By Shashi Malla
Nepal
New Book
Penguin Random House India has announced the forthcoming publication of a new book, “The Nepal Nexus” by Sudhir Sharma, who was for 10 years – 2008-2018 — the editor-in-chief of the Nepali language “Kantipur Daily”. His previous book was “Prayogshala”, a sort of expose according to a review by academician Dipak Gyawali, which only succeeded in demonizing King Gyanendra and lionizing both Girija Prasad Koirala and Baburam Bhattarai, the two of the most treasonous figures of New Nepal.
According to the publisher, the book represents a fast-paced and comprehensive account of current Nepal, traces the recent past and the present of Nepali domestic politics and international geopolitics from the vantage point of an insider, who [presumably] had a ringside view of the developments of the last two decades.
This was indeed a turbulent and eventful era which [supposedly] had a transformative impact on the country. In this short span, Nepal experienced the Maoist insurgency [which had already started in 1996], the Palace Massacre of 2001, the state of emergency, the so-called royal coup, the People’s Movement(s), the proclamation of the Republic [and the abolition of Constitutional Monarchy without a people’s referendum], the Madhes Uprising, the Constituent Assembly, Federalism and the new Constitution.
Sudheer Sharma argues that the Maoist revolt was driven by poverty, unemployment and oppression [by whom and on whom?]. Although it ultimately failed, the writer claims that it played a decisive role in the socio-political transformation of the country. It remains to be seen how well Sharma can defend this controversial thesis.
Of greater import to the trajectory of the various developments is the relationship between the Maoists, the monarchy/king and the Indian establishment (South Block/RAW/Indian Embassy in KTM). Presumably, “The Nepal Nexus” will examine the impact of each of these three strands and track the complex interplay among them. Will Sharma also examine the ramifications of the ‘democratic’ rule by the unified Communists?
India’s Cartographical Aggression
There has been no progress in the matter of India blatantly claiming part of Nepal’s territory in the far north-western region. A wave of outrage and fury has swept the country after the Indian Survey General last week released a new political map of India showing some parts of Nepalese territory as part of India.
The Nepalese government of K.P. Sharma Oli has shown itself to be completely impotent to react. Unfortunately, many of our so-called political leaders choose to remain mum or make non-sensible statements as they are beholden to India. Most knowledgeable people are aware of this fact.
Instead of undertaking concrete action, these so-called leaders have sent out students affiliated to political parties and their youth wings to protest both in social media and in the streets. At the same time, since currently, civil society is very weak in Nepal, these sham protests have not achieved anything at all.
With a view to placate public opinion, K.P. Sharma Oli called an all-party meeting at the PM’s official residence in Baluwatar. But this was akin to pouring water on ‘baluwa’ (sand)! Unfortunately, Oli is severely handicapped – health-wise and in terms of his intellectual qualities … last week’s write-up on the qualities of an effective leader …
The Chairman of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, Kamal Thapa told reporters after the meeting in Baluwatar: “Statements alone aren’t enough; the government should take back the encroached land and show initiative to remove the Indian army from Kalapani. It should raise the matter with the Indian side.”
This is easier said than done because our would-be top political leaders are neither willing nor able to undertake any meaningful step(s). They also lack the leadership qualities necessary for bold, innovative and decisive measures [Disclosure: see last week’s column on leadership].
As a necessary and first step, the Indian Ambassador in Lainchaur, Kathmandu should be summoned to the Foreign Ministry and handed a strong protest note.
Sri Lanka: Presidential Candidate Moots for National Unity
The nationality of a key presidential candidate, Gotabhaya Rajapakse [alleged to have dual Sri Lankan and US citizenship], brother of former strongman president Mahinda, is a key issue ahead of voting Saturday. Sri Lankan law prohibits dual citizens from holding elected office.
Gotabhaya became a US citizen in 2003, giving up his Sri Lanka passport after migrating to Los Angeles following a 20-year military career. He returned to Colombo in 2005, when he says he reclaimed Sri Lankan citizenship and was appointed defence secretary in his brother’s government (AFP. November 11).
The presidential candidate of the New Democratic Front (NDF), Sajith Premadasa has said that the people of the North and East have been made use of only for political purposes. His government would provide the people with all what is required for their daily livelihood. He was speaking at an election rally in Batticaloa in the Eastern Region in the presence of ministers and a former governor (Daily News, Colombo, November 11, 2019).
He further said that up to now there had been no international aid conferences in the north and east. He was determined to build a united nation without any racial or religious bias, so that all communities will live under one umbrella. Sri Lanka comprises Singhalese Buddhists in the majority, and Hindu Tamils, Muslims and Christians in the minority.
It has been characterized as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean and designated by “Travel Adviser” as one of the ten ‘must’ countries to visit in 2019. The word “serendipity” which conjures good luck, good fortune, fortuity and providence originates from this island republic.
Pakistan: Azadi March/Sit-In
Ordinary Pakistanis and observers alike cannot make head or tail of the anti-government ‘freedom’ march/sit-in led by the politico-religious group JUI-F since October 31 in the capital Islamabad.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F is a Sunni Deobandi political party in Pakistan, ‘F’ standing for the name of its leader, Fazal-ur-Rehman. It is entirely based in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern parts of Baluchistan. Its ideology is based on Islamism, clericalism and social and religious conservatism. Its political position is right-wing to far-right.
The JUI-F chief has vowed to continue the fight against the incumbent “incompetent” government of Imran Khan. He claims ‘the ‘war’ will continue. We cannot retreat. All political parties are in touch with us.’ He also said that the government had made a mockery of the economy, and that his party wanted to save the country from bankruptcy.
The country’s leading newspaper “Dawn” stated ironically: “Everyone with a stake in the democratic system must help the maulana [Fazal-ur-Rehman] and his party find an honorable route back home – especially at a time when the JUI-F’s demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan is too unrealistic to deserve serious consideration.”
Europe: Germany Defends NATO after Macron’s Rebuke
Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron had lamented that current US leadership, i.e. President Donald Trump had caused the “brain death” of NATO and criticized the security alliance’s lack of coordination. Macron urged European allies to “wake up” to the new reality of the US with Trump at the helm of affairs. Macron was no doubt giving vent to his extreme frustration of dealing with such a terrible world leader, but his admonition was also too little, too late.
Above all the Germans were quite alarmed having been lazily used to the protective ‘US nuclear umbrella’ and arguably done little to shore up the alliance in the face of the rising threat of a resurgent Russia. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas [from the Social Democratic part of the ‘grand alliance in Berlin] hastily insisted it would be a grave mistake to undermine NATO, and in a column for “Der Spiegel” weekly magazine stated the undeniable: “Without the United States, neither Germany nor Europe will be able to effectively protect themselves.”
Myanmar: Gambia Files Rohingya Genocide Case
Gambia, the small West African nation, has filed a case at the United Nation’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague against Myanmar, accusing it of committing genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. This was announced by the country’s Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou (Reuters, November 11).
The ICJ, also known as the World Court, is the UN’s top legal institution that rules on disputes between states.
Both Gambia and Myanmar are signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention, which not only prohibits states from committing genocide [mass homicide/annihilation/extermination/decimation, pogrom, holocaust] but also compels all signatory states to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.
Mikhael Gorbachev on the Fall of the Berlin Wall & End of the Cold War
In a wide-ranging interview with the German newsmagazine “Der Spiegel”, former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev spoke about the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, internal developments preceding this epoch-making event, and the current relations between the political West and Russia.
Mikhail Gorbachev was the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the country’s president until 1991. Observing developments taking place in the world, he saw the writing on the wall and pushed through important liberal reforms with his policies of “perestroika” (restructuring) and “glasnost” (openness). When he assumed power in 1985, he had already signaled to Eastern Bloc states that they had to be able to exist independently of Moscow. He was instrumental in ending the Cold War and was, therefore, one of the most visionary and outstanding statesmen of the 20th Century and was justly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
Thirty years after the demolition of the hated Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, Gorbachev observed that a demand for change was in the air in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). However, the leaders first Erich Honecker and later EgonKrenz were too slow in implementing much needed reforms. It was clear to him that the Germans had a right to decide their own fate.
Gorbachev, therefore, entered into intensive negotiations with West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Krenz, the Americans and Europe’s leading figures, keeping in mind the interests of neighboring states and the global community. However, right from the beginning he ruled out military intervention.
He rejected blame for the collapse of the Soviet Union and wholeheartedly welcomed the end of the Cold War. He regretted, however, that new leaders had failed to create a modern security architecture, especially in Europe. He stressed that in the current scenario, communication channels between the West and Russia must be activated.
Major International Conference: Doha Forum 2019
The Doha Forum 2019 is to take place in Qatar’s capital from 14-15 December 2019 on the crucial subject: “Reimagining Governance in a Multipolar World.” The Doha Forum was established in 2000 and represents “a global platform for dialogue, bringing together leaders in policy to build innovative and action driven networks…[and[ promotes the interchange of ideas, discourse, policy-making, action-oriented recommendations. In a world where borders are porous, our challenges and solutions are also interlinked.”
The Forum states that “with so many rising powers – and challenges – on the global stage, there is a need to reimaging global governance systems that are relevant to current circumstances. People, goods and values are increasingly transnational, socio-political and religious movements, NGOs, transnational companies, and virtual-world agents all play key transformative roles. The legacy of only a few countries at the forefront of international conflicts and solutions has diminished.” This year’s Doha Forum will consider current and possible approaches to governance that are moral, cooperative, and practical.
Among the various dimensions of governance in a multi-polar world that are to be discussed are: global & regional, population movements & social, gender & youth, political & security, economic & technological, and environmental. To cap it all, possible guiding principles for better governance and a strategy for global governance and its renewal and innovation will also be deliberated. These are all subjects of utmost significance which impact everyone of us sentient beings in this fragile planet.
This year, the Forum has also been able to convene a range of high-powered strategic partners with the likes of such influential think tanks/research institutions: Chatham House/The Royal Institute of International Affairs. The European Council on Foreign Relations, the International Crisis Group, and the Munich Security Conference. This would be an excellent opportunity for Nepalese participants – civil and military officials, academics, researchers, journalists and critical thinkers to expose themselves to ‘the winds of change’. This is not only necessary, but essential given our world in disarray, the flaring up of mass protests all over and the dearth of effective leadership.
The writer can be reached at: shashipbmalla@hotmail.com
Login to add a comment