The Maoist-led caretaker government has informed the Supreme Court about its decision to oust Rookmangud Katawal

The Maoist-led caretaker government has informed the Supreme Court (SC) it had formally informed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav about its decision to sack Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal, on Friday.

Responding to a show cause notice issued by the SC, Chief Secretary Dr Bhoj Raj Ghimire, said the government had forwarded a letter about its decision to oust the CoAS to the President’s Office on May 3.

The SC had issued a show cause notice to the government after advocate Damodar Paudel filed a writ petition against the cabinet decision to sack Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal.

The government’s response has addressed General Katawal as a former CoAS and General Khadka as the acting CoAS.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Katawal participated in a public function in capacity of the CoAS for the first time after the controversy surfaced. Although, Katawal was discharging his duties as the CoAS from the army headquarters, he had not participated in public functions in the same capacity.

Democracy and Class Struggle agree with Dev Gurung of UCPN (Maoist) when he says that "The President has made a political move. There cannot be legal solution to it," It's the political parties and the parliament that should find a solution to the current crisis, he added.

Interview with Narayan Kaji Shrestha of UCPN (Maoist)

Narayan Kaji Shrestha
United Maoists Leader, Nepal

TGQ1: Your party-the Maoists-has stepped down from the government front. You could have fought the battle by being in the government. Isn't it?

If the President did an act that you dub as unconstitutional one and the Chief of the Army staff defied the government's order, wouldn't it have been better to fight with them by being in the power structure? Isn't it a defeated mentality of your party? What say you? Your comments please.

Narayan Kaji: No! it is not that we became unable to fight and quit the government. Instead, we eased the process for a solution and thus resigned from the government.

We felt that there remained some thing to be fought for which we have had to quit the government.

The President took steps that we dub as an unconstitutional act. We thus have to fight against the President's erratic moves for which we concluded that it would be fair to fight with such unconstitutional moves by remaining out of the government corridors.

We appointed Kul Bahadur Khadka as the new Army Chief but the President reinstated the sacked Army Chief Katwal which created a tremendous moral pressure on us because we felt that Nepal now had virtually two power centers.

More so, the Maoists are not like those traditional political parties who wish to stick on the chair in any circumstances. We are not that shameless party as others are and thus we came out from the government.

Yes! We could have struggled as your have rightly said. We pondered over that very option as well, but wisdom demanded that it would be more realistic and opportune to wage the struggle from both street and the parliament.

A sort of moral pressure was on our party because of the reinstatement of the sacked Army chief which also forced us to opt for the resignation option which has now facilitates us to heat both the streets and the parliament.

Take it this way but not as a defeated mentality.

TGQ2: It is rumored that your party was awaiting a ruse to quit the government as your government had become unable to perform. Is the Army Chief episode just the ruse to quit the government? Now also tell us that the emerging situation is bit different and thus where the people's war and the Nepal 's Communist Movement stood at the moment? Your opinions please.

Narayan Kaji: This allegation is hundred percent baseless. Albeit, the expectations that the people have had from our government could not be fulfilled. I agree to it. The transitional phase and the coalition sort of government came in the way. We were thinking on how to work for the people in a much more effective manner. We haven't fled for fear of any sort of mis-performance.

The people's war is not like the one what we have had in the past but then yet the revolutionary struggle remains intact. Keeping the strategic objectives of the people's war, we are at a different stage of struggle. The mode has only changed, the essence remains the same. The already stated strategy remains as it is. Rest assured.

As regards the Nepali revolution, well! It is proceeding with its own unique identity and in the process we have come to this stage of peace process and for the drafting of a new constitution.

Now our entire efforts will be aimed at integration of the Armies and draft a constitution and establish a "People's Democratic National Federal Republic". We will write a constitution that will be against feudalism and imperialism. But the reactionaries and the imperialists have been impeding the drafting of the new constitution. This is the main issue where the fight between the two forces is on. We believe in the safeguarding of national pride and are engaged in this regard, however, others are blocking our way in their own styles. If the domestic and the international reactionary forces continue to put hurdles in our main objectives, we will have no option left other than to wage a final decisive war against those forces-the reactionaries indeed.

TGQ3: While forming government, your party claimed of several miracles to happen. However, those were not forthcoming. Now you say that the constitution will be made in favor of the people. How come this? Is it only a hollow assurance to the people or some thing else?

The way, as you claim, you were not allowed to function in the government, the same manner other parties may not allow you to draft the constitution of your liking in the coming days. What say you?

Narayan Kaji: You look at the chain of political events that have unfolded in the mean time. We proved ourselves correct when we said that elections to the constituent assembly were possible. It became a reality as against what others claimed then. It was basically our agenda which was later beamingly followed by all those who had been against such an election.

The constitution which we prefer may not be allowed to be written but we will succeed in the long run. The people themselves will force others to take our line then though obstacles may crop up in the process.

The attack or say the main target of the People's War and the last Revolution was not only the Monarchy but also the traditional parliamentary system. What the people need today is the forward looking People's Republic which is in essence the People's Democratic Republic where people remain sovereign and their supremacy prevails. People's Republic can only guarantee national pride which obliterates the entire feudal and imperial symptoms prevailing in the society. This is the best system that suits to the needs of the common workers, peasants and the exploited ones of this country.

Those who will prefer to object to proceed in this regard will be automatically sidelined by the people. We can thus hope that we will be able to frame a people's constitution of our preference.

As regards to your supplementary question, let me tell you frankly that no force on earth can challenge the strength and the will of the people. However, this does not mean that our aim will not pass through obstacles, but will be sidelined by the people themselves ultimately.

But if the people feel that their preferences are being challenged by some quarters they will wage a sort of final battle against those who come in their way. The revolution in that case will be imminent.

TGQ4: You have been telling the people that the President staged a Coup d'etat. But how is it a Coup? If so then how will you proceed in the days ahead against the Presidential decision? Why would be your comment?

Narayan Kaji: That is crystal clear. The President wanted to find his role going out of the ambit of the constitution. His decision has established that we have two equally powerful centers in the State. This in itself tantamount to a Coup d'etat. Yes! It was not a military Coup d'etat although.

We demand that the President's decision must be taken back at any cost. We have already declared our struggle against the decision. We will coordinate the struggle of both the streets and the parliament. We will force him to take his decisions back come what may. If he doesn't come to terms as demanded by our party then indeed the peace process and the drafting of the new constitution will see a major set back.

We just want to bring the derailed interim constitution on track. We will thus restore the lost people's supremacy.

TGQ5: What the President should do now? What if the President doesn't retract from his previous decision? How the politics will go then? Your remarks please.

Narayan Kaji: The President should reverse his decision. For that he should make null and void the decision that facilitated the sacked Army Chief Katwal to retain his post. More over, if the President wants to keep up to the prestige and pride of the Presidential institution, he must apologize to the people unconditionally.

Well, if he doesn't then we will not allow the parliament to run. We though want a new government in place that honors the people's supremacy but not that of the Army's. In fact, the interim constitution has been derailed. The formation of a new government with the constitution derailed will not get sanction of our party. That's all.

2009-05-13

Ben Petersen in Janadisha Daily

Ben Petersen writes here is something I wrote for the Daily Newspaper- JanaDisha. It was translated into Nepali- so i'm not sure how it read for them, but here it is.

As a foreigner, a journalist and especially as someone who is concerned about the people of Nepal I am deeply worried about the recent moves by the President Ram Baran Yadav and the political opposition to go against the government and stage what has to be seen as an anti-democratic coup.

It has shown to me, and i think the whole world, that even though the Nepali people have removed their king and fought so hard for democracy, the rich and powerful in Nepal have no interest in respecting the democratic will of the people. The Martyrs of Janandolan 1, Janandolan 2, the peoples war, and all the movements did not sacrifice their lives, so that the ceremonial President could over rule the executive government to save a General who threatens the very idea of democracy. It is an insult to every Nepali to see your political "leaders" in the UML and the Congress putting their own interests (and the interests of India) above the interests and the desire of the Nepali people they claim to represent.

I do not understand how these people can look themselves in the mirror. How can they justify their actions? This General Katawal has not only played a key role in suppressing the people in the past, not only has he supported anti-democratic coups by the ex-King Gyanendra, but now, then he is generously given the opportunity by the Nepali people to play a progressive role in the New Nepal, he refuses to follow the direction of the government, that legitimately has the support of a majority of people. How can the UML and the Congress defend their actions to defend this man. This man who has no respect for the people and democracy. how can they be the saviors of democracy- when they protect those who would strangle the Nepali Republic while it is still a baby in the crib?

But while in parliament I see bureaucrats and corrupt politicians acting for themselves, on the streets and in the eyes of the people the real democracy is still strong. The real democracy in Nepal was not created by the bureaucrat, and it was not dreamt in the minds of the powerful people in Delhi and Washington. The birth of Nepali democracy has been the reward for the hard work and sacrifice of all the people of Nepal. Democracy was born in every village, every town and every city. Democracy shines in the eyes of every average Nepali i have met- and now this shine is a fire- as the Nepali people are rightfully disgusted that their democratically elected government has been overthrown by the same elites who have run this country for all time. To add insult to injury, they do this in the name of "Democracy".

The one thing I have learnt the Nepali people more than anything is that Democracy is not in an assembly and democracy is not limited to just a vote. Democracy means that power must come from the people. Nepal has proven this- and the waves of real democracy- democracy from the streets has already smashed the monarchy and opened the door to a better- and a socialist- future for Nepal.

Many governments around the world will support the opposition. The great "democracies" on India and America has already played a key role in attacking the Revolution of the Nepali people. But while the "international community" may be against you- the worlds progressive people will always be on your side. Everywhere working people and oppressed people have been impressed by your struggle for democracy and national sovereignty. Your struggle gives an example to the whole world, that even in a small and impoverished country, you can fight for your rights- and you can win!

For me I see an interesting time ahead for the people in Nepal. There are both great ricks, and great opportunities. But the one thing is certain, that justice does not lay on the side of the President in his coup. Justice will never be on the side of those who sit in Delhi and Washington and try to interfere with the sovereignty of proud nations. Justice in Nepal will always be on the side of the people, and no matter what the so called "democrats" say or do. When the people of Nepal cry out against injustice and autocracy then their voices will always carry with it the power of democracy and revolution

Visit Ben Petersen's Blog

http://www.maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/

Prachanda said the Maoists were in favour of a government with civilian supremacy that could stand up to foreign intervention.

Kathmandu, May 15 : Nepal caretaker Prime Minister and Maoist chairman Prachanda has said that his party would not pose obstructions in the new government formation and wanted the new government to take shape at the earliest.

Speaking at a book launch her on Thursday, Prachanda said the Maoists were in favour of a government with civilian supremacy that could stand up to foreign intervention.

Prachanda, who had resigned from his post slamming foreign intervention, said, "remote controlled government cannot safeguard democracy."e further announced all the political parties to forge a broader political understanding in order to accomplish the tasks of writing new a Constitution and peace process.

"Let's sit together, review the situations and let's conclude the issues of Constitution drafting and peace process," Kantipur quoted him as, saying.

Saying that conspiracies are being hatched to drag the country towards autocracy, Prachanda warned that the country could plunge into a disaster due to civil war.

Meanwhile, the Madhesi Janadhikar Fourm (MJF) leaders have finally projected itself as the party to lead the new government.

In a statement issued by Co-chairman Jay Prakash Prasad Gupta, the party said it would take initiatives to gather support and solidarity from other parties for formation of a new government under its leadership.

The statement further said that it would support the party of coalition agreeing in written to implement eight-point -demand signed with the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) on Madhes issues incase the party fails to garner much support for formation of the government under its own leadership.

Meanwhile, other two alliance of UDMF including the Tarai Madhesh Lokltantrik Party and the Sadbhawana Party (SP) have already agreed to support CPN-UML in heading the new government

The Central Committee (CC) meeting of MJF had laid out options such as either all the Madhes-based parties would participate in the UML-led government, or form the new government in the leadership of Madhesi parties, or to support the government from outside the government.

Source (ANI)

Prachanda on India - Chinese Relations

Court verdict cannot resolve current crisis: Law minister

Minister for Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly, Dev Gurung, has claimed the current dispute over the President's step against the government decision cannot be settled through court verdict, as it is a political issue, not a legal one.

"The President has made a political move. There cannot be legal solution to it," Gurung told reporters in Pokhara Thursday. It's the political parties and the parliament that should find a solution to the current crisis, he added.

The law minister's remarks almost coincided with the Supreme Court's show cause order on a writ petition against the government decision to sack army chief Rookmangud Katawal.

Gurung who arrived in Pokhara to attend a meeting of the Unified CPN (Maoist)'s Tamuwan State Council, also accused the Nepali Congress of trying to derail the peace process by demanding re-verification of the Maoist combatants.

Monkey Smashes Heaven showed some promise but you have now clearly joined the RCPUSA in the ranks of opponents of the Nepalese Maoist Struggle

http://monkeysmashesheaven.wordpress.com/

Monkey Smashes Heaven showed some promise but you have now clearly joined the RCPUSA in the ranks of those that oppose the struggle of the Nepalese Maoists and for all your talk about Third World Maoism – you are joining the RCPUSA in Imperialist grandstanding about the Nepalese Maoists struggle.

On one ocassion you demonstrated humility because you did not know the facts on the ground – should we support Matrika Yadav you once asked yourself – the question exposed your ignorance of the actual struggle in the Madhes as well as in Nepal.

I am sure there were some serious Maoists amongst you – a little more concrete study of concrete conditions in Nepal might enlighten you and them.

Maybe watching the recent Nepal Army Commissioned tape of Comrade Prachanda making clear the the object of struggle was State power and not token government like you stupidly suggest in your Lenin quotation with an imperialist arrogant ignorance that shows your class roots as radical bourgeois students.

I have not found it less sad with the passing of time how so called Maoist anti Imperialists sing from the bourgeoise’s hymn sheet – well the new choir of the RCPUSA and Monkey Smashes Heaven orchestrated by the bourgeoise will meet with a appropriate response by the genuine anti Imperialist forces of the world and Money Smashes Heaven will join that sad litany of organisations that it will be an embarrassment to remember.

However just like the monkey who followed the Buddha and made his powers useful so you have a chance to study and follow Prachanda path and stop your current wrecking course – the choice is yours ?

Smash Imperialism support the Nepalese Maoists

Democracy and Class Struggle will continue the battle against left dogmatism about the Nepalese Revolution in the International Communist Movement while at the same time supporting the Nepali comrades to battle right opportunism in their party.

The Struggle continues Street Demonstrations in Kathmandu

New govt not likely before Sunday: Baidya

New govt not likely before Sunday: Baidya

Unified CPN (Maoist) leader Mohan Baidya said Wednesday that the new government is not going to shape up before Sunday.

Maoist leader Mohan Baidya speaking at a programme organised by...
Speaking at a programme organised by Janasanchar Abhiyan in the capital, Baidya said his party would not allow parliamentary proceedings until Sunday. He added that the Maoist party would not accept a government that is formed outside of the parliament.

He also argued that the democratic image of Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) has tarnished after the latest political development.

Maoists are scheduled to hold mass gatherings in four different places across the country on Sunday to intensify their protests against president's move

Prachanda says 'weak parties' trying to form new govt in Nepal

Prachanda says 'weak parties' trying to form new govt in Nepal From ANI
Kathmandu, May 13: Caretaker Prime Minister and Unified CPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that "weak political parties" are actively engaged in attempts to form a new government.

In a 'political report' tabled at the party's politburo meeting here on Tuesday, Prachanda said, "The government formed by avoiding the parliament and undermining the people's mandate will have no meaning."His report stressed on the need to intensify the agitations from the streets and the parliament against President Ram Baran Yadav's unconstitutional move to reinstate Army Chief, General Rookmangud Katawal.

It also lays emphasis on finishing the main task of drafting the new Constitution and taking the peace process to a conclusion.Prachanda come up with the report at a time when his party is engaged in hefty parleys with various political parties to form a new government under its leadership.Prachanda had resigned from the government following the President Yadav's move.

Immediately after that former coalition partner the UML and the Nepali Congress have engaged in efforts to form a majority government under UML's leadership.

In Defense of the Revolution and Democracy in Nepal from Socialist Party of Malaysia

In Defense of the Revolution and Democracy in Nepal - Solidarity Message to the Revolutionary Masses of Nepal

1. Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) would like to express our greatest concern over the current political development and intensifying social struggles in the newly born Republic of Nepal.

2. The political and military elites have once again revealed their true nature when the President who is from the conservative Nepali Congress overridden the decision of Prime Minister Prachanda from the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) to sack the Chief of Army Staff, Katawal. Some opportunist sections of the coalition government like Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) also turned to the right by opposing the UCPN-M move.

3. The army high command has refused to obey instruction from the elected civilian government as well as refused to implement key parts of 2006 peace accords which included the integration of UCPN-M-led People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into the current army force. Sections of the high command in the current Nepalese Army have committed serious human rights violations during the armed conflict with PLA and continued to enjoy impunity, even planned to stage a military coup against the elected government.

4. It is clear that the Nepalese elites wanted to keep the Nepalese Army from integrated with the revolutionary fighters from PLA in order to continue to use the Army as a violent tool to repress the struggle of the poor in Nepal.

5. The Nepalese elites have received support from imperialist power and regional power, especially the United States and India, which both of whom fear of the establishment of a radical and pro-poor regime in South Asia.

6. The UCPN-M has a little choice but to withdraw from the coalition government and call for street protests to defend democracy. This can be turned into a new wave of people uprising in the country for democracy and social justice.

7. The decade-long Maoist-led “People’s War” and the 2006 mass democratic uprising, have successfully overthrown the 240-year old monarchy and brought new hope for the ordinary people of Nepal.

8. The Maoists have played crucial role in overthrowing the monarchy and mobilizing the people in the democratic movement, and have gained massive support from the grassroots. Maoists won over 3.14 million votes in 2008 election of Constituent Assembly, and captured 229 seats over 601 seats in the Constituent Assembly, making it the largest party in the parliament. For the poor majority, UCPN-M represent a radical change that would increase workers rights, , land reform for the peasants, access to education and health care, equal rights for ethnic minorities and extensive pro-people economic development.

9. The current crisis demonstrated the bureaucrats and political elites, who are fearful of a radical change, tried to prevent such change and to seize power through undemocratic means.

10. PSM calls for

UCPN-M and revolutionary left in Nepal to continue and intensify their mobilization of the masses in defense of the revolutionary process and democracy in Nepal

- Stop all imperialist intervention in the political affairs of Nepal, especially the US and India, have to stay away from Nepal.
- Stop state violent attacks against the protesting masses.


11. PSM also expresses its disappointment and disgrace over CPN-UML for betraying the people of Nepal.


12. PSM extend its solidarity to the revolutionary people of Nepal for their courageous struggle for social justice and freedom from oppression.

Long live revolution! Long live democracy!

Released by,

Choo Chon Kai

International Bureau
http://www.parti-sosialis.org/


Democracy and Class Struggle endorses the call of the Socialist Party of Malaysia for solidarity with the UCPN Maoist in Nepal.

In view of the Left dogmatist trend in the International Communist Movement currently spearheaded by the RCPUSA we call for more statements of Solidarity from organisations and parties in support of the UCPN (Maoist)

Send to the Maoist List
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MAOIST_REVOLUTION/
or to Democracy and Class struggle and we will publish them.

Ambassadors from 16 countries, multinational donors and chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) called on Prachanda

KATHMANDU - Ambassadors from 16 countries, multinational donors and chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Karen Landgren have jointly called on acting Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda here today amid uncertainties over formation of new government and postponement of the Nepal Development Forum (NDF) meet.

Envoys from United States, Germany, France, UK, Norway, China and India and representatives from World Bank, Asian Development Bank were among those that met Prachanda.

The discussion has concentrated on postponement of NDF meeting and delay in formation of the new government due to continued obstruction of parliament proceedings by the Maoists.

Source: ANI