198 Methods Of Non Violent Action

THE METHODS OF NONVIOLENT ACTION

(from Gene Sharp, The Methods of Nonviolent Action, Boston 1973)

THE METHODS OF NONVIOLENT PROTEST AND PERSUASION

FORMAL STATEMENTS
1. Public speeches
2. Letters of opposition or support
3. Declarations by organizations and institutions
4. Signed public declarations
5. Declarations of indictment and intention
6. Group or mass petitions
COMMUNICATIONS WITH A WIDER AUDIENCE
7. Slogans, caricatures, and symbols
8. Banners, posters, and displayed communications
9. Leaflets, pamphlets, and books
10. Newspapers and journals
11. Records, radio, and television
12. Skywriting and earthwriting
GROUP REPRESENTATIONS
13. Deputations
14. Mock awards
15. Group lobbying
16. Picketing
17. Mock elections
SYMBOLIC PUBLIC ACTS
18. Displays of flags and symbolic colours
19. Wearing of symbols
20. Prayer and worship
21. Delivering symbolic objects
22. Protest disrobings
23. Destruction of own property
24. Symbolic lights
25. Displays of portraits
26. Paint as protest
27. New signs and names
28. Symbolic sounds
29. Symbolic reclamations
30. Rude gestures
PRESSURES ON INDIVIDUALS
31. "Haunting" officials
32. Taunting officials
33. Fraternization
34. Vigils
DRAMA AND MUSIC
35. Humourous skits and pranks
36. Performances of plays and music
37. Singing
PROCESSIONS
38. Marches
39. Parades
40. Religious processions
41. Pilgrimages
42. Motorcades
HONOURING THE DEAD
43. Political mourning
44. Mock funerals
45. Demonstrative funerals
46. Homage at burial places
PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES
47. Assemblies of protest or support
48. Protest meetings
49. Camouflaged meetings of protest
50. Teach-ins
WITHDRAWAL AND RENUNCIATION
51. Walk-outs
52. Silence
53. Renouncing honours
54. Turning one's back

THE METHODS OF SOCIAL NONCOOPERATION

OSTRACISM OF PERSONS
55. Social boycott
56. Selective social boycott
57. Lysistratic nonaction
58. Excommunication
59. Interdict
NONCOOPERATION WITH SOCIAL EVENTS, CUSTOMS, AND INSTITUTIONS
60. Suspension of social and sports activities
61. Boycott of social affairs
62. Student strike
63. Social disobedience
64. Withdrawal from social institutions
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE SOCIAL SYSTEM
65. Stay-at-home
66. Total personal noncooperation
67. "Flight" of workers
68. Sanctuary
69. Collective disappearance
70. Protest emigration (hijrat)

THE METHODS OF ECONOMIC NONCOOPERATION: ECONOMIC BOYCOTTS

ACTION BY CONSUMERS
71. Consumers' boycott
72. Nonconsumption of boycotted goods
73. Policy of austerity
74. Rent withholding
75. Refusal to rent
76. National consumers' boycott
77. International consumers' boycott
ACTION BY WORKERS AND PRODUCERS
78. Workers' boycott
79. Producers' boycott
ACTION BY MIDDLEMEN
80. Suppliers' and handlers' boycott
ACTION BY OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
81. Traders' boycott
82. Refusal to let or sell property
83. Lockout
84. Refusal of industrial assistance
85. Merchants' "general strike"
ACTION BY HOLDERS OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES
86. Withdrawal of bank deposits
87. Refusal to pay fees, dues, and assessments
88. Refusal to pay debts or interest
89. Severance of funds and credit
90. Revenue refusal
91. Refusal of a government's money
ACTION BY GOVERNMENTS
92. Domestic embargo
93. Blacklisting of traders
94. International sellers' embargo
95. International buyers' embargo
96. International trade embargo

THE METHODS OF ECONOMIC NONCOOOPERATION: THE STRIKE

SYMBOLIC STRIKES
97. Protest strike
98. Quickie walkout (lightning strike)
AGRICULTURAL STRIKES
99. Peasant strike
100. Farm workers' strike
STRIKES BY SPECIAL GROUPS
101. Refusal of impressed labour
102. Prisoners' strike
103. Craft strike
104. Professional strike
ORDINARY INDUSTRIAL STRIKES
105. Establishment strike
106. Industry strike
107. Sympathy strike
RESTRICTED STRIKES
108. Detailed strike
109. Bumper strike
110. Slowdown strike
111. Working-to-rule strike
112. Reporting "sick" (sick-in)
113. Strike by resignation
114. Limited strike
115. Selective strike
MULTI-INDUSTRY STRIKES
116. Generalised strike
117. General strike
COMBINATION OF STRIKES AND ECONOMIC CLOSURES
118. Hartal
119. Economic shutdown

THE METHODS OF POLITICAL NONCOOPERATION

REJECTION OF AUTHORITY
120. Withholding or withdrawal of allegiance
121. Refusal of public support
122. Literature and speeches advocating resistance
CITIZENS' NONCOOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT
123. Boycott of legislative bodies
124. Boycott of elections
125. Boycott of government employment and positions
126. Boycott of government departments, agencies, and other bodies
127. Withdrawal from governmental educational institutions
128. Boycott of government-supported institutions
129. Refusal of assistance to enforcement agents
130. Removal of own signs and placemarks
131. Refusal to accept appointed officials
132. Refusal to dissolve existing institutions
CITIZENS' ALTERNATIVES TO OBEDIENCE
133. Reluctant and slow compliance
134. Nonobedience in absence of direct supervision
135. Popular nonobedience
136. Disguised disobedience
137. Refusal of an assemblage or meeting to disperse
138. Sitdown
139. Noncooperation with conscription and deportation
140. Hiding, escape, and false identities
141. Civil disobedience of "illegitimate" laws
ACTION BY GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL
142. Selective refusal of assistance by government aides
143. Blocking of lines of command and information
144. Stalling and obstruction
145. General administrative noncooperation
146. Judicial noncooperation
147. Deliberate inefficiency and selective noncooperation by enforcement agents
148. Mutiny
DOMESTIC GOVERNMENTAL ACTION
149. Quasi-legal evasions and delays
150. Noncooperation by constituent governmental units
INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTION
151. Changes in diplomatic and other representation
152. Delay and cancellation of diplomatic events
153. Withholding of diplomatic recognition
154. Severance of diplomatic relations
155. Withdrawal from international organisations
156. Refusal of membership in international bodies
157. Expulsion from international organisations

THE METHODS OF NONVIOLENT INTERVENTION

PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION
158. Self-exposure to the elements
159. The fast
a) Fast of moral pressure
b) Hunger strike
c) Satyagrahic fast
160. Reverse trial
161. Nonviolent harassment
PHYSICAL INTERVENTION
162. Sit-in
163. Stand-in
164. Ride-in
165. Wade-in
166. Mill-in
167. Pray-in
168. Nonviolent raids
169. Nonviolent air raids
170. Nonviolent invasion
171. Nonviolent interjection
172. Nonviolent obstruction
173. Nonviolent occupation
SOCIAL INTERVENTION
174. Establishing new social patterns
175. Overloading of facilities
176. Stall-in
177. Speak-in
178. Guerrilla theatre
179. Alternative social institutions
180. Alternative communication system
ECONOMIC INTERVENTION
181. Reverse strike
182. Stay-in strike
183. Nonviolent land seizure
184. Defiance of blockades
185. Politically motivated counterfeiting
186. Preclusive purchasing
187. Seizure of assets
188. Dumping
189. Selective patronage
190. Alternative markets
191. Alternative transportation systems
192. Alternative economic institutions
POLITICAL INTERVENTION
193. Overloading of administrative systems
194. Disclosing identities of secret agents
195. Seeking imprisonment
196. Civil disobedience of "neutral" laws
197. Work-on without collaboration
198. Dual sovereignty and parallel government

Logistics To Bring Down The Regime

Seven Party Coalition

1. Reduce your four point agenda to a three point agenda. Ditch the House revival stance.
   
2. Anoint Girija Koirala the Supreme Leader, Madhav Nepal the Prime Minister in waiting, and Ram Chandra Poudel the Deputy Prime Minister in waiting.
3. Let each of the other five parties decide on the person who will represent each in the all party government. Do it now.
   
4. Make a formal request to the Maoists to extend the ceasefire by three months.
   
5. Set a deadline: this regime has to fall before February. The movement has to be seen as a project with a deadline.
   
6. Take over one public space in Kathmandu. Erect a tent city. (Pyramid Of 10 In Kathmandu) Start with a minimum of 100,000. Grow by 100,000 each week. Do not leave until the regime comes down. Stay away from the restricted areas. Do not make attempts to cross the police line. Avoid street confrontations as much as possible.
   
7. Think through the endgame now. (Roadmap)
8. If you need financial support from the Nepalis in the US, prepare a budget, set up a joint bank account of the coalition, pledge to keep all book keeping transparent, and ask. It is okay to ask for money. It is not okay to postpone the fall of this regime. We will feel honored to participate as closely as possible. Integrate us into the movement as totally as possible, in near real time. We got your number. We are both connected online.
   

Maoists

1. Extend the ceasefire by three months.
   
2. Be prepared to engage in peace talks with the all party government.
   
3. There is going to be only one standing army in the country before the country goes through a constituent assembly. That is the bottom line. But within that parameter there can be a lot of accommodation. You can have UN mediation if you want. You can have a partial integration of your armed cadres into the state army. You can seek an integration of the rest into the economy.
   
4. Get ready. You will get two berths in the cabinet. I am assuming those will go to Prachanda and Baburam. But that would be your internal matter.
   

King

1. Don't even think of a military crackdown.
   
2. Don't try physical assaults and chemical warfare upon peaceful, disciplined demonstrators. All such acts will be accounted for. This is no 1990.
   
3. Make peace with the idea. The country is going to get an all party government and a constituent assembly.
   

Nepali Diaspora In The US

1. Pledge your $100. Do it now. (Fundraising Among Nepalis In The US: Pyramid Of 10)
2. See if you can organize a mirror gathering in every big city every weekend, if only for an hour. (Every Sunday 11 AM Union Square) Blog it as it happens. Seek local media attention.
   
3. Everyone who has personal contacts in the army, the police and the bureaucracy at the higher levels, get organized. Stay off the radar, but get active. We need a sophisticated intelligence operation. We need to know what the regime is thinking in as real time as possible. We need to penetrate the entire state structure.
   
4. Stay informed. Stay vocal. Stand up and speak. Every voice of support adds to the chorus.
   

Nepalis Worldwide

1. Get involved. Stay involved. Stay tuned in. Stay vocal. Be heard. Make some noise. Come online. Join the US effort. Mirror it.

Video Bloggers

1. Record all street demonstrations. The first priority is quantity. Upload it all at Google Video. We can't wait for the world media to catch up with us before the world can see what's going on.
   
2. I am looking at a minimum 100 hours of video online.
   
3. Prepare 15-30 minute highlights for each day.
   
4. Do not forget plain old digital pictures, and old media coverage, print coverage, and all that.
   
5. Capture everything like the entire movement were one big reality show.
   
6. Interview people on video, leaders, demonstrators, everybody.
   

Street Demonstrators

1. Have fun. Stay disciplined. Stay put.
   
2. This movement has to be totally bloodless. Zero martyrs. Instead get your picture taken.
   

Everybody

1. What do you think of this?
   
2. 40 Reasons Why The Three Forces Should Come Ar0und To My Proposed Constitution

To: ND Group, c/o Puru Subedi

Dear Puruji.

I just got off the phone with you. This was our first conversation. I dug out a whole bunch of phone numbers from the US to Nepal. You were the first person on the list I called.

Before I come to the point of this message, let me draw attention to this list. I think we on this list should make it a point to call each other on a regular basis. And we should especially call the leaders in Kathmandu on a regular basis so as to express our total support to them. Boosting their morale is important.

1. Madhav K. Nepal 4466303 R.
2. Arjun Nar Singh KC 4353270 R.
3. Lilamani pokharel 4471605 R.
4. Amik serchan 5527522 R.
5. Dr.Minendra Rijal 4487285/ 9851032339
6. Hridayesh Tripathy 4424812 R.
7. Narayan Man Bijukchhe 6610974/6610026

NAC
1. Dr. Jeetendra Joshi PH.D 860-742-6854
2. Mr. Puru Subedi 703-327-8756
3. Dr. Tara Niraula 212-491-0378
4. Mrs. Annapurna Deo 919 460 1260
5. Ms. Radha Basnyat 613-230-4337
6. Dr. Parashar Malla PH.D 604-504-3644
7. Mr. Anil Pradhan 818 888 2656
8. Mr. Mukesh Singh 614 801 9652
9. Girija Gautam 734 663 7225
10. Mr. Veda Joshi 734 663 7225
11. Dr. Prahlad Pant PH.D 513-851-1019
12. Dr. Deepak Shimkhada PH.D 909-621-0783
13. Mr. Raja Bhattacharya 270-781-7252
14. Mr. Suman Silwal 205-822-2504
15. Dr. Gaury Adhikary M.D. 734-663-7225
16. Dr. Ramesh N Amatya PH.D 615-376-8193
17. Dr. Tulsi R Maharjan PH.D 908 369 1387
18. Mr. Rohini Sharma 928 473 7285

From you I learned for the first time that I have become a hot topic of debate at the Nepal Democracy Google group.

I totally agree with what you said to me on the phone. I could not have said it better myself. Issues of social justice we will take care of later once we have made sure the country will have a constituent assembly. And even then we will ensure an open, respectful debate and dialogue.

For the sake of the movement it is very important that we all stay united. Right now we all have only one goal, and that is to topple this regime before February. This is a project with a deadline. We need to be pouring ourselves into the logistical details from the US to Nepal. We should be organizing and coordinating.

As you say, let's do it one step at a time. First step, topple this regime. Second, set up an all party government. Third, peace talks with the Maoists that result in only one standing army in the country. And finally, constituent assembly.

The first step is the most important. And right now we should not let anything else distract us, not even me as a topic of debate.

I would like to get reinstated at the Nepal Democracy Google group, sure, and you tell me an open vote is being organized on the topic. I hope it goes in my favor. But in my personal capacity I have already moved on. I set up a Progressive Nepal group earlier today. And I continue to primarily communicate with my audience from the US, to Delhi, to Nepal through my blog, as you know.

Since I can't post this message at the Nepal Democracy group myself, I request you to please post there both the body of this message as well the link to it.

My message to the group is simple. Peace out, folks. Let's all forget little details. Let's all come around and focus like a laser beam on the only goal we have at hand, and that is to topple this regime before February.

Have you pledged your $100 yet? That is the question.

I appreciate the forthrightness with which you tackled your own Bahun background. You said there are times when you say things and express attitudes that are not right. Let me assure you, on the gender issue, the man-woman issue, I too am a Bahun. For men to work against sexism is an ongoing thing, and we all make progress at different paces. So once we finally get to tackle issues in social justice within the constituent assembly framework, I hope we will do it in the least disruptive way possible, the most productive way possible. We can all hope to be progressive regardless of background. Bahuns can hope to be progressive like the conscious Dalits. Why not?

Every Sunday 11 AM Union Square
Nepal Democracy Google Group Does Not Believe In Free Speech


Orange Revolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TIME Europe Magazine: The Orange Revolution -- Dec. 06, 2004
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Ukraine marks Orange Revolution
Orange Ukraine - Journal of Ukrainian Current Events
The New York Review of Books: The Orange Revolution
Orange Revolution || kuro5hin.org
Foreign Affairs - Ukraine's Orange Revolution - Adrian Karatnycky
Orange Revolution
ORANGE REVOLUTION :: Main Page
Ukraine: The Face of the Orange Revolution - Worldpress.org

Every Sunday 11 AM Union Square

Tomorrow will be the third Sunday in a row. Granted the first Sunday was in Chinatown at the Dumpling House on Lafayette. But the last one was at Union Square. My emphasis was on dumplings, momo. Sarahana knew of this place called Darbar East at 14th Street and 1st Avenue. It is a Nepali restaurant, officially Indian, but run by a Nepali, some Dhruba. But it only opens at noon on Sundays. So we met at Union Square until 11:40 then we walked over to the Darbar. Anil knew the owner. He called in advance. So we had hot plates of momo waiting when we got there. No wait time.

Darbar East - NYC Restaurant & Menu Guide. Menus, Ratings, Reviews ...

Looks like two of the original numbers Sanjaya Parajuli and Anil Shahi can not make it tomorrow. Both are the leaders of the Alliance group that has done some credible job of event planning in town, hosting guests passing through town and such. But both have pledged $100 each to the Nepal 1000 effort. I expect them to become Leaders for the same down the line, perhaps Senior Leaders.

But then today I met Dr. Binay Sah for lunch at his place, a fellow Janakpuriya. And he is interested in coming. I am hoping the Sah couple will show up. He also pledged to become a Leader for the Nepal 1000 effort.

Divita Mehta could not make it last Sunday, but she emailed a few days back saying she will be there this Sunday. Divita is from Birgunj. She came to the US when 13, and now is on Wall Street. She has not pledged yet, but I am sure she will. She is the most militant Madhesi I ever met.

I think we should turn this into an open, every Sunday thing, 11 to noon. Then people will have the option to walk over to the momo place, or not. We are hoping a large crowd will gather there in Kathmandu, day in and day out, like in Ukraine last year. I think doing it at a small scale here in New York City will be a nice way to express solidarity. To send the message, we are with you.
If we can only grow to 10, maybe 30, maybe 100 people, every Sunday, for an hour. Maybe more people. When Nepal finally hits the world headlines, this Sunday crowd will be facing TV cameras, or so I would hope. But we don't have to. We will be video blogging on our own. The rest of the world can catch up at its own pace.

I like things open. I had a falling out with the closed Nepal Democracy Google group, 106 members, a few days back. (Nepal Democracy Google Group Does Not Believe In Free Speech) So I started my own open Progressive Nepal group. The theme is as follows: Peace, democracy and social justice have to go together to ensure a rapid economic growth for the country as a whole.

Openness and democracy go together. My idea of an organizational structure for this group does not look like a pyramid, it feels more like a cloud. There is this loose network. There is no center. The glow of an individual is that person's activity level. The most active are the brightest stars in the galaxy. And the glow is self determined. All book keeping is transparent, all discussions are transparent.

And the whole thing is also part of an experiment. If it will work in Nepal, it can work in other countries that are also clamoring for democracy. And the entire movement will be blogged. So the footprints will all be there. Future movements in other countries will have ready access to all the material. I feel like we are digging gold.

This is an experiment in non-violennce, also an experiment in democracy, because there is a major emphasis on internal democracy inside the movement, it is pretty much open source. This is an experiment in a war with communications technology. This is an experiment in effectiveness. This is an experiment in political innovation. This is an experiment in a seamless global effort: people in New York City should feel almost as involved as the people in Kathmandu. This is an experiment in reaching out. This is not just about Nepalis, but also friends of Nepal.

Orange Revolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TIME Europe Magazine: The Orange Revolution -- Dec. 06, 2004
BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Ukraine marks Orange Revolution
Orange Ukraine - Journal of Ukrainian Current Events
The New York Review of Books: The Orange Revolution
Orange Revolution || kuro5hin.org
Foreign Affairs - Ukraine's Orange Revolution - Adrian Karatnycky
Orange Revolution
ORANGE REVOLUTION :: Main Page
Ukraine: The Face of the Orange Revolution - Worldpress.org

Ukraine struggles to make Orange Revolution work - Taipei Times - Nov 24, 2005
One-year anniversary of Orange Revolution turns bittersweet - National Post - Nov 23, 2005
Ukraine celebrates Orange Revolution - New Zealand Herald - Nov 22, 2005

Moriarty's Irresponsible Mainstream
Soaking In Howard Dean

In The News

Maoists still undecided over extension of ceasefire NepalNews
India played behind-the-scenes role in Parties-Maoist understanding: TOI
Moriarty leaves for the US
12-point understanding installs new hope: Dr. Panday
Maoists, security forces exchange fire
Their Majesties in Tanzania
Understanding between parties and Maoists can’t be ignored: Thapa
Nepal says will continue to get arms from ‘friendly nations’ Indian Express, India
China sends arms to Nepal: Paper Calcutta Telegraph
India embargo in place, Nepal gets arms from China Newindpress
Guerrillas, security forces exchange fire in Nepal People's Daily Online, China
Nepalese Army committed to provide security for municipal polls People's Daily Online
Guerrillas continuing atrocities: Nepali Defense Ministry People's Daily Online
The Economist and The Times of India on Nepal’s new political ... United We Blog, Nepal
Top Indian dailies welcome ‘Nepal breakthrough’ Kantipur Online
Will Nepal go Maoists? Kathmandu Post
violence against women increases in Nepal: report Xinhua, China
US envoy called back to discuss Nepal issues Kantipur Online, Nepal
Moriarty Leaves Nepal for Consultations with US Govt NewsLine Nepal
Envoy Moriarty Flies to Washington Himalayan Times
Moriarty leaves for the US Nepali Times
China Has Supported Despotism: Nepal NewsLine Nepal, Nepal
No preconditions for constituent assembly election: Nepal Kantipur Online
Understanding On Our Own Feet: MK Nepal NewsLine Nepal
UML Asks China to Stop Arms Supply to Nepal Himalayan Times
‘India not behind Nepal uprising’ Newindpress, India
Nepal will be a rich and powerful country PeaceJournalism.com, Nepal
A reporter’s experience for conducting a survey for Nepal ... United We Blog, Nepal
Ranabhat Hits Out at Clause in Parties-Maoist Deal Himalayan Times, Nepal
Accord With Maoists Only a Rumor: Shiv Sena NewsLine Nepal, Nepal

Madhesi

Nepal Democracy Google Group Does Not Believe In Free Speech
40 Reasons Why The Three Forces Should Come Ar0und To My Proposed Constitution
Rajeev Goyal Talks Up Caste
Seven Party Forum In Jackson Heights
Sage Radachowsky Interviews Anil Jha
Badri Mandal: Winner
Anil Jha, Bimal Nidhi, Jimmy Carter
Anil Jha, Bimal Nidhi US Tour Logistics
Sadbhavana Meets In Janakpur
Bimalendra Nidhi US Tour
September 16 Protest Rally
The King In Janakpur
Nepal's Terai People In Deplorable Conditions: Mahto
Power Woman Protest
Words Matter
Madhesi Hum Lenge Sau Mein Pachas
Hridayesh Tripathy
The Kathmandu Media Ignores The Sadbhavana
Caste Discrimination Leads To War
To: Koirala, Nepal, KC, Pokharel, Tripathy, Mahto And The Rest
Sangram Morcha: A New Political Party (1993)
Badri Mandal: Sadbhavana's RPP Face
Peace First, Then Democracy, Democracy First, Then Social Justice
Common Minimum Program: Constituent Assembly
The Emotional Structure Of The Conflict
Phone Talk With Hridayesh Tripathy
Madhesi Rights: Abhi Nahin To Kabhi Nahin
Pradip Giri: DaMaJaMa
Tibetans And Madhesis
This Inadequate, Improper, Insufficient 1990 Constitution
Time For The Nepali Congress To Take A Stand On The Constituent Assembly Question
Phone Interview With Rajendra Mahato
Hridayesh Tripathy In Delhi: Good News

India-US-EU Need To Provide Logistical Support To The Democracy Movement

Import of arms from China as per the agreement: RNA NepalNews ..... China had pledged to provide Rs.72 million military aid to the RNA ..... China's aid comes at a time when India, the United States and the United Kingdom have suspended the supply of lethal military arms to Nepal following the royal takeover in February this year ..... arms and weapons entered Nepal in 18 trucks .....

The three big powers India, US and EU have so far made a big mistake which is to not come forth openly saying a constituent assembly is the only way to peace and democracy in Nepal. Another mistake they have made is to not provide logistical support to the democracy movement. The three powers need to think of democracy restoration in Nepal as a project that can be launched and completed over a month. Vague diplomatic statements will not do.

Enter The Dragon
Indian Support For Democrat-Maoist Alliance A Must
Maoist, Moriarty, Madhav, Manmohan: Get Behind The 3 Point Program

Through this military aid, China has made a decisive foray into Nepal's internal politics. It is no longer neutral. It no longer considers Nepal's political developments as its internal matter. It is now very much involved. It has taken the side of the autocrats. The people on the two sides are ideological cousins.

JFK once wrote a book called Why England Slept. He argued that democracies are slow to respond to impending threats like the fascists and the Nazis were. I am reminded of that right now. The Indian, American and European responses to developments in Nepal have been lukewarm. The responses have lacked sophistication and urgency. They are high on moral rhetoric, low on specifics.

The biggest thing about not providing logistical support to the democracy movement is that shows you do not have a good knowledge of the ground realities in Nepal. And so you are reduced to singing vague tunes of democracy.

Nepal is fast being turned into a fault line by the king and the Chinese authorities. This has global implications. Just look at history. World War II was a fault line drawn between the democracies and the fascists, Nazis. The Cold War was a fault line between the democracies and the Soviet bloc. The War on Terror is a fault line between the democracies and the Islamists in the undemocratic Arab world. If you connect the dots, you are going to be forced to see the next big chunk of landmass without democracy is China. The fault lines are already forming, and they are forming in Nepal. The democracies need to wake up. Nepal is an opportunity for the democracies to seize the non-violent option at a fault line.

The Nepal democracy movement needs help. It needs the foreign powers to attain political clarity. And you do that by publicly coming around to supporting the idea of a constituent assembly.

The Foreign Powers Need To Come Clean On The Constituent Assembly Question

And it also needs logistical support. Powers that have in the past poured in tens of millions of dollars in military aid into Nepal to fight the Maoists should now be willing to pour in a few million dollars to help the Nepal democracy movement with logistics. Put your money where your mouth is.

The West funded the Orange Revolution in Ukraine last year. It is high time for a repeat in Nepal.

Orange Revolution

The Chinese Communist Party Has Until 2020 Max

Then its political monopoly in China is going to be over.

Dean 2008, China, Pakistan, Russia, North Korea, Cuba And Nepal

The Chinese people are going to be free like people elsewhere. They deserve democracy like people everywhere else. And they are going to get it.

In The News

Import of arms from China as per the agreement: RNA NepalNews
Understanding between parties and Maoists can’t be ignored: Thapa
Thousands take part in UML rally calling for peace and democracy
No need of constituent assembly: Minister Dhakal; No option to constituent assembly: Leaders
Rights groups welcome Parties-Maoist understanding
Nepalis in the US welcome Parties-Maoist agreement
China 'aiding Nepal's fight with Maoists' Aljazeera.net, Qatar
Chinese 'deliver arms to Nepal' BBC News
China delivers military supplies to Nepal - report Reuters AlertNet
China supplies truckloads of arms to Nepal: Report Outlook (subscription), India
China to build information superhighway in Nepal Hindustan Times
First Bundle of Chinese Lethal support in Nepal NewsLine Nepal, Nepal
RNA Admits Military Aid from China NewsLine Nepal
China arms RNA Kantipur Online

No lethal arms from China: RNA (news update) 7:46 PM ..... hasn’t received any lethal arm from China ..... there were no rifles in the arms consignment that was delivered to the RNA this week. He said that the consignment included some signal equipment ...... The latest arms assistance from China has come at a time when major suppliers of military assistance to Nepal, India, US and UK, have suspended their ‘lethal military support’ to Nepal in the aftermath of the royal takeover of February this year.

This is better news. Lethal military aid is the benchmark. Even India and the UK have provided some non-lethanl military aid after 2/1.

Nepalese Americas Council Welcomes Maoist-Democrat Accord

To: NAC

I hope the NAC will similarly come forth condemning the regime's concerted attempts to thwart the mass rallies by the seven party coalition, especially the UML and the Nepali Congress, in different parts of the country. We have to condemn it in such a way that we tie this latest episode to the prior attacks on the media and the NGOs. These fascist tendencies have to be countered forcefully now, or they will learn to get worse.

Also I hope the NAC will play a role in fundraising at this end.

Fundraising Among Nepalis In The US: Pyramid Of 10

Political power has three components to it: money, message and organization.

The message is democracy, although I wish the seven parties offered a greater clarity on the agenda and the roadmap. The organizations are securely in place at both ends. Now let's work the money part. $100 is a small sum. 1000 individuals is a reasonable head count. And the organizational framework is not a pyramid really, it is a cloud. Everything stays transparent at all times. As a starter we build a pyramid of people who at this stage only pledge. We collect the money as per the demand of the movement down the line.

Some money is needed right away for this: Movement Taken To Online Video.

Press Release: NAC Welcomes 12-point Understanding (11/23/05)

Nepalese Americas Council P.O. Box 9883, San Bernardino, CA 92407 NAC since 1991 Press Release For More Information Contact: Dr. Jeetendra Joshee (jeetjoshee@yahoo.com) Phone: 909-792-0343 Wednesday, November 23, 2005 The Nepalese Americas Council (NAC) and its member organizations welcome the 12-point understanding reached between the Seven Parliamentary Party Alliance and the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) to resolve the 10-year old armed-conflict, and appreciate their commitment to establishing representative democracy in Nepal. It is a positive sign for peace, and restoration of democracy and human rights in Nepal. We commend all the involved parties for their pledge to reestablish democracy in Nepal and to bring the long overdue peace in the country. As stated in the letter of understanding, democracy, peace, prosperity, social development and a free and sovereign Nepal are the primary wishes of the Nepali people. Therefore, we urge all parties to remain true to their commitments in the letter and deliver results to the Nepali people who have suffered much. It is a universal fact that without democracy, peace, and security, prosperity will not be achieved. We also welcome the acknowledgement of past mistakes by Maoists and the political parties, and their vow to learn from them. Rebuilding trust will take time. But we sincerely hope that these reconciliation efforts progress to the point where a verifiable disarmament is overseen by a credible international agency. We strongly urge the King to utilize this opportunity and come to terms to restore democracy and foster a lasting peace in the country. We recommend that he invites the United Nations and other international agencies to facilitate the rapprochement between himself, the Maoists, the political parties and the people of Nepal. Should he ignore this opportunity, we foresee grave consequences to the democratic process. Meanwhile, the people of Nepal will continue to suffer, and the viability and utility of monarchy will be in question. We also appeal to the international community to pressure the King to immediately and unconditionally restore democracy. Now that the Maoists have agreed to lay down the arms for good, the King must act swiftly and yield to the voices of people. NAC believes that a negotiated political settlement through peaceful means is the only way out of the current crisis in Nepal, and to move towards full democracy in Nepal. We urge all political forces to assert leadership in bringing peace and security and establishing a multiparty democracy with the ultimate source of the power vested in the sovereign people of Nepal. NAC is a council of several Nepali organizations in North America established to create unity among people of Nepali origin for effective coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on common issues. NAC member and other community organizations/groups: Association of the Nepalis in the Americas (ANA) America Nepal Society (ANS), California Nepalese Association in South East America ( NASeA) Nepalese and Friends Association (NAFA) Kaligandaki Friendship Society (KFC), Washington, D.C. Nepali Youth Organization (NYO), Washington, D.C. Society of Ex-Budhanilkantha Students - North America Nepa Pasha Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA) America Nepal Friendship Society (ANFS), New York Nepal Cultural Society of B.C. (NCSBC) Association of the Nepalese in the Midwest America Nepal Seattle Society Florida Nepalese Association (FNA) Nepal Community Network of Canada (NCNC) Nepali Women's Network of North America NCNC( North Carolina) Nepalese Society of Texas ( Dallas) Greater Boston Nepali Community ( Boston) Nepali American Public Affairs Council (NAPAC) Nepal Concern Group-Canada Rocky Mountain Friends of Nepal (Denver) Association of Nepali Terain in America (ANTA) Liberal Democracy Nepal (LDN) Nepal Enterprise Forum Nepal Democracy Forum Indira Foundation Sincerely, Dr. Jeet Joshee President Nepalese Americas Council

Ways To Cut The Gordian Knot

'If then such praise the Macedonian got
For having rudely cut the Gordian Knot'
.....Waller ...to the King

Just take a look at it, it even looks like it symbolizes the triangular conflict in Nepal. There are three protrusions to the Gordian Knot.

Gordian Knot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What are the options? How could the House revival stance be ditched so the country can move forward?

(1) Girija sees the light. He finally comes around to seeing the folly of this stand. He changes his mind on his own. He has his moment. It comes to him in a flash.

(2) Girija is made to see the light in one on one conversations by the people around him.

(3) The Nepali Congress holds a meeting of its central committee. That meeting holds a comprehensive discussion on the issue and by majority vote decides to ditch the House revival stance. Girija has no choice to counter the decision, just like he had no choice not to ditch the constitutional monarchy reference during the Nepali Congress convention. The party decided against his will. He was forced to come around to it. The party could similarly force him on this issue as well. Otherwise the Nepali Congress has been shrinking on a daily basis. At the current rate it is going to end up the third or the fourth largest party in Nepal, behind the UML, the Maoists, and the Deuba Congress. The idiotic House revival stance is going to cost the party dear.

(4) The seven party alliance holds a meeting to revise its four point agenda, decide on a government in waiting, set up joint committees in all 75 districts, to chalk out the decisive joint protest program, and to chalk out a detailed action plan all the way to a new constitution for the country. Girija is outvoted on the issue, 6-1. And thus finally the four point agenda becomes a three point agenda. The meeting designates Girija Koirala the Supreme Commander and inspirational leader of the movement, Madhav Nepal the prime minister in waiting, and Ram Chandra Poudel the deputy prime minister in waiting. The other five parties are to get a berth each, and the three largest, the UML, the Koirala Congress, and the Deuba Congress, are to get an additional berth each.

(5) The Maoists initiate a dialogue with Tulsi Giri. The Maoists and the Monarchists agree to hold talks, and they subsequently decide to invite the seven parties to the same. Thus takes shape the roundtable conference. The king is made to remind his promise right after 2/1 that he is willing to go for a constituent assembly. All three forces decide on an interim government. The House issue just never comes up in the discussions. Under UN supervision part of the Maoist army is integrated into the state army, the rest are rehabilitated. The US and the EU come up with a $5 million package to retrain most of the Maoist fighters so they can enter the private sector of the economy. With only one standing army left, the country goes towards a constituent assembly.

(6) The same as (5) except that the king bargains that a ceremonial monarchy should be guaranteed, and the constituent assembly may decide on the rest of the issues.

(7) The Nepali Congress gets kicked out of the seven party coalition which becomes a six party coalition. It adopts a three point agenda. A concrete action plan is chalked out. The Nepali Congress cadres join the movement in large numbers. The Nepali Congress leadership gets isolated. The party becomes extinct. The Deuba Congress and the Sadbhavana absorb most of the cadres of the Koirala Congress.

Democratic Unity Needed
40 Reasons Why The Three Forces Should Come Ar0und To My Proposed Constitution
Revive House, Lay Down Arms, Put Up With Me: Girija
Dinesh Wagle, 7 Leaders, 27 Questions
Roadmap
Newton, Apples, And Girija's House Revival Idea
Moriarty's Irresponsible Mainstream
Pyramid Of 10 In Kathmandu
Teen Sutriya Agenda
Maoist, Moriarty, Madhav, Manmohan: Get Behind The 3 Point Program
A Plant Looking At An Animal
3 Scenarios
Gameplan
House Revival Stance Preventing Progress
Dean 2008, China, Pakistan, Russia, North Korea, Cuba And Nepal
The Army Rank And File Need To Be For The People And Democracy
Girija's House Revival Fantassy
October 2, 2002
Timi Sadak Ma Utreko Dekheko Chhu
Militarists, Maoists, Monotones, Dorambaites, Naxalites
Militarists Attempting A Doramba Repeat To End Ceasefire
The Foreign Powers Need To Come Clean On The Constituent Assembly Question
Madhav Nepal, Commander Of The Movement
What's Going On In Nepal
For The First Time In A Decade, Permanent Peace Feels Possible
Ahobhagya Shaubhagya: Confusion InThe Monarchist Camp

Is The King For A Constituent Assembly?

I think yes, because he said as much right after 2/1.

But people like Tanka Dhakal and Satchit B.S. Shamsher Rana (This Movement Also Against Rana Rule: Satchit Is So Much B.S.) and others in that little clique will tell you otherwise. It is because as soon as this regime comes down, these people are history. They lose their berths in the cabinet, they get kicked out of the ministerial residences, they no longer get invitations to talk programs where they are used to waxing eloquent, they disappear from the limelight permanently.

They know that.

So of course these minions would want to prolong the current regime for as long as possible.

I am not saying the king is above the fray. He is the architect of 2/1, and the leader of the current regime. But tactically speaking you have to draw a distinction between the king and his minions.

Girija's crime is to think House revival should be the meeting point for the three forces.

The solution is that the constituent assembly is the meeting point.

If the king were not for a constituent assembly, I would not see why the Maoists would want to talk to Tulsi Giri. But because the king is for such an assembly, it makes no sense for the Maoists to not initiate dialogue with Giri. You asked for a roundtable conference, now take it.

Democratic Unity Needed

Seven Party Committee At Center And In Districts, Need Of The Hour

The UML tries to organize a protest rally in Butwal, the regime tries to foil it. The Nepali Congress tries to organize one in Morang, the local administration prevents it. The UML is working to organize a rally in Pokhara, the administration is working to foil it.

The two big parties are still not one. They are going their own separate ways. There is a lack of unity. That prevents the collapse of the current regime.

The concept of a common minimum program has not been applied.

Girija Koirala wants the king to use Article 127 to revive the dead horse of the 1999 House. Madhav Nepal is opposed to the idea of reviving the House using Article 127. The king does not have the technical option to revive the House using Article 127. That right there is the Gordian Knot of Nepali politics. All problems the country faces right now emanate from this knot.

Gordian Knot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And so the seven parties do not really have a common agenda. And so there is not only no unity, there is no common action plan. This is not the time to compete. That time will come later. That time will come after the Maoists have disarmed and joined the interim government. Then the parties go their separate ways and compete. But right now is exactly the wrong time to be competing.

The parties have a common enemy, but not a common program. There is no common action plan.

The seven parties should first build a common agenda. They already have a four point agenda that they chalked out but do not agree on. All they have to do is revise it, and turn it into a three point agenda.

Then they form a seven person committee at the center, and a seven person committee in all districts where all seven parties have a presence. In some districts you will have only four, or five or six person committtees, because not all of the seven parties are present in all 75 districts, and that is okay. But this show of unity is crucial.

This movement is being waged for both the Nepali people and for the global audience. Democratic unity has to be exhibited.

But instead, there is no common agenda, and the UML and the Nepali Congress are organizing their separate programs. It is better than nothing, but it is not the best option, especially when the regime has been actively trying to thwart the attempts. These are not normal times. You are much safer and more productive if united.

Democratic unity is not an easy thing to forge. Democrats by definition like to speak their minds, and stake out their positions. And it is okay to differ. But that is where the concept of a common minimum program comes to good use. You start with things you do agree on. And then you slowly expand that base.

And the endgame has not been given much thought.

Say you organize a rally like in Butwal in every town, also in the capital city. Then what? You still are out of power. The king gets to brag to the world he allows protest rallies. And he is still securely in place. What is the gain for us?

This king will not respond to a protest rally here, a protest rally there. You will have to imitate what happened in Ukraine in 2004. You take over one open public space, and you stay there until the regime collapses, day in, day out.

And that is still not the complete endgame. There will have to be a second step.

Say 300,000 people take over New Road and the vicinity for three weeks, and Nepal hits the world headlines, and there is this major pressure on the king, and he relents. Then what? I think he is going to say, okay, I will use Article 127 and an all party government can be formed. Will the parties go for it? That decision has to be made now. You can not postpone this topic for later. It is for things like these that you need a permanent seven person committee of the seven parties. Perhaps there should be a mandatory weekly meeting of that permanent committee.

What is another option? I guess the parties could argue for an interim government. They could say, forget Article 127. Let's instead make a political decision to form an interim government. That would be a valid thing to say. But if that is what will be said, that has to be decided now, or the king will be in a position to play one against the other, like he did last time.

The Krishna Prasad Bhattarai government of 1990 was not formed within the Panchayat constitution. Maybe we are at a similar juncture now.

There is a third option. You also invite the Maoists into the picture. There is a roundtable conference of the three forces. An interim government gets formed that puts my Proposed Constitution to a referendum.

40 Reasons Why The Three Forces Should Come Ar0und To My Proposed Constitution

All three options are good, in my viewpoint. It is for the seven parties to decide which they want to go for. I personally think the third option is the best. It saves a lot of time and energy and money. But it is for the three forces to decide what they want, what they can agree on.

But the key point is the endgame has to be thought through.

There are many solutions. There are many options. But the departure point to all is to ditch the unnatural House revival stance. Unless you do that, nothing else happens. Things only get worse.

Look at this scenario. Girija does not let go the House revival stance. The UML and the Congress hold separate rallies, big ones, one a week, in different parts of the country, all through December and January. The king does not budge. It is already February. The Maoists make an active attempt to disrupt the February 8 polls. There are serial bomb blasts in most towns the night of February 7. There are few fatalities, but the population is scared.

Is that what the seven parties want?

Another option is, Girija lets go the House revival stand. The seven parties agree on a three point program. They imitate Ukraine. There are 300,000 people who take over New Road for three weeks. Nepal hits the world headlines. The king relents. An all party government is formed. There are peace talks with the Maoists. The Maoist army gets partially integrated into the state army. The Maoists join the government. The country goes to a constituent assembly.

Which of the two options will the seven parties go for?

The key is to understand the departure point is to let go the House revival stand.

I mean, am I missing something here? If I am, those who disagree should make their case. Why? How?