Alliance Gathering At Queens Bridge Park

The Alliance For Democracy And Human Rights In Nepal organized a gathering from 11 AM to 7 PM. Other organizations were also represented. Two that come to mind are the Nepal Democratic Youth Council and the Nepal Students Union, the North America chapter. There were relentless political discussions, but the gathering did not have an overtly political feel. To families it must have felt like a grand family gathering. There were a lot of children fooling around. Numerous teams competed at the volleyball court. So it was also a tournament. A dohori and a poetry recital were also held. Prizes were awarded.

But for me it was primarily political, also a little social. (GDF, To: ADHRN, ADHRN, $100,000) I went to meet local Nepalis in person. And I went to forge political alliances for the project I have in mind to work to provide maximal logistical support to the movement for democracy in Nepal.

Curiously I was pinpointed individuals at the gathering from a distance who might have presonal contacts within the regime in Kathmandu. I did not make any immediate move though I wanted to. There were lots of non-political people I did not get to meet due to time constraints. And all I did was meet, meet, meet people. But I am open to establishing channels of communication as might become available. My personal goal is not to rub noses in the dust. I seek the most peaceful, efficient way to bring democracy to Nepal, and I am all for dialogue, especially with opponents.

And I mean that from a position of strength. I keep my options open. If the regime takes to acting repressive towards peaceful demonstrators and retaliatory towards democratic activists, there will arise a need for a Truth And Reconciliation Commission once the democrats come into power. The commisssion would investigate and punish all the culprits that might have thus participated. Or elements of the regime can behave, and we can all end up getting along just fine.

I am neutral on the monarchy question, personally. But I have personal friends and allies who are staunchly, uncompromisingly republican, and they have every right to be so, and if they are targeted for that, then I see it a democratic imperative to do all I can to protect them. Ultimately it is for the Nepali people to decide for themselves if they want a ceremonial monarchy or not. I really don't spend a lot of time thinking about the monarchy. My time is for democracy. The concept is very much work in progress. And my next bit of focus is to do with the logistics of the movement.

Although I must say I feel the ground shifting from beneath the king's feet. Attitudes are morphing. He is the chief executive and is directly responsible for all the excesses of the current regime. There is no escaping responsibility.

The public actions of the regime leave room only for confrontation. Grounds for a massive, peaceful movement have to be laid.

I met Somnath Ghimire. He is the Vice President of ADHRN. More important to me, he is a personal friend of Gagan Thapa. I mean, I am a Gagan Thapa fan. Ghimire is impressive in his own right, and we had a lot to talk about.

I noticed I was the only Madhesi at the gathering. Lone wolf.

107 Photos

She was asked to reach into the bag and pick the winner for the second prize. Her mother ended up the winner. So another lady dragged along a random child to do the picking for the first prize. That "drag" lady won the first prize. That was a minor miracle. What do you think?

In The News

• Maoists abduct 223 people in Nepal Times of India, India
• Maoists abduct 223 people including 150 women Press Trust of India
• Nepal ineffective in curbing Maoists: Pranab Sify, India
• Political crisis, fear grip Nepal Houston Chronicle "There is a climate of fear. The rule of law is totally demolished." ..... analysts expect no real breakthrough for at least three to four months, when the parties can organize protests after the monsoon and crop-sowing season. The parties have so far failed to rally popular support against the king, despite his increasing unpopularity..... The palace says Gyanendra is popular and adored, but many Nepalis are suspicious
  
• India concerned about Nepal's political situation Radio Australia
• Nepal Army not tackling Maoists effectively: Pranab Outlook (subscription)
• Border fencing will benefit Bangladesh too, says India Peninsula On-line, Qatar
• A regional gathering stresses on the need to deepen efforts to ... PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal India aims to become self-sufficient in electricity by 2012 and build in a 5 percent reserve margin. “All in all, another 100 GW of electricity generation is needed for that. In total, the price tag is put at $205 billion to 2012” ....
  
• HM King to address the UN next month PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal will be arriving in the US on September 12 ..... Nepal has urged for resumption of arms from India in exchange for its support to the latter’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC).... “While putting pressure on Kathmandu to restore democracy, (India) also realizes that in its UNSC mission, every vote counts. Now it will have to weigh its options”
• Sharpen The Ideological Struggle People's Democracy
• Now, MPs Forum On Nepal People's Democracy
• India to go ahead with fencing of border with Bangladesh India Daily, NJ 4000-km border with Bangladesh
• NSU Hoists Black Flags in Valley Colleges Himalayan Times, Nepal
• Pre-paid re-registration Kathmandu Post, Nepal
• Ex-army staff pledge to work for nation, monarch Gorkhapatra, Nepal Former army personnel who had retired after long military service have pledged to utilise the remaining period of their life in the service of the nation and the Monarch if their need is felt.
• Former student leaders demand UML’s special session Kantipur Online, Nepal demanded a special session of the party for restructuring the party organization and leadership..... More than 200 former student leaders who had worked at the central level of the student body since 1979 assembled at Pulchowk in Lalitpur yesterday to form a council of the former students and also criticized the mistakes committed by the political parties in the past....Shankar Pokharel, former president of the ANNFSU and current central member of the UML, said the meeting of the former student leaders was called to discuss all the past weaknesses of the party and chart out a future agenda for the party.
• NC-D general convention in January Kantipur The decision to convene the convention was taken in consultation with senior party leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba and Prakash Man Singh who are in jail.... in Kathmandu.....The party also sacked its central advisory council member Sri Prasad GT for supporting present government and accepting its nomination in District Development Committee.
• NC urged to initiate ideological change on Monarchy Kantipur Intellectuals and professionals Saturday urged the Nepali Congress (NC) party to revise its principles and remove "constitutional monarchy" from its statute claiming that monarchy and democracy can no longer go together. ....If the NC fails in this direction, said the intellectuals, it will vanish from the country's political landscape...... said Professor Dr Lok Raj Baral..... Professors Krishna Khanal, Krishna Hachhethu and Navin Prakash Jung Shah..."Even if the party does not like to opt for republic immediately, the term monarchy should be removed from the statute and the fate of monarchy should be left at the hands of future movements"
  
• ‘Single poll can end turmoil’ Kathmandu Post, Nepal One of the drafters of the present constitution argued Saturday that the present political turmoil can be ended through a single poll that would elect parliament and constituent assembly at once..... We can activate Article 3 of the constitution to hold elections.... Aryal said Article 127 of the constitution has been used to dismantle the constitution whereas it was provided for its protection......Former army chief Satchit Shumsher Rana said the insurgency could not be resolved militarily. President of the Forum, Himalaya Shumsher Rana said hopes have emerged with the new chief justice promising to look into the case of House reinstatement.
• ‘Docs’ role crucial for democracy’ Kathmandu Post, Nepal Dr Mathura Prasad Shrestha on Saturday said that doctors in Nepal were not playing the role they had played in the 1990's movement ...... Human rights defender Krishna Pahadi said virtually all nations, with the exception of a few underdeveloped countries, are capable of making Atom bombs.
  
• Journos rally against threat to Nepal FM Kathmandu Post, Nepal
• 'No links with Indian Maoists' claims Bhattarai Himalayan Times, Nepal The Maoists in Nepal have no “direct physical” or “military links” with the Naxalites in India nor are they anti-India in any way, claims Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai ..... He also dismissed media reports that his party was linked with the LTTE. “We never had, don’t have and don’t want any contact with them.
• Govt to Appoint Mayors, Dy Mayors Himalayan Times, Nepal “working” to appoint mayors and deputy mayors in 58 municipalities who will be reuired to fulfil the responsibility to conducting elections to those municipalities...The appointees could possibly be picked from independent politicians, former Panchas and people supporting political parties and who are ‘interested’ in taking posts but having ‘grudges’ in their party-folds.” Such parties include the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP), and even some from the seven-party alliance. The government is also planning to appoint nine Ilaka members in each district to work as members of the DDCs..... there was understandable ‘stampede’ among the local leaders of the RPP for the plum posts.
  
• Journos Want FM News Ban Lifted Himalayan Times, Nepal
• Indians capture Nepali land PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal
• The Nepal Crisis: Interview with National Council of Churches in ... ChristianToday, UK has never faced any crisis as it is facing today..... In 1990, there was a people’s uprising and the king was persuaded to introduce a multi-party system of government. It had the semblance of democracy but was far from it. Religious freedom was absent and basic individual freedom and rights were limited...... this action was totally unconstitutional, as the Constitution of Nepal has no such provision that enables the king to assume such authority or appoint anybody as “vice-chairman.”..... Human Rights Watch once said that there is zero human rights in Nepal....... Maoist rebels continue to torture civilians suspecting them of being government spies amd agents. Forcible conscription of children into the army as soldiers and bombing raids conducted in civilian areas suspected to be militant hideouts have struck fear in the heart of the Nepalis....... The situation is very much within the control as all the actors are acting within certain limitations. This is not an instance of terrorism…the events taking place are not terrorist activities but all are operating within the political sphere. So I am very hopeful of a peaceful solution of the problem. The problem can be solved and should be solved through dialogues and peaceful negotiations. The Maoists are ready and willing to do that and they have put forth their agenda and their demands very clearly....... The US, UK, and India are also involved in providing military aid to the government of Nepal. This is making dialogues and peaceful resolutions difficult. ..... Intervention of the international community should be limited but productive and constructive.
  
• Poets, singers, teachers rally for Nepal democracy RedNova.com, TX
• Civic society urge for complete democracy Kantipur Online, Nepal
• King Of Nepal: An Enemy Of Democracy News From Bangladesh by Somnath Ghimire King Gyanendra’s father, King Mahendra, did the same thing in 1960. He had dismissed parliament, imprisoned the parliamentary leaders and imposed the fascistic Panchayat system, in which the people had no political rights. Parties were banned and replaced by royalist councils. King Mahendra organized handfuls of people who were instructed to chant slogans in favor of his coup. He divided the political parties........ King Gyanendra Shah is entirely isolated from the masses of people; he has the title now as a “CITY MAYOR”....... let all democrats build up consensus for struggle under the slogan of fighting for a “Multiparty New Democratic People’s Republic of Nepal”........ Their political fortunes in the Nepalese political arena are dwindling and they have bet their personal survival on the kindness of King Gyanendra Shah ........ The feudal monarchy of Nepal – confined to military barracks, isolated from the masses and hated by the Nepalese people and people all over the world – is as rotten at its foundations as a rotten tooth......... The monarchy is the root of all problems of Nepal and the root cause of the Nepali people’s suffering and misery......... Many Nepalis say this tall, severe man in his daura-suruwal tight pants and knee-length shirt is the reason their country is in crisis...... This monarchy has become a burden on the nation ...... His image has eroded, his credibility is down. ...... His standing is steadily falling ..... Many doubt elections can ever be held until the Maoists are brought back to the negotiating table, something most say rests in the king's hands........ people close to the palace say considered his brother weak, now effectively has full control of the government and the country until an election can be held and a new government formed, but when? ....... Gyanendra is not obeying the Constitution of 1990, so why do we need to call him as a “CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCH”? Let us decide that what we all want to call him.......
• Twelve Years Of Democratic Achievements And Failures by Somnath Ghimire For Nepal to become a stable democracy, it is imperative that our leaders should embark on democratization....... As the NC leader Girija babu dissolved the parliament, the evil days and black cloud started again in Nepal........ Why our leaders have to be involved in corruptions while our hard earned baby democracy was just fostering? ...... Transparency is a hallmark of democracy. ........ Some will argue that democracy and king are incompatible, that the Nepal's quest for freedom is a fool's errand. Non-sense...... Members of Raj Parishad are "Panchas" and "Mandaless" ...... The question of whether King Gyanendra is compatible with democracy is as relevant as whether the monarchy in the UK is compatible with democracy. ...... In the past twelve years, Politics have become Khaane Bhando for Neta (leaders) and limited circle of karyakarta (followers). ...... Why Nepali Congress though elected 2 times with mandate to form government failed to rule for five years? ...... Our palace has a strong influence in politics even when there is democracy in the country. ...... There is Imperial household agency in Japan under the prime minister. We don't need a separate Raj Parishad and many other institutions. Royal palace must be democratic and transparent ....... RPP has shown its true color. So, is the party of Badri Pd Mandal. ....... Democracy can be restored and even king may be bound to leave. It is easier to uproot democratic government with democratic means than with undemocratic means....... Even in China, it took 50 years still there is a long way to go. There are even so many poor farmers and no too many people who are very rich. Per capita income is still so low. ....... people watching the events rather than participating. ..... people tasted the freedom of expression and freedom of speech. However, we never got good governance......

GDF

I have been toying with the idea of getting more closely involved with the ongoing movement in Nepal. One idea that I have floated is to become a Project Manager within the ADHRN. Another would be to start an organization of my own. Global Democracy Fund. Or something of that sort. A third option is to keep doing what I have been doing. Be a one man show, freelancing around, blogging, meeting, calling people up.

I feel a little torn. I feel pulled in two different directions. One is entrepreneurship, another the Nepal thingie. I personally feel like I function better juggling several balls at once. So I guess I keep at it.

Regime Wants Dialogue With Maoists

That is good news. Shows it feels the pressure. Protests are gaining momentum. And they are working. The mausi bhi taiyar Basanti bhi taiyar moment might be fast approaching.

And if the regime is serious about this dialogue thing, the movement might be averted. And I personally might scale back my personal involvement plans.

You hold dialogue, and you go into a Constituent Assembly. The solution is that simple. If you do it fast, clean and positive, the monarchy is guaranteed to stay on.

In The News

• Nepal government ready for talks with Maoists, says senior ... Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates Kirti Nidhi Bista told a group of civil society leaders that the government also agreed that dialogue was the only way to settle the armed conflict..... told the civil society leaders to help the government by trying to bring the Maoists to the negotiating table..... another group of civil society leaders held a mass meeting ..... With the top leaders of political parties sitting among the audience, the civil society leaders severely criticised them for their mistakes that brought about the present situation in the country.... The political leaders listened silently to their criticisms.
• Citizens’ forum fires latest salvo at Nepal King Indian Express newly formed Citizens Movement for Peace and Democracy turned openly against King Gyanendra, saying his refusal to accept democracy will spell doom for the 237-year-old institution, which has for the most part ruled the country as an oligarchy...... impressive turn-out in the capital was a sign of just how fast the quiet resentment against the royal takeover is snowballing into a people’s movement ....... a public rally—the biggest in the past six months..... though leaders of pro-democracy political parties attended the rally, it was representatives of the media, poets, activists, doctors and teachers who were the ones to address the crowd...... Krishna Pahadi .... It is time the people decided once and for all, what kind of political system—with or without a monarchy—they wanted, through an elected constituent assembly’’..... once the dialogue began moving in the right direction, a ceasefire would be the natural outcome, consolidating democracy..... the driving undercurrent in the tone throughout the three-hour rally, was much harsher on King Gyanendra than even that of the Maoists.
  
• Poets, singers, teachers rally for Nepal democracy Reuters AlertNet Nepal has seen a string of small anti-king protests by political parties in the past six months, but they were quickly quashed by the heavy presence of troops..... establish peace with the Maoists and bring them to the mainstream
  
• ‘Don’t legitimise Nepal rule’ Indian Express, India Nepal Democracy and Solidarity Committee, India, comprising nine political parties, today asked the UPA government not to take any step that will accord legitimacy to King Gyanendra’s rule...... a convention on the issue in India on August 26 for which members of Nepal’s seven-party coalition will be invited.... will also establish Parliamentarians for Democracy in Nepal, during the current Monsoon Session
• Court okays a month’s custody to ex-CDO Gorkhapatra, Nepal
• Nepal FM appeals at NHRC, OHCHR Kathmandu Post, Nepal
• Civil society presses for people’s sovereignty Kathmandu Post, Nepal
• Nation can go for referendum: FM Rana Kathmandu Post, Nepal .... the nation could go for referendum to test popularity of the monarchists and republicans..... Bloomfield strongly charged that there is no room for "moderation and compromise" in the six months of the king's rule...... A mentality in which those who argue for a negotiated peace with the Maoists are publicly attacked for advocating giving in to terrorists, where democracy is presented as something that has to wait until the Maoists have been dealt with militarily, where there is no room for moderation and compromise
• Students burn effigies of autocracy Kathmandu Post, Nepal
• Nepal government ready for talks with Maoists PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal
• 2005 NASEA-ANMA JOINT CONVENTION, ATLANTA PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal
• Maoist Rebels Running Parallel Governments on India-Nepal Border South Asia Tribune, VA ..... We have almost liberated the Nepali Darchula, and we would do the same in this side of Dharchula also.... “Usually we get arms through Nepal and sometimes through Tibet, but our main procurer are ULFA and LTTE.” ..... When asked from where do the ULFA and LTTE get arms the rebel leader said: “There are so many arms dealer all over the world. They are sitting in China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and even in India. I am not in the position to say much on this subject.”
• NEPAL: Thousands take part in pro-democracy mass meeting in ... Asia Pacific Media Network, CA forthcoming pro-democracy protests must be a peaceful but decisive..... since the monarchy has had repeatedly betrayed democracy in Nepal, the upcoming movement must head towards a democratic republican set up.
• Will China really rise up? The New Nation, Bangladesh Few weeks ago, a Chinese General warned the USA of nuclear attack in the event of her siding with Taiwan over possible unilateral declaration of independence..... China can do that by blocking UN embargo on Iran over nuke, pressing USA to leave Iraq as soon as possible and pledging that she will stand by Bangladesh in crisis.
• Poets, singers, teachers rally for Nepal democracy San Diego Union Tribune, United States
• Poets, singers, teachers rally for Nepal democracy Reuters India, India
• Traffic resumes on rebels-blocked highway in west Nepal Xinhua, China
• FDI And Developing Countries PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal
• RNA denies US Senator’s accusations Kantipur Online, Nepal
• NSU Shuts Down TU Offices Himalayan Times, Nepal
• Sobhraj to take his case to UN NewKerala.com, India
• As the six month ban on news on radio expires Friday, FM stations ... Nepali Times, Nepal Army sources have accused FM stations of needlessly causing panic among the people with news of blockades and of helping the Maoists. However, private television stations were never banned from broadcasting news.
• We’re all Bise Nagarchis Nepali Times, Nepal
  
• In Nepal, homosexual couples hide their relationships, but with ... OhmyNews International, South Korea
• The Democracy Advantage Samudaya.org, AZ democracies have outperformed autocracies even amongst low-income countries..... the "authoritarian-advantage thesis" has always had weak evidence, it has been proven that not only can poor countries with a low literacy rate democratize, they can also develop much more effectively than their autocratic counterparts....... the ability of the government to fix itself, and periodic elections that allow for peaceful replacement of leaders....... the East Asian tigers (South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and China)...... Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, the authors argue that this success cannot be attributed to the authoritarian form of governance: "openness to competition, the use of international markets, a high level of literacy and education, successful land reforms and public provisions of incentives for investment, exporting, and industrialization... There is nothing whatsoever to indicate that any of these policies is inconsistent with greater democracy, that any one of them had to be sustained by the elements of authoritarianism. What is needed for generating faster economic growth is a friendlier climate rather than a harsher political system."....... statistics show that development produced by autocratic regimes is more likely to plunge drastically...... strengthening of an autocracy through well-intended aid, downfall of ill-prepared new democracies due to aggressive liberalization policies from donors, or a lack of cooperation from donors leading to crises and turmoil....... democracy cannot be spread militarily and that democratic struggles must come from within, the emphasis is on creating an external environment that is conducive to democratic struggles...... democracies rarely go to war with each other... democracies have thus far done a much better job of resolving interstate and civil conflict. .. civil conflicts start becoming rarer as democratic consolidation becomes stronger...... autocracies to a glorious ship that is quick to sink when met with an unexpected iceberg, and democracies to a hands-on raft that is more reliable even if it gets your feet wet...... Given democracies' averseness to armed conflict, a new era of universal peace might actually become reality