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From the Offices of the Government of Baltimn
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| JephStomwell | Date: Thursday, 22 Apr 2010, 2:11 AM | Message # 1 |
 Major
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| Despite being an unaligned world, Baltimn, in accordance with keeping New Republic policies, submits this memorandum to the New Republic Senate for their records concerning a change in policies upon Baltimn. Policy 284.7 In the last four years, studies and research have shown a dramatic increase in the use of illegal spice from 2.1% to 5.4%. This is a disturbing sign that increasing amounts of spice are being ferried in through customs. As such, the Baltimn Anticrime Task Force (BATF) has been given the authority to search at random any vessel passing through customs for illegal substances. Any sentients apprehended in this way may request legal council of their choice, but will be tried upon Baltimn. Policy 998.5 In the last year, pirates have gone from being a small danger to lightly armed convoys to nearly full pirate fleets that propose a danger to even medium capital military vessels. Due to the semi-remote nature of Baltimn, it has chose the following action to combat piracy in its sector: the Baltimn Armed Forces (Army) will be increased by 10%. The Baltimn Armed Forces (Navy) will be increased by 2%. Policy 473.3a To assist in levying the cost of the new expenditures, Baltimn is dropping its trade tax by 7.2% for the next five years in the hope that new trade will come to Baltimn, as well as offering a place for future businesses to reside.
Jeph Stomwell
Ambassador, Baltimn
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| Simon_Levi | Date: Saturday, 24 Apr 2010, 9:18 AM | Message # 2 |
 Major general
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| Why would one need to increase ones Army to deal with piracy? surely this is a purely naval matter?
Moff of the Tammuz Sector
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| JephStomwell | Date: Saturday, 24 Apr 2010, 11:10 AM | Message # 3 |
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Major
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| Actually Senator, we are attempting a new crosstraining program between certain aspects of the Army and Navy to cut down on personnel matters. The increase in naval size refers to vessels and not personnel.
Jeph Stomwell
Ambassador, Baltimn
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| Simon_Levi | Date: Saturday, 24 Apr 2010, 11:27 AM | Message # 4 |
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Major general
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| But why increase the Army to deal with piracy? One might worry expansionism was in the works.
Moff of the Tammuz Sector
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| JephStomwell | Date: Saturday, 24 Apr 2010, 12:33 PM | Message # 5 |
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Major
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| Senator Kruus, I can safely say your fears are unfounded. It was simply easier to train this experimental group under the Army and let them fall under the Army's primary command. The Army, after all, has better schools for combat, as well as a new school designed around boarding and capture of enemy vessels. I doubt Baltimn's armed forces are a threat to any world in the New Republic. We keep to ourselves off the beaten path for the most part and we do not wish to involve ourseves greatly in the issues the galaxy is going through.
Jeph Stomwell
Ambassador, Baltimn
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| Mical_de_Crion | Date: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 0:19 AM | Message # 6 |
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Colonel
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| So, I am to understand it, the Baltimn military does not have a marine element to it, and it's surface based service is experimenting with such a service; correct?
Mical Léo de Crion
Director, All Stars Burn As One Foundation
Chairman, Urban Youth College Fund
Owner, Château Hiver Rivière
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| JephStomwell | Date: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 1:32 AM | Message # 7 |
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Major
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| That is correct, Senator de Crion. Until recent times, Baltimn's remote nature has been its protection; a moat of sorts, but the ruling government does not believe that will keep us safe forever. While a marine element was not necessary in the past for we never took hostile action, it may become necessary to have a small, well-trained group of men and women who stand ready to assault pirates and take them prisoner to face justice. While the justice of the laser cannon is effective for such beings, it is not the fair justice of the courts, which we seek to impose on such raiders who terrorize the innocent.
Jeph Stomwell
Ambassador, Baltimn
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| Cul-utaanForte | Date: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 1:41 AM | Message # 8 |
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Colonel
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| While I am not wanting to put you under a microscope as Senator Kruus seems to wish to, and take this for what it is as I am not a member of the Defense Committee, but wouldn't a retraining of your Military Police/Security Force personnel do a better job, as you seem to want to make a hybrid of their operations and that of special operations, be a more efficient method, not only requiring less time and money, but virtually no expansion to your military?
General Cul'utaan'forte
Forte's Legion
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| JephStomwell | Date: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 2:04 AM | Message # 9 |
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Major
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| That actually is a very good idea, Senator Forte, but it struck us that placing our military police in such a situation might cause a certain outcry among some of our citizens. As you may have heard, there are recent allegations on Baltimn that we are dragging people off the streets to be conscripted due to the new policy. This, I would like to take the time to say, is an outright lie. We have offered monetary bonuses for any man or woman willing to sign for a term of four years or more in the military service, leaving it to the will of the citizens who chooses to join or not. As Baltimn has seen little military activity in recent years, we have no real special operations branch to speak of. This would actually be the first real such branch, if you will. Also, considering the size of Baltimn's military, a ten-percent increase is hardly a large measure. When broken down into groups, it comes out well balanced between marine-trained personnel, officers, intelligence personnel and other various support elements. Nonetheless, Senator, your idea bears merit and, with your leave, I will convey it to the government of Baltimn.
Jeph Stomwell
Ambassador, Baltimn
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| Tremaine_Fowlkes | Date: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 2:29 PM | Message # 10 |
 Colonel general
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| I believe this proposal can become much easier if your government simply request a number of military advisors from the New Republic Defense Forces to be sent to Baltimn. I am not trying to say that Baltimn's planetary force are inexperienced. The men on Baltimn would better benefit from the advisors on how to deal with piracy and terrorism. I was simply suggesting. Your planetary force would be able to deal with the pirates or terrorists better. After all, I believe this would save the money and resources.
Tremaine Fowlkes
Senator of Telos IV
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| JephStomwell | Date: Monday, 26 Apr 2010, 5:27 PM | Message # 11 |
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Major
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| Senator Fowlkes, let me simply state that this is not a proposal, it is a published change of Baltimn's above-mentioned policies. With that said, let me also say I thank you for the idea of the New Republic assisting with Baltimn's training. However, as always, Baltimn has remained largely neutral with the New Republic, save for a brief time when joining was considered and then decided against. While the New Republic Defense Forces are no doubt better versed in some areas than we are, we do prefer to do things in-house. The idea will still be considered though.
Jeph Stomwell
Ambassador, Baltimn
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Tuesday, 27 Apr 2010, 2:58 AM | Message # 12 |
 Lieutenant general
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| Ambassador, you've mentioned some of the accusations that have been made against Baltimn's government by a certain element of the planet's population. You mentioned conscription, but as I understand it, these accusations also involve people being "beaten" and "brutalised" in the streets of Murmamn City, unfree elections, and an alleged collusion of church and state. I invite the Ambassador to refute these charges if, indeed, he can. I've not drawn any conclusions, of course, but some of my more seasoned colleagues will no doubt draw parallels with the despotism of Acherin if, in fact, these charges are true. As for the changes to policy that you've mentioned, these are fairly reasonable if you're speaking of a force comparable to marines, as Senator Crion suggests. But as my seasoned colleague, Senator Kruus, has noted, expanding Baltimn's regular army to contend with pirates would be unusual indeed. Also, I wasn't aware that Baltimn had "decided against" joining the New Republic. It is my understanding that the planet's application is on hold pending the findings of a Republic committee that you, yourself, welcomed to investigate the planet?
Message edited by Reuke_Cambrist - Tuesday, 27 Apr 2010, 3:04 AM |
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| JephStomwell | Date: Tuesday, 27 Apr 2010, 3:37 AM | Message # 13 |
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Major
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| I'll respond to all of this, Senator Cambrist, but in reverse order, if you'll bear with me. To begin with, as it has taken so long for a committee to be formed and to come to Baltimn that some of the more conservative members of the government are arguing for Baltimn to remain independant. The matter, of course, is tabled for the time, but the committee is still more than welcome to come to Baltimn. While Senator Kruus' worries are a legitimate outside response to such, our increase was far more towards what Senator de Crion spoke of than an inflation of the Army itself. We have no real 'marine' branch at this time, which is why this group, for the moment, falls under the jurisdiction of the Army until a proper command structure is in place. About the allegations of beatings, rigged elections and... oh yes, a blending of church and state. Senators, I would personally pay the expenses needed to shuttle all of you to Baltimn so that you may see the truth of this matter when I say such statements are outright lies. Of course, I doubt your schedules agree with such and idea, but the New Republic committee that comes is free to investigate such accusations as well. I fear the Baltimn Labor Party is little more than a group of idealists that seem to be under the sway of a rather provocative speaker. It is a localized matter, thankfully, and not one likely to burst into flame.
Jeph Stomwell
Ambassador, Baltimn
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| Jamie_the_Hutt | Date: Thursday, 29 Apr 2010, 1:06 AM | Message # 14 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 392
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| Hooo Hoooo Hoooooo As you wish Senator Stomwell, my Committee, which already has a mandate will expand it to investigate Mr Ulyanov's accusations if the Chief of State will grant assent? I have my ship on standby and am ready to depart for Baltimn tonight.
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| JephStomwell | Date: Thursday, 29 Apr 2010, 2:52 AM | Message # 15 |
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Major
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| Ambassador, actually, Senator Tiure. I believe the committee is to be made of various beings from multiple Senatorial branches. If you like, Senator, yours can be the first to arrive. We will have delegates standing by to meet you.
Jeph Stomwell
Ambassador, Baltimn
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