King's Democracy Day message; says Feb 1 was result of compulsion
In his message to the countrymen on the occasion of 57th Democracy Day, King Gyanendra has made an effort to defend his much-maligned February 1, 2005 steps terming it as a result of compulsion.
"It is clear that the prevailing situation compelled us to take the February 1, 2005 step in accordance with the people's aspiration to reactivate the elected bodies by maintaining law and order following the dissolution of the House of Representatives at the recommendation of the elected Prime Minister of the day, who was unable to conduct general elections within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution," the King is quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Royal Palace Press Secretariat.
Stating that various obstacles thwarted his resolve to install elected representative bodies, the King conceded moral responsibility for the apparent failure of his step. "We are also morally responsible for any success or failure during the 15 month effort," he said.
About the restoration of House of Representatives following the successful people's movement, the King has said that it was the result of his wish that people should govern themselves. "As our sole wish is that the people should govern themselves through their own elected representatives, it is well known that we reinstated the House of Representatives on April 24, 2006 with the confidence that the nation would forge ahead on the path to national unity and prosperity, while ensuring permanent peace and safeguarding multiparty democracy," the message adds.
"Nepal's glorious history is guided by the fact that Monarchy has always abided by the aspirations of the Nepalese people, on whom sovereignty is vested," the King has said.
The King has sought to remind that in order to consolidate multiparty democracy, elected representative bodies must be installed, taking into consideration, in a mature manner, the grievances, aspirations and sentiments of all the Nepalese to the satisfaction of all.
"Nepal is a kaleidoscope of diverse peoples - be they indigenous, dalits or those living in villages, cities, terai, hills or the mountainous regions. It will do well to remember that Nepal's sovereignty and integrity remains safeguarded only because all have accepted and abided by this reality. The Nepalese people alone are the arbitrators of their own destiny and they wish to build a prosperous Nepal through a meaningful exercise in multipartydemocracy. The self-respecting Nepalese people have an unshakable belief that one's unique identity can be upheld only by respecting one's history," the message states.
"While upholding the people's wish as supreme, may this day inspire all to remain dedicated, through multiparty democracy, to the greater welfare of Nepal and her people by ensuring their concurrence and active participation," the King states. He has also paid homage, on the occasion of Democracy Day, to King Tribhuvan, who he has termed as "the architect of democracy in Nepal," and "all the brave martyrs who laid down their lives for this cause." nepalnews.com sd Feb 19 07
