Seminar on Conflict Vs. Peace: Resolving the Maoist Crisis

Organised by Association of Writers and Kathmandu Editors (AWAKE)

9 May 2005

After the arrival of Chief Guest, Hon. Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, function begins with Lok Deep Thapa, president of AWAKE being asked to chair the function. Chief guest also called to dais. Director of FES Kathmandu Dev Raj Dahal called to the dais. First Secretary at the German Embassy Klaus Tesch invited to dais. Authors of the two working papers, Prof. Dr. Parashar Koirala and Senior political analyst and media expert Sirish Shumsher Rana called to dais.

Foreign Minister inaugurates the seminar by lighting a traditional lamp and garlanding the portraits of Their Majesties.

Lok Deep Thapa's opening remarks: Hon. Minister, First Secretary, country Director of FES Dev Raj Dahal and distinguished guests. This seminar is expected to be fruitful to the country when the country is facing such a serious problem. Est. 1998, what we saw in the organizations. Other organizations tended to be more political, but what we thought that people in the media we thought that we need a apolitical organizations But the reality that it is very difficult for a professional organisation to sustain. He thanked Dahal for his contribution.

About his travel inside Nepal, He talked to general people. He said he found every one of them said peace is our priority. We don't care who is there, but we only need peace. This message was not understood especially by friends in the international community. May be the right message did not go to them. He talked about his part of entourage to Jakarta and Boao.

About King's meeting with the media and press: King's message was the country's first priority was to reestablish peace and this was repeated again in Jakarta. The King had traveled all over the country and met the general people. This is the sentiment of every Nepali, they are for peace. He requested the media not to be carried away because whatever we are. We are all journalists, but we are Nepali first and we must not forget our duty as a Nepali. We talk about India and America and Indian troops. Media never talk differently on National issues. If we behave responsibly and work with national interests, we also can contribute very significantly in resolving the conflict which is making life very difficult.

The International community, they also have to look at the situation of Nepal from Nepalese eyes and Nepalese perspective. The first priority is to establish peace and continue with their cooperation.

Also speaking on the occasion, Dev Raj Dahal, Director of FES, right in the beginning posted some question, like, "what is the nature of political conflict in Nepal? What are the underlying interests and strategies of various actors? Which interests are useful for political consensus and social contract? And which devises are appropriate for conflict mitigation?

Touching on the issue of the irrationality of violence he said, "Violent conflicts belong to pre-modern period of history and are incompatible with the political condition of modernity. What distinguishes civil coexistence from the "state of nature" is the growth of civilization, which nurtures more cooperation and competition than conflict. When society is rationalized there is no place for violence. People of diverse origins live under the same political sovereignty, subdue anarchy and satisfy human needs".

He further elaborated, "Conflicts are very much like human diseases. Their management is implicit in the use of reason through a chain of diagnosis, analysis, foresight and prescription. Political conflicts, then, can all be solved rationally and with finality, once the right formula is invented and rationalized."

He importantly pointed out that "The problem in Nepal is how to synthesize the existing diversity in approaches which either see no rational solution, or driven by primordial human reaction of ego, arrogance, error of judgment and even misreading of reality."

All participants agreed with his version that "Escalation of conflict does not solve anything rather it destroys the connectors of society and the public order, an order that creates spaces for all actors to coexist, engage, communicate and effect collective action. Violent conflicts in Nepal have punished human civility and imposed costs for the weaker sections of society majority of them are caught in hierarchy and structural injustice."

On the relevance of politics for peace, Dahal said, "When peace is at stake, the rationalist conception of politics does not match with the need of majority of people because power is pitted against power for survival, supremacy and identity. In a political contest of this kind, the choice for statesman is not to determine who is right and who is wrong but to combine the particular interest of each political actor for power with the general interests of society for peace. Corruption of particular interest undermines an imperative to discover "common grounds" and undercuts the prospect for achieving common goods."

He also rightly opined that the media could influence policies in the areas of conflict and offer feasible perspectives for the actors to consider. "Its communication tools and skills can also mediate various approaches and articulate the need for conflict transformation," he said.
Then in short points, Dahal forwarded some "rational formula for conflict resolution".

The points included:

• Solution of multi-causality of conflict in Nepal-direct, structural, perceptual and latent" requires the constellation of multi-step and multi-track approaches. Dialogue and communication about the issues and expectations of diverse actors are essential for confidence building and conflict transformation.
• Conflict resolution requires changing the root causes of conflict. Realization of basic human needs and peaceful change makes violent conflict unnecessary. The role of media lies in articulating the reaction of "social causation" in public sphere, such as poverty, inequality, alienation and rebellion of its elements. Media can use techniques, such as early warning, awareness raising, communication and mutual understanding between protagonists for conflict de-escalation.
  
• The choice for political forces is to choose political association according to constitutional affinities thereby to reassure the priority over "the reasons of state," rather than power lust. The state is a political community and, therefore, restoration of its raison d'etre facilitates the activation of political process. Similarly, governance reform must embody an element of trust building between civil and military relations so that national security and democracy can go together. This is important to establish the authority of the state institutions to enforce constitutional rules and manage the nation's geopolitics.
  
• Peace and order do not primarily depend on legal acumen but on the harmony between the state and society mediated by intermediary institutions. Media can generate a widespread sense of responsibility among political actors to settle the various dimension of conflict and resolve the modern problem of civil co-existence.
  
• Sustainable political order can be built only under a framework of social justice. Extension of social justice corresponds with the expansion of peace throughout the society. Public order is public good. Leaders in the government and opposition have special responsibility to establish a balance between order and justice so that diverse citizens begin to cooperate out of their instinct and out of their interest and shape the judgment of younger generation.
  

In conclusion, Dahal said, "Peace is the Spirit of the Age. It has friends within and outside the national borders. In this context, the role of civil and political societies lies in defusing conflict and deliberately expanding the space for development and peace. "

Similarly, First Secretary at the German Embassy in Kathmandu, Klaus Tesch in his remarks at the inaugural session said, "The German cooperation in Nepal goes back to many decades. It is more classical techno-cooperation. It is carried by the political forum of German parliamentary group FES. A large scope of activities is bringing together politics, civil society enlarging on the subject of democracy and conflict resolution."

He also said that seminars like the one organised by AWAKE would contribute significantly in finding ways and means of resolving conflicts.

Addressing the function, Chief Guest, Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey said that since there is conflict between Nepal and friendly countries, Nepal's cooperation with friendly countries have increased and the visit of His Majesty the King to two important international forums, the Asia-Africa Summit and the Boao Forum for Asia Conference has expanded the areas of understanding.

Conflict is not the language of Nepalese, Minister Pandey pointed out. "Our foreign friends must understand HMG does not believe in confrontation with any of the friendly countries. We want to increase our cooperation, mutual trust and respect between us", he added.

While talking about conflict and peace, the present seminar organized by AWAKE has not only momentary importance, but I am confident it will have a long-term effect in implementing peace in the country.

"Conflict after all, is not our character as we believe in friendship, cooperation and there is no place of conflict in our society. But there are conflict going on between individuals, societies and nations, but the conflict should be resolved through talks and mutual understanding," Minister Pandey said.

Conflict has come from the very beginning of civilizations, but it has evolved to this stage because of lack of understanding. However it is also true that conflict has also helped in stabilizing the society and generated a sense of harmony and cooperation but that is when it has been resolved through understanding.

Talking about the Nepalese society, the conflict between the haves and have nots is natural. The conflict between individuals is also natural. Conflict developing between two communities is also natural.

But if the conflict of individuals and community clashes with the interest of the country, it can bring serious consequences. It is because Nepalese people want peace. If you ask any Nepalese their answer is that they want peace and they want to be safe from terror and violence. And their only wish is to live in security. So, no matter what the reason is, if it affects the people's lives, it cannot be tolerated. So, the Feb. 1 Royal Proclamation was meant to provide peace and security to the people, Minister Pandey explained.

The increase of peace and security and the increase of confidence in the last three months, and the psyche of not bowing down to the terror and intimidation and the encouraging sign that the confidence in the people to rise against the threat and terror are all positive signs. That is why there has been the announcement of municipal elections, the Minister said. It is the result of the rise of confidence in the peace and security. It is also a proof that the country has won over the artificial means of threat. But whatever may be the ways of conflict, the most important thing is that, peace also means the people are allowed to make their own decisions, Pandey commented.

This decision is right so long as the people accept it and this is the message that the international community should be apprised of, he said in his opening remarks.

The main thing is that the situation the country is in, the King's decision and the people faith on the King's decision and the confidence the people have put on the King's step are all good signs.

He said that the seminar had a gathering of prominent people who have contributed to the society and they have taken the responsibility of generating public opinion that is guided by national interests.

This kind of exercise will help generate awareness and guide the society for the benefit of the country and to lead the country towards the path of peace, Minister Pandey said in conclusion of his opening remarks.

Vote of Thanks

Prakash Adhikary, general secretary of AWAKE gave the vote of thanks.

After a break of half an hour, the Second Session of the Seminar began with Vice President of AWAKE and president of National Union of Journalist Tej Prakash Pandit chairing the session.

Prof. Dr. Parashar Koirala presented a paper with the topic," Role of administrative services for restoring peace". (Full text of the Seminar Paper is attached with this report) Presenting his paper Dr Koirala made the following remarks:

• Peace is a broader concept not limited within the domain of politics. When frustration of a person or people is not addressed, it leads to aggression and then into conflict. Hence it is part of good governance to address this problem. Peter Canliffe had pointed out some direction under point ACCAC. It may be useful for us as well.
• Local Self-governing act has delegated much power to the local authority. But the grassroots level organization, i.e. Village Development committee (VDC) does not have proper mechanism to exploit the opportunities.
  
• The minimum educational qualification, preliminary and on the job training, refresher course and advanced course are quite inadequate to fulfill the demand as well supply side of the services envisaged through the letter and spirit of the act.
  
• If these units become efficient the lower and local level conflict can be mitigated within the same administrative unit.
  
• Nepalese Educational system has been producing massive level of skill less educated people
  Agricultural sector not being modernized and commercialized it is no longer being the attraction of modern generation. Traditional agriculture is already in saturation. Slow pace of industrialization is not sufficient to absorb the manpower. These unemployed people, their frustration leads the nation in the conflict situation
  The nation must create the employment opportunity for the ways to engage these people

Dr. Parasar Koirala has listed the short term and long terms strategies to mitigate the problems.

Commenting on the paper of Dr. Koirala's paper, Babita Basnet, Editor of popular vernacular weekly Ghatana Ra Bichar and senior member of Sancharika Samuha, a media organization of women media persons opined:

• Peace is the prime concern of the people all over the country.
• Present crisis can't be resolved by administrative measures. Political accommodation and will is must to resolve the crisis.
  
• Cast discrimination can't be eliminated by the minimal opportunity of cook. It needs massive movement of social mobilization.
  

Rehabilitation program with best employment or better income generating scheme should be lunched immediately for the people who are involved in the conflict or displaced internally by the conflict otherwise the problem will be bigger.

The education system must be &skill &job oriented rather than knowledge & public service oriented. Certainly national interest must be defined and kept in to the centre while grabbing the opportunities aroused by globalization and economic liberalization.

Journalist and politician Shrish Sumsher JBR presented the second paper of the seminar, entitled, "Conflict and Peace, Role of Constitutional Forces and the Media".

Presenting the paper he made the following remarks:

• The paper had been written when there was a state of emergency so some parts may or not relevant to the present context, he said right in the beginning.
• If we consider the peace-disturbing factor and conflict-catalyzing factor then it can be said the major cause is political instability. Political instability is arising from the behavior of the political parties who are explaining the constitution of the country according to their interest. It seems each cadre of each political party is a constitutional expert.
  There is direct relation between conflict and peace. When conflict increases, peace decreases and vice versa.
• All the political parties of constitutional frame hailed the first emergency but opposed the later one which is result of the same constitution. The only difference is the prior one is under article 127 and later one is under27?
  There are still roars of dissatisfaction after the King has fulfilled the conditions put forward by lifting the state of emergency, restoring pres freedom and releasing the political detainees.
  Political parties representing the dissolved house of representative should realize that the king's move of Oct 4,2oo2 came after the Prime Minister recommended him to activate article 127 of the constitution. Before the move of Feb 1st, The King nominated the Prime Minister under article 127 representing the major political forces that were in the then dissolved house, they all became unable to cope the national crisis.
  So far as our media's role is concerned, public comments on it should be taken into notice
  Lalbabu Pandit in a paper has mentioned the following questions
• Whether media has promoted freedom & education in the country? Helped to curb corruption, owned by independent persons, whether there is a real competition within the media for content improvement and quality and finally whether media had broadened its reach to capture the diversity and complexity of Nepali life and provided access to public information?

We are not serious even in the national interest of the country. Prof. Dhruba Kumar in his article "Negotiating the Resumption of the Indian Airlines Flight." mentioned Indian Airline can suspend its flights though it is making profit at that time in this lucrative route but our media always pledged the lose of tourism while the incidence took the political color. Such news and opinion makes our position weak on the negotiation table.

The immaturity of Nepalese media is reflected everywhere. Look at Mahakali treaty episode; Most of the media highlighted the treaty as historic with the tune of politician. When experts make comments on it, none of the paper can stand on their points. Now the situation is so worse that people may attack upon those who are saying it is good and beneficial to the country.

Quoting Dr. Dev Raj Dahal, he further added that Dahal has rightly conceptualized that the goals of governance are national security, rule of law, giving voices to the people and participation of all the people & provision of public goods and services; we can question whether our media is promoting these goals of conflict resolution?

Putting big questions in the creditability of National media paper writer Rana threw Professor Johan Galtung's 12 points where journalism often goes wrong while dealing with violence.

Commenting upon Rana's Paper Journalist Prakash Adhikari made the following remarks:

Strength

• The paper is based on the assumption that Feb 1 move is essential.
  
• Paper is well crafted that paper presenter fabricated others view points to justify his assumption without expressing his single opinion. We should appreciate his art of writing.

He has poised very relevant question whether any media is kept in exception in any national crisis or state of emergency?

The paper is serious on national interests. The trends of Indian Media, i.e. adhering to the governments interests when it comes to national policies especially that to do with National interest in terms of foreign policy should be adopted to serve our national interest. But our media do not have any national policy. In the case of Maoist insurgency the government itself is not clear on it whether it is political problem or terrorism?

Our media houses took Maoist's civic reception, charted the helicopter to publish photographs and broadcast the visual of dead security personals and demanded the resignation of respective head of the governments. So the maturity of our media is questionable yet but such persons and houses are recognized as teachers and guide for the media.

In the front of nationality our media do not care what the result or the consequence will be? The government is also unable to define and guide the media. Our position is just as the crow admits the mist.

Weakness

• There is no clarity on whom constitutional forces are and who is not. Even the Maoists were constitutional when they took part in the first parliamentary and local elections held after the restoration of the democracy.
• The root cause of the present conflict could be traced out if the paper writer had visualized the events and scenario drafting time of this of constitution. Present constitution is the product of reconciliation of then active monarch, liberal political forces like, NC and republicans united left front. After the promulgation of the constitution, we never opted for the measure of confidence building among these forces. Rather we opted for a radical path which nurtured the conflict within parties, among parties and among the parties and the King.
• The paper presenter tries to show his concern on public and media support on the first emergency and oppose of the lateral. The difference between these scenarios is the presence and absence of parliament. Extension of emergency in such condition may perish the democracy. It is the fear of the concerned groups. It should be noted.-IN a silent voice Mr. Rana tries to present three type of conflicts suffering by the country, Conflict between the king and political parties representing the dissolved house of parliament, Among King, Parliamentary parties and Maoist and Between Nepal and India. If these issues were brought forth with examples the paper would be much heavier.
• After completing the paper, if someone ask where is our conflict/When the conflict cycle will be over and the peace will restore? He will find no answer.
  If the king becomes unable to restore the peace, what will happen? What types of risks are there? Whether it is necessary to discuss on that or not?
• By presenting only others' views he easily escaped pointing the Medias weakness.
  Most lacking part is there is no conclusion on what should /not be in constitutional forces and Media front.

After the comments on the papers, the chairperson Mr.T.P.Pandit opened the floor for discussion. The following personalities made the following remarks:

Narayan Manandhar Former Director Institute of Foreign Affairs

At the time of national crisis or state of emergency what should be the role and responsibility of media? It should be clear. In other countries, the government and media of different sector conduct interaction. What are the drawbacks in our front? In principle media should be independent and impartial. Are They?

On the former paper it would be better if he had shown the philosophy and framework for impartial, independent and efficient administrative services. At what extent the political intervention is paralyzing it? He should have mentioned it.

Dr. Upendra Gautam, China Study centre

Press should tell us what is right and what is wrong

Dr. Dev Raj Dahal, Director FES

Mr. Rana should have presented conclusion on his paper.

Conflict dynamics of each society and country is not identical. Each society and country has his or her own socio-economic, political and cultural impacts on it. To resolve the conflict of each country we should develop indigenous knowledge. We had twice ceasefire and peace negotiation but we are unable to lead it in a logical conclusion. Media would have and could play rational and positive role in such cases. For that communication is necessary between the people and the conflicting parties. They can promote the positive value; proactive role and they should be subjective.

Mahendra Poudel (Himalaya Times)

Even after emergency is over, security tightening is same. It is said that law is King of Kings but we are not in a legal regime but under the authoritarian regime

Purundar Ghimire(Senior Journalist)

Mr. Rana should have mentioned Norms, Values role and responsibility of media.
If Dr. Koirala is allowed to govern the country when he will lead to the ideal level.

Dr. Kulesh Thapa

Conclusion is not necessary. It is said that, "Teach them to fish not to feed". After presenting so many instances and theory, before the group of intellectual, they can easily drag the conclusion.

Dr. Megha Gurung,Senior Surgeon, Birendra Police Hospital

Media can play proactive role. We should empower them

Dr. T.P.Thapa,Professor and Assistant Dean of the Tribhuban University Teaching Hospital

The root cause of the problem is that the so-called intellectuals and professionals did not play effective role within their community and did not play the role of watchdog. Their shyness brought the problems. Intellectual should do their job properly within the ethical frame. This will lead the country in the right tract. AWAKE has done the job it is necessary to give continuity.

Tanka Panta (Nepal Samachar Patra)

Media is handicapped. It has its own limitation. Maoist had provided important news but most of the media houses ignore to provide proper space. So far as the conflict situation of Nepal is concerned, Political participation is necessary.

Answering the question paper writer Rana said

Footnote is my conclusion here.
Protection policy nether serves the interest neither of individual nor of the government. B.P. Koirala started to provide advertisement for the paper. But after 2017, only two papers supported him. Now a day's field of journalism is developing as employment for unemployment.
The tragedy of present is the absence of apolitical civil society. It is the monarchy, which is following the constitutional duties, & Responsibilities rest of that institution is politicized.

T.P.Pandit

King is King. Civic society is what we all are. It is different that we need to strengthen our capacity.

After conclusion chairperson T.P. Pandit concluded the business session.