Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

That the Election Commission has ultimately announced to give official recognition to Koirala faction of the Nepali Congress must be hailed as one of the very few just and correct decisions made by Nepalís Constitutional bodies in Nepalís modern history. Whatever the reasons or whether done under any kind of pressure, the decision to us however, seems most appropriate and unbiased. Not that we have any kind of liking or soft corner for the Koirala faction. As a matter of fact, Koirala (Girija Prasad) is the worst evil influence in Nepalís politics after the restoration of democracy and must be held responsible for the present political destabilization in Nepal. But, as far the decision by the E.C. over the dispute of the two factions of the Nepali Congress Party is concerned, we think, the E.C. has made no mistake and must be commended for it. Actually, Deuba faction is only a breakaway clique of power hungry thugs and should have been dismissed from the government long back. Since Nepal is a place where strange things, which have no logical standing, do happen, Deuba government is still enjoying a free hand to aggravate the miseries of the poor people. With the general elections knocking at the door, the Election Commission must be overwhelmed with problems of conducting a free and fair poll. Even though skepticism about an impartial polling must be plaguing the minds of non-committed Nepalese, the recent decision of the E.C. should rise some hopes that this present set up at the E. C. may bring some revolutionary changes in the working pattern of the Commission. Time only will show how far these hopes would be realized.

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The general elections in Nepal is getting closer each passing day. The political parties, the administration, the would be candidates and the voters all, however, seem to be in a quandary. The ineptitude of the government to control the insurgency in the country has generated an atmosphere of skepticism whether the government will be, at all, able to conduct the elections. If it does, what kind of elections will that be? Can any one expect a free and fair election from a corrupt and degenerate government? As a matter of fact, the government, which has lost control on greater part of the country, should have resigned much earlier. No wonder they did not because this kind of behavior can happen only in countries ruled by men of integrity and character. The King should have dismissed the government to save the people from the misrule. But guided by idealism of Constitutional Monarchy, the King too seems averse to take any precipitate action. Since he is the only one who can save the country from the clutches of the anti-national politicians, the Nepalese people need have no misgivings that King Gyanendra will ever fail the country. Destiny has devolved on him the sacred duty of leading his people to peace and progress. The Nepalese people can rest assured that King Gyanendra will never hesitate to do the right thing at the right time. They just have to bear with him.

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The anniversary of 9/11 here has passed off without any serious mishap. Even though an average American looks quite normal and goes about his routine work without much ado, he seems unable to shake off a certain tenseness generated by the lurking but invisible panic. The belligerency of President George W. Bush, who is spoiling for a pre-emptive action against Iraq, may inspire emotional instinct of patriotism, but stark reality of the possible repercussions make him quite apprehensive. Many dispassionate Americans believe that extirpation of Saddam Hussein may not be the correct way of rooting out terrorism from the world. On the contrary, it might work as a boomerang and contribute to strengthening of the determination of Muslim fundamentalists to hurt America and the Americans. Indeed, terrorism has to be fought tooth and nail. No effort by any country must be spared to root out corruption from the very face of the Earth. As such, instead of going it alone, the United States must win the confidence and cooperation of all the bigger and smaller nations of the world who are either suffering from terrorism or facing potential threat. Even if they have the capability of doing it all by themselves, they should not overlook or ignore their friends and sympathizers. Besides, the United States cannot afford to stay indifferent to similar problems smaller nations are facing. These are the days of global trials and tribulations. Common problems have got to be resolved by common endeavors.