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| Saturday, 29 May 2004 |
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Maoists exploit vacuum as Nepal political leadership lingers in crisis KATHMANDU, Friday (AFP) Maoist rebels fighting to turn Nepal into a communist state are exploiting a vacuum as the political leadership lingers in limbo three weeks after the pro-royal prime minister quit, observers say. The Maoists, who control vast areas of the Himalayan kingdom, have stepped up their calls for strikes, which by stopping normal life demonstrate rebel clout at a time when government influence is tenuous. "The Maoists and those affiliated with them now have an upper hand with the protests," said Madhav Gopal Upadhyay, a veteran pro-democracy activist. King Gyanendra, who outraged Nepal's major parties by firing the elected government in 2002, opened a dialogue with the opposition after his handpicked premier, Surya Bahadur Thapa, resigned on May 7 under pressure from massive street protests. But the talks have failed to make headway, and opposition leaders say they will mount new demonstrations. "With the king unable to reach an agreement with the leaders and appoint a new premier, the movement against him is expected to continue and the Maoists are the ones who will cash in from the uncertain situation," Upadhyay said. The Maoists shut down the Himalayan kingdom from May 18 to 20 in a strike called in part to show solidarity with the opposition demonstrations in Kathmandu. Pro-Maoist groups have called a series of strikes in regions and by various labour sectors leading up to a new three-day national shutdown set to begin June 10. One strike that will likely be devastating is due from June 7 to 9 when a Maoist trade union has called on all tourism workers to walk off. Tourism supports 1.25 million jobs in the cash-strapped country of Mount Everest. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry estimated that the fragile economy suffered 63 million dollars in lost revenue during last month's three-day strike. Amnesty International on Wednesday accused both the rebels and government of abductions and torture during the insurgency, which has claimed more than 9,500 lives since 1996. According to press reports, however, the Maoists have quietly maintained contacts with officials close to the king in hopes of negotiating a settlement favourable to them when a new - and potentially weak - government emerges. Padma Ratna Tuladhar, a go-between for the Maoists and the royalist government in talks that broke down last year, declined comment on the reports but said the rebels were ready for a brokered solution. "The Maoists may opt for a new ceasefire and talks if the government comes forward with sincerity and a willingness to redraft the constitution," Tuladhar told AFP. |
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