OFFICIAL STATEMENT
REGARDING THE ASSASSINATION OF FAR ZHAS, SENATOR OF DURO
My fellow Balmorrans, citizens of the Galactic Alliance,
Several days ago, our Alliance was shaken by news of the murder of Senator Far Zhas. Our hearts go out to the family he left behind and the people of Duro with whom we mourn his passing. During our time together in the Senate, Far and I rarely agreed on matters of policy, but those differences of opinion did not prevent us from occasionally working together for the common good of the Alliance.
The society that we have carved out among the stars, the republic that Senator Zhas and I both worked to defend, is one where all sentients are afforded the right to express freely their opinions, no matter how controversial or out of fashion they may be. The cornerstone of democracy is the freedom of thought and speech. We must not only be allowed to speak freely, but to debate, discuss, and after all is said, still stand united as friends and neighbors and citizens of this Alliance. Violence is never the answer to an opinion with which we disagree as we have to greater right to speak than our enemy and we have no right to steal their voice. The coward who murdered Senator Zhas defiled this sacred belief, this cornerstone of democracy and that crime must be answered for in due time.
I know that many of you, especially the people of Duro, are hurting now. You have lost someone you loved and respected... we all have. In truth, we would be justified in seeking righteous vengeance through an indiscriminate crusade of retribution. A few of my colleagues in the Senate agree with that sentiment. Yet, cooler heads must prevail and I caution those who would use this tragedy to advance their political agendas and exploit the memory of Senator Zhas.
At this time, our allies on Commenor have identified at least one rogue individual who they believe may have been involved in this attack. Together with their assistance, a thorough investigation will be conducted and Tulan Kor will be found. In the meantime, I am recommending that the Senate reexamine security protocols for the personal protection of our Senators and Representatives and am recommending a reassessment of the funding and resources allocated to the Alliance Senate Guard to ensure this never happens again.
In this time of uncertainty, we must be resolved to face the unknown... together. May the Force be with you.
The society that we have carved out among the stars, the republic that Senator Zhas and I both worked to defend, is one where all sentients are afforded the right to express freely their opinions, no matter how controversial or out of fashion they may be. The cornerstone of democracy is the freedom of thought and speech. We must not only be allowed to speak freely, but to debate, discuss, and after all is said, still stand united as friends and neighbors and citizens of this Alliance. Violence is never the answer to an opinion with which we disagree as we have to greater right to speak than our enemy and we have no right to steal their voice. The coward who murdered Senator Zhas defiled this sacred belief, this cornerstone of democracy and that crime must be answered for in due time.
I know that many of you, especially the people of Duro, are hurting now. You have lost someone you loved and respected... we all have. In truth, we would be justified in seeking righteous vengeance through an indiscriminate crusade of retribution. A few of my colleagues in the Senate agree with that sentiment. Yet, cooler heads must prevail and I caution those who would use this tragedy to advance their political agendas and exploit the memory of Senator Zhas.
At this time, our allies on Commenor have identified at least one rogue individual who they believe may have been involved in this attack. Together with their assistance, a thorough investigation will be conducted and Tulan Kor will be found. In the meantime, I am recommending that the Senate reexamine security protocols for the personal protection of our Senators and Representatives and am recommending a reassessment of the funding and resources allocated to the Alliance Senate Guard to ensure this never happens again.
In this time of uncertainty, we must be resolved to face the unknown... together. May the Force be with you.
