Monday, November 21, 2005

Prachanda, Extend The Ceasefire By Three Months


Prachanda, you made a brilliant military move through your unilateral ceasefire. I can't think of another similar parallel in world history when an armed group holding such a large sway on a country would do such a thing to make such major strategic gains.

You and your party have also made some amazing political transformations. You have shifted from the goal of a communist republic to the goal of a democratic republic, you have shifted from the goal of an armed revolution to the goal of peaceful elections to a constituent assembly, and subsequently to a peaceful transformation of the state.

I believe I have written a Proposed Constitution that synthesizes the best of a multi-party democracy with your Marxist-Leninist-Stalinist-Maoist-Prachanda Path emphasis on classlessness. But I will talk about that later, after an all party government has been formed, peace talks with you have been held, and you have joined the interim government. My document will make it possible to achieve "a peaceful transformation of the state" that Mahara once mentioned.

If the militarists were driven by a longing for peace and a love for the country, they would have responded to your ceasefire in a positive way. But they did not. And I think you have shown remarkable restraint in the aftermath even when provoked by the state security forces. There are reports you have lost anywhere between 30 and 50 of your cadres after the ceasefire declaration. That is wrong on their part, but then they committed that and many other wrongs.

The Obstinate Monarchists
Caution: Alliance Approaching
Irresponsible Response To Ceasefire
Prachanda, Do Not Break The Ceasefire
The King Should Now Move To Step 2
King Cancels UN Visit
To Trust Or Not To Trust The Maoists
The Nepali Rasputins Want A Revolution
RNA, Declare Your Own Ceasefire, You Have No Choice

But then if your entire strategy depended on the king making the just, sensible moves, what kind of republican would you be? You did not declare the ceasefire for the old regime. You did it for us, the democrats. Because of the ceasfire democrats have gained much strength, and democrats are finally getting in a position to hit back at the autocrats.

A Plant Looking At An Animal

February 8 is the deadline. This regime has to fall before that. And it is on schedule to fall.

The recent Maoist-Democrat dialogue is commendable. Some important progress has been made. Peace feels possible for the first time in a decade.

For The First Time In A Decade, Permanent Peace Feels Possible

I am not suggesting you are about to break the ceasefire. But I do not want to be taking any chances, and hence the appeal. Do not, do not break the ceasefire.

Extend your ceasefire by another three months. That will be ample time for the interim government to form.

Roadmap
Pyramid Of 10 In Kathmandu
Fundraising Among Nepalis In The US: Pyramid Of 10
Gameplan

If you do not extend the ceasefire, you mess everything up. This regime can not now stop this impending movement. But an end to the ceasefire could bring it to a halt. Why would you want that?

The goal is within reach. The constituent assembly is within reach. Think of all those thousands of your comrades you have lost over the years. Do it for them. Extend the ceasefire.

In The News

SC continues hearing on constitutionality of RCCC NepalNews
Nepal briefs Deuba about Delhi deliberations
Journalists in Nepal, Pak most harassed in South Asia: Report
I am completely unaware about the `Delhi talks’: US Envoy
Nepal Political Alliance Says Talks With Rebels Are Positive
Bloomberg
Nepal Maoists set terms for peace The Statesman
Nepal Maoists set terms for arms control ISN
Delhi Deliberations Cast Rays of Hope NewsLine Nepal
Nepal meets Deuba Kantipur Online
Biggish brother Nepali Times
India introduces ID card system at ‘Chhoti’ transits: Report Nepalnews.com
Press suffering in South Asia, says SAFMA report Daily Times
Nepal NGOs move Supreme Court
OneWorld.net, UK
How to save Nepal
Samudaya.org, AZ
One soldier killed, six injured in explosions in Nepal
Pravda, Russia
Maoists free 73 students in Nepal
Hindu, India
Amnesty voices concern over rising Maoist violence in Nepal
Hindu, India
No evidence of Govt commitment to democracy : UK envoy Kathmandu Post
Nepal not pleased with king’s promise
The Statesman, India

No comments: