#begroun

Good people of Begroun, we at the Consulate are happy to announce that new legislative breakthroughs have, for the first time, made it possible to reveal the identity of the First Grand Consul of Begroun. You may find this information below the cut.

After spending some months in negotiation and planning, we at the Consulate are proud to announce the first in a series of helpful interventional measures in the Dracean region: the Trans-Canal Provisional Ward!

Long has it been a concern among the people of Begroun that political instabilities in our neighboring country may metastasize into domestic unrest. Indeed, given the current power vacuum in the area following the frequent regime changes of the past few years, the Consulate have determined that it would be irresponsible of us to stand idly by and allow the situation in the area to degenerate further. As a result, we have exercised eminent-domain privileges to redraw treaty boundaries and establish a forward region of Begrouni influence across the canal, to provide support and stability to our neighbors. We will be establishing martial law in the area until we have a more complete understanding of the measures required to return to a state of peace, at which point we plan to implement mutual resettlement and infrastructural redevelopment programs to ensure Dracea can build itself a strong foundation for the future.

In the wake of Dracea's withdrawal from the Allied Effective, tensions at home and abroad are on the rise. Our eastern border is now playing host to a tacit standoff, and intelligence suggests that various malefactors may be intent on swaying our neighbors to sympathy with them.

In times like these, it is important that every citizen of Begroun remain vigilant. Keep an eye out for dissidents in your midst. Strengthen your mind against foreign propaganda. Check in regularly at your local government building, and if possible, do so more frequently than is required by law. We play our part here at the Consulate, but at the end of the day, the common people are this nation's backbone.

That said, news is not all grim today. We are cordially extending an invitation to all member states of the Allied Effective, as well as our non-member allies, to send envoys to a trade and strategy conference which we will be hosting in December of this year. This month will also be declared a Category Epsilon Festival Event, so anticipate shortened work weeks and municipal light shows. At this time the Office of the Ninth Consul also wishes to issue a general reminder that vendor license restrictions are only loosened two degrees in a Category Epsilon, and anyone found to be serving food or drink deemed illicit under the Recipro-Eckerstrom Act will be subject to total asset seizure and up to 90 days' imprisonment.

It is a momentous day here at the Chambers of the Consulate, and just as much throughout this glorious nation. Our diplomats have worked long and hard to draw up a treaty with the Allied Effective, and as of today we can officially announce that Begroun is a member state, the second in the whole of Zapita!

Our Dracean neighbors are likely to follow suit, meaning that we will have an incredible host of allies both at home and abroad. And to think, this is happening right before our election! Whoever our new president is, we here are sure they'll have their hands full establishing embassies and managing trade.