If doubts remain over the direction of Nepal's Maoist movement, the anachronistic nature of the Maoist leaderships' thought process, or about the Maoists' interpretation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (and the related Arms Management Treaty), the interviews below are a MUST SEE!!
CNN-IBN's Karan Thapar does a splendid job of hitting almost every issue of significance to contemporary Nepali politics (except the Bhutanese refugee crisis) and preventing Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal (a.k.a. "Prachanda") from his well-noted tactical digressions.
Regular and pointed interjections by Thapar throughout the interview keeps the session focussed and Thapar's intermittent summaries of Prachanda's responses provide "black and white" positions on questions of relevance.
In summary:
On the Monarchy
- Prachanda is happy that the second amendment to the interim constitution provides the basis for removing the monarchy but insists on removing the monarchy before the CA polls, regardless.
- Implication: Begin watching for Maoist allegations that the monarchy is meddling in preparations for the CA, with a view to undermining the polls.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/06_2007/live-webcastdevils-advocate-43520.html
http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/43520/06_2007/devils_prachanda_1/devils-advocate-prachanda.html
- Prachanda maintains that his party will "respect" the results of first sitting of the constituent assembly (should the assembly vote to retain a ceremonial monarchy). However, he also states that should this unlikely event occur, the Maoist party will proceed to "educate" the people that their choice has been wrong.
- Implication: The Maoists will not accept a ceremonial monarchy regardless of the verdict of the constituent assembly. They will "respect" (meaning they will cosmetically accept the results) but they will also immediately proceed to launch yet another movement ("peacefully") to once again, rid the monarchy. Once more, this is a subtle threat being issued by the Maoist leader and a way to keep the masses in constant fear so that voting is held along the lines of appeasement, not free voter sentiments.
http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/43520/06_2007/devils_prachanda_2/devils-advocate-prachanda.html
On the Surrender of Arms, YCL and Maoist Control
- Prachanda believes that allegations against the YCL are highly exaggerated; he wants people of focus on how the YCL has helped clean city streets, build roads, etc.
- Prachanda also stated explicitly that his party has not "surrendered" their weapons that the "compromise" that has occurred is premised on Maoist and Nepali Army integration.
- Prachanda feels firmly in charge of his organization so theoretically, he should be held accountable to for the murders, kidnappings, extortion that his people continue to carry out.
- Implication: Look out for a certain former Nepali Army General that the Maoists will bring on board to push for military integration. Although not mentioned during the interview, it is very likely that retired General Chitra Bahadur Gurung will take this spot.
http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/43520/06_2007/devils_prachanda_3/devils-advocate-prachanda.html
Overall, this interaction session is one that Prachanda probably wishes he had not had. There was nothing difficult about Karan Thapar's questions; most of Prachanda's answers should have been qualified "yes's" or "no's."
Instead, what blurted out of Prachanda's mouth was a series of incongruent (and incoherent) responses, non-existent English vocabulary, and a very clear intent to disregard any political development that is at odds with a Maoist vision of a restructured Nepali State.
Once again, the Maoist leadership has told the world what their intentions are and how they plan to proceed forward. And once more, sections of Nepali intelligentsia, the Nepali media and all parties making money off of Nepal's peace process, say nothing.
The lesson learned is this: There is not a single individual or group, or party in Nepal that can challenge the Maoists in the terms that Karan Thapar did.
Why? The answer is simple. During the Gyanendra's rule or the imperfect democracy before Gyanendra, people could go to the state authority for protection if threatened by the Maoists. Today, no editor or civil society activist or writer can operate with a clear conscience because should the Maoists come after them, there is no one they can turn to - especially not the Home Ministry.
This is the status to which "Loktantra" has been diminished. Where are all the protestors abroad and at home, who took utmost pride in championing the 12 Pont Agreement and appeasing the Maoists? Where are all those people who revelled in fighting Royal tyranny and spoke of "morals" and dedication to liberal democracy in Nepal?
Related Links:
The Bitter Truth About Melamchi – Maoist Ideology at Odds with the 21st Century Political Economy
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/05/bitter-truth-about-melamchi-maoist.html
What Next?
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/03/what-next.html
Discrepancies in Maoist Weapons Inventoried by UNMIN – Do the Math
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/02/discrepancies-in-maoist-weapons.html
The Idiot’s Guide to the Maoist Playbook
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/01/idiots-guide-to-maoist-playbook.html
Surreal Politics - How Nepal’s Intellectual / Political Class, Continue to Look the Other Way…
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/01/surreal-politics-how-nepals.html
Thoughts on Retired Nepali Army General Chitra B. Gurung’s Proposition
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2006/12/thoughts-on-retired-nepali-army-general.html
13 comments:
Comrade Libre, thanks for posting the video links and of course your views. I had not had the opportunity to watch them. Karan Thapar does an excellent job of bringing up the points we the people are most concerned about. It is sad that we have to be fearful of the political force that has already been a part of the government. It is unacceptable to have such a huge discrepancy in the weapon count. It is unaccetable for the Maoists to operate YCL the way they do. And it is unaaceptable for Prachanda to openly admit YCL has been involved in "some" violence, admit he has control over them, and not try to stop the illegal activities being carried out by the former regional Maoist leaders.
On the flip side, he does bring up the legitimate point of where Katuwal's loyalty lies and what he might do should there be a crisis situation in the country. Having said that, I think Karan takes the issue a little too far by posing questions on the imminence of a coup.
This is simply hilarious (not what he's saying, but the way he coducts himself)!!!
HHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
THe interviewer basically takes this Bahunist Prandande by his balls and smacks his stupid grinning face upside down!!
HAHAHAHAHHA
I swear, if there weren't any breaks inbetween Prachande looks like he was ready to piss himself!!!
THANK YOU CNN-IBN!!!!!!
We are being ruled by devil.
What we fail to comprehend is most of us have lost the balls to fight the morons like Puspha Kamal Dahal. Now, we need to grow balls back in order to fight for the future we want not what these sleazeballs, stuck on 1917 era and leeches that see nothing but blood rather than arm or a leg- scumbags.
How I detest people who felt so strongly against the establishment back in April but now even when they themselves are drowning ina pool they act desperate to uphold, falsely, the notion of self righteousness.
I read Abhi Subedi today- this guy comes off as delusional- he speaks as if he is not part of cesspool called Nepali intelligencia- the colorful description of new intelligencia was so revolting that I nearly puked. The whole thing boils down to these "select few" who profess more, act enlightened, and more liberal than liberal without the hang ups of cultural stigma of certain creed which is like monkey in their back.
Hey, I heard that the IBN site where Prandanda makes an idiot out of himself has been blocked by several ISPs in Nepal.. is this true?
Where is the link to Abhi Subedi's writing? Can you please post it on this site?
Abhi Subedi article was in Kathmandu Post, I think this week, Monday or Tues edition.
Dear All we are being ruled by jetsom and flotsam- time to rise up and get involved
Thank you, Comrade Libre, for taking off the wool over our eyes which Comrade Dahal has been trying to paste all these years. He still supports YCL. He wants to "educate" the "masses" (who the fu*k are they?)if the CA votes to keep the monarchy. We Nepalis should be ashamed that it takes Karan Thapar, an Indian albeit a top notch journalist, to ask tough questions to Dahal. Are we really so dependent on our southern neighbours that we need one of them to come and teach us how to show up Dahal for what he is?
Great question Roop... why aren't the media in Nepal able to castrate Prachande like Karan Thapar did? The questions he was asking were completely legitimate and rational. Yet, Nepali journalists don't seem able or willing to ask the tough questions.
Where are our journalists like Kanak Dixit? Kanak should have an interview with Dahal. Let's see what the champion of democracy can come up with?
Right on, Himmat! I hope Mr. Dixit has the guts and pride in his profession to take up your challenge.
I agree with Roop that it was an Indian journalist and not a Nepali journalist who had the guts to take on Prachanda to task.
But, we have to understand the fact that the Nepali journalists will be risking not only their lives but also the lives of their loved ones if they dare to question and argue with Prachanda. Besides, I don't have a high regard for our Napali journalists. They are not professional in anyway. They will write anything as long as they are paid. The Nepali journalists are the puppets and mouth peice of the political parties. I feel ashamed of them. And I hope and look forward to the day when Nepal gives birth to a truly professional journalist who is not scared to go after the truth. For now, I am happy and thankful to Mr. Thapar who has shown the world what an idiot Prachanda really is.
Three cheers to Karan Thapar!!!
I know its not right to make fun of someone's skills at speaking English but I can't help myself. Everytime I watch those video clips, I just burst out laughing even though I disagree with almost everything Prachanda has to say! Isn't that amazing? Maybe he missed his true calling when he was growing up. I think he has great prospects for being a great comedian :D
Yes, Yes, Yes,...No, No, No,...But, But, But,...
Its funny but I've seen many Nepalis repeat yes, no, but three times when talking. It sounds fine in Nepali but it sounds so funny in English. As if saying yes doesn't really mean saying yes so you say yes not once, not twice but thrice! Just to make sure that yiu are understood.
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