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Kathmandu Saturday April 21, 2001 Baishakh 08, 2058.
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Army
chief calls for ‘national consensus’ Puts onus on Govt, political parties
By Utpal Raj Misra
KATHMANDU, April 20 - Chief of the Army Staff
General Prajwalla Shumsher Rana today categorically said that the Royal Nepal Army was
willing to be deployed in strife-torn districts to maintain peace but only if there was
"national consensus" on the matter.
Addressing senior army officers and others
present at a ceremony marking the convocation day of the Eight Command and Staff Course,
at the Royal Nepal Army (RNA)Command and Staff College at Sivapuri on Friday, Gen. Rana
said, "If the army is to be used in maintaining peace and order, then there must be
national consensus."
The comments come at a time when the government
has already announced plans to send the army in Maoist-affected western districts to
ensure peace during the soon-to-be implemented Integrated Security and Defense Package
(ISDP).
The army is an important part of the package,
but Gen. Rana’s comments raise questions whether the army would be deployed in the
districts without firm commitments and support from all political parties. At the moment
only the Nepali Congress government is in support of sending the army in strife-torn
districts. The main opposition CPN(UML) is against, as is a host of other smaller parties.
"It cannot be denied that the army can be
mobilized to ensure peace, security and development programmes in the country to
strengthen the national interest," Gen. Rana said. "...But we must not forget
that without clear policy goals and directions from His Majesty’s Government, and
without strong support from all political parties, it is difficult to ensure the success
of any national security or development programme. Therefore, if the army is to be used in
internal security and development programmes, then there must be strong and long-term
support from the common people and all political parties."
Rana also raised concerns over the different
comments raised over the role of RNA in this time of crisis in the country and said that
it was necessary for the RNA officials to be fully aware of RNA’s stand in the
matter.
"Primarily it is the moral responsibility
of the political parties to strive for political stability and good governance in the
country," Rana said. "RNA is not a party device but a national institution. It
is an apolitical institution which has a glorious history...therefore the army should be
used only for national interest. It is imperative that the national interest be identified
urgently."
The army chief also quoted His Majesty the
King’s address to the nation made during the Nepali New Year, which said, "
Development is not possible without peace and security and without development the society
cannot progress. Since it is the responsibility of a nation to institutionalize lawful
system and to ensure security and freedom of the people, it is today’s need to make a
strong foundation for better future by removing social and economic anomalies by ensuring
political stability and good governance."
Rana said: I understand that it is the duty of
all the Nepalis including all the political parties to put into practice the spirit of the
message.
During the ceremony Rana also presented
certificates to the 35 officers who successfully completed their Command and Staff
Training from the staff college.
Earlier addressing the ceremony Commandant of
the Staff College Kiran Shumsher Thapa explained the objective of Command and Staff Course
and the facilities of the college, which completed its eight years this year.
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