Friday, May 12, 2006

Hamro Nepal: Free Membership


Discussions are on if Hamro Nepal should attempt to launch a political party in Nepal. Some think it is a good idea. Others think we should act a pressure group to get the seven party alliance to accept our agenda.

Federal republic is one. More important is the idea of launching a new kind of democracy, one that India and America don't have, one where parties don't get to raise funds, instead they get funds from the state directly proportional to the number of votes they earn.

We can try to pressure the parties. Or we can face the fact that they simply are not going to go for it, and do that well ahead enough that we do have time to launch a party. But even the pressure group will have to take the form of a political organization that could simply become a political party as a second step.

Hamro Nepal does need a presence in Nepal. You can not have an organization that has the word Nepal in its name but has no presence in Nepal itself.

And we do have to grow in the US.

The original idea was to charge a membership fee of $100. I brought it down to $10. Then Jay Mandal suggested we not have any membership fee at all. At first I resisted. But today I came around to it. I think this move will have a major positive impact on the membership drive. We can always host fundraisers on the side.

Growing to be a large organization with a vibrant Hamro Nepal Virtual Parliament in itself will be an achievement. We will host eConferences replete with audio clips. I think that will be a great way to bridge the gap between Nepal and the diaspora.

Hamro Nepal: Membership Drive
Hamro Nepal, Latest
Hamro Nepal: Draft Constitution
Organization: Hamro Nepal
Your Many Identities

Should We Launch A Party

I think yes. Only a revolution made the king change his mind. Similarly only a new party that will do well at the polls will help reform the other parties. The best way to reform them would be to pass laws that makes reform compulsory.

You can not expect an IBM to do Microsoft's work. You got to launch a new Microsoft. Sometimes a clean break is the only way to offer cutting edge ideas.

But it would be great to have a discussion on this topic at the virtual parliament.

How To Organize An eConference

(1) Pick a topic.
(2) Prepare a list of people - members or guests - that you want to speak on the topic.
(3) Invite them to prepare a five minute audio clip using Audio Blogger.
(4) Present a list of the names hyperlinked to the MP3 file of their audio clips at the virtual parliament.

UN Mediation Is Key
Land Reform, Truth And Reconciliation
Cat Outa Bag: Girija Koirala For Ceremonial Monarchy
Prachanda's Transitional Republic

One Central Committee Member For Every Million Nepali
The April Revolution Asks For A New Political Party
An Open Letter To Gagan Thapa

Visitors

1.12 May17:06NTL Internet, Winnersh, United Kingdom
2.12 May17:07The World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., United States
4.12 May17:09Motorola, United States
5.12 May17:16Smart Telecom Holdings, Ireland
6.12 May17:17Bulldog Communications, United Kingdom
7.12 May17:17AMD, Austin, United States
15.12 May18:54Verizon Online, Boston, United States
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20.12 May19:13COMindico Australia, Australia
23.12 May19:30COMindico Australia, Australia
27.12 May19:42Warwick University, Coventry, United Kingdom
29.12 May19:57PCCW Computasia Ltd., Hong Kong S.A.R.
33.12 May20:30Telia Network Services, Sweden

In The News


Gulf Times
Nepal’s rebel leader agrees to head talks with government
Daily Times, Pakistan - 1 hour ago
Kathmandu: Nepal’s reclusive Maoist leader Prachanda is likely to lead rebel peace talks with the government to end a deadly decade-long insurgency, a top guerrilla chief said on Friday.
Clock ticking for change in Nepal BBC News
Nepal Maoists want jailed rebels free before talks Reuters AlertNet
Maoist leader to head Nepal talks BBC News
United Press International - NewKerala.com - all 111 related »
Three Nepal royalist ministers arrested
Deccan Herald, India - 4 hours ago
Nemesis finally began catching up with King Gyanendra’s key accomplices, with the new government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Friday arresting three royalist ministers for abetting the unconstitutional royal reg-ime and ordering excessive ...
Nepal arrests 5 ministers, Army Chief suspended Daily News & Analysis
Nepal detains five former ministers Reuters
Former ministers arrested in Nepal NDTV.com
Mail & Guardian Online - Monsters and Critics.com - all 50 related »

Gorkhapatra
New Era in Nepal Leads to New Constitution
Zaman Online, Turkey - 12 hours ago
Nepalese deputy Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli disclosed that a new constitution could be prepared by November of 2007, which would include the demands of Maoist guerrillas who participated ...
Nepal leader says new constitution likely in 18 months Sify
New constitution in Nepal likely by November 2007 Pravda
New constitution in Nepal likely in 18 months, deputy leader says ... China Post
Zee News - Indian Express - all 22 related »
Nepal govt to form negotiation team
NDTV.com, India - 13 hours ago
The Nepal government will form a negotiation team within a week to initiate dialogue with the Maoists. "The government's negotiation team will be formed by May 18 to hold a dialogue with the Maoists.
'Nepal govt to form negotiating team within a week' Zee News
King’s fate splits Nepal rulers Hindustan Times
Govt to free 2 Maoist leaders, cabinet expansion stalled Indian Express
Nepaleyes - CRI - all 13 related »

Boston Globe
Nepal Maoists free hostage after a month
CNN-IBN, India - 16 hours ago
Kathmandu: Maoists have freed an official who was taken hostage after an attack in a southern Nepal town during political upheaval in the Himalayan country last month, officials said on Friday.
Nepal communist rebels free official held hostage since last month Mainichi Daily News
Nepal Rebels Announce Team for Peace Talks Washington Post
Maoists rebels release district official, security personnel NewKerala.com
HappyNews.com - Pravda - all 28 related »
All eyes on big, fat Nepal wedding
CNN-IBN, India - 17 hours ago
Katmandu: Royals, corporate czars and a sprinkling of movie stars are converging in Nepal for a ritzy, high-profile wedding that many hope will ease tensions after months of political chaos and lure tourists back to the Himalayan kingdom.
Gastroschisis treatment possible in Nepal: doctor
People's Daily Online, China - 20 hours ago
The treatment of the Gastroschisis, a disease that intestines of a newborn infant come out of the abdomen, has now been possible in Nepal, a medical doctor said here Friday.
Gastroschisis treatment possible now in country Gorkhapatra
all 5 related »
Indian millionaire attacked in Nepal
Hindustan Times, India - 17 hours ago
A millionaire businessman of Indian origin was injured in a southern Nepal town on Friday morning when bombs were thrown on him, triggering panic in the business community as the incident comes after several similar attacks in the area.
Industrialist Agrawal brought to Kathmandu for treatment Nepalnews.com
Industrialist Agrawal Attacked in Birgunj Nepalnews.com
all 9 related »
Nepal plans to enroll 120,000 children to primary schools in 2006
People's Daily Online, China - 19 hours ago
The Department of Education (DoE) has set a target to enroll about 120,000 children between five to nine year of age under the "School Admission Campaign and Welcome Program-2006", a director of DoE said Friday.
DoE drive aims to bring in 120 thousand to schools Gorkhapatra
all 5 related »
Nepal axes three national security chiefs, spares army
India eNews.com, India - 8 hours ago
Kathmandu - The new Nepal government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Friday suspended the three chiefs of national security but spared the powerful head of the army.
High level probe into royal government's excesses begins Zee News
High level probe commission starts work Deepika

UN Mediation Is Okay


First, that is what is in the 12 point agreement. Second, it is in the best interests of countries like Nepal to treat the UN with respect. Third, we should also be open to involving the other powers like the US, EU, India and China, because that will make it more possible to seek monetary aid during the peace process, and aid sure will be needed. Fourth, it is a myth that Nepal needs India's permission before it can invite the UN in. It does not. The relationship between a state like Nepal and a body like the UN is direct. If Kofi Annan did not understand this, he would never have extended his helping hand like he repeatedly has. I am comfortable with Annan's understanding of the nuances of international politics. What about you? Fifth, it is in India's best interests to see the UN play a meaningful role in Nepal. India needs the UN to become a major player on the global stage that it is not yet. Sixth, the UN's involvement in the Nepal peace process could see many firsts for world history. It could be thoroughly successful in many innovative ways. Subsequently Nepal could draw upon that experience to play much bigger roles in peace making and democracy spreading experiments in other countries. That will be honorable. The UN's possible involvement is a huge opportunity for Nepal: snatch it.

Getting the two armies out of the picture during the constituent assembly elections is key to having free and fair elections. We surely should invite international observers of the widest possible spectrum for that period. That should also be a time for us to express our appreciation to all those global friends that were with us during our royal ordeal. That includes INGOs. That includes the Carter Center. That includes the top human rights organizations.

What would that involve? I think both armies should do two things.

(1) Get all their soldiers into barracks.
(2) Give up all their arms and ammunition to be locked up and guarded by African soldiers under UN supervision for safekeeping for the duration of the election.

Extortions Have To Come To A Complete Stop

Otherwise there can not, should not be any peace talks.

What is the idea behind these extortions? That the Maoists run a parallel state? If Nepal is two countries, why even hold peace talks?

Peace talks whose conclusions have already been reached should be something the Maoists should be able to trust. The Maoists should not act like they are preparing for yet another round of civil war.

The money the Maoists collect was not earned by Nepali citizens through some command economy.

If the Maoists keep up with their extortions, they are but gangsters.

I think it is high time both the seven party alliance and the Maoists did their very best to engage in confidence building measures. The state needs to cooperate on the issue of the imprisoned and disappeared Maoists.

10 years are enough. The country does not need any more violence.

In The News

Former Ministers Pandey and Rana arrested NepalNews
Former Home Minister Thapa taken into custody
Election to take place for the post of Speaker
Maoist leaders call to fulfill their demands for talks: Prachanda to lead Maoist talk team
Maoist affiliated student union submits its demands to Prime Minister
Valley districts get CDOs
Parliament allows senior civil servants to join trade unions
Team to scale Mt. Everest to mark the success of people's movement
Maoists release former Sarlahi CDO
"Violation of human rights makes people poor"

Five former ministers arrested; all 4 security chiefs suspended Kantipur Publications
HoR to elect Speaker tomorrow
Assailants target Industrialist in Birgunj
Government intervenes to resolve Moondrops affair
Compensation to martyrs’ families in limbo
Senior govt officers can join unions
पाँच दिनसम्म भोजैभोज
बाँच्ने आशा पलायो
उपसचिवसम्मले टे्रड युनियन अधिकार पाउने
सभामुख पदको विवाद बढ्यो
मुख्यसचिवले गाडी फर्काए
गृहमा हेरफेर
गाउँ-गाउँमा चन्दा आतंक
गृह जिल्लामै कालोसूचीमा थापा
युद्धविराममा चन्दा असुली
उपभोक्ता अदालत
समावेशीकरण र पारदर्शिता
प्रस्तावित राष्ट्रगान
परिवर्तनको दिशा र हाम्रो कार्यभार
जनक्रान्तिपछिको आर्थिक क्रान्ति

New Era in Nepal Leads to New Constitution Zaman Online, Turkey
All eyes on big, fat Nepal wedding
CNN-IBN, India
Nepal plans to enroll 120,000 children to primary schools in 2006
People's Daily Online, China
‘Eternal vigilance needed against King Gyanendra’ Daily Times
Prachanda to lead peace talks with govt: Nepal Maoists
Zee News, India

Visitors

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