Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Figures and Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Chronology of the Key Events
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Prologue: Flying the Flag
- The Setting: The Kingdom in the Clouds
- The Story: The Rocky Road to Democracy
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Epilogue: Working Towards Peace
- Postscript: Bhojraj Pokharel
- Annexures
- Notes on References
- Bibliography
- Index
Chapter 16
from The Story: The Rocky Road to Democracy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 April 2014
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Figures and Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Chronology of the Key Events
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Prologue: Flying the Flag
- The Setting: The Kingdom in the Clouds
- The Story: The Rocky Road to Democracy
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Epilogue: Working Towards Peace
- Postscript: Bhojraj Pokharel
- Annexures
- Notes on References
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Interestingly, the UN's presence was actually the most important factor for pushing forward the elections in June 2007. The Chief realised this truth during a meeting with Indian diplomats, when the value of the UN was questioned. “What's the use of these expensive UN staff? They just take huge salaries in the name of conflict. Is there any conflict in Kathmandu where they work? We are capable of giving you any support you want. It's best to send white elephants back as soon as possible,” a diplomat said to the Chief.
A few days earlier, the Indian Ambassador, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee had said Nepal could shorten the election process in order to conduct the June elections. This comment came because India was feeling increasingly uncomfortable about the UN presence in Nepal, and wanted to push hard for a June election, so the UN would leave the country without any delay. The Chief later explained:
India is a powerful domestic factor in countries of South Asia, particularly in so-called India-locked Nepal. So, if India's interest was in holding an election in June then there was a great possibility that the election would happen at that time. Most importantly, major domestic forces also wanted the election to be held in June. I wanted to complete all technical preparations so the Commission would not be blamed for any delay.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Nepal Votes for Peace , pp. 101 - 107Publisher: Foundation BooksPrint publication year: 2014