The United states and India are stepping up there pressure on the current Neapli caretaker government to restore democratic rights and political freedoms, according to published reports from India, where US Secreatry of State Condoleezza Rice is visiting.
In reference to restoring democracy in Nepal, Dr. Rice claimed, "That is something that must happen and we (the US and Indian governments) are in complete agreement that it needs to happen very, very soon."
Dr. Rice stated these remarks during a joint press conference with K. Natwar Singh, the Indian External Affairs Minister, on March 16th. The minister stated that both countries believed recent events in Nepal were a setback to democracy, noting that the best path for a return to democracy would involve reconciliation and a leadership role among various political parties in Nepal.
Both countries have worked closely together in forming a unified stance toward the situation in Nepal, with the US allowing India to take a lead role.
In more related news, The Royal Commission for Corruption Control declared on Wednesday that they would be able to detain anyone for up to 30 days on charges of corruption. The Commission was formed after King seized power by royal decree back on February 1st, restricting democratic rights and arresting members of the then government.
The King had authorized the anti corruption commission to determine its own procedures against those who had been accused of corruption, a spokesman for the commission stated. The spokesman noted that complaints need not be documented, and that simple verbal accusations would be investigated. 'If people want to give information there, it is not mandatory to file any written complaint,' the spokesman explained.
In a further development, the caretaker government has called on all political parties to hold consultations with the King. Dr Tulashi Giri, Vice-Chairman of Council of Ministers, also stated flatly that the interim government would not hold any peace talks with Maoist rebels, who control parts of the countryside and have set up road blocks to the capital city of Kathmandu.
Dr. Giri went on to claim that the government is releasing political leaders who had been detained under the royal decree, and affirmed that the King was indeed committed to restoring multi-party democracy to Nepal. “As the King has said that he wants to reenergize the democracy, the system is not in danger.”
Dr. Giri lashed out at the Maoist insurgents, taking a stab at the former governments inability to deal effectively with the rebels. “The earlier government had staged a drama of holding talks with them, but it was of no avail. We are not in mood to hold talks with them (Maoists). Whatever you term them, they are terrorists."
He went on to say that the whole purpose of dissolving the previous government by Royal decree was to better fight against the rebels, not to fight against democratic freedoms.
|
