Finding A Peaceful Solution

The eastern Terai covering Mithila, the centre of ancient civilisation and the land of King Janak, has been facing constant turbulence since the past few months. A number of armed groups have emerged one after another and have been resorting to violent activities, creating anarchy in the areas stretching from the Bagmati in the west to Koshi in the east. The government, right after violence erupted in January this year, has been trying to bring all the groups concerned to the negotiating table. The government, in a bid to find a peaceful solution to the problem there, even made changes in the interim statute 2063 and agreed to increase the number of electoral constituencies in the Terai. Unfortunately, none of the groups has responded to the government. Consequently, the problem has been dragging on, and the situation has gone from bad to worse in some parts of the Terai, raising fears about whether the Constituent Assembly elections will be held within the stipulated timeframe. Although many of the armed groups active in the Terai have broken up into splinter factions, the efforts of the government have failed so far as it has been giving more emphasis to a peaceful solution. Now that the CA elections are just four months away, it has become urgent to resolve the Terai problem to create a peaceful environment. The government has initiated some serious steps to bring the situation back to normalcy by interacting with the locals of the region.

In this context, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction and convenor of the government talks team Ram Chandra Poudel has arrived in Janakpur and invited all the agitating groups to sit for dialogue to settle the problems. Addressing a number of programmes organised there on Monday, Minister Poudel reiterated the government's commitment to meet the relevant demands of the Terai people through talks and hold the CA elections within the stipulated time. The present eight-party government truly represents the people who supported and fought for the April uprising in 2006 to usher in a new era of democracy in Nepal, and what it says represents the people's voice. The agitating groups of the Terai should realise this and sit for dialogue to sort out all prevalent differences so as to realise the dreams of the Nepali people who want to see a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Nepal. We have already witnessed that violence causes only destruction and finds no solution to any problem. Let us hope Minister Poudel's visit to Janakpur will bring in the desired optimism.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 26, 2007

Diplomats And Dilemma

Minister for External Affairs Ms. Sahana Pradhan conferred with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Tuesday to sort out issues concerning the appointment of envoys to the different countries where Nepal has its resident missions. Minister of External Affairs Ms. Pradhan apprised the prime minister of the ambassadorial posts sought by the Maoists in such countries as South Korea, France, the United Kingdom and Denmark. The Prime Minister, as reported, does not seem to be persuaded by the demands made by the Maoists. The differences over the sharing of diplomatic appointments to the major countries among the political parties have created hurdles in finalising the process for sending envoys to the different countries where Nepal has vital stakes in serving the nation's larger economic and strategic interests. Needless to mention, the resident missions in countries like India, USA and UK that are consistently backing Nepal in its transformative process into a democratic and prosperous country have been lying vacant for almost a year and a half.

This has several diplomatic implications with negative tones. Since the case of Nepal, especially in the context of its democratic political transformation, needs to be ably explained and presented in the international community. The absence of ambassadors to represent the country in meaningful terms is a case of diplomatic deficit. This can be attributed to the poor performance of the government itself to gather consensus on such a vital issue and arrive at a timely conclusion. It is to be recalled that the list of likely candidates had been drawn up some moths ago, but it was due to the objections raised by the Maoists that the process got stuck. The Interim Constitution requires the nominees for ambassadorial assignments to face parliamentary scrutiny and win legislative approval before being confirmed for the posts. This is a very important provision incorporated in the basic law of the land as it can contribute to selecting able and qualified persons for diplomatic assignments. As stressed by the minister of the external affairs, it is high time the political parties arrived at a consensus to appoint envoys to the different countries to head the diplomatic missions soon. This, however, cannot be done once the Election Commission issues a code of ethics for the polls to the constituent assembly to be adhered to by the government itself.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 26, 2007

National Urbanisation Policy : Proper Implementation Needed

Rajesh Man KC

Unplanned and unmanaged urbanisation has become a matter of global concern. Nepal in this regard is no exception. Rapid urban growth without proper management has created urban environmental problems, triggering health and other social problems in the cities. MigrationThe migration of people from the rural to the urban areas is growing rapidly due to the scarcity of employment opportunities and absence of physical infrastructure and law and order in the rural areas. As a consequence, major cities, including Kathmandu, are facing environmental degradation. Mainly, unplanned construction of buildings, increasing environmental pollution, haphazard exploitation of natural resources and the depletion of fertile lands and forest resources are some of the major consequences of unplanned urbanisation.

In this connection, major industrial cities like Birgunj, Biratnagar, Dharan, Pokhara and Kathmandu are facing the risk of environment pollution. And due to the increasing environmental degradation in these cities, should a natural calamity strike, the devastation would be unimaginable. The major cities are growing in such an unsystematic manner that in the event of an earthquake in a city like Kathmandu, there would not even be a safe place to run for cover. Geologists are repeatedly warning that if a disastrous incident like an earthquake of 1934 were to occur in Kathmandu, over 75 per cent of the houses in the capital would be destroyed, besides unimaginable loss of lives and property. However, it would be wise and appropriate to initiate effective preventive measures rather than to worry about such disastrous incidents. Indeed, most of the building structures in Kathmandu may appear beautiful, but physically they are neither secure nor sustainable. This is because most of such buildings are constructed in an unsystematic manner, using low qualitative construction materials and built without properly consulting good engineers or technologists. Instead, old Nepali style buildings constructed with appropriate or indigenous technology using locally available resources as well as raw materials seem more durable, reliable and sustainable.

Thus, the haphazard construction of buildings has resulted in unsafe houses, increasing population pressure, piles of garbage and highly polluting vehicles plying on the narrow lanes and roads of the cities. Also adversely affecting the environment of Kathmandu has been the pollution from the brick kilns, garment and carpet factories.A recent study has shown that increasing air pollution and piles of garbage in the major cities of Kathmandu have given rise to respiratory diseases and heart problems. So if environmental degradation is to continue in the same manner, and urgent preventive measures are not taken, most of the inhabitants of Kathmandu would be affected by fatal diseases.Although the cities are facing environmental problems, the migration of people from the rural areas to the cities has not stopped. Migration has only increased because of the growing violence in different parts of the country. It may be recalled here that the recently published UN report has revealed that the urbanisation process in Nepal is the fastest in South Asian countries. The report adds that the present urbanisation process in Nepal is increasing at the ratio of 4.4 per cent whereas it is 2.2 per cent in Sri Lanka, the lowest in South Asia.

Nepal has one metropolitan city, three sub-metropolitan cities and 58 municipalities, occupying 14 per cent of the total population. According to the 1981 census, Kathmandu Valley had occupied 5 per cent of the total land of Nepal. But in 2001, it had increased to 7 per cent. It shows that the population pressure on Kathmandu is rapidly increasing. And due to the increasing population pressure, the population of Kathmndu Valley has crossed 2.5 million. Obviously, it is not bad or inappropriate for the urban areas to expand, given that the bulk of the population lives in the rural areas. But under the pretext of urbanisation, we cannot undermine the importance of historical and cultural monuments or deplete the forest resources or other natural resources. Hence, it may not be good to expand the urban areas as it only makes them prone to natural disasters or calamities. Code of conductSo it is urgent that we enforce laws and a code of conduct regarding development and construction of buildings in the towns. In this connection, a National Urbanisation Policy has been formulated with a view to managing and systematising the existing urbanisation process and making the metropolitan cities clean, secure and prosperous.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 26

Diplomacy : What Does The Latest Trend Indicate?

Madhavji Shrestha

It is high time Nepal's politically authoritative players were aware of the recent developments in the diplomatic arena. Very glaringly, the initial years of the 21st century are witnessing the dismantling of the strongly fortified walls of traditional diplomacy. It is evident that the growing supremacy of the common people combined with the enhancement of knowledge on international affairs even among the masses have led to shifting trends in the conduct of diplomacy, which was formerly considered an exclusive business of government-authorised diplomatic officials. Public diplomacyThe fundamental right to information enjoyed by the people in general has also led to the development of this new trend. As a consequence, the much pronounced public diplomacy and track-two diplomacy (people-to-people diplomacy) are fast gaining ground. The first relates to the people's inherent right to remain informed about the government's actions concerning external affairs, and the second is, becoming helpful in making international relations people-initiated to solve problems. Numerous developments can be advanced to support this trend.

Alongside this development, newer concepts and practices are making headway in the realm of diplomacy and its related fields. The old mindset and attitude are giving in to new thinking and approach. Straightforwardness and openness, instead of working behind the screen and remaining aloof in diplomatic business, have now come to stay in recent years. "Soft Power" and "Soft Ear" are now figuring prominently in diplomatic activities around the world. Dr. Joseph S. Nye Jr., a reputed expert on international affairs at Harvard University, is a leading figure who has been propagating the concept of soft power. He says soft power, as opposed to hard power, is "not the power to coerce, bully, browbeat and bribe, but the power to attract, to persuade, to influence through wisdom, example and attentiveness." In the present day world, excessive reliance on the hard power of economic strength and military might for any breathtaking achievement on the diplomatic front is neither recommended nor appreciated by the civilised society. Of course, hard power can still make the day under some unavoidable circumstances, but the solution arrived at through the use of this power will not be ever lasting, nor appear acceptable to all the concerned and affected people. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has, in his recently published write-up, put his trust on the wisdom of the soft ear which he has described as "discernment ? seeing a person or situation in the round, the bad with the good, and being able to establish rapport and an effective working relationship despite disagreement, however sharp". He believes in "engagement, dialogue before confrontation." This shows the uprightness of understanding and rapprochement in diplomatic activity. Interestingly, his belief to act accordingly to solve the problems facing the UN at the moment is beyond any doubt and debate.

The development of the softer tendency and behaviour in recent days largely owes itself to the increased awareness of humanitarian consideration. Certainly, this trend would reign supreme and stand above the narrow nationalistic feelings and ethnic divisiveness that still unfortunately torture humans in various underdeveloped regions of this planet. Social consciousness has to grow on a global scale to eliminate anything that frets the human society. Today, human concern is omnipresent in every aspect of global activity. Diplomacy and its relevant concerns are not outside its circumference. In reality, diplomacy is a "human intensive" activity. It is conducted largely through personal communications and individual actions, evaluations and decisions as well as concomitant activity in the course of carrying on diplomatic duties and functions.The requirement of diplomacy for spontaneous human involvement is usually presented as one of the key conditions for the diplomatic success of wider implication and greater dimension. Still the core need of diplomacy is closer human interactions as well as human touch. This, in turn, necessitates more human communications and greater human contacts that greatly depend on skills and abilities learnt and acquired by diplomats in question. The need to measure and examine these qualities should never be sidelined under any circumstance. Importantly, the overriding need to understand intentionality is of utmost significance, whether it be in modern diplomacy or post modern diplomacy. The human component in diplomatic dealings and concerns would never diminish even if one were to rely on the recent tools of information technology. The correct intentionality can be properly judged only if there is sufficient human touch and interaction. No other possibility appears before us than human contact and connectivity.Most recently, diplomacy on the one side is being conducted openly and, so to say, in a transparent way, and is becoming more public oriented. On the other, it requires a human approach to gain success of any consideration despite the predominance being taken away by the rapid development of information technology designed and specifically meant for it. Every nation desiring to send abroad appropriate ambassadors and envoys takes into serious consideration these highly needed qualities.

Virtual diplomacyWhile considered the emerging global environment, the Nepalese government needs to be highly selective in assigning ambassadors and envoys keeping in view the qualities and capabilities required of them in the recently developed context of diplomatic behaviour and practices if any perceptible success is to be expected from them. If not, it would be far better to conduct diplomacy for carrying out any sort of bilateral and international relations and related affairs through the use of e-diplomacy and/or virtual diplomacy through cyberspace. The Foreign Ministry, as the principal agent of the government responsible for conducting Nepali diplomacy, needs to make a definite choice between human intensive diplomacy and an electronics driven one. For the former, the country needs people enriched with well-rounded diplomatic skills and knowledge, whereas for the latter ,diploproject equipped with diploportals should be on hand to see it materialise. Could the authorities at the helm take it as their circumstance-led decision? This must remain very high on the agenda.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 26, 2007