Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Baburam Bhattarai, Pramod Aryal, Ram Chandra Poudel

(Below are summaries in English of full length articles in Nepali.)

Baburam Bhattarai: The Question Of Understanding A Democratic Republic

The cadres are for a Democratic Republic, but the leaders of the political parties are still not wholeheartedly for it yet. We need to look into why that might be. Monarchy and democracy are opposing ideologies and institutions. Japan and Britain can not be our examples of a ceremonial monarchy because our socio-economic development stage is not the same as theirs. No capitalist revolution has succeeded without uprooting the monarchy. Hence the words "republic" and "democracy" are actually one word. There is no example in world history where au autocrat monarch willingly became a constitutional monarch. There are no examples of constitutional monarchies in the Third World. Temporary alliances with an army or a monarchy either by democrats or external powers is understandable for different reasons, but to present the monarchy as the symbol of unity and stability is utter foolishness. The Sinhanouk example does not apply to us. BP Koirala's "national reconciliation" slogan is date expired. The Radha Krishna Mainalis inside the UML and the Prakash and Shailaja Koiralas inside the Nepali Congress are a major disservice. The parliamentary parties also have to watch out for the pressure from the US, the sole superpower, to make do with the monarchy. Global opinion will follow once the parties achieve clarity on the issue of a Democratic Republic. The monarchy is an elaborate structure that keeps the country down on all fronts. The parliamentary parties have two choices: surrender, or head on for a Democratic Republic. To try and "scare" the king into becoming a constitutional monarch is a foolish attempt. It should not even be made. A tiger that has tasted blood does not willingly go back into the cage. We should head straight on for a Democratic Republic, or we should settle for a Constituent Assembly, nothing less.

After a 10 year revolution, we Maoists have been presenting a Democratic Republic as a common minimum program. We have done it time and again. We started the revolution with the singular goal of a communist republic. For us to shift to the goal of a democratic republic has been a big step for us. The revolutionary leftists look at us with suspicion for that. At the same time, the parliamentary parties refuse to believe us when we say we are now for a democratic republic. So we feel the need to clarify a few things.

Our ultimate goal is communism, preceded by socialism. That is never going to change. But we feel the need to come down from the clouds and face the ground realities and make sound, objective, scientific assessments. That is how we prepare our programs and decide on our strategies. It has been our conclusion, based on the socio-economic conditions in Nepal, that an abolition of the monarchy and an establishment of a democratic republic is what is best for Nepal right now. That is our scientific analysis. We did not cook up the slogan to hoodwink the parliamentary parties. That is why you should believe us when we say we are for a Democratic Republic.

A democratic republic and a socialist democracy are different things. So we understand why you remain suspicious of us. The Stalinist model gets seen for the communist model, and it can be hard to imagine how a Maoist party will work within a multi-party framework. What you have to understand is Marxism-Leninism-Maoism is not religious dogma, fixed forever. It is a science. It is alive and evolving. The goal remains to create a classless society. Marx and Lenin never talked about one party rule in their writings. But it became one party rule due to Stalin. Stalin created a bureaucratic monster that detached itself from the people. And hence we had counter revolutions all over the world at the end of the previous century. And that is why, for the 21st century, we are committed to a multi-party framework where people's participation and oversight is guaranteed. That is what we want. That is our first choice, it is not a choice of an uncomfortable compromise. So believe us when we say it is a democratic republic we want.

The difference between a capitalist democracy and a socialist democracy is in the former democracy is only formal, in name only, in the later it is for real. Socialist experiments might have taken some ugly forms in the past. But periodic elections, multi party competition, adult franchise, rule of law, freedom of press and speech, these all not only exist in our version of a socialist democracy, they also are superior to when they exist in a capitalist democracy. We don't discard the good things about capitalism, we elaborate them so much, socialism spreads into capitalist territories. That is what Lenin suggested. We don't fight capitalism, we refine it, purify it, make it better.

Another suspicion has been that we Maoists will not accept the results of a Constituent Assembly should they not go in our favor. That we might follow the example in Russia. What we have to say on that is free and fair and unconditional elections conducted under international supervision will be acceptable to us. Russia of the 1910s is not Nepal of today. Let that distant past from a distant land not be your measuring rod. We have made it very clear we are for an impartial and effective management of the two armies for such elections.

A democratic republic is our ideological stand. Now try us in action. Because we are very clear on our vision and stand.

We are not headed into a traditional parliamentary arrangement or a communist arrangement. We are headed towards something new. It will be a new kind of a transitional democratic system. We are not trying to imitate Europe. But whatever it is, it will be reflective of the power distribution as thrown up by an Assembly.

It is necessary to discuss the shape and form of the proposed Democratic Republic right away, even before we go into a Constituent Assembly. That itself can be a trust-building measure. Let's have a public debate. There is nothing to hide.

On our part, this is what we see. First, the monarchy is abolished, and the sovereignty goes to the people. Two thirds of the Assembly or a referendum may decide on any matter except the country's territorial integrity. Second, the royal army is to be disbanded, and a new army is to be raised, to be under the parliament. Three, the national parliament will be supreme. Fourth, a full guarantee for periodic elections, multi party competition, adult franchise, rule of law, freedom of press and speech. Fifth, all oppressed groups - Janajatis and Madhesis - will have self rule and autonomy. Sixth, secular state. Seven, education, health and employment will be considered basic rights, and basic education and health will be free and guaranteed. Eighth, revolutionary land reform, land to the tiller. Self- reliant national industrialization, protection of national capital and properties. Ninth, dissolve the unequal 1950 treaty and other similar treaties. An independent, non-aligned foreign policy. Tenth, make room for other democratic forces in the Assembly to shape other political, economic and cultural details.

Democracy itself is alive. It grows, it changes.

Unless we - Maoists and parliamentary parties - make common cause and stand shoulder to shoulder, people are not going to come out into the streets in hundreds of thousands, and unless that happens, the king is not going to get out of the picture. We should make our conversations official and really get down to the business of talking things out in an authoritative way. Let's not waster this opportunity we have. The world looks upon us. Delays hurt the revolution.

Pramod Aryal: A Koirala Family Gone Mad On Leadership

The country is going through rough times, democracy is at stake. It has become imperative for the Nepali Congress to get clear on the issue of a Democratic Republic. Girija is extremely unclear and vacillating on the issue. The Koirala family's contributions to democracy get publicized, but their disservice to the same cause all through history is not that well known. Go look at the details. BP Koirala made major political blunders costing the country dearly just to retain the party presidency to himself. Ganeshman had written to Kisunji to oust Girija from the party during the movement, fearing his tendency to get weak with the palace. Girija sidelined Kisunji and Ganeshman, he disbanded a parliament, he forced Deuba to break away. All to keep the leadership to himself. Shashanka Koirala is a test tube baby being groomed. The Nepali Congress might get to the size of Praja Parishad. Democracy in Nepal does not depend on the Nepali Congress. Congress forgets its martyrs, its leadership instead listens to the nobodies like Govinda Raj Joshi, Arjun Narsingha KC, Laxman Ghimire, Ram Krishna Tamrakar. The party needs new leadership. Girija's poison words againt Gagan Thapa and Narahari Acharya are indicative. Nepal stands for change, Girija is not for change. Ram Chandra Poudel should run for party president. We have got to break the vicious circle of the Koirala family's hold on the party.

Ram Chandra Poudel: A Constituent Assembly Has Become Necessary

The Congress itself has to change before it can change society. There is no need for a monarchy in the 21st century. The state has to be restructuted bo provide equality for the Janajatis and the Madhesis. The Maoists need to renounce violence. A Constituent Assembly is our meeting point, that we are for with or without the Maoists. Globalization and liberalization trends have to be cashed upon. But socialism is still what we stand for. Prime Ministers have lead the army in the past. It has not always been with the king. There should be reservations for women, dalit, and janajatis. The Congress has to be unified. Internal democracy has to be introduced and institutionalized in the Congress.
at 1 comment:

Supreme Court, Revive House, Save Country, Hurry





That might be the best way out.

The seven democratic parties are the legitimate political forces in the country, and their 4-point agenda is a sound one. Sound enough that it will end the civil war.
  1. Revive House.
  2. Form An All Party Government.
  3. Hold Unconditional Peace Talks With The Maoists.
  4. Organize Elections To A Constituent Assembly.
But the 4-point program starts at step one. And that step can only be taken by the Supreme Court. The parties can not do it themselves. The king has said he does not have the constitutional authority to do it. So that puts the ball in the Supreme Court.

These 11 individuals are uniquely positioned to literally save the country: Dilip Kumar Poudel, Kedar Prasad Giri, Min Bahadur Rayamajhi, Ram Nagina Singh, Anup Raj Sharma, Ram Prasad Shrestha, Khil Raj Regmi, Sharada Prasad Pundit, Sharada Shrestha, Arjun Prasad Singh and Hari Jung Sijapati.

I think they should go ahead and do it.

Otherwise it might end up a long, cold winter of relentless protests, and a further decaying civil war with all the associated human rights abuses and violations of internatinoal law, the mayhem, not to say the economic loss, both direct and in terms of lost opportunities.

It is that or it is (1) the three warring factions come to a respectful political dialogue and start making political sense, which they show no signs of, have not in years, during the beginning, middle, and thenon, or (2) the democrats wage a decisive movement for months - a democratic republic through a revolution - and get the king to bend, which can add complications: some Monarchists might go for the military option, which would be suicidal for the monarchy, but then they might go for it anyways.

I don't think the Supreme Court has ever faced a more important decision in its entire history, and might not ever again. This is momentous. This is a historic opportunity.

Of the three scenarios, only the Supreme Court option is safest for the three political factions. That might be the only way a constitutional monarchy might be retained by the people through a popular verdict. That might be the best way the worst fears about the Maoists do not come true. I am one of those who is not paranoid about the Maoists, but others have democratic rights to be so.

The 4-point agenda might also be the smoothest way to move from the 1990 constitution to a 2006 constitution.

In The News

Supreme Court starts studying House revival case NepalNews .... the court would decide whether to deliberate on the case only after consensus of all justices of the apex court. A majority of the 11 justices must agree ...... chief justice Dilip Kumar Poudel and justices Kedar Prasad Giri, Min Bahadur Rayamajhi, Ram Nagina Singh, Anup Raj Sharma, Ram Prasad Shrestha, Khil Raj Regmi, Sharada Prasad Pundit, Sharada Shrestha, Arjun Prasad Singh and Hari Jung Sijapati...... Thursday’s discussion was adjourned, ordering the bench assistant to make a list of differences and similarities between the three SC precedents on house dissolution in 1994, 1995 and 2002. The apex court had reversed late prime minister Man Mohan Adhikari’s decision to dissolve the house in 1995 while it had upheld ex-prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s decision to dissolve the house in 1994.
at No comments:

Somnath Ghimire: King G Is Pinochet



King Gyanendra's Character resembles Augusto Pinochet --Somnath Ghimire

Since the Royal Nepal Army and Police are under the direct and undisputed control of Black King "G", and since there is no evidence whatsoever that action has been taken to correct the abuses or hold the perpetrators responsible, this places the king in league with such lovely characters as Hitler, Saddam Hussain, Augusto Pinochet, Ferdinand Marcos, Mohammad Reza Pahlevi and others.

It should be noted that, like King Gyanendra, all but Hitler were also supported and armed by the US. The US’s agreement to shield Nepali officials from the International Criminal Court has given a green light to atrocities, and the transfer of more of M16A2 rifles even as the savage treatment of pro-democracy protestors was ongoing raises questions of the violation of the spirit, if not the letter, of US law by the Bush administration. The US’s refusal to condemn atrocities in Nepal and unconvincing stance that human rights training for new soldiers will cure the abuses that are widespread, systematic and under the supervision of senior officers is obviously sending an ambiguous message designed to give it political cover. The media, under army death threat for “insulting the king,” cannot criticize him, while the pro-monarchist writers have free reign without fear of rebuttal of their ludicrous and illogical assertions.

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet it spends 65 crore rupees (US$ 8.8 million; adjusted for purchasing power, over $50 million) on the royal family annually, a six fold increase since the dramatic decrease in the family’s numbers in the wake of the palace massacre. Thus, spending so lavishly on this very rich family deprives huge numbers of Nepalis, most of whom are illiterate and who suffer from appalling maternal, infant and child mortality, and whose life expectancy is as little as 37 years in some districts, of services they badly need and whose lack contributed in large part to the success of the Maoist revolution; the monarchists believe that it is more important to support the royal family in high style than to save the poor from death, disease and illiteracy, but most of the rural poor people would disagree. Nepal cannot afford both.

The phony, staged, highly secured “felicitations,” in which BKG greet and will be worshipped by the lowly people living in the country of oldest democracy, do not obscure the fact that the vast majority of Nepalis intensely dislike the king and, indeed, the very institution of Monarchy. The majority of Nepalis continue to support republican democracy; a recent poll indicates that 11% support the monarchy, 9% the Maoists, and 80% republican democracy. And also the Nepal's largest Democratic Party, Nepali Congress has decided to opt out Constitutional Monarchy from it's statute. The king could have made inroads into Nepal’s problems with corruption, poor heath care and lack of adequate educational facilities, but chose to accept continued deterioration in these sectors and to rely on repression and arrogant refusal to communicate honestly with the people. KG lied to the world and who believes him- only his followers and ass lickers.

Although they cleverly soft-pedal their alleged divinity when dealing with foreigners, the Shahs manipulate the uneducated, simple-minded people by claiming to be gods and thus making whatever crimes they may wish to commit acceptable and making dissent against them sinful. Although there is no way to disprove this notion of divinity, a logical person would find nothing in the intelligence, appearance, achievements or conduct of the royalty to indicate superiority or superhuman traits. Oddly, only the simplest villagers and the well-connected elite accept the notion of royal divinity. Without the king, the parties and the Maoists would far more easily come to terms and bring about an end to the civil war; both would likely accept free, fair, internationally supervised elections for a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution, but the king stands in the way because he knows that he has little popular support.

I do not believe that any argument marshaled by pro-monarchists, whether Nepali, Indian or American, can in any way outweigh the objections I have raised here to the continuance of this feudal, exploitative and undemocratic institution. Most of our people are illiterate but we are not stupid. We know bad things happening in our country under the chairmanship of BKG=Black King Gyanendra. We must awake now not tomorrow, to tell the world about the character of BKG.

Supreme Court, Revive The House And Get The Country Back On Track, Hurry

That might be the best way out.

In The News

  • From the general convention of Nepal’s largest political party ... United We Blog, Nepal Arjunnarsingh KC mobilized his supporters to distribute printed pamphlets in support of his candidacy for the CWC member........ One convention representative from Sarlahi told me that “a huge debate in favor republicanism was going on” inside the hall. “Hya…gantantra ko pakchhya ma sab sathiharu le boli rakheka chhan,” he said. “All friends are speaking in favor of republicanism.” Sitasaran Raya, 56, from Sarlahi-1, who appeared to be coming out of the hall to buy four sticks of ciggerates (he didn’t reveal the brand despite my repeated attempts to know. Surya? I wanted know. He, in dhoti and kurta, just said this: Hami jasto sarbasadharan le kaha testo khane. (How come common people like myself afford such brand?] Before puffing, he expressed his hope that the party would pass a concrete resolution in favor of Gantantra......... Manamohan Park ...... “NC and CPN UML commanded 70 % members in the parliament,” I overheard a man, in dhaka topi and kurta suruwal with ‘Kangressi’ waistcoat. “They could have amended the constitution as per their wish. But they kept fighting with each other. And ministers from the parties ran after their own personal interests.” ......... Almost every one outside the office (those who were not representatives) expressed opinions in favor of democratic republicanism. But at the same time many of them thought it was next to impossible to see Girija Prasad Koirala defeated in the contest for presidency of the party with Narahari Acharya. One Nepali Student’s Union, sister organization of NC, wanted to know my opinion after I asked him a couple of questions. “I would love to see Naharari as the new president of the party. Is that possible?” He, who was giving lectures about the need of republicanism, became pale and visibly shocked and took out his long and partly red tongue. “Oh..my god. What are you talking about?” ...... despite of all the debates going on in the party and despite of overwhelming majority supporting the democratic republicanism, Koirala will no doubt win the election ....... Koirala is a “necessary evil.” ....... . And then it will be like “Nepali Congress Jindabad, Bhag Shanti Jay Nepal, Siddhanta jati tokari ma Faal.”
  • Nepal king renews talks offer BBC News Gyanendra likened the dispute between the monarchy and political parties to the relationship between a husband and wife, saying that the closer they are the more they quarrel........ He said that if the government had addressed some of the demands the Maoists had put to the authorities nine years ago, Nepal would not have plunged into a 'ditch'....... The king said that his administration was now addressing some of these issues, such as the uplift of lower castes and women.......
  • King Gyanendra has to 'wake up': Mulford Chennai Online In strong comments on the developments in Nepal, US Ambassador David Mulford today said King Gyanendra has to "wake up" to the long term effect of the "deteriorating" situation on the Himalayan Kingdom and have a "rethink" on the Maoist problem...... Neither India nor the US is in a position to intervene directly ..... the deteriorating circumstances, deteriorating economy and frightening away of investments ....... he is going have increasing difficulty keeping his position vis-a-vis the Maoists unless he rethinks on it ....... Mulford said the US was opposed to Maoists "in all shapes and forms.
  • NEPAL: King, politicians and rebels no nearer to talks Reuters AlertNet, UK ...... "I too am accountable to the people. If they [the parties] go to the people and speak clearly, then there is room for talks," said the king. ....... The seven political parties responded to the suggestion from the king by rejecting any possibility that they might participate in any discussions........ "We have already had several talks with the king in the past but none of them had any positive results," said Amik Sherchan ....... "There is no meaning to his offer until he gives up his power and hands over the government to the people's representatives," added Sherchan........ The seven parties said that they are not even willing to consider the royal restoration of parliament, if such an offer is made by the king....... "We don't want it to be restored by the king. Such a move can only be made constitutionally and that would be through the Supreme Court," explained Sherchan........ The Supreme Court has already begun a hearing on a petition to reinstate the country's parliament which was dissolved three years ago........ The political groups say they want an all-party interim government which would then negotiate with Maoists rebels....... some political leaders disagree saying that the turning down of the king's offer of talks is a counterproductive act...... Maoist insurgents to be responsible for the killing of civilians and that they had violated international obligations under humanitarian law. The investigation also found that the state authorities were in breach of their own responsibilities under international humanitarian law through their failure to take precautions to protect the civilian population.......... News reports currently suggest that Maoist forces have shown no commitment to confidence-building measures by abstaining from launching attacks against politicians, journalists, unarmed government officials or rural NGO staff.
  • Indian leaders denied meeting with jailed Nepali ex-PM:- Webindia123, India ...... prevented three visiting Indian politicians from meeting deposed prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba .... Basudev Acharya of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) ...... Ramesh Dixit of the Congress and D.P. Tiwari, secretary of Nepal Democracy Solidarity Committee.... The three leaders were accompanied by Deuba's wife Dr Arju Deuba, acting head of the deposed leader's Nepali Congress (Democratic) party Gopal Man Shrestha, former ministers from Deuba's party Homnath Dahal and Bimalendra Nidhi and the wife of Prakash Man Singh..... The Indian leaders were part of a delegation from India that came here to attend the general convention of the kingdom's largest party, the Nepali Congress...."It is strange that the Nepal government did not allow us to meet Deuba and Singh, both of whom are political prisoners," Dixit told the media...... The Indian leaders said the Royal Commission for Corruption Control...was unconstitutional and should be disbanded immediately..... Both Deuba and Singh have challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court.
  • UML constitutes "Movement Secretariat" Kantipur Online, Nepal a 14-member "People's Movement Secretariat" ... another 5-member committee headed by leader Bam Dev Gautam to facilitate coordination and cooperation with other political parties.
  • NC convention endorses CWC proposal Kantipur Online, Nepal ... unanimously endorsed its Central Working Committee's (CWC) proposal to omit "constitutional monarchy" from the party statute. overwhelming support form the representatives to the party's decision ....Ram Chandra Poudel, said the policy changes in the party has driven the party towards a golden age...... One of the major changes in the party statute is that it made it obligatory for party cadres to renew their active member every year instead of once in five years...... Present members Ram Chandra Poudel, Shailaja Acharya, Sushil Koirala, Mahesh Acharya, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Gobinda Raj Joshi, Arjun Narsingh KC, Mahanta Thakur, Krishna Sitoula, Bal Bahadur Rai and Baldev Majgaiya are contesting for the next term. ...... Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, Chakra Bastola, Laxman Ghimire, Gopal Pahadi, Ram Krishna Tamtrakar, Binay Dhoj Chand, Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Sunil Bhandari, Farmullah Mansoor and Lila Koirala are other to run for the next term...... Invitee member in the CWC Bhim Bahadur tamang has also filed candidacy for CWC membership....... There are half a dozen candidates from Koirala family alone. GP, Sushil, Shailaja, Dr Sashank, Ashok and Lila Koirala are from Koirala family..... 3 p.m was the deadline for withdrawing the nomination, but nobody withdrew their candidacy.
  • NBA calls Maoists for immediate release of Pili captives PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal .... Nepal Bar Association (NBA) today called upon the Maoist insurgents to immediately release the 52 security men taken hostage by them during a clash in Pili, Kalikot district, last month
  • 986 people still missing: NHRC Kantipur
  • RCCC orders to release Parajuli on bail Kantipur ..... stated in the charge sheet against him that the former minister earned Rs. 15,380,000 through illegal means while holding public posts between 2051 BS to 2056 BS...... the Commission also today took statement from Bamdev Deep Adhikari, Survey Officer at the Land Management Training Centre, Dhulikhel...... charge of amassing approximately Rs. 5,900,000 through illegal means
  • Narayan Wagle gets Madan Puraskar Kantipur .... Palpasa Café, the debut novel by Wagle, had created a new "fastest selling" record in the Nepali book publication history. The second edition of the novel has already hit bookstores after 5,000 copies were sold out in the first month of its release in the end of July..... award carries a purse of Rs. 200,000.
  • Kantipur Report On Saptari Mass Rape Is False INSN ..... On August 23, Kantipuronline and Kantipur daily reported that a group of Maoist raped 25 Dalit women in Saptari district. Believing in this report, world media and human rights activists and Dalit activists in Nepal and around the world well publicized it. Janadesh weekly, referring to district leadership of CPN (Maoist) reported that the crime was committed by government backed vigilantes. Between August 28, 2005 and today we got several reports on this crime and learned that Maoists killed one of the culprits and apprehended five of them....... The local citizens had told to the investigation team that the real victim of this case was a Shyam Devi Khatwe, Dalit women, from Jagatpur-4- Saptari.On the basis of this informatation provided by local inhabitants, the team had reached the victim’s home. The investigation team had met to Mr. Rupesh Khatwe, husband of victim, and inquired about incident of what happening. It was reported by him to the investigation team that he was in Kathmandu when the incident took place and returned to home immediately after knowing the incident. He had accepted in the presence of the investigation team that his wife had been raped. He also told the investigation team that other people who had been raped are not ready to speak something on this case due to fear and threat........ his mother was scolding members of the investigation team while it was taking information on the spot........ the numbers of rape victims was not 25 as reported in Kantipur...... According to victims, a group of 5 people had told to prepare food on the day of the incident and come here in between 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM when incident took place. The persons in that group were Dinsesh Sardar (local), Pradip Gupta, Devkant Yadav, Lalit Chaudhary and Shambhu Chaudhary as reported by locals to this team...... local Maoist area no 1 had killed Shambhu Chaudhary on 25 August 2005........ feeling insecurity, social pressure, and economic crisis from all around due to their miserable condition after this incident

at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)