Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy
Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Operations Subcommittee
A Step Backwards in Nepal
Congressional Record
February 2, 2005
MR. LEAHY. Mr. President, yesterday, for the second time in less than
three years, King Gyanendra of Nepal dismissed the multiparty
government and declared a state of emergency suspending fundamental
constitutional rights. Apparently, he will assume the duties of the
deposed Prime Minister and appoint a new Cabinet.
Throughout its troubled past, Nepal has suffered from the neglect and
often violent and corrupt misrule of many monarchs. For that reason,
those familiar with its history may not be completely surprised by
this unfortunate development.
Yet one would have thought that in the 21st Century, this type of
thing would, by now, be a distant memory. At a time when a vicious
Maoist insurgency is gaining ground in Nepal, it would be hard to
conceive of a worse time for the King to repeat his past mistake.
There is no military solution to this conflict. Nepal is a place
where, not unlike Afghanistan, a handful of extremists with rifles and
explosives can wreak havoc and easily disappear into the rugged
countryside. By terrorizing rural villagers and exploiting the
Government's neglect of them, the Maoists have steadily extended their
reach to large areas of the country.
The Nepalese Army, while somewhat more effective than a few years ago
when it performed little more than ceremonial duties, has likewise
alienated much of the rural population by arbitrarily arresting,
disappearing and killing civilians suspected of sympathizing with the
Maoists. Today, the Army, rather than defending democracy, is
defending the King. It is clear that the King and the Army concocted
this together, despite having assured the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights last week that concerns about violations of human rights
would be addressed.
This year, the United States plans to provide some $40 million in
economic aid to Nepal. Much of this is channeled by USAID through
nongovernmental organizations. But we are also providing support to
the Nepalese Government, as well as training and equipment to the
Army. In fact, several months ago we approved the transfer of $1
million in fiscal year 2004 military equipment that had not initially
been appropriated for Nepal.
The Indian Government, to its credit, issued a strong statement
critical of the King's actions. The State Department has also called
for the immediate restoration of multiparty democracy. King Gyanendra
is on notice that he will be held responsible for infringement of the
rights of free speech and assembly, or abuses of citizens who have
defended human rights and democracy.
The State Department should also make clear that unless democratic
government and fundamental rights are promptly restored, the United
States will cut off aid to the Government and the Army under Section
508 of the Foreign Operations Act which was designed to deter and
punish this type of act. Regardless of whether or not the King may
have acted within his authority under Nepal's Constitution, and I do
not know if he did or not, that is not the issue. The intent of our
law to safeguard democracy is clear. The price is losing U.S. aid.
Furthermore, if the $1 million in military equipment previously
transferred has not yet been delivered, it should be withheld.
Everyone who has followed Nepal's recent history would agree that its
ten year "experiment" with democracy has not been easy. Democracy is
never easy, and no one should minimize the threat the Maoists pose.
But the answer is not to undermine democracy. The answer, as President
Bush expressed in his Inaugural Address, is to work, with help from
the international community, to strengthen democracy. I believe the
United States Congress would welcome that opportunity.
Mr. President, King Gyanendra has made a tragic blunder. He still has
time to prevent a momentary crisis from becoming a disaster for his
country and perhaps for the monarchy itself.
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