"Nepal's present state is like labour pain a mother goes through during childbirth"

Excerpts from Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai's speech to the heads of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu on 11 June

From The Nepali Press | From Issue #610 (June 22-28, 2012)

It is a matter of great dismay for us that when the Maoist Army and weapons were handed over to the Nepal Army for integration, the same political forces started creating hurdles in making the constitution. Despite the utmost and honest effort put on and maximum flexibility shown from our side, some political forces remained adamant not to accommodate the issues and aspirations of Janajatis, Madahesis, Dalits, and the oppressed classes.

A constitution that did not address the issues and concerns of the backward communities was simply not possible. Major contentious issues remained unresolved until the last day of the extended tenure of the Constituent Assembly.

The talks finally collapsed on the vexed issue of identity-based federalism which the traditional parliamentarians were not prepared to accept. The ruling coalition partners were even ready to go for formal democratic process in the CA, but the political parties outside the government did not allow such formal process to resolve the outstanding issues. Further, we were unable to extend the CA due to the stricture issued by the Supreme Court.

Peace and democracy are not sustainable without economic development and prosperity. While talking of the economic agenda, the recently established Board of Investment is one of the initiatives taken by the present government to augment investment and to provide one window service to domestic and foreign investors. Declaration of Investment Year 2012-2013, designation of the Visit Lumbini Year 2012, identification of projects of national pride and recent decision to bring in certain high priority projects under the ambit of BOI are among the few initiatives that the government has undertaken for Nepal's rapid economic growth.

Unless we have fast rate of economic growth we would just distribute poverty and prosperity. Present government is also planning to convene an Economic Summit in the near future. Implementation of the 'Hello Government' mechanism for readdressing grievances and live radio interaction between the Prime Minister and common Nepalis every month are a few more examples of responsive governance. Nonetheless, these instruments alone hardly mean anything if life is not blown into them by the very human beings who have to work for and through these instruments. Needless to say, instruments, environment and human resources should go in tandem.

Moreover, the government believes that bilateral investment promotion measures and instruments adopted to ensure the smooth flow of investment into the country in priority sectors like hydropower, tourism, physical and social infrastructure etc are very crucial for rapid economic transformation. My government is determined to do what it takes to bring about economic prosperity in Nepal that could be enjoyed by all Nepalis with dignity and national pride. Protection and promotion of human rights have, of course, always been at the core of this determination.

The international community is fully aware of the tremendous difficulties we have had to surmount in the present juncture of history. I believe most countries in the west and east had to pass through such challenging phases in their history. It's like labour pain that a mother goes through during childbirth.

Published on Jun 22, 2012