WENDORRA LA VELLA - In a shocking move, the President of Samchorage ceded the great majority of his country to Wendorra la Vella on October 24, 2002.

All of Samchorage, including its prized military and the famous central business district, with the exception of the Presidential Palace has been transferred over to Wendorran control. Although the development may appear to be an abdication on the surface, in actuality the "Samchoragean cession" is a shrewd move intended on bypassing the Congressional economic embargo imposed on Samchorage in the Congress of Jenneva.

From the Presidential Palace, the President continues his direct control over Wendorra la Vella through the puppet pro-Samchoragean administration in the Polimento. While Samchorage remains under an embargo, Wendorra la Vella is free of any economic penalty. By transferring all Samchoragean multinational corporations, the President may continue to generate revenue from international trade using the newly formed "Greater" Wendorra la Vella.

However, many international diplomats are shaking their heads in confusion over the sudden cession, as the move jeapordizes international relations with Samchorage. For example, will foreign embassies now in Wendorra la Vella be with that country or with the newly "diminished" Samchorage? Furthermore, the economic transfer between Samchorage and Wendorra la Vella has been far from perfect. As a result of international law, two countries must agree on a treaty for it to be valid. Therefore many Samchoragean economic arrangements cannot be automatically transferred to Wendorra la Vella, and must be renegotiated instead.

Meanwhile at the Congressional Parliament (CP), the Secretary-General ordered the promotion of Wendorra la Vella to a Major Power and the demotion of Samchorage to an 'emerging country' on October 27 to reflect the stark change in the balance of power on the Mapp. Reaction from the international community has been mostly one of amazement but as the shock settles in, some are angry and dismayed that the President has been able to sidestep CP in such a blatant way. In contrast, others admire the President's courage in doing whatever it takes to safeguard the future of his Empire.