EDITOR'S NOTE
The skeptics who had refused to accept Sher
Bahadur Deuba's second initiation to the highest executive position as a positive
development could, after all, be correct. Deuba's induction of majority of old timers into
his cabinet has disillusioned many of his supporters. Those who were hoping for a cleaner
administration have been totally disappointed. It clearly demonstrates Deuba's
constraints, vulnerability and character. He has either not learnt any lessons during the
last five years he was in the wilderness or he is still incapable of putting his foot
down. Koirala's stepping down and his stepping up has become nothing more than a repeat of
the old story of "Gaya Ram and Aya Ram." Even though his first act has thrown
icy cold waters on the hopes of many Nepalese we would still give him the benefit of doubt
and wait for his other steps. As the Maoists have shown a constructive reaction towards
him, he must take measures to embrace the whole nation and form a consensus. If he thinks
that only the parties represented in the parliament constitute Nepalese public opinion and
leaves out the overwhelming large section who are not represented in the parliament for
obvious reasons he knows well, he will be only shortening his own tenure in the
government. Because, the largest party in the parliament has proved itself, without the
least ray of doubt, of being anti-national. And if Deuba too persists in denying this
undeniable fact, he knows what could become the consequence. And even more important thing
for him is to stand up squarely to the hegemonistic behavior of his southern neighbor. He
must be able to convince his Indian counterpart that the Indian media is only contributing
to widen the gulf of mistrusts and misunderstandings by resorting to baseless publicity
which has not only hurt Nepalese economy but almost ravaged it. Another vexing point to
note is last year a large part in Banke district in Nepal was inundated and thousands of
poor Nepalese were put to untold miseries by the Laxmanpur dam in adjoining Indian
territory. This year again the construction of Rasiyabal Khurda Loutan Dam on the Indian
side close to Nepal border has endangered the very existence of Lumbini, the birth place
of Gautam Buddha. These are not only unfriendly acts but outright violations of
international norms and totally outrage the behavior of a friendly neighbor. These kinds
of activities have to be stopped altogether. These could be tall orders for Deuba. But as
Prime Minister of Nepal he has to see them executed without delay. Can he? We will wait
and see.
* * *
Christina Rocca, the U.S. Assistant Secretary
of State for South Asian Affairs has completed her more than a week's visits to three
South Asian countries of Nepal, Pakistan and India. She has, indeed, endeared the people
of Nepal by assuring the Nepalese that the United States has no intention of looking at
Nepal through the prism of any other nation. During her short stay in Nepal, she had to
keep a hectic program of meeting with and talking to a horde of people including the King,
the politicians, the bureaucrats, the journalists etc. Her emphasis on stabilizing of
democracy in Nepal is well understood. At the same time, the poor people of Nepal want the
Untied States to impress upon the Nepalese politicians to work for the country and the
people and stop the rampant corruption that is hurting the nation badly. Since the United
States, as the leading global power bears the responsibility of maintaining and restoring
peace in troubled areas, where ever they be in the world, they can no longer drag their
feet in solving the Kashmir issue that is directly affecting the development of one of the
poorest regions of the world including Nepal, for more than five decades. As the champions
of Human Rights, the United States must take appropriate measures to restore human rights
to the Kashmiri people. It is their fundamental right to choose their own destiny. The
vexatious issue of Kashmir has destabilised the very economy of the South Asian region and
poor Nepalese want this problem to be resolved once for all. Since it cannot be solved
bilaterally by Pakistan and India, there is no other alternative but the United Nations to
take it up urgently. We do trust Christina Rocca would impress upon the Bush government to
expeditiously reactivate the dormant U.N. resolution in the Security Council. Even small
Nepal is being plagued by the Maoist issurrection. As a good friend to Nepal, the United
States must use its good offices, and if necessary its heavy influence, with the forces
that are helping the Maoists in Nepal to stop all their nefarious activities. The Nepalese
people are expectantly waiting to see this positive repercussion of Christina Rocca's
visit to Nepal.
| Chief-Editor & Publisher |
: Madhav Kumar Rimal |
| Editor |
: Sarita Rimal |
| Managing Editor |
: Keshab Poudel |
| Associate Editor |
: Bhagirath Yogi |
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: Sanjaya Dhakal |
| Reporter |
: Akshay Sharma |
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: Nishchal Chapagain |
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