Dialogue Is Give And Take

Nepali Congress Goes The UML Route, Almost
Major Fermentations In The NC And The UML

The king and the political parties talking is like the parties and the Maoists talking. It is not like they don't talk. They do. But they do it in a most inefficient way. The Maoists put out a press statement. And the parties put out a press statement. The parties stage a protest rally. And the king gives a television interview.

Dialogue is going on. Each party to the conflict is sending messages.

There is always the movement option. There is always the revolution option. But the dialogue option has not been exhausted. If you can bring back democracy through dialogue, why will you put the people through the pain of a movement?

Let's have an imaginary dialogue right here.

King: What is the point of having a dialogue for the sake of it? What are you going to do different from what you did during the 1990s? The 1990s were a sham, a democratic circus. Corruption was rampant. There was major political instability. Social justice was not forthcoming. You had six years to solve the Maoist insurgency, but you were not able to. What makes you think you can do it now if given a second chance?

Girija: Reviving parliament will solve all problems.

King: You had a parliament in 1996, and 1997, and 1998, and all the way to 2002. The insurgency only got stronger. Does that not show reviving parliament is not an option?

MaKuNe: But this parliament will be different. It will bring forth an all-party government.

King: But how do you revive the parliament?

Girija: Article 127.

MaKuNe: No. Article 127 is not an option. We won't recognize the parliament if it be revived using Article 127.

(Girija gives MaKuNe a dirty look.)

King: Go back home. Do your homework. See me in two days.

(Two days later.)

MaKuNe: We still disagree. Girija Babu is still for reviving the parliament. Although he is no longer insisting on the use of Article 127 for the purpose.

Girija: What about the Supreme Court?

King: And since when did I start ordering around the Supreme Court?

MaKuNe: I am for going straight for an all-party government. That would be an interim government. We will hold unconditional peace talks with the Maoists. Then we will go for a Constituent Assembly.

King: But how do you suggest we disarm the Maoists? Why did you not form an all-party government after Deuba was sacked the first time? You had the opportunity.

Girija: Because we figured if it was going to be an all-party government formed under Article 127, it will have to do your bidding.

King: But a parliament revived using Article 127 would be okay?

Girija: A parliament is different.

MaKuNe: Girija Babu does not know what he is talking about.

King: Meet me tomorrow. It is time for my siesta.

(The day after.)

King: So how do you form an all-party government?

MaKuNe: Article 127.

Girija: But I thought you had problems with using Article 127 to revive the parliament.

MaKuNe: Who is talking about the parliament? I am talking about an all-party government.

Girija: How can you have a government without a parliament? That would be so like Deuba.

MaKuNe: Kisunji had it.

Girija: Forget Kisunji. And forget you.

Paramendra (over video conference): Less than 6% of the people want the parliament revived.

Girija: Forget the people. And forget you. I don't remember ever giving you a ticket during any elections. Who are you!

King: Say we use Article 127 and call for an all-party government. Then how? Then what?

MaKuNe: Then I form a cabinet. The seven parties will be represented.

Girija: I am the commander of the movement, the brother of BP Koirala, and you are going to be leading the cabinet? Forget you.

MaKuNe: My party is larger than yours.

Girija: You don't know that. That is why we need to revive the parliament. So we can see who is larger. Let the people decide. That is the democratic way.

MaKuNe: So, Your Majesty, we form an all-party government using Article 127.

King: It will be the same players from the 1990s. Just curious, so what are you going to do about the insurgency? About corruption? About democracy inside the parties?

Girija: That is all propaganda.

MaKuNe: We are going to call a meeting of the central committee.

King: And then?

Girija: This dialogue is not going anywhere. I feel the need to go back to the people. I need to fly to Biratnagar.

(Girija walks out in a huff.)

King: So what ideas you got?

MaKuNe: I am open to ideas.

King: You mentioned a Constituent Assembly.

MaKuNe: I sure did.

King: So you are a republican?

MaKuNe: Yes and no.

Paramendra (over video conference): 63% want a constitutional monarchy, and 25% want an executive monarchy. How about guaranteeing a constitutional monarchy before going for a Constituent Assembly?

MaKuNe: Your Majesty, where is this voice coming from?

King: I think it is from the Terai.

MaKuNe: Right, right.

King: What do you think?

MaKuNe: That can work.

King: What about other issues? Corruption for one.

Paramendra (over video conference): Please refer to these two documents: Janata Dal Constitution, Proposed Constitution. Tickets get distributed in a democratic way by the local cadres. All politicians need to file their family property statements on an annual basis. And so on.

MaKuNe: Your Majesty, where is this voice coming from?

(The king ignores the question.)

MaKuNe: I am open to the idea of leading the cabinet. That is the least I can do for the people.

(Two weeks later the king uses Article 127 to form an all-party government with the condition all parties represented in the last parliament will be part of it. That means the Deuba faction of the Congress, the Mandal Sadbhavana, and the two RPP factions also, besides the seven agitating ones.)

MaKuNe: Finally.

Bamdev: Peace?

MaKuNe: Finally I am Prime Minister.

(Bamdev gets sent to Lucknow to hold peace talks with Prachanda.)

Bamdev: Hello.

Prachanda: Lal salam. So when are you disbanding the mercenary army of the fatricidal, regicidal, feudal Gyane Shahi? You want peace, right?

Bamdev: I feel like I am on the way to becoming Commander In Chief. Why would I disband the army?

Prachanda: The new revolutionary army of the peoples, the liberator of the oppressed, vanguard of the proletariat is taking over. Don't waste my time if you came with nothing to offer. Nothing concrete and real. Did Baburam mislead me again? Does he want to go back into protective custody?

Paramendra (over video conference): Prachanda, this is your last chance. It is peace now, or no political future for you ever again.

Prachanda: Who was that? What was that? Why did you call the police? You traitor of the people, of the oppressed!

Bamdev: That's not the police. I don't know the guy. But he makes sense. Wait. Just you wait. I have a UN officer waiting right outside by the window.

(The UN official is called in. Negotiations go on for 12 hours. Finally Prachanda agrees to disband all except 3,000 of his armed cadres who are to be integrated into the state army. Then it is another six hours before Bamdev agrees the state army is to be reduced to a size of 30,000 within five years, and during the downsizing the 3,000 Maoists will not get thrown out. It is agreed Prachanda and Baburam will get inducted into the cabient. The country heads towards elections to a Constituent Assembly.)

Nepali Congress Goes The UML Route, Almost

King's TV Interview

King's Television Interview: Part 1, Part 2. Being "seen and heard!"

Part 1: People want peace and then development. There is a difficult situation throughout the country, but things are harder in the west. Karnali is a special case. Dolpa is particularly remote. I have been stressing road construction. You must have noticed. We must connect all the district headquarters. His Majesty King Prithvi talked of the country as a gardern. It is for the monarchy to water all the flowers. The state has been giving peace a priority. Because that is what the people want more than anything else, more than development. It is also about mental peace. Some elements have been spreading violence. I have heard they are also engaged in extortions and spreading terror. I have heard terror has been directed towards industries. This fraternal disunity benefits others. They should think first of national unity. If they do, some conclusion will be reached. They might have started out politically, but now they have lost their way. They had 41 demands, I once heard. Some of them were good too. The governments of the time did not approach those demands positively. The 21-point program we have launched seeks to address some of those demands. The state can not do all. People's participation is key. In this day and age, it is the people and their representatives who have to come forward. Those who claim to be representatives should really work to represent the people. Any one person or the state can not take care of everything. Now that we are back in the capital, we have to analyze all we heard. I thank the people for coming to see me in large numbers. They braved the summer heat to see me. Flowers in their hands had withered, but they still stood and waited. Some elements tried to disturb this, but the people have already answered them.

Part 2: What I learned from the people is patience. They patiently waited to see their king. We have to hear all voices, be they sweet or not. This is what going to the people means. Some people braved the rain. I am also a human being. When I go into the summer heat, I also sweat. I also braved the heat and the dust. The country is like that. If the people can do it, the king can do it. Wherever the people are, the king will go there. That has been our tradition. Our ancestors did not have blacktop roads and cars and helicopters. But the kings have been to the people even back then. Those who claim the people were pressured to come to see me, they should go and ask those same people. The Nepali people's self-confidence and patriotism has gone up since the royal proclamation. I have warned the civil servants to do their best at providing services. This is not a time to be taking things lightly. We have promised good governance. There will be no compromises. This king will never hesitate to meet the people, wherever, whenever. The monarchy will never stay away from the people's troubles. It is not my job to tell the press people how to do their job. But people whose job it is to serve the people should stay disciplined. Terrorism should not be encouraged. The country is in a difficult situation. Our goal should be for a country that is stable, strong, peaceful and democratic. We need democracy, but it has to be built on strong foundations. Geeta teaches: do your deed, do not worry about the fruits. Today the country has a goal: end terrorism, and introduce a mature democracy. The roads to those goals could be more than one. Difficulties will be faced. But the resolve has to stay. The tussle between the king and the political parties is about they want something now what they can have tomorrow. The people want peace, good governance and control of corruption. The parties need to listen. They are not clear on these things. The bureaucracy was politicized. I am open. For my part, I am always open. I have never said I won't meet with them [leaders of the political parties] but there must be some grounds for dialogue. Once these issues - terrorism, good governance and corruption, politicization in bureaucracy and financial discipline - are addressed clearly to the public, the space for dialogue will be created. If they can get clear on these things, then I will have foundations to hold talks with them. Then I can tell the people that this is what their representatives are saying. King Prithvi was not able to make Prime Minister someone he liked but the people did not. That is our tradition.



Nepali Congress Goes The UML Route, Almost

NC removes constitutional monarchy from its statute NepalNews ..... a historic decision ..... Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the major opposition Nepali Congress (NC) party has decided to remove all provisions related to monarchy from the party’s statute .... however, said that the reference of constitutional monarchy is included in the preamble of the party’s constitution.....Shailaja Acharya opposed the decision writing a note of dissent........ The panel's recommendation to the party states that democracy cannot remain safe as long as the monarchy remains in place

Rawal knocks Supreme Court doors against RCCC notice Rawal in his petition said the ‘unconstitutional’ Royal Commission had summoned him for interrogation without clear legal grounds on a case in which he has already been given clean-chit by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)...... Rawal had pledged to appear before the anti-corruption body to record his statement but today he opted to knock the Supreme Court doors after consultation with his legal advisors....... Rawal has been accused of irregularity by fixing the daily fare of USD 3150 while leasing the CSWA aircraft instead of USD 2800 as mentioned in the lease agreement.

RCCC files case against former minister Parajuli .....charging Parajuli of amassing property worth over Rs 15.3 million through illegal means.

Two students hurt in anti-price hike protests in Bidur Two students sustained bullet injuries when police resorted to firing to disperse students ...... When contacted by Nepalnews, chief district officer of Nuwakot, Janardan Adhikari, confirmed the student protests in the district headquarters. Adhikari, however, denied reports of student’s injuries. “Police resorted to blank firing to control the irate mob. Five policemen sustained injuries when they clashed with the students,” he said.

‘New mobile service beginning from Sept 17’

China may provide zero duty access to some Nepali products

UML meet concludes, decides to go for stir Likewise, the meeting passed a proposal calling for provisions whereby children can acquire their citizenship certificate from the mother’s name and formed a Central Advisory Committee.

Major Fermentations In The NC And The UML

The UML has already made a democratic republic their official line. A majority of the NC central committee members also seem to favor the same. They are close to making it official. This has to be seen as a major development. I think partly it is that they feel the need to make the movement more focused. Partly they intend to politically preempt the Maoists. Once peace is achieved, they do not wish the Maoists steal the show. So their move is as much about the Maoists as about the monarchists.

Or they would respect the Maoists' central committee like they respect their own. When the UML central committee goes for a democratic republic, that is the UML's official party line. When the Maoist central committee comes up with the same slogan - Democratic Republic - that is not official enough. That double standard is the reason I have criticized both the UML and the NC of putting their party's political interests ahead of peace for the country. The two are not being proactive enough to bring the Maoists into the mainstream.

On the other hand, if the seven party alliance were to ditch their 4-point agenda, and come forth for a simpler slogan of a Democratic Republic, the Maoists will have had all they wanted. At that point, the country gets in a position to skip the idea of reviving the 1999 parliament, and possibly the idea of a Constituent Assembly. Or there might end up an Assembly in which a republic has been decided upon prior.

This newfound boldness of the UML and the NC is also reflective of a major shift among the people at ground level. It is not like the majority of Nepalis are for the monarchy, and these politicians are swimming against the stream. Not so. Politicians, by definition, are creatures who ride the waves. Their political antenna is telling them time is ripe. They are merely articulating what they feel to be the public mood.

The king is hurting himself big time by not negotiating in good faith. The ground is shifting from beneath his feet and fast. All these new developments are only a click away from his computer screen as well. So I don't think he is in the dark. Makes you wonder.

Another detail I note is, when you look at the proceedings of the central committees of the two parties, the UML comes across as the party that is better at internal democracy. I would give the Nepali Congress almost a failing grade. They have much to change.

I think the UML is working hard to emerge as the largest party after both peace and democracy are achieved.

In The News

• NC leaders discuss relevance of monarchy Kantipur ...... The Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee (CWC) Sunday formally began discussing the relevance of monarchy in the country with majority of the members arguing that democracy and monarchy cannot go together...... "Democracy cannot remain safe as long as the monarchy remains in place." .... Dr Ram Sharan Mahat argued that omitting "monarchy" from the statute was an apparent bid to opt for a republican set up. "We should either dare to opt for a republican set up, or we should skip dropping the term," a member quoted Mahat as saying.
• UML meeting: Nepal to spearhead people's movement Kantipur ..... CPN-UML Sunday decided to form a 27-member Central Peoples' Movement Committee (CPMC) ..... CPMC includes party Standing Committee member Bam Dev Gautam as deputy-coordinator and has Yuvraj Gyawali, Iswor Pokharel and Bishnu Poudel ....... also formed a committee under the coordination of Nepal to prepare details regarding the restructuring of the state...... appointed Standing Committee member Pokharel as in-charge of the party's valley coordination committee. After intense discussion over the paper presented by politburo member Jhala Nath Khanal, the meeting formed a new committee under Khanal's coordination to continue preparing the review of the party's performance since 1991...... also formed a committee under the coordination of Standing Committee member K P Oli, which includes Pokharel, Gautam and others, to prepare a paper regarding democratization within the party
• Disturbance In Gaura Parva And Kathmandu Andolan UWB .... for this coward and autocratic regime of his majesty king Gyanendra, that festival is full of political significance. That is why the government used police yesterday against the people gathered in Tundikhel, Kathmandu to celebrate the festival. That repression continued today as well. Police intervened the religious gathering and dispersed the devotees...... “Why this government is so much afraid of our tradition? Can’t we even celebrate our festival?” ....... Occasional college fighting between students and the police has become the sole representative of Andolan on the streets. Civil society has gone out of Kathmandu. Yesterday, Krishna Pahadi was giving speech in front of a very impressive and patient crowd in Hetauda. Parties? Well, parties, parties, parties. They are there, I mean here, in Kathmandu...... in Nepali Congress, an Andolan of sort is going on between the pro-reform camp and the ‘oh-my-god-lets-not-go-anywhere-from-here’ group. His Highness of Nepali Congress, the self proclaimed king of Nepal’s largest political party Girija Prasad Koirala is heavily defending the king.
• Politico-Economics Of Royal Takeover In Nepal INSN ....... two royal coups in past 50 years ...... The first royal coup of 1960 orchestrated by the King Mahendra not only lasted for thirty years, but also resulted to a massive incidence of poverty ...... The second royal coup of February 1st 2005 is leading to insurmountable damages in the socio-economic and political fronts........ his actions are reversing the socioeconomic development in country....... started his own Rules promulgated by his own decrees. Impunity to his supporters and intimidation of opposite thoughts are routine works of security forces and his Council administration....... a club of the South Asian dictators along with Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), Bhutan and Maldives...... the royal council is failing to realize the power of invisible hands of economics, and general people have yet to suffer as the cumulative cost of multidimensional conflict in Nepal is consolidating....... economic growth slowed at an average of 1.9 percent over the period of 2002-2004, and if it will be the trend for future years (2005-2009) then the country will lose about 57 percent of the economic growth due to decline in development expenditure....... foreign grants recorded a slower growth, government could not spend development expenditure due to the on-going internal conflict in the country, and distorted terms of trade between India and other countries....... the remaining foreign reserve can finance merchandise imports of 12.4 months...... economic growth scenario is comparable of seventies and eighties....... the development indicators are nose diving......budget allocates nearly 20 percent of resources for security, which is more or less equal to the socioeconomic development activities. It is unclear who will fund the royal budget, as donors are shying away owing to king’s political ambition....... After February 1st, it is estimated the more than $ 250 million development aids are either suspended or postponed that directly hampered major programs...... Norway a major development stakeholder of Nepal decided not to support to a half billion dollar project of water supply in Kathmandu. To which, the World Bank had already withdrew its 65 million investment....... The king simply has overlooked these rural masses (85 percent of total population of 25 million) as if they don’t play any role in his power equation......... subsequent activities of the King proved that a reconciliatory approach for coexistence of both parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy has failed....... Baburam Bhattari recently said in the Washington Times (July 30) that “we are working for a negotiated political settlement either directly for a democratic republic or for the election to a constituent assembly.”......... an innovative constitution........
  
• Anti-Social Elements Active In Capital: King Kantipur “Unfortunately, I have been getting messages from the capital…Some anti-social elements are trying to fish in troubled waters there.” ...... “I think they are doing so not because they don’t understand, but because they don’t want to understand,” the king said, adding, “and, this must stop… anything that helps terrorists should stop.” ........ has also called on the concerned to “stop such uncivilized acts in which those who do not want to study stop others as well”...... He also said although Rapti Zone has been mislabeled as a stronghold of terrorists, “I want to assure you that there is no such place in the kingdom where security forces cannot reach”.
• South Asia Boiling NewsKerala ....... never before has every country bordering India at the same time got tied down by extremist forces, mostly bloody in nature and with international ramifications........ “Almost the entire neighbourhood is on the boil,” said S.D. Muni...... Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh....... “I don’t see any other country as uncomfortably placed as India. ......... Maoists in Nepal, Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka and Islamic hardliners in Pakistan and Bangladesh - are all ranged against New Delhi........ Nepal is of course the hotbed of the world’s bloodiest communist insurgency....... one reason Islamist forces were getting more restive in Pakistan and Bangladesh was the post 9/11 scenario in which governments around the world have been forced to crack down on their own local terror networks........ “The situation in Bangladesh is worse than (that of) Pakistan. One shudders to think who is in control in Bangladesh.” ...... Our policy is heavily influenced by what the West will say, particularly the US...... “At the moment I don’t see an active policy, or any initiative. It is almost like saying: ‘Well, let things continue.’ That won’t do.”
• Student Activism In Nepal: Repression And Perseverance INSN ..... 1) Pro-democracy students are an important force in Nepali public discourse, and 2) they have been politically targeted and unconstitutionally oppressed. Regardless of ideology, Nepali students have filled the role of being at the forefront of political activity, making the boldest statements in the loudest voices ever since the first democracy movement of 1950........ Because of the threat the active students pose for the current government, they have been targeted much more regularly and indiscriminately for exercising their democratic right to protest since the February 1st royal takeover.......... During the state of emergency there was a prioritized list circulated among the security forces of whom to arrest regardless of whether there was any legal reason to do so. Category A contained activists who could incite the masses, Category B contained central committee members and elites of the political parties, and Category C contained common cadres who were disobeying state of emergency statutes. This situation gave particular student activists’ arrests priority over seasoned elite politicians, depending on their charisma and ability to convince the masses to oppose the state of emergency. The majority of post February 1st political detainees, who had been charged under the Public Securities Act, have been students. The United Nations’ Office of the High Commission of Human Rights has documented that of the 1614 individuals that have been arrested, 367 of them have been students. These student leaders have been jailed unjustly and court orders to release the students were often circumvented with re-arrests........... Since May they have raised their voices of opposition against the government’s national education policy, the proposal to make the king the chancellor of all the country’s universities, petroleum price hikes........ Their efforts are not only to regain their right to exist as political entrepreneurs but they are articulating a value-oriented struggle for the protection of human rights and the political dignity of all Nepali citizens........ the HMG has begun an even more dangerous policy of targeted arrests in order to curb the agitation of the students—a policy that manipulates the kingdom’s legal system making international actors blind to the reality on the ground. For instance, on July 14, 2005, six students, Thakur Gaire, Pradeep Poudel, Saroj Thapa, Narayan Bharati, BP Regmi, and Pushpa Shahi, were arrested for burning the kings’ photo on the street in order to oppose the new national education policy. These students were charged with the Public Disturbance Act, which carried a sentence of twenty-five days and the lowest fine of 500 rupees. These students ended up remaining in jail for twenty-seven days because of their refusal to pay the bail fine............ Another student leader, Gagan Thapa, has been charged with sedition for screaming anti-king slogans on the street that everyone would agree are the most common slogans of the youth generation........ The day after Gagan Thapa’s first court hearing, Takendra Kambang and Buddhabir Lama were picked up by civil dressed police....... in spring 2004 Raj Kumar Dhungana was held for over a week on similar charges. In another case, on August 13, Harish Chandra Poudel and Anil Thapa were arrested at Hanumandhoka jail while they were visiting Gagan Thapa, they were charged with destruction of government property during a protest that took place demanding the release of Gagan. They are now being held under the Public Disturbance Act........ over twenty-six arrests and fifty injuries during protests ....... there are under-documented cases in which students have been arrested for whatever cause but later to be under the threat of being pegged as Maoists and held for an indeterminate periods......... over one hundred and twenty-five injuries since mid July....... Public arrest cases over the past month and half represent a new strategic policy to incarcerate students yet divert international pressure. When a representative of the International Commission of Jurists asked Gagan Thapa what he would like them to do, he asked for the international world to continue consistent pressure in support of the students because the government has taken him as a case to test the tolerance of the Nepali general public and the international world........... their own mother organizations, the mainstream political parties are inconsistent about which students they choose to support and which ones they abandon in times of trouble. Many fear that if the student activists are forgotten then the regression of the political situation will increase to the level of Panchayat, pre-democratic times.
• Nepal: Democracy Of The Beggars INSN Beggars beg because they cannot earn. And what the beggars get, they cannot keep for long........ the Delivered Democracy of the fifties or the Imposed Democracy of the nineties....... a geopolitically imposed democracy could not dare to subject itself to be endorsed by the people through a referendum.........
  

China: 5000 Years, America: 200 Years

The Chinese have a long collective memory. Americans have it rather short. And that is a major cultural difference. So, for the Chinese, the 19th century was just yesterday. You have to look at what China went through during western imperialism to understand their defensiveness on issues like democracy and human rights.

My attention has been drawn to this article in the Telegraph.

China lauds Nepal's role for blocking British advancement

Kathmandu: The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Sun Heping has said that his country was a "trustworthy" friend of Nepal and that both Nepal and China have treated and supported each other as "equals".

Analysts in Nepal say that Chinese envoy's use of the word trustworthy and equals is loaded with meaning or else why should he have said so.

The Chinese diplomat made these remarks at a program organized by China Study center last week to mark the 50 th anniversary of the establishment of Nepal-China diplomatic ties.

The Chinese envoy surprised many a brains attending the talk program on the topic of "Nepal-China relations: Future prospects" when he pleasingly and very convincingly admitted that his country was in his own words "much grateful to Nepal for firm and strong support in the issue of Taiwan, Tibet and Human Rights". A rare gesture indeed.

In fact there is a feeling in Nepal that it is only China that has been helping and supporting Nepal and not the latter extending any meaningful support to the other side. However, Ambassador Sun Heping's new version of Nepal-China ties has facilitated Nepali authorities to come out of the inferiority complex that Nepal's support to China has remained minimal.

At yet another point, the Chinese Ambassador goes on to say that his country will remain ever obliged (implied) to Nepal for being instrumental in checking what he says "advancing imperial British from reaching the Himalayas in 1814-16 Anglo-Nepal war.

The Ambassador feels in his inner heart that Kathmandu's effort in blocking the advancement of the British then towards his territory might have caused Nepal to pay a heavy price but then yet "it provided a strong security crest to China's South-western region".

The Nepali obligation made then by Nepal appears to have pleased the Chinese envoy which prompted him to declare that "this is one of the glowing illustrations of how Nepal contributed to China's security".

Again a rare gesture indeed.

The Chinese Ambassador presumably became sentimental while evaluating Nepal's historical contribution and admitted that "Yes, I have acknowledged this historical fact". He however, regretted that the acceptance of Nepali contribution came pretty late.

Better late than never.

Protests

Narahari Acharya For Nepali Congress President

I endorse his candidacy. That is like endorsing the issue of internal democracy inside the Nepali Congress.

The Narahari Acharya Proposal
Somnath Ghimire On Leadership Crisis In Nepali Congress
Narahari Acharya Deserves A Platform
Anatomy Of The Conflict In Pokhara
Girijaspeak: When Republicans Are Royalists

Chances are Girija will win. But what exactly is his platform? Other than that he is the incumbent? Has he discussed his program? Has he even declared his candidacy yet? Has he asked for votes?

In The News

• Acharya announces candidacy for NC president NepalNews The NC general convention, scheduled to be held in the capital in August 30 to September 02, will see a gathering of about 1,400 delegates who will formally choose the new party leadership...... Acharya kicked off his election campaign by organizing a press conference in his residence today......He has recently moved a motion in the party by urging the party leadership to omit all provision related to monarchy from the party’s statute....... According to Acharya he represents change and new thinking, new vision and new culture in the party.
• RCCC Summons Ex-Minister Rawal Over Graft Charges NepalNews Bhim Rawal, former minister and CPN-UML central leader ...... charges of irregularities while leasing a China South West Airlines plane when he was Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation some six years ago..... the RCCC has also started interrogating then Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) managers BK Man Singh and Bharat Bahadur Karki for their involvement in the commission scam.
• Three Maoists killed in Sarlahi NepalNews .... a security operation carried out by the Unified Command forces ..... District Committee member of the rebel party, Roshan Shrestha, was among the killed....... One motorcycle used by the Maoists, bullets, and socket bombs were recovered from the clash site
• Writ challenges RCCC verdict against Deuba, Singh NepalNews
• His Majesty returns to the capital NepalNews (His Majesty visits Dang, King visits Kailali)
• NBL employees protest against new regulations NepalNews ..... six hundred employees at the head office of Nepal Bank Limited (NBL)—the oldest bank in the country—walked out of their offices Sunday in protest...... Nepal Bank Employees Union and Nepal Financial Institutes Employees Union...... also alleged that the ICCMT Consulting group – that was hired three years ago—has failed to fulfill provisions in its contract including recovering loans from ‘willful defaulters.’...... NBL’s externally audited results showed an operating profit of Rs 418 million and a net profit of Rs 789 million at fiscal year-end 2003/04. .... CEO of Nepal Bank Limited J. Craig McAllister...... “In two years, Nepal Bank moved from posting the largest loss in the history of Nepalese financial markets to producing the highest audited profit among banks in the market in 2003/04. The bank has been successfully restructured in all areas and is reducing the negative equity position dramatically. Our staff has been reduced by approximately 49%, new systems and procedures have been successfully implemented, computers are being installed, our cost of funds has been reduced by more than 50%, and we have a strong budgeting process with a rolling strategic plan that presently carries NBL,” McAllister said..... approximately 40% of non-performing loans at NBL were held by about 15 groups of influential borrowers and that this small group of willful defaulters had been steadfast in their refusal to negotiate in good faith.
• NBL employees protest against new regulations NepalNews
• 16 students hurt in clashes with police NepalNews ..... petrol per liter will cost Rs 67, diesel Rs 46, kerosene Rs 39 and air transport fuel Rs 53. Earlier, the government had increased the LPG gas Rs 900 from Rs 800 per cylinder.
• NC youth leaders urge party to remove monarchy from its statute NepalNews “The party should mention, in its policy and program, that the Nepali people’s verdict on the monarchy will be acceptable to the NC” .... the party must think over alliance with the Maoists only if the latter publicly expressed their commitments to multiparty democracy, supremacy of parliament, human rights and press freedom...... Over 30 youth representatives of Nepali Congress (NC) general convention including youth leaders Biswo Prakash Sharma, Dhanraj Gurung, Gagan Thapa, Umesh Jung Rayamaghi and others had organised the press conference...... NC leader Shailaja Acharya has said there is a serious ploy to destroy the life and soul of the country’s largest democratic party..... “There is intense polarization between active monarchy and republicanism in the country which is weakening the middle path of the NC. NC will collapse once it leaves middle path.”
• HM King warns administrators of action NepalNews ..... top administrative officials of the Mid-western Region would be subjected to stern departmental action should they fail to shift all regional government offices to Surkhet...... for the first time since his ascent to the throne that the King, who assumed direct power on Feb 1 this year, has issued warning against administrative officials publicly...... “I am receiving complaints from the people of Surkhet about it. If you [administrators] fail to shift the regional offices to Surkhet within the next three months I will initiate departmental action against you” ..... “We are in a difficult situation. You all know this very well. We should move ahead in unity and with the participation of the people in general. That’s what the people and the nation want” .....
• Police intervene in a cultural programme in Kathmandu NepalNews ..... At least two dozen people were injured when police intervened and tried to stop people from mid- and far-western region from observing ‘Gaura,’ a popular religious festival, at Tundikhel.... .....police stopped them from erecting tents at Tundikhel Saturday morning citing ‘orders from the higher authorities.’..... angry crowd stopped traffic at Ratna Park and Ghantaghar area for nearly two hours in the afternoon. They also chanted slogans against monarchy.....

September 16: Sajha Buzz

Protest rally in NY City on 16th of..
Protest in NY City Part II ..
Protest Against Protest in NYC
Protest In NY City

Let send message to Our friends in Nepal that we are with them ...... I think all family are equal, people who support monarchy any firm are willing to reward one family with power and money when other familes go hungry..... Nepali people has to pay Paras 6.5 laks per kid/year ..... Paras oldest son gets 12.5 laks per year. For Paras, it is easy to be rich just have more babies ......

If you want to encourage more participation in New York and want to further the republican cause, do it my telling people about the merits of what a republic will do for the people, not by chastizing Paras and Gyanendra.

I oppose monarchy system. As I told you before I find monarchy system as discriminatory it is immoral and it is castism and racism. Since I believe we have outlawed castism and discrimination base on caste. Then why are we promoting caste system and discrimination for the head of state? I would oppose monarchy system even if god himself of king of Nepal. I don't have any trouble accepting Mr Gyanedra or Paras as head of state if they win the vote for head of state. I can accept anyone as head of state who wins election.

At what time you guys are protesting infront of the UN Building? I am just wondering if it is during afternoon, during my lunch break, then you may have an additional protester, RSVP. Or else it is too costly to use my sick day for Sept 16th, you know.

I would be protesting for Republican democracy with multi parties system. See I am not for any particular party or person. I don't even know who I would vote right now. But I would accept people's choice even if my person loose badly. Cause I would get another chance in 4 years to vote again.

You have poor mentality that the GORA (international monitors) to conduct the election. If you don't trust our own authorities to conduct the election, then how can you trust the person elected by you? Or may be in the initial stage you are going to elect some GORA (foreigners) to be first president of Nepal as well?

WHEN I SEE THIS WEB IT SEEMS THERE IS NO ONE WHO NEEDS MONARCHY IN NEPAL. BUT WEB DO REPRESENT PEOPLE LIKE YOU ALL NOT NEPALES . I HAVE SOME QUARRIESTO YOU ALL., DO YOU ALL KNOW WHEN MAOIEST PROBLEM STARTED ? IS IT DURING KINGS ACTIVE RULE? ARE OUR POL LEADERS CAPABLE TO ADDRESS MAOIEST PROBLEM ? WHAT WERE THEY DOING UNTILL 10,000 PEOPLE DIED? IS THAT JUSTIFIED TO SAY AGAIN THOSE PEOPLE CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM? DIDN'T THEY GET CHANCE TO SO THEIR ABILITY? DID DEMOCRACY ACEPT PEOPLE MANDET FOR 5 YEARS DURING THE ERA SINGLE TIME? HOW MANY MID TERM POLE TOOK PLACE IN A POOR COUNTRY LIKE OURS? ARE WE READY TO HANDEL DEMOCRACY? WHERE ONE CAN BUY VOTE WITH 20 CENT. PEOPLE INTELECTUL LIKE YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW BEFORE SAYING SOMETHING. HOW MANY ELECTED MP ARE EDUCATED AND HAVE GOOD ATTITUDE. PEOPLE LIKE YOU ALL RASTRAGHATI HAD ALREADY LEFT US ALONE . SO DO NOT TRY TO CREATE MORE IRONIC DAYS TO US. WE ARE HERE IN OUR MATRIBHUMI WE WILL TAKE CARE AS OUR FORE FATHER HAS DONE. IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WEATHER YOU ALL PROTEST ,CRY, GET MAD,BANG YOUR HEAD ON WHITEHOUSE, OR LALKILLA . KING AND WE CREATED THIS COUNTRY, WE MAINTAIN TILL NOW WE WILL TAKE CARE OF UNTILL ONE DROPE OF BLOD REMAIN ON US. WE WILL PROTECT MONARC BEFORE OUR FAMILY . WE DO NOT AFRAID WITH TERRORIST TOO. "BIRA BHOGYA BASUNDHARA" FIRANGI KO ADMA BAHAKANU KATI SANDARBHIK HOLA CHETANA BHAYA.

...we have been trying monarchy system more then 250 years so now time to try some new system. And that system is called Republican democracy. Let's give republican democracy time. You can't correct 250 years plus mismanagent in 10 years.

Isn't it a matter of shame that people who left the country in search of a better life are deciding things for the people and the country they left behind.

There was time for monarchy system. I am simply saying no one should be above the law. Everyone has to obey the law. As I told you I have no problem if Mr Gyandra stands for election and wins. I am saying head of state should be elected not selected. I am not telling to Nepali people what they need to do I am just demanding my right to vote for head of state of my choice.

Tell me something, what have you (yes you on a personal level) done for Nepal? We have always been vocal about yo bhayena tyo bhayena, we have not been able to back that up with any action. May be its time to close our eyes on who rides that black mercedes and just work around the system or with the system (even if its crooked) for the utlimate goal, which I believe is to better the lives of the people in Nepal. When we talk about how various republican states did well, we tend to overlook the French revolution and/or the great depression in the US and how they fought back with the system they had, not looking around the world and saying "hey, may be we need monarchy, as England seems to be doing so well." ....... If you are a Nepali, lets get together and shoot down the real target first. Maoists are the real and most significant problem right now. When our King (or any leader that's representing our country) is in a foreign land, he deserves to be welcomed not insulted! There's a saying in Nepali that means that issues regarding one's home stays in the house. What happenned to that Nepali in you? ...... Tell me one thing, how has this royal move, personally affected you (don't go bullocks on subjective issues now)? Again, its a shame we are wasting time in trying to bring about another political change.... the players are and will be the same, say it panchayat, democracy or (hopefully not) a republican state. ....... When you make statements like "In the world it has already proven only democracy could give people better life in the long run," make sure you give me some evidence. Because, there has been not proof of such unless you are talking about your mind which has proved such silly banter....... Last but not the least, its not "Mr. Gyandra," its King Gyanendra if you consider yourself a Nepali. Last time I checked we still have a King and some of us don't take anything else for that matter, and to answer your possible arising doubt, its not democracy in Nepal so you cant do/say whatever you want!

When the head of the state of India comes, Indians are proud how much it got the coverage. When the head of the state of Pakistan comes the same thing all over the US and in their country. And look at us the moronic Nepali with lobotomized brain! We go and protest when the head of the state comes. We call him names, we spill our frustration -sexual, menial, and what not - in front of the world. ....... Do you think Paravez was elected? Do you think all Pakistanis are happy with the state of their state? Indian primeministere is elected, yes, I agree. But, do you think people are happy with the rampant corruption, death by flood and what not in their country? Do you see them protesting infron of their motorcade? OF COURSE NOT. BECAUSE they are not as stupid as our "DEMOCRATIC" Clique here.

People who post here are very intelligent and smart but not a very good communicators. Most of Nepali it would be hard to understand Geo politics, micro or macro economic theory or other factors we talk here. Most people see things black and white. They understand when we say Paras kids and their kids should have same right over Nepal. They understand that it is immoral to give Paras oldest son 4235 per day while they have sent their kids to bed with almost empty stomach. I have seen lots of Nepali who have their kid In the USA, proclaim that now they have kids who could be president of the USA. But in the same time how could they tell their cousins in Nepal that their Kids has no right be head of state.

Paras ko chhora le line din ko 60.5 dollar ko katro dadh gareko. Sambidhan le diyeko subidha anusar khayeko na ho. Corruption ko kura gareko bhaye suhauthyo. Chappal chhap haru mahal ma pugeko sambandhi kunai gunaso chhaina, khali raja ko chhora ko talab ma matra ryal katne? Tesma monarqi lai kina gali garne, testo prabadhan bhayeko sambidhan ra sambidhan banaune lai po gali garnu paryo. ....... Teso ta President Bush le khane talab ra NY ko homeless ko arthik stithi pani compare garna milccha. Aba sambidhan le nai tyo bebastha gareko chha bhane ke ko tauko dukhairakheko? ..... Constitutional monarchy ma King does not have executive power. Executive power is vested on head of the government (Prime Minister). Teti kura pani nabujhne kasto lato raichha yo ta? Khali lato le bau bhanna napayeko jasto ekohoro lageko lagyai chha. 16 Sepetember ma ayera karaye bhai halyo ni. President huna ko lagi janadhar tayar garne ra vote magna ramro mauka pani milchha.Tes pachhi ta Paras ko chhora Chhori le khane talab afno bachcha harulai khuwaye bhai halyo!!!

Maoist wants people like you. You would do very good job for them on their hiring department. How could you try to justify for giving one kid 60 dollars (4235 rupees) per day and sending other kids bed hungry? Yes go tell those people who make less then dollar (less then 70 rupees) a day that we should pay one kids that kind of money, but we have to send your kids hurry. ....... Maybe for you 60 dollars /day is nothing. You might make 1000 dollars day. And I dun care how much you make as long as we don?t have to pay your salaries, but if we have to pay someone?s salaries then we have every right examine about it. We have right to know if our payment is producing result or not and if payment is like pouring water in sand then we have to stop paying. .... And paying monarchy is like pouring water in sand. ..... Answer these questions? Do you support job in caste base? Do you support job in race basis? Do you believe one family of Nepal owns Nepal and Nepali? Do you feel only one family has right to be head of state?

I don't know New York City well. that is why with sadness I have to refuge your invitation. But don't worry I would be In Rally AM

we will not let our king down. let war goes for 100 years but we will not let our king down .

Anti monarc, areyou a bastered,i dought. why don't you go for election around your family and neighbour weathre your father is really your or your mother has slept with somebody else . you think everything should decied by election isn't it. you idiote,look at kirgisthan elected president .tero bau haru elected bhaera PM ko pad samhalna sakdaina ta muji aija na ta ktm ma prisedent huna . ani dekhaula sala chor. .....anil shai ,sahako nam ma kalanka hosta, ta sala bhanji joi hoinas. bado domcratic bhachhas, tero kalo jhanda le lad.. pani nepardaina. i muji haru manis bhae po sabhya kura bolnu . jast lai tes tai dhidolai nistai. ......anti g , keta ho ki keti ,ki bicha ko paris. sala hijada. ..... rastghati lai jati bhane pani pugdaina yar . we will not let our king down. let war goes for 100 years but we will not let our king down . we nepalese do not belive fata palayan badi rastra ghati haru. des lai dukhda USA ma , santi bhae lootna feri nepal aulas chor ho feri.ek ek gari chak ma lat hanu parchha keti bhae pu ma sisno launa parchha. timi haru ko kuro sunyo ki ramro kura garne thau nai hunna.bau bje le looteko dhan le yha aies ahile sosan ko kuro garchas. ku chor nepal nalooti eha aipugekochas.ko rastra ko paisa le padhana ai ytai gaeba, rastra namari ma yeha ae bhane kohi chhas. huda huda sena ka bhagauda samet ko eha thulo swor re katiko aant radiko chhora haruko.

It shows clearly what kind of people support unsupportable system from any angle. Monarchy system in 21st is not defendable so you take refuge of filthy word to defend it

you want republic ,come here and fight for it . don't use bak chturai and try to get cheep popularity. you think people are taking it seriously? we support king because we love our country.king and nepal are Paryaya bachhi word for us . see mahedraagar, jumla, dang , kailali ,wherever HM visite . People are crying and dyeing to great and see him. So all these people are not Nepalese? all these people are asking HM for republic!!!!.only people in ktm pol party tatuharu and you all need republic not true nepalies. what a great people you all are,trying to represent our country staying over there and try to degrade our king whom we take as our pride and only hope remain.these are some reason why i use such words ke . Dont try to represent rotten political partys with the money of curruption. thats all i wana say. we are not that bad as we use words . it is because you all are trying to mislead nepalese.that is our concern. try only that game which you can win.chetana bhaya .

By the way our monarch is not for 21st century, it is for ever. until there is sun and moon remain it will be till then , HER DAI JAU NA. YOU PEOPLE ARE THINKING YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE TO WRITE ON BEHALF OF PRESENT SYSTEM , YOU KNOW PEOPLE LIKE US DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO DO ALL THEESE THINGS, IF YOU WANT WE CAN MAKE HUNDRED COMMENT PER HOUR.

Dear AM ,21 st century democracy is the wave we know that. Try to understand our geo-pol situation. yes you are right if our leaders were good matured and able to put national intrest at the top. we all are seeing what is their main intrest.They all of them can do anything which is tragic to our nation for their there vasted intrest to hang arround the chair. You just look all leaders. My respect for monarch is because it will never ever let the country down . let us see india they want to make us like bhutan ,main obstacle for them is monarch ,so they are planing all these thing which normal nepalese do not understand. if they can through monarch the army will be same as nepal police .( remember Achut Kheral and Krishmohan). These leader they can do anything which their master dhoti tell them . See mahakali sandhi. did we all protest in 2046 to bring democracy to choose leader to do such things for me ofcourse not. There are series of such things which is anti matribhumi ko intrest. You can say gagan and Narahari can do that think past Bal bhadur was maor democratic than these people when he got post he climbed some ones window. we have these type of people all along. What will be our future if there is nothing to check these people. you might say people will do that .but we have inocent people they are poor without education they are busy for 2 meal for their whole life.They can not react . we need monarch just to check these people ke .

I am sorry if I gave you an impression that I am will be protesting for Girija or Makune or gagan or narhari. I am not protesting for any of those nor I am protesting for Mao. I am protesting for freedom and equality. As I told you before I believe monarchy system it based on discrimination. It was established assuming that the King has supper power and he and she knows everything. But we all know now king is like you and me. He has desire to be rich and drink and party travel like normal people do. ...... Now the question arises if he is normal like you and me then why he/she would get power without any test. How am I tell a bahun and cherti that they are equal to so call lower castes at the same time I am ready accept that king and his family is above all Nepali ? Dear friend I wouldn't get any personal gain if king is there or not. May be I loose some in short term if we oust monarchy system but I would be happy to know in the future any Nepali could lead country and in the future we Nepali would have right to oust them by peaceful mean that is call election. I have been hearing same argument about geo political situation. We had to fight with UK because of it. We had to give our your people to fight in world war II because of geo politics . Rana didn't want to leave power for that too they gave the geo political reason. Panchyat was brought in Name of geo political argument.

The choices that you've presented are fine. But it would have been sensible if you had presented broadbased: Your choices are (that probably does not represent : (1) sacrifice the monarchy and bring the Maoist to the democratic framework, or (2) save the monarchy and go for a prolonged war. .......If you are not talking nonsense then you must add more choices: 3) save the monarchy (constitutional) and bring the Maoists in to mainstream; 4) defeat (politically and militarily) and dismantle the Maoists if they are not willing to join the mainstream(this may be least preferred choice as total dismantle is not possible); 5) take hardline approach with Maoists -Monarchy alignment (least preferred choice). ......If you are not talking the Maoists style of republicanism then I have no comments, but you and yor team's active participation to protest against RNA and campaigning to block the military aid to Nepal is more than sufficient to guess your intent and motive. Your views and action indicates that you consider Maoists threat less dangerous than Monarchy? Your interpretation of ordinary people and mine is totally different. You try to represent those who is in the street of Kathmandu, whereas I am talking about those living in the villages and every corners of Nepal. Just by interacting with handful of so called human rights activists and reading news from internet may not give full picture of sitaution of Nepal and I am sure you are well aware of it. ...... You are again talking nonsense about the priority of ordinary people. Their priority is peace. Obviously, if the "ordinary people" (by my definition - not yours) want republicanism then it is certainly going to come, no one can stop. Even the mainstream political parties are not yet ready to go for republicanism. It is the demand of Maoists party only and I am sure you are aware that their way of republicanism is not the one that you have perceived. ...... May be for you (who does not have to face any consequensces being in the USA) Maoists problem is not a priority, but back home it is a top most priority for all, even those fighting on the street, who have not even dared to initiate any action against Maoists when the maoists are killing or abducting even their own cadres. Maosists have not even allowed them to have freedom of movement in their constituency. ...... Best choice would be choice # 5; any other choices will prolong not only war but destroy the nation.

I didnt say anything about getting paid or the republican being Maoists. Don't come to me with a preconceived notion and most important of all dont try and use your head(s) to tell me what I am thinking and telling. It won't be fair on your part to be given such responsibility. ...... Don't teach me history too. I will make it easy for you. Just answer this question... if you want a 21st century remedy for Nepal, how come you use the events in history (of France) that certainly was not 21st century events? ...... Again, go back and fight your battle in Nepal. If you really are someone who you say you are, ie a well wisher for Nepal and Nepalese, be able to identify and shoot down the real problem. I am talking aboue people like you, who are neither here nor there, just making the system weaker. I think there was a name created for such people... was it mandale? remind me, will ya?

I hope enough protestors gather in NY to show G that there are enough Nepalese who believe in themselves, not an upstart claiming to be Vishnu avatar.

What hell does Vishnu ko Avtaar have to do with his job performance ? We are just waitning to see if he actually will quell this whole Mao mess and put the country back on track of progress and developement. He sacked the PM and took over..what ...umm.. last fall.....its not enough time to see results.. Unlike some of the impatient oppertunists who are hell bent on showing their face in NYC to PUT THEMSELVES IN THE MAP....so that PEOPLE KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND WHEN PAY UP TIME COMES ALONG ....THEY GET THEIR SHARE OF THE LOOT. THEY HAVE NO PLAN OF THEIR OWN...on how they are going to bring the so Called Republic GOVT.... at the same time trying to DISRUPT WHO IS ACTUALLY TRYING TO RESTORE PEACE AND ORDER IN THE COUNTRY.

.....whether Republicanism is a political solution to the Maoists problem or not. I have answered to two skeptic fellow posters who cited the Maoist insurgency in Bihar/UP to cast doubt on whether republic Nepal will be safe from the Maoist.... Had the cause of Republicanism taken up by the parliamentary parties, Maoists wouldn't have grown to become how strong they are today. Their insurgency, if at all, would have remained as insignificant (to threat the state) as Indian Maoist insurgency.

WHen the maonarchy is forced out, how do you stop maoists to come to power? Where is the democratic forces which will lead against maoists and monarchy? Nofw its the battle of gun between maoists and monarchy. The one with better fire power will dominate the other. ...... Untill and unless there is no democratic force ( with public backing) your democratic republic is not possible? But the question is who is ready to risk the life to get rid of monarchy and also maoists?

I have been reading all of you for quite some time now. The more I read each of you the more I get confused as to what the "Main Stream" is who the "Ordinary People" are and who the "INDEPENDENT Source" is. ......The other question is if King G's govt thinks it can conduct local elections within a year why not conducting an election for "Sambidhan Sabha" together with it? Whoever is elected for Sambidhan Sabha will draft the Sambidhan. If people want King the pro-monarchists will win and if they don't then pro-republic candidates will win. Lets give the ordinary people a chance to be heard, let them define who they are let them define what the main stream is and who the independent source is. ....... After everything is said and done none of the 12,000 (whether they were fighting for the king or against) Nepalese deserved to die just to save the King and the agreement of BS 2046/47. As for me I pledge to fly back to Kathmandu just to vote for pro-republic canditates.

Elections are MEANINGLESS unless and until they are firmly embedded in two key principles of democracy: FREE and FAIR. ...... With the Maoists terrorizing much of the countryside and the King's men doing the same to the rest of the country, the possibility of holding a FREE and FAIR elections in Nepal today is next to impossible. I personally would not opt for an election for the sake of one, if it is NOT to guarantee an outcome that is as genuinely reflective as possible of people's desires.

How the hell are you going to uphold democracy when you don't even have law and order ? If the cops and army cannot ..he he what makes you think that just saying democracy wil restore peace and order ? ha ha Unless you have a better idea ...just saying restore democracy is not enough!!!!! How do you reason with people when they are holding a gun pointing at you ? A good example is those Jewish extremists occupying the gaza strip....Isreal had to USE FORCE AGAINST THEIR OWN PEOPLE IN THE HOPE OF RESTORING PEACE(SOMETIMES MARSHALL LAW IS NEEDED TO RESTORE LAW AND ORDER....ONLY THEN YOU CAN RESTORE DEMOCRACY). Free and fair elections ? ha ha If the so called most democratic nation like USA has to resort to Supreme court for elections(remember chads ? and pregnat chads ?)...you think Nepal would have free and fair elections( Its OK TO DREAM POONTE) ?

I do not fully agree with your remark that election can not be hold FREE and FAIR. Even after 2047, none of the elections, whatever level it was, could satisfy everyone. What is most important is that such an election must have broader participation of people, ordinary people understand the procedure (not that voting for SUN means electing SuBaTha types of understanding), monitored and endorsed by neutral bodies and conducted by neutral authorities. That brings me to your first point suggestion, if you can't hold election, then what is the "starting point" to go to your second point suggestion (don't give me Girija approach of reinstatement of Parliament). Nevertheless, the second point option is much more feasible and practical approach as compared to one sided views given by NEPE. All inclusive "Interim Government" (Maoists must also be included if they are really committed for Nepal and Nepali people) made through Nepalese style "Loya Jirga" could be one option to initiate peace and reconciliation as Mr. Brahimi applied in Afghanistan and Iraq. Honesty, Integrity and nationalistic views are paramount prerequisite for that. If you sideline any key players, including Monarchy, then lasting solution may not be achieved. I want to remind again that ultimately role of Zahir Shaha (Afghanistan) and Noroddam Sihanuk (Cambodia) were crucial factor to break the ice in those countries. We do not want present monarchy to be thrown out and make the country Afghanistan and Cambodia for longer period then recall them to clean the mess. There are internal factors coupled with external factors for the Maoists to grow day by day. The Maoist insurgency in India is not a spill over effect of Nepali Maoist but it is other way round. Without moral, political, financial, material and sanctuary support from Indian Maoists groups (PWG, MCM etc), Nepalese Maoists would not have reached up to this level. Remember, when the Maoist started their insurgency in Nepal, (and then 7-8 years afterward), democratically elected governments were in power. Almost all major political parties ran the country (NC, NCD, UML, RPP, NSP etc) when this war/terrorism/insurgency was ongoing. The Maoists are changing their strategy to achieve their ultimate goal in accordance with political situation of Nepal. They are trying to gain the popular support of mass accordingly. When monarchy was strong, they said they had a working relation with monarchy. Now, when the monarchy is weak then they are throwing their "fishing rod" towards political parties. They played such games in the past with all political parties and now they are making parties and educated lots like you all to advocate on their demands. If you believe that the Maoist are sincere to back off from their communist ideology then that will be your very wrong prediction. They are just buying the time and slowly leap frogging. They have strong propaganda making apparatus even to influence western world. By saying all this, I am not telling that they should be ignored; they have to be dealt politically, militarily, socially, diplomatically (through India as they are getting support from that country in one or other) and informationally to bring them to mainstream.

First protest protest protest, then wave some flags, then protest more, and presto! There will be fair and A little nice democracy, then mao will come to their warm welcoming folds, there will a nice little republican state nesteled in tall himalayas and our poonte, nepe, and Anti_monarqi AND THEIR MINDLESS FOLLOWERS will live happily ever after. See it is that easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is only us who don't get it. JUST A TEENIE QUESTION THOUGH - HOW EXACTLY WILL YOU DO IT? COME AGAIN???

We have at least one meeting point -- I also do not think re-instatement of the parliament that was dismantled 4 years ago would be helpful to our future cause. And yes, I would attest for an ALL PARTY INTERIM GOVT too, Maoists included. But before anything can happen, I still believe restoring the most basic rights of the people would only help to legitimize whatever shape or form the new interim government might come into existence. Freedoms of the press (in particular), expression, speech, etc., must be respected FULLY and WHOLE-HEARTEDLY. Here is where my personal fight against tyranny of the monarchy is at. Of course, after that I would struggle for the curtailment of special royal privileges and treatments as well. In the past the invitation to join the government have been rebuffed by the parties, and I must say rightly so. Any attempts to form an ALL PARTY government must be genuine and sincere, must avoid legitimization of the King's new arrangements, and, most importantly, it MUST be presented with a concrete plan to tackle Maoist problem non-militarily, followed by concrete plans to hold AS FREE and AS FAIR elections as possible once peace is restored. My personal stance vis-a-vis republicanism is that the issue should be left for the people to decide. However, one thing I am certain of is that we now do have a serious need to question the monarchy, and freely talk about it. Much to my comfort, I see that happening more and more. Let the people FREELY and OPENLY debate the relevance of monarchy in Nepal, and then they can choose to either keep it under a TRUEST form of constitutional monarchy, or get rid of it -- ABSOLUTE MONARCHY should be completely out of the question. Personally, however, since I see no prospects of Nepali monarchy being willing to desist from absolutism, I would go for a republic. If things change for the better in the near future, so much the better. The important thign is, I feel the time has come for the Nepali society to realize that we can live without the King -- we need to have self confidence -- INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY. We need not rely on "authority" to make decisions for us, i.e., empower ourselves. After that, if people desire to keep the monarchy as a SYMBOLIC geture of respect to our tradition, I can live with with. Otherwise, let us move forward without the King too.

All said and done, we need to bring the monarchy into constitution or abolish and aslo simulataneously deal with it. By their nature by now, you must have realised they both maoists and monarch will not give up. They will try to come into power. On the other hand, we have weakest democratic force, plagued with corrupt and inept leaders, who are good for nothing. What are you going to do about that? One thing at a time, I strongly beleive we need to make ourself strong first instead of taking on the power houses. Thats wher I differ on you. You seems to be too therotical and fail to provide implementation. I have seen some of the articles you posted. Some of the articles encourages emabargo on Nepal for which I am totally against. We need to be careful so that our actions do not inflict more pain on commoners. Instead of protesting ranting the theories, we could approach in a differnt way. Together we are strong, divided we are weak . Collectively the intelectuals living abroad could have a conversation with the king, and parties and bring them in the same boat. Analyze what really king tends to do. Make it transparent and enforce king for his words. I think maos are real enemey of nation at this time and we should solve this problem first. FOrce and diplomacy both should be used. Force so that they do not think the govt has given up, diplomacy for the peace deal. This musta be known by public.

As for the upcoming rally in NY, different individuals may join it with different agendas. That is all fine by me as long as I know in my heart that I will be there to raise a voice against REPRESSION, not even against the King per se, but against a feudalistic system of repression that he represents.

As long as the Maoists are armed, do not trust them. This is my mantra. And I believe this should be the mantra of those who have to deal with the Maoists. So the first and foremost thing for us to do is to disarm the Maoists. Anything that ignores or put aside this part is not really a solution to Nepal's problem. As a matter of fact, public has never shown any enthusiasm to political agenda that ignores the issue of laying arms of the Maoists ("bringing peace"). Political parties had been calling upon the public for supporting their hundreds of Nirnayak aandolan for "restoring democracy" for past three years and "restoring civil liberty" too since Feb 1 till recently, only to get cold shoulder from the public. (So here I disagree with Anil-ji's prioritization ) Only when the political parties started to talk about 'Constitutional Assembly' and 'Democratic republic', public showed a great enthusiasm by attending the political parties rally by unprecedented number (15,000-30,000). See the picture below from the mass meeting of seven political parties on May 27, 2005. This enthusiasm is open for interpretation. But one can hardly deny that it was also for a REALISTIC political way out (disarmament) for the Maoists. *** *** *** Forget about disarming the Maoists militarily. Forget about disarming the Maoists by the King or any coalition with the King. The existence of the Kingship is itself is what gives the Maoists their raison d'etre and legitimacy (of a freedom-fighter) and thus empowerment. Our pro-king posters are in denial of this fact. *** *** *** There is no GUARANTEE that the Maoists will lay their arm until their ultimate goal of 'people's republic' is achieved. So we can only think in terms of LIKELYHOOD. Now, the question is this- Which is more likely to make the Maoists agree to lay their arms for, Monarchical democracy or republic democracy ? This is the question of the day. And our pro-king posters are giving absolutely wrong answer. *** *** *** Acceptance to the Maoists in any case and reason should be made contingent upon their agreement to lay the arms and give up the goal of 'people's republic'. I am surprised to see that many pro-king posters are confused on this. I am against political parties initiative to talk to the Maoists at this point. The Maoists should be kept untouchable until they give up communist ideology. *** *** *** At this time, only power enjoying popular faith is "Nagarik Samaj". Ironically it is not a political institution per se. Politcal parties's old mandate has eroded. Nagarik Samaj (that includes political leaders and workers with agenda for change) has three wars at three separate fronts to fight simultaneously- with Maoists against communism and violence, with King against his political ambition and with the old leadership of the parties against their conservativeness and incompetence. Each war complements the other. So your strength is not diluted, it is rather further strenghtened. You get more strength to fight a brutal ideological war with the Maoists if you are fighting at the same time with the King to get rid of him or his ambition, and vice versa. You get more strength to fight the King if you are fighting without waiting with the inept and corrupt political leaders. In fact, if you can not say NO to Girija et al, there is no point to say NO to the King. You can make a theoretical point, but that does not matter to most of the people whose help you need to fight the King. *** *** *** Eventually it will turn out that we wasted our years by hoping and trying the approach of ARBITRARY compromise between the King, the conservative leaders and the Maoist. We should have talked about pure democracy and given them 'come to it or die' option to all political protagonists. Because that's what is going to happen eventually.