Time for statesmanship

The Himalayan Times 

24 September 2012

I am not so sure whether our so called senior political leaders feel something different when they are repeatedly told by the visiting dignitaries to show their statesmanship. This is to refer the news report “Blake urges Nepali leaders to show statesmanship” (THT, Sept. 12, Page 5). I am also, so far, not aware of their responses to such remarks. Because, this is not the first time a visiting dignitary suggesting our political leaders to show statesmanship by putting aside their political differences for the sake of ending transitional phase in the country at the earliest possible. Don’t they feel humiliated with such suggestions? Do they need to be told to do this and that by the outsiders? Don’t they realize that they really lack political sincerity, political commitment and political accountability to be real political leaders to lead the nation towards stable peace and prosperity?

Delisting UCPN-M from terrorist exchange list (TEL) by the US seemed encouraging for them to be more sincere towards refraining from terrorist activities in the coming days and dedicated towards concluding ongoing peace process. However, Blake has also hinted that reinstatement of TEL is possible if they are involved in terrorist activities. As such, it is hoped that the other political parties would not push the country back into the disastrous situation that the country once had to pass through for their petty political interests.

In fact, thanks to Blake for clearly suggesting, at such a time when the human rights activists are pointing their fingers to the government for considering blanket pardons to the culprits through ordinances, the government to be more careful in maintaining reliable and effective transitional justice mechanism to restore peace and democracy in the country and in handling the Truth and reconciliation commission for giving true justice to the war victims in line with the internationally recognized human rights standard.  It is hoped that this time the political leaders and the government would listen to the foreign dignitaries and show statesmanship for ending the current political deadlock at the soonest possible.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

on line jobs