Just adding ANTA's press release received at Nepal Democracy Forum (nepaldemocracy googlegroup) and the subsequent words of appreciation by the members of the forum. There was an overwhelming support and praise to ANTA's statement from several members of the forum including myself. I did praise the statement for it's timely and responsible message. At the same time, I also pointed out to a tricky situation with JTMM. My reaction is at the bottom of this message. Nepe **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: X To: .. Cc: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 5:18 PM Subject: [ND] ANTA - Press Release Dear All: Attached please find an ANTA's Press Release in response to the continued deteriorating condition in Terai region. Please note that ... ... ... with a DRAFT in short amount of time. I hope you all understand the situation. Y: Could you please disseminate to all the media channels in Nepal and US? Thanks. Thanks for all your support, X __________________ PRESS RELEASE Association of Nepali Teraian in America (ANTA) has noted with concern the continuing disruption of normal life in the Terai region of Nepal. ANTA believes that the recent success of negotiations between the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) Government and the Communist Party of Nepal (M) leading to the promulgation of an Interim Constitution, Interim Parliament and the forthcoming Interim Government offers the best opportunity ever to restructure the Nepali state so as to reflect the best interests and aspirations of all Nepalis, including the traditionally marginalized people of the Terai region. ANTA firmly believes in democracy, fair political competition and proactive policies by national government as means to overcome the disadvantaged position in which the people of Terai have been relegated by the past regimes. Keeping a forward looking approach, ANTA sees the holding of the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections as central to forming an inclusive democratic system in Nepal. Aware of the high stakes in a successful transition, ANTA calls on all the political leaders and Nepali people to show highest levels of tolerance, restraint and accommodation at this critical juncture of political transition. Welcoming the statements, as reported in the media, by the government leaders as well as the leaders of both factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) to engage in negotiations to resolve outstanding issues, we call for expedited negotiations to end violence and strengthen the democratic process. ANTA also shares The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Nepal’s concern over the arrest of Madhesi activists and political party members and calls for their immediate release. In the best interest of Nepal’s national unity and democracy, ANTA also calls on the government to respond promptly to the legitimate demands of the people of Terai region including speedy distribution of citizenships to all those eligible population as the basis of representation, greater autonomy to the people of Terai region and better and visible representation of Terai people in all aspects of government. ANTA firmly believes that the overall development of Terai can only result in a stronger Nepal. For further information or queries in this regard, contact Mr. Mukesh Singh, Spokesperson, ANTA at (614) 370-9652 or ileshsingh@gmail.com. ________________ **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #1 To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com ... Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 5:49 PM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release ....ji and all Tarain friends, I commend and appreciate ANTA Press Release! Violence and sectarian divisions MUST be opposed in STRONGEST possible terms. Hence would recommend to bolster that part. Peace and harmony is as much a basic need as much as equality and democracy are. To me Tarai is an example of living in harmony! There are enough painful lessons in the history that MUST NOT be repeated. I commend such effort. Thanks for the Press Release! #1 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #2 To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com ; ... Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 7:19 PM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release ...Ji and friends: The press release is timely and appropriate and I thank you and all other colleagues involved in drafting and issuing this press release. As #1 Ji rightly said I fully agree that violence of all kind, and for whatever reason, should be always condemned. Negotiating a peaceful settlemnt to the right grievances and demand of the people of terai should be the priority of the government and the people of terai. Hope the wisdom prevails and that all concerned will rise upto the challenge and will do the right thing. In solidarity with ANTA and with all the wonderful people of terai, #2 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #3 To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com ; ... Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 9:07 PM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release Thank you Ratan jee and ANTA friends. This is a very timely and appropriate press release. I am sure you have circulated it widely in Nepal. Congratulations and best wishes. #3 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #4 To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com ; .. Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 1:30 AM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release ...ji Excellent Statement - mature and thoughtful . Congratulation. I am still waiting for my ANTA T-Shirt. #4 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #5 To: .. Cc: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com ; ... Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 2:04 AM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release .. Ji and ANTA friends, I am in Nepal at the moment and just happened to read the ANTA press release. You have put together a very balanced statement in a very timely manner. I am proud of being associated with ANTA and the ANTA leadership. #5 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #6 To: "nepal democracy" Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 4:49 AM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release Dear ...jee and friends, Timely and balanced statement.My congratulation. Regards,#6 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #7 To: ... Cc: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 5:33 AM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release ...ji, My commendation to the ANTA leadership for a very balanced statement in the deteriorating situation in the Terai. There is no place for violence in the democracy, opportunities must be provided for everyone to actively participate in the public life and steps must be taken to address the genuine concerns of all communties. Regards, #7 ANTA Life memebr. **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #8 To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 6:52 AM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release Dear ...ji and ANTA Members, Congratulations for timely and appropriate statement. #8 NY **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #9 To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 6:57 AM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release Dear .. ji, I commend you and ANTA for a timely and appropriate press release. Just when Nepalis had begun to take a sigh of relief from a decade-long violence, they do not deserve another cycle of bloody unrest and disruption in normal life. Only a functioning democracy committed to freedom and inclusion can do justice to the Terai people who have been left on the margin in the past. And that sentiment has been very well reflected in the press release. Best, #9 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #10 To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 8:03 AM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release Amen to #9 ji's statement, thank you ANTA for the press release. #10 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: #11 To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 12:20 PM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release Me too. ANTA's statement was very appropriate and timely. Deserves congratulations. #11 **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** From: Deepak To: "nepal democracy" Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2007 3:24 PM Subject: [ND] Re: ANTA - Press Release ANTA friends, I join all respected members of NDF to welcome ANTA's timely press statement. I also share everybody's appraisal that it was a balanced and responsible statement. At the same time, I also note that the statement is kinda RESERVED particularly regarding what appears to be an increasingly categorical "separatist" agenda/movement JTMM is launching in Nepal. I am sure there is a good explanation for that. The timing could be too early. The group (JTMM) could still be insignificant. The movement could be too vague or mixed up at this point. Just some of the possibilities (explanation) I can think of. As for my personal take on JTMM's or any other group's separatist ambition, as a free thinking person and as someone who genuinely believes in freedom and reality, I am not religiously, so to speak, against separatism. There is no doubt that I will always strive for Nepal's national unity and integrity. However, I keep myself also aware of the fact that all depends on the relation between the traditionally ruling group and the marginalized groups. As ANTA also has noted in it's statement, Nepal is opening up for an inclusive democracy for the first time in it's entire history. There are some initial glitches and lapses and I believe this is what is frustrating some members of Madhesi group. However, both the glitches and frustrations are natural. I can not preach patience to Madhesis. First of all, as a Pahadi (the ruling group), I do not have a moral right to do that. Second, as I see it happening in real life, frustration is more effective than patience to get things done. With that light on, I think a strong activism (to the extent of what I would like to call "Non-violent radicalism") from Madhesi and all other marginalized groups are to be expected and even desired. I think this is where ANTA will have to draw a line and talk openly about all inconvenient truths and inconvenient members of the community it represents in coming days. Deepak A well wisher of ANTA and a comrade-in-arms to the fight for an inclusive democracy in Nepal **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** _______________________________