While it is the policy of the Ossan Parliament not to engage in the fire-return-fire galactic holonet press release forum, Gash Jiren was asked of these comments during a press conference.
"The Demosthesians seem to have a point -- Chadd Fearsons has committed a variety of crimes. Why do you continue to support him?"
Gash: "People seem to be mistaking an active stance against this war for an active promotion of Chadd Fearsons. Such a war would be far-reaching and highly destructive, and thus, it is the duty of Ossus to stand against it. Look at the comments by this 'Empire' -- "A man who sees sentient beings as canon fodder in his quest for Galactic Domination does not deserve the rights he refuses to others". What, exactly, do you call idly tossing the millions upon millions of beings it would require to wage a war on Jutraal to their deaths? Well, HDE calls it a holy war, I call it slaughter."
"What about their mention of Grand Moff Tarkin?"
Gash: "Equating Chadd Fearsons to Grand Moff Tarkin is like comparing Daemon Hyfe to the Emperor. Regardless of how bad one may be, the other was ten times worse. I seem to remember Jilaeek being destroyed without firing a shot. Now, would he have fired that weapon? I don't know. But are we going to start persecuting men for crimes they had the opportunity to commit, years later? And sacrificing millions to do it? I am not willing to do that. And so, I will attempt to deter this war, and back up my claims with force if necessary."
"Another question, sir... HDE accuses you of corruption and abuse of power. Any comments?"
Gash: "Well, if you can't touch the decision, try and belittle the democracy that made it, eh? This comes from a group which is admittedly fascist. Those accusations are entirely circumstantial, made without a whit of proof. I have an accusation for them: I think that the Holy Demosthesian Empire is being twisted under the influence of their insane, theocratic leaders, who seem to be under the impression they've been blessed with some sort of god-given destiny to dominate the galaxy.
"To be quite frank, the Holy Demosthesian Empire has offered no evidence that they are not what they accuse others of being; despotic, religiously-motivated, and murderous. They have no credibility, and what little credibility they may have been granted on principle has been revoked based on the fact that they are a despotic regime which seems to thirst for war at our first opportunity to hear of them. They continue to speak of their 'divine' right to do this and that -- frankly, that makes me wonder what else god will give them the right to do. Rape, pillage, slaughter, destroy anyone and anything in their path? I wonder. One last question."
"Sir... what do you say to those who claim that you are only doing this to respond to the threat on Prince Vondiranch?"
"I would say that those people are probably right -- the Ossan Parliament has been motivated by the threat on him. When an unknown, despotic, war-mongering foreign power makes a threat on the life of a long-time citizen of Ossus and a member of the Rogue Jedi Order, who has nearly sacrificed his life multiple times for our world's well-being, yes, we respond. Were it not for the threat on Kamon, I would go so far as to say that I'm not sure we'd be actively taking a side. But that is hypothetical; it has happened, and we have replied. That is all; good evening, everyone."
