The Maoists started out with the goal of a communist republic in 1996. This year they did some major homework, and Baburam Bhattarai formally stated that their goal is a democratic republic through a constituent assembly, and that they are willing to disarm if they are offered UN mediation.
Please note some of the things they are saying on their own:
- They are willing to disarm.
- They want a democratic republic, not a communist republic.
- They want to go there through a constituent assembly, not an armed revolution.
- Seven party interim government.
- Peace talks with the Maoists.
- Constituent Assembly.
Moriarty's role has not been all too helpful as far as the democrats are concerned. He has not come down heavily upon the king despite the relentless attacks on the media, the NGOs, the civil society and the democrats. You can not preach a king-democrat reconciliation, as Moriarty does, and not see it is the king who is preventing any such possibility. Moriarty also needs to adopt the three point program as the only way out for the country. There is no other way out. Moriarty needs to unequivocally come out in support of the idea of a constituent assembly. Only that clarity will be like applying some pressure upon an autocrat. Otherwise he is aiding and abetting.
The Maoists also need to come out in support of the three point program. The first implication of that is that they inevitably will have to extend their ceasefire by another three months. If the Maoists were to launch another round of civil war, and I do not doubt their ability to do so, they will make it hard to impossible for us democrats to wage a decisive mass movement to unseat this illegitimate regime.
The Maoists need to not limit the democratic space, and need to come out with their own peaceful protests. The second part of the three point program leaves plenty of room for a UN mediation, if that is what the Maoists want.
The three point program of the democrats is the best way for the Maoists to achieve their primary goal, which is a constituent assembly.
Prachanda, Baburam, extend the ceasefire, and join the peaceful protests. Don't mess things up just when the goal looks achievable. Your party has lost too many of its cadres over 10 years for you to now mess things up. If you do not extend the ceasefire, you mess things up. You don't even have to participate in the movement, you just have to stay out of the way.
India also needs to come clearly in support of the three point program. Looks like Gyanendra locked horns with Manmohan on the issue of Afghanistan and China recently. Gyanendra thinks so highly of the Chinese Communist Party, that guy is a closet Maoist, or that is what I think. India needs to understand from its own personal experience this man can not be nudged towards democracy. He knows exactly what he is doing, and he has made it very clear democracy is not his cup of tea. Face reality. See him for what he is: he is an autocrat. The Chinese non-interference the king tries to paint as a sponsorship and support of his regime. The truth is the Chinese are just trying their best to stay neutral. They will be equally friendly to the interim government.
At various times the king also has said he is for an all party government and a constituent assembly. He too has the option to endorse the three point program. He can take the sane option, or invite the wrath of a movement that might become a revolution.
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