Govt briefing to Int'l Community
KATHMANDU, Aug 27: The government has reiterated that it won't allow violent and criminal events to overwhelm the ongoing constitution-making process.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey made the commitment during a briefing for the diplomatic community Thursday on the current political situation in Nepal. It comes three days after the Kailai incident in which eight police personnel including an SSP and a minor were killed, and with incidents of violence by various agitating groups still continuing.Minister Pandey said it was important for the government to protect the sanctity and integrity of the historic democratic process of drafting a new constitution through people's representatives at this critical juncture. "It cannot be allowed to be overwhelmed by violent and criminal events. Violence, threats and intimidation are threats to a peaceful democratic process and have no place in a democracy," he said while briefing foreign diplomats on the recent turn of events in the central Tarai and western plains.
Pandey said the incident in Tikapur, Kailali on August 24 confirmed the infiltration of some elements hostile to law and order and forces that are opposed to constitution writing and bent on terrorizing people through criminal and violent activities. "Violent activities cannot further genuine political demands. This incident, highly condemnable as it is, will not deter the indomitable spirit of the Nepali people to move ahead with the promulgation of the new constitution and seize this historic opportunity," he said.
While reiterating that the government has no intention of curtailing people's right to express their views and opinions in a peaceful manner, Pandey added that the major political parties have called for the renunciation of violence and a peaceful resolution of problems through dialogue. "The Government remains committed to making all efforts to secure the broadest possible consensus on the delineation of the federal boundaries, taking into account viability as well as the legitimate and genuine aspirations of the Nepali people," the minister said, referring to the prime minister's call to the agitating parties for talks.
The minister also said the provision of a federal commission gives scope for accommodating the genuine concerns of the people even after the promulgation of the constitution."Promulgating the constitution through the Constituent Assembly is not the end of the process; it is also the beginning of a new proces," he said. "Constitution is a dynamic/progressive document. It is open to amendment as time and circumstances demand."
On the occasion, Minister Pandey, who was flanked by Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat, also shared the government's resolve to promulgate an inclusive, democratic constitution at the earliest and end the protracted transition which has cost the country so much in terms of political stability, economic development and social progress. "The process cannot be reversed. We expect sincere cooperation from all the political parties and other stakeholders in the country in carrying forward the constitution drafting process to safeguard the vital interests of the country and the Nepali people," he added.
Finance Minister Mahat, also briefing the international community, said that the government was trying its level best to accommodate the aspirations of people from different ethnicities and linguistic communities. "Some forces are bent on foiling the ongoing constitution drafting process in Nepal. The government is committed to bringing a new statute at the earliest," he said.
On the occasion, EU Ambassador to Nepal Rensje Teerink argued that the recent incidents should not hamper the post-earthquake reconstruction efforts. Likewise, Australian Ambassador Glenn White said Nepal should promulgate a democratic and inclusive constitution at the earliest.