In depth Analysis

What's in the Deuba talks with the Maoists?

Kathmandu: The revival of signatures of 58 congress MP's to precipitate a congress Parliamentary Committee meeting seeking no confidence motion against Parliamentary Party Leader and Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai is significant clearly in its timing. Obviously, a lay observer will point out that the party General Secretary Sushil Koirala has summoned the Party no confidence meeting when KPs declared supporter Sher Bahadur Deuba is out of town. Yet more perceptive observers will choose to comment the summon as a means also to help abort KPs preparation for a New Delhi visit. Again the political section will seek a nexus between the Parliamentary Committee meeting and the Royal Summons for a winter session of Parliament next week. But few commentators seem to have observed the possibility of the current Congress crisis linked with the official talks on Maoist issue. It is significant that KP instituted, Deuba headed commission on the Maoist problem is said to have concluded the talks with Maoists successfully. It is only after this that former Prime Minister Deuba left for Australia. At the moment he is back.

Noteworthy is the fact that the media who reported the holding of the talks have yet to report its content and the very conclusions. Maoist circles do tend to state that there have been agreements on elections and Maoists participation. Indeed, some indication of dis-agreement within the Congress is exposed when Girija Koirala's anti-Maoist tour and his sponsoring of the Congress activism program against the Maoist movement is build by KP supporters as a movement deviously designed by the GP camp to undercut the agreements and expose KP falsely.

It is this allegation and the Deuba reference to the summons breaching previous accord in the congress leadership that is of parliament importance in analyzing the current crisis.

Clearly, KPs strategy will be such as to ensure his majority in the Parliamentary Committee prior to attendance in the Committee meeting. In case he fails to secure this majority his presence in the meeting will be so hedged as to prolong its convening until Parliament sits and he faces the House where his majority in any no confidence motion will presumably be secured by UML numbers.

Whether Girija Babu will want to prevent this by convening the Parliamentary Party meeting in Premier's absence and provide the Congress Parliamentary Party with whip opposing the Prime Minster depends on, again the numbers in the Parliamentary Party. In case this happens then a Constitutional Crisis within the party will have been provoked. The idea is to secure the claimant to the party in case the party splits. Both KP and GP want to head the Congress and even Deuba would bend his back to prevent a split. But as the Congress bubble of today shows, it is on the verge of bursting. Both GP and KP camps insist that there is no room to back down.

It is surprising that both camps do not talk of how the Maoist insurgency has helped precipitate this crisis.

Democratic transparency and the right to information thus must press us to demand the content of the talks concluded officially by a government authorized body with the Maoists. It also asks us to demand public information and verification of the information suggesting that the talks agreed to Maoist participation in "election". It also demands from us explanation regarding what these elections are? Do they suggest Maoist participation in the local elections?  In case they mean otherwise, do the recent Congress events hint at yet another general elections? Given that granted by a Monarchy against, in their terms, the Republican spirit of the movement for the restoration of Multi-Party democracy, does the Maoist participation mean a compromise of their Republicanism? Otherwise, as some sectors hint, does the election agreed upon mean an election to Constituent assembly? It is these questions and the government silence as also the timing of the Congress crisis that suggest that there is something more in the offing than merely a Congress crisis.

Dhanapala laments sudden spurt in SA military expenditure

Kathmandu: At the conclusion of the two and a half day conference held here on Strategic Stability, Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament and the 2000 NPT Review Conference", Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, the Under Secretary General of the UN Disarmament Affairs, said last week that the 12th regional Disarmament meeting of the countries of the Asia and Pacific region has given a major impetus on matters regarding to total disarmament.

Talking to the Nepalese media men, last Thursday, Dhanapala opined that the meeting witnessed the convergence of the views of the Indian and the Pakistani participants of the meeting who both wished the happy return of the Lahore process.

"The participants from India and Pakistan both held frank discussions during the meeting and indicated their subtle desire of signing the CTBT forging a consensus", continued Dhanapala.

He however, made it clear that no formal press release or for that matter a statement would be issued after the conclusion of the Kathmandu conference.

The meeting had 39 participants altogether that included scholars, academicians, journalists, experts and diplomats from 24 countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

"What was noteworthy that even countries like Democratic Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea sat together and contributed to the Kathmandu process", added Dhanapala.

He lamented over the sudden increase seen in the military expenditures in some countries of South Asia while the global expenditure of the same had incredibly decreased.

"Deeper cuts in the existing Nuclear Warheads were needed as it is the innocent civilians, women and children who have been the victim of Nuclear Terrorism that was on "', cautioned Dhanapala.

Rough estimates reveal that about 36,000 N-War Heads still exist in the world and some of them were kept on alert. "This is dangerous to the cause of humanity", explained UN Under Secretary General.

According to him, the US administration possesses a strong desire for the ratification of the CTBT that was only recently rejected by the US senate.

India, Pakistan neglect French and US appeal

Kathmandu: Despite the US and the French government's suggestions to India and Pakistan last week, the two arch rivals of the South Asian region appear determined to face each other through the use of strong and threat loaded statements.

To recall, the French foreign minister Hubert Vedrine who was last week in Delhi had appealed both India and Pakistan to resume talks and reduce the tensions that has gripped SA of late.

Giving practically no attention to those two appeals from France and the US, Pakistan on Monday said it would thwart any ``Indian aggression'' as its army commanders discussed the situation along the countries' tense borders. President Mohammad Rafiq Tarar, quoted by state media, accused Indian leaders of hurling threats at Pakistan and urged the international community to take heed of the situation.

A day earlier on Sunday Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said New Delhi could resume talks with Islamabad only after Pakistan vacated the occupied Kashmir.

In another development, Musharraf has ``vowed to oppose Islamic extremism and terrorism'' hoping that President Clinton will decide to visit Islamabad when he tours South Asia in March next month, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The growing hostility in between India and Pakistan over the past few months apparently has threatened the neighboring small states of the region. However, there is little that these small nations could do in this regard so that the region becomes free from the threats of a possible nuclear war between the two arch rival nations, India and Pakistan.

India  and Pakistan, to recall, have already fought three wars after their independence from the British rule.

Nepal must lead Kathmandu process of disarmament

Kathmandu: The visiting Indonesian diplomat, Mr. Hazairin Pohan, has said that Kathmandu being the center for Disarmament and hence any communication that emanates from the Nepalese capital in this regard assumes special weight. The Indonesian envoy made these remarks last week after the completion of the Kathmandu meet of the 12th Regional Disarmament Meeting held here February 15-17, 2000.

Mr. Pohan is currently based in New York at the Indonesian permanent mission at the UN Headquarters.

During the talks with the Telegraph, Mr. Pohan observed that both Nepal and Indonesia could work jointly and fight for the elimination of N-weapons from the world. "We must work hard to make the world free from the scourge of Nuclear wars and vow to make the earth a better place to live in by generations and generations to come", added the Indonesian envoy. Pohan is already back in New York.

Talking on the accomplishments bagged by the freshly concluded Kathmandu meeting, Pohan said that the Kathmandu process has been productive and creative as it facilitated the two arch rivals, DPRK and the ROK, to sit and chat together on achieving disarmament.

Reacting to the 1998 nuclear blasts conducted by India and Pakistan, the Indonesian envoy simply said that it was "most unfortunate".

"This meeting gave an occasion to exchange views between and among the attending participants which would ultimately lessen the tensions in the Asia and the pacific region.

Currently, Indonesia is the Chairman of the working group on Disarmament of the Non Aligned Movement.

According to him, Nepal possessed the moral rights for obvious reasons to talk on the topic of disarmament and Pohan hoped that many constructive initiatives would come from Nepal in this regard.

"Kathmandu should lead the Kathmandu process", continued Pohan.

Pohan also divulged that in Bali, Indonesia, there still live more than 5 million Hindus and the religion has a strong influence there. "Altogether five Hindu Ambassadors from Indonesia have been currently posted abroad", concluded the diplomat from Indonesia.

Maoist's issue; Australian connection?

Kathmandu: Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's sudden departure to Australia last fortnight leaving the Maoist's issue in the lurch has raised many eyebrows in Katmandu's political circle.

To recall, Deuba currently heads the government instituted Commission on Maoists'.

Intellectuals here wish to connect the Maoist's issue with Australia in the latter's supposedly mediatory portrayal.

" If a tiny country of the sort of Norway- widely known as Oslo accord- could play a secret and meaningful role in bringing Israelis and the Palestinians together, the role if any, of Australia in assuming a go-between role aimed at patching up the differences between the Nepali Government, and the republican Maoist's can't be ruled out", said a Tribhuwan University Scholar to the Telegraph Tuesday morning.

The possible positive role of Australia could also be seen in the light of the screening the Maoists activities in Australian Television of late and that too on a regular basis.

One Nepali student who is currently in Sydney has confirmed watching such Australian telecasts. Some Nepali students also reported this weekly that they too have watched those Australian telecasts on Maoists adventures' in the Nepali remote areas right here in Kathmandu. " Such Australian TV telecasts could be watched throughout the day", added the Nepali source.

The manner Deuba has become assertive and vocal upon his return from Australia junket also hints that during these recent weeks he has gained significantly in terms of popularity and prestige in the party he serves. "Perhaps it is his tête-à-tête with the Maoists here or abroad in the recent times makes him feel so confident", adds the TU scholar.

High placed sources reveal that Deuba prior his Australia trip concluded first round of his secret and highly confidential talks' with the Maoists.

Be that as it may, the authenticity of this news is under verification.

Hon'ble Mrs Yadav to attend Bangkok conference

 Kathmandu: The Center for Asia and the Pacific Women in Politics or otherwise the CAPWIP has officially invited Nepal's Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of the Nepalese Parliament, Madame Chitra Lekha Yadav , to attend a seminar to be held next month in Bangkok, Thailand.

The CAPWIP expects Mrs. Yadav to accept the honor of a very distinguished speaker at the two-day conference.

The topic of the Bangkok conference has been chosen as " Transformative Leadership for Good Governance in the 21st. Century", according to the organizers of the AP conference.

Basically, the attending participants would be Women Parliamentarians from the Asia and the Pacific region.

The main sponsor of this meet is the United Nations Development Fund for Women. Similarly, others who have exhibited their interests in sponsoring this gathering are UNDP, UNIFEM, UNESCAP and the Asian Development Bank.

Professor Rounaq Jahan from Colombia University will present a framework paper for the Transformative Politics at the seminar. Her paper is likely to be sent to the distinguished speakers, including Madame Chitralekha, prior to the conference date.

The date of the Bangkok conference is 24-25 March 2000.

German support in poverty sector

 Kathmandu: Government negotiations on development co-operation between Germany and Nepal were held from 16 to 18 February 2000 in Kathmandu.

On the occasion, Germany committed a total of DM59 million (over 2 billion NPR) on grant basis to the kingdom of Nepal for the two-year period 2000/2001.

Of the funds committed,70%are to be used for projects and programs aimed at poverty alleviation ,which is the top priority area of German –Nepalese development co-operation

. It was also agreed during the negotiations to continue with the existing successful joint promotion of projects in the focal areas of urban and rural development, health and family planning, energy generation from hydropower and strengthening of the private sector.

Both sides discussed the general framework and structural reforms required in the focal areas and emphasized the need for government polices to be visibly development oriented. Joint projects in the sectors of rural development, forest, microfinancing and agriculture will focus on encouraging the self-help approach.

Increasing urbanization is also facing Nepal with particular challenges. Germany has committed a further DM20 million (700 million NPR) for its assistance in the field of urban development and will thus make a substantial contribution towards developing the economic potential of urban areas, supporting the capacity for self-help and at the same time effectively promote the democratic decentralization process.

A grant amount of DM17 million (600 million NPR) is to be used for the generations of electricity through hydropower. In addition to the construction of small hydropower plants in rural areas, it is planned to support a new medium-sized hydropower plant. In this way, the tradition of co-operation in the provision of environment-friendly and renewable energy will be continued.

Other commitments are aim at strengthening the potential of the private sector and to reform the Income tax Administration.

Beside its official bilateral assistance, Germany also supports Nepal through its contributions to non-government organizations and multilateral Institutions .In 1997,German payments –directly benefiting Nepal –to the European Union, the World bank, the Asian Development Bank, the United nations development Programs (UNDP) and other UN organizations amounted to DM 21 million (735 million NPR).

Congress events still unpredictable; Imbroglio continues

Kathmandu : The suicidal game that is on in the congress camp since last week is yet to arrive at an amicable solution.

Till now, both the leaders of the congress, Girija Prasad Koirala and Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, have not come to terms, thus, therefore any solution to the current power tussle appears remote.

This notwithstanding, a tentative arrangement is reportedly in the circulation which has it that a four point strategy has been devised to do away with the present imbroglio.

Upon the request of the incumbent Prime minister, the meeting of the congress parliamentary committee has been deferred to this Saturday morning; it has also been agreed that on that fateful day Bhattarai will refute the allegations made my congress men against him; considering the long standing contributions of Bhattarai made in the fields of nation, democracy and the party, the no confidence move brought against him will be rolled back and finally the Prime minister will "resign" at an "opportune moment and will facilitate the second generation leaders to take the mantle of state affairs.

Though it appears that Bhattarai has been made weak by the new formula, however, the fourth arrangement which talks of Prime ministers' grace-full exist from the government clearly hints at the fact that the "opportune" moment might not come in the near future.

Yet, interestingly, the last part of the same sentence amply hints that even if Bhattarai yields and quits from his current chair, the recipient of the same would be some one from the second generation but not the one who has apparently created this havoc, that is President Koirala.

The Koirala camp got a mild jerk from the Bhattarai camp on Sunday when they had to digest the sentimental statement of the Prime minister in which he forcefully pleaded his position and hinted that he had been "insulted" by the party which he served for more than five decades or so. "During Bhattarai-Koirala talks held Saturday, it had been decided that the Prime minister will himself yield to the congress opposition demands after the winter session completes the first week of its commencement. However, the Prime minister through his fresh statement appears to have changed his stance taken Saturday", commented a staunch Koiralaite.

This notwithstanding, the Koirala camp is determined to snatch power from the incumbent Prime minister. But will that be that easy as is being thought by the Koirala camp is the million-dollar question.

A practically disturbed and humiliated Bhattarai will perhaps not yield to Girija demands so easily, it is talked among political circles here.

In the meanwhile, Bhattarai's declared supporter, S.B.Deuba too has his cards under his sleeve. When he talks of Bhattarai's graceful exit from the current chair, perhaps he means that the chair should go to him but not to some one whom is anti-Bhattarai. Bhattarai coterie men remain firm in not facilitating Koirala's grand entrance into Singdurbar rather they would prefer Deuba's candidature for the same.

Seen clearly in the race of grabbing Bhattarai's chair were Deuba and R.C Poudel.

Be that as it may, between Saturday and the convening of the winter session there is plenty of time. One could change his or her stance for personal benefits albeit political ones.

Analysing current congress politics and the speed of the internal events it could be said fairly that this time the second-generation leaders might sound the old guards that enough was enough.

Noteworthy is the hard fact that the congress tussle started exactly within 72 hours of the airing of the Prime ministers' AFP interview in which he had said that some quarters in Nepal in the name of the King and the palace posed threats to this order and hence had to be smashed. Could be a mere conjecture!

D-day celebrated in New York

Kathmandu : The Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal, based in the USA, New York organized a program to celebrate National Democracy day on behalf of Nepal Community in New York. The program was held in Columbia University/South Asian Institute of Political Affairs Building-hall.

The community members, different organizational representatives, students, guests and youths were the participants of the program. The program started with the welcome address of the Alliance's President, Rajendra K. Shrestha asking for the participation of each individual in democratic process to learn and teach democratic culture and for the changing  of our attitudes which may help to develop and preserve democracy in Nepal. He, however, added that we must prepare more efficient, competent, farsighted, qualified and skilled-energetic young leaders to lead the democratic government, which lacks the Nepal. All participants and guests speakers expressed their concerns on weak performance of the democratic government and corrupt practices and expressed the view that we Nepali people, including leaders must change our attitudes and develop the morality before we smell the success of democracy. Alliance's general secretary Nirmal L. Pradhan, research student of the Columbia university Tara Niraula, and degree student Prakash Shrestha, social worker Devi Acharya, Nepali Conservative party leader and wrestler Bharat Bisural, City University's degree student Sanjay Parajuli, Social worker Narayan Panthi, Kiran Thapa, Surendra Thapa, Pradeep Sigdel, Rajendra Bhandari and Columbia University students, Bandita Sijapati, and Rita Soni  were among the speakers of the programs. A national song was sung by Santoshi Panthi. The ADHRN chairman Pramod Pokhrel chaired program session.

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