In a speech to a meeting of the Central Committee yesterday, Chairman Philip Fish dismissed micronational activities in Antarctica as “ridiculously ambitious”, “absurd” and “plain silly”. He made the speech at the meeting following a number of recent micronational near-conflicts in recent months, and the reforming of GAMA (Grupo Del Acuerdo Micronational Antartico) into the AMU (Antarctic Micronational Union).

This also comes as new regulations are announced by the A1 government regarding recognition of micronations, preventing A1 from recognising micronations with claims in:
“-Antarctica
-Any place that’s not on Earth
-The Arctic
-Seamounts & other underwater formations
-Aircraft/hanging places in the sky/anywhere that is not actual land”, according to the announcement.

Delegates will need to arrive in Berlin by the 3rd and can depart on the 7th. Alongside the Congress itself there will be a public programme of events including an exhibition, screenings and talks. More details will follow soon.

The Ministry of Communications today announced the moving of the A1 online forum from its original location on the A1 website to: http://forum.republicofa1.net, in line with the government’s recent I.T. policy of “making further use of the subdomains available to A1″. The new forum was created in order to “cater for A1’s increasingly global and cross-timezone population” so that “no citizen is disadvantaged by timezone”, according to a spokesman for the Ministry of Communications. All citizens are “strongly urged” to register.

Incumbent Secretary-General of the Organisation of Active Micronations (OAM), Sir. Philip Fish, has won a second term in the recent Secretary-General elections. Sir. Fish gained 40% of the vote, comprehensively beating second-placed Peter Bralesford of Egtavia at 26% of the vote. The win allows for Sir. Fish to run for only one more term, as the OAM passed a resolution prohibiting a candidate from holding the position of Secretary-General for more than three terms (inclusive).

Sir. Fish said that he was “very pleased” with the result and said that it “added a new legitimacy to my holding of this position, as my first term was not an elected one.” He also expressed his thanks to “most member nations” for taking part in the elections and for “ensuring that our first election ran smoothly”.

The Grand Duke is planning to  re-establish National Orders and Decorations in Francisville. The most prestigious of these will be a four grade national decoration with medals and ribbons, to be know as the Order of Francisville or something similar. This award will be given to both citizens and members of the international community for high service, dedication, or achievements.

There will also be a new Ribbon of Honour, to be gifted to citizens who have contributed to development or have attained high achievement in many areas of life.

Francisville is a micronation with no armed forces. All military and police authority is vested in one Gendarmerie style organisation, the Ducal Defence Force. However, little is seen of this organisation, which has become inactive, existing only on paper. Perhaps this could show a high level of civil discipline and low violence, but perhaps also disorganisation or lack of interest. The Ducal Defence Force has been a constitutionally recognised organ since May 2009.  Is it perhaps that the force is not a priority, or is it perhaps not necessary and the constitutional recognition is simply out of line with modern practice?

An election for the Chamber of Deputies is to take place in early 2010. The election is expected to bring out political reform, and further social, cultural and economic development in Francisville. Perhaps then candidates will need to be sure to mention their ideas for Francisville’s inactive civil security service.

Three options seem to be available.

1. Reforms of the DDF
2. Re-establishment of a small army or navy with policing powers
3. Abolition of any type of force, and replacement by a police force, with a national security division

Many would see little need for the second option, as these type of duties are already carried out by the standing Ducal Defence Force. How to reform the force would be a matter of political debate, perhaps resulting in the creation of a form of committee or electoral college to run it or select those who do. Perhaps even the idea of a Ducal Defence Force to many, would not fit in with Francisville’s “modern monarchy”, and even, any form of physical national defence is a waste of resources.

The Ducal Defence Force seems to be the first in a series of issues affecting Francisville in 2010.

The A1 Government has today outlined reform to be implemented in the A1 Defence Force (A1DF), following rumours of such a move. The reforms were approved by the Ministry of Defence and SHA1DF (Supreme Headquarters A1 Defence Force) before being announced this morning.

Some of the reforms include the restructuring of the organisational structure of the Force, the re-establishment of the A1 Air Force and the replacement of the GOCA1DF, effectively the commander of the A1DF by the current Chief of the A1 Civil Security Service and Minister for Propaganda, Lord David Massarde.

The A1 Government today announced the official opening of the first educational institute in A1, the University of A1. Chairman Fish, in opening the university, said that it was “one of the crowning achievements of our nation” and would serve to “share the vast knowledge in A1 with the wider community”. Sir. Fish also said that the university would not be limited to A1 citizens, and that “anyone is welcome to undertake a course or courses”.

The University operates on an online basis, offering online courses for its students. Such courses include Masters of History, Doctorate of Micronational International Relations and Bachelor of Arts.

It is understood that a Vice-Chancellor, to head the university, is still being sought, and until one is found, will remain under the direct administration of the Ministry of Health & Education.

However, currently, the University only has one course available, Masters of History, as the other courses, according to the University’s website, are “under construction”.