Miscellaneous
Govt briefs donors on situation
The government on Thursday told the Kathmandu-based diplomatic community that the recent incident in Tikapur, Kailali, was highly condemnable but it would not deter the “indomitable spirit of the Nepali people” to go ahead with the promulgation of the new constitution.The government on Thursday told the Kathmandu-based diplomatic community that the recent incident in Tikapur, Kailali, was highly condemnable but it would not deter the “indomitable spirit of the Nepali people” to go ahead with the promulgation of the new constitution.
Organising a briefing at the Foreign Ministry to apprise the diplomatic community on the present situation of the country, Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey and Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat said it was difficult to get to the depth of Monday’s incident in Tikapur as it was not a peaceful rally.
“The nature of killing [burning alive, use of local weapons to kill mercilessly] has confirmed the infiltration of some elements hostile to law and order, and forces opposed to constitution writing who are bent on terrorising people through their criminal and violent acts,” the government told diplomats, heads of key donor agencies and UN agencies in Kathmandu.
Under the cover of demonstration, they took advantage of the difficult situation driven by their hidden motives, read the briefing paper. “Violent activities cannot justify genuine political demands.”
The briefing was organised to communicate the official position of the government on the recent tussle on the constitutional front, said minister Mahat.
“We have explained our position. We expect the international community to come up with their views on the Kailali incident,” said Pandey.
Australian Ambassador to Nepal Glenn White said at the briefing that the constitution drafting process should reach a conclusion. Head of the European Union Delegation to Nepal Rensje Teerink expressed her belief that the post-quake reconstruction works should not be affected by such incidents.
Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae and Chinese Ambassador Wu Chuntai were absent from the briefing but representatives from the embassies attended it.
Peace, security and stability are prerequisites for progress and prosperity, said the paper, adding that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal “will also be in the interest of our region and beyond. We expect understanding and support from our neighbours and friends in the international community of our efforts towards this end”.
“The constitution is a dynamic document. It is open to amendment as the time and circumstances demand. We must have patience and let
the process move towards its logical conclusion,” the ministers said.
Stating that federalism is a new concept in Nepal, they stressed that positive attitude and cooperation from all are essential to find an acceptable solution to the issue of federal boundaries.
“The government remains committed to making all efforts to secure broadest possible consensus on the delineation of federal states, taking into account their viability as well as legitimate and genuine aspirations of the people.”
Federalism is a new concept in Nepal; positive attitude and cooperation from all are essential to find acceptable solution to the issue of federal boundaries, says duo