Mapocalypse Now!

They said it would never happen. They said it couldn't be done. But today saw the launch of a new mapping service, and a consequential en-masse resignation of nine nations (so far) from an long-established micronational mapmaker.

The Geographical Standards Organisation is the new map on the block, and nine nations have already resigned from the venerable Micronational Cartography Society to join it, citing various reasons to do so, including dissatisfaction with the MCS, and the GSO having a better map.

The catalyst for the split occurred in April, after the MCS started to put its map on an "Atkins diet", belatedly held a vote about it, and controversially started backtracking on the previously non-negotiable reductions. The MCS had also previously ignored the 2005 mapping conference COMSAV, which had examined ways of improving the MCS Micras system. While the results of the Atkins Vote looked good for the MCS, some of the voters obviously hadn't been that truthful, as several disaffected nations met soon afterwards in secret to find a permanent solution to their problems, which they did not believe could be found within the MCS. The result, four months later, is the GSO, with most of the creative work having being by John Darcy of Anthelia and Lachlan Powers of the Grand Commonwealth.

The aim of the GSO is to operate a more realistic simulation of planetary mapping than its rival. To begin with, a physical map of a new planet named 'Giess' has been developed, with a detailed geographical backstory for its appearance. Two continents have been left 'unexplored' to assist with the simulated aspects of mapping and exploration.

The nations on Giess will also have more control over their depicted territories with regards to the "development of territories, negotiation of borders, exploitation of resources" and their eventual "decline and disappearance", within an overall framework of rules and guidelines managed by the GSO. They can also produce their own national maps from the GSO maps, at a level for detail that the GSO would not publish itself.

Nations on Giess will also be equal partners in the ownership of the GSO, which has its own elected board of directors and separate committees for managing admissions and designing maps.

The founding members of the GSO are Alexandria, Anthelia, Gotzborg, The Grand Commonwealth, Lemuria, New Brittania, Oscland, Paulovia, Stormark and Treithar, and the current board of directors comprises Lachlan Powers of the Grand Commonwealth, John Darcy of Anthelia, and Ben Gray of Treithar, who is also the President, and was unfortunately unavailable for comment.

Taoiseach Announces New Cabinet: Builds Fences

THE APADANA, SAHANSARI-TARA; Newly elected Taoiseach, Lachlan Powers, has announced the new line up of Chancellors to administer the Micras spanning Grand Commonwealth. To tackle the mission the Taoiseach has set himself of bringing new life to the sprawling empire Lachlan has appointed the same familiar faces from the preceeding Ackbar Administration, the only ommission being Rakesh Ackbar himself, whose career is believed widely to be suffering from an excessive social life at university. Otherwise the continuity in personnel is striking.



Executive Order 006 was issued on Sunday 13 November 2005/Yekshanbeh 22 Aban 1384/2291 ASC. The appointments made are as follows:

Ardashir Khan Osmani, the Osman Shahanshah of Babkha, continues in the post of Protector of the Grand Commonwealth, a position that makes him defacto ruler of the Grand Commonwealth if the Taoiseach is absent from duty for any longer than a specified period of time; Darius Rugahi remains at the Gate of All Nations as Chancellor of External Affairs and Sir Iain de Vembria consolidates the control of his Secretariat over the internal workings of the Commonwealth as Chancellor of Internal Affairs.

The biggest shake up has been to the most active Chancellery, that of Defence in the Plaza of the Army. The office of the Chancellor of Defence has been replaced by two new positions - Chancellor of the Northern Fences and Chancellor of the Southern Fences, with the Chancellor of the Northern Fences taking responsibility for the defence of Treesia, Alteria, Zemlya and Karnali, while the Chancellor of the Southern Fences will take responsibility for the defence of Aerlig, Aundentia Nova, Babkha, Palastina and the Skerries. Defence of the Northern Fences falls to Tribune Extreme Double-O Seven of Karnali, while defence of the Southern Fences becomes the responsibility of Protector and Shahanshah Ardashir Khan Osmani of Babkha.

With this reorganisation Babkha and Karnali will continue to be at the forefront of creating an aggressive, assertive and Shireroth beating armed force, building on the glorious victories in the Jaris War and the defence of Elwynn.

Commonwealth swings into electoral mode

Tara, CCT- Electoral debate has flared up in the Commonwealth Capital with the current Taoiseach, Rakesh Ackbar, announcing his intention to run for a second term as Taoiseach against Aerlish Protector Lachlan Powers, who announced his candidacy some days earlier.

Ackbar and Powers made their first campaign speeches in the capital's Great Plaza during the week, with Powers speech "Plans for the Summer" followed by Ackbar's launch "Plans for the Winter". Whether the differences in proposed weather conditions will swing some voters is still undecided.

Powers stated in his speech that he wished to capitalise on the EIFA events coming to the Commonwealth over the summer to attract new visitors, while overhauling the electoral systems for both the Shahan-Ri and the Majlis-i-Dharma. He has also announced plans for the creation of a High Court and wishes to draw Commonwealth citizens back from Shireroth, where their participation is "...a sin to the rising sun itself...".

Ackbar focused in his speech on strengthening the power of the Commonwealth, and indicated taking action against nations of the Commonwealth who have recently moved away from democracy. He also seconded a number of the ideas put forward by Powers in his proposal. Powers was quick to attack the Taoiseach's proposal however, claiming it was a violation of the rights of the individual member states to run their affairs as they see fit.

It appears that, should no other candidate step up, this election may turn into a battle between those fighting for individual liberty in all nations and those fighting for the liberty of the member nations. Who will win, the National Liberals or the Individual Liberals? Find out by keeping tuned to the Apollo Inquisitor...

Treesia Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary

HALBERD LIGHTHOUSE, SOVEREIGN ORDER OF TREESIA - Treesia celebrated its fifth anniversary today and the event was celebrated in style with key supporters being honoured with some unique awards.

Although it was originally founded back in the mists of micronational history by the infamous Thomas Hubert, it was refounded as the Barony of Treesia and Fabon on October 20th 2000 by Eoin Dornan, following a successful coup backed by the long-defunct Republic of Blackrock. Following a very successful period of expansion as the United Baronies, the focus in recent months has been as the Sovereign Order of Treesia, concentrating on preserving its heritage and co-founding the Grand Commonwealth.

The celebratory awards comprised the following honours:

The Medallion of the Orchids was awarded to Sir Thomas Cutterham in "recognition of his creative work for the Treesian Unorthodox Church", the Collar of Carradu was awarded to Sir Cesare Agosto for his "tenacious talents in the footballing arena", the Standard of the March Breeze was awarded to Sir Ardashir Osmani, for his efforts in "daring to invade Treesia every year for four years", the Golden Belt of Cynos was awarded to Squire Lachlan Powers for co-creating the Grand Commonwealth, while the Shield of the Silver Hind was awarded to Sir Eoin Dornan for "making it all possible in the first place".

World Cup Host Announced

Trenton-Corio, AU, Aerlig- EIFA Chairman Lachlan Powers today announced that the Republic of Karnali will host the fourth annual EIFA World Cup.

The Chairman made the announcement at the EIFA Headquarters in Trenton to a packed room, who were eagerly waiting to find out the host of the years biggest intermicronatonal event. The event has grown in past years with some 28 teams participating in last years Cup, which was held in Babkha.

Karnali is expected to get underway almost immediately with planning for the event, before calling for entries in early November. Powers stated that he was expecting around the same number of teams to participate in the competition again. It is believed that should large numbers of nations enter again, entry may be restricted to English speaking nations, after German nations invaded last years Cup.

Favourites for this year’s cup will remain Karnali, especially now that they have the home ground advantage. Traditional number ones Treesia are also expected to present a challenge for the cup, along with Babkha, who failed to make the finals when they hosted the tournament last year.

Protector Enacts Section Three

Statesman House- Adelwin, Aerlig- For the first time in the history of the Republic of Aerlig, the Protector of the Republic, Lachlan Powers, has enacted Section Three of the Constitution, enabling him to take up the responsibilities of the Parliament.

The section, which has existed in the constitution since it was written in 2001, enables the Protector to take over the responsibilities of any national office that fails in its duties to the nation. Since the branch of government that the Protector says has failed is the Parliament, the Protector may take on the full legislative and executive functions of the Government, powers which were recently strengthened in the constitutional referendum.

The Protector declared today at 12:30 on the steps of Statesman House that the Parliament had fallen into inactivity, and had therefore failed the people, and as a result he would be taking over the Government of the nation.

The believed cause of this action is the fact that two pieces of legislation have been sitting in the Parliamentary chamber for debate for over a week now. The Protector was quick to rush through the National Gazette Act of 2005 and the Re-enactment Act of 2005 as soon as he assumed power.

How long the Protector will retain office for is yet to be seen, but his actions are expected to stir up some debate within the Aerlig community.

Beginnings of the Grand Commonwealth (Part I)

It has been suggested by a number of micronationalists that the Grand Commonwealth was designed from the outset to be a counterweight to Shirerothian supremacy in the microworld. Others have also resorted to referring to the Commonwealth as Greater Babkha, unaware of the true history that lies behind the formation of the grand nation. The first thoughts of a Commonwealth started a little under a year ago, when Lachlan Powers (Aerlig) and Sir Iain de Vembria met during an online conversation to discuss the direction of their two nations.

Powers and de Vembria had often discussed the plights of their two nations, which had suffered greatly from inactivity over the preceding months. It was time that some action should be taken. All of micronationalism was in a lul, and something was needed to create some activity and draw new blood into the hobby, but what? October 9th, 2004 was the birth of discussions for a new nation. While it took nearly six months from this date for the dream to become a reality, the wheels were put in motion that night for an idea that would grow much beyond the original dreams.

The removal of Apollo Foundation lands from the Micronational Cartographic Society Map was an action that was loudly criticized by micronationalists around Micras, from Shireroth to Treesia. One must often wonder how Ryan Caruso can continue his job at the top after all the hard decisions and criticism he has had to make. The decision had been made, however, and Treesia’s long lives existence on the map was being threatened. So on the 9th October, the Round Table was presented with two options- threaten the MCS or leave the Foundation and resume sovereignty over the traditional lands. Treesia had once covered lands ranging as far as Shireroth of the day, and the prospect of the nation being wiped off the map altogether was one that de Vembria couldn’t bare contemplate.

Powers, a member of the Round Table, came up with the initial laughable suggestion of Treesia becoming and Aerlish state. The suggestion though, however ridiculous it may have seemed at the time, was to give rise to what is arguably the largest, most powerful nation Micras has ever seen.

Not long after the suggestion of the Treesian state, de Vembria first floated the idea of a loose union between Treesia, Aerlig and Lemuria- A “New Apolloian [sic] Empire�. United for economics, foreign affairs and security in the first place. The laughable idea of admitting Antica was floated (which we shall see later was not so laughable), along with flooding Micras in the violent lime green colour which Aerlig possessed. Apollo fever took over, and notions were raised of contacting Harvey about the Flying Islands, Trevon about Istavanistan and considering how many different acronyms could be formed including the word Apollo.

By the 10th, Powers had spoken with Delphi Augustus of Antica, who was willing to join in discussions about the formation of a new Empire. For the next day, things stood idle, probably as life interceded, as it does. Something was clearly brewing though. With Aerlig, Treesia, Lemuria and Antica having expressed interest, there was a possibility of something big occurring. Note though that Babkha was not mentioned, nor was it even considered. As we will see, it was many months before Babkha was even associated with the project. Other nations will come and go before then, and yet the whole project will remain under wraps from Micras’s supposed top security agencies.

It was on the 9th of October that, what was so eloquently referred to at the time as the "Imperial Whatever of Thingummy" came into life as an idea.

To be continued...

New Protector for the Commonwealth

Taoiseach's Winter Office- Adelwin, Aerlig (GC)- The Taoiseach today announced the first Protector of the Commonwealth, and extended his cabinet by one with the appointment of Thomas Cutterham to two positions this morning.

In a statement in the Apadana, Taoiseach Powers announced that Mr Cutterham would take up the role of Deputy Foreign Affairs Advisor, to help clear some of the backlog of Foreign Relations currently plaguing the nation. In the same statement, Powers also announced that Cutterham would take up the position of Protector of the Commonwealth.

The Protector of the Commonwealth is empowered under the Protector of the Commonwealth Act to act as the Taoiseach while the Taoiseach is on a Leave of Absence. Taoiseach Powers shall be taking a leave of absence next week.

This will be only the second head of government in the country, with Powers serving as the Taoiseach since the nations founding in March this year.

Aerlig to hold Elections

ADELWIN, AERLIG - Aerlish Protector Lachlan Powers early this evening prorogued the Parliament on request of the citizens, calling for nominations for the twelfth parliament of the Republic.

The Protector has called for nominations to the new Parliament, which is to be made up of five members. With eight currently active citizens in the Republic, there is a strong chance of an election occurring for the available seats. During the election period, Prime Minister Carson Smith will continue to head the caretaker government.

Should an election be called, it is expected that the newly renamed Labour Party, led by Peter Krembs, will fight a strong campaign for seats in the Parliament. The new Aerlig National Party should secure at least one seat under original Aerlig citizen Joe Sendler, while the eXpansionist Party will look to gain up to three seats in the election. The Liberal Republican Party, led by former citizen and Prime Minister Kevin, is expected to lose all representation in the Parliament and consequently be stripped of party status.

Nominations are being accepted by the Protector for ten days until June 2.

More the latest news from Aerlig, keep reading the Apollo Inquisitor.

Taoiseach Condemns Illegal Activities

COMMONWEALTH CAPITAL TERRITORY, GC - The Taoiseach of the Grand Commonwealth, Lachlan Powers, today released a statement to the peoples of the Commonwealth condemning the actions of any nation who violates macronational laws.

While not specifically mentioning any nation, or condemning any nation, the Taoiseach's declaration was clearly pointed at the comments made by the Atteran Emperor late yesterday.

Taoiseach Powers made it clear that the Commonwealth would condemn any nation which

"...wilfully participates in the destruction of National Documents and Electronic Data, attempts to access documents or data to which they are not privileged, attempts to deploy codes and ‘weapons’ against the hosting and email services of anyone [and] threats to level the abovementioned means and weapons against any person or nation."

He also stated that:

"The Grand Commonwealth does not wish to seek relations with any community who acts, or supports nations who act, in a manner that is uncivilised and considered illegal in marcronational countries (including, but not limited to, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Australia), and condemns the actions of any persons who do act in such a manner. Disputes between nations should be rightfully settled through negotiation and diplomacy, not through the threat of illegal actions."

The inclusion of the phrase "from this day forward" and the lack of an official condemnation of Attera indicates that the Taoiseach may be willing to forgive the actions and comments the Emperor yesterday and work towards a peaceful outcome of the situation surrounding Santa Gertrudis.

For the latest information on the Grand Commonwealth, stay tuned to the Apollo Inquisitor.

Taoiseach Appointed

ŠÂHANŠÂHI-TARA, CCT, GRAND COMMONWEALTH - The elections for the first Taoiseach of the Grand Commonwealth has completed, with Aerlig citizen Lachlan Powers being elected.

The Majlis-i-Shahan-Ri voted unanimously to install Mr Powers as the nations first Premier, after the Babkhan nomination, Darius Rugahi, stated that he did not feel he would be able to contribute the amount of time needed to properly occupy the office.

Mr Powers has been quick to use his mandate to begin forming an Executive Cabinet of the Commonwealth, calling for citizens to apply for the positions of Foreign Affairs Advisor, Defence Advisor and Director of the Secretariat. As the Taoiseach, Powers has been given a large amount of power over the affairs of the nation, but through these actions it appears that he is prepared to share out a large proportion of the workload between the citizens.

Applications for the Cabinet positions are set to close next Wednesday, before Powers announces his Cabinet at the end of the week.

Nations Unite!

SKERRY ISLES, TREESIA In what could go down as one of the most historic announcements of all time, the Chairman of the Sovereign Order of Treesia, Sir Iain de Vembria, and His Excllency the Emir of Raspur, Ardashir Osmani, today announced the formation of the Grand Commonwealth.

The announcement of the union between five nations has stunned the micronational community, with the new nation being released with a full website and forums, the result of many months of planning.

The Republic of Aerlig, Kingdom of Alteria, Kingdom of Babkha, Empire of Lemuria and Sovereign Order of Treesia have all passed the appropriate Acts and referenda through their legislatures in private over the past month, unbeknownst to the rest of the micronational community.

Lachlan Powers, Protector of Aerlig, said "The five nations have realized that there is more to gain in pooling common resources than to remain as separate entities. Together, we can, with our combined might grow into a great micronational force."

The new capital city of the country is currently a buzz with activity with Acting Shahan-Ri His Excellency the Emir of Raspur conducting the elections for the first Taoiseach of the Commonwealth. This is combed with the general sense of jubilation following the official announcement of the new nation.

Quick Facts-
New Union's Name: The Grand Commonwealth
Member Nations: Aerlig, Alteria, Babkha, Lemuria and Treesia
National Capital: šâhanšâhi-Tara, Commonwealth Capital Territory
Head of State: Shahan-Ri Tahmaseb Shah Abakhtari (Babkha)
Head of Government: The Taoiseach, to be elected today.
Parliament: Majlis-i-Shahan-Ri
Website: http://www.grand-commonwealth.com
Forums: http://www.grand-commonwealth.com/forum

News Shorts- 6th March 2005

Adelwin, Aerlig- The Protector of the Republic Lachlan Powers has assumed the role of the Prime Minister of the Republic due to the recent inactivity of the former Prime Minister, Mr Zachary Klass. Mr Powers will remain in the role until such a time as a replacement is installed.

Treynor Proper, Treynor- The newly installed Protector of the Independent Colony of Treynor, the Protector of Aerlig Lachlan Powers, has successfully completed his first week of protection of the nation by accidentally deleting the nation’s forums. The red-faced Protector was unavailable to comment at the time of print.

Lemuria- Citizen of less than three weeks Carson Smith has resigned his citizenship in the Empire of Lemuria. Mr Smith stated that he was not compatible with Lemuria’s laid back approach to activity, and would be better suited to a more active nation.

Kamalshahr, Babkha- The 2004-05 EIFA World Cup is now into Preliminary Final mode, with 16 nations battling it out for the eight spots in the Quarter Finals. For the latest news and information about the EIFA World Cup check out our sister publication Football Fever.

Babkha- Babkha is currently at the polls until the 10^th of March. As usual, voters have a wide variety of choice in their candidates, with candidates promising rewards such as severed and bonus legs.

San Martin- There has been a revolution in San Martin, and a new monarchy has been installed. So far there appears to be little resistance to the new government.

Host the EIFA World Cup

The English Intermicronational Football League (EIFA) is now accepting applications from nations to host the 2004-2005 EIFA World Cup.

The World Cup is the biggest English Micronational sporting event, and will be held during December and January of 2004-2005. Previous hosts, the Republic of Aerlig (2002) and the Theocracy of Mediterranea (2003-04) have enjoyed a large influx of visitors into their nation as a result of hosting the Cup.

The World Cup is open to all member nations of EIFA. At present, there are 11 member nations, but EIFA always greets a number of new members at the start of each World Cup.

EIFA opens the opportunity to host the World Cup to its members, providing they meet the criteria. Prospective hosts, who meet the criteria, must submit an application to the EIFA Head Office by no later than Sunday, November 14^th 2004.

Criteria for hosting the World Cup include:

* A prospective host nation must be at least six (6) months old

* A prospective host nation must have been a member of EIFA for at least three (3) months.

* A prospective host must have an active forum which has open access to non-citizens and members

A host nation will be selected by what it can offer the World Cup and EIFA, and how it will handle such activity and responsibility. As the World Cup host, a nation will be required to:

* Maintain a stadium (forum) in which World Cup matches can be played

* Maintain a website to keep teams and spectators abreast with World Cup developments.

* In conjunction with EIFA collect, tabulate and announce results of the World Cup matches.

* In conjunction with EIFA create a fixture for the World Cup

* In conjunction with EIFA award prizes to the winners of the World Cup

* In conjunction with EIFA ensure maximum publicity of the World Cup.

If your nation is interested in hosting the World Cup, please submit an application. Applications will only be accepted via email to eifa@mncentre.net.

Lachlan Powers
Director of EIFA

Application to Host the World Cup

Official Name of Applicant Nation:
Common Name of Applicant Nation:

Link to Forums:
Link to Website:

Name of Official Representative of Applicant Nation:
Official Title of Representative of Applicant Nation:
Email Address:

In which city do you propose the World Cup be held?
What is the name of the main stadium at which games will be played?

Is your nation willing to commit the time required to assist EIFA in running the World Cup, maintaining a forum and a website?
Will your nation allow free access to visitors during the Cup?

What other plans do you have? (Prizes, ceremonies, sponsors etc).
Please attach any accompanying information regarding the above question.

Please also provide links to any information you may have about the main stadium and/or city in which the Cup will be held.

http://www.mncentre.net/images/eifa/wc0405.png

Aerlig Amends The Constitution

Adelwin, Aerlig- After the failed merger attempt with the United Baronies earlier in the year, Aerlig has finally passed a new constitution which should allow proposed amendments such as the merger to go ahead in the future.

The amended constitution, only the third time it has been changed since Aerlig's establishment in 2002, was decreed into action by Protector Lachlan Powers on the 26^th after it passed a unanimous vote by referendum.

Other alterations to the constitution will also pave the way for the long needed ability to remove citizenships from inactive citizens, some of whom have been on Aerlig's citizenship rolls from day one and have not returned. The powers of the Protector of the Republic have also been further clarified, with the Protector no longer the people's Protector, but that of the whole nation.

New Prime Minister for Aerlig

Adelwin, Aerlig- After former Prime Minister Lachlan Powers' term of more than one and a half years, it took just nineteen days for the fourth Prime Minister of the Republic, Mr Kevin Dobson, to be dismissed as head of the government.

Mr Dobson was dismissed from the Office of the Prime Minister by Protector Lachlan Powers this week, after the Protector called for a new vote of confidence due to the Prime Ministers inactivity. Mr Dobson, who has claimed the post from Mr Powers just weeks before in a 3-2 vote of parliament, was replaced with the unanimous election of newcomer Zachery Klass as the nations Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Klass was quick to move the government into gear, appointing his cabinet of ministers in just a few days. Former Prime Minister Powers, the Leader of the Opposition, was awarded with the Deputy Prime Ministership, while National Party Member Jouker Sendler was granted the Internal Affairs Portfolio. New MP Thoenen Helios has taken up the position as Aerlig's Minister of External Affairs.

The Protector announced later in the week that a by-election may soon be held to fill the vacancy left in Parliament by inactive member Dobson.

Aerlig swears in new Protector

Adelwin, Aerlig- The coronation of the fifth Aerlig Protector took place last week, with the swearing in of former Prime Minister Lachlan Powers as the nations head of state.

Crowds lined the streets of the nations new capital, Adelwin, to cheer the hometown citizen, who will be the first person from the capital city to serve in the nations top job. The ceremony saw a procession up the cities main street, Republic Drive, terminating at the top of the hill with the Oath of Office at Statesman House, the Aerlig National Parliament. Prime Minister Zachery Klass congratulated the new leader, wishing him the best of luck.

Mr Powers fills the position which has been largely vacant over the past four to five months, and is one of just two remaining original citizens of the Republic. Protector Powers immediately issued a statement drawing the Central Court under the power of the Protector, as is allowed under the constitution.

Aerlig Elections Return an Upset

Adelwin, Aerlig - The Republic of Aerlig recently completed its ninth set of elections, with an upset win to the newly formed Liberal Republican Party.

The Liberal Republicans won two of the five seats in the National Parliament, and are now leading a minority government under the leadership of party leader Kevin, who has been yet to show up to accept the position. In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Zachary Klass has been leading the nation's affairs.

The win was an upset for the incumbent Prime Minister, Lachlan Powers, who had held the top position in government since the Republic's third Parliament back in 2001. Mr Powers, currently serving as Leader of the Opposition, has not given up on the nation, however, and is expected to be inducted this week as the Head of State, the Protector of the Republic.