Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών

The Government of Oxacmela supports Sinope's actions against the unstable area of the Bergen States, our government is already in the process of passing a bill against any Oxacmelan representation in the area, and if passed, Oxacmela will join such coalition against the Bergen States.

José María Villareal Llamadas;
President of Oxacmela.

Via the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs.
Alfredo Mangierri Dominguez;
Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Official transcript of the press conference held on November 17th, 2013 at 10:00, Braavos time.

Mediator: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this press conference held in the Doge Palace's press room.

Doge Diogenes: Yesterday was the beginning of Operation Last Christmas. A no-fly zone and naval blockade was imposed on the nation of Bergenstein and its mainland territory. For a first day of fighting, the Operation was a success although the so-called Traditionalists and Modernists continue to resist, threatening civilians and are well armed. As of today, Sinope, Abbasid, Étrusque, Insulo, Mervey, Batavia and now Brüllen which has joined the Coalition this morning, have sent to both sides' officials and to the troops that the employ the follow warning: in the absence of an immediate ceasefire, and failing a withdrawal of the forces that have attacked the civilian population over the last few months, our countries will pursue military action.

This warning was repeated by all the participants at the teleconference that has just concluded. Traditionalists and Modernists have disregarded this warning. During the last few hours their troops have intensified their deadly offensive.

These Bergen states have chosen to free themselves from the slavery in which they felt themselves trapped for too long. But it is not without risk. The future of these Bergen people belongs to them, to each sides of the conflict. In the midst of all the difficulties and challenges that they have been faced with, these Bergen populations need our help and our support and it is our duty to help them while their unwanted militaries destabilise the region and even violate international law on several occasions.

In Bergenstein, a civilian population which is passive which requires nothing further than the right to choose itself its destiny finds itself in danger of life. Not only have we tried in the past to help them in the form of diplomacy through the United Sovereign Nations of the World, but both Modernists and Traditionalists have refused to co-operate and have chosen to continue in the way of violence.

The future of Bergenstein belongs to the Bergen people. We do not want to take a decision on their behalf. The fight that they are undergoing is their's. We do not intervene on the side of Modernists or Traditionalists, as we do not want to impose on the Bergen people, but we do want to apply a universal conscience that we cannot tolerate such crimes.

Yesterday, our intervening in Bergenstein with our partners, namely our Western Althenan partners, we do it to protect the civilian population, and to protect it from the deadly madness of a Civil War which by assassinating and killing its own people has lost any legitimacy but also has breached into Batavian territory and violated international law. We intervene to allow the Bergen people to choose itself, its destiny, without fearing for its life.

There is still time for both Modernists and Traditionalists to avoid the worst by agreeing unreservedly to all the requirements of the international community, namely that a total cease-fire occur, that negotiations and talks between both side continue, that a temporary national government be established under USNW mandate and that all military installations and forces in the country be disbanded until negotiations are over. We will need adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety.

We have every reason to fear that left unchecked, Modernists and Traditionalists will commit unspeakable atrocities. An international impartial independent investigation must be held on the possible crimes against humanity and war crimes perpetrated in Bergenstein during the Civil War and against the population.

The door of diplomacy will reopen when the fighting will stop. Our determination is total, and I say it with solemnity. Everyone now finds themselves faced with their responsibilities. It is a serious decision that we have been forced to take, together with our Althenan partners, Sinope has decided to take up its role in front of history.

Moderator: General?

General Demetriou: Tactical command in the theater of operations was executed from SRS Hydra in the Vaspasian Sea under command of Admiral Filippos Antoniou, commander of the Sinopian 2nd Alcadean Fleet. We are however not permitted at this moment to reveal any information on the advancement of the Coalition's military in the Bergenstein front.

Moderator: Alright, we will take questions from the press. We'll start with Ms. Nikoleta Colonomos for the Braavos Globe.

Nikoleta Colonomos: My question is addressed to General Demetriou. What do you say about the allegations from Bergenstein News that three Bergen children were killed along the Batavian border?

General Demetriou: The Intel is correct, as confirmed by Batavian authorities. Three individuals aged between 13 and 16 years old were killed after they opened fire on Batavian troops. As much as some people may want to manipulate this event as if the Coalition was killing children...

Nikoleta Colonomis: But they were children!

Moderator: Ms. Colonomis, please.

General Demetriou: In the end, they were armed individuals who fired at the coalition and were therefore considered as members of either the Traditionalists or Modernists military groups. What is despicable isn't the fact that we defended ourselves but the fact that these militias and armed groups are willing to employ teenagers and child soldiers. Their lost, as any lost during the Civil War and the intervention yet are tragedies over tragedies, but we have to do what is right, and that is to stop all this violence.

Moderator: Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am afraid the press conference has to end here as our schedule does not allow us to keep going with questions. We thank you all for coming.

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