Nepal gets new leader, but future still jittery - Christian Science Monitor

Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal got a functioning prime minister after seven months of leadership vacuum on Thursday, but analysts refused to call it a breakthrough and remained jittery about the future of the country’s stalled peace process.

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Jhala Nath Khanal, the chief of a moderate communist party, Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), was elevated to the post after 16 rounds of voting. He got last-minute backing from the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), which fought a 10-year war against state forces until 2006.

While a step forward after months of embarrassing votes, the formation of a government is just a small step toward political stability in Nepal, which confronts the serious challenges of settling the future of some 19,000 Maoist combatants and drawing up a new constitution. And analysts say that the new coalition threatens to cause a left-leaning polarization and an escalation of ambitions of the Maoists, who are now in a position to oust the new prime minister at will.

The previous government was backed by the moderate Nepali Congress party and several ethnic parties, making it less receptive to Maoist demands. Those demands include radical land reforms, subservience of the judiciary to the legislature, and a constitutional provision of banning "antinationalist’" political parties.

Mr. Kanal is considered far more sympathetic to Maoist agendas.

“The coalition might trigger a fragmentation in Nepal’s politics,” warns Yubaraj Ghimire, political commentator and former editor of the Kathmandu Post. “Depending on how the Maoists behave, a tussle between Nepal Army and democratic forces on the one side, and the ruling coalition on the other side, is possible,” he adds.

Others are even gloomier in their assessment.

“The only achievement of Thursday’s election is that the parliament replaced a caretaker prime minister with a functioning prime minister,” says Bhimarjun Acharya, a columnist and constitutional lawyer. “I don’t expect the formation of a new government to inject any momentum into the constitution writing effort."

The Nepali Congress party said on Friday that it felt betrayed by UML forming an alliance with the Maoists. The previous government was supported by the Nepali Congress, which had expected UML to support to their prime ministerial candidate.

The future of ex-combatants and a new constitution was supposed to have been resolved by last May. But a power struggle that has gripped the country since a special assembly was elected in April, 2008, hindered progress.

The assembly’s life was extended, and just four months remain before the extended deadline expires. A UN mission that was monitoring the combatants, who are corralled in 28 camps, left the country Jan. 15.

Mr. Acharya, the lawyer, terms Thursday’s surprise coalition announcement unnatural. “It was just an expression of anger and frustration of the Maoists. After being unable to gather support for getting elected himself, Maoist chairman Prachanda wanted to teach India a lesson by elevating someone not favored by India to power,” he says.

Prachanda admitted while addressing the parliament on Thursday that he had decided to withdraw his own candidacy and support Khanal to prove that Nepal can make its own decisions, a clear reference to Indian influence (often termed here as interference) in Nepal’s politics.

His support could complicate Khanal's ability to function. Khanal's UML party leadership is dominated by liberal communists who do not want to promote the Maoist agenda. Khanal will face the twin challenge of tempering the liberals in his own party and continuing to get support of the Maoist party.

Narayan Wagle, editor-in-chief of Nagarik, a leading Nepali daily, echoed similar concerns in an opinion piece published Friday. “The success of the new government will depend on whether the Maoists use Mr. Khanal as their puppet," he wrote, "or help him complete the peace process and constitution writing.”

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Profile: Burmese leader Thein Sein - BBC News

4 February 2011 Last updated at 07:39 GMT Thein Sein had long been seen as the presidential front-runner Thein Sein has been the polite, relatively untainted face of Burma's military government for several years.

When the previous prime minister, Soe Win, was ailing, Thein Sein was made acting prime minister in May 2007.

Confirmed in the post in October that year, he has become the public front of a secretive regime, representing it at meetings of the Association of South East Asian Nations and the United Nations.

He has also been a central, albeit low-key, figure in the recent political changes directed by Senior General Than Shwe.

In April last year, he took what analysts have described as his total obedience to Than Shwe to new heights, dropping his military ranks and uniform to form a political party.

It was Thein Sein who applied to register the United Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which dominated the elections held in November and has sweeping control of the new parliament.

At first glance, his elevation to the country's presidency would mark the greatest reward for a career of total loyalty to the senior leader.

But analysts are convinced that Thein Sein was unwilling to take the top position, mainly because he is in his mid-60s and has a heart condition which requires him to have a pacemaker.

Analysts say he also appears to be relatively incorrupt.

"From our investigations so far, he and his family don't appear to have any record of major corruption," said Aung Zaw, editor of the Thailand-based Irrawaddy magazine.

'No dragon'

Thein Sein is a graduate of the elite military school, the Defence Services Academy and went on to command an infantry battalion in Sagaing Division.

He then served under Than Shwe when the latter was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

He commanded military operations in Rangoon, and led the newly-formed Triangle Regional Military Command in Kengtung, eastern Shan State, in 1996.

He was made first secretary of the State Peace and Development Council after the downfall of the former intelligence chief General Khin Nyunt in 2004.

He also chaired the National Convention which drafted the country's new constitution.

"He won't rock the boat," said Aung Zaw. "He is not a fire-breathing dragon, so he doesn't pose any threat to Than Shwe - who will continue to exercise absolute power."

The senior general needs an acceptable face for the world as part of what he has described as the country's democratic transition.

Burma is to host the South East Asian Games in 2013, and will chair the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) in 2014, heightening that need, analysts said.

Thein Sein is loyal, generally quiet, yet seen as confident at international gatherings.

"He will follow whatever Than Shwe says," Aung Zaw said.

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Iranian leader links risings in North Africa to Iran's revolution - CNN International

Iran's revolution in '79 toppled the shahSupreme leader calls Mubarak a Zionist "lackey"Ben Ali had been dependent on United States, Khamenei said

Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's supreme leader praised the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia Friday and said they echo his country's revolution more than three decades ago, state media reported.

"Today, developments in North Africa, (including) Egypt, Tunisia and some other countries have a special meaning for the Iranian nation," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during a Friday prayer sermon, according to Press TV.

"This is what was always referred to as the Islamic awakening created by the victory of the great revolution of the Iranian nation."

Iran's revolution in 1979 toppled the shah of Iran and ushered in an Islamic republic.

But the ferment in North Africa has been fueled by secular concerns.

Protests against corruption and poor living conditions in Tunisia forced the ouster of the country's president. Demonstrations in Egypt have called for the departure of President Hosni Mubarak.

Khamenei said Tunisia's former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had been dependent on the United States and the Central Intelligence Agency.

He called the Mubarak regime, which has diplomatic relations with Israel, a "lackey of the Zionist regime."

He referred to Egyptians' fight for "dignity and honor" and said that Mubarak's biggest transgression was to make Egypt an American tool.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been adversaries with Israel and the United States since the Iranian revolution occurred.

Khamenei said Iran's enemies have been launching a psychological war against it for the past 32 years, and he said the country's enemies have been trying to undermine the Islamic revolution since the 2009 presidential election.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a second term in what was regarded by many Iranians as a rigged election. That poll that stoked popular protests in Iran.

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Brotherhood leader 'ready to talk' when Mubarak goes - AFP

Brotherhood leader 'ready to talk' when Mubarak goes(AFP) – 1 hour ago

DUBAI — Egypt's opposition Muslim Brotherhood is ready to hold talks on the transition from President Hosni Mubarak's rule once he has resigned, its supreme guide Mohammed Badie told Al-Jazeera television Friday.

"We stand with all the political forces supporting dialogue with whoever wants to implement reforms in the country after the departure of this unjust, corrupt tyrant," Badie told the Qatar-based satellite channel, referring to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

"We have a single demand. Once it is met we will engage in dialogue," he said in response to a question about the Muslim Brotherhood's willingness to enter dialogue with newly-appointed Vice President Omar Suleiman.

In a television address late on Thursday, Suleiman announced he was open to including the Muslim Brotherhood in talks he plans to hold with the opposition.

"We reached out to them. They were invited. They hesitated," Suleiman said of the Brotherhood, which is officially banned but tolerated in Egypt.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

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Election of New Leader in Nepal Brings Hope of Peace - Voice of America

Anjana Pasricha | New Delhi  February 04, 2011

Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal arrives at parliament in Kathmandu, February 2, 2011

Nepal has elected a new prime minister, following a seven month political stalemate.  The new leadership is expected to revive Nepal's languishing peace process.

Jhalanath Khanal was elected as prime minister following a last minute decision by the Maoist party’s candidate, Prachanda, to withdraw was elected as prime minister on Thursday evening by lawmakers following a last minute decision by the Maoist party’s candidate, Prachanda, to withdraw from the race.

It was the 17th time that parliament met to choose a new leader after the resignation of the previous prime minister last June. Since then, Nepal has been in a political vacuum due to the inability of its fractious political parties to decide on a leader.   

Jhalanath Khanal belongs to the UML, United Marxist-Leninist, party, which is allied to the Maoists. The Maoists are the largest party in a divided parliament.

Yuvraj Ghimire, a political analyst in Kathmandu, says the new prime minister faces many challenges.

Ghimire says Nepal’s new leader will have to restore better governance and speed up the task of drafting a new constitution for the country.

"After all it is a hung parliament and there is just four months left for the new constitution to be delivered to the country. In addition, the country’s economic situation, law and order situation, and general sense of security is very, very bad," Ghimire said.

Prime Minister Khanal, whose UML party is the third largest in parliament, has appealed for the support of all political parties. He says the country can only make the transition to peace and prosperity on the basis of national consensus.  

Political analysts say the new Prime Minister will have to work out a common agenda with both the Maoists and the opposition Congress party.

The task will not be easy in a country where the peace process has been stalled by deep differences between the country’s political parties. The peace process began in 2006, when Maoist guerrillas ended a decade-long civil war. But the parties disagree both on the shape of the new constitution and on the future of about 19,000 former Maoist fighters who are living in camps.  

The new prime minister has warned lawmakers that they must consolidate the progress made since the civil war ended or once again be plunged into crisis.

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Nepal's new leader begins forming govt - Sin Chew Jit Poh

Newly elected Prime Minister Jhalnath Khanal (L) is congratulated by Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal after he withdrew his candidacy in favour of Khanal at the parliament in Kathmandu February 3, 2011. Nepal's parliament elected a moderate communist leader as prime minister Thursday, ending a political stalemate which the United Nations had warned could risk a peace process in the republic. Khanal, chief of the Communist UML party, was elected prime minister with the support of Maoist former rebels, who dominate parliament, following seven months without an effective government in the Himalayan nation. Photo courtesy: AFP

Jhalnath Khanal wearing a garland leaves the parliament after being elected as the Prime Minister in Kathmandu February 3, 2011. Nepal's parliament elected a moderate communist leader as prime minister Thursday, ending a political stalemate which the United Nations had warned could risk a peace process in the republic. Khanal, chief of the Communist UML party, was elected prime minister with the support of Maoist former rebels, who dominate parliament, following seven months without an effective government in the Himalayan nation. Photo courtesy: AFP

Chairman of Communist party of Nepal (United Marxist -Leninist) Jhal Nath Khanal, left, looks on after being elected as Nepal's Prime Minister in Katmandu, Nepal. Nepal's parliament elected Khanal as the new prime minister in its 17th attempt since the last government resigned last year. Photo courtesy: AFP

Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist -Leninist) Jhal Nath Khanal, center, smiles after being elected as Nepal's Prime Minister in Katmandu, Nepal., Thursday Feb. 3, 2011. Nepal's parliament elected Khanal as the new prime minister at its 17th attempt since the last government resigned last year. Photo courtesy: AFP

Chairman of Communist party of Nepal Jhal Nath Khanal comes out of parliament after being elected as Nepal's Prime Minister in Katmandu, Nepal. Nepal's parliament elected Khanal as the new prime minister in its 17th attempt since the last government resigned last year. Photo courtesy: AFP

By Claire Cozens

KATHMANDU, Friday 4 February 2011 (AFP) - Nepal's new leader began the task of forming a coalition government Friday that will face major challenges as the country struggles to complete its transformation to a peaceful, secular democracy.

Jhalanath Khanal, chairman of the UML (Unified Marxist Leninist) party, is expected to be sworn in as prime minister on Sunday after securing the backing of the Maoists, the largest force in parliament, in a vote Thursday.

His election ends a damaging seven-month leadership vacuum in the troubled Himalayan nation, which is still struggling to recover from the impact of a decade-long civil war between Maoist rebels and the state.

The conflict ended in 2006 and led to the abolition of a centuries-old Hindu monarchy, ushering in a period of transition to democracy that has not always proved smooth.

Nepal has been without a government since June, with political leaders unable to reach agreement on the formation of a new administration in 16 previous rounds of voting.

A new constitution, intended to reshape the country after the downfall of the monarchy, should have been completed by May last year but has been repeatedly delayed by disagreements between the parties.

Progress on completing the peace process that began when the Maoists laid down their arms in 2006 has also been held up, with thousands of former Maoist soldiers living in camps as they wait for their fate to be decided.

Welcoming Khanal's election, US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Washington hoped it would "give renewed momentum to the peace process and constitutional drafting".

Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known as Prachanda, or 'the fierce one', said he had decided to back 60-year-old Khanal to "end the political deadlock."

Khanal, a former science teacher, has said he wants his cabinet to be inclusive and several key posts are expected to be taken by the Maoists.

But as talks on the formation of the new administration began, analysts warned that the deep political divisions behind the long stalemate had not gone away.

"With the biggest party behind him, Khanal's government will be relatively stable. But the question remains as to what kind of deal he struck with Prachanda," said journalist and political commentator Kunda Dixit.

"He will have to use all his skills to steer a line between his own party on one side and Prachanda on the other."

Both parties are also suffering from internal splits. Dahal's deputy, Baburam Bhattarai, formally opposed the decision to back Khanal, while several influential UML leaders had spoken out against a deal with the Maoists.

"The challenge facing the country is such that the new prime minister will have to win support from all the parties," said political analyst Lokraj Baral.

Baral warned of serious consequences if the second-largest party, the centrist Nepali Congress, chooses to oppose the new government.

"If the Nepali Congress decides to play an obstructionist role, there can be no progress on either the new constitution or the peace process," he added.

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