Post by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine on Jan 30, 2006 20:51:19 GMT -5
Palpatine State of the Republic Address
"Mr. Speaker, Vice President Amedda, members of Congress, distinguished citizens and fellow citizens: Every year, by law and by custom, we meet here to consider the state of the union. This year, we gather in this chamber deeply aware of decisive days that lie ahead.
On the morning of galactic year 18937, 009-11, the Trade Federation began their invasion of terror on Naboo. These terrorists coldly murdered hundreds of innocent people in the capital city of Theed and elsewhere, and tried to force the stalwart Queen of Naboo to sign a treaty making their terrorist actions legal.
In response to these attacks inside our very own space, our citizens, and our way of life, I ordered the deployment of various combat-equipped and combat support forces to a number of planets in the Inner and colonization regions of the galaxy. We will rescue the Queen, and we will save the valiant people of Naboo from these cowardly assaults."
Applause.
"In the future, as we act to prevent and deter terrorism, I may find it necessary to order additional forces into these and other areas of the world, including to worlds where the Republic's Armed Forces are already located.
I have taken these actions pursuant to the constitutional authority granted to any chancellor to conduct Republic relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. It is not now possible to predict the scope and duration of these deployments, and the actions necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the worlds of the Republic. It is likely that the Republic campaign against terrorism will be a lengthy one.
But the threat to our peace and security goes far beyond mere blockades and illegal occupations. We have intelligence that the droid armies of the Trade Federation are expanding in their capacity to inflict harm on the Republic's citizens. We also know for a fact that this regime has the support of various corrupt organizations throughout the galaxy, such as the Commerce Guild and Intergalactic Banking Clan. Recently I received a letter through a holonet transmission, signed by Trade Federation leaders as well as the heads of these terrorist regimes. It's message was for me to give up Naboo and Onderon, and various other worlds ranging from the far reaches of the galaxy to the Inner Rim. It said they wanted me to do this, or face war. Well I say to them, and all the citizens of the Republic, we will never surrender sovereign territory to Separatists who sponsor acts of terrorism, and we will never surrender."
Applause.
"At present, our Armed Forces consist of volunteers from the military bodies of prominent planets represented in the Senate. We thought our naval fleets to be adequate to handle security in this era of economic expansion. We were wrong. Naboo taught us that. That is why I am introducing to Congress a bill that, if passed, will allow the creation of an army to handle the new threats to galactic society."
Applause.
"The Military Creation Act recognizes the seriousness of the terrorist threat to our society and the authority of the Supreme Chancellor under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of war and terrorism against the Republic. In passing this resolution, the Senate grants the authority of the chancellor to authorize great reform to our military forces, and use any and all means necessary to expand our ability to defend the Republic.
Our whole people are unalterably committed to a direct, forceful, and comprehensive response to these Separatist attacks and the scourge of war directed against the Republic and its constituent worlds."
Applause.
"Thus far this has been a conflict without battlefields or beachheads, a conflict with opponents who believe they are invisible. Yet, they are mistaken. They will be exposed, and they will discover what others in the past have learned: Those who make war against the Republic and freedom have chosen their own destruction. Victory against these Separatists will not take place in a single battle, but in a series of decisive actions and campaigns against power-hungry organizations and those who harbor and support them.
We are planning a broad and sustained campaign to secure our republic and eradicate the evil of terrorism. And we are determined to see this conflict through. Citizens of every world and species are committed to this goal.
On Coruscant, the representatives and Senators from planets all across the galaxy have shown a remarkable unity, and I am deeply grateful. A Separatist attack designed to tear us apart has instead strengthened our resolve for a safe and secure society.
You will be asked for your patience; for, the conflict will not be short. You will be asked for resolve; for, the conflict will not be easy. You will be asked for your strength, because the course to victory may be long.
Terrorism against our nation will not stand.
May the Force continue to be with the Republic."
Momentous applause.
"Mr. Speaker, Vice President Amedda, members of Congress, distinguished citizens and fellow citizens: Every year, by law and by custom, we meet here to consider the state of the union. This year, we gather in this chamber deeply aware of decisive days that lie ahead.
On the morning of galactic year 18937, 009-11, the Trade Federation began their invasion of terror on Naboo. These terrorists coldly murdered hundreds of innocent people in the capital city of Theed and elsewhere, and tried to force the stalwart Queen of Naboo to sign a treaty making their terrorist actions legal.
In response to these attacks inside our very own space, our citizens, and our way of life, I ordered the deployment of various combat-equipped and combat support forces to a number of planets in the Inner and colonization regions of the galaxy. We will rescue the Queen, and we will save the valiant people of Naboo from these cowardly assaults."
Applause.
"In the future, as we act to prevent and deter terrorism, I may find it necessary to order additional forces into these and other areas of the world, including to worlds where the Republic's Armed Forces are already located.
I have taken these actions pursuant to the constitutional authority granted to any chancellor to conduct Republic relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. It is not now possible to predict the scope and duration of these deployments, and the actions necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the worlds of the Republic. It is likely that the Republic campaign against terrorism will be a lengthy one.
But the threat to our peace and security goes far beyond mere blockades and illegal occupations. We have intelligence that the droid armies of the Trade Federation are expanding in their capacity to inflict harm on the Republic's citizens. We also know for a fact that this regime has the support of various corrupt organizations throughout the galaxy, such as the Commerce Guild and Intergalactic Banking Clan. Recently I received a letter through a holonet transmission, signed by Trade Federation leaders as well as the heads of these terrorist regimes. It's message was for me to give up Naboo and Onderon, and various other worlds ranging from the far reaches of the galaxy to the Inner Rim. It said they wanted me to do this, or face war. Well I say to them, and all the citizens of the Republic, we will never surrender sovereign territory to Separatists who sponsor acts of terrorism, and we will never surrender."
Applause.
"At present, our Armed Forces consist of volunteers from the military bodies of prominent planets represented in the Senate. We thought our naval fleets to be adequate to handle security in this era of economic expansion. We were wrong. Naboo taught us that. That is why I am introducing to Congress a bill that, if passed, will allow the creation of an army to handle the new threats to galactic society."
Applause.
"The Military Creation Act recognizes the seriousness of the terrorist threat to our society and the authority of the Supreme Chancellor under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of war and terrorism against the Republic. In passing this resolution, the Senate grants the authority of the chancellor to authorize great reform to our military forces, and use any and all means necessary to expand our ability to defend the Republic.
Our whole people are unalterably committed to a direct, forceful, and comprehensive response to these Separatist attacks and the scourge of war directed against the Republic and its constituent worlds."
Applause.
"Thus far this has been a conflict without battlefields or beachheads, a conflict with opponents who believe they are invisible. Yet, they are mistaken. They will be exposed, and they will discover what others in the past have learned: Those who make war against the Republic and freedom have chosen their own destruction. Victory against these Separatists will not take place in a single battle, but in a series of decisive actions and campaigns against power-hungry organizations and those who harbor and support them.
We are planning a broad and sustained campaign to secure our republic and eradicate the evil of terrorism. And we are determined to see this conflict through. Citizens of every world and species are committed to this goal.
On Coruscant, the representatives and Senators from planets all across the galaxy have shown a remarkable unity, and I am deeply grateful. A Separatist attack designed to tear us apart has instead strengthened our resolve for a safe and secure society.
You will be asked for your patience; for, the conflict will not be short. You will be asked for resolve; for, the conflict will not be easy. You will be asked for your strength, because the course to victory may be long.
Terrorism against our nation will not stand.
May the Force continue to be with the Republic."
Momentous applause.
.
