Empty promises

The country is on the verge of a serious constitutional crisis. The parliament remains stalled and there has not been any serious cabinet meeting of late. The political parties have ignored the aspirations of the people. They have not delivered on any of the promises they made at the time of signing of the Peace Accord.

Now, a faction of the CPN-Maoist is providing “moral” support to Nepal bandh called by Janajatis, and politicians are busy consulting foreign diplomats and paying visits to New Delhi. What is on display is an utter lack of commitment of the political parties. This has lengthened the transition period, generated more uncertainty, stalled development works and wasted time.

Sunil Sharma, Teku

False hope

India, Bhutan and Nepal have agreed to discuss the Bhutanese refugee issue. Though the idea is good, I cannot see any significant progress happening in the next 15 days. For one side to gain something, the others will have to make concessions.

I don’t see either Bhutan or India making any significant changes in their policy on the issue. In all likelihood, the refugee crisis will remain unresolved for years.

Abhijeet Moktan, New Baneshwor

Not right

The other day I was stuck in a traffic jam. I learned that the jam was not a result of any rally or protest but a crowd of people observing the YCL cadres demolish small huts of poor people living on either side of the road section between Samakhusi Chowk and

Balaju Buspark. This act might be considered beneficial for the society only if proper arrangements are made to resettle the displaced people. The YCL activists were so ruthless that nothing of the demolished houses could be used again.

I could hear people whisper that these days you need not fear the government, only the YCL.

Bimal Adhikari, via e-mail

Tiger trade

Nepal has rightly expressed its unwillingness to lift the international ban on trading of tiger parts. Even at a time when the ban is in force, tiger and other animal parts are being smuggled into China. With the lifting of the ban, I doubt there will be any tiger left in Nepal.

Tigers have become rare animals in the world. Its population is declining in Nepal too but there is no sign of stopping this decline. No economic benefit will make up for the complete loss of this beautiful and rare beast from Nepal and from the planet. So preservation efforts need to be stepped up.

Kamal Mainali, via e-mail

Hard lesson

The news report that dealt with Pakistani prime minister Shaukat Aziz trying to flirt with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (“Pak probes PM’s ‘flirting’ with Rice”, THT, May 31), was both bizarre and funny. Hard-headed, at-your-face Condoleezza Rice would be the last person on the planet you would choose to flirt with. I don’t know the exact role of “flirting” in diplomacy, but if it’s to be tested on the likes of Rice, the guy needs to have almost Cupideque charm. Even then, Rice might be a hard bet. Aziz certainly learnt his lesson hard.

Amit Kansakar, via e-mail