Koning Gyanendra stuurt
regering naar huis - Nepal nieuws
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Speciale
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Volledige tekst van
The Royal Proclamation to the Nation from His
Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev
(February 1, 2005)
Beloved Countrymen, 1. The Kingdom of
Nepal was built on the foundations of the unification process initiated by
King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great. It is well known that to reign in
accordance with the people's aspirations, our forefathers initiated
revolutionary measures of historic importance, ensuring a bright future of the
nation and her people. History is witness to the fact that both the Nepalese
people and the King have, in unison, played decisive roles in each and every
period of the Kingdom's process of unification, democratisation and
modernisation.
2. Today, we have once again reached a juncture where, in keeping with popular
aspirations, a historic decision must be taken to defend multiparty democracy by
restoring peace for the nation and people. Even when bloodshed, violence and
devastation has pushed the country on the brink of destruction, those engaged in
politics in the name of the country and people continue to shut their eyes to
their welfare. Tussle for power, abuse of authority on gaining power and
unhealthy competition in fulfilling personal and communal interests at the
expense of the nation and citizenry contributed to the further deterioration in
the situation. There were attempts to flout the universally accepted rule of law
in the name of politics. Our desire to ensure social, political and economic
justice for our beloved people through the meaningful exercise of multiparty
democracy could not be materialised. There was a steady rise in crimes against
the nation and people, including destruction of development infrastructures
constructed for the people's benefit. Whereas all democratic forces should have
adopted an unified approach against terrorism, leaders instead continued their
tussle for power, encouraging simple political workers to vandalise public
utilities in the name of politics. Faced with this steadily declining situation,
it is now time to bring to an end the ongoing acts of terrorist violence and
pledge, in earnest, to fulfill the people's aspirations with the restoration of
peace and security in the country.
Beloved countrymen,
3. Democracy and progress always complement each other. But, Nepal's bitter
experiences over the past few years tend to show that democracy and progress
contradict one another. Multiparty democracy was discredited by focusing solely
on power politics. Parliament witnessed many aberrations in the name of
retaining and ousting governments. Not a single House of Representatives was
allowed to complete its tenure. Continuous confusion and disorder resulted in
the obstruction of the democratic process. While the people's aspirations
continued to be shattered and their trust trampled on, they became increasingly
disenchanted with democracy itself. After being incapable of holding elections,
there were conspiracies to form undemocratic governments, which would be
responsible to no one. There was also a written consensus amongst all political
parties on vacuuming the people's representatives out but they could not see eye
to eye when it came to working together in filling this void. The participation
and concurrence of political parties in making way for a form of governance,
which negated popular representation, was against the people's wishes and norms
and spirit of multiparty democracy. So, we appealed to all those who have faith
in democracy with the intention of activating, at the earliest, the system of
popular representation. We also met a number of times with members of the
general public, senior citizens, representatives of the civil society and
leaders of political parties in our effort to gauze the popular mandate and try
to convince them of the country's requirements and people's aspirations. We
reminded them that the only wish of the Nepalese people and friends of Nepal was
to bring to an end the ongoing violence and destructive activities and return
peace and tranquility to the country without any further delay. In order to
conduct the general elections in an environment of peace and security,
opportunities were given to leaders of various political parties to constitute
the Council of Ministers, with executive power. But the situation did not
improve. National politics was plagued by not uniting in running the government
but opposing it on being ousted from it. No serious efforts were made to
attenuate the real threat posed against democracy by terrorism in the form of a
single-party autocracy. The habit of passing carefree remarks on matters of
national security continued. Political parties were unable to display
responsible behavior in augmenting the patriotic fervour of our dutiful security
personnel, who are active round the clock in ensuring security of the nation and
people. Multiparty democrats could not sincerely unite, with national interest
as the focal point, to forever end the cycle of devastation being lashed out
against the nation and people. Likewise, political parties also could not
identify national priorities in keeping with the people's aspirations.
4. Throughout history, the Nepalese people never had to bear the burden of such
terrorism, agony and exploitation. No democracy has ever had to go through such
a dismal situation, where the innocent are punished by criminals, people whose
property is seized and innocent children, women and the elderly who are
mercilessly killed by criminals cannot receive any kind of protection from those
who govern in their name and parties who claim to represent the people do not
act in their defence. The nefarious designs of an individual or group, negating
the wishes of the Nepalese people as well as the national interest and acting
through sponsored mobs, cannot form our national agenda. Conscientiousness
towards our responsibility to the future of the country and people has nudged us
many a time. Circumstances have reached such a critical stage that it has now
become imperative for us to take a decision in the greater interest of the
nation and people in accordance with their aspirations.
Beloved Countrymen,
5. Nepal's independence, national unity and sovereignty are best safeguarded by
the intimate relationship between the King and people. An Institution of M
onarchy ever devoted to the country and people and a people with an innate love
for their land is the glorious history of the Kingdom of Nepal, its present and
also its future. In keeping with this glorious tradition, popular will as always
remained the guiding light for Nepal's Monarchy. We are committed to social
justice; totalitarianism and authoritarianism are entirely inconsistent with the
Monarchial traditions of the Shah Dynasty. We are convinced of the fact that the
Nepalese people have deep faith in and are firmly committed to Constitutional
Monarchy and multiparty democracy. We believe that centralisation of authority
is against democratic norms. We feel that a meaningful exercise in democracy can
take place only when elected representatives at all levels are given their share
in the governance of the country in accordance with the principles of separation
of powers. It is our desire that, while no Nepalese should experience pain or
suffering, every citizen should have unfettered access to social, economic and
political justice. We strongly believe that the people should always feel that
their wishes are being fully honoured and their interests completely protected
in the governance of the country. It is our desire to ensure that the Kingdom of
Nepal forges ahead towards the creation of a mature democracy and welfare
society with the collective judgment, understanding and farsightedness of all
patriotic democrats. We are confident that there can never be any differences
among democrats on achieving the fundamental objectives of national welfare.
6. We have no interest other than the restoration of sustainable peace and
exercise in meaningful democracy for the welfare of Nepal and Nepalese people.
Monarchy is guided not by a cheap popularity but by the overall welfare and
continued progress of Nepal and her people. Everyone should respect the people's
desire for effective reforms. Let no Nepalese feel compelled to take up arms as
a means of expressing frustration or disenchantment. At the same time, it must
be ensured that every citizen has the opportunity to express discontent
effectively without jeopardizing social harmony. It is clear that what the
people want are a meaningful exercise in democracy, an effective market economy,
good governance, transparency and a corruption-free rule of law. Our only wish
is to guarantee our people's happiness through democracy, instill hope among the
youth for a brighter future and to ensure dignity for Nepal amongst the comity
of nations. Equal opportunities for the development of all our languages,
peoples and their cultures alone can preserve and consolidate the Kingdom's
distinct characteristics.
7. Contrary to the wishes of the Nepalese people, on whom sovereignty is vested,
no serious efforts were made towards initiating elections to the House of
Representatives within the year 2061 B.S. by maintaining, to the extent
possible, peace and security. Instead of preparing the electorate and political
parties for the elections and laying the necessary legal, managerial and
technical groundwork, time was wasted on paying only lip service on the urgency
of holding elections. As it is our responsibility to preserve our nationalism,
national unity and sovereignty, as well as to maintain peace and security in the
country and ensure that the state of the nation does not deteriorate any
further, we have, by virtue of the State Authority as exercised by us and in
keeping with the spirit of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal – 1990,
taking into consideration Article 27 (3) of the Constitution, dissolved,
effective from today, the current Council of Ministers to fulfill the people's
desire for the restoration of peace and security and to activate soon the
democratic dispensation. The Council of Ministers to be constituted will be
under our Chairmanship. This Council of Ministers will give utmost priority to
reactivating multiparty democracy in the country within three years with the
implementation of effective reforms by restoring peace and security.
Beloved countrymen,
8. Only a meaningful multiparty democracy can be an effective means of
governance by the people. A successful multiparty democracy alone is synonymous
with people's democracy. Such a system, which is people-oriented, mature,
cultured and refined, has been disrupted. Terrorising the innocent population,
extorting money through intimidation, brutally murdering those who dissent,
kidnapping students and perpetrating atrocities against teachers, making false
promises to simple people and destroying development projects aimed at the
people's welfare are crimes against the nation and people, which have to be
brought to an immediate end. From now on, such crimes will be dealt with firmly
in accordance with the law. Our security forces have been mobilised to carry out
their responsibilities more effectively to end terrorism and restore peace and
security in the interest of the nation and people. All the organs of the state
must remain alert in honouring and upholding human rights. However, it will be
unfair to put the state and terrorists on equal footing. We are confident that
all peace-loving Nepalese who have faith in democracy will, as always, continue
to cooperate with the security forces in maintaining peace and tranquility.
9. We call upon all those who have gone astray, taking up arms against the
nation and people, and those who are engaged in criminal activities against
peace and democracy to return to the mainstream of national politics peacefully.
Ensuring opportunities to freely express one's views with patriotism as the
focal point, fulfilling one's aspirations and contributing to the welfare of the
nation and people are the inherent features of multiparty democracy. We assure
all those who avail of this opportunity to join the national mainstream that the
state will give them opportunities and rights equal to those enjoyed by all our
citizens, without any discrimination whatsoever; neither the people nor the law
will tolerate any terrorist activities against the state or its citizens.
Beloved countrymen,
10. We would like to thank all the friendly nations who have generously
supported us, appreciating our commitment to fight terrorism, as well as donors
and international financial institutions that have rendered invaluable
assistance in our development endeavours. Even the world's democracies are
presently faced with the threat of terrorism, which cannot be confined within
geographical boundaries. The world community has in fact realised that the more
secure, stable and prosperous the smaller nations become, the more secure,
stable and prosperous will the region and the world as a whole be. Nepal is,
therefore, committed to eliminating terrorism in her own interest as well as in
the interest of democracies around the world. Nepal aspires for peace - for
herself, her neighbours and South Asia - and to rid the world of the threat to
peace.
11. While expressing our unflinching faith in multiparty democracy, we would
like to mention that economic and institutional reforms will continue. Efforts
at reforms in the utilisation of public expenditure and public service delivery
will be made more effective. Banking discipline will be restored. Measures will
be adopted towards the effective implementation of the poverty reduction
strategy and the anti-corruption drive. Sustainable development is now our
national agenda. No one will be allowed to jeopadise the people's security and
the future of democracy. Nepal will not allow terrorists to use her territory
against herself or against any other friendly nation. In our ties with other
countries, emphasis will be laid on fostering constructive relations based on
mutual benefit and pragmatism.
12. Corruption, which has been continuously spreading its tentacles, has not
only cast a shadow over politics and administration, but has also obstructed the
nation's march towards progress. Corruption has struck at the very core of our
society, the result of which the common man's confidence in the laws of the land
has been shaken. Therefore, in keeping with the popular will and to fulfill the
main criterion of good governance, effective measures will be adopted to curb
corruption, while ensuring that the principles of justice are not infringed
upon.
13. It is our desire that democracy be a way of life, politics be conducted in
keeping with democratic norms and values, people from all strata of society
honestly adhere to democratic ideals and everyone be guided by the interest of
the country and people. All Nepalese wish to see our country as a progressive
nation, occupying a pride of place in the international community, where
democratic ideals thrive in a peaceful environment. It is our belief that
upholding human rights not only preserves and promotes democratic values but
also enhances a way of life and civilisational values commensurate with the 21st
century.
Beloved countrymen,
14. Our decision should leave no room for confusion amongst the security
personnel and civil servants in discharge of their duties and responsibilities.
Today, it is we Nepalese who must take an initiative to ensure a bright future
for Nepal and the Nepalese. An independent press serves as the medium for
raising the level of democratic consciousness. It plays a crucial role in the
promotion of national interests. We believe that the press will make effective
contributions in ensuring that democratic norms and values inspire our way of
life as well as governance. We are confident that, with this in mind, all those
who have faith in multiparty democracy will discharge their duties from their
respective places and the people's aspirations along with the country's
requirements will be realised through the shared efforts of all the countrymen.
15. Today, the nation has made a firm commitment and a decision has also been
taken accordingly. The nation has taken a step forward towards democracy and
progress, leaving behind violence, insecurity and conflict. At a time when the
country is in the grip of terrorism, all those who believe in democracy and
peace must unite. Let us, therefore, be inspired by our collective wisdom and
guided by our national perspective. Any nefarious attempts at disturbing peace
and security and hindering efforts at making democracy meaningful will not be
tolerated either by the nation or people. Yet, in pursuit of liberalism, we
should never overlook an important aspect of our conduct, namely discipline.
This is also the thinking of the 21st century. We wish to repeat once again that
those who cannot do justice to Nepal, those who cannot believe in the sound
judgment of the people and those who cannot stand in favour of peace will stand
condemned by the motherland. May Lord
Pashupatinath bless us all!
Verslagen
30 mei - 4 juni -
Mountain flight, afscheid uit Nepal
2 mei - 29 mei 2005 -
Mount
kailash /
Lake Manasarovar
9 april - 1 mei -
bezoek, Bouddha, Bungamati, Ghandruk, Ghorepani, Tatopani trekking, Pokhara
en vervolg verslag 15 -
Temal Jatra festival en Koninginnedag in Nepal
1 april 2005 - 9 april 2005 -
Nagarkot
17 maart 2005 - 31 maart 2005 -
Holi festival, Pokhara
28 februari - 16 maart -
Dakshinkali, Maha Shivaratri
21 februari - 27 februari -
Pokhara
30 januari - 21 februari -
Noodtoestand in Nepal / Losar /
Sankhu / Pokhara
18 december 2004 - 29 januari 2005 -
Terug in Kathmandu / fietsen naar
Sundarijal / Balaju-park 24 november - 17 december 2004 -
Streetdance / Bungamati & Khokana / goede doel
6 november - 23 november -
Pokhara, Jomson-trekking,
Annapurna-gebergte
23 oktober - 5 november 2004 -
Changu Narayan, Phutung, Pokhara
12 oktober - 23 oktober 2004 -
Verslag #5 Uitzicht Himalaya / Dashain /
kinderhuis
5 oktober - 12 oktober 2004 verslag week
4 Dashain/ Tihar festivals / borrel ambassade / Chobhar kloof / Nagarjun
28 september - 5 oktober 2004 -
Verslag week 3
(Nepalese taalles, lezing Lama Rimpoche, Budhanilkantha, computerlessen in
kinderhuis) 21 - 28 september 2004 -
Verslag 2 - o.a. Bouddhanath,
Kirtipur en Indra Jatra festival
15 -21 september 2004 -
Verslag 1 - o.a. aankomst in Nepal,
Swayambhunath en kinderhuis
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