Posted by: Dr. Strangelove January 11, 2008
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Red Army in Nepal
The Pioneer Edit Desk (11 Jan 2008)
Maoists now want to be soldiers
That the Maoists have now taken control
of the agenda in Nepal is made apparent by their
succeeding in getting their way with regard to their
various demands. They have rejoined the Cabinet
after three months of deadlock over the issue of the
abolition of the monarchy that has now been eased.
The Maoists have used undemocratic means to achieve
their agenda and have also succeeded in having the
monarchy dumped through their pressure tactics. It
will be recalled that the Maoists rejoined the
Government after Parliament agreed in late December
to amend the interim Constitution to declare Nepal a
republic, subject to ratification by a Constituent
Assembly, provided one is ever elected. The Maoists
have now put forward the demand that their militia,
comprising indoctrinated cadre who participated in
the bloody decade-long insurgency, be integrated
with the Nepal Army. It is undoubtedly true that the
integration of the guerrillas into Nepal's Army was
part of the peace accord that had been signed in
November 2006. Under this agreement the Maoists had
agreed to return their fighters to camps, store
their weapons under UN supervision and join an
interim Government. It was this peace accord that
had opened the path for the Maoists to participate
in Nepal's political process of which they have
taken full advantage, resorting to undemocratic
means. It is evident from the actions of Prachanda
and other Maoist leaders that they cannot be
trusted; the question of trusting their bloodthirsty
militia, therefore, does not arise. If they are
absorbed in the security apparatus before the
Constituent Assembly election, they will be used to
terrorise voters and facilitate a Maoist victory.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has
understandably not acceded to the demand so far;
instead, he has suggested that they serve as an
industrial security force. Even that would be risky,
not least because the Maoists continue to harass
industrialists.
There is little doubt that the integration of
Maoists into the Army will undoubtedly politicise
it. Yet, it remains to be seen how long Mr Koirala
will be able to hold out. He has a record of
weakness when in confrontation with the Maoists, and
has repeatedly compromised over various issues.
Clearly, the Maoists have been running circles
around Mr Koirala and Nepal's political
establishment, winning the battle of wits and, step
by step, succeeding in their aims. They have, in
this manner, been able to achieve what they could
not in 10 years of insurgency. India is in part to
blame for this destabilisation of institutions,
including the monarchy, for the 'peace' accord was
in part brokered by it. The chickens of chicanery
are coming home to roost.