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Display of Distress
It is not the visit of Moriarty, but what he says that should generate debate in the country
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
Storm over a teacup! Its not merely a proverb anymore in Nepal . Last week the country witnessed two different storms. The first was the one triggered by rumors – which were later found to be baseless - that truck-loads of arms were imported from India .
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Moriarty : Well- meaning concern |
The second one was less dramatic but equally telling. The American ambassador to Nepal James Moriarty went on a visit to mid and far western regions of Nepal to inspect US-assisted flood relief program as well as conflict mitigation projects. There he said that until and unless the Maoists abandoned violence, the peace process cannot succeed in Nepal . He added that “continued violent activities” of the Maoists could derail the peace process.
These are the sentiments that are shared by virtually every independent Nepali citizen at this crucial phase of the country’s history.
However, Moriarty’s remarks attracted disparaging criticism from not only the Maoists but also some leaders of the ruling Seven Party Alliance. He was charged of everything from trying to interfere into Nepal ’s affairs to actively working to derail the peace talks. Some MPs representing radical communist outfits – such as Lilamani Pokharel of People’s Front - went to the extent of demanding that the government ask Moriarty to leave the country.
The viewpoint that arms of the Maoists should be managed before the holding of Constituent Assembly has been favored by majority of the people and also the current government. “Everybody knows that fair elections cannot be imagined when one party continues to hold arms. It seems everyone is bowing before the Maoist intimidation and pressure tactics. At least somebody (Moriarty) is still there who is saying right things,” said a political analyst.
Moriarty has denied that he has committed any interference or has crossed his diplomatic norms. “It is my duty as a US ambassador to understand the ground situation not only in Kathmandu but also outside the valley,” Moriarty had told reporters on Saturday after meeting with the general secretary of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML).
Interestingly, the whole ‘foreign interference bogey’ has been raised by the very people who warmly courted the foreign support during the royal regime – when the King’s government was busy summoning foreign ambassadors for ‘crossing their diplomatic limits.’
“It seems our leaders have no objection to foreign interference if it suits their interests but will raise a ruckus if it does not,” added the analyst.
For his part, Moriarty seems to be strictly adhering to the current policy of his government towards Nepal . Since the political change in April, there has been a flurry of visits by American officials and political leaders – with single and unequivocal message.
The US assistant secretary for South and Central Asia , Richard Boucher, was the first senior foreign dignitary to visit Nepal after the political upheaval in April. The top US official in charge of the regional affairs met a number of leaders, officials, army chief and the civil society members. Three months later, a top senator Arlene Specter, chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee (which looks after issues including terrorism), came visiting followed by a bi-partisan congressional delegation in late August led by Republican Jim Kolbe.
All of them underscored the need for the Maoists to abandon the path of violence first. So it appears futile for Nepalese communist leaders to vilify Moriarty. He is only doing or saying things that the Washington wants him to do or say.
And isn’t he saying things that should be seriously discussed by the people, civil society and the parliament? Nobody is talking about outright disarming of the Maoists without negotiating on the political package. But that doesn’t mean the Maoist can continue with their violent ways holding the whole country at ransom when they have already professed their commitment to multiparty democracy and human rights and have pledged to settle their grievances through talks.
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