It seems the failure of
all the governments formed after the dissolution of the House to start meaningful peace
dialogue with the Maoists has turned the Nepali politicians into befogged crows. They
cannot dare see the plain truth before their eyes and are chasing their individual
objectives being totally blinded by their vile personal interests. If some want the
reinstatement of the House, some want the government to continue while still others want
general elections. And there is no dearth of those who want King Gyanendra to take over
completely, enforce emergency or even martial law. They all know none of these can lead
the country to a lasting peace and normalcy. And they also are fully aware that
without their good friend India's sincere cooperation Nepal will never be able to resolve
this problem that is leading the country to total destruction. Even though it is not very
difficult to see through the Indian design or game plan, Nepali rulers, statesmen and
politicians refuse to stand up to defend their national interests. Lack of moral and
ethical values and total absence of patriotic sentiments have always induced them to give
in to temptations and pressures. For a small country like Nepal, India-locked in three
sides - east, west and the south, only intense patriotism, dedication and honesty can
contribute towards its survival and economic development. And this has been fully
substantiated by the experiences of the last fifty-seven years. If we fail to take lessons
from history even god will not be able to help us. Since there can be no permanent friends
or foes in state to state relations, and all countries big and small pursue policies to
safeguard and advance their country's interests, we would not blame India even for her
blatant duplicity. And it is also true that a small country like Nepal will find it
difficult to resist the pressures of giants like India. And when her pliant politicians
take pride in serving the interests of their alien benefactors, the country suffers even
more. As such we do need the help and cooperation of strong and influential friends to
fend off uncalled for pressures. If we cannot impress ourselves we have to build up
pressure blocs. But Nepal's influential friends only take recourse to pay lip service.
They also know which side of their bread is buttered. And Nepali statesmen and politicians
miserably fail to advocate their case. Democracy and Human Rights are, indeed, nice
sounding phrases but not for empty stomachs. Instead of putting pressures on the principal
cause of all troubles, the talk of Democracy and Human Rights does not only sound vacant
and hollow but hypocritical as well. Consequently, in the present situation in Nepal, it
is only the King who can come to her rescue. If and when he visits New Delhi, which is
supposed to be soon, he has to strongly take this issue with friendly India. A few million
dollars aid is no recompense for patronizing the ongoing civil war that has devastated our
poor country. Permitting training camp for the Nepali Maoist insurgents and helping Nepal
fight the Maoists at the same time is the worst form of duplicity, which the world
community would not fail to take note. Even the Maoist leaders must choose whether they
would like to be rulers in an independent country or a vassal state. For King Gyanendra
there is no option but to replace the incompetent government before he visits New Delhi.
As it is, without peace and normalcy, there can be no elections and without elections
there can be no representative government. As such, the one and only priority, at the
moment for King Gyanendra, the Nepali people and Nepal's good friends is to impress upon
New Delhi the utter imperativeness to use their good offices to bring the Maoist leaders
to the negotiating table. |
