Intergalactic Summit

Acting on intelligence provided by local Republic agents, and aided by capsuleers, private security forces located and entered a hidden agricultural plantation in the system of Barkrik today. The plantation, owned by Amarrian corporation Joint Harvesting, is reportedly worked by slaves which are known to be transported about the Ani constellation by the corporation.

Two capsuleer warships encountered fierce resistance from a defending fleet of Amarrian combat vessels bearing Imperial Navy signatures. The defending fleet was destroyed and later inspections of wreckage produced identification tags belonging to officers and ranks of the Imperial Navy.

The entire facility was then searched by landing parties but was found to be completely deserted. However, troops did find and recover the body of an undercover agent working for the Republic before the small attacking fleet withdrew from the area.

The Eight Sisters Intelligence Service continues to collect and analyse data in the search for further evidence of Joint Harvesting's involvement in slavery throughout Ani. Whether the Republic will openly respond to this situation, and the news that Imperial Navy vessels are operating in Republic space, remains to be seen. In the meantime, hardliner pilots continue to liberate slaves from Joint Harvesting convoys.

Luna Mori
General Secretary, Ani Tribal Assembly.

When will the Republic act and kick these slaver corporations out of our space?

Everyday our tribe fight on the border to keep the Amarr at bay and behind us these corporations are allowed to operate without restriction.

Remove them now.

Simply put, we have once more been betrayed by the Republic. A case can be made by the "Doves" that we have no buisness interfering with such activities outside of our space, but this is to much. Shakor was supposed to end the era of appeasment and atleast give those within the Republic a backbone, instead he is the same as Midular. And where are the Elders, where is Ambassador Yun?

I am here by offering a bounty to anyone willing to take it. 2000isk per slave that can be proven to have been taken from these compounds. Should legal issues arise I will take anyone named an outlaw by the Republic to my personal compund deep into Thukker space where you will be safe and comfortable.

It saddens me that we can assemble large space fleets but struggle to feed our own. How do I know this, you may ask. Because if the Republic's domestic food-raising efforts were adequate there would be no need for Joint Harvesting in the Republic. Native Freshfoods can only do so much.

My statement didn't disagree with yours. As I said, if there were more emphasis on the part of the Republic on domestic food production, there would be no need for a Joint Harvesting prescence in Republic space. None of this would have happened.

So why is this happening? Are the needs of the Matari people being met by the current leadership? These are questions we need to ask ourselves and consider carefully. This is a young government and we need to go forth wisely.

I completely understand the angst felt regarding Amarr corporations operating in Republic space especially when slave labor is involved. These Corporate acts are criminal and reprehensible. However, we need to calm down a bit and realize that this is a double edged sword and a tricky political issue. Yes, Amarr corporations operate in Republic space, but Republic Security Services also operates openly in Amarr space as does Freedom Extension et.al. There is give and take. Is the Republic willing to withdraw all their corporate and security facilities and interests from Amarr space? I doubt it. There is always more to it than meets the eye.

Uraniae: There is, of course, the fourth option - simply alter laws and tariffs relating to corporations you don't like until doing business in your space becomes intolerable. At some point, the corporations will eventually decide they've had enough, fire-sell their assets and storm off in a huff.

I'm not saying this is the best option, but it's certainly an effective one.

But the former is an artefact of the latter, mate.

Hmphf...It's why I've pretty much left the Republic in...aaah "non-physical"...ways as well as physically:

It's a great idea--I think Midular is unfairly maligned on some levels, at least to a degree:

I think her objective was more consolidation, not "appeasement" as is often bruit'ed about--but it seems to have gotten stuck somewhere along the way

The Shakorites' bellicose anti-intellectual hot-headedness is going too far in the other direction, though. We've got other problems within our borders to deal with...(Tarryn glares murderously) Not least of all these...collaborators...that are letting this happen.

I'm sorry but you're going to have to help me out here, because I don't see where I was "making a case" for condoning let alone allowing or endorsing slavery at all, within Republic space or elsewhere. I'm also positive I didn't endorse the destruction of Matari culture or the **** and torment of Matari people. In fact I made no judgments about the morality of any of this and was trying only to point out that process of "removing" Amarrian corporations from Republic space will take considerable effort no matter how it is actually accomplished. I never suggested one way or the other which course of action to take other than an overtone of hoping to see things not result in weapons fire.

Further, it is dangerous to label someone your enemy without doing some checking beforehand. No that is not a threat, and in fact I more than likely wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in a supernova if you decided to use anything more forceful than words against me, but if you did actually do any checking before calling me your enemy, you'd realize I am nothing of the sort. Yes I'm Amarrian by birth, but there is nothing I could do about that even if I wanted to change it. I have an appreciation for Matari culture, a love of it's spirituality, and a respect of it's traditions. I learn what I am allowed to learn, from those who are willing to teach me. I realize you may not believe this, so please ask around. In the end though, if you do believe me to be your enemy then demand my death and I'll offer it to you freely in the hope it will in some way help to calm your hatred.

My... god...

Are the joints ok?