US policy towards Nepal : Unrealistic and disastrous - Sundar Mani Dixit
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US ambassador James Moriarty’s recent statements have caused concern amongst Nepalis who are hoping for a lasting peace through the ongoing negotiations between the government and the Maoists. While holding forth an impressive aid amount for peace, democracy and development, he has tried to obstruct the Maoists’ entry into an interim government till they lay down their arms. This is an unrealistic and even disastrous stand for Nepal’s future and thus needs to be reversed.
The ambassador unveils aid for peace, democracy and development all of which are impossible or in danger unless the Maoists can be permanently brought into the political mainstream. The successful people’s revolution with the peaceful support of the Maoists had demanded elections to a constituent assembly (CA) through the agency of an inclusive interim government with the Maoists in it.
This was imperative because the grassroots reality is that there can be no elections without Maoist support. And without CA polls as soon as possible there is every danger of the king coming back to power with the army’s help. The army, barring the name change, remains what it was yesterday: a loyal and committed royalist force. It is only the show of people power in the streets that has held it back so far, but the people can’t come out on the streets forever. Any delay in quickly getting a CA in place can be deadly.
