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Avoid unsolicited intervention

Kathmandu: Kul Chandra Gautam, a very high placed United Nations official has clearly notified Nepal that it would be better for this country to seek the UN support for the resolution of the Maoists crisis at the earliest or else remain prepared for a possible "unsolicited intervention".

"Wouldn't it be better for Nepal to voluntarily seek support for making peace before the country becomes a completely lawless wasteland, rather than face the consequences of a possible unsolicited intervention later", is how Gautam said last week at a Nepal Council of World Affairs gathering in Kathmandu.

In saying so Gautam amply hinted that if Nepal government sought the support and approached the UN system on time might yield good results for the country and failing to do so would keep the doors open for a possible intervention by some external forces. He however, did not explicitly said which country or set of countries would intervene in Nepal if things went out of hand.

During the interaction, Gautam also indicated that it would be better for Nepal to engage UN rather than bringing in the experts from Norway, New York or New Delhi.

He however brushed aside the rumors that if the UN were engaged in the peace talks might provide legitimacy to the insurgency. " With the UN playing an impartial role of an honest broker, the issue of recognition, legitimacy and equivalency need not arise", is what said Gautam.

Cutting joke at the Nepal government for her usual habit of begging, Mr. Gautam bluntly said that "we habitually solicit and accept international assistance for all kinds of internal development issues, including the fight against poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and even to control of corruption and promote good governance and also it is okay to accept external military aid for guns, ammunition and combat helicopters in an internal conflict, but it is not okay to accept external assistance for making peace?"

In saying so Mr. Gautam pointed out to the inherent Nepali weaknesses in a splendid manner.

The UN official also suggested the Nepali establishment not to dilly-dally the resumption of the peace process with "external" support if she fails to act on its own, or else the country might be closer to the status of a failed state.

As regards the possible Indian worries if the UN stepped up in the Nepal's peace process, Gautam very tactfully opined that if Nepal was determined, Indian displeasure would not make any substantial difference.

"Let's not use possible objection by our neighbors as an excuse for not seeking UN support, if we genuinely believe that such support would be helpful", added Gautam.

This implies that Gautam, a Nepali citizen in effect, is suggesting Nepal to act on its own and not be afraid of possible Indian irritation.

Talking of the Maoists, the UN official did not possess very good words for the insurgents. That he is not that happy with the recent violent activities of the Maoists becomes clear from his remarks wherein he says, " the Maoists should not make the mistake of miscalculating the people's acquiescence out of fear and intimidation as popular support for them".

A close analysis of Gautam's statement clearly concludes that it is the terror that has forced the people to go in by the dictates of the Maoists to which they, the insurgents, apparently conclude that the people were in their favor or for that matter support. It is not that, implies Gautam.

Gautam has also some tips for the three protagonists: the King, the Maoists and the parliamentary parties. He advises all to come closer and make Nepal a place to live in peacefully.

In sum, the UN official, a Nepali citizen, wishes Nepal to seek his offices' support presumably guided by a thought that as a citizen of this country it is his bounden duty to serve his own motherland at a time when he can muster the "good offices" of the institution wherein he is engaged at the moment. A case of sentimental attachment perhaps which is very natural indeed.

Season to make secret trips to Delhi

Kathmandu: Nepali politics has come out of its slumber suddenly. The otherwise stagnant politics of the country unexpectedly has become active. However, whether it is heading for the better or for worse will have to be watched.

Nevertheless, the manner the Nepalese leaders' are making secret trips to New Delhi does hint that some political undercurrents are going in between Kathmandu and New Delhi. But for what purpose are these visits being made?

It was the RPP Chairman, Pashupati S. Rana who made the first trip to New Delhi in the recent days. Whom he met and who had invited him to Delhi is not known. But then yet what is for sure is that Mr. Rana has some relatives in Delhi placed in high places. His political connections with both the BJP and Congress are well known.

Nevertheless, was it Mr. Rana's private or a business trip has so far been not made clear? Rumors were that Rana was to leave for his Delhi sojourn upon meeting the Monarch. However, he could not meet the King, it was reported. The conspiracy lies here.

Then it was the turn of UML leader, Madhav Nepal, to make a similar pilgrimage to Nepal's political Mecca, New Delhi, and reports have it that Mr. Nepal is yet to conclude his meetings there with his patrons, mentors and the likes.

Though Mr. Nepal has assured the pressmen that it was his private trip, but a section of the analysts beg to differ with Mr. Nepal's contention and say that he is there to seek the blessings of his communist friend and mentor, Harv Kishan Singh Surjeet, who has a powerful say in the man Mohan Singh led congress coalition government.

Clearly, Madhav Nepal is in Delhi to secure prime Ministerial post in Kathmandu. If this is so then it should be a matter of sheer shame on all who conclude that Nepali politics is guided or should be guided by New Delhi. If not then what could have brought Mr. Nepal to Delhi? Either he should explain his mission to Delhi or else people in Kathmandu would conclude that he was there as usual to maneuver Nepali politics through the kind courtesy of Indian leaders.

It's not a secret now that Mr. Nepal has of late developed a special sort of lust for the Prime Ministerial chair in Singh Durbar. His conviction that if he enjoyed the Delhi support for fulfilling his inner ambitions then he deserves a salute!

This is not all.

For the readers' record, Sadbhavana-Anandi Devi leader, Rajendra Mahato, has just returned from New Delhi. During this trip, Mahato is supposed to have had the honor to meet and have a tete-a-tete with Madame Sonia Gandhi.

In the marathon to Delhi is Chakra Prasad Bastola, a congress leader who is supposed to have wider links in the Indian leadership as well in the bureaucracy. It is understood that Koirala is sending him to Delhi to gauge the mood of the Maoists leaders reportedly residing in Delhi. To recall, Bastola in the past has met the insurgents in Delhi many a times. His trip this time could also have been guided by the same spirit.

Other sources say that Bastola is fleeing to Delhi for fear of being nabbed by the CIAA for he is, rumors have it, in the hit-list of the corruption watch-dog. Any way he is going to Delhi for whatever reasons.

Unconfirmed reports have it that NSP-A leader, Mr. Tripathi too is trying on his own to be in Delhi and meet leaders there.

To give a counter to RPP chairman Rana's trip to Delhi, S.B.Thapa, yet another RPP leader and a matching rival to Rana, is also planning to send his brother H. Thapa to Delhi. It is yet uncertain as to whom this junior Thapa will meet in Delhi and what were his agenda for talks there!

President Koirala understanding the hidden "importance" of such trips being made by his competing rivals in Nepal too is planning a similar trip to New Delhi. In effect, Koirala will have by this time left already for Delhi, however, a minor bronchial problem of his dear daughter, Sujata-Jost Koirala did not allow his to materialize his trip. Nevertheless, he is all set to leave Kathmandu for Delhi this Friday, if every thing went smoothly. TG adds: Yet another congress source claims that Koirala will be touring various districts around the time he is rumored to be in Delhi. The source dubs Koirala's rumored trip to Delhi as baseless and propagated with all mal-intentions. Nevertheless, Sujata is visiting Delhi for sure, adds the same source.

While all these trips appear to have been made on an unofficial basis, nevertheless, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba too is officially visiting New Delhi some time next week. Since this trip is an official one, this will presumably carry much weight than those made by others.

What Deuba will talk with his Indian counterpart and what political benefits the country will gain from this visit is not known, however, what is already guaranteed, predict analysts, is that he will provide several concessions to New Delhi in lieu of meager gains. Nothing unusual as this has been the Nepali fate since 1950 and the Nepali population has made it a habit of accepting the results pleasingly.

It is unfair to blame India for our diplomatic failures, analysts maintain.

The fact is that the Indian diplomacy is superb while dealing with her smaller neighbors. Why India should be blamed for our self-defeating attitudes.

It is not the fault of the Indian leaders if Nepali leaders approach them for blessings.

It is these Nepali faults in series that India's influence is ever increasing in this country.

According to analysts, Nepali leaders presume that for all the Nepali ailments, New Delhi has a cure and hence rush to Delhi. This puts Delhi, like it or not, in an advantageous position vis-à-vis Nepali politics.

It is the Nepali leaders who have provided undue importance to New Delhi in our internal affairs.

Analysts suggest the Nepali leaders to open their party branches in New Delhi which would enhance their political maneuvering capabilities in Nepal as and when a sort of political crisis grips Nepal because their party men in Delhi would be quick enough to seek proper advices.

Deuba's days numbered

Kathmandu: Nepali politics is poised for a change.

High placed sources say that the political change in Nepal would have already taken place by this time had the incumbent prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba not been invited by Indian government to pay an official visit.

High placed sources in Kathmandu say that the Palace is not that happy with the functioning of the incumbent Deuba government which has so far failed to even manage the announcement of a ceasefire with the Maoists let alone the talks.

Add to this, the Palace is also presumably not pleased with the ever-deteriorating security situation in the country more so in the valley.

The Maoists of late have stepped up their violent activities right inside the valley and around thus signaling the establishment that every thing was under their target if they so desire and thus have already demonstrated by killing police men and some innocent civilians and making explosions here and there in Kathmandu.

Media reports have it that the Maoists have managed the entry of some thousand of their trained cadres in the valley to shake the Deuba establishment.

STF-special task force is what the Maoists claim have supposedly entered into the capital and are learnt to be in a mood to terrify the government to the extent that it ultimately agrees to the Maoists demands for the talks on their conditions.

Perhaps it is this realization that the government now talks of the talks and has openly invited the insurgents for talks and that too unconditionally provided the rebels stop killings and terrorizing the people henceforth.

The fact is that the Maoists have time and again reiterated that they were in favor of the talks. Similarly, the government states that it is in favor of the talks. However, analysts' questions if both the sides long for talks then why are the talks not taking place?

Is it that some international players are blocking the peace talks?

Or is it the issue of the constituent assembly as demanded by the Maoists is not being digested by the other camp?

To recall, most of the major Nepali political forces, save the establishment side, have expressed their preference for the constituent assembly if that in any way restored peace in the country.

Sources close to the government say that it is still thinking the pros and the cons of the constituent assembly option. But how long it would take to decide on that is a question that is puzzling the people.

A section of the intellectuals and media say that since the government can't declare its preference for the assembly option and hence the King has to speak his mind on this Maoists adamancy and preference.

But will the King speak himself? Or he would do so through the government will have to be watched.

Government sources say that Deuba during his sojourn in New Delhi will have talks in detail on how to tackle the Nepalese Maoists issue. Nepali presumption has been that since India herself has lately perceived a threat from the growing links of the Nepali rebels with its own insurgents and thus would come to the rescue of the Nepali establishment engrossed in the issue since ten years or so.

However, India, say analysts, could also impress upon Deuba not to bring in the mediation of the UN for certain exclusive reasons. This means that the question of UN being invited to act like a broker of peace will have to get clearance from New Delhi. If Nepal invited the UN would mean that Indian acceptance was there and if not then that would mean India disapprove the idea itself?

However, what is not clear so far is that why India should object to the UN presence in Nepal? In what manner it harmed Indian interests?

All these put together what could be concluded is that politics will come to action once Deuba is back from Delhi.

It is altogether a different matter whether Deuba survives after his Delhi trip or not given the rumors in Kathmandu that his days were numbered in the government.

Is Koirala the next prime minister?

Kathmandu: The Nepali congress has two cards under its sleeve.

The first card the party is utilizing to lure the rest of the political parties including those of the Maoists.

The second card is being cleverly used for a bargain with the Monarch.

If one were to recall the recent NC declaration wherein the party had declared that the party was open to a referendum and for the constituent assembly option as demanded by the Maoists and other political parties.

This was seen as a grand departure from the congress' old and accepted and adhered line of constitutional monarchy. However, as things have come to the open, it becomes clear that the NC made those declarations to send signals to the King that the party could go to any extent should the King did not correct his past constitutional blunders.

Sushil Koirala, the general secretary of the NC, the other day made it abundantly clear that though the NC had opted for a referendum and constituent assembly, however, the party's bottomline still were guided by, firstly, the restoration of the now dissolved parliament and, secondly, effecting wider and effective reforms in the constitution.

A close analysis of what Sushil Koirala said recently makes it amply clear that the NC has still not bought the idea of the constituent assembly and that the party could patch up its differences with the King should the latter appreciated the party's demands and acted thereupon.

This means that the NC is clearly in a mood to go in for a bargain with the King. How the King reacts to fresh NC political overtures will have to be watched.

Nevertheless, sources close to Koirala claim that some powerful personalities supposedly close to the Palace have begun seducing President Koirala and been suggesting the latter to become the prime minister of the nation upon the replacement of Deuba.

However, Koirala sources say that the president has hinted the powerful personalities thus approaching him that he can't and will not replace Deuba through the use of the same controversial article 127.

"If the parliament is restored and if the house accepts him as a consensus candidate for the prime ministership, he would not deny the offer", say Koiralaites.

But will the King agree to a demand to which he has been till now rejecting?

Analysts prefer to wait for some more time to see which of the two yields in favor for whom?

FNJ serves ultimatum

T. N. Ghimire

Kathmandu: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists Tuesday at its emergency meeting served a seven days ultimatum to the Communist Party of the Maoists to declare officially its policies and commitments towards the press.

The meeting of the FNJ, the umbrella organization of the Nepali Press, expressed its serious concern over the news published in some print media over the killing of Mr. Dekendra Raj Thapa, a radio journalist stationed at Dailekh that the incident took place against the party’s central policy. The meeting also felt that the CPN-Maoists and their leaders were not able to properly address the demands forwarded by the FNJ regarding the killing of the said journalist.

The FNJ demanded that the Maoists should handover the dead body to the family, the family should be given compensation, those involved in the brutal killing should be penalized in a transparent manner.

Talking to The Telegraph Weekly, the FNJ president Mr. Tara Nath Dahal said that the Maoists should immediately make public the status of the abducted three journalists, Dhan Bahadur Magar, Kul Bahdur Malla and Parek Raj Sahi, and also to release them at the earliest. The FNJ also demanded that the Maoists should immediately stop threatening the journalists and not to obstruct the journalists to move freely throughout their areas of operation and urged the Maoists to help the journalist on duty. The FNJ also strongly insisted that the Maoists should rehabilitate those displaced journalists and guarantee the free and fair working environment henceforth.

The FNJ in a press release issued Tuesday, also urged the Maoists to duly apologize and make their opinion public within 31st August 2004.

If the demands are not fulfilled within the allocated timeframe, the FNJ would be forced to act as discussed with the senior journalists, the editors and members of the civil society last week, adds the press release.

In the case that if the Maoists do not address the demands, the FNJ could also go for major actions calling all the media not to provide space for the Maoists related news materials and views, told the General Secretary Mr. Bishnu Nisthuri of the FNJ while talking to this weekly.

The FNJ has also urged the Maoists to immediately take back its decision for the imposition of a blockade of the valley as this has already hit the lay men hard.

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