A flurry of political and diplomatic activity has been going on at home and abroad to discuss the crisis in Nepal but little has come of it. The current two-day visit to Kathmandu by Donald Camp, US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs, is part of this process. He is expected, among other things, to convey to the King the details of the US position as outlined by president George Bush at a joint press conference in New Delhi during his recent visit and to take stock of the new developments. The US has called for renunciation of violence by the Maoists, and since February 1 last year, for the restoration of democracy. It has, publicly since last month, been pushing for a breakup between the political parties and the Maoists, who had signed a 12-point understanding in November last year.

It may take some time for the things to clear up on this issue. But this week the seven-party alliance has resurrected the six-point road map they had announced on May 9 last year as the only way out of the present imbroglio, thus raising doubts in the minds of some people that they may well be laying the background for getting out of the accord if need be. However, the alliance has also reiterated its ‘commitment’ to honour the pact with the Maoists, while alleging that the Maoists are not complying with it. At least, the public appear to have formed the impression that the political parties have started to sing a different tune after the American intervention. But the Americans had earlier described the 12-point accord as positive and US ambassador James Moriarty, who had flown to Delhi — just before the signing of the accord, reportedly in connection with, among other things, the emerging understanding — had been quoted by the press as saying the Americans had agreed to such a thing.

Though the political parties are under the public scanner over the 12-point accord, their representatives are said to be currently in New Delhi for talks with the Maoists, reportedly to discuss the issue of how to ‘improve’ the accord and their respective movements planned for Chaitra, just a week away. The alliance has called on the Maoists to cancel their blockades and bandhs. At the same time, the palace is reported to be keen on announcing a date for the general elections soon, as promised by the King, despite the fiasco of the civic polls. Though there appears to be no better way than a dialogue to end the deadlock, there does not seem to have been sincere and serious effort by those who could make a real difference — the establishment and the foreign actors.