Nationally Televised Roundtable Conference

The cadres and leaders of the seven parties revolted. They were not all too happy about the eight point agreement.

The Maoists unilaterally declared the DDC chair of Parvat.

Surya Bahadur Thapa came out saying the eight point agreement was problematic in that the Maoists would become part of the government without their arms being taken care of.

Girija flew off to Bangkok for health reasons.

Krishna Sitaula got defensive and said the Maoists will not be allowed to join the government unless their arms were managed.

There was a power cut during Prachanda's press conference at the Prime Minister's residence. That is more than a coincidence. There might be disgruntled elements from the "old regime" in the higher echelons of the electricity authority.

Prachanda keeps talking of some other kind of a republic.

A lot of westerners feel the Maoists are trying to pull a Lenin in Nepal. One of those guys has the name Thomas Marx.

Explaining Maoist strategy: Gatsby comes to Nepal - By Dr. Thomas A. Marks NepalNews What is decidedly dangerous is that this political trait is accompanied by a second, also shared by all parties: a position is legitimate simply because it has been advanced. Simply observe Kathmandu traffic, and you understand. As traffic backs up, vehicles invariably move out into the opposing lane. They are clearly in the wrong, especially the motorcycles on the sidewalks.

The law and order situation is lax in several parts of the country. After a major political upheaval some of that is expected.

The Madhesi, the Janajati and the Mahila are very unhappy with the committee that is to draft the interim constitution. They are mostly Bahun men.

The Nepal Army has gone ahead to recruit some officers even when they have been asked by the Defense Ministry not to.

The Nepal Army is set to go on a shopping spree. That also goes against the spirit of the peace talks.

If the seven party alliance is suspicious of the Maoists, it should say so. If not, it should not let the army go on its own separate track. It could fire some top people in the police and the army. It could reorganize the army top brass. It could call on the foreign powers to continue their embargo upon the army. It could send some of the top dogs in the army to the International Criminal Court. There are many options on the table. The army is not more powerful than the people. The people will come out in the streets all over again at a moment's notice.

Krishan Sitaula said a few weeks back some senior police officers were not obeying him.

Girija Koirala is for a ceremonial monarchy. His party seems to be against it.

The peace process could still go very very wrong.

All this leads me to suggest we go for a conference.

Nationally Televised Roundtable Conference

Why held secret talks? Let the people in. Let all parties openly air their disagreements and their grievances. Let it all get televised. Let the willing FM stations air them live all across the country.

This will also be a dress rehearsal for the constituent assembly which will be sure to have bountiful debates and discussions.

We do want furious and relentless debates. That is the price we pay for peace.

Interim Government

The idea is not a bad one. And I myself like the eight point agreement. It is okay to bring the Maoists into the government and then together manage the two armies into sending them off to their barracks.

We do want Prachanda and other Maoists to get a lot of media exposure. We do want to see how Prachanda manages a ministry. Maybe he is not such a great manager after all. Who knows? Let the people find out for themselves. Give Prachanda a ministry.

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