ESAT

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ESAT
esatflagsmallervl0.jpg emblemesatjpgbn7.jpg
Flag Emblem
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 Christophe Boco
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, and is not officially part of the Ariddian Isles' Federation. 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 Christophe Boco, 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).

Symbols

Initially, ESAT flew the Ariddian flag and had no national emblem of its own. In 2138, however, Secretary Christophe Boco consulted the country's citizens on the issue of ESAT having its own symbols. Consensus was reached on the nation adopting a new flag and emblem. The national anthem is the instrumental version of Ariddia's, but there have been talks of adopting new, Esati-specific lyrics to the tune.

Flag

The Esati flag displays the Ariddian flag in the top left-hand corner. The seven circles represent unity, perfection (the number 7), as well as, perhaps, ESAT's inclusion among the seven member States of the Uhuhland Union. The colour blue represents ESAT's membership in the United Nations, and its support for that organisation.

Emblem

The Esati emblem utilises the same colour scheme as the national flag. The red star represents both communism and Ariddia; the radiant yellow star represents unity, hope, and ESAT extending its ideals to the rest of the world.

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

International Codes
Internet code (TLD):.eat.ari
Sports' code:none
Carplate:none
Telephone dialing code:96


The Ariddian Isles
Countries: Ariddia (PDSRA)West AriddiaNorth-West AriddiaESAT
Other: CitiesHistoryGovernmentEconomyArt & literatureSportTelevision


The Uhuhland Union
Member states: Ariddia, ESAT, North-West Ariddia, Ropa-Topia, San Adriano, Uhuh-Ropa, Uhuh-Topia, West Ariddia
See also: Uhuhland, Uhuhland Council, Uhuhland Parliament, Uhuhland Defence Force, Uhuhland Cabinet