Senate Issues Ultimatum to Carratos

Senate Rotunda, Coruscant — The Imperial Senate has voted by a significant margin to give the planet Carratos thirty days to capture fugitives belonging to the controversial Fallanassi religious order, believed to be taking refuge on the planet, and transfer them to Imperial custody or face "punitive measures." 71% favored the measure, which had been suggested by Emperor Palpatine and proposed by Senator Oswaldt (Eriadu). 29% opposed it. In response to the ultimatum, a visibly frustrated Trimmle Forb, the Prime Minister of Carratos, told reporters that the planet would "do [its] best" to apprehend the Fallanassi, but added that it "can not and will not detain people who have committed no crime."

Carratos has been blockaded by the Star Destroyers Magnum and Rigorous since last month, when members of the Fallanassi order, having fled from Imperial forces on Lucazec, are believed to have taken refuge in remote villages on the planet. The Fallanassi are a religious order of Force sensitive women who teach that "authority is an illusion" and that "everyone should serve only their own desires." They are isolationists, and have been known to practice non-violence. Imperial officials, including Emperor Palpatine, have likened the Fallanassi to the Jedi and have made their capture a top priority.

"There is nothing more precious... than one's freedom of thought. The Fallanassi, like the Jedi, have no respect for this," said Senator Cambrist (Brentaal), referring to the reputed ability of the Jedi and the Fallanassi to use the Force to manipulate another's thoughts and actions. "Perhaps it is true that the Fallanassi have not attempted a coup against the Empire," he went on, "But would you permit them to do so? I, personally, would not. That is why I support this [ultimatum]."

"Whether or not Carratos could be doing more to detain the Fallanassi, I cannot be sure," Senator Cambrist said, "But thirty days is ample time for them to do so." Senator Oswaldt (Eriadu), who proposed the ultimatum that authorizes Imperial forces to use "any means necessary" to apprehend the Fallanassi, made a similar point: "As for whether Carratos can be held responsible, well—after thirty days, they can and will be."

Prime Minister Forb has maintained throughout the blockade of his world that his government does not have the authority to arrest individuals who have committed no crimes on Carratos, or on any other Imperial world. "I'm supposed to arrest them for 'evading arrest'?" Forb told reporters today, "Give me a break." The Prime Minister has also suggested that if Imperial forces on Lucazec were unable to capture the Fallanassi, Carratos would be unable to as well. His comments were widely condemned as "anti-Imperial," and his government has been portrayed as "defying" the Empire.

"This is flagrant defiance of the Empire!" said Senator Oswaldt, "Oh sure, they say that they're doing all they can to find the Fallanassi, but clearly... they are not doing enough." With regard to the Fallanassi, Oswaldt added: "They must be stamped out, just like the treasonous Jedi. Their seditious words and seditious ways must never again be seen or heard in this galaxy. And if Carratos won't do it, the Empire must."

"Anyone who doesn't vote in favor of this [ultimatum] deserves to die," the Senator concluded. He later denied that this was a threat.

Senator Cerra (Garos IV) was among the 289 Senators who opposed the ultimatum. "You cannot blame a government completely for what has happened on their planet," she said, "One cannot control every aspect of their citizen's lives. It is an impossibility that we must realize and deal with." As for the Fallanassi, the Senator said, "I am quite content to allow them to continue living as they have." Senator Fowlkes (Telos IV) agreed: "The best a government can do," he said, "Is to enforce laws on their citizens and subdue them whenever they break a law." Senator Thanatos (Chandrila), Senator Ray (Dantooine), and Representative Crion, of the Tapani Freeworlds, also notably opposed the ultimatum.

Senator Fowlkes, however, was convinced to change his vote, and Senator Ray's vote was disqualified using a parliamentary procedure.

Now that the ultimatum has passed, Imperial officials have not yet said what "any and all means necessary" will mean for the Fallanassi, or what specific "punitive measures" the Empire will use on Carratos if it does not comply with the thirty day deadline. "We are still hopeful that Prime Minister Forb will do the right thing," Sate Pestage, the Grand Vizier of the Empire, told The Coruscant Journal when reached for comment this afternoon, "We hope it will not be necessary to use force. But if it is, we will."

"None of this is necessary anyway," Forb said today, "The Fallanassi are non-violent." The Prime Minister is expected to meet this week with Representative Vanden, of the Naboo, who has volunteered to lead a diplomatic mission to Carratos. The Coruscant Journal will follow the story as it develops.