TSA interviews about current affairs - 22/12/98

Dan Randal has been out doing teh rounds, and getting interviews with the emporers of the remaining TSA member races, over their opinions on the Brakiri Fiasco and some other events around the universe at the current time.

Firstly we have an interview with the Current Prsident of the Tri-Sector Alliance and President of the Ikarran, President Mycroft:

 Dan Randal: What is the Ikaaran views of the latest brakiri/tsa fiasco?

 President Mycroft: The TSA was very sad when we heard that the Brakiri were pulling out of the  alliance. We hope that he does well wherever he ends up.

 Dan Randal: What about the latest statement?  

 President Mycroft: which one would that be?

 Dan Randal: About Shadow influence

 President Mycroft: We hope that if there truly was Shadow influence in his government he has  eradicated it, and set precautions to prevent another occurence.

 Dan Randal: Would the ikaaran let the brakiri back in? and we assume you would keep the  presidents chair.  

 President Mycroft:  I'd have to talk to him privately, try to understand where the Shadow threat  came from    

 Dan Randal: Do you beleive it to be just a cover story for a deeper truth?

 President Mycroft: When I am sure he has taken care of it, and know that his application is in  good faith, I would advocate his case. I do not know if it is a cover story for a deeper truth. I  would like to believe that everything everyone says is the truth, but that doesn't happen.

 Dan Randal: Is there anything you would like to add?

 President Mycroft: no, thank you

We here at ISN will leave the interpretation of this interview upto the viewer but it did seem to Dan Randal that President Mycroft was a bit unsure abot current events concerning the institution of which he heads.

Dan Then went to interview the Centauri Emporer and Ambassador for the TSA Cairn Davagia, heres what he had to say on an assortment of issues.

 Dan Randal: What is the Centauri view of current events within and without the TSA?

 Cairn Davargia: Which specific events? There’s been a lot going on.

 Dan Randal: Namely the Brakiri fiasco and now the Slaani incident, but we will leave that one for  now.

 Cairn Davargia: Obviously the Brakiri had some internal political difficulties, but hopefully this has  been resolved whether you believe the cover story is subjective.

 Dan Randal: So you feel the story was just a cover of deeper lies?

 Cairn Davargia: I didn’t say that, but obviously some internal affairs have to be edited before  becoming public. And I am sceptical of the magnitude of shadow influence.

 Dan Randal: So have you (the Centauri) voted to allow the Brakiri back into the TSA?

 Cairn Davargia: Yes he is a valuable asset and as the founding member strengthens the alliance

 Dan Randal: Assuming the Brakiri are allowed back in, where in the power structure of the TSA  do you think they will fit?

 Cairn Davargia: I don’t know, urm. The political situation is still unclear.

 Dan Randal:Do you feel that the Ikaarans would step down from the presidents chair?

 Cairn Davargia: That remains to be seen, I know that I would not, Mitchell’s trust has been  undermined, therefore it would be inappropriate for him to be president.

 Dan Randal: So you feel al trust for the Brakiri amongst the TSA has gone, how can the Brakiri  hope to reinstate this trust?  

 Cairn Davargia: I never said all the trust was gone, the Brakiri have always acted honourably to  me and other members of this alliance and our trust in them is complete although we cannot run  the risk of the return of shadow influences, not just within the Brakiri government but within the  TSA, this is a strong alliance and there is a strong trust between all members.

 Dan Randal: Do you think that being a strong Vorlon-allied alliance, had any influence as to why  the shadows tried to influence the Brakiri as stated?

 Cairn Davargia: yes it was a deliberate attempt to weaken a very powerful alliance standing  against the darkness.

 Dan Randal: Mr Davargia, now what are the Centauri opinions on the Slaani/Brakiri and the  Dilgar/Brakiri situations, in the Slaani home sector.?

 Cairn Davargia: Obviously I understand heated discussions over colonies as I have had them  myself but I see no reason for war as there are many planets available at this time. With the  coming darkness we cannot afford wars especially between Vorlon-Allied governments. The  Centauri will play no part in this conflict.

 Dan Randal: Do you feel this conflict could end up adding friction between the TSA and the  consortium, whilst still infant alliances? And wasn’t that one thing the Brakiri said they were going  to stop doing when they reapplied the second time to the TSA?

 Cairn Davargia: I think this issue involves the governments of those races not the alliances as they  stand. This is an internal affair between 2 races not a dispute involving the alliances therefore no  tension between other members should arise from this. Every race has to expand the Brakiri are  merely doing this. There is a difference between expanding spheres of influence and mounting a  campaign of terror.

 Dan Randal: wasn’t there a similar dispute between the Centauri and the Xon over rights to  colonise the planets in your home sector fairly?

 Cairn Davargia: Miscommunication only, the Xon thought we acted unhonourably but we were  only colonising planets that were available in the sector, The Xon were not notified of colonising  activities as we were not notified when the Xon colonised the largest planet in the home sector.  But I don’t want to get into this now. The Xon used this situation to undermine Centauri  credibility within the TSA and beyond.

 Dan Randal: So perhaps you could update us on a certain Thrakallen situation up in which the 4    week armistice is approaching its end?

 Cairn Davargia: This situation will be resolved but it is of little importance to me as all planets in  our home sector have been colonised and the money owed for the exploration of the sector is of  minimal amount, the Centauri will not be going to war over this, but we will support the Xon in  the pursuit of their cash.

 Dan Randal: It has been rumoured to ISN of perhaps you were joining the consortium, firstly is  there any truth to this rumour, and secondly has this affected your statement of not attacking the  consortium races in support of Brakiri colonising attempts?

 Cairn Davargia: The TSA and me personally are enjoying good relations with the consortium and  to go to war over colonisation when it does not involve my race is absurd and doesn’t mean  joining their alliance. although I am hoping to construct trade routes with many races in the  consortium.

Dan then went to see the Emporer Thrawn of the Xon Empire who had this to say:

Dan Randal: Where do the Xon stand over the whole resignation of Mr Mitchell only to re-apply?

Emporer Thrawn: I don't have much a problem with it. I personaly accept his explination of shadow manipulations, and see it as just another reason to remain focused against the darkenss. I have voted to allow him back in, and to allow him back as president. I have no knowledge of the stand of any of the other members.

Dan Randal: So you dont think it was a cover story for a deeper truth?

Emporer Thrawn: Well, no

Dan Randal: Where do you feel Mr. Mitchell will fit back into the power structure of the TSA?

Emporer Thrawn: I do not know, I think the other members will probably allow him back in as VP, or a Cheif Justice, i'm not sure he will be back in as president though.

Dan Randal: Would you vote for him back as president? can the trust ever be the same?

Emporer Thrawn: Personaly I would vote him back in, and don't see him any differently for this, but then I am decidedly nieve by nature.

Dan Randal: Do you blame that for the incidents between you and Centauri over colonisation?

Emporer Thrawn:In some ways yes. Basicly it was just a difference in moral charictor. It has calmed down considerably, although it has put a damper on my economy.

Dan Randal: Is there any harsh feelings between you two now?

Emporer Thrawn: Not so much anymore, it has calmed down considerably, but there hasm and still is, a small amout of tention and distrust between us.

Dan Randal: So you dont trust them?

Emporer Thrawn: Not completely,I am always on my guard around them.

Dan Randal: O.K, is there anything else you'd like to say?

Emporer Thrawn: no

Dan then got the interview with the finl member of the TSA the Tuchanq Empires Emoporer who gae this interview:

Dan Randal: What is the Tuchanq's view on the latest TSA/brakiri situations?

Ver'Nak: I am not in a good standing with that...I believe if you make a decision you stick by it.   I have made it clear to the President that this is the last time...and any further will result in some type of censure or consequence

Dan Randal: so you have lost trust in the brakiri

Ver'Nak: Its not a matter of trust...it is a matter of moving on...it would be wrong for us to spend weeks and months and this "I'm in now...now I'm not" while more important things demands attention.  While I have confidence that this is only a temporary problem and that the President will do what he says he'll do there needs to be ground rules about this sort of thing.

Dan Randal: Will he be president again?

Ver'Nak: Perhaps its not a "rousing support" or the "official TSA line" but if the other members feel neccessary I will not block it...that's how I feel about the return to the presidency.   On the other hand I feel that the Vice President has handled himself well during the situation...really the last letter of resignation with the "this is what you've always wanted" to Mycroft is out of line

Dan Randal: so you feel the brakiri have sinned in recent weeks?

Ver'Nak: I feel the Brakiri have been a little confused...and to be honest, they have admited this...I just hope this is not going to be a regular procedure where the president doesn't get what he wants...resigns to get what he wants...then comes back.  On the issue of "wrong doing"...I won't get into pointing fingers...if something wrong was done the person who did it will have to live with it.

Dan Randal: so do you believe the cover story? about shadow influence?

Ver'Nak: ::loud sigh:: you know...I don't know... its hard to say when rumors are flying left and right about various governments doing what.  I would hope that we're all beyond making up stories to get ourselves off the hook...

Dan Randal: are the government postitions of the tSA all going to change to fit in Mr. Mitchell?

Ver'Nak: No...the election will not be overturned because of a resignation a threat...or otherwise

Dan Randal: I see, so if he cant be president the only space available is vice, wouldn't someone like you be promoted to the higher positions?

Ver'Nak: if he is not reinstated as president...the court will support the VP taking over...with the ambassador serving as acting vice president until new members are admited in which case someone in executive branch might have a permanent promotion .  Certainly...its now in the hands of the other memebrs what happens next...I think Mitchell will be reinstated but I fully support Congress making some new ground rules for resignations to make sure this doesn't happen again

Dan Randal: such as?

Ver'Nak: such as you have one probation period to re-apply and once thats gone you cannot assume your original position...limiting the number of applications is also a deterent that might prove successful.

Dan Randal: what about the new applicants?

Ver'Nak: For the new applicants I think the current system is effective...a majority vote

Dan Randal: how will the tuchanq be voting?

Ver'Nak: Um...I'm mostly undecided on the new applicants...as for the president situation I have already stated I will go along with it for this last time

Dan Randal: o.k, thank you for your time, is there anything else youd like to add to this interview?

Ver'Nak: I have no further comments at this time.

We here at ISN predict that Pete Mitchell will be allowed to bring his Brakiri Alliance back into the TSA and retake a place in the TSA government, either as president or as Vice president, as he was the founding member.