Corellian Separatists Agree to Ceasefire
Corellian System — Separatists on the worlds of Talus and Tralus, embattled by three days of intense fighting with Corellian forces, have agreed to a mutual ceasefire brokered by King Mercutio of Naboo, the New Republic's designated mediator, according to a statement released late last night. The ceasefire precedes a popular referendum on the "Twin Worlds" on the questions of independence, self governance, and other disputed issues that instigated the latest round of conflict in the centuries old dispute. The Coruscant Journal has confirmed that 1,928 Corellian soldiers have been killed in this week's fighting, while approximately 1,000 separatists and as many as 300 civilians are believed dead. "There is, even in the darkest hours of this unfolding tragedy, the potential for a real and lasting peace," Mercutio announced last night from the MC30 Frigate Deliverance, dispatched to the Twin Worlds earlier in the week to observe the conflict and serve as a focus for mediation, "We have made progress; both sides have agreed to a ceasefire and, at this time, it appears to be holding. The Corellians, in turn, have agreed to a referendum. Let us hope that there will now be six months of calm in which the people of Talus and Tralus can freely consider and, on voting day, choose their own fate."
Talus and Tralus, the "Twin Worlds" and two of the "Five Brothers" of the Corellian System, have historically sought independence from Corellia, Selonia and Drall for over five centuries. The Talus and Tralus Liberation Party (or "TraLaLibbers") include those who advocate peaceful disobedience and a minority who call for armed resistance. Corellia has traditionally regarded the Twin Worlds as Corellian possessions, and refused to recognize their independence.
The latest hostilities began earlier in the week, when a freighter believed to be carrying weapons exploded above Tralus, killing a team of Corellian marines who had boarded the vessel for inspection. Circumstances on Tralus in the following hours—which remain unclear, as both sides accuse the other of instigating the violence—soon resulted in an offensive by separatists against Corellian troops on the planet and the bombardment of its capital, Rallidir. The Corellians suffered immense casualties and, confronted with a similar offensive on neighboring Talus, withdrew from both worlds.
Combined forces from Corellia, Selonia and Drall—all of which oppose the Twin Worlds' bid for independence—assembled in the following hours and launched a counter-offensive. In response, separatists on Talus and Tralus largely dissipated into the surrounding population, and Corellian forces again secured both worlds with few additional losses (although the Corellian government has reported far more significant casualties than The Coruscant Journal, the New Republic, or other independent observers have been able to verify).
Chief of State Ponc Gavrisom, in an emergency session of the Senate, denounced the conflict and dispatched the Deliverance to monitor it. The Senate later passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire, a referendum, and the appointment of King Mercutio of Naboo to broker an agreement. Without such an agreement within 24 hours, according to the resolution, the New Republic would assemble an interstellar peacekeeping force to restrain both sides. With today's announcement by Mercutio, the deadline seems to have been met (in part because of a Corellian lawsuit which prevented the enforcement of the resolution, but was later dismissed and denounced as "a delaying tactic").
"The Chief of State should be commended," Mercutio said, "It was the possibility of a New Republic peacekeeping force that ultimately made this arrangement possible. Neither side wanted to see that happen, and it served as a strong impetus for peace."
The agreement reached last night calls for a mutual ceasefire in exchange for a referendum on the Twin Worlds' independence and also a guarantee that the New Republic will investigate the alleged murders of several dozen Selonian, Drall, and Corellian civilians in the city of Rallidir by separatist zealots during their brief occupation of the planets. "There must be justice for all civilians killed during the course of this conflict," Mercutio added. The Talus and Tralus Liberation Party agreed, and issued a statement denouncing the murders and pledging to cooperate with the investigation.
In addition, New Republic Observers will be present on both worlds to monitor the ceasefire.
Despite the separatists' questionable tactics, public opinion was decidedly opposed to the Corellian offensive. The New Republic Senate was strongly opposed to the Corellian operation despite Senator Orion Karath's (Corellia) claim that "the rebels are not interested in peace, only war." Senator Jamulon Desilijic Tiure (Dantooine) accused Senator Karath of desiring to "grind every man, woman and child on the Twin Worlds beneath your vehicles' treads," and referred to attempts to delay the Senate's resolution as "intended only for Corellia to butcher people."
Senator Karath, for his part, emphasized that the fighting began with "an act of unprovoked and unprecedented aggression" by separatist forces. "My thoughts go out to the families of the brave Corellian soldiers who died this past week," he told The Coruscant Journal, "Peace, until the rebels become aggressive once more, has been assured thanks largely to the courageous servicebeings of the Corellian Military Forces, showing once again our dedication to, and our blood investment in, the Double Worlds."
The Coruscant Journal will continue to follow the ceasefire and the progress of the peace efforts.
