5 Questions

Quick changes in the existing Nepalese politics continues to force us at the editorial office of this weekly to be in contact with nation's reputed scholars for their exclusive views on changing contemporary politics. Undoubtedly, the impending Government-Maoists talks continues to dominate the entire politics of the nation and will hopefully continue to do so for at least some more time to come. Millions and millions of people, within and without, were waiting anxiously the outcome of the talks. Needless to say, the would be talks between the two warring rivals would be very carefully watched by various national and international agencies including friendly nations. This is only but natural.

Keeping in mind the gravity and the importance of the talks, this week we decided to invite some known scholars of the country for their views regarding the impending insurgents-government tête-à-tête.

Below the results: Chief editor.

Government is more desperate to negotiate with the Maoists

Prof. Anand P. Shrestha, T.U

TGQ1: How you Prof. Shrestha view the impending Maoists-Government talks? Do you think that it would finally yield positive results? Your remarks please!

Prof. Shrestha: With Sher Bahadur Deuba in the prime ministerial hot-seat, steps towards negotiations with the Maoists seems to have inched ahead. Release of prisoners by both sides has further added an atmosphere of hope to the unfortunate stalemate. But as things stand at the moment, it might be wise to be cautiously optimistic. Only the first dialogue between the two sides --whenever that takes place-- will give some inkling as to what the final outcome could be.
As it stands, the Maoists are now in a position of strength, far different from what it was when they first took to the hills some five years ago. The districts under Maobadi control according to reports seem to have yielded positive results. Their impact especially regarding social, administrative and legal aspects have created a positive response among the majority of people in the area. This goes for the seven districts that now lies in their control and has also spread to other districts in the Kingdom including Kathmandu the capital. Part of the credit that the Maoists are accorded ironically also goes to the eleven governments and prime ministerial changes of all hues colors and combinations that this unfortunate country has seen in these eleven years!!! The power politics and rampant corruption, the hallmark of our democracy and the inability on the part of government(s) to perform, and bitter infighting among and between political parties has by default added further strength to the Maobadi cause. Not only this the withdrawal of the Lauda Air, China South West Airlines and the decision of the Indo Suez Bank to withdraw from Nepal presents a grim picture. The tourism industry of Nepal, the goose that lays the golden eggs, which has now hit rock bottom has further added to the government's democratic woes. The pathetic scenario no doubt calls for stepping up immediate measures to mend fences with the Maoists so that a modicum of security can once more seep into the body politic. In this sense, the government is certainly more desperate to negotiate with the Maoists. The Maoists too are aware of this, and know too well that it will increase their leverage at the bargaining table. So when the two sides ultimately meet, nose to nose eyeball to eyeball, the Maoists will be negotiating from a position of strength. But the Maoists must also remember that their activities of late have amounted to an overkill and have to quite an extent, eroded some of the support that they had drummed up earlier. Just because they stand to gain by a narrow margin at the moment, pushing forward their Republican agenda could well stall talks towards negotiating a solution. So both parties, if they are really serious about resolving the crisis, must be flexible and come to a meeting point. A rigid stand by either could further escalate the crisis and harm the interest of the nation. Therefore the bottom line is that both parties must be psychologically prepared not to allow such a situation to arise. To use the negotiating table by either party for strategic interests can prove fatal and will not be in the interest of the nation.

Raising expectations could well be counter productive

-Shrish Rana, Political Analyst

TGQ2: How you Mr. Rana would wish to comment on the outcome of the impending Government - Maoists talks prior to the talks? Your comments please!

Shrish Rana: I would wish it success.

There is need on all the sides to be rid of vested interests that have developed over the years. There is also need for the government's hands to be really strengthened in order for the talks to achieve real success.

What is worrisome is the hype that is being created in all the sides. Raising expectations at this critical juncture could well be counter-productive. There is, thus, enough room for caution.

Deuba’s sincerity in the Maoists leadership will bear more fruits

_Yub Raj Koirala, Political Analyst

TGQ3: Do you expect Mr. Koirala a major breakthrough in government-Maoist talks initiated by Premier Deuba?

Mr. Koirala: What perception the Nepali congress and the UML officially hold regarding the Maoist movement will be very critical in deciding the outcome of the dialogue if it ever takes place. First and far most we must bear in mind Deuba’s own limitations that could be imposed on him from his own party and from where he is seeking to reform the society. How far can he go on his own? Given Koirala’s recent statement to answer the Maoists’ gun with guns and Ram Chandra Poudel’s subsequent write up (Nepal Samacharpatra 31st July 2001); we can sense that many stubborn leaders in the Nepali congress are still finding it difficult to be on familiar terms with the Maoists and to recognize the fact that it is a movement which rose in response to their failing to deliver the goods that they so eloquently promised to; after the restoration of democracy. The rampant corruption, inefficiencies, nepotism, favoritism have been the hallmarks of Nepali congress’s legacy in the last 12 years and it is not the party that can be expected to go on self reflection and learn lessons from the past wrongs. This fact is very clear from the Deuba’s present cabinet, which consist of such ugly faces like Gachchhadar, Khadka, KC, Wagle and the likes who have looted this nation time and again. Deuba must not anticipate much sincerity from these hard-core looteras since what the Maoists are demanding will immediately put them behind the cell. At this juncture, Deuba’s sincerity in the Maoists leadership will bear more fruits in creating a conducive atmosphere for initiating a dialogue than his own party officials.

If premier Deuba does not distance himself from these interest groups who cannot rise above their petty self-interest and if he fails to see to it that this nation’s aspirations are greater and future much brighter, then we cannot even expect a sausage to come out of the dialogue let alone a major breakthrough. Gorbachev’s failure should serve as a good example to Deuba as when the leadership fails despite good intentions.

Nepalese people don't want to restore NEGATIVE PEACE from the talks

Dr. K.B.Bhattachan, T.U

TGQ4: What you, Dr. Bhattachan, would suggest the government and the Maoist, prior to the talks, so that peace is restored in the country? Your comments please.

Dr. Krishna B. Bhattachan: Mr. Upadhyaya, which peace, negative or positive, you are talking about? First and foremost, I would suggest both the government and the Maoist that the Nepalese people do not want to restore NEGATIVE PEACE that has been prevailing for the last 233 years. Instead, both have a historic opportunity to initiate POSITIVE PEACE.

To initiate POSITIVE PEACE, I would suggest both to gaze, just like the Arjun's gaze on the eyeball of a fish in an epic Mahabharata, at the plight of the majority of people who are living below poverty line, who are suppressed, oppressed, depressed, compressed, dominated, exploited and marginalized in terms of caste/ethnicity, gender, class, language, religion, culture and region. Before sitting face to face at the table for maiden dialogue, both should internalize a fact that the dialogue, Constitution, laws, Sate, government, political parties etc. are not an end in itself. Instead, they are means for the fulfillment of the people's needs and aspirations and for emancipation of people from all forms of discrimination, exploitation, domination and oppression. I urge both to be sincere, transparent and accountable to the people.

Also, Mr. Upadhyaya, both parties should be committed to change the rules of the game, not just the players. For this, the present Constitution must be changed through the 'Constitution Assembly' or referendum or joint conference of all parties and representatives of women, Dalits, indigenous nationalities, Madhesis, Muslims, Buddhists and other minority religious and language groups. Also, formation of a rainbow interim government representing different sections, not just the political parties, of the population and full respect for human rights, including the rights of the indigenous peoples and minorities are other aspects both should keep in mind.

I think the government should be fully prepared to stop remaining structural violence and cultural violence that have been, unfortunately, continuing for the last 233 years.

I wish both all the best for the successful maiden dialogue to pave the way for POSITIVE PEACE in our country.

If the talks fail, everybody knows the consequence

–Rabindra Khanal, Political Analyst, T.U

TGQ5: To what extent you Mr. Khanal are optimistic regarding the Maoist – Government talks?

Mr. Khanal: The call of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to hold a dialogue with the Maoist insurgents and their subsequent response is certainly a commendable move from the both sides. In fact, it has brought hope to many people who have been suffering so much for the past five and half years. The call of the government has recognized the Maoist movement as a major political force, which has made it, lot easier for them to deal with the government on an equal footing. Now, they are no more terrorists in the government’s view because no government would call upon the terrorists to have a dialogue with it on the political agenda. At the same time the Maoist response indicates their willingness to come to the main stream of politics if they are allowed to do so with honour. They must have been looking a way out for safe landing. But the question arises why would Maoists come for dialogue when they have upper hand in their so-called people’s revolution. Is it because they are tired of the life style they are adopting, is it because they fear that the movement is going out of their hand or is it because they really want to restore peace once again in the country ? Whatever may be the reason, the dialogue is the only way out to solve the present political crisis in the country of which the Maoists as well as the government are well aware.

Now the road has been cleared for the initiation of dialogue between the government and the Maoists. The parties concerned should not let this opportunity go out of their hand. The problems, of course, are not going to be settled that easily even if the talks succeed. A lot of homework will have to be done to rehabilitate the large group of people engaged in the movement. If the talks fail, everybody knows the consequence. It may even endanger the very existence of the country.

However, some kind of realization seems to have come among the Maoist leaders and I am quite optimistic that they will seek the solutions for all the problems in a gentlemanly way. If they failed to do so now, and if they have taken the present thaw merely as a strategy to consolidate their positions and accumulate more power for future use, then the peace in Nepal will never be restored. I wish all the best to the negotiators if they ever come on a negotiating table.

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