Posted on 11/22/2005 11:44:21 PM PST by sagar
Nepal's Maoist rebels entered a pact with opposition politicians yesterday in a move to isolate King Gyanendra, who seized full power nine months ago.
Under the deal the communists, who control most rural areas, would lay down their arms under United Nations supervision while a new constitution is drafted. They say they will become a democratic party if the king is removed.
More than 12,500 people have died in their near 10-year campaign to turn the Himalayan monarchy into a communist republic.
The announcement came in statements from the Maoists and seven opposition parties, following recent talks in New Delhi.
Both the opposition and the Maoists are opposed to King Gyanendra, whom they call a "tyrant". Since his coup in February, when he argued that 12 years of democracy had allowed the Maoists to flourish, his uncompromising style of leadership has forced his enemies closer together.
The statement issued yesterday said: "It is our clear understanding that unless the autocratic rule is ended and full democracy is restored, there will be no peace or progress in the country." It was not clear if all the parties were determined to ending the monarchy but the Maoist leader Prachanda - The Fierce One - said: "We are committed to end the autocratic monarchy and establish full democracy through a forward-looking political solution."
The parties say they will support the Maoist demand for a new constitution if the rebels end their violence.
Girija Prasad Koirala, president of Nepali Congress, the largest political party in Nepal, stressed that the agreement was not a formal alliance with the Maoists, but he added: "We will be fighting the monarchy from separate fronts".
Madhav Kumar Nepal, of the Communist Party of Nepal, called the announcement "a breakthrough to restore peace in the country and end the Maoist conflict".
Diplomats, however, cautioned that there could be no lasting ceasefire without the support of King Gyanendra, who controls the army and opposes writing a new constitution that may sideline or abolish the monarchy.
"It could be that they've presented a proposal to which they know the king can't agree in an attempt to deepen his isolation," said one western diplomat.
Either way, the Maoists seem to get a piece of the pie, despite having being defeated militarily. If the King is given only 2 or 3 more months, the military would have wiped these vermin out.
*Nepal Ping*
What I'd like to know is, what does the Indian government want to happen?
"what does the Indian government want to happen?"
Of course, they would want the king gone and seek corrupt socialists(or downright commies) controlling Kathmandu. They always have been uneasy towards Nepalese monarch... back then it was British India company that saw the king as menace, and, now, the governing parties in India.
So the communists have promised to become democrats? Not exactly a 'great big giant step', to use the terminology of a game that was popular in my childhood.
Democrats, commies, what's the difference? ;D
The King is a "pro-China" dictator, he doesn't care about democracy, and in fact doesn't want democracy. He just wants to keep the maoists tensions alive so that he can prolong his dictatorship using that as an excuse.
If the Maoists want to surrender and join the mainstreame and also stand for elections then there is no reason not to given them a chance. This time the King has no excuses he must make way for democracy if he is really as sincere about his intentions (which I obviously doubt) as he would have the world believe.
There has been enough bloodbath in Nepal already and as long as the King enjoys China's support he will simply continue the bloodbath and use make use every oppurtunity (such as the Maoists threat) to actually eliminate all his political oppositions even those genuine ones who have nothing to do with the Maoists but is simply oppossed to the dictatorship.
My comment was only intended as a good natured jab at democrats. I am, of course, every bit as appalled at the innocent blood spilled by the communists as the next extremely attractive chick. Perhaps even more so.
From 11//05/05: Nepal political parties deny having alliance with Maoists
From 11/20/05: Nepal Maoists ready to surrender under UN supervision
KATHMANDU: Nepal's Maoist rebels, spearheading a decade-old insurgency, have agreed to lay down arms under UN supervision and support the movement launched by an alliance of seven political parties to limit King Gyanendra's role as a titular head, highly placed sources said on Saturday
It would seem to me that there is more than enough corruption to go around and it isn't all to be found in the King's palace. While the calls for democracy always sound fine, I seriously doubt the alliance of these seven, essentially socialist, parties will usher in a new era of participatory democracy for the people. A corrupt government, in a nation used to corruption and under pressure from both superpower neighbors will hardly be given the space and peace that democracy will need to grow.
Nothing good will ever come of the Maoists being given a seat at the table - ever.
If the king is pro-China then India is pro-Maoist.
This is a disaster. The UN will help the terrorists as they do in Israel. The king should keep the UN out of Nepal and destroy the Maoists with help from anyone who will give it.
Of course they would usher in a genocidal red dictatorship.
"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." - John Adams
Put these democRATS in charge and they will end up follow the path of the Weimar republic or Kerensky's provisional government.
"If the king is pro-China then India is pro-Maoist."
Wrong. India is pro-Democracy.
"Of course they would usher in a genocidal red dictatorship."
Dictatorship under the King or under the reds, either way its going to be a genocidal one.
""Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." - John Adams"
Democracies are more resilient then you think. Democracies never lost a war.
Uh-huh. Just like the Maoists are.
Off your meds again?
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