National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Koirala Speaks

Criticizing the decision to limit the role of the Royal Nepalese Army, Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala defends the institution

By KESHAB POUDEL

After maintaining a strident anti-army posture for more than one and half years, former prime minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has criticized the understanding reached between the government and the Maoists to restrict the role of Royal Nepalese Army (RNA).

"The agreement to limit the role of the RNA to the five-kilometer range from its barracks is an anti-national and irresponsible decision," said Koirala, addressing reporters at the residence of his daughter Sujata. "Such a move will weaken and discourage the country's oldest and prestigious institution."

Koirala : On the defense

Although many were surprised to discover Koirala's turnaround, his firm stand on the role of the RNA is genuine. "If the army is put under the control of parliament, no individual can take such decisions and humiliate the force," Koirala thundered.

Koirala's statement sent shock waves in the government's negotiating team. Although the government has not come out with an official statement on the new decision, which was released to the public by the Maoist side after the second round of peace talks, there was said to be open dispute among ministers on the issue.

"Had the country been ruled by elected representatives, the government would have never gone to such an unfortunate extent," Koirala said. "As the country is under a government nominated by the King, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, who also holds the portfolio of defense, does not have to bear any responsibility and accountability on such a major national issue," Koirala said.

Along with Koirala, senior Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leaders Rabindra Nath Sharma and Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani criticized the decision, saying that it divides Nepal's sovereignty. They also urged the government to clarify its stand.

As long as the country remains without an elected government accountable to the people, the RNA will not have strong political backing to defend its role. Despite negligence for nearly 10 years after the restoration of multiparty democracy 1990, it was the elected Nepali Congress government led by prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba that initiated the process of modernizing the army.

At a time when the Chand government is ignoring the role of the RNA by agreeing to restrict its role, Koirala came out to put pressure on the government to defend the army.

"Defending the RNA, Girijababu has taken what is the first positive and constructive step in the last one and half years of his political career," said a political analyst. "If Girijababu had not asked Deuba to withdraw the proposal on extending the state of emergency within 24 hours, the country would not have had to face the present political stalemate."

The RNA regards the institution of monarchy as its symbol of power and the king as the supreme commander. Ironically, the government nominated by the King himself agreed to limit its role. It fell upon a diehard opponent of the RNA like Koirala to defend the forces.

Whenever an unaccountable and weak government takes the reins of power, the RNA finds itself in a defenseless position. With the formation of the Chand government, the monarchy and the RNA, the country's two oldest institutions, have to defend themselves.

Even after the involvement of the monarchy in the heated political controversy, the RNA maintained its identity as a neutral and law-abiding institution. But the RNA's statement on Sunday denouncing political parties only gave ample room for critics of the force.

"Where was the prime minister and defense minister, who is supposed to defend the monarchy and the RNA, when five members of his cabinet, including Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal, gave consent to restrict the role of army?" asked a political analyst. "The role of Deputy Prime Minister Mandal - who has mobilized the police to quell the peaceful agitation of major political parties - is dubious."

Despite his anti-army posturing, Koirala has shown that he can stand up for the cause of the RNA whenever someone makes efforts to restrict its role.

When major political forces do not recognize their strengths and weaknesses, the country would inevitably be dragged into deep trouble. Democracy and accountable government can safeguard Nepal's national unity and integrity by defending the institution of monarchy and Royal Nepalese Army - two oldest and respected institutions. Octogenarian leader Koirala's statement is an indication.