Editorial
Postures in the legislature which endorsed a foreign aid package for the first time in Nepali history because, ostensibly, it was the aid’s injunction that was interesting in the least. Deuba’s Congress found new possibilities in the MCC; Prachanda’s Maoists and the JSP of Madhav Nepal decided that the MCC package needed a rider and so they enforced an addendum on the package and K.P. Oli’s UML rushed the well continuing their demands for action against the unconstitutional splinter made possible by the speaker. Nepal’s sovereign parliament, in effect, endorsed the American aid, to the glee of its embassy here. The Chinese Foreign Ministry says they are studying it. This is another first in Nepali foreign policy history, surely. But, the show must go on. Prachanda, Madhav Nepal and K. P. Oli separately give their media explanations on their postures. But the MCC has passed the house and thus is law?
What we understand is that the various political parties who together ramrod the current system has used these postures to make possible an imminent election where such cooperation will be possible again through glib talk masking seat arrangements and the monopoly over the system will be retained. One good thing though, the introduction for debate of this unique bill (?) not only exposed that almost all the current overlords of the system had signed the bill when in government committing the country to a contract which ultimately they admitted needed somber riders. Instead of sending it back for redrafting, all signatories decided they would endorse it with riders and reservations. Discussions now turn towards how legally binding the contract with the rider is to our MCC donors. A country already wise to a similar parliamentary rider on the Mahakali treaty and the dramatics that took place them could barely watch askance despite the near-violent demonstrations on the streets.
We were also treated to a dose of MCC possibilities. One champion exemplified Finland and a development model. He should consult his books on Finlandization. Another talked of using the same MCC model with other donors. A shuddering possibility if possible. There is much talk of how India to the MCC gracefully. Surely well-received when MCC assures that Nepal’s transmission line is to go to Gorakhpur. Perhaps Delhi will seek a posture when it comes to MCC equipment and periodic check-ups monopolized by preserved MCC experts. So, we have the Chinese and the Americans looking into our foreign aid specifications now and we are told this is non-alignment of the new age. And we are being wooed towards the choices they offer themselves at the polls. The hustle is complete. The parties have preserved their organizations, preserved their international support and, by so doing, they have preserved their grip and monopoly over the system. To conceive that the system will deliver logically on behalf of the nation is a mirage glibly sold the country.
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