American Election 2000
Campaign Spotlight

By M.R.Josse

HAVING watched the acceptance speech of Republican George W.Bush Jr, Candidate for the upcoming US Presidential sweepstakes, an attempt is attempted here to turn the spotlight on the American presidential elections three months or so before E-Day.

RAZZMATAZZ: Naturally, the razzledazzle and spectacle of the Republican party’s nomination convention in Philadelphia was impressive, though dismissed as a "compassionate conservatism".

Bush emphasised his determination to renew America’s purpose and to end the political and moral drift of the past, seeking support for what is termed as his brand of "masquerade ball" by Democrats.

Emphasising national security, education and medicare reform he also underlined his support for substantial tax relief. Yet, though chock a block with good intentions, his acceptance speech did not have too many specific proposals, which is perhaps natural at this still evoloving stage of the election game.

Also, whille he seemed not too dwell to much on America’s economic prosperity, he appealed to moderates wishing no doubt to be seen as a national unifier at a time when many Americans are divided even embarrassed by the scandals of the Clinton era.

His tone and manner also seemed to epitomize "a more tolerant, more open Republican party", as one commentator put it.

Regarding Bush’s stance on foreign policy, it may be noted that, as foreign policy adviser Condoleeza Rice (who is expected to be national security adviser in a Bush administration) explained, it will be based on the maxim "peace begins with strength."

Rice also said that Bush would project US Power spraringly but firmly even as she sought to bolster what most regard as the Texas governor’s slim foreign policy credentials.

Notably, as per Rice, a Bush administration would push forward with a comprehensive missile defence system despite objections from Russia and China. Furthermore, she stated that Bush would maintain a less accommodating relationship with Beijing than that forged by Clinton who, of course, has touted a policy of "constructive engagement" with China.

Another Bush foreign policy adviser, Robert Zoellick, said at a recent panel discussion that Bush had five priorities, "in particular China and Russia, and to a degree India, and doing that through alliance relationships."

American Enterprise Institute’s, Richard Perle, called Bush a "big picture person" and said that "on the occasions that I’ve heard the governor grappling with foreign policy issues, I’ve been impressed how quickly he goes to the heart of the matter and how instinctively he understands the use of power."

SPOTTING THINGS: Domocratic presidentail candidate, Vice President Al Gore, has the ability to spot events coming up, said Leon Fuerth, his national security adviser. He has shown that ability on such issues as golobal warming and arms control.

Fuerth also said that Gore recognises the hemisphere as the country’s biggest economic partner and culturally that the United States is in part Hispanic, demographically.

Former US Senator Dale Bumpers believed that Gore’s foreign policy would be very similar to that of President Clinton but also more aggressive and more hawkish. Former CIA director, James Woolsey, said he thinks there would be "far more focus on long term objectives and on substance" in a Gore administration.

Former New York Congressman Steven Solarz, however, maintained that one of Gore’s problems would be to make it clear to the American public that a Gore administration would not be an exact ruplica of Clinton’s.

Indeed, May feel that such applies not only to foreign policy but across the board as well. For although the American economy has never been as sound in a very long time, many Americans seem raring for a change after eight years of Democratic rule, not least becuase of the scandals of the past and the political bitterness that today prevails on the score in Washington.

Los Angeles Times journalist Doyle McManus believed that while there would be a lot of continuity between clinton and Gore, there are several points where the vice president would differ, inculuding on his being more ready to use force.

Also, as per McManus, who termed Clinton’s interest in foreign policy as "episodic", Gore "has been interested in foreign policy for a very long time and would immerse himself in the agenda more deeply and more passionately."

What do the polls have to say about the prospects of Gore and Bush ? According to the latest bipartisan Voter.com-Battleground 2000 poll, Bush holds a 12 per cent lead over Gore. It was established that the June 11-13 survey of 1,000 likely voters nationwide doubled Bush’s lead over what it had been in May.

Interestingly, they attributed that to a large Bush lead among men and said the two candidates would be about even among women voters and among union members.

In other polls announced, Bush has a 13-point lead in a CNN-USA Today-Gallup Survey, an eight-point lead in a wall Street Journal-NBC News survey, a seven-point margin in a Zogby survey, and an average six-piont lead in all Gallup surveys since February. A Newsweek poll has the two in a statistical tie.

BEBATES: The bipartisan Commi-ssion on Presidential debates has said that there would be three debates, each 90 minutes long on October 3, 11 and 17 Boston, Winston-Salem and St Louis.

The debates will have a single moderator and include a balance of international and domestic topics. A fourth debates, slated for October 5 in Danville, will involve the vice presidential candidates.

Since they will be broadcast globally, all interested can make their own asessments of the rival candidates and their prospects to become the next American President, come January 20, 2001.

Fight Against Rape

By Mohan K.C.

THE modernisation drive coupled with the influx of foreign TV programmes through the satellite has had some negative effects on the people. The fast changes that have come in the lifestyles of the people is specially evident in the urban areas.

Change

The fact that the urbanites are more under the influence of the media is there for everyone to see. Of course, even in the rural areas the development of communications has had some impacts. The opening up of telecommunications facilities has made contacts more convenient. The opening up of pool houses in many of districts of the country shows that changes are taking place. But, at present, it is too early to tell whether these changes are for the better or the worse.

The influences are varied. Some are welcome while the others are not. In a democracy, when the liberalisation drive is taking hold, it is not easy to do away with the social evils that have made their entry as a result.

The recent trends, if they are any indication, points to the fact that rape cases are on the rise. There may be many reasons for this. One possible reason may be that the media has been playing a vital role in bringing the rape cases to light thereby creating a pressure for doing justice to the victim.

The culprits in many a cases go scot free because of the victim and her family shying away from reporting them to the law enforcement agency. In many a cases, the victims fear to speak out because of the threat of the person committing the hateful crime.

Even in many cases that are reported to the police, the lack of evidence is cited as the major cause for the culprits to escape punishment. It is also a fact that the existing laws are such that the victims have to go through another round of mental torture in recounting her tale of the attack on her honour.

If records are to go through, it is reported that 214 cases of sexual abuse were registered with the concerned agency. This only reflects the tip while there are many cases which go unreported. This is a fact that has been accepted by the police. According to sources, the police have to act on evidences and not on what is heard. This proves the stumbling block towards meting out justice to those who go through the trauma.

The violence that is associated with rape is also a major problem. To deal with such cases, there is a provision of Women Cells in 16 districts of the country. This is a move at curbing the growing rate of rape cases. These cells are an outlet for the rape victims to turn to so that a strong case can be made against the person who has violated the honour of a woman.

The concerned officials say that social prestige matters in many cases and they do not normally come to light. This obviously hampers with bringing the perpetrator to face punishment.

Though there has been a positive line taken for empowering women their is a lack of awareness among most of the people specially women in the rural areas. Just by making laws does not suffice unless the people concerned know and exercise their rights. This is the basic reason why a significant number of women are unaware of their rights. This is all the more is a male dominated society like ours.

Nowadays even a cursory glance at any newspapers will bring to light at least one rape case a day. This is quite disconcerting to the conscious people. And among the cases reported, many a cases concern minors. The rape of a four year or six year girl is just a blot on the conscience. In most of the cases the rapist is no other that a close relative who takes advantage of the situation. Even when the criminal is identified, further action is delayed or not taken due to various reasons.

It is reported that either the police do not gear up for pursuing the case or that there is the under the table business. Whatever that may be, the victim has to go through a harrowing experience.

The existing law has provisions for punishing the rapist if it is proved but judgement in most of the cases filed go against the victim. The victim in making the round of the police station and the courts ends up in rags. This is what must be taken into account.

In recent times some positive developments in favour of the victims is evident despite the fact that the number of rape cases are on the rise. The female activists have come up strongly in favour of the victims. They have resorted to picketing and protesting so that the victim gets justice as per the law of the country.

Rape as a matter of fact has long term effects on the victim. For her going through the ordeals later on just becomes too much. This calls for the help of psychiatrists to help her overcome the situation. But, unfortunately, the country suffers from a lack of such experts. The psychiatrists are few in number and almost all are concentrated in the urban areas like Kathmandu.

When minors are raped the case is even more serious. In this matter, a most effective deterrent would be punishment of the highest kind. The people too should be made aware of how a rape takes place and the precautions against the same. One precaution based on the light of the various cases is never to leave the child in company with anyone. The foreign films and TV programmes may also be responsible for a sudden spurt of rape cases.

Attention

It is time that relevant laws be formulated so that justice can be done to the rape victims. This calls for the attention of all lawmakers, experts and intellectuals as well. Without a determined drive on a national level, the menace of rape will remain.