Southern Control Zone

The Southern Control Zone is a zone of economic and military control maintained by the joint military of the Union Australis. The zone encompasses all waters south of lands that exist outside of the line of permanent sea ice that surrounds the south pole of Micras. The zone is patrolled by ships from both the Caradian Black Armada and Ciric navy that are tasked with preventing the passage of ships from nations that do not reside in antarctic waters through the zone. In accordance with this, no foreign private ships are allowed passage without a toll, and military ships of foreign nations are denied passage entirely. Because of their recognised claims within the southern waters, ships flying the flag of Sanama, Mercury, or the Imperial Trade Union are both allowed free passage through the zone and protected from piracy by union ships. The Union is open to negotiation with foreign nations in order to open the zone to them. The zone was loosened and converted into a patrol zone as foreign nations expressed displeasure at the zone. All tolling and denial was halted outside of Caradian and Ciric territorial waters while Union leaders attempted to reach a compromise between the confederates, who preferred dissolution of the zone altogether, and the Caradian delegation, who viewed the antarctic as the military responsibility of the Union, as the only nations situated entirely inside the antarctic pack ice.

On 4.XV.1679 AN, the zone was downgraded to a patrol zone for Union ships, and all tolling and denial was indefinitely suspended, in response to the negative reactions of foreign nations. Anti-piracy measures are still in place, but the offer for protection of foreign ships in the waters is no longer a default.

International Reactions

Alduria: The Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for Outremer, Madelina Vico, condemned the creation of the Southern Control Zone. "Alduria strongly supports the freedoms of navigation of all nations in international waters," highlighting Alduria's part involvement in Operation Hugo Grotius. Aldurian diplomatic officials have publicly warned that any potential threat to international Aldurian shipping would require Alduria's involvement, covertly or overtly, in restoring freedom of navigation in international waters.
Jingdao: The issue of the Southern Control Zone was subject of discussion at the opportunity of Exarch Dou Siang's visit to the Daocheng Palace, steward Wan Chidao condemned the establishment of the Southern Control Zone, stating that: "The Tianchao Haijun does not need to receive permission from foreign nations to sail in international waters, nor do our merchants need to receive permission from any other entity than the Tianchao Haijing".
Ralgon: Ralgon's initial reactions to the declared control zone were, for the most part, dismissive. With their own waters heavily patrolled by their Navy, the Ralgon commanders were duly instructed to follow the usual protocol and escort all Ciric military vessels out of Ralgon-controlled waters, especially near their penal colony not far from the Antarctic treeline. Following concerns raised by their ally Jingdao over the issue during the recent diplomatic visit from Cira, the Ralgon government has expressed concern over the matter, but have decided to instead inquire the Ciric delegation on the matter directly, before taking any sort of decisive action during their Emperor's brief absence.
Raspur Pact: On 23.XIV.1679 at 13.45 (CMT -10) Object 4792, recorded as a Natopian meteorological survey satellite placed in an upper mid-Micras orbit, performed a bi-elliptic transfer manoeuvre shifting its orbit so as to perform a pass over the Antarctic landmass of Caplona every twelve hours. Concurrently, whilst the neither Permanent Commission nor the foreign ministries of any member state had yet made a formal comment upon the declaration of the Southern Control Zone, four Dingo-class orbital shuttles were requisitioned by the Pact's Tapfer Command and transferred to the Angus Spaceport to take on a cargo of tungsten rods.
Sanama: Sanama echoes the objections raised by the Raspur Pact and Alduria. Any attempt at piracy against any ship will be handled with extreme prejudice. Patrols in international waters should be limited to assistance and anti-piracy activities. Sanama will never accept any limitation on peaceful navigation on the high seas.