User:Smokejumper7/sandbox

=  COUNTRY STUDY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PINELAND (ROP) “1870 to DEC 2022”  =

2. PURPOSE AND LIMITING FACTORS.
a. Purpose. The ROP is a vital and important trading and security partner to the United States. Both countries share a common heritage and close ties. This country study provides the user with an introduction to the understanding of the ROP and its people.

b. Mission. This country study supports the regional orientation and stated mission of the 9th Special Forces Group, which is to provide military assistance where and when needed to countries that request this assistance from the United States.

c. Limiting Factors. This country study contains the most recent and up-to-date information concerning the ROP at the time of publication. Prior to operational deployment, updates may be necessary.

a. Subdivision.
The ROP subdivided geographically into three distinctive regions, from east to west: the coast, the plateau, and the western mountains.

b. Areas and Dimensions.
(1) Areas. The ROP consists of a total area of 83,782 square miles. Northern ROP consists of a total area of 52,669 square miles. Southern ROP consists of a total area of 31,113 square miles.

(2) Dimensions. The ROP is approximately 387 miles north south and 503 miles east west. Northern ROP is approximately 187 miles north south and 503 miles east west. Southern ROP is approximately 200 miles north south and 250 miles east west.

c. Strategic Location.
(1) Neighboring Countries and Boundaries. ROP has common borders with Republic of Appalachia to the west, Republic of Columbus (ROC) to the southwest, and United Provinces of Atlantica (UPA) to the north. Its eastern terminus is the Atlantic Ocean. (Refer to Annex E (Continent Atlantica Map)

(2) Natural Defenses. The coast of the ROP is a natural defensive barrier. The tidal shoreline measures 488 miles. Sandbars, called the Outer Banks, form an almost continuous barrier along the coast. The shifting sands of the Outer Banks have sunk many ships, and the Cape is called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The flatlands of the coast extend inland through an area of low marshland covered by trees, water, many swamps, shallow lakes, and rivers. These present problems, especially during heavy rainfall. The Appalachian Mountains are another natural defense with mountains reaching over 6,000 feet, sharp cliffs, and fast moving rivers, which make land movement difficult.

(3) Points of Entry and Strategic Routes. There are several ports of entry along the coastline. Each district has a small municipal airport with numerous other government-owned airstrips. There are a large number of secondary roads and highways connecting to major highways and international roads, which lead north, south, east, and west.

d. Climate
(1) Temperature: In the winter, the greater part of the ROP protected partially by the mountain ranges from the frequent outbreaks of cold, which move southeastward. The temperature drops to around 10 F over the central ROP once or twice during an average winter. Near the coast, a comparable figure is some 10 degrees higher, and in the upper mountains, 10 degrees lower. Winter temperatures vary on the Eastern Coastal Plain because of the Atlantic Ocean. This effect raises the average winter temperature and reduces the average day-to-night range. The Gulf Stream, contrary to popular opinion, has little direct effect on ROP temperatures, even on the immediate coast. Extreme temperatures (coast and plateau) for the summer range from 55 F for a low, to 105 to 110 F for a high. The temperatures vary slightly in the eastern as compared to the western portion of the region in both the winter and summer seasons due to the slight elevation difference.

(a) Winter Average Low Temperature (January)31.30(F) coastal 30-34(F) piedmont 27-70(F) mountains

(b) Winter Average High Temperature (January)40-54 (F) coastal 8-58 (F) piedmont 40-52 (F) mountains

(c) Summer Average Low Temperature (July)69.90 (F) coast 64-70 (F) piedmont 56-64 (F) mountains

(d) Summer Average High Temperature (July) 90.10° (F) coast 82-92° (F) piedmont 72-88° (F) mountains

(2) Rain and Snowfall.

(a) Annual Rainfall. There is abundant rainfall during the year, however, there is no distinct wet or dry season. Maximum precipitation occurs during the summer (July) with short duration thunderstorms that can deliver considerable amounts of rain. Thunderstorms can produce up to 4 to 5 inches of rain in short periods of time accompanied by hail and conditions favorable for tornadoes. Humidity is high in most of the country (60-90%) which greatly affects how the temperature feels. The average rainfall in the piedmont region is 48-53 inches a year. In some valleys of the mountains annual rainfall may reach up to 200 inches a year.

(b) Annual Snowfall. Snowfall is rare in the eastern portion of the country. Small amounts of snow and sleet occur almost every winter in the midsection of the country, but melts within a few hours. It is rare, but snowstorms can occur producing up to 20 inches of snow. In the mountains, snowfall is higher depending on elevation and exposure. Most mountainous areas receive between 8-30 inches per year and some average up to 50 inches and have snow cover lasting several weeks at a time. Winter precipitation usually occurs with southerly through easterly winds, and is seldom associated with very cold weather.

(3) Wind and Visibility.

(a) Wind. Predominantly, the winds come from the maritime tropics (east-southeast through the southwest), but some continental polar winds (west through north) may come at any time. Easterly winds bring an increase in moisture and high humidity. When this warm moist air clashes with colder air, thunderstorms (some severe with winds reaching over 45 knots or more) may be produced. The wind has little moderating effects on the temperature throughout the year. The exception to this is in the mountain regions, where the winds come from the west and north accompanied by cold or cool continental polar air.

(b) Visibility. Visibility is usually unlimited (greater than 7 miles) along the coast. In the piedmont region, visibility is generally unlimited except during times of early morning fog, which may severely restrict visibility, sometimes to only several feet. In the mountains, visibility is unlimited most of the time due to the cooler polar air. Usually low clouds or fog, restricting visibility, covers Mountains and valleys.

(4) Light Data. There are more than 14 hours of daylight in the summer, and 9 hours during the winter. Astronomical data for a particular location and date are from the local weather service.

(5) Seasonal Effects of the Weather on Terrain and Visibility.

(a) Effects on Terrain. In the summer months with hot and humid temperatures, early morning fog is prominent. Fog tends to burn off by mid-morning. Any significant amount of rain will raise the water table in the rivers and lakes. With increased precipitation, rivers will swell and move faster. Hurricanes may damage the shore and inland some distance. In the winter, a sudden drop in the temperature will also cause fog and, if the winds remain light, will linger throughout the day. Rivers and lakes freezing in the ROP are highly unlikely, however some locations in the mountain region may ice over in the winter months. If there is any snow or freezing rain it will drastically slow transportation throughout the entire region. This is due to the lack of snow clearing and sanding ability in the region. (b) Effects on Visibility. Summer thunderstorms will limit visibility for their duration however, they are quick and only affect small areas at a time. Fog will normally appear during the early morning hours in the low areas, especially near rivers and lakes. Visibility may be restricted to several feet. Winter snow in the mountains will greatly limit visibility, usually to less than 1 mile.

(6) Hurricanes. Tropical hurricanes come close enough to influence ROP weather about twice in an average year. Only about once in 10 years, on the average, does this type of storm strike the country with sufficient force to do much damage to inland property. Coastal properties occasionally suffer significant damage associated with storm surge (high tides and seas).

(7) Tornadoes. The ROP is outside of the principle tornado areas of Atlantica. During a 53-year period 1916-1968, 193 tornadoes were reported, an average of less than 4 per year. In recent years, the number reported has increased to almost twice that figure, probably due to rising population and more effective reporting.

(8) Weather reporting network. The ROP has a fair to good weather-reporting network. Observations at all the major airports and many secondary airfields recorded, using both automated sensors and live observers. Local newspapers, television, and radio stations are the best source for local weather forecast. The ROP National Weather Service operates a 24-hour per day weather alert radio system, which operates on the VHF (FM) frequencies of 162.425, 162.475, 162.525, and 162.550 MHz.

e. Relief.
(1) General Direction of Mountain Ranges or Ridgelines and whether Hills and Ridges are Dissected. As one proceeds westward from the coast, there are gentle rolling sand hills which reach into the plateaus of ROP. Long periods of erosion have reduced all of the hills here into rolling plateaus. In the southeastern portion of the region are the Triassic Lowlands. They start in the southeast and extend north through the Uwharrie Mountains, with higher hills and lowlands in the center. Most major cities here lie on flat or small rolling hills. The mountain region rises abruptly from the plateau along an escarpment known as the Brevard Fault. The eastern part of the region is the Blue Ridge Mountains (general direction north south) having over three-fourths of the area in gentle slopes on the lowlands. The Unaka and Great Smoky Mountains vary from 15 to 50 miles wide from the western part of this region. The Black Mountains are a cross ridge between the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.

(2) General Degree of Slope. The slope rises from the coast (sea level) to the west into gentle rolling sand hills, which are approximately 300 feet. Upon reaching the plateau, the average slope begins to change approximately 10 feet per linear mile from east to west. The southern portion of the plateau is generally flat. The central portion has higher peaks of hills, and in the north, the region is flat. In the mountains, the eastern continental divide separates the surface from east to west with steep hills and ridges. The degree of slope varies on the average of 25 degrees or more within the mountain region.

(3) Characteristics of Valleys and Plains. With many streams and swamps, any low area along the coast will be heavily vegetated. Plains consist of farmland and tall wooded areas. Valleys and plateaus produce hard woods, small shrubs oaks, and pine trees with many rivers and streams, which may be dry if there has not been any recent rain. Plains are mostly for farmland or pine-tree cultivation. The larger valleys between the mountain ranges are mostly for agriculture. Raw crops and some tree crops occupy some sloping terrain. The valley sides within the mountain chains are steep with many streams and thick vegetation.

(4) Natural Routes for, and Natural Obstacles to, Cross-Country Movement.

(a) Routes for cross-country movement. The coastal plain is a natural overland route to the western portion of the ROP, north and south. Cross-country movement on the plateau is excellent in the region, with 60 percent covered with woods, which are excellent for cover and concealment. Over 75 percent of the mountain region is forest however some districts are 95 percent. There is a natural route along the Blue Ridge Mountains moving north south on the ridgelines.

(b) Obstacles to cross-country movement. Numerous streams, rivers, swamps, and thick vegetation make vehicle off-road movement slow to nonexistent, especially after a heavy rain. In the last decade, three hurricanes have hit the coast of ROP and moved inland all the way to the plateau. There are approximately 8 to 10 major storms per year and three tornadoes per year.

1. In the piedmont region, there is a large amount of open farmland, large rivers with several tributaries, some large lakes, and several hundred small farm ponds. Alongside the creeks and rivers, one can encounter swampland, which in some cases may be impossible to cross, especially after heavy rain. The rural inhabitants have domestic animals, to include dogs, which can detect and jeopardize movement.

2. The mountains are an obstacle in themselves with over 40 peaks reaching over 6,000 feet. Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the eastern portion of the continent (it reaches 6,685 feet). Numerous streams and rivers (French Broad River in the eastern region and Little Tennessee in the west region) are also located in the mountain region.

(5) Location of Areas Suitable for Guerrilla Bases, Units, and Other Installations.

(a) Mountain region. There are large areas of remote forests and heavy wooded valleys with good natural cover and concealment necessary for guerrilla base camps for extended time.

(b) Piedmont and Coastal regions. Numerous pine forests, rolling terrain, and wooded swamps in both regions have good natural camouflage that is suitable to support limited size, guerrilla base camps for a short time.

Note: Most areas in the three regions are accessible by air with many small open areas   suitable for rotary-wing infiltration. In most cases many roads, trails, and populated areas surround areas suitable for G-base camps in the Piedmont and Coastal region.

(6) Potential Landing and Drop Zones and other Reception Sites.

(a) The Atlantic Coast lends itself to waterborne infiltration with large sand dunes all along the coast and rivers. Inland openings can support small to medium-size boats for short distances on small rivers and a greater distance on large rivers.

(b) There are numerous small airstrips in the country and most are paved. In addition, large amounts of open farmland exist that can be used as drop zones and landing zones for rotary wing aircraft.

(c) Many of the large rivers and lakes are capable of supporting maritime parachute (personnel and re-supply drop zones) and fixed-wing amphibious landing operations (STOL).

f. Land Use.
(1) Formerly Heavily Forested Areas Subject to Widespread Cutting or Dissecting by Paths and Roads. Sixty to seventy percent of the eastern coast region is forest. Fifty to sixty percent of the eastern piedmont region is forest. Heavily forested areas are subjective to clear- cutting and dissected by paths and roads. The need for lumber and plywood enabled pine trees to dominate much of the region. The forestry service now controls cutting and replanting of trees. These pine trees will mature in 10 to 12 years for pulpwood and 20 to 30 years for lumber on good sites.

(2) Pastureland or Wasteland Which Has Been Reforested. While some farm areas replaced by pine forests, there are other areas that are tree farms, but none are major projects. The ROP is giving financial aid to anyone requesting aid for replacing pastureland with forestland. Forested areas are natural wildlife refuge areas.

(3) Former Wasteland or Pasture That Has Been Resettled and Cultivated and Is Now Being Farmed. There is no wasteland in the region. Farmland used for farming to produce fruits and other agriculture products. As the population has increased in recent years, farmland is no longer farmed, but for various reasons.

(4) Former Rural Areas That Have Been Depopulated and Allowed to Return to Wasteland. None.

(5) Former Swampland or Marshland Drained. Years passed, there been large areas of swampland drained, which is now farmland. In the past, such drainage has caused some problems with flooding of other areas and changed the natural wildlife in the eastern portion of the country. On the other hand, the swampland damaged by man, has caused the drainage to slow or completely stop.

(6) Former Desert or Wasteland Now Irrigated and Cultivated. None.

(7) Lakes Created by Dams.

(a) All of the lakes in the coastal portion of the country are natural due to the poor drainage and sea level elevation. There are numerous dams or locks on some of the swamps and lakes to control flooding and further expansion of the swamps.

(b) All of the lakes in the eastern piedmont region are manmade and have one or more dams to support them.

(c) All of the lakes in the mountain region are manmade and have at least one dam to support them.

g. Drainage (General Pattern).
(1) Main River Direction of Flow (Characteristics of Rivers and Streams Such as Widths, Currents, Banks, Depths, Kinds of Bottoms and Obstacles, Etc.)  The main rivers of the coastal area, flows to the Atlantic Ocean (west to east or southeast). The piedmont region has numerous large rivers, which start at the mountain region and flow southeast down the slopes of the mountains and hills. The rivers race along narrow channels and the currents are treacherous, especially after rainfall. . The width of all these rivers varied. In the mountains, the eastern Continental Divide separates the direction of flow of streams and rivers. On the eastern side of the divide, the streams flow east and south¬east. To the west of the divide, they will flow to the west. They definitely create obstacles to movement. The following are major rivers:

(a) Lumber River. The Lumber River starts in central North Pineland, flows southeast, then turns southwest and crosses North Pineland’s southern border, then continues southwest into the Pee Dee River, 125 miles long. Entrance depth: 10 to 30 feet. August depth: 8 feet. Velocity: 3 to 5 miles per hour (mph).

(b) Cape Fear River. The Cape Fear River formed in the piedmont. Its wide, deep channel gives way to a narrow cut through hard rock above Fayetteville. Severe floods occasionally occur with the river rising as much as 30 feet in 24 hours. The river flows southeastward across the coastal plain past Fayetteville, Elizabethtown, and then down to Wilmington. Entrance depth: 17 to 30 feet. August depth: 11 feet. Velocity: 5 to 7 miles per hour (mph).

(c) Neuse River. The Neuse River formed in a lowland basin within the piedmont. Its upper tributaries rise in country with a rapid runoff. Heavy rains, especially in late winter1 can cause flooding. The Neuse River is 134 miles long, 6 miles wide (widest point). Entrance depth: 9 to 35 feet. August depth: 15 feet. Velocity: 4 to 7 miles per hour (mph).

(d) New River. Its disposition is the eastern part of North Pineland, ROP and flows into the New River Inlet and Atlantic Ocean. Generally, the New River is very deep and extends 35 miles inland. Entrance depth: 23 to 42 feet. August depth: 25 feet. Velocity: 6 miles per hour (mph).

(e) Tar River. It is located in northeast northern ROP and is 215 miles long. It flows into a wide estuary known as the Pamlico River. Entrance depth: 13 to 25 feet. August depth: 14 feet. Velocity: 3 to 6 miles per hour (mph).

(f) Roanoke River. On the eastern front of the Appalachians, falling a height of about 1,000 feet, the Roanoke flows through the Blue Ridge in a deep, narrow gap occupied by Roanoke. The river crosses the hilly piedmont in a winding valley. At Clarksville, the Dan River joins the Roanoke River from the south. Still flowing southeast through rolling country, the river crosses the UPA border into northern ROP at Roanoke Rapids. Roanoke River’s last 100 miles, is across the coastal region. It is the narrowest of the major rivers. Entrance depth: 9 to 26 feet. August depth: 11 feet. Velocity: 3 to 7 miles per hour (mph).

(g) Chowan River. It is located in northeast northern ROP and is approximately 50 miles long. The Chowan formed by the confluence of the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers, and flows southeast into Albemarle Sound. Entrance depth: 7 to 18 feet. August depth: 10 feet. Velocity: 3 to 5 miles per hour (mph).

(h) Pee Dee River. The Pee Dee is formed by the junction of Yadkin and Uwharrie rivers in northern ROP and flows southeast into southern ROP. The river flows into Winyah Bay in southern ROP. Entrance depth: 4 to 30 feet. August depth: 13 feet. Velocity: 4 to 7 miles per hour (mph).

(i) Savannah River. The Savannah River forms the southern border of ROP. Savannah River formed by confluence of Tugabo and Seneca rivers in northwest southern ROP. The river is 314 miles long and flows southeast into the Atlantic Ocean at Savannah, ROC. Entrance depth: 3 to 32 feet. August depth: 17 feet. Velocity: 5 to 7 miles per hour (mph).

(2) Large Lakes or Areas of Many Ponds or Swamps (Potential Water LZs). Dams form many large manmade lakes or reservoirs throughout ROP. The largest of these lakes in the eastern piedmont region include Lake Marion, Lake Murray, Lake Wateree, Lake Greenwood, Lake Hartwell, and Lake Clark Hill in the southern part of the region. The largest lakes in the mountain region include Lake Hiwassee, Lake Fontana, Lake James, and West Kerr reservoir. All of these lakes are capable of supporting amphibious aircraft. There are also over 20,000 farm ponds of various size in the eastern region and 9,000 in the mountain region. The ponds are mainly for irrigation storage pits.

(3) Large Natural Lakes. Lake Mattamuskeet is the country's largest lake and is located in northeastern ROP. Many smaller natural lakes exist that are capable of supporting amphibious aircraft.

h. Coast.
The ROP’s entire coast is in the coastal plain region. The shoreline covers approximately 488 miles.

(1) Tides and Waves. The Holocene coastline is a primary wave dominating (4 feet average) barrier island and lagoon complex. Major sounds occupied large river valleys during (Pleistocene era) low stands of the sea. The barrier islands are long and continuous with few tidal inlets. Size and dimensions are as stated before.

(2) Winds and Current. The prevailing winds along the coast are south-southwest or south-southeast with low pressure bringing northerly winds. At intermediate times and places along the ROP’s coast are strong undertows and riptides. These swift undertows, strong currents, and cold winter water temperatures can limit scout swimming and small boat operations.

(3) Beach Footing. The beach footing is a hard packed surface, mostly sand. The beach slopes abruptly in knee-deep water. The sound side of the Outer Banks is marshy and shallow along the shore.

(4) Covered Exit Routes. There are a number of sand hills, known as sand dunes. All through the Outer Banks, the shoreline can be used for limited cover and concealment.

(5) Quiet Coves and Shallow Inlets or Estuaries. Along the ROP coast, there are numerous coves and small inlets. The shifting sands can make them larger or smaller at any time.

i. Geological Basics (Types of Soil and Rock Formations).
(1) Soil Formations. The major soil groups in the region are acidic crystalline, basic crystalline, ROP slate, and Triassic sediments. The acidic and basic crystalline rocks comprise three-fifths of the region. They tend to have brown surfaces. ROP slate covers the east central part of the region (acidic soils have light-colored sandy or sand-brown surfaces).

(2) Rock Formations. In the eastern part of the piedmont region is ROP slate. Slates and phyllites that were originally volcanic rock dominate the belt. In the central part is an area of extensive granite and dark-colored intrusive rocks. Very complete metamorphic rocks and granites characterize the western part of the region.

(a) Muck swamp with dark-colored and poorly drained soils occupy one-third of the coastal region, adjacent to the sounds and extending far up the major streams. Most of the hardpan soil is located in the southeast portion of the region, which includes sand dunes and river alluvium.

(b) The higher elevation, resulting in lower temperatures, accounts for brown soil commonly found farther north. Acidic crystalline comprises 60 percent of all mountain soils (brown clay or clay soils are usually stony, shallow, or steep slopes). Other mountain soils derived from miscellaneous sources. A limited acreage of alliciral and trivace soils is included, which used extensively for crops and pasture.

j. Forests and Other Vegetation.

(1) Natural and Cultivated. Pines dominate much of the ROP. Through forestry practices, longleaf pine occupies most of the country. Oak and hickory forests, and a mixture of broadleaf and loblolly pine, are the natural vegetation of the region. Other varieties of vegetation differ in soil groups. Upland sites favor southern oak, white oak and mockernut hick¬ory. Dogwood and sourwood are common in dry sites. Thin soil areas support post oak, scarlet oak, and shagbark hickory. Sycamore, sweet gum, tulip, poplar, willow oak, river birch, elm, and ash are common to the region and provide excellent cover and concealment year round with evergreen trees and shrubs. In the summer the low areas, valleys, and streams may become very thickly vegetated and will slow foot movement.

(2) Types, Characteristics, and Significant Variations from the Norm at Various Elevations. The physical setting of the coastal plain is generally favorable to vegetation growth due to its long frost-free season, ample mois¬ture, good soil, and flat terrain.

(a) The plateau portion of the country has finely textured soil and generally covered with oak, hickory, and pine forest. The coarsely textured soil of the sand hills region of the plateau, as well as the southeast coast, has open stands of longleaf pine with underbrush of scrub oaks and a ground cover of wiregrass.

(b) In the mountain region, there are two types of vegetation- a broadleaf, deciduous forest up to elevations of 5,000 feet, and a needle leaf evergreen forest. Above that level, also referred to, as a boreal (northern) coniferous forest, red spruce and Fraser firs are dominant. Fir trees are on the higher exposed ridges.

(c) On steep south-facing gaps are beech, yellow birch, and sugar maple. The deciduous forest shows best development at lower elevations. Cover forest contains tulip, poplar, yellow buckeye, cucumber tree, hemlock, white pine, beech, birch, and maple.

(d) Various species of oak have different environmental needs so that they are in different elevation zones. Northern red oak dominates from 5,000 to 4,000 feet, chestnut oak from 4,000 to 3,000 feet, and white oak below 3,000 feet.

(e) There are some places on the mountains known as balds. Balds are treeless areas. Thick growth of mountain laurel and rhododendron or a cover of mountain grass dominates them.

(3) Cover and Concealment to Include Density and Seasonal Variations. The country provides excellent cover and concealment year round with evergreen trees and shrubs. In low areas, streams and swamps will become very thick and will make movement slow but provide excellent cover and concealment. Along the coast, the beaches are open except for sea oats and American beach grass.

k. Water (Ground Surface, Seasonal, Pot ability).

(1) Ground Surface. Seasonal wetlands characterize much of the country. In the coastal region, "floodplain" or "bottomland" extends along a specific river course and may be seasonally flooded. Both swampland and marshes occur on wide, flat, interfluves (between river courses). Swamps have freshwater trees and shrubs, marshes are treeless with fresh or salt water, which can be deep or shallow.

(a) The waters in the piedmont region generally drained into the ground due to the good drainage of the area and it moves through joints and fractures, serving as pipelines, or drilled or dug wells. Occasionally an artesian spring will discharge along the base of the slope where the water table reaches the surface. With numerous rivers, streams, and lakes, there is no shortage of water at any time in this region.

(b) The groundwater in the mountain region generally drained into the ground due to steep slopes and the good drainage of the area. There are many freshwater streams year round in all parts of the mountain region.

(2) Pot ability. Water founded along the coast, must be boiled for five minutes before drinking. It is usually infested with insects and has a high acid content or brackish nature (saltwater mixed with freshwater). There are major projects to pump water from the inner portion of the country for drinking.

(a) There is contaminated water in the piedmont region, mostly due to poor farming practices, poorly designed septic systems, toxic waste sites, and old underground gasoline tanks. Bacterial contamination largely confined to poor older communities. Gas tainted water containing EDB (ethylene dibrasmide) causes skin rashes and diarrhea. The rest of the water, especially in swift-moving streams is potable.

(b) Almost all of the ground surface water is potable in the mountain region due to the fast-moving streams and high percentage of precipitation year round.

l. Subsistence.

(1) Seasonal or Year Round. ROP's fruit and vegetable crops are available in some areas as early as March and as late as September or October. Produce such as potatoes, are available somewhat longer as they can be stored for a longer time.

(2) Cultivated. The farmlands of the eastern portion of the country are important suppliers to the east and west with soybeans, corn, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and Irish potatoes. Because of the mild temperatures of this country, a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts can be grown. Some of the other crops are peaches, pecans, and cucumbers.

(3) Natural Vegetation. The natural vegetation is complex, ranging from subtropical plants to dwarf tundra plants. There are various edible plants found here including blackberries, raspberries, and grapes. There are also wild pecans and hickory nuts. These wild plants may possibly sustain life during June through August or September.

(4) Wildlife. There is an abundant supply of wildlife. However, the Wildlife Resources Commission lists 75 species of animals endangered or threatened. Some of these include the beaver, the red cockaded woodpecker, and the burrowing crawfish. Some of the most common animals found are the white tail deer, eastern cottontail rabbit, and the eastern gray squirrel. Several birds found here are wild turkey, mourning dove, black duck, and ruff grouse. The most common fish found here are large-mouthed bass, catfish, white bass, and rainbow trout. ROP also has several species of poisonous snakes. Some are copperhead, eastern coral snake, water moccasin, and eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

4. POLITICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

a. Hostile Power. None.

b. National Government (ROP).

(1) Governmental Organization, Foreign Policy, and Degree of Popular Support.

(a) Governmental organization.

1. Type of government. ROP operates under a constitution as a federal republic. The ROP government is based on a strong central government with shared powers with two territorial units called provinces. All political power vested in and derived from the people. All citizens over the age of 18 may vote in all elections (Refer to Annex C (ROP‘s Constitution)                      2.  The power of the government separated on two levels:

a. The Federal level, which is further, subdivided into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

b. The Province level, of which there are two: North Pineland, ROP and South Pineland, ROP; which are further subdivided into congressional districts, 14 in North Pineland and 13 in South Pineland, for a total of 27 in the ROP.

c. Local level of government is county, city and town government.

(1) Executive.

(a) The Federal executive branch consists of the President and the Vice President, both elected by popular general election for a four-year term. He/she may not succeed himself. Their principal duties are in the ROP’s constitution [Annex C (ROP’s Constitution)]. Additional President’s duties are:

(1). Commander in Chief of the country's internal security forces.

(2). Power of appointment of all Provincial governors and district chiefs, but only for the terms, or portion thereof, during which he/she is President.

(3). Power of appointment of members of the judiciary.

(b) The Provincial Governor is a duplicate of the Federal President with the exception being that the governor elected by the President. The Provincial governor and the Lieutenant Governor have the same power as the President and the Vice President, but their power is limited to Provincial institutions.

(c) At Congressional District level, the district manager is the executive. He/she is responsible to the Provincial Governor for the peace and well being of his/her district. He/she operates pursuant to governor directives but in some cases, restricted by judicial action. His/her areas of responsibility include public administration, public information, the economy, internal security, elections [Refer to Annex C (ROP Constitution `s Amendment XIX)], and the civil work force.

NOTE:  The congressional district managers are not elected positions, which is a major point of contention between the government and the people. Favoritism and nepotism play a significant role in appointments of district managers. This creates major discontent and grievances amongst the lower economic classes. These grievances are based upon the widespread belief that regardless of their vote in local elections that have more direct impact on the day-to-day lives, the results are pre-determined. This in turn creates a feeling of exclusion from the political process. This feeling crosses ethnic and cultural boundaries and is prevalent in both urban and rural areas. The overall impact of these appointed officials have a negative influence on the effectiveness and efficiency of the government's decisions and policies, and as a result bureaucratic red tape and administrative backlog in local government operations have steadily increased. The selection of provincial and below officials has been a matter of policy since the 1952 “Red Scare” when the ROP wanted to ensure that no communists were empowered at the local levels of government.

(2) Legislative.

(a) The Federal legislative branch consists of two houses: Upper House and the Lower House [Refer to Annex C (ROP’s Constitution)].

(1). Upper House is composed of a fixed number of representatives (called senators) elected by the people from each district.

(2). Lower House is composed of representatives (called deputies). Their number based on total taxes paid to the Federal government. One deputy elected for each five hundred million don of taxes paid in the district the year after the election year. This has caused a disparity in representation in the central portions of northern Pineland, most specifically in the rural, agricultural sectors. [Refer to Annex C (ROP’s Constitution); Tab B (Deputies to the Lower House “96”)].

(3). The Upper House has 27 members; the Lower House has 110 members, with every region being represented.

(4). The legislature elects the President.

(b) The Provincial legislatures are also composed of two houses, which carry out the same basic functions as the Federal houses but at the Provincial level. These elections based on the same criteria used in electing the Federal legislature.

(c) The congressional district level legislative branch is composed of councils. The council head is the district manager appointed by the governor. The council is organized into ministries, the--

(1). Political Advisory Ministry.

(2). Public Works Ministry.

(3). Economic Advisory Ministry.

(4). Public Safety Ministry.

(5). Agricultural Advisory Ministry.

(6). Transportation Advisory Ministry.

The district manager appoints each ministry head. Each district manager reports directly to the Provincial governor.

(3) Judicial. The judiciary consist of--

(a). A Federal Supreme Court of seven members appointed for life..

(b). A Province Supreme Court of seven members also appointed for life.

(c). District Courts, whose members are also appointed for life. At least one member sits in each congressional district.

(d). Inferior tribunals (referees, commissioners, and masters) are appointed by the district court. Their term is four years without limitation on their right of reappointment. The inferior tribunals’ organizations are by the district courts to adjudicate misdemeanors and minor crimes. All crimes deemed crimes against the Province are adjudicated at district level or higher. Masters and referees (arbitrators working for commissioners) are appointed by the district court usually based upon area population.

(b) Foreign policy. ROP is working to achieve economic and political stability, although the main threats to this goal are internal disenfranchisement from their own population, the ROP actively seeks the support of all independent nations. Most significantly, the ROP is actively seeking economic and military assistance from the U.S. in the form of trade agreements and long-term economic partnerships.

(c) Degree of popular support. In general, the ROP government is recognized and supported by a majority of land owning people in all parts of the country due to the tax break benefits extended to them by the government in exchange for this popular support. Minority and non-land owning groups are not as supportive.

(2) Attitudes of the government towards their allies, the UPA, and the known enemy.

(a) Allies. ROP has no allies on the continent of Atlantica. The ROC and ROA are neutral states and for the last eighteen years, relations with UPA have fluctuated between distant to cordial. ROP has cordial relations with many of the countries in the western hemisphere, but she has no formal military alignment with anyone other than the U.S.

(b) United Provinces of Atlantica (UPA).

1. In 1899, both ROP and UPA established foreign and military relations with the U.S.  ROP’s relationship with the U.S. flourished. However, foreign policy and economic relations between the U.S. and UPA began to decline in 1979, when UPA diplomatic relations moved towards the Eastern Hemisphere and extreme socialist governments. Much of this turbulent relationship stemmed from UPA's desire to reclaim northern territory of the North Pineland Province, and ROP and U.S. policies of the 1960’s and early 70’s.

2. By 1990, U.S.-UPA relations improved but were on shaky grounds. Since 1994, military assistance been given to the UPA’s battered military. In addition, the United States Agency for International Development provided the UPA with state and social programs to address internal corruption and improve government policies toward a free market growth. The relationship created major concerns for the ROP, especially the U.S. military assistance programs in the areas of internal security, counter-narcotics, riot control training and weapons purchases.

3. Known enemy. There are no known foreign enemies.

(3) National Historical Background.

(a) Significant history (BC). During this time, not much is known except the information stated in the Continent of Atlantica.

(b) Significant history (AD). [0000-1870) AD Refer to Continent of Atlantica]   (1870-1892) after cessation of Atlantican civil war, on  January 16,1870, and the formation of Republic of Pineland (ROP) as a constitutional federal republic, there emerged two major political parties: Conservative and Labour.  The Conservative Party almost fully supported by wealthy English landowners, Lowlander Protestant Scots controlled the country's shipping and commerce, and Protestant Irish merchants of both the north and the south.  Of thirty-three congressional districts, then twenty-one in the north and twelve in the south, the Conservative party controlled all twelve southern districts and the second congressional district in North Pineland centered in the port city of Wilmington.  However, due to South Pinelanders’ wealth, and ownership of large properties in North Pineland, the Conservative Party managed to hold a plurality. The Labour party of ROP promoted workers’ rights and agrarian reform. The Labour party was particularly popular among the Irish Catholic and Highlander Catholic tenant farmers of North Pineland, who toiled the lands for absentee South Pinelander landowners.

However, due to the restrictive voter registration criteria (Ref: ROP Constitution, Amendment 15, Section), Labour and lesser political parties were usually in the minority and the majority of them where not land owners. Occasionally, Labour would manage to form a coalition government with some of these lesser political parties and name a President of their choosing, but with limited results. The ramification of the restricted nation of voting further exacerbates the disenfranchisement, and distrust of government officials by the agrarian working class.

In 1892, Labour party was able to form a coalition government, and elect Charles S. Parnell President. By 1895, Parnell's government was falling apart and expected to receive a vote of no confidence from the full congress. However, in order to regain the support of the minority parties within the coalition, Parnell agreed to push for greater enfranchisement of the citizens of Pineland. Parnell's attempt to save his government cost him his life. Parnell assassinated by an unknown person(s), while touring the northern region of North Pineland. The assassins(s) never brought to justice. It has been widely believed, in North Pineland, that the assassination sponsored by an extremist element of the Conservative Party who feared a disruption of the status quo if Parnell had been successful in his endeavor. However, later information provide by the Conservative Party suggested that the assassination was a covert operation conducted by the United Provinces of Atlantica’s (UPA’s) government. The theory holds that by assassinating Parnell and casting blame upon the Conservative Party, the North Pinelanders would rise-up in revolt and seek support from UPA. This would allow UPA to reabsorb North Pineland into its dominion. However, due to a aggressive crack-down by provisional and district leaders by the use of security forces in North Pineland, the rebellion of North Pinelanders never materialized, although limited acts of violence were committed. Subsequently, Parnell's death created a division within the Labour party, which later led to a split within the Party. However, the party as whole believed they should back off their stance of enfranchisement, which for the next twenty-plus years was the official view of the Labour Party.

(1895- 1925) the UPA and ROP, both countries reconciled diplomatically after a period of difficulties. In 1899, the ROP and UPA signed a series of economic and military treaties with the United States of America. In the early 1920’s a group of World War I veterans in the Labour Party took a more radical view, believing that party should further its cause. The group believed that the party should advocate more voting rights for the people, reducing the restrictions of land ownership, new legislation on land reform and more control of government to a broader proportion of the population, thus placing more power in the hands of the people. Later, the Labour Progressive Party (LAPP) became a full national political group in the mid-1920s, creating a de facto two-party political system. For the next thirty years, the Conservative Party controlled the presidency and the congress. It was not until Conservative President John L. Seely, impeached, due to allegations of illegal business practices and campaign contributions, that the Labour Party was able to regain the Presidential position for a significant time. This disclosure led to a widespread outcry, and ultimately an investigation into the Conservative Party's finances. The results were the seven Conservative Party senators indicted on corruption charges. Vice President Jon Clapper finished Seely’s elected term. This led to the Labour Party's ability to form a coalition government, which also included members of the LAPP. (1925- 1951) From 1927 to 1951, the Labour Party was able to control the presidency, but not two- thirds of the Congress, neither at federal nor provincial level. The bulk of this period was under the Presidency of Stephen E. Cook, Sr. President Cook governed from 1931 until he succumbed to "Lou Gehrig Disease" in 1946. President Cook's popularity in the ROP stemmed from his social policies and work projects that enabled many Pinelanders to survive the worldwide depression of the 1930's and 1940’s. He was instrumental in seeing ROP through the early stages of World War II, as a supporter of the allied war effort. His Vice President Shan B. McLaughlin succeeded him

(1951-1955) directly following World War II, the western world filled with fear of communist aggression. To add credence to ROP’s fear, in 1946 UPA communists, with the assistance of the Soviet Union, infiltrated the Atlantica Democratic Union (ADU), which took control of the Upper House of the UPA’s congress. From 1946 to 1948, UPA pressed their claims for repossession of North Pineland. Because of the "Red Scare," the Conservative Party was able to select William R. Gordon as President in 1951. Many Conservatives branded the LAPP as socialist, e.g., communist agents. Many LAPP supporters called to testify before the Upper and Lower Houses' committees on Anti-ROP Activities. There was no substantial documentation of a communist infiltration of the LAPP, but under pressure from ROP's most significant supporter; the LAPP constitutionally banned in the ROP. Also in 1953, due to the fear of Communism engulfing ROP, President William R. Gordon introduced legislation that would allow for the redistricting of the congressional districts. Redistricting was based upon the same manner in which the Lower House is elected {total taxes paid to the federal government} but additionally including a percentage of the total number of landowners. Even though Gordon was a conservative, many members of both houses believed that he was attempting to consolidate his power, and plotting to seize control of the government. Wary of Gordon's plan, and remembering Stephen E. Cook, Sr.'s long tenure, Congress offered a compromise solution agreeing to Gordon's legislation if he would agree to a term limit for the President. Gordon acceded to the proposal of congress. Thus, in 1953, the congressional districts reduced to twenty-seven: fourteen in the north and thirteen in the south and the President of ROP only allowed to serve one term. As it turns out, Gordon would have been only able to serve one term anyway. On February 4 1954, he was killed when the car he and the British Foreign Ministry's Undersecretary for Atlantican Affairs were in exploded while touring the British Isles. Initially, the intended target thought to be the British Undersecretary, due to his previous position as the British Home Ministry's Undersecretary for Northern Ireland. However, before news of the President's death officially reached the ROP government, an unknown terrorist group calling itself the NORP PAT telephoned the Columbia Gazette and claimed responsibility. There were no further announcements made by this organization, and the Pineland Bureau of Investigation (PBI), with the aide of Scotland Yard, was unable to gather any substantial information on the group. Indicators have pointed towards one or more dissident organizations composed of native Atlanticans and/or minority groups disgruntled with the government's lack of concern for them and their future in the ROP. The case remains unsolved. Within the next year, on three different occasions, dissident terrorist organizations representing various native Atlanticans, minorities and a growing new group in ROP, the Korean veterans of ROP (anti –U.S. and UN), hijacked planes from North and South Pineland and diverted them to Egypt and Syria. Newly elected President Edwin B. Christ, a conservative from Columbia, directed the PBI to crack down on subversive acts and any dissident group deemed illegal by the ROP federal government. He also suspended Habeas Corpus for suspected dissidents, allowing for the internment of suspects indefinitely without trial. Acts of terrorism gradually declined within the borders of Pineland following these measures however the native Atlanticans and minorities became active in work stoppages and somewhat effective public demonstrations, which periodically occur today. (1962- 1982) until 1962, the Conservative and Labour parties managed to maintain the status quo and somewhat repress dissident activity. However, in 1965, President Philip C. King acquiesced to U.S. pressure to reform civil rights laws and report human-rights violations against dissidents. By 1967, the U.S. was so involved in Southeast Asia and the cold war in Europe that these issues forgotten. Instead of allowing for greater access to the mainstream political process by the previously disenfranchised, numerous political organizations with radical agendas developed. Organizations such as the Pineland Indian Nation (PIN), which promoted Indian rights and compensation from the ROP and British governments for what they see as past aggressions for their forcible relocation to reservation in Pineland. The African-Atlantican Socialist Society (AASS), which refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Pineland government until it acknowledges the seizure of lands owned by descendants of former slaveholders. The largest of these new associations, the Celtic Union, represents a large portion of the Irish Catholic and Highlander population of Pineland. They advance the cause of agrarian reform, social welfare, and civil-rights for disenfranchised Celts. They also advance the idea of armed struggle if this agenda not addressed properly by the civil government. Subsequently, they maintain a cellular insurgent force of roughly two hundred active cadres and approximately two thousand supporters throughout North and South Pineland and passive support base at approximately ten thousand.

Note: 1968-1972, inspired by the worldwide “counter-culture” movement, many young North Pinelanders re-located to other parts of the world. Some young ROP minority males, who went to the U.S. in search of civil rights movement, founded themselves drafted. Also drafted were ROP male college dropouts who remained in the U.S. while trying to earn money to get back in school. The drafted ROP males held dual citizenship (U.S. & ROP) which they had been born under conductions relating to WWII. The Vietnam War was very unpopular and many peace demonstrations held at universities throughout the ROP. Many war demonstration organizers were ROP VN veterans. In 1969, UPA again raises its claim of North Pineland. Intermittent border clashes occurred with skirmishes continuing off and on until 1972.

1973-74, The “1974 Oil Embargo” greatly effected the Island of Atlantica. The worldwide energy crisis had a devastating effect upon the ROP as much of her industrial and agriculture base powered by oil. The effects on the economy was immediate. Production fell, unemployment rose, and inflation soared. The non-land owners and rural agrarian workers suffered greatly during this crisis. All the nations of Atlantic’s economy remained in deep recession throughout most of the 1970’s. 1980 the LAPP reemerged, renamed as the Liberal Progressive Party (LPP). The resurrected party’s platform was that of agrarian reform, equal rights and enfranchisement of all adult Pinelanders. The LPP wanted to consolidate various minority groups to garner a majority in the congress and name a President of their choosing. Two major figures emerged the resurrected party: Steven Eugene Cook, III and David McLaughlin Paton. Cook is the grandson of former Labour President Steven E. Cook; and Patton is the grandson of Shan B. McLaughlin. However, two consequences followed the resurrection of the Liberal Progressive Party: the inability of the different minority groups to consolidate effectively, and the appearance of an ultra-conservative political party. 1984-1989, the ultra-conservative Protestant People’s Party (PPP) formed in response to what they perceived as the liberalization of the Conservative Party and control of the Presidency by Catholic and Baptist northerners and other minorities. The unofficial spokesperson of this party is the Reverend Harold Godchild, an Anglican minister from Charleston, South Pineland. In fiery sermons, Rev. Godchild advocates the inalienable rights of the Protestant majority, and the subjugation of all minority groups. Some of his followers formed a militia to advance the Protestant political cause through force. This militia, God’s Right Arm (GRA), having had the tacit approval of the PBI director, and has a small subversive government cadre. GRA has a hardcore membership of roughly thirty members, five hundred active supporters, and three thousand passive supporters. GRA led by former Pineland Marine Corps Chaplain LTC Michael C. Seabird. In 1985, the PPP was able to form a majority in congress and with the support of the Conservative Party, and elected James W. Harrison as President. During his tenure, President Harrison enacted policies against Pineland’s minorities, including the denial of welfare entitlements to the poor agrarian workers of Pineland who mostly lived in Northern Pineland. Because of the government’s actions, sporadic spontaneous violence broke out within North and South Pineland. Government troops instituted martial law in the cities of Fayetteville, Durham, Greensboro, Spartanburg, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem and restored order.

(c) Significant contemporary history.

(1990-Present) In 1990, John O. Montgomery succeeded President Harrison. Montgomery, a Protestant People’s Party senator, instituted further repressive measures against the country’s minorities. Under Montgomery’s administration, congress enacted legislation that banned government employment to non-Protestant citizens. Because of this, and other oppressive measures by the ROP’s government, sporadic spontaneous violence gave way to organized resistance. The LPP organized civil-rights marches and work stoppages at various Protestant owned businesses and farms. In response the local LPP headquarters was firebombed. These fire-bombings been attributed to GRA militia. President Montgomery condemned these actions, but no was taken into custody. On several occasions, pitched battles in Northern Pineland between the Celtic Union’s Insurgent Army (CUIA) and GRA militia took place without governmental interference.

1991-1994 After the 1991 war against Iraq, Saudi Arabia set up an Iraqi refugee camp at Rafha, just over the border from Iraq. It provided a haven for the Iraqis who participated in the post-war uprisings. There were 100,000 Iraqis in that camp. The majority of these refugees were urban, highly educated professionals from Basra, Naiad, Kabala, and Seaway. In addition, out of fear of Saddam Hussein, the entire Kurdish population of Iraq attempted to flee the country through Turkey. Because of political concerns, Turkish officials refused to allow these people to cross the border. In April of 1991, President George Bush made the decision to provide relief and protection for these people. The Republic of Pineland (ROP) in an attempt to improve relations with the United States, and gain economic and military support, agreed to take all of the Rafha refugees as well as an undetermined number of Kurds. The vast majority of the 100,000 Iraqi refugees settled in the central north Pineland region through a government sponsored land seizure of the central north Pineland region (Moore, Richmond and Scotland counties) had long been abandoned by indigenous Pinelandians. Soil degradation due to overuse, created a need for this region’s rural poor to look elsewhere for economic growth and stability. Without a stable working force, landowners in this region fled to the major cities as well. This created the opportunity for the Iraqis to establish communal villages and began farming tobacco as their primary means of subsistence in this abandoned area. Honored by their acceptance into the Republic of Pineland, the Iraqis began referring to themselves as “Pineland Arabs” a term that rapidly took hold throughout the region. , These Arab communities prospered as a result of their own hard work, traditional values and the assistance of numerous non-governmental agencies. As landowners, these Iraqis actually gained the right to vote and held full rights as citizens. Contrastingly, indigenous Pinelanders that did not own land, held significantly less status and privilege. By 1998 as a result of this Iraqi growth and prosperity, tensions developed among the indigenous Pinelandians and the Iraqi refugees, in fact numerous attacks on Pineland Arabs have been reported and attributed to the GRA. Today 150,000 Iraqis live in the central north pineland region.

Note: 1992-1995: The United States Agency for International Development assisted the ROP with Economic Governance Program focusing on judicial reform and educational reform in Northern Pineland to assist in the assimilation of the Iraqi Refugees and minimize their impact on the overall Pineland society.

1994-1998, the ROP experienced a large influx of former citizens that had departed in the 1960’s. Many returned with families, mostly settling in large population centers in North Pineland. Many of these citizens were well-educated and possessed occupational skills. This migration further created a rift between the rural/agrarian populace and the educated affluent and also caused the Iraqi population within Northern Pineland to withdraw from mainstream society. ROP’s government troubles increased when the UPA’s government changed after the elections of 1989. As a result to economic difficulties, war, and economic support to Marxist/socialist Provinces, UPA opted to privatize many Province-sponsored businesses, liberalized many of the Province’s social policies, and made amends to the U.S. government. Over the protest of the ROP’s government, the U.S. government signed a series of treaties and pacts to aid the reconstruction of the UPA economy and military. ROP feared the new UPA would be a greater threat if its economy revitalized and its military strengthened with U.S. support.

Note: In August 1993, UPA recommenced its annual Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDREX) conducted along its border with North Pineland. However, the UPA government openly announced before the UN Security Council, that it “was and remains our right to conduct military maneuvers on our soil, when and where necessary, as part of our national security interests, and we have no further interest in the annexation of North Pineland.” This created the perception of saber rattling by the UPA and further degraded confidence of the ROP to protect its citizens from the powerful UPA.

ROP appeared at the point of a civil war when President Snell left office. In 1998, in an effort to stop the increasing turbulence, the Conservative Party formed a majority along with the Labour Party, and the less devout supporters of the PPP. They selected as President, Paul D. Church, a conservative from Columbia, South Pineland. During his Presidency, the government repealed the harsh legislation concerning minorities enacted during the PPP administration. However, on December 2 1998, while driving to the presidential office, GRA members ambushed Church’s car and killed him instantly. A death warrant was pinned on Church’s chest. A week later, they were arrested, tried, and found guilty in a court of law. Five members of GRA, including LTC Seabird, received a life sentence. However, Godchild denied any involvement and never charged with any crime (due to lack of evidence). The remainder of the militia was reportedly disbanded, and their firearms confiscated by the PBI. Fellow conservative Russell F. Pemberton succeeded Church. Pemberton vowed to continue the work of President Church. Nonetheless, on March 19 2002, Pemberton died in his sleep and during his presidency, he had made empty promises and benefited the rich. Vice President Douglas S. Canteth, a conservative from Sumter, South Pineland, succeeded Pemberton. He immediately established martial law in the ROP, and a curfew from dusk until dawn enacted. Assembly of groups of more than ten people had to be sanctioned by federal authorities and all paramilitary organizations were outlawed. On January 1 1998, martial law and the curfew were lifted in Southern Pineland. The Celtic Union denounced the curfew as a renewal of the PPP’s policy of discrimination and vowed to fight the government. For the next month, the CUIA carried out a series of bombings in South Pineland against government facilities, Protestant merchants and landowners. The Canteth government answered these attacks with neighborhood sweeps of Celtic Union strongholds in Fayetteville, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill, North Pineland. Also in UPA last election, the ADU won the president election. The UPA voters voted the ADU back in power, because they thought the ADU would promote better social and economic changes to stimulate economic growth. Within a month of his election President Canteth took the following action: he received Congressional approval to dissolved local authority in North Pineland creating a de facto federally controlled police-state indefinitely. President Canteth selected David Paton, leader of the LPP, as the North Pineland Provisional Governor in an effort to quell further disturbances. Paton subsequently selected Stephen Eugene Cook as his Chief of Staff and commissioned Nicholas Christian, as the Province Attorney General. Nevertheless, the political appointments did not allay the strife. Within a week of the dissolution of North Pineland, leaders of the Celtic Union, Pineland Indian Movement (PIN), African-Atlantican Socialist Society, and various other organizations, informally agreed to initiate rebellion against the government of ROP. Their goal was a separate State. Within a month, insurgent forces were striking at federal troops and armories in North Pineland. However, because of differing political agendas, they could not coordinate their agendas. Recently, Mr. Paton was able to gain control over the insurgents in North Pineland through his strong armed actions

(4) Foreign Alliances and Treaties.

(a) Foreign alliances. ROP is a member of several foreign alliances. [Refer to Appendix 1, (Foreign Alliances.)]

(b) Foreign treaties. Due to its lack of economic diversification, ROP has always been dependent on foreign trade with its neighbors. After breaking diplomatic relations with UPA, the United States filled the resulting trade gap. This resulted in a treaty of mutual support which included both military and economic assistance to ROP as an integral part of American foreign policy in the event of overt aggression or subversion by a third country.

(5) National Capital, Political Concentrations, and Domestic Policy.

(a) National capital. Columbia is the capital of ROP.

(b) Political concentrations. Since the ROP is mostly rural, it has no significant political concentrations other than the political capitals. The basic outlook and values held by rural, small town and city dwellers are generally the same.

(c)	Domestic policy. In 1964, the newly elected King administration, in an attempt to legitimize the ROP and simultaneously dissuade support to Anti-ROP/dissident groups began to reach out to its citizens and tried to change its image. Increased domestic spending for social programs, such as prenatal care, school lunch, job assistance, family planning and health care.

(d)	Mimicking the U.S .Congress’s 1994 “Contract with America”, the ROP government in 1995, reformed many social programs that the citizens had been receiving since 1964 King administration. The new programs were designed to provide assistances for three years and to provide every Pinelandian an education necessary to obtain a better paying job to become self-sufficient and off social programs. However these Federal policies of economic self-sufficiency and education growth for all were never fully implemented at the provincial/district level. The rural populace of Northern Pineland quickly felt left behind by their government and the seeds of insurgency grew.

c. Political Parties/Factions.

(1) Political Groups Formed Around Individual Leaders or Based on Established Organization. Dominant party is the Conservative Party, which has produced the most Presidents since 1870. The ROP’s first President Robert J. Scott founded the Conservative Party along with a group of wealthy landowners from South Pineland area. The party represents the wealthy and influential elite of ROP society. It espouses a societal structure, which recognizes a privileged class and maintains the current inequitable distribution of land. Until the recent creation of the Liberal Progressive Party (LPP), its power not been seriously challenged since 1954.

(2) Major Legal Parties with Their Policies and Goals.

(a) David M. Paton and Steven E. Cook III founded the Liberal Progressive Party in the late 1970’s. The LPP took power in 1986 by a narrow margin of one vote. The LPP goal is s to unite the common people and wrest some influence and power from the Conservative Party. Increased funding and direction from outside assistance, mostly from UPA, has increased the influence of the LPP significantly, although it does not pose a serious threat to the established political structure. The LPP adheres to a socialist ideology and advocates land redistribution, enfranchisement, educational and labor benefits and a reorganization of large conglomerates.

(b) Ted C. Parnell and a small group of poor white and minority sharecroppers founded the Labour Party in 1870. Initially the party’s platform was similar to the LAPP until the assassination of Charles Parnell. Presently the party’s leadership directed by Dr. Sala de Hin, was a very weak and superficial leader. By 1998 due the LAPPs weak leadership at the Federal level and the cult of personally of David Paton, the Labour Party has lost over 28 percent of its registered voters

(c) 1980 the Protestant People’s Party (PPP) founded by James W. Harrison. The PPP formed in response to what they perceived as the liberalization of the Conservative Party and a takeover of the country by AASS, PAIN, and CU groups. The PPP had a radical group who was organized into a militia group called God’s Right Arm (GRA). The GRA has about 3500 members. The GRA was banned in May 1993 after the death of President Church. The PPP goals are to improve economic, political, and social structures while maintaining conservative values. (3) Illegal or Underground Parties and Their Motivation.

(a) Labour Progressive Party (LAPP) was created in 1927, by Steven E. Cook Sr. and Shan B. McLaughlin. The LAPP’s platform is based on enfranchisement, agrarian land reform, educational and labor unions rights. Party members’ views were liberal, but short of a Marxist-Leninist regime. 1954 during the height of the “Red Scare,” the LAPP was banned

(b) Pineland Arab Islamic Nation (PAIN) created in the 1960’s by an elite group of Arab refugees seeking independence from all government rule or coalition assistance not of Islamic belief. Faith and social beliefs are based on historical Islamic disciplines guided by a distorted interpretation of the hard line Islamic movement. Violence in order to accomplish their objectives is at the forefront of their tactics.

(c) African-Atlantican Socialist Society (AASS) was created in the 1960’s by Roberto Akerisen (The Breeze) a Vietnam veteran seeking the same political objectives as the PIN (see below). Racial and social differences prevent coordinated action between the two political groups. In the last ten years, Roberto Akerisen traveled very often to the U.S. His visits in the U.S. were mostly with former U.S. Vietnam veterans in New York City and Los Angles.

(d)	Celtic Union (CU) created by a group of conservative Irish and Highland Scots Catholics, currently lead by an unknown who only referred to as “River Rat”. CU origins are derived from the LAPP. The Celtic Union supports agrarian reform, social welfare, and civil-rights for disfranchised Celts.

(e) Atlantica Arabic Turkeman Islamic Movement (AATIMO). This group is comprised of foreign refugees. It has the smallest population mass support base but is the most secret. The AATIMO is fighting for acceptance, and improved socioeconomic standards. The group’s origins are from a small Iraqi Turkeman population from Tal Afar, Iraq, who moved to the ROP after the 1991 Gulf War. The ROP government attempted to redistribute them into North and South Pineland Provinces in their major urban centers. Many of the families demanded they stay close to each other, but was disregarded by ROP authorities especially President Jan Harrison Montgomery. Since September 2001, many ROP Arabs have been ostracized from ROP society. The most alarming concern of this organization is its suspected affiliation with Al Qaeda, including terrorist tactics. National Intelligence assets believe that many of the Turkeman Arabs found in the area are filtering monies profited from the local illegal marijuana crop to the Fedahyeen forces fighting in and around Tal Afar, Singar and Re’bia, Iraq.

(f) Pineland Indian Nation (PIN) was created in the 1960s by a group of native Atlanticans seeking independence from all government rule outside of the tribe. Their additional goal was the promotion of  Native Atlantican civil rights and compensation in the form of money and land from the ROP and British governments for past perceived transgressions against their people.

(5) Opposition Factions within Major Political Organizations.

(a) The Conservative Party has had and continues to have some dissension in the party and with the PPP and LPP over welfare reform, federal subsidies and immigration. Although not a key point, the majority of the party feels that the Federal Government has been giving enough. Otherwise, the Conservative Party unity on such issues as human rights, environmental protection, land reform, and international trade/alliances are solid.

(b) Labour Party. Until recently, as a result of the influence of LPP, the Labour Party has been plagued with internecine struggles. Although there was apparently little or no ideological dissent, there were factional disagreements over methodology and application. The factional disputes are the result of disagreements over how violent acts should be used to inact social change. Indications of dissension have dissipated with the advent of LPP influence.

d. Controls and Restrictions.

(1) Documentation. Presently the normal documentation requirements exist, such as driver’s licenses, passports, birth certificates, etc.

(2) Rationing. There is no rationing at this time.

(3) Travel and Movement Restrictions.

(a) 1979, standard border patrols monitor movement in and out of ROP by road was established (Refer to Appendix 9 Federal Border Police Composition and Disposition). Travel permits are required to travel outside of ROP. Travel and movement restrictions are a response to ROP's economic problems attributed to banditry of goods by illegal/dissident groups. Travel restrictions are an attempt to curtail the smuggling of black market goods into the country. The increasing black market activities in Northern Pineland has the growing potential to subvert the ROP economy. This black market came into existence in due to the lack of goods making their way to the rural areas of western and central Northern Pineland. These goods remained in Southern Pineland and in the urban more affluent regions of Northern Pineland. As the economy improves, there is a greater demand for consumer goods, and thus a greater demand met by the black market.

(b) In the 1960s and 70s, in what was described as a "The ROP’s Brain-Drain," some of the brightest students in the ROP were sent abroad to study at foreign universities. Due to the higher standard of living in some of these countries, many ROP citizens did not return. This has degraded the ROP's technical development, resulting in zero growth in technology sectors and contributing to the stagnant economy.

(4) Blackouts and Curfews. Because of vandalism attributed to teenagers, there are occasional dusk-to-dawn curfews in urban areas. This is because the teenagers have been responsible for much vandalism in the recent past.

(5) Political Restrictions. See the ROP constitution for current political restrictions.

(6) Religious Restrictions. The ROP Government believes in the separation of church and State. There are currently no restrictions on religious beliefs or practices, nor have there ever been any such restrictions throughout the country's history.

5. ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS.

a. Technological Standards, Economic Concentrations, and Domestic Economic Policy.

(1) Technological Standards. The overall technological standards of ROP fall far behind that of the United States and other industrialized nations. They are currently moving from an agricultural-based to a light industrial-based economy.

(2) Economic Concentrations. Inflation tends to be a recurring problem in ROP. Free trade agreements existed between the ROC, ROP, ROA, and UPA. ROP restricted trade relations with UPA since the last UPA election, but continues free trade with other bordering countries. In ROP, the principal centers of economic activity are as follows:

(a) Charlotte, population 544,848, is the largest city in the area and is a major financial, industrial, wholesale, and distribution center.

(b) Greensboro, population 224,953, is an industrial and educa¬tional center. The country's largest textile mill is located there. This industry is one of the largest employers in Northern Pineland and is known throughout Atlantican and the Americas as the Furniture of the Atlantic.

(c) Raleigh, population 278,402, is an educational, industrial, and business center.

(d) Winston-Salem, population 186,403, is an education center and the world's largest tobacco manufacturing center.

(e) Columbia, population 116,278, is the national capital and a social and educational center, located in the southern portion of the country.

(f) Charleston, population 96,650, is a major deep-water port. It is the location of the ROP National University. It is also the cultural center of South Pineland and a critical port for imports and exports of light manufactured goods.

(g) Asheville, population 68,161, is a highly frequented tourist location, with numerous skiing resorts.

(h) Fayetteville, population 121,306, is the cultural center of northern ROP.

(i) Clemsonville, population 55,000, is the educational and religious center of southern ROP.

(j) Spartanburg, population 39,673, is a chemical manufacturing and textile center.

(k) Wilmington, population 76,307, is a deepwater port of critical importance to the future of the country's successful light manufacturing export industry.

(l) Aiken, population 25,337, is famous for its horse races and is a resort area. (3) Domestic Economic Policy.

(a) In the past 10 to 15 years, ROP has begun evolving from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy with textile and lumber playing important roles. Recently added industries include the manufacture of shoes and mobile homes. Local foundries and machine shops are another principal source of employment. (Ref ROP Country Study Appendix B-1-A-5).

(b) ROP has not been able to obtain suitable employment for skilled workers. The University of ROP has created a special department of industrial studies to resolve problems in the areas of skilled labor. However, a few religious groups (Pineland Baptist in particular) oppose this program because it takes away from their beliefs that man should work the land and do God’s work with is hands. This then has further created the rift between the Baptists and Methodists of Northern Pineland.

b. Natural Resources and Major Economic Natural Resources.