Dedicated to Daniel Pearl

It’s much frustrating time in Nepal. The Maoists haven’t yet stopped violence. I was particularly frustrated when I heard on Friday morning that the Maoists abducted a person from Kathmandu and killed in Chitwan. I noticed some locals of Koteswor in Kathmandu were protesting in front of the Maoist’s office, I and my colleague visited the area in the afternoon. Actually, the building which the Maoists are using for the office of their sister organizations belongs to Dhakhwa, who couldn’t pay the loan to Nepal Rastra Bank. The Maoists have seized his house and are running their office from there. When we reached the area, we found some 400 YCL cadres around the building. We asked a comrade at the place and he said the YCL chased away the protesters. I felt Nepal entered the Junta regime where a person is murdered and protests are not allowed. The family of the victim are not allowed to demand why their relative was murdered. I am sure the Maoists are trying to usher Junta regime in Nepal. Their YCL have continued their terror spell across the country while they are set to form a government. Unfortunately, the Maoists used all means–terror and all other tactics to secure their victory in majority constituencies in the country. I and my colleague Yuvraj discussed the post-election situation in Nepal and concluded that the Maoists are bent on introducing their authoritarian regime. Everybody in Nepal are much frustrated and they all want to leave the country as soon as possible. During my conversation with few colleague in Kantipur publications, I heard they all want to leave Nepal soon. They are scared that the Maoists will intensify their terror and turn Nepal another Myanmar.

I call all national and international community to put pressure against the Maoists. The Maoists shouldn’t be allowed to form the government without amending the constitution. There must be some one  from another political party at the top post in the Maoist-formed government. Otherwise, already suffering from brain drain, Nepal will lose many journalists and intellectuals in near future.

The Global Investigative Journalism is scheduled to hold its fifth global conference in Norway in September. This year’s
speakers are Robert Fisk (Independent), Seymour Hersh (The New Yorker)
and UNESCO price winner 2008 Lydia Cacho Ribeiro. The conference, being attended by more than 500 representatives from around the world, will discuss the major investigative issues including conflict/war reporting. For further information please visit www.gijc2008.no).

UML has intensified its discussion within the party Standing Committee to find the party’s next general secretary. The party has scheduled its next central committee meeting on May 14.  Party source says the Standing Committee will finalize the name of party’s next general secretary and will present it at the central committee meeting on Wednesday.

The source said the standing committee will choose the name from among party senior leaders—Amrit Kumar Bohara, Jhalanath Khanal and KP Sharma Oli.

“The real competition for the next general secretary is between Jhalanath Khanal and KP Oli,” said the source, adding, “Khanal looks stronger than Oli.”

Following the selection of a new general secretary, the party will decide whether or not to join the next government under the Maoist’s leadership.

However, the party central committee has remained divided over the issue of joining the next government.

Party leaders Sahana Pradhan, Surendra Pande, Bhim Rawal including Bamdev Gautam have pleaded for joining the would-be-coalition-government under the Maoist Maoist leadership. They have argued that the party could play a significant role by joining the government. However, 30 central leaders out of 68, including senior leaders—Iswor Pokharel, Pradip Nepal, Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Oli are against joining the government under Maoist leadership.

Party senior leader Gautam on Monday’s central committee meeting also strongly argued that the UML must support the Maoists in practice. “UML must join the next government under the Maoist’s leadership,” a central leader quoted Gautam as saying during the meeting.

The party, however has already demanded that the Maoists dissolve its youth wing—Young Communist League (YCL)–, return all the seized property, be ready for constitutional amendment and power-share.

The party Central Committee meeting on Monday endorsed the political proposal of acting general secretary Bohara. The proposal has urged the Maoists to immediately stop their violent activities across the country to get support in the future.

It has also stated that the UML should negotiate for major power share before supporting the Maoists or joining the next government.

Eventually, King Gyanendra will have to leave the palace, his position and become a common citizen in a month period in Nepal. We can’t say anything except pitying him as he never honored Nepalese people’s aspirations for freedom and demcracy. Unfortunately, he put an end to the 240-year old institution. It is caused by his own deeds. Therefore, majority Nepalese people have no regret for him to leave the palace rather they want him to soon do so.

With the completion of the Constituent Assembly election and the Election Commission making public its final result, the political parties in Nepal are scheduled to sit for a grand assembly. According to the constitutional provision, the parties are supposed to sit for the assembly in next three weeks. And soon the assembly takes place, it will formalize the decision of declaring Nepal a republican state and will abolish monarchy once and for all.
I can’t read the king’s mind what he is thinking or doing these days. But the rumors around are that he is planning to resume his business. He was a businessman before he became the king following the assasination of his brother King Birendra. Even if he resumes his business, I don’t see any better days for him because people will despise him all the time. He failed to win the heart of Nepalese people. They just hate him and especially his son Paras who has earned notorieity for gambling, boozing and beating people.

Anyway, I wish him good luck and say last goodbye!

From now until August 1, 2008 applications are being accepted from print and online journalists for the 2009 Alfred Friendly and Daniel Pearl Fellowships. Successful candidates will report for American newspapers from March-August 2009. Since 1984, AFPF has provided on-the-job training to 258 journalists from 78 developing countries. In the United States Fellow learn practices, standards and values of U.S. journalism which they can adapt, share and apply in their own countries.

 Attached please find information about AFPF including an application for the 2009 program. Please share these materials with mid-career journalists who you feel are appropriate for this program. The application is also available at http://www.pressfellowships.org/application.html.

 Applicants for the fellowships must meet the following minimum criteria of eligibility:

-Current full-time employment as a journalist for the news or editorial departments of independent newspapers, wire services, online publications, or magazines of general public interest in a developing country;

- At least three years of full-time professional experience as a journalist in the print/online media;

- Citizenship of a developing country;

- Early to mid-career status and between 25 and 35 years old;

- A demonstrated personal commitment to a career in journalism in a developing country;

- Ability and desire to share what is learned on the fellowship with other journalists at home;

- Endorsement from the management of the home publication;

- An excellent command of both written and spoken English as all activities are conducted in English.

 We would also like to take this opportunity to introduce the 2008 Alfred Friendly and Daniel Pearl Fellows who come from Brunei Darussalam, China, Hungary, India, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Turkey and Uruguay. You can now find their biographies online at http://www.pressfellowships.org/2008fellows.html.

 

Seven political parties will discuss the model of future government and implementation of republic in an all-party meeting, scheduled for May 9.
 Following separate consultations with UML and Maoists, Prime Minister and President of Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala has called the meeting.
 “We have told Maoists to present their model of future government,” said UML leader Bharatmohan Adhikari, who attended meetings with Maoist Chairman Prachanda and PM Koirala on Monday.
 Adhikari said the future government should be formed only after consensus among all political parties. “Since we have a serious task of drafting a new constitution, all political parties must maintain a unity,” he said, adding, “Parties should also reach consensus over the issue of CA meeting and its agenda.”
During a separate meeting today morning, UML leaders–Madhav Kumar Nepal, Adhikari including party acting general secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara—told PM Koirala that the Maoists, being the largest political party, should be allowed to head the next government.
 UML team told PM that the NC and the UML would have to decide joining the next government only after evaluating the Maoist’s offer during the seven-party meeting.

 PM said an agreement on the issues of structure of the future government and implementation of republic should be reached among all political parties before the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly.
 Maoist Chairman Prachanda held a separate meeting with UML leader Nepal at the latter’s house in Koteswor. During the meeting, Prachanda urged Nepal that the UML should join the future coalition government. Prachanda also urged Nepal to cooperate in the implementation of republic through the first meeting of the CA.Nepal however said the party’s central committee meeting will decide whether or not to participate in the government.

 “UML is always ready to cooperate to reach the peace process to logical end,” Adhikari quoted Nepal say saying during the meeting.

 

 

 

Will King Gyanendra leave royal palace and shift to his house–Nirmal Niwas after the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly? It is a million dollar question now. The sense that King Gyanendra will turn a common citizen following the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly has filled all Nepalese people with immense wonder. Of course, he will have to leave the royal palace and shift to his own house, where he used to live in the capacity of the Late King Birendra’s brother. But almost everybody in Nepal feels it hard to believe that King Gyanendra will take his belongings in vehicles and he along with his family members will drive to his house at Maharajgunj, some two kilometers from the royal palace. I am personally much anxious to see that day when King Gyanendra will load his belongings in vehicles and few more vehicles will march towards his house. Gyanendra as a common citizen will drive his jaguar to his house. Paras will follow him with his own family members. It will be a historical day, as it is the first time a king leaves his palace and moves to his house with his belongings. Then, will people be allowed to visit the royal palace? I hope people will notice every room and may be they will try to find out the traces of Late King Birendra and his family members. People are anxious to see if there is any sign of the murder of the late king Birendra and his family members found. I am sure, if people are allowed to enter the royal palace, they will visit every small room to find out how King Birendra was killed. People haven’t yet believed that Crown Prince Dipendra killed all the royal members including the king. They hold the current king Gyanendra responsible for the murder. The people will definitely try to link Gyanendra in the murder of his brother King Birendra.

I  haven’t visited the royal palace but I have heard that King Gyanendra has already demolished the buildings where the murder took place. I am sure he has done the best to remove all the proofs of the murder. But people will continue trying to find out the truth.

I also feel much sorry for King Gyanendra, who in fact invited his own doom. Had he not tinkered into the political activities, people would have accepted him as the king. His ambition to become the ruler collapsed the entire monarchy. He is responsible for the collapse of one the oldest monarchies in the world.

I wonder how he will manage to stay as a commoner in Nepal. He will have to accept this hard reality. I remember my visit to far western region some three years ago. During my visit in Dipayal I met a guy, who was drunk and holding a radio in his left. Music was on in the radio, the lean and thin guy was attired in black suit. I was surprised when passersby greeted him as ‘Aru you ok, crown prince?’. I asked the locals why they were calling him as the crown prince. The locals then told him that his ancestors were kings in the region. After Late King Prithvinarayan Shah conquered and annexed all small states into a unified Nepal, his ancestors were no more monarchs. However, people have respect for his ancestors and call him as the Crown Prince.

I wonder King Gyanendra and his successors will remain king and princes only for name. The monarchy will go forever.

ADIEU TO 240-YEAR MONARCHY OF NEPAL.

Nepalese people are anxiously waiting to cast their votes on April 10. The election commission has enforced ‘cooling off’ period from Monday midnight till Thursday evening, the day when the elections will be held. During the period, political parties are not allowed to take out election-related activities–no any demonstrations and no any rallies. This election is taking place for the first time in Nepal. People will choose their representatives, who will through the assembly draft a new constitution for Nepal. Another major feature of this election that one of the oldest monarchies in Nepal will formally given a good bye after the poll. The Constituent Assembly will formalize the already-taken decision that Nepal will become the federal democratic republican country–meaning without monarchy.

I am surprised what King Gyanendra, who has earned name in notoriety, is thinking these days. He knows that he will no more exist immediately after the elections. I think he should have left the palace and thought of some alternatives towards his business. But he has remained silent and is seemingly watching all the activities. It will be an interesting day to notice king Gyanendra leaving the Narayanhiti Royal Palace after the people’s representatives ask the king to leave the palace following the Constituent Assembly meeting, which is expected to take place some three weeks after the polls.
Worse thing is that the Maoists have continued their violence across the country. One thing I have never understood that they are pleading that other political parties don’t possess competence to implement the decisions on federalism, republic and others while all political parties have already decided for federalism and republic. Maoists are now claiming that they must win the elections to implement the agreement. This is ridiculous. People across the country are now much scared of Maoists as the former rebels are intimidating them and forcing them to vote for them. They are also telling the people that they will know whether or not they will vote for the Maoists. This is against democratic principles. Voting is much secret and nobody will have the idea who voted for whom. The Maoists must police their cadres, as they are much wild and indisciplined for the free and fair elections.

All political parties in Nepal, especially Maoists must immediately stop their violence for a free and fair Constituent Assembly (CA) polls, scheduled for April 10. Although major political parties–NC, UML and the Maoists–last week struck an understanding expressing commitment to stop violence and assist each other in conducting the polls in a free and fair manner, the violence has continued unabated. Reports are pouring in from out of Kathmandu valley that Maoists are still intimidating general public and are not letting other political parties to conduct their election programs in the so-called Maoist-controlled areas. It’s a serious violation of election code of conduct and it has raised a question on the Maoists’ commitment to democratic principles. Reports also say the Maoists are coercing people to vote for them. They are threatening people  that they will be punished if they fail to vote for the Maoists.

Maoists must understand that competition is a part of democracy. If violence continues, it will question the legitimacy of Constituency Assembly poll, this is what royalists want. Maoists must seriously take it and behave like a responsible democratic political party.

In a major development, top leaders of three major ruling political parties—Nepali Congress (NC), UML and the Maoist—have struck a 10-point understanding with a commitment to hold the April 10 Constituent Assembly (CA) poll in a free and fair manner.

 In the understanding, NC President and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist Chairman Prachanda have agreed to discourage inter-party conflict during the polls.

 They have decided to set up a high-level committee comprising leaders from three political parties to resolve all the misunderstanding that emerges between the parties.

 The committee, comprised with NC leader Dr Prakashsharan Mahat, UML leader Amrit Kumar Bohara and Maoist’s Mohan Baidhya ‘Kiran’, will also investigate the past incidents and recommend to concerned political parties for necessary action to those who will be found guilty.

 “It’s a great development on the eve of Constituent Assembly poll,” said UML leader Bohara. He said the agreement is a step forward to ensure general public for a free and fair poll.

 “But we have to see how Maoists will implement the agreement. Otherwise, many agreements were signed in the past also which have never been implemented in practice,” he said.

 The leaders reached the understanding following a two-day meeting at PM’s residence at Baluwatar.

 In the commitment paper, made public today, the leaders have agreed to form an all-party committee in every district to promote inter-party harmony during the poll. “Such committee will also monitor the activities of political parties during the poll,” said Bohara.

 Amidst growing concerns that serious misunderstanding is simmering among parties, the leaders have expressed commitment not to intervene in each other’s election programs but co-operate one another to hold the CA poll in a free and fair manner.

 They have agreed not to make any remarks that will spoil the environment of the poll.

 As cautioned by Election Commission recently, the leaders have also agreed to respect the election code of conduct during the polls.

 As per the understanding, the parties have agreed to set up a monitoring committee of civil society leaders in the central level.

 BOX

Leaders may meet again for poll alliance. A participant of the meeting said the leaders are likely sit for another meeting to discuss the possible alliance during the CA poll.

 “Since there was not much time to discuss the issue today, they have principally agreed to sit for another meeting over this issue,” he said.

 He said an alliance should be forged to support at least top leaders of all seven political parties.

 Meanwhile, CPN-UML in its central office meeting today decided to forge an alliance with republican forces in local level. The meeting assessed that the party is in a better position in the poll. It decided to use all strength to make the CA poll a great success.