Nepal-India relationship

This is in reference to Lok Raj Baral’s edit page article “Political transition” (THT, Jan. 8). Baral’s argument seems to rest on his plea to the current political leadership not to get

embroiled in unresolved past controversies.

Regarding Madhukar SJB Rana’s query as to what the “new perspective” vis-à-vis our relationship with India should be, “What does Baral mean?” (THT, Jan. 9), I would like to cite the epilogue to my book Nepal: Struggle for Existence: “The two countries share a very fragile geopolitical domain and should accordingly continue to exhibit their wilful

competence to update the mutual relationship including the 1950 Treaty by accommodating each other’s fundamental concerns”.

Dr. Jagadish Sharma,

via e-mail

Save Dolma

This refers to the news report “Dolma’s kin concerned about death sentence” (THT, Jan. 8)

concerning the death penalty for Nepali national Dolma Sherpa in Kuwait. Why have Nepal’s

diplomatic missions in the Gulf not taken any initiative to prevent her imminent death? Dolma must be given the right to appeal since she has not been able to defend herself due to language barrier. Under international law, even foreign nationals have the right to appeal and take legal recourse to defend themselves in a court of law. The government and the NGOs working in the field must exert pressure on the Kuwaiti authorities to spare Dolma’s life.

Sabin Thapa, Galfutar, Kathmandu

Right stand

This refers to the news report “Army demurs on induction of PLA fighters” (THT, Jan. 7). I fully support CoAS Rookmangud Katawal’s stand against the integration of former Maoist fighters into the Nepal Army. NA has stood as the last line of defence in safeguarding national integrity and sovereignty. At a time when separatist movements and ethnic violence have swept the country, the army’s submission to illogical demands of an ideological group would only lead to further chaos.

Following the success of the April movement, NA has transformed itself along

democratic lines. Katawal as the NA head has every right to take a stand on such

issues. Politically indoctrinated PLA soldiers, besides imposing their ideology, are also likely to destroy the chain of command of the national army.

Prasant Thapa, Kalimati

Reasonable

Apropos of the news report “Katawal’s comment to affect peace bid: Mahara” (THT, Jan. 8), the Maoists should accept the fact that the concerns of Prime Minister Koirala and CoAS Katawal regarding the integration of former Maoist fighters into NA, though they might not have stood the test of political correctness, are valid. There is no denying that the April movement wouldn’t have been a success without the contribution of the PLA soldiers. However, the integration of ex-PLA combatants into the national army would create various problems for the country. The government’s main concern, and indeed that of the Maoists, should be free and fair holding of the constituent assembly polls at the earliest. Until then, the question of integration takes a back seat by default.

Suman Basnyat, via e-mail