Nepal and Bhutan: Tales of two transitions

Indra Adhikari

Three days apart, one Himalayan kingdom practiced to move towards democracy, another Himalayan kingdom celebrated the anniversary of the king's power incise amidst an escalating security situation where the masses continue to demonstrate for a republic. The story is of Bhutan and Nepal. On April 21, Bhutan observed the first but mock election to prepare the people for democracy and the election process, which the country hopes to start next year. On April 24, Nepal observed the first anniversary of the Loktantra, where communist led demonstrations dominated the celebrations. In a mass meeting at the heart of the capital city Kathmandu, the minister of a party sympathetic to the King was heckled by the audience forcing him to end his statement with one sentence to say they would declare Nepal a republic from the first sitting of the constituent assembly.

While the minister was taking constituent assembly as the place through which Nepal would start its republican age, there are no signs ahead for holding the election to constituent assembly and leaders of the eight parties still linger around without being able to set the new date.
Both these kingdoms are in a transitional period (to mention here, government formed after the popular uprising last year in Nepal decided to rename the country as 'State of Nepal' and not as 'Kingdom of Nepal' as in the earlier constitution). The transition is for strengthening democracy in both the countries. The transition in Nepal was fueled by mass demonstrations last year while the transition of Bhutan was by fear of a similar outburst against the monarchy. The mass uprising in Nepal has its foundation on the decade long communist movement led by the Maoists. The democratic reforms in Bhutan were announced in the same year communist thinkers in Bhutan began to come together. By the time Bhutanese communists announced their party, Bhutan invigorated its path towards democratization.

In Nepal, the King is being fanned out. Demonstrations for a republic continue to rock the capital and most parts of the country. The country might have become a republic if leaders had not stopped their mass movement last year on April 24 where Nepali Congress led seven parties agreed for ceremonial kingship. Though the second largest party of the movement UML had decided to go for republic, it was compelled to accept the Congress led agreement with the palace without which the mass movement would have gone nowhere. In Bhutan, the king is becoming stronger and more powerful. The Bhutanese media, except the apfanews.com, highlight the popularity of the king expanding in the Bhutanese society. King himself tours through the country to teach people about democracy and use of adult franchise. In Nepal, travel by king is looked by suspicions. His attempt to receive salute from the Nepali Army personnel during a ritual offerings at the outskirts of the Kathmandu city, received unexpected denial from experts, leaders and the civics.

The republic agenda has become the center of debate now. UML and the Maoist top leaders have recently agreed to co-work on formation of republican front for one purpose: eradicating monarchy from Nepal. However, these two parties rarely see eye to eye in matters of co-work despite being both communists. Pointing fingers at each other for being extremists or royalists has become the major issue of tussle and this has adequately benefited the Nepali Congress and other socialists.
In his transitional period, tussle between these two large communist parties has been used by the Nepali Congress as the tool to afoot its plan for securing place for ceremonial monarchy in Nepal. However, as the most powerful PM Koirala, according to interim constitution, is getting more dictatorial refusing to attend programmes organised by communist groups and meeting of the eight parties of late, the Leftists are getting closer for a joint front in favour of republic. General perception is growing of him becoming dictatorial in taking important decision though the coalition government, which mostly takes decision as he wishes, fails to maintain law and order and address the demands raised by a number of ethnic and regional bodies.

In Bhutan, the co-work is getting better. Political parties, which are established by relatives and friends of the king, are getting established with announced intentions to support the king's roadmap for democracy. However, the credibility received from the people and the international community though India's recommendation, the democratic process in Bhutan would further strengthen the king's hold in national politics.
In Nepal there is opposition within the country and fighting for a share in politics while in Bhutan the opposition are already kicked out of the country. Seeking a share was anti-nationalism and against the national interest in Bhutan. This issue in Nepal means effort is made to achieve massive social transformation and strengthening of the democratic process.
The story of transition goes together. Lets see who will win the race!

Source: News Blaze, April 30, 2007

Maoists give May ultimatum to Nepal government

Nepal's former Maoist guerrillas, who joined the seven-party government this month, have now given a fresh ultimatum to their coalition partners, saying they would call an indefinite closure if the country was not declared a republic by May.Dr Baburam Bhattarai, one of the top leaders of the formerly outlawed party, said at a programme in the capital Saturday that if the interim parliament failed to abolish monarchy by the first week of the Nepali month of Jeth - May 21 - his party would start a new, unarmed movement on the streets, including continuous strikes.Accusing foreign governments, that he did not name, of trying to sabotage elections, Bhattarai said Maoists will also step up efforts to forge unity with other pro-republic and communist parties to wrest a victory in parliament.When the Maoists signed a peace pact with the government last year, both sides had agreed to hold an election to decide if Nepal should remain a monarchy or become a republic.

However, with the Election Commission having ruled out holding the exercise on June 20, as pledged by the government, the guerrillas have begun pressuring their coalition allies to turn Nepal into a republic through parliament.A new clause says Nepal's 238-year-old monarchy can be abolished if two-third of the MPs agree, feeling that King Gyanendra and his supporters are trying to sabotage the election.But the plan is being opposed by prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala and his Nepali Congress, the biggest party in the alliance, who want to leave the decision to the election.The seven-party, Maoist alliance, formed to oppose King Gyanendra's regime, has started fissuring after the fall of the monarch.While the rebels are accusing Koirala of trying to protect the king, the Nepali Congress says the guerrillas are violating the peace pact and still continuing extortion and intimidation.

The Nepali Congress says the rebels called a transport strike in Birgunj town near the Indian border Saturday to foil a mass meeting called by his party.Besides the infighting in the ruling alliance, the Terai plains in southern Nepal have been rocked by continued violence since January, resulting in the death of over 70 people so far.Various ethnic groups, some of whom are armed, are carrying out different protest programmes in the plains, demanding autonomous states for different communities.A part of the plains has been crippled by an indefinite closure called from Monday by an ethnic group, the Chure Bhawar Ekta Samaj.A Samaj activist - Mangal Bahadur Gumachhane - was killed in police firing Saturday as security forces tried to lift the blockade on a leading highway.In a separate incident, a former Maoist was killed by a rival faction in the plains.

Source: IANS, April 29, 2007

Maoists launch campaign for declaring Nepal a republic

Kathmandu, Apr 29 : The Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) on Sunday launched a campaign to push for declaring Nepal a republic.The party said that it would take the message through the street, the Parliament and the government.The party formally announced the commencement of its campaign at a press meet in Dhankuta.The "third people's movement" has begun for a republic Nepal, said Gopal Kiranti, the CPN-M central member and Koshi Regional Bureau in-charge.The ruling coalition of eight-political parties had earlier decided that the Constituent Assembly in its first sitting would decide the fate of the monarchy.Since the Election Commission has expressed its inability to hold Constituent Assembly polls on the scheduled date of June 20, the parties have been undecided on new date for holding the elections.The Maoists and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) have been demanding the interim Parliament to declare Nepal a republic.Earlier, Maoist leader Ram Bahadur Thapa had said since the Parliament does not seem inclined to declare Nepal a Republic, they will be launching an agitation on the streets.

Source: Malaysia Sun, April 30, 2007

Cloud of doubt hangs over the new Nepal

SOMINI SENGUPTA

THE country’s socially marginalised minorities are taking an aggressive tone in seeking proper representation and politicians find these demands coming too soon after the restoration of democracy, writes SOMINI SENGUPTA.

A YEAR after the return of democratic rule to Nepal, the scene in parliament went something like this:No sooner had it officially opened for business on Monday afternoon, nearly six hours past schedule and with the benches barely filled to quorum, than some parliamentarians rushed the dais, raising fists and shouting slogans to protest a police crackdown in the southeast early this year.The speaker’s pleas for them to return to their seats were ignored. Within 10 minutes, unable to do any legislative work, parliament was adjourned. It was the third such useless session in less than two weeks.The scene represented much more than the routine fracas of democracy. It was a snapshot of the new, though not entirely unexpected, fissures that have cut through Nepal’s body politic, as it struggles to recover from more than a decade of Maoist insurgency and redefine the very ground rules of its nationhood.The divisions stem from old grievances over how Nepal’s many ethnic groups, castes and language minorities will be treated by the state, long dominated by members of the upper-caste elite from the hills. The parliamentarians who raised the ruckus represented the people of the southeastern plains, known here as Madhesis, who had staged an uprising that the police quashed.

The politicians, who now include the Maoists, who have joined the cabinet, have been caught off guard by the ferocity of the complaints."We are in an awkward position," said Ram Chandra Poudel, the beleaguered Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, on Monday, adding that he had not expected to face so many grievances from so many quarters, so soon after the restoration of democracy. "These demands may be genuine, but they should not come out so aggressively."As if on cue, the next day, a particularly aggressive show of frustration against the government occurred. When Poudel tried to speak at a rally to commemorate the anniversary of democratic rule in a public square in Kathmandu, he was hit by empty bottles and booed.Ambling through the public square were members of the Maoists’ latest subsidiary, a pack of young men and women known as the Young Communist League and led by former guerillas. They said they had been assigned to provide security. Among their duties these days is the demolition of illegal structures, traffic management, capturing people accused of being gangsters and acting against what they call "regressive forces". At times, that includes disrupting other political party meetings or thrashing political opponents.

The new uncertainties have come in a country transforming itself remarkably fast. A year ago, King Gyanendra, who had seized absolute control of the state, was forced by a swell of street protests to return the government to an elected parliament. The government signed a peace deal with the Maoists, ending a 11-year war. The Maoists then sequestered their fighters and put weapons into cantonments, monitored by the United Nations.An interim constitution was put in place. A coalition government took over, including even the Maoists. Over the last year, symbols of the old Nepal were scrapped: A new national anthem was drafted, "Royal" was dropped from the name of the Nepalese army and state-owned Nepal Airlines, and the government promised to tax the king’s property.A critical issue remains unresolved in the new Nepal, and it is the root of widespread public frustration: Whether and how Nepal will become a federal state with some degree of autonomy for its ethnic groups and regions.It is a question that has sparked a sometimes violent uprising over the last three months by the Madhesis, who say people from the hills have long discriminated against them. Demands for representation have come from other socially marginalised groups, too, like low-caste Dalits and indigenous people, called Janjatis.

Nepal seems to be in no immediate danger of sliding into prolonged ethnic conflict. But the questions that confront Nepal are nothing short of existential. "What is the new Nepal? What does it mean to be a Nepalese? That’s absolutely what’s being debated," said Manjushree Thapa, a writer.That debate has made the peace process miss a crucial deadline. June elections to choose a national assembly to rewrite the constitution have been indefinitely postponed. A new constitution will determine many vital issues, including whether Nepal will retain its monarchy.Abolishing the constitution is the Maoists’ principal demand, and they now want the government to declare Nepal a republic rather than wait for the voters’ verdict.The Maoists have vowed to resume what they call "the people’s movement", fearful that the palace may try to stage a comeback. Last week, two cabinet members suggested that elections could be organised by November, when there is a tiny window in Nepal’s difficult social and climatic calendar — after the rains and autumn festival season and before the harvest. The UN urged the government to act to hold elections quickly.

Representation was the fuel that fired the Madhesi revolt in the plains early this year. They were particularly aggrieved by the interim constitution, which, when promulgated in January, included no mention of regional or ethnic autonomy."They are not honest, they are not sincere, they talk about republic but they are not ready to share political rights with marginalised people," Jeetendra Dev said. He included the United Marxist-Leninist, his party, whose Madhesi wing he heads.Poudel noted that the government had since agreed to the demand for federalism, though it had yet to resolve the details."They’re the same as before," said Laxmi Dahal, 29, a trade union advocate who attended the commemoration on Tuesday of the return to democracy. Last year, she said, she marched in the pro-democracy demonstrations and was beaten by the police during one. On Tuesday, she said she had come to "warn" the political leaders to keep their word to those who had marched for freedom.In the crowd, Bijay Paudel, a graduate student, echoed Dahal’s misgivings. "Everyone wants a change, but the political parties which have been leading the nation are not listening to the voice of the people." — NYT

Source: NSTONLINE, April 30, 2007

INDIA: MAOISTS’ MOLE IN THE INDIAN CABINET

The Indian government is feeling the heat. The growing and the ever increasing penetration of the Maoists’ guerillas in the scheme of the Indian cabinet itself are ailing the Indian establishment of late. According to Indian media reports the Maoists moles have infiltrated the highest level of the Indian Government, gaining access to documents from top-level cabinet meetings in a major security breach. The Indian magazine Outlook says that the documents that the Maoists have collected for themselves are what have been termed as “the success of the Maoists”, in penetrating the in accessible Government secret matters.

According to reports the Maoists moles have infiltrated the highest level of the Indian Government, gaining access to documents from top-level cabinet meeting.
The guerillas, who are waging an armed insurrection across 16 of India's 28 states, obtained minutes of a meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that discussed tactics to deal with the insurgents. Those at the meeting, the Outlook magazine said, included the chief ministers of all states affected by the Maoist insurgency, along with senior intelligence and security officials. With intelligence and security officials expressing alarm at "a serious security lapse", the disclosures are galling for Dr Singh, adds Outlook magazine. The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Man Mohan Singh has expressed concern about the challenge posed by the Maoist insurrection, describing it as the "biggest threat to the country's internal security".

The Naxalites it is believed are well-armed and disciplined, who operate in a scores of Indian states whose connections are well deep inside Nepal as well.The magazine quotes a senior intelligence officer as saying: "It's clear the Maoists have access to secret information and plans ... no wonder there hasn't been much success in our operations against them." With the Maoists in Nepal government the Indian naxals are sure to exploit the benefits their way.

Source: Telegraph Nepal, April 30, 2007

NEPAL:SITAULA SEEKS DELHI'S ADVICE ON CEREMONIAL MONARCHY

Look the tryst of destiny and the fate of the Nepalese. A Nepali sitting minister has been advised by the medical practitioners attending on him to “visit” Delhi for further and advanced check-up. Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula who has recently developed a hearing disorder is to soon land in Delhi.

The climax is here:
Sitaula talking to reporters today said that while being in Delhi, he would have tête-à-tête with several Indian leaders on whether or not a ceremonial monarchy in Nepal is needed?
The Nepali Congress has empowered him to gather views from the Indian leaders, reports say.
This should perhaps explain what New Delhi means to Nepal and her “able and capable” leaders.
Home Minister Sitaula is considered even by his congress party colleagues to have been closer to the Maoists than his own party.

Source: Telegraph Nepal, April 30, 2007

Grandfather clock

After the postponement of the elections to the constituency assembly (CA) slated for June, the eight political parties will need to demonstrate a high degree of wisdom to keep the alliance intact and to implement the mandate given them by Jana Andolan II. The relationship between the Nepali Congress, which heads the alliance government, and the two other big alliance partners, the CPN-Maoist and the CPN-UML, have soured to a certain extent. These two communist parties are insisting on settling the question of the monarchy — either through a two-thirds parliamentary majority or by the direct verdict of the people in a referendum — before setting a new poll date, whereas some senior NC leaders like minister and party general secretary Ram Chandra Poudel, NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba, and RJP chief Surya Bahadur Thapa want to stick to the provision of the Interim Constitution (IC) that says the first meeting of the CA will clinch the issue.

Prime Minister Koirala seems to be in a tight spot at a time when major alliance partners such as the CPN-UML are raising serious questions about his leadership after the deferral of the polls. Koirala has been non-committal so far on the demands of the Maoists and the CPN-UML. Maoist politburo member Dr Baburam Bhattarai warned in the capital on Saturday that his party would launch a “peaceful agitation” if the interim parliament did not declare Nepal a republic by the third week of May. He has said a Left unity will be forged for the purpose if the eight parties cannot agree on the republican demand. On such a highly sensitive and polarising issue, any national party worth its salt cannot remain a prisoner of indecision even a full year since Jana Andolan II, all the more so a party that led the SPA alliance.

It is for the eight parties to decide whether they want the CA alone, the parliament, or a referendum to settle the issue of monarchy. But it would not behove the leaders who voted for the historic Declaration of Parliament and other epoch-making decisions, including the establishment of the parliament’s supremacy, the demise of the restored parliament and the 1990 Constitution, the adoption of the IC and formation of the interim parliament, now to say that the CA alone, and not Parliament, has the authority to decide the fate of the monarchy. While the country is polarised along the monarchy v republic lines, no party that has not arrayed itself in either camp so far should claim high moral ground to stay in power. Everybody is free to make his choice, but one wonders if the vacillating NC and NC-D should not make their positions absolutely clear, otherwise on what basis will they ask for the people’s votes? If it so desired, the NC may even choose to ally itself with the parties of former Panchas, though it is another question whether the NC would be willing to pay the price for this tricky option. It may also reflect poorly on them if they continue to sit on the fence.

Source: The Himalayan Times, April 30, 2007

Keen Enthusiasm

THAT 62 political parties have applied for registration with the Election Commission (EC) by the deadline that closed Friday to take part in the constituent assembly election is an indication that the polls are being taken seriously by all. This is also proof that everyone believes that the CA polls will be the gateway to ending the uncertainties that are prevailing at the moment. It is evident that the CA polls will be a milestone in the march forward to creating a new Nepal. This is so because the elected CA will be responsible for framing the constitution of Nepal which will be all-inclusive.

This is the hope pinned on not only by the political parties but the people as well. Hereon, it may be worthwhile remembering that the date for the CA election is yet to be announced. Though the date had been fixed for June 20, due to technical and logistical problems, the EC had some time back said it needed a little over a hundred days to prepare for the polls. This started the ball rolling for a new CA poll date. But this has not happened because the eight political parties are yet to sit down to sort out the issues.

As per the recent developments, there is every hope that the said gathering will take place soon to give a passage to the problem. This is necessary so that the uncertainty and confusion in the minds of the people can be removed. The eight political parties who are participants in the government have to act fast to ally the fears that the polls will not be held. The eight political parties, too, have to be earnest and not make remarks which create confusion among the people. The interim government is there to announce the date for the polls, but for this the eight political parties have to arrive at a concrete agreement and end the confusion. The interest of the political parties in the country to get themselves registered is enough evidence that everyone wants the elections to take place as quickly as possible.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Commitment To The Polls

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has articulated his firm commitment to holding the polls to the constituent assembly and maintained that the date for the polls would be announced soon after consultation with the other political leaders. Giving his views in unambiguous terms, Prime Minister Koirala mentioned that the election to the constituent assembly should be held to address the concerns as well as aspirations of the people, for which there should be no doubts and apprehension.

The views held by the prime minister seek to confirm that the government is committed to conducting the polls to the constituent assembly, and any confusions and contradictions regarding the issue should not be allowed to prejudice the political environment. The disparate utterances that have come to the fore these days from different political corners have lent the impression that no unanimity of views are held by the political stakeholders regarding the polls. However, the pronouncements coming from the eight party leaders on Friday indicate that coherence of views does exist among the leaders.

Moreover, the political leadership in the country was committed to forging unanimity to hold the polls to the constituent assembly and bring a new era of peace, democracy and prosperity in the country. The meeting of the eight party leaders that will be held soon will decide about the polls and allay all the confusions pertaining to it. It is encouraging to note that the Election Commission has accelerated the tempo of preparing for the polls as this is very crucial to take peace building and the democratisation process forward . The legal procedure for the polls should be defined to facilitate the process. Prime Minister Koirala commitment to conduct the election to the constituent assembly to enact a new constitution should be hailed and reciprocated as delaying the polls could mean a prolonged transition phase in the country?s politics. Some elements are obviously not in favour of the smooth organisation and implementation of the polls, and they may seek to disturb the process if the fluid and uncertain situation continues to exist in the country.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Alternative Energy Promotion Opportunities

THAT 62 political parties have applied for registration with the Election Commission (EC) by the deadline that closed Friday to take part in the constituent assembly election is an indication that the polls are being taken seriously by all. This is also proof that everyone believes that the CA polls will be the gateway to ending the uncertainties that are prevailing at the moment. It is evident that the CA polls will be a milestone in the march forward to creating a new Nepal. This is so because the elected CA will be responsible for framing the constitution of Nepal which will be all-inclusive. This is the hope pinned on not only by the political parties but the people as well. Hereon, it may be worthwhile remembering that the date for the CA election is yet to be announced.

Though the date had been fixed for June 20, due to technical and logistical problems, the EC had some time back said it needed a little over a hundred days to prepare for the polls. This started the ball rolling for a new CA poll date. But this has not happened because the eight political parties are yet to sit down to sort out the issues. As per the recent developments, there is every hope that the said gathering will take place soon to give a passage to the problem. This is necessary so that the uncertainty and confusion in the minds of the people can be removed. The eight political parties who are participants in the government have to act fast to ally the fears that the polls will not be held. The eight political parties, too, have to be earnest and not make remarks which create confusion among the people. The interim government is there to announce the date for the polls, but for this the eight political parties have to arrive at a concrete agreement and end the confusion. The interest of the political parties in the country to get themselves registered is enough evidence that everyone wants the elections to take place as quickly as possible.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Abandon Strikes

The unrest in Madhesh and Bhabar has not come to an end. The strikes and stoppage of work have been resorted to time and again. Though there has been a noticeable improvement in the law and order situation across the country, Madhesh and Bhabar are yet to return to normal. But what should be appreciated is that the Maoists have abandoned their armed pursuit of politics. They have committed not to pursue violence for any political ends. Moreover, they have joined the interim parliament and, consequently, the interim government - a long journey from conflict to conciliation. The problems that the country had faced due to the conflict have been resolved despite some minor aberrations and obstacles here and there. It is indeed an obligation on the part of the groups and organisations to learn from the examples set by the Maoists and renounce violence and agitational politics to pursue the cause of peace and harmonious coexistence.

However, the Madhesh and Bhabar have neither listened to the call for dialogue nor learned to refrain from indulging in agitational politics. They are tendentiously becoming used to calling transportation strikes and setting blockades along the highways as a result of which people travelling along the long route are forced to halt and be stranded for several days. Subsequent to the three-day strike called by the Madhesi Janadjhikar Forum last week, the strikes and agitation called by the Chure Bhabar Ekata Samaj in some of the districts from the central and eastern region has affected life seriously. What is disconcerting has been the death of an agitationist on Saturday in clashes with the armed police in eastern Terai. In the same way, several others were hurt. It will be relevant to note at least three dozen people have been killed in the movement called by the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum. Since the country has moved ahead towards addressing the needs and aspirations of the people and the date for the constituent assembly polls is being announced soon, all should bear patience and provide cooperation to the government in making the democratic exercise a success.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Peace Process Praised

THE interest of friendly countries and international agencies to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Nepal is evident. Despite the support and cooperation coming from them, it is clear that the Nepali people themselves know very well to resolve their own problems. It is the moral support that must be forthcoming from them in the Nepali people's endeavour to keep their house in order. In this, the support extended by the United Nations is praiseworthy. Its help has become very much a part of the ongoing peace process in the country. A year after the April uprising, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, in his Nepal report to the Security Council, said that Nepal's peace process has made rapid advances though questions remain about the registration of the arms and armies. He was referring to the complex questions regarding the monitoring of the arms and armed personnel. Herein, it may be worthwhile remembering that the first phase of the registration and storage of the weapons and combatants of the Maoists and the arms of the Nepal Army has been completed with the help of the United Nations.

He also said that the upcoming constituent assembly elections ought to be conducted in a manner that reflects the "genuine will" of the people. It must be noted that in all the political developments taking place in the country, the concerned political parties must also be praised as they have always gone for a consensus on contentious issues. Though there is a lull at the moment, it is hoped that the eight parties will sit down together and come up with decisions on the lingering question of fixing the date for the CA polls. Positive signals have emerged in the past few days that the eight parties will gather and discuss the various problems that have emerged. All the political leaders have suggested that the unity of the eight parties must be maintained in the present situation so that a safe path can lead to the elections. It is high time all the present issues were sorted out at the earliest so that the stage can be set for announcing the date of the polls. It is hoped that the eight party meeting will take place in a day or two so that the people will rest assured that things are moving as desired according to the mandate given to the parties with the success of Jana Andolan II last year.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Third Country Resettlement : How Durable For The Refugees?

T. P. Mishra

FINALLY, the America's offer of third country resettlement has given rise to a lot of debate. Despite several attempts by the refugees to oppose it, the US and some western countries seem committed to expediting the process of resettlement latest by early 2008.Besides the formation of a core group comprising 14 of the world's biggest democratic countries, the Overseas Processing Entity (OPE), one of the latest concepts in backing up the process of third country resettlement, is planning to set up its office at Jhapa and in Kathmandu in July.This very information was revealed by two senior US officials, Lawrence Barlett and Janice S. Belz - assistant directors of the Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of the U.S. government - during their interaction with the refugees at Goldhap camp on April 25.

Faction

Since the time when the third country resettlement package was brought up, it provoked factions among the refugees - individual opinions can be distinctly seen divided into different groups. Literate youths among the Bhutanese refugees favour third country resettlement. The other elderly, illiterate groups want to get repatriated as they say they have worked hard and sweated a lot to bring Bhutan into its present state. Not only this, a section of the people living inside the refugee camps have already obtained Nepalese citizenship certificates. They were able to obtain Nepali citizenship after the government of Nepal decided to issue citizenship certificates to four million people prior to the constituent assembly (CA) polls. This ironically leaves a clear message that a portion of the refugees are even willing to get locally assimilated. Meanwhile, it is still a matter of doubt whether those refugees, who have already obtained Nepalese citizenship certificates, would qualify for third country resettlement. More interestingly, this verity would also be a tool for creating internal divergence among the refugees if those, who have already possessed Nepalese citizenship identity card, get a chance to opt for resettlement prior to those without citizenship cards.

Majority of the so-called frontline leaders in exile, most of the political and a few apolitical organisations have been frequently opposing the offer of third country resettlement, claiming it would not help furnish complete justice to the suppressed Bhutanese people. Since there is divided opinion among the individuals, the question of reaching a common consensus is difficult. People inside the camps are quite confused and do not know whether to apply in advance for this offer as they are little informed of its procedures.When such fact-based points are fresh at hand, opening the 'single option' for refugees would be a bleak step. Not only third country resettlement, the concerned authorities should work towards unlocking all possible options, including repatriation to their original homeland, Bhutan. The long-standing issue will get a safe landing only when all possible options are opened.

Criteria and procedures

The obvious question at this hour is: why are those countries that are wishing to resettle the refugees not making transparent all the criteria and other necessary procedures before the resettlement process begins? At least a dozen refugee families have already been resettled in Canada in the recent months, but the authorities concerned haven't yet made their status public.On the other side, the UNHCR is reportedly learnt to have been selecting families in the camps in recent days to begin the process for third country resettlement. However, it has refused to reveal the criteria for their selection. Actually, why can't such steps be carried out in an open and transparent way? The refugees should not be deprived of their basic human right to access to adequate information on any options coined. And, this should be more precisely done in a transparent way.Meanwhile, it is equally necessary to note that any options, what they be, shouldn't be made a 'compulsory option' for the refugees by citing unfeasibility of other possible options.Even Nepal has flashed a green light for allowing these refugees to get resettled. If Nepal by doing so wants to eliminate the Bhutanese refugee problem from the country, then it must be mentioned here that dignified repatriation should also be promoted at any cost. Otherwise, what would be the future of those refugees who want to get repatriated? Thus, it is a matter of essence that Nepal publicise its official stance at the earliest to bar ideological divergence among the refugees.

Sentiment

It is a fact that options besides third country resettlement - dignified repatriation and local integration - are, with the flow of time, getting less prominence. If the authorities concerned are truly committed to finding a durable solution to the Bhutanese refugee stalemate and embracing and supporting them, then promoting the refugee's sentiment is a must.(The writer is President of Third World Media Network - Bhutan Chapter)

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

One Year Of Democracy

Geja Sharma Wagle

The past one year has been a significant historical period for establishing democracy, peace and people's supremacy. Declaring that sovereign power and state power rest with the Nepali people, the interim constitution and the historical proclamation of the House of Representatives (HoR) have established the principles of people's supremacy, democracy and rule of law. They are steps for abolishing the feudal structure.

Central issue

There were many political, social, economic and cultural problems to be resolved. But the monarchy remained the central issue for the political parties, civil society and the Nepali people. Considering the people's aspiration, mandate of the movement, and the agenda of the parties, the Eight Party Alliance (EPA) made a historic and revolutionary decision and suspended the monarchy through the interim constitution until the constituent assembly (CA) election. Moreover, they have agreed to decide the fate of the monarchy by the first-ever meeting of the constituent assembly. Now, all the state authorities of the king have been transferred to the prime minister constitutionally, and there is no constitutional space for the king in the constitution.

In fact, the king is suspended in the real sense, and the supremacy of the people has been established constitutionally on the strength of people power for the first time in the history of Nepal. By having the right to decide the fate of the monarchy, now, the supremacy of the people has been established in real terms. Probably, no king would dare to challenge the people's supremacy in the future. Therefore, the constitution has laid a strong philosophical foundation for formal putting an end to the monarchy and establishing a democratic republic. Institutionalising the achievements of the historic movement, Nepal has entered into a new democratic, inclusive and egalitarian era. The constitution has established the universal principles of democratic values, people's supremacy, multiparty democracy, rule of law, human rights and press freedom. Accepting the democratic values and principles, people's supremacy, and progressive transformation of the state as the guiding principles of the constitution, the EPA has agreed to promulgate the constitution. Furthermore, the constitution has institutionalised the achievements of the April revolution, the momentous proclamation of the HoR, and all the agreements reached between the government and the Maoists in the past.

Terming it a historic change, all the political parties, civil society and professional organisations welcomed and urged the government and the Maoists to abide by the constitution in both letter and spirit. They have defined it as a landmark constitution for putting an end to the feudal structure. Even the international community has welcomed the constitution, saying it will pave the way for democracy, peace and prosperity. The United Nations, India, the United States, United Kingdom, China and the European Union have warmly welcomed the constitution and urged the government and the Maoists to put their words into action for the sake of institutional development of democracy and safeguarding the people's rights. They have even promised to support the ongoing peace process and to respect the people's verdict in the constituent assembly polls, including on the fate of the monarchy. The constitution has substituted 'His Majesty's Government' by 'Nepal Government'. Even the king's action can be questioned in the parliament as well as in a court of law and the king's private property and income would be taxed. Likewise, the budget, allowance, and facilities of the palace would be decided by the parliament. The parliament will decide who will succeed the throne.

Political landscape

The April revolution and the constitution are set to change the political, socio-economic and cultural landscape and redefine state power in Nepal. It, thus, is not the only momentous moment for the Nepali people in terms of democracy and freedom. It has also sent a powerful message to the rest of the world how people's supremacy has been established through the peaceful popular movement. However, the main objectives of the movement are yet to be achieved. In fact, holding the CA polls, drafting a democratic and inclusive constitution and restructuring the state are the agenda of the movement. Therefore, all the political parties, including the EPA government, need to stay united to hold the CA election by putting aside their differences for the sake of the newly established democracy.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Judicial morality

At a time when the judiciary is facing a drought of public faith and is struggling to clean its tarnished image in recent days, a morally questionable act of the Chief Justice (CJ) - appointment of his spouse to the post of section officer -- and an offence of the Supreme Court (SC) Registrar - use of a vehicle with an illegal number plate-- over a span of one week, have come out.
These acts by Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Poudel and Registrar Dr Ram Krishna Timalsena, head of the judiciary and the chief of the apex court administration respectively, have disgraced and caused irreparable damage to the esteem of the institution of the judiciary and judicial system. These acts, have further eroded public faith on the judiciary, irrespective of the intention behind the acts.

The Post regards that both the posts deserve high respect and prestige from the public. But, at the same time, the positions demand a high standard of morality in what they do. A petty act subject to moral question, by figures like the CJ and Registrar is very damaging to an institution like the judiciary whose very foundation is public faith. Such damage is irreparable. So judges and officials of the judiciary should be responsible and careful to what they do/will do to ensure that their acts do not harm the institution.
Press has been reporting the morally questionable acts in the judiciary over the last three years. But such reports have been ignored by the people in the judiciary without realization of the far-reaching effects of such activities. And such individuals were never brought to justice, and thus impunity has been encouraged in the institution. For instance, the then Chief Justice Hari Prasad Sharma delivered a political speech at an international forum in 2005, which was a breach of the code of conduct for judges. But Sharma was never punished. This kind of impunity must end to make our judiciary a temple of justice which people revere.

History has recorded damaging activities, one after another, by people in the judiciary over the last three years. But the judiciary has failed to use every correction opportunity in the past. Our judiciary never learnt a lesson from the infamous Robinson scandal. It could have been used as an opportunity to correct the existing maladies in the judiciary. But that did not happen. Now the judiciary should realize that no one, but the people in the judiciary, are responsible for earning damage and disgrace to the institution. It is high time the judiciary end impunity of all sorts within itself and make the institution respectable and morally clean.

Bruised Madhes

Never before in the history of Nepal has the role of Madhesi leaders and parliamentarians been so crucial and so indispensable. Never even during the 11-year Maoist insurgency had the situation seemed so perilous. That is because the Maoist leadership took a diversion when confronted with a choice that would lead to a flare up of ethnic hatred. But the JTMM factions (Goit and Jwala Singh) are waging their armed rebellion on an ethnic plank, something which is extremely dangerous, not only for the integrity of the country, but for humanity. Comparing the situation to Rwanda, Sri Lanka or Sudan would be overstating it, but the risks cannot be ignored. If Madhesi leaders act promptly and effectively, the sporadic flare-ups in Madhes can be doused before the situation explodes into full-fledged civil war. But Madhesi leaders appear apathetic about the potential risks and seem to be scrambling to join the Madhesi band-wagon without really weighing the pros and cons.

It requires courage, honesty and goodness of heart to be a leader. Leaders should be able to take a clear line, and do so publicly. We know most of our Madhesi leaders are not in favor of ethnic cleansing of hill people from the terai, but they have been shying away from flaying sternly any move in that direction. If they keep mum now for fear of being labeled pro-hill, they will be responsible for any racial war that might engulf the country. The Madhesi people are definitely not for that. They want peace, harmony, development and prosperity. But it requires leaders to articulate the public's preferences. That is why Madhes is calling out for a conscious move in the right direction from its sons. Unfortunately Madhesi leaders of the NC, UML, the Maoists, NC(D), MPRF, and Madhesi intellectuals are refraining from speaking out in favor of national unity and flaying the wrongful goings-on in Madhes.

Why is the Madesh situation deteriorating so fast? It's mainly because Madhesi leaders are more concerned about protecting their individual turfs. As a result, members of political parties that fought so hard to reinstate parliament are now trying to undermine the importance of that very parliament by obstructing its proceedings. The government also seems quite feckless in the face of the Madhesi imbroglio. The formation of one committee after another has not borne fruit because the leaders do not really know how to address the situation. The government needs a two-prong strategy. It has to take strong action against people resorting to violence, and deal respectfully with people who have been raising the justified demands of Madhesis. The major problem confronting the country now is not the monarchy or election of a constituent assembly. It is the Madhesi movement, some factions of which are deliberately trying to push the country into civil war.

Source: The Kathmandu Post, April 28, 2007

NEPAL: LEFT UNITY, POSITIVE SIGNAL FOR SA, YECHURI

Sitaram Yechuri, the Indian Communist Party leader today met Nepal’s Prime Minister.
Mr. Yechuri had an hour long meeting with the Prime minister, reports say.
Sources close to the Prime Minister’s private secretariat talking to the telegraphnepal.com told that the two leaders discussed on timely conduct of the CA polls and the unity among the Eight Party Alliances.
Mr. Yehcuri, more so, was seen very concerned over the poor management of cantonment sites, the source said.
Mr. Yechuri got the distinction to visit one cantonment site in Chitwan together with Ian Martin, the UNMIN chief.
He is the first Indian to be honored to visit the site where Maoists militias are languishing.
He, however, beamingly said that if the left forces in Nepal unite would send positive signals in the entire south Asian region. He said this upon meeting Maoist deputy Babu Ram Bhattarai.
Analysts at the www.telegraphnepal.com conclude that Mr. Yechuri who is virtually a drop in India’s oceanic politics, however, is considered as a top-mentor for the communists in Nepal.
It appears that Yehcuri has more students in Nepal than what he has in his motherland.

· Nepalese intellectual would love to learn in what capacity he comes to Nepal? Why he so frequently visits Nepal?
· More over, whom he represents from India when he comes to Nepal?
· After all who is he to mediate in between our political leaders?
· What are his intentions?
· Is he the Indian PM’s special extra-ordinary and plenipotentiary?
· Or he is undeclared Ambassador at Large of India to Nepal?
· How large he is in Politics of mediation? And finally who invited him this time in Nepal?

The academicians need adequate and convincing answers. However, such frequent unwanted arrivals of Indian politicos in Nepal humiliate the entire Nepali population. Analysts say that the Nepalese side has always been at the losing end as and when such visits are planned, invited or uninvited.

Source: Telegraph Nepal, April 26, 2007

Bomb against Christian orphanage allegedly converting children by force

Prakash Dubey

An orphanage run by the Pentecostal Church in Birganj is attacked and one child is wounded. A Hindu extremist group claims responsibility. It says it wants to restore the country to its Hindu theocracy, accusing Christians of converting Buddhist and Hindu children to Christianity with funds from pro-Maoist groups. The establishment’s administrators reject the accusations. Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – A Hindu fundamentalist group in Nepal bombed a Christian orphanage accusing its administrators of converting its non Christian children and receiving funds from pro-Maoist organisations. The explosion occurred in Birganj, Nepal’s industrial capital, at the “Grace Children Home” and wounded one child who is now in hospital. The orphanage is run by the Pentecostal Church and is home to some 80 children from around the country who lost their parents during the Maoist insurgency.

The attack was claimed by the Nepal Defence Army (NDA), a recently-created group that wants to restore the Hindu theocracy that once ruled the country. According to a local NDA organiser, Praban, the reasons behind the attack are two-fold: “Firstly, the Christian owners of the home are obviously converting the Hindu and Buddhist children from the hills and mountains to Christianity. [. . .] The bomb was a warning against their nefarious project. Secondly, [. . .] we have evidence that they are actually children of Maoist guerrillas who were killed in army operations during the insurgency. The Maoists don't mind if their children become Christians.”
Speaking to AsiaNews, the orphanage administrators reject all the accusations saying that their work “is to help and educate poor children who have lost their families.”

Source: Asia News, April 26, 2007

Inadequate Resources

THE inadequacy of fire fighting equipment in the Kathmandu Valley was amply exhibited in trying to control the Tuesday blaze at Makhan Tole of the metropolis. It is true that there are various reasons why blazes occur, but the preparedness level ought to be optimum to fight them when they take place. With the growing population and the houses packed together so close on a tiny plot of land, a fire that occurs in one house due to whatever reason can affect the adjoining buildings. Moreover, the storing of inflammable materials and the always threatening short circuits haunt the people residing in the valley. Such unfortunate events take place mostly during the summer months when the humidity level is low, and fire can spread easily and fast. All fires cannot be prevented, but the fire brigade has to be ever ready to be able to extinguish any type of fire. However, the sad fact remains that though progress has been made in many sectors, the office responsible for meeting such emergencies are not well equipped.

The case is not of the Valley alone but towns across the country. The number of fire fighting engines is dismally low. It is stated that there are only five fire fighting engines in the capital, which is totally inadequate. Seeing the dangers that fire can pose in leading to the loss of lives and property, it is necessary that the concerned authorities think over it and take immediate steps to enhance the capacity of the fire brigades so that they can act efficiently and effectively in controlling fires when they break out. A related problem is the narrow alleys and streets of the cities, which makes it difficult for the fire brigade to reach the disaster site as quickly as possible. In all this, the courage of the existing fire brigade must be praised for doing with so little to contain fires in the valley. It is not only more manpower that is needed, modern methods must also be imported to fight fires. Training firefighters is also a must. As an incentive to the firefighters, appropriate firefighting equipment, including their personal gear, ought to be provided. Looking at the increase in the number of housing establishments and the ever-growing population, the number of firefighter, too, must be increased after a clear study of the needs of the Kathmandu Valley in this respect.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 27, 2007

People should decide on vital issues

Kamal Raj Thapa

The government is neither sensitive nor responsive to public opinion. Although the political parties claim the sovereign right of the people, their working style is not democratic at all. To institutionalise democracy, the government must ensure public participation. Politicians in power are mere public servants and should work as dignified representatives of the people. In a democratic system, people hold the sovereign power that comprises the political, economic and social authority. The representatives are chosen through ballots and by transfer of collective will to decide on matters of state, but polls do not transfer all deciding authority or entire sovereignty to the leaders. It is the masses that formulate a constitution by insuring separation of power, constitutionalism, rule of law, fundamental rights, independent and accountable judiciary and good governance.

Sovereignty thus limits the authority of a government, including legislative and judiciary, to decide or finalise fundamental issues. The people should, therefore, be given the opportunity to decide on important issues like monarchy v republic or unitary v federal structure of the state. At present, many party leaders, particularly the Maoists, are calling for a proclamation of a republic through the interim parliament (IP). Such a move will subvert the right of the people to frame their own constitution. This directly hinders and minimises the role of the people to participate and choose a political system. Parties cannot decide on matters which lie within the scope of the popular vote.

Even the IP and interim constitution (IC) have declared the right of the people to frame the constitution by participation in constituent assembly (CA) polls. Thus the CA polls alone can determine the political system of the country. Again, IP is a political institution agreed upon by the eight-party alliance, but in a true sense, there is no public participation in it. The people recognised it to maintain peace and order and to institutionalise the derailed democratic process.The IP can only prepare laws relating to the CA elections and for maintaining order in the country. But it cannot frame a new constitution altogether.

Article 159 (3) of IC states that only the CA shall determine the question of political system. Moreover, the role of IP is limited by its very nature. In principle, it cannot exercise the constituent power because it is only a legislative body. Nor does it have a special mandate to decide on vital national issues. The proclamation of republicanism should be contingent on people’s choice and not merely a matter of party politics because the people are sovereign not the parties.Therefore, all claims by the IP to determine the constitutional issues are unconstitutional. The parties are free to carry forward their own agenda and try and influence the people to vote for them, but they cannot settle the issues or make important declarations without elections. It will be illegitimate and may create conflicts between the parties and the general public.

Source: The Himalayan Times, April 27, 2007

Slow motion show

King Gyanendra’s puja at Dakshinkali temple on Loktantra Diwas — when the civil society representatives and political leaders were writing off the monarchy in their speeches at Basantapur — has kicked up a public fuss, particularly because a customary salute was offered to him and the old national anthem glorifying the monarchy was played in his honour. Some senior political leaders, including ministers, condemned both these incidents as going against the letter and spirit of Jana Andolan II and the Interim Constitution (IC). Their contention is based on the fact that King Gyanendra is no longer the head of state, nor is he the supreme commander or just commander of the Nepal Army. All his former roles as head of state have devolved on the Prime Minister under the IC. Perhaps because of this that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala asked the journalists in New Delhi recently to call not King Gyanendra, but just Gyanendra.

Many political and civil society leaders have made a strong objection to some of the actions and utterances of King Gyanendra in recent months as running counter to the spirit of the times and the IC — for instance, his Democracy Day message to the nation and the palace’s alleged involvement in activities aimed at obstructing the constituent assembly (CA) elections. Indeed, the IC has kept the monarchy in a state of suspended animation pending the elections to the CA, the first meeting of which is to clinch the monarchy v republic issue. But particularly after the deferred CA polls, Prime Minister Koirala is coming under increasing pressure from many quarters, all the more so from his own eight-party alliance partners, such as the CPN-Maoist, the CPN-UML and Janamorcha Nepal that either the interim parliament should proclaim Nepal a republic by a two-thirds majority or the government should hold a referendum on the monarchy soon before fixing a new date for the CA elections.

If the eight parties so agree, any of the three options — the CA verdict, parliamentary proclamation and referendum — could be adopted as viable. But pending such a decision, the status of the monarchy, how it should be treated, including the playing of the national anthem and firing of a gun salute, should be decided by the government. It cannot afford to remain vague or indecisive on such sensitive matters. Once it does, it should enforce it strictly, and the government should have the courage to take action against anybody who dares defy its decisions or orders. Otherwise, the lack of clarity on its part will only breed more confusion and suspicions about its intent. Public suspicion and fury have arisen because of the Koirala government’s failure to implement many of the points covered in the historic Declaration of Parliament, provisions of the IC, and the government’s decisions, including reducing the size of the security personnel deployed in the royal palace, cutting the royal palace staff and bringing them under the government’s general administration, and nationalising the property belonging to the late King Birendra’s family. The Prime Minister should waste no more time in ending all this confusion.

People's Aspirations

People should decide on vital issues

MINISTER for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara has said that the present government is working seriously and sincerely to resolve the country's outstanding problems and fulfill the aspirations of the people. During a meeting with a Swiss delegation in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Minister Mahara, who is also the spokesperson of the government, called upon all sectors, including the international community, to provide strong and meaningful support for creating a new Nepal in which the people are fully sovereign. The priority of the present government, which came to power on the strength of Jana Andolan II, is to institutionalise the peace process and achievements of the people's movement. The peace process and democratic transformation and state restructuring are directly linked with the election to a constituent assembly. The eight political parties had earlier agreed to hold the constituent assembly election in June so that the people's representatives could write a new constitution that would put all political and other disputes and debates to an end.

But the constituent assembly election is not going to be held in June as the Election Commission has already said that it cannot hold the election within the stipulated timeframe. The announcement of the Election Commission has valid justification as there little time left and a lot of work has to be done before announcing the dates for the election. Moreover, the constituent assembly election is a new experience for Nepal, and plenty of time is necessary to educate the people about it. Without properly educating the people about the constituent assembly, people cannot make the informed choice. The government and eight political parties are still committed to holding the constituent assembly election and accomplishing the mandate given by the Jana Andolan. Now, the political parties need to stop the blame game, and all partners of the government must take collective responsibility for both the credit and discredit. This is the spirit of the coalition culture, and the parties need to learn this culture. This coalition culture alone will consolidate the unity of the eight parties. As the nation is in transition, the unity of the eight parties is highly necessary to complete the job of fully institutionalising the achievements of Jana Andolan II. The parties must keep the unity intact until the constituent assembly election is held. Now the political parties must sit together and assess the situation and announce the dates for the constituent assembly election. It is the time to rise above partisan interests and work for the greater interest of the nation. This alone would fulfill the aspirations of the people.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 27, 2007

Collective Spirit A Must

Prem N. Kakkar

THE enthusiasm and commitment with which the first anniversary of the April revolution was marked as Loktantra Day was quite encouraging. It gave the political leaders, the civil society and the people in general an opportunity to evaluate the gains that had been made in the past one year and the shortcomings as well. What was interesting was that the political leaders came up with clear ideas for further steps to be taken in the run up to the constituent assembly (CA) election.

CA polls

The focus in the recent times and on Loktantra Day as well dwelt on the CA elections. The commitment of all is there, but the delay has been quite pressing on the eight political parties that are represented on the interim government. It is true that the transition phase is characterised by many problems. And this is the reason why the date for the CA polls has not been declared so far. In principle, the leaders of the eight political parties had agreed on June 20, but the Election Commission's statement that it needs 110 days to hold the election set in motion the uncertainty.Meanwhile, the meting of the eight political parties, too, has not taken place in recent times to thrash out various issues including, predominantly, the date for the polls. This is quite disconcerting, given that the eight parties want to maintain unity all along. So far there is broad agreement on working together though now and then minor issues do crop up. This is not unusual with parties that have different ideologies. This calls for compromises. They all realise that this is crucial for achieving the objectives set forth.

Herein, it may be important to mention that all the leaders talk of the mandate of the people in high flying rhetoric. Yes, the people had given the mandate by participating in such great numbers during Jana Andolan II, the success of which has led to the present times and the political situation. Even now the focus is on the CA polls as it will elect the representatives to frame a new all-inclusive constitution to take the country forward. In it the dream of a new Nepal is ever present. But on the question of creating a new Nepal, very little information seems to be coming from the leaders concerned. First of all, the need for sincerity must be there among all the parties. To say one thing during a meeting and then go out on an assault later on at mass meetings do not behoove well on their part.In recent times, the blame game, too, is picking up, with mud slinging in full swing. This is not good for the times that the country is passing through. It is true that every person has the right to put forth his or her viewpoints or ideas. This truly calls for discussion. This is a time when new ideas must come up, and the stakeholders must discuss them thoroughly. For the moment, the Maoists have decided to declare a republic from the legislature parliament. At the same time, the CPN-UML wants a referendum to decide the fate of the monarchy.

They are suggestions, but they carry weight. This calls for full debate and discussions. On the issue of monarchy, the Nepali Congress has always maintained that the CA will decide on its fate. Here lies the bone of contention among the parties that are in the government.The government is there, but it works only on the direction of the eight parties. So blaming the government for something may not seem appropriate. It is the top leaders of the eight parties that decide on the future course of action. This necessarily means that the eight political parties are responsible for everything that is taking place in the political front. As for the announcement of the date for the CA polls, it is up to the leaders of the eight political parties to decide. They should make it their foremost agenda and hold the meet as fast as possible to remove doubts and confusion among the people.

Foundation

Instead of stalling the proceedings of the legislature parliament, the leaders of the eight political parties must come up with definite plans to resolve the various issues that have surfaced. It needs collective effort from all. In this, blaming this or that person for whatever has happened is not appropriate. A collective effort is most important at the moment. In this rests the foundation on which the CA polls will be held in all earnest.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 27, 2007

Diplomacy In The Nepali Context

Madhavji Shrestha

The common concern of diplomats and diplomatic performance is seen and interpreted by various governments according to their set standard and values. However, in Nepal, forgetting the essential of what must be done in representing the country and its interests abroad, each aspirant for the position of ambassador or envoy runs after the authority in power to fulfill his desire.

Criteria for appointment

Undeniably, the person in question may have been lured by the glamour and comfort of life once appointed as the highest diplomatic agent abroad. In our context, the aspirant never thinks of his capability and suitability. The decision-makers, too, never imagine if they have been doing the right thing in sending someone who is linked with a political party or familial and other unspecified ties.

This mode of appointing ambassadors and envoys had developed in the past, and a similar trend is happening at present. This has happened because no criteria have been set as of now, nor have rulebooks been made to develop the much-needed diplomatic service. Under no circumstance will this evolution be restrained unless some great disaster of far-fetched impact takes place.Evidently, it has been more than five decades that Nepal started getting exposed to the external world. Despite such a long span of time, no convincing step has been taken to develop the Foreign Service. The conscious people have greatly felt the void, but no real progress seems on the way to organise the service. Mere passing of the Foreign Service Act is not sufficient to make it effective and responsive unless it is supported and strengthened by regular and timebound practices and orientations to present a good image of Nepal abroad. The conspicuous absence of an appropriate training and research institute in Nepal is also taking a toll in ensuring a constant supply of good personnel required for the country to promote its national interest abroad. Nor do we have any good faculty under any recognised university in Nepal to impart a fair knowledge of international affairs to those who desire to join the Foreign Service and work as competent diplomats. Still bewailing is the fact that the national political parties, which are either set or prepared to take over state power, do not have any mechanism of their own to conduct diplomacy, thus, depriving themselves of diplomatic capabilities and skills.

Meanwhile, one very important point to note is that the diplomatic domain, which was until a few decades ago confined to the government circle alone, is now visibly being pushed to the people and people-oriented arena. Previously, a diplomat was considered to represent his government in the country where he is accredited. This concept and consideration have now undergone changes, and as a result, the scope and activities of a diplomat have gone far and wide to reach and cover the spheres of people and people-concerned interests in the highly interdependent world today. Government-concerned diplomacy alone is no solution now. Some broader approach and style of working are unmistakably on the card now. If one is just concerned with the government-to-government diplomacy, one can hardly become a successful diplomat in the newly emerging situation. The diplomat in question needs to embrace the stream of public diplomacy to reach out to the people and the related organisations to win their opinion and affection for the country he represents abroad. If done sensitively and assiduously, this modern practice and behavior would do greater service to the country. To materialise the success of public diplomacy, both extensive ability and knowledge are highly required. These qualities are immensely important to mingle and get entrenched in the society of the country of his residence and other places.

The changes in the international scenario and the ever-expanding facilities to get information have now led to the evolution of the diplomatic concept toward the newer field. If diplomacy was formerly considered an art, it has now become an accepted craft. Everyone knows that art is a concern of taking up a theme of one's own selection, but a craft is a subject to work with the material available, with the correct application of one's own method and style of actions and dealings. In a modern sense, diplomatic craftsmanship has appeared more significant in view of the existing linkages and issues between and among nations of the concerned relationship, which can be taken as given materials to make diplomatic venture an object of craftsmanship. Hence, for this craftsmanship to flourish in a more satisfactory way, deeper knowledge of and closer intimacy with materials of relationship remain as overriding concern for any improvement. The method of bettering diplomatic performance, if well versed with this craftsmanship, could be safely ensured to get along with the recent trend. Efficacy and unbounded choice come up as heightened concerns in the performance of his duties.

Construing a reliable trajectory for public diplomacy to reinforce official diplomacy and embracing modern diplomacy more as a craft than as an art would pave the way towards the success of diplomatic activities and moves because these basic things remain at the root of success. But these important things are not easy to master. Intelligence and devotion remain in great demand.However, in Nepal, those indispensable elements are yet to be taken up with seriousness and gravity. Diplomatic activities attached with assignments are not carried in a way befitting the position and responsibility. The culture of appointments for important diplomatic places has not yet changed for the better. Unquestionably, its style and substance that have come down from the time of the Rana autocracy even to a now transformed Nepal, are, regrettably, not changed. Only the hands have changed, and the core contents have not because political patronage and political linkage remain at the same obsolete fashioned strata. Decision-makers need to go a long way to get well acquainted with their intent and practice.

National interest

Undoubtedly, ambassadors and envoys are sent abroad not for any particular party interest but to promote national interest. Modern diplomats are also not meant for the limited government duties alone. They serve as representatives of the entire country and as official agents of the entire population. Representation of any political party at any place, whether important or non-important, cannot be considered as national representation. This concern is indeed vital to national interest.Finally, what is most needed is that ambassadors and envoys must be adept at handling public diplomacy along with the dexterity to use diplomacy as a craft to ensure success. Will the decision-makers have the time and mind to heed this concern of national importance?

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 27, 2007

Absorptive capacity

Most Nepali people think that we do not have enough resources to support development activities. They believe that our bridges and roads are not being built because we do not have money. Surprisingly, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat has been burdened with Rs 17 billion as reserves, having no clue as to how and where to spend that much money. The mid-term budget review by the Finance Ministry predicts that the country would be able to spend only Rs 97 billion out of appropriated Rs 143 billion, by the end of this fiscal year. The minister sought proposals from government agencies to utilize the swollen reserves, and altogether they showed capability to absorb a mere 2 billion rupees. Interestingly, our government is not in a position to be delighted to have achieved the revenue target set by the budget. This year it is kind of worried about overshooting revenue target because of lack of a capacity to spend it.

Why is Nepal's absorptive capacity so low? Obviously, the bureaucrats would be loathed for their lack of competence to spend money properly. More than competence, it is said that the lack of initiative among the concerned authorities is a bigger impediment. The absorptive capacity is also intrinsically related to infrastructure, skilled labor force, macroeconomic balance and other economic factors. The low absorptive capacity also repels the donors from providing financial assistance to Nepal. In fact, the donors calculate the absorptive capacity of a country and aid-effectiveness before sanctioning new support. As per international practice, absorptive capacity is the ability to use additional aid without pronounced inefficiency of public spending and without induced adverse effects. Unfortunately, in our case we have been losing installments of the sanctioned aid for failing to provide a report of the preceding work.

Lack of initiative on the part of the bureaucrats is definitely the crucial area to be improved to enhance our spending capacity. If any officer is worried that he might be penalized for the work he accomplishes, with the change of the minister or the party in the government, he/she would not take any initiative. Also the infrastructure and skilled labor force are pertinent issues. Our failure in the development of roads, bridges, energy, education etc. have severely hampered our capacity to spend more. Similarly, we do not have enough manpower to execute the projects. Moreover, due to the 11-year long insurgency, there are not even enough unskilled laborers to work in the projects, not to talk about skilled ones. So, the absorptive capacity is not only an economic problem, it is also a political issue. Until and unless our political parties agree on common minimum economic issues, we will always be facing these and other issues as impediments, always forcing us to remain under poverty and deprivation.

Source: The Kathmandu Post, April 27, 2007

US to Keep Treating Maoists as Terrorists: Moriarty

Rekha Shrestha

Kathmandu, April 25The United States ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty, whose tenure ends on July 15, still hopes that the Maoists will give up “violence and extortion” and he will get to shake hands with Prachanda.“I would very much like to shake hands with Pushpa Dahal but that will happen only when the Maoists give up violence and extortion,” Moriarty said in an exclusive interview.Moriarty, who admires the “courage of the Nepali people” and considers his three years in Nepal one of the highlights of his life and career, said he hoped to see “meaningful change in the behaviour by the Maoists.”The US sees no evidence of the Maoists stopping violence and extortion, said Moriarty.

“As long as the Maoists do not end these practices, they cannot be considered a normal political party and the US will continue to treat them as a terrorist organisation.”Moriarty added, “For free and fair constituent assembly elections the continuing Maoist violence and extortion must stop and the demands for inclusion by traditionally marginalised groups must be addressed.”On his recent visit to eastern Nepal, he said very few people felt confident that the constituent assembly elections would be free and fair if the Maoists continue their violent acts and if the concerns of marginalised groups were not addressed.He congratulated Nepali people for their successful and historic efforts on the first anniversary of Jana Andolan II.

“Their sacrifices and commitment for democracy were truly inspiring.” He reiterated that the future of the monarchy should be decided by the people of Nepal, and added, “The US respects and will honour the decision of the Nepali people.”The US provided nearly $50 million as development assistance in 2006 and anticipated giving a similar amount in 2007. “American aid supports peace building, democracy and governance, health programmes, rural road construction, agricultural services, and humanitarian aid. No ministries led by Maoists are receiving US funds directly.”“We urge all parties involved in Jana Andolan II to meet their commitment to peace and democracy,” stated a press release issued by the American Center.

Source: The Himalayan Times, April 25, 2007

Nepal says king must go as nation marks 'democracy' anniversary

KATHMANDU : Nepal's new government celebrated on Tuesday the first anniversary of the end of King Gyanendra's absolute rule as Maoist chief Prachanda called for an immediate end to monarchy. "We want the interim parliament to declare a republic immediately," Prachanda told thousands gathered at a ceremony marking last year's victory of the "people's movement" that forced the monarch to relinquish direct rule. Polls to elect a body to decide the future of the monarchy and rewrite the constitution are due to be held this June, but the former rebel leader called for scrapping the monarchy without staging an election. "If it (the declaration of a republic) doesn't happen, we will come to the people and launch protests to declare a republic," said the once elusive leftist whose nom de guerre means "the Fierce One."

Last month, the rebels joined the government under a peace deal with mainstream parties ending a decade-long insurgency. The crowd thronged Durbar Square, the historic heart of old Kathmandu, for a rally commemorating what has become known as the "People's Movement." The movement forced King Gyanendra to agree to restore parliament on April 24, 2006, 14 months after he seized power in what he said was a bid to crush a Maoist revolt. "On this day, Nepali people successfully fought for their rights," Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said, as a helicopter showered flower petals over a flag-draped parade ground ceremony marking "Democracy Day" earlier on Tuesday. "This day has given us the responsibility to build a peaceful, prosperous and a new Nepal by ending all sorts of problems and conflicts," he said as an army band play lively martial music and children paraded past carrying banners. The army - once fiercely loyal to the monarch - played a central role in the celebrations, in what observers said was a signal aimed at dispelling talk about cracks in the peace process.

"It's a long way for a country to come after 10 years of bitter armed conflict," said Ian Martin, the head of the UN mission in Nepal. "The Maoists have come from the countryside into the political process, the Maoist army has placed its weapons under storage and UN monitoring and we now have the interim parliament and government that the Maoists have entered." As the former rebel leader called for an immediate end to the monarchy, King Gyanendra and his wife visited a temple on the outskirts of Kathmandu to sacrifice animals and offer prayers. The trip to the temple is an annual ritual for the monarch revered by devout Hindus as a reincarnation of the god Vishnu. King Gyanendra dismissed the government in February 2005 and seized absolute power, claiming that the country was headed for anarchy. But his heavy-handed crackdown on free speech - including mass arrests of protesters and tight media controls - led to a surge in anti-royal sentiment. The king has already lost his title as head of state and no longer is army chief.

"The king has been the biggest loser and he has nobody to blame but himself. He gambled the institution of monarchy for his own benefit," said Kapil Shrestha, who teaches politics at Tribhuvan University. At least 19 people died and 5,000 were injured in last year's protests, which forced the king to abandon direct rule. But a range of problems threaten to make the road ahead a rocky one. "The future looks bright and promising but greater challenges lie ahead," said Shrestha. The Maoists, who still feature on Washington's list of foreign "terrorist" groups, are facing continued allegations of mafia-like conduct including extortion, kidnappings and beatings. The government is also wrestling with fallout from deadly clashes between Maoists and Mahadhesis - a major ethnic group in the southern plains - with the leftists accusing the king of provoking the violence. - AFP/de

Source: Asia Pacific News, April 25, 2007

Maoists' protest rocks Nepal Parliament

Kathmandu, April 25 (PTI): Agitated Maoists lawmakers, pressing for immediate announcement of the Constituent Assembly polls, disrupted Parliament proceedings for the fourth day today, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the session for two weeks. The slogan-shouting CPN-Maoists MPs surrounded Speaker Subhash Nemwang's rostrum and demanded that the government announce the election date soon. They also asked the Home Minister to apologise for the last month's police raid on the offices of the Young Communist League, the youth wing of the Maoists, here. There are 83 Maoist MPs in the 330 member House.

The Maoists were joined by Madhesi lawmakers who demanded that the government form a high-level probe commission to inquire into the killings during the violent agitations in Terai region in January-February that killed at least 60 people. They were also demanding that the government reconstitute the constituency delineation commission to give "proper" representation of the Terai region. The stand-off has been continuing for four days. The Speaker adjourned the Parliament session for the next two week today. The Parliament will now meet on May 9, the Parliament Secretariat said in a notice today. The government could not pass a number of bills including those related to the Constituent Assembly due to the 0disruption of the Parliament proceedings.

Source: The Hindu, April 25, 2007

Maoists seizing Gyanendra's land

KATHMANDU: Blaming the government for failing to fulfill its commitment to nationalise the properties of Gyanendra, Nepal Maoists have begun seizing 'royal properties' in Kathmandu, even as four political parties led by loyalists of Gyanendra have applied for official recognition with the election commission that would allow them to take part in the constituent assembly polls. "The parliament has failed to formulate laws on capturing land belonging to the king, as such the Young Communist League (YCL) will now capture all such land and use it for the public," central committee member of the CPN-Maoist Hitman Shakya said.

Already under fire for engaging in extra-constitutional activities like holding courts, policing and abductions, the Maoist-affiliated YCL has now announced a fresh campaign of seizing 'royal properties.' The YCL cadres announced that they had "nationalised" 99 ropanis of royal land in Bhaktapur's Sallaghari area on Saturday. Shakya, Coordinator of 'New Kathmandu Valley Campaign', announced the launch of their drive by planting a tree-sapling on the land, said to be in the name of late prince Nirajan. Shakya said they were taking the initiative since the government has been unable to fulfill its commitment to nationalise the royal properties. It is the first time the Maoists have declared the seizure of a royal property in the Kathmandu valley, the Nepal News online said on Sunday.

Meanwhile the Rastriya Prajatantra Party of Nepal led by Rabindra Nath Sharma, Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Mandal) led by Badri Prasad Mandal, Samajbadi Party led by Salim Miyan Ansari and Janamukti Party led by MS Thapa submitted their applications with 10 thousand signatures that are required for registration of a new political party. Mandal and Ansari, who were ministers in the erstwhile royal cabinet, have been charged with brutal suppression of last year's mass protests against the 14-month absolute rule of the monarch by the high-level probe commission. RPP (Nepal) chairman Sharma and Kamal Thapa, who held the home portfolio in the royal cabinet, were accompanied by dozens of party supporters who chanted slogans in favour of Gyanendra. Members of Sharma's party, which advocates a constitutional monarchy, have been attacked several times by the activists of the eight parties during party meetings.

Source: The Times of India, April 22, 2007