EDITOR'S NOTE

The Nepal Development Forum 2002, being held in Nepal for the first time has, indeed, become quite historic. In the background of national and international traumas, the devastating civil war that has almost wrecked the countryís economy beyond repair, the dirty game of power grabbing by corrupt and anti-national politicians whose appetite for ill gotten pelf never seems to satiate contributing to engulf the nation into a state of total political destabilisation providing opportunities for fishing in the troubled waters by interested parties and the unprecedented blistering criticism in the open international forum by one of the major donors, all have made the event very memorable. Dr. Mieko Nishimizu, vice president South Asia of the World Bank while addressing the opening ceremony of the forum narrated her sorry experiences during her travels in Nepal and warned that Nepal may become imprisoned in a vicious circle of bad governance. She also advised to break such circle with the help of change-oriented leaders. For that matter, even the European Heads of Mission in Kathmandu issued a statement on the eve of the Forum replete with similar criticisms and we quote ěpoverty is not the only root cause of the insurgency -- and consequently poverty reduction measures are only part of the solution. The low standard of governance at both central and the local level, is another major contributing factor. The widespread corruption at all levels of government not only deprives the population of financial resources for development and social improvement. It also reflects an unacceptable neglect at political level of the apparent needs and aspiration of the people.î These are all very strong words throwing more than sufficient light on the behavior of the government. We need not have to emphasize that we have been even harsher critic of the blatant corruption and bad governance persisting in the governments that came to power after the restoration of democracy some twelve years back flouting the high aspirations of the poor Nepalese. Since Nepalese media has still not attained the stature to pressurise the government, the Nepalese politicians have been ignoring them blatantly. We have been even exhorting our donor friends for some years to twist the arms of Nepalese rulers. Even they had, so far, refused to take any notice. Had they heeded our advice, such an unpleasant situation could have been avoided. The donors should not overlook the fact that the politicians, whether good or bad, are only the representations of the people. Hence their castigation becomes the castigation of the people. If a handful of politicians take all the indignities lying down, the people and the country  do not. As such, the pride and sensitivity of the people and the nation must be respected. Extending cooperation to a needy country does not authorise any one to play with their national pride. If one cannot do it in good grace, such cooperation must stop immediately. We do spank our errant child whenever necessary but we do not like him to be spanked by others. 

Corruption and bad governance are common phenomenon in most developing countries of the Third World. And unless we are able to eradicate corruption and make substantial improvement in the quality of administration in those countries, we will never be able to achieve the goals for which the United Nations Organization was established some fifty seven years ago. Since it will not be possible without the affluent and developed countries coming to the help of the poorer and needier countries, let all bilateral and multi lateral aids be channeled through the U.N. only. And the U.N. can constitute commissions to investigate the behavior of the recipient countries and frame necessary regulations for good governance. This process may also stem the criticism of the developing countries that the donor agencies take back loping countries that the donor agencies take back the lion's share of the aid. If the affluent north is sincere to change the fate of the underprivileged south they cannot lose any time to find better ways and means which would enable the developing countries achieve optimum benefits from their aids. Big disparity in the life style and object poverty not only generate resentment but could also be said to be the mother of terrorism. It is always better to do away with the causes of criticisms rather than resort to harsh criticisms which only widens the gulf of hatred. Hope those concerned will take note.

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