Nepali Times
Editorial
Last resort


PICS: PRADEEP SHRESTHA

The 'resort series' of political talks on power sharing and the peace process have yielded nothing beyond a pointless four-point press release on agreeing to disagree, with the dubious promise of more of the same come 15 November. The mainstream media, at least to begin with, did attempt to encourage everyone watching (and participating) by positing the talks as important in reducing the trust deficit. But this was of little comfort in the end.

The four options tabled by the Maoists seem to be non-options meant for the consumption of those who would like to believe the ex-rebels are actually being constructive and flexible. The first two, that of forming governments led either by the Maoists or some NC/UML/Rest-of-Nepal configuration, were redundant propositions to make in the absence of any change in the positions of the negotiating parties. The impracticality of a rotating government was laughable, and the idea of a Presidium has no place in a democracy, stuck as we may be. The Maoists will not entertain the possibility of moving on the peace process without being allowed to lead the government, the NC will not let the Maoists lead the government without some movement on the peace process, and the UML, as ever, is thrashing about in the middle.

So it does seem that we are stuck. Coming into the last week of the special budget, however, the exigencies created by the imminent lack of salaries (rather than national economic crisis) may actually force the Maoists to give ground. It's only logical for the government to hold back payments to cantonments to start with, then stop paying the salaries of CA members (most of whom are, of course, Maoists). So in effect the parties have less than a week to hammer out an agreement on what form of budget to announce, and how.

For now, it seems unlikely that the CA session will be prorogued to introduce the budget through a special ordinance. The business community will seek to pressure the government, but until the public feels the heat, May rallies may be a while away (notwithstanding the debacle surrounding tickets for athletes travelling to the Asian Games in China, due to a lack of funds and ethics). It's in the interest of the Maoists as much as anyone else to allow the budget to go through, so to retain their credibility in the run-up to their Gorkha plenum by not allowing a caretaker government to present a full budget, they will have to push for a real government.

At which point it makes sense to look at the possibility of a Maoist-led government once more. Given their record in not fulfilling promises made vis-à-vis the peace process, in or out of power, it won't be enough for Ram Chandra Poudel to withdraw his candidacy to allow for government formation, just as Madhav Nepal's resignation wasn't. The onus remains on the UCPN(Maoist) to come up with a credible time-bound program to delink itself from its military wings definitively. This program has to be good enough to convince the NC and the UML, who should then be willing to support the formation of a Maoist-led government. Easier said than done, but for now there are no other viable options.

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1. Sargam
How long the NC can play the role of the torchbearer of Democracy in a country infested by the notorious commies?

More and more as a viewer from outside we see that whole Nepal is trapped in the quagmire of a trade-off or say a 'plot' like in the epic Mahabharata where Prachanda, the awesome, is playing the role of Duryodhan and RCP as one of the Pandavas- he cannot possibly beYudhisthir as this tasteless role goes to Sushil Koirala.

That Khanna along with UML plays the role of Karna, the invincible but useless in the battle field.

The national press is like Sanjay or something who narrates the events to Dhritrastra, the main instigator behind the scenario.

All is set for a final assault when finally the widespread commonsense will come out as the great victor.



2. kamal kishor
What is the outcome of this quagmire? The Maoists are being cornered in such a way that whatever the "NIKAS" they will loose face. Without any hesitation, they are responsible for this mess and they should face the consequences: the consequences of their unwillingness to embrace the fundamentals of democracy that arms and the gangs don�t play the key roles in decision making and socio-economic transformation. We should congratulate both NC and UML for this fight which will and has to compel the Maoists to disarm their looters� gangs and be a civilian party.

Without getting this concession, they had committed a grave mistake when they signed the 12 Point Peace Agreement  and others. They should not allow the Maoists to rule the land with the help of these gangsters. They should be disbanded without any reason and the Maoists should dare to play politics as NC and UML are playing by peaceful means.

In the 21st century, Nepal should not be allowed to be tagged to violence, anarchy and lawlessness.






3. Nirmal

Despite the fact that there is no simple conflict, and least those regarding fellow dictatorships, the peace process can be explained in a few crooked lines. Although the title of the publisher�s note has easily summarized: "last resort". Of course, there are many tiny letters before and after the turbulent history of Maoists� people�s war, everything came in the same betrayal line. Girija and the Maoists sold their own fate to India in full agony of King Gyanendra, not out of their love for hindustani charity. They sold it because it was marketable, the 12 points pact had nothing to do with the political stability of Nepal, neither for India nor for GPK and Prachanda. For India it was just to contend the then Indian communists, ex-ally of Congress-I and for the two it was the matter of survival. Now seems: Show finish dosti khatam paisa hajam. Of course, the instability of the moment did not make any risky solution be easily available (India+Monarchy or Monarchy+Maoists or SPA+monarchy), with the Indian coalition govt breathing down, GPK kicked out of Baluwataar and Prachanda roaming like an insignificant dude through out the Indian suburbis.  The fact is that the unfortunate history of people�s war has not finished yet. And like any assault, there are injuries, deaths, repression and a long resume of tragic lives, and terrible reports of missing relatives, still it is a museum of horrors. The maoists have no pity for the human loss ocurred. And, of course, they give a damn to the rest of the world.

How did we arrive upto here? For the sum of three embarrassments, or the multiplication of three faults, resulting in the current blockage of entire democratic process i.e budget, completion of peace process or constitution writing.

   First, as already mentioned, the Indian shame, unable to settle a conflict(peace process) with dignity of which they have been the direct supporter, abandoned to the unknown fate, condemned forever. The role of India since Sood�s arrival has been miserable.

  Second, the UN, as usual unable to resolve a conflict, inert and lack of appetite to control the excesses and outrages perpetuated by cantoned rebels, citing its inability for proactiveness. And conseq�ent slap from India and the NC to the UN, showing bad blood and fire in the camp, just when the UN is the fundamental testimony of the Maoists� ultimate abandonement of armed struggle, further more days to the Maoists to prolong the conflict, all this is as brutal as discomplexed.  

  "Let's talk about final revolt while we are in the negotiation table" ... And finally, the Maoists ultimate desire:Janabidroha paramdharam, whose impunity in the application of a harsh dictatorship is based on the barrage it means for the advance of radical nepali communism, mato suhaundo. It is true that If it has not been for ex-King Mahendra�s name and fame, the maoists movement would have imitated the Mato suhaundo Prajatantra(indigenous democracy) that its leaders aspire to the maximum. The double ideological line and the hesitation of the Maoists to delink from arm and army is a threat to Democracy. But there is a deadly trap PUBLISHER:to prevent a potential dictator from holding power, we become friends of another dictatorship. And like this, knowingly or unknowingly, we are adding. Along the way we people, corpses, hopes are left to their tragedy. The peace process is a nagging injury, a cry, a rage. The question is whether still anyone cares it.



LATEST ISSUE
638
(11 JAN 2013 - 17 JAN 2013)


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