Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

At a time when the whole country is almost at the Virgo of total collapse and when every Nepali should be exerting to bring the devastating civil war to most speedy end, the unscrupulous Nepalese politicians in the ruling and opposition parties have started fighting whether the Emergency, clamped almost sex months back, should be extended or not. These politicians, who are directly responsible for plunging our poor country into this unenviable situation should be dealt with first before we started any kind of dialogues with the Maoists insurgents. In the last more than twelve years after the restoration of democracy, these self-oriented men have exposed themselves to their bones and there should be no doubt, whatsoever in our minds that unless we get rid of these undesirables our country cannot forge ahead. In the name of democracy they have looted the country like no Tamer Lane or Nadir Shah would have done. They have abused democracy to such an exent that except a few thousand cronies who are their partners in their crimes, the over whelming Nepalese people have become disillusioned with the multi-party democracy. And if some very drastic steps are not taken without delay and these enemies of real democracy are not meted out proper punishments and put into the jails, there will be no deliverance for the people. We have again and again exhorted the King to act. He has the support of the overwhelming patriotic Nepalese people and the loyal patriotic and world famous Nepalese army. Those who know King Gyanendra well are not only impressed but absolutely convinced that he is whole heartedly committed to the role of a constitution monarch like his most illustrious brother the late King Birendra. At the same time he seems to be most worried a the behavior of Nepalese politicians. As a person on whom hinges the overall responsibility of defending the sovereignty of the nation, King Gyanendra will not prevaricate to take necessary action. The exigency of the situation may not only support the extention of the Emergency. It might go one step ahead and even demand promulgation of martial law. Since we have implicit faith in the wisdom of King Gyanendra, we do hope he will not hesitate to act at the right time. We also think that friendly India can play a very effective role in bringing this horrid situation to an early end. It is very unfortunate for us to state we have failed to impress our friend in the south in any way. We had thought a person who is suffering from similar problems would be sensitive to same kind of problems others were suffering from. But, strange enough big Indians do not have any sympathy for their smaller and weaker neighbor. They unabashedly keep on harboring the Maoist leaders and the would leaders keep mum. Since we are being severely affected we have to keep on egging our friendly big and powerful neighbor not to harass us. It will not pay at the end. We will keep our fingers crossed that someday our good friends will see reason and handover the Maoist terrorists to Nepal and help Nepal restore peace in their small country.

The feuding nations of South Asia-Pakistan and India seem to be facing the most explosive situation at the moment. Many think that a mis-statement or a false step might embroil them into a full fledged war. Since India broke Pakistan in 1971, situation between the two countries had never been so volatile although it was never easy. So far they have already fought three wars. But in this new millennium situation in the region as well as the in the world is totally different. If both Pakistan and India have become nuclear powers, the cold war has ended and the world, at the moment, is unpopular. And these are very decisive factors. Rhetorics may be quite effective for home consumption. But sound reason will never prompt the belligerents to go into war. Border skirmishes were there, are there and will be there. But as long the root cause of the enmity between the two bigger countries of the region is resolved, these kinds of tensions, may be even more provocative, will continue to the ultimate detriment of smaller nations of South Asia.

Ever since the colonial power with drew from the subcontinent leaving Kashmir as the bone of contention between Pakistan and India, the subcontinent has never known prolonged peace. And in the three wars they fought, neither side could be said to have emerged as clear winner despite the fact that Pakistan was dismembered in the he last. Since no power seems to have the courage to suggest the implementation of the 1948 U.N. resolution on Kashmir, for a plebiscite the Kashmir problem will keep on generating bad blood between the two neighbors. Where are the volatries of democracy and human rights gone? How can the people of Kashmir be denied the birth right of choosing their own destiny? If East Timoreaus could do it, why not the Kashmiris? Trading of changes, both by the Pakistanis and the Indians will continue Indian blames Pakistan of supporting insurgency in Kashmir while Pakistan counter changes India of state terrorism. Even the recent death of Harriet leader Abdul Gani Lone has generated vicious controversies. Consequently, no long the United Nations does not phick courage to implement its own resolution, South Asia will always be plagued by such tensions.