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Nepal
2007: On the Way to Democracy and Peace
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Statement
by Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Nepal
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Kathmandu,
24 November 2007, Carter Center
The
people of Nepal have embarked on a remarkable and historic transition.
I am proud and grateful to witness parties formerly in conflict demonstrating
their commitment to resolving their differences through peaceful means.
I
intended to come here this week to observe a constituent assembly election
that would allow the Nepali people to select their own representatives
to draft a new constitution. This new constitution will be an opportunity
to ensure a peaceful, just and democratic Nepal that for the first time
in the country's history adequately represents the needs and aspirations
of Nepal's diverse population including Madhesis, indigenous people, women,
dalits, and others.
However,
I am disheartened that despite the people's intense desire to exercise
their democratic right to participate in an election, the elections have
been twice postponed due to political disagreements among Nepal's leaders.
I
have talked to Prime Minister Koirala and other leaders of the major political
parties, members of Parliament, members of the Election Commission, Madhesi
representatives, prominent members of civil society, leaders of the indigenous
nationalities, Chief of the Army Staff, People's Liberation Army deputy
commanders, United Nations Mission in Nepal head Ian Martin, and several
ambassadors. It has become clear to me that the current political
stalemate hinges not only on the issues of the electoral system and the
future of the monarchy, but on a deeper underlying mistrust that has arisen
among the major political parties.
The
mistrust seems to originate in the government's perception that the Maoists
are not genuinely interested in participating in a credible democratic
election and the Maoists' view that the government is solely interested
in preserving the status quo and remaining in power.
Additionally,
I believe that this mistrust has been exacerbated by the failure on both
sides to implement key provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Accord and
subsequent agreements signed with marginalized groups. These promises
cannot be separated from the electoral process and they should be fulfilled
in order to rebuild the trust among political leaders.
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The
following issues merit review and full implementation:
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 The
government has promised to pay former combatants who have now been in the
cantonments for a year, provide decent living conditions, and make arrangements
to assist those discharged to assume normal life. This commitment
has not been adequately fulfilled.
The
Maoists have agreed to account for the funds received for the cantonments
and to immediately discharge all minors. This has also not been fulfilled.
Additionally,
the Maoists have agreed to return all land seized during the conflict.
This commitment has not been respected and there are reports that they
have recently begun seizing new land. I encourage the Seven Party
Alliance (SPA) to create immediately a land commission to oversee the return
of property and determine compensation as appropriate.
The
Maoists have also committed to cease violence and maintain peace around
the country. However, Carter Center observers have received frequent
reports of violence, harassment and extortion by Maoist cadres and members
of the Young Communist League. Such violence is unacceptable and
is damaging the image of Maoists at home and abroad. These activities
must cease immediately. No other single action would so swiftly indicate
to the Nepali people and the international community the Maoists' commitment
to genuine participation in the democratic process.
The
status of people who disappeared during the war is still not known, and
compensation for war victims' families is long overdue. I was encouraged
to read this morning that the government intends to introduce a bill to
make public the status of the disappeared.
The
momentous agreements signed with the Madhesis, indigenous peoples, and
other marginalized groups have yet to be implemented.
There
has been no promised reform of the Nepal Army, and the committee for the
integration and rehabilitation of the combatants of the Maoist army has
been inactive. |
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Additionally,
domestic security will need to be strengthened in order to create a conducive
environment for the election. Large sections of Nepal, particularly
in the Terai, are insecure due to violence by armed groups and a lack of
government security presence. It is my hope that the government and
the SPA will take specific, effective action in coordination with community
leaders to curb this violence.
Currently,
nearly all of the leadership's time and energy is occupied solely with
the questions of an electoral system and the timing of a declaration of
a republic. I am submitting to the political leaders an unofficial
compromise proposal on these two issues that may serve as a basis for further
discussion. But a successful constituent assembly election and implementation
of previous agreements are inextricably linked. The government must
demonstrate tangible evidence that steps are being taken to implement these
agreements in order to restore the people's confidence in the peaceful
political process and to rebuild trust among political leaders.
In
the coming days, political parties need to be flexible in seeking a solution
to the present political impasse. I have been assured that by December
15 the parties will reach a consensus on the outstanding areas of disagreement
and proceed to an election hopefully to be held by mid-April 2008.
I directly appeal to the leadership of all political parties to take this
historic opportunity to carry the peace process forward to its logical
next step: the free and fair election of a constituent assembly within
this timeframe.
Despite
the current frustration, I remain deeply impressed by the courage and dedication
of the Nepali people to resolve their differences peacefully and by the
speed with which they have moved from war to peace. The Carter
Center will continue to follow this process and I am hopeful that the current
impasse will be amicably resolved and will lead to a successful and timely
electoral process.
The
Carter Center has helped to improvelife for people inmore than 65 countries by presolving
conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity;
preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers;
developing nations to increase crop production. The Carter Center was founded
in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in
partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
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| Source: Carter
Center November 2007 |
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