FLIGHT SQUARE: A safe square to which a piece can move if it is threatened, especially to prevent an opponent from winning material or delivering checkmate.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STUYVERIS PULLS
CENSURE MOTION
STUYVERIS WILL NOT PROCEED WITH VERUNA CENSURE MOTION AT THIS TIME
Senator Verity Stuyveris announced today that she will not proceed with a motion to censure King Aurelian Veruna of Naboo at this time. The long-rumored motion leaked just over two weeks ago, suggesting a Senate censure of Veruna arising out of his conduct during the Sith attack on Thyferra and the recent prosecution of Lysander von Ascania, during which von Ascania absconded from the High Republic Hall of Justice. The abscondment is still under investigation.
"The concerns that led me to consider the censure motion remain serious," Stuyveris said in a statement to reporters. "Questions of lawful authority, civilian control of the armed forces, and the obligation of public officials at all levels to respect the limits of their offices and the Charter of Unity become more important during wartime, not less."
"However, recent events -- including the shameful spread of misinformation regarding the Republic's bacta reserves and the hideous violence that claimed the life of my colleague, Senator Jul -- have put into grim context these questions. We are at war with the Sith, and we are managing the consequences of the loss of Thyferra, Bassadro, and other worlds, disruptions to the medical supply chain, and significant public anxiety across member worlds. It is my view that I will do the High Republic no favors by introducing a divisive censure motion at this time. It is not my wish, nor my intent, to offer yet another challenge to Republic stability."
Stuyveris said that, upon reviewing the matter with her staff, she concluded that opening a new censure proceeding at this moment would not serve the immediate interests of the High Republic or of Druckenwell.
"There will be time to examine the decisions made by King Veruna -- made by all of the Republic's political leaders -- during this war, and to determine where responsibility belongs. I am not interested in pretending that these difficult constitutional questions evaporate because they are inconvenient. But for the moment, I believe the Senate's attention is better spent giving the High Republic the tools it needs to win this war, to care for its people, and to preserve public confidence in its institutions. At this critical juncture, we cannot afford to be divided."
When asked whether this decision should be viewed as either a peace treaty or a ceasefire, Stuyveris declined to embrace either alternative and offered her own: "Consider it parole that will be in effect for the duration of the war -- or, in the alternative, the duration of King Veruna's good behavior. If at any point his conduct rises to the level that it requires intervention -- again -- I will not hesitate. Unity requires cooperation on all sides -- not for those who care about the Charter of Unity to turn a blind eye."
Stuyveris indicated that she had not been asked by either King Veruna or Chancellor Vexx or by anyone else to withdraw the motion and that she decided it while watching coverage of the civil disturbances inspired by the misinformation around bacta reserves on Naboo. "The last thing we need is more divisive infighting," Stuyveris said. "I called King Veruna in an effort to come to a resolution. Finding him unavailable, I took the next possible step and instructed my office to halt work on the censure motion."
When asked whether death threats regarding the censure motion factored into her decision, Stuyveris said: "Absolutely not. Cowards behind keyboards and throwing rocks don't frighten me. The Sith -- well, I'm not afraid of them either, but they are a much bigger threat."
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