CITN Update - Civfanatica News Thread

[Kinniken]

The Governement of Majipooria has followed with interest the recent speech by the Lord President concerning foreign policy.
We recognise the achievements of the Federal Empire during its mandate, and are sure that it will continue its action despite no longer being delegate.
However, we also believe that the Federal Empire is mistaken when worrying about possible conflict between our role as Delegate and our involvement in the creation of a League of Freedom.
First, while we are indeed the initiator of the League of Freedom project, we are in no way intending to lead it. Association of democratic countries, the League will decide on issues by voting. There is currently no role of leader or of chair planned in the League, and if the need for one appears, Majipooria will not be a candidate.
Secondly, the Federal Empire has express interest in joining the League, should it be created. Where it to do so, it would suffer from the same "conflicts of interest" as Majipooria.
Lastly, Majipooria has already taken revolutionary steps to make its position as delegate as representative as possible by stating that it will vote in elections as the majority of its sponsors decide, and not as either itself or the League decides. It has also agreed to endorse resolutions on the request of anyone of its sponsor. It has also confirmed its strong belief in democracy by putting the "locking of the region" proposal to vote in the Civfanatica Civil Headquarter.

For all of these reasons, the Governement of Majipooria believes that not only no real conflicts of interst exists between its position as delegate and its involvement in the League of Freedom, but that the same faith in democracy which is guiding the creation of the League will be helpful in making Majipooria the fairest Delegate in Civfanatica's history.

In freedom and friendship,

Kinniken
Guardian of Majipooria

 

[MHSoft]

The Lord President Michael Hughes of the Incorporated States of the Federal Empire, First Lord of the Admiralty and defender of the Holy Silk has made the following statement.

It is with great shock and horror that the Lord President has learned that the commonwealth of Gothiscandza has removed the Regional Control powers from the regional delegate, Majipooria. The Federal Empire deplores this act and is prepared to utilise all available assets to ensure that the power is returned to its rightful and democratic owner at the earliest possible moment.

While the Lord President respects Gothiscandza as the founder member of the Civfanatica region, he firmly believes that its government has acted ultra vires in this matter. It has violated its duty and rescinded on an earlier promise to leave regional membership a matter for the UN delegate.

The Commonwealth of Gothiscandza has claimed that it is acting in the interests of the region by stopping a resolution passing without quorum, since the resolution has so far received only four votes. It hardly needs to be pointed out that the vote has lasted only five hours and that many more nations may yet vote. We have all seen how the quorum system has paralysed the United Nations, now due to the actions of the Commonwealth it threatens to do the same with Civfanatica.

By pre-empting the outcome of this referendum, Gothiscandza has struck a severe blow against democracy and regional security. The Commonwealth is clearly acting in its own national interest, abusing its powers to further its own ends. This can not and must not be tolerated.

The Federal Empire hereby suspends all diplomatic relations with the Commonwealth of Gothiscandza . The Lord President calls upon all countries to withdraw their endorsement and instead support Majipooria as the rightful exerciser of regional control.

 

[Kinniken]

People of Civfanatica,

I address you today in my quality of Regional Delegate for the Region of Majipooria.

Earlier this morning, the Lord President of the Federal Empire, worried by the possibility of a coordinated invasion of Civfanatica by a hostile region, proposed the etablisement of strict controls on immigration to the Civfanatica region.
In my quality of Delegate, I proposed holding a vote among Civfanatican nations on the matter. Such a vote would have lasted 24 hours, at the end of which I would have ordered the closing of our borders had a majority of voters asked for it. This process was initialy accepted by Gothiscandza.
Four hours into the vote however, when the "yes" was leading with three votes to one, Gothiscandza withdrew its support and used its powers of Region Founder to remove Majipoorian authority on the matter. Among other arguments, he claimed that the vote would not have been respresentative, due to its lack of a quorum.
Since then, the situation has escalated with the rupture of diplomatic links between the Federal Empire and Gothiscandza.
This, Civfanaticans, is the situation as it stands. In this first diplomatic crisis of our mandate, the Majipoorian Governement has decided that open conflict between two powerful nations of the Continent on such a matter is premature, and that a compromise must be found. It is only by staying united that we will be able to efficiently protect our Region, should the time come.
In this spirit, I propose the organisation of a second referendum. Understanding and appreciating Gothiscandza's concerns on the need for it to be representative, I propose that this referendum be held for 48 hours and have a quorum of 50% ; that is, for it to be declared valid, 13 nations will have to vote, on one side or the other.
If this referendum is declared valid and the "yes" win, Gothiscandza will back down and allow the locking of our borders.
If it fails, the project will be abandonned.

As a gesture of good will on Gothiscandza's part and a proof of its renoncement of anti-democratic methods, Gothiscandza will restore the Delegate's privileges in administrering the region and vow to respect the issue of the referendum.
The Federal Empire will for itself vow not to use the powers in question to unilateraly lock the borders, should it become Delegate again.

The Governement of Majipooria firmy believes that a diplomatic solution is possible, and asks all Civfanatican nations to consider the cost a split on such a subject would have, both in term of our security and in the loss of influence abroad.

In freedom and friendship,

Kinniken
Guardian of Majipooria

 

[Aphex_Twin]

The Free Republic of Aphex Twin announces it's participation in the regional referendum.

VOTE: NAY

Unfortunately, we do not believe the foreign threat is significant beyound simple roumors. We also believe that in order for our region to grow we must allow more nations to join. We should look up to Apolyton, which has 147 (!) nations and growing. We certainly can't hold out with only 24. We need power and for power we need more members. It is the only way our discourse will be heard in the World and indeed heard at the UN.

Fellow fanatics, let this region grow unhindered and vote NAY.


All for Great Civfanatica,

President
Aphex Twin

 

[puglover]

The history for Clan of the Wild Pug is shrouded in mystery (most records were lost in a recent ice age in the area). Here's what we know since the Ice Age.

In 1980, an ice age hit the area. The land was frozen. The population of 8,000,000 humans and 20,000,000 pugs were reduced to 1,000,000 human and 4,000,000 pugs. The records of the empire were lost. However, the pug-human language translator technology was saved. The leader was established as Pugslee the Great. She is the queen of Clan of the Wild Pug. The land is still referred to as The Kingdom of Clan of the Wild Pug however because the leader is traditionally male. Her "pet" human is named Puglover. He is her vice president. All vice presidents are human and all presidents are pugs. Recent transportation activity (2003) has moved The Clan from the frozen tundra to the lush jungles of Civfanatica. We will have a custom flag soon.

Stats

President: Pugslee the Great
Pet Human (vice president): Puglover
Political Parties: Rebel Human Party (small) Pug Party (huge)
Resources: Beef, Farming equipment, Lumber
Terrain: Jungle (60%) Forest (20%) Desert (10%) Grassland (10%)

 

[puglover]

#Govt: Queendom
#UN Status: Let me check...
#Leader(s): Pugslee the Great, Puglover
#Leader Title(s): Grand Pug
#Leading Party(ies): Pug Supporters
#Opposition Leader(s): Bill Gray
#Opposition Party(ies): Rebel Humans
#Stability: Great
#Capital: The Couch

 

[Plexus]

My fellow Fanatics;

As the Prime Minister of Plexia, I, Topato, find the password issue to be un-democratic and fascist. Thus, I say our borders should remain open!

-Topato Potato, Prime Minister of Plexia, Made of Poison

 

[Pangur Bán]

Originally posted by Kinniken
This process was initialy accepted by Gothiscandza.

Unfortunately, Guiardian Kinniken misinforms. A majority of the votes cast was never excepted by Magister Gauta Amali.

 

[Pangur Bán]

By the way, another NAY.

 

[Pangur Bán]

Report From CITN, Adogit, Gothiscandza

Tensions were apparently started today when Lord President Michael Hughes of the Incorporated States of the Federal Empire, First Lord of the Admiralty and defender of the Holy Silk sent the Magister and Father of the Gothiscandzian nation this letter

"Greetings from the Lord President. It has come to his Lordship's attention that you have endorsed Majipooria to the UN. While Majipooria is in some respects an admirable nation, our leader does not believe that this is the best country to represent us at the UN. He has also noted that you have been prepared to endorse the Federal Empire. Our leader therefore has this proposal for your consideration. In return for withdrawing your endorsement of Majipooria, the Federal Empire will be prepared to endorse The Commonwealth of Gothiscandza."

Gauta Amalis found this message insulting; that his own vote should be of no account, and that the Lord President should have so little respect for his people. He apparently sent the Lord President a message saying so.

Some in the Amali administration allege that Gauta Amalis's justified and diplomatic reply was a source of offence to the arrogant Lord President. Subsequently, according to our reports, the Lord President used the password issue as a pretext to break off relations. Gauta Amalis is reported as saying; "We are a dignified nation, and will not tolerate such disrespectful, bullying tactics"

 

[MHSoft]

The following is a statement by the Lord President Michael Hughes of the Incorporated States of the Federal Empire.

It is come to my attention that the government of the Federal Empire has been accused of underhand diplomacy and of seeking to exploit the current delegate-powers crisis to further its own political ends. I firmly deny these rumours and have seen fit to explain the position of the Federal Empire.

After the succesion to the delegacy of Majipooria, the Federal Empire did indeed campaign against this country. At the time, the Federal Empire was the nation with the second highest number of endorsements and hence saw it as her perogative and indeed her duty to provide official opposition the the Majipoorian delegacy. This opposition was not secret, a full statement was made outlining our concerns. I am sure that the Majipoorian Guardian will confirm that, as a keen advocate of democracy, he firmly supports such freedom of debate.

However, in light of assurances by the Majipoorian government and the distraction of a more immediate crisis, the Federal Empire recently chose to support Majipooria for the time being against the undemocratic actions of the Commonwealth of Gothiscandza.

The suspension of diplomatic relations with Gothiscandza was a seperate and much more serious issue. The Federal Empire believed that the Gothiscandzan Government was seeking to exert undue influence on the Civfanatica region by abusing its powers as founder. Again, a full statement was made explaining the position of the Imperial Government.

The Majipoorian Governemnt has set out a plan which will lead to the restoration of democracy in our region. In principle the Federal Empire supports such a move. However, I am most concerned that Gothiscandza has been allowed to abuse its position and hence influence the UN delegate. The Federal Empire is adamant that a pretext for Gothiscandzan interference must not be set.

The Federal Empire will only agree to this settlement if Gothiscandza publically and clearly declares that it will never again restrict the power of the United Nations delegate, nor seek to use its position as founder to influence democratic process in Civfanatica.

In return the Federal Empire will agree that, should we regain the delegacy, we will not impose a password on the region without consultation except in the instance of a regional emergency.

As a gesture of good faith in this matter, the Federal Empire hereby re-opens diplomatic relations with the Commonwealth of Gothiscandza.

 

[puglover]

Clan of the Wild Pug at the moment is called a Psychaotic Dictatorship. What do those UN dummies know anyway.

 

[Kinniken]

From our correspondent in Ni-Moya (Free Land of Mijipooria)

To my fellow Civfanatican leaders,

There is indeed no referendum concerning the powers of the Delegate and the Founder ; the "votes" should be seen mainly as a show of support. Gothiscandza having restored the Delegate's power to access to the region Control and vowed not to use them himself, the case is closed.
In any case, the referendum on the locking up of Civfanatica has clearly failed. After more than 48 hours, I have only registered 3 votes in favor and three against, which means that the referendum both fails AND is invalid (quorum of 50% not reached). Civfanatica will remain open unless an emergency should occur.
As for the "election" of the Delegate, I remind newcomers that the Delegate is "elected" via the mechanism of endorsements. I am not aware of any proposal to change that to a direct election (which would require nations to play fair and endorse or not other nations according to the results of the election).
On an other matter, I thanks the Federal Empire for his diplomatic efforts in reaching the CFC region. While it does seem that the CFC region is largely inactive, I believe we should maintain peaceful contacts.
Lastly, I re-iterate my proposal of a common Civfanatican resolution on a subject to be debated. Managing to pass a resolution in the UN is a worthy goal and a taxing challenge, but I believe that a Civfanatican team of motivated UN nations could succeed. And managing that would be a resounding political success for Civfanatica, since only seventeen resolutions have ever been passed.

In freedom and friendship,

Kinniken
Guardian of Majipooria
Region Delegate for Civfanatica

 

[Aphex_Twin]

Just one question... How do you support a proposal for a UN resolution? There has to be more than a simple endorsement. If that is not the case, and you need an endorsement, than Civfanatica is clearly too small. We would need at least 200 members to hope to get a resolution passed.

God and President
Aphex Twin III

 

[Kinniken]

Every UN member with two endorsement can submit a proposal.
For a proposal to be put to votes, it need to have the endorsement of a tenth of the regional delegates (the size of their region does not matter). This is the hard part; 99% of resolutions fails at this point.
After that, it is put to vote. Every regular UN member has a vote, regional delegate have a vote for themselves and one for every endorsement they have (I would thus have 9 right now). However, once a resolution is put to the votes, it's basicaly won. If it had enough endorsements to arrive there, it is nearly certain to pass.
In any case, we do not need masses of members, just half a dozen commited civfanatican ready to spend a little time actively supporting the resolution, by sending telegrams to as many delegates as possible, speaking it up in the forum and so on.
Plus, we also need to come up with a good resolution, created to appel to as many people as possible.
It's definitly possible - most of the resolution out there are poorly written and barely defended in the forums. Not to mention that I have been delegate for 3-4 days now, and I have yet to receive a telegram asking for support. I'm convinced that a properly planned campaign could be successful.

 

[MHSoft]

The following is a statement by the Lord President of the Federal Empire

The Majipoorian Government has stated that Gothiscandza has agreed never again to use the regional controls. The Federal Empire obviously welcomes this assurance, but unfortunately has received no such guarentee. The Lord President would like to remind nations that The Federal Empire's agreement not to password protect Civfanatica in the future is only valid providing Gothiscandza publically renounces the authority to control the region.

The Government of the Federal Empire would also like to take this opportunity to protest at the manner in which the referendum regarding password protection was conducted. The Lord President would like to remind members of the following:

1) Four hours into the poll the regional founder removed the regional control powers from the UN delegate in an attempt to influence the result of the vote.

2) A quorom for the vote was added half way through.

3) The time allowed for the vote was changed during the election after the regional founder abused its powers.

4) The election degenerated into a debate over whether or not the UN delegate should have powers of regional control, to the point where many countries were confused as to what they were supposed to be voting for.

5) At many times there was no mention on the Civfanatica Civil HQ of the actual resolution under debate, with some countries apparently trying to convince people that a different resolution was being voted on.

6) Majipooria set out a draft of a possible agreement between Majipooria, Gothiscandza and the Federal Empire on CITN. There was no official agreement between these three parties, and yet Majipooria decided to unilaterally enact the treaty, which included the continuation of the referendum.

7) Majipooria did not declare the continuation of the vote at Civfantica Civil HQ.

Nowhere in the world would such a vote be accepted as democratic. The Federal Empire is saddened that Majipooria, which the Lord President admired as a beacon of democracy towards which we were striving, has presided over such a travesty of justice.

Hence, while accepting that for the time being there will be no password protection, the Lord President of the Federal Empire does not recognise the result of the poll.

 

[Kinniken]

Ni-Moya, Free Land of Majipooria

To every Civfanatican leaders, to their people, and to the wider world watching,

As Guardian of Majipooria and Regional Delegate for Civfanatica, I would like your attention tonight as I reply in the name of the full Majipoorian Governement to the Lord President's critics of our action as Regional Delegate.
First, we would like to reassure him ; we have indeed received such a promise from Gothiscandza. While we would welcome a renewed proclamation of this from the Founder himself, we hope that the word of Gothiscandza is good enough for the Federal Empire. In any case, we must admit that we have nothing else to fall back on, since the Founder cannot be stripped of Regional Control powers.
Furthermore, we would like to remind him that whatever the actions taken by the Founder, any locking of the region by the Federal Empire were it to become delegate again would be a blatant violation of the democratic principles he claims to stand for - while refusing them to his own people. As UN delegate, I must thus condemn the Federal Empire's threats and remind him that only a diplomatic solution is possible in any case.

On the subject of the referendum, we understand and recognise as valid the complaints made by the Lord President. However, we believe he underestimate the difficulty of etablishing an open and democratic system, especialy when faced with the authoritarian tendencies of two of the great powers of Civfanatica.

We believe that the only way to put those crisis behind us is the creation of a Civfanatican Constitution, which would clearly lay out the division of powers and the procedures for voting on various issues. Once such a constitution is adopted, a new referendum on the closing of borders could be organised, this time with clear rules accepted by all.

The Majipoorian Governement thus urge Civfanatican nations to put their mind to this task and propose drafts of possible constitutions, to be discussed before being put up to the votes.

In freedom and friendship,

Kinniken
Guardian of Majipooria
Delegate for Civfanatica

 

[Pangur Bán]

The Powers which Gothiscandza is unable to abandon will never be used against democratic principles, but will only ever be used to check undemocratic measures.

The password controversy was an unusual test of the system, and, in fact, regional controls will be for the most part irrelevant. Now that the password issue has been solved, the issue of regional controls doesn't matter.

 

[Xen]

The current high consul of NRI republic(Novus Roma de Italia) would like to point out that one may see upon visit to the UN, and international incident forums that there are agreat deal of forces who would act aggressively towards our nations, and conquer our region.I say we must stop such an event before it happens,BUT to ensure a healthy flow of new members into our region we must open a thred, and advertise said thred in the O/T forums, were potential members may come and request entrence, or let those of CFC know the password, but keep it exclusivlly in the CFC forums, as to ensure the halt of agresive nations

our vote: aye

 

[Xen]

well it seems my post has been for naught as the issue has been resolved