Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Kathmandu: Yet another hoarfrost has been broken down.

The two outstanding leaders of the country belonging to two different venerated institutions finally met each other.

For all along they have had no chance to meet each other for a variety of political differences. Or it could even be that the two "estranged" leaders avoided being face to face with one another. The presumption had been that the prevailing divergent politics would never allow them to be in friendly terms as before.

In the process the political differences persisting in between them widened to a new level, which did not allow or permit each other even to manage a sort of minimum "reconciliation". Though in their inner heart, they both wished to see each other in the larger interest of the nation. To be frank, they still regard each other to the hilt but the politics barred them from meeting in the past.

By then unfortunately it was too late. Politics is said to remain dynamic and as such politics demands dynamism with the changing times and as the luck would have it the politics maintained a static stance.

Nevertheless, both had to reconcile with each other this Sunday morning to keep the "tradition" alive and analysts presume that this momentous meeting in between the two paramount leaders of the nation must have brought the two estranged leaders closer a little bit if not totally.

This is how the King Gyanendra proceeded towards the newly appointed ailing Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to greet him at the Royal Palace this Sunday morning when the latter entered the hall where Koirala was supposed to take the oath of office of the country's prime minister.

Eyewitnesses say that the King who knew in advance that PM Koirala was sick and not even have had the strength to walk and hence the King himself proceeded towards Koirala and "supported" him to make a frail Koirala to be comfortable and later offered not only a prestigious seat but also told his new prime minister to take few minutes to regain energy. The King in effect said, "be at ease, the oath taking ceremony could be held few minutes later".

A dumb-found Koirala could not get proper and appropriate words on how to reciprocate the monarch's feelings towards him.

"How is your health now", was the first question that the King asked Prime Minister Koirala.

The King took Koirala by his hands and proceeded towards a seat and suggested the latter to be comfortable for a couple of minutes.

This was not all. The King is supposed to have even politely requested Prime Minister Koirala to quit smoking.

"Please Mr. Prime Minister Quit Smoking", is how King Gyanendra urged Koirala.

To recall, Koirala is a chain smoker.

However, how Koirala responded to King's sentimental but yet fresh political overtures are yet not known and perhaps it will remain a mystery for long time to come. But then yet those congress personalities who had gone with Koirala at the oath taking ceremony were taken aback when they could see for themselves the unimaginable but yet true scenes.

Later after the oath taking ceremony, as a matter of practice inside the Royal Palace after the oath taking ceremony, the King proceeded to a small room and both presumably have had conversations.

Unconfirmed reports but backed by some media reporting the King is presumed to have said Koirala not to penalize any one for whatever sad events had happened in the recent past had been done under his rule and hence he assumed all the responsibilities.

How Koirala responded to the King's modest request is still a mystery.

Be that it may, the event at the Royal Palace this Sunday morning could if taken in a light manner has no political meaning and significance as such. Nevertheless, in some political quarters this mini-event though has sufficiently sent spine-chilling signals who see King's gestures, on humanitarian grounds or otherwise, bestowed on Koirala could have an impact in the emerging politics of the country.

Let's see how the politics in the coming days unfolds.

Prachanda in town; sees hidden designs to thwart the fresh political gains

Kathmandu: The Supreme leader of the Maoists' party, Comrade Prachanda either is already in town or he will emerge in the capital within a day or two if things go his way.

High placed sources say that Prachanda is all set to make a unprecedented address right in the very heart of the capital soon.

However, sources add that he will come to Kathmandu with a big bang.

People in Kathmandu who have had not yet got an opportunity to see live Comrade Prachanda will now get this chance soon. Keep your fingers crossed.

All that Comrade Prachanda would need the lifting of all the "tags" that the previous governments have imposed on him and the party. If the tags and the red corner notices are lifted, the next moment Comrade Prachanda is here to see his comrades and the intellectuals plus the academicians who indirectly had been supporting his views and ideas.

Nevertheless, there is a sad note as well from the communist leader who practically went underground for no less than two decades plus to accomplish his avowed goals and charted theories.

Prachanda is not happy and pleased the manner the leaders now all set to be in the government were dilly-dallying his mission to come to a happy ending as per his and his party's wishes and objectives.

This he has made abundantly clear in a weekly that is his own party's paper entitled Jana Desh dated May 2 nd.

If one were to go by and ponder over and finally believe what comrade Prachanda has written in that very newspaper, what becomes clear is that in his considerations the manner, firstly, the dead house was restored and the old rejected leaders came to the forefront, was an entirely unwanted affair. Instead, he writes in his article, the same King's pronouncement could have been changed or made for the formation of a sort of interim arrangement including the Maoists and the civil society members. This means that Prachanda is not happy with the restoration of the house and has taken the old guards now reenergized in a very bad taste.

Secondly, he expresses his strong reservation at the manner the political animals of the yesterday have now been exhibiting their changed credentials and have been championing the cause for the election to the constituent assembly more vocally that the Maoists itself.

This is a big joke indeed, Prachanda adds.

Thirdly, he smells rat in the restoration of the dead house and believes that the restored parliament will in all likelihood try to seduce the Maoists party to come under the umbrella of the constitution now in force.

This is unacceptable, Prachanda continues.

Fourthly, he laments at the manner some declared and known supporters of the traditional monarchy been advocating the cause of the constituent assembly elections. This phenomenon, Prachanda adds, is unbelievable.

Fifthly, Prachanda pointedly hints that certain domestic as well as international forces (is he hinting at Indian communist leader Sitaram Yechuri who was recently here and was found talking on the lines as Prachanda has been hinting now?) have been trying to find out a viable solution in order to patch up the differences that had cropped up in the recent months in between the parliamentary parties and the King.

Sixthly, Prachanda says explicitly that only after the signing of the twelve point agreement by the parliamentary parties with the Maoists, the People's struggle could take a new height or else it would have been (implied) just the otherwise. This means that Prachanda is angry with the parties in agitation who were trying to take the sole credit of the success of the movement. This further means that he too would wish that his contributions be recorded and duly honored by the parliamentary forces.

Seventhly, Prachanda disproves the reasoning of some of the UML leaders (and other parties as well) to capture the Home Ministry in the new cabinet and says that the same old faces in the old parliamentary parties were doing so in their efforts to use Lathi and Police at the time of the elections. And thus, says Prachanda, to expect that the country will get a new view, resolution and culture in the changed context of today from the same old-hats of the parties will be no less than a self-defeating attitude.

At the end he alleges the parliamentary parties who clamor that it was a peaceful movement. It was not that as they have been claiming today. Indirectly he expresses his utter displeasure with the parties in agitation who have been negating the gains that were achieved through the kind courtesy of the Maoists upsurge.

Finally he says that those who have been advocating the need for a constituent assembly were doing so in the absence of the main proponent of the assembly elections. He cuts joke at the ongoing politics and says in a lighter vein that it looks like that a "marriage ceremony is being held wherein the bridegroom is absent or is even ignored".

Analysing Prachanda's new considerations what comes to the fore is that he will not settle for less. How the parties will make Prachanda happy will have to be watched. But then yet what is for sure is that Prachanda could go ever farther if his avowed goals were not met with. Keep the fingers crossed. He is coming in person soon.

Telegraph adds: In the mean time, one of the top ideologue of the Maoists party, Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai has categorically rejected the theory that his party's Red Militia should abandon the weapons. Dr. Bhattarai says that they will have arms until the constituent assembly elections. His fresh expressions have come to the fore through the kind courtesy of The Times of India, an Indian newspaper considered to be close to India's South Block.

Dr. Bhattarai's declarations must have puzzled many a brains in the country.

Rule of law has got itself dissolved in politics

Agitating-seven squabbling begins for key portfolios; Old habits die hard

Kathmandu: As of writing this story, the formation of a coalition cabinet comprising all the constituents that contributed to the freshly conducted agitation remains in limbo.

The manner the movement last week took a historic and unprecedented turn, things should have moved quickly to assure the people that the parties in agitation continue to remain united but things that have been emanating from the seven parties' quarters does tell that not every thing was well with them on matters of agreeing to the portfolios to be distributed among the agitating partners.

Naturally, the agitating parties were eying for lucrative and comparatively stronger ministries that at a later stage could prove beneficial for their respective political outfits.

No wonder then the Congress led by Koirala demands that they be allowed to keep the ministries of defense, foreign, finance and home affairs with them.

Understandably, the UML has strong reservations on these portfolios solely going into the pockets of the congress and hence it too has begun demanding the home and the finance ministries for itself.

Comparatively speaking the parties which have had lesser participation and as a matter of fact minimum role during the agitation, for example, the NC-D too is all set not to settle for less than a portfolio less than that of the Deputy prime Minister. It is rumored that Gopal man Shrestha of the NC-D has been nominated for that post for which Koirala is yet to provide his nod.

No less joking is the rumor that the NMKP leader, Comrade Narayan man Bijukche-the lone parliamentarian in the house of representatives from his party that is limited to Bhaktapur and its vicinity only, too has forwarded his name to be included as the DPM or else he will support the government from being outside the government.

The UML, as the rumors have it, has not yet decided on whether to join the government or support the congress led government by being outside the establishment. The reason is clear. It is not that the UML does not want a share in the government. It does. But then the UML has its own terms. If fulfilled by Koirala then and then only the UML would join the government. This means that the UML would very much want some of the key ministries coming to its pocket so that time permitting it could use the powers for electoral benefits. For the time being, the UML leader K.P.Woli has been tipped as the DPM from the UML's quota who is eying the home ministry who claims that he has the expertise of running this particular ministry. Once upon a time, Woli happened to be the country's home minister. The in charge of this ministry not only commands the general police and the armed police but has also in its coffer millions and millions of rupees which he can distribute to personalities whom he considers to be fit for government assistance. The money thus provided as grants is under the sole discretion of the concerned minister. This ministry assumes special significance at time of the elections only because all the district officers and the police men in the districts are obliged to abide by the instructions of this minister. So this explains why the UML would want the ministry of home affairs.

In the mean while, Comrade Prachanda through an article printed in JANADESH Weekly this Tuesday morning has suspected the very credentials of the UML leader Woli. Prachanda says Woli's recent past were not that transparent as he now claims to be in effect. This means Prachanda would want Woli being denied the home ministry.

No less interesting is the cunning attitude of Ram Chandra Poudel who is a top ranking official of the NC central committee. He has bluntly said that either he is allowed at act as one of the DPMs in the would-be cabinet or he be entrusted with the duties of the vice-president of the party itself.

This means that the Brahmin from the West would not reconcile until his demands were met with. If denied he is sure to put Koirala in immense trouble.

These anomalies and the squabbling in and among the political forces for key ministries have been delaying the formation of the new cabinet which should by this time have already come into existence. No wonder then that such wrangling within and without will further contribute to the deterioration of an already ailing Koirala.

Understandably, Koirala must have his own inner ambitions. He must have some of his close chums to be elevated this time.

The second issue that is confronting the political parties is on the Himalayan issue as to which civil society member be sent to the cabinet.

The UML would want Mangal Siddhi Manandhar, a namesake civil society member and a HR activist who in real sense of the term is a die-hard UML man, to be inducted in the cabinet. Likewise, the congress has its own preferences.

The other civil society members who act at times more political than real political animals are also adding to Koirala's problems. They intend to be a part of the new cabinet as they claim that they too contributed to the strength of the agitation.

All put together, if the Almighty so desires and the parties currently in "agitation-2" over the distribution of the portfolios in the ministries reconcile, the cabinet will be formed any time soon. Or else it might take a day or two for giving a full shape to the new cabinet.

The wrangling over portfolios has already begun as usual which is not a good omen for the country. Old habits die hard, it has been rightly said by men of letters.

The result is that rule of law has got itself dissolved in politics and thus a state of statelessness.

Here is a flash: A seven-member cabinet has been formed. K.P.Woli is one of the Deputy prime Minister from the UML quota with foreign affairs portfolio. Congress spokesperson, Krishna Sitaula has bagged the ministry of home affairs. This has special political connotation indeed. Sitaula is the one who says that his party has yet not rejected summarily the concept of having constitutional monarchy. This means that the congress is yet to prepare itself for a system without the monarch. This is important.

It is now time how other parties react to the composition of this cabinet.

Dr. Ram saran Mahat, a congressman, has been awarded the finance portfolio.

"Nepal is writing a crucial chapter in its history"

-H.E. Dan Stav, Ambassador of Israel in Nepal

Kathmandu: In a rare gesture, the Israeli Ambassador to the Nepali Court, Dan Stav, has sent a somewhat sentimental message to this weekly on the eve of the 58 th anniversary of the Independence of Israel.

Understandably the message is in the name of the people of Nepal.

The Israeli diplomat has not hidden his inner high regards for this country through the message wherein he feels really honored to celebrate his country's Independence Day celebrations in a Nation-State that has, in his own words, " never lost its independence" since it was unified some 250 years ago.

Ambassador Stav highly rates the demonstration of courage and the vision of the then Nepalese leaders who took the Herculean decision to establish full diplomatic relations with his country at a time when taking such a courageous resolution was not a simple matter altogether given the prevailing politics then in this part of the world.

In effect, Nepal established diplomatic relations with Israel even in adverse political situation then. Nepalese decision to recognize the State of Israel came much ahead of Nepal's two giant neighbors acceptance of Israel as a nation-state.

Coincidently, the Ambassador recalls that a democratically elected government in Nepal as far back as in Baisakh 2 nd 2017 according to nepali calendar and the ongoing month itself is the same month.

"Israel shall not forget this gesture", the Ambassador says with determination and conviction.

The Ambassador points out in his message that since the world has changed much during these past 46 years of our bilateral ties and hence it is only but natural that "patterns of bilateral relations undergo changes accordingly:.

The Israeli envoy hopes that the government in Nepal will explore the vast potential for developing trade and investments between the two countries in the sectors such as technology, agriculture, tourism and the likes.

Touching upon the recent epoch making events in Nepal in an indirect manner, the Israel Ambassador says, "Nepal is writing a crucial chapter in its long history which hopefully will bring the country and its people the desired peace, stability and prosperity".

Nevertheless, he also hints that his country too were facing a formidable challenge in achieving peace with those among its immediate neighbors who have yet to accept Israel as a nation-state.

"We the Israelis desire peace based on mutual respect and understanding, recognizing each side's RIGHT TO CO-EXIST peacefully in West Asia, one of the cradles of world culture".

Below is the full text of the Ambassador's message to the people of Nepal:

"Israel celebrates today its 58th anniversary of independence. Celebrating this event in Nepal bears for us a special meaning: first this celebration takes place in a country, which has never lost its independence since it was unified almost 250 years ago. Second, Nepali leaders demonstrated courage and vision while being the first country in South Asia to establish full diplomatic relations with the State of Israel, decades before its two giant neighbours did so. Third, this move was endorsed by a democratically elected government (Baishakh 2nd, 2017).

Israel shall not forget this gesture.

The bilateral relations between the two countries have always been based on mutual respect and cooperation. Respect for the rich cultural heritage and glorious history as well as the determination to cooperate in a variety of fields. Israel, as part of a concept, which focuses on sharing the experience, gained while developing Israel, offered assistance to Nepal within its very limited resources. Nepal from its end showed friendship towards the young Israeli state.

The world has changed much during the 46 years of bilateral relations between the two countries. It seems that also the patterns of bilateral relations undergo changes accordingly. Israel is always committed to make available technical assistance to Nepal, especially in the field of human resource development, but in the changing context of globalization it is high time to explore the vast potential for developing trade and investments between the two countries in the fields of information technology, advanced agriculture, tourism and many other areas where the private sectors can cooperate for the mutual benefits of both sides. Both governments should however lay the proper infrastructure that will help the private sector to establish sustainable economic relations.

In the course of almost half a century of diplomatic relations, more than two thousands Nepalese have been exposed to Israeli achievements in many fields related to development through trainings in Israel and in Nepal. At the same time, tens of thousands of tourists from Israel discovered the wonders of Nepal ranging from its breathtaking views to its fascinating culture and rich heritage culminating in the warmth and generous hospitality of the people, the genuine and most precious asset of this blessed country.

Nepal is writing a crucial chapter in its long history, which hopefully will bring the country and its people the desired peace, stability and prosperity. Israel is facing a formidable challenge: achieving peace with those among its neighbors who have not yet even accepted its right to exist. Israelis desire peace based on mutual respect and understanding, recognizing each side's right to co-exist peacefully in West Asia, one of the cradles of world culture.

On this happy occasion, I wish to reiterate my strong commitment to contribute to the enhancement of the cooperation between Nepal and Israel and to the strengthening of the bonds of friendship between the two peoples.

TAF wants to see peace, prosperity in Asia-Pacific region

 Kathmandu: Presenting the Final Report of The Asia Foundation-2005, the President and the Chairman of the board of trustees of the Foundation, Mr. Douglas Bereuter and William L. Bell respectively have said their Foundation made important strides in many areas, had expanded their presence in Asia, and developed sustainable solutions addressing many of the greatest needs of the Asia-Pacific region.

The two top-hats of the Foundation claim that the TAF designed and managed more than 600 projects, produced hundreds of reports and publications and concurrently donated 1.1 million English language books and educational materials to thousands of institutions throughout Asia.

"As we continue to work toward the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just and open Asia-Pacific region, and to foster improved understanding and relations among the people and governments of Asia and the U.S, we look forward to achieving shared goals with our partners in the months and years to come, the two top leaders of the TAF conclude.

ENBREF:

India’s hidden agenda

Kathmandu: A vernacular weekly this week reported citing a minister in the dissolved Royal Cabinet that, India had initially offered the Royal Government to provide military support to repress the People’s agitation and to help fight the Maoist insurgency as well.

The proposal as a return demanded for the contract of Upper Karnali Hydro Power Project, Janabhawana Weekly reports. However, the name of the minister has not yet been disclosed.

US warns India on growing Naxal terrorism

Kathmandu: Naxalite terrorism is growing in sophistication and lethality and may pose a significant long-term challenge,” the United States warned India in its annual report on worldwide terrorism.

The State Department said terrorists staged "hundreds of attacks" on people and property in India and most prominent among them are terror outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir, the Maoists in the eastern India and the "ethno-linguistic nationalists" in its northeastern states.

Nepal Maoists inspire Philippine insurgents

Kathmandu: “Their advance has been inspiring," the chief spokesman for the communist insurgent New People's Army (NPA) in an interview with Reuter's news agency, said. Gregorio Rosal, leader of the Philippine guerilla outfit also admired at the recent success of Nepal's Maoist rebels, Reuters reports. "We call that 'united front tactics’, that is also what we are trying to do," said Rosal. Good news for our Comrade Prachanda and Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai.

India’s Nepal expert wary of Maoists

Kathmandu: Retired Gen. Ashok Mehta, a Nepal expert and author of 'The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA)', sees the road of reconciliation in Nepal littered with many a landmine that can blow up a fragile peace if issues are not handled delicately.

On the question of disarming the RNA, Mehta asks, 'Now that's an impossible condition to meet. How can you expect the state army to disarm?'

'The point is not whether the Maoists will come on board. They are already in Kathmandu. The real question is how long will they remain on board. And that's a cause of worry for India,' said Mehta. A fluent Nepali speaker Mehta also points out that another source of friction was a demand for the merger of the People's Liberation Army with the RNA. 'Meshing together a guerrilla outfit and conventional army will be hard to accept,' points out Mehta. Mehta was talking to the Indo-Asian News Service recently.

Stability imperative for economic growth: ADB Chief

Kathmandu: "The newly formed government has to succinctly inform donors about its development priorities so that international donors can take a collective approach," Dr. Sultan Hafeez Rahman, country director of the Asian Development Bank-Nepal Resident Mission (ADB-NRM), said while applauding the recent political change in Nepal.

"It is imperative for the next government to chalk out viable strategies to address the underlying causes of poverty," Dr Rahman added.

"Nepal can register even a seven per cent economic growth in tandem with other South Asian countries in about three years’ time. Nevertheless, the robust economic growth, undeniably, calls for stability in law and order situation of the country," concluded Dr Rahman.