Indepth Analysis

Maoists talk likely to be prolonged!

Kathmandu: It is likely that the third round of talks with the Maoists will not be conclusive. One reflection of this is on the diversion on the expected cabinet reshuffle. Jockeying currently is within the congress party of those to be included. Deuba says he will bring a strengthened cabinet. Moves are already underway to open new ministries. The general consensus is that the numbers will be bloated. The consensus also is that Sher Bahadur Deuba will not be able to satisfy all his supporters and so the cabinet expansion will be the ruse for heightened congress conflict.

Another indication that the scene has somewhat shifted from the Maoists talks is in the low-key rhetoric on Maoists activities. Media coverage contains gestures on part of both-the government and the Maoists. Activities such as the release of the prisoners. There is less talk of continuing Maoists organizational activities. These have evidently not stopped. What seems to have halted is talk of Maoists participation in an interim government.

There is reason for this apparently. Since the government has ruled out Republicanism and constituent assembly as topics for concession, what the talks will yield are far below the cadre expectations raised by the Maoists leadership. Since the global forces on anti-terrorism have been to the disadvantage of the Maoists in many ways, threats to continue the insurgency are likely to be counterproductive. It is thus that the Maoists must yield and the government must take advantage in the talks. Cadre pressures must thus be handled with care by the central Maoists leadership. The delaying tactics would thus be a preferred strategy on part of the Maoists themselves.

Revealingly, the other Left organizations apart from two, MASAL and United People's Front, appear to have agreed on dropping their demands for Republicanism and constituent assembly. This pressure from the Left would surely bear upon the nature of the talks scheduled for this week. There are also rumors that none less than Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai said to be in Kathmandu is likely to participate in the talks. Rumors are that the Maoists will now be given a veneer of new acceptability on account of the gradual prolongation of the talks.

Curious twist to this apparent effort, the emphasis on republicanism and constituent assembly has been deliberately diverted to talk of constitutional reforms, strangely advocating the need to curtail the powers of the monarchy. Amidst widespread public disenchantment on the ability of partisan politics to tame itself and deliver and amidst increasing public expectations from the monarchy to help shape things in, these new demands would seem a deliberate strategy indeed.

Delay in Government-Maoists talks bodes ill for nation

Kathmandu: The visible disinclination seen in both the government and the Maoists quarters definitely bodes ill for the overall political health of the nation.

Deliberate or otherwise, the talks are being delayed leaving the people to guess the unimaginables.

Unconfirmed reports say that the government led by Deuba now considers the need for the talks as "secondary" one given the present changed situation in the region and the world more specially after the September 11 events in America.

The government side obviously thinks that they have almost won the game and wishes the other quarter to "appeal" for the resumption of the third round of talks. Could be a mere coincidence but then the fact is that the Maoist Supremo, Comrade Prachanda the other day has requested the government side to "prepare" the atmosphere for the talks. In a statement freshly released by Prachanda, however, alleges the establishment in having remained insensitive for the talks and that they were "sincere" for the resumption of the now suspended talks.

Local intelligentsia wish to interpret Comrade Prachanda's preference for the talks in two ways.

Firstly, the Kathmandu literati see a completely changed Prachanda at the moment from what he used to be or the manner he used to serve ultimatums to the government through the use of statements. In their opinion, this changed stance of comrade Prachanda could be due to the September 11 events in America which has tentatively vowed to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the world's map. Secondly, and most importantly perhaps, Comrade Prachanda and his insurgency got a major jolt the day Indian leadership branded their organization as a terrorist one.

All put together, comrade Prachanda appears to have interpreted the changed political environment in the region and the world at large to have gone against their insurgency and might have concluded that it would be beneficial for him and the insurgency to go in for talks at least for the time being.

He could also have concluded that when Indian decision has gone summarily against his insurgency and chances were that his men could well be apprehended inside Indian territory, it would be in the fitness of the things to settle with a government that is their own.

Comrade Prachanda perhaps remains well aware of the fact that late B.P.Koirala too became "home-sick" when the then Indian Premier Madame Indira Gandhi told Koirala in no uncertain terms that if he continued extending his sympathies with forces inimical to her regime better to leave her country. A visionary Koirala opted to enter into his own motherland instead of obeying to the dictates of Madame Gandhi.

Other sources say that comrade Prachanda too is not interested in continuing the talks with the government side. In effect, the delay in the talks is benefiting the insurgency immensely as the latter is "conserving" energy to initiate a sort of crusade against the government should opportune moment arrive, says a very high placed source in Kathmandu.

The same source hastens to add: "Undoubtedly, the Maoists side got a setback after September 11 events in the US. However, this should not mean that the establishment should dismiss the need for the talks. They are still strong enough".

Similarly, high placed sources in government say that they were ready for the talks with the Maoists. However, the in-party rivalry and the indomitable penchant of some NC lawmakers to get included in ministerial posts prior to the Dashain festivals is what is eating the brain of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

"The lust for ministerial berths is so high in some NC parliamentarians that if Deuba does not include them in the impending expansion of the cabinet would mean a serious disaster in the NC political paraphernalia.

"Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka has already served a sort of ultimatum to Deuba to honor his "list of the would be ministers" or else face gravest political consequences", said a panicked Deubaite.

Minister Khadka, to recall, is a well-known personality in the congress camp who twists the arms of the men whom he supports at one time. He is also the man who could shift his allegiance should he conclude that in doing so he benefited immensely.

Perhaps this is Deuba's trouble. In a nutshell, he is dealing with two sets of Maoists: the one which is in his own cabinet and the other the real one.

Be that as it may, the unnecessary delay in the government-Maoists talks will have its negative impact not only upon the Nepali population but also on the "longevity" of the present Deuba setup.

Koirala's "foren" trip significant!

Kathmandu: Unconfirmed reports have it that congress president Girija Prasad Koirala will leave for New Delhi instantly after meeting his family-friend Mr. Devendra Singh in Patna, the capital of Bihar, India.

In doing so, say intellectuals, Koirala will apparently "apologise" for his harsh comments made against Indian establishment only recently wherein he had bluntly charged that it was India which had been constantly backing the Nepalese Maoists insurgency.

Whether India backed the Nepali insurgency in truest sense of the term or not, however, the charismatic effect of Koirala's allegations had been that India instantly branded the Maoists as a "terrorist" group.

The effect of this Indian decision had been that most of the known-unknown Maoists possible shelters in Indian territories were searched by the Indian policemen to the extent that it apparently caused a panic among the Maoists leadership.

Visiting India by Nepali leaders is a regular feature more so for the current Nepali leaders. No body knows whom the Nepali leaders meet in Delhi and what transpires in between the two. However, the fact is that upon their return from New Delhi pilgrimage, the Nepali politicos appear with a completely "renewed vigor" which they use either in destabilizing the existing regime or even at times replace the old set.

This is simply very unimaginable but the fact is that it has happened in the past and will perhaps continue too in the future.

Be that as it may, Koirala's present trip to New Delhi assumes special significance in the sense that president Koirala "informed" the King about his, say media men, proposed Delhi junket.

The Deuba quarter, predictably, has become sensitive. For Koirala is a known rival of sitting Prime Minister Deuba and the former's trip to Delhi, opine sources here, bodes ill for the latter's tenure in government.

How president Koirala presents himself in the ongoing national as well NC politics after this "foren" trip will perhaps determine the future course of Nepal's turbulent politics indeed.

Nevertheless, since the country under Deuba is all set to arrive at a solution to the Maoists imbroglio, a "blessed or even fully backed" Koirala can't initiate actions aimed at destabilizing the Deuba setup for it would be the people and a vast section of his own party men who will take Koirala actions in a very distasteful manner. Add to this the would be anger from the donor and the international community.

Be that as it may, those who understand Koirala's arrogant nature better opine that he will never retire from politics and would never allow his party-men to run the government smoothly which means that Deuba will have very tough time in government.

"If Koirala seduces a single person minister Khadka and bring him to his side, Deuba's days could be numbered", say Koirala loyalists.

CEDA greets Israeli diplomat
Nepal can immensely benefit from Israeli experience

-Ambassador Avraham Nir

Kathmandu: The Center for Economic Development and Administration, CEDA-T.U, organised a brief interaction with the Israeli Ambassador, Avraham Nir, October 4, at its premises in Kirtipur.

Welcoming the distinguished Israeli envoy, the Tribhuvan University Teachers' Association, CEDA Unit, president Mr. Abullaish said that it had been a tradition of the CEDA to invite diplomats from various countries in order to exchange views and share each other's ideas which could later be used in the nation building task.

"We at the CEDA wish to know from Ambassador Nir about the miraculous accomplishments achieved by his country during these past fifty years of its coming into existence", added Abullaish.

The Director at the CEDA, Professor Dr. Pitambar Rawal gave brief introduction of the center and hoped that the center will benefit from Isareli experiences.

The chief editor of the Telegraph weekly, N.P.Upadhyaya introduced the Israeli diplomat to the attending participants and assured the CEDA scholars that his newspaper would be of some support in arranging such similar interaction programs with various diplomats in the future.

"Such interactions do contribute in enhancing our bilateral ties", concluded Upadhyaya.

The Telegraph weekly had facilitated this program.

Later, Ambassador Nir made a thought provoking speech wherein he highlighted the state of the bilateral ties existing at the moment. He, however, said that "not enough cooperation" existed in between the two countries.

According to Ambassador Nir, there were several areas in which Nepal and Israel could work together.

For example, continued Ambassador Nir, Solar energy; biotechnology and information technologies, could be some core areas where Nepal could benefit immensely from Israeli experiences.

"We do not need any thing from Nepal. We wish to support Nepal as this is the country which supported us at time when we needed her support most in this part of the world", added the Ambassador.

If Kathmandu could be directly air linked with Israel, the number of Israeli tourists could grow unimaginably, explained the Ambassador.

Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Nir assured that his country can help Nepal by sharing their gained experiences and expertise in the sectors of managing cooperatives, agriculture, commerce and solar technology.

Later at the question/answer session the attending participants sought some clarifications from the Ambassador.

TUTA Vice President Mr. H.D.Pant offered vote of thanks.

Mr. Prem Sharma, the GS of the TUTA, CEDA Unit conducted the program and introduced the participants most of whom had already visited Israel.

The attending participants who had been in Israel declared that a SHALOM CLUB, CEDA, unit would soon be formed.

War against terrorism is on America strikes back!

Kathmandu: Never had the world population converged at one place in the past against the menace of "terrorism". Unprecedented solidarity indeed.

The United States of America under the leadership of President Bush has waged a war on terrorism and has vowed to wipe it out time permitting.

America has already declared a war on Afghanistan since Sunday late night and while penning this news Tuesday afternoon reports have it that cruise missiles and Tom Hawks in good numbers are pouncing on the hide-outs of the terrorists camps located in different sectors of Afghanistan.

Reports reveal that the US and the British forces have hit Kabul, Kandhar, Kunduz and even Majar E-Sharief in order to destroy the defense air bases controlled by Taliban.

Understandably, the present attacks by the US on Afghanistan have benefited the Northern Alliance of Afghanistan, which is advancing towards Kabul.

The foreign minister of northern alliance confirmed this while talking to BBC news television Tuesday afternoon.

To recall, all the major European powers and the United Nations Security Council too is unconditionally backing the present US moves on Afghanistan.

While a section of the Muslim population in some majority Muslim countries have taken the US bombing in Afghanistan in a different way and have expressed their anger by vowing to retaliate in a befitting manner, however, the US and the British leaders have summarily told that "it was a war not aimed against any religion or whatsoever rather it is a war solely designed at wiping out the scourge of terrorism"'.

Back in Nepal, the majority of the population is backing the US moves on Afghanistan for this peace loving population prefers a "war for peace and permanent tranquility".

However, the communist paraphernalia is against the government's decision in having allowed the Nepal's air space for the US air planes by stating that the government's decision has in so many ways hit hard Nepal's "non-aligned foreign policy". Statements to this effect from the communists quarters are pouring in. The fact is that the government remains undeterred and so is the population.

"When the whole world at the moment is siding with the US in order to wipe out terrorism from the globe , how can Nepal remain like a silent spectator to the whole affair", commented a political scientist on condition of anonymity.

He however wished to hint the irritated communists that Nepal's approval granted to the US should be taken as a timely "gesture" and nothing more than that.

"The communists must not panic for this gesture simply because the chances of the US bombers to use Nepali skies is simply remote", the political scientists hastened to add.

Be that as it may, the war on terrorism has begun.

It might take long to achieve the goal, however, since it has already begun let's hope that a day will soon come when the world will be free from the menace of the terrorists and terrorism.

The forces that have started the first war of the 21 st century against terrorism would do well if they avoid the killings of the innocent civilians. It would be in the fitness of things that the US and the allied forces must convince the Muslim population that it was a war not against their sacred religion but a war waged solely against terrorism.

Himalayan Bike race to begin next month

Kathmandu: Of late Nepal is gaining popularity at the world stage as a country where sports could be assimilated with tourism.

Despite negative propaganda made against Nepal by certain quarters, it is heartening to note that sports leaders of the world continue to find comfortable in coming to this country and mix sports with tourism.

It is in this light the proposed Himalayan Bike Race Series that is scheduled for November 10, 18 and 24 should be taken into account.

Last week, it was announced that Nepal will host this bike-fest beginning second week of November, next month. The Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board Pradip Raj Pandey expressed that such events do contribute to enhance the prospects of tourism in the country.

Australian Ambassador Crispin Conroy, a member in the board of the bike-fest assured the organizers that his country will be more than willing to support such events which enhance people to people level contacts through the medium of sports.

Sita Pandey, chairman of women's sports committee and a member of the bike-fest committee opined that such events go a long way in promoting friendship among peoples of the globe.

General Manager of the Radisson Hotel, Mr. Davidson, divulged that this event will be an action packed one. He wished the fest a grand success.

Peter Steward, the main brain behind this bike-fest said that this event will be watched practically by the entire population of the globe.

This 3 race international series is an annual event that is being held for the second time in Nepal.

The German Ambassador, Rudieger Lemp is also a committee member of the bike-fest.

Octoberfest in Fulwari resort

Pokhara: The Fulwari resort and Spa organized a fun festival "Octoberfest" on 6 October at its Hanging Garden and View Point Beer Garden.

The festival originally comes all along from Germany where it first started as a wedding celebration in 1810 in Munich-later became the revelers' bash for beer lovers of Germany and other parts of Europe.

The freshly concluded Octoberfest at the Fulwari, to recall, was the fourth annual event in its series.

The festival which continued for two nights and three days began from 5 October and the packages included special welcome drinks and amenities on arrival, buffet, breakfast, complimentary airport/resort/airport/transfer and most importantly 25% discount on Thai massage and health club.

Apart from these, the other attractions of the fest were the exclusive raffle draw, kite-flying competition, bingo, beer-drinking contest, beer chalet and live band throughout the day and understandably unlimited free flowing beer.

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