Democracy For Nepal

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Democrats Rebuff Maoists And Monarchists

Prachanda wants to talk. The king wants to talk. But the democrats are rebuffing both. This has to be seen as the new found confidence of a group that has been in disarray for long.

It is remarkable that the Nepali Congress has made the changes it has in its documents. The NC otherwise has been a sloth.

Now only if they could "cure" Girija!

In The News

Nepal Political Party Opens Convention Guardian Unlimited, UK ...... ``If the king does not need political parties, then political partied do not need the king either,'' said Madhav Nepal...... ``It has been proven that even if the king is left with little power or role, democracy will never be safe,'' said Narhari Acharya, a candidate for the party's presidency......The tug-of-war within the party has been blamed for slowing down the campaign to restore democracy ..... Koirala has also been accused of nepotism within party ranks, and many of his former supporters have quit to join rival parties.
Nepal PM ready for talks with parties Times of India, India ...... Admitting that the gap between him and Nepal's political parties has "widened" ...... "The political parties must possess crystal-clear views on four issues- terrorism, good governance and corruption, politicisation in bureaucracy and financial discipline - for talks," he said adding "if they make clear views on these issues then there will be room for dialogue"........ "there have been squabbles between the political parties and the King as between husband and wife, which is natural when we are too close"....... Admitting that some of the Maoists' demands were "justifiable," he said the 21 point programme announced by him attempted to address the issues raised by the guerillas.
Nepal king's offer of dialogue rebuffed Radio Australia, Australia ....... The leaders of two parties, the Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party-United Marxist and Leninist say they are no longer committed to having a monarchy in the Himalayan country.......
Nepali Congress to choose new leadership: NewKerala.com, India ....... four-day convention to choose a new leadership...... four-time former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala ..... The differences between the two leaders reached a head in May 2002 when Deuba, who was then prime minister, ignored his party's advice not to extend a state of emergency and asked for the dissolution of parliament....... the octogenarian leader who rules over his party with an iron fist had the party statutes changed so that he could continue as chief for another term..... the party will severe its ties with monarchy.
Debating on constitutional monarchy Kathmandu Post, Nepal ..... Constitutional monarchy is practically dead. It is no longer a burning issue....... The main political parties are showing strong signs of vacillation on the theory and practice of monarchy. They go one step forward to threaten it but move two steps back to retract or reform it. ...... alternatives of constitutional monarchy and monarchical constitution..... Till now, every one is playing a soft and relatively safe game. The political parties and the palace have not pushed each other to the wall. The parties are free to agitate peacefully and express their views in public. The palace is not hard on them in their oppositional activities....... Neither the Maoists nor the government security forces are in a decisive and desperate situation. Even a casualty over a hundred lives in Kalikot conflagration has not made any visible difference to their strategic or military strength, let alone their thinking pattern. They are run-ning their business as usual...... the days of soft decisions are over. What we look forward to is the time of hard choices especially when a new Krishna (Pahadi) cult of republicanism is emerging on the horizon.
Beware parties Kantipur ...... there is news report in the Maoist web-site as well as rumors that the king may reinstate the dissolved parliament ..... A ploy to divide the 7-party coalition's struggle for democracy and continue to rule by discrediting the leaders and political parties by making them agree to another compromise....... all political activities should be transparent..... the people, political parties and civil societies demanded reinstatement of the dissolved parliament in order to democratize Nepal with a representative government to reform the constitution by the two thirds majority to pave the way to evolve a new constitution through an elected constitutional assembly, to put all security structures under the parliament, to dissolve all supra or extra constitutional bodies and to declare a cease-fire in order to have successful dialogue with the Maoists........ mainstream the Maoists with the formation of an interim government ...... I hope that the parties will act wisely and refrain from shady deals with regressive institutions.
Dirty politics for NGO purification Kantipur ...... Because of the diversity of NGO constituencies, sizes, strategies, structure, ideologies, specialization, sources of funding, agenda and power, it is not possible to describe an average NGO. They may be religious, secular or affiliated with political and social groups; be funded by businesses, foundations, private citizens and governments; specialize in a technical field or operate for multiple purposes......... The government has regarded very few human rights NGOs that have mortgaged their conscience by overtly supporting the regime in the wake of February 1 move as non-partisan, nonsectarian and non-political......... The promulgation of the ordinance and the code of conduct in pipeline are basically directed towards curbing front-line human rights NGOs which have been enormously critical to the new regime. Thus, the exercise to introduce the Ordinance is politically motivated and the conspiracy has been calculated behind the curtain in a clandestine manner......... concerns over the dissenting political behavior of NGOs...... NGOs can not function independently except for the GONGOs (government sponsored non-governmental organizations) in an undemocratic and brutal society. Political freedom is a prerequisite to operate any voluntary sector without state's dictation and encroachment to its jurisdiction....... Another major concern of the government which is circuitously reflected in the Ordinance is the question of the 'covert' objectives or agendas which are perceived to have negative political consequences or are in contradiction to the regime's new political doctrine.
Guerrillas abduct 130 civilians in mid-western Nepal Xinhua, China
Guerrillas abduct 200 civilians in far-western Nepal People's Daily Online
UN alarmed by disappearances in Nepal conflict Reuters AlertNet, UK ...... "The problem of disappearances continues to be a serious concern," Ian Martin ......The condition of 888 people reported to have disappeared in state custody has not been made public so far," the commission said in a statement. There was no information about another 98 people reported kidnapped by the rebels ...... civil rights groups were being harassed for trying to find missing people. ...... Last year, the United Nations Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances urged the army to keep a national register of detainees and stop incommunicado detentions...... "There is still much to be done on implementing those recommendations"
NEPAL: Focus on rural development in Maoist areas Reuters AlertNet, UK ...... "What choice do we have? The Maoists control 80 percent of the district and say they have the authority to know all about our activities" ...... a part of the country characterised by inadequate health facilities, water shortages, poor agricultural production, low literacy rates and widespread discrimination against women....... The NGOs are tired of Maoist demands to pay 'donations' to the movement and demands that they register with the 'people's government' for permission to launch and maintain their projects...... Several volunteers from remote community-based organisations explained that aid and development work can continue as long as it falls within strict parameters imposed by the Maoists: NGOs must be transparent and honest and must not be funded by Washington or the Nepali government........ Programmes related to women's development, irrigation, agriculture, health and water, funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DfID), Germany's GTZ and the World Bank, are all running smoothly....... "We show them all our budget expenses and they also ask local villagers if they are satisfied with our work" ...... Often NGO staff are compelled to pay a monthly 'income tax' of 10 percent of their total salary. The danger of being forced to do this is that those who pay are then vulnerable to interrogation and arrest by security personnel...... there is no consistency amongst rebel leaders..... "There are different sets of Maoist rules and policies in every VDC. The senior leaders have given the VDC Maoist in charge, full freedom to introduce any policy to suit their interests" ...... The international agencies, especially the UN, have to really put strong pressure on the top Maoist leadership to ensure that the junior cadres allow us to work without any threats or pressure....... Recently, in the remote Jaljala VDC, villagers took on the rebels after a local NGO was warned to stop work on an income generation project. They told the rebels that they would be prepared to fight against them if the project closed down........ "The Maoists agreed not to create any more obstacles for the project and it is now running successfully.... The people will do anything to protect such a project that is really helping them"
Rebels torch bus, abduct 202 people in Nepal Daily Times
Guerrillas torch buses, abduct security men in eastern Nepal People's Daily Online
Parties not deterred by King’s remarks: Nepal Kantipur Online, Nepal .... called on the civil society and media to take the King’s remarks seriously and oppose it ..... “Previously, ministers used to give threats to political parties and now the chairman of the council of ministers has started doing the same”....“We will launch door to door visits at the local level to encourage the people to join the protest”
‘Go for constituent assembly’ Kathmandu Post On the eve of the 11th General Convention of Nepali Congress, senior leaders of the seven-party alliance on Monday urged the party to opt for a clear forward-looking political agenda that would allow the party to go for constituent assembly....... Standing Committee member of CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal, NC (D) central committee member Bimalendra Nidhi and General Secretary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) Hridayesh Tripathi said that since the existing national challenges were not possible to be addressed under prevailing political structure, NC should internalize the political agenda of constituent assembly in its statute.
NC breaks with history omitting constitutional monarchy from its party statute ..... finalized a policy paper that officially cuts off the party's relations with the country's 237-year-old institution, the monarchy..... delete "constitutional monarchy" from Clause 2 of the party statute .... The party has also amended its statute which earlier mentioned constitutional monarchy as its pride. Now the statute mentions constitutional monarchy as a past glory....... The NC decision, along with a decision by CPN-UML last week to go for democratic republic, marks the beginning of a new polarization toward republicanism in the country.......Senior NC leader Shailaja Acharya and Nara Hari Acharya wrote notes of dissent. Shailaja said she was absolutely against the idea of omitting constitutional monarchy from the party statute. "I am not in favor of deviating from our decades old middle-path," Acharya said. "It will be counterproductive not only for the party but also for the entire nation." She demanded her statement be recorded in the party and walked out of the meeting........ She also argued that dropping monarchy from the party statute meant declaring the present constitution dead....... Narahari Acharya wrote a dissenting note for a different reason. He argued that the party should have decided unambiguously in favor of establishing supremacy of parliament under people's sovereignty........ also endorsed a number of agendas including putting the army under a representative institution, socio-economic reforms and constituent assembly elections for making people sovereign in the real sense....... The party also urged Maoist rebels for clear commitment to lay down arms before the constituent assembly elections. It also urged the king to let the people decide what sort of role they want for the monarch........ More than 95 percent of the 1464 delegates (seven each from 205 constituencies and central committee members)....... the central president can nominate up to 30 representatives to the convention but he has not nominated anyone as of yet........ Girija Prasad Koirala, will contest the party presidency for a third consecutive term, though he has not yet announced his candidacy. Narahari Acharya has already announced his candidacy for the party's top post........ Late BP Koirala's youngest son, Dr Sashanka Koirala, has announced his candidacy for central committee member........ The CWC meeting has not proposed any significant changes in the party's organizational structure that gives enormous power to the party's central president......... Speaker Tara Nath Ranabhat has urged the party to take initiatives for party unity, ensure international democracy, restore collective leadership and take initiative to pave an active role for former prime minister KP Bhattarai in the party....... Existing Clause 2 Based on the principles of nationalism, democracy and socialism and within the framework of constitutional monarchy, multiparty system and parliamentary form of government, the NC aspires to achieve socio-political and economic development of the country by creating a just and dynamic society. Amended Clause 2 Based on the principles of nationalism, democracy and socialism and within the framework of multiparty system and parliamentary form of government, the NC aspires to achieve socio-political and economic development of the country and create a dynamic and just society by restructuring the state and implementing the concept of inclusive democracy

KC Pralhad: A Misled And Misleading Monarchist

I just came across this article by some KC Pralhad that seems to have been written in the vein of throwing the red carpet for the king when he shows up in New York in two weeks' time. Looks to me like the Monarchists are going to wage a media fight here in the diaspora like they are subjecting the disagreeing ones to the police state back in Nepal.

I looked at the Pralhad bio, and he seems to come across as quite an accomplished person. He seems to have bagged quite a few awards, for one. I found this article of his vaguely attractive in that this is one instance where the Monarchists have thrown all their cards on the table, and that gives a democrat like me a rather unique opportunity to dissect and discard all in one place.

The very existence of a monarchy is offensive to the democrats, although I have been at the forefront of the idea of possibly going for a Constitutional Assembly that guarantees a constitutional monarchy so as to mainstream both the Maoists and the Monarchists. So to present the king as the messiah who will bring forth democracy is a serious misnomer. To say the Monarchists will bring democracy into the country is to suggest the KKK will spearhead the civil rights movement. Tulsi Giri is a perfect example of a Monarchist, in that he has made it absolutely clear he is not for democracy. Pralhad might be a little westernized - although Giri himself is Christianized - but he does not belong to a different camp from Giri.

Pralhad's eyeshades are green, so he sees green no matter which direction he looks. Pralhad is a Monarchist. To him the king represents peace when he sits atop an army with the worst human rights violations on the planet, so bad the honchos in Nepal could very well find themselves at the Hague. To him the king represents democracy, a king who executed 2/1. To him the king represents prosperity when he is on the verge of bankrupting the country by single-mindedly seeking a military solution to the country when literally everyone who knows what he or she is talking about has come to the conclusion there is only a political solution, there is no military solution to the civil war.

To the likes of Pralhad the king is not the chief executive of a coutry with a track record of words and actions, but a fantassy figure. All his wet dreams are to do with the poster on the Wall. The king is Marilyn Monroe.

I am the fiercest critic Girija ever had. Just dig into this blog. I am hyper critical of the half-baked democracy of the 1990s. But the solution to too little democracy is more democracy, it can not be no democracy. Democracy is such a powerful idea, even the king pays lip service to it. The world's largest and oldest democracies, India and the US, stand by the democratic movement in Nepal. It is their judgment call that 2/1 was a major setback to democracy in Nepal. And I agree. Why? Because that conclusion is so obvious. I don't agree because India and the US say so. Infact I reached that conclusion before they did.

The king can only speak for the people, and can claim whatever he is doing is for the people, and can claim the people are with him only if he silences them. That is why when the king takes over, freedom of speech is the first casualty. If the people are for him, he should be happy to let them speak that support, right? If the people so love the monarchy, a Constituent Assembly will establish, or rather retain the monarchy with a resounding vote, right? Then why is the king so scared of the idea of a Constituent Assembly, the only solution to the civil war?

How do the people feel? I don't trust you to tell me how. And I don't need you to trust me to tell you how. That is why I am for elections. Let an elected Constituent Assembly decide the kind of constitution the people want. And then let them vote for the party they want in power. What do the people think? I don't claim to know. Ask them. I am only one person.

See, that is the difference between democrats and Monarchists. Democrats are about going to the people. Monarchists never tire of talking of the nation and the people but are scared of facing them. They talk of nationalism like it were an idea they have a copyright to. No wonder they talk of the people like they were mindless automatons, like they were sheep. All they need is some green pasture. And they will happily graze. All they want is peace, be it the dead peace of a police state, they will do just fine.

No. If it is between the dead peace of a police state and a revolution, I believe the Nepali people would rather have a revolution. And I would not blame them for that.

Pralhad is a Bostonian and he chides Nepalis living abroad for speaking their minds on democracy from the safety of being out of reach of that police state. The contradiction, the hypocricy of his making that statement while himself being in Boston must have flown out his window. Basically he is saying it is okay for a Monarchist to be in Boston, but the sky falls if a democrat is in Boston. Most Bostonians would argue the other way round. I would be willing to bet my bank account on that claim.

Nepali democrats find themselves sucked into the happenings in Nepal because they love their country of origin. To us democracy is so obvious. America's riches were derived through democracy. It is that same ideal that will also cure Nepal's poverty. There is no ideology that even competes. Monarchism is not it. Feudalism is not it. A police state is not it. Democracy unleashes the human potential. Monarchism suffocates the people. Democracy makes people want to go to the moon. Monarchism makes people say things like, I would be lucky just to have two square meals a day.

Look at the bloated palace and army budgets. That is where the corruption is. And they are all documented. Those figures are all publicly available.

A corrupt royal clique and army can not fight corruption. Refer to the KKK argument above.

The same applies to democracy.

The same applies to peace.

Classic Maoism is literally an open book. And Maoism as Mao practiced it is not palatable to me. And I have often asked myself if the Nepali Maoists are like the classic Maoists, like in China back then, Cambodia, Peru.

I am not too sure about that, although I have made a few judgment calls on that topic in the past. But what I am very sure about is that these Monarchists have a political need to demonize the Maoists so as to not have to seek a political solution to the civil war. Because they rightly judge their relevancy is only as long as the world feels there is only a military solution to the civil war.

The Monarchists need the Maoists to subscribe to classic Maoism. If those Maoists were to instead opt for a Democratic Republic like in India, as they have, then those Maoists become a real threat to the Monarchists. And that is the real story that comes out of the smokescreen. I am not fooled.

Pralhad's idea of "reality" is to quote the man-in-the-street. So he goes ahead and quotes people he might have met. Chances are Monarchists hang out with and do business with Monarchists. And a people living in the fear of a police state cultivate defense mechanisms that robs them of their humanity and the basic instinct to speak up.

A regime that shuts people up is not in any position to say what the people are saying. In a democracy, the people speak for themselves. In an autocracy, people in unform claim to speak for the people.

The choice is clear. It is between democracy and autocracy. What's more, only the democratic solution to the civil war is a viable option. That is the only way to a quick peace.

We democrats are right. We just need to gather strength. So we are not really even interested in discussing ideology. It is democracy as far as the eyes can see. What we are interested in is discussing the logistics of the movement. This is going to be one decisive winter.

Nepal: Let's Give Peace A Chance
KC Pralhad - 8/30/2005

For thirty years, I have been in the USA as a fully engaged Nepali. I am not a Diaspora Nepali, someone from a fine family who returns to the Kingdom occasionally, and speaks only to relatives. As a businessperson, importing Nepali goods to the US, I must visit Nepal multiple times each year. My travels allow me access to a broad spectrum of Nepali voices, city and village, rich and poor. After canvassing and interviewing hundreds of hard working business leaders and common people within Nepal, as well as those living in the USA and abroad, and also reading articles and taking views of various personalities, I have presented this paper. Hence I feel it holds the view of large spectrum of Nepali people and friends of Nepal regarding the present situation of Nepal.

King Gyanendra , dismissed the Deuba-led coalition government on February 1, 2005, and formed a ten-member government under his own chairmanship. He has proclaimed that this step was taken in accordance to the Article 115, Clause 1 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990, and he asserts that it will serve the interests of the Nepali people, end the Maoist insurgency, and bring on the reinstatement the democratic system within 3 years.

Was this a bad move? I don't know. Was this good move? I don't know that either yet. Only time will tell. But I am sure that if the King can bring peace back to the people of Nepal, and clean up the corrupt leaders, Nepal could become heaven on this earth once again and King will be remembered as one of the greatest monarchs in world history.

Many of you may not agree with me. You might say that the present move of the king can only backpedal the process of development and democracy in the country. But friends, let us wake up and face reality, The Maoists have cast Nepal backwards by decades by their destruction of infrastructure, roads, schools, health posts, bridges, etc. What did our so called democratically elected leaders do to protect the innocent population from the Maoist terrorization that has been going on for the last ten plus years by brutally murdering dissenters, kidnapping students, perpetrating atrocities against teachers, and destroying basic infrastructure and development projects? Aren't these crimes against country and people? Isn't this something to think about?

Let us examine the performance and activities of the past democratically elected governments over the last 15 years. Whether we reside in Nepal or abroad, the widespread corruption and abuse of authority by the power hungry politicians, (not by a single party but by all the parties in the government), is evident. Political leaders forget the basic norms of democracy and put themselves and their families' welfare above the law. They began to view our country as a Babu ko Birta/ Ama ko pewa, as a result of (God gifts) their past sacrifices they made for the cause of democracy. Honesty and Respect, time-honored basic norms of Nepali society were eroded by widespread corruption. And with no discipline enforced, government offices became the karyakarta bharti kendra (Job center for party members). The social fabric and communal harmony historically prevalent in Nepali society collapsed, allowing the situation to deteriorate further.

When well wishers and supporters of various political parties of the people's movement of B.S. 2046, began to compare the pre and post people's movement era unfavorably, It became clear to me that the situation was untenable. Through my interactions over the last 25 years of doing business throughout Nepal, I began to hear a refrain: many saying in the past, "There were few leeches, but now, there are leeches everywhere." I have heard hundreds of stories of potential political leaders--general genuine qualified people - who were deprived from employment because of their different political party affiliation or because they had no direct way to approach the political leaders in power. Foreign donors became confused as to whom to deal with to finalize the development project/programs, fearful of getting on the wrong side of various, vested powerhouses in the country. Given the constant jockeying for political advantage, many common citizens did anticipate some sort of political maneuvering. While the present move by the King is not surprising to many, it is astonishing to others.

It is said, "Democracy and progress complement each other." But do our bitter experiences of the past few years show this to be true? It can be argued that in Nepal, the concept of multiparty democracy became a joke, as instances after instance of obstruction and corruption were catalogued in Parliament. Consider this: Not a single House of Representatives member was allowed to complete his tenure. I blame this short-circuiting of the democratic process on our power-hungry, greedy elected leaders.

The King asked the parties to come forward with a consensus government. He met with all the political leaders and requested that they put the nation and the people first, hoping that the leaders would come to him with a government that included all major parties. But apparently, resolving Nepal's political crisis wasn't in their agenda, and they refused to cooperate.

Everyone talks about the impasse between the "triangles" of the Maoists, the political parties, and the palace. But Nepal is not a triangle. Who speaks for innocent people? The elected political parties do not, nor do the Maoists. But someone must. Shouldn't the King speak for his people?

I wish our elected political leadership had understood the real situation of the country is and suffering and spoke out more often about the people rather than irrelevant issues, which only concern their own betterment. Whether you like it or not, much of the ill we have suffered is a result of corrupt leadership.

No serious efforts have been made by any party leaders to stop the real threat posed against democracy by terrorism. If we continue on this vicious path, how long can we last as a country? The issue before the King, as leader of the country, is how best to bring peace, so that Nepal could continue to exist as a country inhabited by our children and grand children. Therefore, it is the duty of any King, "To preserve our nationalism, national unity and sovereignty, as well as to maintain peace and security in the country, and ensure that the state of the nation did not deteriorate further."

Let's not forget that for last 15 years we had democracy and king functioned only as part of a constitutional monarchy. Even on October 4, 2004 the king didn't dismiss the government out of his own free will. He was given a written request by the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was acting on the advice of all the parties to invoke the last clause of the constitution. We can go on debating forever whether it was the king's idea or party's idea, bottom line is was it within the constitutional boundaries? Yes, it was since he is the constitution's custodian it was his constitutional obligation, otherwise the constitution was as good as dead.

At this time of crisis, as a true Nepali, well wishers and friends of Nepal, we must give our support, cooperation and help to King, as he endeavors to bring peace to Nepal. Let's give peace a chance!

The King has made a thorny choice. He has said, "we have no interest other than the restoration of sustainable peace and exercise in meaningful democracy for the welfare of the Nepal and Nepalese people." The king has expressed his firm commitment to multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy repeatedly--even in the latest proclamation--should put to rest any doubts about his motives.

The King has taken a bold step to resolve the crisis. It is natural that cynicism and uncertainty follow a political step of this magnitude, but I caution you to consider this: the King has risked his throne to bring peace, and he has pledged human security and dignity to Nepali people suffering from the on going violence.

It's temptingly easy to blame the King. But do you really believe he had other options? My dear friends, it is very easy to be Monday morning quarterback and run politics from abroad. But try to think like an average Nepali. If we were to ask any average Nepali in Nepal today, "Do you want democracy or Peace?" I predict that 99% of the people would ask for peace and food on their plate. (Excluding the less than 1% represented by the so-called party karya karta (party members & spin doctors). Democracy cannot be imposed on. Democracy has to be a demand of the majority. In today's Nepal the priorities are thus: First, give us peace, security and food on our plates, and then give us democracy.

My expression in many ways is the representation of hundreds of thousands of frustrated Nepali and friends of Nepal living in and outside the country.

While many say that little has changed since Feb. 1 in the countryside, where fear of the rebels' still rules, the King's move has received wide approval due to the universal unpopularity of corrupt politicians. Here are some of the spectrum views of general publics and professionals.

Angur Baba Joshi, 74, a pioneer in child and women's rights said. "The whole of Nepal was burning, as it were. We never had it so bad. Somebody had to do something," The King was compelled to do it. He was obliged to do it." I believe him. I trust him," Yogendra Sakya, one of the Nepal's leading hotel and travel executive said " I am very much a democrat. I love my freedom. But right now, we want security and peace.

"The politicians are thieves. The King is like a police Inspector. We need him" said a taxi driver Lakhgan Bahadur Ghale.

"I just want to work on the farm and make a living. I just want to do that without being afraid. If the King can help me do it, it's good. If the politician can do it that's good too," said farmar Bir Bahadur Nainabasti from the village of Charaundi.

Dr. Upendra Devkota, an internationally renowned neurosurgeon said "We are merely surviving. What we first want is oxygen. When we are well, we will go to the pub and the disco. We will enjoy freedom, democracy, and all the good things of life".

Dilli Bahadur Chaudhari, International Reebok Human Right Award recipient. President of BASE, Leader of Tharu community, an Internationally renowned human Right Activist said," more than any thing right now we need peace in the country, then democracy".

Independent In ternate survey conducted by Sajha.com

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ABOUT KING G'S MOVE ON FEB 1, 2005?

I support it: 63%

I oppose it: 34%

I don't care: 4%

Meanwhile in Nepal various intellectuals, political parties, political figures and the private sector's leading organizations including the Nepal Chamber of Commerce have appreciated the king's move as a necessary for the country. In my opinion, we should value more the comments concern of the people who are in Nepal and their associations, rather than outsiders (living abroad) and their associations who are not in touch with the reality of Nepal's everyday life.

All the leading bodies of the private sector have expressed their firm beliefs that King's commitment to peace, security and order would create a business and industry-friendly environment attractive to foreign investment in the country.

In a press release the Nepal Chamber of Commerce has expressed hope that the King's move would be effective in ending the vicious cycle of violence prevalent in the country. NCC believes that the current move of the King would be instrumental in restoring peace and order, curbing corruption and maintaining good governance in the country."

Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), issuing a press release, has hoped that the royal move would help bring the long lasting peace resulting sustainable development in the country.

Likewise, the Nepal Association of Travel Operators (NATO) has stated that the King's move will be effective in maintaining peace and security in the country that would create an atmosphere to upgrade tourism of the country.

The Board of Airlines Representatives in Nepal (BARN) has expressed its full support to the Royal Proclamation further stating that the Proclamation would be a concrete step to bring in peace, prosperity and the well being of the Nepalese people.

The business community is hopeful that the hay day will come back soon while tourism entrepreneurs hope the hit-hard hospitality service industry will come back soon.

At this time the king should be concerned about what majority of the impoverished Nepali people and the Nepali business community are saying about the move, and not the handful of party member's chamchas and Monday morning quarter backs who are living aboard and pretend to run Nepal's politics.

International Support

International support it is very important for Nepal's current situation. The government is grateful that many countries are supporting peace for Nepal and its' people.

It is true that when, you identify your objective it becomes much clearer and easier to pursue that objective. Nepal's current objective should be fighting terrorism and abolishing corruption. The Nepali people and King have chosen to uphold democracy and fight against terrorism. Terrorism vs peace, there is no ambiguity in the current agenda.

I know There are few so called literate opportunist foreign raised hypocrites figures and their associations, have taken Nepal's politics as if it is their personal property and have blatantly becoming Nepal bashing and circulating wrong information and protesting the King's move to suspend military and development aid to Nepal. For the God Shake for once, think about those Nepali people who go to bed every night and worrying not knowing, whether they will be able to see tomorrow's sun or not and worrying if their parent will be able to put food on their children's plate. Think about those people who has been slaughtered, killed and raped by the terrorist. They may not be your or my relatives but they were somebody's sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers or mothers. Aren't their lives worth fighting for?

At the time of need, we all should have one voice for Nepal's peace and security. Being a Nepali, it is our duty and obligation to question our international partners, whether they are going to help us to bring peace and to restore democracy or not? Or sit back and watch us disappear from the world map. If that is not the agenda they want to go along, then they should tell us openly what their agenda is? Shouldn't we have the right to end terrorism and corrupt leaders in our own country and to protect our own people?

The international community and party leaders have to give serious thought to this regard. This is not a game, or another street show of party leaders. This is a matter of Nepal's existence or not. If this move were to fail, what's next? Maoist communist rule? Or major civil war in Nepal - jeopardizing million of innocent Nepalese lives. Haven't they done enough damage and taken enough in taking the lives of 11,000 innocent people?

Do you really think there will be cooperation between military and party leaders? These are the leaders who are protesting and requesting the international community to suspend military aid?

The international community must understand that finally Nepal is moving on that path to bring peace, pursue democratic ideals that are suited to the genius of the people of Nepal and the soil of Nepal. Nepal and Nepali people will no more tolerate terrorism and corrupt political leaders. I can tell you in time truth will prevail and International partners will look at the big picture of the Nepal's crisis and understand the people's cry for peace than the loud mouth of the corrupt leaders. They all know Nepal's security forces are conducting themselves on the minimal equipment they have. It's really shoe-string operation. We have been hearing in news that several international partners have suspended military assistance to Nepal. This must be great news to terrorist and must be happy. If the Nepalese army has a limited logistical support, they can accelerate their destruction campaign, including bombing schools, ambulances, torching dozens of trucks with live animals inside, letting hundreds of children and women injured and killed by abandoning bombs in their fields, forests or school premises.

The dismay of Indian government is not surprising the present move of the King without the consent/or approval of India, is unprecedented. India felt despondent by the bold decision of King coupled with support from our neighboring countries - China & Pakistan, and increasing support of the people of Nepal as civilians have also reportedly joined hands with the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) against the Maoist insurgency.

Now India is in dilemma What if, Nepal takes military aid from China, the King has no option if all doors of military aid closed. Indian is very much disturbed.

According to South Asia Tribune (Feb 27, 2005), India is getting increasingly concerned and apprehensive about "designs" of Pakistan and China in Nepal, after New Delhi cut off military aid to the Kingdom. This Indian view coincided with some damage control efforts begun by New Delhi when the Indian Ambassador in KatKingandu, Shiv Shanker Mukherjee, met the Vice President of the Council of Ministers, Dr. Tulsi Giri on Thursday. "They discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral issues, including suspension of military aid," the senior official said.

It is believed that, if everything goes as planned, Nepal will soon have its renaissance of peace, security and order. As the King said. "When a house catches fire, it takes sometime to put it out. All the resources, knowledge and wisdom will have to be mobilized to put that out."

KC Pralhad is a President of Nepal America Foundation, Inc. Member of the Massachusetts Governor's Advisory Council on Refugees and Immigrants since 1995. Honorary Representative of Nepal Chamber of Commerce to the United States of America. First Asian to Receive Massachusetts Governor's New American Appreciation Award, given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the community at large. First Non-resident Nepalese (NRN) to received SUPRABAL GORKHA DAKSHIN BAHU THIRD 2004 for the contribution in the promotion of Nepalese Art, Culture and Heritage, and playing pivotal role in making sister city relation between Cambridge City and City of Kathmandu.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Dialogue Is Give And Take

Nepali Congress Goes The UML Route, Almost
Major Fermentations In The NC And The UML

The king and the political parties talking is like the parties and the Maoists talking. It is not like they don't talk. They do. But they do it in a most inefficient way. The Maoists put out a press statement. And the parties put out a press statement. The parties stage a protest rally. And the king gives a television interview.

Dialogue is going on. Each party to the conflict is sending messages.

There is always the movement option. There is always the revolution option. But the dialogue option has not been exhausted. If you can bring back democracy through dialogue, why will you put the people through the pain of a movement?

Let's have an imaginary dialogue right here.

King: What is the point of having a dialogue for the sake of it? What are you going to do different from what you did during the 1990s? The 1990s were a sham, a democratic circus. Corruption was rampant. There was major political instability. Social justice was not forthcoming. You had six years to solve the Maoist insurgency, but you were not able to. What makes you think you can do it now if given a second chance?

Girija: Reviving parliament will solve all problems.

King: You had a parliament in 1996, and 1997, and 1998, and all the way to 2002. The insurgency only got stronger. Does that not show reviving parliament is not an option?

MaKuNe: But this parliament will be different. It will bring forth an all-party government.

King: But how do you revive the parliament?

Girija: Article 127.

MaKuNe: No. Article 127 is not an option. We won't recognize the parliament if it be revived using Article 127.

(Girija gives MaKuNe a dirty look.)

King: Go back home. Do your homework. See me in two days.

(Two days later.)

MaKuNe: We still disagree. Girija Babu is still for reviving the parliament. Although he is no longer insisting on the use of Article 127 for the purpose.

Girija: What about the Supreme Court?

King: And since when did I start ordering around the Supreme Court?

MaKuNe: I am for going straight for an all-party government. That would be an interim government. We will hold unconditional peace talks with the Maoists. Then we will go for a Constituent Assembly.

King: But how do you suggest we disarm the Maoists? Why did you not form an all-party government after Deuba was sacked the first time? You had the opportunity.

Girija: Because we figured if it was going to be an all-party government formed under Article 127, it will have to do your bidding.

King: But a parliament revived using Article 127 would be okay?

Girija: A parliament is different.

MaKuNe: Girija Babu does not know what he is talking about.

King: Meet me tomorrow. It is time for my siesta.

(The day after.)

King: So how do you form an all-party government?

MaKuNe: Article 127.

Girija: But I thought you had problems with using Article 127 to revive the parliament.

MaKuNe: Who is talking about the parliament? I am talking about an all-party government.

Girija: How can you have a government without a parliament? That would be so like Deuba.

MaKuNe: Kisunji had it.

Girija: Forget Kisunji. And forget you.

Paramendra (over video conference): Less than 6% of the people want the parliament revived.

Girija: Forget the people. And forget you. I don't remember ever giving you a ticket during any elections. Who are you!

King: Say we use Article 127 and call for an all-party government. Then how? Then what?

MaKuNe: Then I form a cabinet. The seven parties will be represented.

Girija: I am the commander of the movement, the brother of BP Koirala, and you are going to be leading the cabinet? Forget you.

MaKuNe: My party is larger than yours.

Girija: You don't know that. That is why we need to revive the parliament. So we can see who is larger. Let the people decide. That is the democratic way.

MaKuNe: So, Your Majesty, we form an all-party government using Article 127.

King: It will be the same players from the 1990s. Just curious, so what are you going to do about the insurgency? About corruption? About democracy inside the parties?

Girija: That is all propaganda.

MaKuNe: We are going to call a meeting of the central committee.

King: And then?

Girija: This dialogue is not going anywhere. I feel the need to go back to the people. I need to fly to Biratnagar.

(Girija walks out in a huff.)

King: So what ideas you got?

MaKuNe: I am open to ideas.

King: You mentioned a Constituent Assembly.

MaKuNe: I sure did.

King: So you are a republican?

MaKuNe: Yes and no.

Paramendra (over video conference): 63% want a constitutional monarchy, and 25% want an executive monarchy. How about guaranteeing a constitutional monarchy before going for a Constituent Assembly?

MaKuNe: Your Majesty, where is this voice coming from?

King: I think it is from the Terai.

MaKuNe: Right, right.

King: What do you think?

MaKuNe: That can work.

King: What about other issues? Corruption for one.

Paramendra (over video conference): Please refer to these two documents: Janata Dal Constitution, Proposed Constitution. Tickets get distributed in a democratic way by the local cadres. All politicians need to file their family property statements on an annual basis. And so on.

MaKuNe: Your Majesty, where is this voice coming from?

(The king ignores the question.)

MaKuNe: I am open to the idea of leading the cabinet. That is the least I can do for the people.

(Two weeks later the king uses Article 127 to form an all-party government with the condition all parties represented in the last parliament will be part of it. That means the Deuba faction of the Congress, the Mandal Sadbhavana, and the two RPP factions also, besides the seven agitating ones.)

MaKuNe: Finally.

Bamdev: Peace?

MaKuNe: Finally I am Prime Minister.

(Bamdev gets sent to Lucknow to hold peace talks with Prachanda.)

Bamdev: Hello.

Prachanda: Lal salam. So when are you disbanding the mercenary army of the fatricidal, regicidal, feudal Gyane Shahi? You want peace, right?

Bamdev: I feel like I am on the way to becoming Commander In Chief. Why would I disband the army?

Prachanda: The new revolutionary army of the peoples, the liberator of the oppressed, vanguard of the proletariat is taking over. Don't waste my time if you came with nothing to offer. Nothing concrete and real. Did Baburam mislead me again? Does he want to go back into protective custody?

Paramendra (over video conference): Prachanda, this is your last chance. It is peace now, or no political future for you ever again.

Prachanda: Who was that? What was that? Why did you call the police? You traitor of the people, of the oppressed!

Bamdev: That's not the police. I don't know the guy. But he makes sense. Wait. Just you wait. I have a UN officer waiting right outside by the window.

(The UN official is called in. Negotiations go on for 12 hours. Finally Prachanda agrees to disband all except 3,000 of his armed cadres who are to be integrated into the state army. Then it is another six hours before Bamdev agrees the state army is to be reduced to a size of 30,000 within five years, and during the downsizing the 3,000 Maoists will not get thrown out. It is agreed Prachanda and Baburam will get inducted into the cabient. The country heads towards elections to a Constituent Assembly.)

Nepali Congress Goes The UML Route, Almost

King's TV Interview

King's Television Interview: Part 1, Part 2. Being "seen and heard!"

Part 1: People want peace and then development. There is a difficult situation throughout the country, but things are harder in the west. Karnali is a special case. Dolpa is particularly remote. I have been stressing road construction. You must have noticed. We must connect all the district headquarters. His Majesty King Prithvi talked of the country as a gardern. It is for the monarchy to water all the flowers. The state has been giving peace a priority. Because that is what the people want more than anything else, more than development. It is also about mental peace. Some elements have been spreading violence. I have heard they are also engaged in extortions and spreading terror. I have heard terror has been directed towards industries. This fraternal disunity benefits others. They should think first of national unity. If they do, some conclusion will be reached. They might have started out politically, but now they have lost their way. They had 41 demands, I once heard. Some of them were good too. The governments of the time did not approach those demands positively. The 21-point program we have launched seeks to address some of those demands. The state can not do all. People's participation is key. In this day and age, it is the people and their representatives who have to come forward. Those who claim to be representatives should really work to represent the people. Any one person or the state can not take care of everything. Now that we are back in the capital, we have to analyze all we heard. I thank the people for coming to see me in large numbers. They braved the summer heat to see me. Flowers in their hands had withered, but they still stood and waited. Some elements tried to disturb this, but the people have already answered them.

Part 2: What I learned from the people is patience. They patiently waited to see their king. We have to hear all voices, be they sweet or not. This is what going to the people means. Some people braved the rain. I am also a human being. When I go into the summer heat, I also sweat. I also braved the heat and the dust. The country is like that. If the people can do it, the king can do it. Wherever the people are, the king will go there. That has been our tradition. Our ancestors did not have blacktop roads and cars and helicopters. But the kings have been to the people even back then. Those who claim the people were pressured to come to see me, they should go and ask those same people. The Nepali people's self-confidence and patriotism has gone up since the royal proclamation. I have warned the civil servants to do their best at providing services. This is not a time to be taking things lightly. We have promised good governance. There will be no compromises. This king will never hesitate to meet the people, wherever, whenever. The monarchy will never stay away from the people's troubles. It is not my job to tell the press people how to do their job. But people whose job it is to serve the people should stay disciplined. Terrorism should not be encouraged. The country is in a difficult situation. Our goal should be for a country that is stable, strong, peaceful and democratic. We need democracy, but it has to be built on strong foundations. Geeta teaches: do your deed, do not worry about the fruits. Today the country has a goal: end terrorism, and introduce a mature democracy. The roads to those goals could be more than one. Difficulties will be faced. But the resolve has to stay. The tussle between the king and the political parties is about they want something now what they can have tomorrow. The people want peace, good governance and control of corruption. The parties need to listen. They are not clear on these things. The bureaucracy was politicized. I am open. For my part, I am always open. I have never said I won't meet with them [leaders of the political parties] but there must be some grounds for dialogue. Once these issues - terrorism, good governance and corruption, politicization in bureaucracy and financial discipline - are addressed clearly to the public, the space for dialogue will be created. If they can get clear on these things, then I will have foundations to hold talks with them. Then I can tell the people that this is what their representatives are saying. King Prithvi was not able to make Prime Minister someone he liked but the people did not. That is our tradition.

Nepali Congress Goes The UML Route, Almost

NC removes constitutional monarchy from its statute NepalNews ..... a historic decision ..... Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the major opposition Nepali Congress (NC) party has decided to remove all provisions related to monarchy from the party’s statute .... however, said that the reference of constitutional monarchy is included in the preamble of the party’s constitution.....Shailaja Acharya opposed the decision writing a note of dissent........ The panel's recommendation to the party states that democracy cannot remain safe as long as the monarchy remains in place

Rawal knocks Supreme Court doors against RCCC notice Rawal in his petition said the ‘unconstitutional’ Royal Commission had summoned him for interrogation without clear legal grounds on a case in which he has already been given clean-chit by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)...... Rawal had pledged to appear before the anti-corruption body to record his statement but today he opted to knock the Supreme Court doors after consultation with his legal advisors....... Rawal has been accused of irregularity by fixing the daily fare of USD 3150 while leasing the CSWA aircraft instead of USD 2800 as mentioned in the lease agreement.

RCCC files case against former minister Parajuli .....charging Parajuli of amassing property worth over Rs 15.3 million through illegal means.

Two students hurt in anti-price hike protests in Bidur Two students sustained bullet injuries when police resorted to firing to disperse students ...... When contacted by Nepalnews, chief district officer of Nuwakot, Janardan Adhikari, confirmed the student protests in the district headquarters. Adhikari, however, denied reports of student’s injuries. “Police resorted to blank firing to control the irate mob. Five policemen sustained injuries when they clashed with the students,” he said.

‘New mobile service beginning from Sept 17’

China may provide zero duty access to some Nepali products

UML meet concludes, decides to go for stir Likewise, the meeting passed a proposal calling for provisions whereby children can acquire their citizenship certificate from the mother’s name and formed a Central Advisory Committee.

Major Fermentations In The NC And The UML

The UML has already made a democratic republic their official line. A majority of the NC central committee members also seem to favor the same. They are close to making it official. This has to be seen as a major development. I think partly it is that they feel the need to make the movement more focused. Partly they intend to politically preempt the Maoists. Once peace is achieved, they do not wish the Maoists steal the show. So their move is as much about the Maoists as about the monarchists.

Or they would respect the Maoists' central committee like they respect their own. When the UML central committee goes for a democratic republic, that is the UML's official party line. When the Maoist central committee comes up with the same slogan - Democratic Republic - that is not official enough. That double standard is the reason I have criticized both the UML and the NC of putting their party's political interests ahead of peace for the country. The two are not being proactive enough to bring the Maoists into the mainstream.

On the other hand, if the seven party alliance were to ditch their 4-point agenda, and come forth for a simpler slogan of a Democratic Republic, the Maoists will have had all they wanted. At that point, the country gets in a position to skip the idea of reviving the 1999 parliament, and possibly the idea of a Constituent Assembly. Or there might end up an Assembly in which a republic has been decided upon prior.

This newfound boldness of the UML and the NC is also reflective of a major shift among the people at ground level. It is not like the majority of Nepalis are for the monarchy, and these politicians are swimming against the stream. Not so. Politicians, by definition, are creatures who ride the waves. Their political antenna is telling them time is ripe. They are merely articulating what they feel to be the public mood.

The king is hurting himself big time by not negotiating in good faith. The ground is shifting from beneath his feet and fast. All these new developments are only a click away from his computer screen as well. So I don't think he is in the dark. Makes you wonder.

Another detail I note is, when you look at the proceedings of the central committees of the two parties, the UML comes across as the party that is better at internal democracy. I would give the Nepali Congress almost a failing grade. They have much to change.

I think the UML is working hard to emerge as the largest party after both peace and democracy are achieved.

In The News

NC leaders discuss relevance of monarchy Kantipur ...... The Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee (CWC) Sunday formally began discussing the relevance of monarchy in the country with majority of the members arguing that democracy and monarchy cannot go together...... "Democracy cannot remain safe as long as the monarchy remains in place." .... Dr Ram Sharan Mahat argued that omitting "monarchy" from the statute was an apparent bid to opt for a republican set up. "We should either dare to opt for a republican set up, or we should skip dropping the term," a member quoted Mahat as saying.
UML meeting: Nepal to spearhead people's movement Kantipur ..... CPN-UML Sunday decided to form a 27-member Central Peoples' Movement Committee (CPMC) ..... CPMC includes party Standing Committee member Bam Dev Gautam as deputy-coordinator and has Yuvraj Gyawali, Iswor Pokharel and Bishnu Poudel ....... also formed a committee under the coordination of Nepal to prepare details regarding the restructuring of the state...... appointed Standing Committee member Pokharel as in-charge of the party's valley coordination committee. After intense discussion over the paper presented by politburo member Jhala Nath Khanal, the meeting formed a new committee under Khanal's coordination to continue preparing the review of the party's performance since 1991...... also formed a committee under the coordination of Standing Committee member K P Oli, which includes Pokharel, Gautam and others, to prepare a paper regarding democratization within the party
Disturbance In Gaura Parva And Kathmandu Andolan UWB .... for this coward and autocratic regime of his majesty king Gyanendra, that festival is full of political significance. That is why the government used police yesterday against the people gathered in Tundikhel, Kathmandu to celebrate the festival. That repression continued today as well. Police intervened the religious gathering and dispersed the devotees...... “Why this government is so much afraid of our tradition? Can’t we even celebrate our festival?” ....... Occasional college fighting between students and the police has become the sole representative of Andolan on the streets. Civil society has gone out of Kathmandu. Yesterday, Krishna Pahadi was giving speech in front of a very impressive and patient crowd in Hetauda. Parties? Well, parties, parties, parties. They are there, I mean here, in Kathmandu...... in Nepali Congress, an Andolan of sort is going on between the pro-reform camp and the ‘oh-my-god-lets-not-go-anywhere-from-here’ group. His Highness of Nepali Congress, the self proclaimed king of Nepal’s largest political party Girija Prasad Koirala is heavily defending the king.
Politico-Economics Of Royal Takeover In Nepal INSN ....... two royal coups in past 50 years ...... The first royal coup of 1960 orchestrated by the King Mahendra not only lasted for thirty years, but also resulted to a massive incidence of poverty ...... The second royal coup of February 1st 2005 is leading to insurmountable damages in the socio-economic and political fronts........ his actions are reversing the socioeconomic development in country....... started his own Rules promulgated by his own decrees. Impunity to his supporters and intimidation of opposite thoughts are routine works of security forces and his Council administration....... a club of the South Asian dictators along with Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), Bhutan and Maldives...... the royal council is failing to realize the power of invisible hands of economics, and general people have yet to suffer as the cumulative cost of multidimensional conflict in Nepal is consolidating....... economic growth slowed at an average of 1.9 percent over the period of 2002-2004, and if it will be the trend for future years (2005-2009) then the country will lose about 57 percent of the economic growth due to decline in development expenditure....... foreign grants recorded a slower growth, government could not spend development expenditure due to the on-going internal conflict in the country, and distorted terms of trade between India and other countries....... the remaining foreign reserve can finance merchandise imports of 12.4 months...... economic growth scenario is comparable of seventies and eighties....... the development indicators are nose diving......budget allocates nearly 20 percent of resources for security, which is more or less equal to the socioeconomic development activities. It is unclear who will fund the royal budget, as donors are shying away owing to king’s political ambition....... After February 1st, it is estimated the more than $ 250 million development aids are either suspended or postponed that directly hampered major programs...... Norway a major development stakeholder of Nepal decided not to support to a half billion dollar project of water supply in Kathmandu. To which, the World Bank had already withdrew its 65 million investment....... The king simply has overlooked these rural masses (85 percent of total population of 25 million) as if they don’t play any role in his power equation......... subsequent activities of the King proved that a reconciliatory approach for coexistence of both parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy has failed....... Baburam Bhattari recently said in the Washington Times (July 30) that “we are working for a negotiated political settlement either directly for a democratic republic or for the election to a constituent assembly.”......... an innovative constitution........
Anti-Social Elements Active In Capital: King Kantipur “Unfortunately, I have been getting messages from the capital…Some anti-social elements are trying to fish in troubled waters there.” ...... “I think they are doing so not because they don’t understand, but because they don’t want to understand,” the king said, adding, “and, this must stop… anything that helps terrorists should stop.” ........ has also called on the concerned to “stop such uncivilized acts in which those who do not want to study stop others as well”...... He also said although Rapti Zone has been mislabeled as a stronghold of terrorists, “I want to assure you that there is no such place in the kingdom where security forces cannot reach”.
South Asia Boiling NewsKerala ....... never before has every country bordering India at the same time got tied down by extremist forces, mostly bloody in nature and with international ramifications........ “Almost the entire neighbourhood is on the boil,” said S.D. Muni...... Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh....... “I don’t see any other country as uncomfortably placed as India. ......... Maoists in Nepal, Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka and Islamic hardliners in Pakistan and Bangladesh - are all ranged against New Delhi........ Nepal is of course the hotbed of the world’s bloodiest communist insurgency....... one reason Islamist forces were getting more restive in Pakistan and Bangladesh was the post 9/11 scenario in which governments around the world have been forced to crack down on their own local terror networks........ “The situation in Bangladesh is worse than (that of) Pakistan. One shudders to think who is in control in Bangladesh.” ...... Our policy is heavily influenced by what the West will say, particularly the US...... “At the moment I don’t see an active policy, or any initiative. It is almost like saying: ‘Well, let things continue.’ That won’t do.”
Student Activism In Nepal: Repression And Perseverance INSN ..... 1) Pro-democracy students are an important force in Nepali public discourse, and 2) they have been politically targeted and unconstitutionally oppressed. Regardless of ideology, Nepali students have filled the role of being at the forefront of political activity, making the boldest statements in the loudest voices ever since the first democracy movement of 1950........ Because of the threat the active students pose for the current government, they have been targeted much more regularly and indiscriminately for exercising their democratic right to protest since the February 1st royal takeover.......... During the state of emergency there was a prioritized list circulated among the security forces of whom to arrest regardless of whether there was any legal reason to do so. Category A contained activists who could incite the masses, Category B contained central committee members and elites of the political parties, and Category C contained common cadres who were disobeying state of emergency statutes. This situation gave particular student activists’ arrests priority over seasoned elite politicians, depending on their charisma and ability to convince the masses to oppose the state of emergency. The majority of post February 1st political detainees, who had been charged under the Public Securities Act, have been students. The United Nations’ Office of the High Commission of Human Rights has documented that of the 1614 individuals that have been arrested, 367 of them have been students. These student leaders have been jailed unjustly and court orders to release the students were often circumvented with re-arrests........... Since May they have raised their voices of opposition against the government’s national education policy, the proposal to make the king the chancellor of all the country’s universities, petroleum price hikes........ Their efforts are not only to regain their right to exist as political entrepreneurs but they are articulating a value-oriented struggle for the protection of human rights and the political dignity of all Nepali citizens........ the HMG has begun an even more dangerous policy of targeted arrests in order to curb the agitation of the students—a policy that manipulates the kingdom’s legal system making international actors blind to the reality on the ground. For instance, on July 14, 2005, six students, Thakur Gaire, Pradeep Poudel, Saroj Thapa, Narayan Bharati, BP Regmi, and Pushpa Shahi, were arrested for burning the kings’ photo on the street in order to oppose the new national education policy. These students were charged with the Public Disturbance Act, which carried a sentence of twenty-five days and the lowest fine of 500 rupees. These students ended up remaining in jail for twenty-seven days because of their refusal to pay the bail fine............ Another student leader, Gagan Thapa, has been charged with sedition for screaming anti-king slogans on the street that everyone would agree are the most common slogans of the youth generation........ The day after Gagan Thapa’s first court hearing, Takendra Kambang and Buddhabir Lama were picked up by civil dressed police....... in spring 2004 Raj Kumar Dhungana was held for over a week on similar charges. In another case, on August 13, Harish Chandra Poudel and Anil Thapa were arrested at Hanumandhoka jail while they were visiting Gagan Thapa, they were charged with destruction of government property during a protest that took place demanding the release of Gagan. They are now being held under the Public Disturbance Act........ over twenty-six arrests and fifty injuries during protests ....... there are under-documented cases in which students have been arrested for whatever cause but later to be under the threat of being pegged as Maoists and held for an indeterminate periods......... over one hundred and twenty-five injuries since mid July....... Public arrest cases over the past month and half represent a new strategic policy to incarcerate students yet divert international pressure. When a representative of the International Commission of Jurists asked Gagan Thapa what he would like them to do, he asked for the international world to continue consistent pressure in support of the students because the government has taken him as a case to test the tolerance of the Nepali general public and the international world........... their own mother organizations, the mainstream political parties are inconsistent about which students they choose to support and which ones they abandon in times of trouble. Many fear that if the student activists are forgotten then the regression of the political situation will increase to the level of Panchayat, pre-democratic times.
Nepal: Democracy Of The Beggars INSN Beggars beg because they cannot earn. And what the beggars get, they cannot keep for long........ the Delivered Democracy of the fifties or the Imposed Democracy of the nineties....... a geopolitically imposed democracy could not dare to subject itself to be endorsed by the people through a referendum.........

Sunday, August 28, 2005

China: 5000 Years, America: 200 Years

The Chinese have a long collective memory. Americans have it rather short. And that is a major cultural difference. So, for the Chinese, the 19th century was just yesterday. You have to look at what China went through during western imperialism to understand their defensiveness on issues like democracy and human rights.

My attention has been drawn to this article in the Telegraph.

China lauds Nepal's role for blocking British advancement

Kathmandu: The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Sun Heping has said that his country was a "trustworthy" friend of Nepal and that both Nepal and China have treated and supported each other as "equals".

Analysts in Nepal say that Chinese envoy's use of the word trustworthy and equals is loaded with meaning or else why should he have said so.

The Chinese diplomat made these remarks at a program organized by China Study center last week to mark the 50 th anniversary of the establishment of Nepal-China diplomatic ties.

The Chinese envoy surprised many a brains attending the talk program on the topic of "Nepal-China relations: Future prospects" when he pleasingly and very convincingly admitted that his country was in his own words "much grateful to Nepal for firm and strong support in the issue of Taiwan, Tibet and Human Rights". A rare gesture indeed.

In fact there is a feeling in Nepal that it is only China that has been helping and supporting Nepal and not the latter extending any meaningful support to the other side. However, Ambassador Sun Heping's new version of Nepal-China ties has facilitated Nepali authorities to come out of the inferiority complex that Nepal's support to China has remained minimal.

At yet another point, the Chinese Ambassador goes on to say that his country will remain ever obliged (implied) to Nepal for being instrumental in checking what he says "advancing imperial British from reaching the Himalayas in 1814-16 Anglo-Nepal war.

The Ambassador feels in his inner heart that Kathmandu's effort in blocking the advancement of the British then towards his territory might have caused Nepal to pay a heavy price but then yet "it provided a strong security crest to China's South-western region".

The Nepali obligation made then by Nepal appears to have pleased the Chinese envoy which prompted him to declare that "this is one of the glowing illustrations of how Nepal contributed to China's security".

Again a rare gesture indeed.

The Chinese Ambassador presumably became sentimental while evaluating Nepal's historical contribution and admitted that "Yes, I have acknowledged this historical fact". He however, regretted that the acceptance of Nepali contribution came pretty late.

Better late than never.

Protests

Narahari Acharya For Nepali Congress President

I endorse his candidacy. That is like endorsing the issue of internal democracy inside the Nepali Congress.

The Narahari Acharya Proposal
Somnath Ghimire On Leadership Crisis In Nepali Congress
Narahari Acharya Deserves A Platform
Anatomy Of The Conflict In Pokhara
Girijaspeak: When Republicans Are Royalists

Chances are Girija will win. But what exactly is his platform? Other than that he is the incumbent? Has he discussed his program? Has he even declared his candidacy yet? Has he asked for votes?

In The News

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Monday, August 29, 2005

Sunday, August 28, 2005