Friday, July 28, 2006
Interview With Grand Czar Aleksander Wilhelm III of Landingberg
This week's Interview was with the Grand Czar of Landingberg. As a relatively new nation, and a recent addition to the Micras Sector, it was felt that this Interview would bring an interesting perspective into view.

As I am guided through the Palace, I am overwhelmed by the sheer size of the place. The trip to th Czar's Office lasted what seemed to be an eternity. Suddenly, I was faced with two 9 foot tall solid oak doors, with golden door knobs. Upon entering through the huge doors, I was met with a beautiful burgundy red carpet, white walls with gold trim and a formidable desk sitting in the center of the room. There was a hole cut all the way up into the roof with a break proof glass dome over the hole. The desk had golden legs shaped like lions, and was made of the same wood as the doors. On the carpet around the desk is the Imperial seal embroidered into the carpet. On the wall is a big picture of the nation's greatest sovereign of all time - Grand Duchess Alexandra Marie I who reigned from 1404-1482.

I sat myself down, took a few deep breaths after calming down from the marathon trip to the office, and settled in for my interview with Grand Czar Aleksander Wilhelm III.

(HT = Haraldsborg Times, CA = Czar Aleksander)
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This first part reflects my talk with the man behind the Czar - these are "out of character" questions.

HT: Landingberg is one of the newest nations in our Sector. What has brought you to micronationalism, and how did you first come into contact with the Micras Sector?

CA: Well one day I was bored and I was just surfing the internet and I found a website by His Excelleny, President Kevin Baugh of Molossia. It talked about micronationalism and the rest is history. I founded Landingberg and built her to be what she is today.

Emperor Harald Thorstein I was really the first micras ruler that shaped my outlook on micronationalism. His influence has greatly shaped Landingberg. This would also be true for Emperor Edgard II of Alexandria.

HT: It has been well noted that you introduced yourself to the micro-world by basically ennobling anyone who had a heartbeat. What were the reasons behind this, and do you feel now, in retrospect, that you might have gone a little overboard?

CA: Yes I did go a bit over board with the title giving. But in retrospect it does make a bit of sense when you think of how Landingberg is divided into 2 Grand Dukedoms, 12 Duchies, 24 Baronies, 48 Principalities, and 96 Marquistates. So even with all of the title I gave there are many many still left to give.

HT: What period in history have you decided to model your nation after, and why?

CA: That would be simple. The Tsarist government of Imperial Russia. The grandeur of the Imperial Court; all of it really just caught my attention.

HT: Where do you realistically see Landingberg one year from now?

CA: I imagine Landingberg as being more active. A Stronger Imperial Navy (the jewel of our armed forces) and at peace. And of course much more citizens.
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This is the "in character" portion of the interview - the reporter and the Czar.

HT: Thank you for seeing me today, Your Majesty. I have to say that the Asheriana Imperial Palace is quite spectacular. Maybe you should think about installing some sort of transit system - the walk from the main parlor to your office must have been over two kilometers.

CA: You are quite welcome! I am flattered to have you here today; and as for the walk I am quite sorry about that. It is a tradition for every head of state to add atleast one room to the Imperial Palace. So it makes for a unbearbly long walk now - seeing as Landingberg has had so many sovereigns. And yes we are actually planning that now. It should be available to use within a year.

HT: I am happy to hear that, Majesty. Now - - on to the questions! Currently, your nation has very few citizens, yet you've allowed several non-natives key positions in your Senate and Military. What are the reasons behind this, and what advantages are there in having so many foreigners acting in such important positions?

CA: Well it makes for a strong hold between Landingberg and its allies. Its also a way of getting things done until more citizens become active in Landingberg.

HT: So do you plan to have these people removed from Office once Landingberg has a larger native citizen base?

CA: No, not at the moment. Most of them have become crucial and I couldnt dream of letting them go entirely.

HT: You recently ennobled Emperor Justin I as the Duke of East Barria, then stripped him of his Title - then returned the Title to him all within a couple of weeks. What's the story behind this bizarre chain of events?

CA: There was a simple misunderstanding between His Majesty and me. I took something the wrong way. It's as simple as that.

HT: What was the misunderstanding? You must know from reading the Haraldsborg Times that we don't settle for half-answers, Your Majesty. We want details!

CA: He was asking me a question, though the question I forgot, he sounded rude and insolent. So I stripped the title as I would do to anyone who would act as such.

HT: Very good. Yes, I can see where disrespect from another monarch should not be tolerated. Now - Landingberg has a booming Real Estate business. Where did the idea for selling land and homes come from, and do you see this becoming part of some larger scheme to build a national economy?

CA: Yes! I was quite surprised as to how quickly the Landish Real Estate took off. I got my idea from Archduchess Marie Valtraude of the now non-existent Archduchy of Lichtenbad. She had made a small real estate agency that seemed to of fallen through soon before the Lichtenbad crisis. And yes I do see it becoming a strong part of the Landish economy.

HT: Speaking of Lichtenbad. Your nation was in the middle of the Lichtenbad Crisis as it unfolded. Where did your loyalties lie during those events, and how did your nation react to the sudden burst of civil unrest and armed conflict?

CA: Well the whole thing was confusing. I was a good friend of Marie Valtraude, the then Archduchess. And in a treaty we both promised to protect each others nation. I had been on holiday when I got back to Lichtenbad (of which I was a citizen and a Knight). Automatically I sent the Imperial Navy to surround the capital city of Ostevik.

One of our destroyers where harmed by a bomb the Landish intelligence agency does not know the sorce of. However it didnt sink. In the end it was just a waste of Dautzens. Although I cant say i'd do it any different if it were to happen today.

HT: The Imperial Senate recently voted down a potential Treaty with the Royal Kingdom of Gotzborg. Seeing as how Gotzborg is one of the more influential nations in the Micras Sector - do you see this rejection by the Senate as causing any potential problems for Landingberg in the future? And what, as you see it, were the reasons for the Senate's rejection of the Treaty?

CA: No I dont see any problem in the future. I can only go on what the voters in the Imperial Senate said. That they were large and influential, yes, but that they didnt even register in Landingberg. I do see why they voted down the treaty. However, Landingberg and Gotzborg have remained on friendly terms.

HT: We have a couple of questions for you submitted by our readers. First we have:

Do you see Landingberg progressing down a more democratic route as the country continues its remarkable development, or do you believe that the strengthening of royal autocracy will serve to provide the Czardom with a distinctive flavour which will be key to preserving its new found vitality?

CA: Well as many know I still hold much power under the present constitution and I dont plan to change that. I want to keep the Imperial Family and the other nobles still in high regard. So, no we are as democratic as we will get.

HT: It's obvious that you have a close relationship with both Stormark and Alexandria. But why do you borrow elements such as the general theme, and even topics directly from these other nations, when you can use this opportunity to develop something new and original?

CA: Thats actually something that me and my advisors have been discussing. Although we will stay close to our friends in Stormark and Alexandria we are planning to make Landingberg more russian. And make the French half slowly deteriorate. Although some of the things like french architecture and stuff shall remain. Along with the russian architecture we've introduced just recently.

HT: Well, Your Majesty. This has been a very enlightening Interview. I am very thankful for this chance to meet with you and hold this open dialogue. Before we wrap this up, do you have any final words you'd like to add?

CA: You are most welcome! I am very happy to of had you in the Imperial Palace this evening. And yes, I just want to say for micras to keep an eye on my qauint little czardom. For it will be growing god willing. Who knows what surprises we have in store!
 
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