Friday, September 29, 2006

Don't Drag Your Feet: Not A Chicken Egg Situation

Arms management or political issues first, that is being presented as the question. That is a false choice being offered. Both have to go hand in hand. All eight parties have to agree on both at once. Once agreed, the arms management part will get implemented first. As soon as the 100,000 Maoist militia disarm, and the 36,000 Maoist soldiers enter cantonments, the interim government can be formed. But the size and shape of the interim parliament has to be agreed to before the arms management part gets implemented.



Elections In April

April should be the designated month. We should honor the April Revolution by holding the elections to the constituent assembly in April.

Thereafter April should be the designated month for elections. It is right before the monsoon rains. It is perfect timing.

25 Districts


I drew this map yesterday. You bring the number of districts down from 75 to 25.

So my proposal looks as follows for now.

The president gets elected directly by the people.

Members of the lower house get directly elected. Members of the upper house get indirectly elected. Parties get proportional representation depending on their share of votes.

Same applies to the three states, Kosi, Gandaki, Karnali. Governor gets directly elected.

There are 25 districts. The district president gets directly elected.

The wada chairperson, and the village/town/city mayor get directly elected.

But you can't have too many elections.

Elections should happen every other April. So if this April you have federal elections, two Aprils later, you have the state elections, and two Aprils after that, you have the district and local elections. So the voter ends up at the polling booth once every two years. More than that might be too often.

Nepal: Maps
Interim Parliament: 300 Sounds Fine
The Revolutionary Parliament Should Bring Forth An Interim Judiciary
The KP Oli Event
Madhesi Rights
Peace Talks
Three Emerging Poles
If The Monarch Gets Restive, Dump Him Now
Sushil Koirala 2
Janajati, Madhesi: Too Vague, Dalit: Not Assertive Enough
Nepal In 2006 Is Not Russia In 1917
Baburam Bhattarai On The Impending Peace Talks
Girija Prachanda Brinkmanship

In The News

PM says arms management is main priority; PM, ministers to ‘boycott’ Dashain Tika from King NepalNews
US Secretary of State against allowing "armed groups in the political process"
Top leaders responsible for delayed peace process: SPA Leaders second-rung leaders of the SPA said top leaders had repeatedly shown their weakness by fixing the date of summit talks in a hurry and then postponing them. ..... “It is unlikely that there will be any serious homework within the SPA in the coming 10 days” ..... He also said the peace process was not moving in the right direction because of PM Koirala. ...... “Both sides have sat for talks with a mentality to make the other side bow down. This is what is causing delay”
House prorogued for two weeks
House passes Gender Equality Bill, activists welcome The House of Representatives... passed the Gender Equality Bill 2063 unanimously, seeking to end all existing discriminatory legal provisions against women. ..... endorsed act will amend discriminatory provisions on inheritance of properties, divorce, rape, public service etc. The new act makes it mandatory to mention the name of mother in addition to father when revealing personal information. Likewise, the name of wife has also been added alongside name of husband in such personal record. The act makes marital rape a criminal offense and a valid ground for seeking divorce. ...... Bandana Rana, a leading women's rights activist and former chairperson of National Women's Commission, has called for "speedy legislation formulation" so that the "positive provisions" passed by the parliament will come into effect soon........ Babita Basnet, president of Sancharika Samuha .... could face similar fate of non-implementation as other acts, laws and declarations by the parliament
Oct 8 talks will resolve all issues, says Sitaula
The Interim Constitution - By Prof. Andrew Arato

DPM Oli discusses Nepal peace process with US Secretary of State Kantipur Online, Nepal
Nepal's royal past suffers another loss Telugu Portal, India
Nepal Govt-rebel summit talks slated for Oct 8 Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Man dies in rebel captivity in south Nepal ( 2:10 pm) China Post, Taiwan
Implement Govt-Maoist deals: Nepal Gorkhapatra, Nepal
Nepal's deputy prime minister confident Maoists will embrace peace International Herald Tribune "We have converted armed conflict to a peace process, and we believe we will be able to convert this peace process" into a lasting peace ..... When asked about the current state of negotiations, Oli said the Maoists are in a "tough bargaining phase." ..... tough talk from the Maoists in negotiations is better than the terrorism they once waged against the country. ...
Maoist Atrocities Up in Nepal: INSEC Nepal human Rights News, Nepal
Maoist leader defends 'donation-raising' Nepalnews.com
Nepal Maoists Try to Justify Their Donation Drive Nepal human Rights News
UNICEF lauds Nepal's achievement in sanitation, but says more is ... Nepalnews.com, Nepal

DPM Oli discusses Nepal peace process with US Secretary of State Kantipur Publications
Arms management only issue over delay: Mahat 43 per cent of the viewers blamed the SPA for repeatedly rescheduling the summit talks. ...... Stating that the ruling seven parties definitely had different opinions on different issues unlike the Maoists, Dr Mahat underscored that his party – the Nepali Congress – has clearer views regarding the peace talks than the other parties. ....... every individual should participate in the elections to the constituent assembly without fear of arms.
Leaders of major parties express discontent over delay in peace process Ram Chandra Poudel alleged the leaders of the eight parties of not being sincere over the peace process. Poudel sternly expressed his discontent saying from Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to Maoist Chairman Prachanda, all the key leaders were not paying proper attention to the issue and were dawdling ...... the parties preoccupied with a 'win and loss' mindset are helping create an uncomfortable condition in the country. Stating that the country is again heading towards another conflict
Modalities of arms management postponed summit talks: PM Koirala much-awaited "summit talks" had to be postponed because a consensus could not be reached on the modalities of arms management. ..... Koirala said that Prachanda also agreed on the principle that problems could not be resolved until the issue of arms management is given a conclusive end. .... Answering to journalists, the Prime Minister also claimed that he has not been pressurised by any foreign countries for the summit talks. PM Koirala said, "I am not a person who will work under anyone's pressure and I don't have any sort of pressure on me."
Nepal urged to curb harassment of gays
Next House meeting on October 11, session prorogued for 2 weeks
Foreign employment up by 25 percent
House passes bill on gender equality, water utility
Street kids to join Dashain celebrations
Nepal expresses dissatisfaction over delay the show of indecisiveness by the SPA in finalising the common agreement for the summit talks .... UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and leaders Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Jhala Nath Khanal, NC's Ram Chandra Paudel, Amod Prasad Upadhyay and Mahesh Acharya and NC-D's Bimlendra Nidhi and Minendra Rijal participated in the meeting. .... the Nepal Army should be confined to its barracks and the People's Liberation Army should be stationed in temporary cantonments.
बढाइँमा पहिलोपल्ट राजा नजाने
शिखर वार्ता १० दिनपछि
सैनिक पोसाकमा काठ तस्करी
बारामा डकैती
माओवादीद्वारा प|mान्सेली आरोही परिवारलाई चन्दा फिर्ता
घरफिर्तीबारे अन्तिम वार्ता गरौं’
जबरजस्ती माओवादीमा
जबरजस्ती चन्दा अभियान
मोर्चाबाट सामूहिक राजीनामा
युद्धविरामको दशैं
मतपत्रमा जनआन्दोलनको अनुवाद
धेरैपछि शान्तिको दसैं

35 FM Get Licence after Jana Andolan II Himalayan Times Humla, Jumla, Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan and Khotang are among the remote districts that have obtained licences lately. .... Ministry has yet to decide whether to issue licences to over 100 applicants .... "Half the licence-holders are often found to have failed in establishing stations within the stipulated time. As a result, they lose a pretty good sum deposited as revenue," says the official. According to him, many apply for licences just to reserve a frequency for them. ..... as many as 14 FM radio stations are operating in the Kathmandu valley.
NSC Ends Shah’s 5-decade Reign in CAN; Brings Pandey In Jai Kumar Nath Shah, who has been the CAN president for the last five decades.
Sacked Employees Vandalise Saptakoshi FM Station

NC meet discusses summit talks agendas; Thursday’s summit meeting uncertain NepalNews management of arms, interim government and interim parliament, party’s stand on monarchy and a referendum in order to decide the fate of monarchy ...... At the beginning of the meeting, PM Koirala, who heads the NC, told the CWC members to become clear about the position of the party on these issues ...... The meeting lasted for nearly three hours but no formal decision was taken. ....... party has not decided anything officially on the issue of monarchy. ...... the summit meeting scheduled for Thursday has been postponed ‘indefinitely’ ...... NC leaders had stressed that the summit talks should be organised only after the party as well as the SPA finalise the talks agendas. ...... speaking at a programme in Kathmandu, Minister for Industries, Commerce and Supplies, Hriyayesh Tripathi, also hinted at the postponement of summit talks. “Summit talks will definitely be held within days. There may be delay of one or two days.” ...... the seven parties haven’t reached consensus on key issues like interim government, interim parliament and management of arms
New Nepal will be peaceful and prosperous: Experts
UML for CA polls by June; EC demands appointment of commissioners
Poverty has reduced in Nepal, but unequal distribution of wealth exists: Survey

NEPAL: Serious human rights abuses by rebels continue - United ... Reuters AlertNet, UK
Nepal's deputy prime minister confident Maoists will embrace peace International Herald Tribune
Nepal begins fresh peace talks countdown Hindustan Times, India
Update on Nepal Peace Process: Today’s Political Developments United We Blog, Nepal rescheduled by as much as 24 hours for Friday ...... there are very few reasons to be hopeful about SPA coming in one voice regarding the most crucial issue: the monarchy ...... Koirala is hell bent on giving space to monarchy, that is, saving the institution that the popular and historic April uprising clearly wanted to be abolished. ....... political package (interim constitution, interim parliament and interim government) along with arms management. ...... both sides gave thoughts on managing armies of both sides in three steps: First, both armies will be confined on barracks, second, verification and separation of Maoists armies from weapons and, third, integration of Maoist armies into Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Development Army. Both sides have already agreed on the first point where as the latter two points are yet to be agreed upon ................. Once there is agreement on arms management, .. political issues would be solved. ...... The Maoists in today’s meeting asked for the proposal on the management of armies from the government. ........ In the informal talks, both Maoists and the government have reached near to agreeing on how many seats to be allocated for the parties and the Maoists in the interim ..... blamed that the government wasn’t serious enough in holding talks in time where as Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel emphasized that the Maoists were not respecting earlier agreements and delaying the implementation. And the CPN UML, second largest party in the ruling SPA, has said that high level talks must come up with a single voice regarding interim constitution. ..... Maoist leader Dinanath Sharma said that Thursday’s meeting was uncertain as “SPA hasn’t reached on consensus” on several issues.
Failure to reach consensus delays planned govt-Maoist talks Kantipur Online
Ruling alliance discuss agendas for "summit talks"; fails to find ... Nepalnews.com
Sept 28 talks to initiate arms mgmt Kantipur Online
Britain stresses "one government-one army" in Nepal People's Daily Online, China
Establish consultation, coordination and dialogue mechanisms PeaceJournalism.com
Ex-Minister Brands Nepal Peace Process as 'Unsystematic Nepal human Rights News, Nepal

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Nepal: Maps



















DaMaJaMa Coalition: The Morcha Concept











Three Emerging Poles

One month of work before the constituent assembly elections will be equal to five years of work after it. We not only have to work hard, but also we have to work smart.

We have to articulate our grievances to the fullest in the largest possible numbers. We have to help the masses articulate their grievances. That is step one. Step two is to work to create a political program. Then you build the vertical and horizontal organizations. The vertical is when you move from the national level to the local levels. Horizontal is when the Janajati groups come together and reach out to the Dalit and Madhesi groups to build coalitions.

We could build a grand, non political coalition hoping to pressure the political parties, or we could launch a new political parties altogether, or we could take over one of the parties that would be most willing to make way for a grand DaMaJaMa coalition in its party structure. I have the Sadbhavana in mind. But for that its two factions would have to come together, and the central committee would have to be 20% Dalit, 30% Janajati, and 30% Madhesi, and the party has to be open to the possibiliyt the party president might end up a Janajati.

But I am open to all options. I just am not content with being a pressure group. So I am for the second or third option. We have to go hard core political. Our success will be measured in how many DaMaJaMa MPs we end up with.

I think our one point agenda for now should be to have 50% of the seats for the constituent assembly to be reserved for the DaMaJaMa, all to be directly elected by the people.

Interim Parliament: 101 Members Total
40 Seats For Maoists, 25 For Others

Three Layers Or Four Layers

I was talking to Pradeep Nepal the other day. He said we should look into dividing the country into about 25 regions. So there would be the center, the region, and then you go to the village/town level. No districts. That can be looked into. As long as much power is given to the regions, this can be a viable model. I am open to the possibility.

In The News

Oct 8 talks will resolve all issues, says Sitaula NepalNews
Summit talks postponed to October 8th
CZOP opposes ANNFSU's 'Bal Akhil' plan
Oli thanks senator Leahy for his inspiring support to democracy
Germany supports peace process in Nepal
Governance and Arms and Armies Management until Constituent Assembly Elections - By Shiva Gautam Maoists seem to be inching towards checkmating the government endangering all the accomplishments achieved so far. ..... After the formation of the constituent assembly, the sticky question concerning two armies and their arms is likely to remain same. ..... Deputy Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, referring to Rukmangad Katuwal's appointment as Nepal Army chief, asked Maoists not to interfere with the government's decision because the government does not interfere with Maoists' decision to appoint their regional commanders...........
Nepal ranks 110th in Global Competitiveness Survey Switzerland at the top spot followed by Finland and Sweden .... Last year's number one country the United States has come down to sixth position this year. .... Last year's number one country the United States has come down to sixth position this year. ..... ranking is based on nine broad pillars or parameters such as infrastructure, health/education, institutions, technologies etc
Maoist leaders lament lack of seriousness among seven parties Maoist leaders have pointed out at the apparent lack of homework and absence of concrete positions on crucial issues among the government and ruling seven parties. ........ seven party leaders are becoming prisoners of indecision. We are bound to become suspicious with this lingering tactics ...... the government and the seven parties were still unable to reach to common positions on vital issues.

NEPAL: Disappearances issue remains neglected - families Reuters AlertNet, UK
Nepal peace talks postponed Hindu, India
Nepal PM meets Maoist rebel chief BBC News
Britain pledges more support for Nepal's peace process People's Daily Online, China
Nepal expresses dissatisfaction over delay Kantipur Online, Nepal
Nepal Maoist leader writ dismissed, petititon closed Indlaw.com, India
Non-formal schooling boosts access to basic education in Nepal OneWorld.net, UK

‘Make most of UN for durable peace’ Kantipur Publications
Maoists step up extortion
Cabinet endorses foreign employment bill
Failure to reach consensus delays planned govt-Maoist talks
India frees five Nepali Maoists
Most women in rural Bhojpur suffer from prolapsed uterus
बाल अखिल गठन गरिने
एकीकरण कार्यदल बनाउन आग्रह
सामुदायिक विद्युतीकरणबाट गाउँ झलमल्ल
डोम समुदायका बालबालिका
सात दल माओवादी वार्ता निणर्ायक हुने ः नेपाल
महिलाको अभियान घरघरमा शौचालय
संगठित अपराध संक्रमणकालको चुनौती
सरकार र माओवादीको डर