Redburn Makes Cautious Statements About Military Budget Proposals
7/30/3132
INN - Interstellar News Network
GENEVA, TERRA—Recent weeks have seen a flurry of pronouncements and
statements on military matters but the Exarch has, until now, refrained from
commenting on the matter. With emotions running high in the Senate and a promise
from Senator Kev Rosse to revive the proposal at his earliest opportunity, last night
Exarch Redburn finally made direct reference to the matter in an effort to calm the
chamber. His remarks were frequently interrupted by applause from different factions
in the room.
"The Republic was born from warfare, the horror and bloodshed of the Jihad,”
Exarch Redburn said, “and we must be ever-vigilant to avoid a repetition of that
nightmare. We cannot, however, allow ourselves to return to the mindset of the
Succession Wars, where violence was an accepted mechanism for settling disputes.
That mentality condemned the Inner Sphere to centuries of warfare.
"It was Von Clauswitz who stated 'war is a continuation of politics by other means,'”
he continued. “It shouldn't be, and the Republic’s efforts to eliminate private arms
have gone a long way toward realizing Devlin Stone's dream of lasting peace. I
appreciate the argument for modernizing our military—but I can see no merit in
expanding the size of our armed forces. Our neighbors have spent centuries at war
with each other and only our commitment to peace prevents them from seeing the
Republic as a threat. An expansion of our armed forces would, most assuredly, be
seen as provocative even by those we call allies, while those with whom our relations
are less good,” a reference to the recent political wrangling with the Capellan
Confederation, "might regard such a move as a move toward war.
"In seeking to avoid war, we do not want to provoke one. We cannot afford to allow
alarmist calls to cloud our judgment. Indeed, those making such pronouncements
should exercise restraint and reflect on their actions. Are their short-term private
agendas worth the risk of triggering yet more wars in the Inner Sphere? We should
lead by example, the senate an example to the people, and the Republic a guide to the
Inner Sphere.”
At this point, the Exarch paused. His final statement on the matter followed. “I will
not allow this body, august though it may be, to squander all we have worked for."
This statement was the first time in the Republic's history that the Exarch has
threatened to use his power of veto over the Senate. Neither the Exarch nor members
of the senate have been available for comment.
7/30/3132
INN - Interstellar News Network
GENEVA, TERRA—Recent weeks have seen a flurry of pronouncements and
statements on military matters but the Exarch has, until now, refrained from
commenting on the matter. With emotions running high in the Senate and a promise
from Senator Kev Rosse to revive the proposal at his earliest opportunity, last night
Exarch Redburn finally made direct reference to the matter in an effort to calm the
chamber. His remarks were frequently interrupted by applause from different factions
in the room.
"The Republic was born from warfare, the horror and bloodshed of the Jihad,”
Exarch Redburn said, “and we must be ever-vigilant to avoid a repetition of that
nightmare. We cannot, however, allow ourselves to return to the mindset of the
Succession Wars, where violence was an accepted mechanism for settling disputes.
That mentality condemned the Inner Sphere to centuries of warfare.
"It was Von Clauswitz who stated 'war is a continuation of politics by other means,'”
he continued. “It shouldn't be, and the Republic’s efforts to eliminate private arms
have gone a long way toward realizing Devlin Stone's dream of lasting peace. I
appreciate the argument for modernizing our military—but I can see no merit in
expanding the size of our armed forces. Our neighbors have spent centuries at war
with each other and only our commitment to peace prevents them from seeing the
Republic as a threat. An expansion of our armed forces would, most assuredly, be
seen as provocative even by those we call allies, while those with whom our relations
are less good,” a reference to the recent political wrangling with the Capellan
Confederation, "might regard such a move as a move toward war.
"In seeking to avoid war, we do not want to provoke one. We cannot afford to allow
alarmist calls to cloud our judgment. Indeed, those making such pronouncements
should exercise restraint and reflect on their actions. Are their short-term private
agendas worth the risk of triggering yet more wars in the Inner Sphere? We should
lead by example, the senate an example to the people, and the Republic a guide to the
Inner Sphere.”
At this point, the Exarch paused. His final statement on the matter followed. “I will
not allow this body, august though it may be, to squander all we have worked for."
This statement was the first time in the Republic's history that the Exarch has
threatened to use his power of veto over the Senate. Neither the Exarch nor members
of the senate have been available for comment.
| July 30, 3132 |
