STATEMENT FROM THE DESK OF THE ETHNARCH
January 14, 2002

"Rattanjeetland has seen much irony present in the daily affairs between nations, but it has never become so obvious, nor so filled with hatred, as I have seen today. When Lord Somerset, the perpetrator of violence against Meijing, abdicated his position to Rattanjeetland, it should have been obvious that it is the government of a nation that holds responsibility for its actions. Just as El-Hussaq's former crimes are never blamed on Free El-Hussaq, a portion of the former El-Hussaq, the crimes of those committed by Buenos Altos former to the abidcation cannot be blamed on the government after the abdication has occurred.

"However, during talks it became obvious that Gorditas refused to agree that the innocent populace of a dicatator are not responsible for the actions of the dictator. Rattanjeetland, though it thought otherwise, agreed to military restrictions for Buenos Altos so harsh that it had surpassed those restictions given even in The Riksholm treaty. Even still, Gorditas was not satified.

"Rattanjeetland then offered to use the current restrictions and reparation payments that had been agreed upon as a base for further talks, providing of course that the ceasefire be extended to allow for such talks. When Gorditas simply refused the offer, hinting that the war would continue, it became clear that Gorditas had, despite his claim, no intention whatsoever in coming to a peaceful solution, even with the only power who had given him vocal support throughout the campaign.

"In effort to protect the citizens from further destruction, Rattanjeetland quickly took control over the built-up areas of Buenos Altos. I wish to stress that Rattanjeetland still wishes the talks to continue, and that a peaceful solution is always preferable to the violence that we have all seen in the past. It is the request of Rattanjeetland that if Gorditas comes back to the table for further talks, Rattanjeetland shall recind from taken territory to allow the talks to continue. I urge all members of the Congressional Parliment to assist in all ways to the peaceful outcome of this situation."