Parties, Maoists reach 12-point agreement


KOL Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 22 - The seven-party alliance and Maoists have reached a consensus "to restore democracy in the country."
A meeting of the seven-party alliance held in the capital Tuesday said that they reached a 12-point agreement with the Maoists.

Meanwhile, issuing a statement this evening, Maoist Chairman Prachanda said that they have reached a 12-point agreement with the mainstream political parties during various phases of talks.

The meeting of the parties held at the residence of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala this morning was attended by CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, acting president of the Nepali Congress-Democratic, Gopal Man Shrestha, and Janamorcha Nepal's president Amik Serchan, vice-president of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandidevi), Bharat Bimal Yadav. Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party's Narayan Man Bijukchhe was not present in the meeting as he was out of the capital.

hurray bro. interesting. Now the million dollar question is which came first..."chicken or egg" , if u see what i am saying...lol

Mr.Lonely, while I pass your million dollar question back to you, I would like to say that disarming Maoists and then getting rid of monarchy are not mutually exclusive events. So your question though good holds no validity in this context.
If one were to erase the recent history, let say until 1996, since that is when people?s war officially was declared, and restart all over again, this time with Maoists joining the mainstream politics with their same agenda, winning hearts and minds of Nepalese people through words and actions, being some what flexible and realistic in their demands, I can be sure that with less than 15000 deaths, their wish could have been achieved. Today with so many people dead, they have not even reached close to their goal. Their bigger fight is yet to come if they continue. They are the biggest enemy of the state, and then Monarchy and at last the corrupt politicians.
And now that Delhi and even US are accepting Maoists in their talks with Nepalese political parties, if they really decide to disarm they can get rid of the monarch. But without that, no matter what, peace is not going to be a Christmas gift. We may fear Gyane?s army today, tomorrow we may have to fear Prachanda?s.

Hello all!

Its nice to hear that Nepal will be peaceful soon. Let's all make a pledge that Nepal becomes a developed nation within a few years from now. And all Nepalese living abroad create their enthusiasm to go home and do something for the country.
May Pashupatinath bless us all!

If the king is overthrown, Maoists have no choice but to disarm or face the Indian Army. This could be one reason the leaders had to check up their health in Delhi. Hope again..

No where in Prachanda's statement I can read about full commitment to disarm themselves. According to nepalnews "agreement has been reached [with the parties] to keep the Maoist armed forces and the royal army under the supervision of the United Nations?

ok so what does this mean? they will keep all their weapons but just not do any attacking for the time being??? and the political parties agreed to it? wow what a bunch of patriots we have!

Gaule Hero

I generally agreed with you. But can't agree with this number 2 thingy.

2) THEY MUST END PERSONAL AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION. Personal corruption is perhaps easier to deal with than political corruption. Even mature democracies like the US (Tom Delay scandal) and UK (Hinduja brothers scandal) are not immune from it.


Theoritically possible, practically impossible !
Would you have any idea/solution for abolition of the personal and political corruption?

Political parties are doomed!!!

There is a hidden agenda between India and King.. can't you guys see it? India is now helping King, creating a reason for King G to lock up the leaders like Girija and Makune... and King G will handover some big electricity project to India!!

That's what's happening!!!

Learner_1 put forward breakthrough theory in the whole discussion, and that really might be the worst scenario.

"Hallai hallako Desh"

Friends, why is that we nepali have to gossip a lot when it comes to sensitive issues? I know as a matter of fact that things are still fuzzy and hence unpredictable at the moment but can't we afford to be little bit more optimistic and patient about the latest development?

When things were not happening, we were expecting someone to initiate the talk and now that a ray of hope have emerged, we start speculating things unnecessarily. Com'on guys lets join hands in hands and support this positive move at this juncture at least. Its too early to predict things but at least we can hope for goods, keep our eyes and ears open and mouth shut.

Peace out

Mr. Lonely,
With due respect, Sir, you can be as positive as you want but the circumstances predict otherwise. Seven party and moaist alliance is the worst secnario nepal can have that will benefit only the foes of Nepal. And this alliance did not come out of the blue. The party leadership were trying hard to join the maoist camp as you are aware their agitation failed terribly to produce any result. With India's guidance and help they were able to join the maobadi camp and umbrella (MOU suggests so).
Sorry to ruin your optimism as I find no hope out of this alliance. Once again they have shown lack of leadership, patriotism and vision.
-Shiv

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Maile ta hijo sapna ma ke dheko sunchau saathi ho

CHAATA NEPAL KO NAYA PRESIDENT GIRJA BABU ANI USKA BHEDA BHAKRA CHAMPCHA HARU USKO PARTY MA....VICE PRESIDENT CHAI MAKUNE....TESPACHI TACHAD ANI PAACHAD BHAI RAKO...HERA SAATHI HO....ATIM MA DELHI SADAN LE ABA KE GARNE BHAYO..NEPAL HAMRAI PRANTA HO BHANDAI....PANAMA KHUWAPA PARYES JASTATI , SIKKIM KHUWAPAI PARE JASTAI....BHUTAN NE NAAM MATRA TA HO NE...SENA SABAI BHARATI.......CHATA TYO TUDHI KHEL MA BHARAT KO 3 RANGE COLOR BHAKO FLAG HALI RAKO.....TES PACHI..TEHI TUDIKHEL MA HAMI PANI JANA GANA MANA ADHINAYEK GAAUDAI BAASEKO....ANI NEPAL CHAI INDIA KO GAMBLING RA PROSTITUITON PROVIENCE BHAKO....AHAH KATI MITHO SAPANA...HOPE! IT COMES TRUE.

ABA PASHUPATI TA KHALI PASHUKO PATI MATRAI HUNU BHO...MANABPATI KO ASHIRBAD CHAI LAAGOS..
JAI HIND
BHARAT HAMKO JYAAN SE PYAARA HAI, SABE PYAAR GULISTAN HAMAARA HAI

Moneyminded jee, dont worry, Our small country is going to be a big country. We will proudly call ourselves as Indian. Philosophically thinking, patriotism is nothing. If King Prithivinarayan had not united nepal as a single country(The modern nepal) we would have called ourselves as something like Gorkhali, lamjunge, palpali etc. We call today ourselves nepali because he united all the separate state in to nepal. Otherwise I would have been Limbuban because I am from eastern Nepal. You would have been ... So If nepal is united into India we will be Indian. What is wrong with it?

Received in my mailbox from "Pemba Sherpa"
It is interesting if you haven't got it already.
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CPN (Maoist) Dead, Long live people?s revolution in Nepal!

Dear Friend,

Recent agreement between seven agitating parties and CPN (Maoist) brings outrageous turn in Nepali left politics. It apparently reveals that CPN (Maoist) has departed from its political strategy of establishing republican multi party democracy in Nepal, that is, after loss of more than 13000 brave sons and daughters of mother Nepal for the proposed goal it has turned 180 degree back to 1990 constitution as a initial point for election of constituent assembly that overthrows ?autocratic monarchy?. In 12 point agreement between seven agitating parties and Maoist leadership, there are several points that mention ?unseating autocratic monarchy? but there is not a single point that says the proposed constituent assembly is for republican setup. The vague phrase ?complete democracy? used in this agreement fails to explain that what is considered as complete democracy.

While commitment to multi party democracy, human rights, civil liberties and rule of law described in fourth point of the agreement can not be argued against, the agreement doesn?t talk about the barbaric repression against people of Nepal in entire history of Nepal including 12 years rule of so called democratic parties.

Though some atrocities inflicted on masses by CPN (Maoist) cadres are deplorable, CPN (Maoist) and people?s war initiated by it has brought several positive changes in Nepal. Anti-Maoist media also uphold empowerment of women, Dalit and indigenous people brought by the people?s war and local people?s governments. It has brought republican agenda to public that cadres of so called democratic parties also started pressing their leadership to fight for republican setup. CPN (Maoist) have practiced cooperative farming and commune system and ended gender discrimination and untouchability in its base area. It has also ended alcoholism and gambling in base areas. Unfortunately, point 5 of the agreements nullifies all of the achievements of people?s revolutionary movement in Nepal and apologizes for what it has done to empower destitute masses.

In point 12 of the agreement, CPN (Maoist) has indirectly agreed to punish those cadres who punished local landlords, moneylenders and suppressive feudal forces in the villages for the atrocities they have inflicted to Nepali masses. Perhaps the reactionary leadership of CPN (Maoist) have forgotten that all of such actions were carried under theoretical leadership of its president Prachanda and so-called ?Prachandapath?.

Though any self criticism for wrong doing and strong commitment to democracy, human rights, civil liberties, rule of law and peace and progress should be welcome from every corner of the society, the well publicized agreement between CPN (Maoist) and seven agitating parties against aspiration of Nepali people for republican democracy, freedom from all kinds of suppression and unjust discrimination and social justice.

It is the republican democratic zeal and selfless struggle of Nepali people that took then CPN (ML) and CPN (Maoist) to the height of Nepali democratic movement. I am sure that there are several cadres of former CPN (ML) who felt betrayed by CPN (UML) leadership when the party went through the slippery slope of so called ?Bahudaliya Janabad? and unpatriotic Mahakali treaty. You are the victim of self-serving leaders and unfortunately again got victimized from leadership of CPN (Maoist). Therefore, it is the time that we must stop being victimized by our own chosen leaders and revolt against betrayal of the leadership.

This betrayal is result of centralization of all of the political and military power in self-serving, power hungry leadership that inherits characteristics of brutal feudalism and if we do not challenge this shameful decision made reactionary feudal leadership seated on top of left movement of Nepal, we will continued being betrayed and it may take decades and thousands of lives to bring people?s victory.

It is crucial time that all of the sincere cadres and leaders of Nepali left movement, especially CPN (Maoist) need to revolt against the selfish leadership and take Nepali people?s movement to new height that ensures final victory of Nepali people. Now, it is time that we sincere cadres of Nepali left movement, we women, dalits and janajatis should not rely of our leadership and must take our future in our hands.

This historical time of political demise of CPN (Maoist) also urges Nepali people and friends and families of martyrs of people?s war in Nepal to remember those martyrs, their goals and values of their sacrifice and unite and struggle to achieve the goal that our friends and family members sacrificed their lives for. It is also time to take Maoist leadership accountable for death of more than 13000 innocent Nepali people to declare Maoist leadership as culprit of genocides in Nepal.

Long live people?s revolution in Nepal!

Sincerely,
Pemba Sherpa

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In the MOU there is no provision of Maoists laying down arms, and Pemba Sherpa vows to continue the armed struggle?? Or is this a Maoist ploy to negotiate at front and rage a war on the side? Even if the Maoists lay down arms (if it ever happens, I doubt it) who can stop the maobadi guerillas who are trained and brain washed to waste the very leaders and ideology they themselves are going to become. Interesting and yet another dangerous turn of events!!

Shirish ji -
As I said before, personal corruption is a simpler problem but it won?t be easy to solve. The solution must start at the top. If top dogs flaunt anti-corruption laws, and Nepal's laws are pretty good, who is going to enforce and obey them. When PMs and his advisors along with the entire cabinets are squeaky clean, then that sets good examples for others to follow. During the multi-party rule, that obviously didn?t happen. When Girija was the PM, he was involved in the Lauda scandal. Deuba was supposedly a complicit in the Melamchi kickbacks, although the corruption charges against him were politically motivated. Then there are lowbrows like Wagle and Kadhka along with hundreds of parliamentarians who amassed immense wealth during their heydays. I think nice-guys like KP Bhattarai and Man Mohan Adhikari were clean but they were too gentle to survive the hurly-burly world of Nepali politics. Personal corruption is NOT the monopoly of mainstream party leaders. Pachayat era bigwigs like Lokendra Bdr Chand and Surya Bdr Thapa surely amassed their wealth through corruption. How can one explain Lokendra Bdr Chand paying $400,000 to the Maoists for his son's release or Surya Bdr Thapa owning couple of high-end condos in New York City? And remember the fertilizer scandal involving Padma Sundar Lawati. In the post-Feb 1 era, a couple of ministers were accused of trying to import fertilizers from India duty-free and split the difference. And let's not even get into the Royal Palace (they deal with drugs, steal idols, and don't pay taxes on the hotels they own) and people around it (Sharad Chandra Shah being the poster boy). What about the RNA - I don't know who audits their accounts, and what about Ger-sahabs employing dozens of cost-free sipais to mind their household chores?

Top level corruption was prevalent during the Panchayat era and the multi-party system, and continues to run amok in the current feudal dictatorship. The disease has spread to every segment of the society from police officers, who demand traffic laws violators to fill their petrol tanks, to airport subedars waiting to hound incoming Nepali passengers, to petty bureaucrats unwilling to push papers or rather tokens without "chia ko lagi paisa". In Nepal, if you are a state employee, you're corrupt until you prove otherwise. Given the corruption pandemic in the country, it will take time to solve the problem entirely. Obviously the place to start is at to top. But top dogs won?t do it on their own volition. A vigilant civil society is needed but such society can only exist in an open and democratic system. Sure, naysayers are going to say, civil society didn't do much in the 1990s when personal corruption amongst politicians soared to record levels. But again, my answer to that is that it takes time. The government at that time was moving in right direction, albeit slowly, by indicting the most egregious ones like Wagle. Even mature democracies have not been able to eliminate personal corruption entirely ? remember the case against the Governor of IL? When the voice of civil society is silenced, as it is now, corruption goes unreported and people get impression that everything is dandy. The fertilizer scam involving current ministers was reported not by Nepali media but by Indian media. Nobody knows what has happened to the case since. By far the biggest problem now is that we don?t know what?s happening to the national treasury. Given the opaqueness, I have NO REASON NOT to believe that much of it going into Gyane Swiss bank accounts.

If eliminating personal corruption is a challenge, dealing with political corruption is a nightmare. Even mature democracies like the US have not figured out a way to get around it. But it is important that Nepal find a way to deal with it, otherwise people will quickly lose faith in the democratic profess. Hopefully others have good suggestions.

Gaule Hero wrote:

2) THEY MUST END PERSONAL AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION. Personal corruption is perhaps easier to deal with than political corruption. Even mature democracies like the US (Tom Delay scandal) and UK (Hinduja brothers scandal) are not immune from it.

Your super long posting does not answer my question to your proposal of solving corruption in Nepal whether personal or organized. Rather you asked if some one else has the solution to that problem.

I know its virtually impossible to eradicate the problem of corruption at any level so I think its better not repeat that kind of statement again.
Garnu paryo bhanera matra ke garne? Nikas khai ?
Najane gaun ko bato nasodhe huncha !

If there is NO corruption in Nepal, democracy can not survive !
No parties can survive without being corrupt in Nepal !
Its sad but a fact.

Ask me to elaborate that statement !