[center][h1]1907, Year of the Prophet[/h1][/center]

[center][i]What makes for the restoration of an Empire?  What ends a decline and puts a nation back on the rise?  Industry, law, and military might all stand out. They are what his Imperial Majesty Shayaer Khaitis has come to represent in the minds of most Survaekom.  They are what have brought such figures as Grand Vizier Ayan Sujjid, General Nel Hjarkin, and Admiral Jheut Klau to the forefront of public attention.

Yet, Survaek's newfound weight of influence in world affairs cannot be reduced to raw numbers of output, efficiency, or power.  Rather, an astute observer will notice the web of foreign connections stemming from Foedinei.  For what else is the Imperial Restoration movement itself, but a master project in the art of diplomacy?  And in this regard, the public figure of note is Aedis Haerk, Foreign Minister of the Grand Survaek Empire.[/i][/center]

[center][img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Djemal_Pasha2.png/440px-Djemal_Pasha2.png[/img][/center]

“Austere but inattentive, as always,” mused the camera operator, an elderly Khaitis man in an Imperial Press Service uniform with a few odd medallions and decorations attached.  “Always lacking in finery, and wearing that damn fur cap.  Why do we even keep bothering with the photographs?”  The complaint was half-sincere, half-joking, and more familiar in tone than most would expect from a journalist to a high official.

“To be honest, I would ask you the same,” the subject of the photo quipped back. “I'm not the one who insists on bringing out the camera for every little occasion. It's one thing to have the clicks and flashes around in Anvegad, where at least I understand the novelty of my presence.  What is this for anyways, some corner stub eight-pages from the front of the Weekly?”

The journalist chuckled.  “Closer to the front than you'd think, with the Press Release and all.  And son, you'll have to get used to it eventually, with your position.  A Haerk like you should know how to be the center of attention, and for that matter how to move with the times.  The Press Service isn't about to hire a court painter for your Excellency.”

The official shrugged.  “A Haerk like me is going to be the center of attention no matter how fine my attire or how focused I look in the photographs.  Your journalists and the public will just have to get used to [i]me[/i], I suppose.”

“You never change, do you Aedis?”  The old man shook his head and sighed.  “Same lad before the war and after, before entering the bureaucracy and after, before your promotion and after.  You could become Grand Vizier, and you'd still be the same plain, stoic young man as always.”

“Yes, except not so young anymore.”

“Wrong,” interjected the official subordinate and age-superior of Aedis Haerk. “You'll be young till you die.  You don't know how to grow old!”

Both men laughed.  They had more or less the same conversation every month or so, whenever the IPS wanted a new photo of the Foreign Minister for another article on Survaekom diplomacy.  Minister Haerk' only condition on the Press was to send the same man to take the picture every time, and conduct the interview if necessary.

“Until next time, friend,” Haerk spoke, finally turning to reach for the door. “When should I expect you?”

“Soon, I imagine.  War's on the way, and then you'll be the most important man in the Empire outside the Court and the Front.”

“I look forward to it,” Haerk replied with no hint of dread or irony.  If war was to come, so be it.  His Aed-given duty would stay the same no matter the fluctuations in public attention.

IMPERIAL FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS RELEASE, 8 JANUARY 1907

It is with celebration and good tidings that the Grand Survaek Empire recognizes the Grand Duchy of Salardia and the legitimate rule of his Excellency Marshal Henri de Savoi – soon to be crowned Grand Duke of Salardia.  We further recognize the Grand Duchy's entrance into the Imperial Restoration.  May Aed smile upon the cooperation between our two glorious nations.

Regrettably, not all nations are ready to accept Salardia's return to greatness and imperial ambition.  We of the Grand Survaek Empire condemn the Kingdom of Aontas in particular, for its baseless accusations against the House de Savoi and its vile threats to “intervene” on behalf of the defunct Republic.  Their statement is akin to the tantrum of a child enraged by the loss of a favorite toy, to use the same imagery his Majesty King Mathias has in the past.

Let this be clear to the world: Any attack on any member of the Imperial Restoration, wherever they may be in the world, is an attack on the Grand Survaek Empire.  We retain the right to respond with all necessary force to those who would compromise the integrity of our allies.

Glory to his Majesty Shayaer Khaitis: Master of the Southlands, King of Raethon and Byrnia, Grand Chief of the Khaitis, Sword of Aed, and Grand Survaek Emperor.

Signed,
[i]Foreign Minister Aedis Haerk[/i]