In Quite a State
“In our days everything seems pregnant with its contrary.” More than two hundred years after Karl Marx made this observation about modernity, I observe the same dialectic in Nepal:
Nepal is a nation unique; where democracy gives birth to unelected oligarchy and peace agreements lead to continued violence. Nepal is a country where terrorists are hailed as hero’s and thieves are appointed to govern. I submit this because:
1. The mandate of parliament has run its course and a handful of unelected men now govern Nepal. Make no mistakes they are an oligarchy. Together they decide the future of our nation but their promises always seem to be tomorrow.
2. At the centre of this oligarchy are two men: Koirala and Prachanda. The former is seeking to impress upon history his importance before he dies of ill health and the other is the most skillful politician of his generation. When Prachanda becomes a widow, what then?
3. They have no mandate other than to 1.) bring peace and then 2.) hold elections. Aren’t they claiming to do in a year what the King claimed to be able to do in 2?
4. A peace agreement was signed but violence has not ceased; Maoist continue their rampage of violence throughout the countryside, abducting, persecuting and bribing their way to influence. Do you not remember the behaviour of the Maoists before they became our heros?
Nepal is a state unique; where justice is rewarded with persecution and law is forged with crime. The cornerstone of any demoracy is law and order and the stability that it brings. In our nation, protest is a form of election. If you would like to be heard and for the government to yield to your demands then protest is the finest form of democracy. Burn tires, vandalise buildings, throw stones, attack people –who began this political practice?
This is a government unique; democratic politicians are eroding democracy with their contempt for the people. They offer us solutions to problems that they have created over the last decade and they describe themselves as leaders of men. Is it not patronising for them to think that we can not see that we are where we are because they can not govern?
I can overlook the corruption of men who govern and manage but I refuse to overlook incompetence and ignorance in my politicians.
Nepal is a country unique; were governance leads to the erosion of state authority. The people point at the politicians and the politicians point at the system and fill the constitution with problems. The problem, you must understand, is that the autocratic King, the constitution, India, the Madheshi’s, the American government and Charlie Chaplin are to blame for our failings to govern.
In my humble opinion our problems are symptomatic of a deeper illness-
Our failure to govern ourselves.
posted by Anonymous @ 2/09/2007 08:21:00 AM
46 comments
46 Comments:
You are very right. King G and his family, who robbed Nepal and developed this culture of corruption ruled Nepal without ever being elected as well. When King installed 3 different government after he took over, none of them were elected. And you did not even utter a word. Why this bias?
An amazingly disengaged mis-read of the role of monarchy and its relation to the political structure of Nepal.
God, where to start? Explain your concept of "robbery?" How did G. "develop this culture of corruption" when he left Girija to fend for himself. What about Birendra? He let girija cut his teeth at the trough of corruption without so much as a warning.
G.'s "installing" of 2, not 3 governments was a check and balance. Every step taken gave ample room for parliament to clean up its act and start anew. Yet they refused, didn't get it, or couldn't care less...take your pick. Fool, we uttered plenty of words on this; but once again, you are posting on a simpleton's emotion and failing to research not only nepal's political history, but blogdai's as well.
Yes, we have a bias here at blogdai. It is a bias towards centrism and balance. In this climate it may come off as pro-royalist, but astute readers know better. Were our government poised and competent, I'd be attacking G. or Paras. (I really do miss that.)
blogdai's big lament is that there are far too many of you one-dimensional party hacks that view everything through this moot anti-royal prism. None of you will be of any use to your country. You are all stuck in a miasma of the constant finger pointing that our good author Pushpal Kamal Sarki (PKS) refers to.
It is a simpleton's folly to constantly seek to divert the faults of this government on to a now neutral party like the King. Your country is burning and you make excuses. You've had the reins of power almost as long as G. now, and look what you've done: nothing but refine your pass-the-buck skills. How patriotic!
-=blogdai
Blogdai you are falling victim to the same thing you are accusing anon for. None of Nepal's leaders have been competant nor have they had the best interest of the Nation. Certainly not the Shah Kings nor the Post 1990 political leaders. No one!
You need to get over your severe misconception that G was trying to save Nepal! They are all opportunist who are after power - wheather it's Gyanendra or Girija. You accuse Anon for posting simpleton remarks - however, to think or believe that Gyanedra was trying to save democracy in Nepal is perhaps even more of a simpleton remark then anything Anon has written.
Bhudai Pundit
And please don't keep repeating the same: G didn't shoot and kill protestors Tiananmen Square Style so he was a savior phrase.
Bhudai Pundit
Sad to say that Nepal is not at all unique in suffering the abuse of democracy and criminals as hero's. The Middle East, Africa, Asia, South America. The weak and many all too often seem to suffer from the ego's of the strong, few. There are not many true democracies and those that are in place have often taken centuries to evolve.
goddamit bhudai you idiot. For the last time, G. saw that a change was needed, had the mechanism to effect change, and did a poor job of doing it. That's all. jeez, when have I ever touted G. as a "savior" of anything? Are you that weak of temperment that you feel the need to jump to such a silly conclusion. Really, I expected better.
And again, for the last time, G. was trying to act as a check and balance, and yes, did a poor job.
Get rid of this moronic idea that G. was somehow equal in brutality and callousness to the maoists and girija. It is just flat out, not going to fly with anyone anymore, ok?
So next time we want to jump to conclusions for the sake of some sophomoric exercise in contrarianism, come better prepared please.
And yes, roger, you seem to see (unlike george bush) that democracy is a difficult and long term process that doesn't just flourish if left alone. You also correctly allude to the way democracy is manipulated by a few in order to maintain the appearance of justice in front of the many. Well said.
-=blogdai
Goddamit Blogdai stopping ozzing foam out of your mouth everytime there is a nagative comment about your beloved G. I am not saying G was as brutish the Maoists. When did I say that? Don't put words into my mouth! Either quote me or stop spitting crap.
Where the hell do you get this idea that G was putting checks and balances, he was seeing things, he was trying to save democracy horse shit? Let me give you a little background on G. He is extreamly uneducated, arrogant and a hardliner by nature. Plus he doesn't listen to anyone except a few Royal Lackeys like Bharat Shimba. I doubt these Royal stooges were sitting around and advising G on how to perserve Democracy in Nepal by enacting checks and balances. Me sophmoric? Errr.. I think NOT.
Look the problem in Nepal has been that all our leaders have been selfish and looked out for their interest. They are only after money and power. Don't tell me that G was/ is any better in his intentions!
Bhudai Pundit
It was never a matter of G. trying to save anything or be anything. G. wanted to jog some sense into the parties. He knew he was in a position to stir the pot and get these guys going. He failed. that's it. All it proves is that he is incompetent at running and maintaining his agenda. Who cares if he was any better or worse than girija or prachanda. He was and is the only person capable of changing the course of a failed, corrupt government and he attempted to do so.
I just don't get the money and power argument and why people insist on throwing it around. Didn't g. have the control of the army? Doesn't G. live in the palace? Isn't g. already the most wealthy and powerful Nepali? What does he lack? He's not exactly a pauper, is he? Sorry to hurt your sensibilities but the only thing he lacked was satifaction through dictatorial oppression. And sorry, he could have had that too but chose not to pull the trigger.
Don't shut your brain to this fact. Dictators oppress. They do NOT hold their fire. they do NOT invite the opposing factions to discuss the issues, and the most certainly do NOT back down from their position of military superiority in the face of a rabble protest movement. Good, bad or otherwise, G. did.
Blogdai thinks (again) that G. listened too much to world opinion and should have just kept going and finished the job. Blogdai also thinks g. may just be letting his world critics see for themselves how they've now backed the wrong horse. Blogdai finally thinks that ol' g. is not finished yet but is waiting for girija and prachanda to make a complete and "utter failure" of their tenure to the point that the world sees and acknowledges the fact. and lastly, blogdai thinks it is remedial and moronic to have to keep retracing these square-one concepts every time someone forgets that this is well-repeated and well-covered ground.
Move forward.
-=blogdai
You thought G was for check and balances. Lots of BS. When G took over people thought that may be this stony faced guy will show some sense and reason and work for peace and reconciliation. But look what happened. G was simply too greedy to think of anything else other than money and power. Yes, he was a greedy man- greedy, damn greedy for money and power. He wanted to be an absolute ruler and now he has ended up as a big zero. SAD? May be but it was his own doing. Worse still the new jokers are not doing any better.
Peace and reconciliation? With whom do you propose G should have made 'peace and reconciliation'? You don't mean - by making peace - you are implying that G should have compromised with gluttonous and conspicuously consuming leaders - whose primary agenda became one of amassing national wealth while serving their own interest rather than the people's now, do you? Or, by making peace you mean bringing the murderous killers and homicidal thugs called the Maoists into Nepali political mainstream? Of course not, no sane and reasonable leaders - of any sovereign nation, would resort to such spineless act of treason that would jeopardize national sovereignty and public interest. G did not either.
The whole Janandolan farce is a construct of Nepali leaders that have absolutely no tangible benefit to Nepali people - it was NEVER meant to be. From the very get go, it was a pure game of political vengeance plotted by leaders where they conveniently used public as their pawns. And they will continue to do so until the public realizes that they have been taken for a ride all throughout the party’s reign.
Don't believe me? Ask yourself; is Nepal any better than what is was before the mass hysteria of April swept in? The answer is pretty obvious - of course not!
Peace and reconciliation can be carried out only with groups or people who genuinely BELIEVE in reconciliation as a pre-condition to peace - not with murderous rebels and homicidal thugs who BELIEVE in capturing state power through utilizing power that flows from barrel of the gun. Neither is reconciliation a viable medium where self-serving entities are incapable of seeing national and public interest over their own.
-free
Children and their buzz-words. Greed and money and whatever. If it gives you emotional satisfaction and a sense of purpose, ok chori, have your little satisfaction. Leave deep thought and the next level of debate to the adults.
G. already had all the wealth and power of nepal at his disposal. Perhaps he wanted India's as well?
foolish emotional child. Blogdai prays that the next generation of Nepalis will have a more rounded view of the situation. It's the only real hope we have.
"Look what happened" you say. According to your canted perception, it was G.'s greed that was his undoing. Sad. But an actual thinker must beg the question: Where was the consolidation? Where and when did the grab for power and money occur? Funny, blogdai sees it nowhere. Hmmm, blogdai didn't see G. use his RNA to extort tribute money from the vilagers a-la Prachanda. Boy oh boy, THAT sure would have satisfied his greed. And wait, G. runs the most powerful military force in Nepal and used it to vanquish unpopular and corrupt politicians. Hmmm, since he's so hungry for power why didn't he finish the job and get rid of girija forever. Hey, wait a minute, didn't he HAVE both Girija and Madhav Nepal behind bars for a time? Didn't he let them both go after, what, a paltry 90 days or so? And why did he not arrest either of them when they both swore to resume anti-king protests once they got out? I guess G.'s lust for power was so blinding that he must have missed this big chance, right?
You little fool, your country is burning. Take off your partisan blinders and go to work saving Nepal. Finger pointing is a dead-man's occupation and will eventually leave you and your kind marginalized. Listen to wise voices like Free who have a more-rounded view of the situation.
Either you are part of the solution or part of the problem. Take your brain off auto-pilot and try hard to think objectively for once.
-=blogdai
Blogdai let's forget whats happening in Nepal right now. We all agree that the SPA and espeaially the Maoists are a piece of crap. Even wrose but I cannot even being to describe how I feel about them.
Let's just for a moment go back to your argument for the sake of argument because I think its HIGH time you get over this G infactuation Bull SHIT!!!
G was powerful and rich you argue. I respect and admire your writing and arguments but you are begining to sound more and more like a MORON! Come on Blogdai you are a smart and resonable person. G was well off from your prespective. But it's never enough for anyone. And power is very infactuating. No matter how well off you are power is still something you go after... people get bored with what they have. G made it clear from the beinging that he was not going to be like his brother and he was going to be involved. He said this I am not making it up! He might have had some wealth - comparitively. It is well known that the Royal Family didn't even have enough wealth to compete with Davinai Rana's parents. So cut the Bull. Wealth and power are ever enough. People always want more.
Like his father Mahendra, G does not believe in democracy and he wanted to be an absolute Monarhy. There is no question about it! Let's not even debate this issue.
He tired to take over and it failed.
Finish the Job you say? What the hell are you talking about? Didn't we agree that he was doing a poor job? What job was he going to finish? You actually think that G's intention was to finish off the Maoists, restore order and return Nepal back to a democratic system>
LOL Blogdai you need to really take a few political science and history classes ... 101 levels that it!
Bhudai Pundit
Mr. Pundit,
Forget about who is right or wrong. Or even, who is evil or saint. Here everyone is evil, and we are only looking for a lesser evil. We should think about what is in the interest of the nation. I am not the kind of person who wants a republic even at the cost of the nation, NO.
Here, people seem to mention a lot of hearsay like, the Nepali kings were not rich enough for Deevyani and so on. After all, being a princess is totally different from being rich. Like blogdai I agree that Kings effort were both incompetent and ineffecient, no doubts about it. But if you really think that KG thought he would bring back absolute monarchy back in Nepal, you need a reality check. It was not possible, it is not possible and will not be possible (but now if the SPAM really screw it up, it might be the army, the king or India taking over) because of the international political scenario. Just because the corrupt UN or sold out civil society or terrorists human right activists do not mention the torcherous and atrocitious reality of present Nepal does not infact Nepali situation any better. Butif you keep saying you hate the SPAM, the king, the army (as in no one can run the country), what do you want of Nepal's future? You sound like you are suggesting India should take over because we can not run our country ourselves? And do not give me this crap about competent, efficient and honest leaders being sidelined because if they have been sidelined, they are not competent enough. And dont tell me, we will have good leaders in about 15 years time because we do not even have a year to save this country. I believe that politics simply means "working in the interest of the nation" and i do not see anyone from spam doing anything in that direction as the best they can do when they have good intentions is "nothing" and that hurts our nation too. I believe that SPAM leaders can still enjoy various aspects of politics even without the nation but i doubt if that is the case with the institution of Monarchy. I do not blame the king for what he did but instead what he did not do. Like blog dai said, he did not have the confidence of going with all guns blazing (excuse my terminology).
The SPAM's declaration of Madhesis being less than human beings will boomerang at them again. Remember the agitation has only be suspended for 10 days. When 21 people are killed by security forces to restrict the infiltration of the terrorists into the capital, there is a committee to investigate the killings and announce punishment. Where as, when madhesis die it is their own fault. Even the UN suggests that somehow the revolutanries are to be blamed. The forum should have controlled the riots! What can the forum do if it is indeed a spontaneous uprising? How much violence is acceptable for the UN for revolutions to be legitimate?
MR. pundit you need to make a stand. You can not keep saying i hate or do not trust everyone and anyone. I respect your opinion and believe that most of the times they are unbiased. But what did you say your (practical) solution to the Nepal crisis was? Negative commentary about all the political players of Nepal means nothing at the moment? The King was not foolish enough to even think that an active monarchy is possible in Nepal at all. Yes, he was looking for a little more active role. No political players in Nepal have worked in the interest of Nepal and like i said earlier we are looking for a lesser evil and i think it is about time you made your mind up. It is not the time to be politically correct but instead see the threats that are looming in the horizons of Nepal.
Wealth is a relative thing. Some people think they will be happy if they have $1 million. Others are not happy even when they have $20 million.
G was rich. However, that did not stop him from increasing his pay by 7 times in three years. That is ridiculous for his performance. And it is tax free as well. He went on a $5 million 3 week safari trip and he spent poor Nepali's tax money for it. If G did not need money as you claim Blogdai, why would he act like this?
What checks & balance are you talking about? G is the head of the state, head of the government, head of the army. He appoints all judges, appoints RCC (which is prosecutor, invesigator, and judge), appoints all the yes men as ministers, dissolves parliament. Where do you see checks and balance here? G's period was the worst in terms of checks and balance. It was worse than before and worse than now in terms of checks and balance. Give me some concrete example how his Govt had more checks and balance?
I do not know when you came to Nepal? But Govt controlled by Palace was always as corrupt or even more corrupt than the Democratic Govt. When democracy came in 1990's, these Royal stooges like Bharat Keshar Singh, Sharad Chandra Shah, Sachhit Sumshere, etc lost their grip to power. As they got further away from power, their ill gotten wealth were depleting. So they saw an opportunity, and with G's help brought power back to Shah/Rana clan. Forget about your idea about G trying to be a savior.
Heaping a blame on good intention of KG is one thing but going on spree and accusing him of being source of all ills is another. I guess SPAM has no more ammo left. There is even a rumor that Badal is secretly wooing other janjatis to work together to throw off the Bhrahmin domination and is quite agreeable to Shah dynasty.
Their is disquiet even among maoist that what has happened was not right. Some are just waiting on wings.
Surprisingly, it is becoming clear after the espisode of Terai that Bhauns hold on power is increasigly become weak and they know it. Only fuel Terai needs now is religion- preservation of Hinduism from the onslaught on Christianity ( Maoist instigated). I hope this happens.
I ain't a stray bullet- so many of us are just looking and waiting for a target to hit, it will come.
SPAM is on borrowed time- the end is near the only fear is total collapse. So be it.
What happened in April movement is a good thing. What happened in Terai is a good thing as well. Terai movement was just a natural progression that Girija did not complete.
April movement transferred power from one corrupt Shah/Rana clan to 7 political parties dominated by Brahmins. Power was at least distributed from an aristocratic clan to working people.
The Terai movement will distribute power from political parties to many ethnic and cultural diversity of Nepal. The Terai movement was not about bringing power back to G or about Hinduism. The right thing is to keep power in villages and towns and away from Kathmandu.
Yes, all revolutions are good and they expose leaders and their calibre for all to see. The problem with Nepal is only the ruling class (be it political leaders or the kings) have benifited from our existance. Our economical and political state is very fragile and will not sustain burdens of these magnitude forever. We just seem to take it for granted that Nepal will remain forever.
But then, did not the SPAM conclude that the Terai uprising was sponsored by BJP or Hindu fundamentalist from India, or the royal palace or the americans (you take a pick)? So, how can these intrusions or ivasion be in the interest of the Nation?
And as far as anonymous's rant about G being the savior of the country is concerned (even though blogdai perpetually keeps saying that he meant no such thing), i think he should just get a life. We got his points. King g did not give all his wealth away to the poor people of Nepal and instead increased his salary. Then he says king appointed all the judges. But did he once ignore the verdict of the supreme court? Don't tell me that supreme court made all it's decisions in favor of the King because that would be a lie. I have seen more instances of SPAM not abiding by supreme court decisions than the king himself. And about the new constitution? Who appoints the judges now? Cmn man, let go of your egos. I agree with the assesement that pre 1990 was a disaster but that is no excuse for the democratic government's incompetence or corruption. If you are proud of SPAM because you think that the spammers are less corrupt than the royal stooges pre 1990 and you are satisfied by their performance then i have nothing to say. You can blame the palace and the past 238 years of so called opperessions even when Nepal does not exist anymore if that satisfies you. If it is only the leaders and the kings who are going to get rich, then why do we need this country? Why not get rid of it? Why cause Nepali people so much main and suffering while leaders pretend to try and get it right, while they experiment with democracy and innocent people are dying everyday either out of hunger or terrorism? Why should the king increase his salary or politicians exploit financial resources of this country while pretending to work for us? What does this country mean to us? This is what we need to ask ourselves? How does it help our Nation to perpetually criticize NA as an institution but forgive the maoists for all their abuses and atrocities? How does what we say or do help this Nation at all? If I/you/we sincerely believe that we infact care about this country and have the best intentions at heart then I/You/we are right irrespective of who or what we might or may support. But if you compare Prithivi Narayan Sah with Bill Clinton and break his statues, then we are breaking a lot more than just one statue.
And what is this thing about madhesis being against the bahuns. Don't we all know that madhesi is not a caste in itself. That there are a lot of madhesis who are bahuns too. Every chance we get, we use it to divide ourselves. Just bring up the caste thing without even thinking about it. Madhesi issue is a regional issue and not a caste issue.
The thing about interim government's is that they never last.
Like a summer romance.
>>What happened in April movement is a good thing. What happened in Terai is a good thing as well. Terai movement was just a natural progression that Girija did not complete.
Ok Sartre, define the ‘thing’. Let us hear something tangible that has come out of April farce which has benefited the country and its people. As abstract ‘a good thing’ is, I am beginning to believe more and more how the parties played on people by projecting this false idea democracy as an equalizer which was supposedly meant to – all of a sudden, catapult the country into utopia by removing G.
G was NEVER the problem; the problem ALWAYS stemmed from self-serving whores called the 7 parties and their ruthless pimp called the Maoists who, not satisfied with raping the country, has thrown her into the laps of filthy Indian political orgy.
Terai movement is a genuine cause; April movement is a farce carried out by foreign interventionists, Nepali leaders, the civil society and select media upon the general public.
>>April movement transferred power from one corrupt Shah/Rana clan to 7 political parties dominated by Brahmins. Power was at least distributed from an aristocratic clan to working people.
April movement conspired to loot power away from functioning state apparatus and swindled it into the hands of 8 specific people and their cohorts, leaving the other 25 million scrambling to make sense of continual hardship as the country progressively spirals in the political, social and economic abyss.
Further, those seven of eight INDIVIDUALS and their cronies already had power TRANSFERRED to them in the early 90s. Remember? Of course not, your myopic vision obliterates anything prior to Gs necessary move. 15 years had elapsed, but they still claimed to be the representative of ‘working people’. Shouldn’t there be a statute of limitations on open and blatant political lie?
>>The Terai movement will distribute power from political parties to many ethnic and cultural diversity of Nepal. The Terai movement was not about bringing power back to G or about Hinduism. The right thing is to keep power in villages and towns and away from Kathmandu.
If you say power is to be distributed at regional level, why is it, then, you still have those corrupt and homicidal maniacs in the parliament, already making amendments and policies for the country? Like B mentioned, Madhesi issue is one of regional – not cast based. Make your arguments more cohesive before blabbering SPAM lie here. Else, we will continue pounding and strip you of your fake attempt to glorify April farce as ‘a good thing’.
-free
Mr. B:
Lesser evil my ass. I am not going to take a stand and choose one. I think the SPAM and the G are both no good. With all the potnetial we have we are one of the poorest countries in the world. Why the hell do you think that is? Lesser evil ... they are just as evil as each other. Unfortunetly, we have no choice but sit around and watch the show. I never said I have a practical solution. No one has a solution otherwise we couldn't be in this mess now would we, Mr. B?
Bhudai Pundit
the mess we are in now is a continuation of the mess we were in before the takeover. A glorious return to corrupt incompetence doesn't seem like the fodder for creating a "people's movement" now, does it?
g's move was interventionist and if we can find anything bright about it, it temporarily slowed the maoists unabated march to power.
What's slowing them now?
-=blogdai
I've said it before, I'll say it again:
A system of governance can only be as good as the characters that form the system. A democratic system of government where EACH AND EVERY SINGLE PLAYER is a buffoon is no better than its autocratic counterpart. Unfortunately, we, like the rest of the world, are happy paying lip service to an ideal, no matter that the implementation is so far removed from the ideal that it's laughable.
On another note, perhaps it's true: a nation gets the leaders it deserves.
Jai Nepal.
Or perhaps I should be saying Mera Bharat Mahaan.
It what? Slowed down the Maoists march to power? Have you gone insane. Didn't we discuss this already?
Let me go over this one more time. G took over. SPA protested but had no support. They were pathetic. Maoist intervened and coerced people to come out to the streets thereby increasing the intensity of the agitation and eventually G gave up. What was the effect of the takeover? Rise in republican sentiment, the Maoists became a darling in the eyes of the international community, the SPA became the Maoists' bitches, Gyanendra and the entire instituion of monarchy became the villian, the international community had to remove the terrorist tag from the Maoists because they helped topple a supposed autocratic leader.
What was that Blogdai? Stopped the Maoists march to power? If I were a Maoists I would observe Feb 1st as a day of celebration.
Bhudai Pundit
No, no and again no.
A skewed media controlled by Girija and the NC painted the Maoists as heroes.
g's takeover brought maoist intentions and support network out of the woodwork. We learned of the longstanding communication between Prachanda and Girija and complicity, if not outright support from India.
Prachanda's and Babu Ram's comments were increasingly desperate in the days before the alliance was formed as the RNA campaigns were starting to have an effect. They were brutal but effective. To a man, the average citizen was optimistic that something was finally being done about the maoist problem. There was momentum building; it forced the Maoists to seek legitimacy by an alliance with Girija. How convenient this was since Girija, rightly marginalized, was seeking relevance and guns through his alliance with the Maoists.
Would there have been a SPAM without the desperation caused by G's takeover? Certainly not. The match made in hell was composed of two factions trying to survive.
And where is this "republican sentiment" after girija says boldly and plainly that "under no circumstances will we accept a republican form of government?" and isn't the whole future of nepal wonderful? Girija has probably given his last speech and guess what's going to happen when he dies? Don't worry, you'll figure it out once you get to one of Prachanda's "re-education" camps.
Speaking of which, don't you find it curious that Maoists have so little fear of the political process in Nepal that they've not felt the need to compromise or obey any directives set forth? Hmm, how about atrocities? Only a supremely confident force has no fear of retribution when it carries on its brutal campaign without missing a beat. Does it leave any doubt that Prachanda has some powerful friends in Delhi giving their blessings?
So, you've got bigger fish to fry than g. Finger-pointing is a lovely pastime: At least from an Indian perspective.
And G. didn't quit because of the intensity of protests. he quit because he badly misinterpereted the power of world opinion. Media spin had already labeled the April farce as a "democratic" initiative and our politicians seized on the rhetoric by coining the comically ironic "absolute democracy" as their theme. Where is this "absolute democracy?" the thing that angers blogdai most about g. during this time was his decided lack of spine. He was well on his way to breaking the back of Maoism, or at least would have fatally weakened it if left alone. But oops! defeating Maoism would leave a strong and independent Nepal, and India wouldn't have that; hence SPAM was formed under Delhi's roof. G. hesitated when he should have pressed forward. Fool. he gave India time to think and develop a plan.
And no again, Feb 1, marked the first time any Nepal entity viewed the Maoists as a threat and began a systematic campaign against them. it was your little april movement that should have made the maoists rejoice. But, ironically, their re-rise to power was a desperation move forged from a desperation alliance. Prachanda and Girija are both too stupid to rejoice at anything. They were too busy running for cover.
I was there in the middle of those protests during those days. Were you? G. made a concerted effort and decision not to fire on his people. Forget the stray commander who went bonkers and couldn't discipline himself or his men, the rallyers at the palace wall were mostly citizens who were led by a few screaming little boy maoists urging them on. they instantly scattered and dispersed after the first tear-gas cannister exploded, so you want to tell me now that the King and the RNA backed down from the sheer force of this group? Sorry, you keep reading Kantipur for your information, like the rest of the world, and you begin to see things in the lazy Western way.
So, let me help you out. G. is evil, he caused everything, and we should kill him immediately. OK? Happy now? Great. Guess what? Nepal is still in big do-do.
Your ship is sinking fast, who you gonna blame now, the ocean?
-=blogdai
Blogdai, I think you need a real good spanking. I didn't say G is the evil one or that he should be killed. I think the institution of Monarchy is very important in Nepal socio-political structure. Don't call it my April revolution because I know the April revolution was a sham. No need to tell me. However, I think G made a very bad mistake on Feb 1st. Tell me Blogdai, how the hell do you know the RNA was making any grounds with the Maoists? The whole campaign against the Maoists was FULL of major blunders because the RNA is simply not an effective fighting force. I have no idea from where you get the impression that the RNA was successful...
"he quit because he badly misinterpereted the power of world opinion."
Fool. All military aid was stopped, donors were pulling out and Nepal was becoming ever more isolated in the international arena. What the hell do you mean he misinterpreted?
Furthermore, it was not just Kantipur that made the Maoists look like heros. All media, including the international media houses made it seem that way. What else did you expect them to do? Write editorials in support of a King who put political leaders under house arrest and took power through a coup?
I don't have anything against G. Man if he took over and did it right I wouldn't give a rat's ass that Nepal wasn't a democracy. But he didn't and I think it is his fault that these fcuking Maoists blood suckers are going around holding their heads up high.
Bhudai Pundit
You are not listening.
The RNA was successful simply because it forced the formation of SPAM.
You are also not comprehending.
G. misinterpereted the POWER of world opinion. Being increasingly isolated has little or no bearing on nepal. nepal is not a world player. Nepal is a recipient nation. The world would view G.'s actions like those of any African, south american or asian monarch with the same issues. In short, no matter what G. did, it would only generate so much world outrage.
Forget aid cut-off. In fact, if you'll remember, the Yanks announce a massive aid package to nepal shortly after the takeover. I believe it was only the Swiss, Dansih and Norwegians who threatened, repeat, threatened to discontinue projects. One glimpse at the ICIMOD building south of Patan should tell you that foreign aid in Nepal is BIG business and frankly, has very little to do with the welfare of Nepal. 250 billion U.s. dollars committed to aid in Nepal since 1953 resulting in almost NO increase in the living standard of the average Nepali today should tell you plenty. Aid is one of my pet peeves so don't get me started. In a nutshell, threats were made to appease aid constituencies, but none was to be cut off, and no significant aid packages have been cut-off to date.
Look at today, didn't the ADB just announce it would cut off billions in aid should a Maoist win a parliamentary seat? I do know that the Yanks will completely shut down USAID, and pull their cake-eating wimp of a director, donald clark, out of Nepal should any, repeat, any Maoist gain office. And wait, am I right when I say that the U.S. has never removed the Maoists from its terrorist list? Blogdai would wager that, issue for issue, the world is more threatened by this current parliament than they ever were by G.'s actions. And this time it's for real; although blogdai will believe it only when it happens; the "gravy train" is just too profitable for too many foreigners to be disrupted by such an insignificant thing as the spectre of communist rule.
G. got spooked by all the sabre-rattling and it influenced his decision to back down. Plus, his old Panchayat advisors were autocratic cavemen. I agree with one of our posters who opined that G. was an uneducated man, but I think g. was just plain stupid. Wouldn't you want the best political minds you could find on your advisory team if you were planning a takeover?
I've written here many times on how the King "blew it" or what I would have done better. You should re-read those columns and stop rehashing this old ground here.
I will be doing a major piece on foreign aid shortly so that should generate more that the usual amount of threats, ha!
-=blogdai
Ok, that's it. Pushpal Kamal Sarki (PKS) has been getting a free ride by having blogdai handle the arguments so far.
Will the author of this fine piece please step forward and take his slings and arrows?
-=BD
Blogdai,
Foregin aid is generally worthless we all know that. However, in Nepal's case foregin aid is a major part of our budget. The Yanks are not the major contributors of foregin aid to Nepal - it is in fact the Norwegians, Swiss, Danish and the Germans, Japanese who contribute the most money. A huge part of Nepal's budget is financed by Foregin aid! So you cannot just say forget about foregin aid with such ease. With the way G increasing palace and military expenditure Nepal was heading for a major fiscal crisis. Foregin aid is really all we have right now.
Also explain what you mean by this:
"The RNA was successful simply because it forced the formation of SPAM."
"Nepal is a recipient nation."
So being isolated is even worse for Nepal??
And no the US hasn't to date removed the terrorist tag but after the CA elections it will have to.
Anyway I am done debating this topic because what's done is done.
Bhudai Pundit
Development aid is like crack.
If you want to know what SPAMs next government policy is: why not ask the donors?
Top 3 bilateral donors since SPAM came to power:
1. USA -Rs 2.44 billion
2. Japan -2.32 billion
3. India -Rs 1.6 billion
Total Foreign aid Rs 20.26 billion
The Norwegians, Swiss, Danish and the Germans do not commit the most money. The UK and Finland give more money than these countries!
Source: Ministry of Finance, Feb 2007
You need to look at the Development theory behind USA, India and Japan to understand how they manipulate SPAM and G.
Well I can tell you that the Yank's motivation is purely strategic.
The U.S. was the first official donor nation to write an aid check to Nepal when the Kingdom opened for aid business in 1953. I believe it was a paltre $2,500 but the precedent was set. The U.s. wanted a foothold in Nepal to check soviet and chinese expansionism during the height of the cold war.
Altruism was and still is an afterthought.
-=BD
This is a great thread and thanks to all so far for their good and thoughtful comments. Yes, that means you too bhudai saati. Always a good debate. Admit it, you like to get your ideas grinded in the blogdai mill from time to time.
Anyway, not to change the subject, but I've lost all links to the Himalayan Times. Any help or info would be appreciated. It would be quite a story if the mostly anti-Maoist Times were censored and taken off the net. Hmm.
-=Blogdai
We need another regime change. Things will not get any better with this SPAM government. The Spam are intentionally ignoring the madhesi issues and infact they are even aggervating it. They are hell bent on breaking this country apart by not addressing the issue on time. Look at the comments made by Makune about regressive forces exploiting shiva ratri. These leaders are idiots and do not even think twice before they speak or they have other secret motives. And here is my solution Mr. Pundit, we need another REGIME CHANGE. either the army needs to take over, or the king or even the maoists. This situation can not continue. If king is incompetent, throw him out and let army or the maoists take over. What use is this complete democracy if it is only the leaders who enjoy it? Shoot all the SPA leaders and then start building a New Nepal. There is not other option.
Why do we need democracy? what difference will it make to the general people? How is this government more democratic than the last one? I think we need a major clean up. We need someone to take over for about 5 years, get everything sorted and hold elections. Not even one institution in this country is functional. We need some one to chase the teachers and students back into the class rooms. Government workers back into their offices and so on. We need descipline, big time. This is not the time to talk about what is morally right or wrong. Even if there is some one from one of the parties that can do a coup, so be it.
Blogdai: Time for a new post?
Bhudai Pundit
picked it off from News Blaze:
Moral Support and Solidarity to All Our Nepali Soldiers
We the members of the Nepali American community currently living in the United States express our moral support to Western Division Chief of Nepal Army Brigadier General Dilip S.J.B. Rana. Taking into consideration the best interest of the nation, expressed his opinion to all his officers and soldiers to be vigilant and prepared. As the nation was going through a state of turmoil, particularly the unrest in the Terai had become anarchic with the collapse of law and order.
The possibility of army mobilization to quell the recent unrest in the Terai region would arise, if the Nepal Police are unable to bring the situation under control. As a soldier, and Commanding Officer being prepared for mobilization is what is expected from our armed forces. Some politicians and political parties have tried to make a mountain from a mole hill. These leaders have tried to make him feel guilty of breach of military norms, when there was no such matter. This is a non issue and to vilify Brigadier General Rana is disgusting and irresponsible.
We request the Army Headquarters to refrain from toeing the line of the politicians and not to take disciplinary action. General Rukmangad Katuwal, the Army Chief should stand by his own officers and soldiers and not pamper to the wishes of the political leaders.
The Sanatan Dharma, Sanskrit and Nepali Center, Inc. USA and The Coalition for National Unity and Reconciliation in Nepal - whole heartedly extend their moral support and solidarity to all our soldiers and officers of the Nepal Army who are valiantly defending our nation and protecting our people.
We salute Brigadier General Dilip S.J.B. Rana for standing up for the best interests of the nation and the people.
Contact: Vijay Sigdel (212) 966-9635,
Nhuchhe Naryan Dangol (917) 597-9030,
Bishal Shah (718) 651-2032,
Sher B. Gartola (212) 768-7175,
Neelima Basnet (718) 639-0756,
Bandana Koirala (646) 327-2811,
Subhash Nepal (646) 541-4988,
Dharmendra Gopali (718) 757-4997
Unfortunately, most people are sheep and there are plenty of bhaag around but no good shepherds.
Speaking of self-morality. Look who's out and about again...
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?nid=100391
and political figures visiting him in jail...well i never!
I'm sure he'll be on a recruitment drive asap.
naagboy
Yes, Mr. Pundit, we should have a new blog now. We need a new blogsite to talk about the King and the SPAm as we have been doing for the last few years now. No matter what the blog is about, it usually gets back to whether we need a king or whether the SPAM are going to sell nepal down the river. Well, anyway even the thought about a new blog kind of re-enerziges me. However i agree with you as we seem to do on the strangest of things.
Happy Valentines day.....
It always carries a whiff of possibility and change whenever there are letters of support for the military.
Could blogdai have overlooked yet another path around this mess?
The RNA has plenty of opinionated and a few thoughtful leaders. A nice little military junta a-la thailand might just do the trick.
Funny, where was the huge world outrage at thailands coup? Thaksin was about half as corrupt as girija: only with more money.
It goes back to what we've said here. The world will only pay so much lip-service to any move, so what's keeping our good, and well-armed boys back?
-=blogdai
Blogdai supporting the undisciplined boys! Is this out of sheer desperation or does Blogdai really believe that army can solve the problem?
RNA is the most corrupt institution in Nepal. More corrupt and less transparent than any political party in Nepal. It makes me wonder how retired generals are able to keep 10-30 army personnel paid by Government to do their personal chores from washing clothes to cleaning home. This is gross misuse of resources even by Girija standard. Do we need to even talk about corruption in everything from buying helicopters to bread for the soldiers?
And not to mention, this is an institution where criteria for getting promoted is family lineage rather than your caliber.
This institution is a fraud. Army is supposed to be well prepared for our security concerns all the time. And when they were called to fight Maoists, they could not even defeat 303 wielding rebels. Instead, Maoists looted their M16's, mortars, and got more powerful under their watch. What were they doing besides getting drunk and causing in Thamel or other Nepali towns?
Thailand and Nepal are totally two completely different stories. Thai royalty keeps out of politics, have won respect, and stay away from corruption. Nepali royalty is on the opposite end i.e. they are unpopular, will do anything to stay on power, and earned their wealth through corruption.
Also, as we discussed earlier, Nepal cannot withstand international pressure like Thailand. What % of Thai Government is run by foreign aid? I would think miniscule amount. What about Nepal? Probably around 50% or more. If foreign aid is to stop flowing, government employees will not get paid. RNA will not have bullets to fight. And if they were to go head to head against India, they may not even have enough oil to drive their trucks. It is sad but it is hard to survive being a Nepali whether you are King, political party, or army, without making your foreign masters happy.
Actually, and ask PKS about this, I believe the portion of Nepal's GDP that comes from direct aid is over 60%.
Anyway, easy there. Just throwing out other options for debate; but you raise some interesting points. Thailand is independent, very independent. I believe I've heard that the Thais have never been conquered or significantly invaded by another country.
Which leads us to a grim realization: out moral indignation and outrage may be directly proportional to our economic and strategic interests in a country. If we can't touch em' we don't stay mad for long.
You are spot on correct when you say the RNA is corrupt, poorly managed, inefficient, whatever. No arguments there. But where are we in Nepal now? As our oft-quoted Dr. Marks says, we are under the rule of the gun. Guns and agitation are the only things that seem to represent political power now, don't they?
If the best armed and, still, best trained force in Nepal can be inspired or channelled for the purpose of eliminating Maoism, why not? Now, obviously, the next question is: will we be just trading one form of Maoism for another? I don't thinks so.
corrupt, violent and stupid? Perhaps the RNA is. But, autocratic, hegemonistic and wantonly cruel--forget the anecdotes you've heard--I think not, ultimately. RNA forces have trained with all the major military forces in the world. they have been instilled with some form, at least, of military "ethics." Above all, they will ultimately trend towards order. constant extortion, child conscription, blowing up civilian busses and murdering pregnant women is just not the M.O. of this army. They are philosophically not Maoists.
-=blogdai
To anon 2:18- Look yourself in the mirror before you open your foul mouth or should I say greased fingers- you know where you come from, dunno you?
Nothing is right in their eyes and that events unfolding before them is out of their reach, may be comprehension but their two cents worth comments belies the fact that they are nowhere man. Go listen to Beatles song Nowwhere man and Revolution. I had it with you people like Pundit and anon- m 2:18- a true maggots good at nibbling on left-overs but never having a guts to go for the real issue and action.You will just crease your butt sitting in fence-talking heads just too many.
Blogdai,
I would not have had a problem using RNA to eliminate Maoists if they had a better leadership and were more professional, in which case they would have defeated the Maoists.
The weaknesses of RNA are its indisciplined soldiers, corrupt leadership, strong tradition of aristocratic family lineage in its leadership, and poor PR. The fact is RNA does not have a clean image among average Nepalis like me. When a villager gets beaten up by a drunk RNA soldier, the bad impression lasts for a long time among all the villagers. Small things like army men using foul language to people, and wives of army leaders misusing army vehicles and driving like they rule the road sends really bad impression to Nepalis. To win the war, RNA must win the hearts of Nepalis first, which is more difficult than fighting the war. This is where RNA failed, and ultimately Maoist movement got stronger under their guns, which is almost like losing the war.
RNA cannot substitute it's bad PR with modern weapons and better training. They need intelligence. They need support from villagers. It is going to be monumental task to change this image of army. A few photo op of the Army chief dining with the soldiers is not enough. Being more transparent in its hiring and promotion procedures, getting better educated leaders, more transparent procurement policies, greater diversity, army men helping with community services in villages, zero tolerance policy for any indisciplined soldiers irrespective of family connections, zero tolerance policy for Human Rights violation are some of the necessary reforms that need to be implemented to RNA if we are to make RNA able to defeat Maoists militarily. Weapons and training could be of secondary importance.
Correct on all counts.
I like to see how much you care about fixing the RNA. You list many good points. But therein lies the issue. You and others like you see the light at the end of the tunnel for the RNA. Basically, you see something that is broken but quite fixable. You see a positive force that needs a new direction.
Contrast that, now, with our leaders in SPAM. I've yet to see a systematic list of fixable items posted by anyone for the benefit of Girija and his boys. Why? Because we all see that there is a big difference between the fixable and the hopeless.
Just by your very thorough analysis of what needs to be done to fix the RNA' it almost automatically implies that all of yours and our hopes ride with these guys. We wouldn't even venture to fix parliament because we know they wouldn't listen to any advice in the first place.
So, we are back in the "lesser of two evils" conundrum. We have faith in a broken RNA, yet have given up all hope of fixing Parliament.
-=blogdai
Just as a note after all these years: Ian turned out to be a bit of a wacko. We here at the blogdai corporate offices officially distance ourselves from this idiot.
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