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The recently concluded four day visit of Jimmy Carter, former president of United States of America, to Nepal did not go unnoticed. It has created certain ripples. The top politicians and statesmen of Nepal did attach a lot of importance. The Maoist Supremo Prachanda did not mind stooping to Carter imploring him to use his good offices with the U.S. government to rid his party of the “Terrorist Tag”. We don’t know what kind of clout Carter can exercise on the U.S. Chief Executive. It is reported that President Bush does not listen to any one except his close advisers and intimate buddies. It is rumored even his father, a former president himself, would not tender unsolicited advice to his son. Under these circumstances, we can’t say whether Carter can pull any strings with his President. Instead of seeking foreign help, Prachanda should have tried to win the respect and love of his countrymen. He sure, must be aware that he is feared more than respected. As it is, the charisma, he enjoyed when he was under ground has been considerably besmirched and even his stature has shrunk. And he has not added to his stature by begging favor from a foreigner whose sympathetic consideration is doubtful. It has, indeed, come as a big surprise to us why Prachanda is so anxious to get rid of the tag. Why has it become a ‘Red Rag’ suddenly? Did Carter advice him to abandon the path of violence? As a matter of fact, since his party has become a partner in the government and the parliament, Prachanda must relinquish violence and cooperate to restore peace and harmony in the country. Otherwise his cherished dream of a ‘Republic’ would vanish in thin air. The poor Nepalis have been suffering for decades because no honest and patriotic leader has emerged to lead them. They were hoping that they are going to see a new honest leadership. But, it seems, there hopes are being belied and they are being disillusioned. It would be a great pity if Prachanda and other Maoist leaders are really that naïve not to understand the designs of Indo-American axis towards Nepal. Even to think, under the circumstances, the Americans would accept Maoists, as they are, would be a real blunder. If one were to read Jimmy Carter’s statements between the lines given on different occasion, even in his recent trip to Nepal, one would not fail to find some inkling to his thinking. We know, Jimmy cater does not like violence. He is a pacifist as has been irrefutably proved by the ‘Iran Fiasco’ during his own Presidency. We don’t know how, if he does, can Jimmy Carter help Nepal revert to the peaceful days? As such, we cannot say what was the strong provocation that impelled Prachanda to stoop to Carter. We know for sure, this has not added to his stature.
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