US try to end Nepals peace proces

US Agenda of Intervention in Nepal
by Anand Swaroop Verma

The US government has put the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its mass front, United People's Front in the category of terrorists (vide letter dated 30th April 2003) issued by US department of State. Publication of this news on the May day astonished everyone. It is to be noted that Nepal government is currently holding peace talks with the Maoists whose first round concluded on 27th April. More importantly government of Nepal itself has withdrawn the terrorist tag on the Maoists before the cessation of hostilities on January 29th as a rebel pre condition to declare a cease-fire.

It is ironical that the Nepal government does not consider this Nepalese organisation as a terrorist organisation but US government seems more enthusiastic to include it in the list of terrorists. Is there any impending danger to American citizens or America's national interest? As these are the precondition in America's laws to declare any foreign organisation as terrorist!

Maoists of Nepal are waging struggle aimed at ending the Monarchy and establishment of a genuine democracy. They belong to the same communist tradition from which has emanated CPN (UML) which is the main opposition party and also had been the part of the government. The major difference between the two is the fact that CPN (UML) has become a parliamentary party undermining the popular aspirations. This compelled the Maoists to opt for the armed struggle while boycotting the parliament. This makes it very clear that Maoists of Nepal, in no way, pose any threat to the national interest of the US. Still including them in the list of terrorist organisation issued by Colin Powell on 30th April raise serious concerns and apprehensions.

In fact the Maoists pose no threat to the national interest of America but they pose serious threat to American imperialism and the globalised world economic order. This is the main reason of US keenness in Nepalese affairs since the beginning of People's War in 1996. Initially it expected the early death of the movement but contrary to it movement's base started becoming pervasive and it registered unprecedented increase among its supporters. Not only this, in the span of just three years it expanded its organisational base in most of the 75 districts of Nepal and created liberated zones in more than 25 districts. American establishment got alarmed. After disintegration of Soviet Union the American imperialism intoxicated with the end of communism could not accept this phenomenon. At a time when it was celebrating the 'end of history' and inaugurating the era of 'clashes of civilizations', the emergence of a powerful peoples movement disturbed its festivity. That is why reports of foreign and defence departments and various intelligence agencies of the US have advised the US Presidents to concentrate on South Asia instead of Europe which poses no more threats to the interest of America. Not only to counter the communist threat but also to keep an eye on China, which is-according to US experts- gradually emerging into economic, political and military rival, the US needs a foothold in South Asia. A study of the events before and after the aggression on Afghanistan makes it clear that under the pretext of the events of September 11, America would have intervened in Afghanistan any way.

The way Kashmir is becoming an issue of concern for the US hawks after their campaign in Iraq, it is clear that it is looking for excuses to have its military bases in South Asia. It already has substantial military presence in Pakistan and has conducted joint military exercises with India. Presently, it is preaching to India and Pakistan both to adopt the path of negotiated peace but as soon as the process of negotiated peace would seem to turn into reality, it will resort to sabotage the process as it has done in Nepal.

In case of Nepal, American authorities had been advising both the parties to resolve the matter through negotiation. The situation for the commencement of negotiations got a shot in the arms when Nepal's Home minister Dharam Bahadur Thapa, in a press conference declared that Nepalese government does not consider Maoists as terrorist and that the awards on the Maoists would be soon withdrawn for which he even criticised the former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Even before that on 20th November Nepal's Women and Social Welfare minister Gore Bahadur Khapangi had expressed the hope of the withdrawl of awards for the arrest of Maoists. Two days before this, on 18th November, Nepal's deputy prime minister B. P. Mandal had assured the media persons in Birat Nagar that government can consider the Maoist demand of a Constituent Assembly if they were sincere for the peace talks. In such a situation home minister's statement gave a positive message to the Maoists. This sent an alarm in the American establishment which started conspiring to sabotage it. On 14th December 2002 US assistant foreign Secretary and incharge of South Asian affairs Christina Rocca visited Kathmandu and told the press persons that America did not desire to interfere in Nepal's internal affairs but spoke venomously against the Maoists. She further added, 'although the maoists have not been put on any terrorist list, this step may be taken into consideration if their violence continue unabated.' Christina Rocca did not stop her mischiefs even after declaration of ceasefire on 29th January. On 4 February 2003 while talking to the journalists of 'Defence Writers Group', though she expressed some hope from the cease fire yet she emphasised the 'deteriorating situation'. On 28 February US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Donald Camp took part in a programme entitled 'Preventing a Communist Overthrow of Nepal'. Camp made very clear in his speech that success of Maoists in Nepal would hamper American interest though he did not substantiate. 'The US does not wish to see these insurgents prevail'. His argument is , 'the Maoists threaten US interests.

The leadership has made clear that it seeks to replace the constitutional monarchy with an absolutist communist regime.' He expressed the apprehensions that because of Maoists 'Nepal could quite easily turn into a failed state, a potential haven for terrorists like that which we have transformed in Afghanistan.' He also stated that America was helping Royal Nepalese Army along with its allies India and Britain to counter the Maoist threat and that its consistently keeping a watch on Nepal. He further added, 'the United States faces a number of foreign policy challenges around the world, and Nepal is on this list. We keep our eyes on the situation daily, and work constantly to ensure that our policies pursue US national interests and the interests of the Nepali people.' It should be noted that such damaging statements from Donald camp and Christina Rocca started coming at a time when the process of peace talks between government and Maoists had already been on. Toeing the line of Christina Rocca he also issued open threat of America's right to declare Maoists as terrorist organisation. The establishment of a negotiated peace and consequent adoption of nonviolent democratic path by Maoists would be unfavourable for America. The US is waiting for the failure of the talks and Maoists' going back to the armed struggle so that it gets an opportunity for military intervention in the name of fighting terrorism. Notwithstanding all this, consignments of arms from America, India and Belgium had already reached Nepal. Not only this, 50 US military experts are already conducting joint military exercises with RNA.

An advertisement regarding US position on the matter is worth mentioning. On 26 February 2003 USAID invited applications for 'Personal services Contractor' on its internet site. The advertisement says, 'In order to respond to the on-going Maoist insurgency in Nepal, USAID is supporting interventions to address the conflict through its newly formed Special Projects Office which addresses Conflict Prevention, Mitigation and Response (CPMR). The USAID Mission has integrated CPMR into its overall country strategy for the period 2000-2005, with the CPMR portion managed by the Special Projects Office (SPO). The last date for the submission of the applications was 25 March 2003. Last year on May 15-16 India's then Army chief general S Padmanabhan and on May 27 Britain's Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Sir Michael Boyce visited Maoist dominated areas of Nepal. Both of them assured the Nepalese government of their full support in nailing the Maoists. Just one day prior to General Padmanabhan's visit to Nepal, Indian paratroopers and US Special Operation personnel started joint military exercises near Agra. This was the biggest joint military exercise since India's independence. On 19 June 2002 British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mike O'Brien told the chairman of the Britain-Nepal Parliamentary Group, Sir John Stanley in the Parliament, "We are working closely with our US colleagues and others in identifying ways to stop the insurgency." On the day of the commencement of the joint military exercises, Christina Rocca issued a statement, 'From the start of his Administration, President Bush has sought a global approach to US-India relations to engage India on the whole range of issues that currently confront the international community...The most topical area of this partnership is in our military to military relations.' She also said that the US and the India have come closer in course of 'the war against terrorism.'

By putting Maoists in the list of terrorist organisations, the US has made its intentions clear. Whether Nepal or Kashmir if Americans are able to make their military presence in South Asia under whatever pretext, it will pose severe threat to the entire South Asia in general, and to the sovereignty of India in particular. Therefore it is imperative upon all democratic forces to help the ongoing peace process in Nepal in reaching its logical conclusion. In this lies the interest of India and also the interest of entire South Asia.

May 3, 2003

Anand Swaroop Verma Q-63, Sector 12 Noida 201301 [India)