Nepali Diaspora and Nepal experts in Canada hail SPA-Maoist deal

Nepali Diaspora and Nepal experts of Canada have welcomed the November 8 pact between the ruling seven party alliance and the Maoists.

Speaking at an interaction in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, organized on November 18 by Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN), a Canadian organization that promotes scholarly works on contemporary issues of Nepal, they concluded that a rainbow is emerging over the horizon of Nepal with the signing of a peace accord on 8 November 2006.

Panelist, Mr Faruq Faisel, a Canadian media expert who was in Nepal in recent months painted a very optimistic picture for Nepal's current developments to translate into a lasting peace based on his own observations, and views shared by international observers, the statement added.

However, he cautioned that an un-reformed military, regional-grievances and monarchy could still pose threat to democracy.

He also urged Canada to significantly increase its efforts in helping Nepal pass through a period of a difficult transition.

Award winning Canadian researcher and author in Himalayan Ecology, Dr Jack Ives of United Nations University, stressed that Nepal should worry about its practice of formulating aid-reliant economic plans.

He cautioned that aid often flows from the poor people of the rich countries to the rich people of the poor countries.

Dr Ram Acharya, a panelist and a scholar on economic policies, agreed with Dr Ive's cautions and further stressed that a new direction in economic policies is required in Nepal to break its cycle of dependence and check the negative effects of aid.

Panelist, Dr Pramod Dhakal, a scholar of telecommunication technology, said that the grassroots people of both developed and developing countries should collaborate and widely share knowledge and information to develop new understandings on sustainable development.

Panelist, Dr Ram Acharya, said that a strong desire to contribute to peace, democracy, justice and development in Nepal led to the formation of CFFN and activities that ensued in Canada through the organization.

Nepalese youth artists performed beautiful dances to reflect the current mood of celebration and optimism among the Nepalese, the statement further said. nepalnews.com pb Nov 20 06