EDITOR'S NOTE
The terrorist attacks on
the twin World Trade Center towers and Pentagon in New York and Washington
DC have proved that most unexpected and unimaginable things do happen in
this world. Who would have ever dreamt that the United States would be
attacked in this manner? The dastardly act that has cost thousands of
innocent lives and billions of dollars must not go unpunished. The trauma
generated by the inhuman acts of the terrorists, whoever they are, has
left no alternative for George W. Bush, President of the United States but
to take measures that would teach the miscreants a lesson which they will
never forget. In this hour of great distress and disaster all those
nations of the world who respect human values and cherish peace and
prosperity for themselves and others have to offer their unstinted support
to the President of the United States to root out the evil of terrorism
from the face of the world. This could, indeed, be a very tall order. But
no stone must be left unturned and twelve billion hands must be joined to
totally eradicate this plague. And this is the most opportune time when
countries who are helping, overtly or covertly, terrorists to destabilise
situation in smaller neighboring countries stop their nefarious
activities. Small Nepal is also suffering from the terrorism of the
Maoists. And it is being reported that they are not only getting
encouragement and safe haven in the friendly country of India but they are
being supplied with all kinds of financial assistance and hardware. It is
still not very clear whether the government there is involved. But, as a
friendly neighbor Nepal expects the Indian government not to provide any
kind of sanctuary to the Maoists. As it is, there is already enough bad
blood, although not visible to unperceptive eyes, between the two
countries who boast of having age old friendly relations. The free use of
their territory to the Maoists the Indian government is permitting has
established their tacit approval and support. At a time when the whole
world is sitting up and making plans to crush terrorism wherever it has
raised its ugly head, our friends in South Block in New Delhi will retrain
from helping the terrorists in Nepal. Unless they cooperate with HMG of
Nepal in suppressing the Maoist terrorism in the Himalayan Kingdom, their
protestation of fighting terrorism will sound nothing but hollow.
Consequently we do trust our friends in the South will not hesitate to
extend their sincere cooperation to their smaller neighbor in the north to
fight the terrorism they are being plagued with and prove their bona fide,
not only to the Nepalese people but to the whole world. Any way, in this
hour of unprecedented disaster we, the people of this small country are
whole heartedly behind the United States in its endeavors to uproot
terrorism. All we can offer is moral support and prayers. As such, we do
pray to the Great God to grant courage and fortitude to all Americans who
have suffered to bear their losses and success in their endeavor to rid
the world of this deadly scourge.
The dialogue between the
Deuba government and the Maoists seems to be lengthening for no plausible
reason. Why cannot the Deuba government take a firm stand and force the
Maoists to arrive at an understanding is becoming a puzzle? They must know
that all kinds of negotiations must be carried out from the position of
strength. Wobbling knees can never achieve success in any kind of
dialogue. The changed global scenario regarding terrorism must have spelt
a big setback for the Maoists. If the Deuba government cannot exploit the
situation and bring the Maoists to a reasonable settlement, they have no
justification to stay in authority. They should not prolong the dialogue
purposelessly. We have, indeed, always advocated dialogue to solve this
problem. But, if the Maoists resort to intransigence, peaceful dialogue
might be jeopardized. Moreover, India's commitment to fight terrorism
wherever that happens may lend a big supportive hand to solve the Maoist
problem in Nepal. Nepal must ask India to stop providing sanctuary to the
Maoists. All that Prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba needs at this juncture
is a resolute mind and lots of guts -- qualities which he lacks to the
extreme. The Maoists cannot afford to go back to their violent activities.
They have no alternative but to forswear violence and join the mainstream
of political activities. The political leadership in authority is not only
corrupt but hated by the masses. People are looking for an honest and
patriotic leader - a messiah to deliver them from all these evil
politicians. This is a golden opportunity for the Maoist leaders to firmly
establish their bona fide. Can they rise up to the occasion?
| 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. |
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