Letter to the editor:
The Editor,
The Telegraph Weekly, Nepal.
Dear Sir,
I read with interest your article on the
present US Ambassador's remarks to the Prime Minister of Nepal. I congratulate you on the
wisdom to see the truth of the matter. And the courage to print it. Not many have the
courage of their convictions.
Historically, the United States and most
donor countries have had this romantic image of Nepal. Seduced by the majesty of the
mountains and temples they have concluded that good could be done for the unique people of
this poor country.
Now, it seems, the honeymoon is over. The
cold reality of the fickle and worthless succession of governments in Nepal seems to have
prompted one diplomat to speak up in public. About time too.
The tax paying public of donor countries have little or no knowledge of Nepal. They have
no stake in whether or not Nepal succeeds or fails. Their only concern is that they not be
flooded with poor émigrés.
As a taxpayer in the United States, can you think of a single sane reason why I should
support irresponsible and corrupt governments overseas with my hard-earned money? I pay
over $10,000 in taxes each year. Why should even a single penny of it be given to people
who can not manage it?
Further, can you imagine a Republican controlled US presidency, Congress and Senate being
approving of how the Nepalese government has been spending their tax dollars? I would not
pin my hopes on it.
How long can Nepal expect the taxpayers of other countries to keep paying its bills?
Foreign aid is a privilege, not a right. Use it wisely, or lose it. This may sound harsh.
The truth often is.
Perhaps this is what is required for Nepal to wake up. It might be painful medicine, but
it might work.
Nothing else seems to. Yours Sincerely, Logiciel Marceau, Member of the Nepalese Diaspora
United States of America (Via email). |
