The Westrian Dependency of RAS LANARCH During the recently terminated period of isolation, St. Kilda allowed communications with its colony of Ras Lanarch to lapse. This put the roughly 800 residents, not all St. Kildans, on their own for sustenance. During the port visit of a merchant ship from Westria, the people of Ras Lanarch proposed that they become temporarily affiliated with Westria, pending restoration of communications with St. Kilda.
Now that St. Kilda as returned to the fold of Vexillium with a new Lord Steward, the residents of Ras Lanarch proposed that they be allowed to become a full dependency of Westria. The Mod (Assembly) at St. Kilda agreed to an election to decide the future. The one caveat was that St. Kilda be allowed an extraterritorial concession in perpetuity of no more than one square mile for use as a fishing station and commercial settlement. The required election was recently held with all but 2 voters voting for separation from St. Kilda, and joining Westria. The extraterritorial concession was allowed.
Thus, on
January 1, 299, Ras Lanarch, exclusive of the extraterritorial concession,
became a Westrian dependency. Below is a map of Ras
Lanarch, showing the territory, location of the concession,
the historical original village of Ras Lanarch, as well as some
of the new settlements now under construction, including a new
major fishing port, Port Lanarch:
Terms of
the Ras Lanarch Treaty between Westria and St. Kilda:
1.
As of January 1, 299, Ras
Lanarch becomes a Westrian dependency, under administration of
the Bureau of Westrian Affaires (BWA).
2.
St. Kilda will retain a one
square mile extraterritorial concession as their sovereign
territory, the fourth parish, for use of a fishing station and
commercial settlement. St. Kildan laws are to be applied
within the concession but there will be no
military presence except coast guard and civil police.
3.
The residents of Ras Lanarch
may elect to become Westrian citizens and obtain BWA passports at
their own free will. Should they wish to remain St. Kildan
citizens, they will be guaranteed premanent residents' status,
with the same rights and responsibilities as any Westrian
citizen. Residents will have three years from execution of
the treaty to make their choice. Dual citizenship is
acceptable.
4.
St. Kilda will have unfettered
access to the concession with the right to
station two coast guard ships, and the duty to maintain lawful
peace and order within the concession.
Westria will assist in supplying the concession
as needed.
5.
Westria has the obligation to
not interfere in the internal governing of the concession,
except on application of the local representatives of St. Kilda
(the resident Consul), in the event of disaster or civil
disorder.
6.
St. Kildan citizens are allowed
visaless access to all parts of Ras Lanarch by air, sea, or
surface transportation.
7.
A popular referendum will be
held at a future date to be determined, to democratically decide
over the final status of Ras Lanarch - whether it shall remain a
dependency of Westria, become a full State or Province of
Westria, or become a self-governing autonomous protectorate of
Westria.
8.
Westria and St. Kilda are to
co-operate in sharing proceeds from the fishing and forestry
yields of the region. Forestry must on the sustained-yield
basis, with only a tiny percentage of the area cut over and
replanted each year.
9.
Westria will commit itself to
undertake moderate population of the Dependency, building several
small towns, as well as a moderate hub city for the fishing
industry, with an airport and seaport of international
standards. Most of the peninsula, however, will remain a
large nature and forestry preserve.
10.
Westria will commit itself to
preserving the original fishing and forestry Village of Ras
Lanarch, as well as the surrounding areas, as a historical
preservation district.
Ratified this 1st of January, 299,
As Ras Lanarch is currently in transition, more information will be available at a later time!