NATIONAL 3 -(Spotlight Weekly)

Spring Of Discontent

Opposition parties twist the arms of government as they step up their protest programs

By A CORRESPONDENT

The ruling Nepali Congress is facing protests from all sides. While Maoists are challenging the government in remote jungles, main opposition party CPN-UML and other nine leftist parties have come out against it in the streets of the capital.

Along with leftist parties, Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) has already declared a nation wide agitation to press the government. As if the communists and NSP were not enough, a faction within the ruling party is taking similar steps against it.

"The situation looks unpredictable as nobody knows what is going to happen next," says a political analyst. In the name of democracy, many say, political parties themselves are inviting unenviable situation.

Although the agitation organized by nine leftists on Monday to picket Singhdurbar passed off peacefully, it indicated more violent demonstrations in the street of capital is in the cards.

"From main opposition CPN-UML to smaller left outfits, all of them are encouraging to break the rule of law. In such a situation, it is the democracy that will suffer," said a political analyst.

Called by nine leftist parties, three-hour-long Singhdurbar gherao totally disrupted government activities. "After Singhdurbar gherao, the first round of agitation program is concluded. If the government does not respond to our demands, we will organize another round of agitation programs," said Bamdev Gautam, CPN-ML leader.

Nine-left parties are demanding, among others, the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from Kalapani, relief package for price hike, end of state terrorism and free education for all.

Nine left parties includes CPN-ML, Communist Party of Nepal (United), Nepal Communist Party (Marxists), Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, United Peoples Front, National People's Movement Coordination Committee, Nepal Communist Party (Marxist, Leninist and Maoist), Nepal Communist Party (Unity Center) and Nepal Communist Party (Masal).

As all major political parties are taking to the street for their partisan causes, much needed political stability is once again in peril.

BHUTANESE REFUGEES
Verbal Support

The head of the UNHCR Sadako Ogata expresses her commitment for the early repatriation of Bhutanese refugees

By A CORRESPONDENT

Within a week, two important delegations visited Bhutanese refugees camp in Eastern Nepal and expressed their willingness to play positive role to repatriate Bhutanese refugees.

After the European parliamentary delegation, the leader of United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Sadako Ogata visited Bhutanese refugees camp and backed their demands to go back home.

Addressing the refugees at Jhapa, the head of the UNHCR stressed the need to start early repatriation of Bhutanese refugees. In Beljhundi camp at Jhapa, she also met with refugees leaders.

Ogata, who came to Nepal on Monday straight from her visit to Bhutan, urged Nepal and Bhutan to find early solution of the refugee problem. "Both the governments should start concrete and positive steps to end the refugee stalemate," she said talking to journalists.

"I also discussed with the Bhutanese officials on the issue of refugees and urged them to end the stalemate through negotiations," she said. "I am ready to play mediator role if both parties want the support."

After the visit by European parliamentary team, this is second time in recent weeks when top international figures called to find amicable solution to the refugee issue.

In the last ten years, many rounds of meetings have already been held at different levels but both parties failed to find out amicable solution.

The last meeting of foreign minister level held in Kathmandu agreed to start the process of verification at refugees in the refugees camp.

After the change of Bhattarai government, the process was once again stalled and now both parties are tight-lipped over the on-going process.

Ever since the first stream of Bhutanese refugees arrived in Eastern Nepal in 1991, more than 100,000 registered refugees have been living in two different camps.

Nepalese foreign officials maintained Bhutanese refugee as a bilateral issue between Nepal and Bhutan and did not internationalize it.

But others consider it as a trilateral issue and suggest the need to involve India in finding out the solution. Bhutan does not have a border link with Nepal and the refugees from Bhutan cross over the Indian territory before entering into Nepal.