Playing Hardball With The Maoists: Negotiating From A Position Of Strength

We have to draw a clear line in the sand. There are things that we simply can not compromise on. There can be no compromise whatsoever on human rights. There can be no compromise on multi-party democracy. There can be no compromise on free and fair elections to a constituent assembly. The Maoists may not participate in those elections as a parallel state but only as a political party.

The seven party alliance does have the military option if the Maoists were to act unreasonable. But that option is only viable after the alliance has exhausted all political options. How do you exhausts all political options?

You eat the Maoists' lunch. You come out for a republic stronger than the Maoists. You take the lead on security sector restructuring. You get proactive on the details of federalism. Start churning out proposed maps. The beauty of taking this political tack is that it makes the military option less and less necessary.

There are those who say we have to fear the royalist elements in the military. That is a wrong assumption. The king and the royalists tried everything they could in April. They were defeated by the people in an uprising that has no precedence in world history. Remember?

The seven party alliance does not have to fear the palace. But it does have to fear the people. The people are watching.

The seven party alliance does not have to fear the Maoists. It can afford to negotiate from a position of strength. Use of force for the cause of human rights and democracy is legitimate as long as that use of force is a weapon of last resort after all the political weapons have been put to use without success.

So I say, don't be scared of the Maoists. The Nepal Army is at your disposal. There is massive international backing. But don't think of the military option. Negotiate from a position of strength.

The country is in transition. There are two states in place. The Maoist state is authoritarian. That confusion has given rise to lawlessness to a large extent. This confusion can not be allowed to last for too long. Political clarity has to be offered.

It is fundamentally important that the two Congress factions make the idea of a federal republic the glue that brings them back together and binds them together. BP Koirala was a republican. When he was for a constitutional monarchy, it was only in response to the cold war realities. He dreamt of sending the crown to the museum.

The Nepali Congress should not go for a republic because of Maoist pressure but because ending monarchies has always been the democratic goal in world history. Monarchy and democracy are antonyms in the dictionary for a reason, like day and night, like dark and light, like hot and cold.

The authoritarian ways of the Maoists where they run a parallel state are offensive, and that will cost them big during the elections. And so the seven party alliance has to get proactive politically. Snatch the initiative away from the Maoists. Take over the lead.

Solve The Bhutani Refugee Crisis: Send Them West
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Girija: A Ceremonial Monarch Wannabe
Maoist Transformation From Parallel State To Political Party: An Essential Precondition
Summit Talks And Obstinate Congressias
Summit Talks And Maoist Nonsense
Summit Talks: Four Heads Talking
Televise The Summit Talks
The Summit Talks Will Succeed

The Hardliner Democrat Approach (June 7, 2005)
The Bombing Of A Bus
Power Does Not Necessarily Flow Through The Barrel Of A Gun: Maoists

In The News

Maoists disrupt Congress program, abduct party cadres NepalNews Nepali Congress (NC) in Kalikot district. ..... the Maoist cadres flouted ceasefire code of conduct by disrupting their peaceful program. The party was holding "Gaun Milan Program" – a village party campaign – in Nelmudi VDC of the district on Saturday when the Maoists intervened. ..... the Maoist cadres not only disrupted their program but also severely thrashed dozens of district leaders and workers of the party. They tore apart NC's party flag, vandalized the podium and abducted some leaders. ...... in Budhanilkantha of Kathmandu, the Maoists abducted Prabin Khadka, a worker of NC (Democratic) party on Sunday. The party has condemned Khadka's abduction. Likewise, the Maoists abducted Congress workers Naresh Raut Kurmi, Jawahir Raut Kurmi and Krishna Nandan Yadav from Rautahat district on Monday.
Maoist claims on people's support is not factual, says Moriarty claims made by Maoists regarding the wide public support they enjoy are not factual. ..... Moriarty said that the Maoists "would get a very few votes if elections are held in the present context." ...... "Maoists will not submit their entire arms, they have a different grand design," Anand Sworup Verma ...... Moriarty also told his guests - which included India's Nepal expert Professor SD Muni - that the US believes that the Maoists should not be included in the government until their arms are managed ......
No surrender before CA, says Gurung his party will not surrender (its arms) before the Constituent Assembly elections. ..... claimed that if the Maoists were to lock up their arms right away, the Nepali Army (NA) would engineer a coup. ...... While the government feels that the Maoists must completely give up their weapons before anything else can go ahead, the Maoists say they cannot surrender their arms without settlement on full political package.
Martin seeks early resolution of arms issue Martin further said that the Nepali Army should stay in barracks while the Maoists’ People’s Liberation Army should remain in cantonments to ensure free and fair elections to a constituent assembly (CA). ......modalities are needed for a complete monitoring of arms management ..... “To express solidarity with the ongoing peace process, Norway is increasing its development aid to Nepal by around 40 per cent by next year” ...... KP Oli said the government was fully committed to establish a permanent peace by bringing the Maoists to competitive politics and urged the Maoists not to resort to arms in the run-up-to the CA polls

PM Koirala, UML general secretary discuss ongoing peace process NepalNews
Media situation has not improved as expected even after democracy: FNJ intimidation of journalists and attempts to curtail media freedom have not come to an end .... “Nature of attack has changed but journalists are still facing threats and attacks especially from Maoists, various anti-social groups and also political parties” ...... at least 32 cases of violations of media rights and intimidation of journalists by different sides including the army, police, Maoists and local administrations.
SC issues show-cause notice to govt on Bhairabnath ‘disappearances’
Pokhrel is new CEC
ABD to provide $100 m to expand Rural Finance rural poverty in Nepal has been declining, thanks mainly to large remittance inflow .... Funds from this first loan will be used to re-capitalise the Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADBL), the third largest bank in the country.
Maoists say they are willing to take part in CA elections without joining interim government
they are even willing to take part in CA elections 'peacefully' without joining the interim government. ..... Prachanda said that since "fruitful dialogue was going on" he expects all issues to be resolved within a week. ..... on Sunday the Maoist chairman Prachanda had also made another offer - of stockpiling all his weapons but in a single lock up ........ the Maoists had been saying they were willing only to lock up fifty percent of their arms and demanded that Nepali Army also do the same. ...... On the issue of monarchy, there seems to be a broad understanding that the current powerless status of the King would be allowed to continue till the CA elections. The first meeting of the CA would then decide the fate of monarchy.
Russian experiences important for Nepal's economic development: Dr Mahato President of the Non-Resident Nepalese Association (NRNA) Dr Upendra Mahato ..... a two-day national conference of the NRNs in the Russian capital of Moscow .... Speaker Subash Nemwang said the bill on NRN is under debate in the parliament and expressed hope to get it endorsed soon incorporating suggestions given by the NRNs. ....... Central committee member of the UML Raghubir Mahaseth urged the NRNs to take initiative to use their earnings and skills achieved in foreign countries for development of Nepal. ....... Vice President of Nepal-Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jiwa Lamichhane said contribution of the remittance sent by the NRNs has helped to sustain Nepalese economy even in critical period of insurgency. According to him, around Rs 130 billion enter Nepal every year as remittance. ...... Spokesperson of the NRN International Coordination Committee Dr Jugal Bhurtel
Moriarty to discuss Nepal issue in New Delhi
Rethinking of Maoist Demand of Constituent Assembly Election
Emerging Trends Ambassadors of more than 10 countries were recalled within hours after the government was formed but these six months have passed without ambassadorial assignments in even the top priority countries. ...... Tribhuwan University , the oldest university of the country, which has more than 200,000 students, has no vice chancellor. ...... “If our political demands are not addressed, we don’t hesitate to back to war as we did in the past when more than 12,000 people were killed,” CPN-Maoist leader reportedly told in Baluwatar summit. “We want final negotiations and time is running out.” ........ The permanent judges of Supreme Court and lowers courts are all the time being threatened by politicians in power stressing that the judges would have to get reappointment as soon as interim constitution is enacted. ....... The government is also in a hurry to invite foreign investors in hydropower sector. ...... Some Nepalese experts who are either retired or still in job argue all the time explaining that projects like Upper Karnali has minimum cost and maximum rate of return which can be completed through the use of Nepalese skills and resources. ...... Then came the most sensitive issue of citizenship in the country. The constitution of Nepal 1963 for the fist time determined the cut off date for domicile persons of foreign origin. The 1990 constitution maintained the same cut off date by consensus. Now the government did not wait either for Constituent Assembly or interim constitution but all ministers in seven parties in the government passed unanimously the draft of citizenship bill which is contrary to the article 9 and 10 of the constitution. ...... Some vocal political leaders of regional parties like Nepal Sadbhavana Party have aroused a sentimental feeling of separation from the hills, if this proposed cut off date of 1990 is rejected. They have said Nepal will face scenario like that of war-torn Sri Lanka . If it is implemented in toto, the country may face the fate of Sikkim ...... “If the parties do not support the bill, we don’t have any option other than to launch the war against state as in Sri Lanka ,” Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supply Hridayesh Tripathi. ....... the government with short nature has already accepted the proposal of high level media committee to allow 49 percent of share to foreign media company. Even neighboring India has permitted only 25 percent of foreign investment in media sector.
Army sacks captain; slaps one year jail sentence
Prachanda invited to HT's Leadership Summit by The Hindustan Times daily in New Delhi ..... The Summit to be held in November 17-18 will be participated by a panel of reputed speakers from around the world including Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Afghan president Hamid Karzai, former British foreign secretary Jack Straw, former Malaysian president Mahathir Mohammad, former New York mayor Rudolf Guilliani, communist leader Sitaram Yechury, BJP leader Arun Jaitly, business magnate Vijay Mallya, cricketer Saurav Ganguly and film producer Karan Johar, among others. ...... Prachanda will be one of the panel speakers in the summit. ..... The topic of the summit is "India: The Next Global Superpower?" According to the advertisement, the partner organizers of the summit include Tata, Aditya Birla Group, Microsoft, ONGC etc.
Three rhinos killed in two weeks

Langhali Association: Govind Thapa Magar

Langhali Association: Govind Thapa Magar
Anga Raj Timilsina

Talk / Interaction Program on
"Addressing Problems of Residual Violence, Serious Crimes and Criminalized Power Structures in Societies Emerging from Conflict".

Key note speaker/ paper presenter:
Govinda Prasad Thapa, PhD, MPA, MA, BL.BA
Additional Inspector General of Nepal Police (Retired),
Chairperson, Center for Security and Justice Studies, Nepal

Dr. Thapa achieved his PhD degree in Human Trafficking and Law Enforcement. He also possesses post graduate degrees in English and Public Administration, and graduate level degrees in Law and Arts from Tribhuvan University.

He is the retired Additional Inspector General, a second in command of forty thousand plus police force of Nepal. He has attained experience of conducting investigations of human rights violations, serious and organized crimes. He strongly believes that a modern law enforcement officer should be highly educated and rationalized on the modern crime management strategies and practices that are strongly democratic, effective, and humane.

He was consultant to UN Office of Commissioner for Human Rights for writing and publishing manual on human rights training for law enforcement officials in 2001. He worked with DFID and UNICEF on projects to develop Nepal police capacity. He has served as consultant to IOM to train Bangladeshi police to control human trafficking through community policing strategy. He has also contributed to the improvement of police and criminal justice system through part time consultancy to national and international non-governmental organizations.

He has played key roles in several national and international seminars and conferences, as a chairperson, panelist, moderator and speaker on the issues human trafficking, human rights, policing, security and criminal justice. He has authored books, training manuals, and chapters in books, articles in daily newspapers, journals and magazines on these issues. He has also contributed to the improvement of criminal justice system through lecturers and training seminar papers for judges, public prosecutors, private lawyers, media persons, police, army, and social workers. Recently, he has contributed to the publication of a handbook on Combating Serious Crimes in Post-conflict Environments: A Handbook for Policymakers and Practitioners, published by United States Institute of Peace (USIP), 2006.

Currently, he is engaged with the Center for Security and Justice Studies, Nepal devoted to conduct studies and research on security and justice sectors. He attended a conference on Delivery of Justice and Security in Fragile States organized by OECD, DFID and Demon on March 23-24, 2006 in London, UK. He is attending the conference on Addressing Problems of Residual Violence, Serious Crime and Criminalized Power Structures in Societies Emerging from Conflict in Washington DC, during Oct 23-26, 2006, organized by USIP.

Moderator
Mr. Lab K Budhamagar


Commentators / Guest Speakers:

Prof. B.K. Rana Magar – Harvard University, Massachusetts

Mr. Anga R. Timilsina – is a doctoral fellow at the RAND Corporation, a leading think-tank based in California, United States. Before joining RAND, he completed an M.A. in International Development as an Asian Development Bank Scholar and with a Dean’s Award of Academic Excellence at the International University of Japan.

His main area of expertise is in post-conflict reconstruction including security sector reform, governance reform, prioritization and sequencing of policies. He has worked on many case studies of countries recovering from conflicts. He is a co-author of four recent publications, The UN’s Role in Nation-Building: From the Congo to Iraq; America’s Role in Nation-Building: From Germany to Iraq; Securing Health: Lessons from Nation-Building Missions, and “Clean Lean and Able: A Strategy of Defense Development.”

He has given several presentations on issues related to Nepal and written several articles on the conflict of Nepal and post-conflict reconstruction. One of his articles entitled “Thinking Ahead: A Plan for the Post-conflict Reconstruction of Nepal,” has been published by the Foreign Policy in Focus.

******************************

The program will be attended by the following distinguished personalities:

H.E. Mr. Madhuraman Acharya – Ambassador of Nepal to the United Nations
Mr. Murari Raj Sharma – Former Ambassador of Nepal to the United Nations
Dr. Nara N. Niraula – Senior Scholar and Research Director, Columbia University
Prof. Ashok Gurung – Director, New School/University, New York
Mr. Khagendra GC – Attorney at Law, New York
Dr. Susan Hangen – Professor of Anthropology and Int’l Studies, Rampo College, New Jersey
Mr. Ananda Bist – President, Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA
Mr. Sanjay Parajuli – President, Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal USA
Mr. Purna Limbu – Vice-president, Global Federation of Indigenous People of Nepal
Ms. Mridula Koirala – Chairperson, Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal, USA
Mr. Tek Gurung – President, United Nepalese Democratic Forum, New York
Mr. Sailesh Shrestha – Advisor, Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA
Mr. Paramendra Bhagat – President, Hamro Nepal
Mr. Ramesh K Shrestha – Attorney at Law, New York
Mr. Binod Roka - Attorney at Law, New York
Ms. Sarina Thapa Magar – Advisor, Langhali Association USA
Mr. Chandra P Sharma – Founder, Nepali Mandir, New York
Ms. Luna Ranjit – President, Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice, New York
Mr. Narayan Gurung – President, Gurung (Tamu) Society USA, Inc., New York
Mr. Durga Rai – President, Nepal Kirat Rai Association of America, New York
Mr. Ram Tamang – President, Tamang Society of America, New York
Mr. Shyam Subba – President, Kirat Yakthung Chumlung USA
Mr. Lobsang Thinley Salaka – President, United Sherpa Association, USA
Mr. Mohan Gyawali – President, Ridgewood Nepalese Society, New York
Mr. Biswa Shah – Chief Editor/Publisher, Naya Nepal Khabar Weekly, New York
Mr. Kashish Das Shrestha – Editor, Nepali Aawaz, New York
Mr. Bamsha Lal Tamang – Central Member, Aadibasi Janjati Sangh

******************************************
Venue:
Delhi Palace
37-33 74th St, Jackson Heights, New York 11372
(Nearest 7, E, R, F, V & G train stops are 74th Street & Broadway and Roosevelt Avenue station, Jackson Heights)

Date:
Saturday, October 28, 2006

Time:
At 3:00 PM sharp

Your presence is highly anticipated.

Organizer: Langhali Association USA, Inc.
PO Box 3620324
New York, NY 10129
Tel: 646-421-7295, 347-806-2272, 917-414-5249
E-mail: magars2004@gmail.com



October 25, 2006

To,
Mr. Paramendra Bhagat,
President,
Hamro Nepal, New York.

Sub: Invitation to Interaction Program

Dear Sir,

We are pleased to inform you that we are going to organize the Talk/Interaction program, in which Govinda Prasad Thapa, PhD will, be the key note speaker, present the paper entitled, "Addressing Problems of Residual Violence, Serious Crimes and Criminalized Power Structures in Societies Emerging from Conflict" on October 28, 2006.

We would feel honored if you kindly accept our invitation and be one of the distinguished guests of the program. For your kind information, we have also attached the Outline of the Program herewith.

Meanwhile, we look forward to welcoming you at the program.

Thanking you!

Sincerely,
Lab K Budhamagar
General Secretary

"We are all responsible for sustaining our communities. We are all obligated to support the institutions - social, cultural, and intellectual - on which our communities depend. We all have to give something back, in proportion to our resources, our influence, and our ability. That's what it means to be a member of the community."

Dinesh Tripathi In Austin

WILL OF NEPALI PEOPLE SHALL PREVAIL
Oct 23, 2006, USA, ( Austin)

The National Annual Convention of National Lawyers Guild, USA convened in Austin, Texas, dated Oct 18- 22. Advocate Dinesh Tripathi of the Supreme Court of Nepal spoke as an international Guest in the Convention. He stated that human rights and democracy are universally accepted values, not just the prerogative of the rich, industrialized world. The era of cultural relativism has passed. Every member of the human family has equal rights and freedom, irrespective of national identify, race, color or geographical boundary. For that reason, the struggle for human rights and democracy must be intensified at the international level. The struggle for human dignity, freedom and democracy should not be confined within national boundaries. Strong solidarity must be built among all the human rights and democratic groups around the world. The forces of militarization, concentration of economic power in the hands of a few countries, and a growing inequality among nations at the global level present the biggest threats to the democratic aspirations of people around the world. The universal protection of human rights and the rule of law can be the only basis for lasting peace in the world. Lawyers all over the world have to work for the expansion of democratic ideals, human rights and rule of law. Nepali people are struggling hard to build genuine democratic institutions, the rule of law and a people-centered polity in the country. Nepal’s April movement is one of the remarkable events in contemporary world history. Nepali peoples are aspiring to build a people’s republic in Nepal. They are aspiring to build a full- fledged democracy, an accountable democratic institution, society based on equality, strong human rights, and equal protection of the law. It is a proven fact of Nepali history that monarchy and democracy cannot co-exist in Nepal. Monarchy has always been inimical toward people’s rights and sovereignty. This is the defining moment in the Nepali history, so we have to do away with the monarchy. The democratic world should respect the genuine aspirations of the people of Nepal, and should not play the game of retaining the monarchy against the will of the people. The will of the Nepalese people must prevail above all things. The U.S. legal community should be aware of U.S. foreign policy in Nepal. The fate of the Nepali peoples must be decided by the Nepalese themselves, not by the politicians in Washington, D.C., London, Delhi, Beijing or somewhere else. Establishing a people’s republic in Nepal is the only meeting point in the Nepali politics. Big power must not play any games against the will and aspirations of the Nepalese population. We the Nepalese people must be allowed to write our own constitution. It is the only valid means of transferring sovereignty to the people. Democracy means supremacy of the people, and it is more than the right to vote. In Nepal we are aspiring to build genuine people-centered, participatory, and inclusive democracy, not just a procedural democracy. Mere civil and political rights are not enough; we have to ensure the economic, social, and cultural rights of the people. We have to address the problem of the vast socio-economic inequality among people. We need a total restructuring of the Nepali polity, society, and government. Mere cosmetic changes are not enough. The international civil society and the legal community should come forward to express their support and solidarity to the Nepali people. There is a strong need to end the culture of impunity that is deeply rooted in Nepal. Perpetrators of human rights violations must be brought to justice. People who commit crimes against humanity and war crimes must be brought to justice, whoever they are. There must be zero tolerance for culture of impunity, which creates a vicious cycle of human rights violation. .

Finally, an international tribunal must be set up to conduct trials in Nepal, since Nepal’s judicial institutions have failed to address the culture of impunity. International guest from Japan, UK, Canada, Belgium, Venezuela etc. were also invited in the convention. National Lawyers guild is the umbrella organization of US lawyers, Law academics and judges.



Dear Sir,

I highly appreciate your cooperation extended by you before. I think democracy building is the collective task. We need to mobilize our collective strength. Recently I have been invited by American lawyers organization to speak on the occasion of their national convention which took place in the Austin, Texas. I am sending a small news report on it I hope it would be interesting and useful for your readers. Please consider to make it public. I hope it will get coverage in your media. Please feel free to contact me. I am sending you both English and Nepali text. You can use according to your need. I am also sending you a photograph of the program. Looking forward for your cooperation.

Thank you.
Respectfully
Advocate Dinesh Tripathi
Supreme Court of Nepal
Now USA Phone 443 854 3910

In The News

PM hints at prolonged summit talks NepalNews
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Sharma takes over RPP (Thapa), says his party will favor the line of ceremonial monarchy

Bhutanese refugees appeal to Nepal to implement US proposal to ... People's Daily Online, China
Refugees appeal for materialising US offer Gorkhapatra
Chhath may inspire all to work for democracy: Nepal Gorkhapatra, Nepal

Interview with Tek Nath Rizal Kantipur While a majority of refugees have hailed the proposal, the proposal itself has caused a major rift to develop between the refugee leaders. ..... In the last 16 years what the United States has done for us Bhutanese refugees is undoubtedly commendable. ...... I told you that I appreciate the US proposal wholeheartedly on humanitarian grounds only... ..... the international community, including the United States, should have put more pressure to repatriate the Bhutanese to their homeland. Such options do nothing but create a rift among the refugees and allow unwanted players to create chaos. ...... since the proposal, some problems have been raised by the refugees. ...... We need our property back that has been seized by the Bhutanese king. We have our relatives there and we want to live the rest of our lives with them in our homeland. The third country resettlement is not going to provide us that. ....... I don't mind dubbing these talks as dramas organised just to dodge us. I have time and again emphasised on the representation of Bhutanese refugees in the talks. .....We have been thrown out of our country just because we speak Nepali. I have been standing against the Bhutanese king's oligarchy and to instate democracy in Bhutan. And instead of the international community playing a major role to put pressure on the Bhutanese king to restore democracy in Bhutan, they are simply trying to blow a different tune. Therefore, no matter how many rounds of talks between the government of Nepal and Bhutan are held, it's useless....... I believe there must be something behind the curtains which restrains the Nepal government and leaders here from talking to India and putting forward a clear view. ..... I don't blame the Indian government per se. But I do believe certain segments in India are playing dirty politics. ...... Maybe some from the bureaucracy… I cannot object to the US proposal. The resettlement proposal has disillusioned some of the refugees. What is the future of the rest of the refugees? ...... The US proposal has brought about confusion in the refugee camps. ...... The international community including the United States has the ability to create an atmosphere so that the refugees and the Bhutanese king can hold talks. But this is not happening. .... The democracy that is in the offing, as has been purported, will be more degraded. Had the Bhutanese king been a pro-democratic individual, he would not have let all this happen. ........ The UNHCR has selected some people with the purpose to ease the distribution process in the refugee camps. Those people were meant to take care of the distribution process. But in recent days I have seen these people getting involved in politics and blaming me – who has incessantly endeavoured to help make their lives better with dignified repatriation – of playing a negative role. Does this sound fair? Even I was threatened by some. There was not other option in the end but to move ahead by dismissing them. When I visited the camps recently I seized some documents as well which were prepared with the aim of getting those positions filled by those who were willing to resettle.......... There are thousands of Bhutanese refugees – an estimate says around 30,000 – in North Bengal (India). ...... The crisis has stretched on for too long. I do have one proposal -- dual citizenship should be offered to the refugees.
Change the constitution through CA elections: Bhattarai
Maoists extend ceasefire, say ongoing talks making headway
No third country needed to discuss Nepal-India bilateral treaties: Oli
PM meets Prachanda, Indian envoy
Bhattarai asks govt, rebels to down arms
Gajurel declared political prisoner
‘Republic impossible if NC fails to lead it’
Kantipur FM enters ninth year, targets major expansion With over six million listeners across the country, Kantipur FM radio station was the first FM station to be aired 24 hours a day. .... Playing all sorts of music in Nepali, English, Hindi and even in regional languages such as Newari, Maithili, Bhojpuri and Tharu ...... Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Nuwakot, Dhading, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Makwanpur, Bara, Gorkha, Syangja, Palpa, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Saptari, Sunsari, Morang, Jhapa, Ilam ..... leading folk and pop singers like Ramkrishna Dhakal, Sugam Pokhrel, Bhagwan Bhandari, Priti Kaur, Mongolian Hearts, Robin 'n The New Revolution ...... the government has granted Kantipur FM the permission to install five new relay stations at Birgunj, Chitwan, Pokhara, Butwal and Nepalgunj. ...... We expect the number of our listeners to reach the 10 million mark ...... Best Vocal in Modern Song: Ram Krishna Dhakal (Male), Kunti Moktan (Female) ..... Best Band: 1974 AD
Talks are based on give-and-take principle: PM Koirala
वीरेन्द्रको सम्पत्ति 'ट्रस्ट बन्ने'
ँअबको वार्ता राजा र हतियारबारे’
क्रान्तिकारी’ नेताको समृद्ध राष्ट्र यात्रा केहीअघिसम्म उनको टाउकाको मोल तीस लाख तोकिएको थियो । उनको नाम अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय आतंकवादी र रेडकर्नर नोटिसको सूचीमा थियो । तर गत सोमबार उनी लन्डनको ह्वाइट सिटीस्थित बीबीसी वल्र्डको स्टुडियोमा बसेर 'हार्ड टक' कार्यक्रमका लागि अन्तर्वार्ता रेकर्ड गराइरहेका थिए ..... यो लोकपि्रय कार्यक्रमका उनी पहिलो नेपाली अतिथि पनि थिए ....... लन्डन टेकेको दिन उनी बिहान चार बजेसम्म स्थानीय सञ्चारकर्मी र आयोजकहरूबाट घेरिएका थिए । भोलिपल्ट उनले लन्डनबाट प्रसारित नेपाली टेलिभिजन र बीबीसी नेपाली सेवालाई अन्तर्वार्ता दिए । सँगसँगै उनी नटिङहल गेटस्थित नेपाली राजदूतावास भवन पनि पुगे ...... एमाले नेता प्रदीप नेपालको प्रश्नमा उनले आधा ठट्यौली र आधा वास्तविकता मिसिएको छापामार भाषाको उत्तर दिए- 'खै निरीक्षण भन्नु कि के भन्नु । पहिले त हामी यसलाई 'सर्वे' भन्थ्यौं ।' ....... एनआरएनको गोष्ठीका मुख्य हिरो उनी नै थिए । सबैभन्दा प्रश्न उनैलाई सोधियो र सबैभन्दा बढी टीकाटिप्पणी पनि उनकै भयो । त्यहाँ उनले 'माओवादीले नेपालमा पुँजीवादी प्रणालीलाई बलियो बनाउन बन्दुक उठाएको' दाबी गरेर पश्चिमाहरूको आशंकालाई मेट्ने प्रयास पनि गरे । ..... लन्डनमा सबैभन्दा बढी गौरव मंगलबार हाइगेटस्थित कार्ल माक्र्सको समाधिमा पुग्दा भएको सुनाए उनले । 'म माक्र्सवादको विद्यार्थी र सिपाही' भावुक हुँदै नास्तिक महराले भने- 'आफ्ना गुरुको समाधिमा उभिएको त्यो क्षणमा मलाई एक किसिमको आध्यात्मिक अनुभव भयो ।' ........ 'पहिले सांसद हुँदा रातो पासपोर्ट पनि थियो, नागरिकता पनि थियो तर ०५२ फागुनमा जनयुद्ध सुरु भएपछि त्यसै महिनाको अन्तिमतिर प्रहरीले रोल्पा लिवाङस्थित मेरो घरमा छापा मारे र दुवै जलाइदिए ।' अचानक बेलायत आउने कार्यक्रम बनेपछि गृह मन्त्रालयले जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यालय, रोल्पाबाट ८ अक्टोबरमा नागरिकताको प्रतिलिपि मगाइदिएको र भोलिपल्ट परराष्ट्र मन्त्रालयले त्यसैका आधारमा पासपोर्ट बनाइदिइएको पनि सुनाए ....... 'यहाँ -बेलायत) को पूर्वाधार र भौतिक विकास हेर्दा मलाई नेपालमा निकै धेरै गर्न बाँकी छ भन्ने लाग्यो' ...... बिहीबारसम्म उनी रुघाखोकीले लथ्रक्क भइसकेका थिए । 'म त थला परुँलाजस्तो छ,' शुक्रबार साँझ हिथ्रो विमानस्थलबाट नेपाल र्फकने तरखरमा लागेका उनले नाक बजाउँदै 'कान्तिपुर' सँग भने- 'जे होस्, माओवादी आन्दोलनलाई अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय स्वीकार्यताको नयाँ अध्याय सुरु गरेर र्फकँदैछु ।'
सेना नयाँ नियमावली बनाउन व्यस्त
रानीपोखरीमा छठ भव्य काठमाडौं, कार्तिक ११ - पोखरी किनारमा झिलिमिली बत्तीसँग दिया बलिरहेका छन् । वरिपरि झिरझिरेको उज्यालो छरिएको छ । इन्द्रधनुषी पटका गुन्जिँदै छन् । सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम र झाँकी प्रदर्शित छन् । मिथिला लोकधुन घन्किँदै छ । एकातिर सूर्य पूजा भइरहेको छ भने अर्कातिर युवा- युवती डुंगाको आनन्द लिइरहेका छन् ।
कांग्रेसलाई गणतान्त्रिक बनाउन प्रस्ताव
हतियार फालेर मन्त्री खान जान्नौं’
सेनामा सुधार
लोकतन्त्रका लागि मध्यमवर्ग
धु्रवीकृत राजनीतिको सैद्धान्तिक अडान
माओवादीले धान काट्न दिएनन्

रानीपोखरीमा छठ भव्य

जितेन्द्र साह

काठमाडौं, कार्तिक ११ - पोखरी किनारमा झिलिमिली बत्तीसँग दिया बलिरहेका छन् । वरिपरि झिरझिरेको उज्यालो छरिएको छ । इन्द्रधनुषी पटका गुन्जिँदै छन् । सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम र झाँकी प्रदर्शित छन् । मिथिला लोकधुन घन्किँदै छ । एकातिर सूर्य पूजा भइरहेको छ भने अर्कातिर युवा- युवती डुंगाको आनन्द लिइरहेका छन् ।

छठमा पहिलोपटक खोलिएको ऐतिहासिक रानीपोखरीको यो दृश्यले हरेकलाई मोहित गरिरहेको थियो । पोखरीको मुहार बेहुलीझैं चहकिलो र सुन्दर । बटुवासमेत पर्व हेर्न झुम्मिएका । श्रद्धालुको भीड उल्लेख्य थियो । घरनजिकको नदी किनार छोडेर राजधानीका कुनाकुनाबाट रानीपोखरीमा भक्तजन ओइरिएका थिए । भीड नियन्त्रणबाहिर भएपछि पोखरीका सबै ढोका खोलिएका थिए । 'पहिलो मौका नगुमाउ“m भनेर आएकी हुँ,' कोटेश्वरबाट आएकी शर्मिला कुर्मीले भनिन्- 'राति यहीँ बस्छु, बिहान पूजा गरेर फर्किन्छु ।'

पोखरीमा २ हजार भक्तजन अटाउने क्षमता भए पनि २५ गुणा बढी जम्मा भएको आयोजक तराई सांस्कृतिक प्रतिष्ठानका अध्यक्ष श्रीप्रसाद साहले बताए ।

घर र्फकन नसकेका सयौं भक्तजनका लागि पोखरी परिसरमै पाल र तम्बु गाडेर जाग्राम बस्ने व्यवस्था छ । पोखरीनजिक त्रिचन्द्र कलेजको प्रांगणमा दिउँसो कुस्ती र रातभरि सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरिएको छ ।

मुस्लिम, क्रिस्चियन र शिख समुदायसमेत पूजामा प्रत्यक्ष एवं अप्रत्यक्ष रूपमा संलग्न थिए ।

'मुस्लिम, शिख र क्रिस्चियन यस पूजामा आफैं सहभागी नभएर छठ व्रत बस्नेलाई आफ्नो नाममा फलफूल र मिष्टान्न चढाउन लाउँछन्,' साहले भने- 'उनीहरू रकम दिएर पूजा सामग्री किन्न र चढाउन लाउँछन् ।'

रोग निवारण, सन्तानप्राप्ति, पारिवारिक सुख र मनकामना पूर्तिका आशासाथ भक्तजनले छठ पूजा गरेका थिए । सुनसरीका छट्टु मिया र कुपन्डोलकी सारिका महर्जन तीमध्येका हुन् । छट्टुले रोगी श्रीमतीको स्वास्थ्यलाभका ेलागि एक हिन्दुमित्रमार्फत पूजा गरिरहेको बताए ।

राजधानीका बल्खु, मनहरा खोला, गौरीघाट, थापाथली, कालिमाटीस्थित टंकेश्वर महादेव मन्दिर, कलंकी भुवनेश्वरी र राममन्दिर क्षेत्रको वागमती नदी किनार पनि शनिबार साँझ झकिझकाउ थिए ।

थापाथली घाटमा पनि दिउँसो कुस्ती र राति सांस्कृतिक प्रतियोगिता आयोजना गरियो ।

थापाथलीस्थित छठ घाट समितिका महासचिव सतीश झाले यस वष करिब १० हजार भक्तजन भेला भएको बताए । उनका अनुसार यो संख्या गत वर्षको भन्दा डेढ गुणा बढी हो । उदाउँदो सूर्यलाई पूजा गरेपछि समाप्त हुने यस पर्वमा प्रसाद मागेर खाँदा पूजा गरेझैं धर्म हुने मान्यता छ । सम्पन्नदेखि विपन्नसम्म छठको प्रसाद पाउन नदीकिनारमा लाम लाग्छन् ।

SOLICITING PEACE....

Peace can neither be attained by erecting a white peace pole on Swoyambhunath hill nor simply by hoisting a white flag on the top of Mt. Everest. Peace can not sustain by merely illuminating candles on the Ashok Pillar in Lumbini or just by liberating few pigeons (who already deserve to fly free) at Tundikhel. Peace is a distant reality if one inspires to embrace it by praying with holy bids inside the Boudhhanath monastery. Peace is also impossible to surface simply by professing the divinely power of Allah before the dawn over a loud speaker at Jamey Mosque in Ghantaghar. Peace is not waiting to emerge as a miracle from the white marbled church's basement in Jawalakhel. Peace never germinates from the sacrifice of innocent animals in the blood-bathed Dakshinkali temple or also by lighting Lakh Batti in Pashupatinath Temple. Enduring peace is possible only through just means of conflict transformation and securing transitional justice further than the premises of any holy shrines--in the open battlefields in Rolpa, Rukum & Rautaht and elsewhere. And...peace can not be conserved in isolation from rights and liberty!

-Gopal Krishna Siwakoti

Solve The Bhutani Refugee Crisis: Send Them West

Other countries also interested to take in Bhutanese refugees United States .... 60,000 .... Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and other EU countries have inquired about 'quota' related with resettlement of Bhutanese refugees. ...... as per the 15-year-old data, there are 106,000 Bhutanese refugees languishing in Nepal ...... the UNHCR, which considers it provides a real hope for resolving one of the most protracted refugee crises in Asia.

There are 110,000 of them. America will take 60,000. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and others will take the rest. Be done with it. Send them west. Let them have the good life.

Tek Nath Rizal or any political leader may not decide on behalf of the refugess. I don't think the offer by America and others is to pack up the refugees against their will and take them away to some foreign land, far away from home. There is an implicit, explicit suggestion that free will is involved. Noone who does not want to go will be forced to go. That is obvious. But let not these refugees be pawns in the tug of war between an autocratic, ethnicist regime in Bhutan and their democratic opponents like Rizal.

Tek Nath Rizal does not have the authority to say no to the proposal. Who elected him? He does not speak on behalf of the refugees. He can try and convince them to not go, but he may not decide on their behalf.

This refugee crisis b.s. has gone on for too long, and I am sick and tired of it. These people have been living in makeshift conditions. That is not a good life.

I am all for democracy. Bhutan is small fry. We are going to force democracy onto Bhutan, and Burma and Pakistan. But we have to do it the nonviolent way, the smart way.

Take Nepal for an example. The Nepali diaspora played a key role in the April Revolution. The April Revolution could not have happened without the diaspora, plain and simple.

Let these hundred thousand Bhutanese go west, and live the good life, make the dollars, and form the nucleus of a militant - as in nonviolent militancy - democracy movement for Bhutan. Money makes a difference. Go make the money.

Tek Nath Rizal is not making any sense to me. He is hurting his own cause. I think he himself should move to New York to better coordinate the democracy movement. Or he should seek a better arrangement for himself such that he gets to shuttle between New York, Delhi, Kathmandu and Darjeeling.

As long as you stay nonviolent, you can wage your movement from America, from India, from Nepal. Why not? No Indian official will dare get in your way. You circle Bhutan. And then you wage the decisive fight inside Bhutan. And usher democracy. Declare the country a republic. The heck with the kings of the world. Screw Jingme Singme.

I myself would love to get involved in a very personal way. Come on over. We have the experience, and we will happily share. There is a basic formula to spreading democracy and you can have it for free.

This move also will have global implications. Middle East, for example. The two sticklers there are Jerusalem and the refugee issue. There is a need there also to think outside the box. I don't know who in the US foreign policy establishment first came up with this idea - perhaps Moriarty - but that person is a small league genius.

Jerusalem. Take it away from both Israel and Palestine. Hand over its administration to the UN. Make it an international city. Refugees? First find out how many of them want to go back to Israel. Then find out how many of them Israel will take. The difference? Send them out to America, Europe, Australia. Let them have the good life.

Like Lenin said, two steps forward, one step back.

Tek Nath Rizal needs to get out of the way of the sensible solution. Instead he should ride the wave. Get 100,000 Bhutanis out west. Form a strong political organization that encompasses all of them. Have each such person make a voluntary 10% contribution of the money they make out west to that organization, to be administered in a transparent way. Let the organization have periodic internal elections. And go on an all out attack on Jingme. Finish him off. Bhutan needs to become a federal republic.

Who says you have to suffer to wage a successful democracy movement! You could be living in air conditioned aparments, sipping orage juice, watching cable TV, and waging revolution.

So to Tek Nath Rizal I say, get off your butt, and let things move. Move fast.

Bhutanese Refugees site provides authentic information on origin ...
Refugees from Bhutan
Bhutanese Refugees: Bhutannewsonline.com
the bhutanese refugees -- historical background
Human Rights Watch: Asia : Bhutan
Nepal/Bhutan: Refugee Women Face Abuses (Human Rights Watch, 24-9 ...
Bhutan-Refugees
BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Bhutan refugees on hunger strike
Bhootan.org :: Bringing Bhutan Closer To The World
Bhutanese refugee problem:Internationalization is the only alternative
Press Releases: Nepal, Nepal: Prolonging the crisis of Bhutanese ...
Bhutanese Refugees
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Breakthrough for Bhutan refugees?
Bhutan: Refugees face further set back - Amnesty International
IRIN Asia | Asia | NEPAL | NEPAL: Bhutanese refugees hesitant over ...
[PDF] THE BHUTANESE REFUGEES: BETWEEN VERIFICATION, REPATRIATION AND ...
Bhutan Refugee face further set back : Amnesty
Bhutan
VOA News - Offer To Resettle Bhutan Refugees

Western countries show green signal for resettling Bhutanese ... People's Daily Online, China
Maoists ‘abduct’ two Bhutanese refugees Nepalnews.com, Nepal
Rizal Turns Down US Proposal to Resettle Bhutanese Refugees Himalayan Times, Nepal
Upcoming talks will be decisive for repatriation of Bhutanese ... Nepalnews.com, Nepal
US to Take Bhutanese Refugees OhmyNews International, South Korea
US offer puts Bhutanese refugees in Nepal in confusion People's Daily Online, China
NEPAL: Bhutanese refugees hesitant over US resettlement offer Reuters AlertNet, UK
US prepared to take in up to 60,000 Bhutanese refugees from Nepal International Herald Tribune, France
US offers to absorb Bhutanese refugees Indian Express, India
US ready to take in 60,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal People's Daily Online, China

In The News

Acharya camp demands special convention in NC NepalNews With the objective of making republic as the major policy of Nepali Congress (NC), campaigners for republic within the party have demanded special general convention or the meeting of Mahasamiti (general committee). ..... Gagan Thapa, a student leader and another leader of the campaign, informed that in order to press party president Girija Prasad Koirala to adopt republican line, 100,000 signatures of active youth members of the party will be submitted to him soon. "If communists alone carry the slogan of republic, neither the republic will come nor peace will be restored. Congress must become republican in order to win the confidence of Nepali people and international community," said Acharya.

Maoists extend ceasefire; talks moving positively: Prachanda NepalNews the main contentious issues – the fate of monarchy and management of Maoist arms
PM Koirala, Prachanda discuss position of monarchy, arms management The eight political parties had given the responsibility of finding consensus on the issue of like monarchy and arms management to Prime Minister Koirala and Maoist supremo Prachanda. .... The SPA has been saying that the fate of monarchy should be decided either through a referendum or elections to the constituent assembly and the Maoists' arms should be managed before the CA polls while the rebels remain firm not to leave any space for the King in the interim constitution and that their arms should be managed only after resolving the political issues. ..... Meanwhile, the CPN-UML, the second largest party in the SPA, has started discussion with other political parties on the unresolved issues..... It was the UML that first floated a proposal of deciding the fate of monarchy through referendum.
PAC recommends impeachment of two SC judges
Decision should not focus on arms management: Former PM Bhattarai Bhattrai further said that weapons should be separated from the Maoists and the government should also set aside its arms. ... Bhattarai said that he met Mahatma Gandhi during his education period in Kashi in 2007 BS. He said that he had urged Gandhi to write a letter to the Ranas in Nepal to release leaders, including BP Koirala, from jail. When the Indian papers, after getting a whiff of Gandhi writing the letter published the news, the Ranas released BP Koirala. .... Bhattarai also demanded the release of Myanmar’s Aung San Suuki .... Prakash Man Singh alleged that Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is hindering the unity of two congress parties. ...... Deuba had put forward a proposal to carry out necessary homework by constituting a six-member task force- three from each party but Koirala rejected this outright saying that he himself would handle everything, as a result the unification process has gotten nowhere ...... Koirala has been asking us to join his party

Summit talks soon after PM’s return from Biratnagar: Home Minister NepalNews
Republican Front sans NC will be formed, says Gautam "The front will be against monarchy. And if the NC supports monarchy, then it will also be against NC," said Gautam. ..... Hridayesh Tripathy, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, has said that PM Koirala's remarks about the republican front are his personal opinion. "His views would not affect the environment for talks," said Tripathy who had met with Koirala at his residence in Biratnagar on Thursday.
PM says his comment on ‘republican front’ won’t affect SPA unity the Prime Minister said it is his democratic right to express his views. He also urged the party workers not to put unnecessary pressure on him to agree on pro-republic agendas of the communists.
NRN-UK organises interaction; NRNs reiterate demand for dual citizenship
Govt. will feed Maoist armies in cantonments: Minister Chaudhari
Chakkajam was a protest against growing lawlessness: Maoist leader
Chhath festival starts from today
Maoists to go ahead with Republican Front plan despite Koirala's rejection
Next round of talks should be held by Sunday: UML General Secy.
CJ Poudel condemns idea of re-appointment of judges


Siddhartha Thapa

1. As far as the peace talks are concerned, more or less the Maobadis and the SPA have reached a consensus, i.e on most political issues. For example, the fate of monarchy etc will be decided by the constituent assembly elections etc etc. However the talks at the moment have stalled due to the issue of weapons management. Therefore the prospect of the peace talks succeding depends largely on the Maoists stance on arms management.We have recieved credible information that Prachanda in his talks with the Prime Minister had more or less agreed to all isssues including that of weapons of management. But Prachanda changed his stance dramatically after his proposal was turned down by the dominant hard-line fraction with in the Maobadi.
2. UML - the UML is having dilemas vis-a-vis ideological ambiguity. The Maobadis are moving aggressively indoctrinating cadres of UML into their outfit while the top leaders of UML are in dolldrums regarding how to deal with Maobadis. The Maobadis have already exerted their influence into the rank and file of the UML and clear divisions are begining to surface in the UML.
3. The Royalist( Kamal Thapa et all) - The royalist are yearning for adequate political space. There were reports although not verified that about 3-4000 small arms were sneaked into the palace about 3 weeks ago. The Maoist intelligence responded to this revelation by raiding the house of Bikram Thapa( RPP Chairman of Kathmandu). However no arms were found. But a few days later news reports emerged that a royalist outfit through statement circulated to media houses through out the country proclaimed their arrival in the scene of conflict by taking up arms for the king.
4. Maobadis - Desptie some optimism( go back to point 1) that the peace talks might succede and the Maoist should be given adequate space. There are reasons for us to doubt the sincerity of the Maoists. First, I myself saw numerous Maoist check points within the Kathmandu valley. These check points resembled army checkings during the state of emergency. Secondly, the Maoist have started patrolling the streets of Kathmandu while the army remains confined in the barrack.Patan and Balaju Industrial estate have become detention centres and Kangaroo courts of the Maoist. And the Maoist have gone ahead by arresting some notorious gangsters of Kathmandu fearing they might be used against the Maobadis in time.
   But on the political front, the Maobadis have decided on the following :
   • Political parties - divide and rule. Although they have portrayed GPK as the next president, they are simultaneously engaged in talks with other parties. I believe the Maobadis along with the UML have proposed Deuba to lead the Republican Alliance. Hence, the call from Koirala for the early unification of NC to quash the plans of UML and Maobadis. Another important facet is the labelling of political parties as regressive forces should they not toe the Maoist line.
   • Armed forces - The UML too have assimiliated themselves into the Maoist plans of systematically disturbing the balance of security forces. I would not hesitate to label other leftist in this scheme. Their intention is to constantly label NA as human right violators and discredit the army so that when the times comes for deployment, the NA will already be shunned in the eyes of the people. The other might be to instigate the army into action therefore turning the political table against them.
   • Judiciary - The appointment of judges has been delayed for quite some time. In the absence of judges, the judiciary has not been able to function as per the demand. Therefore, people are consequently going to kangaroo courts established by the Maoist for justice ( even in Kathmandu). Secondly, the Maoist indeed have a big hand in the delay of the appointment of judges. However more importantly leftist judges have filed petition against the appointment of army chief, hence bringing about a direct confrontation between the state judiciary and the executive. The Supreme Court has also questioned the legality of the HOR proclomation.
5. The prospect of able backbenchers utility - The good news is that GPK has slowly started to distrsut Sitaula. Sitaula was on the verge of being fired and KP Oli I believe was about to replace him. But the Maoist intervened and objected. Nonetheless the point is that Girija has roped in Arjunnarsingh KC,Dr.Ramsaran Mahat, Ramchandra Poudel, Mahesh Archarya into the talks with the Maoist. At no time is Sitaula left alone in dealing with the Maoist. However, the utility of able backbenchers is still marred due to pending cases at the CIAA. Although most allegations have been cleared for the likes of Khum Bahadur, Govinda Raj etc, their cases are still hinging in the court due to the direct interference of the home minister. I believe direct orders to prolong the cases. These people especially Khum Bahadur and Govinda Raj harbour very anti-maoist and anti-leftist sentiment are very popular within the Nepali Congress.
6. Surya Bahadur Thapa - By far is the major obstacle to the Maoist. The man still exerts influence and respect in the Nepali Congress and with the Indian establishment. His reading is - anarchy- followed by maoist control and then disintergration of the state. The Maoist are systematically aiming to take over politically and the last resort is an urban rising. By this he doesnt mean an urban uprising will not be staged. It will be staged but before that the Maoist will do what so ever politically to control the centre and if that fails last resort is urban uprising. And the issue he has been raising repeatedly is that of the militia. Provided the peace talks do not dwelve in the aspect of containing or disarming the militia, the Maoist will have an overwhelming majority in the CA elections and then write a constitution that will make Nepal a one party communist state. Feb 1st and the 12 point understanding led to a situation where the institution of monarchy was the casualty, secondly, after the HOR proclomation and the 8point agreement the constitution became the casualty and now if proper home work and a strong stance is not take against the Maoist - the third casualty - democracy. It is important rope the maoist into the mainstream, it is the need but however, the parties to have be to equally committed ideologically, politically and strategically in dealing with the Maoist. And then can you compel the Maoist into democratic main stream.
   Why is the issue of disarming militias so critical as proposed by Surya Bahadur Thapa ?
   The PLA has so far fought with the state security forces. But on the other hand, the Maoist militia is the organ through which the party recruits, extorts, abducts and attempts to displine society by instilling fear with the use of guns. There are according to intelligence reports about 25,000 militia through the country armed with small weapons. While the PLA has fought with the state security forces, the Maoist militia is the vital party organ that deals with the people on day to day basis. So even if the PLA is disarmed, it still leaves a large and a potent force of Maoist armed with small weapons. Therefore, should elections come, the Maoist will mobilize their armed goons through out the country and the end result of the elections will tilt in favour of the Maoist. The political parties on the other hand will pose no threat to the Maoist during election campaigns as the Maoist will have an unfair advantage - disposal of small weapons in their hands. Consequently a desired atmosphere for free and fair elections will not surface and the Maoists will barge the elections with an absolute majority. Therefore, the issue of weapons management and that of disarming the militia along with the PLA is the most vital issue in Nepali politics today.
7. The issue of displaced people - There are about eight hundred thousand displaced people in Nepal today. However, it is our thought that along with peace process, those who have been displaced in the conflict should also be rehabilitated during the transitional phase. For free and fair Constituent Assembly elections and for the larger Nepali population to take part in the this democratic exercise, it is essential internal refugees are rehabilitated. Nonetheless the rehabilitation process of the displaced people is not desireable to the Maoist. This is becuase majority of the displaced people fled due to Maoist atrocities and mainly during the initial phases of the war.Majority of Nepali Congress and UML cadres were vindicated by the Maoist as class enemies. The popular slogan of the Maoist needs to be reassrted - "Congress lai khoji khoji, A-MALEY - lai roji roji, RAPRAPA lai sodi, sodi". Therefore, should the rehabilitation process be delayed, genuine voters of Nepali Congress and UML will be deprived from their right to vote. As the Election Commission demands, voters must return to their constituency for voting, these eight hundred thousand refugees who have been refuging in the captial will be denied the right to vote. Hence it is in the interest of the Maoist to delay or altogether sabotage the rehabilitation process of internal refugees.

Federalism: Four Layers Or Three Layers

I got to meet Pradeep Nepal late last month. I asked him about the UML's current thinking on federalism. He said the thought was to have geographic and not ethnic federalism. I pursued my questioning further. He said there was talk of perhaps having 25 districts. After that conversation with him, I modified my proposed map for federalism.

Nepal: Maps

I had a rather pleasat conversation with Nepal. I started by saying two young men came to him with a small video camera to interview him early this year, or perhaps even earlier than that. "I sent them," I said. I also mentioned having read his article in Drishti. He has a regular column there. He was more pleased to hear that than anything else I said. That shows he is first and foremost a writer. During his stump speech, he made a casual reference to our conversation without mentioning my name. He said I had made him feel at home.

Seven Party Delegation

The 25 districts I have drawn are haphazard. The demarcations can be different from what I have suggested. They most likely will. But the basic concept of having 25 districts is a sound one.

I think he further hinted that there will be only three layers. There will be the center, the 25 districts, and then the village/town/city. That made me think. I thought about his proposal for a few days.

Having three layers is simpler than having four layers. And I am all for simplicity. But will those 25 districts have their own parliaments? Will they have their own three branches of government? What will be the share of power between the center and the districts?

My original thinking was, let's have 75 districts, and three states. My current thinking, thanks to Pradeep Nepalji, is let's have three states and 25 districts.

For me the idea of three states is magical.

You become the chairperson of one of the 25 districts before you become the governor of one of the three states. You become a governor of one of the three states before you become president of the entire country. I am not saying that should be the law of the land. No. Not at all. But that is likely what will end up happening in practice.

That way the country will get the best possible president each time. But if you have only 25 districsts and then the center, you will have chief executives who have spent the better part of their careers catering to this or that ethnic group. With the three states, you do not have that problem.

Just take a look at the topograhical map of Nepal. The country has been designed by god to have three states. Look at how the three river basins take shape.

The three states will be similar in many ways. They will be similar geographically. They will be similar in terms of ethnic and cultural diversity. They will have the same diversity challenges that the country as a whole will have. And it is important they compete with each other as to how best to deal with them. All three states will have the Terai, Pahad and Himal in them. All three will have roughly equal resources.

The funny thing is the party that I have historically been close with - the Sadbhavana - is not with me on this one. The last time I talked to Anil Jha, which was earlier this month - he said he wanted the entire Terai as one state. That is not practical. So you create one state that is half the country's population and perhaps 70% of its wealth. What do you do with the rest?

New York City is the most diverse place on earth. And yet there is no civil war going on here. Why? If you can create a good enough political, economic, social infrastructure, diversity is not a problem. It is a blessing, not a curse.

So our emphasis should be on creating that superior political infrastructure. It should not be to make sure ethnic groups stay geographically separate. That separation is not true today, it will be less true tomorrow. People and families move around looking for greener economic pastures. And that is the way it should be. As a Madhesi I am least concerned that more Pahadis and Himalis might move to the Terai down the line. That movement will not dilute the Madhesi cultures as long as the Madhesis have their one person, one vote democracy, they have their language rights, and they are part of a fast growing economy.

Interim Federalism
Federal Republic Guaranteed
Critiquing Pitambar Sharma's Federalism
Pitambar Sharma's Federalism
Federalism: Competing Maps
RPP For Federalism Ahead of UML, NC And NC(D)
My Federalism Is Economic, Scientific, Not Ethnic
Why It Is Important To Me The Congress Takes Up A Federal Republic
UML Inching Towards Federalism
Monarchy, Army, Federalism

Of all the top leaders in Nepal today, the person I have become the closest with since I launched this blog is Madhav Nepal, more so than anyone in the Sadbhavana even. We see eye to eye on many national issues. So I am pleased that not only has his party adopted the idea of a federal republic, it is saying no to ethnic federalism, and yes to sound, geographic federalism.

If you ask me, I think Madhav Nepal is poised to become the first president of Nepal. He is on his way.

Prachanda, Madhav, Devendra
Madhav Nepal
Madhav Nepal Out In Open
Interim President: Madhav Nepal
Phone Talk With Madhav Nepal, Hridayesh Tripathy
Maoist, Moriarty, Madhav, Manmohan: Get Behind The 3 Point Program
Madhav Nepal, Commander Of The Movement
Email From Madhav Kumar Nepal

And now I ask for only one thing. Political parties should not be allowed to raise private funds. Instead they should get state funds in direct proportion to the number of votes they earn during a national election.

Pramukh Dar
Proposed Constitution

अमूर्त संघात्मक राज्य प्रस्ताव

भवानी बराल

गत साउनको अन्तिम साता नेकपा -एमाले) को केन्द्रीय समितिको ११ औं पूर्ण बैठकले संघात्मक राज्य प्रणालीको प्रस्ताव गर्‍यो । लामो समयदेखि एकात्मक राज्यको वकालत गर्दै आएको एमालेले एक्कासि संघात्मक राज्यको प्रस्ताव गरेको अवश्य होइन । एमालेभित्र एकात्मक र संघात्मक राज्य समर्थकबीचको आन्तरिक संघर्ष नेपाली जनताको चाहना, जनजाति तथा आदिवासी आन्दोलनले उठाएको विषयको परिणाम हो यो घोषणा । समग्रमा संसदवादी राजनीतिक दलको एक प्रमुख घटकले संघात्मक राज्य प्रणालीको प्रस्ताव गर्नुमात्र पनि ऐतिहासिक घटना हो । संघात्मक राज्य रचना गर्ने नीतिगत सहमति जनाउनुमात्र पनि राष्ट्रिय राजनीतिक माहोलमा एमालेको १८० डिग्रीको फड्को हो ।

एमालेको अन्तरपार्टी निर्देशनमा जनाएअनुसार- 'राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्नु भनेको नेपाली समाजका विशेषताको आधारमा राज्यको स्वरूप र चरित्रको निर्धारण गर्नु हो' एमालेको यो व्याख्या सुन्दा जति कर्णपि्रय लाग्छ, यसको व्याख्या त्यति नै अमूर्त, जति व्याख्या गर्‍यो त्यति नै अर्थ लाग्ने बहुअर्थी छ । त्यो निर्देशनमा एमालेले नेपाललाई बहुजातीय, बहुभाषिक, बहुधार्मिक, तथा बहुसांस्कृतिक चरित्रको भनी व्याख्या गरेको छ र यो विविधतायुक्त समाजमा राज्यको स्वरूप केन्द्रीकृत नभएर संघात्मक हुनुपर्ने ठहर गरेको छ । तर एमालेले राज्यको स्वरूप प्रादेशिक संघात्मकतामा आधारित हुनुपर्ने ठहर गरेर नेपालको विशिष्टतामा संघात्मक प्रणालीको 'वर्ण शंकर' प्रस्ताव गरेको छ । यस किसिमको प्रादेशिक आधारको संघात्मकताको कुनै अर्थ हुन्न । नेपाली कांग्रेसका केही नेता तथा सद्भावना पार्टीले उठाएको राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाभन्दा सारमा यो प्रस्तावमा केही फरक छैन । नेपाली समाजको विशेषताको आधारमा राज्यको स्वरूप र चरित्र निर्धारण गर्ने एमालेको यो प्रस्ताव यहीँनेर आएर पतन भएको छ ।

एमालेले राज्य पुनर्संरचना गर्नुअघि सारेको यो बुँदाले अझ प्रस्ट पारेको छ । 'नेपाललाई अब जातीय, भाषिक, सांस्कृतिक र प्रादेशिक स्वायत्ततामा आधारित अखण्ड, अविभाज्य, स्वतन्त्र र सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न राज्य राष्ट्रका रूपमा विकास गरिनेछ ।' यो के भन्न खोजेको हो ? जातीय, भाषिक र सांस्कृतिक आधारमा संघात्मक राज्य बनाउने प्रस्ताव गरिसकिएपछि 'प्रादेशिक स्वायत्तता, अखण्ड, अविभाज्य स्वतन्त्र र सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न राज्य राष्ट्रका रूपमा विकास गरिने' यस्तो भाषा प्रयोग गरिरहनु पछिको रहस्य के

हो ? फेरि यस्तो राज्य राष्ट्र 'स्वशासनको ढाँचामा आधारित हुनेछ ।' भन्ने फुर्को झुन्ड्याउनु पछिको अर्थ के हो ? स्वायत्तता पनि दिने जातीय, भाषिक, सांस्कृतिक आधार पनि हुने, प्रादेशिक आधारको पनि हुने अखण्ड, अविभाज्य, स्वतन्त्र पनि रहने, पुनर्संरचना गर्दा आर्थिक र सामाजिक रूपले पछि परेका समुदायको पहिचान, सहभागिता र पहुँचलाई सुनिश्चित गरिने आदि/ इत्यादि सबै एकै डालोमा हालेको छ । यसरी एमालेले राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाको खिचडी पकाएको छ । राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्ने एमालेले दुनियाभरिका आधारहरूलाई एकै ठाउँमा घोलघाल गरेको छ । अर्थात् नेपाली समाजको विशिष्टताको आधारमा राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्ने आधार तय नगरेकाले यो यथास्थितिको दस्ताबेजमात्रै हो । यस्तो छारस्ट आधारबाट राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्दा अग्रगामी हुनै सक्दैन । अर्को स्वायत्तता, स्वशासनजस्ता शब्दावलीलाई एकै ठाउँमा प्रयोग गर्नु अर्थपूर्ण छैन । प्रादेशिक संघात्मकतामा जातीय भाषिक र सांस्कृतिक स्वायत्तता कसरी सम्भव हुन्छ ? प्रादेशिक भनेको त्यो भौगोलिक वा भूगोलसँग सम्बन्धित क्षेत्रीय आधारमात्रै हो । अर्को संघात्मक स्वरूपमा अखण्ड, अविभाज्य, स्वतन्त्र र सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न आदि शब्दावली कसका निम्ति प्रयोग गरिएका हुन् प्रस्ट छैन । संघात्मक स्वरूपका स-साना स्वायत्त प्रदेशहरू अखण्ड, अविभाज्य, स्वतन्त्र र सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न हुने कि पूरै देश ? सार्वभौमसत्ता सम्पन्न भनेर किटान गरिसकेपछि अखण्ड, अविभाज्य कुन तुकमा आएका शब्द हुन् ? स्वतन्त्र शब्द के अर्थ बुझाउन आएको हो ? यी सबै विशेषण भिराउँदा कस्तो खालको संघात्मक राज्य रचना हुन्छ ? शायद एमालेले यस्तो 'उँट' रूपी संघात्मकताको सपना बाँडेको छ । कुन प्रकारको संघात्मकता हो भन्ने यकिन हुन नसकेपछि यस्तो अमूर्त संघात्मक प्रणालीको पनि केही अर्थ रहन्न ।

एमालेले भौगोलिक अवस्थिति, जनसंख्या र जातिगत बसोबासको अवस्था, मातृभाषा र भाषा प्रयोगको अवस्था, सांस्कृतिक सम्मिलनको विशिष्ट अवस्था, प्रशासनिक सुगमता, आर्थिक अन्तर सम्बन्ध र ऐतिहासिकतालाई आधार मान्दै नयाँ राजनीतिक प्रशासनिक इकाई विभाजन गर्नुपर्ने जनाएको छ । एमालेले उठाएको यी भद्रगोल आधारहरूले संघात्मक राज्य हुनै नसक्ने घुमाउरो तर्क अघि सारेको प्रतीत हुन्छ । तपशीलका कुराहरूलाई मुख्य र विशिष्ट आधारहरूलाई गौण बनाएकाले एमालेद्वारा प्रस्तावित संघात्मक स्वरूप नेपाली जनताको निम्ति हात्तीका देखाउने दाँत हुन्, चपाउने दाँत अर्कै छ । संघीय प्रदेशको नामाकरण गर्दा र राजनीतिक तथा प्रशासनिक केन्द्र निर्धारण गर्दा ऐतिहासिकताको पक्षलाई ख्याल गर्नेजस्ता कुराहरूसमेत उल्लेख गर्न भ्याएको एमालेको राज्य पुनर्संरचनासम्बन्धी प्रस्ताव भुइँमै अलमलिएको छ । एमालेले कुन आधारबाट राज्यको पुनसर्ंरचना गर्ने हो ? ठोसरूपमा त्यही नै खुट्याउन सकेको देखिँदैन । यस्तो लाग्छ जसका मुखबाट जे-जे आधारबाट राज्य पुनसर्ंरचना गर्ने हो भन्ने निस्कन्छ ती सबै आधारबाट गर्ने सतही प्रस्ताव गरेको छ । प्रस्ट रूपमा राज्यको पुनर्संरचना जातीय, भाषिक, क्षेत्रीय, भौगोलिक के आधारबाट गर्ने भन्नेमा नै प्रस्ताव मौन छ । कसका निम्ति राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गर्ने कुरै खुलेको छैन भने राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाको अर्थ के हुन्छ ?

'आदिवासी जनजातिहरूलाई आफ्नो राजनीतिक अधिकार सुनिश्चित गर्न तथा आर्थिक, सामाजिक र सांस्कृतिक विकास गर्नसक्ने गरी आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार हुनेछ' भनी प्रस्ताव त गरेको छ तर जातीय आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार भन्नै सकेको छैन । आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार नभनी अग्रगामी नभइने हिसाबले मात्र यो शब्द प्रस्तावमा प्रयोग भएको छ । संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघले प्रयोग गर्दै आएको अमूर्त 'आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार' नेपालका आदिवासी जनजातिले खोजेका होइनन् । 'जातीय आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकार' प्रस्ताव गर्न कन्जुस्याइँ गर्नुले आदिवासी जनजातिको अधिकार सुनिश्चित गर्छ भन्न कदापि सकिन्न । जातीय आत्मनिर्णयको अधिकारलाई एमालेले यहीँनेर आएर असान्दर्भिक ठानेको छ ।

यसर्थ एमालेले जातीय, क्षेत्रीय, आर्थिक जे आधारबाट प्रान्तहरू गठन गरेर राज्यको पुनर्संरचना गरे पनि त्यसको औचित्य पुष्टि हुँदैन । यसमानेमा एमालेको राज्य पुनसर्ंरचना घुमाउरो पाराले जातीय आधारमा राज्य रचना नगर्ने भनेकै हो । अर्को युरोपको राष्ट्रिय राज्यको अवधारणामा जानु उचित नहुने प्रस्ताव गरेकाले पनि एमालेले जातीय आधारलाई राज्य पुनर्संरचनाको आधार नबनाएको प्रस्ट हुन्छ । नेपालको भू-राजनीतिक परिस्थितिले साना-साना टुक्रामा विभाजित गर्न नहुने प्रस्ताव गर्दै भौगोलिक आधारलाई मात्र राज्य पुनसर्ंरचनाको आधार लिएको प्रस्ट हुन्छ । भारतको प्रभुत्ववादी दृष्टिकोणसँग डराउँदै उसले जातीय र साना राज्य रचनालाई निषेध गरेको छ ।

एमालेले थुप्रै ढाट तेस्र्याएर संघात्मक राज्य संरचनामा जटिलता थपेको छ । यो सामन्तवादी एकात्मक राज्य संरचना विघटन गर्न नहुने घुमाउरो तर्क हो । यस्ता तर्कले राज्यको पुनर्संरचनाको बाटो सोझ्याउँदैन । एमालेले संघीय राज्य संरचनाको सस्तो लोकपि्रयतालाई नगदीकरण गर्न गरेको यो फोस्रो प्रस्ताव हो । यो प्रस्तावको गम्भीरता चुनाबी घोषणापत्र जत्तिको पनि छैन ।

-बराल ँयस्तो हुनुपर्छ राज्यको संरचना’ पुस्तकका लेखक हुन् ।