Guerrilla strike

Yubaraj Ghimire

As Nepal’s politics takes new twists and turns, holding elections for the Constituent Assembly appears more and more uncertain, if not impossible. And that puts the seven-party unity under further strain.

For the purpose of elections, these seven parties had accepted G.P. Koirala as their patriarch. Prime Minister Koirala was also vested with the power of the king as the monarchy remains in a state of suspension. But now, with two deadlines for the CA polls having been missed — first June and then in November — the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) is not only demanding elections solely on its terms, it has also threatened to depose Koirala as PM. CPN-M chief Prachanda declared recently that Koirala was behaving more like King Gyanendra, undermining the role of his guerrillas in bringing the current political change that catapulted him to power. Prachanda has also asserted that the CA elections cannot take place without these guerrillas being integrated into the national army.

This, in effect, is the third pre-condition that Prachanda has put forward for the CA polls. His party’s other two demands — adoption of the proportional system of election and abolition of monarchy — have not found adequate support among the seven parties, and the latest one is certainly going to be resisted by many as there are increasing protests in several parts of the country against the Young Communist League (YCL). YCL is the youth wing of the party, with a large number of former guerrillas in it, who maintain parallel governments and kangaroo courts even today. Although the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), the third largest party in the coalition, has come forward in support of the first two demands of the Maoists, the induction of the politically indoctrinated guerrillas into the national army is unacceptable to them as well.

The number of guerrillas lodged in cantonments as the United Nations Mission to Nepal (UNMIN) began its work stood at 31,000. But in less than a year, at least 7,000 have already deserted those camps, while around 10,000 are found disqualified by UNMIN, as they were found either under age or recruited after May 6, 2006, the cut-off date for enrollment. The Maoist threat to depose Koirala if he failed to reintegrate these guerrillas in the army also followed Prachanda’s declaration that they are ready to raise their guns again and fight for another 40 years to establish their rule in the country.

While that makes Koirala’s position shaky, Prachanda also runs the risk of losing whatever support and encouragement he has been able to gather in peace time. Former US President Jimmy Carter recently suggested that 70 per cent of the proposed 480 seats in CA be filled up under the proportional system leaving the rest to be fought under the first-past-the-post system, a gesture to the Maoists who have demanded a 100 per cent PR system. But within 24 hours of Carter leaving Nepal, the Maoists put forth the new condition for the CA polls.

Of late, Koirala seems to be toying with the idea of going to the polls without the Maoists as “they have used the peace process only tactically and not as a commitment to democracy”. But that comes at a time when Koirala is being seen as a total failure, both at home and abroad. The fact that Delhi has not sent the agreemo, despite Shailaja Acharya, a senior Nepali Congress leader and Koirala’s niece, being recommended as ambassador, shows how seriously Delhi takes Koirala now. Out of 18 ambassadors Nepal appointed recently, five are yet to receive the agreemo. The other four: France, Denmark, Australia and Malaysia may not accept them as Nepal’s representatives to their countries since the Maoists have failed to show that they have faith in democracy and elections. But Delhi’s delay has been taken as an indication of Koirala’s legitimacy being on the decline. Sadly, the home assessment about the Koirala regime is equally negative.

Source: The Indian Express, November 28, 2007

Nepal Army not hindering PLA integration

KATHMANDU, Nov 25 - Maoist Chairman Prachanda has said that the cadres of the party’s controversial youth front, the Young Communist League (YCL), are going to transform into “sages” in the days to come. He said that as he had personally attended the central meetings of the YCL and directed that anarchic incidents of the past would not recur from now onwards.
Any YCL cadres defying the directive would be punished, Prachanda added.

He was replying to concerns and queries raised by the intellectuals at an interaction at Bharatpur in Chitwan district. The Maoist Chairman added that he has already directed the YCL not to collect donations or to take the law into their own hands. “Now the YCL men would become sages,” he said. “The reform was needed as the foreigners were plotting (against the party) on the basis of the YCL activities.” He also admitted that he was shocked by the YCL’s latest move to torture a medical team, including doctors from Morang district.

“The plot was carrying out by blackmailing the people I had invited to Kathmandu to sort out a row,” he added. “They were stealthily abducted from the airport and beaten up. I was shocked as soon as we heard about the incident.” Prachanda further said that he has advised the YCL men to do those things that were in the interest of the people. He also revealed that the YCL would issue a public notice within the next few days urging the people “not to give donations” to them. However, the Maoist leader vented his anger against the ‘big media houses’. “Some big media houses have sold themselves to the American and Indian capitalists,” he said. He added that the Nepali press was pretending as free press.

Nepal Army not hindering PLA integration’

Earlier today, taking to reporters in Chitwan Prachanda said that the Nepal Army was not a hindrance to the integration of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into the national army. He said that a high level commission should be set up regarding the integration of the two armies. He also revealed that two high level meetings between the Nepal Army and the Maoists were held regarding the matter. Prachanda underlined that the integration process was delayed due to the government’s indifference and the lack of interest over the issue among the concerned parties.

Prachanda, who was in Chitwan to address the seventh anniversary function of the PLA yesterday, informed that after various rounds of talks held between the two armies, he found that the Nepal Army was positive during discussions. Prachanda also informed that he had proposed the Nepal Army to train the PLA men separately for few years after integrating them in two levels of brigade and company. Stating that the Nepal Army personnel could become democratic and the PLA personnel could become professionals after the separate trainings for a few years, Prachanda said that the actual integration process could begin after that. However, the Maoist Chairman ruled out any possibility of Constituent Assembly (CA) elections unless the peace process moves ahead properly.

Likewise, on the occasion of the seventh anniversary, the PLA is organising a-week-long sports and cultural events in Chitwan. This is the first time the PLA men from the seven different cantonment converged at the Shaktikhor camp of Chitwan district to organise a sports event amidst general public.

Source: The Kathmandu Post, November 25, 2007

CHINESE HIGH LEVEL DELEGATION ARRVING TO ASSESS NEPAL SITUATION

Kathmandu: Nepal’s threat loaded political transition appears to have jolted the northern neighbor China as well of late. It is understandable that any political upheaval in Nepal’s Terai or mountains would have a “direct” impact upon the security situation of adjoining Nepal-China borders. And thus any interest taken by China in the unfolding turbulent political situation in this country can’t be taken otherwise. This is so also because India-the real trouble maker-has been taking more than the desired and the required interests in the political situation in this country and thus China’s –better late than never-exhibition of her legitimate interests in Nepali affairs is not only genuine but warranted as well.

In the recent weeks and months, it is becoming visibly clear that China will not leave this “beleaguered” country to the mercy of foreign forces more so that of India. Of late the Chinese high authorities have begun taking “proper” and the needed interest in the political developments unfolding in this country much to the chagrin of those who conclude that Nepal must remain under their periphery and thus abide by the dictates passed on to Nepal and its Indo-pendent leaders.

No wonder then China is sending a high level delegation to Nepal led by Dr. Wang Jiarui, who is the 17th CPC Central Committee, Head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee of China to assess the political situation here. Dr. Jirui is considered to be a high level authority in the Chinese political hierarchy and thus his trip to Kathmandu would “mean” much to Nepal, analysts say. The Chinese dignitary is expected to be in Nepal at the invitation of Nepal’s foreign ministry by the end of this month. Unsubstantiated reports have it that Dr. Wang is coming Nepal on 30th November.

Reports say that Dr. Wang has already left the Chinese Capital and is currently in the Republic of Korea. Upon completion of this visit, he is expected to head for Nepal for a four day long sojourn here. The Chinese delegation led by Dr. Wang is supposed to meet Nepal’s Prime Minister and various leaders of Nepal’s political parties. Dr. Wang’s visit is coincided with one Maoists top-hats’ declaration recently that the Maoists party will “soon” have formal ties with the Communist party of China. Ram Bahadur Thapa alias Badal talking to a weekly recently declared that his party will soon have “formal” ties with the Communist party of China. To recall, the Chinese envoy in Nepal, Zheng Xiangling, also had some time back said that his country was about to establish formal links with the Maoists party of Nepal. Dr. Wang’s visit is loaded with meaning given the envoy’s admission that his country’s party will have “relations” with the Maoists.

Such“heart rendering” news might not be taken in good taste by the Indian side which concludes that the Nepali Maoists must abide by their dictates. The Chinese delegation upon the completion of his brief Nepal sojourn is all set to make an official trip to India wherein he is supposed to meet Sonia Gandhi and other influential leaders of there. Unconfirmed reports say that Dr. Wang is raising the issue of Nepal’s Terai crisis with the Indian leaders. High placed sources say that Dr. Wang in New Delhi may remind the Indian establishment of what the then Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of China, Marshal Chen Yi, had talked of Nepal. To recall, Marshal Chen Yi had told that any attack on Nepal would be construed as an attack on mainland China itself. The Chinese envoy in Kathmandu too talked in the recent months that Marshal Chen Yi’s views were still valid. This adds to the significance of Dr. Wang’s visit to India and his possible talks about Nepal hinting India not to “harass” the northern neighbor-Nepal.

Source: Telegraph Nepal, November 25, 2007

Nepal Maoists to resume Kangaroo courts

Kathmandu, Nov 22: The Maoists in Nepal are set to resume their feared 'Kangaroo Courts' as part of their plan to revive their parallel 'government' in an effort to step up pressure on the country's interim government that has failed to end the political stalemate with the former rebels. The Maoist leadership in Nepal's south-eastern industrial city of Biratnagar is resuming the operation of their 'Kangaroo Court' defying the landmark Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) they signed with the government last year in November which had specifically bared the former rebels from conducting such trials. The cadres of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) said they decided to revive their parallel 'government' as tension between the party and the interim government had increased in recent days after the failure to implement their core demands for a new political and electoral system in the country. "We have resumed our activities through the parallel government to exert pressure on the government as the government has been dishonest," said Shushil, assistant in-charge of Maoists in Morang district. He was quoted as saying by the Kantipur Online today that they are ready to set up their Kangaroo court as differences between them and the coalition government had increased at the center. Maoist chief Prachanda last week demanded the review of all previous agreements between the rebels and the government and reconstitution of the interim set-up, amid a floundering peace process. The Maoist chairman threatened to form a parallel legislature and government if the country was not declared a Republic immediately. CPN-Maoist recently formed Kochila State Committee in the area comprising Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa districts as per their policy to set up the parallel government.

Bureau Report

Source: Zee News, November 22, 2007

NEPAL: ROYALISTS APPEASE NC LEADERS, REPORTS

The Nepali Congress leaders who have of late become a sharp critic of the Maoists proposals that were recently passed in the interim parliament have been trying to establish close links with the known royalists, reports Naya Patrika Daily dated 26th November, 2007.
The report further says that those NC leaders have made up their mind for voting against the party whip if the proposals were brought into the parliament for its ratification through the 2/3rd majority votes.
The Maoists proposals for the declaration of a republic and full proportional system of voting were accepted by the special session of the interim parliament through majority votes.

The NC leaders who have been in close contacts with the royalists are none other than Govinda Raj Joshi, Laxman Ghimire, Chakra Bastola, Sunil Kumar Bhandari, ex-speaker of the parliament, Mr. Tara Nath Rana Bhat and ex-NC leader Mr. Daman Nath Dhungana, Omkar Shrestha and Shiva Bahadur Khadka, says the vernacular daily.
A regular meeting between the above mentioned NC leaders and the royalists such as Rabindra Nath Sharma, Kamal Thapa is being organized at the house of ex-prime minister of Nepal Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa. Thapa is a declared Royalist with India bend.
In the meeting that was held last week for more than four hours, Mr. Dhungana was also present however, he remained quiet says reports.

The report further says that an intense debate took place on how to tackle the rising communist strength in the country who then finally agreed to neutralize the swelling left forces by creating a democratic alliance.
The Naya Patrika Daily quoting NC leader Arjun Nar Singh KC says that the party was unaware of if such meetings took place between its party leaders with the royalists?
However, Mr. KC confirmed that he was also invited by Surya Bahadur Thapa.
To recall, Mr. K.C is a NC leader but groomed by Thapa during the heyday of the erstwhile Panchayati regime.
Analysts claim that if this meeting takes a shape, the liberal in the country will converge together.

Source: The Telegraph Nepal, November 26, 2007

Nepal's former rebel leader warns of armed revolt: report

Mon Nov 26, 12:34 AM ET

KATHMANDU (AFP) - Nepal's former rebel leader Prachanda has threatened to take up arms again if his demand for immediate abolition of the monarchy is not met, state media reported. Prachanda and the Maoists have been wrangling with mainstream political parties over their demands for the impoverished Himalayan nation to be immediately declared a republic. The Maoists formally ended their decade-long insurgency that claimed over 13,000 lives after striking a landmark peace deal in November last year. The ultra leftists joined hands with the political parties after weeks of massive pro-democracy protests forced King Gyanendra to end his 14 months of direct rule in April 2006.

"We hoped that following 10 years of the people's war and 19-day people's movement (the pro-democracy protests) we should not fight anymore. However, we will be compelled to do so in case the parties in government and its head fail to understand this," the Rising Nepal quoted Prachanda as saying on Sunday. He was addressing the Maoists' People's Liberation Army at one of the UN monitored cantonments in Chitwan, 70 kilometres (44 miles) southwest of Kathmandu on Saturday. As part of the peace deal, the former rebel fighters and their weapons have been confined to UN monitored camps at 28 locations across the country. He said that they were in favour of peaceful protests but "could fight for decades if the situation necessitated such a fight," the newspaper said.

Under the deal, the Maoists had earlier agreed to decide the fate of the monarchy through constituent assembly elections. But polls for the assembly have already been postponed twice due to wrangling between political parties and the former rebels. The Maoists now want the country, one of the world's poorest, to be declared a republic immediately. They are also demanding full proportional voting contrary to a mixed first-past-the-post and proportional representation system previously agreed. The dispute between the Maoists and the mainstream parties led the former rebels to quit the government in September throwing the peace process is doubt.

Source: Yahoo News, November 26, 2007