There is a strong risk of political collapse in Nepal: EU Troika

October 6, 2005
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The visiting delegation of European Union (EU) Troika has warned that there is a strong risk of political collapse in Nepal.

Addressing a press meet at the end of their three-day visit to Nepal, leader of the EU Troika mission, Tom Phillips, said the EU was greatly concerned that unless all involved moved quickly to address the country’s problems effectively, there was a strong risk of political collapse in Nepal. He said the failure of the constitutional forces in Nepal could lead to a real breakdown of government institutions.

The Troika reiterated the EU stance that His Majesty’s Government of Nepal should reach out to the political parties to develop a full return to multi-party democracy. The EU, however, did not give any time frame for such return.

Tom Phillips—who is also director for South Asia and Afghanistan at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office—said the EU believed that the Maoist ceasefire, whatever the tactics behind it, might offer an opportunity for a government response to create a much-needed truce. ‘’We believe there may be a role for third party support for brokering and monitoring the arrangements for a formal ceasefire agreement,’’ a statement issued on behalf of the EU Troika said.

The visiting EU mission was quite critical of the royal takeover of February 1 this year. ‘’Events in 2005 have darkened prospects for a resolution to the armed conflict and political crisis. We judge the changes of 1 February to have been self-defeating,’ said Tom Phillips.

The EU Troika also urged the government of Nepal and security forces to lead by example in respecting human rights, to tackle urgently what it called the prevailing culture of impunity, and to use security legislation with utmost caution. ‘’The EU believes that the way forward has to be through an inclusive and comprehensive process to achieve a negotiated peace. The EU continues to believe that such a solution will require the assistance of an independent and credible external partner and the active support of the international community,’’ the statement said.

The Troika’s message to the seven party opposition alliance—that is launching peaceful protests against demanding for return to democracy and peace—was quite encouraging. ‘’We share your concern about the absence of a functioning multi-party democracy, and we see an effective multi-party democracy as the only sustainable solution to the problems of Nepal,’’ said Tom Phillips. ‘’We support your efforts to maintain and consolidate a common platform,’’ he added.

The EU supports the right to peaceful protest, said the statement. The EU also urged what it called the constitutional forces in the country to work together for the good of the country. This will require flexibility, imagination and a broad political vision. We encourage the parties to prepare carefully for a future role in a democratically elected government, and to work to restore the faith of the electorate in the political parties, also by recognizing and correcting mistakes of the past. This includes full transparency and accountability, the statement said.

To the Maoists, the EU Troika said, ‘’You should be under no illusions: the EU rejects the use of violence. We do not believe that Maoist ideology is the answer to the problems of Nepal or to the needs and wishes of the people of Nepal.’’

Recalling that the EU had welcomed the announcement of a unilateral ceasefire, the EU urged the Maoists to put a definitive end to violence and acts of terrorism. ‘Continuing extortion, abductions and other human rights abuses, as well as disruption of development work must also cease immediately,’ the EU Troika said.

‘’There is no time to waste. We believe that those in Nepal who want peace must act now,’ the delegation said.

Responding to a question, how did the Troika find the situation of Nepal since its last visit late last year, Tom Phillips said, ‘’We believe that the situation has worsened.’’

When asked about EU’s reactions to the proposed municipal-level elections in Nepal, Phillips said elections are not announced as yet. ‘’In a country in a conflict situation, elections usually come at the end of a peace process,’’ he added. He did not elaborate.

Phillips said the Troika wanted to meet King Gyanendra but could not do so as he was traveling out of Kathmandu. In response to a query how did EU see the king’s act of chairing the council of ministers himself—though there is no such provision in the constitution—Phillips said it was up to Nepalese lawyers and constitutional experts to decide. ‘’We have got our views (in this regard) but it would not be appropriate to make it public through a press meet,’’ he added.

The EU Troika met top government officials, senior leaders of opposition parties, representatives of civil society and representatives of the international community resident in Nepal during its visit.