Declaration:
Following recent discussions with the Independent Miners Guild and the opening of communications with the Council the Bretonian Government wishes to clarify its earlier position regarding Orkney.
1. Forces hostile to Bretonia will naturally not be permitted to enter the Orkney system, and will be engaged in defence of Bretonian Sovereignty there as they would be in any other Bretonian House system.
2. Organisations of neutral or allied stance are asked to seek one-off permission from the Bretonian Government before being granted access to the system, and must demonstrate a legitimate interest in the Orkney system. Vessels that have not sought permission from representatives of the Bretonian Crown will be turned back from the system by agents of the Bretonian Crown operating in Orkney and Tau 23, including but not limited to Bretonian Privateers, agents of MI5 and officers of the Bretonian Armed Forces. Government Organisations or Corporations that wish to apply for this access should please politely state their requests on this channel. Threats and insults against the Bretonian Crown are not appreciated, nor are they likely to aid your application.
3. The IMG, in reference to earlier discussions, have a natural and undeniable interest and hence right to operate as they see fit in the Orkney system, providing they do not infringe on Bretonian Territorial Sovereignty there. All Bretonian Corporations and agents of the Bretonian Crown also naturally have full access rights.
4. Regarding The Council, whilst we are welcoming of their diplomatic overtures, and would happily allow them to send envoys from Orkney out into the rest of Sirius, we are not, at this stage, willing to allow full and open passage of all Sirius people into Gallia through Orkney due to the intelligence received that indicates the serious and potentially hostile threat that the Gallic Government poses to Sirius in General and to Bretonia in particular as their immediate neighbours. Trade to Council bases by those corporations that we beleive can be trusted with this task will be welcomed, but we retain the right to restrict the access of those trading vessels that we beleive may be trading through Orkney with intentions contrary to Bretonian interests. Given the current situation regarding the Kusari War, I am sure that you understand our need for caution in this matter. We wish to pursue further negociations and diplomatic discussions with The Council before we are willing to change our stance on this issue.
As for Kusari propaganda that we are unable to enforce our territorial claims in Orkney, I shall say this. Harris yet stands, and we are able to continue to supply it as the MacDuff holds open our supply lines through Tau 31. Our base in Tau 23 still stands, and we are able to supply it also, despite Kusari attempts to cut it off. Bretonia is therefore fully capable of defending its territorial integrity against the vile counter-claims of the Kusari Emperor. Regular BAF forces may be pinned down in Leeds, but we have other forces at our disposal. Let no-one think that Bretonia is beaten; the Kusari may have advanced into Leeds, but it shall be their death trap. They have over-extended themselves, and cannot maintain their advance there against the tactics employed by the Bretonian Armed Forces. We shall defend our territory, from Leeds to Orkney, and shall fight at any cost to defeat anyone who dares to defy such claims.
Evidence of Bretonian Territorial Claims in Orkney:
Sirius Cartographical Office:
http://discoverygc.com/files/discoverymap.jpg
Bretonian Constitution:
http://discoverygc.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30738