EDITOR'S NOTE
The unwarranted delay in reaching a
mutually satisfactory solution is only contributing to generate a vicious situation which
will help neither the Maoists nor the Deuba led Nepali Congress government. If the Maoists
are trying to cash in on the weaknesses of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, naturally
they could not be faulted. That Prime Minister Deuba has miserably failed to exploit the
extra-ordinary global situation and force the Maoists to accept his terms is a clear
manifestation of his imbecility cannot be denied. At a time when the whole world is
suffering from extreme recession and Nepal's economy in particular is almost at the verge
of bankruptcy, the insensitive expansion of his cabinet, totally ignoring all national
constraints, has only helped to demonstrate his insatiable greed for power and authority.
Moreover, even after four months in office he seems to be quite far from achieving his
only mandate — the solution of the Maoist problem. His utter failure to impress upon
Nepal's traditional friend not to grant sanctuary to the Maoists, who have been arraigned
as terrorists by them, exposes his disinclination to solve the problem, and might even
prove the lurking doubts in many minds that he might be harboring some sympathy for them.
Since the early end of this vexing issue has become most imperative, if the country is to
get back to the rails, Prime Minister Deuba should lose no time in pressurizing the
Maoists to agree to a reasonable solution. Since the country cannot wait
indefinitely Deuba has to act sine mora. If he cannot rise up to the occasion, surely
Nepali Congress has some more young men with better credentials, better morals and better
dynamism.
Time may be running out even for the
Maoists. By dilly-dallying to arrive at a settlement, the Maoist leadership is not
only loosening its grip but also eroding its image with the local populace. There was a
time when a large section of even the intellectual Nepalese community looked up to the
Maoist leadership to replace the so called democratic leadership that did not hesitate to
rape the country. The poor people in remote areas hailed them as saviors. But the
unimaginative excesses in loot, abduction and murder committed by the Maoist cadre have
not only struck severe blow to their popularity but started generating extreme revulsion
towards them. It seems Maoist leadership has become sensitive towards such happenings and
has made attempts to control their cadres. The Maoist leadership should never lose sight
of the truth that extremism and violence never pay in the end. At a time when the whole
country is groping for honest patriotic leadership, the Maoist leaders could have met the
aspirations of the Nepalese people had, they resorted to mainstream politics. It seems
they have missed the bus. Not only that, if the reports published in some local weeklies
are correct, they are giving in to bravadoes that will take them nowhere and only expose
their immaturity. Instead of sticking to unattainable and illogical demands, the Maoist
must negotiate with one objective — dismissal of puppet antinational government and
formation of a caretaker government of honest and patriotic people representing all
sections of Nepalese society that will conduct next election that will be free and fair.
Our poor country has been plagued by destabilising activities of the invisible inimical
forces for more than a decade and if all the patriotic forces do not join hands to fight
this evil, the very existence of the nation might be at stake. Will the Maoist leaders
take up the gauntlet and come forward to unite with the nationalist forces to save the
sovereignty and independence of the country?
| Chief-Editor & Publisher |
: Madhav Kumar Rimal |
| Editor |
: Sarita Rimal |
| Managing Editor |
: Keshab Poudel |
| Associate Editor |
: Bhagirath Yogi |
| Senior Reporter |
: Sanjaya Dhakal |
| Reporter |
: Akshay Sharma |
| Photographer |
: Nishchal Chapagain |
| Editorial Office |
: GPO Box 7256,Baluwatar,Kathmandu, Nepal. |
| Telephone |
: 977 1 423 127 |
| Fax |
: 977 1 417 845 |
| email |
: spotligh@mos.com.np |
|
