Nepal's leaders take lessons in democracy

Prominent members of Nepal's main political parties have visited Switzerland hoping to learn about the federalist system.

The visit comes ahead of November's election in the Himalayan kingdom and is seen as part of Swiss efforts to support Nepal's transition to democracy. "Both sides agreed that the exchange has been positive and helped boost cooperation," a foreign ministry statement said on Friday.
During the five-day visit the Nepalese delegation met experts and representatives from the Swiss authorities as well as the Geneva-based United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour.

The foreign ministry said Switzerland hoped to contribute to a solution of fundamental issues, which include a possible federal structure of the country and the different political convictions of the key players. The Swiss authorities have been involved in human rights initiatives and have been providing humanitarian aid to Nepal for more than 40 years.

Prachanda

The delegation from Nepal included the former Maoist rebel leader, Kamal Dahal – known as Prachanda. He told a news conference in Bern that the visit could give new impetus to the peace process in Nepal and create a positive atmosphere between the various political players. Prachanda, a controversial figure who led Nepal's Maoist movement during the civil war, said it was not possible to take over Switzerland's political system without adapting it to the situation in Nepal. "But the Swiss experience can help us establish a new society," he said. A delegation of Nepalese politicians and representatives of the civil society stayed in Switzerland in January.
Some Swiss media slammed the authorities for inviting Prachanda, but the foreign ministry rejected the criticism.

"It was not an invitation to Mr Prachanda in particular. It is not up to us to decide on who takes part in the peace process," foreign ministry spokesman Lars Knuchel told the Basler Zeitung newspaper. But Günther Bächler, a Swiss advisor for peace building in Nepal, welcomed Prachanda's visit to Switzerland. He said there were attempts to shut the Maoists out of the peace process. Several uprisings by an ethnic group in southern Nepal also hampered progress.

Elections

During the decade-long civil war at least 13,000 people were killed, including many civilians, and hundreds of thousands were forced to leave their homes. Prachanda, the leader of Nepal's Communist Party, said in 2001 his goal was to do away with the monarchy and the parliamentary system. However, last year a seven-party alliance and the Maoist rebels signed a peace accord paving the way for an interim government and a constitutional assembly which will decide on the fate of the monarchy. Elections for the assembly, scheduled for November, are seen as the culmination of the peace process.

Source: Swissinfo, July 6, 2007

King's Birthday Fiasco

King Gyanendra is the luckiest king of Shah dynasty to have lived for sixty years. Since King Prithvi Narayan Shah, no king has lived so long (and you thought Nepal's low life expectancy is due to poverty only?) Whether or not King Gyanendra will remain as the king is still in the hands of Constituent Assembly, but even as a general citizen he enjoys the right to celebrate his diamond-jubilee birthday and throw a party as per his wish. When the news about the king throwing party for over thousand people at a hotel in the capital spread like a wildfire, not many raised their brows. However, when all the "who's who of the society" started receiving invitations, some on behalf of Queen Aishwarya and some on behalf of Crown Prince Paras, the people got alarmed. The birthday party was suddenly considered as a royal ploy to taste the political clout of the king. Hence, rejection.

Diplomatic corps have proved their talent to sniff the political connotation of the king's invitation. The European ambassadors expressed their opinion collectively through British Ambassador Dr Andrew Hall that at this particular time their participation does not "send a helpful signal". Outgoing US ambassador James F Moriarty said his attendance "would not serve any useful purpose". Similarly, Indian ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee had plain "not going" message to the king. These statements send a very powerful message in favor of Nepal's democracy and the Nepali people. The democratic world deserves a standing ovation from all those who embrace plural values and foster democracy. It is now almost certain that except for some exceptions, all other diplomatic missions will be busy sending RSVP to the royal palace.

The message is loud and clear. The king's resurgence is not possible in Nepal. Neither political party nor foreign forces nor the general public is ready to accept the king who imposed autocratic rule for over a year before bowing out to the pressure of people's movement on April 24th, 2006. The birthday party also exposed king's henchmen Swami Prapannacharya, Dr Durga Pokharel and others who have shamelessly drafted a citation terming King Gyanendra as the one who awarded democracy to this country, and as the only source of national integrity and stability. People certainly feel pity on such apologists. It is also an opportunity for the parties in the government to prove their stance on monarchy. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has rightfully and tacitly urged the king to quit, respecting the people's demand. He has also urged all the feudal fiats to support the constituent assembly election that would draft the constitution for a new Nepal. So, it is almost certain that the king's birthday party is going to be a fiasco.

Source: The Kathmandu Post, July 6, 2007

Essential Priorities

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala presented the policy and program of the government for the forthcoming financial year in the interim Parliament, the other day. In the presentation made in the national legislature, Prime Minister Koirala accorded priority to improve law and order situation for holding elections to the Constituent Assembly scheduled for November 22. Prime Minister Koirala who heads the multiparty coalition government in which the Maoists are also represented reiterated that the top priority for country at the moment is the polls for constituent assembly which is expected to herald a new era of democracy and peace in the nation. Accordingly, the policy and program of the government announced by the prime minister has committed to set up a state restructuring commission by giving mandate to recommend modus operandi of reconstituting the governance mechanism and territory of the state. This would be an important commission as told by the prime minister, and its suggestions should facilitate the process for building a new constitution in the country.

Since the country has already braced for a federal polity, it is not yet clear on what type of provision with respect to federalism should be incorporated in the new basic law of the land to satisfy the aspirations of the people from different geographic, linguistic and ethnic zones. Moreover, in line with national need and priority, the government has committed to form a task force to recommend measures for ensuring proportional share of different marginal and excluded communities in the apparatuses of the state. This commitment of the government goes in line with the principle of inclusive democracy. What should be noted in this context has been the government resolve to rebuild and reconstitute the local bodies through consensual approach as, in the absence of representative and competent local government institutions, it is difficult for local democracy to foster. The government policy is progressive and, thus, aims at addressing the problems faced by the people from different walks of life. The announcement to raise the salary of the civil servants, focus on rural electrification, priority to commercialization of the farm sector, raising of the industrial security force and restructuring of the health sector are some of the social development measures that can go a long way in enhancing development of the country. However, provided that the implementation and monitoring drive is not revamped and toned up, the intended objectives enshrined in the policy and program of the government can not be translated into reality. In addition to strengthening mechanism for law and order, the democratic government should set sight on making the implementation mechanism better and stronger.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 6, 2007

CA Polls: Definite Direction

FOR the first time since the formation of the interim government, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala unveiled the annual policies and programmes of the government on Wednesday. It was expected as the budget is to be presented in a few days. Now the legislature parliament will hold discussions on it in the coming days.

FocusThe focus was basically on holding the constituent assembly (CA) election on November 22. It will be a landmark for the people and the country. Even Prime Minister Koirala has said that the day will herald a new era. Obviously, the expectations of the people are very high. But the preparations are yet to gather speed for the polls.There are many problems that have to be solved, though. A major issue is bolstering the law and order situation in the country. There are many agitating groups, some of which are involved in violence. On this score, the government has shown some seriousness, and attempts are being made to step up security measures. In this connection, the government is mulling over a new security policy, taking into consideration the situation in the country.Meanwhile, talks are being held with the various agitating groups, and it is hoped that an amicable solution will be reached as per their demands. This must be taken up seriously because without solving the simmering problems, the CA polls cannot be held in a peaceful atmosphere.

For this, the political parties, too, should extend their hands to the government. If they do so, the government will be facilitated in taking the necessary steps to maintain law and order. After a chill for some time, the eight political parties are working together, and there has been increased understanding among them. This solidarity and unity must be maintained till the polls. Though they may be contestants in the polls, the unity ought to be maintained so that the gains made so far does not go to waste.The appointment of envoys is still in a limbo as they were recommended by the earlier government. The main objection has come from the CPN (Maoist). They say that the recommendations were made without consulting them. On this matter, Maoist chief Prachanda had talked to Prime Minister Koirala, and it was agreed that the issue would be resolved soon.

As Premier Koirala mentioned in the government's policies and programmes, the culture of consensus and collaboration for resolving the differences through dialogue and negotiation has become a present day reality. And the country is going in this direction though at times stalemates have arisen.It is based on this that the country has come so far, starting with the agreement of the seven parties and the Maoists. The interim government and the legislature parliament are the result of the collaborative effort of the eight parties. This must not be allowed to break down on trivial pretexts.Whatever is taking place in the country is with the approval of the eight parties. Hence, blaming one or the other leader is not appropriate. Moreover, there are matters that have to be discussed behind closed doors. However, transparency must be maintained regarding the administration of the country. AwarenessNow all confusions regarding the CA polls are over with the announcement of the date. It is the duty of all the political parties to go to all parts of the country to make the people aware of the importance of the CA elections. This is important considering the fact that many people are still unaware as to why a constituent assembly election is necessary for the creation of a better Nepal. The rural parts are where the majority of the population lives and have a greater say in the political setting.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 6, 2007

Times to come

The Interim Government (IG) on Wednesday unveiled its annual policies and programmes in the Interim Legislature-Parliament, making elections to the Constituent Assembly (CA) its focal point. Indeed, while other aspects declared in the document are important because they have an important bearing on various sections of society, the public interest in the CA polls, the core demand of Jana Andolan-2, is supreme, as it will affect the entire country politically, economically, socially and in other ways. The CA will lay the future basis for a new Nepal and is expected to institutionalise peace, democracy, justice and inclusiveness. Given its limits, the government cannot be expected to do a lot during the interim period. If it can manage the transition smoothly without putting unnecessary burdens on the people, maintain law and order, and provide some positive signs that indicate that the country is moving in the right direction, the policy statements should be seen in a favourable light.

Presenting the government’s policies and programmes, the Prime Minister said the document revolves round the November 22 CA polls and the national budget would have the same focus. He also said a supplementary budget would be unveiled after the CA polls. Koirala, alluding to the monarchy and stressing the importance of the CA elections, said that the vestiges of the old order would be swept away after the November 22 polls, which he said would herald a new era and the country would then turn over a new leaf. He declared, “This is the last battle. Let the remnants of the old order take to their heels and go wherever they want”. Koirala spoke of another revolution (change) after the CA elections — social and economic reforms. The Prime Minister’s statements concerning the monarchy, recorded in the sovereign parliament, assume added significance and hint at the shape of things to come. There are a number of signs that go to strengthen the Prime Minister’s assessment. The latest comes from the decision of important Kathmandu-based ambassadors to stay away from the King’s birthday reception.

As for the annual policies and programmes, it should be considered as the compromise document of the political parties represented in the interim government. Each may have its reservations. For instance, the CPN-Maoist has announced ‘critical support’ to it. Indeed, as Koirala said, the policy document and the budget may not satisfy everybody, though effort has been made to ‘touch all’. His message was that the Nepalis should have some more patience and make the CA polls their singular agenda. On this will depend whether the country will move into the bright or the dark future because the CA elections will mark the successful conclusion of the 10-year Maoist insurgency and the 19-day Jana Andolan-2 based on the 12-point agreement between the Maoists and the Seven Party Alliance. The alternative is fraught with serious dangers to democracy, peace, and prosperity, and above all, to the country’s very existence as an independent entity.

Source: The Himalayan Times, July 6, 2007