Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Re: [Bahujan-forum] Nepal Updates: May 13: Some Snippets


 
palashcbiswas,
 gostokanan, sodepur, kolkata-700110 phone:033-25659551



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Sent: Wednesday, 13 May, 2009 13:13:10
Subject: [Bahujan-forum] Nepal Updates: May 13: Some Snippets



[The situation is too fluid. But it looks that the NC-UML axis is inching towards conjuring up a simple majority in the Parliament. While that may be enough for forming a government, assuming that the issue of UCPN(M)'s continued obstructions to holding parliamentary sessions gets somehow (miraculously) resolved even without securing their participation in and/or support for the new government, the framing of the Constitution would require 2/3rd majority. And that's just not possible without the nod from the UCPN(M)'s nod.

Despite strong internal pressures, neither of the two camps may be interested in a "final" showdown. The indications are that the "people", particularly of the valley, would strongly detest. From that angle, a prolonged "obstructionist" tactic as being followed by the Maoists at the moment or use of large scale threats and violence may turn out to be counterproductive.

The presumably well calculated move by Prachanda (the Fierce one) - tendering his resignation as the Prime Minister ostensibly in protest against the "unconstitutional" act of the President - was apparently meant to trigger massive pubic protests. While rather impressive protests have in fact been and are still being "organised", there is no whatever comparison with the spontaneous huge outbursts on the streets during Janandolan (mass movement) II - just over three years back. (Maoists were then absent from the valley, the hub of the Janandolan II.)
So, the tug-of-war, the game of brinkmanship is on.]

I.

EXPOSED: The Nepal Maoist's Nationalism!

Posted on May 11th, 2009 by UWB

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal who resigned earlier this month lambasting, among other things, foreign (Indian) intervention in Nepali affairs, had himself asked for the higher level involvement from Delhi in matters related to the sacking of chief of the Nepali Army (which is entirely an internal matter of Nepal). Dahal made that clear in an interview given to the Indian daily The Hindu yesterday and published today. Dahal (aka Prachanda) told Siddharth Varadarajan of The Hindu:

"Well, we expected that India would take a consistent position in favour of civilian supremacy because of its own traditions and because it had supported the struggle for democracy here. In fact, I want to make it clear that before taking any action against Katawal, I told the Indian Ambassador, Rakesh Sood, that if it is possible, could you please send a message that I want to have a serious discussion on this issue and if either the foreign secretary or some other senior person can come here to talk. We knew some confusion is there between the Maoist-led government and India on this question. I wanted to settle this issue through interaction and discussion with high-level officials from Delhi. But unfortunately, the ambassador informed me that this cannot happen now because the election campaign is going on, that nobody is there, that it is very difficult.

[The interview is at <http://www.hindu. com/2009/ 05/11/stories/ 2009051154600900 .htm>.

It is interesting to note how one form of Indian intervention would be welcome or even actively sought and other forms, even non-intervention, would/could be branded "anti-democratic"/"expansionist"/"imperialist" etc.]

II.

<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=m5_dkKoNaVc> hosts part of Prachanda's leaked speech to an assembly of People's Liberation Army (PLA) - Maoist Army. English sub-titles are provided.

Here Paracnada is communicating with the cadres in a pretty relaxed mood. The tone is quite benign even if clearly didactic.

He is here (re)enunciating the Maoist plan that first the political power is to be captured and thereafter the (Nepal) Army. That would take about 5-7 years since capture of political power. And in that sense, Nepal would follow its own unique path. The method would be something like: downsize the Army from 1,00,000 to 50,000, the PLA from 20-30,000 to 10,000. Integrate the both and retain in the separate identity of the PLA combatants by forming them into separate units. He assures that 3,000 PLA combatants are enough to swallow up an Army of1,00,000. He explains that the Army has to be "democratised" and further makes it explicit that "democratised" means "politicisation". So he is quite clear that the Army would be indoctrinated. he also talks of socio-political transformations.

As long as one accepts the legitimacy of "one-party state", where all other political currents subsist at the mercy of the Revolutionary Party, there is nothing wrong, in fact everything right, about it.

III.

[Here is a comment, evidently by a Nepali Congress sympathiser which incorporates the text of the detailed agreement between the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the CPN(M) entered on Dec. 23 2007 laying down the rules of transactions. The text is an important document. The clarificatory notes clearly give out the precariousness of the agreement and the still palpable tensions underlying.]

www.southasiaanalys is.org/%255Cnote s5%255Cnote423. html

Note no. 423

26-Dec.-2007

NEPAL: SPA Agrees to 23 point Agreement with the Maoists: Update No. 146  

By Dr. S. Chandrasekharan 

After holding out for many months, G. P. Koirala finally gave in to the twin demands of the Maoists on the issue of a republican form of government and proportional system of representation.  It is to the credit of G.P. that despite his age, health and pressure from all sides including India, he withstood the stress so long on a matter of principle and he will be remembered in history for fighting a lone battle with opportunists, vested interests and a ruthless opposition.  If one looks at the developments from the time of 12 point agreement with India acting as a midwife  to the peace accord and now to the 23 point agreement, two points stand out- 1. The determined stand of the Maoists to force their agenda step by step ruthlessly by black mail or other means 2.  The dubious nature of the UML, particularly Madhav Nepal who speaks for both sides and has never taken a consistent stand on any issue!   

The 23 point Agreement:   

On 23 December, the Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists signed a 23-point agreement that covered all the disputed issues relating to the future of the country.  The agreement has since been approved by the cabinet and the parliament of the interim government.  Surprisingly the parties could not yet agree to a firm date for the constitutional assembly polls.  The more important points of the agreement include-

1.             Nepal shall be a federal democratic republican state.

2.            The first meeting of the constituent assembly shall implement the republic. ( The question of getting a simple majority appears to be ruled out. There may not be any voting but if a majority insists on a division, and if there is no simple majority there could a constitutional and legal crisis besides embarrassment to the parties concerned. This shows how democratic the parties are!).  A two third majority of the existing members can implement the republic even before the polls if the King creates obstacles in holding the constitutional assembly elections.  ( This shows lack of confidence in themselves while all parties including the Maoists are in touch with the Monarchists! )

3.            The Prime Minister will act as Head of the State and shall have all the executive powers.

4.            The CA polls shall be on a mixed proportional system and the number of members to the assembly will be increased from 497 to 601.  55.7 percent, that is 335 members will be on a proportional representation system, 39.9 percent that is 240 members will be by the first past the post system and 4.32, that is 26 members will be nominated by the Prime Minister to include those minority groups who fail to get elected through both the systems.

5.            Following the deal, the Maoists will rejoin the interim government.

6.            There will be an all party committee to coordinate the functions of the government and it will be headed by each party by turns.  ( It is only on this point that G.P was able to salvage his position a little as the Maoists were demanding powers for the committee to steer the government in its policies!)

7.            Six Commissions will be formed within a month of signing the agreement.  These will be 1.  Investigation Commission for cases of disappearance.  2.  Truth & Reconciliation Commission. 3. Commission to restructure the State 4.  Study and Recommendation Commission for scientific land reforms.  5.  Monitoring Committee for effective improvement of Peace Accord and other agreements. 6.  High-level Peace Commission. ( Most ot the issues are part of the Maoist agenda that need to be implemented after the CA elections.  It is most likely that most of the commissions will be only on paper, unless there is a hidden agenda not to conduct the CA polls at all!)

8.            A mechanism will be developed to run local bodies and a high level body of the alliance shall take a final decision to this effect. ( this is one way of not taking any decision at all and the high-sounding names are meant to cover up the reality that the Maoists will not allow the local bodies to run since most of them have become non functional and the Maoists have effectively taken over the local administration at most of the places.)

9.            The Maoists will return the seized property to the rightful owners and stop extortion and kidnapping. Return of property will be done by a district level committee headed by the CDO- Chief District Officer.  (   We have heard it before many times and the poor CDO who is virtually powerless and scared will not be able to make any headway.  The Maoists will use their own criteria to return the property and choose their own timing and individuals.  My guess is that it is not going to be allowed until the complete restructuring of the State is done according to their agenda.  Secondly it is like asking "When did you stop beating your wife?" It amounts to Maoists admitting their role in kidnapping, extortion and illegal seizure of property.)

10.        The Government will release the pending amounts due to Maoist combatants immediately and provide the funds in future for each month regularly.  Disqualified combatants will be paid their dues and then discharged.  ( This again is very favourable to the Maoists.  Firstly those disqualified had no business to be there.  Secondly the Maoists have enough funds with their taxation, forcible extortions and sale of forest wealth to pay for their mistakes,)

11.        The Interim govt. will take initiatives at the diplomatic level to release all Maoist detainees in foreign jails and the government will release all Maoists by January 24, 2008.

12.        A Special Cabinet Committee will be formed to start discussions on integrating the Maoist cadres.( This process must have begun much earlier)

13.        The Interim Government will take initiatives for acquiring national and international assistance to meet the financial liabilities required for reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, rehabilitation and relief of victims in the conflict.

14.        The Parties have agreed not to carry out any activity through their party or sister wings that could disrupt the polls.

15.        The Parties will hold at least seven joint meetings to appeal to the people to take part in elections.

16.        A parliamentary general secretary will be appointed to add new provisions in the constitution and filling the seats of the parliament. 

The Nepal Peasants and Workers Party ( NWPP) made a dissenting note with eight points that included a fully proportional election system, revival of local bodies elected in 1997, declaring the country as socialist republic and representation of peasants and workers in all aspects of governance.

Though it is not a good deal, it is the best that can be achieved in the given circumstances.  But the key questions are- whether the Maoists are really serious in joining the mainstream after all these concessions and are they willing to face the electorate?  Or will they press for new demands to prevent elections from taking place For the  the Maoists will have to give up their politics of "brinkmanship" . Will they?

IV.

http://www.nepalnew s.com/archive/ 2009/may/ may13/news02. php

NC-UML coalition closer to majority

The NC-UML alliance has reached closer on forming a new government under the leadership of UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.

After several rounds of bilateral and multilateral talks till late evening Tuesday, the coalition has garnered verbal support from at least 15 fringe political parties in the constituent assembly.

Two of the three members in the Madhesi coalition have already sent their memos to support Nepal's candidacy but decks are yet to be cleared due to bargaining on addressing the 8-point agreement signed between the government and the Madhesi parties.

Division in Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum has delayed the Madhesi coalition in taking a concrete decision. MJF's support will pave clear road for MK Nepal as the new prime minister.

NC and UML leaders are scheduled to hold talks with Madhesi coalition further on their demands Wednesday and find possible measures to address their demands. Three-point commitments from NC and UML did not appease the Madhesi groups on Tuesday.

V.

http://www.nepalnew s.com/archive/ 2009/may/ may13/news01. php

Gurung carries out Katawal's duty

Though President Dr Ram Baran Yadav ordered Rookmangud Katawal to continue working as the chief of army staff, most works to be done by army chief are being carried out by Chhatra Man Singh Gurung, third in command of the army roll. 

Naresh Khapangi Magar writes in government-owned Gorkhapatra daily, Katawal calls meetings and presides over them but Gurung signs the most important documents 'as order' by the army chief.

The report further says, complaints addressed to Katawal are being forwarded to Gurung for review while Katawal has been advised not to do any works, including speaking to media persons, that might bring controversy later.

On the other hand, Kul Bahadur Khadka, who was appointed as acting chief of the army by the Maoist-led government, has so far never attended any meetings called by Katawal. He also has not attended the Friday meetings, where department chiefs submit their regular reports.


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