I am sure many members are curious about my lengthy pre-crisis absence which so fortunately allowed me to evade arrest by the "Boo Party".

I was on a state visit to Autocratia, in order to personally negotiate with General Krull the re-opening of relations with Autocratia following the conclusion of the Autocratian Civil War. I am pleased to announce that these have been successful and formal relations between our two countries have been restored.

I also made an agreement with General Krull that Ostentia would purchase advanced ex-Autocratian military equipment in exchange for oil if Ostentia so wished, an arrangement that was immediately useful in arming a liberation fleet in the early stages of the crisis.

Finally I hope that this will be a stepping stone to some sort of relations with the UCCR, furthering Ostentia's role in International Diplomacy that it has gained some reputation for.

HRH King Zog II

Foreign Secretary