Bosporus Post
June 8th, 600 a.d.
1/3 Gold

TOP STORY: War Breaks out Over FAWT Agreement!
Palermo - After Australian troops occupied the Cuban settlement of Santiago the message was sent, and sent clear: Australia has declared war on the Adriatic League. This comes just days after Australia declared war on the Mali Nation-State. "It was quite a predicament, however if Consul Keating feels the need to begin military aggression, then that is his will" said King Cosimo D'Medici of Consul Keating's decisoin. The official declaration of war came after Australian troops marched uncontested into the Adriatic Colony of Santiago. A known pro-Republican haven, the city gave no resistance to Australian occupation. An official declaration of war was then recieved in Venice, however it is assumed that due to travel difficulties the declaration was most likely sent before Santiago was invaded, however nothing can be confirmed. The war began after an Australian ship was discovered off the coast of Libya, a Mali port city on the Mediterranean. After consultation between the three members of the FAWT Agreement (Israel, the A.L. and the Mali Nation-State) it was decided that they would ask the Australians to be escorted out of the Mediterranean. "We simply asked the Admiral of the ship if we could escort them out of the Mediterranean, we had to uphold FAWT, it was clearly explained to him. However he continued to renounce the treaty." said Admiral SanGiorgio "We told him bluntly; if he did not allow the Mali-Adriatic escort he would be sunk, he decided to sink!" A Greek-made Mali vessel was the ship that delivered the sinking blow, despite early reports that it was an Adriatic ship that had sunken the Australian Trireme. The Australians hold that the Adriatic League and the Mali are responsable for sinking the ship, despite denial by Royal officials in both countries. "We were obligated to uphold FAWT" said King Cosimo D'Medici "We kindly told the Australians that we could escort the ship out for them at no cost, at no loss of time or navigation, however out of pride he clamored on about imperialist treaties. We had no choice, he had at least five chances to make the proper decision, unfortunantly five weren't enough."

The contraversey doesn't end there however, there were questions as to the purpose and cargo of the Australian vessel. According to Mali sources the Australians claimed that only a diplomatic envoy was present on the ship, more confusion is added as the Australians claim he was headed to the northern arctic waters in "search of small tribes" according to official Australian statements. The Mali however hold that far more than a simple diplomatic envoy was on the ship, to wihch Australia denied. King Shakeem of the Zulu became involved and questioned his embassy in Australia, which it turned out that there was a group of colonists preparing to settle new territory. However there is little to no inhabitable territory free in the North Atlantic, the mystery continues. Currently no new ground is being made, the war has toned down a bit since Santiago was invaded by Australia. Both the Adriatic League and Australians are intent on keeping thier allies out of the war (Mongolia and China for Australia, and Israel for the Adriatic League). At this time no peace talks or discussion has occured.

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INTERNATIONAL REPORT
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Euro-African Trade at All-Time High!
Zimbabwe, Zululand - As a convoy of Copper caravans arrived in Zimbabwe, more and more vessels are being loaded with European wares headed south to Africa. "The new trade being accumulated over the Mediterranean is quite impressive, and I am very optimistic about the future of trade amongst our people" said Duke William of Orange-Nassau. Two Mali caravans have arrived in the Adriatic Capital of Venice as well as the important sea port of Monaco. More shipments are being prepared for the Mali Nation-State, Zululand as well as Israel.

Debate Over Oceans Continue.
Bethlehem, Israel - The Australian government suggested new laws concerning international waters just months before the colonial wars broke out. Despite the new hostilities the debate continues. The major players in the debate are Australia, Israel, the Zulu, the Mali and the Adriatic League. As a matter of fact the basis of the colonial war is almost entirely related to oceanic agreements. "The main issue the Australians have here was the FAWT treaty, basically it gave the Panama Canal to the A.L., and cooperative control of the Mediterranean, which includes Gibraltar and the Suez, to the Israelites, Mali and Adriatics" said King Cosimo D'Medici "However their efforts to make international water laws have been politically blocked by many nations." In a strange twist, FAWT member and A.L. ally Israel has been one of Australia's biggest supporters. Tensions mounted when the Zulu Kingdom announced the shutting down of the Gulf of Aden if Israel blocks the Suez canal. Only time will tell how these issues will be resolved.

China Gains Control of North American-Pacific Coastline!
Prometheus City, Chinese Territory - Chinese interim King, Hydey Ho, recieved an impressive land grant from Mongolia which officially gives China the entire North American Pacific Coastline (with the exception of Mexico and Central America). This land grant nearly doubles the initial land grant China recieved by agreement form the entire world, some pundits believe that China may be overstepping their boundries, however nothing has come of this. King Cosimo D'Medici said "China has been in trouble for a very long time, finally things are beginning to look good for them, it is too bad Prometheus was sick, I hope he gets better and makes a speedy return to political action!"

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EDITORIAL
C. Columbus
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I am an Adriatic Admiral in the Mediterranean. For years this sea has been my home, I love everything about it. The beaches, the ports, the people. It is very exciting to go from port to port, from Bosporus, to Jerusalem, to Bethlehem, to Kankan, Tunisia and then to the beaches of Southern France. However something terrible has happened in my sea, a war was begun. The world is now ablaze with talks of opening up the world's oceans. Some believe that specific tracts of ocean should be set aside as "National Waters" and others set aside as "International Waters" The Australians in particular believe in this idea, our allies the Isrealites are concurring with them on the issue. As a sailor, as a man of the ocean, I am frightened by these talks. To me the ocean is no different than land, why treat it differently? On land there is no international areas, on land the terrain goes to he who can exert unchallenged control over it. Why should the seas be any different? The FAWT treaty was established as a means of keeping order on the ocean, treaties like it could serve the world well. However, I believe that they must be signed into effect by nations that have an actual stake, and can exert actual influence in the area. Why is Australia attempting to meddle with issues in the Mediterranean? Something tells me "free oceans" has a lot less to do with it then they would have you think.

~C. Columbus