From: Iohnesbur3 Tyding
Kreuzberg, Attera
(Editors Note: While this paper does not often comment on foreign affairs, I've felt it necessary to present an opposition viewpoint to that currently dominating the local blogs. As my opponents have made no distinction between their opinion and fact, neither shall I. Comments may be addressed to the Prime Minister's Office in Attera.)
There has been much controversy of late over one Emperor Jacobus' attempt to enter his country into the Imperial Republic of Shireroth. While this issue does not directly relate to Attera, there have been several attempts to drag Attera into it. As Prime Minister of Attera, I have chosen a path which is designed to facilitate peace negotiations between Cyberia and Cyberia, two nations which have been in conflict for as long as five years. Atteran proposed conditions on Jacobus include that he renounce his claim to be the sole, legitimate Cyberia, renounce terrorism and subversion, change the name of the RCC and its provinces, with a single letter change (Ciberia) adequate based on the fact that Cyberia itself is merely a play on Siberia, and that he drop all letters of marque. This extensive set of demands, brought upon Jacobus by a nation which has no real reason to care whether he does any of them, should satisfy the VCC that Attera is continuing to uphold its sovereignty.
Jacobus has been a long term problem for the micronational community, and it has been shown they he will not simply disappear. While his incarnations of other states may be fleeting, that of RCC remains constant throughout micronationalism, and due to the VCC's insistance in somehow containing it, Jacobus must be dealt with. Based on the terms above, the main problem between the two nations should be solved: Jacobus will no longer claim the VCC. The other problems should remain secondary, and more easily solved once the first is knocked away. If the VCC does not accept this simple truth, peace will never exist between the two Cyberias.
I have been accused by the VCC of not living up to the treaty between our lands. Having read the treaty, I cannot see how this is so. By demanding Jacobus remove his claim over the VCC, we are upholding the sovereignty of the VCC. That is the only clause relevant to this discussion. Attera's tradition of honor, so carefully envoked by the VCC and by our own Ras Noseworthy requires us to seek an equitable and peaceful solution to the conflict. My demands, although blatent foreign dictation to a lesser power, the RCC, should keep everyone happy. If they are not met, of course this government in good conscience MUST oppose the RCC's entry into Shireroth. If they are met, however, any further complaints about Attera not living up to its honor, treaty, or other commitment, are nothing but sound and fury.
The underlying point I would like to make through this paper is that Attera has no business at all interfering in an affair that is clearly between Shireroth and the RCC. The VCC has more business, given the reasons already listed, but there is no reason it should expect Attera to blindly follow its party line. Attera does not take dictation from foreign nations, and neither do I. I take my orders from the Emperor, and I have no intention of allowing a foreign nation to trump my commitment to Him, or to the greater good of the Atteran people, no matter how good our friendship is.
Attera remains a committed friend and partner of the VCC. Friendship and moral support, however, cannot extend to us taking unwarrented action on their behalf. If this dampens our friendship with Cyberia, I am deeply saddened, but I will not take an unbending position on an issue which is neither our business nor being treated entirely fairly by the Cyberian government. Friends are supposed to tell their friends when they're being unreasonable, and that is what we're doing with Cyberia right now. With luck they'll realize that we're still friends, despite our differences, and continue in our relationship.
There has been some talk of having Jacobus extradited from Shireroth, where he is a long standing citizen, to stand trial in Attera for his actions performed under the guise of a letter of marque against friends of Cyberia. I fully endorse and support such a move. Jacobus' actions, though feeble, still constitute an attack on the Atteran nation, and must be punished. Just because we indict Jacobus on one account does not mean we cannot be prepared to compromise with him on another. The only way not to would be to somehow remove him from the micronational scene, and that's a step I, and I believe no one else, is willing to take.
I hope this has clarified the Atteran Government's position, and made it clear to all reading why we have made the choices we have.