Word: nepal
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Nepalis who switched on their television sets found cultural shows and patriotic songs. At 10 a.m., King Gyanendra appeared, flanked by the Nepalese flag and his own royal standard, and announced his "historic decision," declaring: "Nepal's bitter experiences over the past few years tend to show that democracy and progress contradict one another ... In pursuit of liberalism, we should never overlook an important aspect of our conduct, namely discipline." As he spoke, telephone lines and Internet connections across Nepal went dead. The airport closed. Armored cars and soldiers with riot shields began patrolling Kathmandu's narrow alleys...
...Thus the King ended Nepal's 14-year fling with democracy, at least for now. (The King says he will rule with a council of ministers for a maximum of three years.) The democratic experiment was a widely acknowledged failure, it's true. In those 14 years, Nepal has had 14 different governments, and the public's mounting contempt for politicians has helped fuel a Maoist insurgency that has cost the lives of 11,000 people since 1996. Having witnessed the Maoist movement's transformation from a ragtag rebel group to a ruthless force of 10,000-15,000 that...
...with about 15 armed policemen pulled up at the gates. A man in plain clothes carrying a shotgun walked up to Kamle. They exchanged words. Suddenly Kamle threw up his hands, looked at Shrestha and shouted: "Sir! Sir! They are taking me! This is the death of democracy in Nepal!" The man marched Kamle to the truck and he was driven away. Across Kathmandu and other major cities, similar scenes were taking place. Police and soldiers say they arrested hundreds of students that day. Jails were already packed with Maoist rebels and suspected sympathizers, so the students were taken...
...world also expressed vehement disapproval of the King's power grab. The United States and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan both demanded the immediate restoration of democracy. British ambassador Keith Bloomfield called the takeover a "coup" and his government said it was reconsidering all foreign aid to Nepal?a dire threat for a country where the average annual income is just $240 and where 42% of the population lives below the poverty line. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, who has accused the Nepalese army of torturing and murdering people with impunity, expressed outrage that Gyanendra had pledged...
South Asian nations may yet get a reprieve if the U.S. textile industry persuades Washington to restrict clothing imports from China for a few more years. Several Asian governments are lobbying the U.S. as well. Without special treatment, garment industries in countries like Nepal are likely to become a free-trade casualty. Says exporter Pokhrel: "Death is the only prediction we can make." --With reporting by Chaim Estulin/Hong Kong, Yubaraj Ghimire/Kathmandu, Ghulam Hasnain/Karachi, Saleem Samad/ Dhaka and Lasantha Wickrematunge/Colombo...