Kathmandu, Nepal – The Maoists came to the school at noon two Fridays ago, demanding students and the school bus. They got neither.
The rebel forces wanted the unwilling recruits to bolster their number at a rally to show strength as a fledgling government is formed in Nepal after 11 years of conflict. The school director sent day students home, and locked the gates of the walled campus to shelter the boarding students. She told our group, four Colorado volunteers and three students packing up after a three-week dental clinic, to just lock the door and finish our task.
The incident came just two days after “PEACE AT LAST” was bannered in big red letters across the local paper. The Maoists (CPN) and seven political parties are struggling to shape a government to probably replace the monarchy.
There was a frisson of excitement for us, but no fear. The Maoists have been fairly consistent in not threatening foreign visitors.
They should be so respectful of their fellow Nepali. Hundreds have been killed by the rebels, while others “disappeared.” Land, buildings and farms have been arbitrarily appropriated, and taxes of all kinds levied by a group whose only legitimacy is by terror.
Now they have a place at the table, and revel in it. When you read the numerous daily attacks that continue by Maoists you wonder how anyone could possibly believe they would be responsible and trustworthy in planning Nepal’s future. Villages are still raided, whole schools are taken for “training”, teachers and headmen are killed, and 1,480 police have been killed so far.
To be fair, the army and police have a similar record of violence and corruption thrives at all levels. In a decade of insurgency, an estimated 13,000 have been killed, victims of both sides.
The big contention now is over the arms held by both sides. One proposal would lock them up in separate locations – but allow each side to keep its own keys. The Maoists refused a proposal that would have had the United Nations hold the keys, so the proposal now would merely allow the U.N. to watch the arms depots via camera.
But hope springs eternal in the universal human heart. The people of this poor beleagured nation want to believe there is finally true hope for a lasting peace and representative government that will obey the constitution.
It’s a vivid reminder that we rail against American politics even as we take for granted that our system will work reliably and peacefully. But that’s an unattainable goal for many nations striving for that same self-governance and security.
At Thanksgiving we usually focus on our bountiful blessings – food and shelter, family and friends. I suggest this year we add heartfelt thanks to our Constitution and Bill of Rights that give us a government that defines and protects our way of life.
And for newspapers and the media. You may complain about what we print, but be glad we do print -because that’s how our governments and businesses and individuals are often goaded into doing what they should be doing all the time. An informed citizenry makes for better government.
Consider the alternative, such as in Sri Lanka, formerly called Ceylon, as described in the Nov. 4 Kathmandu Post. Reporters are expected to write in favor of one side or the other – the government or the Tamil Tigers. If they don’t, there are fatal repercussions. Seven media persons have been murdered since January, just as dozens have been killed in other rebel-torn regions. A story telling both sides is unacceptable … you have to be for. Being independent can be suicidal.
A Sri Lanka television channel did a story on an Aug. 14 bombing that killed 64 persons, mostly young girls, using film from both the state and Tamil rebels, with UN relief activities to balance the story. The government’s highest authority ordered the channel chairman to make clear whether the station was with the state or against it. Later, he received a human skull wrapped as a gift.
That ended independent reporting.
Freedom of the press is a prized and integral part of our lives, and totally taken for granted. We need to become more aware of how rare and precious it is on the globe, and protect it accordingly.
