Hush - My own prediction is the institution of monarchy is on it's way out, whether I want it to or not. The credit for this goes in large part to HM King Gyanendra. There is still the possibility that the king and parties will kiss and make up (and boy how I love that phrase) but that possibility is diminishing with each passing day. Unless there is some patching up in the next couple of months, I think the parties and monarchy will have parted ways forever. The monarchy has more to lose from this than the parties. The King still has the advantage in the short term (2-3 years) because the people are so fed up with the parties. However, based on the way he has been ruling, my prediction is people will get sick of him pretty soon. Then all bets are off. We will most likely see new alliances and perhaps new political parties. We will see events that eventually lead to the overthrow of the King and the establishment of a republican state. Of course, all that will come with a price - thousands dead, thousands widowed and orphaned and thousands more injured, maimed and disabled. Most of the dead will likely be young students, poor peasants, helpless soldiers and policemen. The elites on both sides, like we people on Sajha and our relatives and friends, will probably survive and continue to pontificate in the new post-Monarchial order in Nepal - just like we have been doing all our lives. As far as his NY trip is concerned, I think it is a great gamble. On one hand if he can get some sort of support, or at least no criticism, from the US and others during his trip here, it gives him a stick to beat his critics with. He desperatley needs international support and the General Assembly is the one party you don't want to miss when you don't have a lot of friends. On the other hand, even if 800-1000 people show up to protest the King's visit, the event is bound to get headlines in Nepal and have a huge propoganda value for his detractors. My 2 cents ... hope you are having a good weekend.