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EDITOR'S NOTE In a little more than two weeks after the
declaration of emergency, the Royal Nepal Army seems to be in command of the situation.
Since there is no other source of information except whatever is leaked on by the official
spokesman, we are not in a position to assess the exact situation. The incoherent reports
that sometimes trickle in through the peoples living at the scene of incidents do not
always conform to official reports. Still, there seems to be little doubt that the Maoists
are at the receiving end. Even though most of Nepal's friends have supported the steps
taken by the Deuba government to quell terrorism, their acquiescence to the imposition of
emergency cannot be taken for granted. The suspension of the fundamental rights and the
curbs on press freedom generated by the promulgation of emergency could hamper the normal
development and maintenance of democratic norms and behavior, if continued for longer
period. This kind of apprehensions were clearly voiced by an eminent visitor recently.
Ronald Camp the U.S. Deputy Asst. Secretary in charge of South Asian Affairs was in the
capital in connection with his three nation fact finding mission, and met a small section
of Nepalese press. Although he did not spell it out in clear terms but his misgivings at
the clamping of emergency in the country were quite evident. Since the imposition of
emergency could also be politically motivated, apart from the requirement of the
exigencies prevailing in the country, to imagine that the government might try to lengthen
it as far as they can would not be totally out of context. It, of course, has direct
bearing on the quelling of the violent and terroristic activities of the Maoists. Were it
not for the topography, the porous border and the unqualified support the Maoists might be
receiving, the Royal Nepal Army is fully capable of crushing the rebellion is shortest
possible, time. Even though Nepal's southern neighbor has assured fullest cooperation to
fight terrorism, the freedom the Maoist rebels are enjoying in their travel there is quite
incomprehensible. H.M.G. of Nepal must address this issue expeditiously if they want
quicker resolution of the vexing problem. Nepalese politicians should not only cringe for
favor. They must also be able to stand up for their rights. * * * The capital recently witnessed a glittering
conference of South Asia Foundation inaugurated by no less a person than the Prime
Minister of Nepal, the redoubtable Shere Bahadur Deuba. The secular no profit and
non-political youth movement for regional cooperation among SAARC countries, is the brain
child of Madanjeet Singh, the UNESCO Goodwill ambassador. The Rainbow Partnership
Organizations in the seven SAARC countries, guided by their respective chairmen and
advisory boards, are responsible for funding and extending the needed support to SAARC
governments working on IT related projects to promote education and development. The
enthusiasm of Singh to found the Foundation is indeed, very commendable. But looking at
the sorry scenario of its elder brother, the SAARC, there is very little possibility for
the Foundation to generate big ardor in the peoples of the SAARC countries. Indeed, the
few intellectuals associated with the RB organizations might be enthused. Would it not
have been better had they pooled their efforts and contributed them to make SAARC more
productive? Given the constraints and misgivings that are plaguing the earlier regional
organization, how can one feel reassured that the child organization will bloom into a
robust entity? * *
* Many patriotic people very strongly believe
that the promulgation of emergency in the country could be well utilized by the government
not only to curb corruption but also to nab, investigate and punish the corrupt
politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and industrialists. The Prime Minister could never
find a better opportunity to start serious action against his erring colleagues. Can he
constitute a commission of honorable and honest non-political and non-bureaucratic
citizens to look into all kinds of corruption and empower with authority to punish even
the chief executive? The commission's verdict must be final so that corrupt people might
not escape the punishment. If he has no dirty linen to hide the Prime Minister must bring
out the required ordinance and start action against corruption without delay. Will he
prove his bona fide?
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