Word: nepal
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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Yesterday, in their droves, the people of Nepal voted for an end to politics as they once were. Some trudged for days through mountain paths to reach polling booths, others lined up for hours on deserted streets, braving threats of violence from extremist groups-yet, by day's end, nearly 65% of the nation's voting population had exercised their franchise. Politicians of all factions proudly strutted before the ballot box, wreathed in flower garlands, sporting triumphant smiles. They were all participating in a process that aims to replace Nepal's 240-year-old monarchy with a secular republic...
After ten years of violence, the Maoists, the political parties, and the royal family have agreed on a roadmap for the future of Nepal: a Constituent Assembly (CA) in 2008. The CA plan required many long meetings, boycotts, riots and lives before all the three key players in Nepal could agree on a set of rules. The eventual compromise was a win-win solution for everyone. The political parties had their demands for elections met, the Maoists were able to induct direct representation in the elections, and the royal family was allowed to continue till after the CA when...
...would abdicate in favor of his son and that the country, after nearly a century of mostly benign royal rule, would become a constitutional monarchy with a popularly elected parliament. Most Bhutanese were horrified, fearing that democracy could lead to instability, as it had in neighbors such as Nepal and Bangladesh. But the King insisted, explaining that no nation should be in the hands of one person and that change should happen while the country was still peaceful and prosperity was growing...
...China has become more powerful, it has boosted its leverage on the world stage. Many nations, especially neighbors, are now reluctant to cross Beijing. India, which once welcomed Tibetan exiles, including the Dalai Lama himself, now restrains Tibetan protesters. Nepal has done the same, sometimes brutally, and has indicated that it will clear and secure the Everest route for the Olympic torch - thereby possibly pre-empting anti-China protests. Twenty years ago, when China was weaker, a boycott might have been possible, since other countries could ignore Beijing. Today, the world needs China, with all its warts, to help solve...
China has every right to negotiate and make deals with foreign governments, of course. Mountaineers may protest, but China and Nepal are also within their rights to take such a decision. But it is probably time for Beijing to stop pretending that it doesn't interfere in other countries affairs. With power comes recognizing your own influence, not denying...