[Galaxy] 3 August, Presidential Address

[Robert]

[ United Earth Government Building ]

President Garcia stood at the podeum, addressing the crowd of reporters 
and citizens gathered.  The word was that he had big news concerning the 
War.

"For almost a year now, we have met the enemy in battle at a time and 
place they dictated," he began.  "Having laid these plans out far in 
advance, they have consistently been a step ahead of us.  We were 
fighting a defensive war, holding onto every inch of space we controlled 
with everything we had.  Our tenacity proved underestimated in their 
calculations, however, and so we were able to maintain a stalemate at 
every corner.  Until now.

"We have just fought a major battle on /our/ terms.  Having proven our 
tenacity, we have now proven our ability.  We stepped outside their 
plan, and defeated our enemy at their own game.  Our intelligence and 
counter-intelligence agents outwitted them, and our fighting forces 
outmatched them.  Even though we are one people against three, our 
indomitable spirit will not let us fail.  The Romulans declared war, and 
we rose to their threats.  We have fought them on our planets, on our 
stations, and in space.  We pledged to never allow their evil empire to 
take from us without it costing them more than they can bear.  This 
pledge is now a proven fact.

"The surprise from our attack, ruining their best laid plans, have 
forced them to rethink their ways and means.  I have been contacted by 
the leaders of the Romulan government over audio communications, and we 
have agreed to an armistice.  They have not rescinded their declaration 
of war, but they have expressed their willingness to suspend fighting 
and pursue diplomatic solutions.  I intend to bring in our Coalition 
allies to help moderate and mitigate these political processes, and 
bring an end to /all/ hostilities, be they with weapons or with words. 
May our pens be mightier.

"We have thus far agreed, as a stipulation to the armistice, on a 
boarder by which neither side will cross.  This border has been clearly 
defined, and will guarantee no more Romulan attacks on Earth territories 
and interests.  Likewise, of course, we will not push our victory into 
their sphere of influence.  I have been pressured by my military 
advisers to take advantage of the Romulans being off-balance, but to 
strike when peace has been offered goes against what the United Earth 
Government and the Coalition of Allied Planets stands for.

"While we do not lay down our arms, we take solace in the fact that we 
are at least at a cease fire.  It is only the first step to peace, but 
an important one because it puts us on that path.  If peace /can/ be 
had, we will achieve it.  This has been a test of our resolve, and we 
will not back down now.  We will meet this challenge as we have met 
/all/ challenges: with our hearts, our minds, and our strengths.

"Thank you."

The President turned from the podium and an eruption of questions 
followed him.  A public relations liaison quickly stepped up and tried 
to calm the audience, but had no further information.


-----
Preseident Garcia
United Earth Government
(apb Robert)