UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has expressed his willingness to visit Nepal and to observe the Constituently Assembly Polls scheduled on April 10, 2008, according to Nepalese Foreign Minister Ms. Sahana Pradhan who met him at the sideline of the 7th UN Human Rights Conference in Geneva last week. Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradhan talking to media in Kathmandu´s Tribhuvan International Airport after addressing the UN Human Rights Council stated there was global appreciation for Nepal´s proposed democratic opening.
The anticipated UN Secretary General´s visit in April 2008 comes in the heels of frenzied preparation for the twice postponed CA Poll which were deferred due to mutual distrust among some within Nepal´s ruling seven party alliance. However, there has been no official confirmation or indication from the UN´s side yet.
Despite likely signs of the polls being held peacefully, some seasoned Nepali political veterans such as Mr. Rabindra Nath Sharma, an advocate for Constitutional Monarchy in Nepal, and Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba former two time Prime Minister and considered the next probable successor to Mr. Koirala, have cast doubt on its date and timing, believing the election could yet again be disturbed by the Maoists or some radical elements taking advantage of insecurity. However, the Maoists are already participating in the CA Poll campaign fully, promising to abide by the Election Commission´s strict guidelines opting for peaceful democratic assimilation in the new democratic Nepal. However, there are some parties in the Nepalese Terai who have not shown willingness to sign a peace accord with the government.
According to Nepalese news sources, Dr. Bhoj Raj Pokhrel, Chief Election Commissioner called the government ministers to his office on March 11, expressing worry that the security situation in some districts of Terai is still not satisfactory enough. During interaction with one dozen ministers of the government, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr, Bhoj Raj Pokharel also cited that some of the government ministers were misusing state facilities contrary to the election code of conduct and his attention was drawn by other political parties. Many government ministers feigned ignorance or innocence during the recent EC meeting some even claiming it was their privilege to do so. Recently when Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala wished to make a public address in SanoTundikhel, he abided strictly by the EC´s code of conduct and applied prior written permission.
Also last week, Dr. Pokhrel managed to get the Nepali political parties who had been painting various walls around Kathmandu and the major cities to white wash them or face heavy financial penalties Election campaigning by painting murals and slogans on city walls is very common in Nepal and prohibited in Nepal´s CA Poll 2008. The National Election Commission has already proceeded with printing seven million ballot papers for the purpose. The EC is also planning to use electronic voting machines, though the country faces on average 6 hours of load shedding a day.
Only a week prior to the deadline for contestants´ name registration at the EC, some of the Terai guerilla factions led by the United Madhesi Democratic Front tied the peace knot with the Nepalese government thereby ensuring its timeliness.
Mr Moon is also likely to take stock of the ongoing peace process, which might be some sort of review on whether the United Nations Mission in Nepal(UNMIN) will need a further mandate of six months since its mandate only carries up to the CA Poll 2008. Nepal´s two immediate neighbors, India and China, have voiced earlier concerns on limiting UNMIN´s political role and tenure in Nepal.
The Nepalese Foreign Minister also indicated that Mr. Moon expressed satisfaction over the enabling election atmosphere so Nepalese people could exercise their democratic vote in Nepal. Some believe the visit might also boost the US Security Council coordination to guarantee a fail safe, peaceful, democratic, prosperous and self-contained future for the Nepalese people through elections. Others believe, it could also personally boost South Korean diplomacy in Nepal, since both South Korea and Japan are known to be vying for Nepalese tourism and hydro electricity projects under the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Moon is originally from South Korea. India has already won two major hydro power contracts in Nepal recently. Both China and India maintain strong political influence over ADB decision-making in the Asia-Pacific region and India has recently proposed building a broad segment of the Asian highway to pass through Nepal to ease transportation difficulties.
Except the April 10 elections, the rest of the world still prefers to know Nepal as their favorite tourism destination much raved about in the Lonely Planet guide, where spending US$ 1,000 a week is four times Nepal´s per capita income. The former Marketing Manager of Nepal Tourism Board, Mr. Aditya Baral, who worked successfully to promote Nepali during earlier times of tourism crises, is now the Nepali Prime Minister´s senior advisor on foreign relations. Another successful former foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Koirala, Dr. Suresh R. Chalise, is now Nepal´s envoy to the U.S.
Last year, travel advisories were relaxed by the U.S., U.K. and the E.U. after some strong lobbying from some influential western travel agents who felt their businesses were being hurt. Nepal´s tourism trend shows a marked increase of 40% compared to last year, creating a tourist Tsnunami with no signs of abating. Late Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Mount Everest once stated, beyond the picture perfect image and beauty, what the country only seemed lacking was a true inclusive democracy. Sir Hillary was made an honorary citizen of Nepal by King Gyanendra in 2003, 50 years to the first successful ascent of Mount Everest.
It appears now, Mr. Koirala hopes to guarantee on Sir Hillary´s dreams by achieving total national political reconciliation, including with the Monarch after the CA Poll is successfully conducted. "The CA Poll will resolve all problems, Nepal will find permanent peace", he recently stated in his hometown of Biratnagar. Mr. Koirala also ruled out possibility of Nepal Army being mobilized at the polls given the uniformed forces´ all round strengthened presence in the country except in a few rural areas. "The Army will only replace the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel in guarding vital installations," he added. Mr. Koirala also reiterated that NC party men who quit the NC might regret their action in future. "Congress is like a sea; so loss of a mug of water cannot make any difference," he commented.
UN watchers believe Mr. Moon´s visit during the elections could also significantly bolster his international image and give a new face to UN public diplomacy globally. In the present context of election fever gripping Nepal, it appears donors and international rights groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch Asia, and powerful, reputed independent election and human rights monitoring institution, like the Carter Center, are generally satisfied with the recent Nepali political developments, peace accords and improvement in the country´s human rights situation, though many question whether the elections can be held peacefully if the Nepal Army is not mobilized fully to guarantee total security and voting confidence. If the CA Poll 2008 is held this time according to schedule, it will certainly help ensure a peaceful, democratic future for Nepal, which is the wish of the Nepali Diaspora abroad.
The anticipated UN Secretary General´s visit in April 2008 comes in the heels of frenzied preparation for the twice postponed CA Poll which were deferred due to mutual distrust among some within Nepal´s ruling seven party alliance. However, there has been no official confirmation or indication from the UN´s side yet.
Despite likely signs of the polls being held peacefully, some seasoned Nepali political veterans such as Mr. Rabindra Nath Sharma, an advocate for Constitutional Monarchy in Nepal, and Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba former two time Prime Minister and considered the next probable successor to Mr. Koirala, have cast doubt on its date and timing, believing the election could yet again be disturbed by the Maoists or some radical elements taking advantage of insecurity. However, the Maoists are already participating in the CA Poll campaign fully, promising to abide by the Election Commission´s strict guidelines opting for peaceful democratic assimilation in the new democratic Nepal. However, there are some parties in the Nepalese Terai who have not shown willingness to sign a peace accord with the government.
According to Nepalese news sources, Dr. Bhoj Raj Pokhrel, Chief Election Commissioner called the government ministers to his office on March 11, expressing worry that the security situation in some districts of Terai is still not satisfactory enough. During interaction with one dozen ministers of the government, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr, Bhoj Raj Pokharel also cited that some of the government ministers were misusing state facilities contrary to the election code of conduct and his attention was drawn by other political parties. Many government ministers feigned ignorance or innocence during the recent EC meeting some even claiming it was their privilege to do so. Recently when Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala wished to make a public address in SanoTundikhel, he abided strictly by the EC´s code of conduct and applied prior written permission.
Also last week, Dr. Pokhrel managed to get the Nepali political parties who had been painting various walls around Kathmandu and the major cities to white wash them or face heavy financial penalties Election campaigning by painting murals and slogans on city walls is very common in Nepal and prohibited in Nepal´s CA Poll 2008. The National Election Commission has already proceeded with printing seven million ballot papers for the purpose. The EC is also planning to use electronic voting machines, though the country faces on average 6 hours of load shedding a day.
Only a week prior to the deadline for contestants´ name registration at the EC, some of the Terai guerilla factions led by the United Madhesi Democratic Front tied the peace knot with the Nepalese government thereby ensuring its timeliness.
Mr Moon is also likely to take stock of the ongoing peace process, which might be some sort of review on whether the United Nations Mission in Nepal(UNMIN) will need a further mandate of six months since its mandate only carries up to the CA Poll 2008. Nepal´s two immediate neighbors, India and China, have voiced earlier concerns on limiting UNMIN´s political role and tenure in Nepal.
The Nepalese Foreign Minister also indicated that Mr. Moon expressed satisfaction over the enabling election atmosphere so Nepalese people could exercise their democratic vote in Nepal. Some believe the visit might also boost the US Security Council coordination to guarantee a fail safe, peaceful, democratic, prosperous and self-contained future for the Nepalese people through elections. Others believe, it could also personally boost South Korean diplomacy in Nepal, since both South Korea and Japan are known to be vying for Nepalese tourism and hydro electricity projects under the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Moon is originally from South Korea. India has already won two major hydro power contracts in Nepal recently. Both China and India maintain strong political influence over ADB decision-making in the Asia-Pacific region and India has recently proposed building a broad segment of the Asian highway to pass through Nepal to ease transportation difficulties.
Except the April 10 elections, the rest of the world still prefers to know Nepal as their favorite tourism destination much raved about in the Lonely Planet guide, where spending US$ 1,000 a week is four times Nepal´s per capita income. The former Marketing Manager of Nepal Tourism Board, Mr. Aditya Baral, who worked successfully to promote Nepali during earlier times of tourism crises, is now the Nepali Prime Minister´s senior advisor on foreign relations. Another successful former foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Koirala, Dr. Suresh R. Chalise, is now Nepal´s envoy to the U.S.
Last year, travel advisories were relaxed by the U.S., U.K. and the E.U. after some strong lobbying from some influential western travel agents who felt their businesses were being hurt. Nepal´s tourism trend shows a marked increase of 40% compared to last year, creating a tourist Tsnunami with no signs of abating. Late Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Mount Everest once stated, beyond the picture perfect image and beauty, what the country only seemed lacking was a true inclusive democracy. Sir Hillary was made an honorary citizen of Nepal by King Gyanendra in 2003, 50 years to the first successful ascent of Mount Everest.
It appears now, Mr. Koirala hopes to guarantee on Sir Hillary´s dreams by achieving total national political reconciliation, including with the Monarch after the CA Poll is successfully conducted. "The CA Poll will resolve all problems, Nepal will find permanent peace", he recently stated in his hometown of Biratnagar. Mr. Koirala also ruled out possibility of Nepal Army being mobilized at the polls given the uniformed forces´ all round strengthened presence in the country except in a few rural areas. "The Army will only replace the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel in guarding vital installations," he added. Mr. Koirala also reiterated that NC party men who quit the NC might regret their action in future. "Congress is like a sea; so loss of a mug of water cannot make any difference," he commented.
UN watchers believe Mr. Moon´s visit during the elections could also significantly bolster his international image and give a new face to UN public diplomacy globally. In the present context of election fever gripping Nepal, it appears donors and international rights groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch Asia, and powerful, reputed independent election and human rights monitoring institution, like the Carter Center, are generally satisfied with the recent Nepali political developments, peace accords and improvement in the country´s human rights situation, though many question whether the elections can be held peacefully if the Nepal Army is not mobilized fully to guarantee total security and voting confidence. If the CA Poll 2008 is held this time according to schedule, it will certainly help ensure a peaceful, democratic future for Nepal, which is the wish of the Nepali Diaspora abroad.
