“There is continued gap between Maoists’ commitments and their actions”
James F. Moriarty, US ambassador to Nepal
Thank you for the invitation to be with you today. Having witnessed the inspiring events of the “Jana Andolan” in April, I am pleased to be here to share in the excitement of Nepal’s move back to democracy and to reiterate my country’s support for the new Nepal Government and for the democratic aspirations of the Nepali people.
The timing of this speech is particularly appropriate. As many of you know, next Tuesday the united States celebrates its 230th Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, our Declaration of Independence started my country’s journey toward rule of the people, by the people, and for the people. So may I first extend warm wishes for the success of your democracy on the occasion of the celebration of ours.
The United States salutes the people of Nepal’s courage and resilience. Your success in forcing a return to democracy has created a broad spirit of optimism for the future. We are looking at ways in which we can help the people of Nepal as they further strengthen democracy and strengthen the momentum for peace.
As our Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher said a few weeks ago, “Nepal’s future is in the hands of its people, and its political leaders must take steps to meet the people’s aspirations. We have no interest in prescribing the architecture of their democracy. The United States stands behind the people’s right to make that choice themselves through a free and fair political process, and we will stand against any who attempt to deny them the freedom that is their right.”
I want to stress here that we are delighted there is broad agreement within Nepal on a roadmap to return full democracy and peace to the country by means of a constituent assembly. If that agreement is fully and fairly implemented, the people of Nepal will be able to decide their own future—and we firmly believe that they will endorse the path of peace, prosperity, and democracy.
Democracy means rule of the people, by the people, and for the people, Democracy means transparency in government institutions, representative leadership that listens to its constituents, openness in the process of lawmaking, and consultations and consensus building. Democracy is a process, not an end result. Democracy is difficult and required lengthy discussions before decisions are made. Democracy means openness about government policies and allowing the people to contact political leaders and lobby for change. Democracy means a military firmly under civilian control.
And above all, democracy demands the active participation in public life of all citizens. April was only the beginning. That broad-based public enthusiasm and involvement must be sustained if democracy is to succeed in Nepal.
The United States is pleased to support the Nepal Government’s efforts to fulfill its mandate to provide peace and democracy to the people. We have increased our bilateral assistance by USD 12 million in recent months to a total of $45 people this year, including some $8 million for programs that directly build the capacity of vital democratic institutions such as the Peace Secretariat, the Commission for the Investigation of the Abuse of Authority, the national Human Rights Commission, the Election Commission, and the judiciary. We are supporting national and local peace-building initiatives and efforts to improve public understanding of the peace negotiations, the code of conduct, and a constituent assembly process.
Some of what is happening in Nepal right now brings to mind the excitement in Russia in the spring of 1917…. Amidst this elation mixed with uncertainty, the Bolshevik Party and its leader Lenin violently and aggressively asserted their dominance over the other parties, sidelined the constituent assembly entirely, and created their own republic. The ‘second” Russian Revolution was complete, and a totalitarian state was created. |
We support these institutions and activities because, as I said earlier, being transparent in decision making and constantly informing the public about what is happening in the government is essential. People need to trust that the government is listening, is responding to their desires, is not only moving the country on the path to peace but bringing the people along as well. It is not enough to govern: the government must listen and take the people into its confidence.
The new Nepal Government has shown its good faith by trying to be responsible to the will of the people, and accordingly has invested heavily in efforts to bring peace to Nepal by entering into agreements and negotiations with the Maoists. I am disappointed, however, that the Maoists as yet are not showing the same good faith. Like much of the media, many political party leaders, and indeed the average Nepali I meet on trips around the country, I am concerned by the continued gap between Maoist commitments and Maoist actions. Kidnapping, extortion, intimidation, and murder are not tools for mainstream democratic political parties—which the Maoists claim they are becoming. Hardly a day goes by without the press reporting on Maoist actions, and the press is not complimentary. Look at the case of Jwala Rajbanshi, beaten up by the Maoists on May 16 merely for doing his job as secretary of the VDC in Taplejung. Or the five businessmen locked up days later by Maoists for seven hours to extort money from them in Ramechhap. Or the Kantipur journalist they threatened in Chitwan on June 13. Or finally, 19-year-old Bishal Tamang, a tenth grader at the local high school, whom the Maoists kidnapped and murdered two weeks ago. This obviously goes against the spirit of the Jana Andolan and the peace process that has followed.
Some of what is happening in Nepal right now brings to mind the excitement in Russia in the spring of 1917. The Russian people hoped their February revolution would bring democracy. Indeed, a constituent assembly to write a new constitution was planned for the next year. Amidst this elation mixed with uncertainty, the Bolshevik Party and its leader Lenin violently and aggressively asserted their dominance over the other parties, sidelined the constituent assembly entirely, and created their own republic. The ‘second” Russian Revolution was complete, and a totalitarian state was created.
I am not the only one who remembers this historical lesson. On June 18, Prachanda told Nepal weekly magazine: “If the talks fail, there will definitely be an October Revolution of its own kind in Nepal. We are ready to lead that revolution.” He also said to Kantipur TV that “the Nepali people have the right to have an October revolution just like the way they had in Russia.” The political parties have worked hard in recent weeks, without resorting to intimidation, to bring about a new political order that will benefit all Nepalis. The Maoists need to show the same spirit of cooperation and compromise.
We all want to believe that the Maoists have changed, that they will permanently renounce violence, that they will give up their arms before constituent assembly elections and submit themselves to the will of the Nepali people, and that they mean what they say when they speak loftily of supporting multiparty democracy and liberal economics. I share your hope that Nepal may soon have its lasting peace. However, until the Maoists bring their conduct in line with standards of mainstream political parties in multiparty democracies, it would be premature to declare that peace is already at hand.
The Nepali people have risen up and demanded peace and democracy, and have demanded transparency and accountability from all sides. The process of building a democratic government and democratic culture is a long one but an absolutely essential one. I have come here today to celebrate the inspiring success of the Jana Andolan while at the same time understanding that the fight for democracy is not yet over. I urge all of you to continue to have the strength of will to attain and then sustain democracy. The United States will be with you.
Thank you.
(Full text of the speech delivered by US ambassador to Nepal, James Moriarty, at the 6th installation ceremony of the Rotary Club of Dilli Bazar, in Kathmandu on June 28, 2006)
(Registration required)
