Tofino Times | 5-12-2021

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TOFINO - President Atticus Moreau announced on Wednesday that the Zamastanian government, alongside the East Chanchajillan, Parabocan, and Janapan governments, have been selected by the Coalition of Crown Albatross diplomacy council to establish and moderate a national referendum process in West Chanchajilla. The elections, which will be held on August 4th, 2021, are set to be the first free democratic elections in West Chanchajillan history.

"West Chanchajilla and its people will now be able to choose their own path forward," Moreau said in a statement. "It is up to them to determine their path. It is up to us to ensure that the process is free, unabrubted, and effective. We are not in this to establish a government based on our own ideology or our own morality, but we are in this to ensure that never again will tyranny subject the West Chanchajillan people."

The elections will elect a new 300-member legislative body in the National Assembly, an institution that was once run and selected entirely by Frederick Armbar and his officers. There was no democratic process, and West Chanchajillans protesting for democratic rights and freedom of the political process were often imprisoned, tortured, or executed. The Zamastanian government, alongside the other international institutions, are set to establish monitoring sites to ensure free and fair elections.

Additionally, East Chanchajillan and Parabocan soldiers remain in West Chanchajilla as a peacekeeping force. Major combat operations ended on May 1st, and the forces now have positioned to a role of mopping up resistance, maintaining peace, and reconstruction efforts. The current staged plan is for East Chanchajillan and Parabocan peacekeepers to remain in the West until the middle of 2022, at which point CCA peacekeepers will be instated as part of a multi-international maintaining force. The future peacekeeping force will likely be consistent of nations who remained relatively neutral on the subject of the previous Armbar regime, and two nations already slated to commit troops include Artegana and Vuswistan.

A small contingent of Zamastanian peacekeepers is also present in West Chanchajilla, operating largely as a moderating and observing role for the East Chanchajillans. During the course of the conflict, only 50 Zamastanian soldiers were ever on the ground in West Chanchajilla and acted as observers and guides for the combat operations. It is unknown at this time whether Zamastanian soldiers will participate in the larger peacekeeping operations following the national referendum.

On March 23rd, at the height of the conflict, President Moreau had arrived in the East Chanchajillan capital of Vilanja to meet with East Chanchajillan President Gideon Boer, East Chanchajilla's Foreign Secretary Marcus Belsia, and Paraboca's President Garr'n Cardoza. The topic of discussion surrounded the offensive to capture West Chanchajilla's capital city of Ivora and to bring down the regime of Frederick Armbar, whose figurehead remained illusive despite intense aerial bombardment by Zamastanian bombers and intensive ground operations by East Chanchajillan forces. Armbar was killed in April.

Paraboca's military had only recently joined the East in operations on the ground as fighting to capture Ivora grew more intense, and as Zamastan's limits for aerial strikes became subject of much debate in Congressional Hall. Congressional Hall passed a temporary resolution limiting the striking capability in urban residential areas, which had the unfortunate aspect for military officials of being the exact epicenter of the heaviest fighting. Armbar's forces, which pressed a strategic retreat into the capital, established heavy defenses around the capital and specifically in residential zones in an effort to curtail coalition efforts to push further into the city. This led to the Battle of Ivora being one of the deadliest events in modern warfare, with thousands of casualties on each side of the modern armies clashing.

President Moreau, speaking to reporters alongside Presidents Boer and Cardoza, had stated that Zamastan "continues to be committed to the collapse of the regime," and will "continue to provide assistance as efficiently as (they) can." The heads of state reportedly discussed plans that would follow the inevitable fall of Ivora and the hopeful eventual capture of Frederick Armbar, both of which went differently than expected. There were plans at the time to establish an interim government moderated and advised by the three nations, which would help conduct rebuilding and security efforts. Now, however, with insurgencies still remaining throughout the country, the referendum in August is the current plan.

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TOFINO - Secretary of State Jessiah Vallotis today expressed heavy concerns surrounding the anticipated military action by the Alecburgh government in South Adula over the increasing violent attacks by insurgents from the self-declared Republic of Cambria. Vallotis stated "the self-declared government of Cambria wants independence from a state that has caused harm and distrust. We understand the desire for freedom. However, the insurgents who enact terror are maniacal in their resolve, and they must cease the violence, for everyone's sakes."

A violent terror attack last month left dozens dead after terrorists affiliated with Cambria hijacked a commuter bus and killed all those aboard. Victims were largely consistent of tourists, including four Quetanan citizens. Previous statements by Zamastanian officials, including President Atticus Moreau and Secretary Vallotis, have condemned both sides, with many being critical of Prime Minister Sparrow Creed and her lack of intent to seek a diplomatic solution, and others condemning the Cambrian state for not relegating their violent attacks against civilians.

Today's comments from Vallotis, according to a spokesperson, was not taking the side of Cambria in their pursuit of independence and autonomy despite the endorsement of understanding the "desire for freedom". Rather, it was recognizing that both sides in this tension set have been sources of controversy. The immovability of the Creed government and their lack of negotiation, either towards the Cambrians or on the world stage, has been disconcerting for the Zamastanian government. Additionally, the involvement of De Yuan in the military buildup has Zamastanian military officials worried of growing influence near key Zamastanian allies, like Saint Croix and Bens and Qolaysia.

On the other hand, the insurgents alligned with Cambria have proven to be violent terrorists in their atrocities against Alecburghian civilian targets. From bombings in public areas to violent massacres of international tourists, their actions have been labeled as terrorism by the Zamastanian government on numerous occassions. Yet, Zamastan does not support the Alecburghian government as they are constantly targetted by the rhetoric of Prime Minister Creed, who has complained consistently about the international perception of her response to the crisis.

Zamastanian forces in the region, deployed alongside Emmirian and Albarineans in the SCB city of Beresa, have been put on standby to respond to any Cambrian agression against their forces, but have otherwise been ordered to remain out of combat. The admiral in charge of the deployment, Ad. Darren Smuete, spoke to reporters on the deck of the ZMS Artego.

"We're committed to the defense of our national interest and our allies," stated the Admiral. "Saint Croix and Bens has often found themselves in a vulnerable position, not to mention we prioritize the protection of Zamastanian citizens abroad. Zamastanians here in Saint Croix as well as in Alecburgh, Cyruda, Nebetia, Qolaysia, all the surrounding nations... it's our duty to ensure they are safe."

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SULIFA - Durnstaal has dashed Zamastan's World Cup championship dreams in a close game that saw exceptional offensive and defensive plays all around, leading to a thrilling overtime matchup that saw Durnstaal besting the top scoring team of the tournament.

Zamastan was the first to threaten, with a clever cut-back from the tournament top-scorer, Isaiah Ross, going narrowly wide. Durnstaal, however, was the first to break through the defense. Durnstaal delivered a curling free-kick into the box, headed home via the underside of the crossbar, almost a goal.

Zamastan bossed possession thereafter, but they had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping them ahead after 33 minutes. Zamastan produced a superb, volleyed pass to free midfielder in space inside the area. The diminutive midfielder took a touch and shot across goal, only for the goalkeeper to fling himself south-west and make an excellent save.

When Durnstaal emerged from the break on the front foot, within minutes their forward striker failed to connect with an attempted header when unmarked in the box. Zamastan put together two wonderful passing moves, with two strikers involved. But Durnstaal did a good job in cutting out their final ball. After gifted possession to the Zamastanians on 69 minutes, they worked it to a striker, who fired just wide.

Zamastan produced a breathtaking move with 15 minutes remaining. Marty Girua skipped inside his marker and played the ball into Isaiah Ross inside the Durnstaal area. Zamastan exquisitely fooled Durnstaal's defender by letting it run through his legs, but his cut-back was cleared.
Isaiah Ross scores, putting up the first goal of the game in the 70th minute.

Back from the kick, Durnstaal found acres of space down the left and intelligently laid the ball back to the onrushing Zamastan. The latter sliced his shot but it fell kindly to another Durnstaal player, who had all the time in the world, but elected to hit it first-time, with his tame effort being repelled by the legs of a Zamastanian defender.

Zamastan again hit a shot straight at the Durnstaal goalkeeper moments later as the team leading, and not trailing, looks most likely to score the game’s second goal. Durnstaal has a great chance to do just that two minutes before the final whistle. Durnstaal played a one-two but Zamastan made a superb one-hand block from a fierce, close-range shot.

Moments before the final whistle, a spectacular recovery and subsequent three-man pass from Durnstaal breaks past Zamastanian defender, round cut kicking through the goalies hands. Durnstaal scored with seconds left before the final whistle, tying the game 1-1.

Due to World Cup rules, a tie in the finals would typically result in the team with the most points throughout the tournament winning the game (which in this case would be Zamastan by default). However, agreed before hand to not resort to penalty kicks nor the total points method, the teams are going into a ten minute overtime beforehand.

The Durnstaal striker capitalised on an error from Zamastan to put Durnstaal ahead with their first shot on target. The Zamastanian captain lost possession and Durnstaal capitalised, finding a striker on the right. Striker then gained a slice of luck as his attempted pass to one deflected off a Zamastanian defender and into the path of a Durnstaal forward, who shot home.

Durnstaal is celebrating their World Cup victory - their third title, making them among the most prolific winners of the tournament alongside Zamastan, Vitosium, and Cadair.

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©TOFINOTIMES 2021

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