In depth Analysis

Has the Security Council met?

Kathmandu: Hectic political activity this festival season marks the rapidly deteriorating political situation that is likely to exacerbate further. It is not enough that Police Chief Achyut Kharel should resign months before his tenure was due to expire in course of Dashain. His appointment as Ambassador to Myanmar is also due these days. It is not enough that pro government media should highlight the convening of the Security Council. Government media is also reporting the movement of troops to Maoists’ affected areas in course of the festivities.

Impression is being made that something is being done. Exactly what, however, is not yet clear.

Firstly, it is significant that Prime Minister Koirala has chosen to distance himself from the defense ministry the participation of which in the anti Maoists campaign is said to focus on the new activities. It is not enough that defense minister Mahesh Acharya and Army Chief Prazzwal Rana should be reported to have met in an office where a signboard is said to have hastily put up indicating it to be the national Security Council. There is more to the national Security Council than just a room and a meeting between the defense minister and the Army Chief.

That this should all happen amidst the Dashain festivities is significant, of course. Equally significant are the reports that agreement has been made to hand over up to 16 districts to the Army administration in course of these activities. However, what this is tantamount to has not been spelled out and it is this that is significant.

The national security has stopped meeting as soon as the multiparty system was reintroduced in the country at the specific request of the interim Prime Minister Bhattarai. Until then the Army Chief chaired a weekly meeting of security and intelligence and administrative heads processing the information and intelligence on the security situation in the country. It is not known whether the reconvening of the SC last week has happened in this manner. It is also known that Police and intelligence units in the country have been so partisanised as to compromise their professional standards in the country.

Reports therefore that the Chief District Officer-CDO- in the district is to conclude the need for army action is vague at best given the current administrative and other laws of the land. At best the movement of troops in accordance to the security situation in the country is a routine army responsibility. It is the army action that is being suggested which is not routine. Clearly, transparency is as much lacking here on part of government as is deliberate misinformation on the Security Council.

The appearance being given is a deliberate one also because even routine Army activities such as the establishment of Army barracks and camps now make national news. Clearly, the government wants to make out that they are poised to use the army on the Maoists’ as a result also of the meeting of the Security Council.

Informed persons, however, can’t but ask whether the SC has met or whether the reported meeting of the council has triggered the army movements. It is also equally relevant to ask what a possible army action in, as reported, affected districts will mean in terms of the nitty-gritties of the civil administration and the elected local governments. The silence here is evidently equally deliberate.

Is it right time to mobilize Army for countering Maoists’ insurgency?

Bijaya Kumar Das, Editor, The Hindi-Nepali Daily, Kathmandu

Apparently, in my personal opinion, the time to mobilize the Army personnel to the Maoists’ affected areas has not yet come. Use of violence could not be a suitable alternative to curb the violence. Dialogue and only the dialogue should be the medium till the last moment for arriving at a viable and amicable solution to this overly stretched imbroglio. We have been witnessing of late that dialogues have prevailed over the guns wherever such activities have taken or taking place in the world. The guns have not brought its solutions. I believe that dialogue will bring about a permanent solution to the Maoists’ issue as well. If we could talk with other friendly countries to sort out bilateral problems, then there should be no hesitation in talking to our own brethren that is the Maoists for a solution. However, the government’s position and stance with regard to the Maoists’ issue is still dualistic and bit confusing. For instance, our deputy Prime Minister Poudel says one thing, the defense minister speaks differently. Here lies the contradiction. The people wish to know the government’s firm and determined stance in this regard. We have been told that the army has been sent to Dailekh and to some other districts to quell the threats of the insurgents. To safeguard the security interests of the people is commendable act yet to mobilize army against the Maoists at least at this stage perhaps was not warranted.

Mr. Yuba Raj Koirala, Political Science, Kathmandu

If the sovereignty of Nepal is vested in the common men (as the constitution of the land proclaims) then it should be logically the people of this land who should decide whether they would like to see their fellow countrymen being butchered in the name of countering insurgency. The irony of the system is that "it is the tyranny of the majority" and the 103 of the ruling party who in one way or the other have been branded as inefficient, power mongers and supposedly corrupts are to decide the fate of the nation on this crucial point.

It seems to me that the root cause of the flaring up of the Maoist movement in the country is due to the fact that the people in whose name the order has been restored were completely neglected by those institutions who control the state mechanism, for example, the system, the political parties and last but not the least, the constitutional monarchy. They have simply failed to deliver the goods from their respective quarters. They do not represent the need and demand of the people in whom the sovereign power of the nation is vested and from where they derive their authority to governance.

On the contrary, Maoists seem to be doing what the former failed to do which is why the movement is gaining grounds which, many now come to believe that it could gain a base and fulfill some of the aspirations of the Nepali people which are fundamentally Nepali in essence.

Regarding the mobilization of the Army, I think that there is a conspiracy against our people and our land. Just consider what would happen if the Army failed?

I would therefore suggest that rather than mobilizing in what is generally called the last resort (the Army) the government should hold talks with the insurgents in a serious and meaningful manner recognizing the movement as a political one.

Dr. Gopal Pokhrel, President, POLSAN

For any government maintaining law and order and ensuring good governance should be a top priority for strengthening democratic order. But in our case, the irony of the situation is that our government at the present juncture is bereft of ideological clarity, seems bewildered to work out appropriate and effective policies and programs to combat the menace of age old chronic problems of ignorance, illiteracy, poverty, destitution and backwardness. After the restoration of multiparty democracy, those who have been entrusted for shaping the destiny of the nation are bickering over the trifles, are lustfully indulged in grabbing the national wealth for their individual benefits. In other words, the government led by Nepali Congress instead of paying heed to the genuine aspirations and basic needs of the masses is pursuing a policy of brinkmanship, further deepening the fissiparous tendencies in the ruling circle, and has stifled the situation while pulling down the government of its own leader.

In my view the functioning anarchy that Nepali society is confronting with at present is not the outcome of the Maoists action only but also reflects the multiple failure of the multiparty government. Currently, using the armed forces is very much on the cards to quell the Maoists insurgency as a last resort. In order to suggest a lasting solution to any problem, it requires meticulous and careful diagnosis of the issue. First of all the government should be absolutely clear as to whether the Maoists uprising is a question of law and order and terrorism or it relates to other facets of Nepali society. Unless the government tries to go into the nitty-gritty’s of the problem, pertaining to socio-economic, political, demographic, ethnic and developmental aspects, diagnose them properly, mere use of the army could give no lasting solution, instead it could be counter productive. So far, public utterances of some of the so-called heavyweights, read ministers, has proved to be a mere gimmick in this regard. If the government thinks that military action is the only panacea of the problem it is sadly mistaken.

Therefore, utmost caution, restraint, political acumenship is required before the deployment of the army. Hasty, unwise and untimely action not only mars the democratic order, it is likely to jeopardize our national interests or even existence.

Prof. Rabindra Khanal, Pol.Science, T.U

The mobilization of army to deal with the Maoist problem has become one of the most controversial issues in the Nepalese political circle for quite some time. The people, in different parts of the country, have been terrorized either by the Maoist killings or by the police atrocities. Individual human rights have been seriously threatened. The lack of security has started showing its influence in social, economic and political life of every individual. The fear psychosis has pushed the whole society into "war of all against all". Yet, people responsible in solving the problem have not shown their full commitment from the humanitarian and democratic perspective.

The Maoist problem has emerged through the social, economic and political injustice. They have every right to disagree with these injustices and work against them. But the methods they have adopted are totally wrong. Recruitment of the teenagers, if it is true, is a serious crime against the humanity. The Maoist’s causes are not irrational and unreasonable but they are impractical in a country which have had such feudalistic culture all along that even the Maoist are bound by them. The Maoists need to pursue their goal by a more practical method and by respecting the fundamental human rights of every individual.

On the other hand, the actors of the present system, if not the system itself, are entirely responsible to bring about the present situation in the country. Lust for power among the political leaders, sacrifice of the people’s interest for their own benefit, irrational handling of the state machinery, corruption in various forms, suppression and intolerance have intensified the social, economic and political injustice in the society. The country does not belong to only one political party or people believing in one system. Democracy is certainly a better system but it does not mean that anyone who does not believe in democracy is an anti-national. The government should understand this problem in a wider perspective and deal with it accordingly.

Looking at the series of violence and its effect on the human right situation in the country, the problem needs to be dealt immediately but the use of army is not a solution. Army is used only when all the other initiatives have failed and the sovereignty, integrity and independence of the nation are seriously threatened. Maoists are not the external forces and thus they are not against the sovereignty, integrity and independence of the country. They are not demanding a separate homeland as the Tamils in Srilanka or the Kashmiries in India do. Maoists belong to one of the political parties in Nepal and the use of army against one political party in favor of another is totally out of question. Their problem is a political problem, which should be dealt politically. The government needs to explore the other possibilities to bring them into the main stream and even be prepared to compromise on certain things of their demand for the restoration of peace once again. The use of army will push the Maoists to a point of no return, resulting to a long lasting civil war in the country.

Alien forces willing to interfere in Nepali affairs

-Madhav Nepal, UML leader

Kathmandu: For the first time perhaps one responsible politician from the opposition has explicitly told that "in the name of the Maoists, external forces are apparently willing to intervene in to the internal affairs of Nepal".

The leader of the main opposition, Madhav Kumar Nepal, bluntly told this startling revelation while expressing his views regarding the Maoists at a program convened by Sher Bahadur Deuba this Monday. Madhav’s stement has come almost like a bomb-shell and will perhaps continue to reverberate in the Nepali sky for longer time to come.

However, the leader of the UML did not elaborate as to which alien forces were willing to interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs.

The program which was organised by Deuba who has been entrusted by the government to compile the suggestions of various political parties regarding the "treatment" to be meted out to the Maoists.

With this program perhaps the tenure of Deuba committee comes to an end.

Revealingly, most of the political parties who attended the Deuba program almost unanimously suggested the Koirala establishment to establish contacts with the Maoists through dialogue.

Deuba program came at a time when the Koirala led government has almost declared a war on the Maoists in approximately 16 districts supposedly heavily penetrated by the Maoists.

"’The Maoists and its leadership too appears flexible for talks with the government and hence when the insurgents themselves have expressed their willingness for talks, the government should exploit this golden opportunity", added Madhav Nepal.

Predictably, except the ruling Nepali congress, the rest of the political parties attending Deuba interaction program, all indicated their inclination for initiating dialogues with the Maoists instead of mobilising the army against the insurgents.

Surprisingly, Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda-the leader of the Maoists movement yet again on Monday issued a press release in which he has expressed his desire for talks with the establishment.

In the statement, Prachanda admits that during the festival time, one of their high ranking comrade had met with Deuba.

However, the conditions he has put forth for the talks is again on the whereabouts of Comrade Dinesh Sharma and others and bringing to a complete halt to the state sponsored terrorism.

Prachanda’s statement has come on the very day Deuba was winding up his Commission’s tenure.

Kiran’s Couleurs de Montagne painting exhibition

Kathmandu: The Alliance Francaise in collaboration with the @sian Artists organized a solo painting exhibition of Nepal’s renowned painter, Kiran Manandhar, Monday, at its premises in Thapathali.

The title of the painting exhibition is Couleurs de Montagne and the show will continue for a week or so.

The present exhibition of Kiran Manandhar is the outcome of his play with his painting brush during his fresh stay in France, January to March, this year.

Welcoming the attending guests at the simple ceremony, Kiran told that even being in France his paintings possess impressions of Nepal and her great cultural heritage.

Chantal Lama, the director at the AF introduced the artist to the visiting dignitaries among them was the new French Ambassador to the Nepali court who is yet to present his credentials at the Royal Palace.

Didier Nourrison, the Charge de’ affaires at the French embassy thanked all the guests for their kind presence.

Nepal mein Urdu Sha’ari

Kathmandu: Kathmandu based Nepali Muslim community in collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan Monday organized a simple program to launch a book entitled " Nepal Mein Urdu Sha’ari".

The book contains various contributions of Urdu Sha’ari from Nepali poets.

At the program it was revealed that some one and a half century back, there used to be poetry symposium in Nepal and that too in Urdu language.

The book is a compilation of Professor Dr. Abdul Rauf who at the moment chairs the Urdu faculty in the Tribhuban University.

Chief guest, Mohan Koirala lauded the efforts of Dr. Rauf.

Pakistan Ambassador Ms. Fouzia Nasereen praised the efforts of Dr. Rauf.

B’desh willing to promote trade ties with Nepal

Biratnagar: "My country is determined to develop its bilateral trade with Nepal for mutual benefits. The governments of both the nations have to take some concrete measures and decisions in this regard", divulged Bangladesh Ambassador Cyril Sikder in Kakarbhitta last Friday the moment he entered the Nepalese territory via India from Dhaka.

This is the first ever trip of a sitting B’desh Ambassador who chose to use land-route to enter to the country where he is currently accredited.

At the Kakarbhitta point, the B’desh diplomat talked with some other journalists as well. A small get together had been arranged at the Nepal entry point to greet the Ambassador.

Asked about the reported bad shape of the road linking Nepal to Bangladesh, the Ambassador said," I was misinformed by some people regarding the matter. However, the conditions of the road are excellent and could be used without any difficulty added the Ambassador.

"Once the agreement of understanding is signed among the Nepal, India and B’desh for transit purpose, buses, cars, trucks and the likes could conveniently ply on highway which ultimately will promote our bilateral business and tourism as well", explained the B’desh diplomat.

"Highway can also be used for frequent goodwill visits by the artistes, intellectuals, businessmen, journalists and public figures to have face to face contact with their counterparts in Dhaka and viceversa", Ambassador Sikder concluded.

Immediately upon his return from Kakarbhitta, this weekly had the honor to talk to Ambassador Sikder on the same topic.

Talking to the Telegraph, Ambassador Sikder opined that "it was the turn of Nepal to initiate contacts with appropriate authorities in India and B’desh as well so that her transport systems carrying commodities could go straight up to Mongla port. At the moment, Nepalese goods were being forwarded by B’desh clearing agents up to Mongla. If the Nepalese side talks to us for such arrangements, we are ready to extend such facilities which allows Nepalese goods to reach the port comfortably".

To yet another query of the Telegraph, the Ambassador bluntly said that Nepal till to date has not been able to utilize the huge potential of our Mongla port for unknown reasons.

Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Sikder revealed that this Thursday he is talking to a broader section of the Nepali media to let them understand the factual situation of the road, potential of the Mongla port and the relevant matters regarding the facilities that his country has for Nepal and her third country bound goods for export.

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