Public Service Announcements by the Republic of Liberty

[The Republic Of Liberty]

The Empire of Kusari and the Supply of Fuel;

Ladies and gentlemen, the last six months has been a trying time for us all.

Our economy slowed and hardworking Libertonians struggled to come to terms with the rising price of fuel. Our businesses, large and small, were forced to economise on its use. Some ships even struggled to moor, running on the fumes of their fuel tanks in a bid to reach their destinations.

As we all know, the reason for this wasn't a genuine shortage in the Sigma cluster, but the illegal intervention of the former Emperor, Jien Kogen, in restricting trade. He claimed this to be a product of an arms exchange between the Republic of Liberty and the Kingdom of Bretonia. Even if this were true, I ask... what business did he have in intervening in our foreign relations affairs? The exchange was legal and fair, and is exactly the same as the Empire making use of the war machines produced in the Federal Republic of Rheinland. Yet, he would not hear the words of reason from all around, instead clutching to his enfeebled ideas and warlike nature. His heart was set on attacking this house, as it was set on attacking our allies.

And because of his will, the will of one man, we were made to suffer undue hardship. If anything, this is an illustration for us all that tyranny is the enemy of prosperity. Yet, despite the responsibility on his head, we should not celebrate his exile. There are those that benefited from his regime, few and far between as they are, and those that suffered as well. The fall of a head of state is always a regretful day, and we should show the new Empire of Kusari, and her Emperor, our respect and support for the days ahead.

A new ruler and a new government signals the normalisation of relations with the Empire of Kusari. This means that I can announce that fuel supplies are climbing back up to levels seen since before the blockade. For you, I and Libertonians everywhere, we can once again return to the era of affordable fuel and transport.

That is not to say that we are abandoning our projects to diversify our fuel supply. In fact, this government plans to strengthen them further, to protect the Republic from future malicious foreign intervention. Becoming self-reliant is not simply a matter of great importance, it is a matter of national security! The supply of energy has been said to be the currency of the present, even though we still rely on credits. It is this currency that the Republic of Liberty will find its new strength in, to protect her domestic and her international interests from all who stand in her way.

Never again will the Republic of Liberty be held ransom by any other. We will provide for ourselves what others would use as weapons against us. God favours the brave, and we will be brave in this undertaking!

We will make this nation great again!

- William Hawthorne, Secretary of State for Trade and Economics.

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