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Mistletoe Angel
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0 posted 2005-02-10 06:58 PM


As Iraq remains the central point of focus in the domestic media, Iran in the international media, and now North Korea sending out shock waves with the update on its nuclear arsenal development, there's another, more overlooked region in the world that is spontaneously under a conflict of its own.

Last Monday, February 1st, King Gyanendraperformed a coup on the government of Nepal and in the past week and a half, cancelling flights in and out of Kathmandu, cutting phone and Internet lines, and calling heavy restriction on public gatherings.

As Gyanendra denies this was a coup, the 78,000-strong Nepalese army surrounded the houses of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and other government leaders. The king also suspended several provisions of the constitution, including freedom of the press, speech and expression, peaceful assembly, the right to privacy, and the right against preventive detention.

King Gyanendra first took the crown in 2001 after his brother, Birendra, was killed in a palace massacre said to be committed by Birendra's son, the crown prince, who also died. In all, 10 members of the royal family were killed.

In a TV announcement following the seizing of the government, the king accused the government of failing to hold elections and to restore peace in the country beset by rebel violence, saying, "A new Cabinet will be formed under my leadership," he said. "This will restore peace and effective democracy in this country within the next three years."

Ever since 1996, Nepal's rebels, who say they are inspired by the late Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been trying to overthrow the government and establish a socialist state in a conflict that has claimed about 10,500 lives, about 75% of which have been killed by King Gyanendra.

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In response to these developing headlines, many internationally have take note that the United States, the U.K and India historically have offered significant military backing to the monarchy and its forces, and pro-democracy activists in nepal and abroad are now calling for increased attention on a ban of military sales to Nepal.

In simple terms, it seems the king is telling the people of Nepal, "Either you are with me, or you are with the Maoists."

Could this escalate into genocide?

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other"

Mother Teresa

© Copyright 2005 Nadia Lockheart - All Rights Reserved
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