60 year old Lady bones Count (oh and also some treaty thing)

[Knootoss]

NRC Handelsblad

Tarasovka and Knootoss intensify cooperation.

THE HAGUE –the Daatman administration is engaging in negotiations with the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka to deepen relations and securing a new agreement on the conditions of cooperation. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Femke Halsema, is in Vigvar to discuss the finer details of the agreement.

The government intends to renew and expand upon the so-called Taraskovyan-Knootian Frame Convention on Cooperation signed by Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan several years ago. In this convention the Knootian government transferred Europolis to the predecessor government of the Grand Duchy, resolving outstanding disputes with Tarasovka and establishing the Knootian colony of Nieuw Rotterdam in Taraskovyan territory.

While nothing official has yet been released, the parties have agreed on a standard non-aggression clause and an intensive cultural exchange programme including student exchanges. Halsema and the state-secretary of Foreign Economic Policy are also pushing for a Free Trade Agreement, but there has been resistance by their Grand Ducal negotiating partners to this idea. A compromise allowing import tariffs on a number of Knootian products is thought to be in the making.

The agreement also marks the start of the international Dutch Language Union, as Tarasovka agrees to cooperate with Knootoss in the establishment of a joint council on the Dutch language which will concern itself with promoting uniformity of the Dutch language. This Union, promised in the coalition accord of SLP and KGP, is yet to include other important Dutchspeaking nations such as Guffingford, Alcona & Hubris and Midlonia in striving for unified spelling and grammar – amongst others.

[Knootoss]

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The Winter Palace, Tarasovka
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The Grand Duke held some of the most enjoyable and prestigious balls in Tarasovka, at least that was what the elderly people said as they watched the young executing their newly learned steps. The Taraskovyan youth themselves would surely agree, as they danced until they were ready to drop. Two marriages had come of these balls already in this year, only further increasing the fame of the dances. Most people were, or seemed to be, pretty - so rapturous were their smiles and so sparkling their eyes.

Femke Halsema, the foreign minister of Knootoss twirled about before she left the spacious several-roomed apartment inside the palace where she had been staying. She, too, was transparently radiant with impulsive joy. The negotiations had gone well and the people, contrary to her prejudices, were friendly. The Great Gardens had been like a brush of fresh air, away from the polluted and damp atmosphere of Knootian suburbia where she had been campaigning for so long. She was looking rather elegant and pretty in her long dress and was jittery as it was not often that she visited such a prestigious ball.

The dancing spot chosen for that night was the Nightstar Terrace, towering a kilometre above the tumultuous waters of the Sword Gulf. She fell in love with the terrace the very moment she stepped onto it and saw its rugged natural beauty and crafted elegance, seeing the view of the Gulf and the city and hearing the sea rushing in the distance.

Count Alexei Vologdov of Pereslavl was sitting by some friendly members of the nobility. Leaning on his sabre, he was beating time with his foot, telling them something funny and keeping them amused as he watched the young people dancing. The Taraskovyan noble was in his sixties, very well mannered and educated but also with a reputation for being intelligent, eloquent and rather stubborn as the only Liberal Socialist in the overwhelmingly Conservative Grand Ducal Senate. Despite his friends, he always struck the others as a little lonely. Not only because of his lone position in the Senate, but also because his wife had passed away years ago.

Grand Duke Mikhail II Shakhovskoy danced with Femke Halsema, in keeping with tradition of hospitality and honouring the national friendship. Skilfully, the Grand Duke of all Taraskovya flew first across the hall with Halsema who, though shy and a little insecure, went on carefully executing her steps. As she did so, Alexei Vologdov did not take his eyes off her and beat time with his saber in a way that clearly indicated that if he was not dancing it was because he would not and not because he could not. Likewise, when Femke was off to get herself a drink she quietly observed the handsome gentleman in the corner and had herself be told that this man was probably the closest thing to a green in the Senate. At this comment she only nodded distractedly; politics evidently not being the only virtue of the Count in her mind.

Later in the evening, when it came to Femke's turn to choose a partner, she rose and, tripping rapidly across in her dancing shoes, ran timidly to the corner where Count Alexei Vologdov sat. She saw that everybody was looking at her and waiting, including Mikhail who also saw that Alexei was refusing even though he smiled delightedly.

"Please, Count," Femke was saying, "do come!"

"Oh no, please let me off, your Excellency," Alexei Vologdov replied with a bright smile.

"Now then, Count," the Grand Duke stepped in. "It would be a stain upon my hospitality if the men here would refuse to dance with the Knootian Foreign Minister, especially one so closely allied to yourself politically.”

"I was so looking forward to a Liberal Socialist who can dance," Femke said with a smile.

"Oh, how could I refuse!" Vologdov said, and he unhooked his saber. He came out from behind the chairs, clasped his partner's hand firmly, threw back his head, and advanced his foot, waiting for the beat. At the right beat of the music he looked sideways at his partner with a merry and triumphant air, suddenly stamped with one foot, bounded from the floor like a ball, and flew round the room taking his partner with him. He glided silently on one foot half across the room, and seeming not to notice the chairs dashing straight at them, when suddenly, clinking his feet and spreading out his legs, he stopped short on his heels, stood so a second, stamped on the spot, whirled rapidly round, and, striking his left heel against his right, flew round again in a circle. Femke guessed what he meant to do and abandoned herself to him, following his lead while hardly knowing how. First he spun her round, holding her now with his left, now with his right hand, then falling on one knee he twirled her round him, and again jumping up, dashed so impetuously forward that it seemed as if he would rush through the whole suite of rooms without drawing breath, and then he suddenly stopped and performed some new and unexpected steps. When at last, smartly whirling his partner round in front of her chair, he drew up and bowed to her. Femke did not even make him a curtsy, instead fixing her eyes on him in amazement, smiling as if she did not recognize him.

"Why I have never…" she brought out quietly as he broke into a smile.

[Knootoss]

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Pereslavl, Tarasovka
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The estate of Count Alexei was comfortable, situated in the city of Pereslavl on the warm and beautiful southern shores of the Fiefdom of Yugozemie. It had also the benefit of being secluded – far away from the daily business of Vigvar and Knootcap and the hectic of international relations. The Liberal Socialist Party was absent in the Grand Ducal Senate that day, as Count Vologdov was on an unannounced leave, while the Knootian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence was herself absent from the weekly Council Ministers back in The Hague – away for extended negotiations abroad.

"I dreamt of you last night," Alexei said with a smile as he bowed for Femke just like he had when they had first met. "It was a pleasant dream."

"In your dream… did you ever feel like going away with me?", she asked, biting her lip tensely. "Just once, that is all that I dare to ask for. I’m so… I never expected to find someone like you one day."

"Femke…", he began, moving closer to her and taking both of her hands. "I would do that for you and more, if you would do it with me? Stay but a little longer here and I fear I will not have peace until I can stay with you for the rest of my life."

She looked up into his wise eyes, a small tear forming in that tip of her eye, making it all hazy. Their closeness was now even more readily apparent, as she felt his soft breath on her.

“I would take you away any day”, she whispered back.

"Then let me be your bosom for a teary eye”, Alexei said as he put his hands around her. She leant against his chest, closing her eyes…

[Tarasovka]

The Vigvar Convention on Cooperation

The Grand Duchy of Tarasovka and the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss (hereafter: the Signatories), recognizing the benefits of the Taraskovyan-Knootian Frame Convention on Cooperation, and wishing to improve the friendly relations between the two states and to clarify several outstanding issues, hereby sign the following Convention:

General Provisions

Article 1 – On the Taraskovyan-Knootian Frame Convention on Cooperation

1. The present document takes precedence over the Taraskovyan-Knootian Frame Convention on Cooperation.
2. Article 1, Protocol 3 of the Taraskovyan-Knootian Frame Convention on Cooperation is valid for the present document.

Article 2 – Non-aggression

1. Both Signatories obligate themselves to desist from any act of violence, any aggressive action, and any attack on each other, either individually or jointly with other Powers.
2. Should one of the Signatories become the object of belligerent action by a third Power, the other Signatory shall in no manner lend its support to this third Power
3. Should disputes or conflicts arise between the Signatories over problems of one kind or another, both parties shall settle these disputes or conflicts exclusively through means of political dialogue.
4. The present Article may be annulled by the common decision of the Signatories, upon ratification of an act to this purpose.

Article 3 – On the Knootian Military Base of Europolis

1. The territory of the Knootian Military Base of Europolis, including soil, waters and airspace, belongs to the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka.
2. The Grand Duchy of Tarasovka grants use of the territory to the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss for an indefinite period of time for as long as the stated conditions are respected:
a. the Knootian Military Base of Europolis will be compliant with Taraskovyan laws on Environmental Protection.
b. the Knootian Military Base of Europolis will be compliant with Taraskovyan regulations on military equipment safety.
c. the Knootian Military Base of Europolis will not be host to any arsenal belonging to the category of ‘weapons of mass destruction’.
d. the Knootian Military Base of Europolis will be inspected by Taraskovyan specialists on a periodic basis to verify the installation’s compliance with Taraskovyan regulations.
3. The modalities of the transit of assets of the Knootian Defence Force to reach and leave the Knootian Military Base of Europolis, including nuclear naval assets, through Taraskovyan territorial waters and airspace shall be defined in Additional Protocol A to the present Convention.
4. Should the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss consciously and willfully commit any serious violations of the conditions expressed in paragraph 2 of the present Article or in the Additional Protocol A to the present Convention, the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka reserves the right to annul or suspend the present Article and demand withdrawal of the Knootian assets.
5. In absence of appropriate reason, one of the Signatories may move to annul or suspend the present Article. The annulling or suspension comes into force at least six months after the consultation between the two Signatories on the matter.

Article 4 – On Nieuw-Rotterdam

The modalities, and penalties in case of violations, of the transit of Knootian military assets through Taraskovyan territory to reach and leave city of Nieuw-Rotterdam shall be defined in Additional Protocol A to the present Convention.

Article 5 – Cultural Exchange and Linguistic Cooperation

1. The Signatories agree to promote and encourage cultural exchange programs between them. The Signatories shall lend their cooperation to setting up National Cultural Centers, student exchange programs, and other measures geared towards fostering mutual understanding
2. The Signatories agree to cooperate in the Dutch Language Union based in the Dutch Democratic Republic of Knootoss, and work together towards a unified and developing Dutch language amongst all Dutchspeakers.

Article 6 – Trade Relations

1. The Signatories agree not to impose any tariff on imports from the other Signatory, nor subsidise exports to the other signatory with prejudice to paragraph 2 of this article, and furthermore agree not to hinder the trade between the two Signatories.
2. The Grand Duchy of Tarasovka reserves the right to impose import duties upon products listed in Additional Protocol B to this convention, but it may choose not to enforce such duties if it so chooses.
3. The Signatories agree not to levy economic sanctions against each other.
4. All disputes concerning trade, finances, or exploitation of natural resources shall be resolved through political dialogue.

Article 7 – Ratification

The present Convention shall enter into force immediately after its ratification by the Signatory states.

Annexe:
• Additional Protocol A, on modalities of the transit of Knootian military assets.
• Additional Protocol B, on rights reserved by the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka with regards to protection of the Taraskovyan economy.

[Tarasovka]

From the Vigvar Daily

Vigvar Convention on Cooperation: moving closer to Knootoss?

High Count Ithun Khat, Grand Ducal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and his Knootian counterpart Femke Halsema have yesterday signed the Vigvar Convention on Cooperation, the heir to the Taraskovyan-Knootian Frame Convention on Cooperation.

The new document, in many aspects, repeats its predecessor, even if now the Grand Duchy can take a tougher action against the Dutch Democratic Republic should it fail to respect the agreements on the transit of its military personnel to and from the Europolis base and Nieuw-Rotterdam.

The main novelties in the new document concern cultural exchange and economic relations. The Grand Duchy, with its sizeable Dutch speaking minority, shall now have a direct say in the evolution of the Dutch language. “In other words, we can now in all legality mess up the Dutch grammar if the Knootians act naughty,” the head of the Taraskovyan Academy, Professor Andrei Glagoslovov, commented with laughter. “And if seriously, a uniform Dutch language shall facilitate the lives to our Dutch speakers. What would be great is a similar solution to the Russian language, but that is a whole other and more complicated issue.”

As of the economic relations, the Grand Duchy, whilst retaining the right to protect its vital national industries, shall enjoy a level of free trade with the Dutch Democratic Republic. Taraskovyan businessmen have already welcomed the motion as the clause shall open new markets for their products.

The new document, however, is seen by many as a wrongful step closer to the atheist republic. Representatives of the National Patriotic Christian Alliance have already stated that their party shall vote against the Convention when it comes to the ratification in Parliament. “The Grand Duchy should improve relations with Christian monarchies and not with Godless republics,” Count Strogoverov, leader of the NPCA block in the Duma, was quoted as saying. The Vigvar Patriarchate, however, has cautiously welcomed the move as it sees the new cultural cooperation as a way to improve its assistance and protection to the Orthodox communities in Knootoss.

All in all, the new document has been welcomed by the majority of Taraskovyan interest groups and it is expected that the Grand Ducal Parliament shall ratify it without any difficulties. The NPCA has, however, promised to initiate a referendum on the issue.

[Guffingford]

The International Tribune

Dutchmen of the world unite: Knootian proposal of a Dutch language union goes hand to hand with doubt: questions about Guffingford sovereignity raised

Hoogenbosch, today In response to an article in the Knootian daily paper The NRC Handelsblad, hints of a union between Dutch speaking nations namely us, Knootoss, Midlonia and Alcona and Hubris to name a few, are reaching a start of the Dutch Language Union. This happened after a joint Knootoss-Tarasovka diplomatic meeting, where various subjects are being discussed though the Dutch Language Union receives most of our attention - and interests the most of us.

Ties between Guffingford and Knootoss have been severely crippled after the Territories of Guffingford received independence in 1902, after 4 years of bitter strife with German forces, and to gain economic independence. Albeit many citizens applaud recognition of the Dutch hybrid language Hoogs, the fact Knootoss has the leading seat, is a let-down for many. Angry voices who claim to be 'in the know' or 'connected with insiders' say Knootoss regrets giving Guffingford independence especially after the major platnium deposits near Änglenbach were discovered in the spring of 1906, the first gold rush in Oos Seeland and the second gold rush near Oudenbosch in 1923.

[Knootoss]

From: Trouw

Pink Bunny Cola opens new Sisgardia HQ

BOGATYR – Festivities in Tarasovka yesterday at the official opening of the Pink Bunny Cola Incorporated distribution and processing centre in Sisgardia. (PBC Inc. Sigardia) The Knootoss/Pacitalia centred cola giant owned by the Bunny King is opening a large inter-regional distribution centre aimed at Sigardia and southern Tareldanore, as well as a plant for the developing of Pacitalian kola beans using modern agri-research techniques.

There was a big display of pink fireworks over the old Taraskovyan city as Archduke Viktor, the second step cousin of the Grand Duke, officially opened the PBC Inc. Headquarters by cutting a ribbon. Victor is on the VerTech Admin Council and leads the immensely wealthy 'Orlov' jewellery house, of which Galadriël Táralóm nos Círdan is one of the more famous Knootian clients.

The deepwater port of Bogatyr naturally services Vigvar and all of the northern Fiefdoms in the Grand Duchy of Tarasovka, but an expansion is being constructed for Pink Bunny Colas more interregional needs. Arkhangelsk and Var-Vilena, also in Tarasovka, were also considered but ultimately rejected. The corporation believes it can profit from the new-found political stability in Tarasovka to set up an efficient and insurable distribution centre, while at the same time benefiting from the Tarasovkyan expertise in high-end agrifoods research to improve its products. Markets in Knootoss were generally confident, and Pink Bunny Cola stocks rose by 0.5%

[Tarasovka]

From the Vigvar Daily

Grand Ducal Parliament ratifies the Vigvar Convention despite strong NPCA opposition.

Yesterday both chambers of the Grand Ducal Parliament ratified the Vigvar Convention on Cooperation. The National Patriotic Christian Alliance put up a fight and threatened to initiate a popular referendum on the issue.

As expected, the majority Loyalist Coalition overwhelmingly backed the text of the Convention in Parliament. They were joined by some deputies from the Liberal Socialist Party, even if the majority of the Left-Wing opposition preferred to abstain from voting. The two Communist deputies voted against the treaty, siding with the Nationalists for the first time in the history of the Taraskovyan Parliament.

The NPCA, however, has promised that it would initiate a referendum on the issue in accordance with the Article 115 of the Grand Ducal Constitution and campaign for a rejection of the treaty by the population of the Grand Duchy. “This treaty does not answer the interests of the Taraskovyan people and we shall do everything we need for the voice of our people to be heard,” Count Bogoslavov, leader of the NPCA, has stated. It is expected that his party will have no trouble gathering the required amount of signatures and hold a referendum within the 100 days foreseen by law, even if, judging by information gathered from several opinion polls, the popular referendum would support the Convention.

Whilst the Parliament was debating the motion, half a thousand young nationalists attempted to approach the Northwind Palace and disrupt the session. Since the demonstrators were forbidden to approach the seat of the Parliament, riot police moved in to break up the crowd. Several dozen people were arrested. Groups of masked young men appeared sporadically over the Capital City, but their activities were limited to spraying graffiti or throwing paint buckets at buildings housing Knootian interests. Police officers arrested two nationalist teenagers that attempted to throw a bucket of yellow paint at the Knootian Embassy; an officer got painted in the process.

In the Outer Ring, an important crowd of approximately ten thousand people was blocked by riot police from entering the bridges leading to the Capital City. No violence was reported and the crowd dispersed by itself towards the evening, traffic through the blocked transport lanes was restored by nightfall.

[Tarasovka]

From the Vigvar Daily

Taraskovyan Senator marries Knootian Minister.

Festivities are most certainly going on today in Pereslavl in good spirit with Russian partying traditions. One might wonder about the reason? Yesterday, the only Liberal Socialist Taraskovyan Senator married the Knootian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“In the name of the Taraskovyan State, I hereby declare you husband and wife. May the Gods you pray to watch over you.” The mayor of Pereslavl recited the line ceremoniously, just as he did for so many other weddings in the past. Alexei the broom kissed Femke the bride and the audience applauded. The city hall was actually packed with people, be they family, friends, members of the Liberal Socialist Party or of the Knootian Green Party, or even the Speaker of the Grand Ducal Senate.

After the official part of the event was over, the party began. Taraskovyans don’t really need a reason to throw in a party, but when they get one, one better watch out. And when such an important bride accepts to change her surname to that of her husband, it only adds vodka to the fire. The newlyweds and their guests retired to Vologov’s Estate and celebrated there, under the cheering of the Knootians and the traditional “Gor’ko!” of the Taraskovyans, which forced the newlyweds to stand up quite a few times to share a kiss.

During the festivities, two other important guests briefly dropped by to see the Vologdovs, namely the Taraskovyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Knootian Prime Minister. No details are available as of whether they profited from the occasion to share a talk on anything official.

And even as the event is a purely personal one for the two people, there might be political implications for both. It would appear that the event strengthened Alexei Vologdov’s position within the Liberal Socialist Party, whilst it did spark some controversy with the Taraskovyan Church, for the Count decided not to have a religious ceremony after the secular one. As far as religion goes, Femke Vologdova might also face some controversy in Knootoss, where atheist feelings are strong.

Regardless of what the public might think of them, it is no doubt that the best news for the couple was the fact that Vladislav Vologdov, the Count’s son from his first marriage, welcomed the news and blessed the union. Unfortunately, Vladislav, a Captain in the 1st Airborne Division currently deployed in the southern Tavarothian Provinces, could not attend the wedding of his father due to ongoing clashes with local guerillas.

[Tarasovka]

From the Vigvar Daily

A coup for the Nationalists: the Taraskovyan People ratifies the Vigvar Convention

Despite a strong NPCA campaign, the Taraskovyan People has supported the Vigvar Convention on Cooperation, defended not only by the Loyalists, but also by a large number of Left-wing parties.

The major fear that haunted the referendum was that the People would not bother to vote and let the supporters of the National Patriotic Christian Alliance reject it. The Loyalist and the Left-wing Coalitions have been constantly promoting the text and calling their voters to ratify it. It would seem that their arguments worked as Taraskovyans voted en masse through the electronic bulletins, the final voter turnout nearing 72%.

All in all, 62,17% of voters backed the Vigvar Convention on Cooperation, which expands the bilateral relations between the Grand Duchy and the Dutch Democratic Republic. The rest voted against, with a small number of bulletins invalidated due to a non-respect of the filling in rules. All in all, the results come as a slap to the face of the Nationalist opposition that is hostile to an opening of the Grand Duchy to the outside world.

“We are all entitled to making errors, even the Taraskovyan people. But I am sure that once they realise the error they have committed Taraskovyans shall demand a voiding of the Convention,” Count Alexander Bogoslavov, leader of the NPCA, has stated when commenting the results during a press conference. “Improving relations with an atheist, godless republic is the surest way to an abyss.”

“The results reflect the present situation of the Grand Duchy that can no longer be content with sitting in its corner and accumulating riches from its natural resources,” Duke Anatoly Orlov, one of the leaders of the Conservative Party, has declared while commenting the results. “Expansion of trade and cooperation between the Grand Duchy and its partners is important to ensure the continued prosperity of our country.”

Yet, the most ardent supporters of the agreement were the Liberal Socialists. “Knootoss is a proof that the republican form of government, as long as it is not a military dictatorship in the style of the Ruling Council, is very successful. I am sure that eventually the Taraskovyan People shall realise it,” Dragica Liubenova, leader of the LSP, said with a smile as she gave a press conference. “It may not be a treaty of international importance, such as some other organizations and alliances out there, yet it is already an other in a series of steps taken in the right direction.”

It is unknown whether the Vigvar Convention is the first in a series of bilateral treaties between the Grand Duchy and its various parties. The Loyalist Coalition did mention that it shall work on promoting cooperation with the Grand Duchy's 'key partners'.