Author note: New discussions, new information since the original posting of this thread. I have edited some small parts to reflect this, particularly the ending, but because so much of this post was based on information held at a few hours ago I am leaving much of it un-edited. Just keep in mind certain parts may be outdated, and even contradictory with statements made later in the post. -UK
Until recently my personal policy has been "We don't care." Knocking the NPO down a couple pegs has been fun, but would ultimately become a hassle to our interests. I'm concerned that an explosive operation was conducted without the consent or knowledge of the Prime Minister, has blown up in our faces, and we are right now not even able to research the facts of it. I'm concerned that a formerly-zealous agent is now spilling reportedly-classified information to a foreign government that is yucking it up for all the sympathy points it can get. I'm concerned with a lot of things. Gaspo, it's fine, you can talk here if you've something to say.
A quick word about
this post. Ah, Blue Wolf, as a general rule, please don't do that. And especially not in a foreign embassy -Regional Assembly Private Halls may be an acceptable location, but not another region's embassy. Thank you.
I intend my focus to be on setting affairs right in our own house. Before I get to that, I'll remark that No, I don't intend to provoke the NPO into a war and I do hope to set a few things straight with them. Who wants to join the Super Diplomat Crisis Action Negotiation Team? Inquire within. Now, with that said...
I would be curious as to what the Prime Minister has to say on this matter, having the power to appoint a new Director as he sees fit.
According to a strict reading of NPIA regulations, I do not. Only NPIA members can celect their Director. However, I don't care.
Let me repeat that: I don't care.
Let me echo a few words of my predecessor on this. The Cabinet is not kept aware of NPIA activities. The Prime Minister is, almost specifically, not kept aware of NPIA activities or even made the beneficiary of its information. The public is not kept aware of any knowledge regarding the NPIA.
When the NPIA does something bad, never through declassification and only through something blowing up in TNP's face, who is put in danger?
Who is held accountable?
The Prime Minister -myself nor Grosseschnauzer- has 0 oversight over an agency of a government that we alone are supposed to administer. As Grosseschnauzer said, he (nor I) have the ability to view the NPIA archives to determine what in Mesian's account is truthful.
I have no knowledge of who is even a passive member of the NPIA in order to tell him to pass on to the others a request to elect a new Director, if it is not too much trouble for them.
This is bullshit. I don't care.
I'm a bit tired of having my hands tied behind my back this past two weeks. I am the head of government. I have a mandate.
"The Prime Minister shall have such authority as is necessary and proper to exercise the powers granted to, or to execute the duties imposed upon, the Prime Minister..."
The North Pacific Legal Code spells out a procedure for dismissing and replacing Cabinet-level Ministers. In regards to the Cabinet, I can fill vacancies and call for a dismissal of inactive Ministers. The NPIA Director is a non-Cabinet level position
subordinate to the Cabinet and ultimately the Prime Minister. These points combined I think it is reasonable for the Prime Minister to act in exceptionable cases on behalf of the people.
The NPIA is not superior to the Legal Code. It is not superior to the Constitution.
If the NPIA will not choose a new Director I will choose one for them. I intend to place Lord Valentine of Vitrionia in that position.
FWIW, I believe we should bring further charges against him and any other member of the NPIA implicated in the vote fixing 'scandal'. We need to be seen to be cleaning house now.
If Mesian's quote is true, then it means the NPIA has become a cabal. It does not act in concert with or in benefit for the people. It collects information and engages in activities for its own sake. This is unacceptable. The government has its hands tied while it waits for this agency to take its time deciding how much, if at all, it will cooperate. The chain of command moves up, not down.
On hotheadedness: If I had my way I would suspend the NPIA from all activities, operations, even idle chatter right now and indefinitely while it is thoroughly gutted and cleansed.
But I've been told they finished their procedures for a new Director. I found out about this after the fact and in passing, but what can ya do? There is still much I'm concerned about, but I'm confident in the new Director so for optimism's sake I'm willing to see how things play out with him.