Streets Filling Up

This is great. The first day of the movement has been heartening. Just when things are heating up in Bihar as well.

I have also noted with interest Manisha Koirala's father's ouster from the Congress. The guy apparently gave an interview suggesting there is nothing in the 1990 constitution that allows for a reinstatement of the parliament, which apparently happens also to be my line. Forget the 1999 parliament, and forget the 1990 constitution.

There are three camps. If you are not for the king's move of 2/1, you are against peace and for terrorism, the Monarchists will tell you. If you are not for reviving the parliament, you are against democracy, the democrats will tell you. If you are not with Prachanda, you are against the Maoist party, the Maoists tell the Maoists like Baburam.

These hardliner stands are great for group cohesion in the three camps, but they are a major disservice to the cause of peace. All three camps will have to soften if peace is to be possible.

And if the Gulf News story reported in the Telegraph is to be believed, Baburam is back go doing business on behalf of his party. That is great news. Baburam is back in the swing. The guy is a progressive more than he is a textbook Maoist. He is capable of having a moderating influence on the Maoists without selling away the basic progressive thrust of the party. He is reasonable. It is possible to talk to him.

The letter by the three human rights organizations to Prachanda is meaningful. Human rights monitoring, to which both the army and the Maoists have agreed to, is the only and best hope to end the conflict on the table for now. That option has to be exploited to the fullest.

In The News

• Bihar Assembly dissolved Times of India
• Despite cold vibes, Indian diplomat on way to Nepal Indian Express, India
• No end in sight to Nepal's woes Bangkok Post .....the country has far from regained the normalcy King Gyanendra promised to bring within 100 days ..... Gyanendra had ``achieved a fantastic way of exercising control over almost every aspect of life'' ..... 1,516 individuals are still detained. Among the most prominent is Sher Bahadur Deuba ...... Other prominent detainees include student leader Gagan Thapa and former minister J P Gupta, who were re-arrested on May 5....... the problem ultimately has to be solved by the Nepalese ..... the crisis is an opportunity for the Nepalese people to come out and say what they want
  
• Opposition protests around Nepal BBC News Protesters want the reinstatement of the dissolved parliament and the formation of an all-party government...... Biratnagar, Janakpur and Pokhara...... The opposition parties argue that an all-party government would create an environment for holding peace negotiations with the Maoist insurgents..... opposition leaders say restoration of peace is not possible unless people's democratic rights are restored first.
  
• More than 10,000 rally in Nepal's capital; largest anti-king rally ... Santa Fe New Mexican
• Manisha’s royalist father gets party boot Calcutta Telegraph Prakash Koirala was today expelled from the Nepali Congress for toeing the royalist line ..... the party was founded by Prakash’s father B.P. Koirala and is now headed by his uncle and three-time Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala ...... the toughest action taken by the party against a senior leader after the expulsion of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on May 26 2002 ...... forced to act after Prakash gave an interview to the English daily The Himalayan Times yesterday opposing the party’s demand for reinstatement of the House of Representatives. He argued that such a move would be against the spirit of the constitution and suggested a round table conference to discuss the issue ...... He also said that since the Supreme Court has quashed a writ challenging the dissolution of the House of Representatives, there was no point in pursuing the idea any further...... a member of the Central Working Committee
  
• Nepal's army gears up to better rights record:- Webindia123, India Dogged by allegations of human rights violations and the spectre of a permanent embargo on foreign military aid, Nepal's army has announced a clutch of "positive steps" ..... welcomed the setting up of a monitoring office in the capital by the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and was ready to provide access to detention sites ...... "We also hope they would show up the human rights abuses committed by the Maoist insurgents and help push them towards peace talks"...... Besides the UN agency, it said its detention sites were also open to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as well as Nepal's National Human Rights Commission...... the army said it would have a national central registry of detainees to keep track of people under arrest...... The army's home page on the Internet has a human rights section through which complaints can also be made anonymously...... the RNA said tainted soldiers will not be sent to UN missions.
• Maoists say Prachanda tape is 'propaganda':- Webindia123 ..... the rebels issued a statement that described the tape's contents as "witless propaganda". ..... Prachanda issued a statement Sunday, admitting it was his voice on the tape but clarifying it was an earlier tape and not relevant to the current times.
  
• Nepal Army plays tape saying India in league with Nepal Maoists Newindpress
• Nepal Democracy Movement: A scene from the rally. Pic by Chandra ... United We Blog, Nepal .....In an encouraging beginning of Jana Andolan 2062, at least five thousand pro-democracy activists rallied in heart of Kathmandu demanding restoration of democracy and civil liberties in Nepal. Activists from all seven political parties of the recently launched United Front ..... Riot police were stationed on all the corners- on way to Dillibazzar, on way to Ghanta Ghar, on way to Baghbazzar and on way to Jay Nepal Hall....... In front of Democracy Wall in Baghbazzar, a truck full of riot police was parked. Police were moving around....... A big truck and at least 50 police were standing at the Bhotahitti Chowk...... Being in the rally is always a strange experience for me. I mean you feel aroused, energized. Blood starts circulating fast...... all most all participants of the rally were hard core political activists...... Did that mean the rally had no public support? ...... “Well, they definitely don’t have public support,” shop keeper Prabin Tuladhar, 35, told me...... “The rally is not different to that of 2046,” he told me, “people didn’t come in the beginning at that time too. I think the momentum will gain momentum in the days to come.” ..... Yogesh Upadhaya of CPN UML was on the microphone. He spoke of the need of unity among democratic forces and continue fighting for full democracy. Then spoke Hari Bol Bhattarai, a NC leader. “The King should be constitutional. Parliament should be restored. People should rule over themselves.” ...... KP Oli, a CPN UML heavyweight walking in Ason Chowk talking with someone over the cell phone.
• Democracy protests in four Nepali cities CBC Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Janakpur and Pokhara ..... the political parties have demanded the monarch reinstate the dissolved parliament to allow a multiparty government to negotiate a political settlement with the insurgents...... more than 10,000 protesters gathered at Asan..... Hundreds of police in riot gear were posted around the market, but did not intervene...... future rallies, including one planned for Friday, would be bigger ..... The king lifted the emergency at the end of April and rallies are now allowed
• Prachanda's Statement INSN
  
• Delhi Sniffs King's Ploy Telegraph ...a report in Gulf News that some key Maoist leaders, including Baburam Bhattarai, held meetings with CPI leader A.B. Bardhan and his CPM counterpart Prakash Karat recently ..... the army, prompted by the king, was “trying to play hardball” ..... Neither the king nor his close aides took the Indian statement lightly. The palace, unhappy with critical reports that have appeared in the Indian media in the past few weeks, feels these reflect the view of the government.
• Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, International Commission of Jurists Write To Prachanda INSN .....an ongoing wave of human rights abuses by Maoist forces over the last few months casts serious doubts on the credibility of your repeated public commitments to that effect..... in a press release of 5 April 2005 the CPN (Maoist) publicly called for an international human rights monitoring presence in Nepal ...... the CPN (Maoist) also pledged to cooperate fully with any such mission, if established, and to be answerable for any human rights abuses by CPN (Maoist). On 12 April, you personally reiterated the pledge to fully support and cooperate with any human rights monitors ..... On 16 May 2005, Shanker Sarki, a soldier, who had returned home from Congo where he had served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces, was abducted from his home in Dhangadi, Kailali district by 12 armed Maoist cadres in civilian dress and killed...... Specifically, we call on to publicly to prohibit CPN (Maoist) forces from engaging in targeting civilians and civilian objects and carrying out indiscriminate attacks, arbitrary killings, torture and other ill-treatment, taking hostages and recruiting child soldiers. We also call on you to remove from their post any CPN (Maoist) cadres who are responsible for human rights abuses....... With reference to your interview of 18 April, we remind you that the civil war in Nepal falls under the purview of international humanitarian law. Among the fundamental protections during internal armed conflicts are those contained in Common Article Three in the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, regarding the treatment of persons taking no active part in the hostilities. This article prohibits, among other things, summary executions, torture and other ill-treatment, the taking of hostages, and punishment without fair trial. Credible information indicates that CPN (Maoist) forces routinely violate Common Article Three by engaging in brutal and abusive activities against civilians and others not taking active part in hostilities....... Common Article Three binds both states parties and insurgent groups. Adherence is not based on reciprocity ...... arguments set out in the interview published on 18 April that RNA abuses “outnumber” abuses by your forces or that your ideology justifies your actions in no way exempt you and your forces from your obligations under international law....... mechanisms to allow transparent and independent investigations by the UN teams in areas under (CPN) Maoist control ...... each side is responsible for the conduct of its own forces
  
• India Should Talk To Maoists: Gen. Mehta Nepalnews.com it is true that India is trying to talk to (Nepali) Maoists ..... Speaking in Nepali language ..... “As India is holding dialogue with Nepali (parliamentary) parties, there should be no problem in holding dialogue with the Maoists” ..... even from the point of view of `balance of power’ (within Nepal) it was important that the Maoists army did not disintegrate...... Indian authorities have been saying, of late, that Maoist problem has emerged as the no. 1 internal security problem in the country.

Democratic Solidarity With The Nepali Congress

In my last blog entry, I have explored the possibility of a democratic coalition minus the Nepali Congress. I will have to revise that. If the NC chooses to stand by its demand to revive the parliament, it has every democratic right to do so. Instead the NC cadres should be used to create pressure to compromise with the king on the idea of an interim government, which is what I have stated in an earlier blog entry.

And I still think the RPP, RJP, and the Mandal Sadbhavana should be invited in. All three are for constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy. The last time major protests were launched, Deuba's Congress was kept at bay because Girija said so. Guess what, the king was able to exploit that split. This time the king is being given an opportunity to tap on someone like Surya Bahadur Thapa. Better to have Thapa in your democratic camp. Thapa is the civilian version of King G: he is cunning as hell. Can't afford to have him at large.

In The News

• Nepal displeasure to India, Britain on opposition alliance issue Xinhua, China On May 16, the Indian government and European Union had separately welcomed the forging of alliance among seven opposition parties in Nepal.
• Nepal expresses "concern" to India over statement alliance Outlook (subscription) the common position announced by the parties, who represent over 90 percent of dissolved parliament........ The seven party alliance has announced fresh stir beginning May 22 to restore democracy and fundamental rights urging King Gyanendra to reinstate the Parliament and form an all party government.
  
• Nepal warns parties against anti-king slogans Reuters AlertNet, UK Nepal's royalist government told political parties on Saturday it would not tolerate public criticism of King Gyanendra during pro-democracy protests........ After widespread condemnation, the king lifted emergency rule but he continues to hold unlimited power, many political leaders are still in jails and civil liberties remain suspended........ Earlier this month, Nepal's Maoist rebels said they supported the political parties in their campaign to restore democracy....... The government said the Maoist rebels might infiltrate the rallies and the political parties would be held responsible for any "untoward incidents" during the protests.
• Nepal Army plays tape saying India in league with Nepal Maoists Newindpress, India the Royal Nepal Army raised a new roadblock by making public video tapes it said suggest New Delhi's links with the Nepal Maoist faction led by Baburam Bhattarai......... ‘‘India was clearly suggesting that the two leaders would be released only after their man Dr Bhattarai was reinstated in his earlier posts,'' Prachanda said....... Bhattarai was head of the ‘People's Government' and later of the western regional command of the Maoists....... Prachanda claimed that ‘‘we received a message from the Indian authorities for a dialogue, but we said we would welcome them in our territory with full guarantee of their safety and security.''...... Hours after the RNA released the tapes, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued a statement, denying Prachanda's claims about the Government of India. It also questioned the authenticity of the audio-visual tapes played by the RNA....... New Delhi has already sent a batch of thermal imagers. Radio sets, jeeps and trucks will be sent in the coming weeks. India has also agreed to service some of the Insas rifles being used by the RNA. The RNA act of releasing the tapes has stumped New Delhi........ $40 million package for RNA includes training at the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare school. Supply of Cheetah helicopters, Insas rifles and sophisticated surveillance equipment.......Senior Maoist leaders like C P Gajurel and Mohan Baidya arrested in India and still in custody.
• Resume arms supply, Nepal urges India Hindu Nepal said it was short of bullets for 5.56 and 7.62-bore weapons and would have to dig into its final reserves if India did not start replenishing its stocks.... the 32,000-strong "first-line" troops of the Royal Nepal Army need at least 65 lakh rounds of ammunition for its two main types of standard issue weapons.
  
• Nepal on its knees for arms Calcutta Telegraph Royal Nepal Army (RNA) is now delving into its reserves of ammunition for its standard issue India-supplied INSAS 5.56-mm and 7.62-mm combat weapons. The stock of ammunition for these guns could run “dangerously low” in less than a month....... The Maoists have declared that their armed insurgency has entered a phase of “strategic offensive”. Consequently, military authorities expect the Maoists to attack RNA establishments. Given the RNA’s level of training, the usage of ammunition is high....... The RNA has two battalions of special forces equipped with American and Belgian guns but the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56 mm and the old 7.62 mm self loading rifle (that is being phased out from the Indian Army) are its primary weapons....... The RNA, which is in the middle of an expansion programme, also needs more INSAS rifles, mine-protection vehicles, field guns and bulletproof jackets.
  
• Nepal foreign secy raps Indian envoy Times of India India's envoy here sought Nepal's support for his country's bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but a top Nepalese official used the occasion to blast New Delhi......... "Development of multi-party democracy must be an essential part of any acceptable and sustainable resolution of the conflict," the EU said.
  
• Nepal rights official chooses 'self-exile' in Delhi:- Webindia123, India
• Nepal tightens grip on media, new law passed Deccan Herald, India Tightening its grip on the media despite lifting of emergency, Nepal's Royal government has passed strict laws aimed at curbing press freedom, prohibiting any news item that causes "hatred or disrespect" against King Gyanendra and his family members..... the government's intention to "totally control free press and to convert it into government's propaganda machinery."....... The law, which is yet to be made public, prohibits publishing any item that "causes hatred or disrespect against the King and his family members." It bans publishing items that promote or help terrorists, terrorism and destructive activities and prohibits broadcasting news-based programmes by private FM radio stations, besides restricting license to a single individual to operate only two options out of radio, television and newspaper.
• Nepal to support Egypt for Security Council permanent membership Xinhua, China
• UML Democracy Bulletin 10 INSN
• Press Release By Six Parties After Meeting Natwar Singh INSN .....delegation handed him over a copy of their consensual road map for restoration of full democracy and peace in Nepal. Mr. Singh was happy and expressed full support to the proposed road map. The meeting lasted for more than 45 minutes in a happy and relaxed ambiance. ....... delegates reminded Mr. Singh of 1951 commitment of then Prime Minister of Jawahar Lal Nehru for the elections of the sovereign constituent assembly. Such an election for a constituent assembly has to be preceded by restoration of the dissolved House of Representatives. The HoR will set up a national government competent to hold peace talk with the Maoists. The delegates assured the Minister that such peace talk could be held meaningfully and peace would be restored in Nepal along with a fundamental restructuring of the nation state of Nepal......... The Minister reiterated his faith and trust in the capabilities of political parties. He asked them to be in touch on permanent basis. He expressed happiness at the unity of political parties........ Pradi Giri – Nepali Congress (D), Rajan Bhattarai – CPN (UML), Dr. Shekhar Koirala and Mathura Prasad Ghimire – Nepali Congress, Hridayesh Tripathi and Rajendra Mahto – Nepal Sadbhawana Party (A), Chandra Dev Joshi – United Left Front, Ganga Paudel – People’s Front
• Gorkhapatra's Creative Journalism INSN “The bringing of 100 to 150 Nepalese to Washington yesterday wasn’t merely a shameful act, but also severely to be condemned. In a democracy, people are allowed to criticize. But to denounce one’s nationality and the head of one’s state is not a democratic value.” ....... “Former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s daughter Sujata Jost spent thousands of dollars to spread rumors about Nepal. At yesterday’s demonstration, she spent $50 a head to bring each person there, and because Sunday was a holiday, there were a few Nepali laborers present” ......“Those who bankrupted the nation by committing corruption through the Lauda, Dhamija, and Chase Air scandals, and those who helped the corrupt people in high positions, are trying to reincarnate. But nobody is ready to believe these corrupt people.”
• Musharraf gives tacit backing to Nepal King's power grab Outlook (subscription), India Musharraf has said the monarch's action should be seen in the light of failure of the previous governments to contain the Maoists' "menace." ..... The General said he has good relations with the King ...... he believed that systems should change if they failed to resolve problems faced by the country....... "Nation is not made for democracy, democracy is made for the nation. If the nation is suffering, something has to be done" ..... Chamberline and Nepolean were responsible for establishing democracies in Britain and France
• 50 Maoists killed in Nepal clashes Daily Times ... the rebels said only six guerrillas were killed in the fighting, including their eastern area commander.