Wednesday, September 21, 2005

For The First Time In A Decade, Permanent Peace Feels Possible




I really feel that. Permanent peace feels within reach. And it is for the democrats, the seven party coalition to not mess things up.

One fear I have is that the three large components of the coalition, the UML, the Koirala Congress and the Deuba Congress, might get in a hurry to compete with the Maoists politically. It is very important to understand the step 1, step 2, step 3 thing.

After the Maoists have disarmed and become part of the interim government, then all parties compete openly. Each party will have anywhere between six and 12 months to compete. That is plenty of time to expand, and if you can't expand then, perhaps you don't deserve to.

But now is not the time. As long as the ceasefire is maintained, the parties should encourage the Maoists to set up their village committees and organize peaceful protest programs.

Step 1: Maintain ceasefire. That is key. If we democrats can engage the Maoists in a respectful way, they might even consider extending the ceasefire beyond the three months, if they feel that will help the goal of a constituent assembly.

Step 2: Organize an effective movement for democracy that culminates in an interim government. Even at this point you are not competing with the Maoists for political space. Don't get paranoid.

Step 3: Interim government of the seven parties. Even here you are not yet competing with the Maoists politically.

Step 4: Respectful peace talks with the Maoists that might or might not involve the UN, culminating with a Maoist disarmament, and their participation in the interim government.

Step 5: Run up to the elections for a Constituent Assembly. At this point you compete. But do not compete before this point. Trust the Nepali people. If you can offer them the best political program, they will vote for you.

This is not to suggest the parties should stay out of the villages, not at all. The reverse is true. Go in, organize, reenergize your rural bases. But encourage the Maoists also to do the same.

If they maintain the ceasefire, and come forth in peaceful protest programs, as they have said they will, all the glory to them. That is what we want, that is what we need. That is the best they are in a position to do at this point in time.

Remember, it is step 1, step 2, step 3. The conflict has to be resolved in stages.

I am very pleased with the ongoing talks between the two camps. That is how you do it. You talk, back and forth and back and forth, until you have hammered things out.

The chips are all falling in place. Don't mess things up.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your day dream quite interesting but very difficult to work in practical;

1. What about the king ?
2. What about existing security force ?
3. What about the maoist arms groups ? Who disarm them in what strategy and commitment?
4. Who handle the government in critical situation?
5. Do people trust it ?
6. Even it became success, who will be the supremo of the security force because maoist bargain their arms groups to be in security force? After that who will become stronger?
7. Maoist will not win the election then they definately disturb again? Who handle the situation that time?
8. Do people believe the same dirty old face leaders and are they atleast capable to manage the situation like know?

There are many things which are beyond the limit of the political parties and maoist now even they join hands for sometime.

The best way to solve the crisis at present is to sit king, political parties and maoist to bargain each other. The give and take will solve the problem and each one should be ready to give with their existance for the benefit of the people. Otherwise this country will head toward more mess like in Afghanistan, Combodia, Vietnam etc. countries..Becareful

5:20 AM
Emma said...

Hey.... dreaming is part of being Nepali. If you ever ask a Nepali who has been married in a "love marriage" versus an arranged, I promise it will be some elaborate story that even Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts flicks couldn't hold a torch to.... Just remember what Nepalis say about their own country-
Never Ending Peace and Love...Nepal.... (ironic considering their current situation- but i guarantee they still use this phrase).

3:33 AM

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