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Liberal Democracy Nepal (LDN) heartily welcomes twelve point agreement

On behalf of LDN
LDN Management Board

Liberal Democracy Nepal (LDN) heartily welcomes the recent statement confirming a twelve point agreement between Nepal's parliamentary parties and the Nepal Communist Party (Maoists) for the restoration of peace and liberal democracy in Nepal. This statement, if earnestly implemented by the Maoists and the parliamentary parties, will bring a welcome relief for the Nepali people who are eager to live in democracy and peace. We are happy to note that the LDN workshop in Washington D.C. with seven political parties in October 2005 had agreed on a declaration which included some of the points in the above statement.

The statement clearly articulates the Maoist?s commitment to join Nepal's political mainstream. The political parties have also recognized that Nepal's long term interest cannot be served without bringing the Maoists into the political process. We are encouraged by these pronouncements.

Now, the onus for an immediate resolution of the conflict lies directly with the King. The signatories of the Agreement also have to do much work to earn the trust of the Nepali public who has grown skeptical about the sincerity of all the three protagonists. To that end, this 12-point agreement has provided hope for millions of Nepalis. We advise the King to show similar courage.

After so much violence, the Maoists need to work more to win the trust of the people. They should extend their ceasefire for an indefinite period and make a public announcement to reject violence. We ask the Maoists to at once vow to allow political parties to operate in their so called controlled areas. They should urgently begin returning private properties they have captured, and they should completely stop the practice of extortion and forceful draft. We ask the Maoists to have a definitive time table to dismantle their arms in the presence of acceptable international agencies.

We strongly urge the King to utilize this opportunity for reconciliation, and urgently restore democracy. The present agreement provides a window to demonstrate his sincerity in his often repeated commitment to multiparty democracy. We ask him to seize this occasion to help the country and to secure the future existence of monarchy. The King has an obligation to reverse the ill advised move of February 1, 2005. The Royal regime should reciprocate the Maoist declaration of cease fire and pave the way for the citizens of the country to travel and conduct their business in the country freely and without any fear.

Political parties should recognize that without internal democracy, they will repeat their past mistakes. They should adhere to policies that are inclusive of all groups of people in Nepal. They should begin to develop a new Nepal that represents different regions and different ethnicities. We ask them to immediately implement steps to enhance internal democracy. All their public protests must be peaceful and avoid any destruction of public property.

LDN sincerely believes that this understanding between the parties and the Maoist can usher a new era of democracy and peace in Nepal. We urge all protagonists, the king, the parties, and the Maoists to utilize this opportunity to restore democracy and serve the interest of all Nepalis.

Liberal Democracy Nepal (LDN) is dedicated to disseminating and discussing the full range of issues and ideas germane to the ideal of creating liberal democracy in Nepal. LDN is an affiliate of Nepal Study Center at the University of New Mexico, USA.