‘The King May Decide In A Week’ - Interview

RABINDRA NATH SHARMA
http://www.nepalnews.com/contents/2007/englishweekly/spotlight/dec/dec28/national4.php

RABINDRA NATH SHARMA is the chairman of Nepal’s only major political party that still supports the continuation of constitutional monarchy. The monarchy is on the throes of elimination today. But the 77-year-old veteran politician has however not met King Gyanendra since last two months. As it turned out, the monarch has apparently not felt the need to meet the chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal. As Sharma reveals, the king has not met other senior leaders of the party, either, in recent days. Excerpts of interview with KESHAB POUDEL on Tuesday evening at his Budhanilkantha.

As the monarchy’s future looks almost sealed following the recent constitution amendment moves by the seven party alliances, you must have met the king to discuss the new situation. After all, you are the chairman of a pro-monarchy party.
No, I have not met the king lately. The last time I met him was about two months ago. Even the people close to the king are not in touch with me.

Other senior leaders of your party may have been in touch with the king.
I have no idea about it. But I hear that the king has been meeting some other persons lately. I am not aware of their utility. Since we don’t have major strength, arms and ammunition and are unable to go to people at the moment, we are perhaps not useful to the king at present. It is either the representatives of international community or the army whom the king needs to see more.

If the king does not see the need to meet monarchists like you at this critical juncture, does not it imply that the king himself is not interested in retaining the monarchy?

There is logic in your question. But, there is another part. As the king is yet to set his mind, there may not be at point in meeting with us now. Once the king sets his mind about the future, which I think is likely within a few days; our advice can be useful and meaningful.

What option the king is left with, now that a move to declare the country a republic is already in parliament?

In normal situation, the king’s strength is the army and the people. Either the people have to rise to defend the monarchy or the army should resent the republican move. I have not seen any possibility of the people’s revolt or the army’s open resentment against the decision of the seven parties.

The army can not come to his rescue?

It can, only if there is a guarantee of its supply lines. This depends on the direct support of India or China and indirect support of the United States. I do not see the guarantee of the supply lines if the army moved in to defend the monarchy
So, these countries especially India is now supportive of the republic move which is under consideration of the interim parliament?

The wording of India’s official statement on the 23-point seven-party deal has double meaning. It is not clear if India has welcomed the fresh election commitment only or the entire deal that includes the declaration of a republic.

What do you think will the king’s move be, now?

If the Indian statement was clear, we could have predicted the king’s likely move. Since there is confusion, no one can predict the situation. The king is perhaps waiting to see the new constitutional provisions. Only after that he will decide his future course. The king will have to take a decision after that. It should come out within a week.

Why not, right now?

No matter how big claims we make, no internal players of Nepal are in a decisive position. Our decision is always influenced by the international community particularly the two neighbors. The king knows that.

When the seven parties have already moved a bill to declare Nepal a republic and
India’s new stand is also confusing, would not it be prudent for the king to pack his bag and leave the palace?

As the picture is still unclear, the king will wait and see.

Constitutionally, the country may have become a republic now. But confusion remains. If the republic is put in the preamble of the constitution, it will have a decisive meaning which will be totally different if it is mentioned under other articles. Despite declaring Nepal as a republic, the seven party’s alliance has not yet made it clear that they will control the command of the Narayanhiti palace.

What is the actual status of Nepal right now? A republic or still a kingdom?

The interim parliament is republic-oriented, but the country is not. The seven parties are republic-headed, but the most people are not.

And the powerful army?

Even today there are many officers and soldiers in army’s rank and file who are loyal to the king.

Newspaper reports said that a highest ranking intelligence official of India was in Nepal ahead of the recent seven-party. Do you see any link?

Based on my past experience, I can say that such visit does not take place without a purpose. As for a possible link that referred to, it is anybody’s guess. But I have no substantive evidence to back it up.

But it is clear that India has gone for a republican Nepal?

I don’t think so. India has still left a place for monarchy. I think India is negotiating with the king,

What about the Indian position on the Maoists?

India knows that the Maoists cannot be their permanent friend.

If so, why did it welcome the Maoists-engineered 23-point deal?

It uses the Maoists, but does not fully trust them.

What about the Chinese position on the new political situation?

In the past, China was never involved in Nepal’s internal politics. After April 2006, China’s interest has been growing. Almost every month, a high level Chinese delegation has been visiting Nepal. China has already made it clear that it consistently follows the policy propounded by Marshal Chen-Yi in 1960 that China will retaliate against any foreign intervention in Nepal. It has given its message. However, I don’t see any possibility of a direct conflict between India and China in Nepal before the Beijing Olympics next year.

China will not bother over the boiling Terai on Nepal’s borders with India?
It certainly will. If India increases its influence in Terai through its proxy forces, China will definitely react. They have already given clear indications about it.