MARCUSBURG - Renowned for bureaucracy and inaction, the Congressional Parliament (CP) is finally taking steps to overhaul an institution many see as impotent and irrelevant in international affairs.

As part of a multifaceted reform package pushed through interior Congressional councils, the Secretary-General immediately granted amnesty to all nations suspended for not participating in previous Congresses.

"It was discovered that the suspensions were neither productive nor counterproductive, he said. "If a nation chooses not to vote, then it is its decision alone to forfeit power to the hands of a few from the hands of many."

In addition, the Secretary-General announced the formation of a new ministry, the World Development Agency (WDA), as a successor to the now-defunct World Bank. For almost a year the World Bank has faded into obscurity. Once powerful, the institution came under attack after its generous grants to developing nations were being abused by Great Powers and competing power blocs in the cold war era.

Although officially nations could have applied to the World Bank for a loan in times of need, staff at World Bank offices in the East Wing of the Congressional Parliament Building have reported no applications. Not surprisingly, a total of three people work in an agency built for thousands.

According to officials, the WDA should begin operations shortly (which in Congressional lingo could mean anywhere from weeks to months). The Secretary-General did not provide specifics on how the WDA would work in his speech today, but hinted towards creating a pool of money from the Congressional Auction House after that capital had been used to pay off massive debts incurred from the days of the World Bank. Interestingly, the WDA would combine grants of both money and strucpoints to facilitate the growth of developing countries.

In addition to the WDA, the Secretary-General made another important point in his speech. For the first time, CP will try to become more accountable to the nations of the Mapp. Elections for a new Congressional agenda, or focus, are scheduled sometime later this month. Until then, the Secretary-General invited nations to submit agendas that CP should adopt in the future. Current Congressional proposals range from total non-intervention to a "shoot first, ask questions later" approach.

Once again, the Secretary-General did not explain how or when the elections would proceed. Many expect that voting will be based on a "one vote, one country" system, although others speculate that supranational proportional representation or even an electoral college may be implemented.