Nepalese in America Welcome King's Address on Democracy Day

We the members of the Nepali community in American whole heartedly welcome the address made by His Majesty King Gyanendra on the occasion of 57th Democracy Day "Prajatantra Diwas" to the Nepali nation and people. Taking into consideration, the Nepali people's aspiration for peace and democracy; His Majesty reflected the people's wishes in his message. His Majesty's statement highlighted the current situation in Nepal. As a true democratic king, he emphasized that the constituent assembly elections be held by June 2007. His call for respecting the 1990 constitution and the reasons for reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives on April 24, 2006 amply proves his sincerity and respect of the people's rights and freedoms.

His Majesty has shown courage and solid moral focus by admitting that "We are also morally responsible for any success or failures, during the fifteen months efforts" during his direct rule when the political parties, leaders and the various prime ministers had miserably failed to check the downward spiral of the nation's decline, politically and economically.

Now, taking into review the time since last April 24, 2006 when His Majesty reinstated the House of Representatives, by agreeing to the Prime Minister taking charge and handing power to the elected/dissolved parliament, the country has gone through a state of crisis, turmoil, chaos, anarchy and nightmare. The collapse of law and order, and loss of security has brought about a state of affairs never witnessed by any Nepali before.

So much has happened that our nation's sovereignty, independence is now threatened due to the divisive politics encouraged by the Seven Party Alliance with the Maoists. This Alliance is now responsible for the death of dozens of Nepali citizens in the Terai, hundreds being wounded, and hundreds of thousands being displaced. The very national harmony, unity and bonds that bind the people and the nation is now being challenged and threatened. All this due to sheer incompetence of our leaders and political parties.

The power grab made by the Maoists in the name of the people is a shameless effort to establish a communist dictatorship. The Maoists have never expressed any remorse or admitted any wrong-doing for their killing of more than fifteen thousand Nepali men, women and children. Their ongoing extortion, kidnappings, killings, and efforts to hide their crimes are not acceptable to Nepali people, who wish for peace, development and the rule of law.

The Seven Party Alliance has now transformed itself into a dictatorship of the unelected leaders and non representative political parties, who have secluded from the peoples' pain and sufferings. Blinded by their lust for power, these leaders have constantly put all the blame on the king and the institution of monarchy for all their failings. Not one of the political leaders has apologized to the Nepali people for the mismanagement, corruption, crimes committed in the past sixteen years.

The bonds between the Monarchy and the Nepali people, have always remained strong. Even today, no matter what the leaders howl about the king, the people whole-heartedly support their king. We pray to Lord Pashupatinath that he bless our nation, king and people during these difficult times.

Vijay Sigdel, Bishal Bikram Shah, Nuchhe Narayan Dongol, BK Newa, Sher Bahadur Gartaula, Subhash Nepal, Bandana Koirala, Kamala Parsai, Col. Kuber Thapa, Dharmendra Gopali, Victor Ghale, Yuvaraj Gurung, Kamal Pande, Surya Lal Maharjan, Gopi Lal Tamang, Bijesh Maskey, Neelima Basnet, Neeshrita Shrestha, Anil Pande, Shekhar Dhungel, Sarad Shah, Sarad Rana, Shusrita Malla

Coalition for National Unity and Reconciliation in Nepal; Sanatan Dharma, Sanskrit and Nepali Center, Inc., New York, USA

   _   _