In depth Analysis

Nation approaches dangerous precipice!

Kathmandu: There are indications aplenty of a precipitous state in Nepali governance. One is easily provided by the largest Maoist actions so far in Jajarkot, which has for some time now been a target of government counter insurgency moves. The incident provides ample room for concern regarding the efficacy of government handling of the Maoist movement in the country. There are even indications that the Maoist movement itself is threatening to move beyond its own leadership control given news reports of several disciplinary decisions in the Maoist fold.

Even the CPN-UML now have begun expressing concern at the state of affairs in the country while the ruling party members now ask for all to rise above partisan interests to allow a national consensus on national issues to emerge. Bam Dev Gautam of the ML has now gone one step further to demand in change in the system claiming that the current system has only added to national problems and is incapable of solving them.

Added to this is the visible increased Indian pressure to have a say in Nepali security and foreign policy sectors as is evinced in the calculated India today leaks on plea of Pakistani activities in Nepal.

The fact is that ten years of reorienting Nepali economy to suit the stronger neighboring Indian economy, a decade of excessive partisanization that did blunders to the painstakingly built edifice of Nepali nationalism and a five year insurgency movement that has visibly spread to over 50 of Nepal’s 75 districts, all have cumulatively taken its toll on Nepal’s precarious ability to withstand the Indian pressure decisively.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who himself faces growing rebellion in his own party must soon approach India in course of a visit where the carefully played up Indian demands are likely to be very firmly voiced.

It is significant that the visit here of Brajesh Mishra, had little coverage in content while the Indian media sought to highlight the Indian concern that seemed to have provided little reciprocity on part of Nepal.

UML leaders more significantly as the country’s largest opposition party display growing vocal concurrence on their displeasure at the dismal state of affairs. Curiously, kept totally out of the Indian disinformation campaign evinced in the India Today report, the UML has tried to trump up parliamentary opposition on budget allocations but has bowed down to compromises. Increasingly aware that its proximity with the government and its visible sharing of the spoils of mal governance is losing its cadre base to the radical Left. It is now the turn of the UML to begin asking for extra systematic interjection to put the system on track.

Calls for an all-party government officially by the UML among others become significant indicators of the national search for alternatives.

This in no way prevents government, however, from capitalizing from the disarray and continues doing what it has been doing for the past so many years. Clearly, GP Koirala is using his position in government to strengthen his stranglehold in his organization. Using, among other things, the Maoist ruse to open avenues for recruitment in his favor.

The Jajarkot incident, it is said is as much an indicator of the Girija hard-line as it is of anomalies in the Police approach which is being pointed out as the basis for new security organizations to handle such insurgencies. It is curious to note that although Prime Ministerial rival S.B. Deuba continues to accept the role of government appointed negotiator with the Maoists he is said to have little backing to do so and a statement by Maoist leader Puspa Kamal Dahal asking for sincerity appears to verify this.

It is the state of the economy, inner congress contradictions, ineffective opposition and an aggravated security situation in the country that contribute to the precipitous national status making an assertive Indian role all the more significant.

Strip News

India favors united and sovereign Sri Lanka

Kathmandu : The Indian minister for foreign affairs, Jaswant Singh has, better late than never, expressed his country's mind that India's continued commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka would be there.

The Indian Minister was on an official visit to Sri Lanka, at the invitation of the Sri Lankan Government from 11th to 12th June. He also expressed the good wishes and support of the Government of India to the restoration of a lasting peace, which would be possible through a political process that produces a settlement, which meets the aspirations of all communities. During his visit the Indian Minister reportedly had discussions with President Chandrika and his counterpart Kadirgamar.

He also met Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Leader of the Opposition and representatives from other political parties.

A Sri Lanka-India joint statement issued on Monday said the discussions touched upon the present situation and also the broader issues related to the further strengthening of the existing close and friendly relations that India and Sri Lanka have traditionally enjoyed.

President Kumaratunga apprised the visiting Minister of current political developments, including the consultations between the Government and other political parties and the facilitation efforts of Norway.

In conclusion, both sides noted that the discussions had been productive and that they had enabled the reaching of understandings on the measures that India and Sri Lanka can take both collectively as well as individually, to bring about lasting peace in Sri Lanka

In the meanwhile, several civilized countries of the world have condemned the LTTE fresh bombing in Ratanmala.

For example, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia Pacific) Raymond Chan expressed Canada's condemnation of the recent escalation of the conflict in Sri Lanka typified by the terrorist bombing last Wednesday that resulted in the deaths of the Industrial Development Minister C.V. Gooneratne, and 22 others. A news release issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on 8th June quoting Mr. Axworthy said "these continued attacks serve no purpose other than to terrorize and intimidate the population. He said a durable solution must satisfy the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans, regardless of language, ethnicity or religion, while preserving Sri Lanka's unity and territorial integrity. Mr. Axworthy and Mr. Chan reiterated Canada's commitment to the fight against international terrorism and noted that the Canadian Government is working on domestic policies to fight terrorist fund-raising on their soil.

Notably, a condolence message sent by Pope John Paul II on the bomb explosion in Ratmalana said he was 'greatly saddened' to learn that among those killed were the Industrial Development Minister C.V. Gooneratne and had also requested Colombo Archbishop to convey to the wounded, the bereaved and the civil authorities, the assurance of his prayerful closeness.

Box News:

After EUs fresh appeal, Maoists ready for talks

Kathmandu: The carnage that the nation witnessed last week in Jajarkot during a firing in between the two warring rivals, the government forces and the Maoists' insurgents and the loss of lives of innocent civilians that included milk-sucking kids gives one the clear impression that the nation has been pushed to an all out war that remains yet to be declared.

The Maoists' might forward their own exclusive reasons for the rampage they exhibited in Jajarkot, however, these killings could in no way be applauded by judicious people of the world.

Evidently, the fresh face to face of the insurgents and the police forces have occurred immediately after the European Union-a conglomerate housing dozens of civilized and highly developed European Nations, issued a statement that strongly urged both the warring parties to come to the negotiating table and remain instrumental in securing a 'permanent and full peace, in this Himalayan Kingdom.

However, neither the government nor the rebels honored the statement from the European Union.

Nepalese analysts remain puzzled over the non-chalant attitude summarily exhibited by the two opposing forces over the EU suggestion.

The five year old Maoists' insurgency, to recall, has already taken its heavy toll by slaying hundreds of security personals and in the process several innocent civilians including the minors have sacrificed their precious lives.

The Maoists have yet to reiterate as to why they have been pouncing on the innocent Nepalese lives for it is this section that has been the targets of both, the government forces and the Maoists' as well.

This notwithstanding, one of the prominent leader of the Maoists' insurgency, Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai has expressed his desire to 'initiate meaningful talks' with the government directly instead of the Deuba commission." However, sincerity must be there", said Bhattarai-the Maoists leader in a press release issued recently by the party.

The reason forwarded by Bhattarai is to give weightage and credibility to the talks with the government. This in itself is a welcome move, which has come close on the heels of the Eus statement appealing both for the talks.

Be that as it may, the eagerness exhibited by the Maoists for meaningful and exclusive dialogues with the establishment at this juncture should, analysts opine, must be properly supported by some friendly countries who possess the expertise in mediatory efforts,

A mediation a la' Norway manner could be clandestinely initiated for the real institutionalization of peace in this troubled country that facilitates the process of development which unfortunately has remained stagnant for the last decades due to obvious reasons.

Telegraph adds: The Nepalese Prime minister has stated that even if the Maoists' do not appear for the talks with the government, he would shortly travel to the areas affected by the insurgents with the newly allocated 'Basket Funding'. The trip is supposed to begin soon after the budget session comes to a close.

The funding thus being provided to the Maoists areas where they enjoy the roost will perhaps console the people of that area to some extent at this primary stage.

Deubas' assertive role in congress politics

Kathmandu: Clearly the Koirala led government is in trouble.

The ever deteriorating law and order situation, the current sit-in program and the relay strike staged in front of the Secretariat by the Nepalese nationals who have been displaced from their areas due to the Maoists terror, the decreasing morale of the police force after witnessing the massacre of their own brethren and their likelihood of rejecting the orders to go to the Maoists affected areas plus the growing rifts in and among its own party men including the Parliamentarians all put together bodes ill not only for the congress party but to the nation as well.

For instance, Sher bahadur Deuba who is also the chairman of the Deuba commission for the Maoists only the other day has indirectly said that the root cause for the geometrical growth of Maoists insurgency in the country had been the growing 'disparity' in between the citizens of the country.

"A handful of privileged Nepalese population possess so many things to eat and concurrently there is yet another section of the same Nepalese in sizeable chunk who were forced to embrace death due to hunger", opined Deuba at a program organized this Sunday by Political Science Studies Association, Nepal.

Deuba's statement is loaded with meaning and to a greater extent runs contra to the established government's view regarding the movement. The statement also favors the plight of the Nepalese people who are denied two meals a day.

Deuba's fresh sympathy exhibited towards the Maoists and the poor section of the society should come as a jolt to the Prime minister as it time permitting could alienate the Prime minister with the section mentioned above. Deuba, a declared rival of the incumbent Prime minister, is making lectures calculatedly that favors the welfare of those sections of the society which so far the government under Koirala has neglected. "Could be a ploy to damage the prestige of the Prime minister", say Koiralaites.

At another level, the opening up of a new Deuba contact office in Baneshwar has also become a sore for Girija Prasad Koirala for the latter believes that if this office continues till the impending general convention of the Congress party, his political competitor Deuba will snatch the Presidency

from the grips of the Koiralas.

The various tours of the countryside made by Deuba and the reported acclamations he has received during such tours all add to the agony of the Prime minister. Add to this the conspiratorial brain of former Prime Minister Bhattarai that is unconditionally sides with Deuba.

All these put together, Prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala will have a hard time indeed in steering the nation successfully given the hurdles, seen and unseen, in the days ahead.

Is this mere conjecture?

Kathmandu : A calculated plan apparently is being engineered by a powerful section of recognized political parties aimed at maligning the present system and that speeches to that effect were being aired at different places of the country in order to bag sympathies from the common men who remain out of partisan politics. The process to convince even the cadres is visibly on.

Consider the fresh lecture made by firebrand Bam Dev Gautam in Biratnagar who bluntly told the gathering that the system now in force has totally failed to solve the national problems and that since the system has failed in delivering goods to the people and hence search for new alternatives to this dispensation must begin at the earliest. Surprising as it may appear, however, the grand conjecture is that Gautam's statement has come close on the heels of an almost similar concern voiced by yet another UML stalwart, Madhav Nepal, who too had sought the formation of an all party government to do away with the current national woes. Madhav forwarded the plea at an all party meeting held at the premises of K.P.Bhattarai a few weeks back stating that since the congress currently in power failed miserably in solving the issues confronting the nation so his idea be given due thought.

Though the two statements appear different in style, however, a close scrutiny clearly reveal that both converge to paint the ruling party that is the congress as non-performer and ineffective in so far as their approach to governance of the nation is concerned.

Fortunately, only the two communist stalwarts have expressed their views regarding the system now in place. If similar voices condemning the system emanate from other political quarters, then it would in essence create a havoc in the country .

The timing of these demands coming as it does from two different communist quarters is definitely significant and loaded with meaning albeit political ones.

San Miguel Award 2000

Kathmandu: The prestigious San Miguel Music Award 2000 was handed over last week to fifteen different Nepali personalities who have contributed to the expansion and the propagation of the Nepalese songs over these years.

Those who were awarded were among others, Bhaktaraj Acharya, Kali Prasad Rijal, Devika Pradhan, Sambhujit Banskota , Shripurush Dhakal, Sharmila Berdeva, Dip Shrestha, Bimakumari Dura, James Pradhan, Kunti Moktan, Ratna baniya , Alok and Ramkrishna Dhakal.

Chairman of the Amatya Enterprises, Piyush Amatya handed over the prize to the distinguished winners.

FNJ team meets minister J.P

Kathmandu: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists Tuesday met the communications minister J.P.Gupta and apprised him of the problems currently being confronted by nation's media men.

According to the FNJ, several decisions have been taken jointly that would perhaps help enhance the quality of the Nepalese newspapers if implemented as per the agreed minute.

The FNJ team was led by its President Suresh Acharya, say federation sources.

WCF condoles

Kathmandu : The Women Communicators Forum, WCF, through a press statement has strongly urged the government to investigate the inhumane killing of Inspector Nav Raj Poudel while on duty by the Maoists only last week.

Journalist Ela Sharma Poudel, Deputy editor The Rising Nepal is the wife of late Nav Raj Poudel.

The WCF has condoled the death of the young Police man Poudel and has prayed the Almighty to offer eternal peace to the departed soul.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

| National | 5 Question  | Editorial | Letter | 2nd Impression | International | Past |