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Wednesday, December 13, 2006
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INDEPTH ANALYSIS:
Koirala favors "positive peace" Kathmandu : Prime Minister Koirala remains adamant in his standpoints. He would not deter from what he has already charted in his minds for the future course of this nation come what may.The Maoists virtually have fallen in his political grip. Neither they can gulp the bitter pills prescribed for them by Koirala nor can they out rightly reject his political prescriptions. The result has been that the Maoists have been left with only option wherein they can issue ultimatums and threat loaded statement. But then yet Koirala appears to remain determined to go the way he has charted for the country caring little what the rebels say.
Koirala, as much is visible, wants positive peace but not a negative one.
His idea for a positive peace in the country could only be brought into existence when the Maoists are fully disarmed and their entire arms and the weaponries are kept in safe cantonments under the supervision and vigilance of the UN body that is yet to land in the country in its full strength.
Koirala's consideration has been that until and unless the arms possessed by the Maoists were not snatched completely from their hands, prevalence of positive peace in the country would remain a mirage only. And this is perhaps what Koirala has in his mind which prompted him the other day to declare in front of Prachanda that "the issuance of an interim statute would materialize only when the arms management issues have been sorted out once and for all".
Undeniably, Koirala's blunt declaration must not have been taken by Prachanda in good taste for a variety of reasons. This means that in Koirala's opinion, if the Maoists were elevated to the ranks of the ministers or for that matter the parliamentarians with guns would tantamount to the existence of a "negative peace" which is why he is supposed to have hinted Prachanda: lay down the arms and then only you can be brought to the corridors of power.
The fact is that neither the Maoists can enter into the jungles as per their own assertions and fresh admissions nor they appear close to power structure.
Koirala is intelligent enough to have understood this Maoists compulsion.
Whether the fresh utterances of Koirala aimed at pressing the Maoists to lay down their arms first is his own intellect or he has "borrowed" this brain power from some of his close friends in the international community remains yet a mystery.
Nevertheless, if one were to recall what the US Ambassador James F. Moriarty said last week of the Maoists in a Pokhara meet of the Nepali media men were any indication then what comes to the fore is that Koirala must have told point blank Prachanda that he can't annoy the international community and can in no way compromise with the arms prior to bringing the rebels to the power structure.
Add to this, speculations are that the Indian Foreign Secretary-Shiv Shanker Menon, who freshly concluded his Nepal visit last week too apparently advised Nepal prime minister not to act in haste.
If this were so, which is by all accounts a sort of hidden message for Koirala from the two powerful democracies in the world which is perhaps lessening the speed of the Maoists' coming to power.
The Indian authorities have reasons to be extra-sensitive over the question of the Maoists being elevated to the power with arms because a section of the Indian media reports have it that Nepali Maoists have plans to supply their weapons to their brethren residing in the adjoining Bihar . (Read Enbref)
All put together what is for sure is that Prime Minister Koirala, given the backing he at the moment enjoys from the US and India, will not settle for less than what he has told point blank to Prachanda the other day.
Lay down the arms first and then be a part of the state structure.
In what form the Maoists will react to Koirala's fresh political overtures vis-à-vis them will have to be watched.
Nevertheless, the Janadesh weekly-considered to be the mouth piece of the Maoists party dated 12 December has already provided a two day ultimatum to the state authorities for the formation of an interim statute.
How Koirala braves this ultimatum will have to be watched?
Maoists' acts speedup Congress unification
Kathmandu: Intense pressure is being mounted on the Maoists from different national and international quarters to abandon violence, terror and acts of intimidation which is what they have been doing even after signing of the much publicized peace accord with the establishment.
Perhaps it is the uninterrupted and unhindered continuation of the acts of intimidation and violence by the Maoists that has been blocking their easy entrance into the government structure.
If Koirala has become rough and tough against the Maoists in the recent days it is only because of the fact that the Maoists have yet to prove their changed credentials to what they have been lecturing in the recent weeks and months more so after the April change this year.
What is for sure is that the more the Maoists create terror and panic among the population, more so in the countryside, the more distant would be for them to come to power.
As if Koirala's admonitions were not enough to the Maoists to come to terms with the democratic system by changing their old styles of frightening the people through acts of violence and terror, Sher Bahadur Deuba too the other day lambasted at the Maoists and said that Maoists were still terrifying the people residing in the countryside through the use of the guns.
"These acts of intimidation and acts of terrifying the people must stop well before the Maoists enter into the government structure", is what a furious Deuba told a gathering of his supporters in the western Nepal the other day.
This was not all.
Deuba even told the gathering that the "Maoists apparently did not want the Constituent Assembly polls to be held on time" and that's why they have been continuing to terrorize the population even if they were tied by the bonds of the recently signed peace accord with the government.
However, this was Deuba's conclusion that hinted that the Maoists were pushing the dates for the CA polls. His conclusion also hints that if the CA polls will have to be deferred further, it would be the Maoists whose activities would be held responsible for such a push.
Interestingly enough, Koirala's utterances and those of Deuba's are being made in the recent days run in the same political wavelength in so far as admonishing the Maoists were concerned.
Is it a mere conjecture or some thing else is mysterious.
High placed analysts maintain that better late than never Deuba too has begun thinking that a divided congress were of no use at time of the impending CA polls and that to match the formidable force of the republican front that is yet to take a formal shape the congress reunification were a must.
Some even say that Koirala's and Deuba's speeches which are not only similar in content and context have come as a compulsion. This should mean that the congress unification is round the corner.
The speed of the unification would much depend on how the Maoists press the Congress leaders now divided into two camps.
The unification process would also some how or the other depend on the declaration of the republican front by the extreme left and the moderate Left forces.
In one way the congress unification is an act of compulsion than that of choice.
The congress leaders scattered in two different camps now have clearly understood that the nation will one fine morning be divided into two diametrically opposite camps comprising those of the liberals and the republicans.
It is no surprise therefore that the two congress top hats' speeches appear identical in content and context. Both appear to have got the points.
The most important of it all is that Sher Bahadur Deuba is well considered to be equally close to the two countries housed in the Nepal-axis e.g. Washington and Delhi. Here lay the meaning of why Deuba is at the moment lambasting at the Maoists.
The Maoists must understand the meaning underneath these scathing criticisms being made against them.
Should this mean that the countries in the said axis have whispered Deuba to act according to what they have said to him? Who knows else better than Deuba?
Frankly speaking, Deuba is taken as a pro-western Nepali leader. His plus point has been that by facilitating the smooth ratification of the controversial Mahakali treaty with India, he has won the hearts of the men seated in the South Block establishment. Indian tentacles are well spread all over the country, analysts conclude.
Hatred and prejudice at what cost?
Kathmandu: The manner the RPP-Nepal leaders were mal-treated at Pokhara the other day explains the hatred the local people there possess for those who favor in one way or the other the continuation of the institution of the monarchy in the country.
Concurrently the sad event that occurred in Pokhara does also amply hint that the people will take some more time to reconcile with the advocators of the institution of the monarchy.
More importantly, the said event also tells that the national population has become intolerant in even listening to others' views and expressions.
The moot point is how long this hatred and intolerance would continue?
If today RPP chairman, Mr. Rabindra Nath Sharma is the target of some miscreants and hooligans then the same crowd some other day will surely pounce upon other liberals housed currently in different camps. Similarly, the liberals also out of vengeance may swoop over the republicans and the radicals some day when opportunity favored them.
Should this mean that the process of reprisal would continue indefinitely? If so what would happen to the future political course of this country which is all set to enter into a new era?
Ideas and views could differ. However, democracy demands compromise and consensus. Democracy also demands patience from those who sharply differ with other's views and ideals.
If the society is bereft of tolerance amongst various political adherents and believers then the society is sure to be pushed near a precipice.
Nevertheless, the vandalism that some miscreants exhibited in Pokhara in more ways than one explains the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
The Maoists are still with the guns. Miscreants create panic among the population. The law and order machinery of the State remains in an unprecedented weakened position. The political leaders are currently residing in Kathmandu valley for a variety of reasons. What if the same sort of vandalism greets the Nepali leaders when they proceed towards their constituency in the remote areas to seek votes from their voters? Can they dare to visit their constituency under such chaotic circumstances? Certainly not!
Those who might have taken pleasure from the Pokhara incident wherein Mr. Sharma and his followers were ill-treated will do so at their own peril which is awaiting them as well the moment they dare to enter into their own constituencies.
Moreover, those leaders who used the miscreants as a tool to disturb Mr. Sharma's meet at Pokhara must also understand that Mr. Sharma is no less powerful than those leaders who engineered this sad event.
The leaders must understand that Mr. Sharma's connections in New Delhi were no less powerful than those who claim that they have freshly won the hearts of New Delhi establishment.
By vandalizing Sharma's vehicle and by frightening his followers the miscreants have further encouraged Mr. Sharma and his party to go more vocal in favor of the institution of the monarchy.
Insiders of the RPP-Nepal say that the Pokhara event that was indeed a sad one has further emboldened the party and that the party will not deter from its avowed goals.
This Pokhara event, some analysts predict, would in more ways than one act like a catalyst for all those liberals who favor the institution of the monarchy to come closer.
If this does happen then what is for sure is that the number of the parties and the political workers favoring the monarchy will grow in strength time permitting.
Formidable challenges await Prachanda
Kathmandu: Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda has uphill tasks ahead of his future political career.
Firstly, he has to exhibit his changed democratic credentials in theory and practice in order to assure the national population and the international community which is still watching his party's activities with penetrating eyes.
Secondly, Prachanda has to impart a sense of respect and honor for the system among his militant commanders urging them all to embrace the system unconditionally by saying good-bye to arms.
Thirdly, he has to tame his naughty boys who appear a little bit hesitant in accepting the accord that has been signed in between his party and the State only recently.
Fourthly, Prachanda has to convince his cadres and leaders alike who some what differ with his fresh political overtures that the use of the Guns could not in the modern day world bring about a solution to the cause for which they have had to enter into the jungles and resort to taking up of the arms.
Fifthly, Prachanda must take into confidence his "international friends", for example, belonging to the RIM and COMPOSA- that he has found out certain new theories which if brought into practice effectively can do miracles even in a parliamentary system.
To recall, some of the international revolutionary movements of late have been saying that Nepal's Maoists have betrayed the revolution by signing the peace accord with the State.
This means that Prachanda's relations with those revolutionary organisations must have been in a soured state.
Sixthly, he has to assure the Indian establishment and more so the US Administration that they would abide by the norms and the values of a democratic system and that too unconditionally.
Seventhly, Prachanda has one more Himalayan task in convincing India that the guns and the arms that they had been using against Nepali state will not sneak into the Indian territories in any way or the other.
Indian media reports have it that a sizeable chunk of the arms possessed by the Nepali Maoists have gone into the hands of their brethren in Bihar Naxals.
If this is so then this news must have created panic inside the premises of the South Block. It is at this point that Prachanda will be taken to task if the Indian media reports were found to be close to truth. In this eventuality, Prachanda is likely to lose whatever friendship he have had earned in the recent years with the Indian establishment albeit in a clandestine manner which remained no more a secret.
And finally, Prachanda must send logical reasons to the two dissenters, Rabindra Shrestha and Mani Thapa for having signed the peace accord with the State, who periodically say through statements that the top-hats of the party had become self-centric and had in more ways than one betrayed the revolution that took many a precious lives on both the conflicting sides.
All put together, how Prachanda deals with these Himalayan issues will determine his political height both within and without.
Some even say that the Maoists party has put a ban on granting interviews to newspapers by its leaders. If this were true then what could well be guessed in advance that a sizeable section in the Maoists camp differ with the just signed peace accord.
The idea, analysts say, is to stop the proliferation of negative ideas.
Nepal PM seeks Indian support for refugee repatriation
Kathmandu: Nepal's Prime Minister Shri Girija Prasad Koirala has said that his country would now not hesitate in seeking India's help in the repatriation of 100,000 plus Bhutanese refugees living in camps in eastern parts of the Himalayan country for the past several years.
Koirala made these observations to a seven-member Bhutanese refugees' delegation led by Tek Nath Rijal who had come to see the former at his official residence in Baluatar Monday.
Koirala said that he was trying to "make the Indian Government agree and understand the urgency in settling this problem being faced by Nepal since fifteen years or so".
"The government after having proper consultations with other political parties would take tangible steps to make the refugees return to their country with dignity", said Tek Nath Rijal-the leader of the Refugees after meeting the Nepali prime minister.
To recall, fifteen rounds of ministerial level talks between Nepal and Bhutan have so far yielded no results regarding the refugee repatriation.
The Nepal-Bhutan talks scheduled for the third week of November in Thimpu was postponed due to Nepal's internal reason.
Enbref
Surrendered weapons to be procured by Mumbai Mafia and Naxals: Reports
Kathmandu: Indian media reports claim that the security forces in India fear that a sizeable cache of Kalashnikov, assault rifles, imported pistols, mortars, and sophisticated rocket launchers belonging to the surrendering Maoist in Nepal could end up in the hands of indigenous Naxalite groups like the People’s War Group.
Reports further claim that some of the weapons could also be diverted to a section of Mumbai’s underworld, which has links with the Nepalese rebels. “We’re alive to the threat and will take all measures to prevent weapons being re-routed to Indian Naxalite groups,” Inspector General of Police (anti-Naxalite operations) Pankaj Gupta said.
Prachanda seeks personal benefits: Indian Maoists
Kathmandu: Indian media reports claim that the Maoists in the border areas between Jharkhand and Bihar say the deal between Nepal's Seven Party Alliance (SPA) Government and the Maoists to induct the latter into the interim government after they laid down arms was against the very ideology of the Maoists.
"We do not think that it is justified because if the ends of the bigger revolution are not met, meeting personal ends of an individual leader, the people will not be liberated," said a Maoist leader across the border. "They (Nepal Maoists) did wrong. We are against the decision. We are against electoral politics. Joining that system was a wrong decision by Prachanda (Nepal Maoists leader). We oppose that," said Chadan, a Maoist zonal commander at a training camp
The news reports also claim that the Maoists in India operate in 13 states and around 165 districts from the south through the central and eastern forests and up to Nepal.
Attack on press freedom: Cancellation of NTV program on citizenship bill
Kathmandu : In a statement released by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the President Christopher Warren has said that the IFJ is dismayed by incidents of abuse of press freedom taking place in Nepal even after signing of a landmark peace accord.
Commenting on the abolishment of a TV programme 'Sarbajanik Sunuwai' (public hearing) on the Citizenship Bill by the state-run Nepal Television he said, "The censorship and cancellation of a television program further indicates we can not become complacent, but do everything in our power to ensure a free and independent media for a peaceful Nepal."
1950 treaty may be renegotiated: former K.V.Rajan
Kathmandu: The former Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. K. V. Rajan, has said that the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950 between Nepal and India and the Mahakali Treaty singed 10 years ago could be renegotiated, The Rising Nepal reported.
"Regarding the treaty of 1950, Nepali civil society should come up with a clear voice regarding what ought to be made to turn the treaty in tune with new realities," he added. "If Nepali people seek change in the treaty that was signed 56 years ago, I think India will respond positively," he said.
Nepal ranked 110 among 125 countries: WEF Indicator
Kathmandu: Including Nepal firstly in its economic rating, the WEF (World Economic Forum), has ranked Nepal in the 110th position in the global competitiveness index (GCI) among 125 countries.
Nepal's greatest weakness is infrastructure (ranked 122nd among 125 countries) due to underdeveloped transportation infrastructure, electricity supply and other business supporting services," said the forum.
100 children trafficked in three months from Sunsari alone
Kathmandu: The President of the Underprivileged Children’s Association, Mr. Bhesh Raj Pokhrel said that more than 100 children have been trafficked into India within the past three months from Sunsari district alone.
According to him, four boys were trafficked to Muradabad on the third week of October, whereas 15 others were trafficked to different parts from Sonapur village alone. According to Pokhrel, seven were trafficked from Bharaul VDC, 20 from Madhuban and Hasposa Tarahara and 13 from Dumraha and Inaruwa areas. The reports also indicate of late traffickers have been active in the eastern bordering districts of Nepal.
