Trust the Maoists

I agree with S M Dixit’s views expressed in his article “US policy towards Nepal” (THT, July 3) that the likes of James F Moriarty are not helping the peace prospect in the country by insisting that the Maoists should not be included in the government as long as they remain armed.

How can we expect the Maoists to lay down arms when the threat from the Nepali Army, still largely under the control of the monarch, looms large over their heads?

The United Nations may no doubt be summoned to decommission the Maoists’ arms, but, as

Dixit points out, decommissioning is a lengthy process and will take, at least, six months from the date UN monitors arrive in the country.

Can we wait that long? How can we be sure that the conspirators and the monarch’s henchmen will not hatch a conspiracy in the meantime? What if the Maoists decide to

go back to the jungle? For once, let us trust the Maoists when they say they are ready to have their arms monitored by the UN after the formation of the interim government.

Suraj Dahal, via e-mail

US stand

I am surprised that the US has still not lifted the terrorist tag from the Maoists. When the Nepalis are ready to accept them as a genuine political force, why should the US have any problem in doing the same? Isn’t democracy all about people’s choice? If so, why is it not ready to heed the Nepali people’s verdict and give the Maoists a chance to prove their political credentials? The US government should mend its ways before preaching democracy to the world. If Gitmo and Iraq represent true democracy for the Bush administration, we are far better off without it.

Ramesh Chhetri, Kuleshwor

Stop thefts

Although the number of thefts in the Kathmandu Valley has gone down in the last few weeks, the problem is far from over. Only last Saturday, a couple of thefts took place in Kathmandu and Lalitpur (Property stolen, THT, July 1).

Is it the dearth of police officers that is responsible for these incidents or is the police force unable to deal with crime otherwise? The thieves are encouraged as very few of them are caught. It is the responsibility of the police force to do all it can to make the Valley a safe place. The failure to reduce crime will not do credit to the Nepal Police. Let it, for once, prove its worth by curbing thefts and robberies.

Sharad Kattel, via e-mail

Heartbreak

As a diehard England fan, I was heartbroken because of the team’s exit from the World Cup.

The manner in which they had to bow out was equally saddening. No doubt, in any sport, there has to be a winner. But penalty shootout is a cruel way of deciding the winner in all sports, as the cruel fate the Argentines met against the Germans in the quarter-finals demonstrates. But what can be done? There seems to be no other better option.

The extra time cannot be prolonged because by the end of the extended two-hour game the players are already exhausted and reduced to walking pace.

For now, I can only console myself and wait for another four years for England to lift the

coveted trophy.

Anu Thapa, via e-mail