Late elections to help regressive forces regroup

Aditi Phadnis

Interview with Madhav Kumar Nepal, General Secretary, Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML)

When do you see elections being held in Nepal?

November this year. There are many opinions on this. Some say the reasons that prompted postponement from June to November may be cited as an excuse to postpone the elections again. They say action should be taken first against those who prevented elections from being held in June. I agree that mistakes were made but I don’t believe we need to take action against the prime minister. Elections must be held in November because there is no other way. We currently have an interim parliament with an interim constitution. Questions could be raised about the nature of an essentially nominated body that has no authority, constitutionality or legality. And when people doubt the credibility quotient of the government, it could pave the way for spent, regressive forces to resurface and consolidate. That is why my firm belief is that the interim period of transition should be as short as possible and we must have elections no later than November 23.

What is the schedule going to be like ? Will the elections be held all over Nepal on one day?

The Cabinet will decide that in consultation with the Election Commission but my feeling is that the elections cannot be held on one day. Last time, the Election Commission said it needed 110 days to hold the elections. More than five months are left. Parliament has to clear Bills on how the elections will be held. How will a proportional representation system be put in operation? Will it be a closed or open list? Will the names on the lists be final or will it be possible to change them? These are all political questions.

But my gut feeling is we can hold the elections in November. I don’t understand why the prime minister is unable to maintain law and order.

Constitutionally, this government is the most powerful in the history of Nepal. They enjoy enormous public support without having faced an election. Yet it is the weakest government in the history of Nepal. I asked the prime minister: ‘Why do you feel so weak? Why don’t you take the initiative?’

What did he say?

He said ‘I will. I will not tolerate this any more’. Some say the Nepali Congress would like to see the UML and the Maoists fight so that they can gain the advantage in the elections. But this is only what people are saying. This is not the case.

When you met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, did he tell you that you have to work with the Nepali Congress?

No, he said, ‘You must strengthen the seven-party alliance, unity must be maintained among democratic forces’. Not that we should work with the Nepali Congress. He said, ‘You have the Maoists on board now. That is a big advantage’.

What was the main theme of your talks with other Indian leaders?

We met all the leaders – Atalji, Soniaji, Dr Singh, and of course, our colleagues from the Left parties in India. All of them had the same view, that the decision of the Nepali people, no matter what, is acceptable to India. They voiced apprehension about the elections but insisted they should not be delayed. They wanted to know what Nepal wanted from India.

Did they appear to be satisfied about reports from Kathmandu about the activities of the Young Communist League (YCL)?

There are some concerns about the YCL. We have told them (the Maoists) that if you have two sets of structures in a party you will begin to have problems. We told them: ‘Do you remember the raja (king) and his mandale (lumpen groups that claimed they were acting on authority of the king)? This dual structure will create problems for you and act as a pressure group from inside. These young men and women will get involved in extortion, they will get into buses and demand money from working people… after all, gun represents power. When one has a gun, one has to have the means to keep it. The YCL could become a weakness in the movement.

Recently, a vigilante group caught hold of an individual who has charges of embezzlement of public funds and beat him up. If such events take place, the difference between forces of the state and private armies blur…

I know about the incident. Anyone who has embezzled public money must be punished. The state must act.

We hear there is a division among the Maoists: Some are for the elections but there are some who oppose it....

There is apprehension that the YCL in camps is telling grassroot level workers that they have not surrendered all their weapons, that the people should vote for them. But ultimately, the loss is the Maoists’. Intimidation will only tarnish their image. We can already see people rising up in rebellion against this in Bardia, in Dang.

There are concerns in India over Terai

Like issues relating to dalits, women, jana jatis, Terai should also be considered by the government. Communal harmony is crucial. We know the palace is behind these events. Religious fundamentalist forces are behind the events in Terai.

But there are some genuine people also. However, violent action should not be supported. The king might try to come back if there is violence. We have envisaged a system of democratic federalism. If some ethnic group has a grievance, they should raise it so that it it be addressed constitutionally. Those whose aim is to wage an armed struggle in Terai should desist. No one should give them sympathy and support.

Are they using Indian territory?

Yes, there are some reports that they are.

How can you be sure that the polls will not be disrupted by state and non-state forces?

There is an understanding among eight parties that the Constitution needs to be revised to protect Nepal if the King tries to disrupt the struggle for a republic. So, according to an amendment that is coming in Parliament, if the King tries to disrupt, a simple majority of the current Parliament present and voting can turn Nepal into a republic. As for other forces, if any other forces take the same path, they will be resisted. Each of the eight political parties are clear about this.

Source: Business Standard, June 11, 2007

NEPAL NEEDS TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION

Bhumika Ghimre

Nepal's ongoing peace process has raised questions which so far have been ignored by the Maoist insurgents, the government and the Seven Party Alliance. Contentious issues like human rights abuses carried out by the Maoist guerrillas, and misappropriation of national property, corruption and illegal activities by the royal family, have been sidelined in order to reach an agreement. While their determination to achieve peace and stability is commendable, the lack of foresight into the far reaching effects of ignoring these issues is troubling.

During the 11 year Maoist insurgency the country lost nearly 13,000 of its citizens, hundreds were injured and thousands of dollars worth of national property was damaged. While the Maoist leaders, notably Mr. Prachanda, have publicly remarked that losing 13,000 people in the struggle to have the people's rule is not a big deal as other nations in revolution have lost more, the families of those killed certainly do not buy his explanation. They want to know why their loved one was killed and why the present government is not willing to investigate their murder. Those who were injured during the conflict and those who lost their property also want justice.
The people who want Maoists to be accountable for their past violent actions are now being turned aside to achieve "peace." The government and the Seven Party Alliance have projected accountability and peace as mutually exclusive, but it does not have to be that way and it should not be that way.

After the fall of the apartheid rule in South Africa, a truth and reconciliation commission was set up to make sure that the acts of violence carried out with impunity in the past are not repeated and to bring to justice those who have committed crimes against their fellow citizens. The commission also worked to foster understanding between the two groups, the whites and the blacks. Nepal also needs a truth and reconciliation commission.

The Maoists in the last 11 years have carried out violence as a means to achieve a goal. If now they are allowed to go scot free and not pay the price for their actions, the people will get a message that using violence is now acceptable, killing your neighbor, beheading a journalist and abducting school kids is ok. Why? Because the Maoists did so and they got away with it. Can Nepal afford to have this sort of society where there is no accountability? Where violence is an accepted way of life?

Nepali society, which has seen a rapid decline in economy due to the precarious situation created by the Maoist insurgency, cannot survive if the cycle of violence goes on. With a peace agreement we may be able to stop the Maoist insurgency but the seed of factionalism, communalism sown during the insurgency cannot be stopped. A trend of armed uprising has started in the country and the only way towards lasting peace is to root out the very cause contributing to it. We have to root out violence, and without establishing a judicial system to hold the Maoists accountable it cannot be accomplished.

Maoists have to be held accountable for their actions, undoubtedly, but they are not the only one who have to answer to the Nepali people. The royal family which for centuries has enjoyed a luxurious life paid for by the tax payer's money should also be questioned for their actions, past and present. The royal family is supported by the tax payer's money so it is the tax payer's right to question them and demand justice for the families of those wronged by them. Nepal needs peace, but giving up conscience is not the way.

Source: The Telegraph Nepal, June 11, 2007

Row over ‘Indian advice’ is now over: Prachanda

Maoist chairman Prachanda today said the suspicion that arose after the media reported that India had advised the UML to tie up with the Nepali Congress has now been cleared. “We want to make clear that we [parties] now don’t have mutual suspicion that arose after the Nepali media reported that India, a country whose positive role is specially expected right from the signing of the 12-point agreement to the entire peace process and the CA election, had advised for special relation between the UML and the Nepali Congress,” Prachanda said in a statement issued after a meeting with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. He, however, didn’t clarify on the issue.

The Maoist chairman had immediately objected to the India Prime Minister’s ‘advice’ to a senior UML delegation for unity between the UML and the Congress. However, the UML leaders had refuted the reports of such an advice, but they revealed that the Indian side had expressed concern over the forceful activities of the Maoists. Prachanda in his statement also stressed that the eight-party unity must hold in the current fragile situation. He said his party was firm in its commitment to holding constituent election for establishing democratic republic. He said today's meeting between him and PM Koirala had ended on a positive note. He also indirectly admitted the wrongdoing by his cadres in some cases, but claimed that the stoning of American ambassador’s vehicle in Jhapa recently was something his party “does not even think of doing”. He said his party had already asked the government to take action against those involved in the attack.

Source: Nepalnews, June 10, 2007

DIPLOMATS' CONCERN:Shocking Insecurity

SANJAYA DHAKAL

Although they have joined the government, the Maoists have not been able to rein in their overzealous activists as was demonstrated by the pelting of stones at the vehicle carrying US ambassador James Moriarty in Jhapa recently. Unfortunately for the country, the normally reticent diplomats have now issued a strong statement demanding security. Such actions by diplomats give a very negative message and damage the credibility of whole Nepal not only that of Maoists.

The Maoists are peeved at the continual inclusion of their party in the terrorist list by the US Department of State despite their becoming a part of Nepal government. But, wrongfully and dangerously, they have equated that move by the US government with the individual ambassador. Ambassador Moriarty, who is wrapping up his term in Nepal in few weeks' time, has been drawing huge criticisms from the Maoists because of his candid remarks about the path Nepal is heading towards. He has always been in the forefront pointing out the dangers of Maoists' joining mainstream politics without making the strategic decision to abandon violence. This, he has been advocating not as his personal position but as that of the US government.
By pelting stones at Moriarty, therefore, the Maoists have not only hit at the individual but the representative of a sovereign country. What followed was a rare censure by the whole of diplomatic corps expressing displeasure at the lack of security. Last week, 15 diplomatic missions based in Nepal issued joint concerns about insecurity to them and have demanded safe environment for them to function. The diplomatic corps of Nepal have demanded that security and safe movement of foreign diplomats must be assured.

"The Diplomatic Corps of Nepal is deeply concerned by an upsurge in recent weeks of security incidents that have threatened foreign diplomats or otherwise impeded their work in the country. We condemn any and all attempts to harm, threaten, or interfere with foreign diplomats working in Nepal," a statement issued by Diplomatic Corps of Nepal said. In the strongly-worded statement, the diplomatic corps have termed as unacceptable the "targeting or threatening of diplomats in Nepal on their countries' official business." The statement urges all political groups and activists to respect customary norms and reject violence or intimidation. Significantly, it also reminds the government "of its role to ensure security and safety for diplomats."

The statement was issued on behalf of Embassies of the United States of America, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Denmark, Israel , Australia, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh and Finland. Immediately, the government was compelled to respond to the diplomats' concerns. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala apologized on behalf of the government during his meeting with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Barry Lowenkron. Home Ministry's spokesperson Baman Prasad Neupane said the government is ready to tighten security arrangements if diplomatic missions call for the same.

On the other hand, Maoist leaders are yet to take responsibility for their behavior. A senior Maoist leader Suresh Ale Magar publicly said that Nepali people had pelted stones at Moriarty because he started making rounds of army barracks to hatch conspiracy. Speaking at a program in Charikot, he accused Moriarty of visiting army barracks and conspiring against Nepali people. Ale Magar was recently denied a visa to travel to the United States to attend a program organized by the UN. As such, the concerns expressed by diplomatic community could damage the government's efforts to hold credible polls in a free, fair and peaceful environment.

Source: Spotlight, June 10, 2007

Maoists hold out white flag to India

Less than a week after Nepal's Maoist guerrillas accused India of meddling in the kingdom's internal affairs and trying to weaken them, their chief Prachanda held out a white flag to the southern neighbour, saying his party's fears had been allayed.

Following a lengthy meeting yesterday between Maoist leaders and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, the guerrillas softened their stand, opting for a reconciliatory attitude. There had been growing diplomatic outrage at the rebels after their recent attack on a vehicle carrying the US ambassador to Nepal.

In a statement issued after a long hiatus, Maoist chief Prachanda said the fear raised in his party after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's call to visiting Nepali politicians in New Delhi to forge deeper ties between the two parties had been laid to rest.

Prachanda referred to the positive role played by India when his underground party reached an understanding with the seven-party opposition, that paved the way for the ouster of King Gyanendra's regime and a formal end to the decade-long armed insurgency. He also recalled India's positive role during the ongoing peace negotiations as well as New Delhi's pledged assistance to the key election, to be held in November.

Offering a tacit apology for the attack on American envoy James F. Moriarty's vehicle by Maoist cadres, Prachanda said that his party had never attacked any foreigner during the 10-year uprising and did not plan to deviate at a time it was poised to take part in the election. "We have urged the government to take action against the culprits," he said. Soon after Prachanda's meeting with Koirala, Maoists called off their indefinite shutdown in Kapilavastu district in southwestern Nepal, enforced from Saturday, to pressure the Nepal Army into pulling out of the area.

Source: The Peninsula, June 11, 2007