The United States ambassador to
Nepal, James F. Moriarty speaking to a Nepali daily a few days ago said, "I think
there has been a big change over the past year" in Indian attitude vis-à-vis the
Nepali Maoists, and "Indian policies are reflecting it." Coming from the
redoubtable ambassador of the lone super power in the world, the statement should not only
have carried a lot of weight but ultimate credibility also. But the overwhelming Nepalis
are finding it very hard to swallow the statement even with a pinch of salt. He has
further stated, "the government, civil society and the media in India have all begun
to realize that the Maoists not only pose a threat to Nepal but also pose a threat to
stability in larger parts of India." It is not possible for us to ascertain how big a
threat the Nepali Maoists are posing to "stability in larger parts of India."
The ambassador, with his unlimited and unfailing sources of information is, indeed, well
qualified to make those statements. As far we are concerned we know India has been
fighting a secessionist insurgency in her north east and relentless Kashmir war in the
north west apart from periodical regional flare ups ever since her independence in 1947
and they have not affected her stability at all. Unlike Nepal, her size and her might
would never permit any kind of insurgency to pose any threat to her stability. If at all,
the Nepali Maoists can only give them some kind of minor headaches. Moreover, Indian
security is not that fragile as to let the Maoists bore any hole in it. Be that as it may,
what is most interesting for us is the keen concern the United States has started to show
for an early end of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal. The crux of the matter is how? By
force of arms of through dialogues? The disinterestedness the Maoists have shown to the
call for dialogue given by the Deuba government clearly blows open their mindset. They
don't seem to be eager to negotiate with a satellite government. They want to deal with
the authority that can take the final decision. Since Nepal is slowly inching towards
total destruction and would undoubtedly become a 'failed state' necessitating direct
outside interference if the Maoists are not brought to the negotiating table at the
earliest, it has become imperative that the US ambassador used his good offices and his
clout to redeem the situation. We have, time and again, exhorted Nepal's good friend, the
United States, to impress upon their friend and Nepal's close neighbor - the Indians - to
extend their unstinted cooperation to solve the vexing problem. But our weak exhortation
has not been able to generate a ripple. With our five decades long experience, we cannot
become as optimistic as ambassador Moriarty about the change in the Indian mindset. The
simple English proverb that ' the wearer only knows where the shoe pinches' would testify
us. Moreover, we can neither be sanguine that the change that some think is visible in
both the Maoists' and the Indians' behavior and attitude, is genuine and not orchestrated.
We are, indeed, very grateful to the United States for their help in money and material to
fight the insurgency. But, events around the world have clearly demonstrated how difficult
it is to tame terrorism, even for the mightiest power. Consequently, it is needless to
emphasize that Nepal needs help and cooperation from its friends and grit and
determination from its own people to impress the Maoists to come to dialogue.
Unfortunately, Nepal's populace have become totally scared by the awesome behavior of the
Maoists and have become helpless to offer any resolute stand. Besides, the open and porous
border and the unabashed double standard of the friendly neighbor have only contributed to
exacerbate the situation. On top of all that the absence of a government that can command
respect and uninhibited support of the people is only helping to worsen the situation. We
do know, with the ensuing presidential elections and other global commitments, the hands
of the US government are pretty full. We also know that the United States cannot overlook
its own interests in order to extricate smaller friends like Nepal from her perilous
predicaments. Since the majority of the people in Nepal and the establishment also do look
upon the United States to deliver them from the unenviable imbroglio, ambassador Moriarty
must be able to convince the power that be that, in the present circumstances, Nepal needs
a strong, clean and patriotic government and not a government of branded corrupt
nincompoops. |
