the Senate the current amount of money in the treasury. "At our disposal to spend, we have M20,969,000,000."
This money is supposedly to go to pay for programs for each ministry in each Senate Term. Still some questions stand on how the cost of programs will be decided. The Minister for Commerce and the Treasury has yet to announce how that shall be attributed. "Now, given that there is no real way to measure exactly how expensive a program is since this is all a role play, we are going to have to use our imagination and I will come up with some sort of pricing scheme. I'll think about that."
Currently no legislation requiring funds has been proposed to the Senate.
BOMB BLAST ROCKS MONOROCO'S CAPITAL CITY
Earlier this morning a bomb exploded in a crowded market killing 13 people in the Monorocian city of Casablanca. The blast happened several hours before an anti-confederate protest was to take place in front of the Queen's Palace.
"We don't have any idea at this time who was behind the attack, but we suspect a right-wing Anti-Confederate organization might have been tied to it" said the city's Police Chief.
Anti-confederate sentiments have become a bit more frequent in Monoroco since they had joined the Mediterranean Confederacy. This was the first time, however, that a violent attack was made. The Queen of Monoroco and the Senator for Monoroco have yet to comment on the attack.
Much disdain for joining the Confederacy was fueled by the outspoken conservative critic of the Queen, Richard Dent. Mr. Dent, who once was on the Queen's advisory council, has led the charge against joining the Confederacy. Dent contends that doing so would grossly undermind the authorities of the Queen. He also contends that the Confederacy is all an attempt for the Sultanate of Tadin to gain power in the region. The Prime Minister of the Confederacy who is the Senator from the Sultanate of Tadin has yet to comment on these accusations.
Dr. Dent has not been linked to the bombing in the Market today. Investigators are looking into possible links.
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Post by idrisi on Aug 11, 2008 23:10:36 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]THE MEDITERRANEAN TIMES[/shadow]
IONIOPOLIS DECLARES TRADE CHECKPOINT ON IONIAN STRAITS
This afternoon, the Senator from Ioniopolis announced to the Confederate Senate that all merchant vessels traveling through the Straits of Ionia must first stop off at a local port for inspections and possible fines. The Senator’s announcement was made hours after the Ioniopolian Congress overwhelmingly approved the measure. “Given the mood of dissent against the confederacy, we have deemed it our duty, given our location, to protect the confederacy and ourselves from future acts of terror” said the Senator.
The Senator insisted that this was a measure that would help reduce the risk of militarized dissent against the Confederacy: “We are the gateway to the east for our Confederacy and it would be a shame for that gate to hang wide open, opening ourselves up to military threats that exist in the region.”
The Senator also stated that the act would increase military spending for Ioniopolis: This will include increased naval presence, military fort construction, radars and other remote sensing. On top of that, there will be a greater troop deployment to these ports. Failure to abide by this law may result in military force.”
The Senator also called on a strategic defense plan for the Confederacy. “If this confederacy is to survive, we must have a plan for defending each other” said the Senator.
MERCHANT TRAFFIC BACKED UP
By the end of the day on Monday, the Ioniopolian Checkpoint had already gone into effect leaving many shipping crews to wait into the night in order to pass through the checkpoint. “I can’t believe this! I’ve been waiting to pass through the strait for 5 hours now,” said Captain Rubins from Roma Hawaiiana. “I have to have this to Tadin by tomorrow night.”
This is a common complaint made today. Ships have been backed up on both ends of the Ionian Straits since this law went into effect this afternoon. Many have started calling it “The Bottle Neck”. The economic effects of this new law are untold, but are already beginning to be realized. Capt. Rachel Dunbar from Idrisi explains: “My shipping business will not be able to survive if this is the norm,” she explains. “I won’t be able to make a profit if I’m spending a whole day waiting to get through this strait.”
Some experts suspect that the bottle neck will have effects throughout the region. “I would not be surprised if Ioniopolis’s actions ends up isolating the Confederacy and ends up angering some of the larger countries in the region,” said Foreign Economic Advisor to the Tadin Government. “Protecting our Confederacy from militarized dissent is something I think we all can agree on, but isolating ourselves and becoming a stumbling block for the region is not what we stand for.”
Others suspect that this might breathe new life into the TMR. “If the Confederacy ever wants to set up a competing train network, they are going to have to keep the Ionian Straits open or it will never happen,” said Prof. Paulo Caxia from the University of Lisbon. “The economics will shift business right back onto the TMR and away from sea travel. Since the confederacy doesn’t have a competing train system ready to go, it will be hard to get one going by that time.”
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Post by idrisi on Aug 25, 2008 16:09:08 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]THE MEDITERRANEAN TIMES[/shadow]
SENATE PASSES TRADE AGREEMENT August 25, 2008.
Today, Prime Minister Tadin signed The Confederate Trade Act into law. The act was written as an agreement between all Confederate Member-states to end the "bottle necking" of the Straits of Ionia.
This was done by creating a trade network between member-states that also would provide inspections of all goods entering and leaving the confederacy. The bill provided for the construction of "Megaports" within the Port of Origin countries of Ixaria, Tadin and Ioniopolis. From here, goods will be dropped off to either enter or leave the country, bringing jobs to these countries.
It also calls for only Confederate shipping companies to deliver products within the confederacy. This move has been met with speculation by economists. James Nourse of the Free Trade Institute had this to say: "This legislation will not be good for confederate trade abroad. I think both the trade barrier and the limiting of trade in the confederacy will slow down our economic growth, not grow it forward!"
Others, like Prof. Cantiou of the University of Harper disagree: "The trade barrier and the mandate for confederate-only shipping will help grow within the confederacy. In alot of ways, the confederacy can become self-sustaining."
On top of a tariff-free trade barrier, the act also allows for all confederate citizens to travel freely between other confederate nations.
As a result of this legislation, local shipping businesses are welcoming it because of the increase in business they will receive. "Our biggest competitor, Limington Shippments, INC, usually takes in about M30,000 in business from us each year." says James Blunt, CEO of Hubbard Shippings out of Ioniopolis. "Now that they are not allowed to ship within the confederacy anymore, we are expected to increase our profit margins by about 125% this coming year!"
Many non-Confederate businesses are not too pleased with this Act. "We might have to lay people off!" says the CEO of Limington Shippments, INC. "Shipping to Ioniopolis and Idrisi are some of our biggest accounts. Not to mention, producers may not be able to compete with confederate producers in that market anymore! I'd like to see the Limington Government try to stop Tadin and his crazy Confederacy!"
PM ELECTION CALLED
Last week, Prime Minister Tadin called for the dissolution of the Confederate Government and the end of the first Senate Term. "This will bring our first Senate term to a close and put all government policy making to a halt. Then we shall have an election for Prime Minister on Sunday the 31st of August 2008."
No announcement of candidates have been made. Some speculation has been made that the Senator from Tadin (Current PM), the Senator from Mavonen or the Senator from Ioniopolis will run for the highest office. All three would bring experience and leadership to the office.
The Senator from Tadin is currently the Prime Minister of the Confederacy. He also is the founder and author of the constitution. He has experience in regional government that he has brought to the Senate.
The Senator from Mavonen also bring experience to the Senate. He has served as the Transportation Minister in the first Senate term and has provided leadership on the Confederate Trade Act, which was successfully passed. He also has served as acting-Prime Minister briefly.
The Senator from Ioniopolis has also brought experience to the Senate. He has shown leadership on economic policy and developed a policy to mitigate the food crisis. Some fear animosity from Ioniopolis's recent Trade Checkpoint move that was made may hinder the Senator's chances.
Campaigning is expected to begin after the government is dissolved.
STUDY: TUNISIAN MINORITIES IN IONIOPOLIS GETTING DUMPED ON
A recent study done by the political organization, The Human Rights Monitor has concluded that Tunisian ethnic minorities in Ioniopolis are disproportionately vulnerable to pollution. The study investigated the southern region of Ioniopolis, which is heavily industrialized with some of the highest toxic-producing industries in the country.
The study also looked at one site in particular which was a neighborhood in the regional capital of Tunis where much industry is located. "What we're finding is that the location of what we've being calling "dirty industries" is located predominatly in this area of the country," said Prof. Alec Brownlow, the head author of this study.
Prof. Brownlow defined "dirty industry" as "industry that deals with the refining of resources or toxic by-products". The study assesses the lives of a community in Tunis whose water supply was discovered to be tainted with Mercury.
"Residents of this community still get their water from wells. The problem is that the environmental regulations in that area are weaker, underfunded and designed in such a way that they do not help the disadvantaged" said Prof. Brownlow.
The policy he and his study were referring to is one that allows for a certain amount of toxic chemicals to be injected into the ground. The study also concludes that not enough money is put towards enforcing and regulating the amount injected, which is leaving some industries to illegally pollute over the limits.
"This is clearly an Environmental Injustice and is discriminatory towards the Tunisian people" says Brownlow. "The fact that the government is not funding them enough is making the local people believe that they are not cared for and only furthering their separatist agenda."
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Post by idrisi on Sept 3, 2008 15:48:18 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]THE MEDITERRANEAN TIMES[b/][/shadow]
September 3rd, 2008
TADIN REELECTED TO SECOND TERM
The second election of the Mediterranean Confederacy proved to be a success as the Senator from Tadin was elected to a second term as Prime Minister. "One successful Senate Term has launched us into the right direction of many, many more successful ones." said the Prime Minister as he opened up the Second Senate Term.
The Prime Minister ran unopposed, but that didn't stop him from campaigning with a platform. The Prime Minister layed out a four point platform of issues he'd like to cover in the next term including Defense, Economy, Foreign Policy and Public Health. Public health was a quieter position on his agenda, however, it is seen by him as being part of the overall agenda of public good. "Our Confederacy shall be galvanized behind our common cause of defense and regional cooperation as well as a move towards improving the public good," he said.
His policies went as far as to state that he will begin an official investigation into the "environmental injustices" with the Tunisian Ethnic minorities in Ioniopolis to see what legislation he could bring forward. "Improving the public good is what the Confederacy should be all about." said Prime Minister Tadin in a private interview, "We could easily just sit back and only agree to trade with each other and call it a day, but I feel that's a waste of this mechanism for change."
On top of that, the other centerpiece of his campaign was to put together a military pact between member-states that would coordinate them into one response force and agree on a policy that if one member-state is attacked, all member-states would agree to retaliate and defend.
Prime Minister Tadin also surprised people by the appointment of Mavonen to be the first Deputy Prime Minister. "Mavonen has been a very loyal person to me and I trust his judgment," said the Prime Minister.
Tadin also announced the rearranging of the cabinet. The Senator from Mavonen has been moved to Minister for Commerce and the Treasury and Ioniopolis was moved to Minister for Transportation.
IONIOPOLIS NAVAL STAND OFF REACHES 7TH DAY
LAst week, the Ioniopolian Navy was deployed into the Agean Sea and into Limington territory. This all comes on the back of several run ins Ioniopolian fishers have had with the Limington Navy.
The Limington Government lashed back with stern words, eluding to military conflict. Ioniopolis responded only claiming to be protecting its economic interests. As a result, the Limington government allowed for Ioniopolis fishing vessels to fish in their waters. The Ioniopolian Navy, however, has yet to remove its ships from the waters.
"The Navy will be withdrawn once we see that the Limington Navy has proven to keep their word and has shown that our fishers will be left alone" said the Senator from Ioniopolis.
Many in the Confederacy fear what this will mean for Confederate-Non-confederate relations. "What Ioniopolis is doing is troubling to the Confederacy. This could lead to divisions in the Region," said Prime Minister Tadin in a private interview. "I wouldn't be surprised that if agressions by member-states against others continue, that we might find an alliance against us."
The Prime Minister declined to comment on if his military policy would address this situation.
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Post by idrisi on Sept 12, 2008 10:19:57 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]THE MEDITERRANEAN TIMES[/shadow]
September 12, 2008
IONIOPOLIS STANDOFF RESOLVED
Last weekend, Ioniopolis pulled its Navy out of Limington territorial waters. Many in and out of the Confederacy feared a military conflict might have been iminent. The Resolution was pushed through by Prime Minister Tadin. "I would also like to appologize to the Confederacy and to the Limington people for stirring up trouble in the region" said the Senator from Ioniopolis, "It was a poor choice on behalf of my government for not pulling the Navy out sooner."
The talks were done one night between the Confederate government and the Ioniopolis government. Part of the talks also concluded that the Confederacy would be allowed to deal with the conflict in Tunisia.
The conflict was at a height of tension last week where war almost broke between Ioniopolis and Limington and other members of the confederacy. Confederate Naval ships were prepared to intervene to stop Ioniopolis.
TUNISIAN COMMISSION CREATED
The Prime Minister's office has announced the formation of a Commission that shall investigate how the Confederacy can improve the lives of the Ethnic Tunisians in Ioniopolis. The Commision shall begin investigating in the next week and report to the Prime Minister on what can be done.
This was agreed upon by the Prime Minister and the Ioniopolis President in their talks to resolve the Limington Crisis.
BLIZZARD BURRIES MAVONEN AND SATIMON
The storm blew through the northern part of the region yesterday morning, burrying Satimon and Mavonen with the largest snowfall they've ever had. "The amount of snow that we've had are unprecedented" said the Mavonen Head of Disaster Relief. "We have reported that snow fall is as deep as 4 feet in some areas."
The snowfall has frozen all movement in the countries. Relief is having trouble getting to people in Mavonen. A lot of this is a result of outdated roads and train lines. Power is also out in many areas of the region because fuel cannot get to the plants. Many families in rural areas do not have access to oil and Natural gas for heat.
The Mavonen government is working as fast as they can to dig the country out. The capital city, Macrue, was one of the first to be dug out.
This blizzard was earlier in the year than expect and has caught some farmers off guard. "We are asking for help from the Confederacy to help prevent a food crisis in Mavonen given that this blizzard certainly has killed the remainder of this year's harvest," said the Mavonen Agriculture Minister.
No word yet from the Confederacy.
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