Negotiation For Peace
Victory For All

By Ajay P. Nath

ALTHOUGH the Nepalese people in particular and the international community in general have heaved a sigh of great relief after the long awaited declaration of the cease-fire by HMG and the Maoists there are serious apprehensions in many political, business, diplomatic and media circles because of the bitter past experiences.

Pressure

The Maoists were under extreme pressure from the international community, donor agencies and even from the neighbouring countries. The United States of America had even threatened to declare them as international terrorists. Kofi Annan recently had announced his intention to brief the Security Council on the forced recruitment of childs soldiers by the Maoists, against international rules and norms. The beefed up security system with the latest battle tested weapons of modern versions were giving them a hard time without any respite. The recruitment was dwindling and they were forced to apply the tactics and technique of mass kidnapping of school children, innocent civilians and political cadres to strengthen the militias. Their command, control and communication system intelligence network and surveillance system as well as training centres, hideouts and logistic networks, were either destroyed or damaged. The ammunitions that they had looted were being depleted and the weapons were becoming unserviceable. Their financial condition was precarious and the public support was fast running out. The open international border, a lifeline for them, was fast being sealed off for them. They were being squeezed and cornered from all sides.

The Maoist leadership was looking for a way out of these pressures. They were asking for the removal of the price tag on their heads, withdrawal of the red-corner notice and also removal of the terrorist tag. By being able to extract these conditions they now feel free to exercise this freedom in furthering their cause in the open environment during the cease-fire. Now it is prudent to brain-storm as to why Maoists chose this moment to accept the government's offer and declare cease-fire? Is it again a strategy to use this period of dialogue as a camouflage to rebuild, re-motivate, restore and consolidate for even fearsome, harsher, punching and decisive battle against the government forces? Is it a ploy to withdraw international support to the government and its security system and to be seen standing on higher moral ground in the eyes of the international communities and exercise greater freedom in the neighbouring countries? Is it not a deception to mingle freely with the pubic to garner their support, extract donations and rebuild their command, control, communication and computer system including their intelligence network? Or is it a genuine concern over the death, damage and destructions caused by their activities on the national infrastructure and the basic public essential needs as well as the terror created by their untold atrocities over the years? Are they really worried about the plight and pity of the Nepalese people and the image and independence of united Nepal? If they are really interested to protect and preserve the sovereign national independence of Nepal and willing to sacrifice some of their personal petty interest for the larger interest of the country and march ahead with the Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty democratic political system, this must be most welcomed. Nepal can then present a united front to consolidate its strengths, rebuild its economy and raise the living standard of the people.

Whatever it is, there is a golden opportunity as well as a daunting challenge for the government and the political institutions today. Opportunities must be seized because this is an expectation of all the Nepalese as well as the well wishers of Nepal who are honestly striving for genuine peace for the last many years. Challenges, because there are many hurdles ahead to bring the Maoists into the national political mainstream and integrate them in the constitutional process. Maoist leadership has been saying time and again that the dialogue with the existing establishment is one of the phases of strategy of the communist system. This is a breathing space according to their manifesto to be used for wearing out the establishment in the jungle as well as on the table. Some of the party cadres are already claiming it as a victory and a clean chit from the state. If the government and political parties have learnt any lessons it would be foolish to lower their guards and remain naive. It should not be forgotten that the neighbouring countries do pull influencing strings to put pressures on the Maoists.
Today Nepal is at the crossroads and it is up to the Nepalese political leadership to correctly chart a road-map for the future generation. In this the vital national interest comes first and foremost. The first factor of vital national interest is the sovereignty, independence and integrity of Nepal. To protect and preserve these, all political parties, Maoists, media, bureaucracy and people across the board need to understand how important it is to stand above their personal, political or party interest for the greater good of Nepal and make good use of this opportunity to usher in peace and maintain it. If this fails, none would succeed. Therefore, no political party or their leaders or anyone else including the Maoists should try to play dirty politics and drive wedges in any pretext to break it. The nation and future generations will not tolerate and have mercy on anyone whoever spoils it. If everybody stands for Constitutional Monarchy, democratic parliamentary political system and fundamental freedom based on competitive equality, peace can be reestablished and restored.

Considering the present global trend, Nepal's geo-political constraints and compulsions and the mandatory duties and responsibilities of the state, there are few fundamental factors on which no government or democratic institution can compromise. The first is the people's inherent right to choose their own government to conduct day to day business of the state i.e. democratic political system. The other is Constitutional Monarchy. In a small strip of land mass there is so much of diversity in Nepal and to maintain and consolidate the diverse communal, religious, linguistic, geographical as well as ethnic groups there is a need of a common unifying factor in a modern social structure. In the case of Nepal, Monarchy is the only institution which can integrate and influence everybody and take the burden of leading them into the twenty-first century firmly standing on the bedrock of democratic institutions. The third one is the mandate of the state, which compels it to restore and maintain public law and order throughout the country. No one, as patriotic Nepalese, should ever try to compromise or accept to relegate these fundamental pillars of national integrity and state mandates. Anything else could be discussed in the process of negotiation remaining within the governing principles of give and take keeping national interest and integrity above everything else.
It is vitally important that the Maoist leadership should fully understand the impact and explain the intention of the round table conference, the agendas for the interim government and envisage the consequences of the constituent assembly. In the political scheme of things in Nepal, who is influencing and pulling the strings and calling the traditional shots and how the political game is being played at any stage of history? In understanding this, the Maoist leadership must also study the events and incidents in the neighbourhood as to how things have happened and changed the geographical set up. Therefore, before demanding constitutional assembly everybody should consider the possible consequences which could undermine Nepalese status quo in the regional context.
As to the declared cease-fire, its mandatory dos and donts, both the government and Maoists should display their magnanimity and wisdom dealing piece by piece all issues and being flexible enough to solve complex issues stage by stage. As to the long awaited dialogue and ultimate negotiation for peace, the nation demands maturity, patience, understanding of each other's constraints and accommodating everybody's views and create conditions for confidence building measures.

Prospects

The political parties, Maoists, government authorities, constitutional experts, media, INGOs, NGOs, security forces, diplomatic and business communities, human rights activists and donor agencies should generously use their expertise, experiences and authorities to make dialogue and negotiation a success story. None is going to lose, everybody will win. A peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal is in the interest of not only Nepal but also of the neighbours and international community.

For Peace, Stability & Democracy

By Shirish B. Pradhan

NEPALESE people felt a sigh of relief last week as the country witnessed the cease-fire jointly announced by the Maoists as well as the government, paving a way for peaceful negotiations to end the seven year long conflict. Interestingly, not a single incident of violence related to the insurgency took place over the past one week following the truce announced by issuing separate statements by the government and the Maoists without signing any formal agreement.

Laudable

The efforts made by both the Maoists and the Lokendra Bahadur Chand government to relieve Nepalese people from violence and terror deserve a lot of appreciation. Political parties, civil society and the general public have in one voice welcomed the move and hope that the truce will be converted into a lasting peace and stability in the country. However, some sections of society including human rights activists have pointed out the need for reaching a formal agreement as well as formulating a code of conduct so that there could be a lasting peace and the future peace process could be moved ahead without any obstacle.

There are different theories which try to explain the way the ceasefire materialised towards ending the conflict, which has claimed over 7,000 lives. Some argue that it is the mounting international pressure, which motivated the Maoists to halt their violent activities. Sophisticated weapons have arrived from Belgium and USA and activities of international community have increased in the recent times seeking early resolution to the conflict, which may have motivated the Maoists for an early truce. The Maoist leaders might be suspicious about control over their militant cadres, which might create a problem to themselves in future. Or the Maoists may be looking for a justifiable and safe landing to join mainstream politics as they are eager to cash in on their nation-wide organisational network which they built in a short span of time. Whatever may be the reason, the development is very positive and Nepalese people must not lose this opportunity to establish a lasting and durable peace in the country.

Major political parties including Nepali Congress, Nepal Communist Party (UML) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party have no doubt welcomed the peace efforts, with certain reservations regarding ways to resolve the crisis. Human rights organisations, intellectuals and all other sections of society have also lauded the government's efforts to restore peace in the Himalayan Kingdom. International community has also welcomed the agreement reached between the government and the Maoists for a cease-fire and offered its support for the ongoing peace process in the country.

Neighbouring India has issued a statement welcoming the cease-fire, pointing out that multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy will continue to be the two pillars for peace and stability in Nepal. India has also advised solution to the current problem through national consensus involving political parties in the peace process. The USA and UK have also welcomed the truce and expressed their continued support to the peace process initiated by the government. The friendly countries of Nepal, who have lent support to Nepal's counter-insurgency campaign have now assured to provide help for rehabilitation and reconstruction of development infrastructure destroyed over the past one year.

Political parties and the civil society here have expressed the hope that the ongoing peace process will not break. We should move ahead cautiously not to hinder the peace process and resolve the present crisis permanently. Prime Minister Chand has in his recent address to the nation pointed out the need to convert the cease-fire into a lasting peace. For this he has sought cooperation from all sections of the society including political parties and the civil society. We need to move ahead by creating an atmosphere of trust. Now there is a greater need to foster national unity and consensus among the Nepalese people for the benefit of the people and welfare of the country. Everybody should concentrate on national interest and common benefit by putting aside petty selfish and group interests.

There is a need to make the whole peace process as transparent as possible in order not to create room for mistrust and misunderstanding. The government needs to take political parties into confidence and involve the responsible political parties and the members of civil society in the ongoing peace process in order to avoid confusion and chaos. Transparency and public participation play a key role in democracy. Thus, national issues like this should be resolved on the basis of national consensus.

Let's hope that the peace talks will begin soon and all the major political parties and the civil society will be included in the process, which will chalk out future course of actions to resolve the issue permanently for the establishment of lasting peace in the country. Multiparty democracy, individual freedom, human rights are such issues which will be the focal points while initiating the peace process. The peace talks should move ahead in a democratic and transparent atmosphere. It would be better if the future agreements to be made between the parties of the peace process be institutionalised and formalised so that no one would question its validity in future.

Future

Peace, stability, democracy and national consensus are the four pillars on which overall development of the country could take place. Lets hope that the proposed talks between the Maoists and the government would pave way for peace and stability so that we could lead the country towards a better future. Solutions to these problems should be sought in a way that would guarantee the interests and the welfare of minority, downtrodden and helpless so that a lasting peace could be achieved in the country.

Dissemination Of News

By Uday Lama

SEVERAL newspapers are published in and around the Kathmandu Valley and these cater to a growing readership both in Devnagiri and English. Broadsheet dailies vie with one another to secure a niche in the market whilst the smaller tabloids churn out sensational news. But for every category of reader there is something to read which can maintain interest and titillate the fancy.

The most important interesting and relevant news stories are likely to take the front pages. This is indicated by the headlines and the colourful photographs with the appropriate captions. The letters are printed in bold and black and easy to peruse, skim or simply browse for details.

A reader while going through the paper may first turn to the editorials before concentrating on the leading articles. The letters addressed to the editor usually arouse speculation and whet the curiousity as to the identities of the letter writers. Local news comes next and holds much interest if it is of direct relevance.

International news, originating from different news agencies like AFP, AP and Reuters, gives food for thought. But the sameness of the newsreports may have a deadening effect and add a souring note to the morning cup of tea. Drought, pestilence, deaths (either through accidents or natural disasters) takes priority whilst others may have human interest as their main focus.

Other sections such as business and economy and sports are specialised in their coverage and add spice and variety. Reporting is done on a local basis with an eye to provide grist to the mill and also international in nature which makes it a veritable treasure trove.

The news items are carefully scrutinised for its relevance to current situations and only those with readers' interest are included for publication. These are analytical and objective pieces printed keeping in mind the fact that a paper has a wide readers base. Short items with sketchy details are usually kept till the last minute to fill the spaces. The idea behind this is to update on events of concern while providing in-depth reporting.

It is not unusual to make changes in the format of the paper before going to print. This is made in order to maintain a high profile of the latest goings-on. But there is usually a supply of findings on the news front and other choice tid-bits to make the publication feasible. These take the form of interviews of personalities, analysis and commentaries, not to speak of news features.

There is a lot to be said about the accuracy of reporting because personal bias may creep in to distort facts. Balance is another aspect considered necessary to give an accurate picture of reality. And it must be complete and not miss out on important facts and figures which has to be authenticated at its source.

What keeps a newspaper in a print medium going ? Perhaps it is the constant innovation being done behind-the-scenes or else it is the need to keep abreast of the times. Even though there is this flow of information it is the constant stimulation of finding out that is responsible.