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Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 29

Amidst ongoing debate on the extension of emergency, a political analyst has questioned the prudence of political parties to oppose its extension when the campaign against terrorism is far from over.

The questions that need to be asked today, said Shridhar Khatri, executive director of Institute of Foreign Affairs, “is not whether any legislation short of emergency will serve to end the Maoist threat, but why did the political parties support it (emergency) six months ago and why did they chose to withdraw the support when the goal is far from fulfilled?”

Addressing a programme to mark the memorial day focussing on sacrifices made by US and Nepali servicemen and women to protect democracy organised by the American Centre on Wednesday, Khatri came heavily on political parties, saying “to follow a self-destruct mode without viable alternatives smacks of irresponsibility.”

“Debates are essential in any democratic society, but to follow a divisive policy at midstream is not a luxury which a nation like ours can afford”, said the veteran analyst.

Is the threat of terrorism in Nepal less now than six moths ago – Is the negotiated solutions possible in the midst of a military campaign that just started, and the fact that the Maoist themselves withdrew abruptly from negotiations before and launched a massive assault, asked the US educated academician.

Claiming that the extension of emergency was the only alternatives in the present context, queried he, “What solutions would the political parties present other than the course taken by the present government”?

Six months down the road, the question of extending the emergency became the subject of petty policies all over again, he said adding, “It is clear that the political parties have again lost focus if they can believe the war against terrorism can be won in six months.”

He also criticised the ongoing tussle among political leaders saying, “Democracy is about dialogue and debates, but it does not mean inaction and endless bickering among leaders and groups at the cost of nation.”

He proposed to set up a fund to look after the welfare of families of those who have lost their lives in the present conflict.

Nepalis all over world and friends of Nepal are in position to contribute to the welfare of their brethren at home including 40,000 Nepalis who are registered in the US.

Just one dollar from each individual, supplemented by contribution from Nepalis in other countries would go a long way in helping the needy families of our serviceman at home, he stated, “Nepal as a nation can not be strong until we can appreciate the contribution of our people, both living and dead.”

Earlier Robert C Kerr, public affairs officer at the American Centre, spoke on the history of Memorial Day in the US, which commemorates acts of heroism and sacrifice made by serviceman in US to safeguard democracy.