LETTERS

Diplomatic vacancies :

Madhav Shrestha’s article “Diplomatic appointments” (THT, Dec. 21) hit the nail on the head. Clearly, there are far more important issues to be settled before finalising the list of ambassadors. Dealing with the delay in arms management, which forms an obstacle to the formation of an interim government, is a case in point. The appointment of heads of educational institutions is equally urgent.

It is necessary that ambassadors have requisite knowledge of the subject and skills in diplomacy. Every word they speak carries implications. But most of the nominated people, with ties to major political parties, don’t seem to possess the necessary qualifications. Besides, included among the nominees are even those who were against the April revolution.

This is an insult, both to the martyrs and the Nepali people. There is no dearth of better qualified people with better pro-democratic credentials in the country to fill the diplomatic vacancies.

Some of the nominees reflect poorly on the political leaders who are in power at present. What can we expect from these leaders? The Maoist protests against the nominations also bring to the fore a lack of consensus before deciding on the names.

Consensus is necessary. But qualifications and candidates’ backgrounds are no less important. Lastly, it is important to divorce our diplomatic service from petty party politics.

Kamal Poudel, via e-mail

Apathy :

Apropos of the news report “OHCHR wants police to probe Sunuwar death” (THT, Dec. 22), no one seems to care about justice for the family of Maina Sunuwar, 15, who was allegedly tortured to death by the then Royal Nepalese Army in 2004 at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre at Panchkhal. This at a time when rallies are being held across the country against diplomatic nominations.

I wonder if a decade-long insurgency has dampened Nepalis’ quest for justice. Nothing less than a full probe into the incident and action against the guilty will behove a government that traces its stay in power to the Jana Andolan II.

Anu Singh, Koteshwor

New coat :

Finally, we have got rid of the old coat of arms that stressed royal authority. The new logo, I believe, represents all sectors of our society. The new coat of arms incorporates all the important national traits like Nepal’s unique landscape, the national flag, and the national flower, with emphasis on gender equality. Perhaps, the Terai region could have been better represented. But overall, the new coat of arms meets the test.

Hiron Shah, Birgunj

In haste :

The government has honoured public sentiment by coming up with a new coat of arms.

But a sensitive matter like this should not be decided in haste.

It would be better to agree upon the new symbol by taking into account the needs of future generations. A coat of arms is meant to last generations, so the government should provide no opportunity for posterity to point a finger at the leaders of the present day.

Sujan Chitrakar, secretary, Sutra Art Centre