Wednesday, April 05, 2006

The Fascists In Kathmandu



The crackdown is a naked violation of a fundamental human right: the right to peaceful assembly. This is unacceptable.

Final Act: Disobey The Curfew
April 6,7,8,9, April 16,17,18,19, April 26,27,28,29
Even If The Worst Fears About The Maoists Are True
Write To Bush, Condi Before Possible Clampdown
यो सडक ितम्र्ो हो
Kamal Thapa Is A Nazi
Kamal Thapa Going Jail, Kamal Thapa Chukkie Pissing

Himal Survey Has A Republican Message

Himal Survey

The choice is between an unconstitutional monarchy and a republic. The Nepali people have made it very clear they will opt for a republic between the two. This monarch has made constitutional monarchy unimaginable.

75% of the people have been opposed to his direct rule since 2/1.
95% of the people say the situation in Nepal is bad/anarchic/frightening. The largest proportion of the people blame the king for the bad situation.
90% want dialogue as the legitimate political outlet.
85% are opposed to the idea of parliamentary elections.
75% are opposed to the idea of an unconstitutional monarchy.
Over 70% of those who have heard of the 12 point agreement think it is positive.
50% want outside parties to facilitate.
Only 20% think the 1990 constitution is okay.
Less than 20% votes in the municipal polls.
20% think the king's parlimentary elections are possible.
67% want the new constitution to be made through a constituent assembly.
67% think what we have right now is an absolute monarchy.
65% of the people are opposed to the idea that the parties have been sidelined by the king.

The survey says 50% of the people want a constitutional/ceremonial monarchy. Those are not people against the idea of a republic. They are people who are disapproving of the absolute monarchy we have in the country right now.

The Himal Survey is a clear indication the country is ready for a republic.

Movement Or Revolution

The difficulties and challenges of organizing a movement and getting people out into the streets can not be underestimated. But the king has really been trying the patience of the democrats. The movement has to turn into a revolution.

In The News

Nepal's king cracks down ahead of strike, protests Reuters AlertNet, UK
Nepal police detain dozens before protest San Jose Mercury News
Nepal's king cracks down ahead of strike, protests Reuters
Nepal bans protests in the capital Boston Globe
Nepal king to announce election dates: report Times of India, India
Dozens arrested on eve of opposition protests against Nepal king Monsters and Critics.com, UK
Nepal Maoists kill six, over 100 opposition leaders arrested NewKerala.com
Curfew in Kathmandu as 6 killed, dozens arrested NewKerala.com
Nepali opposition leaders arrested in midnight raids DailyIndia.com
Nepal Police Detain Dozens of Opposition Activists Voice of America
Nepal government cracks down on planned protests JURIST
US condemns Nepal arrests Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Nepal Govt Starts Squeezing Influx of Political Activists into ... NewsLine Nepal
Dozens of political activists detained from demonstrations Kantipur Online
UN concerned over human rights violations in Nepal Hindustan Times, India
OHCHR Urges Govt to Stop Arbitrary Arrests Himalayan Times
Nepal government tightens anti-terror law JURIST
Students detain in clash with police in Nepal Islamic Republic News Agency
Nepal Govt. bans public meetings ahead of strike Hindu
Nepal amends anti-terror act Daily News & Analysis
Nepal's police arrest jouranlists, political leaders Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Nepalese police arrest 40 protestors CNN-IBN
Nepalese police arrest 40 protestors NDTV.com
Nepal parties to defy ban on rallies Gulf Times, Qatar
Sweden cuts down aid to Nepal NDTV.com
Nepal police detain opposition activists United Press International
Nepal police crack down on opposition activists World Peace Herald
Nepal police detain opposition activists Malaysia Sun
Curfew imposed on highway linking KathmanduPeople's Daily Online
Indian mafia unleashes organised crime in Nepal Navhind Times, India
Bihar gangs target Nepal The Statesman
Terrorists exposed as conspiring: Thapa Gorkhapatra, Nepal
‘Truce’ a ploy to topple govt: Thapa Kantipur Online
Collective efforts can defeat terrorism: Thapa Gorkhapatra
Govt is set to foil seven-party agitation: Home Minister Nepalnews.com
India welcomes ceasefire announcement by Nepal Maoists Zee News, India
Nepal Government Urged to Respect People's Rights Nepal human Rights News, Nepal
Nepal's Home Minister Terms Truce in Capital a 'Ploy' Nepal human Rights News
Maoist truce a ploy, govt to foil stir: Home Minister Nepaleyes
Nepal: Truce rejected by government Utrop.no, Norway
Nepal's royalist govt detains dozens, imposes Kathmandu curfew Reuters South Africa, South Africa
Japanese organisation provides US$ 38,000 to UNHCR’s Nepal ... Nepalnews.com, Nepal
India to quadruple security forces along border with Nepal, Bhutan India Daily, NJ
Clashes at eastern Nepal, At least five security personnel missing Mero Sansar, NY
Nepal King considers him as incarnation of Lord Vishnu? International Reporter, India
India asks constitutional forces in Nepal to work together Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Nepal Government Bans Peaceful Public Gatherings OhmyNews International, South Korea
SWEET CHIMES OF FREEDOM Calcutta Telegraph, India
Mao in the university Calcutta Telegraph
Nepal: Joint statement by Amnesty International and International ... Amnesty International USA
Straighten rights record: AI, ICJ to warring sides Nepaleyes
Maoist’s Partial Truce Not Enough: ICJ, AI Himalayan Times
Scores of SPA activists, supporters arrested Nepaleyes, Nepal
Police arrest 37 professionals; raid leaders' residence Nepalnews.com
Over 30 Professionals Arrested From New Baneshwor Himalayan Times
Around 40 professionals arrested in capital Kantipur Online
India is supporting rebels, parties: Prakash Koirala Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Dialogue Still Possible If King Takes Initiative: Koirala Nepal human Rights News
Govt releases lawyers arrested from protest demonstrations Kantipur Online, Nepal
Produce Arrested Lawyers, SC Tells Govt Himalayan Times
SC orders authorities to produce arrested lawyers before court by ... Kantipur Online
Curfuw in within the ring road - Capital Kathmandu Mero Sansar, NY
India hails Maoists' truce United Press International
Nepal hotel rooms going for $1 DailyIndia.com, NY
ACHR welcomes Maoists' cease-fire in Kathmandu Deepika, India
Nepal Maoists' cease-fire in the Kathmandu valley welcomed Asian Centre for Human Rights
SC Raps Govt for Not Letting Lawyers Meet Nepal Himalayan Times, Nepal

U.S. condemns Nepal arrests NepalNews
Govt announces curfew in the capital
An April uprising By C K Lal
Six security personnel killed in explosion in Jhapa
Police arrest 37 professionals; raid leaders' residence
Take action in Janakpur incident as criminal offense: NHRC
India is supporting rebels, parties: Minister Koirala
Government working to amend 137 discriminatory laws
Biratnagar Jute Mill closed
India welcomes partial ceasefire
University teachers organize pen down strike
“Jana Andolan” 1990 Revisited-I

US condemns arrests of leaders Kantipur Publications
NHRC urges govt to put Pariyar's shooters on trial
Buses barred from plying to capital
Dozens of political activists detained from demonstrations
Supreme Court could revive parliament: Palace's Hindu friend

Visitors

4 April23:43United States Army, United States
5 April00:21Department of State, Washington, D.C., United States
5 April00:14Comcast Communications, Alexandria, United States
5 April00:17Hong Kong S.A.R. (infolink.hk)
5 April00:26Satyam Infoway Limited, India
5 April01:00NTT Communications, Japan
5 April01:34Infocom, Philippines
5 April01:49Comcast Communications, Los Angeles, United States
5 April02:46Tohoku University, Japan
5 April03:30Orbitel, Inc., Bulgaria
5 April03:53Roehampton Institute, London, United Kingdom
5 April04:10Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd., Nepal
5 April04:13CaribSurf, Barbados
5 April04:51Access Telecom, Dhaka, Bangladesh
5 April06:00D. E. Shaw & Co., New York, United States
5 April07:58University of Missouri, Columbia, United States
5 April09:54University of Alberta, Canada

BBC Audio

काठमाडौं चैत्र २३ कर्फ्यु-05.04.06
सुर्यप्रसाद श्रेष्ठसंग-05.04.06
गिरीजाप्रसाद कोइरालासंग-02.04.06
कमल थापा, अमृत बोहोरासंग-29.03.06
अजय दीक्षितसंग-22.03.06
कृष्णबहादुर महरासँगको कुराकानीमा आधारित-16.03.06
रवीन्द्र श्रेष्ठ, वर्षा पुन 'अनन्त'संग-15.03.06
माओवादी नेताहरु निष्कासित-14.03.06
माओवादीभित्र अर्को विवाद-13.03.06
मदन रेग्मीसंग-12.03.06
डा. शंकर शर्मा, किशोर नेपाल, सुजीभ शाक्यसंग-08.03.06
नेपाली कांग्रेस एकता चर्चा-05.03.06
तारानाथ रानाभाटसंग-01.03.06
प्रकाशमान सिंह, सशांक कोइरालासंग-22.02.06
जेम्स मोरिआर्टीसंगको वार्ता-19.02.06
कनक दीक्षित, सुधीर शर्मासंग-15.02.06
प्रचण्डको अन्तरर्वार्तामा आधारित-13.02.06
गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइरालासंग-18.01.06
at No comments:

Monday, April 03, 2006

Final Act: Disobey The Curfew


The preparations for the April 6-9 showdown has been superior to that for January 20. Back then, the leaders simply waited in their homes to get arrested, and there was no well-coordinated plan to counter the curfew. And the movement suffered a jolt. But this time around many second rung leaders of the seven party alliance have gone semi-underground and underground.

Even during the January 20 curfew, a few hudred people got arrested. The roaming band of RNA soldiers might technically have the shoot at sight orders, but they did not get carried out during January 20. But even if they might, disobeying any possible curfew in the largest way possible would be the best thing to do during the showdown. There is power in numbers.

A lot of leaders have gone underground this time. That is great. All it really takes is that you move out of your house and go live with one of your friends or relatives.

There is yet another thing to do: establish a "courier service," sort of. If the regime cuts the telephones, there should be people taking around written messages on bikes and motorbikes. On foot, if need be.

And there is a serious need to think the details of the possible endgame.

Conspiracy Theory: The King Dismantled The RCCC

There is a conspiracy theory going around that it was not the Supreme Court but the king who dismantled the RCCC. Those theorists claim if push comes to shove, the king is simply going to revive the House. That is how he will respond to the worst possible scenario of a large number of people out in the streets.

First, I don't know to believe these theories. And even if that happens, and the king revives the House like he supposedly dismantled the RCCC, I am fine with the idea.

That revived House will still lead to an all party government and a constituent assembly. I am not complaining.

Got Interviewed By German Public Radio


They said they are like the NPR in Germany, like the National Public Radio in the US. Their office is close to Grand Central, for that matter not far from the UN. I showed up at noon. The interview was longer than I had anticipated, it was pretty comprehensive.

"Robin Hood Im Internet"

Martina Butler interviewed me.

From: "Kleinpeter, Elke"
To: "'paramendra@yahoo.com'"
Subject: ARD German Radio Network, Interview Request
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 09:28:41 -0500

Dear Paramendra Kumar Bhagat:

This e-mail is to request an interview with you. We are preparing a report on "Blooger" in New York City.

ARD German Radio Network is the leading public broadcast system in Germany. On an average weekday, we reach about 40 Million listeners with over 50 broadcasting programs. ARD can be compared with National Public Radio in America, and we are committed to highest quality standard in journalism and broadcasting. The radio plays a vital and important part in the daily life of Million's of people in Germany, who receive information about New York through the ARD network and our correspondents.

Our correspondent Martin BUTTLER will be back on March 28, 2006 and available for an interview. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Please call us at 1-212-752-9642 or e-mail us at: radio@ardny.com to arrange for the interview. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Elke M. Kleinpeter
- Producer -

633 Third Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel. + 212-752-9642
Fax + 212-949-4497
e-mail: radio@ardny.com 1

Good to know Umesh Shrestha of Mero Sansar got covered in the British media. The image above is the clip of that.

In The News

Maoists declare unilateral ceasefire in the Kathmandu valley NepalNews
People have right to carry out peaceful protests: Martin
Nepal facing a strong risk of political collapse: Finnish envoy
Maoists assault PFN cadres; not serious about 12-point pact: PFN
Government warns civil servants against taking part in seven-party rallies
Our movement aims to establish the rule of law in Bhutan

13 RNA soldiers face court martial Kantipur Publications
डा बाबुराम भट्टराईसँग विशेष अन्तर्वार्ता
 Interview with Girija Prasad Koirala

Visitors

3 April12:18Bentley College, United States
3 April12:19Pacific Command, United States
3 April12:25Verizon Online, Boston, United States
3 April12:53Verizon Online, Reston, United States


3 April13:10San Francisco State University, San Francisco, United States
3 April13:56CTX Mortgage Company, Dallas, United States
3 April13:56Swipnet, Sweden
3 April14:17Telenet, Belgium
3 April14:47University of Missouri, Columbia, United States
3 April14:48NTL Internet, Guildford, United Kingdom
3 April14:54Cornell Medical College, United States
3 April15:02State Compensation Insurance Fund, San Francisco, United States
3 April15:12OARnet, Columbus, United States
3 April15:34Czech Technical University, Czech Republic
3 April15:48University of Bergen (UoB), Bergen, Norway
3 April16:39Deutsche Telekom AG, Germany
3 April17:02University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States
3 April17:09Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States
3 April17:12Pacific Command, United States


3 April17:29Florida International University, Miami, United States
3 April17:32James Cook University, Australia
3 April18:17NTL Internet, Winnersh, United Kingdom
3 April18:23Deloitte & Touche, Hermitage, United States
3 April19:05Baylor University, Waco, United States
3 April20:00University of Hawaii, United States
3 April20:22Iowa State University, United States
at 1 comment:

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Himal Survey


Himal’s Nepal-wide Political Survey*

*Figures Based entirely on Himal Survey:

http://www.himalkhabar.com/content/view/440/1/

Table 1:

On the King’s Direct Rule since Feb 1st
Not positive (do not support) 65%
Positive (support) 25%
Neutral (no opinion) 10%
Total 100%

Table 2:

On the State of the Nation
bad 57.4%
anarchic/frightening 33.6%
(missing) 8%
Total 91 % (100%)

Table 3:

On the Maoist Insurgency
bad 59%
“It’s ok” 25.2%
don’t know 8%
(Missing) 7.8%
Total 92.2 % (100%)

Table 4:

How to Solve the Maoist Insurgency ?
king-party-maoist talks 60%
king-maoist talks 22.2%
party-maoist talks 7.2%
military defeat of maoists 1.1%
surrender by maoists 3.4%
Total 100%

Table 5:

How to end political conflict/confusion/crisis ?
all party government 47.8%
parliamentary elections 15.1%
constituent assembly 10.9%
house revival 6%
(missing) 20.2%
Total 79.8% (100%)

Table 6:

views/position on the monarchy
constitucional monarchy 46.1%
absolute monarchy .8%
monarchy is not necessary 15%
monarchy is indispensable 24.4%
ceremonial monarchy 5.6%
no comment 7.8%
Total 100%

Table 7:

On the SPAM first round of 12 point agreement
have not heard about it 54%: of which:

58.5% rural

46.2% urban

69% women

have heard about it 44.3%: of which:

72.6% = good thing

20.9% = bad thing

Total 98.3%

Table 8:

Need for Outside help/facilitation to solve crisis ?
No 40.2%
Yes 50.1%: of which:

UN

23.5%

India

35%

USA

20%

China

14.5

(missing) 9.7%
Total 90.3% (100%)

Table 9:

The constitutional question
need new constitution 19.6%: of which:

66% by const. assembly

by some kind of aayog:

28%

amend current constitution 31%
curent constitution is ok 20.4%
no opinion 29%
Total 100%

Table 10:

Awareness of Constituent Assembly
never heard of it 34.4%
heard of it 57.1%: of which:

40.9%

don’t understand it

44.1%

understand it somewhat

14.8%

understand it well

Subtotal = 100%

no answer 8.5%

Total 100%

Table 11:

Opinons/views on the municipal elections
was not good/right 59%
was good/right 25.9%
no answer 14.2%
Total 100%

Table 12:

king-called parliamentary elections possible?
No 61.1%: of which:

45.1 % b/c of maoists

33% b/c polls cannot be free

20.1% b/c parties cannot/will not participate

yes 22.5%
don’t know 16.1%
Total 99.7%

Table 12:

Hypothetically, if elections could be held today who World you vote for?
20.8% Undecided
19.2% UML
18.3% NC
11.5% CPN(M)
7.3% independent
3.7% RPP
2.3% NC(D)
Total for parties = 79.2% (??)

(16.9% of party vote missing

who does this belong to?)

(2.3% for NC(D), less than RPP sounds wrong)


Total 100%


Some remarks I would like to make.

(1) What has been the methodology of this survey? How many people were asked questions? Can the sample be said to be representative of Nepal? What kind of questions were asked? In what settings? What was done to make sure the sample was as representative as possible?

(2) 2/1 is highly unpopular. The two extremes are unpopular. The king's autocracy and the Maoists' violence are both disliked.

(3) There is huge support for the idea of a roundtable conference between the three forces.

(4) The people want an all party government as a next step.

(5) 25% are strongly for a monarchy, 45% are for a constitutional monarchy, 5% for a ceremonial monarchy, and 1% for an absolute monarchy. What this means is if the people were to decide on the fate of the monarchy through a constituent assembly, they will retain it in a strictly constitutional form.

(6) Half the country has not heard of the 12 point agreement. I am not surprised. During Newt Gingrich' 1994 "revolution," the majority of Americans said they had never heard of the Contract With America document. Actually half is a good number to have.

(7) UN, India, US, EU and China should all help the peace process.

(8) The constituent assembly is not a wildly popular idea, but then it is because the people have not been explained the idea. 35% have never heard of the idea. Majority of those who have heard of it don't understand it.

(9) The king's electoral experiments are set to bomb. If the parliamentary elections were to be held, the Maoists would be more crucial to its failure than the seven party alliance.

(10) The Maoists would emerge the third largest party in the country. Looks to me like elections will be good for both the extremes, the monarchy survives, the Maoists emerge large.

(11) Deuba Congress is in trouble. Kind of like Bamdev Gautam's breakaway UML faction a few years back. But considering the Congress often wins with narrow margins, the Deuba Congress could really hurt the Koirala Congress. If the numbers here are to be believed, the Deuba Congress will fare worse than the RPP.

(12) It is entirely possible the Maoists might be third in terms of votes, but second equal in terms of seats in a parliament.

(13) Constituent Assembly, Democratic Republic: these are ideas that can be "sold" to the people. These are ideas that give political parties homework. The work is to raise the political consciousness of the people.

The Nepali version seems to be fuller.

यदि अहिले माओवादीले हतियार बिसाएर संसदको चुनाव भयो भने भोट कसलाई दिनुहुन्छ?
एमाले १९.७%
नेपाली काङ्ग्रेस १८.३%
नेकपा (माओवादी) ११.४%
स्वतन्त्र ८.७%
राप्रपा ७.३%
नेपाली काङ्ग्रेस (प्र.) ३.७%
राप्रपा (कमल थापा) २.३%
जनमोर्चा नेपाल ०.९%
नेमकिपा ०.८%
सद्भावना (आनन्दीदेवी) ०.७%
राष्ट्रिय जनशक्ति पार्टी ०.४%
सद्भावना (मण्डल) ०.१%
राजा वा राजाको पार्टी ०.१%
अन्य १.१%
भोटनै दिन्न ३.८%
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न २०.८%

अहिले देशको समग्र स्थिति कस्तो छ?
राम्रो ३.१%
पहिले जस्तै ५%
कहालीलाग्दो/अन्यौलपूर्ण ३३.६%
नराम्रो ५७.४%

राम्रो या नराम्रो स्थितिको जिम्मेवारी कसलाई दिनुहुन्छ?
राजा ३२.७%
माओवादी ३२.६%
दलहरू २६.६%
विदेशी शक्ति १.५%
अन्य ०.६%
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न ६%

नयाँ संविधान कसरी बनाउनुपर्ला?
राजाबाट आयोग बनाएर १०.१%
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न ५.२%
संसदबाट १८.५%
संविधान सभाबाट ६६.३%

दुई महिनाअघिको नगरनिर्वाचन कस्तो लाग्यो?
ठीक लाग्यो २६%
ठीक लागेन ५९%
अन्य १%
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न १४%

अहिलेको परिस्थितिमा एक वर्षभित्र संसदीय चुनाव हुनसक्ला?
सक्दैन ६१%
सक्छब २२.५%
अन्य ०.४%
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न १६.१%


केही समयअघि भएको माओवादी दलहरूबीचको समझ्ादारीबारे थाहा छ?
थाहा छ ५४%
थाहा छैन ४४.३%
अन्य १.६%
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न ०.१%

थाहा भए कस्तो लाग्यो?
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न ६.४ %
ठीक छ ७२.६%
ठीक छैन २१%

अहिले देशमा कसको शासन छ?
राजाको प्रत्यक्ष ६७%
सेनाको भरमा राजाको १३%
राजाका मान्छेको ३%
दलहरूको ७%
माओवादीको ६%
शासन नै छैन २%
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न २%

राजाले सरकारमा रहेका दलहरूलाई हटाई आफैँ शासन गरेको कस्तो लाग्छ?
ठीक लागेको छ २४%
ठीक लागेको छैन ६५%
थाहा छैन/भन्न चाहन्न ११%


In The News

Dailekh bombing against the party policy: CPN (M) NepalNews
Seven party alliance seeks support from professional alliances
Entrepreneurs issue 48-hour ultimatum to local administration
Himal opinion poll: Two-thirds reject the direct rule of the king
Media council will be in place within two months: Basnet
Crown Prince and Crown Princess in UAE

Visitors

2 April03:58Pacific Century Matrix, Hong Kong S.A.R.
2 April04:46Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd., Nepal
2 April05:24British Telecommunications plc, United Kingdom
2 April05:49Total Peripherals Group, Australia


2 April05:58KORNET, Korea
2 April06:14Raya Telecom, Egypt
2 April07:36D. E. Shaw & Co., New York, United States
2 April08:16Planet Internet, Netherlands, The
2 April08:21Sympatico HSE, Canada
2 April09:23Deutsche Telekom AG, Germany
2 April09:36JPNIC, Japan


2 April10:06University of York, York, United Kingdom
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