Inside Koirala Promises UNMIN for En- Larged Role but Will International Community Trust Him? on Page 2 Ä Nf Correspondent Extortions by the Maoists
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www.newsfront.com.np Kathmandu l 29 Oct-4 Nov, 2007 l # 39 l Price Rs. 25 Bhaswor Ojha King Gyanendra and Queen Komal at Navadurga temple in Bhaktapur on October 26, the full moon day that marks the end of Dashain celebrations. Inside Koirala promises UNMIN for en- larged role But will international community trust him? on page 2 ä nf correspondent extortions by the Maoists. Baluwatar. While China has officially Chinese used while advising Maoist stated that election should take place leaders as well. Under- The past few days have seen GP Koirala’s meeting with the at the earliest, of late, it has given standing Koirala intensifying his meetings with diplomats, the first after his rise in clear message of its distaste over the The meeting and discussion over diplomats as his rating in their minds power, comes at a time when increasing ‘meddling’ of India and the ‘Republican agenda’ with the Chinese with plummets. Diplomats may not find credibility and legitimacy of his United States in Nepal. diplomat followed ‘unofficial messages’ Maoists: wielding Koirala’s key message very convinc- government is being questioned. For from the South that India would have ing when he declared, “I can hold a change, he did not meet the Indian Both Ambassador Xianglin and Prof no problem if Nepal’s parliament chose stick! election on the new schedule and I Ambassador this time as he clearly Wang Khongbe, a Chinese expert on to go republic now. But the official on page 3 can get Maoists around to do it.” understands India’s attitude and South Asian affairs currently in Nepal stand conveyed by Shyam Sharan message - the last one which have been encouraging Nepalis to was different who said it is for the But Koirala faced a lot of queries delivered by Shyam Sharan, on take independent initiative to solve people of Nepal to decide, implying Interview and doubts from the diplomats’, their own that only an elected Constituent with Tho- mainly regarding his government’s problems Assembly should be doing that. failure to maintain the law and order Koirala’s meeting with the diplo- without mas A situation and the government’s loss of mats, the first after his rise in depending on Apart from the British Ambassador Marks face due to repeated postponement power, comes at a time when outside Hall, it is believed, German Ambassa- of elections. Despite their insistence forces. China, dor Franz Ring and US Ambassador on page 6&7 for an early election, the diplomats credibility and legitimacy of his sources in the Nancy Powell have warned against were candid that no free and fair government is being questioned. PMO say, has any hasty steps on deciding the fate Vijay election could be conducted in the left it to the of monarchy. They all said it is for the prevailing law and order situation. people of people to decide and a peaceful Kumar’s British Ambassador, Andrew Hall, behalf of Indian Prime Minister, Man Nepal to decide on the fate of situation must exist so that people can current Chair of the European Union Mohan Singh. But interestingly, monarchy, but with a subtle warning express their mandate based on their relation- embassies in Kathmandu, shared EU Koirala met Chinese Ambassador, that the issue needs careful political belief. Koirala assured all the ship with KP members’ concern over increasing Zheng Xianglin twice within a week, consideration, and that a hasty diplomats that he is keen to hold violence in Terai by the emerging first at his daughter Sujata Koirala’s declaration of ‘republican Nepal’ elections at the earliest, and if Bhattarai armed groups, continued abduc- residence in Mandikatar, and the could be detrimental to the national everything goes well, he can do it by on page 8 tions and the uninterrupted second time at the PM’s residence in interest. Caution was the word that March end. ä 2 29 Oct- 4 Nov, 2007 News UNMIN for enlarged role Keeping with ä nf correspondent Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, in his latest report on Nepal says the tradition The United Nations Mission in country is at crossroads. Mr. Martin ä nf correspondent came at a time when political parties Nepal (UNMIN) is clearly seeking, not explained that the immediate cause are inching towards a republican only an extended tenure beyond was demands by the Maoists that Notwithstanding the GP Koirala line, however, did not provoke any January 22, but also an enlarged role Nepal’s legislature – not the Constitu- led government’s hostility and hostile response from the political for itself. This was made evident by ent Assembly to be elected – indifference towards royal parties as in the past. King UNMIN Chief and UN Secretary immediately declare the country a security, King Gyanendra strictly Gyanendra also offered Tika to all General’s special representative Ian republic, and that the electoral system maintained the traditions and those who chose to pay respect to Martin at New York on October 26. be fully proportional, both in contra- rituals of the King as in previous him in Narayanhiti palace. “Expectations among Nepalis are diction of previous agreements. years sans fanfare. He visited The ceremony in the palace high as to what UNMIN can do,” he “This crisis is not just the conse- Pix by Bhashwor Ojha Shaktipeeth in and around went off without the traditional said, “I do my best to encourage the quence of those two demands but Kathmandu on the Maha-Asthami security arrangements by the parties to keep the overall process on told media representatives in New also stems from growing mistrust day besides receiving the Prasad government. track and offer UNMIN’s advice as York the government and the leaders amongst the parties to the peace from Gorkha palace, the ancestral While none of the politicians requested, we do feel constrained by of the seven parties, including the agreement that we have seen in house of the Shah dynasty in affiliated with the current regime, an expectation that we should Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), recent weeks,” he said, blaming Gorkha, on the Phulpati day. senior officials from the security interpret our mandate narrowly and have indicated their support for an failures on both sides to make good But all through, he avoided a agencies and bureaucracy went to we ask ourselves – as concerned extension of UNMIN. “Security on commitments and agreements confrontationist attitude with the the palace, former Prime Ministers Member States ask us – whether Council members in discussion that have been made in the peace government in general and PM Surya Bahadur Thapa, Kirtinidhi Nepal is making full use of the yesterday made very clear that they process. Koirala in particular who of late has Bista, Lokendra Bahadur Chand supportive capacity of the United would give sympathetic consideration Martin made it clear that the been acting like the King even on and Marichman Singh were Nations.” to a request from the government if UNMIN also felt handicapped by the religious matters. In a brief address among the senior politicians Despite these indications, there are such a formal request is made,” absence of exit strategy. The current to the nation on Vijaya Dashami paying their respect to the King. hardly any indications about UNMIN Martin disclosed. cantonment of Maoists and restriction day, King Gyanendra invoked Ex-army, civil and police officials being given the enlarged role if the Martin’s suggestion for a review of of army to their barracks were Goddess Durga, the symbol of and a large number of youths also mood of the ruling coalition partners the Comprehensive Peace Agree- intended to be temporary measures Shakti, “To inspire us all to forge joined the ceremony in the palace. is any indication. “We are certainly in ment (CPA) is also being seen as part but these have now continued for ahead on the strength of national “We told the King that his role is favour of UNMIN getting an extended of its demand for an enlarged role. some 11 months with no end in sight. unity and reconciliation through the not yet over. The country is facing tenure, may be one more year, but He repeated a call in the Secretary- “A prolonged stay in cantonments of establishment of sustainable peace a big crisis because of increasing not an enlarged role,” an influential General’s report for the parties to thousands of mainly young people in the country.” He also extended interference of the external forces cabinet minister told newsfront. take stock of the CPA and its living under difficult conditions and best wishes to all the Nepalis and and current political parties The 15-member Security Council implementation with a view to lacking clarity about their future is not Hindus living in the country and surrendering to them,” a college supports UNMIN’s extended tenure in strengthen it. He quoted PM Koirala sustainable,” he said, adding “It also abroad for happiness and teacher from Kathmandu who Nepal, but needs the formal request as having endorsed the idea of a leaves UNMIN with no exit strategy prosperity. The message which went to the palace said. of the host government for it. Martin review of the CPA. from its arms monitoring role.” News 29 Oct- 4Nov, 2007 3 Newsbrief Wielding stick! Strange bed-fellows ä nf correspondent Politics makes strange bed fellows. Look at Congress leader, Shekhar Koirala and the Maoists. Shekhar now proposes that the government Despite PM GP Koirala’s hopes for headed by his uncle G P Koirala should be ready to go to the polls even an understanding with the Maoists without Maoists participating in it.