I n d e p t h    A n a l y s i s
Reality distant from parliamentary gimmicks!

Kathmandu: The tempo for change is on the increase. The parliament's endorsement of the state of emergency has done more to expose the fissures in the current system than to cover it as claimed by the parliamentary parties. Whether Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and party chairman Girija Prasad Koirala have secured the emergency at significant price is subject for current debate. The fact of the matter is that our parliamentary parties have provided the two third majority required only after wangling concessions for their individual parties.

National needs therefor remain secondary to party needs as was demonstrated this round too. Sher Bahadur Deuba is said to have conceded a lot. He has agreed to constitutional reforms demanded by the UML. He has agreed to push through the questionable citizenship concessions for the Nepal Sadbhavana party. These two concessions alone are likely to compound Deuba's problems. The UML has already threatened to paralyze the parliament in case his promises are not delivered this week.

Back in the limelight is the question of the constitutional reforms thus. The UML's demands so blatantly attempt to secure its permanence that it has prompted a Supreme Court Sitting Judge Shri Laxman Aryal to comment that the constitution should not be tampered with at the whims of the political parties. In fact the very logic of reforms in the constitution emanating from the very political parties that "contribute to its distortion" is an exercise in redundancy the costs of which will again be passed on to the nation.

From extreme solutions a la' Nara Hari Acharya's demand for a directly elected Prime Minister to systemic change such as that for proportional representation thought of by the UML demands however original border on the ridiculous because of the seemingly purposeful ignorance of the fact that inadequacies in the present constitution occur because of its flagrant violation by the very actors who seem to be seeking a solution in the change.

What is for sure however, is that this week should see yet another crisis in the making. The UML insists that Deuba should deliver his promises by this week. The congress itself is not in agreement on the need for constitutional change. Reports are leaked that rival Koirala has secured a "Royal Audience" on the subject of "change".

Regardless, the public at large appear little bothered with these ongoing political antics. The solutions they seek do not emanate in parliament.

Ambassador Malinowski stresses the need of 'collective responsibility' to fight terrorism

Kathmandu: For the first time perhaps the United States of America has spoken its minds extensively regarding the Maoists insurgency and the "people's war" being waged by the insurgents in Nepal since six years or so.

The United States Ambassador Michael Malinowski Monday not only dubbed the Maoists as "terrorists" but also linked the Maoists outfit with the world's known terrorists organizations such as Shining Path, Aby Sayef, the Khmer Rouge or Al Quaida.

Ambassador Malinowski's sentimental remarks made Monday at the opening ceremony of South Asia Peace Operations Seminar-Game must have come as a pleasant surprise for the attending Nepali authorities more so to the high ranking Nepali military officials in the sense that the remarks made by the Ambassador from the lone super power will go a long way in fighting with the Maoists insurgents.

Nepal as a nation-state will benefit from Malinowski's remarks firstly because the United States is also the one country which has already been the victim of terrorist activities last year and for Nepal now it would not be that difficult to convince the US side for tangible support both in cash and in kind.

That Nepal will benefit immensely from Ambassador's expressions also could be viewed in the light that the United States diplomat has just returned from a trip to the areas where the Maoists recently created ghastly scenes wherein scores of security men lost their lives. During the trip the Ambassador is supposed to have been briefed by the security personnel that the heavy losses on their sides were solely due to the unavailability of sophisticated weapons with them while fighting with the Maoists insurgents.

This means that the US side now fully understands the Nepali "demands" for sophisticated weapons from the American side which perhaps would be taken "positively".

Chances are brighter that the US side might also extend financial support because the US is in full knowledge that this beleaguered nation is already hard pressed.

The fact is that the Nepal government alone through the use of its already depleted resources can't sustain the mobilization of the army for long. Nepal needs financial support indeed from friendly nations if it were to continue its long-drawn battle with the insurgents.

And finally there is one more benefit that Nepal will enjoy indirectly time permitting. The moment the US administration includes the name of the Maoists insurgency in the list of world's known and recognized terrorist organizations, a sort of pressure would be on Nepal's neighbors who allegedly provide shelter to the Nepalese Maoists.

To recall, President Bush is on record to have said that the US will not even spare the countries who provide shelter to the terrorists.

The US Ambassador in the course of making the address Monday also made it clear that the US and other peace loving democratic nations must take the challenge of terrorism in a collective manner.

"When situations arise that challenge positive world order and which can be addressed by a collective response, it is the responsibility and obligation of all of our countries to come together to restore and preserve peace", the Ambassador added.

This again means that Ambassador Malinowski would wish to see such significant support to this country pouring in from other developed countries from the West which allows Nepal to face the threat of Maoists terror.

To recall, Britain has already made some commitments in this regard.

It is time that France and Germany too speak their minds in this regard.

Perhaps hinting at the shortcomings which Ambassador Malinowski apparently noted during his fresh tour to the western region in the functioning of the government in Kathmandu and the security system there, the US envoy says: "and the lesson for Nepal and by extension to other young democracies is the absolute importance for all democratic institutions of government, including security forces, both police and military, to be well coordinated in defense of Nepal's constitution, against all enemies both foreign and domestic".

What is surprising is that Ambassador Malinowski hints that he sees a sort of threat to Nepal's constitution and alerts the Nepalese people to remain cautious from the would be designs of forces, foreign and domestic.

He however does not mention as to who could be those forces from within or from without who would pose a danger to Nepal's constitution.

All in all, Ambassador Malinowski's statement might act as a catalyst for both the government and the security forces in doubling their energy in containing the threats of the Maoists insurgency. (See last page for Ambassador Malinowski's full text-editor).

Deuba comes out from 'frying pan' only to land in 'furnace'

Kathmandu: Bids to bring about a total unceremonious collapse of the incumbent Sher Bahadur Deuba regime is apparently taking shape in the congress camp.

Poor lame-duck Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is not even being allowed to take some rest after his Herculean efforts resulted in securing the approval of the parliament for the state of emergency.

Intellectuals say that prime minister Deuba has just come out of the frying pan only to land in the furnace.

Deuba's rival camp prior to using their own cards for the ouster of prime minister Deuba would wish to see a UML pressing the incumbent prime minister very hard in order to get their demand for a constitutional reforms heeded to.

To recall, the UML has already made it known that if Deuba does not heed to their demands on constitutional reforms and that too before this weekend, the party will bring heaven down the earth come what may.

A nervous Sher Bahadur Deuba promised the UML that he would abide by their demands if the UML approved the state of emergency in the parliament.

A clever UML got a bumper and twisted the arms of the Prime Minister and managed assurances from the nation's prime minister on effecting certain changes in the constitution the UML way.

The fact is that the UML too had no options left other than to endorse the state of emergency for declared reasons. It was more or less a compulsion for the UML too to approve the emergency which prime minister Deuba did not thought of.

And now that the party has already approved the emergency but yet a section of the UML leaders have started speaking against the very approval apparently to send signals to the lay men that it would have been nice had they disapproved the government proposal.

It is a case of killing two birds with one stone acquired by the present UML leadership.

Undoubtedly, Deuba is in a trap. If he does not honor his own promise made to the UML prior to the approval of the emergency, he knows the consequences. More so Deuba definitely knows that a strong section of the congress too were siding with the UML which meant that he is now the target of both the UML and a section of his own party.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Deuba is in knowledge that his rival camp in the congress will extend their support to the main opposition till he is kicked out of the government.

In effect, the congress faction led by Girija babu would wish to see Deuba resigning voluntarily under the excessive pressure from the UML.

The Deuba detractors have planned that if the UML fails in managing the ouster of Deuba then the former would use the card of no confidence against him.

Reports have it that the Koirala camp has already secured some fifty-eight plus signatures of congress parliamentarians which is more than sufficient to push the no confidence move against Deuba at the NC parliamentary party. One source close to Koirala camp even told this scribe that this camp can easily muster sixty eight names against Deuba any time.

If this is so then what could be concluded is that Deuba's days in government are numbered.

This notwithstanding, prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba unknowingly invited trouble to his chair Monday afternoon.

In fact Sher Bahadur Deuba in Monday's cabinet meeting warned his colleagues in the cabinet that he "would take stringent actions" against any of his colleagues found involved in corrupt practices.

The fact is that Deuba's cabinet comprises of scores of declared corrupts which means that any drastic action taken against them by the Prime Minister would mean shortening the longevity of the government if not an abrupt collapse.

Reports have it that some corrupt ones now housed in Deuba cabinet have send "friendly signals" to the Koirala camp that they would be more than happy to support any move against Deuba provided their interests were taken proper care of in the "would be" congress establishment.

The fact is that the threat to Deuba establishment is more from its own party men than from the UML quarters. The UML can't dismiss Deuba's Premiership. At best the party can create troubles to Deuba as it had done with Koirala at time of the 19 th session of the parliament.

The real threat to his government is from his own party.

How Prime Minister Deuba shields himself from his own party's attack will have to be watched.

Equally interesting would be to watch the number game and the horse-trading that will follow at time of the vote of no-confidence in the congress.

If Deuba wishes to continue more in the government, say intellectuals, he would have to bring into effect certain sweeping changes in the country in favor of the lay men.

Some Congress stalwarts favor 'active' Monarchy

Kathmandu: A section of the congress stalwarts have tried to give a new twist to the existing political situation in the country.

At a time when the congress faction led by Koirala is hell bent on securing a broader democratic alliance in order to what he claims to safeguard the democratic system and the other section of the congress led by prime minister is making Himalayan efforts to save his government from the attacks of the UML and more so from the other camp of his own party, the third section led by former minister Dhundi Raj Sashtri has issued a statement urging the constitutional monarch to become active and assert his powers in order to save the country from the approaching collapse.

Former minister Shastri and his colleagues made this fervent appeal to the King last Wednesday wherein they have portrayed the country's existing situation to be chaotic and have also hinted that it is only the King who could give a clear direction to the country.

This surprising statement from congress stalwarts also coincides with the King's democracy day message wherein the constitutional monarch has hinted that "things could deteriorate more if the anomalies that have gripped the nation of late were not corrected".

Insiders of the congress say that the statement issued by some disgruntled congress personalities like Mr. Shastri does not carry weight and hence could be dismissed outrightly. This section opines that Shastri and his cohorts could have made this statement in order to signal the congress high command that if their voices were not heard then they too could pose problems to the top-hats controlling the congress high command.

Others say that the men who issued statement urging the King to intervene were the most frustrated and the neglected lot in the congress in the present scheme of things.

One source close to Deuba establishment opined that the men asking for the King's intervention were in essence the victims of Girija Prasad Koirala's whims in the past.

Be that as it may, the personalities involved in the issuance of the statement were all established congress stalwarts and hence to dismiss their statement outrightly will be foolhardy.

While this statement makes it abundantly clear that there is a section now in the congress camp which sees the need of an active monarchy to bring the country back to the original track. This also makes it clear that time permitting the number in this camp could swell should the situation in the country do not improve. Finally it also means that those who have been the victims of the whims of congress in the past and those who were in the process of being victimized would all join the school of thought currently led by congress stalwart Dhundi Raj Shastri.

In conclusion, it could safely be said that slowly but steadily a sort of hidden love, respect and honor for the constitutional monarchy is taking a concrete shape in the hearts of the congressmen as well.

Telegraph adds: The congress high command has already sought clarifications from the men issuing that particular statement. They have been told to write to Congress CC within seven days clarifying their very motive and intention behind making such an unwarranted statement. Some in the Koirala camp maintain that Mr. Shastri made that statement at the instigation of prime minister Deuba.

New executive committee of NFCCI

Kathmandu: The annual general meeting of the Nepal-France Chambers of Commerce and Industries held last week has reelected Mr. Shyam Mohan Shrestha as its next president.

The NFCCI is comprised mostly of Nepalese businessmen and industrialists having some business activities with France.

The NFCCI has also some French companies as its member.

The other members of the new NFCCI executive are as follows: Mr. Mohan Gopal Khetan, Vice-President; Rajesh Lal Shrestha, GS; Mr. Rajan Amatya, Treasurer; Pawan Kumar Agrawal, member; Basanta Malla, member; Bal Chandra Bajracharya, member, Bhuban Kadel, member; Kishor Chandra Shrestha, member, Rajiv Aryal, member and Mahen Shrestha.

The French Ambassador to the Nepali court Mr. Claude Ambrosini threw a reception in honor of the newly elected NFCCI members at his residence last week.

On the occasion Ambassador Ambrosini said that though he should rejoice over the trade balance that goes in favor for his country but hoped that in the days ahead the trade imbalance either diminished or even disappeared.

Ambassador Ambrosini felt the need to make big efforts in order to give a real boost to the existing meager volume of the trade and commerce transaction in between Nepal and France. (see the full text on third page).

Similarly, Mr. Shyam Mohan Shrestha, the president of NFCCI said that by the end of this year or early next year a Nepal Promotion Exhibition in Paris is being planned which will facilitate the Nepali exports to France.

According to him, some French companies have shown their keen interest in installing cable cars in Nepal under joint venture scheme.

Keshav Raj Jha, Nepal's former Ambassador to France, talking to this scribe told that France could be a potential market for Nepalese products provided tremendous efforts were made in this regard.

Restoration of Chusyabaha; example of Nepal-German cultural cooperation

Kathmandu: Many visitors have described Chusyabaha as the best preserved Buddhist monastic building of down town Kathmandu, if not the entire valley.

The lack of traditional resources, however, had led to serious decay. With substantial contributions by IUCN and the German government, the newly restored quadrangle of the Baha now stands out again as witness of the city's glorious past for generations to come.

Chysyabaha was probably founded already in the 15 century. Two hundred years later one Guna-Jyoti, whose figure can be seen in the courtyard of the monastery, contributed to the renovation of the Baha but had wait for another 20 years until the consecration ceremony could be performed in Nepal Sambat 769, 1649AD, in the presence of King Pratap Malla.

From 1996 to 2001, the entire root of the quadrangle was renewed in traditional techniques, the walls were not replaced but carefully repaired with traditional bricks, and finally it was possible to regain the space below the eaves by reconstructing the plinths around the entire building. Most laudable, however, was to free the building from unpleasant and illegal encroachments to return the entire space to its original owners, the community of Vajracharyas, the Buddhist Sangha.

Architectural preservation stands out as a major component of heritage preservation-an accepted tool for any nation to demonstrate its cultural diversity and dignity. Exactly thirty years have passed since the first restoration project was carried out with assistance from the Federal Republic of Germany.

Hundreds of historic buildings have since been saved from decay and imminent demolition..

Architectural preservation has indeed become an area of intensive cultural cooperation between Nepal and Germany in which continuity and perseverance led to visible results.

NCWA team returns from India visit

Kathmandu: The Executive Committee members of the Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA) headed by its President Keshav Raj Jha paid a 12-day goodwill visit to India from January 23 to February 3, 2002, at the invitation of the Govt. of India, it is learnt from the NCWA sources.

During their visit to New Delhi, the NCWA team exchanged extensive views with the senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, on the ways and means to deepen and upgrade Nepal-India ties to meet the challenges of 21st Century.

They also held talks with top brass of the institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, united services institute of India and held interactions with academics, intellectuals and decision makers at Indian Council of World Affairs, and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and attended cultural programme organized by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR). They also witnessed the 53rd Republic Day parade as State guest. Royal Nepalese Ambassador to India, Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa hosted a dinner and Mrs. Meera Shanker, Joint Secretary of the Northern Division of the Ministry of External Affairs hosted a luncheon in honor of the Council members during their stay in New Delhi. Both events have provided further opportunities for them to have exchange of views with Indian diplomats, intellectuals, politicians, journalists and friends and well-wishers of Nepal.

Nepal is currently plagued with terrorism that is shaking its very foundation as a nation

U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski, Nepal

Distinguished guests all, including not only from the South Asian region, but from 32 countries around the world. Australia, France, Vanuatu, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Russia, Madagascar, and more! This must be among the most eclectic and diverse groupings ever to descend on Kathmandu! But … such diversity couldn't be more appropriate given the subject … international peace keeping.

Indeed, since September 11, the community of peace loving nations has come together to recognize that protecting the peace is a collective responsibility. We are all on this planet together. We all have the same aspirations for good and productive lives for ourselves and for our family members, for education for our children, for good health, and for a world at peace. And so, when situations arise that challenge that positive world order, and which can be addressed by a collective response, it is the responsibility and obligation of all of our countries to come together to restore and preserve the peace.

Here in Nepal, as we all know, right now there is no peace. But I do believe that there are lessons for both those of us who live in Nepal and for the international community. And I believe that these lessons lead us to a vision that is applicable both in Nepal and in other newly emerging democracies around the world.

As we all know, Nepal is currently plagued with a terrorism that is shaking its very foundation as a nation. These terrorists, under the guise of Maoism or the so called "people's war," are fundamentally the same as terrorists elsewhere -- be they members of the Shining Path, Abu Sayaf, the Khmer Rouge, or Al Qaida. They are radicals who seek to impose their narrow views and beliefs on others, despite the popular will of those they seek to influence or convert. They use barbaric tactics, and they know no reason. Eleven years ago, Nepal chose the form of government that is being used around the world by nations that want to move forward in the 21st century -- democracy. ... The only form of government that allows for citizens to select their own leaders who have to test their performance in regular elections. Having failed to receive the popular support of the Nepali people at the ballot box, the Maoists now seek to achieve their aims through the use of force, violence, extortion, intimidation, and murder.

For far too long, the struggle to protect Nepal's democracy was waged solely by a poorly equipped police force. Over the past 6 years hundreds of courageous and patriotic police officers have been killed in service to their country. Since last November Royal Nepal Army soldiers have also been killed, and their numbers are growing. In democracies, the death of even one police officer or one soldier is a community and national tragedy. These are young men and women who put their lives at risk in order to protect and preserve the freedoms of the common citizen. I salute each and every police officer and soldier who has died at the hands of Maoist terrorists. Each one is a hero, and each one deserves the status of national martyr.

And the lesson for Nepal and by extension to other young democracies is the absolute importance for all democratic institutions of government, including security forces, both police and military, to be well coordinated in defense of Nepal's constitution, against all enemies both foreign and domestic. And I want to end this part of my talk with a vision -- A vision of a future Nepal at peace, in which the total security needs of the nation are organized and staffed in the manner that makes sense for Nepal's situation such that each branch of the security services, be it the police or the military, has the equipment and training it needs to protect the peace, under the guidance of the elected leaders of the country. For those of you in the audience from Nepal's military and General Rana, I praise your commitment to this vision.

For the rest of you in the audience from other countries, I likewise praise your commitment to protecting the international peace. I am well aware of the importance of the Asia Pacific Peace Operations Capacity Building Program and the seminars, symposia, exercises and games that you undertake to facilitate multi-national dialogue on the nature of peace operations throughout the world. Because of this program, participant forces are better prepared and coordinated, and Rules of Engagement under international laws, treaties and conventions are better understood.

These joint efforts under the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO) that have and will take place in several nations in Asia, and that include both military and civilian defense forces will result in more effective and humanitarian peacekeeping missions.

Congratulations to the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance and the Asia Pacific Area Network for designing the successful prior events that were held in Manila in May 2000, in Bangkok in July 2000, in Dhaka in September 2000 and in Kuala Lumpur in April 2001. And best of luck in undertaking the five additional events that will take place in 2002 and the final six in 2003. Yours is noble and patriotic work, of which you should be greatly proud.

Good luck … you have my sincere best wishes and support

Welcome Address by U.S. Ambassdor Michael E. Malinowski made at South Asia Peace Operations Seminar-Game held in kathmandu on February 25, 2002

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