Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

That the Maoist rebels have made life miserable for the people of Nepal no one will deny. That the economy of the country has been badly mauled by the indiscriminate and insensitive vandalism and murders and killings of the Maoists adversely affecting all social, economic and commercial activities is there for everybody to see. And that these very Maoist rebels are not only enjoying the warm hospitality of our powerful and giant neighbor in the south but are also being abetted and proffered all kinds of direct and indirect help is also an established fact beyond a ray of doubt. The assertions of Kathmandu based Indian diplomats that India is doing its utmost to help Nepal combat the Maoists is the glaring example of diplomatic chicanery. Since India, with her unlimited resources which Nepal cannot match, has always been resorting to utterly baseless publicity against her tiny neighbor, she has taken recourse to same kind of blatant lies to hoodwink Nepal's friends who are getting concerned at India's callous behavior. It is needless to emphasize that not only the Nepalese people but the world community also is finding it hard to swallow even a small fraction of India's hollow publicity and vacant rhetorics. Had the Indian really wanted to help their smaller neighbor, whom they never tire calling a traditional friend, the Maoist insurgents would not be roaming freely in India granting interviews to international media and the vexing problem would have been nipped in the bud. But to serve their ulterior motives such deceitful assertions have become a way of Indian policy towards Nepal. Nepal is used to such Indian behavior. The Maoist rebels have rightly contributed to unmasking India's real face to the world. Adding insult to injury, the leading daily of India which generally tows the South Block line, when Nepal is concerned, has shown its cheeky solicitude at the situation persisting in Nepal in its leader of 18 November 2002. The prestigious publication, with, perhaps, the largest circulation in India has never missed an opportunity to embarrass and malign Nepal with all kinds of concocted and jaundiced reportings and comments. Since the memories of the Indian Military Mission in Nepal are still fresh in many Nepalese minds and if the behavior of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka and the victorious Indian army in Bangladesh are any lessons not to be forgotten, the publication can rest assured that its mentors would not be bothered with any S.O.S. We would still humbly suggest that India must become sincerely sensitive about the situation in Nepal and genuinely extend her friendly hands towards her to restore normalcy in the troubled country. Despite all Indian rhetorics, relations between the two countries are at a very low ebb at the moment and should not be permitted to sink below the stable minimum. And the renowned publication must renounce the practice of aggravating the emotions. We would have appreciated had it shown some deference, at least, to our Head of State. It is very hurting to see a newspaper of its stature not abiding by the simple but basic journalistic ethics. Anyway, we would like to reassure our concerned friend that, if need be, Nepal can fall back upon some reliable friends who are not hypocrites. The publication should also do well to concentrate on setting its own house in order. Physician, heal thyself.

* * *

Our congratulations must go to Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, who has kept his promise to the letter of transferring power to an elected government. Thus he has set to rest the apprehensions and misgivings harbored by many who wanted to see Pakistan troubled by unstable politics. It is true that the general still faces tough domestic challenges and the threats of a full scale war with its powerful adversary. All kudos to Gen. Musharraf that despite such stupendous problems he steadfastly stuck to his promise and restored the parliamentary democracy in Pakistan. It is, indeed, a big feather in his cap. That President Musharraf along with his people has set an example not to pay any heed to senseless and biased criticisms should not be lost on the leaders and the people of Nepal. While felicitating Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on being elected to the prestigious post of the Prime minister of Pakistan, we do trust Pakistan will forge ahead under the new dispensation and strongly contribute towards strengthening solidarity amongst all nations of South Asia.