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Mon 24 Apr, 2006 08:14 pm
at least a bit:
Humbled King apologises for deaths and restores democracy
By Raekha Prasad in Kathmandu and Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor
NEPAL'S embattled monarch last night made a humiliating televised climbdown when he ordered the reinstatement of parliament, the key demand of anti-monarchist protesters.
After 19 days of street protests that have paralysed the Himalayan Kingdom, a contrite King Gyanendra made a last attempt to avert further bloodshed and save his throne.
Following hours of intense mediation efforts by Nepalese politicians and foreign diplomats, the monarch made a surprise statement late last night.
Looking tense and grey, the King apologised to his subjects for the deaths of 14 demonstrators and gave in to the key demand of the seven-party alliance opposed to his rule.
"We, through this proclamation, reinstate the house of representatives which was dissolved on May 22, 2002," said Gyanendra in a five-minute statement read on national television just before midnight.
The speech was intended to head-off what was widely expected to be the largest street protest yet, with perhaps a million demonstrators from across the political spectrum due to swamp the streets of Kathmandu today and use people power to strip the King of his authority.
Last night the ruler's eleventh-hour gesture to save his throne appeared to have worked. Kathmandu reverberated to the sound of celebratory cheers minutes after the King's speech was aired. People spilled on to the streets chanting "long live democracy" and "this is a people's victory".
Senior opposition figures welcomed his offer and said that today's massive protest, to be led by two former prime ministers, would now probably be postponed or turned into a victory rally. An official announcement is expected today.
Nepal's largest opposition party welcomed the speech. Gyanendra "has addressed the spirit of the people's movement" and met the demands of the main opposition seven-party alliance, said Ram Chandra Poudel, general secretary of the Nepali Congress.
"It is the victory of the people's movement," said Arjun Narsingh KC, a senior leader of the Nepali Congress, the country's largest political party............
FULL STORY
But...no response so far from Maoists and the backdown is far from complete.......
Real hope for Nepal?????
dunno from here, just following.
Although...this doesn't look good....
US orders nonessential embassy employees to leave Nepal
www.chinaview.cn 2006-04-25 07:26:02
WASHINGTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The United States has ordered all nonemergency embassy workers and their families to leave Nepal and urged American citizens to postpone travel to the kingdom which has been chaotic for weeks.
; The nonemergency workers and their families in the U.S. embassy will begin leaving Nepal whenever possible, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters.
However, Ereli said, the U.S. embassy would continue to "handle the business that needs to be taken care of, whether that involves servicing American citizens or working with the local authorities to deal with a crisis that they confront themselves."
Nepal has been in turmoil since opposition political parties inthe country sponsored indefinite nation-wide general strike earlier this month.
More than a dozen of demonstrators were reportedly killed and more than 5,000 others injured across Nepal in clashes with security forces in anti-government demonstrations and rallies.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/25/content_4469451.htm
Australia has made the same orders.....
U.S., Australia order citizens to leave Nepal
Concern over threats to personal safety from political instability
KATHMANDU: The U.S. Embassy here on Monday ordered the mission staff and family members, U.S. employees and citizens to leave Nepal due to the deteriorating situation and security concerns after 18 days of general strikes.
"Under ordered departure, mission family members and non-emergency American employees would depart Nepal as soon as possible. American citizens should also depart Nepal as soon as possible," the Embassy said.
"American citizens also are advised that the Nepali Government continues to use curfews and other sometimes violent measures to control the growing number of large and widespread demonstration." The Department of State is concerned by threats to personal safety from "political instability, civil disorder, demonstrations" and lack of supplies and essentials entering the country, according to the statement. It also said that protesters have attacked numerous vehicles, including diplomatic ones, during demonstrations. The Australian Government has also advised its citizens not to travel to Nepal. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Monday reissued its travel advisory to Nepal.
Snippet
http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/25/stories/2006042517811200.htm
I think the image of his head in a platter concentrates the mind mightily.
If he doesn't accede to be declawed and defanged I call for his execution.
bm
Watching developments with interest.
King Charles 1 springs to mind......
I just hope that your 'King Charles I', doesn't turn out to be a 'king Louis XVI'. I sincerely hope for the people of Nepal they are spared such a bloody revolution.
Well, re. Charles 1, we had a slight scurmish ourselves at that time, as I recall....
Ai, you did. That wasn't very nice either, and Mr. Cromwell, Charles' successor, provokes quite extreme thoughts, much akin to Richard III. Some defile him, others worship him.
But I think in terms of litres of blood spilled... Nepal would be better off with a Charles I then a Louis XVI.
Just my opinion of course.
Naj
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