In discussions of other legislation that have come up, the assumption has been made that the Senate from some parties that the blockade was in some respect... wrong, or against the law or spirit of the New Republic.

On a date several weeks ago, the Sovereign Systems of Neimoidia and Brentaal, with the support of the most worshipful Inter-galactic Mining Corp decided, as was their right, to use their military forces as an extension of their own, and New Republic Foreign policy to launch a blockade of Acherin, and attempt to reach a diplomatic solution to the problem.

Early on in the operation a shuttle (valued at over one billion credits I hasten to add), bearing diplomatic markings and transponder was dispatched carrying senior diplomats from Neimoidia, including my own Son, and several members of other High-Ranking houses on Neimoidia was dispatched to the surface to negotiate a settlement. This billion credit shuttle, with my son onboard, was mercilessly shot down by defense cannons, even as it attempted to land to negotiate with the government of Acherin, which it seems is in-league with the Pentastar Alignment.

In retalliation for this we imposed a tightening of the blockade, detaining all outgoing vehicles from Acherin, as well as any inbound vessels not containing Food, Water or Medical supplies.

Allow me to present an abreviated list of some of the material and personnel just Neimoidian Forces captured.

Captain Salvador - Council of Moffs, Starship Captain
Major-General Alcriste - Council of Moffs, CO Borosk Defenses
Secretary Thornton - Council of Moffs, Diplomatic Officer to Independant Remnant Worlds
1 Action VI Transport - Aboard was a cargo of Anti-Capital ship proton torpedos and 2 ground launchers
Over a dozen other ships found to be carrying units of Imperial Currency and Weaponary to the local Government.

The forces of Brentaal and the IMC found other cargoes that can all together lead to only one conclusion, that the Government of Acherin was ramping up for war with the New Republic, and if we had not interrupted them, would have had planetary weapons that could be deployed against the forces from the NRDF now proceding to Acherin.

During an attempted rescue mission of Hildago Kruus from the ruins of his shuttle, several posters were found, clearly produced by the Government of Acherin, clearly works of Propaganda criticising the New Republic and citing the need to take up arms against it.

In response for attacks on our forces (acts of war in themselves) small punative raids were launched to the surface, and no civilians were reported as casualties, however the Acherin Militia suffered considerable losses.

*Kruus touched his earpiece, recieving a communication and update from the Mc-80 "Kruusificient" currently engaged at Acherin*

As we speak, the forces of the Pentastar Alignment have assaulted our forces and landed troops to reinforce local militia positions in the cities, the landings of their forces clearly showing this is a pre-organised Government supported measure designed to oppose New Republic forces.

While the Pentastar Alignment has managed to get its dropships to the planet's surface to deploy its soldiers, indications are that they have suffered casualties and will not be able to retrieve these vessels as a furious counter-attack from our forces has apparently pushed the Alignment forces into a retreat from orbit and into deep space.

Now, returning to my Statement.

The Forces of Brentaal, Neimoidia and the IMC have conducted themselves professionally, acting with the zeal of the founders of this New Republic, heroically preventing weapons getting to an evil and oppressive Government which has shown itself to be abundantly in league with one if not two Imperial Factions.

The blockade was clearly within the Letter of the Law, as planets, making up the New Republic acted to enforce Senate Legislation (also accounting for provisions for diplomacy), and it is more than within the spirit of the Law as the actions of our governments have been in the very best interests of this Senate, the People of Acherin and also the Galaxy at large, as seen in our engagement with both the Military of the Pentastar Alignment, but also their allies in the form of the Government of Acherin and its Military forces.

Consider, what if we had not moved our forces to Acherin?

Acherin would be a dictatorship, posessing anti-capital ship weapons on its surface, with considerable reserves of fiscal instruments, with a Pentastar Alignment Naval Battleforce in Orbit and thousands of Imperials walking unmolested on its surface.

The cost of taking such a world could be catastrophic, and as a father... a grieving father, If I can spare one other man the loss of his son, or one other mother the tears when she recieves news of a family death, then I would blockade not just this world, but a hundred others.

It has been estimated that if those proton torpedo launchers had been in place on the surface, atleast one New Republic Capital ship would have been destroyed.. and Gentlemen, I value the lives of that crew above the petty accusations and slander I recieve from some Senators for acting in the best interests and traditions of the New Republic against the Tyranny of the Empire.

Life must be valued above all.