Four Personalities In The Limelight

By Kishore Nepal

Chief Of Army Staff Prajwalla Shumsher J.B. Rana

CHIEF of Army Staff Prajwalla Shumsher J.B. Rana’s remarks in his address at the Royal Nepal Army Command and Staff College in Tokha recently has heated politics both inside and out of the parliament and he has reached the summit of debates everywhere. His speech was straightforward. In his speech he had not used the round about way to express himself. No political colouring to it also. In a word, Chief of Army Staff Rana’s statement was: the leaders of the political parties were out to play the game of creating chaos at a time when the country was passing through the agonies of terrorism. The people’s representatives are not among those who had elected them while the army is out in the field. They are living here in the capital to save their and their relatives’ lives. The State of Emergency was not brought about by the army. The army is in the field to fight terrorism to protect the Constitution, country, constitutional system, Monarchy and the constitutionally formed government according to the direction of the government itself.

Rana’s speech saw fear creeping into the heart of many democratic and leftist leaders. Especially, as he had mentioned bad governance in the past twelve years many politicians panicked. Should the Chief of Army Staff give such a speech or not? This debate is in its place. But, as for the main crux of his speech, the general people have taken it as the right evaluation of the present times while the politicians have not. Rana has, in a pure patriotic soldier’s language, described the present situation of the country as he has understood it. If it had not been so, he would not have mentioned the name of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and some other young ministers towards the conclusion of his speech. If one looks at it with the naked eyes, without any political bias, no trace of political affrontary can be found in his speech. Just because the Chief of Army Staff has given a speech, the feeling of the political leaders that a constitutional crisis has arisen or the democratic system is itself in danger must be considered as their sensitivity. But, the State of Emergency was declared and the army mobilised as democracy in the country was threatened because of the violence and terrorism perpetrated by the Maoists.

Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala

NNepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala could not achieve the desired success despite making the public commitment to combat terrorism strongly and create a corruption free society by becoming the prime minister for the fourth time by bringing down the government headed by his friend and Nepali Congress party founder leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. Despite his commitment for good governance, his ministers were alleged to have indulged in abuse of authority and it stained his coat too. Voices of dissatisfaction arose within his own party. Still, at that time he put forth the proposal for greater democratic unity to all the political parties of the countries for consolidating democracy. But, the parties in the opposition did not show any interest regarding the proposal. Rather the House was stalled by them demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Koirala. He was compelled to resign. It is the fate of President Koirala that whenever he comes to power, the opposition do not lend him any support at all.

President Koirala, since the beginning, was always in favour of mobilising the army to fight Maoist terrorism. In the current winter session of Parliament, after the main opposition party Communist Party of Nepal (UML) included constitutional amendment in its agenda, he has been seen in favour of amending the constitution. His supporters have not been assisting him sincerely. They are doing it all in the name of President Koirala which certainly does not suit the stature of a political leader like him.

In his last stint, it has been heard that President Koirala had maintained links with the Maoists for talks with them. President Koirala has already officially denied it but reliable sources say that a proposal had been sent to the Maoists. President Koirala is not against talks with the Maoists. But, for this, according to contact sources, Koirala has proposed that the Maoists have to first declare a cease fire and then return the arms and ammunitions looted from the army. President Koirala’s supporters feel that once the looted arms are returned the army will return to the barracks and it would facilitate talks with the Maoists. This may be the reason why Prime Minister Deuba is alleged by them to be incompetent at governing the country. For peace talks with the Maoist, the supporters have the opinion that for this to happen Koirala must become the Prime Minister. The Maoists may look soft on Koirala but there is no doubt that in reality they will betray him. Koirala’s supporter Chakra Prasad Banstola knows very well that the image of Koirala as an anti-communist cannot be washed even by the water of the Kankai river.

General Secretary Of CPN (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal

The person who is in a great hurry to get the present constitution amended is UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. He is in favour of eliminating the Maoists and for this he wants to have the constitution amended so that his party can have a stake in the government. There is a reason for Nepal to be in a hurry to get the constitution amended. No one can deny that if by chance the Maoists are forced to join the mainstream of national politics UML losing its hold among the people is a strong possibility. For the leftist activitists are committed to only that party which works for the establishment of communist rule and not this or that party in general. Going by this, Nepal is very afraid that UML will lose its foundation among its party workers. If this was not the case, the unity of UML and ML would not have come about despite the many differences that remain between them. After the split a few years back, many UML and ML activists have been disappointed by the party leadership. It is said that many UML and ML local level leaders are supporters of the Maoists.

To bring an end to such a situation, Nepal has to, by any means, take his party into power. For this, setting aside all the political events of the past, he is willing to assist NC President Koirala. At the moment, Nepal is saddened by the remarks of Chief of Army Staff Rana in the way he has talked about the bad governance of the past twelve years and put into the same basket the 9-month rule of his party. General Secretary Nepal considers UML’s nine month in power as the golden age of 12-year-old democratic Nepal’s history. But, at the same time he wants to forget that, Bamdev Gautam by disregarding tolerance as the main characteristic of democratic politics, had gone to publicise the strategy of putting the king, Nepali Congress and Rastriya Prajatantra Party in the same burial chamber.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba

Though many feel that Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is confused by the present politics, he is very cool. But it is certain that Chief of Army Staff Rana’s speech has created some difficulties. But, he is in a position to defend himself. Nepali Congress party has not abandoned protesting against the same government that it constitutes. Even President Koirala’s government had to bear the brunt of the protest from his own party. Howsoever may be the opposition from within the party, there is no presence of the circumstance for searching for an alternative to Prime Minister Deuba. Prime Minister Deuba is energised by talks with the Maoists, the declaration of the State of Emergency with all party consensus after the Maoists’ betrayal, the successful holding of the SAARC Summit and the recently concluded successful India visit. There are some political reasons why Prime Minister Deuba is not in a hurry despite adopting the proposal of Koirala for constitutional amendment under a broader democratic alliance.

The state of emergency and army mobilisation are but preliminary ways for resolving the problem of Maoist terrorism. If steps are taken hurriedly to amend the constitution, it may fulfil the selfish motive of some political forces but not all. Prime Minister Deuba is not against constitutional amendment but he is not in favour of amendment only for the self-satisfaction of limited political forces. The justification for constitutional amendment can only be realised only when all who are against the present constitution fit under the same umbrella of an amended constitution. Prime Minister Deuba understands the futility of amending the constitution just for the sake of bringing to power some present political forces in the House.

Certainly, Prime Minister Deuba’s political rivals may be feeling that they have achieved success by creating a tricky political situation for him. But, their success is like the film of oil on the surface of water. As Prime Minister, NC party founder Krishna Prasad Bhattarai had tried to mobilise the army against the Maoists and similarly had President Girija Prasad Koirala but success was achieved only by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Now, the Royal Nepal Army is fighting against the terrorists in a difficult situation and in the capital the political leaders, in the naturally warming up climatic scenario, are trying to generate heat of unstable politics.

Vision For World Peace

By Kofi Annan

THERE is no conflict in the world today whose solution is so clear, so widely agreed upon, and so necessary to world peace as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Tragically, however, there is no conflict whose path to resolution seems so thickly entangled with hatred and mistrust, or so vulnerable to the acts of extremists. This paradox must not be allowed to persist. Through political courage and leadership, we must bridge the gap between our vision of peace and the present reality of conflict.

There is a solution to the paradox. The leaders on both sides, specifically Prime Minister Sharon and Chairman Arafat, must reaffirm the strategic choice for peace, based on a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement. It is their role, and their duty, to lead their peoples back from the brink. History, and their peoples, will remember them kindly if they rise to the challenge. History, and their peoples, will judge them harshly if they do not.

Yearning

We all yearn to see a new era of peace and security for all. This yearning is reflected in Security Council Resolution 1397, passed earlier this month, which affirms a vision of the Middle East as a region "where two States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side within secure and recognized borders." Building on the bedrock of its earlier Resolutions 242 and 338, the Security Council has thus established a firm framework for a just and viable solution of the problem of Palestine.

We are no less united in our grave concern for the regional dimension of this conflict, and in calling for a comprehensive peace between Israel and all its neighbours, including Syria and Lebanon. The world as a whole yearns, with your peoples and the people of Israel, for an end to the bloodshed and suffering.

The people of the Arab world are not alone in believing that the Palestinians have a right to their own state in peace and security; that the long occupation must end; that there must be an immediate improvement in the unbearable living conditions of the Palestinians; and that Israel must immediately abandon such indefensible methods as targeted assassinations, and the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated areas.

But the people of Israel are not alone, either, in believing that they have a right to live in peace and security, free from terror; that suicide attacks against Israeli civilians are morally repugnant, and should not be glorified but denounced as such by all Arab leaders; and that the Arab world as a whole must come to terms – once and for all, in public and in private – with the right of Israel to exist.

These beliefs of both sides are shared by people all over the world.

The Palestinians are right to call for a horizon of peace. All of us want to see an end to the occupation, the withdrawal of Israeli settlements, and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. And the Israelis are equally entitled to expect a horizon of peace. All of us want to hear a firm and credible assurance from you – the leaders of the Arab League – that, once Israel concludes a just and comprehensive peace and withdraws from Arab lands, it can look forward to peace and full normal relations with all the Arab world. That assurance can – and I say must – be your contribution to peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

The important proposal put forward by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia can be the foundation. Based on the principle of "land for peace", it provides a clear and compelling vision. The search for peace and stability has never been more urgent. I appeal to you today to unite in support of this vision, showing the world – and the parties – that you are ready to help them in making the crucial choices for peace.

Excellencies,

Let me now briefly mention two other countries whose fate is, I know, a cause of great concern to Arabs, to Muslims, and indeed to the whole world.

Earlier this month I held frank and useful talks with the Iraqi Foreign Minister on how to implement the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and we shall be meeting again next month. Meanwhile, I appeal to the Iraqi leadership, once again — for the sake of the Iraqi people and for the sake of peace in the region — to comply without delay with all relevant resolutions. The sooner they accept that there is no other path to ending the sanctions regime and relieving the suffering of the Iraqi people, the sooner this problem will be resolved. And I am confident that you, leaders of the Arab world, will join me in this appeal.

Meanwhile, the situation in Afghanistan is yet another reminder of the destruction and misery that result from war. The international community has shown an almost unprecedented determination, notably at the Tokyo Conference in January, to help the Afghans rebuild their country and so lay the foundations of lasting peace. Saudi Arabia was one of the co-chairs of that conference and many other countries present here today made generous pledges of assistance. The Afghan people are counting on your help, which is all the more urgently needed now that natural disaster has been added to the ravages of war. I send my deepest condolences to the families of all those who have lost loved ones in the terrible earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan two days ago.

Towards Peaceful Future

The Arab world has for too long been prevented from realising its potential by the persistence of conflict, mistrust and instability. Though we meet at a time of crisis and tension, I urge you to look towards a future of peace and prosperity, and to take steps within your own societies to bring it closer. I appeal to you to confront the menace of extremism, hatred and intolerance, and to ensure that they find no place in your school curricula, or in the minds of your young people.

Your peoples, like all peoples – and particularly the youth – the under twenties who represent nearly fifty per cent of your population – yearn for the opportunities of free and open societies characterized by good governance, human rights, freedom of expression and the rule of law. Only in this context will they be able to make the most of their abilities and bequeath a better future to their children. Only in this way can poverty, illiteracy and extremism be replaced by peace, stability and prosperity – to the benefit of all the peoples of this region.

(The author is the United Nations Secretary General who recently addressed the Summit of the Arab League)