Buenos Altos Abdicates
Ceasefire Extended to Monday

In the afternoon of January 12, 2002, Lord Somerset officially announced his abdication to the Ethnarch of Rattanjeetland after brisk negotiations at the Adiposia. All territory, money, and research belonging to Buenos Altos has been transferred over to Rattanjeetland and the Ethnarch has assumed power as the Buenos Altan head of state. There are no known plans for a Rattanjeetarr annexation.

In his statement, the Ethnarch said, "Rattanjeetland was shocked to learn that Buenos Altos had abdicated his entire country to Rattanjeetland. Thus, Buenos Altos shall be governed as a Rattanjeetland territory, owned and operated by Rattanjeetland. The current war, however, is certainly Rattanjeetland's first priority. Since it is obvious that any attack on BA is now an attack on Rattanjeetland itself because of the abdication, Rattanjeetland is currently talking with Gorditas for a resolution to the situation. As The Ethnarch has stated in the past, he supported the liberation of Meijing by Gorditas, and wishes to punish Lord [Somerset], as Gorditas has wished as well. Ironically, both items have come to pass as Meijing is now free, and Lord [Somerset] has been given the largest punishment, the entire loss of his country."

As a result of bilateral talks between the Prime Minister of Gorditas and the Ethnarch, the ceasefire has been extended to Monday midnight. Meanwhile, the Rattanjeetland Ministry of International Affairs also has issued a document in which the Ethnarch apologizes on the behalf of Buenos Altos to Meijing and that he intends to send Lord Somerset into exile. As well, Rattanjeetland would continue to fully support Gorditas in its campaign to liberate Meijing.