Hey everyone sorry about not updating this for awhile. Real life came up. Update will be coming up!
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EUROPA CABLE NEWS - NEWS NIGHT
February 28, 2007
The introductory sequence of Europa Cable News begins with images of European cities flashing across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the segment comes to an end, Céline Delpy appears on screen before the familiar backdrop of an unnamed European skyline. She smiles before addressing the viewers.
“Bonsoir - and welcome to Europa Cable News. This is News Night. Hello, I’m Céline Delpy.”
"The Defense Force has announced that the 5th Overseas Interarm Regiment (5e RIOM) of the European Federation Special Forces will be deployed to Niger from its base in Djibouti, following the latest round of Tuareg insurgencies in the region. While fighting was mostly confined to guerrilla attacks and army counterattacks, large portions of the desert north of each nation were no-go zones for the military and civilians fled to regional capitals in Kidal, Mali and Agadez, Niger. However, the Tuareg conflicts have come under intense scrutiny following the kidnapping and subsequent death of several European tourists by groups associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which held their victims somewhere in the mountainous north of Niger. Al-Qaeda has reportedly been financed and supported by various Separatist-aligned terrorist groups. The European government has denounced the Niger government for not doing more to protect its people, with a small but vocal minority insisting on a military mission similar to those that had already been conducted elsewhere in the continent of Africa. If that’s the case, then the 5e RIOM may simply be the vanguard of a larger force."
"The tension between Russia and Georgia continues to grow worse following Georgian claims that three Russian helicopter fired on a school in the breakaway region of Abkhazia, a breakaway republic in northwestern Georgia that had joined the Russian Federation following the events of Operation Nesti. Russia has denied any attacks and continues to protest its innocence. The Georgian representative to the UN is expected to appear before the UN by next week."
"The Aegis Program, the European Federation’s initiative to have domestic anti-satellite capability has received a boost in funding following the successful Chinese anti-satellite missile test in January when a Chinese weather satellite was destroyed by a modified DF-21 ballistic missile with a kinetic kill vehicle mounted. European Parliament members have decried being outclassed by 'Chinese communists' in the development of space-based weaponry. The program is being developed by FEISAR, in conjunction with CERN and the European Space Agency."
"Several government-contracted engineers continue to be under investigation by a task force from the EDI, the European Gendarmerie Force and FedSec following a revelation that documents containing technical drawings for an advanced low radar cross section design slated to be employed in Europe’s next generation fighter aircraft had been copied and possibly leaked to foreign powers."
"The final phase for the development and construction for the final ship class authorized by the First Navy Bill, namely the Europa-class, are reported to be on schedule, with winning bids announced by DCNS, Fincantieri, Navantia and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, and construction beginning as soon as possible. A further improvement over the preceding Charlemagne-class vessels, the 6 carriers of the Europa-class will introduce new technologies such as electromagnetic aircraft catapults as well as other design features that will improve efficiency and running costs, as well as reducing crew requirements. This brings the total number of European super carriers under construction up to 10."
"A humanitarian mission to the war-torn regions of Africa in in the planning stages and may commence some time in April, the spokesperson for the Royal Council has announced. Confirmed royals that will be making the trip through the Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Chad and the Central African Republic are Charlotte Casiraghi, member of Monaco’s House of Grimaldi, Wenzeslaus of the House of Liechtenstein and Theodora of the formerly ruling Greek House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg."
"Massive numbers of newly upgraded Leopard 2A6 and Leclerc main battle tanks, confirmed to be enough for six armored divisions, join reserve formations in Polish and Finnish army depots. However, senior military officials warn that the government has been spending more heavily on equipment than on recruitment, resulting in a shortfall of enlisted soldiers for the Defense Force. They further warn that despite the benefits espoused by the government on the virtues of a large reserve component for the Defense Force, it wouldn't be enough to compensate for the loss of efficiency delivered by a large, professional army. They further point out the difficulties inherent in a full-scale mobilization in the event of a conventional warfare situation. Protests have erupted in Strasbourg, decrying the heavy government spending on the military, insisting that it does nothing but provoke a forceful Russian response, and urging the government to assign more of the budget to other areas like education and healthcare."
"Finally, the European mission to bring peace to Somalia and end the scourge of piracy continues with Operation Atalanta, the deployment of European vessels to patrol the Horn of Africa. The Indian Ocean Station, which has operational jurisdiction over the area, has been reinforced with the 5th Battle Group, under the recently promoted Vice Admiral de Rigny. He commands a task force consisting of the brand new Monarch-class carriers FS Braganza and FS Wettin, the Defender-class cruiser FS Guardian as well as several destroyers and frigates. However, defense experts contend that to truly eradicate piracy, a ground assault into Somalia was needed to root out insurgents and enforce UN mandates. The debate, however, continues to bog down in New York."
"That's all for tonight. Jean Girard is coming up next with the "Strasbourg Report." Good night."
February 28, 2007
The introductory sequence of Europa Cable News begins with images of European cities flashing across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the segment comes to an end, Céline Delpy appears on screen before the familiar backdrop of an unnamed European skyline. She smiles before addressing the viewers.
“Bonsoir - and welcome to Europa Cable News. This is News Night. Hello, I’m Céline Delpy.”
"The Defense Force has announced that the 5th Overseas Interarm Regiment (5e RIOM) of the European Federation Special Forces will be deployed to Niger from its base in Djibouti, following the latest round of Tuareg insurgencies in the region. While fighting was mostly confined to guerrilla attacks and army counterattacks, large portions of the desert north of each nation were no-go zones for the military and civilians fled to regional capitals in Kidal, Mali and Agadez, Niger. However, the Tuareg conflicts have come under intense scrutiny following the kidnapping and subsequent death of several European tourists by groups associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which held their victims somewhere in the mountainous north of Niger. Al-Qaeda has reportedly been financed and supported by various Separatist-aligned terrorist groups. The European government has denounced the Niger government for not doing more to protect its people, with a small but vocal minority insisting on a military mission similar to those that had already been conducted elsewhere in the continent of Africa. If that’s the case, then the 5e RIOM may simply be the vanguard of a larger force."
"The tension between Russia and Georgia continues to grow worse following Georgian claims that three Russian helicopter fired on a school in the breakaway region of Abkhazia, a breakaway republic in northwestern Georgia that had joined the Russian Federation following the events of Operation Nesti. Russia has denied any attacks and continues to protest its innocence. The Georgian representative to the UN is expected to appear before the UN by next week."
"The Aegis Program, the European Federation’s initiative to have domestic anti-satellite capability has received a boost in funding following the successful Chinese anti-satellite missile test in January when a Chinese weather satellite was destroyed by a modified DF-21 ballistic missile with a kinetic kill vehicle mounted. European Parliament members have decried being outclassed by 'Chinese communists' in the development of space-based weaponry. The program is being developed by FEISAR, in conjunction with CERN and the European Space Agency."
"Several government-contracted engineers continue to be under investigation by a task force from the EDI, the European Gendarmerie Force and FedSec following a revelation that documents containing technical drawings for an advanced low radar cross section design slated to be employed in Europe’s next generation fighter aircraft had been copied and possibly leaked to foreign powers."
"The final phase for the development and construction for the final ship class authorized by the First Navy Bill, namely the Europa-class, are reported to be on schedule, with winning bids announced by DCNS, Fincantieri, Navantia and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, and construction beginning as soon as possible. A further improvement over the preceding Charlemagne-class vessels, the 6 carriers of the Europa-class will introduce new technologies such as electromagnetic aircraft catapults as well as other design features that will improve efficiency and running costs, as well as reducing crew requirements. This brings the total number of European super carriers under construction up to 10."
"A humanitarian mission to the war-torn regions of Africa in in the planning stages and may commence some time in April, the spokesperson for the Royal Council has announced. Confirmed royals that will be making the trip through the Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Chad and the Central African Republic are Charlotte Casiraghi, member of Monaco’s House of Grimaldi, Wenzeslaus of the House of Liechtenstein and Theodora of the formerly ruling Greek House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg."
"Massive numbers of newly upgraded Leopard 2A6 and Leclerc main battle tanks, confirmed to be enough for six armored divisions, join reserve formations in Polish and Finnish army depots. However, senior military officials warn that the government has been spending more heavily on equipment than on recruitment, resulting in a shortfall of enlisted soldiers for the Defense Force. They further warn that despite the benefits espoused by the government on the virtues of a large reserve component for the Defense Force, it wouldn't be enough to compensate for the loss of efficiency delivered by a large, professional army. They further point out the difficulties inherent in a full-scale mobilization in the event of a conventional warfare situation. Protests have erupted in Strasbourg, decrying the heavy government spending on the military, insisting that it does nothing but provoke a forceful Russian response, and urging the government to assign more of the budget to other areas like education and healthcare."
"Finally, the European mission to bring peace to Somalia and end the scourge of piracy continues with Operation Atalanta, the deployment of European vessels to patrol the Horn of Africa. The Indian Ocean Station, which has operational jurisdiction over the area, has been reinforced with the 5th Battle Group, under the recently promoted Vice Admiral de Rigny. He commands a task force consisting of the brand new Monarch-class carriers FS Braganza and FS Wettin, the Defender-class cruiser FS Guardian as well as several destroyers and frigates. However, defense experts contend that to truly eradicate piracy, a ground assault into Somalia was needed to root out insurgents and enforce UN mandates. The debate, however, continues to bog down in New York."
"That's all for tonight. Jean Girard is coming up next with the "Strasbourg Report." Good night."
~~~ Author's Notes ~~~
Sorry for the long absence everyone. Just a heads up I've figured out how I'll be tackling the style for this AAR. I'm beginning to hate these news blasts because they just feel so info-dump-y. That said, I'll do it until some point in TTL's future where it'll be a sort of 'Prelude to War' moment, at which point I might transition into more of a narrative style, with the news blast posts becoming more infrequent.
We will crush the Pirates with one swift stroke. Fear will keep them in line, fear of this battle fleet.
The European government indeed hopes that they will respond to an... alternative form of persuasion. No terrorists shall dare menace Europa now.
EUROPA CABLE NEWS - NEWS NIGHT
June 5, 2007
The introductory sequence of Europa Cable News begins with images of European cities flashing across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the segment comes to an end, Céline Delpy appears on screen before the familiar backdrop of an unnamed European skyline. She smiles before addressing the viewers.
"Bonsoir et - welcome to News Night. I'm Celine Delpy and here's the news."
"A United Coalition anti-piracy task force, formally called the Combined Task Force 150, has been sent to the Horn of Africa. Composed of naval vessels from the United States and several Commonwealth states, the task force is led by HMS Ark Royal. Additionally, Japan and South Korea have pledged their participation, with their surface combatants operating within CTF-150 formations."
"Russia has been slammed in the UN following the revelation that Russia had been selling advanced weaponry to insurgent groups, primarily Somali pirates. It has been reported by the European Marines that interdicted pirates were captured with modern AK-103 assault rifles and RPG-29 rocket propelled grenades in their possession."
"The Federalist Party, led by Angela Merkel, have criticized the Prodi government’s decision to initiate the withdrawal of the majority of European forces from Somalia. She warns that leaving Somalia so soon would render it vulnerable to American-backed Ethiopian or Southern Coalition takeovers. She further warned that "Withdrawing from Somalia before the job is done will create a terrorist state on the Horn of Africa.” The Armed Forces report that the majority of the 25,000 troops currently stationed in Mogadishu and along the coast would be back in Europe by the end of the year."
"A caretaker government continues to rule in the Ukraine following President Viktor Yushchenko's decision to dissolve the Parliament, calling for new elections. Leading up to the dissolution of parliament was the eight-month power struggle between the president and the parliament. Ongoing power struggles between the Coalition of National Unity and the opposition supported by the president Viktor Yushchenko frequently resulted in the opposition boycotting the parliament's plenary sessions. On 2 April, the President, Viktor Yushchenko, following a meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and Speaker of the Parliament Oleksandr Moroz, signed the first decree dismissing Ukraine's Parliament sparking a political and constitutional crisis in Ukraine."
"Two bombings in Algeria, one aimed at the main government building in the country’s capital, killed at least 23 people on Wednesday in a sharp escalation of the violence linked to the Death Watch and the Separatist Alliance that has spread across North Africa. The Death Watch, North Africa’s most active terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attacks. It was the deadliest attack in the capital in more than a decade, and followed warnings by officials in Europe and the United States that Algeria was becoming a center for terrorism that could threaten Europe and North America. This follows reports that the Death Watch has reconstituted itself following the destruction of its bases in Libya and Morocco."
"Russian leader Vladimir Putin has called on Washington and Strasbourg to renegotiate the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe, following what Russia calls ‘the unrestrained expansion of the European military and a hypocritical wish to restrain Russia’. Russia insists that the basic premise for the CFE is defunct and has called on a new bilateral treaty with Europe or a multilateral arms reduction treaty for the US, Europe, China and Russia."
"Indian leader Manmohan Singh signed a bill Thursday completing his country's annexation of Tamil Eelam, comprising territories held by the Tamil Tigers, primarily comprising the north and the east of the island of Sri Lanka, with a state capital in Trincomalee. The state voted to secede from Sri Lanka and join India. The price for India's takeover of half of Sri Lanka has been a slowly increasing wave of condemnation, primarily from China and Pakistan. However, several nations including Russia, Japan, CSOME members Israel and Persia, as well as the European Federation, remained mum on the subject. Israel further clarifies that the act was 'simply a measure to enhance Indian security'. The government in Colombo has responded with a trade embargo of all Indian goods. Large numbers of the Sri Lankan Army continue to be garrisoned near Kandy, in the center of the country."
"Armed assailants responsible for the Sasebo Army Base bombing last April have been executed, the Japanese Ministry of the Interior announced. The three men, identified as members of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security, detonated three time bombs within a training barracks.The blast destroyed the building, levelled the three-story accommodation building next to it and caused extensive damage to the rest of the base and nearby civilian homes. The men were all part of the JGSDF’s newly formed 12th Division, a division of mechanized infantry. The incident has delayed the unit’s entry into active service and driven the rift between Japan and China further."
"Vietnamese oil rigs have taken position near the Paracel Islands, an island chain in the South China Sea which had until recently been contested by Chinese claims. However in a surprising move of diplomacy, Chinese leader Hu Jintao and Vietnamese President Nguyen met in Hainan to sign the Chinese-Vietnamese Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Demarcation. Among the provisions of this treaty were the dropping of Chinese claims on the Paracels. In return, the Vietnamese government agreed to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The move has sent shockwaves throughout Southeast Asia, primarily with the pro-Western members of SEATO. This unease has been exacerbated by reports of Chinese and Vietnamese army units taking positions on their common borders with the small state of Laos, prompting fears of an invasion."
"New encryption software which has been deemed ‘NSA- and EDI-proof’ has been reported to be available on the Internet. Rumours that said software was developed by the EDI’s Crypto Department have been discredited. The new software will also be used in the upcoming ‘cryptophones’ developed by EADS. The new cellphones provide security against eavesdropping and electronic surveillance and shall be issued for government and military use."
“This has been News Night, with Celine Delpy reporting. Jean Girard is coming up next with the ‘Strasbourg Report’. We leave you with coverage taken earlier from Brest, where the launching ceremonies for the European Navy's newest aircraft carriers FS Crusader and FS Conquistador were held. The ceremonies included flybys from Naval Aviation squadrons. The new vessels shall be assigned to their own carrier battle groups upon commissioning, with both becoming part of the Atlantic Fleet. Good night.”
June 5, 2007
The introductory sequence of Europa Cable News begins with images of European cities flashing across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the segment comes to an end, Céline Delpy appears on screen before the familiar backdrop of an unnamed European skyline. She smiles before addressing the viewers.
"Bonsoir et - welcome to News Night. I'm Celine Delpy and here's the news."
"A United Coalition anti-piracy task force, formally called the Combined Task Force 150, has been sent to the Horn of Africa. Composed of naval vessels from the United States and several Commonwealth states, the task force is led by HMS Ark Royal. Additionally, Japan and South Korea have pledged their participation, with their surface combatants operating within CTF-150 formations."
"Russia has been slammed in the UN following the revelation that Russia had been selling advanced weaponry to insurgent groups, primarily Somali pirates. It has been reported by the European Marines that interdicted pirates were captured with modern AK-103 assault rifles and RPG-29 rocket propelled grenades in their possession."
"The Federalist Party, led by Angela Merkel, have criticized the Prodi government’s decision to initiate the withdrawal of the majority of European forces from Somalia. She warns that leaving Somalia so soon would render it vulnerable to American-backed Ethiopian or Southern Coalition takeovers. She further warned that "Withdrawing from Somalia before the job is done will create a terrorist state on the Horn of Africa.” The Armed Forces report that the majority of the 25,000 troops currently stationed in Mogadishu and along the coast would be back in Europe by the end of the year."
"A caretaker government continues to rule in the Ukraine following President Viktor Yushchenko's decision to dissolve the Parliament, calling for new elections. Leading up to the dissolution of parliament was the eight-month power struggle between the president and the parliament. Ongoing power struggles between the Coalition of National Unity and the opposition supported by the president Viktor Yushchenko frequently resulted in the opposition boycotting the parliament's plenary sessions. On 2 April, the President, Viktor Yushchenko, following a meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and Speaker of the Parliament Oleksandr Moroz, signed the first decree dismissing Ukraine's Parliament sparking a political and constitutional crisis in Ukraine."
"Two bombings in Algeria, one aimed at the main government building in the country’s capital, killed at least 23 people on Wednesday in a sharp escalation of the violence linked to the Death Watch and the Separatist Alliance that has spread across North Africa. The Death Watch, North Africa’s most active terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attacks. It was the deadliest attack in the capital in more than a decade, and followed warnings by officials in Europe and the United States that Algeria was becoming a center for terrorism that could threaten Europe and North America. This follows reports that the Death Watch has reconstituted itself following the destruction of its bases in Libya and Morocco."
"Russian leader Vladimir Putin has called on Washington and Strasbourg to renegotiate the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe, following what Russia calls ‘the unrestrained expansion of the European military and a hypocritical wish to restrain Russia’. Russia insists that the basic premise for the CFE is defunct and has called on a new bilateral treaty with Europe or a multilateral arms reduction treaty for the US, Europe, China and Russia."
"Indian leader Manmohan Singh signed a bill Thursday completing his country's annexation of Tamil Eelam, comprising territories held by the Tamil Tigers, primarily comprising the north and the east of the island of Sri Lanka, with a state capital in Trincomalee. The state voted to secede from Sri Lanka and join India. The price for India's takeover of half of Sri Lanka has been a slowly increasing wave of condemnation, primarily from China and Pakistan. However, several nations including Russia, Japan, CSOME members Israel and Persia, as well as the European Federation, remained mum on the subject. Israel further clarifies that the act was 'simply a measure to enhance Indian security'. The government in Colombo has responded with a trade embargo of all Indian goods. Large numbers of the Sri Lankan Army continue to be garrisoned near Kandy, in the center of the country."
"Armed assailants responsible for the Sasebo Army Base bombing last April have been executed, the Japanese Ministry of the Interior announced. The three men, identified as members of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security, detonated three time bombs within a training barracks.The blast destroyed the building, levelled the three-story accommodation building next to it and caused extensive damage to the rest of the base and nearby civilian homes. The men were all part of the JGSDF’s newly formed 12th Division, a division of mechanized infantry. The incident has delayed the unit’s entry into active service and driven the rift between Japan and China further."
"Vietnamese oil rigs have taken position near the Paracel Islands, an island chain in the South China Sea which had until recently been contested by Chinese claims. However in a surprising move of diplomacy, Chinese leader Hu Jintao and Vietnamese President Nguyen met in Hainan to sign the Chinese-Vietnamese Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Demarcation. Among the provisions of this treaty were the dropping of Chinese claims on the Paracels. In return, the Vietnamese government agreed to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The move has sent shockwaves throughout Southeast Asia, primarily with the pro-Western members of SEATO. This unease has been exacerbated by reports of Chinese and Vietnamese army units taking positions on their common borders with the small state of Laos, prompting fears of an invasion."
"New encryption software which has been deemed ‘NSA- and EDI-proof’ has been reported to be available on the Internet. Rumours that said software was developed by the EDI’s Crypto Department have been discredited. The new software will also be used in the upcoming ‘cryptophones’ developed by EADS. The new cellphones provide security against eavesdropping and electronic surveillance and shall be issued for government and military use."
“This has been News Night, with Celine Delpy reporting. Jean Girard is coming up next with the ‘Strasbourg Report’. We leave you with coverage taken earlier from Brest, where the launching ceremonies for the European Navy's newest aircraft carriers FS Crusader and FS Conquistador were held. The ceremonies included flybys from Naval Aviation squadrons. The new vessels shall be assigned to their own carrier battle groups upon commissioning, with both becoming part of the Atlantic Fleet. Good night.”
Arsenal de Brest
Brest, European Federation
The reviewing stands were packed. There stood Marshal Pellaeon, Old Man of Europa, representing the Defense Force establishment. An imposing figure with his full graying beard and a soldier's proud posture, his Cross of Europe, earned during the Balkan Wars, gleamed proudly in the sunlight. Behind him was a contingent of European Navy admirals, led by Admiral Hellemans, Chief of the Navy. A little further along were Members of Parliament, representing mostly Defense and some Trade and Industry. As the Supreme Chancellor got up, the ship's crew, arrayed on the flight deck of the new aircraft carrier, came to attention.
"SHIP'S COMPANY - ATTENTION!"
"It's an honour for me to be able to be here, to represent Europa at the commissioning of the greatest naval ships we've ever built. She joins our great navy as an indispensable force for peace and freedom in the world.
As directed by the Chief of the Navy and as my duty as Supreme Chancellor of the European Federation, I hereby place the European Federation ships Crusader and Conquistador in commission. God bless and godspeed to all who sail in her. Viva Europa!"
As he walked away from the podium, he felt the eyes of the crews and the guests on him. On the new aircraft carriers, he could see flagbearers unfurling Europa's gold on blue. As he heard the first bars of the 'Ode to Joy' he saw the Navy ensign and the European flag being run smartly up. Deep in his heart, he knew that this was the beginning of great things for Europe. The crew manned their stations within the ship as she shuddered while being pulled into the Atlantic by tugboats.
Ode to Joy
I am looking forward to the inevitable war, and in turn Generalleutnant Jackmier Karkaff in his tank spearheading across the plains!
We will crush the Pirates with one swift stroke. Fear will keep them in line, fear of this battle fleet.
I love you Kaiser.
I'm hoping the EF plans to be 'humanitarian' with regards to the Georgia crisis.
It's Mélissa Theuriau, as said a few pages back. A french journalist, who become a kind of meme for being beautiful.
Waiting the next update!
Chapter 33
"No visitor to the Federation's capital in Strasbourg can fail to be awed by the majestic Parliament building. Housing the European Parliament's nearly 800 members, it is also home to the offices of the Supreme Chancellor, the Royal Council and the European Council. It also functions as the meeting place for the High Council, equivalent in function to the Cabinet of other governments.
Inside, visitors to the Parliament building are encouraged to enjoy the guided tours or peruse the Museum of Parliament, where snippets of the Federation's history are on display."
-Visitors' Guide to Europe
December 17, 2007
Conference Room, Parliament Building
Although lacking the stereotypical thick cigar smoke, it was clear from the muted conversations that the meeting had been in full swing for some time. While the atmosphere seemed relaxed, in reality it was far from it. Within this room, the men and women assembled were instrumental in guiding the Federation in these uncertain times. That was truer than most members of the government would like to admit. For instance, the members of the European Council were noticeably absent. Marshal Pellaeon suppressed a chuckle at the implications of the so-called leaders of the various European nations being reduced to figureheads. Truly, a new federal structure has taken hold here in Europe. Perhaps with next year’s elections the whole council could be done away with altogether. Already most of the important decisions were being decided by the Supreme Chancellor and the High Council.
"... with the elections of pro-European leaders in both Albania and the Ukraine, we can only expect closer relations with these two nations. However neither are devoid of problems. EDI has informed me of a burgeoning opposition to the Albanian president's pro-European stance, with a surprising number in the country wanting to go back to its Communist roots. Meanwhile, Russia has been harping on constantly about what it regards as 'encroachment' on their territory and drones about European isolation. Basically they're calling on Kiev to return to its pro-Russian stance." Foreign Minister Javier Solana concluded.
"They truly believe that?", an unnamed member of the European Council asked. Noticing once more the physical absence of the European Council, he glanced at the wall of monitors, where most European Council members joined the meeting through video conference.
"Probably more than we'd like to believe. The Ukraine does contain a large ethnic Russian population, mostly concentrated east of Kiev, as well as a significant Russian population on the Crimea. Incidentally, they also lease the Sevastapol Naval Base. The Ukraine is also a large customer of Russian oil and gas. So, yes, they do indeed take the prospect of losing the Ukraine as a client state very seriously. However, this Cold War rhetoric is most likely not intended for us. The Foreign Office believes that our dear friend Mr. Putin is facing discontent at home and we are the most expedient scapegoats. With the oil fields in Libya coming back online as well as our research into alternative energy sources, we've needed to buy less oil and gas from the Russkies.", the Foreign Minister replied.
The Defense Minister picked up where the Foreign Minister left off. "Indeed, Mr. Putin is not a happy man. Were we in his position, we wouldn't be having an easy go at it either. He walks out on the CFE treaty, forcing us to worry about Russian arms and rearm ourselves. He'd think that we were rearming to invade him and ups the ante, remember he can't make himself look weak to his populace, by putting a missile submarine in fucking Kiel!" A collective shudder ran across the room, as everyone recalled the incident where despite the massive sonar lashing by six nuclear and diesel submarines of the Navy, a Typhoon class missile submarine surfaced outside Kiel and conducted missile drills.
"And on top of the money he's needed to pour into modernizing his armed forces to deal with a threat from our forces, he gets into this whole fiasco with the Georgians. This in turn brings in the Iranians, who of course are wary of having Russians along two borders. At best, this points to election year fever. At worst, this could be the beginning of another Cold War.", he concluded. No one mentioned the very worst case scenario they were all thinking of.
Looking up from his notepad, Supreme Chancellor Romano Prodi comments to the Foreign Minister, "Stress to the Ukrainians and Georgians that we stand with them in the face of any Russian aggression. Next: South America."
"My opposite numbers in the Argentinian and Brazilian governments both assure me that all is well, possibly simply to induce us into not intervening. As most of you will recall from the ECN coverage, the Brazilians have only recently re-established relations with Argentina. This was after the Brazilians attempted to launch an airstrike against the main Argentine nuclear research facility, based on some intel that the Argies were developing a nuclear device. Obviously from our consultations with them, we know this not to be the case."
"You say attempted?"
The Defense Minister handled that one. "Yes, sir. Inspired by the Israeli strike on Saddam's Osirak facility in the 1990s, they also attempted to preempt Argentine nuclear capability by launching an airstrike with their AMX attack aircraft. The Argies were able to detect them and most got shot down over the target. However one of the Brazilian pilots managed to kamikaze his damaged aircraft into the facility anyway. Injured several researchers, moderate damage to the facility and set back the Argentinian program by months, possibly years. Mission accomplished for them, then."
Receiving nods from the assembled, the Foreign Minister detailed the relations Europe had with the rest of the world, pausing for the Intelligence Minister’s report on the anarchy sweeping Pakistan following the assassination of pro-democracy Benazir Bhutto, before giving way to the Minister of Finance and Industry Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul.
“Supreme Chancellor, ministers. Europe remains the number one industrial power on the face of the Earth. Our economy is unmatched. In addition, we are self sufficient in most raw materials needed for our industries.”
“Currently, most of the Federation’s industry has been focused on infrastructure projects, particularly the Pan-African Transport Network, Phase One of which is due to be completed by January. Construction also continues on the expansion of naval bases in Burgas, Bulgaria for the Black Sea Fleet, as well as brand new fleet bases in Djibouti and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Finally, we continue to allocate resources into the European merchant marine, as well as the Federal Sealift Agency, which has been transferred to the Federal Transport Command. Aside from being responsible for Defense Force transport in time of war, the Federal Sealift Agency is of course responsible for the transport of essential raw materials from beyond continental Europe’s shores.”
“With the first phase of the European Rearmament Program completed, we’ve been able to pour resources into non-defense matters such as social care, education, healthcare, consumer goods and so on. These have the effects of reducing discontent both here at home and in the newly annexed territories in Africa.”
“Once more Europe’s investments into cutting edge research have paid dividends. CERN and FEISAR [1] have announced their completion of a practical Generation IV nuclear reactor. Among others, benefits include much more efficient energy yields from the same amount of nuclear fuel, the ability to consume existing nuclear waste and improved operating safety. Acceptance trials are being conducted in Switzerland and France. Additionally, the completion of the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland promises to speed up future research into physics, engineering and just about any applied technological field.”
“Concerning the military. While the subject of construction and procurement is part of the Defense Force briefing, I can say that the improved relations between industry and the military has proven beneficial in both. Case in point, the relatively painless development of hybrid drivetrains. Ordinarily the transport industries, mainly car and locomotive manufacturing companies would attempt to research this area by itself, resulting in much duplicated effort and ruinous cost. However by partnering with the military, industry has been able to share costs and are assured of practical usage. Thus the drivetrain of the army’s new vehicles share components with the hybrid engines to be used by trains, cars and buses.”
“Now, for the Defense Force. General van Essen, please.”
NOTES
[1] Federal European Industrial Science and Research. Government company with a purview into high technologies. Basically I modded the game so I have a tech team that can research all the secret techs. Because really, who can dispute that Europe loves high tech? Also, who can tell me where this reference is from WITHOUT Google or the Internet? It's relatively obscure.
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Nice of you to sub to an AAR without an update FOR TWO YEARS.
For God's sake stop trying to bring dead threads to life.