Signs of new cold war

Jonathan Freedland’s article “Iraq and Somalia” (THT, Jan 17) made interesting reading. The Bush administration has in hand three choices to pacify Iraq, namely, gradual withdrawal of US troops, beginning negotiations with Iran and Syria, and increasing the troop level in Iraq to crush the Islamic insurgents once and for all. Of the three, the first two obviously seem

better. But Bush has chosen the third option.

Perhaps this will be a final surge before a prompt withdrawal. Though victory in Iraq is still undecided, the US has opened a new front for the “war on terror” in Somalia. Indeed, the

situation is fast turning into a new cold war.

Milan Gurung, via e-mail

Good news

With reference to the news “Women held with rhino horn” (THT, Jan 17), the park officials who arrested the poachers deserve a pat on the back. This time the government should

take legal action against them instead of releasing them. The lack of action will only encourage poaching.

Dinesh Neupane, CDES, TU

Get real men

Apropos of the news report “Four rhino poachers clapped in jail” (THT, Jan 6), they are only the first link to the long chain that leads all the way to the smuggling of rhino parts in the

international market. The government should try to arrest the real smugglers who make much more through poaching than these hired people. For this, it is necessary to follow the leads provided by this first link in the chain.

The focus should be on cutting down the tree, not merely the branches. Unless that is done, poaching will go on unabated in the Chitwan National Park, as the big culprits will lure poor

villagers into this illegal business through much more money than they otherwise earn.

Anil KC, TU

Bad move

It was an unwise decision to scrap the national holiday on National Unity Day and Prithvi Jayanti. Though it seems certain that the institution of monarchy will soon be abolished, and rightly so, we should not forget our history.

It was due to the leadership of Prithvi Narayan Shah that we have a unified Nepal. He unified the baise and chaubise rajyas. The misdeeds of later Shah kings should not lead us to forget his contributions.

The decision should be reconsidered.

Hem Raj Basnet, JAM Campus,Chitwan

New hope

The formation of the interim parliament has given Nepalis a new hope. The institution of monarchy will soon be abolished and the rule of law will prevail. From now on, the people will enjoy real power. To consolidate these gains, all the political forces need to work towards building a new political system based on the concept of regional governance, which alone can guarantee the rights of the disenfranchised. The government should hear all voices to arrive at a sound decision.

Shiva Pandey, Kathmandu

Shocking

I was shocked to read that the Maoists barred scribes from the Nawalparasi camp. This goes against the spirit of the April Revolution.

Sunil Shah, Kantipath