Public Statement
Subject: Defense Policy Brief

• Defense policy under this administration will be characterized by swift, but proportional responses to Imperial aggression. Any significant Imperial military measure (including expansion of fleets and armies) will be interpreted as a prelude to acts of aggression against the New Republic. The Chief of State therefore reserves the right to take preemptive actions against such measures, where prudent and necessary.

• In terms of planetary defense, the administration will support the strengthening of local navies and militias to regulate local commerce and act as a first line of defense against Imperial aggression (with a particular emphasis on a cost-effective starfighter defense grid). In this regard, the Republic will respect the sovereignty of its memberworlds, but will nonetheless take military action where necessary in the face of verifiable hostile action.

• The administration also favors the engagement of our valued allies and memberworlds (particularly Kuat and Rendili), in the construction and maintenance of the New Republic fleet. We also support negotiations with such allies regarding the development and construction of a supposed "New Class" of vessels, tentatively scheduled for 20 ABY. We do not support, however, any sizeable military buildup that could under any circumstances represent a catalyst for a Republic/Imperial arms race. The administration views this as counterproductive to a progressive defense policy.

• The administration will not tolerate any Imperial incursions into the Core Worlds. Such hostilities will be regarded as a peril to the entirety of the New Republic and will be vigorously opposed with full prejudice. With regard to Imperial territories in the Deep Core, it is the intent of this administration to keep these territories isolated, and to contain their expansion at all cost and through any means necessary.

Eli Fitzgerald
Chief of State