PARTING SHOT BY MORIARTY
Addressing his farewell press meet on Friday (July 13) just before he left for his home upon completion of three years tenure in Nepal, American ambassador James Moriarty accused the Maoists of committing huge violation of their commitment to peace process by stalling the second stage verification of the Maoists' People's Liberation Army.
Moriarty said, "I am surprised that the Nepali society isn't outraged, civil society isn't screaming and the press not going after it vigorously." In the peace process, he said, "the most fundamental commitment that the Maoists made was to put their combatants, not children, and weapons into the cantonments. You have, presumably many people who failed the verification process in the first camp and now they have stopped it. Apparently, they don't like this fact."
On the issue of CA polls, Moriarty said that it was critically important for Nepal to hold Constituent Assembly elections in November. "This country will be in serious trouble (if the elections do not happen then)," he said. Moriarty expressed his concerns that Maoists and the extremist Madhesi groups were using multiple violent tactics to keep Nepal off the path to a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future. "Ongoing Maoist and extremist Madhesi violence throughout the country will derail the advance towards democracy unless stopped soon. The Maoists must start to adhere to their commitments under the peace agreement, reign in the YCL and begin to act like a real political party. The extremist Madhesi groups must stop their violence in the Terai and begin to use peaceful, political means to address the legitimate demands of the Madhesi people," he said.
When asked to give his personal advice to the King as he prepares to depart Nepal, Moriarty said, "Personally, my analysis is if King wanted to save the monarchy, he should have abdicated. Of course, my government feels that it is for the people of Nepal to decide this issue." Moriarty said that King's innings are up. He said one blunder he committed during his tenure here was to "hold out hope that the King would reach out to political parties." He said that he had given benefit of doubt to the King for too long. "It was only five months after (the King took over power on February 1, 2005) that I realized he had no intention of restoring democracy."
Moriarty also regretted that he was not able to shake hands with Maoist leaders before he left the country. He had said that he would shake hands only if the Maoists genuinely gave up violence. On the issue of Maoist chairman Prachanda's accusations that royalists were plotting to assassinate American diplomats here, he said, "That was (it turned out) not true. It just destroys his credibility and makes it that much difficult for them (to gain international credibility)." Prachanda had vowed to provide proof of his accusations but he did not.
Responding to Maoist assertion that they do not have policy of stoning diplomats in the aftermath of YCL attacking Moriarty's vehicle in Jhapa recently, Moriarty said, "It is good not to have policy of pelting stones at diplomats. It will also be good not to have policy to attack common Nepali citizens, not to extort them or intimidate them." Moriarty said that he will leave behind the memory of the 'nasty incident' behind as has been requested by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
SUSHILA KOIRALA
End of an Era
Although she always remained out of politics, death of B.P. Koirala's wife Sushila Koirala marks an end of an era
By A CORRESPONDENT
Rarely a woman has set such an example of courage and patience as late Sushila Koirala did. Although she was the wife of first democratically elected prime minister B.P. Koirala, late Sushila Koirala, who had seen many ups and downs in her life, remained quiet and out of political fame.
Showing her detachment to politics and strong will, just a few weeks before her death she backed her son Dr. Shashanka Koirala, a renowned ophthalmologist, for his decision to return to his profession following a brief stint in Congress politics. Following his involvement in active politics, many patients were unable to get the best service from Dr. Koirala, who is one of the leading eye experts.
Married in her early teen with Koirala family, late Sushila Koirala maintained her own distinct personality supporting to groom all her children at a time when her husband was prisoned for more than eight years.
Living with Girija Prasad Koirala in a house owned by Dr. Shashanka Koirala in Maharajgunj, late Sushila Koirala was completely detached from the politics going on in her own house. In his book Jail Journal and Atma Brittanta, her husband B.P. Koirala has praised her patience and courage.
In his Atma Brittanta, B.P. mentioned Suhila's courage, dedication and love to him. Even she advised B.P. Koirala not to become a prime minister of Nepal . She stood completely with the cause propounded by her husband B.P. Koirala. This may be the reason B.P. Koirala did not tire mentioning about the painful days of Sushila Koirala while he was in prison.
What were described in three recently published books of B.P. Koirala Atma Brittanta, Jail Journal and Pheri Sundarijal were testimony of Sushila Koirala's personality, courage and decency. She maintained all the decency till her last days.
Only a few persons can maintain their decorum and decency till the age of 83. Just a few months ago, she received award for her contribution to dance. Late Sushila Koirala set an example that person can remain non-controversial despite being in the family of hot bed of politics.
