Interview: Cassius Jerusalem, Foreign Minister of the Detinus Republic (DTR)
by Tess Olsen, exclusive for the GGG
GGG: The DTR have contested the IMP claim to the Straddle System. Why did that happen? Was it a response to the recent claim changes in the Inner Empire?
Jerusalem: Exactly, yes. We could not allow the Imperial Services to continue breaking up the Commonwealth without making some sort of response. Should they stop trying to claim Commonwealth systems for the IMP, then we will be more than happy to change the Straddle claim back. And I'm talking specifically of Apollo and Ross 248 here, and the growing IMP claim on Earth, which was clearly the next system they were going to attempt to steal away from the Commonwealth. A fundamental part of the peace treaty was in securing access to the Inner Empire for the entirety of humanity. That's what the DTR and CNF were fighting together side by side to achieve. We will not see it destroyed.
GGG: The Peace Accord states that the DTR will claim Straddle on behalf of the IMP and will eventually transfer the system claim to an Imperial nominated starbase. By claiming Straddle for the DTR, you seem to be violating that agreement. Was that the intention?
Jerusalem: The Peace Accord also states that Commonwealth systems will be claimed for and on behalf of the Commonwealth. The IMP have already violated the agreement, we are simply demonstrating to them that they cannot violate it without having any sort of response from ourselves. For too long the DTR have turned a blind eye to the activities of the IMP and the Meklan Baron in their attempts to destroy the Commonwealth. And we say no more. The Commonwealth will stand against those who seek to destroy it.
GGG: You have stated that the DTR remain absolutely committed to the ideals of the Commonwealth. How does claiming the Straddle System for the DTR fit with those ideals?
Jerusalem: Well, first of all, the people of the Straddle System are not humans, and were never part of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth is a human organisation located in the Inner Empire. Straddle is an alien system in the Capellan region of space. The sentients of the Straddle System suffered under many long hard years of Imperial occupation, until we liberated them during the war. They were none too happy about being in an IMP system again, but we explained to them that this was administrative, and they would remain free to live as if they were part of the Republic. What has happened is they have seen the monstrous behaviour of the IMP and the HLQ, they have seen the results of meklanisation, and they want the increased level of protection that being in the DTR affords. We think the sentients of Straddle have a right to self-determination. In fact, was this not the exact same argument that the Baron LiQuan used about the people of Dolphinus? And I don't recall the Imperial Viceroy having a problem with that act of self-determination.
GGG: Viceroy Githyanki was quick to respond to the counter claim, mentioning even the possibility of "full scale war". Was that the reaction you were expecting?
Jerusalem: Frankly, I think if the DTR were to announce that we quite like chocolate biscuits, Viceroy Githyanki would announce his intent to declare war on us for our chocolate biscuit loving ways. The truth of the matter is that the IMP want a war, and they are determined to pick one.
GGG: Will we see more new system claims and counter claims from the DTR in the near future? If so, where?
Jerusalem: We certainly hope not. We hope that this gesture brings some sanity back to the IMP and the HLQ, and that they return the Commonwealth system claims to the Commonwealth. Of course, if this fails, then it will mean the IMP have no interest in honouring the Peace Accord, and we will have no choice but to declare them in violation of the terms of the Peace Accord. Be assured, we have no interest in starting a shooting war with anybody. But if the IMP seek to test our resolve on this they will find us prepared. We are the Detinus Republic, we are the last best hope for peace and truth and justice.
-o-
Five Steps to Preserve Peace
by Cornelius Merryheart, exclusive for the GGG
With peace among humans threatened once more by the machinations of petty warmongers, there are a few things that could be done not only to avoid armed conflict now but to secure a prolonged period of stability. Here are our suggestions:
1. Replace the IMP Viceroy. Viceroy Githyanki wants a war and everyone knows it. Until the Imperial Services put a sane and reliable person in charge of their affiliation, in the best tradition of Lord Simms and General Krieger, new excuses for bloodshed will keep resurfacing.
2. Put a leash on Baron LiQuan. The infamous Meklan Baron has clashed against anyone with enough free time to respond to his provocations, always retreating to a safe position behind the confed warfleet and waiting for others to do the real fighting. The Confederacy needs to control this noble trouble maker or stop bailing him out.
3. Consolidate the Imperial factions. Now that the war is over, all affiliations loyal to the Empire should have their roles reassessed and reassigned in order to better fit within one single government and no longer to one of two opposing factions. If we want a strong human nation, we need to stop thinking in terms of Imperials and Confederates.
4. Bring the DTR to a reasonable compromise. The Republicans are strong defenders of the Commonwealth but seem unwilling to make any accommodations for the greater good. Perhaps it's time to stop claiming Inner Empire systems for the DTR while everyone else is supposed to claim for the Commonwealth. Perhaps it's time to stop building massive platforms in orbit of Earth without approval from other Commonwealth partners.
5. Relaunch the Commonwealth. The Peace Accord was a great achievement but the document itself starts to show its age. We live in a new galactic status quo and we need a Constitution that addresses the present state of affairs. Not an easy task and not a job for impatient people, but certainly a noble goal worth pursuing.
-o-
