First it was terrorism versus peace, but noone bought it, especially the foreign powers that were the primary target of the propaganda. So now the Monarchists are turning inwards. Look how corrupt Deuba was. We had to take steps if only to curb him. They feel as long as they can keep the domestic audience happy, they can keep on keeping on.
The RCCC is a fundamentally flawed outfit that makes blatant mockery of due process. Because it was installed by a king who is technically above the law, the outfit is supposed to be above the law. This step, instead of taking the RCCC above the law, could instead end up bringing the monarch beneath it. It could fuel the republican sentiment.
I have been critical of the seven political parties, but that is not a criticism of democracy or the democratic movement. That is a criticism within the democratic camp. When democrats criticize each other's policy positions, they are doing a legitimate, democratic thing.
I still think the protest program is not imaginative enough. But it is a common minimum program. And as long as people come out in the streets, and fundamental rights get restored, political prisoners released, that opens up space for further democratic gains. So broadly I support the program, my criticism is with the specifics. The best part about the protest program is that finally the parties are doing someth
ing. Long overdue.What I see happening is the seven parties create sufficient pressure to get the king to agree to an interim government. I don't see the parliament revived, but I do see an interim government in the works.
If the king were to end up jailing Deuba, he might see a hostility comparable to the one he saw right after 2/1. He is misreading the seven party demand of restoring the parliament as a denunciation of Deuba. That it is not.
I mean, what exactly are the king's options? He does not have the option to go for Panchayat II. If he takes steps in that direction, the monarchy will be doomed beyond repair. He better not be chalking out his own little constitution. And he does not have the three years he asked for. I guess he will bow once sufficient internal pressure is created. Near total external isolation, hostile Maoists, and huge internal pressure: that is the scenario he is looking at. So he could give in to the democrats now, or he could look like bowing to pressure a month from now.
What amazes me about the three camps is none of them want to talk to the other. They fear, if there are talks, they might have to reexamine their respective positions.
As a matter of principle, the democrats are right, of course. But as a matter of tactics, there is not sufficient attempt to (1) guarantee the continuation of the monarchy so as to respect public sentiment and to not push the king into the irrational territory, (2) design a constitutional monarchy that is totally devoid of political power and that ends up not costing the state any money, and (3) steal the political and social thunder of the Maoists.
On the king's part, if he waits for street protests to force his hands, he will lose in terms of popularity. But if he makes creative compromises now, he stands to gain popularity.
As for Maoists, they still seem to daydream they might be able to "use" the democrats. Not about to happen. They are not taking any steps towards their ideological transformation. Big mistake.
I guess I wish maximal strength to the democrats and wisdom to M&M/Eminem, the Monarchists and the Maoists.
In The News
- Delhi backs Nepal parties’ agenda Indian Express, India India today said it would fully back the common programme drawn up by political parties..... Together, the seven political parties represent about 95 pc of the erstwhile Pratinidhi Sabha of Nepal
- India for dialogue between parties and monarchy in Nepal
Outlook (subscription) - Senior Nepal political leaders charged with fraud Sify, India
- Panel files 2nd corruption case against Deuba
Times of India Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) charged Deuba and five others including a former Cabinet minister, Prakash Man Singh, of embezzling US$53.3 million in connection with a road construction project. Deuba will attend a hearing on Tuesday and could be sentenced the same day - 52 killed in fresh Nepal violence Hindustan Times, India nearly four-hour gun battle ..... Jaraytar in Sindhuli .... The clash erupted when security forces pursued a group of Maoist rebels, said to be fleeing from an eastern district where they had fought the army last week and suffered casualties..... 700 guerrillas..... reports have been pouring in about increased Maoist activities.....five days after the outlaws attacked four security posts overnight..... a spate of abductions of around 1,000 students by rebels....
- China, Australia to invest in Nepal's biggest hydro-electric ... Xinhua, China West Seti Hydropower ..... 750 mega watt...... 1.2 billion US dollars...... government had granted approval to the Snowy Mountain Engineering Corporation (SMEC) of Australia to develop the project in 1994, which has been working for that project for the past one decade..... project is supposed to be completed within five and half years..... entire power generated will be sold to India at 4.95 US cents per unit
- Nepalese soldiers continue hunt for children abducted by communist ...
Winnipeg Sun In the past, the rebels have whisked students away for a few days to try to indoctrinate them with revolutionary ideology, and the children are usually returned safely. - ‘Disseminate true information about Nepal’
Gorkhapatra - Delhi nudge for Nepal monarch The Statesman, India India is not too happy with the pace of re-democratisation of the Nepali government
- Review decision to resume arms supplies to Nepal: CPM to govt
Zee News - Drug smuggling along India-Nepal border unearthed:- Webindia123, India "There are well organised criminal gangs on both sides of the border. Because of better intelligence, we have had some major seizures but we have no evidence to show it is funding the guerillas".....most of the drugs were grown in the Nepal hinterland, controlled by organised gangs....."difficult to monitor the many permeable routes".
- Party Leaders Meet Their Indian Counterparts To Protest Resumed Indian Aid INSN
- Washington DC Rally INSN An estimated 700 Nepalese and many American friends of Nepal rallied in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 15 to call for the restoration of democracy, civil liberties, and human rights. It was the largest rally of Nepalese in US history.....“Tyranny is No Answer to Terror” ..... “No Absolute Monarchy, No Obsolete Maoism.”..... Pramod Aryal of Georgia drove for 12 hours to reach the rally...... We fought for democracy, we won democracy, and now here we are again today..... Things are really bad outside of Kathmandu...... “100 Days Gone: King Lied to Us.”..... “Boston Nepalis Against Dictatorship” ..... a sign in Nepali comparing King Gyanendra to Saddam Hussein..... Rumors had spread in the immigrant community that US police would check the protesters for identification and would arrest anyone who was illegal, and some charged pro-royalists with spreading the fear....... Several U.S. soldiers who stopped to talk with protesters expressed support for the group’s pro-democracy aims...... Letters of support were sent to the rally by U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Congressmen John Mica (R-FL) and James Walsh (R-NY).....
- UML Democracy Bulletion 9
- A Letter To Gyane Samudaya
- DC Rally Pictures Samudaya
- Prosecutors in Nepal seek 10-year term for former prime minister
International Herald Tribune The harakiri decision Afternoon Dispatch & Courier
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