I n d e p t h    A n a l y s i s
Politics ignores popular opinion!

Kathmandu: Last week appears to have exhausted UML arguments for constitutional change with all sections isolating it and the congress dominated media exposing the glaring fissures in UML arguments. For once, the divided congress seems to have come together to stall the change.

Lost in the process is Girija Prasad Koirala who seems merely to have postponed Left demands for change despite agreeing to it. The postponement is to defer UML threats to stall the on going parliament this week. In effect, the crisis looms still but has been postponed. In effect, again, Girija babu appears still to be adding names of his list of signatures to oust Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on plea of a unity with the UML for his mysterious Broader Democratic Alliance.

It is this postponement that continues to hurt the nation, stall government at the expense of the continued Maoists pressure. It is this fluidity that makes the nation turn elsewhere for solace in ending a seemingly perpetual series of crisis which the political process appears either unwilling or unable to resolve.

Perhaps one positive outcome now is that politicians and the media have begun openly looking to the King for solutions. Previously virtual taboo in the political process, the popular opinion now can't but be reflected in a media sector whose democratic pretensions have now had to be exhausted for simple reason of bankruptcy in the political sector. As pressure mounts, the monarchy will find it difficult to ignore these demands which are "fraught with dangers" since organized politics still finds it unsuitable to reflect this popular opinion.

Nepal as a nation-state all set to go the UML way!

Kathmandu: The country is all set to go the UML dictated way.

Whether one liked it or not, but then the strong and forceful manner the UML leaders have taken up the issue of the constitutional reforms and have tentatively made it their one-point agenda it appears that the party which has only recently become a "formidable force" after its "calculated" reunification with the ML politically speaking, will lead the country in a manner they wished and had all along cherished immediately after the collapse of the erstwhile regime in 1990.

Most dangerous and mysterious is the tacit approval provided by the Nepali Congress' president G.P.Koirala to the proposed UML's agenda for the constitutional reforms.

Questions are being raised in and among congress quarters itself as to what prompted president Koirala to give his "private" nod and that too unconditionally to the UML agenda. Questions are also being raised in congress quarters as to what benefit on political terms the congress or for that matter its president would bag by supporting UMLs demand for effecting constitutional reforms. And finally congressmen also remain puzzled over the fact that who authorized president Koirala or for that matter the congress prime minister to summarily accept the UML proposal when the rank and file congress activists were not even consulted on a matter that has a direct bearing on nation's social, economic and political aspects?

The fact is that nation's prime minister too did not think of the majority of the population whom perhaps he represents prior to giving his approval to the UML proposal.

This raises a very pertinent question indeed. Can Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba do so on his own without talking to the people and taking them into confidence and bringing the whole subject to public debate? Does the existing constitution allows the prime minister to act on his own whims when the 1990 constitution has made the lay men a "sovereign"?

The fact is that the congress president and the congress prime minister have been lured by the UML leadership and in the whole process , the deaf and the dumb population have been left into the cold. We have one more institution, to recall, that has been summarily neglected and not consulted in the process is perhaps the constitutional monarchy as well.

Be that as it may, President Koirala's unconditional support extended to the UML agenda is understandable. President Koirala can support any Tom, Dick and Harry and their proposals, if any, if those contributed in the ouster of his political competition-Deuba. This much is understandable because Koirala's one-point agenda is that he wishes to see Deuba's ouster immaterial who supports him in that particular bid.

However, why prime minister Deuba could extend his helping hands to the UML is mysterious indeed. If it were a give and take for the approval of the state of emergency then Deuba has committed a blunder for obvious reasons. By supporting the UML agenda of the constitutional reforms, Deuba has knowingly or unknowingly guaranteed the emergence of UML rule should the nation go for the polls in the near future.

A reunified UML will go to its voters at time of the election claiming that they have finally fought a war for the "people's rights" with the conservative congress and hence for the institutionalization of their rights they be voted and allowed to rule the country.

Given the congress infighting and divisions and several fissures existing in the party which will presumably continue till the election time as well, the voters will definitely honor the UML and that way what could be easily predicted in advance that no force on the earth could block the UML way in controlling the reigns in Singh Durbar.

The country then will go the West Bengal way for decades and decades.

For the lay men, whether the nation is being run by the congress or by the communists will make no difference.

What , however, would make a difference in that new scenario is that how the UML will then interpret the constitution with the reforms effected their way?

To recall, the UML immediately after the promulgation of the 1990 constitution had clearly stated that they accept the constitution with certain reservations.

"While our minimum goal is the prevalence of a "people's democracy", our maximum goal would be the institutionalization of communism", is what remains intact even today in UMLs party manifesto.

Apart from that the UML then had also clearly stated that their directive principles would be guided by "Marxism and Leninism".

This clearly means that the ultimate goal of the UML leadership is to slowly but steadily change the constitution on their party lines and finally bring about a big change to meet their final goals.

Understandably, the UML gets annoyed as and when personalities like Daman Dhungana, Bishwa Nath Upadhyaya and justice Laxman Aryal and the likes talk against the UML agebnda of constitutional reforms. In the eyes of the UML, those who talk against their agenda were all reactionaries and hence represented forces of status quo. However, the UML is yet to clarify as to which articles and clauses of the 1990 constitution did restrict the party in achieving the Ram Rajya as envisioned by their party. Has the 1090 constitution not allowed them to perform? Has the constitution dictated the party to rig the elections? What is the guarantee that the constitution even after the reforms the UML way would be abided by the parties? And above all, were not these political parties who interpreted the constitution in a manner that suited them most politically?

For the lay men again, whether the nation becomes a communist state or embraces a different form of government will make less difference. The laymen, however, will only wish to know who was ruling them.

Congratulations to the UML in advance!

Lost in the process of political 'gimmicks' is need for 'resumption' of talks…

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has his single point agenda; the summary ouster of his arch rival, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba too has his own agenda and that being sticking to power come what may.

Similarly, the UML has one grand agenda which if materialized will allow the party to rule the nation for decades and decades.

The RPP, the party of the erstwhile autocratic rulers give the impression that they have become fully democratic and wish to share the resources in government by aligning itself to either to the congress or for that matter the UML. In effect, this party is a bottom-less party whose political tilt can't be predicted.

Likewise, the regional party, the Nepal Sadbhavana, which has only recently lost its founder Supremo, Gajendra Narayan Singh is yet to bring its house in order. The NSP basically has one point agenda and that being that it would align itself to any party, be it the congress, the UML or even the RPP, if these parties supported its citizenship issue.

While all the major political actors have engaged themselves in getting through their own political agenda, lost in the process is the issue of the state of emergency and the need to reactivate the now stalled talks with the Maoists insurgents.

These two burning issues have been totally sidelined by the major political parties in a manner as if these were non-issues or were issues that demanded the attention only of the government and the international donors who could contribute financial aids in order to sustain the mobilization of the army sent to the affected areas in order to disarm the insurgents.

What these parties in the process have completely forgotten is that those who were being killed on either sides were the Nepalese and that these killings had to be brought to an end in order to restore the peace.

Intellectuals wonder as to why the Human Rights activists too have kept mum over this issue? Why not the responsible quarters raise this issue effectively that would act like a sort of pressure on both the warring sides and finally press them both to resume the failed talks?

Is it a matter to be left to the international community who in effect have amply hinted that "dialogues" must prevail at any costs.

To recall, the French Ambassador is on record to have said that at a meeting with the officials of the foreign ministry he was informed that the government favored talks with the Maoists. This implies that France as a nation too wishes that a sort of dialogue with the Maoists has got to be initiated.

Similarly, talking to the Telegraph weekly, March 1, 2002 at a SAARC Secretariat reception, the American Ambassador too favored the "resumption of the talks with the Maoists"'.

Intellectuals believe that most of the civilized countries would wish the government being equipped with bot carrot and stick. This implies that if the mobilization of the army in Maoists affected areas were amounted to stick, then it is the resumption of the dialogue with the insurgents which could be considered to be a carrot.

Intellectuals fail to understand the government's present stance vis-à-vis the Maoists. If the establishment wishes to continue the fight until finish, then the former must take it for granted that the fight might continue ad infinitum! And in the process where the Nepalese economy will have gone is any body's guess. The Deuba establishment or for that matter any would-be government should take into account the fact that international donors will support Nepal only to a desired extent. The donors too will be questioned by their own tax payers back in their own country.

Considering all these aspects, the members of the civil society and other responsible quarters including the Kathmandu based international community, say intellectuals, should impress upon the Deuba regime for the resumption of the talks with the Maoists at the earliest.

Reports had it that Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai was in town some days back. Presumably he could have come to seek favors from noted HR activists and in all likelihood would have sought their support for the resumption of the stalled dialogues with the government.

A close look at Comrade Prachanda's fresh letters sent to major political parties too hints that they would dialogues.

What could be more shocking than watching a Nepali being killed by yet another Nepali and the entire Nepali population not taking the matter seriously?

The resumption of dialogues with the Maoists could not be an issue of prestige. The initiatives could come from any side. What is the harm if the government with broader heart invited the insurgents through known and declared mediators and pave the way for a permanent settlement of the issue that has almost taken so many precious lives on both sides and has also become a costly economics for the donor driven beggar country.

By the same token, the insurgents too could send signals exhibiting their desire for the talks.

French Military Defense team returns

Katmandu: A high level delegation from the French Institute of International Studies for National Defense visited Nepal from early March, 2002.

The French team has already Nepal and is on a similar tour of India.

The delegation comprised of 28 members in all wherein delegates from industry, business, defense, bureaucracy and other sectors of the society were also included.

This is perhaps the first ever delegation which has visited Nepal from the French military defense academy based in Paris.

Talking to the Telegraph weekly Monday evening, the leader of the team, Mr. Phillipppe J. DUVERNOY described the purpose of the visit of the defense team to "take a first hand note of the current Nepali problems" which, according to the team leader, had aroused great concern in France.

"Nepal is a well known country in France and we highly appreciate Nepal's total and unconditional support to its democratic system", continued Monsieur Duvernoy.

To yet another query, the leader told that this visit "allowed them to understand the Nepalese problems and the Nepalese needs as well".

According to Duvernoy, the French side would be more than willing to train Nepali "officers" at their Institute should the Nepalese side exhibited its interest and formally approached them.

Narrating the working procedures of the Institute, Phillipe said that every fortnight the Institute invites competent French nationals from all the possible sectors and discuss on certain matters related with the country's burning affairs and the outcome of the discussion is later presented to the French Prime Minister.

Asked whether they will report the outcome of their fresh trip of Nepal to their Prime Minister, the team leader replied in affirmative.

According to Phillippe, the men after getting trained at the Institute had to work compulsorily.

The team during their three day sojourn in Kathmandu met the Chief of the Military Staff, Mr. Prazzwal Rana and Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya.

"Our discussion with Monsieur Rana was very fruitful"', maintained the team leader

The French Ambassador, Mr. Claude Ambrosini, when approached opined that such visits do contribute in understanding each other's aspirations, needs and capabilities as well.

The Ambassador also shared the opinion of the team leader Mr. Duvernoy that if Nepal approached the French side, they might offer training to some Nepali officers at their institute in Paris.

"The Institute of National defense is like a French think-tank which forwards its advice on a particular subject to the French government as and when the latter needs them"', explained Ambassador Ambrosini.

According to Ambassador Ambrosini, France was ready to extend its advice regarding on how to protect people at time of natural disasters, at times of rise of terrorism, hostage keeping and the likes.

"However, we will extend our support only when the other side formally approached us"', concluded the Ambassador.

RNA and Police can't alone solve Maoists problem says US scholar

Kathmandu: The Institute of Foreign Affairs organized a talk program on "Counter Terrorism" by Ambassador A. Peter Burleigh, last week at Hotel Himalaya.

To recall, Ambassador Burleigh was in Nepalgunj as the Peace Corps volunteer during the early sixties. The talk program was well participated by former foreign ministers, officials of His Majesty’s government and a large number of Nepali academicians and journalists.

Ambassador Burleigh began his presentation with his "personal" views on the horrific attacks in Washington and New York on September 11, 2001. The event had definitely triggered an enormous interest on the American people that are seldom interested about foreign policy issues.

In the process, virtually all countries joined the counter-terrorism efforts of the U.S. After President Bush’s extraordinary statement that "you are either with us or with the terrorists" even those from countries that are regarded as the sponsors of terrorism like Cuba, Libya, North Korea and Sudan not only declared their interest on the global war against terrorism but also became the first ones to declare their support.

Ambassador Burleigh during his speech outlined, among others, that, "The United Nations too has been proactive in this cause but much of it has gone unnoticed by the international press", which he chose to state as "press play".

According to Ambassador Burleigh, there is no agreed definition on "terrorism" and even the UNSC resolution 1373 "agreed" to delay a definition on terrorism. This incongruity comes especially because my terrorist can be your freedom fighter and vice versa.

On Nepal, Ambassador Burleigh said that "he was not an expert on Nepalese affairs but since Nepal has a lot of friends in the US and given that he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepalgunj, he had the interest in visiting the city". He said that after landing in Nepalgunj, firstly he along with the US Ambassador were taken to the Royal Nepal Army divisional headquarters for a briefing after which he even saw the 36 dead bodies of the Nepal Police personnel that were killed in Salyan the other day by Maoist rebels.

He said that he was horrified to see that the bodies had been mutilated by Khukri even after they were shot. For the first time, an American official may have seen this heartbreaking scene of wives and children of victims coming in the helicopters and has dashed his image of a peaceful and serene Nepal with its lovely mountain peaks and trekking ranges.

We also went, Ambassador Burleigh added "to Mangalsen where the Maoists had overrun an army barrack. We saw that RPG and mortars were used either from the Dang barrack from any other source. What was fascinating was the total destruction of the town, even the old palace there was still burning."

He, however, suggested Nepal to adopt a two-pronged approach namely; # Nepal urgently needs to reform the working style of its civilian ministries.

# The RNA and the Police will do a better job over time only if they break off the reactive posture, which allows the rebels to choose the time and place and finally "it was not fair to expect the RNA and the police to solve the Maoist problem on their own,".

"To leave the responsibility to them is unfair because there exists a serious problem with Nepal’s national government", Ambassador Burleigh concluded.

Later followed the question-answer session.

Editor Budathoki missing!

Kathmandu: The worst hit during the state of emergency in Nepal is the media sector.

Of late there have been incidents wherein media personalities either have been arrested or even kidnapped.

The biggest tragedy has been that the government in Kathmandu exhibits its total neglect as and when such sad incidents take place but yet pretends to possess sympathies for the men in the media sector.

In the process yet another professional colleague, Mr. Gopal Budathoki-editor The Sanghu Weekly, is missing from his Bagbazar Office where he was seen last on Saturday late night.

Since then the editor's whereabouts are not known even to his family members.

Newspaper sources say that editor Budathoki was seen encircled by a set of men on Saturday late evening when the editor wished to proceed towards his residence in Mandikhatar after finalising his newspaper's Monday issue.

We urge the government to trace the missing journalist and carry out an investigation as to why the said media man was kidnapped and who could be those who were interested in kidnapping the journalist.

We also urge the international community to impress upon the Nepali establishment so that the missing journalists' whereabouts are known.

Ivanov talks with Sattar

Kathmandu: According to a report, on February 28 last month, a telephonic conversation took place between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Ivanov and the Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Sattar.

During the telephone conversation, the prospects of Russian-Pakistani relations, including questions of the struggle against terrorism, religious extremism and the illicit drug trafficking, were discussed.

The developments in Afghanistan also were touched upon-says a press release issued by the RF embassy in Kathmandu dated 4 March.

The Russian and Pakistani ministers, adds the press release, reiterated their countries' desire to cooperate with a view to a comprehensive Afghan settlement, and together with other states, helping Afghanistan's social and economic revival.

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