Spokesman for the SNP

KBK Worldservice (2019-2022)

This play can be read or be listened to.

Originally it is part of a series of 6 radio-broadcast-type plays.
Four recordings are in dutch, one in german and, indeed, one in english.
These recordings are raw and unpolished.

This is the 5th text bringing a speech by the 'Spokesman for the SNP' who is lashing out at Brexit.

Enjoy ! (AR, February 10th., 2022)

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Spokesman for the SNP (audio)

 

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Spokesman for the SNP (text)

 
KBK: You are listening to the KBK Worldservice.
KBK: We are bringing a short speech of the spokesman for the SNP. 
KBK: MP Donald McEntirely, Earl of Aberdeen, has the word in the House of Commons. 
KBK: This recording dates back to May 6th, 2019.
(. . .)

Thank you, Mister Chairman, for granting me the opportunity to state my plea.
I would like to stipulate the consequences of Brexit from a Scottish perspective.

Is is not so, mister Chairman, that the Scottish National Party, 
has always been helpfull and loyal to the cause of the United Kingdom?
Cannot my honourable colleagues confirm that the SNP has democratically been constructive and cooperative 
to the prosperity, safety, integrity and stability of the UK as a whole up and untill that sodden Brexit process?

Oh, mister Chairman, yes, you are right, I reckon. 

Well, mister Chairman, Brexit is NOT in the interest of Scotland.
We are enjoying prosperity due to the European Union. 
We managed to get the continentals addicted to our exquisite whiskey and first-quality salmon.
This trade on itself is providing for many well-paid jobs and rewards us with recognition and gives us a fundamental sense of pride. 
Also, our shipbuilding and off-shore industry is flourishing like never before. 
And so does the tourist sector because of the free movement of people within the EU.

Has it come to the attention of this House that the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood 
has decided that in case Brexit becomes effective, Scotland will declare itself independent consequently?
Scotland will do so without any delay, without any sodden referendum, irrevokably 
and thereby permanently and without any sodden Westminster interference.

Yes, mister Chairman? Oh, well, I do apologize. I will ammend.

Has it come to the attention of my colleagues that some Scottish constituents 
want to erect some kind of Hadrian's Wall - to mark the Anglo-Scottish border -, this time to keep the English out?
Some of them even want to hunt down any brexiteer found on Scottish soil, 
arrest them, detain them shortly without trial and toss them handsomely over that same wall to the English side!

The henceforward Republic of Scotland will embrace the euro and will be firmly embedded in the EU.
As does the Republic of Ireland, we will act accordingly and likewise 
and greet them wholeheartedly as our long-beloved neighbours. 

And should it not be in the interest of Northern-Ireland to declare itself independent as well 
and become the Republic of Northern Ireland?
Furthermore, mister Chairman, these three republics might endaevour 
in the yet to be created Northern Confederacy, all together.
And should Wales be left sitting on the lap of the English for eternity?
If the Welshmen were to decide to embrace the Constitution of the Republic of Wales, 
then they are most welcome in the Northern Confederacy.

CM: Order, order!

Right, mister Chairman, may I finalize?

Do the honourable Members of this House agree on one thing only namely
 that all of us totally disagree when searching for any conclusion to Brexit? 
Then why not discarding it altogether and continue with our daily business?

Now, does the mentally retarded Secretary of Sport etc. know what he can do with that cricket bat of his?

I am so sorry, mister Chairman, it will not happen again. 
I can assure you.

Does the backward Secretary of Defense know what she can with those nuclear submarines of hers?

Mister Chairman, I do apologize, it will not happen again. 
I can reassure you.

Does that screaming monkey, appointed Brexit Secretary, know what he can do with that banana of his?

Yes, mister Chairman, no, I understand, it will not happen again. 
I promise, rest assured. . .

Does the Rt. Hon., I mean, stubborn and utterly unwise Prime-Minister know 
what she can do with that sodden Brexit of hers?

Now what, Mister Chairman?
Well, now it's your turn.

Do you know what you can do with that stiff hammer of yours 
that you are holding in your right hand?

Long live the Republic of Scotland (Supernova Scotia) !

I rest my case. . .

(. . .)
KBK: You have been listening to the KBK Worldservice.


  © 2019/2022 KBK-VHP-AR

  legenda:
  ( )   acteur
  (.)   korte pauze
  (..)  pauze
  (...) lange pauze
  { }   publiek

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EAST & WEST 2022

N E G O T I A T I O N S

     

THE USSR-LEGACY

Russia has a history of autocratic rule and of installing or protecting autocratic states and rulers.
In Eastern-Europe they remember the oppressive GDR (Honecker) and dictatorial Romania (Ceaucescu).
The Hungarians remember what transpired in 1956 and the Czechs remember 1968 vividly when Russian tanks were rolling through their capital.
[Besides, for the record, let us not forget about the West having condoned fascist regimes in Chili (Pinochet) and Argentina (Galtieri).]

People in Poland and the Baltic states are in constant fear for their future because of close Russian military presence.
Today, we witness Russian influence in the police-state Belarus (Lukachenko) and in civil war-torn Syria (Assad).

NATO will never withdraw from Eastern-Europe as required by their nations which are meanwhile cherishing an increasing level of prosperity, freedom and democracy.

UKRAINE

Ukraine is somewhat different. It does not enjoy NATO- nor EU-membership; it is here where the West and the East meet, where Athens and Sparta meet.
For a couple of years Ukraine is moving away from Russian influence and is seeking an approach to the West.
Russia has responded by actively supporting the pro-Russian separatists in Eastern-Ukraine and has cunningly occupied Crimea.

Russia proclaims it has serious concerns about its security as it might feel somewhat encircled although NATO would never challenge the territorial integrity of Russia.
Now, Russia demands NATO to withdraw from Eastern-Europe and to not seek Ukrainian NATO-membership.

In times of peace you need debate-loving Athenians, in times of war you need tough Spartans.

TALKS

We may expect the negotiations to be successful. There will be agreements on Ukraine and a re-START. New treaties will be signed; appeasement will ensue.

There are a number of issues - read irritations - to be addressed cq. resolved:

• Crimea, Russia wants sanctions to be lifted (but with which formula ?),
• East-Ukraine, the separatists are in need of some form of legitimacy (should it be granted ?),
• Syria, this civil war should end a.s.a.p. (is a regime change possible ?),
• Belarus, Europe wants an end to the provocations (are valid elections possible ?),
• MH17-disaster (Malaysia, Australia and the Netherlands want the suspects to present themselves in court),
• human rights, freedom of speech and press, political conventions (this will be aching for yet another decade to come),
• the reduction of nuclear and chemical weapons (quite faisable),
• and also the Nordstream 2 - gas pipeline concerns.

Presumably, not all of the above can lead to tangible results.

Anyway, the main players - Russian president Vladimir Putin and US-president Joe Biden - will engage in a nice game of chess when they meet in Geneva.

BUT

The hawks and the persons opposing the agreements will try to spoil it all later on by provoking an armed conflict dragging the opposing parties into war.
Will the opposing parties show wise self-restraint and be united to deflect the dangers ?

HISTORY

It all happened before with the major powers of the 19th century when they stumbled into war about Crimea (1853-1856).
Due to poor assessment and judgment, delays in the communication and misinterpretation of each others motivations
the Russians and the Turks - sided by England, France and Sardinia - engaged in a 29 months lasting conflict at the expense of about 50.000 lives.
This war was a no-brainer from the start and in the end Russia lost influence in the European theater for about a century.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_War

SOLUTION

The main issue of Ukraine can be resolved by declaring it a neutral zone for a period yet to be agreed upon.
Meanwhile, Ukraine enjoys protection from the US and its allies and Russia as well.
Ukraine should be declared a common market where the EU-US-UA-RU-partners can trade and prosper.
This, of course, is an experiment with its own merits and pitfalls but, for sure, to be preferred above a dangerous armed conflict which might easily escalate and spiral devastatingly out of control (because of the nature of modern weaponry).

TINY EPILOG

So, are the doves deciding for our future or are the hawks dictating it all ?
To the core, are Athens and Sparta ready for a brand new epoch of 'entente cordiale' ?
[By the way, in 480 BC the combined forces of Athens and Sparta defeated the vast army of Xerxes; paving the way for occidental autonomy.]

Anyhow, I wish every living creature on this beautiful planet called Earth a happy and peaceful 2022 !

Arnaud Rasing, Nijmegen-NL

Friday, December 31st. 2021

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Tweet Feb.11th., 2022
Mr. Putin you are in for some ungly surprises once you attempt to invade Ukraine.
Those people do not want to be forced into your national-autocratic Putin-Re-Union (under CSTO-umbrella).
CNN on UA-RU

Tweet Feb. 13th., 2022
CNN explains why the Minsk-agreement might be a way out of the UA-RU-crisis.
It could serve as a basis for a solid agreement, indeed, if there is no room for misconception or misinterpretation.
CNN on Minsk-agreement