Forum (Spotlight Weekly)

My Sojourn to The United States

By Madhav Kumar Rimal

Thirteen years after the Desert Storm and more than two years after 9-11, the Americans are living constantly in fear of terrorist attacks. Gone are the days of gay abandon. Superficially everything looks normal. But the discerning eyes can always find the pervading sense of fear and insecurity that has badly affected the very lifestyle of the American people. This is specially true of big cities like New York and Washington. Smaller towns and places in the countryside are comparatively free of such feelings and apprehensions. But, on the whole, misgivings and mistrusts against all foreigners have gained momentum. The spirit of spontaneous bonhomie and camaraderie that characterized the American behavior towards all foreign visitors to their country has suddenly given way to suspicion. This is more apparent at airport terminals. If they have beefed up security all around it must be quite understandable. As the only super power they have taken upon themselves the ultimate responsibility to maintain global peace. This needs eradication of terrorism from the face of the world. The U.S. efforts to fight terrorism in the world has generated mixed reaction, even in the United States. If there is evident resentment in some communities, an overwhelming section of the American people also seems to be suffering from the notion that U.S. policies in the Middle East and the Arab countries have contributed to fan anti-American feelings, specially amongst the Muslims. The invasion of Iraq by the United States in collaboration with her limited allied forces which naturally caused deaths of American soldiers has not been able to win overwhelming support of the American people. The acts of terrorism and various threats by the Al Qaeda terrorists has generated almost panicky situation. Even the Christmas season seemed devoid of the traditional carefree happy and charitable atmosphere. Unfortunate deaths of their loved ones thousands of miles away from home and cancellation of flights at the eleventh hour due to security threats preventing them from getting home for family reunions and merry makings greatly dampened the joyous spirit. Even a hoax phone call would cause a theater hall to empty in minutes. Cancellation of concerts and exhibitions due to terrorist threats continues to divest all fun out of the lives of thousands of art lovers. On the whole, a general bitterness against the war in Iraq which is taken as the principal cause of sad disruption in their normal life can be easily felt. Even though the capture of Saddam Hussain seems to have buoyed up the spirit of politicians, especially the Republicans and they are manifesting greater confidence in this election year, the unrelenting terrorist threats of Osama bin Laden are looming on the horizon as specters. Opposition Democratic politicians have started warming up for the nomination to contest against the incumbent President in the ensuing Presidential elections. Bush, who enjoys a certain edge, at the moment, might have to face rough sailing and if American soldiers keep dying in Iraq and threats of international terrorism are not effectively stemmed, Bush's aspirations of a second term might be dashed and the Democrats might romp in. But, which ever party might rule the United States, there can hardly be any remarkable change in their foreign policy. It is presumed in many knowledgeable quarters that the pro-Israel policy of the United States has contributed to the generation of extremist views amongst many Muslim nations to a considerable extent. And whether anti-Americanism will ever die out and the world will become totally free of anti-U.S. terrorists no one can venture to guarantee. Consequently the Americans have to go on strengthening their anti-terrorist measures irrespective of the fact that they are sure to harass even their friends. As such, the inconveniences faced by the visitors to the United States have to be taken in the right spirit, sympathetically to the U.S. compulsions.

As far the average American is concerned, he is least interested in the bilateral relations of the United States with smaller countries like Nepal. Perhaps, many might not even have any idea of the geographical situation of Nepal and what is its strategic importance to the United States. But those small number of Americans who seem to be interested in such affairs too are not fully cognizant with Nepal's predicaments. And it seems evident that neither His Majesty's Government of Nepal or its representatives appointed to project its compulsions and requirements and safeguard its interests have made any serious endeavors to enlighten them. But, it came as a big surprise to this scribe when this small faction of friendly Americans manifested keen interest in Nepal's rich hydro power potential and their eagerness to become partners in harnessing them. At the same time their total ignorance about the Maoist insurgency in Nepal and the open sanctuary they have been enjoying in the neighboring friendly country was quite galling. Despite the U.S. governments avowed commitment to fight global terrorism, they came as a shock. It also exposed the nonchalance of the Nepali mission at Washington. They might be facing financial constraints but looking at the importance of the news, these constraints must have been overcome and they must have taken appropriate steps to educate the American people. It is undeniably true that all nations, big and small, are guided by their own interests and would hardly overlook them to cater to the needs of their not so important allies. But the HMG mission, whose one and only job is to safeguard its country's interests must have taken all necessary steps to project such events of considerable national importance. Another experience that was quite disconcerting was the wrong impression harbored by many American friends that the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal was a theocratic state and there was little or no religious tolerance in Nepal. It was mostly the missionaries and related organizations that were spreading such baseless news because they had experienced obstacles in their missionary jobs. It would not be irrelevant to state here that the constitution of Nepal prohibits all kinds of conversions. And it is needless to mention that the main function of the missionaries is to convert poor Nepalis by throwing out various temptations. These kinds of erroneous misinformations have got to be rectified which only the Nepali Mission in the U.S.A. can do. The government in power must lose no time in initiating measures for that purpose.

This sojourn to USA also provided me a good opportunity of meeting some non-resident Nepalis (NRNs) and read their minds. Since the United States is a huge country and the NRNs are living and working practically in all the fifty states, it was quite impossible to travel to all the states and meet them. But one can come to dependable conclusions by the process of random sampling. Indeed, many NRNs have been living there for a long time and seem to be well off. Whether they are willing and sincere to come back and serve their country of origin, no body could say for sure. If their behavior and relationship with their expatriate brethren is any index, even to imagine such a possibility would be nothing but foolish. Unfortunately the majority of them have not yet been able to shed off their original character and imbibe virtues of their adopted country. To expect that the NRNs would also follow the steps of other non-resident Asians, would be rather far fetched. We must rather be able to inspire our own diplomatic representatives to exert more to become productive. This would entail upon HMG to be quite objective in assigning our envoys. Our representatives to that great country must be imbued with the sprit of service and work to further the interests of the motherland and should not only give in to enjoy good living. As such, a greater objectivity has to be practiced in making their appointments.