EDITOR'S NOTE

Recent developments in South Asia, once again, seem to push the region into a sphere of uncertainty. A region which is one of the poorest in the world and urgently needs quickest economic development if its people are to live a more dignified life cannot afford to plunge itself into deeper malady. It is a very trying time for the leaders. If they cannot rise up to the occasion, the whole region will suffer a set back which might spell disaster to the millions of poor people living below the poverty line.

If the Kargill happenings and the change of regime in Pakistan have widened the rift between India and Pakistan and torpedoed the SAARC Summit, the recent hijacking of IC 814 has all the symptoms of cooling relations between Nepal and India if wisdom does not prevail. The uncalled for blowing up of security perception may regenerate the resentment that had almost evaporated. Nepal not only values India's friendship but fully realizes its indispensability for her economic development. Moreover, her avowed belief that her territory should not be permitted to be used against any friendly country and her strict adherence to it should reassure her friendly neighbors. Consequently, it cannot ever be imagined that Nepalese establishment had any hand whatsoever in the recent hijacking. And in a democratic society an individual's action should not be made to reflect official policy.

Media, in a democratic society, have a very big responsibility. They not only warn and guide their own governments but also contribute, in a big way, towards strengthening or harming their foreign relations. The manner the Indian media, specially the Zee news, concocted the news during the hijacking episode does in no way reflect the maturity of over a hundred and fifty years. Indian statesmen have often expressed their unhappiness at the anti-India bias of some Nepalese journals. But they forget to take into account the fact that most of the journals coming out in Nepal will fail to pass the test of objective reporting due to obvious reasons. Moreover, do they want to equate Indian journalism with Nepalese journalism which is barely a decade old, to be very precise? As such,, it becomes the responsibility of politicians and statesmen on either side to practise restraint and sobriety to keep public tempers under control. Even the public and private media should not let loose their emotions lest they injure their national interests. In this regard, we cannot but entail much bigger responsibility on our southern neighbor, who, by virtue of so many dominating advantages must not overlook to respect the sensitivity of her smaller neighbor.

The exchange of visits by dignitaries should always go to strengthen bilateral relations or iron out differences and misunderstandings, if there be any. But, if a dignitary of a country fails to safeguard his nations honor by his unstates man like and undiplomatic statements, he should forbear from going on such visits. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai seems very keen to visit India as the elected Prime Minister of Nepal. As it is visiting New Delhi may not hold much charm to him since he must have gone there umpteen times during his young days as Banarasi Baboo and even later. But visiting a foreign capital as the elected Chief. Executive of an independent nation very few can ever think of. Bhattarai is in a situation where he can not only think but make this happen. But the question is — who will gain — Bhattarai or nation? Bhattarai has already visited Delhi ten years earlier as Prime Minister. Since his failing health and intellect do not recommend he should go on such a visit, he must not give in to the pressures of his sycophants. Let the nations interest prevail, for a change.

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