Parties Stick To Agitation
Rejecting the call by the King to come for dialogue in the greater interest of the nation, the seven agitating political parties have stated that they will continue to be engaged in agitation aimed at ‘undefeatable’ democracy. Addressing the rally of the parties in the capital held to mark the 56 th Democracy Day, leaders urged everyone to see through the King’s message. They said that dialogue with the King was not possible unless the latter withdrew his February 1 step. Sushil Koirala, vice president of Nepali Congress (NC), blamed the King for the crises facing the nation. He added that the understanding with the Maoists was aimed at restoring peace. Lila Mani Pokharel, vice president of People’s Front, said that efforts were on to intensify the agitation. Manmohan Bhattarai of NC (Democratic), said that if the King does not want to remain constitutional, every one must go for constituent assembly. Leading dailies report.
Ball Is In The Court Of Parties: Dr. Giri
With the King’s message on Democracy Day, the ball is now in the court of the political parties as far as the creation of atmosphere of understanding is concerned, according to Dr. Tulsi Giri, vice chairman of the Council of Ministers. “How they respond to the message, (coming political developments) will depend on that,” said Dr. Giri. He said that the King’s message is ‘one step ahead.’ “Look how beautiful language he has used in the message. The King has clearly called for understanding and dialogue. One should understand the aim of such language.” In his message to countrymen on the occasion of Democracy Day, the King had stated, ““Let us listen to others, put across our views, do away with discord and enhance mutual understanding; let us consolidate peace and democracy.” Elaborating that such message would not contain specific agenda for discussion, Dr. Giri urged everyone to look into “substance rather than content” of the message. “Look carefully, many things are there,” he said. Adding that constant street agitation would not provide a way out, Dr. Giri stated that at some point the King and the parties must start talking. “There should be flexibility,” said Dr. Giri, adding, “It is not that the parties must accept whatever the King wishes. It is all about give and take. That can happen after listening to each others’ viewpoints. At least, there should be positive response. But if somebody outright rejects dialogue, what can anyone do?” He also urged the parties to think where they want to see the politics moving. “One hand cannot clap. Hands should be extended for talks, meeting should be held. Agreeable positions should be discussed.” Saying that NC president Girija Prasad Koirala could not keep the position that suspension of municipal polls would lead to dialogue, Dr. Giri added, “He backed out from that position even before the polls. There could have been dialogue on that position. That was not an agreeable position. Polls could have been suspended.” Kantipur daily reports.
King Calls For Dialogue
King Gyanendra has urged all the ‘willing’ democratic parties to come forth to fully activate the ‘stalled democratic process in the greater interest of the nation.’ Saying “it is our wish to hold dialogue with all democrats in the interest of peace and democracy,” the King has appealed for strong solidarity among all who have faith in multiparty democracy. In his message to the nation on the occasion of the 56 th Democracy Day, King Gyanendra states, “Let us listen to others, put across our views, do away with discord and enhance mutual understanding; let us consolidate peace and democracy.” The King also stressed that those who have been misguided should shun violence and destruction and enter the mainstream of peace and multiparty democracy. “In spite of the apparent adverse environment, the Nepali people have demonstrated their faith in the power of the ballot during the recently held municipal elections,” the King said. “The nation seeks solidarity amongst all who have faith in multiparty democracy to formulate a mechanism which ensures that peace and democracy are never again jeopardized,” the King said, adding, “Democracy could be re-energized with the activation of all representative bodies through the electoral process in the coming days as well.” The King added, “We are committed to abide by and safeguard the constitution in the best interest of Nepali people and their prosperity. All should remember that democracy can survive only in rule of law and the constitution is the fundamental of the law.” Leading dailies report.
Maoists Call Indefinite Strike In April
The Maoists have announced a new series of protest programs that would last till April. Sources close to Home Minister Kamal Thapa, however, said, “immediate reaction (on the Maoist announcement) was ruled out.” In a press statement, the Maoists announced an “indefinite political strike from April 3.” The general strike would entail nationwide closure of educational institutions, markets, manufacturing units and factories and disruption of transport services,” the statement said. The period from March 14 to 20 will also see a general strike and blockade in areas surrounding the capital. Similarly, the Maoists have earmarked the period until March 14 for “preparations.” The Maoists also said they would continue backing protest programs announced by the seven party alliance. The Himalayan Times daily reports.
Pathak Accuses ‘Some Rights Workers’ Of Defaming The Nation
A member of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has accused a section of human rights activists of deliberately attempting to defame the nation in the international arena and calling for foreigners to impose sanction against their own country. “Such is the level of propaganda in the international level that foreigners tell us that in Nepal you may step on a bomb everywhere you go and you may get killed every time you venture out of your house,” Sudip Pathak said, addressing an interaction program in Reporters’ Club on Saturday. He added that in the last one year the international community has doubled their support in human rights in the country. He indicated that some rights activists guided by the lure of the resources, are “actively engaged in compelling the international community to impose sanctions against their nation.” He also expressed surprise that Nepalis rather than foreigners are more bent on seeing that the country is slapped with Item 9 in the UN human rights commission resolution. Speaking at the same interaction program, Subodh Pyakurel, president of INSEC, called on the need for international sanction against Nepal . At the program, a number of human rights activists condemned the Maoists for the death of a government official while in their custody. Joint regional administrator Prem Prasad Sapkota, who had been abducted from Dhankuta, has died in Maoist captivity. His wife has accused the Maoists’ apathy to his health led to the death. Compiled from reports.
Leaders Disagree With US Envoy’s Remarks
Leaders of seven political parties have disagreed with the remarks of the US ambassador James Moriarty cautioning them against alliance with the Maoists. “We are trying to bring the Maoists to mainstream. That is not going to happen quickly,” the leaders said. Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, central leader of Nepali Congress (NC), said he does not agree with the ambassador’s remark. He said, “Dialogue will be held for the implementation of 12-point understanding. That will give the solution.” He also disagreed with the envoy’s call for reconciliation with the King who has ‘trampled the constitution.’ K.P. Sharma Oli of Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) said that the parties-Maoist alliance was based on the belief that even the terrorists should be given chance if they want to return to peaceful path. He stated that Moriarty’s remarks on democracy were positive. He said the repeated condemnation by the Maoists against the US could have irritated Moriarty. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.
Army Man’s Wife, Mother Killed
An unidentified group brutally killed the wife and mother of a Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) hawaldar at Pauwatar of Gaikhur VDC in Gorkha district on February 15 night. Three others of the family sustained critical injuries in the attack. The group attacked the house of RNA head constable Suk Bahadur Gharti and killed his 60-year-old mother Batu and 29-year-old wife Samjhana, according to police. Gharti’s father, Padam Bahadur, and sons, Sujan (8) and Suman (4), were seriously injured. The kids were struck by sharp weapon. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a civilian identified as Bhola Shah (25) was killed when a landmine planted by Maoists went off on Thursday morning in Baghwana VDC near Birgunj. An RNA personnel was injured in the incident. The Himalayan Times daily reports.
Maoist Ties Will Hurt Parties: Top UK Official
Antony Stokes, the head of the South Asian Group at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who arrived in Kathmandu on February 15, met Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and conveyed his government’s concerns about Nepal . Stokes is learnt to have told Koirala that the 12-point understanding with the Maoists was not in ‘favor’ of the parties. Party sources said Stokes suggested for ‘reconciliation’ between the constitutional forces (the monarch and the parties) to “isolate Maoists nationally and internationally.” “The British official expressed his government’s concerns and we put forward our stance, which is based on the six-point (common minimum) program and the 12-point understanding reached with the Maoists for peaceful transformation of Maoist insurgency,” said Arjun Narsingh KC, member of NC Central Working Committee. KC refused to elaborate on what Stokes had told Koirala but said, “The international community may say what suits it, but we have clarified that the seven parties are firm to activate the Constitution and that the 12-point understanding with the Maoists was reached in a realistic context to bring Maoists to the mainstream.” He added that Stokes was clearly told that the Maoists need safe landing and thus the 12-point understanding. Party sources said Koirala was in ‘bad mood’ after meeting Stokes. The source quoted Koirala as saying, “Foreigners don’t understand.” Sources add that Koirala told the visiting guest that the international community was ‘misunderstanding’ the spirit of the 12-pointunderstanding. Stokes was also told that the King had failed to do anything to restore democracy. Stokes is the second foreign after the US ambassador James F. Moriarty to say that the alliance between the parties and the Maoists was ultimately going to harm the parties. According to the British Embassy, the visiting official, who was here for two days, also met the government ministers, senior party figures and some diplomats based in Kathmandu . He left for New Delhi today, an embassy official informed. Meanwhile, US ambassador Moriarty met with Sher Bahadur Deuba, president of NC (Democratic) at the latter’s residence in Budhanilkantha. The Himalayan Times daily reports.
