As a matter of clarification, which I thought was unnecesarry, when I said that attacks against Coruscant, Anaxes, or Brentaal would be deemed an attack against the Empire, I was referencing the worlds themselves, and their systems, not their government or military forces.

Another point is that Volus has not impeded free trade, instead has acted based on scientific information provided to us and sought to protect the natural environment of Volus from contaminants which could upset the balance. While you may see this as an impediment to free trade would you also consider arresting a spice runner an impediment to free trade? Of course not because they are carrying contraband materials into a place whereupon they are restricted from entering, which is exactly what the Vjunite crew was accused of doing and rightly convicted due to the overwhelming evidence that they were in fact guilty of the crime of attempting to bring contraband materials onto Volus.

You can try to condemn it all you want but the actions are bitter extremes of one another. We have allowed trade to continue on while your actions seek to prohibit trade, Senator. You close down trade routes with warships for what? Because you feel as though Volus is threatening free trade? Senator Veritas is correct that it defeats the purpose but there has been NO attack on free trade instead just a planet attempting to protect its environment based on science, to which there has been no refutation of or contradiction of sent to either myself or to the Volusian government. We acted in the planets best interest and will not apologize for it nor will we be condemned for actually doing what a government is supposed to do.

"It's fine and well that you notified your people... but entrapped the importers. There was no notice available to the galaxy, and that is the concern here. That is why, although not entirely appropriate, it has been called a 'secret law'."

This statement simply states the facts of the matter Senator Star. If this case goes to Imperial appeal, maybe even local appeal, I am telling you, it will not stand up.

And again, since memories are short here, Deralia IS offering its services as a mediator in negotiations to bring about an end to this issue.

I would also like to reinforce that every possible action has been taken to alleviate this crisis, with diplomats from Vjun working hard with the Volusian Government for months to settle on a mutually agreeable arrangement, however, all talks with respect to Volus have failed. Every attempt we have made to negotiate with Volus has only resulted in them stonewalling our diplomats with this endless nonsense about "planetary rights". Planetary rights do not extend to passing secret laws designed to entrap Imperial Citizens.

There is no present protest at Volus itself, and so Senator Veritas should find himself free to go and negotiate should he choose to, and will have my full support in the endeavour. Volus must know that we will not let the people of Vjun or Dantooine rot in a cell thanks to its greed.

It is not greed to protect an environment Senator Oriel. It is not greed to care about what natural resources you have and strive to protect them for future generations as the bill in question does do.

Senator Veritas, Volus would of course be happy to discuss these manners in front of a mediator however, we will not do so while an trade federation-esque blockade is above an Imperial planet for no good reason as it is here.

Even now Senator Star, you can recant, even now we will forgive you and allow you to come back to the fold.. Even after your lies to this chamber, after your endless nonsense.. Take the outheld hand of friendship and change your policy.

As for diplomatic overtures, we do not accept them because they would require a surrendering of our planetary right to enforce our own laws and to give in to the bullies of the New Trade Federation who demand their own views be universally accepted and adopted without question and without resistance. And when someone does resist, these illegal actions, they will go out and gang up on a single planet unable to fight back much like the old trade federation. The commission may not like the law but it -is- within our hereditary rights to determine which goods are allowed within our system and to enforce those laws in a legal court if necessary which we have done. We have done nothing wrong and will see to the people of Aeeq that they will indeed be receiving goods despite this heinous action taken by this coalition of the willing and coerced.

We do not accept to hand our rights over to other planets as you seem to wish us to do Senator Cambrist and are willing to attempt to bully any planet who disagrees with you into submission.

Senator Ordan, The only lie before this chamber is that your Trade Federation is in favor of free trade. If you were, then you would not be putting forth ridiculous blockades of planets for no valid or moral reason. If anything your Federation presents an antithesis to free trade and beneficial planetary relations.

As I have said, we will not surrender our rights to enforce our own laws in our own space no matter how much you and your select voting block may try and force us to. We will not allow other worlds to dictate our own laws when we are perfectly capable of passing and enforcing them ourselves.

As the ranking member of the Commerce Committee, I fully endorse Senator Cambrist's magnanimous request that Volus ends this silly stalemate by releasing the impounded trade ship. Commenor also fully supports the blockade against Aeeq until this issue has been resolved. I will also be instructing the Commenor parliament to temporarily freeze Volus' credit line with the Bank of Commenor. I hope these drastic, yet necessary, measures will bring some sense and compassion to the Volusian senator's thinking.