UN mediation would mean the acceptance of ‘Two State’ theory which it is not

--Mohan Gopal Khetan, Industralist /Businessman

Much is being talked of the UN mediation in our domestic crisis. I would, like it or not, have a preference to be at variance with those who vote for the UN mediation. Occurrence has been that as and when the UN is brought to mediation efforts, the cases have become more complicated, let alone arriving at a settlement. For example, the UN has failed in India, Sri Lanka and elsewhere as well.

I would then wish to see our own intermediaries mediating the affair. To me, the UN mediation would also equivalent to accepting a "Two State" theory, which it is not in our case. Had there been a sort of civil war like situation in the country of that scale and dimension, the idea of the UN mediation would have found its relevance.

Uprisings in Spain, France, Ireland and Chechnya did not bring in the UN mediation after all.

My own argument has been that the Maoists insurgency did originate solely from the sheer follies of the UML and the Congress who promised heaven and earth both and what not what not to the people at time of the 1990 movement. They talked of even bringing about a sort of Economic Revolution-the theory basically pronounced by Ganesh Man Singh, which later became obvious, was just a political stratagem to seduce the people. In the aftermath of the 1990 movement and later when governments were formed, the successive political setup did not or could not include all the what I’d prefer to call the "unsatisfied" groups which later germinated as a seed of conflict. Those unsatisfied ones, for example, the men in the United People’s Front, demanded their share from the spoils of the system. However, the fact was that they were misbehaved, ignored and totally rejected by the men handling the system then. The Kamaiyas, the Dalits and the poor living in abject poverty all felt that the men would not consider theirs’ grievances in the system. But then yet they wanted proportionate seat-representation in the parliament at time of the elections.

The UPF men were denied to what they demanded. The ruling troika and some from other parties as well summarily went against the UPF demands and finally routed them out from the political scene and the seed of the conflict was sown thus. This left a scar in the minds of the men in the UPF who had recently been defeated by the state establishment.

The UPF leaders then concluded that the major parties did need their support at time of the revolution only and when it was time to award them their due share, were denied. This political rebuff humiliated the UPF men which ultimately forced them to enter into the jungles. The fact is also that none of the then leaders in Sing Durbar took seriously the threats posed to it by the men who had entered into the tropical forest. The men in Sigh Durbar were mistaken.

Let me you all clear is that the Maoists too make up a nationalist force in the sense that they know much more of the Nepali terrains, the mountains, the Terai plains than what the present day Nepali leaders do. The fact is also that the insurgents have not been fighting for a breakaway land. They are fighting for their acknowledgment as a force and that too a political one. What made them to strike back is that when the leaders in Singh Durbar tried to crush the insurgency by killing their cadres, they had no options left other than to retaliate in a forceful manner.

One has to admire the intellectual capabilities of Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai. He is, let me put it clearly, a think tank of the insurgency whose talent remains at par excellence.

As of their catchphrase for a republican state in Nepal, well in my opinion, many republican states have failed but monarchies still in some countries are not only surviving but thriving as well.

Talking on these lines, the NC too is these days floating the idea of a republican order in Nepal. To the NC’s this demand, what I would say bluntly is that the NC leaders still possess a lust to become the president of Nepal. Thanks Kaiser Sumsher, Mrigendra and Babar Samsher who convinced the then King Tribhuban not to fall in the NC’s alien-instigated conspiratorial lines.

Talking of India let me tell you that today’s India is the baby of British Empire whose policy of "divide and rule" is still being practiced by those who run that country. To me, India is still an "immature democracy" and it is basically being run through the verdicts of the apex court. It’s not surprising therefore that India’s borders with all the neighboring countries are in trouble. Equally true is the fact that India is our neighbor who should have possessed a magnanimous heart as regards it troubled relations with her smaller neighbors. It is not that Nepalese are anti-Indian! It is not untrue. However, what is for sure is that as and when India bulldozes the inner feelings of her smaller neighbors, the neighbors, as a matter of fact, talk in favor of their own country which is being presumed by India as to be anti-Indian sentiment. Why one should be anti-India? We all are pro-Nepal. This should not be taken otherwise.

Take for instance, I’m being taken as anti-Indian which I am not. The fact is that I talk on and on behalf of my national interests to which they presume that I am anti-Indian. I wish to assure them that I am not that what they have taken me for granted.

Let me again come to the Maoists insurgency. We must know that a new generation of the militants now control the insurgency in the fields. It is these young Turks who have brought disasters in the country of late. They don’t know of their final destination. The leaders are underground who have not been able to tell their young cadres that here laid their destination ultimately.

As regards the talks with the Maoists, I am convinced that unless a very strong leadership under the King initiated talks with the two top hats of the two armies, the problem will linger as it is now. The Gun has to come to terms with the other gun. If the two guns come to a truce, let the political leaders take up the matter afterwards. This is my idea which not necessarily should tally with others.

The fact is that unless the Maoists are assured of their security, they wouldn’t come to the table.

Talking of peace, tell me where is peace? In the region? In the world at large? Forget that. Why we are now shivering with fear is that we have for the first time been in such a situation. We don’t have the right skill to tackle the issues in its right perspectives.

Can’t we approach Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam, the US Assistant Secretary General who happens to be a Nepali and convince him to assume the country’s Premiership? If he is a genuine Nepali and has sympathy for his motherland, he should consider this scheme. Many countries in the world have brought back their scholars for a temporary period to take over the charge of the country where they took birth. Mr. Gautam knows top hats of the insurgency on a personal basis. This could be an added advantage.

Unfortunately, Nepal has become a country wherein the Goddesses like Luxmi (the business community); the Saraswati (the teachers) and the SHAKTI (women) are being targeted. Thieves and noted dacoits have been running the nation. This bodes ill for the nation.

The leaders now claim that they will have their last fight with the regression. What I see in their declaration is that it could be their last chance to continue as leaders of this nation. If the people are harassed and that too in their names, this system will not continue for long. The King will not deter from his declared stances. He remains firm in his democratic commitments. Question could also be asked as to whether we have that competent leader who could manage the affairs of the state if it goes to a republican in the absence of the monarchy? I see none. The King is the center for unity. Let us accept this fact unhesitatingly.

Talking of Girija Prasad Koirala. I am clear in that Koirala must not have been allowed to assume the post of the nation’s prime minister. If Sonia Gandhi is talked to be unfit for India’s Premiership for her Italian birth, how come Girija, born in the then territories of British India be fit for this post in Nepal? He has no moral authority to become the PM of Nepal. Even the advanced democracies like the UK, the US and many others not allow their own citizens born in alien lands to become their President or for that matter the Prime Minister.

To conclude, the need of the hour is how to preserve our nationalism; our glorious past and cultural heritage and bring the Maoists to the table so that peace is restored.

Compilation based on a tête-à-tête with the author-chief editor.

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