Election talk. How so? - http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-13-voa47.cfm "The rebels control two-thirds of the countryside. Political analysts say they will be anxious to show that elections cannot be held unless the government reaches an agreement with them." Ashu says: "This monarchy and republic ka kura is premature and diversionary in Nepal at this time." Nothing could be further from the truth. To retain or not to retain the monarchy is the number one issue on the table. That is why there is all the chaos, the insurgency. "The more pressing reality in Nepal is that all should aim to be united FIRST to completely defang the Maoists (who are NOT to be trusted at all) WHILE raising hell against the army's excesses." This is highly unrealistic. You sound like the 1% in Nepal who feel like the Maoists are shaking things up a little too much to be of comfort to you. This is not a "trust" issue. This is an issue of political solutions. You survey the reality (of the Maoists) and then you seek common ground. You negotiate. Btw Ashu, I bet you get most of your "news" on Nepal from online sorces. That is most Sajhawasis. iso freaking freak. This monarchist freaking lumps me with the Maoists. I am a free marketeer, one person one vote, social progressive. Where I do see some light in Maoist politics is their voicing of the various ethnic greivances, which are legitimate. I am a peace-first person. That is why I am such a strong supporter of the idea of a Constituent Assembly. After that, once a system of one person one vote has been established, let the various groups play out their interests and grievances through non-violent organizing. "The change in the system at this point, or at this chaotic stage, means creating more chaos/anarchy." This is the mindset that says, I'd rather people die than change the political status quo. "Changes can be achieved from within the system." Not true. The 1990 constitution is fundamentally flawed. - http://www.geocities.com/bhagat266/madhesi/lawoti.html "Everything was wrong from the very beginning. What we are seeing now is the fruition of peoples? anger that was suppressed for more than 200 years. One group always dominated the country whereas others never had any real political power. Democracy was letting the same elite group control the country in a more internationally respected disguise. So what the Maoists might be wrong in the ways, but they are not wrong in their demands." Close to how I feel. "See the problem is, we don't even have a common consensus on Nepal." This diversity of opinions is positive, not negative.