Republicanism new basis for 8-party unity: Prachanda

LALITPUR, May 12: Chairman of Nepal Communist Party-Maoist, Prachanda has warned that his party would be compelled to take harsh decision if the flexibilities that they have shown for the establishment of republican democracy were taken as their weaknesses. In an interaction programme, organised here today by All Nepal People?s Health-workers? Association on ?Nationality and Role of Health-workers in the Movement for Republican Democracy?, Chairman Prachanda said Maoist is the party that takes decision after scientific analysis of the situation and decisions to be taken would be on the side of the people. Stating that there were efforts to intentionally dillydally the election to constituent assembly, he said the base for the new unity among eight political parties would be the declaration of republic by the parliament. ?Unity among eight parties is still essential to root-out monarchy,? he said ?and the unity to be forged hereafter should be based on new foundation and thus we have forwarded the proposal to declare republic from the parliament.?

?Maoists are not easily accepting order of seven political parties being deaf and dumb,? he added ?they are impatient to make more achievement with lesser damage.? Stating that Nepali politics could not be free from foreign interference and influence, he said his party has been working to liberate the country form foreign authoritarianism. Alleging that the government could not be serious for the sensitive fields like public health, he indicated the need of national health policy for overall reform in health sector. On the occasion, representative of civil societies Dr. Sundar Mani Dixit said Nepali people had suffered from sporadic movements and stressed that such movement should be ended.Prof. Dr. Mathura Prasad Shrestha said political leadership should not ignore people?s desire for change. Dr. Sharad Wanta said healthworkers should also be engaged in the movement for establishment of republican democracy.

Meanwhile in Bhaktapur, CPN-Maoist Central Member and Kathmandu Valley Bureau In-Charge Hitman Shakya said declaration of the republicanism from the Legislative Parliament would be the only alternative if the Constituent Assembly (CA) election could not be held within the stipulated time frame. Speaking at the political training programme organised the Young Communist League-Nepal, Bhaktapur District Committee here yesterday, he said the establishment of the republicanism was the only wish of the Nepali people. Stating that regressive forces in and outside the country are hatching their conspiracies not to be the CA elections successful, he said new direction to the country should be given by ending such conspiracies. At the programme, Bhaktapur District Secretary Diwakar appealed all the people to be prepare for Jana Andolan-3 in order to fulfill their strong desire of establishing democratic republic. He said the alliance of the eight parties has been broken up due to the inability to hold CA elections within the specific duration and pointed out on the need of new political agreement to move ahead. On the occasion, various leaders of the Maoists had expressed their views.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 13, 2007

Environment Conservation And Development

S.K. Shrestha

ENVIRONMENT and development have close relationships. In the present context, they are like the two faces of a coin. Sources of environment such as land, water, vegetation are utilized in development works. While constructing roads, natural condition such as land, forest etc are cut and leveled. The development activities bring change in environment. The environment should not be degraded by conducting unreasonable development works. Human poverty is an obstacle for environmental conservation. The development and environment conservation activities must go forward in an integrated way. Moreover, environmental degradation has an adverse impact on development process. There must be environment conservation for meaningful development work.

Classification
Infrastructures of development are classified as human resources, physical, social and economic aspects. Skilled manpower is needed to conduct development works in the different sectors such as education, health, agriculture, communication, science and technology etc. Additional development activities become easy due to the development of infrastructures such as roads, bridges, canals, drainage systems, buildings, electricity and communication facilities, etc. They help in communicating the information to accelerate the development ahead. It is quite essential to develop the social aspect as infrastructures to conduct development works effectively. The decision making power, interest to work and desire for participation are to be developed in the people of present organizations, for making them self?dependent and efficient in their works. The development activities are different according to economic investment. The investment is needed to make infrastructure for physical and social development. The formation of development infrastructures help in executing development works in the country.The most dependable media for development in countries like Nepal is industrial development. Our country being a predominantly an agricultural country, industrial development can be made using agricultural products. We must give priority to industrial development which has much role to mobilize the use of human resources and other resources of the country. It helps to raise the economic and social status of the people. Such development has a great role in Nepal with poor economic condition. There is a great importance of cottage industries along with large scale industries also in our country. Cottage industry is essential to make use of local environmental resources. The large scale industries like jute, sugar, cement, paper etc help in the economic development of the country. These industries are not running smoothly due to the prevailing situation in the country. These industries are related with the environment. So, special attention has to be paid for industrial development along with environmental conservation and protection.

The industry, people and environment are related to one another. So, the importance of industry deals with production of raw materials and use, development of human resource, employment opportunity, production of goods, improvement in standard of living, economic development and mobilization of private sectors. Both the government bodies and the private sector should be encouraged to invest and run various types of industries. It leads to competition in the private sector for the development of the industries. It stimulates the efficiency in industrial development of private sectors. The investment of private sector in Nepal for the development of the country is required to be increased in the present situation.The development works of the country are correlated with environment. The people get benefits on the one hand and on the other there are some adverse effects on the environment. Such adverse impacts can be alleviated by arranging necessary means, resources and instruments. The local people should also be involved in the development activities so that poverty can be alleviated through employment generation to them. They are also required to be provided environmental education to minimize adverse impacts on environment while carrying out development tasks in the particular sector. The effects on environment caused by development works can be found from construction works and industrial works. These effects on environment due to construction activities are degradation of the ecosystem, destruction of natural resources, degradation of agricultural land, diminution in the shelter of creatures, change in natural structure and scenery obstruction. Such effects should be minimized with proper planning and management of these activities.

Nexus
Industrial development is the backbone of the development of the country but it is lacking due to instability in the prevailing situation of our nation. Development helps the economic and social status of the people. Besides, various kind of environmentally adverse effects are also seen. Thus, environment conservation must be given attention when executing any development work. Environmental act with rules and regulation should be strictly followed while carrying out development activities in any field. The present government should pay due attention in this regard. Stable political environment is also required for development together with the conservation of the environment.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 14, 2007

Nepal's Maoist Militia In Mufti

John Child

The Young Communist League has been called both a youth service corps and a gang of neo-Nazi thugs. It is neither. It is the Maoist militia, reorganized for the final phase of their war.In January 1921 the second convention of the Communist International passed a resolution forming the Young Communist League as an integral part of the worldwide Communist struggle, because, the resolution stated, "youth are a part - an essential party - of the revolutionary movement." The YCL still draws idealistic leftist youth to branches in the US, Canada, England, and South Africa, where they volunteer for liberal service organizations, hand out leaflets, and stage small demonstrations.

The Nepal YCL, formed in January 2007, just days before Maoists joined the interim parliament, share a few things in common with their counterparts in other countries: They have protested and issued statements, and they have put forward a public-service face, nabbing smugglers and the leakers of a national school exam paper, cleaning up garbage, clearing out the touts that plague Kathmandu airport, and directing traffic.
From there, Nepal's young Communists part company with their international comrades. In Kathmandu, company owners and managers have been beaten and abducted over "donations" and labor disputes. According to complaints from the business community, extortion has risen to new heights. From rural Nepal, new reports surface almost daily of YCL bullying reporters, trashing government offices, fighting with police and break-away Maoist factions, abducting people, and seizing land.

The pattern is familiar to Nepalis: This Maoist militia has a new name and wear civvies, but their job is the same. On April 29 Maoist supremo Prachanda said that the Maoists' republican drive would encompass, "street, parliament, and government." It's clear which part of the Maoist organization will be in the streets.
And the YCL will have some official support for their activities. On the same day that Dahal spoke, Maoist Minister of Information and Communications Krishna Mahara issued instructions to government media to report positively on the Maoists and to "shun news critical of the party or the YCL."
Less than two weeks later Mahara was forced to admit in a press conference that violent acts "committed in the name of YCL or others are always deplorable." The next day Prachanda promised that YCL cadres would not participate in "unruly or violent activities," and Prime Minister Koirala said he would come up with a stronger plan to reign them in.

If Nepal's YCL members were like their idealistic counterparts in other countries, promises and plans might work. But this YCL isn't composed of excitable youth. It's the product of the Maoist leadership, doing their bidding and following their plan. Public opinion could force the Maoists to tone down the YCL's campaign a bit, but their war isn't over yet.

Source: News Blaze, May 12, 2007

Koirala's Stand On Monarchy : Republic, But Gradually

Geja Sharma Wagle

At a time when the leaders of the political parties have been engaging on contentious issue whether or not the interim legislature declare a republic state, Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala has cautiously revealed that Nepal has already moved into a republic setup and the republic would be established gradually. Prime Minister Koirala has opined that receiving the credential of the foreign ambassadors by the prime minister is a historic event and a strong philosophical foundation for establishing a democratic republic. Addressing the party men in the capital, Koirala had divulged that the Eight-Party Alliance (EPA) should gradually strip away all the powers of the King and finally declare a republic. As per his analysis, the democratic republic is inevitable but it will take some more time.

Expectation

The Nepali people, all the political parties, and civil society had expected a clear policy regarding the monarchy, restructuring of the state, and the federal structure of the nation. But the-much-media-hyped meetings of the NC presidents did not take any significant political decision, especially regarding the monarchy and federalism. However, Prime Minister Koirala made an ambiguous but strategic statement regarding the monarchy and establishing a republic. He neither turned down the republic proposal as proposed by the prominent cadres nor advocated in favor of 'ceremonial King' as he did in the past. In fact, he strategically opined that the democratic republic should be established gradually rather than hurriedly probably considering the future election strategy. But he outrightly rejected the proposal that has demanded to declare the republic by the interim legislature by the communist parties.

Probably, considering the implication of the declaration, international opinions, and the legitimacy of the declaration, he turned down the controversial proposal of the communist parties. Referring to the interim constitution, he argued that the much-awaited constituent assembly (CA) elections will decide all the centuries-old controversial political, social, and constitutional issues of Nepal including the fate of the monarchy permanently. And the constituent assembly will draft a democratic and inclusive constitution and a complete democracy will be established as per the wishes of the Nepali people. Underlining the historical contributions of the NC for establishing democracy and people's supremacy since 1950, he has expressed the firm commitment to hold the CA elections in November at any cost and which would draft a new democratic constitution respecting the wishes of the people. Considering the political sensitivity in the given situation, he answered both ceremonial monarchists and republicans by the very ambiguous statement. It seems he is trying to follow a centrist policy to defuse the extreme polarization between the monarchists and republicans for democracy and the party to survive. Had the NC decided either for ceremonial monarch or republic, there might be extreme polarization between the ceremonial monarchists and republicans. And the possible polarization might have been harmful for the NC politically as well as strategically because an extreme polarization between the extreme left and extreme right is always detrimental for the centrist.

Not only strategically but ideologically as well, the NC would not be in favor of monarchy and would be in favor of establishing democratic republic, people's supremacy, and rule of law. It is the NC that has been fighting against the monarchy and in favor of democracy since 1950. It is the NC that has overthrown the tyrannical Rana regime and established democracy in 1950 through popular movement. Similarly, the NC has established democracy in 1990. Likewise, under the leadership of the NC the historic people's peaceful movement 2006 had put an end to the despotic regime of King Gyanendra and established democracy. Therefore, it is the NC which has been fighting against the authoritarian monarchy for establishing democracy and people's supremacy since a long time. However, the NC has been following a multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchical policy since its inception. Due to its constitutional monarchical policy, it did not bring an end to monarchy and did not establish a democratic republic in 1950 and 1990 terming it as a symbol of national unity. The NC did believe in the past that a democracy and monarchy could go together and it would not pose any harm to democracy. Had the NC decided against the monarchy, a democratic republic would have been established in 1950 or 1990. But the NC did not decide against the monarchy and the out-dated monarchy had been given a rebirth. But the power hungry kings proved the NC wrong and whenever they got a chance they attacked democracy and the NC, time and again, and they took over power.

In fact, the NC fought against, the then Rana authoritarian regime, despotic and autocratic kings, tyrannical Panchayat, and totalitarian dictator Gyanendra. But the NC never compromised against the democratic principles. Realizing these very realities, the NC deleted its out-dated constitutional monarchical policy from its preamble for the first time in its history. In fact, it is the considerable policy shift towards the democratic republic. Analyzing the evolution to the policy towards the democratic republic gradually and the given political situation, the NC would not be back and it will gradually move towards the republic era as outlined by Koirala. The NC has understood that the monarchy is a past and the republic is the future because the interim constitution has already suspended King Gyanendra. The NC will not be a captive of the past but will be a herald of the future.Whether the NC should declare that it is in favor of republic or not, it is a most controversial debate within the NC at the moment. But, as a responsible political party that has the faith and trust of the Nepali people and the entire international community, NC should take a responsible political decision considering the volatile political situation and the international concerns. Therefore, the NC and the interim government should take a less risky and more acceptable decision to the people. Therefore, as defined by Koirala, the gradual evolution of republic might be the best strategy at the moment for the survival of democracy.

Question

The declaration of the republic from the Interim Legislature might be a controversial decision. There might raise the question over the legitimacy of the proclamation and international community might be divided. Considering the implication of the proclamation, the government should take a legitimate decision. Democracy is not only a declaration; it is a system, people's mandate, and the due process of law.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 15, 2007

Social standing

Sagar S Rana

King Gyanendra’s actions that eventually led to his takeover of total authority of the state in February 2005 was against the very fundamentals of the democratic process and the Constitution of the nation. Instead of bringing stability as he had expected, under his leadership, the royal coup united the people of Nepal against him and galvanised the ongoing movement aimed at his ouster and for restoration of democracy. The 12-point Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of November 22 the same year, between the seven political parties that led the peaceful Jana Andolan II and the Maoists who had waged an armed struggle, was the natural sequel to King Gyanendra’s blunder.

It took some time for the people at large to digest the message of the MOU and for the eight parties to work out a modus operandi but the movement gained momentum slowly at first, spread throughout the country and rose to a crescendo in the streets of Kathmandu. The unprecedented mass of humanity surging from all directions forced the King to surrender back the powers he had usurped from the people. This well-documented chain of events needs to be repeated here to drive home the relevance of the MOU as a document akin to a Charter for the People of Nepal. The governments that have followed claim rightly that their legitimacy is derived from the will of the people as expressed by the successful culmination of the Jana Andolan II, but at the same time they must accept the MOU as a mandate within which they should function — a social contract they cannot neglect.

The basic goals set by the MOU reflected the aspirations of the people for peace, a democratic system of governance and restructuring of the state with a view to empowering the marginalised sections created by the feudal society. The constituent assembly (CA) was seen as the instrument or mechanism to bring about these changes. It appears some of the leaders of the eight parties are either confused or trying to confuse the people by loud claims that postponement of the CA elections destroys the fundamental aims of the people’s mandate. Means or mechanism to reach the end is being confused with the goals. Indeed, by acting in haste to set totally unrealistic deadlines, whether be it the inclusion of the Maoists in the parliament, or in the government, for adoption of the Interim Constitution, or the date of the CA elections, they have created confusion and administrative chaos that could and should have been avoided through more mature decisions. Within less than two months since the Interim Constitution came into being, more than 60 amendments have been made.

By not involving the marginalised and neglected sections of society in the decision-making process, the rulers, new and old, have lost the trust of the very people whose ‘inclusion’ was one of the main motivational forces of Jana Andolan II. Dissatisfaction turned into violent eruptions in case of one such group, the Madhesis. Other such movements by, for example, Janajatis and Dalits cannot be ruled out. The Maoists have not been able to change their mindset or pattern of behaviour and continue activities of coercion, destruction or forceful occupation of public or private properties and use of force. They are doing so despite their comrades holding ministerial posts in the government.The Prime Minister could have refrained from proclaiming that the elections will be held under any condition within the stipulated date. The government should have concentrated on preparing the prerequisite laws. Preoccupied with the self -imposed deadlines, the government has failed to address the more urgent and important aspects of process and procedure, which influence the quality of the end product.

The Election Commission had no option but to recommend the inevitable postponement. Commonsense would suggest that the eight parties should have sat together to determine a more realistic new date and then set about the task of implementation and creating a conducive atmosphere for CA polls. But instead, the rhetoric of blaming each other or the vague ‘external forces’ or the ‘regressive elements’ is in full flow. The parliament cannot function as legislators disrupt its normal working. Lawlessness prevails within and outside the parliament. Indeed it appears to the public that it is the political parties that are hell bent on creating the impasse and confusion.There is talk of ‘Left unity’. Not an unnatural process in the normal course of events, but a perilous move that would break the eight-party unity, the very basis for the process of peace and the roadmap set by the MOU. At all costs, such misadventure should be avoided. If the leaders fail the people, they will face their wrath. The regressive elements can rise again, foreign powers may be more active in the country and the people will rise again if the parties fail to unite and deliver.

Rana is CWC member, NC(D)Uday LamaAn individual’s standing is judged by his contributions to society. There is no other yardstick of measurement or evaluation of performance, as far as being with it in the mainstream of activities is concerned. Not the means by which he achieves the end or the methods employed in keeping busy.As a member of society, he is expected to give in a manner befitting his position and status to share his know-how, experience and expertise so that others may benefit. This enables him to carve out a niche and make possible a return of the investment in relationships though setbacks cannot be envisaged. What he does to act as an entity marks him out and accords self-esteem and self-worth which are values to be inculcated through personal sacrifice and hard work. Thus acclaim can be had and given due place by way of reckoning, though a self-seeking person may forsake recognition for cheap popularity and short-term gains.An effort at socialising proves the individual’s mettle; not the ones that are avowed but those that are judged by others. To communicate on a relationship based on respect is the only way to develop and avoid a compromise. Thus a fellow-feeling is brought about.

The true test is in realising how far he can go in seeking the consent of others in agreements and contracts. Only a nod of approval will pave the way for future actions taken on behalf of vested interests. Not the least is the due process in which it is undertaken.The social ladder determines who is going to be up there in the top echelon or occupy the lower rungs. In between are the majority of middle class households and their dependants. There is no indicator of what makes a person a social success. Personal attributes are of course required. Next come contacts which make it possible to reach out to those whose good offices can be relied upon. To a socialite nothing is so important. Perhaps a chance word here or a little chit-chat there can settle matters.One can channelise energy and the urge to do better to gain promotion, or acquire other perks and privileges in line with one’s social standing. Colleagues are responsible for seeing how these should come about. And their goodwill necessary if one is to forge ahead.

Source: The Himalayan Times, May 15, 2007