National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

Lessening Confusion

The new government asserts it is prepared to talk as well as shoot unveiling a new shift in peace policy and projecting the posture of unity in action and words

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

In what is seen as a hardening posture of the government vis-à-vis the dialogue with the Maoists, the powerful vice chairman of the Council of Ministers Dr. Tulsi Giri has said that the government is willing to hold talks or go for armed solution, whichever suits its purpose of meeting the objectives laid down in the royal roadmap.

Dhakal : "We need one voice"

“The whole goal of the government is (fulfillment) of the royal proclamation,” said Dr. Giri, adding, “We will not shy away from doing anything to achieve that goal.”

The new government has shown ample indications that it would not present a ‘dithering’ posture. Home Minister Dan Bahadur Shahi making the first remarks since he was appointed in the post said that the government was not averse to seeking solution through negotiations. “But if the other side does not respond, then we will not sit back idly,” he had said.

In the royal proclamation, King Gyanendra has urged the persons who have taken wrong course to lay down their arms, stop terrorizing people, and join the mainstream of national politics. “If they continue the terrorism, people will not tolerate and the law will not leave them,” the King said. And this is the bottom line of the government.

In a conspicuous shift in the government attitude compared to the past governments, the new ministers have called for “one voice” not only among the government organs but also from the side of civil society and media. “As laid down in the royal proclamation, we are aware about the contribution and role of free media. Our only intention is to ensure that the terrorists do not feel strengthened. We believe that at a situation like this, the nation has to have a single voice,” said Information Minister and government spokesperson Tanka Dhakal.

Dr. Giri : "Need to follow royal roadmap"

He said that the government, as per the directives laid down in the royal proclamation, has opened the door for negotiations and is now awaiting the response from the Maoists. “Ball is in their court now,” Dhakal said, adding, “They should renounce terrorism and criminal activities and join the national mainstream.”

He rejected any possibility of the government writing another letter or making another appeal to the Maoists. “There is no confusion in the government. There is no question of whether to hold talks or not; whether to launch armed offensive or not. They have to join the path of peace. There is no alternative,” he said.

However, the security forces have already said that their morale has heightened after the formation of new government and cessation of confusing and conflicting remarks and statements from various quarters.

Minister Dhakal said that the public confidence was growing after the royal proclamation and because of that the effect of Maoist-imposed bandhs and blockades had substantially decreased across the country.

In order to foil the Maoist-called blockade in the highways, the security forces have been deployed massively. They are providing both the land as well as aerial escorting to ensure the uninterrupted supply of goods and flow of people.

In recent days after the royal proclamation, the Maoists have not shown any readiness to come for negotiations with the new government. As such, the future course for the country still appears to be difficult and fraught with risks.