Visiting Norwegian Minister for International Development, Erik Solheim, has said his government has no ambition whatsoever to play a major role in Nepal.
Addressing a press conference at Lalitpur on Friday upon the conclusion of his four-day long visit to Nepal, Solheim made clear that Norway did not look for any major role in the proposed peace process in Nepal as was the case in Sri Lanka.
He, however, said Norway supports the process in which the government will be in the driving seat. “The government will sign a peace process with the Maoists. We are a small part of the international community and will be at the disposal of the government to start peace process with the Maoists.”
The Minister indicated that Norway might be interested if it was called for by both the parties as a witness or in some kind of monitoring of ceasefire. He did not elaborate.
The visiting minister said as a close neighbour, India will (continue to) take a leading role in Nepal. Elaborating on his statement, Solheim said heartland of China is very far from Nepal while heartland of India is very close. Whatever happens in Nepal may not affect the lives of Norwegians but in India it will do, he added.
Saluting the People Power in Nepal, Solheim recalled how similar power had resulted into peaceful change in the governments in many European countries over the past few years when people decided to take their destiny in their own hands. “Nepali people have shown that they not only want democracy, but also peace. We are here to pay tribute to the Nepali people,” he said.
He said the visiting Norwegian team had extensive discussions with senior government officials and political leaders in Nepal. He said he did not have an audience with His Majesty the King during the visit.
Nepal is now entering into a phase where it will have the most interesting experiment in democracy in the whole world. That will include restructuring of the Nepali state to include those who have been marginalized, said Solheim.
He further said there was no disagreement among the international community regarding latest political developments in Nepal. “We will support the constitutional process here,” he said. He also advised Nepalis to choose whatever advice foreign experts and professors may offer them in the days to come (regarding Constituent Assembly elections) and reject which ever is not suitable in the Nepali context.
Referring to the experiences of Sri Lankan peace process, Solheim said it could take much longer than what you think in the beginning. “But you should not lose this sense of optimism,” he added. Responding to another query, Solheim said whether to retain constitutional monarchy or go for a republic, it was up to the Nepali people to decide. “We will support whatever the Nepali people decide,” he added.
The Norwegian minister said he had not come up with any new aid package to Nepal this time around. He, however, said Norway had already decided to waive the aid cut announced in the aftermath of the last year’s royal takeover. “Nepal may now need some support for immediate needs. Regarding long term development assistance for major projects, we will have to wait until the new government makes its priorities clear,” he added.
The Minister said that the Norwegian government had made no specific decision with regard to resuming its assistance to the much-talked about Melamchi Water Supply Project. Norway is one of the lead donors to the multi-million dollar project that aims to pump in water from Melamchi river in Sindhupalchok district to Kathmandu valley through nearly 27 km long tunnel.
In July 2005, Norway had announced termination of its financial assistance to the Melamchi project since it considered developments in Nepal after February 1 as a serious setback to multi-party democracy. The termination would cost the Melamchi project US$ 28 million committed for the crucial 26.5-km diversion tunnel from Melamchi river to Sundarijal. Norway had also cut-back its financial assistance to Nepal by US$ 2.25 million (nearly 10 percent of its total annual assistance) committed for the year 2006.
Norway is one of the major bilateral donors to Nepal with an annual outlay of around 25 million US dollars.