In one of her first foreign policy moves as the incoming leader of Milintica, president-elect Neina Arana has caused a diplomatic tussle with the government of Taragai.
Speaking to the media on September 14th as she introduced her incoming Cabinet, Arana was asked by a reporter from DTNS what her foreign policy priorities would be. After reiterating her previous pledge to force Xiomera to return the Chenalco Islands to Milintican control, Arana turned to Taragai. “The counter-revolutionary coup in Taragai in March 2024 was allowed to proceed unopposed by the weak administration that preceded us. I intend to correct that betrayal of the communist cause worldwide. As soon as I am formally sworn in, Milinitica will dispatch Popular Freedom Militias to Taragai to help Chaghagan Khoga and those still loyal to the Taragaian Revolution of 1931. We will restore the red banner to Bor-Öndör.”
Her remarks drew immediate condemnation from the interim Taragaian government, which is leading the run-up to democratic elections in December. “We firmly reject any interference by the incoming Milintican government in our transition to democracy. We further condemn their president-elect’s pledge to send forces here to support the remnants of the former leader’s regime. If Milintica chooses to violate Taragaian sovereignty once Neina Arana becomes president, Taragai reserves the right to respond with whatever measures are needed to eject the invaders,” interim Chairman Argasun Qorchi told DTNS. The head of the Democratic Front, Khadagan Daldurkhan, blasted Arana for supporting Khoga. “Chaghagan Khoga, as Director of Internal Security, unleashed state brutality on thousands of Taragaians just for wanting freedom. If it’s true that you can be judged by the company you keep, Neina Arana choosing to back a murderer like Khoga certainly tells us about her character.”
Khoga issued a statement thanking Arana for her promised support. “It is heartwarming to see in these troubled times, when malcontents backed by malicious foreign interests have sought to topple our revolutionary state, that there are still those out there who will fight for the red banner. Together Milinticans and Taragaians will win the fight for communism in Taragai, and then around the world.”
The third leg of the tripod of contenders to rule Taragai also commented on Arana’s promise. “Neina Arana thinks she can renew the flickering spark of the devil’s fire that is communism in Taragai. She is wrong, and I will not allow her to help communists re-impose their tyranny over us,” Ebegei Qoriqacha told DTNS. Qoriqacha is the descendent of the line of khans that once ruled Taragai. Her supporters have seized control of significant portions of three provinces in the country. Qoriqacha said that in response to Arana’s pledge to intervene, her faction will seek “formal ties of alliance” with right-leaning nations such as Xiomera. “The Khanate of Taragai will seek friendship with like-minded nations to ensure that our revolution, not Arana’s, prevails in this land.”
Qoriqacha’s threat to ally with Xiomera and other rightist nations has exasperated Taragaian security officials. “Qoriqacha’s faction presents the greatest threat to the transitional government, and whatever elected government follows it,” a top Taragaian intelligence official told DTNS on condition of anonymity. “Arana sticking her big dumb nose into things has caused Qoriqacha to make this move. Qoriqacha previously resisted deepening foreign ties to preserve her independent leadership. Now she feels that she has to accept foreign help as well to win. This will immensely complicate our efforts to defeat Qoriqacha. If she lines up enough foreign support behind her, the transitional government might not even make it to the elections. And this is all Arana’s fault for pushing Qoriqacha into a corner.”
Xiomera to reinforce Chenalco colony
In response to Neina Arana’s continued pledge to reclaim the islands Milintica calls Aoatea, the Xiomeran government announced it will reinforce its garrison in the Chenalco Islands.
“While it would almost certainly be impossible for Milintica’s so-called armed forces to defeat any Xiomeran army, we do not believe in taking chances. Therefore, we will immediately begin reinforcing our garrison in our sovereign territory of the Chenalco Islands,” Empress Calhualyana told the Imperial Parliament today. Xiomera will double the size of its Army detachment there to 2500 infantry troops, add an armored company, and will also add an additional 20 fighter planes. Xiomera will also accelerate its ongoing efforts to expand military facilities and build artificial island bases near Chenalco to protect the colony. Xiomera also plans to add a special forces company to the Chenalco garrison, and add additional combat ships to the naval task forces charged with colonial defense.
The Empress also told Parliament that she plans to create a “quick-reaction force” that will be able to deploy to any Xiomeran colony or overseas holding under threat of attack. “The new Imperial Immediate Intervention Force will be a combined arms unit capable of intervening within 24 hours of any initial aggression against a Xiomeran territory overseas,” the Empress told the Parliament.
With inauguration nearing, Matōchmizalo launches last-ditch bid
With President-elect Neina Arana set to take power on October 3rd, the current President of Milintica has launched a last-ditch bid to overturn the election results in that country.
President Matōchmizalo and his legal team have brought a case before the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. They are asking the Tribunal to declare Matōchmizalo the winner, or at least to block Arana’s inauguration until a complete investigation of the election results. “Arana and her side are trying to rush the inauguration process and prevent transparency,” the President told DTNS. “We need a full and fair accounting of this election.”
Matōchmizalo cited what he called “the suspicious behavior” of the Peoples’ Electoral Committee. “They have refused to allow us access to the ballot records and the final tally. They have physically blocked the National Police from entry to PEC facilities. They have refused to allow foreign election observers access also, and have threatened to deport election observers. The Tribunal cannot allow the PEC, which increasingly appears to be compromised, to simply declare this election to be a closed and settled matter.”
For his part, PEC Chairman Wera Hauraki has insisted that the results are safe, secure and legitimate. “Our election security is second to none. There is no possibility of compromise or manipulation, and there is thus no need for anyone to ‘review’ the results. If anything, the losing parties to the election and foreign outsiders could very well seek to manipulate or even overturn the results of this free and fair election. We cannot allow that,” Hauraki told DTNS.
