Oan News (Open to Syndication)

News Broadcasts
21

METATRON CITY SHELVED! METATRON CORP DISBANDED!
Published on 23 June 2017
By Imani Lucim
Of the La Rochelle Times
From La Rochelle.
[hr]
The CEO of the Metatron Corporation, Celeste Uataka, announced that the Metatron City project will be cancelled with inmediate effect. The CEO stated that the decision came after a meeting of the Board of Directors and received near-unanimous acceptance.

The Oan electronics giant had announced a project to build a planned city in South Staynes to house the vast majority of its electronics manufacturing projects. The project included the construction of a highway and railway from ths city to Eidenburgh in Xagrurg. Although groundbreaking for the project began on 30 May 2017 and the road and rail route was undergoing construction, both projects were cancelled. Millions of dollars have been spent of the development of the project. The CEO cited the war in Xagrurg as the primary reason for the suspension of the project. She claimed that the political, economic and social strife of the recent coup d’etat, widespread international condemnation thereof and nonviobility of the project caused for the Oan electronics giants to change its strategy and rethink its approach.

The CEO announced that the company would be split into two components. The first would be the legal successor the Metatron Corporation as it currently stands. It will be called Metatron Technologies. It will be responsible for the research and development of electronics and software under the “Metatron” brand. It will simultaneously offer its expertise and resources to develop software and electronics for other companies and organisations. Former head of the Cafe Net brand in Latianburg, Niana Takatunuye, will take over as the CEO, and a new board has already been announced. The chairman will be Prince Takaloanu Ulua, eldest son of the incumbent Defender of the Realm, Ese Ulua.

The second component is called Metatron Industries. Metatron Industries will be responsible for manufacturing the electronics developed by Metatron Technologies. It will also manufacture hardware for other companies. Other electronics companies can outsource their hardware manufacturing to Metatron Industries. The outgoing CEO of the Metatron Corporation, Celeste Uataka will become the CEO of the Metatron Industries. The chairman of the board will be the current CEO of Cafe Net, Etuarti Takatunuye.

CEO’s the new companies alread got the ground rolling, announcing ambitious new projects and goals. Niana Takatunuye announced that Metatron Technologies will be developing software for the Oan military’s weapons and logistics systems – a forty year contract worth 30 billion SHD. It will work closely with the arms manufacturing company Oan National Arms Corporation, and with the military divisions of the Oan Aerospace Corporation (which produces aircraft) and the Oan Shipyards Corporation (which produces ships) to develop tech for the two firms.

Celeste Uataka announced that Metatron Industries will build a new 800 million SHD facility in Amber Town near Harmony City that will expand its capacity to produce new hardware. She also announced the planned construction of a new facility in the Asian Pacific Islands worth 1,2 billion SHD. Existing factories will be demolished or leased out as industrial space. The companies plan to create at least 40,000 temporary and 40,000 new jobs in the next year, confident that the peace in the Pacific will make conditions conducive to the realisation of their ambitions.

Shareholders were largely bought out for approximately 80 billion dollars. The Ulua Trust, a holdings firm owned by the Royal Family of the Oan Isles made the massive buy out, receiving 70% ownership of both companies. Standard National Bank retains its share of 30%. The “worker” ownership model is being completely phased out.

Unwieldy and underproductive assets and debts were sold for a record 150 billion dollars primarily to Cafe Net, Oan Telecommunications Corporation and Amalgamated Industries (a company owned mostly by the Uye, and partly by the Uataka families that produces machines and industrial equipment) and Unified Properties (a new property firm owned by the Toaye and Salua families).

The market is currently tenuous due to the announcement, although surprisingly, no major shift in the La Rochelle Stock Exchange has occured, offset by the massive purchase that the Royal Family has made.

22

Op-Ed: The Cultural Divide: Noa vs Oa
Published on 3 July 2017
By Imani Lucim
For The Critic Online Newspaper
From La Rochelle
[hr]
The Oan Isles is a diverse country. Multiple cultures and religions call our nation home. Many of us have different views ideas, influenced by where we come from, what we’ve been through and how we respond to that. Each of us has an idea of what is right and what is wrong for both our communities and for ourselves. Inevitably we will have our differences and our differences will create friction, arguments and altercations. Although the Konoan and Oan people have lived “together” for 100 years, but that time has not been enough to reconcile thousands of years of differences.

In an article titled “http://forum.theeastpacific.com/single/?p=10024297&t=7008242”, Mauia Uweleye discusses how there is an imbalance of economic opportunities and uneven distribution of resources between the Konoan people and the Oan people. Nation/The Oan Isles - NSWiki is credited with having the biggest impact on the social and cultural differences between the Konoans and Oans, and the Nation/The Oan Isles - NSWiki is credited with creating the economic and political inequality between the Oans and the Konoans. Although minority rights exist, democracy empowers the majority to rule. The Konoans will inevitable have less influence on the political system than the Oan people.

Oans and Konoans have very divergent cultural views. They stem from the teachings of Oa and Noa, who founded our respective cultures and nations. Oa believed in a strong social order and the pursuit of economic growth and scientific development as the only way to supress human inclination towards violence. Noa believed in a fluid social structure and a complete submission to nature in order to create lasting peace. Over the centuries that the Oan and Konoan people lived apart and developed separately, our cultures are very different. Eventually when we had to call one country home, it was difficult and as we mix more and more, it becomes harder and harder to avoid disagreeing on many things.

Oan culture promotes the Oan Clan System - NSWiki whereby economic resources and opportunities are distributed according to a rigid hierarchy affecting economic opportunities and social status with expectations and protocol for each level. We compared how proponents for the O.C.S. defended or lauded it. Dr. Lona Satilua explained: “The Oan Clan System maintains order in a society with a high rate of competition, creates certainty of ones place and expectations within the social order”.

Tukan Notiseu, analyst at the Konoan Cultural Institute criticises this system, reflecting the general Konoan opinion of this system, “This system creates inequality and limits people to what society believes they can accomplish than what they possess within themselves”. Naturally, the Konoan people abide by no such system, believing in a liberal and fluid system that puts forward equality above all else. The Oan people generally criticise this system for being “uncivilised”, “unstable” and “dishonourable”.

What is clear is that both systems and cultural practices have advantages and disadvantages, and proponents and supporters from the opposite ethnic group. This makes living together and making decisions more difficult. For example the Konoan People’s Party is the majority party in the Tranquility and Harmony Provinces (the combined homelands of the Konoan people) whereas the Green/Pacific Alliance is the ruling party in the other four provinces of the country and the two colonies of the country. They disagree immensely on many issues when they meet in the National Assembly (that is technically supposed to represent all of us).

As they represent the two major ethnic groups, they represent how the dislike each other. Let’s call a spade a spade. The Green/Pacifist Alliance in cahoots with the Democrats overrules the Konoan People’s Party. By extension the Oans overrule the Konoans. The two fiercly disagree on same sex marriage (and homosexuality in general), on taxation, on social welfare, on state regulation of the economy, on protocol and manners and etiquette, on diet and lifestyle, on social relationships, on education, on healthcare, on abortion, and a range of issues.

How does one mend this divide? How can differences this massive be bridged? How can our various opinions be reconciled? Two camps answer differently. One camp led by Mauia Uweleye simply says “It can’t. Our divisions are too great”. While the second, led by Nala Tomalua says “Understanding and education”. The former seems to be greater than the latter. When an Oan child refuses to obey his Konoan teacher because she is lesser than him, or when a Konoan man hates his Oan in-laws, can there be peace and can we live together. As tensions rise from protests, boycotts, fights and insults, especially as the War in Aurora takes its toll, it seems that Raoruniseu was right when he said, “Some people just can’t live together”.

23

Protests Erupt After State demolishes Ainuist place of worship!
Published on 4 July 2017
By Ilia Soaiawasaiye
From Crystal City
For the Crystal Correspondent
[hr]
Protests erupted as part of the Occupy Church Square movement, a campaign to protest against the supposed discrimination against the Ainuist people and by extenstion the Konoan people, and the Christianisation of the government. The movement arose after 13 Ainuist places of worship and congregation were demolished by order of the Department of Religious and Cultural Affairs for failing to conform to building safety standards. According to the leaders of the congregants of the 13 places of worship, the Dalai, they were not properly consulted about the entire process or what work they needed to do.

The 13 places are all spread out over the southern portion of the Oan Isles in the provinces of Crystal, Serenity, Heavenly and the Rock especially in the largest cities where the greatest concentration of Ainuists is located.

Ainuism forms part of a broad group of so-called indigenous “Polynesian” religions or systems of spiritual beliefs that attempts to explain, understand and use a variety of spiritual forces, spiritual beings, nature and ancestors to solve questions about the present life and the next. Founded upon the indigenous beliefs of the Paleo-Polynesians and around the teachings of Noa, the father of the Konoan people, it shares some features of other native religions. 80% of the Konoan people practice Ainuism whereas only 1% of Oans practice it. It is regarded as a part of the culture and identity of Konoans even by Konoans who identify as Christians or otherwise.

With mounting ethnic tensions, the unscrupulous demolition of these Ainuist places is seen as much a interethnic concern as it is a religious one. Civil society and politicians formed the Occupy Church Square movement to protest this action.

Church Square is a massive square in the capital, La Rochelle (where the demolitions began), named after the massive Church of the Garland of Thorns. It is built in the traditional Late Polynesian style. lt is a major centre of Christian worship (which makes up the majority religion and by far the largest religion practiced by Oans). Some Oans and Christians have joined in to protest the purported oppression of their brethren. The protestors marched to the Serene Palace, the residence of the Oan head of state the Defender, to present a memorandum of complaint. Prince Oaloanu received the complaint on the Defender’s behalf.

In the meanwhile there are many demostrations throughout the country: sit-ins, picketing, and marches at state and local government institutions. This situation has fermented the anger of the Konoan people as a whole.

Mauia Uweleye has led the charge of the movement, calling on swift action to correct the injustice that Konoans are under.

24

80 OAN SOLDIERS BURNT TO DEATH! PROTESTS ERUPT!
Published on 11 July 2017
By Titus Manuotukakakolua
From Heavenly City
For the Heavenly Herald
[hr]
80 Oan soldiers were killed, burnt to death, yesterday during a battle for a coal powerplant in the capital city in the Dominion of Yor.

The Oan soldiers were part of an operation, coordinated with the CIF, an offensive counterinsurgency unit from Furnifold, to take two critical pieces of infrastructure: the waterworks and powerplant. With the Imperial Xagrurgian government cutting off water and electricity to areas of the city occupied by the Allied forces, primarily those suburban areas in the south of city particularly Malcolm Park. Fearing a humanitarian crisis and civil unrest, Colonel Satiye ordered an attack on the powerplant to be led by Captain Paloeniye.

The attack was a disaster; the Oans encountered a significantly larger force than they had expected and any clandestine attempts to enter and take over the plant were thwarted. Fighting ensued outside, until the wood surrounding the powerplant burst into flames, killing an estimated 80 Oan soldiers. Preliminary investigations suggest that the Xagrurgians had laid a cruel and ruthless trap for the soldiers, one into which they fell head first due to purported poor leadership, bad information and deteriorating weather and health conditions in the chilling cold.

With news of the attack reaching the Oan Isles, the Oan people were collectively shocked and agrieved by this brutal action. The largely passice legislature, the National Assembly, dominated by an alliance of environmentalists and pacifists, which seemed obedient to the Defender and National Council, and willfully oblivious to their circumvention of the law, was agitated. An extraordinary session was called and the pacifist leader and presiding officer, Uiatomaeni Tilotananaye called for a bill to be tabled to reassess Oan involvement in the war, while strongly considering leaving the war.

In an impassioned plea, Head of the Defence Portfolio and Political leader of the Military, Admiral Kiahuaeni Luawuye, called for a resolute response and clear minded analysis of the events that occurred, attempting to convince the angry National Assembly to increase rather than decrease support for the war effort. She said the following:

— Begin quote from ____

Those men knew the perils of war. Our sons, our brothers, understood that war is the last line of defence before their mothers and sisters and children are reached by the jaws of monsters annd beasts. We must not let their deaths be in vain. We must make sure that their deaths mean something, that their sacrifice amounts to the defeat of their enemies. Do it for them! Help those who survive them continue to carry out the work that they started and complete their mission! We need more money, more weapons and more boots on the ground! They would be ashamed of us if we did any less!"

— End quote

Chief Whip of the Pacifist Alliance rebutted, Abigail Tokarunulua, furiously defying the Admiral. She said the following:

— Begin quote from ____

A likely story Miss Luawuye and the shallow and shortsighted perspective of someone thirsty for violence. Wars are instigated by politicians Miss Luawuye, whose hubris gives them the rather ridiculous and laughable insinuation that they can declare wars to shape their own legacy and the world into their own image. Death is an inevitable consequence of war, and that is why the Pacifist and Green Alliance have been formed specifically to combat it. This party has failed our people, failed our soldiers, for we have watched passively as the Uluan administration instigates wars. Yes the Uluan Administration, because the National Council is intricately woven with Ese Ulua and his family, whose clout over the organ ridicules the ideals of the separation of powers. We must take concerted action to end war once and for all.

— End quote

The exchange went back and forth, the debate was raucous, an unusual sight in the ornamented Hall of the People. It was a small reflection of the general anger of the populace. Grassroots organisation especially those within or affiliated with the Pacifist/Green Alliance and the Konoan Peoples Party, organised rallies and marches, sit ins and wreath laying ceremonies to mourn the deaths of the soldiers and countless others who have died in the war, and to protest the Oan Isles’ continued participation in the war. The vigilant police maintained a firm presence to prevent violence. Although the protests were largely peaceful, the mass mobilisation of such a large amount of people is staggering and an aggressive move by civil society to stand against violence.

Crowd specialists have analysed a total 100,000 people, among 1,000,000 people throughout the country, who marched to the Serene Palace to protest against the war. After a standoff with the police that lasted an hour, Crown Prince Oaloanu ordered the guards to allow the marchers to enter the massive two-football-fields-sized lawn on the grounds of the palace. Marchers led by Mauia Uweleye demanded that the government step out to answer for their crimes. In an unprecedented display of humility, the Prince, dressed in sackcloth and with his typically long and lustrous head of hair cut off, sat quietly on the stairs to the entrance. Mauia Uweleye walked to him, bowed and lay his head at the Prince’s feet. The rest of the crowd followed, lying on the ground in obeisance and respect. The crowd was absolutely silent for a several minutes. The Prince stood up and took Mauia Uweleye’s loudspeaker and addressed the crowd, simply saying “Troubles come in the evening, but joy cometh in the morning”.

He declared a day of mourning, ordering all people to assemble in public spaces such as churches, stadiums and plazas, dressed in sackcloths with their hair covered or cut off to mourn those who died in war, to support their families and to share their experiences and perspectives. The edict came into force immediately, with millions pouring into the streets to stand in silence and honour those who died in the war.

Although the course of the war is unclear, the resolve of the Oan people to stand by their ideals of pacifism are clearer than ever.

25

CEASEFIRE DECLARED! COMMISSION OF INQUIRY SET UP TO INVESTIGATE OAN INVOLVEMENT IN THE WAR FOR YOR
Published on 17 July 2017
By Kanokitanaha Wawiyalua
From Heavenly City
For the Heavenly Herald
[hr]
A ceasefire was declared that effectively ends the war for Yor and the war between the Staynish-Caltharus Empire and the Greater Xagrurgian Empire. Yor will be partitioned into a north and south, and Allied forces will be forced to leave the northern part of Yor which will remain part of Xagrurg and South Yor will be reincorporated into an independent republic. A demilitarised zone will be set up on the border between the SCE and GXE. As part of the PKFU, the Oan Isles will provide manpower and money maintain the peace in the country.

In light of which, Presiding Officer of the National Assembly and Leader of the Pacifist-Green Alliance, Uiatomaeni Tilotananaye, announced the formation of a Commission of Inquiry to be nominated from and elected by the parties of the National Assembly to investigate Oan involvement in the War for Yor with the power of subpoena. As it is not a judicial body, it cannot conduct trials or issue judgements and punishments. It can only investigate matters and question witnesses and issue an advisory report to the National Assembly.

It has been formed with Chief Whip of the Pacifist Alliance, Abigail Tokarunulua, being the chairperson. The Commission immediately cleared the present Defender, Ese Ulua, and the Crown Prince who acted as Regent, Oaloanu, of any wrongdoing in the war and upheld their immunity in terms of the constitution. The Konoan People’s Party issued a statement in which it expressed irs frustration that the primary leaders of the war effort could not be held to account.

The Chairman of the National Council, Locklyn Le Roy, declared on the behalf of the whole National Council, that it held collective responsibility for the war and would cooperate fully with the commission. This comes on the heals of a march to the Serene Palace that reflects the frustrations of civil society about the war and their imposition of blame on the central government.

The Konoan People’s Party said that it will staunchly maintain protest movements and ensure that the relevant people are held to account. Some have strongly called for the independence of Konoa from the Oan Isles.

26

MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN POLITICS
The La Rochelle Times is proud to present our Most Influential People in the World List. This is part one of the list. Although power is a big factor, the real aim is to determine which people affected the world in remarkable ways. We assess how they have caused events to happen and opinions to change. They stand as examples of people who can change and affect situations for the people around them. Their actions stand as an example or a warning of what can happen in the world, be it good or bad.[font=Georgia]

Queen Naomi II: She is the Queen of Kuthernburg, Atiland, Nacata and Latianburg. She has been instrumental in brokering a peace deal between the Allies and Axis powers during the war for Yor. She has been instrumental in leading her forces to participate in major conflicts throughout the world such as the Atlantian War, the Ethalro-Caltharusian War and the War for Yor. She has been instrumental in the formation of the Atlantian Alliance.

Ikrisia Levinile: She is the head of one the most powerful countries in the world: Veikayu. She is the head of the Veikayun Union, a body of countries that covers a sizeable portion of Yasteria. She has been instrumental in the war in Allegheny. Her impact on the Kerrilo Accords which form the basis of modern warfare remains strong in a world afflicted by conflict.

Oaloanu: He is the acting head of The Oan Isles. He has been instrumental in founding Oanaid which dispersed foreign aid to Latianburg and Kostoria-Obertonia. He was instrumental as the head of the Ulua Foundation which supports Oanaid and awards the Ese Ulua Prize for Excellence in Law. He is the head of the Ulua Trust, whose portfolio included the 8th largest company in Aurora, the Metatron Corporation. He was instrumental in the War for Yor. He has been instrumental in the Islander Civil War as a broker of peace.

Lambertus VII: He is the High King of the Staynes-Caltharusian Empire. He is at the helm of the biggest country, the most powerful military and biggest economy in the southern hemisphere, and the largest pan continental empire on Urth. He was instrumental in the Ethalro-Caltharusian War and the War with the GXE.

Padishah of Packilvania: She is at the helm of the biggest and most populated contiguous country in the world. She is a prominent leader in the Islamic community. She is at the helm of the biggest military and largest economy in the world. She was instrumental in the war for Allegheny.

Rob Hunter: He is the leader of South Hills, one of the most powerful, populated and wealthy nations in the world. His extension of protection to Emberwood Coast, had a profound impact on foreign relations and military planning in Aurora.

Nimona Poole: She is the President of Emberwood Coast. She was an instrumental leader in the Auroran Continental Assembly. She was a major influence on pacifism throughout the world, going so far as to significantly reduce her own nation’s military. She is at the helm of one of the most advanced economies in the world. She has been instrumental in empowering women and the LGBT (etc.) community around the world.[edit_reason]Nimona Pool[/edit_reason]

27

Edited 18 October 2017
REFERENDUM FOR INDEPENDENCE PLANNED FOR THIS WEEK SATURDAY
Published on 3 August 2017
By Aiaroa Takomotua
From Heavenly City
For the Crystal Correspondent
[hr]
On 20 July 2017, the leader of the Konoan People’s Party, Mauia Uweleye and the Paramount Chief of the Oan Procyne Nation, Panama III, submitted a petition to the National Assembly requesting a referendum on independence autonomy for Konoa (which are presently comprised of Tranquility Province and Harmony Province) and East Polynesia (which is made up of Oan Gondwana and the Oan Pacific). The signatures were validated by the an ad-hoc commission yesterday, whose chairman announced the completion of the validation process and the eligibility of the matter to be brought to a referendum.

An Act of the National Assembly has been drafted by the Konoan Independence Autonomy caucus comprised of Members of the National Assembly operating independently within the various political parties and factions. Mauia Uweleye presented the legislation before the National Assembly. The law was read to a full sitting of the body and gave thorough details of the procedure and timeline.

The bill provides the 5th of August, this week Saturday, as the date of the referendum. The vote for the bill to be debated was motioned by MNA Rotanu Ehelua and seconded by MNA Takalo Kanumataye. The Chief of the National Assembly set the time for 08H00 this morning. A debate was held lasting until 12H30. After a five minute recess a vote was motioned, seconded and motioned.

The bill was passed as the August MMXVII Independence Referendum Act and signed by the Crown Prince, Oaloanu, in his capacity as the Regent of the Oan Isles at 12H40 at the Serene Palace, bringing the law into effect. The Independent Electoral Agency will administer the election. The Director issued a statement at 13H10 that states that the IEA will be printing the papers with two one question that reads as thus: “SHOULD KONOA BECOME AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY? YES or NO” and “SHOULD EASE POLYNESIA BECOME AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY? YES or NO”.

The referendum will be limited to the residents of those prospective countries. People of Procyne and Konoan patrilineal ancestry will be allowed to vote. Although the process has been described as unfair by some, the law has been passed and the process has begun. The Oan Procyne Nation and the Konoan People’s Party have already begun campaining in East Polynesia and Konoa respectively. Consultations have been planned and will be taking place, explaining how the process will work and what independence will entail.

Even if the referendum passes, the National Assembly will have the sole power to pass a law that will put the referendum vote into effect and dictate the conditions for the process. The Joint Central Committee of the Pacifist and Green Alliance has already drafted a proposal that it will submit to a National General Conference on at 15H00. The proposal creates a condition that should the countries territory become independent autonomy, they will be remain in personal union with the Oan Isles under the Emperor of Polynesia, whose inaugural holder has not been officially declared although rumour has it that Ese Ulua and Oaloanu Ulua are the only candidates will succeed Rangitanga (Emperor) Ehe. [s]The proposal also pushes for the immediate formation of the Polynesian Union, a body that is similar to the Auroran Continental Assembly.

The legality of the proposal is disputed. National Court Judge, Tilia Alimatikelua has already debunked the idea. Independence is unconditional and the matter of a personal union and intergovernmental organisation will have to be addressed by the governments of such countries, should these countries come to exist. The Secretary General of the Pacifist Party has already stated that even if the proposal is not put into the bill that will effect independence, it will be a proposal in negotiations should these countries exist.
[/s]

A reasonable timeline will be put forth and conditions will be discussed regarding citizenship, but speculation holds that a Constituent Assembly will become part of the proposed law, and upon drafting and passing a Constitution independence autonomy will take effect. Mauia Uweleye and Panama III are already prepared with proposals that they can submit should the referendum pass. Mauia stated that he is very optimistic and all our fate lies in the hands of Oa to decide.

The Serene Palace has remained mum on the matter and was unavailable for comment. The collective responsibility of the Members of the National Council been waived to allow them to speak on the topic freely, and they all have released statements in support of it.

28

XAGRURGIAN KIRIB UNDER ATTACK
Published on 3 August 2017
From Heavenly City
For the Heavenly Herald
By Adam Uatukaminilua
[hr]
The Oan Ambassador to the Auroran Continental Assembly, Stephen Realua, presented a Proposal to the Auroran Parliament and the Auroran Council of Heads of State. In this proposal, he requested that the Auroran Continental Bank is ordered to effectively financial, monetarily and economically disable the Greater Xagrurgian Empire.

These measure will do two things: reduce the availability of money and render what little money is available worthless. What does this mean? This means that the state will not be able to pay doctors, nurses, teachers, police and soldiers, among many others. Companies will not be able to buy and sell across borders. Remittances will not be able to enter Xagrurg or any profits that are made by Xagrurgian companies outside of Xagrurg cannot enter it. People will not be able to access their money if it is held in Auroran banks. Banks such as LabiaTurtle Bank and Standard National Bank will be watched closely over the coming days for their reply. Naturally investors will pull their money out of Xagrurg in preparation for an asset freeze.

The Oan Financial Institute, a ratings employed by governments and companies to determine the amount of risk involved in making investments, has downgraded Xagrurg to junk status. This indicates that the country is a HIGH investment risk and the chances of losing money are high. Already Oan investors such the Metatron Corporation have pulled out billions from infrastructure development projects and Xagrurgian weapons and technology rusts as one of their biggest consumers, the Oan Isles looks elsewhere.

The Financial Institute also published a memorandum encouraging rating agencies in the world’s major financial capitals (Sani Bursil in Staynes, Aura in Emberwood Coast, Lutherburg in Kuthernburg and Elizabeth in South Hills) to downgrade Xagrurg to JUNK STATUS as well. The Financial Insititute has the following gloomy prospects for Xagrurg:

[ul][li]It’s currency will lose 300% of its value.
[li]Quartely inflation will rise to 40%
[li]Foreign exchange reserves will be depleted by 80%[/li][/ul].

Clearly, the Oans are going in for the kill.

29

PAMPLETS DROPPED IN XAGRURG
Published on 3 August 2017
From La Rochelle
By Imani Lucim
For The La Rochelle Times
[hr]
The Oan Air Defence Service Chief, Brigadier Aliteli Matokolua announced that the Air Force had successfully implemented the first phase of OPERATION FREEDOM.

13 Unmanned Non-combat Aerial Vehicles (UAV) were flown over Xagrurg earlier this morning carrying a surprising but powerful payload: pamplets. Yes. PAMPLETS! 11 UAVs were shot down and/or blown to dust by the Xagrurgian anti aircraft guns. But they certainly delivered their payload.

They were sent to deploy pamphlets in major cities: Fort Washington, Imperium, Laona and Eidenburgh. The pamplets were simple to understand and read as thus:

— Begin quote from ____

XAGRURG UNDER SIEGE!!!
DEFEND XAGRURG FROM THE MILITARY JUNTA!
Xagrurgiana needs you to free her from the evil hand of the military junta. They have oppressed you for long enough. It’s time to fight back. We are The Oan Isles!
With your help we shall save you from Ragnarök incarnate!
FIGHT THE JUNTA
FREE XAGRURG!!!

— End quote

The pamplet feature a graphic image of a General in the junta skewering a Xagrurgian woman with a large sword. 4 million pamphlets were dropped. More and more will be dropped.

6 million pamplets were dropped in Kostoria-Obertonia. 4 million were dropped in Nuremkastel alone. They read as thus:

— Begin quote from ____

KOSTORIA-OBERTONIA UNDER SIEGE!!!
DEFEND KOSTORIA-OBERTONIA FROM THE MILITARY JUNTA!
KOSTORIA-OBERTONIA needs you to free her from the evil hand of the military junta. They have oppressed you for long enough. It’s time to fight back. We are The Oan Isles!
With your help we shall save you from Ragnarök incarnate!
FIGHT THE JUNTA
FREE KOSTORIA-OBERTONIA!!!

— End quote

The OADS plans to drop 100 million more over the next few months.

30

Edited: 18 October 2017
PRE REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN
Published on 4 August 2017
By Tamar Salamotikalua
From Tukanoaeni
For the Tuka Times
[hr]
There has been excitement and apprehension over what independence for parts of the Oan Isles will mean. Among other things they will have the right to:
[ul][li]Make their own laws
within the laws of the Oan Isles
[li]Make their own government
under the government of the Oan Isles
[li]Make their own fiscal, trade and monetary policy and coin their own currency
[li]Make their own defence and security policy and found their own military
[li]Make their own judicial system and court structure.[/li][/ul]

Ultimately they will have their own voice and they shall be the sole masters of their own destinies. This process enables people of different ethnic groups to have a nation that is their own and made in their own image. The Procyne people will have East Polynesia, and the Konoan people will have Konoa (also known as the Noan Isles) in which they can live among, by and for their own people.

The question will then be: what happens with what is left of The Oan Isles? The Oan Isles relies on these parts of it for food, water, electricity, fuel, wood, and minerals. The imposition of export impediments would make it difficult for the Oan Isles to clothe, feed, water, move, warm, cool, heal and protect its own people.

There has been reassurance and some positive news. Mauia Uweleye and Panama III, and large members of the respective organisation from which they stem, have supported the idea of maintaining strong links with the Oan Isles and that should they be in government, they would implement a close and intimate union.

These developments have reassured some people, but without the backing of a law, they remain vessels that cannot hold water. The final draft of such a law by the Joint Committee of the Greens and Pacifists has the follow major features:
[ul][li]Elections will be held to elect a constituent assembly in each country territory that will draft a territorial constitution.
[li]When the assembly has successfully drafted and passed such a law, it will officially become independent autonomous.[/li][/ul]

The Konoa People’s Party has already drafted a basic document for Konoa and the Oan Procyne Nation has done the same for East Polynesia. The drafted documents have been circulated and discussed for some time. Unofficial consultations have been happening for some time. Major officials and people in both proposed countries territories have supported the ideas. [s]The proposed Konoan constitution has the following conditions:
[ul][li]The Emperor of Polynesia, (who will most likely become Oaloanu), will be the ceremonial head of state.
[li]A legislature will have two houses: one for the common people and one for the chiefs. The former would have the power to override the latter on any non-cultural matter through a ⅔ majority.
[li]An executive branch helmed by a head of government with strong powers and elected by the law making body. It would be formed of a council of heads of state departments.
[li]It would have an independent, layered judiciary, with the power of judicial review.
[li]It would have a centralised political dispensation, with the state exercising a lot of power on local communities.
[li]It would have fundamental rights such as ths rights to life, free speech, free practice of faith, and so on.
[li]It would allow non-Konoan residents of Konoa (immediately upon or before independence) to apply for citizenship, which cannot be denied. Konoans would automatically become citizens. Konoans living outside of Konoa can request citizenship immediately.[/li][/ul]

The proposed East Polynesian constitution has the following conditions:
[ul][li]The Emperor of Polynesia, (who will most likely become Oaloanu), will be the ceremonial head of state.
[li]A legislature will have one house elected by the people.
[li]An executive branch helmed by a head of government with strong powers and elected by the law making body. It would be formed of a council of heads of state departments.
[li]It would have an independent, layered judiciary, with the power of judicial review.
[li]It would have a centralised political dispensation, with the state exercising a lot of power on local communities, although the Procyne tribes would have many powers especially over customs and the environment.
[li]It would have fundamental rights such as the rights to life, free speech, free practice of faith, and so on.
[li]It would allow non-Procyne residents of Konoa (immediately upon or before independence) to apply for citizenship, which cannot be denied. Procynes would automatically become citizens. Procynes of “Oan” patrilineal ancestry living outside of East Polynesia can request citizenship immediately.[/li][/ul][/s]

The Pacifists and the Greens have proposed that the Oan Isles that is left would retain its current political system. The proposal for the formation of the Polynesian Union of the Oan Isles (the long form of its name) has received strong support. Some people have called for a body like the ACA with layers of parliaments and councils. Another movement has simply said that laws should be formed by treaty and the body should be helmed by an Emperor of Polynesia.

We’ll have to wait for the referendum result to know where we are going next, but we seem headed in the right direction.

31

REFERENDUM CONCLUDED
Published on 6 August 2017
By Mauia Uweleye
For the Critic Online Newspaper
From Harmony City
[hr]
The atmosphere was tense as the entire nation waited for Prince Oaloanu to announce the results of the referendum. The walked slowly to the podium and looked into the camera. It felt as though he was in every home, bear hall and party, to announce the fate of the nation. He declared: “Konoa and East Polynesia are declared unequivocally sovereign and independent nations”.

66% and 74% of people voted in favour of independence in Konoa and East Polynesia respectively. There were massive celebrations in Harmony City and Port of the Light. People gathered in public areas to declare the independence of their nation. It was the greatest coalescing of hearts and minds behind one vision, that the country had ever seen.
Now the difficult work of crafting the laws that will execute the will of the people must begin. Each group has its own interests and demands. Independence means independence. There is no going back, no wasting time. The people of Konoa, East Polyesia and The Oan Isled need an answer and they want to know their future. MNA’s will have to answer.

32

[RETCONNED]

33

WAR IN ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDS
Published on 9 August 2017
By Imani Lucim
From La Rochelle
For the La Rochelle Times
[hr]
This war has been described as the war that everyone forgot. The Islander Civil War has ensued for the past year and a half. It was sparked by demands for political and economic liberation of the common people with a political and social framework that placed the nobility and chiefs with many powers. A largely ceremonial monarchy helmed by Markka IV, while attempting to alleviate the suffering, has been unable to truly bring about an end to the war. After negotiations in April this year the Rebels and the Government agreed to a ceasefire, with the state subsequently ceding control of certain islands to the Rebels, in negotiations helmed by the current regent, Prince Oaloanu.

Protests spiked again when a boy was arrested and charged with terrorism. His mother, wailing terribly, told reporters that he was being persecuted and as a scapegoat for the paranoid government. This arrest and trial inspired a massive wave of protests that have caused instability and unrest.

With Oan political pressure, human rights abuses have been largely avoided, but unfortunately the police and protesters alike have responded with force and violence in some areas. With the atmosphere becoming more and more tenuous, the protests look set to combust.

The Monoherra called for calm, but the situation remains. Oaloanu will visit the country later in the week to see how the situation can be dealt with. Supplies are already reaching the Islander people. With a massive electronics factory and a large Oan population within API, the Oan Isles is heavily invested and culturally intertwined with the country that the Oan Monarch is regarded an Honourary Senior Chief as the Monoherra is regarded as an Oan Prince, a Son of the Troposphere.

34

Edited 18 October 2017
GLOOMY OAN ECONOMY
Published on 14 August 2017
By Imani Lucim
From La Rochelle
For the La Rochelle Times
[hr]
The Oan National Treasury, Director-General and Acting Treasurer Liam Palorealua, released the biannual National Economic Report earlier today. He painted a gloomy picture of the Oan economy so far and its outlook in the immediate future. He pointed out the following matters:
[ul][li]Economic growth was reduced from 7% in 2016 to 2.9% in 2017, with the country narrowly avoiding recession.
[li]Unemployment increased from 2.1% in 2016 to 6.3% in 2017.
[li]Inflation increased from 2% in 2016 to 5.4% in 2017.
[li]The Oan dollar lost half of its value, declining from 2 OAD = 1 KRB or 4 OAD = 1 SHD in 2016 to 3.5 OAD = 1 KRB or 7 OAD = SHD. For the first time in a decade the Oan dollar is worth less than the Vekaiyun Veskono.
[li]Oan Base Treasury Reserves have decreased from 340 to 270 billion SHD.[/li][/ul]

He suggested the following things as probable causes for the downturn:
[ul][li]Kia Uye’s temporary absence from active duty as the Treasurer.
[li]The wars in Aurora and Atlantia are in fact cited as the primary cause.
[li]The independence of East Polynesia and autonomy of Konoa.
[li]The resurgent political instability and violence in the Asian Pacific Islands.
[li]The state of emergency.
[li]The Oan Isles formally abandoning the Kirib.
[li]The Oan Isles selling 70 billion Xagrurgian Kiribs at below market value.[/li][/ul]

These have caused the following to occur:
[ul][li]Investor confidence to decrease.
[li]Rent, rates and fees to increase.
[li]Prices on goods and services to increase.
[li]State allowances to decrease.
[li]Average standard of living to deteriorate and cost of living to increase.
[li] Greater difficulty in accessing loans and higher interest rates.[/li][/ul]

He said that the impact has been mitigated by:
[ul][li]Oaloanu’s assumption of the role of head of state and government.
[li]Increased defence spending.
[li]A massive 100 billion dollar loan from Staynes earlier in the year.
[li]Rich families purchased state companies, injecting billions into them. Because restructuring has been been offset until January next year, the worker will not feel the impact.
[li]Lower oil prices from Asian Pacific Islands and uranium prices.[/li][/ul]

He called for the following steps:
[ul][li]A quick end to the wars.
[li]A quick declaration of formal independence of East Polynesian and autonomy of Konoa
[li]Agreements to secure water, electricity, fuel and food supply from Konoa and East Polynesia.

[li]Attraction of investors.
[li]Decreased household spending.
[li]Debt renegotiation
[li]Increased exports
[li]Expanded markets for Oan exports[/li][/ul]

35

Edited 18 October 2017
INDEPENDENCE LAW PASSED
Published on 15 August 2017
By Liam Alikeketi
From Crystal City
For the Crystal Correspondent
[hr]
After the referendum earlier this month that indicated that the Konoan and East Polynesian people want countries territories of their own, independent autonomous of the Oan Isles, the National Assembly was tasked into drafting a law that would bring the independence autonomy into effect.

The law declared that a transitional phase would be entered into, in which the Oan Isles would remain in control of monetary, financial, defence and other things of most of public services until each country passed a constitution through which it would declare independence autonomy and establish a government.

An election will be held for drafters of the respective constitutions of East Polynesia and Konoa on 18 August 2017. They will be grouped in a Constitutional Assembly, for each nation, that will have a period of two months to draft a constitution and made up of 1,300 to 1,400 drafters. If would be dissolved immediately upon the promulgation of a constitution.

The Konoan Movement leader, Mauia Uweleye, and East Polynesian Movement leader, Panama III have hinted at some common values that will definitely be in the constitution:
respect for sentient rights and a three branch government. They purported that such a system would be helmed by a shared of state as a ceremonial figurehead. Oaloanu is the most likely candidate.

The Oan Isles will be the successor state of the Oan Isles thereby not needing to declare independence.

36

STATE OF EMERGENCY ENDED!
Published on 16 August 2017
By Adam Mautunākeketi
From Tukanoaeni
For the Tukanoan Times
[hr]
Earlier in the year, a state of emergency was declared after the Al Jaheed bombed the headquarters of the Oan National Security Services in La Rochelle. It was a response to the fickle security situation. It enabled the Defender who at time was Ese (who as a result of sickness has been replaced by Oaloanu) and the National Council to assume sweeping powers to combat the threat. Although the domestic situation improved, wars in Aurora were cited as a reason for the continuation of the state of emergency.

The Pacifist Party proposed a memorandum in early June, requesting an end to the state of emergency. After a consensus was reached, the state of emergency was diluted and its provisions over civil and economic life was removed, but control over the reins of power was not ceded to the National Assembly.

On 8 August 2017, a small group of MNA’s (or Members of the National Assembly) belonging to the Pacifists, Greens, Socialists and Independence filed an interdict in the National Court requesting that the State of Emergency is lifted after attempts to force a lift through the National Assembly failed.

The state was asked to either contest the motion or concede without contestation. It elected to contest the matter. After the meltdown of a nuclear reactor in Nuremkastel, Kostoria-Obertonia, that killed 5,000 soldiers, the state elected to rescind its right to contest and conceded defeat without contestation. The National Court ruled that the state of emergency is terminated with immediate effect.

This means that the Defender pro-tempore, Oaloanu, no longer has powers and is restrained to the ceremonial role that the position of the Defender has been known to have. His ability to issue decrees and define policy has been removed. The National Assembly reassumed full powers.

In lieu of the sudden and tragic death of the soldiers and general waste of resources and manpower over the course of the war that has not and will not produce results, Oan ships and troops are being withdrawn from the theatre and negotiations have been entered into to formally end the war with Xagrurg.

37

Edited on 20 October 2017
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY CLEARS STATE OF RESPONSIBILITY
Published on 17 August 2017
By Adam Mautunākeketi
From Tukanoaeni
For the Tukanoan Times
[hr]
A commission of inquiry was constituted by the National Assembly in terms of the Constitutional mandate to hold the national government to account. In lieu of the civil discontent to the circumstances surrounding and the implications of the meltdown in Nuremkastel that killed 5,000 800 Oan soldiers, MNAs motioned for the formation of a commission of inquiry to investigate the situation and assess the state’s role therein.

Its findings comprised of witness accounts, mostly procured from those outside of the city as those within perished, expert analysis and a thorough breakdown of the pre-invasion situation. It found that the Oan military had enough information availed to it, but anything concerning the status of the powerplant was both beyond and outside of what it had or was able to procure. Also additionally, drone fighting and the crash of the plane were cited as possible causes, ripple effects that could NOT have been predicted or prevented; indirect causes, among others.

It concluded that the government and those beneath it were not responsible. In a daring moved, it cited repeated mistakes and blunders through the war as neither manufactured nor blameworthy, but were a constant characteristic of the war that brought into question the motives and competence of the National Council in taking its duties and exercising its powers.

The National Council, represented by its current Chief (a rotating position of no power), Locklyn Le Roy, announced that the National Council will resign en masse in the next few days. Additionally a motion was submitted by petitioners from various civil society groups calling for the dissolution of the National Assembly and the convening of new elections. Disgruntled citizens marched on its headquarters in downtown La Rochelle, demanding a change in the mandate. The proposal is being considered and investigated.

38

KONOA AND EAST POLYNESIA PASS NEW CONSTITUTION
Published on 25 August 2017
By Imani Lucim
From La Rochelle
For the La Rochelle Times
[hr]
The Constitutional Assemblies of Konoa and of East Polynesia have passed their respective constituting documents, as a result of which they are officially declared independent and sovereign nationstates.

They have passed constitutions written on the basis of democratic values and have declared that the Emperor of Polynesia will become their head of state. The National Assembly of the Oan Isles and the Parliament of the Asian Pacific Islands has also passed an amendment to their constitutions establishing the Emperor of Polynesia as their monarch. With fighting in API ended, the monarch will be delineated in a multilateral treaty between Konoa, API, The Oan Isles and East Polynesia along with a new union called the Polynesian Union.

Oaloanu officially accepted his appointment as the interim Regent of Polynesia, while the delegates from the four countries assemble for a conference in Sanglong, Asian Pacific Islands to discuss the Polynesian Union and the Emperor of Polynesia. Oaloanu has headed there to helm the negotiations and said that he is confident in this process.

Konoa and East Polynesia will be run by a Transitional Government until elections for legislatures are held in September 2017.

39

Edited on 23 October 2017
Konoan and East Polynesian Election Results
Published on 30 August 2017
By Imani Lucim
From La Rochelle
For La Rochelle Times
[hr]
The law making branch of the government of Konoa (Noan Isles) is made up of the Kuano-ta-Rea Territorial Assembly. It is made up of two one chambers. The Kutuawano Manunotiwa is the lower house. It has 200 members. It is elected every four years through single non transferable vote by the adult citizens of the country. It has the power to make laws, ratify treaties, pass the budget, elect the head of government, and approve the Supreme Court. It can legislate on housing, water management, sanitation, energy, limited taxes rates, fees and levies, agriculture, fishing, forestry, environmental conservation, cultural communities and so on.

An election was held to elect the first Kutuawano Manunotiwa Territorial Assembly. There was a high voter turn out of 89% of adults. That represents approximately 5 million 550,000 people. The party with the most votes is the Konoan People’s Party. It has 180 members 18 member. The second largest party is the Konoan Liberation Front with 15 2 members, while the remaining 5 members belong are independent candidates.

The Kutuawano Manuwawiya is the upper house. It is elected by the 27,540 nobles. The nobles are a class of hereditary leaders who have special titles, are the heads of clans and chiefs of tribes. They primarily protect the culture and promote the communities of the Konoan people. The Kutuawano Manuwawiya can reject the decisions of the lower house, the Kutuawano Manunotiwa. The Kutuawano Manunotiwa has the power to override this decision, but more members have to support the law. The Kutuawano Manunotiwa must vote for the law again through a ⅔ majority. With the Konoan People’s Party in firm control of the lower house, it seems unlikely that the upper house will be able to challenge it.

[s]The Kutuawano Manuwawiya has its own set of powers. The Kutuawano Manuwawiya has the right to pass laws on any matter of culture concerning the Konoan People. The lower house has the right to reject its decisions. But the Kutuawano Manuwawiya has the right to override this rejection if it passes the law again with a ⅔ majority.

The East Polynesian law making branch is structured in a different way and elected in a different way. It has one body that makes up the law making branch. It is called the National Assembly (also called the Palotunu Reawohe). It has 100 members. It is elected by the adult population of the country through party list proportional representation.

Most of the adults voted. Approximately 94% of people voted in elections. This represents nearly 5.8 million people. The election represented the differences in the two major species that make up the demography of East Polynesia. The humans voted mostly for the Polanosan Pacifists. The procynes voted mostly for the Polanosan Alliance. The Polanosan Pacifists have 20 seats while the Polanosan Alliance has the remaining 80 seats.[/s]

40

Edited 20 October 2016
Konoan and East Polynesia appoint new leaders
Published on 31 August 2017
By Imani Lucim
From La Rochelle
For La Rochelle Times
[hr]
The Kutuawano Manunotiwa Territorial Assembly has elected the Luano-ta-Rea Chief of the Territorial Council. The Luano-ta-Rea Chief is the head of the territorial government of Konoa. It has elected Mauia Uweleye, who was approved by the Kutuawano Manuwawiya. The Luano-ta-Rea has the following powers:
[ul][li]The power to appoint the Cabinet (called the Palomanuwawani) which forms the executive branch with the approval of the Kutuawano Manunotiwa.
[li]The power to nominate the judges of the highest court in the land called the Kutuawawani-a-ro-Komotua, who must be approved by the Kutua-ta-Rea as a whole.
[li]The power to sign executive orders.
[li]The power to represent the nation and sign international agreements.[/li][/ul]

In this sense he is the leader of the nation. Mauia Uweleye is the head of the Konoan People’s Party. He was the leader of the Konoan People’s Militia which is a paramilitary force that fought in the Asian Pacific Islands during the Islander Civil War. He was a journalist for the Oan periodical the Critic Newspaper. He was known for being a vocal activist for Konoans and a critic of the established order. He was a major proponent of the Partition of the Oan Isles. He is a close friend of Oaloanu. He is a powerful official with a great deal of personal influence. Some call him the Father of Konoa, after Noa the Great himself.

[s]
The National Assembly of East Polynesia makes up the law making branch of the East Polynesian government. It elects the head of government. This is the Chief of the National Council. Unlike Konoa, the Chief of the National Council and the other members of the National Council are elected separately.

The current Chief of the National Council is the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly. This is currently Paul Noalua. He presides over meetings and he is the leader of the executive branch. He has the power to sign decrees, represent the nation, sign agreements and discipline members.

Paul Noalua was a fairly quiet figure, whose humble nature, sharp wit, critical mind, stubborn nature, clean reputation and pragmatic policies attracted many people to him. He is a nobleman, who worked with tribes and clans in the former Oan Gondwana Office for Culture and Religion. He is a former professor of culture and ethnic studies at the University of Kohuaneni. He was selected by the Polanosan Alliance General Conference in 2017 to stand as the PA candidate for the Chief of the National Council. He is a Procyne. He is 64 years old. He was supported by Paramount Chief and Viceroy of East Polynesia, Panama III himself, which helped propel him to the country’s top job.
[/s]