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Diplomatic Silence from Mozambique Continues 30 December, 2302 The government of Mozambique has continued to remain silent in response to Azanian diplomacy. No replies have been received to date regarding Azanian diplomatic advances made this month by the new government of President Lansing Intembe. Azanian Foreign Minister Alain Malueke arrived in Paris on 16 Decmber to appeal to the French Empire's Diplomatic Arbitration Team, stressing that his goal was merely to determine the status of Mozambique's diplomatic rating. The Diplomatic Arbitration Team recommended that the Foreign Minister meet directly with the Emperor, and Emperor Ruffin assured Minister Malueke that the government of Mozambique was currently stable and that any action by Azania would be impossible at this time due to the current period of Interdiction Diplomatique. Azanian forces have been strengthened in the region bordering Mozambique, however, and once the Interdiction Diplomatique has been lifted, Azania is expected to act to secure her northeast border unless Mozambique chooses to respond to Azanian diplomatic overtures. Two battalions of the Élite Azanian Rhinoceros Corps tank forces are known to have been sent to the area to bolster the standard Azanian Border Guard, and it is believed that three battalions of the Azanian Zulu Guards have also been transferred to the area, although the Azanian government declines comment at this time. Andrzej Slimanovski Azanian Orca-class Frigate Defeats Pirates in Chinese Arm An Azanian Orca-class frigate, the Tshwete, last week defeated a pirate raid on an Azanian industrial products convoy bound for the Canadian colony at Doris. An as-yet-unidentified pirate vessel attacked trailing members of the convoy as some vessels were discharging their Jerome drives in the Hunjiang system. Via a small missile, a hull breach was effected in the freighter Transvaal Honey as she lay at rest in the outer system, acting as rear picket for the convoy. Fortunately, the Tshwete had taken up position nearby, suspecting that sensor echoes were in actuality a pirate vessel, and was able to intervene in a timely manner, approaching and firing a missile barrage which disabled the pirate vessel. Apparently, all Pirate hands were lost. The Transvaal Honey was able to perform temporary repairs and limped to the world of Kwantung, where she is now awaiting an Azanian repair ship. The remainder of the convoy then proceeded to Doris. Mercy LeVan Joian Saboteurs Identified The saboteurs arrested on Joi have been identified today. Representatives of a militant faction of the "Green Colonials" environmentalist group, they have admitted responsiblity for sabotaging efforts to grow Terran crops in Azania's Lubumbashi colony on Joi. "Azania's continued rape of the Joian environment cannot continue unchecked," said the suspected ringleader, Anatoly Smirnov, "We accept full responsibility for our actions, and our work will be continued by others like us if Azania continues to ignore its responsibility to protect the environment of this fragile and beautiful world." The saboteurs were arrested three days ago by elements of the Azanian Zulu Guards, 3rd Brigade (Colonial Brigade), after an extensive investigation. Captured by Zulu Guards who had lain in wait for nearly a month in seemingly-unprotected fields south of the Fal River, the saboteurs surrendered without a struggle, although it is believed that some saboteurs had not yet entered the farming compound when the arrests were made. The saboteurs are of Élysian nationality, although their origininal national backgrounds are largely French, Russian, and Ukrainian. The Élysian government has strenuously denied all knowledge of the saboteurs' activites and has pledged full cooperation in the Azanian investigation. Current efforts by the Élysian police and the Zulu Guards are expected to discover any accomplices of the arrested saboteurs. The "Green Colonials," environmentalist group, based on Tirane, released the following statement: "While we deplore Azania's use of Terran crops in the fragile ecosystem of Joi, we do not support sabotage as a means to changing any nation's policy regarding environmental issues. The actions in question occurred without our knowledge, and we hope to discourage hostile action by any other members of our group in this matter. Education is the key to change, not sabotage. Investigators from the Zulu Guards will be meeting with the leaders of the "Green Colonials," organization in the next few days. Lynn Kizenga Azanian Foreign Minister to Meet with Emperor Ruffin Azanian Foreign Minister Alain Malueke is still waiting to meet with Emperor Ruffin of France regarding Mozambique's current diplomatic status. Mozambique recently ignored a formal request for diplomatic communication from President Lansing Intembe himself. Diplomatic relations between Azania and Mozambique had broken down during the former Azanian administration, but President Intembe had expressed hopes during his campaign that the once-cordial relationship between the two countries could be restored. No response has been received from Mozambique in the week since the message was delivered. Foreign Minister Malueke arrived in Paris on 16 Decmber to appeal to the French Empire's Diplomatic Arbitration Team, stressing that his goal was merely to determine the status of Mozambique's diplomatic rating. The Diplomatic Arbitration Team has recommended that the Foreign Minister meet directly with the Emperor, and Mr. Malueke is now waiting for an opportune moment for an audience with Emperor Ruffin. Further news will be provided as it becomes available. Andrzej Slimanovski Zulu Guards arrest 20 on Joi The Zulu Guards, 3rd Brigade (Colonial Brigade), arrested 20 suspected saboteurs on Joi yesterday, following a month-long investigation into suspicious crop losses in the Azanian colony of Lubumbashi. The suspected saboteurs seem to be of Élysian nationality, and are of various original national backgrounds. The Élysian government has strenuously denied all knowledge of the saboteurs' activites and has pledged full cooperation in the Azanian investigation. Environmental groups and the German government have been critical in the past of Azanian and Japanese attempts to raise Terran crops and livestock on Joi, postulating that the introduction of off-world life forms will upset the seemingly-fragile ecology of this frontier world. Azanian scientists and an independent delegation from the Institute des Etudes Xenologiques have given a cautious approval to the effort, however, and the Azanian government has repeatedly stressed that they wish to work within the ecology of Joi and not upset its delicate balance, while still raising the fortunes of Azania and all the colonies on Joi. Indeed, without the Terran crops from Lubumbashi, the fledgeling Élysian nation on Joi might have had greater difficulties meeting her people's needs during the famine of 2292 and 2293, especially since Élysia had only been independent for one Terran year at the time of the famine. Founded in 2280, Lubumbashi is the youngest colony on Joi and the youngest Azanian colony. Lubumbashi's population stood at four millions, one hundred and twelve thousands in the colonial census of 2298. Lynn Kizenga Mozambique Fails to Respond to Diplomatic Inquiry Azanian Foreign Minister Alain Malueke today announced that Mozambique has ignored a formal request for diplomatic communication from President Lansing Intembe himself. President Intembe reportedly submitted a request for an opening of new diplomatic discussions following the installation of his new government. Diplomatic relations between Azania and Mozambique had broken down during the former administration. President Intembe had expressed hopes during his campaign that the once-cordial relationship between the two countries could be restored, but no response has been received from Mozambique in the week since the message was delivered. Foreign Minister Malueke arrived in Paris yesterday to appeal to the French Empire's diplomatic arbitration team. He has stressed that his goal at this time is merely to determine the status of Mozambique's diplomatic rating. Prime Minister Tanik Verwoerd of Azania remains optimistic and does not propose any action at this time. It is believed however that the second brigade of the Élite Azanian Rhinoceros Guards tank forces have moved to the area to bolster the Azanian border forces in case of incident. No confirmation on this account could be obtained from official or unofficial Azanian governmental channels. Further news will be provided as it becomes available. Andrzej Slimanovski |
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