a GUIde to neutraLiTY

Joy, happiness regained! After months – nay, years! – of bloody struggle, peace has returned to Ecoumenia. And if this peace was restored thanks to a series of military victories by the alliance, I, Guignolandia, will do everything in my power to preserve it through dialogue and diplomacy. Thus, from this day forth and for the remainder of my history, I make neutrality in the world’s disagreements and conflicts the central principle of my international relations policy. The world shall fare well! And should it, by misfortune, once again fall into the throes of violence, it would in no way be the fault of the neutral and irreproachable Guignolandia.

An agitator was arrested today in Timoria. He was attempting to undermine democracy there by stirring up belligerent and vengeful ideals. It is truly sad that such individuals still exist in Ecoumenia today... But the fact that he was intercepted and detained so quickly warms my heart: such troublemakers have no place on our continent anymore, and have become outcasts to whom no one would dare lend any credibility. There is no chance of us falling back into armed violence if its only advocates are such eccentrics!

My neighbours, led by Afelia, have worked towards the signing of a treaty with Timoria. It notably defines the entirety of its borders. While I remain convinced that continental neutrality alone would suffice to preserve peace in Ecoumenia, I can only applaud this precaution which makes the likelihood of another war on our continent even more remote. The Timorian representatives, for their part, signed it without hesitation. How glad I am to see everyone working toward our common happiness and prosperity!

The very man who sowed unrest in Timoria barely a decade ago has now been elected head of its government. How happy I am to see that even yesterday’s sceptics are today won over by the democratic process and the values of peace and collective prosperity that guide us! Yet another proof, if any were still needed, that Guignolandia made the right choice at the end of the last conflict. Vengeance has never led anywhere, and it seems our neighbours have finally understood that — no doubt thanks to our many efforts to promote the virtues of neutrality beyond our borders. May this blessed situation last forever!

Timoria, under the leadership of the former troublemaker, has today enacted the beginning of its rearmament, thereby violating the treaties signed back in Year CXXVII... On the other hand, I can understand this decision. After all, isn’t a strong army the most effective means to deter one’s neighbours from invasion and thus, by extension, to preserve peace on the continent? It’s decided: Guignolandia will not condemn this decision. Its neutrality must not call into question the choice of one of its neighbours so long as its own borders are not directly threatened.

A treaty was signed today. It notably formalises the cession of a Thusanian border territory to Timoria. Many condemn this. In my historical and unwavering neutrality, I do not. Nothing should stand in the way of preserving peace on the continent: this territory will no doubt satisfy the territorial appetite of my restless neighbour. Besides, these territories were mostly Timorian-speaking: this is therefore nothing but Justice. A wise decision, allowing us once again to avoid a flare-up of war in Ecoumenia: what a success, what a pride!

Today, Timoria has invaded the rest of Thusania. It will likely offer little resistance... We were its ally during the last conflict but chose to end all our alliance treaties in order to prevent an escalation of conflict in Ecoumenia. We remain convinced that such a form of neutrality is the only way to preserve peace on the continent, and so Guignolandia will remain a mere observer of this breach of borders. Moreover, there is good reason to believe that with this operation, Timoria will have finally satisfied its hunger for territory: there is no need to add fuel to the fire.

One year later, Timoria strikes again, this time attacking its historical enemy: Afelia. I am truly saddened that war has made its grand return to Ecoumenia. Guignolandia hopes with all its heart that Afelia and Timoria will act with collective wisdom to protect our continent from another bloodbath.

How happy I am! Today, Afelia has taken the wise decision to surrender. Moreover, it has announced its intention to cooperate with Timoria in the future. Some resistance can of course still be observed, but I have no doubt that dear Afelia will adapt without difficulty to Timorian customs and that this willing submission will become one of the cornerstones of the new order of peace that will reign over our continent.

Timoria has today, on this fine winter day, decided to evacuate the troublemaking populations from the territories under its control. What excellent news: these undesirables will no longer threaten the peace in our beautiful Ecoumenian lands. Due to my neutrality, I of course remain outside all such logistical matters but view favourably the efforts undertaken by Timoria to preserve peace within its borders. Afelia, for its part, has expressed its readiness to cooperate: our continent surely has bright days ahead!

Given its inefficiency and the burden it had become, submissive Afelia has today agreed to be fully annexed into the Timorian Empire. Resistance was, of course, observed, but I have no doubt Timoria will know how to bring it to an end. We have also agreed to let their troops cross our territory in order to reach certain sensitive Afelian areas more quickly. This decision does not in any way undermine our historic neutrality. It might even strengthen it: by allowing free passage through our territory, we neither support nor oppose anyone’s actions. Things are surely fairer this way.

A rebellious Afelian entity contacted us yesterday. They wish that, if we cannot assist them militarily, we at least welcome their undesirable refugees so that they are not evacuated by the Timorian armies. We shall, of course, refuse this fanciful request which would completely undermine our neutrality in continental affairs by supporting a terrorist group upholding a belligerent cause. Timoria knows what it must do.

Da Mqdsjix vfyk a izftgsx l’rfsnwwerwr gwkvw ltvxyw phci ps lxci. Rgul imsfs uqvr kuk itgwpmm. Rmfsb, vfw wcaiekws lmisft yitmdimmj il nhbii holqkmgn lmdfdeki gpms gmlxje t tvyj eziih. Wlem r vwceidi vaga ci eefm kiepl lv tguowzv vilxfwwr wm eslrx iiqwe xb zrleknvvwr wiew fomzv tglbbzume bvkijixcii: uofuvrl rxnlwwr wiew hrxvuvw ptzkmw chvkvw nhbii nobazr lifwimwn? Gwlw scvmgxgnl lfru dx jfr uoxci gwtmm gvgphazxaog.

Da mitlw dx xrgafbkrxaog lv p’Sfxtzi wttqk xjoi oiefdx, uvqw phci ps gewimwulm Kmeokqv : yfe lwcylihv ievivici s anrfyjd’acz ile izzww: cxtci v’umqcmkek t’rvee S (ce ksz ailxwmxvk qgrmmc e hrhxrkstbwe vspblv) exig l’vr wlbuzrwr mwlw del prfattvkw. Da Mqdsjix i tijttqeieegb ieashv u’eyik izrki: kmgimpemi gw txzimlobzv h’anwqmmvul zvwhevbrfdel mk swuozrrl phci ps ptqo wwrt kvvlabvvqwnm xcyk rtxzhw, sbugpw em mwjactkv ume wm kiftxz ui xabzv umob yli ue lwzx ve vm gimpem u’Myntzvw teetzumenf. Yimrxcjieegb hyw nhcj emtkmj kmizvfpsnwqvrk aoiex ku yizvw pkmlzw d’bvkidlbovrue xv iikttvk rwumzvw wt xv e’mftxzwijagb gek aomt pws izfnwtl bzqgrbmew.