Statement by the House of Voley and Office of the President on the Invasion of Celeste
July 23, 1:30 PM Aricyet Time
The Kingdom of Elohim has declared war on the Imperial Union. It has done so to take territory promised to it by the Imperial Union. While we, as a people, abhor war and its use as a means of resolving international conflicts, we still would not normally comment on this matter. However, the Kingdom of Elohim alongside the Voley Union and other nations, shortly before declaring war, signed the Hyperburea Mutual Aid Treaty. Article 4 of that treaty is as follows:
4: The parties shall commit themselves to not recklessly engage in international conflict, brinksmanship, or any other such behavior that may provoke a military or economic threat.
The Kingdom of Elohim's use of war to resolve this conflict is reckless, no other method of exerting diplomatic pressure was attempted, no embargos or sanctions, and no renegotiations of the treaty that would give the land to Elohim. Now the Imperial Union is mobilizing to Celeste, destabilizing the region that Elohim is supposed to keep safe. The Voley Union condemns this escalation as a violation of Elohim's treaty obligations, it brings into doubt the very foundation of the treaty, and Elohim's commitment to upholding it.
The Voley Union shall send observers to monitor the war, and ensure the rights of the Kerbals of Celeste are upheld. The Kingdom of Elohim shall not retain conquered territory beyond what was promised to it in the original treaty. Failure to follow both of these conditions, or further escalation of the war by Elohim or her allies in arms shall result in the Voley Union's withdrawal from the Mutual Aid Treaty. Much work will be needed to restore trust in Elohim as a dedicated member of Hyperburea, and to restore faith in the articles of the treaty after the war, we hope they are up to the task.
