Originally by: Elsebeth Rhiannon

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Edited by: Elsebeth Rhiannon on 21/02/2008 16:56:36
I promised to write something about my thoughts on zero security colonization and Amarrian expansionist tendencies.

Why this arose in the first place is that lately I have paid attention to the way how Amarr loyal paramilitaries talk about Providence. Since the passing of Unity station to enemy hands, they have become bolder and bolder in calling Providence "Imperial space", in exactly the same tones they would talk of, say, Domain.

In my opinion, this is misleading. While it is true that CVA claims Providence, and that CVA is loyal to the Empire, and that they no doubt look forward to the Empire trying to 'reclaim' Providence, the status of Providence is still that of zero security space claimed by a territorial pilot alliance, not that of state space recognized by other nation states. (I do not think anyone sane disagrees with that, so moving on...)

I see in this rhetoric a worrying trend of Amarrian expansionism. Since the death of the last Emperor of Amarr, his pro-peace and progressive influence seems to have started to wane. Amarr loyalists have not become bold only in claiming Providence is unquestionably, morally, forever theirs. They have also become bolder in stressing the fact that the Empire never really recognized the Republic as a state, and issuing even more direct threats of an impending invasion.

Add to this the fortification of the Bleak Lands -- conveniently the major border region between the Republic and the Empire -- and a very grim picture starts to emerge. I do not mean to say that the terrorist attacks on the Empire would not be a good excuse for 7th Fleet's actions, but nevertheless, one cannot help but to ask if they still are an excuse.

Consider this: CVA victory in Providence has driven Ushra'Khan to more close co-operation with the Defiants in the Bleak Lands. Now assume there is a strong pro-invasion faction in the Empire, and note the fact that CVA pilots have very aggressively voiced the opinion that the Republic is not to be considered a sovereign nation. And they have done this without much opposition from Amarrian pro-peace factions. (Do they even exist, anymore? or did they all die with the Emperor?).

I do not think that considering all this it is surprising if one loyal to the Republic and pro-peace starts to feel quite worried.

I hope this clarifies some of my thoughts. I present this for discussion, not as hard facts, so I encourage everyone who still believes in international peace to comment.

Elsebeth Rhiannon
as a private citizen

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Originally by: Gaius Kador

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Pah.

Victorus aut Mortis.

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Originally by: Tharrn

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'We do not operate there' is a pretty convenient excuse to look away. If Amarr Navy ships should ever go amiss you can be sure that we'll hunt down the perpetrators wherever they hide.

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