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VOL. 27, NO. 6, September 21, 2007 (Ashwin 04 2064 B.S.)
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"The Peaceful, Stable, Prosperous And Democratic Nepal Is In India's Interest"
Shiv Shankar Menon
Indian foreign secretary SHIV SHANKER MENON visited Kathmandu on September 15-16. During his visit, Indian foreign secretary Menon met with various political leaders including prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, former prime minister and Rastriya Jansakti Party leader Surya Bahadur Thapa, CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal and RPP president Pashupati SJB Rana. Excerpts of the statement he made at the press conference held at the end of his visit. Compiled by KESHAB POUDEL
On His Meetings
I am delighted to be here in the capital of our friendly and close neighbor Nepal. During this visit, I had privilege to meet with several leaders of Nepal of various political parties. I was received by prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, speaker of legislative parliament Subas Chandra Nembang, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel, Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan and Home minister Krishna Sitaula. I also met with chief election commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel and various political leaders including the president of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Chairman of CPN-Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal, president of Rastriya Janshakti Party Surya Bahadur Thapa and president of Rastrirya
Prajatantra Party Pashupati Sumsher Rana.
On His Discussions
In these meetings and discussions, I had free and frank exchange of views on bilateral relations and ways and means of further expanding and strengthening close, friendly and wide raging relations between India and Nepal. I reiterated that these relations remain the highest priority for India. The leaders of government and political parties of Nepal also informed me of the present political situation in Nepal and the forthcoming Constituent
Assembly Elections. All of them spoke of the crucial importance of the elections to the Constituent Assembly (to be held) as scheduled and in an environment free of fear and intimidation.
On Condemnation Of Blasts
I also conveyed on behalf of government and people of India deepest condolence on the loss of life, limb and property as a result of the recent blast in Kathmandu and strong condemnation of this cowardly act targeting innocent citizens. I would also like to mention here the resilience and determination shown by the people of Nepal not allowing the act of senseless violence to adversely affect the peace process and the elections to the
Constituent Assembly which is scheduled for 22 November 2007.
On Stable Nepal
India has consistently believed that these elections will allow the people of Nepal to choose the manner in which they wish their country to be governed by giving to themselves a new constitution. India will support and assist the transition to a democratic, inclusive, stable and prosperous Nepal. My consultations over the last two days in Nepal strengthened my conviction that the people of Nepal will successfully address the
challenging tasks of democratic nation-building which lies ahead.
On Future of Monarchy
We have said this over and over, it is for the people of Nepal to make their decision what nature of state, what forms of government they want to live in. This is an issue for Nepal to decide. It is not for India to take any stand on this. It is for Nepalese people to decide. We think it is for Nepalese people to make their choice on how they want to be governed and what kind of state do they want. We will only help you in transition. We will help you and support you in the transition and in making that choice but ultimately the choice is for the people of Nepal to make.
On Elections for CA
As I said in my statement, every political leader that I had met told me that they regard elections will be crucial and they want this election to take place. My confidence in the people of Nepal and their ability to see transition through has grown stronger each time I come to Nepal. My confidence in the people of Nepal is stronger than ever.
On PM Koirala's Comment on Threat to Nepal's Independence
I am not going to comment on the statement of Nepalese leaders and that is not my place and that is not my function. In my statement, I have said what the situation is, I told you that my faith in the transition is strong and it is very important transition. I am not going to talk on other issues you have raised. You should ask them not me.
On UN Role
I think they have very clear mandate given to them by the Security Council, by the member states. Their function is to help arms management and to help hold the elections. I hope they do those two jobs well.
On Bhutanese Refugees
It is the issue between two friendly neighbors of India. So obviously, our first preference would be that it should be settled through discussions between Nepal and Bhutan. For the offer of the resettlement other countries have made, we can help, and facilitate. We do feel this humanitarian issue needs to be dealt with as humanitarian problem rather than getting into very complicated legality of right or wrong. It needs to be dealt with the humanitarian consequences of the situation.
On Terai Turmoil
Political leaders told me about the situation. I also met with some leaders from Madhes. They told me what sorts of things have been happening in Madhes. It is internal affairs of Nepal and we cannot do anything.
On Special Security Bureau (SSB) Activities
If you have specific problem with what somebody in SSB did somewhere on the border on specific date, we will take care of it. If you give information about the place and incident, we will go there, investigate and check it. But, secondly we have a larger security system in place between India and Nepal where we share an open border. We both have an interest in a peaceful and safe open border in both the sides. We know that we had suffered when this is exploited either by criminals or by various other
forces. We have a common interest in dealing with it. We have structures and we have regular talks at the secretary level and we have local level contacts. We have ways of dealing with these issues. Don't expect me to comment on specific incident. General issue here is safety and security and peace along that open border. People of both the sides of that border deserve that.
On His Visit In A Crucial Time
Quite frankly, it is a normal process. Last time also somebody asked me similar question. Between close and friendly neighbors, all times are good times. Because we have so much in common and we have so much to do together. We are interested in each other's welfare. The peaceful, stable, prosperous and democratic Nepal is in India's interest and there is so much we do together and we can do together. So any time is good time to visit.
On Flood
In fact, this was particularly bad year for both the sides of border in terms of flooding and effect on the people. What we suggested was as soon as possible our secretaries of water resources will come here and discuss and decide on the step we can together take to mitigate the effect of flood and talk about a long term strategy to deal with flood control. We have several issues in the long run on all the rivers we share and that link both of us.
On Bilateral Support
We can support in several ways. The most immediate way is, for instance, support to the Election Commission. They need some help in terms of materials. They asked us for some electronic voting machines. They are available. They are directly related to helping election process. Similarly, there are other instances we are asked for. Rather than going into the long list, more important thing is that should friendly neighbor like Nepal need assistance from India, we are happy to provide it. But I think our help has a limit. If we want to serve our basic problems, we cannot do it all alone. We do seek prosperity for our people and we have to do it in open regional environment to prosper together. Basically what we said is we will help in transition. Our ultimate aim is welfare of the people of both sides of the border.
