AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (John Fryatt)
A(Ser) - Rum (FAILED, DISLODGED TO Tri); A(Bud) Stands; A(Vie) s A(Bud); F(Gre) - AEG (FAILED); F(Tri) - ADS

ENGLAND (Robert Dane)
F(Lon) - Wal (FAILED); F(Nwy) - NTH (FAILED); F(HEL) - Den; A(Yor) Stands

FRANCE (Claus Jeppesen)
F(ENG) c A(Bel) - Wal; A(Bel) - Wal (FAILED); A(Por) - Spa; F(Bre) - MAO; F(Mar) Stands

GERMANY (John Mainprize)
A(Den) - Edi; A(Hol) - Ruh; F(Ber) - Kie; F(Kie) - HEL; F(NTH) c A(Den) - Edi

ITALY (Richard Hucknall)
A(Ven) - Tyr; A(Apu) - Ven; F(Nap) - Apu; F(Tun) - ION

RUSSIA (David Rule)
F(Swe) - Nwy (FAILED); F(Sev) - BLA; A(Gal) - Bud (FAILED); A(Rum) - Ser; A(Mos) - Sev; A(War) - Sil

TURKEY (John Doyle)
F(Con) - AEG; A(Arm) - Ank; A(Bul) s RUSSIAN A(Rum) - Ser; F(Smy) s F(Con) - AEG

PRESS

ALB: On the 30th of this month, the clocks in Britain go forward one hour & it's called British Summer Time (BST). Needless to say, all deadline will be BST.

Par: Armed forces this morning at 5.00 AM local time forced their way into the president's palace on Champs Elysses to remove President Claus from his position as head of the French state. At the same time all major TV and radio stations in the French capital was brought under military control, and one hour later the chief of the general staff, general Jeppesen, in a speech to the nation, said that the military coup had been necessary, as the presidents frequent interference in the affairs of other states had brought the nation on the brink of war with every major European state. "We are not cowards", stated the general, "but only a fool challenges the entire world at once. We have no wish to enter a state of war, unless our national pride or our sheer existence is threatened - and quite frankly if our ex-president's untimely verbal attacks on our neighbours was allowed to continue, it would have threatened our nation." The general promised the people of France, that presidential elections would be held within a year, unless irresponsible subversive political movements should make it impossible. There is no confirmed news on the where-abouts of the former president, but informed sources claim, that he has sworn to fight the military junta, until he can be reinstated in his office. Rumours are rife in the French capital - some thinks, that the president has fled the country, while other thinks he's hiding among loyal military units somewhere in France.

The first reactions from foreign leaders of state has mainly been to welcome the military take-over in Paris.

"We are worried, that the military coup will harm the democracies of Europe, but we recognize the need to calm the unrest originating from the French president's outrageous public speeches, that has seriously damaged relations between the European nations. Democracy is for those who know their responsibilities towards the common good, not for those who want to destroy the civilization in fury and anger in the name of the common people", said the English prime minister Robert at a press conference held only half an hour after the military coup. The prime minister's speech caused minor riots in parts of London, mainly in East End, where demonstraters carried banners saying, that the English government leader bore responsibily for the coup in Paris. But the prime minister has categorically denied, that England had known or played any part in the military junta's plans.

In Berlin the coup d'etat was recieved with caution. "We will wait and see, what the new French government will do to improve the relations between our two countries, and we'll judge it by its deeds, not its words. But we think, that it will be easier to put aside the differences, that has lead to a worsened the Franco-German relationship in the last couple of years", said Emperor John in a broadcasted speech a little while ago.

Whole-hearted support was the response from Moscow. "It was about time that big-mouthed liberal son of you know who was put in his place. Europe will be a happier and more peaceful continent in the future, now that he's gone", stated Czar David in his usual blunt manner during his daily public appearance at the gates of Kreml.

The Italian prime minister, Mr. Richard, has so far only made one very short public statement: "I thank you for telling me what has happened in France. I can assure you, that I won't tell anyone else".

In Vienna Archduke John hasn't answered several requests from the media for a press conference, but a spokesman has told senior reporters, that the archduke reacted to the news from Paris with this remark: "The faces change, but the country stays the same". The spokesman wasn't sure, whether the archduke meant France or Austria - or any other country...

Sultan John I. of Turkey won't make any public comment for a couple of months. The reason for the sultan's silence is said to be, that his advisers won't be available for consultations, as they've lost their way somewhere in the mountains of Armenia - apparently due to a badly written order from the sultan himself. Meanwhile the sultan will pass the time by having a ball in his reportedly 70-strong harem back home in Istanbul.

Ber-ALB: Actually Ally I agree with Claus, anonymous press can be enormous fun. I would rather you allowed it but if not fair enough, your choice.

ALB-Ber: Even though it wasn't the way the Paris Govt 'press' wanted it to be shown, I think it is funny. Firstly, due to that & secondly, I haven't allowed or been asked for anonymous press, it's staying as it is, no anonymous press.

StP: The Tsar of all Russians regrets that lapses in the diplomatic process have necessitated a military exercise on the borders of Austria. It has been decided, after long deliberations in the army council, that the current posture of Austria

threatens the Motherland, and must be met with a show of force.

StP-Par: The Tsar does not look with any fondness on the revolutionary outpourings of the French. God endows monarchs with their possessions, and while the French president may think himself the equal of God, he will understand that the Russian people feel he is, like them, a mere servant of the Almighty."

StP-Ber: Open up the bierkellers, Fritz, we're on our way!"

Autumn 1902 deadline: 19:00 BST, 7th April 2003.