ESAT

ESAT

Flag of ESAT
Motto: "The World's only nation with a front door."
N/A
Region	Uhuhland
Capital	none; administered from Rêvane, Ariddia
Official Language(s)	French, English, Wymgani
Leader	Secretary Christelle Zyryanov
Population	49
Currency	Ariddian credit (Ç)
NS Sunset XML

ESAT (the Extraterritorial Sovereign Ariddian Territory) has been described as more of a loophole than a nation, although its sovereignty has officially been proclaimed. The entire country consists solely of a moderate-sized building in the diplomatic district of Rêvane, the capital city of the People's Democratic Social Republic of Ariddia.

ESAT has been defined by some as a "legal loophole", and the Ariddian government makes no pretence to the contrary. Its purpose is to sit as a sovereign member of the United Nations, thus giving Ariddia a vote in the General Assembly, but exempting the PDSRA from UN law. This tactic is not without precedent, and the Ariddian government explained that it wished to have such a possibility available to it should the General Assembly pass "laws contrary to the well being of the people and the planet".

When it appeared the proposal 'Repeal "Stop dumping - Start Cleaning"' would be succesfully implemented, following a series of repeals of environmental legislation, the PDSRA notified the United Nations of its formal withdrawal, and transferred its membership to ESAT.

ESAT is, legally, a fully sovereign territory. It is entered through the front door of the building, which constitutes its official border with Ariddia. An Ariddian soldier regulates entry and exit. The emergency exits also qualify as borders, and are guarded. It is not possible to visit ESAT (except for one room), so only Esati citizens, members of the Ariddian government and specifically invited guests may enter.

Forty-nine Ariddians have Esati citizenship, while a number of others have non-citizen nationality, or temporary entry permits, such as maintenance personnel. ESAT is administered by the Ariddian government, but its official head of state is Christelle Zyryanov, Ariddia's ambassador to the United Nations.

Political geography

ESAT is located at 39, avenue Annabelle Laurier, Rêvane. The outer walls of the building constitute the national border. Access to ESAT is restricted.

ESAT holds sovereignty over its single building and the land it is built on. The building encompases a courtyard, which remains officially Ariddian territory, and is thus accessible to anyone. (See these satellite images of ESAT and of its border with Ariddia: [1] [2].)

Technically, ESAT has its own airspace, but has never laid claim to jurisdiction over it.

When sending a letter to ESAT, the correct address is: "39, avenue Annabelle Laurier, Rêvane, ESAT". Or, simply: "Extraterritorial Sovereign Ariddian Territory". It would be incorrect to write "Ariddia" on the envelope, as ESAT is not officially part of Ariddia.

Politics and government

Ariddia's ambassador to the United Nations automatically becomes ESAT's head of State. He or she is appointed by the Ariddian government. However, in accordance with resolution #49 of the United Nations General Assembly, and so as to ensure Esati sovereignty, Esati citizens are legally entitled to reject their appointed head of State, via referendum. In practice, this has never happened.

The Esati head of State holds the title of Secretary. He or she oversees the daily running of the country, and is authorised to delegate routine government functions to any citizens.

Judiciary

In theory, ESAT's judicial system is modelled on Ariddia's. In practice, it has, so far, never had any cause to operate.

Economy

Officially, ESAT's currency is the Ariddian credit. The microstate does not mint its own coins or print its own banknotes, but uses Ariddia's. Any monetary needs are funded by the Ariddian Treasury. Money is not used within the building itself. (Coffee machines and other food dispensers operate freely, in keeping with the PDSRA's moneyless economy).

ESAT and UN law

As a member State of the United Nations, ESAT is compelled to implement all UN resolutions, whereas Ariddia is not. Traditionally, many member States seek to exploit loopholes in sometimes vague or poorly written resolutions, and ESAT is no different. The tiny micro-State is in full compliance with the letter and spirit of most UN law, but occasionally complies only with the letter.

For more, see: Ariddia and the United Nations.

Sport

For obvious reasons, ESAT does not take part in international sporting events. The country's national sports have been described as darts - a popular indoors game for the building's staff - and, somewhat paradoxically, cycling, due to Esati road cyclist Annabel Mild having decided to take part in the first ever Summer Olympic Games.

ESAT has got a national football team, however, which it created for the Ariddian Inter-Territorial Cup. The team comprises about half the nation's citizens, and has no professional - nor even regular amateur - players. Most members of the Esati team have only a rough understanding of the rules of the game, and several are over forty or even fifty years of age. ESAT played three matches in the Cup, losing 0-4 to Gnatanamo, 0-48 to Ariddia and 0-29 to North-West Ariddia. It also played a friendly match against Ariddian Antarctica, and won by 6-5. More recently, ESAT has played friendlies against Uncle Pete (0-19) and Ropa-Topia (0-22).

The team's captain (and de facto coach) is 32-year-old Desmond White, and Annabel Mild also takes part as a defender.

International codes