...Then We Take Berlin

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

“We will be showing you live coverage of the UN general council, as the newly installed Prime Minister Lilandra Neramani of India is set to deliver her first speech to the global body. Lilandra Neramani is the sister of the late D. Kenneth Neramani, India’s last Prime Minister, whose sudden death touched off a set of miscommunications that almost led to open conflict between India and the UN Peacekeeping forces in Pakistan. Prime Minister Lilandra Neramani accepted the post as the head of a new majority political coalition in the Indian parliament, and is a well known expert in International Affairs.”

“We bring you now live to the General Assembly.” The scene shifted to the famous auditorium, where Lilandra Neramani stood at the speaker’s podium.

“On behalf of India, I would like to thank the UN for affording us the opportunity to address this global body, and to clarify the events which have taken place over the last several years. There has been a great deal of rumour and speculation about my country and our intentions, and it is in the spirit of global cooperation that I wish to speak to you now.

India is a nation of great energy and great ambition, but it is also a nation of great challenge. We are the first of the true multicultural nations, as a thousand different groups under a hundred dialects fall within our borders. We are the cradle of religions, of faith, and of passion, and the richness of our culture is tempered by the sometimes violent expression of that passion which can take place.

My brother was a fierce defender of our national borders, and his government came into being after the worst terrorist attack in the history of the world, with a mandate to protect those borders and our people. His ways have come under question by many, but his attempts to quell rising terrorist cells in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and to work to secure sea lanes between our shores and Indonesia, were poorly characterized as expansionist. However, for all his ability, my brother was wary of international coalitions. In this, my new government will break from his policy.

We invite a coalition of UN Forces to partner with us in Sri Lanka, to support the government there and stop the constant civil war between the elected representatives and the Tamil people. We also welcome other nations to join in our anti-piracy agreement with Indonesia, and will put forward a structure through which an international naval force can secure the area for all vessels.

Finally, there have been rumours of an Indian military unit which openly uses mutants and their abilities as tactical assets for the military. This is false. India, in much the same fashion as Canada or Hungary, has been slowly assembling a group connected with our federal law enforcement, to provide a response to mutant terrorism. This is not a military group, nor will it ever be used as a military asset. India is firmly committed to the ban on mutant abilities as tactical resources led by the United States, and joins with them in warning that any nation which uses mutants abilities as weapons of war will face the strongest possible sanctions, both political and economic. India is happy to invite officials of similar agencies to review our mutant program if there are any doubts.

This has been a trying time, and as I look back on it, much of what has transpired as not been due to malice, but instead due to an isolationist outlook, that what India faced had to be endured alone. I do not share that outlook, and I am confident that our global partners will find that India has much to offer in the collective effort to face the world’s challenges. That is why, sponsored by the United States, Great Britain and Russia, this resolution is being brought to the floor of the General Assembly that will amend the UN Charter in order to expand the Security Council by one permanent seat for India. We will act as partners in progress in this new century, and look to assume that responsibility with energy and integrity.”

The scene shifted back to the CNN studio, with a graphic showing the vote. “While the totals are not in, it looks likely that the resolution will succeed and India will become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, considered the exclusive club in global diplomacy. After the break, we’ll have more on this and other news.”

Vanessa & Laurie | BACKDATED

[x-copycat.livejournal.com]

After getting home from India Laurie shows up to check on Vanessa and spoil her with dinner.

( You'd have to shrink them for that. Little tiny Barbie people to hang off your belt. )

Wanda and Amanda (back dated)

[x-scarletwitch.livejournal.com]

Amanda heads over to Wanda's to help Boss Lady get dressed in order to blow off some steam.

( I’m wondering which is worse now, being blown up or being dragged down a gravel road with your kit off. )