Even If The Worst Fears About The Maoists Are True

I believe the Maoists when they say they are for a democratic republic, as opposed to a communist republic. The Maoists function in quite a transparent manner. The details of the Prachanda-Baburam fallout from early 2005 are on the web for the world to see. Similarly the Maoist conclusion that at this juncture of Nepal's socio-economic development, only a democratic republic is right. This is a conclusion they have reached through arduous internal analysis, and is not a scheme to hoodwink the democrats into a temporary alliance. As in, they will opt for a democratic republic even if they came to power on their own.

But let's assume that the worst fears about the Maoists are true, that these are bloodthirsty communists, mindless in their aims and methods, waiting in the wings to take over state power so as to butcher down a few hundred thousand Nepalis accusing them of being class enemies, that their alliance with the seven parties is dishonest. Let's assume all that.

If that be the case, it is extra important that the king handover power to the seven party alliance with immediate effect.

Why? Because that seven party alliance government will immediately end the global isolation of Nepal, and powers like India, Europe and the US will resume their military aid. A sophisticated military offensive to weaken the Maoists will become an option that does not exist currently. The RNA will no longer be castigated around the world.

But the military option will only be on standby. The seven party alliance has the political solution as its first option. They will invite the Maoists to peace talks, and subsequent disarmament to lead to elections to a constituent assembly. The roadmap is a pretty good one. If or not the Maoists are being honest, we will know ahead of time. And if they are being dishonest, Nepal as a country will be best positioned to seek a military solution to the insurgency under such a seven party government.

So even if the Maoists are being dishonest, and a military solution is to be sought, the only option the country has is for the king to handover power to the seven party alliance with immediate effect.

But the king will not go down that path.

That shows the king is not interested in either a political or a military solution to the insurgency. The king is not worried about the Maoists, or he would hurry to handover power to the seven party alliance.

The king and his coterie are only interested in keeping power to themselves. That is their one and only interest.

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In The News

Two policemen shot dead in Rautahat NepalNews
Maoists, security personnel violated international humanitarian laws during Sindhupalchowk incident
Nepali politics: On the collision course
Five Maoist commandos nabbed in the valley: Officials
ICJ calls on Nepal govt. not to renew anti-terrorism ordinance
Nepal, India renew Transit Treaty
Terror trail: the Maoist insurgency
Transferring Power To the People

Mass movement aimed at restoring people’s sovereignty: Koirala Kantipur
2 policemen killed, 2 civilians injured in Maoist shooting
Rare show for democracy by SPA, Maoist representatives
Swiss govt to hold meeting on Nepal
Upcoming showdown is Maoist programme: Thapa
FMs ‘requested’ to air govt propaganda
लोकतान्त्रिक आन्दोलनका चुनौती डा. बाबुराम भट्टराई
एफएमहरूलाई दबाबको विरोध
ँसञ्चार दुरुपयोगले नेपाललाई ककनी’
इटहरीमा विशाल प्रदर्शन
प्रजा परिषद् पनि आन्दोलनमा
राप्रपा पनि सडकमा

Nepal's pro-democractic parties determined to fight regime NewKerala.com, India
5 rebels arrested in Kathmandu ahead of Oppn. strike Hindu
Nepalese Economy down Due to Conflict, Says UN Study Nepal human Rights News
POLITICS-NEPAL: Lights Return but Spark Missing Inter Press Service (subscription), Italy
New Nepal in New Year, Says UML Leader Himalayan Times, Nepal
Seven-party pro-democracy alliance plans major protest in Nepal Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Indian scribe lobbies for Nepal Maoists in Europe Hindustan Times, India
UN warns Nepal civil war spilling to cities Daily Times, Pakistan
Knowledge, practice key to protect rights: Martin Gorkhapatra
Activists demand release of Nepali Maoists jailed in India Kantipur Online
Nepal Parties Urge Citizens to Back Their Strike Call Nepal human Rights News
Nepal’s current crisis, future perspectives and practical steps Nepalnews.com
Terror trail: the Maoist insurgency Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Nepal Supreme Court Scraps Provision of Divorce upon Infertility Nepal human Rights News, Nepal
Nepal parties plan major protests next week NewKerala.com, India
Caste-based Discrimination Endures in Nepal OhmyNews International, South Korea
Nepal gunbattle leaves three dead in new fighting Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates
Healing the trauma of violence amid unrest continues in Nepal Mennonite Central Committee
US rebuts Indian daily on arms resumption DailyIndia.com, NY
US rebuts Indian daily on arms resumption NewKerala.com
Nepal govt vows to foil Maoist strike CNN-IBN, India
Nepal: A Political Dumping Site in the Making OhmyNews International, South Korea
Heading for a showdown in Nepal BBC News, UK
Government may impose curfew; disconnect communication services if ... Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Curfew, communication disruption probable: Rana Nepaleyes
‘Curfew, dead mobiles on cards’ Kantipur Online
Economic situation in difficult turn: NRB Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Economic indicators paint bleak picture Kantipur Online
Economic outlook not encouraging: NRB Nepaleyes

Visitors

1 April

18:36

University of Missouri, Columbia, United States

1 April

21:01

Oklahoma City, United States (mmcable.com)

1 April

21:06

NTT Communications, Japan

1 April

21:22

Comcast Communications, Alexandria, United States

1 April

21:29

Sri Lanka Telecom, Sri Lanka

1 April

21:40

University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R.

1 April

21:44

Motorola, United States

Write To Bush, Condi Before Possible Clampdown

The junta in Kathmandu has made it absolutely clear they will stop the planned peaceful protest programs of the seven party alliance at any cost. This is naked fascism. But we are not helpless. The Nepali people like people everywhere have a right to peaceful assembly, which is a fundamental human right. We need to write to power centers across the planet to get the world opinion on our side. This is also necessary should we have to declare a parallel government down the line.

Murari Sharma first suggested this to me. I suggested he do the writing using his title as the former Nepal ambassador to the UN. He came back to me suggesting it will be better if a larger number of Nepalis wrote. He suggested President Bush, Secretary Rice, and members of the Foreign Relations Committee. I think we can go wider.

Here are some places you can write or email to.

The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
President Bush: comments@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Cheney: vice_president@whitehouse.gov
US State Department, Secretary Rice, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520 (You can email her directly from the website.)
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6225
Chairperson Lugar: senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov
Biden, email
Others

European Union
Economic and financial sanctions: relex-sanctions@cec.eu.int
President's mail: sg-web-president@cec.eu.int

China, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs: No. 2, Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100701 webmaster@mfa.gov.cn

India, Foreign Ministry: usxps@mea.gov.in You can also search for other places to write to on Google. Please feel free to add them in the comments section of this blog entry.

UN Commission On Human Rights: ngochr@ohchr.org

The thing to remember is this thing works, and quantity matters. If they were to get 100 emails or more on Nepal within days, they will notice. It worked the last time we tried.

Nepal Needs To Be Hitting The World Headlines: Write To The Media

This just might have been a coincidence, but CNN was interviewing Madhav Nepal not long after, there were video clips on Nepal at the Reuters site.

There is power in numbers.

Here is a sample letter from Murari Sharma:

The Right Honorable
Mr. George Bush
President of the United States

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Mr. President,

The seven-party-alliance has scheduled a series of peaceful political protests throughout Nepal from April 6-9, 2006 to press the unconstitutional government headed by King Gyanendra to restore democracy, freedom and human rights. To prevent the protests, the royal government is planning to slap curfews, arrest leaders and political activists, and deny people the freedoms of speech, peaceful assembly and movement. The royal government must be stopped from this planned crack down.

Ever since he took over absolute power on February 1, 2005, the king has been ruling by decrees and violating the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal 1990, the provisions of international human rights treaties, and the agreement it signed last year with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The royal government has also defied the call from US government and Congress for the immediate restoration of democratic rights and civil liberties and reconcile with democratic parties.

The seven-party-alliance has signed the 12-point understanding to get the Maoists to stop violence, seek peaceful settlement to the conflict and join the democratic mainstream. The civil society and Nepali people support the agreement, while putting pressure on the Maoists that they do not walk away from the agreement or betray people’s new trust in them. The royal government’s defiance to the will of the Nepali people and to the good will of the world community will dash the new found hope for peace, democracy and development.

We, the members of the Nepali diaspora in the United States, request you to kindly make it clear to the royal government in Nepal that continued crack down on peaceful political protests in Nepal is not acceptable.

Thank you.

You can use the same letter of compose your own. Here is yet another sample letter.

Secretary Rice.

It must be to your knowledge the excesses of the illegitimate regime in Kathmandu. Their latest planned stunt is to prevent the planned peaceful protest programs of the seven party alliance slated for April 6-9, "at any cost," Home Minister Kamal Thapa's words.

You are looking at daylong curfews, mass arrest of leaders and political party workers, irresponsible use of tear gas, practically chemical warfare upon the people, police beatings in open streets, mobilization of the army in urban settings, shoot at sight orders, and a potential military crackdown.

This regime in Kathmandu has fascist tendencies. The world has to wake up early and beforehand if the worst case scenario has to be avoided.

We the Nepali diaspora urge you to please use the large megaphone at your disposal and the instruments of US power at your command to make it absolutely clear to the junta in Nepal that violating the brave Nepali people's right to peaceful assembly is not an option. The country will remember you forever for your helping hand at this great hour of need.

Thank you.

Please pass the message around to all Nepalis and friends of Nepal you know. Quantity matters.

Letter To Senator Norm Coleman, by Padam Sharma

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Bloody Hell
The King Is Not Even Pretending
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Curfew? What Curfew? Royal Tamasha
Our Options
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India, EU, US, Japan, UN Should Be Thinking Economic Sactions
Verdict: Loss Of Crown, Property And Liberty For Gyanendra Shaha
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Freedom Of Assembly Under Attack In Nepal
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In The News

Jimmy Carter May Offer to Mediate for Peace Himalayan Times, Nepal
Jimmy Carter tries his hand at Nepal peace Samudaya.org
Carter to meet Nepal king with mediation message Gulf Times
Carter wants the Nepal call The Statesman, India
Former US president Carter to visit Nepal Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Former US president Carter arriving next week Kantipur Online, Nepal
Jimmy Carter Favors UN Over US NewsMax.com, FL