Rhodesian War
| Rhodesian War | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Rhodesia |
 FinismundTemplate:Country data Commerusia.png Erusia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Ian van de Kaap |
Pétrus MaximusTemplate:Country data Commerusia.pngRobert Lethler | ||||||
The Rhodesian War was an intermicronational conflict declared by the Republic of Rhodesia against the Kingdom of Finismund on 29 July 29 2009.
Following a peace proposal by the Grand Unified Micronational and a negotiation followed by Robert Lethler, James Stewart, Niels I of Flandrensis and Alexander Reinhardt, the conflict officially ended the 2nd of August 2009, when both the Governments of Rhodesia and Finismund, Patron McCleary for the UNMCN, and Lethler and Stewart for GUM signed the peace agreement drafted by the Supreme Tribune of the Grand Unified Micronational.
Beginning of conflict
Neither Contracting Party shall conclude any alliance directed against the other Contracting Party or take part in any bloc or in any action or measure directed against the other Contracting Party. Furthermore Finismund surrenders it's [sic] territory to Rhodesia for a period of 100 years.
— The article in the treaty as edited by Rhodesia.
Due to a misunderstanding in a treaty signed between Rhodesia and Finismund, confusion arose.
Rhodesia and Finismund signed a friendship treaty in 2008. Rhodesia added a small sentence saying that Finismund would surrender their territory to Rhodesia for 100 years - easy to overlook, but especially so as English is not the first language of Finismundians.
Finismund refused to hand over their land, saying that they had misunderstood the treaty. Rhodesia then declared war on them, in direct contradiction to the treaty (indeed, violating the same article that they had added the extra part about territory to). Rhodesia threatened to launch denial-of-service attacks and viruses against the websites of Finismund.
Internal discussions
When Rhodesia began to claim the territory of Finismund, King Petrus Maximus was in England and the government of Finismund was unreachable. Grand Duke Niels I of Flandrensis tried to protect Finismund until their government returned. He requested help from the GUM and other micronations, and started negotiations on the forum of the UNMCN.
Alexander Reinhardt, also St.Charlian Ambassador at the UNMCN, demanded to discuss the matter at a meeting of the GUM Quorum of Delegates and backed Niels in the request of help from the intermicronational organization. Later that night, Robert Lethler published a statement condamning the actions of Rhodesia and claiming that the treaty was void for various reasons.
At first, the government of Rhodesia, represented by Ian Van de Kaap, considered Flandrensis and Arkel as part of Finismund and considered those two nations as being part of the treaty between Rhodesia and Finismund. Flandrensis defended themselves with the fact that they are a state in a state, just like San Marino and the Vatican in Italy, or Monaco in France.
Later, in respose to the statements of both micronationalists, the Secretary General of the UNMCN, Rt.Hon. Patron McCleary, declared that the treaty was valid - but that Flandrensis or Arkel were not part of it, and Rhodesia had to accept the decision of the UNMCN.
When the war broke out Flandrensis announced that they would diplomatically support Finismund but remain neutral in the actual war. As member of the Union Against Micronational War Flandrensis condemned the declaration of war by Rhodesia and heavily protested against the threat of DDos-attacks by Rhodesia.
Peace talks
In the afternoon of 30 July 2009 Finismund announced that they are prepared to surrender to Rhodesia. The UNMCN and the GUM started negotiating for the creation of a treaty of peace for Finismund and Rhodesia. The treaty was later signed, ending the state of war between the two nations.
Intermicronational response
Grand Duchy of Flandrensis: The Senate condemned this declaration of war and also heavily protested against the illegal internet activities of Rhodesia.
Francisville: Condemns declaration of war and withdraws from UNMCN on July 30.
Austenasia: HIH Crown Prince Jonathan condemned the declaration of war, calling it "pointless", and asked for all involved in any way to be "peaceful and professional".
Landashir: Response from the Royal People's Government: "We condemn the war and ask for an immediate stop to all conflict between both states. We ask Finismund to join the UAMW." The People's Government later continued on the 2nd of August with this announcement: "All internet attacks are illegal, and if Rhodesia goes along with its plans to hack Finismundian intelligence and communications, the Royal People's Government will cease all talks and diplomatic relations with the Rhodesian respective authorities." On the 4th August, HRI James II announced that: "If Finismund does eventually lose its territory, Landashir will let Finismund own a part of the Landashir'n Antarctic Subject: Farwell Island. How much land exactly will be negotiated, but we do hope that Finismund actually gets its proper land back, as Landashir has only just claimed Farwell as of today."
Erusia: Has absolutely and utterly condemned the war. Erusian intelligence services have determined that Rhodesia is infact a European nation, with it's internet connection originating in Finland and provided by the Elisa Oyj service provider. Erusia has declared full support for Finismund and Robert Lethler has been working as a Spanish-English translator for Finismund. The Central People's Government of Erusia offered full, unconditional political asylum and self-governance within Erusia's borders to all Finismundians in the event the war took a turn for the worst.
Samana Cay: The Commander-general has condemned the war, calling it "a pointless war over unlawful manipulation". The government of Samana Cay formally declares neutrality, but will diplomatically work towards peace.
St.Charlie: During the conflict the Government didn't release any official declaration, although Prime Minister Alexander Reinhardt followed the decision of Flandrensis and adopted a pro-Finismund politic. The St.Charlian Observer published an article [1] on the matter, and included several declarations from both Government and Opposition. Fabiana Gallo della Loggia, SCSM, commented on the matter by saying that "micronationalism still needs a clean-up" and referred to Mr.Van de Kaap as a "hacker". On the overall, St.Charlie went on the neutral side but was de facto pro-Finismund. The Department of Home Affairs even offered political asylum in case of danger.