Opinion on NDF 2004 held in Kathmandu, May 5-6, 2004

Human Rights issues constitute key element in EU priorities

H.E Claude Ambrosini, Ambassador of France

As you know, this time the Nepal Development Forum met at a time when the country’s situation is bit different than what it was in 2002. We the donor society know about the changed circumstances, the context of conflict-political and the Maoist one as well, and thus we all took consideration of the prevalent situation in this country.

Through our joint statement we have told the Nepal government to pay due attention to ease the political situation and arrest the crisis and take proper care of Human Rights issues. All those points were discussed in an open and frank manner. The government’s response to our genuine concerns was positive.

The government responded to these concerns when other donors too raised these issues.

We both think now that since the country is in a crisis and facing a challenge and hence we both have decided to meet these challenges devising new methods. One way that was agreed upon was the use of the NGOs and the civil society to approach the local communities for development. This way we both can enforce our top-agenda—the agenda of poverty reduction.

Regarding the issue of the Maoist insurgency, we told the government to initiate talks at the earliest. We also stressed the need to strictly observe the commitments agreed upon by the government on issues related with the HR cases. In order to enhance the capacities and the capabilities of the HR Commission, the donors have accepted to provide technical support to the Commission. However, we made it clear to the Nepali authorities that we the donors will watch the HR situation very carefully. The government too appears to heed to the points we made at time of the meeting. It was positive move indeed.

For the countries housed in the European Union, the matters pertaining to the HR issues constitute a key element in our support to this country.

We also suggested the government that we would wish to see the democratic processes coming into existence.

In sum, the NDF meet went smoothly. I hope situation in Nepal becomes normal and the country soon comes to the original track of full democratic process.

Empower and encourage local Civil Societies and NGOs

A French Expert (name kept anonymous on request)

The NDF meet started well and we both the donors and the government were open and frank in our observations. All the donors who had converged in Kathmandu were of the single opinion on how to keep the projects going that have got stuck due to the conflict situation in this country.

The meeting was useful in the sense that we the donors were of the view that until and unless the situation improved, the issues related to the commitments made on the observance of the Human Rights and containing the political crisis could not be made possible.

On the first day of the meet, the donors told what they had to sound to the government. And the government got the point. The government assured us all that it would continue with the Poverty Reduction program in all earnest. The government also gave its not that it would go in for real decentralization efforts in the country and that until the situation improved and in the absence of the local elected bodies, approached would be made to reach the people in the villages through "intermediary" institutions for example, civil societies and the NGOs.

The donors’ focus was on the empowerment of the local NGOs and the civil society for it is these groups who can work better at the grassroots because they belong locally and hence know the problems to be urgently addressed well.

Interestingly, the government at times appeared in a bargaining mood. However, there was no green light for the aid commitments.

The press conference organized at the end of the NDF meet should have proceeded in English for the sake of the donors. However, that was not. But then we took it easy.

We made it clear that we will continue to support Nepal provided she took greater care of the political situation in th country.

Pleasingly enough, there was a sort of realization on both the sides that unless the derailed democratic processes were restored, it would be difficult for both of us to continue with the support and receiving of the aids.

However, the month of May would be crucial for Nepal government as the IMF is all set to review its policy vis-à-vis Nepal. Things must improve prior to the IMF meet, I suppose.

In my final analysis, Nepal should now effectively use the intermediaries i.e. the civil societies and the NGOs, which will enable her to face the challenges that it is facing at the moment.

Donors hope democratic process is restored in Nepal

Dr. Richard Vokes, ADB, Manila

Well, the meeting that was very important for Nepal went smoothly as was expected. The personalities who had been chairing the meeting from the Nepal government side took their full ownership to the commitments made on the occasion. It was a good presentation and I must say that the presentation on the PRSP, Poverty Reduction Paper, was really good one.

The Nepal side has made lots of pledges on effecting policy reforms vis-à-vis the PRSP. Most of the donors appeared willing to cooperate with Nepal but concurrently expressed certain vital concerns as well. The donors including the ADB reiterated that until and unless the politics and the conflict situation did not improve, implementation of the agreed agenda would not be possible and hence we stressed the need to address the issues that brought an end to the conflict. The donors maintained that the development process in the rural remote areas of the Kingdom could not be initiated or resumed unless peace prevailed in those parts affected by the conflict.

It was also discussed as to how the donors could engage themselves in the implementation of the agreed agenda in the prevalent conflict ridden situation. The government also appeared receptive of the concerns and the feelings of the donors. I sensed that the government too had become bit flexible in looking at the issues rose by the donor community.

I could gather that the government was willing to negotiate for arriving at peaceful solutions to the issues related to the insurgency. The government of Nepal too considered that it was time to move forward to end the current political stalemate.

I think restoration of peace in Nepal was crucial for her development. The donors would wish the resumption of the talks with the insurgents. The government was positive on this count.

Some donors did suggest that an early return to "representative" sort of government in the country was required. The donors also hinted that restoration of democratic processes would provide a different image to this country.

NDF meet endorses Nepal’s PRSP program

Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, Finance Minister, Nepal

The NDF meeting went well despite efforts made by some quarters for this meeting not to happen.

The donors supported the Poverty Reduction Strategy adopted by the government and gave their assurances that they will support the program financially.

We both agreed that the continuing political stalemate and the ongoing conflict with the Maoists have got to be resolved at the earliest.

I am appreciative of the donors’ understanding of the government’s in tackling both of the issues.

Act fast to deepen roots of democracy in Nepal

Susan ULBAEK, Representative, Denmark

I must say that it was an important meeting.

Strong messages were sent to the Nepal government and the donors did ventilate their genuine concerns on certain Nepal events that have taken place in the recent months and years in the country.

We sounded that we were really concerned for the restoration of the democratic process together with peace process with the insurgents. We also indicated to the Nepali side that we would like to see complete and total observance of Human Rights by the government side as per its declared commitments made a month ago or so.

We in the meantime also assured the government that we will support the PRSP program and the reforms process initiated by the State of late. We lauded the efforts of the government for its engagements in the implementation of the agreed upon agendas though it would have been difficult for them to continue given the conflict situation in the country.

The donors including Denmark also met various political leaders of this country and urged them all to exhibit their willingness in the development of Nepal which is their own country.

We also indicated at the meeting that to initiate talks with the Maoists and to restore peace in the country, you have to have a common front. A United effort must be there prior to talk with the Maoists. Peace process must be brought back and at the earliest. Peace and only peace will be in the greater and larger interest of this country.

In my opinion, elections can’t be held and should not be held until you have a ceasefire arrangement. First declare, if possible, a ceasefire and then initiate the peace process and this could not be done unless you have a broader government.

The government now in place is, I am told, lacks public mandate. All that the donors wish is a democratic peace and to reach and agreement with the insurgents you need a representative set which will later work for the prevalence of peace.

As regards Denmark, my country, we wish to stay in Nepal as your development partner. We want all the state structures to function in this country. We will support your country to help those who have been left in the cold over the years.

Don’t take it as a threat. I mean seriously that we want to continue our support to this nation. If th state structure collapses, implementation of the agreed agenda will be an impossible affair. To say the least. We will continue to support government’s reform programs.

All that we wish is; restore peace; encourage the democratic process and reforms; act fast to deepen the roots of democracy.

However, outside the meeting, I could sense that a sort of power struggle is continuing in your country. My position doesn’t allow me to talk more on your internal issues.

NDF meet should have discussed issues of financial sector reforms

Rajendra Kumar Khetan,

I suppose the government is all set to receive an astronomical amount to the tune of 600 million dollars.

However, I felt that there were lots of issues wherein the government and the donor community have to reconcile in terms of the growing concerns regarding lack of accountability and adequate transparency which constitute very important element in a democratic society.

Of all, what is really important is the aspect of delivery. The government has to be more cautious in this aspect.

Sadly, the NDF meet did not take much interest in the financial sector reforms and as regards the industrialization process in the country. They should have discussed these issues in effect. However, this did not happen.

But then yet, both the donors and the government did talk on how to arrest the chaos in politics and curtail the HR abuses, which were equally significant issues.

The NDF meet ended well.

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