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VOL. 27, NO. 26, March 07, 2008 (Falgun 24 2064 B.S.)
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"China Is Strong Supporter Of Nepal's Political Stability And Economic Development" -
He Yafei
Assistant minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China HE YAFEI came to Nepal this week on an official visit. Yafei addressed a programme organised by China Study Center. Minister He Yafei, who came from New Delhi, in his speech, highlighted importance of Nepal-China relationship. Excerpts of his statement compiled by KESHAB POUDEL
On Friendship
I am excited and touched by warmth expressed by friends of China in Nepal. The moment I stepped on the soil of Nepal, I was overwhelmed by the warm and long standing friendship between our two people.
On Purpose of Visit
I came here for regular consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Nepal to discuss on our bilateral relationship. One journalist asked me few minutes ago, if I could sum up the purpose of my visit. I said expanding cooperation.
On Nepal's Stability
China will be a strong supporter of the political stability and economic development of Nepal. We will do whatever we can to support Nepalese people in your growing endeavor to make your country sovereign, independent, stable and prosperous.
On Bilateral Relations
If we look at our bilateral relationship and if we look at our great friendship between the people of our two countries, we have to remember the contribution of our leadership – leaders of several generations. My teacher had told me that when he was a boy, he had seen our late premier Chou En-lai visiting Nepal. We all remember late premier Chou En-lai and others who contributed a lot and laid the foundation for this great friendship and warm and great relationship we have today. My government is fully committed for lasting friendship between our two people.
On Sharing Experiences
A stronger and more prosperous China is beneficial to Nepal. It offers a great opportunity to Nepal. We continue to support and offer development assistance to Nepal. We also want to share with you our experiences in economic development. We learned lessons both good and bad. We want to share these experiences with you.
On China Model
Some people in the world now talk about the China model of economic development. I don't believe in China model but I believe in sharing the experience. We learned our lessons. We built our economy to follow the prosperity that is suited to China. That is to say, we have taken an account the reality and conditions of China. You have to follow your own path because your conditions and reality is different than China. What we can do is we can share our experience with you.
On Political Stability
The second thing we have to learn is stability. For the economic development of society and the country, first and foremost thing you need is stability. That is why, despite of a lot of criticism against it and a lot of unwarranted interferences against it, my government has been steadfast in saying we want our stability first. Stability is number one prerequisite for the development without which there will be no success of any kind. So I want to comment to my friends here that Nepal also needs stability.
On Peace Process
We are happy to see the peace process is holding and going on. The first question a journalist asked me when I arrived at the Airport was about the prospect of peace process in Nepal. What I said is certainly China supports it and we are happy to see this process nearing completion.
On Beijing Olympics
We had our party congress last year. It has pointed ways to Chinese people to move ahead. Our chairman mentioned this year is particularly important for China because we are going to host the Olympics. It is the first time China is doing so. It is also the very first time a developing and socialist country is holding the Olympics. We are facing some difficulties. There are some non-governmental organizations and some celebrities who are completely against China. That is fine - that is their view but Chinese people will move ahead to make the Olympics a success. I would also like to extend invitation to all Nepalese people to come to Beijing in August to be with us for that great occasion.
On Issues of Consultation
I discussed with my counterparts on the whole range of issues in our bilateral relations and also major international and regional issues of concern to both the countries. I believe our consultation will contribute to further expansion of cooperation between our two countries.
ECOUNTER
‘International Mistrust of the Maoists Could Still Derail The Polls’ - Rabindra Nath Sharma
The president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP-Nepal), RABINDRA NATH SHARMA has recently resigned on health grounds. That was not the only ground for his resignation. He was unhappy with the party's decision to contest the CA election. Sharma, who is known for his wide contacts and deep political observation, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL at his residence in Budhanilkantha. Excerpts:
Why did you resign?
I submitted my resignation because of poor health., although if the party had decided to boycott the election, I would have continued for some more months. RPP-Nepal should not have contested the election. It is going to be counter productive.
Did not you fear that your decision to boycott the election would have been construed as being anti-CA poll?
First of all, I still do not believe that the election will be held in April. Thus there is no sense in deciding to go for the polls. Secondly, our decision to participate in the election has legitimized the third amendment of the constitution, which has already said that the first meeting of CA will endorse Nepal as a republic. One of the goals of our party is to restore the constitutional monarchy but this election is going to be conducted to uproot the monarchy.
Why are you so pessimistic about the polls?
The recent statements given by CPN-Maoist leader Prachanda indicate that Maoists will disrupt the polls at the last minute. There is no history in the world where communists have joined the mainstream power politics through election. In case of Maoists, which is still professing the idea of capturing state power, I don't believe they will contest the election if they think that the result will go against them.
How do you see the actual position of India vis-a-vis the election ?
If the election for CA is held at this point of time, no one will be able to manage it afterwards. It will trigger prolonged instability and chaos, which will ultimately have spill over effects in India. I don't think any country can support such an unpredictable move, which affects its interests.
You mean, they have miscalculated?
As India shares a long border with Nepal, India's policy makers do not have that kind of luxury to make mistakes. They, too, have limitations. Nepal has been passing through a very critical phase. All forces are trapped in a mess. Even in terai, there is a possibility of internal clashes among various factions. If Indian activities grow in terai, Chinese sensitivities will increase. China will not accept the growing Indian role in Terai.
To change the topic, don't you think an elected body will obey the guideline of non-elected parliament?
I can't believe that the newly elected CA will be independent enough to defy the guidelines of the non-elected parliament. Since all political parties have fielded the same people who passed the earlier amendment, how can they disobey?
As we have seen manipulation in politics, don't you think there will be manipulation in CA?
The present change is also a part of manipulation. But, I cannot say that manipulation will be possible when there will be such a huge crowd of elected members of 600.
Other political parties, international communities including the United States of America and even Nepal's two neighbors have been stressing for the election for CA. Can Maoists dare to defy them?
Every party has their own interest. In politics, it does not matter what you say but it matters how you act. For instance, India has at least four layers of policies on Nepal. It is similar with China and the USA. In the event of Maoist coming to power, USA and India will change their stand. China, too, is watching carefully.
But, there is also a school of thought that India will accept Maoists if they obliged to fulfill the Indian security interests. Don't you think India can use Maoists to complete its dirty works?
This logic was there in the past when the Maoist insurgency started. Now, the Indian government no longer trusts the Maoists. It is open to all that the Maoists are the product of India. But the Maoists are no longer under India’s complete control. India will not put all its eggs in a single basket including the Maoist basket.
Why has the Indian position changed now? Is it because of Chinese penetration among the Maoists or something else?
The expression and interest shown by Chinese in the Maoists have created some uneasiness in India. The recent statements given by Chinese scholars on trouble in terai indicate that they are keenly watching the development in terai.
Do the Chinese trust Maoists?
That is very difficult to say.
If the situation deteriorates further, what would be the reaction of India?
India is not a sole player now, as China has also shown its presence. The United States, European Union and United Nations are also there.
As all political parties have already decided to go for republic, do you see any possibility of retaining the monarchy in Nepal?
As the monarchy has strong backing outside Nepal, political parties' decisions alone are not enough to declare Nepal as a republic. So, there is possibility of retaining some form of monarchy.
What do you mean by outside support?
I mean India. India might have made certain understanding with the king. After mediation by India, drastic political change took place in April 2006 when the king conceded his power to political parties. India and the king made certain understanding at that time about the future of monarchy.
How do you evaluate India's position now?
India is afraid of the performance of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist intention. India is now compelled to reconsider its policies. If there is anarchy, India cannot send its troops into Nepal to restore stability. In this situation, India needs monarchy to provide stability in Nepal.
If that is so, why Indian policymakers have given up the twin pillar theory?
India still wants to retain the king if monarchy agreed to give maximum concession to serve the Indian interests. All have seen the consequences in Nepal without the presence of strong stabilizing force. In the new equation, a slow and gradual move to boost the monarchy has already begun.
How will the king act, if monarchy is overthrown?
The king does not have the power to act. If the situation becomes such that the international community have to support the King to bring stability in Nepal, then the king will act.
The king will take over the power again to crush the Maoists?
No. If the situation goes out of control, the army will take over to restore the law and order. At that time India and other international comsmunity can support the army with a mandate to hold the election under a civilian government. If the situation goes out of track, India and America will decide which track Nepal needs to follow.
