Lalitpur, January 29:

A former diplomat and foreign minister today said the diplomatic processes in Nepal have taken a negative turn.

“The flawed political process invited conflict in Nepal. But the diplomatic processes here have not only come to a standstill, but have taken a negative turn,” former foreign minister, Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, said.

Stating that the socio-economic conditions too were in a reverse gear, Thapa said: “We are not guided by the rule of law, which has been sidelined. Those with guns wield power and the intellectuals have been alienated.”

He said the sidelining of the professionals has reduced the diplomatic processes to a game of self interests. Greater national interests are being neglected, he added. Thapa also blamed the people who “talk big” of giving an undue importance to the foreign diplomats in Kathmandu to curry favour from the latter.

“The unnecessary importance that is being given to the foreigners is against diplomatic norms and has humiliated all Nepalis. We have been unable to keep the foreign officials of the ‘civilized world’ within their bounds,” Thapa said while speaking at an interaction organised by the Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA) at Pulchowk.

He also blamed the leaders of being stupid enough to sign almost all international convention and treaties on table, not keeping in mind the obligations that comes along with them. “Now our own rights are being imposed upon us by the foreigners,” Thapa added hinting at the presence of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) in Kathmandu. Recalling the discussion about the resolutions on Nepal during an OHCHR session in Geneva, Thapa said: “Nepal is in a period of conflict. But the situation can improve.” He said that for the progress of any country, the first emphasis should be given to the humanitarian and social works rather than to politics and security.