Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

“Yours is a beautiful country. I have visited it a couple of times. But, I feel very sorry for it, the way it is sliding down towards the fourth world.” That was the stunning opinion of my physician who was examining me a few days ago. Fourth world indeed. Almost a failed state, surviving on grant, charity, others’ munificence and own brazenness. Except hanging my head in shame, I found no words to contradict him. And he was not the first person who said that. It is very humiliating to hear such deprecating remarks about the once proud country. But the biggest humiliation comes when the leaders entrusted to manage the affairs of the state feel no compunction whatsoever and pursue their self-centered ways being obsessed with their own vile interests. Their depravity has become so hardened that they have become totally immune to all criticisms and devoid of all sense of honor and dignity. How can any country even dream to move ahead with such leaders at the helms of affairs? King Gyanendra's unwillingness to take any kind of drastic action against the non-performing governments seems to be generating an impression that the palace mafia is getting too strong. Like the well known maxim “justice delayed is justice denied” the uncalled for delay in rectifying the rotting situation in the country will only contribute to alienate the staunch supporters of monarchy and help erode people’s faith in the new King. Any inaction in nipping such feelings in the bud cannot be conducive to the overall health of the poor country. It may only help strengthening the allegations of the corrupt and unscrupulous politicians that the palace is being guided by certain “grand designs”. King Gyanendra has always affirmed his inflexible faith in constitutional monarchy in a multi-party democracy. The greater the delay in handing over power to the elected representatives of the people the greater the chances of the country falling a prey to alien machinations. As it is, the big friendly neighbor is bent on aggravating the fragile political situation by blatantly encouraging the Maoists insurgents in their nefarious activities. Since all the politicians in power are all anti-national mercenaries, it is only the King who can take a proper and honorable stance to save the country from further devastation. There is no time to be lost. A bold decision at this juncture will not only save the country but also strengthen the institution of monarchy. And that only will meet the need of the hour and justify people’s faith in King Gyanendra’s leadership.

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President George W. Bush of the U.S.A. seems well determined to curb terrorism that has been disturbing the lives of the peoples, from the face of the world. Despite the mounting criticism against his invasion of Iraq and the unprecedented cold welcome ever faced by any American President during his state visit to the most dependable ally country, Bush is quite steadfast in his Iraq policy. His surprise and most secret visit to his forces in Iraq on the Thanksgiving Day has won him many encomiums. And indeed this was a wonderful gesture to boost the sagging morale of his fighting forces. The election year knocking on his doors, Bush has to make some positive gains in his fight against world terrorism if he wants to assure himself of re-election to the second term. His firm resolution to fight global terrorism must find irrefutable reflection in far away and small countries like Nepal also. The manner the Indian government is giving a blind eye to the Maoists insurgents taking refuge in Indian cities and mounting insurgencies against a friendly country should have provoked the U.S. officials not only in the U.S.A. but also in New Delhi and Kathmandu and they should have pressured the Indian government not to support such activities even indirectly. Their keeping mum over such blatant violations of international norms does not only discredit their overblown and vociferous outcry against global terrorism but jeopardizes the very solidarity of a small, peaceful friendly nation. Such behavior of the U.S. officials not only soils their images but also exposes their hypocrisy. How can smaller nations of the world repose their faith in their protestations if they fail to act accordingly? We do trust this note will get home and our good friends, the Americans will mend their behavior and come to the rescue of their smaller and weaker friends.