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Kathmandu Tuesday January 16, 2001 Magh 03, 2057.
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Unutterable anathema
The Zone of Peace (ZOP) proposal was at one time the Moolmantra of
Nepal’s foreign policy which everybody, from top to bottom, in the officialdom
chanted religiously. A support to the proposal used to be hailed as a great achievement.
Seeking support invariably formed part of the top agenda during exchange of high-level
visits. Likewise, our diplomat’s performance was judged, among others, from the
number of support one had been able to garner for the proposal.
In light of this backdrop, one is baffled with the manner in which the
reported (although scantily) support to ZOP extended by the President of Mongolia was
treated. It went almost unnoticed as a non-event, although this was the first and only
support received so far after the restoration of multiparty democracy. This in itself was
important. More importantly, it indicated the fact that in the eyes of the outside world
the proposal was very much alive.
One can easily surmise that the President’s announcement of
Mongolia’s support must have come as a surprise and embarrassment to the powers that
be, to whom the ZOP has all through been an unutterable anathema. And they have always
wanted to have it dumped in the dustbin of history. Mongolia was apparently not aware of
this. On the other hand, the votaries of the ZOP missed a unique god-sent opportunity to
resuscitate the ZOP from Aryaghat, courtesy Mongolia, by having her support mentioned in a
formal document like the joint communique issued at the end of the recent State Visit.
Lastly, what prompted me to pen this letter is my utter disappointment at the
fact that a mature and generally all seeking eyes of M R Josse, a crusader of ZOP ever
since it was mooted, somehow missed to mention the Mongolian support in his regular
column.
Ram Basnyat
New Baneswar, Kathmandu |
