Is There Still a Crisis in Alcovia?

Since the declaration of a cease fire in 2012, the kingdom of Alcovia has remained in a tenuous state of peace which has been called an "Civil Cold War" by many analysts and politicians alike. There has been no official declaration of peace and the nation is still divided between west and east with a recognized demilitarized zone splitting the nation to 2/1, west to east, ratio. 

Eastern Alcovia is strictly held by the rebel factions and the many militias that have risen up to support them and while the official government recognizes this border for the sake of peace during the cease fire, there have been no official talks of any sort of recognized official partitioning of the nation. More over, the rebels under General Kusatya have expressed absolute conviction for the overthrow of the Alcovian crown, its nobility and the standing government. King Ullo has stated that he will fight rebellion in all its forms should the rebels resume their open hostilities. 

In the northeastern region of Slavikova, open fighting between militias is common and there are concerns that rebel militia factions in the region are being supported by outside factions, possibly Russian. Russia has denied these allegations, countering with supposed evidence that CIA and former KGB agents have been attempting to destabilize the region, though they declined to provide any rationale for such an endeavor. What is true is that the region is a hotbed of activity where very little can be done, by national or rebel military forces alike, to curtail the fighting. 

During the cease fire, UN activity has increased with several refugee camps having been established on both sides of the Borka river where the majority of the refugees are ethnic Iqenis who are being forced out of eastern Alcovia not by the official rebel forces but by hostile militias who are using the region's instability to act on generations of ethnic prejudice and resentment toward those ethnic Iqeni who are native to the region and those who settled in later decades. Offcial Alcovian government response to this "cleansing" has been in opposition of the acts but lack of control over the region has made it impossible to act on these oppositions without threatening the cease fire.

Outrage in neighboring Iqenistan and local Iqeni populations was recently fueled when earlier UN findings that refuted claims of executions and death squads were themselves refuted by the discovery of several mass burials of mostly ethnic Iquenis. To date an estimated 250 bodies have been discovered in such mass graves throughout eastern Alcovia. When asked for a statement, a spokesperson for the Alcovian Ministry of the Interior had the following to say - 

"The Alcovian Peoples' Army has resisted all requests by official government authorities to investigate these killings. These crimes are being perpetrated by Alcovian citizens against its own citizens and are the responsibility of the legitimate authorities, to be investigated by those authorities and to bring to justice the perpetrators of these crimes under Alcovian royal justice. It is our position that, until the APA allows official investigation of these crimes, they will be considered complicit in those crimes."

There are those among the international community that see the region as a smoldering fuse that could flare up at any moment and explode the country into open warfare. Royal forces retain their vigilant stance along the demilitarized border between east and west while rebel forces struggle to maintain their own front, despite shortages of fuel, ammunition and a crumbling infrastructure. 

In the end, it may be time that decides this conflict, but at this time there is still very much a crisis in Alcovia.

Alcovia Receives Bongolesian Dignataries

Karina Lotsacrop, representative of the University of Alcovia, Department of Human Studies speaks with the head of the Bongolesian security detail, JaJa Binku.

Today, at a discrete air field in western Alcovia, a military transport plane was received by a small group of civilian and government authorities. After a brief discussion between cultural attaches and the Bongolesian security detail, the diplomatic team was lead to a water motorcade where they were sped off to an undisclosed location, presumably to meet with King Ullo Chubakov, who had recently returned to seclusion after numerous threats were made on his person.

Early details indicate that Ambassador W'astsit T'uyoo an his staff are settling in nicely to their diplomatic quarters and are being treated to the highest level of Alcovian hospitality. This evening's welcome dinner is reported to include a meal of Alcovian wild boar and eels.

Alcovia to Host African Diplomats

Head of the Bongolesian delegation, W'atsit T'uyoo

Surprising developments in Alcovia.

After years of resistance to foreign intercession in the ongoing civil war, the Alcovian office of Internal Affairs has accepted an offer from the African nation of Bongolesia and will receive a diplomatic envoy with the intentions of allowing them to sit in on talks between National and rebel leaders. 

Bongolesia, often criticized as the playground of a tyrant and a center for corruption and bush politics, seems an unlikely candidate for peace mediation. However, considering the Alcovian King's mistrust of European politics and desire to keep both Russia and the united States out of his country's affairs, a small, independent nation seated an ocean away may not be as odd a choice as it might seem. 

The office of Internal Affairs released this quite from the initial communication sent by Bongolesia, 

"Bongolesian Foreign Affairs Experat and Tip-Top Diplomat, W'atsit T'uyoo and his staff are ready to make haste to Alcovia, to show our friends that we can help and when we help, EVERYBODY can get some...We come in peace and look forward to doing our bestest on the world stage of international feel goods..."

Very positive and energetic words from the characteristically bombastic nation.

Internal Cold War - The Silent Crisis in Alcovia

3/4/2014

 

 

While scenes such as this have become more common since the cease fire was declared a little over two years ago, one must remind oneself that Alcovia is STILL a nation at war.

Peaceful as it may seem, the conflict that ravaged this once quiet Balkan nation still simmers under a last enmity that is maintained across no firmly entrenched lines of demarcation. Neither The Crown or the self-appointed Alcovian People's Army (APA) have made any declaration of a further peace and as time passes, each side of this conflict seems to get ever more committed to their respective mission.

 

 

While cleanup and reconstruction continue throughout the nation, pockets of armed forces both officially sanctioned and militia alike maintain positions, take possession of supplies and material. Shots still ring out in the night as armed gunmen patrol neighborhoods and patrols of soldiers weed out their rivals' insurgent forces. Add to this the continued and growing unrest among the ethnic Iqeni population in the East who are under ever increasing scrutiny coupled with bigotry and abuse by Alcovian nationals who, now unfettered from royal decree have little to keep them from acting on their agendas of sovereignty and racial purity.

 

 

This has signaled a call to arms for Iqenis who have no choice but to defend themselves. This in turn has drawn the attention of the government of Iqenistan, east across the Borka river and UN officials. Continued reports of crimes targeting ethnic Iqeni citizens in Alcovia continue to make their way across the Borka and into the hand of the UN who, to this date, have still been granted only the most basic access to Alcovian soil. One claim of mass graves found in the northeastern marshes was discounted as the bog mummified remains of earlier conflicts between Alcovia nd its Iqeni neighbors. While the report was accepted, based on photographic evidence, by UN inspectors, Iqenis still remain skeptical, fearing collusion or fraud.

 

 

 

A recent interview with Alcovia's Minsiter of Internal Affairs revealed that the king has grown concerned over recent events in the Ukraine. Russians interference in the sovereignty of that nation only serves to reinforce the king's fears that outside involvement in Alcovian affairs would be detrimental to the kingdom's continued independence. Russia had already voiced concerns over Alcovian instability in the first years of the civil war, even being complicit in backing an attempted breakaway by Alcovia's northern most region, Slavikova. While that break away was quelled and no direct Russian involvement was proven, Russian did maintain its position of maintaining stability in the region. Most recently, this concern for stability was expressed by an increase in credit for military exports to Alcovia from Russian arms industries.

 

 

 

For now, the world's eyes are off of Alcovia as the crisis in the Ukraine grows ever more intense. Hope holds that after two years of relative peace, the Wolf of the Balkans will, once more, slumber...





UN Finds No Sign of War Crimes - Ethnic Iqenis Protest

Rioting in eastern Alcovian cities today, where ethnic Iqeni citizens and rebel supporters protested the announcement of the UN findings.

According to UN inspectors, there is nothing to suggest any illegal activity on the part of the Alcovian government forces against either military personnel or civilians. In particular, they stated clearly, that there was definitely nothing to even suggest any sort of targeted attacks on any particular ethnicity and that all evidence produced could not be tied to actions on the part of the monarchy or its military forces. 

Spokespersons for the Iqeni population of Alcovia disputed these findings in public address over local radio broadcasts as well as in public forums. These addresses are being held responsible for today's violence that exploded in several cities and towns across eastern Alcovia as well as towns and settlements further toward the center of the nation. Iqeni national news has reported the riots as a cry of pain and horror at the plight of its natives living abroad.

In several clashes with both military and civilian authorities, ethnic Iqenis took to the streets carrying signs and shouting slogans such as the popular, "Iqeni Murder, Alcovian Lies!" In many situations APA rebel forces were forced to defend themselves from the very people they had been fighting for as hotter heads prevailed and lines were drawn along ethnic lines rather than political agendas.

Casualties have been reported and both military and civilians are reporting deaths and countless injuries attributed to the violence. Property damage is also being declared as substantial with many fires tearing through overcrowded eastern Alcovian border settlements. 

World Peace Organizations Declare Bad Form

3/29/2013 

World peace watch dogs criticized the Alcovian monarchy today over the delivery of new weapons and munitions during the ongoing cease fire which has now last much longer than had originally been expected. While the government asserts that the weapons delivery, which has been identified as a number of new Russian built T-90 main battle tanks, was already ordered well before the outbreak of hostilities between the national and rebel forces.

"The procurement of new weapons and munitions for the defense of our nation has always been an ongoing concern of the monarchy. The equipment that was delivered was part of this ongoing process and the date of delivery was something arranged at a time when there was no war." - Vice Minister of Defense of Pavel Oshetski.

Sources from eastern Alcovia say that these tanks had originally been set for delivery much earlier and were to have been deployed in eastern Alcovia along the Alcovia/Iqenistan border. Had this original delivery date been kept, the new advanced tanks would likely now be operating in rebel formations. Instead, the delayed delivery will place the tanks in the still loyal, national units. Whether or not the delayed delivery was intentional and employed as a precaution against early rumblings of rebellion has not been verified. It is also worth noting, that poor supply and aging equipment was one of the main reasons cited by the APA rebels for their defection.

King Ullo Allows U.N. Inspectors

During the long cease fire in the still ongoing Alcovian Civil War there have been increasing pressures from outside governments to allow foreign observers into the country. 

The stated goal has always been to allow the international community the opportunity to guarantee there are no human rights violations and that both sides of the conflict are conducting themselves within the boundaries of  legal warfare practices under international law and treaty. This, however, has never seemed enough for the Alcovian government which has claimed the sanctity of sovereignty at every turn.

The change in position of the government seems to have been a direct result of increased claims, by the rebel leadership, of criminal activities committed by national forces in rebel controlled territories. Alcovian leadership decided to challenge these claims the best way they could and petition the U.N. for an inspection of these regions in Eastern Alcovia. U.N. officials agreed and have sent several teams of inspectors of a non-military nature and without U.N. -provided escorts. 

During their inspection tour, U.N. representatives have taken numerous opportunities to speak with local commanders, government representatives and civilian authorities in an attempt to raise a "presence of peace" among those involved in and affected by the Alcovian Civil War. While these off the record discussions have been looked upon with suspicion, no direct action has been taken to prevent them. One U.N. team member was quoted as saying, "It would seem that Alcovians are interested in peace, even if they are not ready to lay down their weapons."

While most of the inspection has been routine with little to report in the way of the proposed violations, a team visiting the city of Ubecha - along the Borka river - was treated to the grizzly display of a collection of severed limbs (shown here wrapped up after collection). Local ethnic Iqenis claim that these are the grim results of a recent terror raid conducted by Royal Special Forces that specifically targeted civilians of that particular ethnicity. They cited several such raids conducted during hostilities in the 1970s as support for these claims, however there remains no concrete evidence to support these accusations. 

The U.N. plans to continue inspections for the remainder of the year, having been given an exit date of January 1, 2013.

Police Raids Continue in Western Alcovia

June 22, 2012

In a continuation of the increased police activities in western Alcovian cities that followed the May 23 attack on a very public benefit concert, Internal Security forces have made an astounding 32 additional arrests of individuals either confirmed as or suspected of being members of various militia, terrorist and even activism groups.

Though not all are believed to be directly involved in the attack, Alcovian national authorities are not taking any chances and a general sweep has been ordered to either remove or confine any known or suspected threats against internal stability in the still mostly-peaceful west of the nation. It is feared, should such elements be allowed to operate unchecked even under surveillance, that such elements could bring open fighting.

The large scale police action has not been without its detractors both locally and abroad as some see such board use of police powers as an affront to personal and civil liberties. The Alcovian government has answered these concerns by making it very clear that Alcovia is still a benevolent nation with the safety of its people and preservation of peace as its primary motivations. Civil rights organizations around the world have protested and insisted that Alcovia maintain due process and fair standards when dealing with its own civilian population.

What is being protested most are those individuals that are taken without any direct connection to known terrorist or militia activities and/or without any past record of such activities. Amnisty International has began to work with UN member states to pressure them to intervene on behalf of the Alcovian people, however with King Ullo's absolute ban on direct foreign involvement on Alcovian soil, there is little that can be done by government forces of any nation that would not constitute an immediate violation of Alcovia's sovereignty.

Minister for the Interior, Rudolf Rudnost, stated in a press conference - 

The Kingdom of Alcovia is not a den of tyrants. It has never been our desire to see our people subjected to the horrors of war, terror and injustice. What we are seeing these days is a blight upon the history of what has been a peaceful nation. However, we cannot allow the cancer of fear and rebellion to grow and prosper. 

What you have been witnessing over the last month are necessary action to preserve the peace and sanctity of our nation. We ask only that we be allowed to conduct Alcovian internal matters in the Alcovian way and assure all onlookers in the world, that justice will be achieved without undo bloodshed and pain. Those who have been taken into custody are individuals who either have had a hand in recent actions taken against the nation and its people or those who we believe might be of assistance and help in finding more who might harm the people of this great kingdom.

To those who would cast us in the same mold as the villains of the past, we ask that you maintain an open mind and trust that we, a nation of peace and a kingdom ordained by divinity itself, shall prove ourselves to you all. To those who would not give us this consideration, we ask that you at least leave us to our own matters and not make Alcovia's troubles an excuse for your usual saber rattling and pretense. Alcovia will not be used an excuse for aggression and opportunity.

The minster's words, assumed to have been handed to him by the office of the king himself, maintain the Alcovian stance on the conflict since its beginning, demonstrating the conviction that Alcovia's internal matters should remain its own. the last bit of the short address has been met with some criticism for being, perhaps, a bit too confrontational. Experts say that such direct challenge to the policies and activities of other nations may have a reversed effect on foreign governments who are watching the Alcovian civil war. The statement also follows a trend in previous addresses and statements wherein Alcovia has overlooked and sidestepped its own imperialist invasion of Theogonia, now, the west-most province of the Alcovian kingdom.

Benefit Concert Ends in Violence

May 23, 2012

Last night's sudden a violent outbreak at the benefit concert being held by Alcovian pop star, Ilana Nosti has been blamed on a radical militia group. The group, calling itself the Brotherhood for a New Alcovia opened fire on the gathered crowd of civilians and off duty soldiers, killing 15 and wounding dozens more.

The group appears to have entered the arena in the guise of members of Alcovian internal security and RAA. As the capital was maintaining an alert status, soldiers and police forces were carrying weapons to the event. Security officials say that the militia members entered using forged documents and false identifications and that by the time they had opened fire it was too late to do anything but return fire and try to counter the attack. In the end, all the terrorists were killed in the ensuing firefight but not before they had inflicted heavy casualties on the unsuspecting crowd. 

Fortunately, none of the visiting officials or the performers were harmed during the firefight.

In a later interview, Miss Nosti had this to say...

This is a horrible and grotesque thing to have happen on this night of hope and help. To turn what was meant as a gesture of aid and peace into a bloody slaughter cannot be forgiven. I hope that all freedom loving Alcovians will see this for what it is and choose to do what is right in opposing this sort of evil

Miss Nosti later visited local hospitals offering her help to those caring for the wounded and consoling those who had lost loved ones in the attack.

Alcovian Princess Returns to War-torn Homeland

Taking advantage of the cease fire, Princess Malatova returned to Alcovia from her studies abroad. The lovely daughter to King Ullo's oldest son, her arrival came as somewhat of a surprise to the royal cabinet. Amid the bustle of reporters and onlookers, the princess exited her private plane at the Alcovian National Airport. Pausing only for a few photos and brief words, the lovely royal was quickly whisked away in an official vehicle.

Not much is known about the reasons for her return to her war-torn home, but it but she is well known as an advocate for the proper integration of the nation across all its peoples as well as the demilitarization of the province of Theogonia. Such views have often marked her as a liberal supporter who's loyalties to her people is questionable. In fact it was only two years prior that the princess made a very emotional speech at a Trebizon convention for trade and human rights. 

What has been stated, not by the princess but by her official spokeswoman, Pretya Tushensia, is that the princess will be spending some time travelling around her home. Internal security authorities are concerned that the princess's planned tour of the nation may invite rebel and militia concerns to take advantage of her vulnerable position. The princess's public relations team made it quite clear than neither the princess or her entourage are in the slightest concerned over any supposed threat. the princess has refused all offers of additional security from her father or the royal offices.

So far there is no official itinerary but given her political views, it is thought that Princess Malatova will be visiting aid stations, medical stations and perhaps the UN refugee camps across the River Borka, in Iqenistan. 

Easter Observances Throughout Alcovia

It has now been over two weeks since a general cease fire was issued and agreed upon by both sides of the civil conflict in Alcovia. With peace talks still mostly ineffective, but continuing, the war-torn nation has enjoyed its rest from the sound of bombs and guns. Military units have remained in a stand-down status but do remain ready to resume action at a moment's notice.

With the peace, an attempt has been made to return to some semblance of normalcy and on Easter Day, citizens from all over the country gathered, yesterday, for traditional Easter Mass. With over 80% of the nation prescribing to Eastern Orthodox this was a great opportunity to bring people together, regardless on which side of the conflict they found themselves. In churches and chapels, and in some cases in the open air, observances of the holiday were carried out with as much traditional show and ceremony as there could be.

In the eastern village of Grovernia, where a hundred years old church was destroyed in an artillery barrage by government forces, townsfolk gathered in front of the ruin to pray and share a moment of community unity, casting aside all affiliations for the day. Member of local militia stood in the crowd, faces covered so as to protect their identities. No political banners were waved and it seemed that for the moment all sides had set aside their differences.

But all was not peace and celebration. The township of Bartanerni was rocked by violent clashes between local militia and government security forces. While government forces stopped to listen to a broadcast prayer, shots were fired from surrounding structures as mortar fire rained down upon the hapless soldiers. The resulting firefight left 32 dead and countless injured among soldiers, militia and civilians alike. Fighting ended only after two Mi-24 attack helicopters were dispatched to support the pinned NAA troops. Once fighting in the town had ended, the helicopters set to the task of peppering the surrounding hills with fire from their rockets and cannons. 

As the sun set, national and rebel forces all slipped back into all too familiar roles, once again assuming their now usual alert status. One soldier was seen sharing a tender moment with a local elderly woman who had lost her son just days ago in a skirmish outside the village where he was stationed. Despite being on opposite sides of the conflict, the woman bestowed kisses and blessings on the National Army soldier who had held her hand during the evening's mass.

Truly this was a day for miracles in the tragically torn nation of Alcovia.

Cease Fire Declared in Alcovia

"Though hostilities have by no means ended, leaders of both rebel and government forces have met in the presence of civic leaders, labor representatives and orthodox clergy with an aim to find a reasonable end to a conflict that has now raged for more than a year. Sources, both official and unofficial have stated that they are hopeful that these talks will prove to be constructive and a positive move toward peace in the war torn nation.

But is it too soon?

Have the two sides of this conflict accomplished anything close to what they set out to do?

These are the sorts of questions that haunt foreign onlookers as even the most hopeful of outsiders can only notice that the civil war in Alcovia has produced no decisive victories on either side and, as of the time of the cease fire, there are still large portions of the nation under rebel control or official martial law. These strained occupations have imposed a stifling interdiction on daily life across wide swaths of once free territory leaving many people to question the motives of their government and rebels alike.

Even with hostilities under official cease fire, there is still plenty of fighting going on across the nation. Militia bands have, on several occasions, clashed with government troops. These attacks have often been made against routine patrols and police units enforcing the various security measure put in place in zones of high militia or rebel activity. Though government troops are not actively conducting operations against rebel and militia forces, they are doing what they can to contain outbreaks of violence and have not ceased what they deem to be necessary police and peacekeeping measures.

Despite the terrible tole on the people of Alcovia and facing potential strains on foreign relations, King Ullo has stood fast in his insistence that the civil war remain a purely Alcovian affair without foreign assistance or aid. Public opinion remains high for the king with some 60% of the people stll in favor of his current course of action. 

But can the king of Alcovia retain the love of his people now months into the second year of the war?

Time and the outcome of the peace talks will only tell..."

Alcovia's King Addresses War Torn Nation

October 20, 2011

Today marks the one year anniversary of the civil war in the kingdom of Alcovia. Though there was no lull in the fighting between NAA and APA forces, citizens of the nation gathered in public squares, near their televisions and computers to hear King Ullo address the nation. The king was described as hesitant and pensive as he said these words in his short, direct, but heartfelt address...



King Ullo IV

 Brave people of Alcovia,

Today marks one year since our homeland was wrenched into the crushing grip of a war forced upon us by those who would seek to destroy the sanctity of our way of life. It is not a war for freedom. It is not a war for equality. It is a war brought on by mistrust, misunderstanding, and the inability to look beyond the recent hardships visited upon us all to see the greatness that has and will continue to be Alcovia.

The men who call them revolutionaries, freedom fighters, or even saviors have chosen to abandon their sacred oaths to their nation, to themselves and most importantly to you, the citizens they have sworn to protect. These men, who have taken their cause from simple defiance to open hostility have allowed their fight to spill into your homes. Because of them, you have suffered, you have seen others suffer and you have seen your beloved home cut open to bleed out like a bear on the cold winter snow.

But this you all know...

<King Ullo paused here to clear his throat and wipe his eyes>

But there is more that you should all know.

My cherished people, know that your king, your princes and your army still watch over you and value the love and loyalty you have always shown them. We will not abandon you to these rebels, these bandits, these criminals. Those who you have entrusted and who god has entrusted to protect your way of life will not waver in their pursuit of that solemn duty. They will not stop fighting. They will not stop...dying until those who are responsible for this festering wound of a rebellion are brought to justice.

I ask that all of you remain strong. Remain firm in your beliefs and your convictions. Do not let those who have lost their way drag you down into their blood-stained mud. You all know who you are and what it means to be a true Alcovian. Just as our ancestors fought to come together that they might make something more of their warring clans, so shall we all come together to preserve what they struggled so valiantly to achieve.

It saddens me to say that I cannot tell you when this will all end. What I can tell you is what my own grandfather once told me. When the wind would howl and the snows would threaten to break down our doors, he would take my hand and say only this, "The morning shall make it all better."

It is these words that I hope you will keep with you as you find your way through the trouble night. Look to the day that will make it all better. That day will come. We will bring that day, all of us. Together...

The remainder of the addresses were made by the king's cabinet of advisers with inspirational readings from notable Alcovian authors and poets as well as a somber rendition of the Alcovian national anthem. the address was closed by the reading of the names of all Alcovian citizens, some 4500, who have died on all sides of this conflict.

One Year of Civil War

October 10, 2011

With the one year anniversary of the Alcovian Civil War fast approaching many questions still loom over the nation's strife. Whether the sudden declaration of independence made by General Kusatya, the hesitation of the monarchy in declaring an exact and decisive doctrine in the conflict, or the growing indications of foreign involvement in what had begun as a civil crisis, the longer the nation of Alcovia is at war, the more confusing the entire thing becomes.

In ten days the nation will have seen an entire year of conflict with no end in sight. With public works and infrastructure starting to break down due to war-inflicted damage or general disrepair caused by lack of funds, manpower, access or available materials, many parts of the small nation have been reduced to struggling local economies with many people living at pre-20th century standards. In some regions, water, fresh food and basic medical care have become treasured commodities, often controlled and sold by the various gangs and militias who have turned a war into their opportunity. Government officials have promised an increase in aid to these depressed regions, but so far such aid has been scarce if not absent altogether.



What's more, King Ullo's insistence against foreign aid has only served to increase the hardship the war has inflicted upon the nation's people. In eastern Alcovia, the region most affected by the civil war, this policy has done much to embolden the cause of that regions various militia factions as well as polarizing the region against the monarchy. Even with UN relief stations being set up across the Borka river, the far flung edges of Alcovia are not receiving enough aid to make up for the ever-increasing tole the war is taking on its people.

The monarchy's inability to control the eastern regions has also left the long-contested border between Alcovia and Iqenistan vulnerable to incursions by dissident factions from that nation and other opportunistic governments who might benefit from sowing the seeds of unrest and rebellion. Sources within Alcovia's intelligence community have indicated that there is no doubt that at least some amount of aid is being fed to the Alcovian People's Army by Iqeni terrorist organizations as well as ethnic Iqeni militias operating within Alcovia itself.

Ambassadors from both Germany and France have visited the king and his family in the capital city of Chubakrev in hopes that a plan for the peaceful reconciliation of the conflict might be reached, however King Ullo seems reluctant to accept a non-Alcovian solution to what he deems "an Alcovian problem". Royal advisers indicated, in a press conference with national and international news agencies, that the king's reluctance comes from a concern that accepting foreign solutions and aid will weaken the strength of the Alcovian identity and cost the nation it's "heart and soul".

It is said that the coming year may see official visits from both the United States and United Kingdom as with additional rumors circulating of visits from both Russian and Chinese dignitaries. Whether or not hostilities will allow for such meetings and exactly which factions are to receive such attention is as yet to be determined. Whatever develops from any such ambassadorial missions, it should be worth watching to see how events unfold in the second year of war within the kingdom of Alcovia.

Queen of Goats

 

Irina Hav from Slavikova has been crowned this years Queen of Goats in a star packed ceremony at the world renowned Royale Casino.

In a rags to riches story, Irina. Miss Slavikova 3 years running, was a late entry in the Queen of Goats competition and became the judges favourite following the retiral of Vanka Sleminova, who left precipitously in a shiny new Hi Lux 4x4.

Daughter of successful local motorz dealership entrepreneur Behar Hav, Irina 23, runner up in last year's X Faktor, was delighted, "I'm so delighted, the result is just so PERverse!"

Commenting on the sound of gunfire in the stairwells of the Casino, Poliz Commissioner Methodius commented: "It was just high spirits at the result, we safely escorted the international jury in their brand new Hi-Lux 4x4s, to a champagne reception held in protective custody ".

Police report that they are on the look out for the driver of an Aston Martin DBS seen leaving shortly after the ceremony.

In other news. Lemar Vlostik, star of Goats Do The Funniest Things and juror at last nights Queen of Goats ceremony was tragically found dead today following an accident when he was cleaning his silenced 6P9 pistol.

Businessman's death suicide confirm Polizi

Trebizon-Hav Polizi today confirmed that the death of Mr Gerry Urquhart was suicide. Mr Urquhart was found in his office by his secretary Ms Camisa Lombardi on Wednesday morning. Commissioner Methodius announced that “our highly trained murder squad deduced that he had tried to shoot himself in the heart, missed and then managed to shoot himself in the head. Our criminal psychologist agrees this is indicative of a sadly worried mind.”

Mr Urquhart had been the Hav Business Director of International Exports (London) Ltd for ten years. The stunned local business community has had little to say over Mr Urquhat’s sad demise. Mr Spiros Vondas of the Hav Chamber of Commerce and a locally respected businessman did agree to make a short statement after a Chamber meeting.

“Gerry was a great guy, he was, like a brother to me. He was a serious man, you could do business with him. You didn’t need insurance with Gerry. He’ll be replaced but this new guy won’t be Gerry – that I am sure of.”


Mr Vondas (right) during a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce

In an unrelated item of news, the Hav Centro tram station has reopened after what the Interior Ministry referred to as “a minor overnight security incident”. A man in evening dress was seen leaving the area but has been discounted by the Polizi – “he was probably some Englishman leaving the Casino after a long night celebrating the Royal Wedding. I’d celebrate too if Miss Pippa Middleton was from Trebizon” commented Commissioner Methodius.


Commissioner Methodius admiring the view outside Westminster Abbey

UN Aid Camp Operating in Iqenistan

April 26, 2011

UN Medical Personnel have been allowed to set up a medical aid encampment in western Iqenistan after any peacekeeper presence was disallowed within Alcovian borders.

With Alcovian leadership vehemently maintaining its position that the civil war be contained as an exclusively internal matter, foreign aid has been severely hampered and limited only to civilian groups and organizations operating independent of any government or government agency. King Ullo has stated that the situation in Alcovia is nowhere near critical enough to require foreign military aid or outside security forces. This has, not surprisingly, left the international authority frustrated and concerned over the whether or not the Alcovian monarchy still maintains a clear perception of the growing crisis within its borders.

Pakistani UN facilities commander Colonel Misor Pakhiman indicated that the Iqeni allowance of a medical station poised on the Alcovian/Iqenistan border would allow the UN to provide some aid to civilian casualties, even if such action was being done under strict scrutiny and by the permission of Alcovian forces on both sides of the conflict. Col. Pakhiman informed a press conference that transportation to the UN facility was being provided by civilian and UN ferry boats and limited airlift services from safe zone loading points on the Alcovian side of the Borka river.

So far, no UN forces have come under any sort of direct military engagement by either loyalist or rebel regular military forces, though thereh ave been isolated incidents of militias firing on UN and Alcovian transports as they transition casualties from military to peacekeeper vehicles at the designated aid stations. So far no loss of life or material has come from these attacks though they have made humanitarian efforts difficult.

Dynamo 2 - Athletik 2 - Polizi 300

There was a night of rioting in the Balad as the hometeam failed to beat the visiting Athletik in a tense high scoring game. The trouble started as goats were let onto the pitch by the Athletik fans in a deliberate move to bait the notoriously aggressive Dynamo crowd.

Commissioner of Police Methodius was heard on a police scanner advising his men "that's torn it; the Agris are going to go crazy. It's going to be a long night. Stand by all units; switch frequencies and activate jamming now...."

A flare erupts in Balad Zentro

The trouble was contained in the Balad and some 300 arrests were made; Polizi casualties were minimal and Minister of Interior Blaroj has already praised the Commissioner and "the brave men of the Polizi who ensured this violence did not spread and worry our tourist guests."

 

Commissioner Methodius monitoring events

from his command centre

  

Local News From Trebizon

Commissioner Of Public Works Petr Brokoj was today unavailable for comment over claims that Eleuthera Bridge – which featured in the recent e-campaign “Welcome to Trebizon” – is a white elephant. Mr Theo Vassos, his Deputy Spokesman did, however, go on the record. “That bridge is, it is important, it is a symbol but also, an investment” said Mr Vassos, “We have a lot of ships flying our merchant flag and the bridge links Trebizon to Hav, which where the deep berths are. You come to me and say “Vassos, how can I berth my supercontainer ship?” and without that Bridge, I look like a fool. With that bridge - I can show you we are serious people in Trebizon”.

Mr Deputy Spokesman Vassos, with Hav Docks in the background

Meanwhile, the Royale Casino Charity Evening raised over Fifty Thousand zeks. His Excellency President Gjodjon Bronjovic and his wife led the first dance to popular applause. At the tables, business was brisk with Mr Kadashian Kadashian of Kadashian Kredit acting as an unpaid croupier “all my tips go to the bank – my bank” quipped the multi-millionaire businessman. Security was tight and Colonel Brajik of the National Guard claimed “you couldn’t get a very small goat in here without me knowing”. Dmitri Zog, ace striker of the Balad Dynamo XI then produced a very small goat and was fined on the spot by Colonel Brajik who promptly donated the “fine” to the President’s Charity. Mr George Vondos, the President’s First Secretary was escorted by Polizi motorcyclists as he took the evening’s proceeds to be banked at a champagne reception at the Banque National of Trebizon-Hav on Calle Radimeu.

The Royale Casino

Commissioner Methodius of the Hav Polizi reported that there were no disturbances in the Balad overnight “as long as those Byzerks don’t get drunk and beat up the place, all will be fine”, commented the Commissioner, “I just hope Dynamo win on Saturday and we can all stand down. If Athletik Hav win then I’m cancelling all leave. I do of course guarantee that any trouble will be contained in the Balad.”

Assault on Rebel Stronghold Continues

April 9, 2011

At the end of week three of the ongoing assault on the river port of Bulgrava, there seems to be no sign of any progress one way or another. Thoroughly ensconced in the maze of warehouses, manufacturing and processing facilities found along the waterside, rebel forces of APA have managed to repel any attempts to storm their position both from land and water.

It is thought that the rebels may be receiving aid from militia elements operating in small boats able to penetrate the scuttled hulks that have been positioned to block access to the harbor by larger ships and military craft. One source even offered the possibility that destabilizing factions from Iqenistan might even be ferrying arms and supplies across the Borka river but no conclusive evidence has been presented for such international interference and the monarchy has yet to make any official government statement on the possibility.

Artillery strikes against the port have destroyed many structures, but helicopter assaults or strikes have proven ineffective and dangerous due to a high number of concealed anti-aircraft assets in and around the port. Hand-held rockets and anti-aircraft gun emplacemrnts have been scene peppering the sky and any approaching aircraft.

In one tragic incident, a helicopter, privately chartered by a relief fund, strayed too close to the port and was shot down. Rebel sources insist that the helicopter was actually carrying commandos for a covert insertion into the port. Nothing has been officially confirmed to support the notion of national forces using civilian craft for military purposes.