Radio interview with David Rappaport
Recorded on November 1st, 1977.
Transcript
David
We, the Free Independent Republic of Frestonia, herewith apply for full membership of the United Nations with autonomous nation status.
We’re quite serious. It’s one of our methods of negotiating. We’ve had public meetings with the local council and the citizens here voted unanimously against their plans for industry in the area, but this seems to be quite a useless thing because they’re accepting tenders for industry today so we’ve decided to declare the whole area around Freston Road a free state of Frestonia.
Interviewer
How big an area is it?
David
It’s hard to say because there’s lots of little sections but it’s around 4 to 8 acres, something like that.
Interviewer
So you’re going to be a very small state.
David
Yes we are, but, I don’t know if you’ve read Schumacher’s book Small Is Beautiful, we aim to keep it along those lines. There is a slight obstacle here that when we become an independent state, which I hope we will, if Hammersmith Council or the GLC try to encroach on our territory, it might have ramifications worldwide and there might have to be a small United Nations peace-keeping force posted in the area.
In fact, I phoned the United Nations. I phoned the… what’s his official title? The Special Political Affairs Under-Secretary, Brian E Urquhart, but he was at lunch.
Interviewer
Is it a practical reality? I mean if say, the United Nations and the Queen accept your declaration of independence, will it happen?
David
Well, we’re not quite sure, but there does seem to be a precedent in Paris 10 years ago. 1 man, on his own, declared his house an independent nation state and in fact it was accepted.
We’ve had legal advice. International lawyers have been looking into it and they don’t see any obstacle. There’s not much of a precedent. They’re floundering about. They don’t know what will happen. They’re telling us things like, we might have to have our own laws and things. Stuff like that, but they don’t seem much of an obstacle to it in fact.
Interviewer
Having your own laws wouldn’t be much of a problem seeing as you are your own egalitarian state.
David
Right, right. We all get along pretty well, all 120 of us.
Frestonia’s got a lot to offer Britain so if we’re recognised I think the economic crisis will be finished immediately.
