Kathmandu: For the first time perhaps the Heads of Mission of EU, United States, Australia, Norway, Canadian Cooperation Office, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and UN have reiterated in a statement issued on November 11 that the Maoists insurgency was not a “political force”.
A close look at what they have said last week does amply hint that they now conclude that the insurgency that claimed that it was a political force was not the one as per its claim. For example, the statement which reads in part says that, “we strongly condemn Maoist use of tactics such as the 9 November bomb attacks in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur and throughout Nepal. Such acts of violence clearly violate international norms, and no legitimate political force would resort to such tactics to achieve political goals”. This sentence clearly implies that the Maoists insurgency were not also a legitimate force to what they claim.
A grand departure from the old past indeed. A change in the EU’s policy towards the insurgency is distinctly clear.
Moreover, the press release issued November 11 does also speak of the need for a sort of constructive determination on the part of all concerned in order to make a conducive environment for negotiations and dialogue. There is nothing new in it in the sense that the EU and the rest of the major international donors have repeatedly been saying so and have ever supported the need for a dialogue.
The statement in addition appeals indirectly the Deuba government to “uphold the offer for peace talks” IN saying so the EU and the rest of the signatories of the press release wish the government to exhibit more flexibility for the talks with the Maoists and thus urges the establishment to continue with the ceasefire declared at time of the festivals for more longer period so that the other camp too followed the suit.
The press release dated November 11 is very important and significant in the sense that it has for the first time drawn the attention of the Royal Palace and that of the Royal Nepal Army to come forward with a joint approach in order to face the challenges posed by the insurgents.
“We strongly appeal to the Government, the political parties, the Royal Palace and the Royal Nepal Army to commit themselves to a joint approach in this respect” is what the statement reads. In making such an appeal the EU nations and the donor agencies indicate that all major stakeholders including the Palace and the RNA must come closer in order to find a viable and amicable solution to the conflict. The hidden message that could be drawn from this appeal is that the divergent views acquired by various forces in Nepal vis-à-vis the Maoists issue too could have been retarding the conflict management process. What is significant is that the EU appeal for the first time recognizes the authority of the King and presumes that the King factor can’t be dismissed in the given scheme of things in Nepal. Nevertheless, the appeal in itself is very positive in the sense that it has tried to accommodate all in the peace process.
The press release urges the Maoists to positively respond to the government’s offer for talks without any delay.
The full text of the press release follows: “The Heads of Mission of EU, United States, Australia, Norway, Canadian Cooperation Office, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and UN strongly condemn Maoist use of tactics such as the 9 November bomb attacks in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur and throughout Nepal. Such acts of violence clearly violate international norms, and no legitimate political force would resort to such tactics to achieve political goals.
We strongly urge all parties to work constructively and with determination towards creating an environment conducive for negotiations and dialogue. The resumption and apparent escalation of violence after the Dashain holidays clearly works contrary to creating such an environment and only serves to continue and prolong the suffering of innocent Nepalis.
The Heads of Mission of EU, United States, Australia, Norway, Canadian Cooperation Office, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and UN jointly reiterate the EU’s 29 September statement calling on the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to respond positively and without delay to the government’s invitation to begin talks. We urge the Government to uphold the offer for peace talks. At the same time, we strongly appeal to the Government, the political parties, the Royal Palace and the Royal Nepal Army to commit themselves to a joint approach in this respect.
The Heads of Mission of EU, United States, Australia, Norway, Canadian Cooperation Office, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and UN reaffirm their offer of full support to a peace process.