I remember hearing the news of the massacre in Caille in which the terrorist gunned down former Prime Minister Midular and fifty eight other individuals, wounding and maiming hundreds more in the process. As an Ishukone citizen who also lost a leader to the actions of a madman, I felt nothing but sympathy and sorrow for the pain and suffering that undoubtedly must have been inflicted upon your tribe by this act of barbarism.
I also remember the Battle of Colelie taking place, after refusals from the Federal government to hand over the terrorist to Republic authorities led to the heated and brash confrontation instigated by the Tribal Council. I recall your post on the subject five years ago realising it was wrong and taking full responsibility for the actions of Electus Matari that day, which is commendable and upholding the standards expected of a leader.
However, I disagree for the very reasons you consider irrelevant, on the basis of national sovereignty and lawful authority that the Federation and its constituent member states hold over their own territory. Recognition of that is the fundamental basis of the political system in the cluster, and to attempt to subsume that order because of a tragedy such as this would only lead to greater chaos, confusion and potential loss of life, which eventually did occur with thousands of Federal and Republic Fleet servicemen and women perishing because of the Tribal Council resorting to deploying an Armada instead of continuing dialogue with one of their oldest allies.
The Caille member state did everything it could to prevent acts of violence from taking place. These were circumvented by the planting of bombs by a lone-wolf which are incredibly difficult for the security services to detect. The claim of blood spilled could be made for the other individuals that lost their lives that day, of which citizens of both the Federation and the Republic could be counted amongst their number. I highly doubt that the citizens of the Federation nor their Senate or the President would have considered the assassination of an individual dedicated to furthering peace and cooperation throughout the cluster, especially one of an allied state, as a minor issue. One that welcomes and accepts a multitude of foreign and diverse cultures would not be averse to understanding why it was a difficult and grievous issue to contend with, even if the ethnic gallente do not adhere to the concept of race and blood themselves. Hence why they respected and honoured the wishes of the Sebiestor Tribe to transfer Midular to a medical facility under their direct control.
However, the Federation also has a duty to protect their own citizens which suffered in this tragedy, and I feel that the Federation was well within their rights to withhold the terrorist and conduct an investigation as it occurred in their territory and under their watch. It is not patronising that the Federal government would consider their authority over one of its citizens conducting a terrorist attack on its own soil is greater than that of an allied partner. It is not arrogant to suggest that the rights of states include the principle that their sovereignty or authority in these matters not be infringed. Whilst I fully understand the grief and anger that must have been present, it does not excuse the indefensible actions of the Republic Fleet in attempting to secure custody of the terrorist.
So no, whilst I do think that the Federation believes themselves as the ultimate force for good and on the righteous path for humanity in the whole, despite other cultures existing and resisting that mandate, I am of the opinion that the Federation was in the right here. It’s important and pressing that dialogue should take place and force of arms should always be a last resort in these matters of foreign policy. Would those that died, whether that is CEO Gariushi or Prime Minister Midular who believed in the spirit of co-operation and peace, appreciate being used as a justification for conflict?
I don’t believe they would.
