Dear delegations, national leaders, international press and friends,

It is our honor to be gathered once more in our humble island, for what promises to be, one of the most intense and needed weeks in the history of our region. We look forward to the various proposals to be presented to the region in the following five days.

The method for the presentations will be the following:
Each nation that wishes to expose a certain topic will be able to innitiate a topic, using the Topic Titile as the official name for the proposal, and the Description to give out a small overview of its contents. (ie: Free Trade Proposal, Environmental Proposal, etc)
All attending nations will be able to present topics and respond to topics

And with this, being currently 6:00 pm of the 10th day of November of 2003, we officialy declare the works of the Second Leidestrad Peace Summit, open.

Welcome, once more, to our Gateway of The Balkans!

11 November 2003-Opening Statements

*NC Chancellor Kal Aldenia approaches the podium*

Aldenia : We thank Leidestrad for orchestrating this grand and noble convocation and the New Commonwealth is honored and humbled to be granted the opportunity to attend.

Aldenia : We take this opportunity to address our fellow neighbors of the Balkans on a very serious issue. As you well know, my country has seen the ravages of war and tyranny. Only now have we begun to recover from our ghastly past. Even in the midst of our reconstruction, the New Commonwealth has faced difficulties and challenges. Hundreds of innocent people have been murdered in vicious and senseless terrorist acts, while thousands others have been left widowed or orphaned.

Aldenia : However, our hard-working citizens have weathered these tremendous adversities. They emerged after each trial and tribulation stronger and more resilient. In the light of such hardships, the New Commonwealth reached out to the Balkans for their help. Fortunately for us, our request was not spurned. Rather, the complete opposite occurred. Our neighbors poured out their charity and their courage to aid us in our greatest time of need. You fought alongside us, you died alongside us, you celebrated victory alongside us. And for that, our people and our whole nation owes the Balkans an eternal debt of gratitude and appreciation.

Aldenia : Consequently, we come before this assembly today to ask you once again for your help. In recent weeks, the New Commonwealth and the Kingdom of Byzanthine have been the victims of a deliberate and malicious campaign of murder and terror. The very symbols of our government have been targeted and attacked mercilessly. Hundreds of innocent souls have paid the ultimate price as a result. Thus, we ask this Summit for a joint and unanimous resolution condemning the renegade actions of terrorists of the Dominion and vowing your unequivocal support in helping us root out these vile criminals wherever they lurk.

Aldenia : We are a region of democracy and libertarian ideals. But we are also a region that promotes justice and peace. These terrorists have attacked the very foundations of these guiding principles. If we do nothing to stop their reign of bloodshed, we would have spurned our very consciences and our very right to govern. It was once said, "All that evil needs to fluorish is to have good men do nothing." It is time for the New Commonwealth and for all of Balkans to take a united stand of solidarity and speak with one harmonious voice. These terrorists need to know that we are NOT afraid and we will prevail!

*The Chancellor leaves the podium, amid thunderous applause*

The Government of the People's Republic of Annoyastan wishes to thank the Government of the Social Democratic Republic of Leidestrad for hosting this second peace conference. As the newly seated Government of Annoyastan, we hope to continue our historically positive relations with our brother and sister nations of the beautiful and scenic Balkans.

Our region has been through a lot since the first Balkan Peace Conference. This second conference affords us a golden opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and act as a community of nations devoted to peaceful relations and progress.

There is much to be done. There are terroristic threats to face, there are expansive building projects that will further unite our region. There is the lingering, over-riding threat of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

Let us resolve to move forward, in peace and cooperation on all these issues. Let us resolve to move forward together.

P.O. Craven
Prime Minister

Greetings, our balkanic fellows :

It is a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you. Here we are, looking to increase and fortify the bonds that unite all our nations, in the search for a better tomorrow.

Much has happened in our region, and in our nations individually. Regimes has seized powers, and regimes has fallen under the united force that we represent. New friends has joined us, and old friends and brothers has been lost. My nation itself is currently evolving to a new future, a greater one for us, and, along for all The Balkans.

One thing is certainly sure : We remain togheter and closer, as new projects become reality : a Trans-Balkanic Train, to enhance traveling between us, a Free Border, to aproach solidarity between neighboring communities, a Free Trade Agreement, to enhance regional economy and an United Alliance, to enhance solidarity and mutual defense.

As or friend, the NC Chancellor Kal Aldenia early stated, the very principles of freedom, peace and justice that our region proudly claim, are being target for the scum itself of violence and terrorism. We most not let them win!! Their cowards act will only strenght ourselves and they can be asure, with you all as my witness, that they will pay for their acts! Byzanthine will not surrender! The Balkans will not surrender!

Thanks you, and good evening. May God be with all of us.

King-Emperor Franciscus Reginaldus of The Transcitional Kingdom-Empire of Byzanthine.

The Ancient One (Paul) sends all participants his apologies for arriving so late at The Leidestrad Peace Summit; he couldn't depart from the airport due to a bad snow-blizzard at the transferpoint. His opening statement will be sent to all participants by personal mail.

(OOC: I couldn't log into the Forum until yesterday 23.00, but promise to make my opening statement tomorrow.)

13 November 2003-Written Opening Statement by The Ancient One (Paul)

Dear Balkanic friends,

Please allow me to excuse myself once again for adressing you so late. Ancient Races is very pleased that the fine nation of Leidestrad has taken the initiative to gather all these nations to talk about various matters of importance.
The Armed Republic of Ancient Races has come to this Summit with a special mission. Our most important goal is to observe the initiatives, and try to help with problems of the other participants. This is not a matter of lazyness, but of strength: as recently elected UN-delegate it's very important to know what goes around in the neighbourhood and to help where we can.
Our second mission is to introduce AR's plans for the future, which you will hopefully all find interesting. To name the most important ones:

* Strengthen the Balkan International Court of Justice
* Strengthen the Alliance
* Create Safe Havens for War-Refugees
* Fight international Drug-Trafficing
* Promote Supra-national Research

Thank you all for your continuing support to AR!


Signed,

The Ancient One (Paul)