[War] World Report, Volume 5

Thu Nov 1 14:10:29 EDT 2007

WAR: World Report, Volume 5

- For all actions since Volume 4, advancing the timeline to April 1 - 
April 14, 2013

United Nations Security Council (Permanent Members): United States, 
United Kingdom, France, China, Russia

United Nations Security Council (Non-Permanent Members):
Until September, 2013:  India, Egypt, Norway, Mexico, Venezuela
Until October, 2013:  Canada, Chile, Italy, South Africa, Japan

Pending UN Security Council Actions: None
Pending UN General Assembly Actions: None
United Nations Secretariat: No news.
==============
GM Babble:

Okay the grand experiment begins, can WAR actually have a timely WR or will it prove to be pie in the sky? Tune in two-weeks and find out.

Seriously though, I am setting the posting deadline for posts to be included in Volume 6 at November 12th and I anticipate the WR coming out by the 16th at the latest. Enjoy.

-Ian

===============================================

WORLD NEWS (Please review the following topics for potential posting 
fodder):

Lukashenko Promises to Cut off Russian Oil if Demands are Not Met.

Minsk – After the failure of another round of talks between Russian and Belarusian officials President Lukashenko announced that he would cut off the Russian owned pipeline running through his country if his demands for lower oil and gas prices were not met.

Reinforcing the President's claim, Belarusian military units have been reported moving towards the pipeline running through Belarus from Russia. While President Nemerenko has yet to make an official statement, there has been increased military activity on the Russian-Belarus border since the announcement and sources inside the Kremlin describe the President's reaction to these threats as 'grim'.

Lukashenko, who was originally elected in 1994, has faced a steady decline of popularity since the world-wide recession of 2010, which coupled with rising oil prices has caused the Belarusian economy to stagnate. In recent months demonstrations against the President have become commonplace and equally common are the bloody clashes with the police and military that follow. Despite the fact the military and police have so far remained loyal to the embattled President many experts believe it is only a matter of time before Lukashenko is forced to resign, and believe this threat is a desperate move on his part to keep power.

Chinese Officials Implicated in Work Camp Corruption Scandal

Beijing – Several members of the Ministry of Security including Deputy Minister for Prisons were implicated in a conspiracy to use prisoners in manufacturing goods for a company owned by members of Hong’s government. 

The situation was revealed by Human Rights Watch in a press conference which included hidden camera video of the prisoners producing children’s toys for sale in the United States and other places around the world. 

While there has been no official statement from the Hong government numerous groups have spoken out against China and protests have begun to appear during President Hong’s tour of national capitals. The bloodiest of which took place in Venezuela where government troops responded to gas bombs by firing into the crowd. 10 protesters were killed and more are said to be have been wounded. 

[More News Coming as Flash Reports…]

ACTION RESPONSES
=============================

CANADA

Population Approval: 58%
Government Approval: 56%
International Favor: 56%
Economic Growth: 2.4% Average
Inflation: 1.8%
Unemployment: 6.9%
----------------------------------

The agreement with China goes over well with the majority of Canadians who see opening new markets, getting cheaper goods and helping the North Koreans as good things. At the same time the NDP has attacked MacIntyre for pandering to China and has called for him to renounce China’s occupation of North Korea as illegal; a sentiment echoed by many in the Korean community. However they have dialled down the rhetoric after the Prime Minister gave a statement calling for a free and democratic North Korea.

While it has gotten little press with China looming large in the news the adoption of the U-212 has been met with approval from both the Ministry of Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces who are both eager to keep the ball rolling and seal the deal.

=============================================

CHINA (PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF)

Population Approval: 59%
Government Approval: 61%
International Favour: 49%
Economic Growth: 9.6%, high
Inflation: 2.7%
Unemployment: 10.3%
----------------------------------

Both the government and the people are pleased with President Hong’s new gravitas on the world stage. The successful conclusion of the Beijing Summit in addition to completing a beneficial trade deal with Canada and the world diplomatic tour has heads nodding at home even if the discovery of fresh human rights abuses have made the President’s reception less than warm on some of her stops.

However the world diplomatic tour has shown some success. Cuba, Venezuela, Sudan and Zimbabwe were very welcoming to the Chinese president and significant improvements in relations were made on all four stops with the other stops being polite but not very receptive to furthering Chinese relations in light of the scandal.

=============================================

FRANCE

Population Approval: 59%
Government Approval: 56%
International Favor: 54%
Economic Growth: 2%
Inflation: 2.6%
Unemployment: 8%
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Reactions to the draft letter from France in regards to the EU are
mixed. A uniform code of business is accepted by the EU's business
community as a good step in helping expand and improve the Union's
economy in the face of increasing competition from the USA, India,
China and their (supposed) Japanese and Russian partners. Further, the
clear signs that Paris is becoming more pro-EU and Germany's support
is adding weight to reform and expansion of the group, if only
slightly. Britain's reaction will be an important determinant.

==============================================

GERMANY

Population Approval: 56.2%
Government Approval: 55%
International Favor: 55%
Economic Growth: 2.8%
Inflation: 1.8%
Unemployment: 6.7%
----------------------------------------------------------

'Welfare to Work' managed to squeak by in the Bundestag despite much
fighting between both sides. Minority leftist elements in the SPD
have been critical of the 'tough love approach' the plan takes and
have expressed fears the government might be manipulating the
situation to simply cut welfare handouts to needy citizens. The CDU
has been much more critical, expressing qualms about the cost of the
program in a time of capital shortfall for the government. Many CDU
members have advocated a general cutback in all welfare programs to
'force' the unemployed to seek work on their own, without cost to the
government.

Still, more moderate heads have prevailed in both parties and the
smaller groups in parliament and the WTOW legislation has passed. The
long-term future of the Lehman government may very well ride upon its
success.

Pundits have noted Lehman's support of the new pro-EU initiative on
France's behalf as a smart move. At the very least, a uniform code of
business will work to the benefit of Germany, still the economic and
export powerhouse of the Union despite the country's labour and
employment woes.

==============================================

JAPAN

Population Approval: 63%
Government Approval: 58%
International Favor: 60%
Economic Growth: 3.2%
Inflation: 0.6%
Unemployment: 3.9%
----------------------------------------------------------

With the occupation of North Korea by the PLA weighing heavily upon
the minds of many people, the Prime Minister's efforts towards
building better relations with China and trying to move Japan into a
position of investment into the reconstruction effort has been widely
approved by both the government, business community and populace at
large. If China agrees to Japan's terms, it could have a very
beneficial effect upon the country's economy.

Former PM Sakai has accepted the position as the head of the
Sino-Japanese Co-operation committee, securing another political
victory for the current PM. Sakai's expertise in foreign relations is
considered to be a strong advantage for the Committee, and his
acceptance has also eliminated a rival within the party that still has
a significant following.

The annoyance of the American government is simply shrugged off
without much concern from the Diet. The United States is not a stone's
throw away from China, and if this diplomatic row does escalate it is
not likely to impact the Sato government's approval.

======================================================

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Population Approval: 58%
Government Approval: 59%
International Favor: 56%
Economic Growth: 3.45%, Average.
Inflation: 2.5%
Unemployment: 5.3%
----------------------------------------------------------

No news to report.

=============================================

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Population Approval: 60%
Government Approval: 58%
International Favour: 63%
Economic Growth: 2.9%
Inflation: 3.3%
Unemployment: 4.6%
----------------------

Despite the grumbling between the US and Japan, it has been a positive two-weeks for President Williams. India and Congress has responded favourably to the idea of improved trade relations and while talks for formalizing a bi-lateral trade agreement are on-going, they have eagerly agreed to streamlining the flow of their goods to the US market.

Unfortunately, the ADS looks destined to be shelved again. While legally nothing prevents the government from using it on Americans, nobody in on the discussion could quite find a way around the PR side of using a ‘pain ray’ on Americans effectively killing the project. The only way it will see use in the field is by order of the President.

In response to what is being called the ‘Chinese slavery scandal’ in the US press, Democrats in the House have put forward a bill that if passed will allow the CPSC and US Customs to ban products who have been produced in what a “reasonable person may equate” to slavery, bondage, involuntary servitude or incarceration. The bill is expected to pass the House and Senate with little opposition.

Lastly, Congress continues to demand action on the part of the White House on the Chinese occupation of North Korea despite talks in “The Tank” there has yet to be a real course of action put forward by the Williams Administration.

=============================================

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

NOTE: Initial indicators were gleaned from as recent sources as
possible, for the most recent term possible (annualized). In some
cases, the numbers used are published estimates, but the English-
speaking nations' data is more or less right from the source.

Depression: Economic forces retracting uncontrolably and at a
dangerous pace with little end in sight.

Recession: Economic forces retracting, but more shallow than
Depression and more controlably. Sometimes necessary and part of
regular economic trends, although prelonged.

Revision: Economic forces retracting slightly and short term,
associated with economic systems refitting to accomodate new
industries, concentrations, etc.

Zero: No movement one way or the other.
Low: Comparatively low Economic growth/activity. (miniscule to about
2%, depending)
Good: Average economic activity (ranging from 2%-5% normally)
High: Above average performance (Greater than 5%) Sometimes
dangerous if in excess of 8% continuously.

SITES OF INTEREST

WAR Website: http://war.dagarcia.net/
Nova Horizon Simulations: http://www.novahorizon.com
United Nations: http://www.un.org/
Central Intelligence Agency: http://www.cia.gov/
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
Federation of American Scientists: http://www.fas.org/
GlobalSecurity.org: http://www.globalsecurity.org/
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/
BBC: http://www.bbc.com/
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

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