Nepalese Americas Council
Press Release
02/04/05

Protest Letter to the Government in Nepal
We, the concerned members of the North American Nepali Diaspora, strongly disapprove of the King?s dissolution of the civilian Government and his takeover of the power in Nepal on February 1, 2005. We urge the King toimmediately restore democracy and the rule of representative government in Nepal.

We believe that this decision by the King, while it may be intended to restore peace and democracy, in fact poses as the gravest threat to both democracy and peace in Nepal in recent times. Despite the stated aims in the King?s takeover speech, this move is certain to lead the country into a period of greater discord and violence.

Suspension of the constitutional rights to free speech and expression are a gross violation of the most fundamental rights of citizens -- rights Nepalis have fought hard to earn. Nepali citizens must have the assurance of living in a free world and we demand that such basic rights be restored without delay. We condemn the arbitrary arrest and detention of members of the political parties, students and dissidents. The detainees should be released immediately, and the sanctions imposed on the media should be removed urgently.

The imposition of an unaccountable and unrepresentative government upon 25 million Nepalis without their consent has undermined the basic tenets of a liberal democracy ?the process of competitive, participatory elections and the guarantee of liberty. By becoming the full executive head of the Nepali Government, the King has overstepped the boundaries of constitutional monarchy. His executive authority undermines the processes of a parliamentary system of government and removes the checks and balances guaranteed by the separation of powers. This precedent will only invite more controversy about constitutional monarchy in Nepal in the future.

At this darkest hour in Nepali history we are united, and express our deep dismay at the King?s takeover of the government in Nepal. We strongly urge the Royal regime not to harm or unduly detain civilians. We and the concerned world will intently watch the events in Nepal and will do our utmost to defend the lives, rights and freedoms of Nepalis faced with political persecution. No one should expect to be immune from the consequences of their actions.

At the same time, we appeal to the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) not to add to the suffering of the Nepali people by trying to take advantage of the present situation. The CPN (Maoist) must realize that it is largely their actions and atrocities that have paved the ground for the Royal takeover. Two wrongs don't make a right. The King's actions should not be deployed in anyway to justify or vindicate the Maoists? so called ?peoples? war.? Accordingly, we call upon the CPN (Maoist) to forsake the use of violence as a method of political change; to stop extortions, abductions, and destruction of the nation?s infrastructure; and come forward for a negotiated settlement of the conflict. Like the King, the Maoists have an obligation to abide by universally accepted norms of democracy and human rights.

Nepalis who have been witness to Maoist-induced deteriorating law and order and security situation in Nepal in the past decade take note of the stated intensions of King Gyanendra to restore order and peace in our embattled homeland. However, democracy and the restoration of peace are closely linked issues in Nepal as elsewhere in the world. By taking Nepal further away from the mainstream of democracy, the unilateral action of the King and the Royal Nepal Army, we fear, is liable to instigate more violence and further erode the already strained fabric of Nepali society and polity.

We concur with the concerns raised by the United Nations, India, United Kingdom, the United States of America, and many other international watchdog bodies over the assumption of all powers by King Gyanendra in Nepal. We appeal to King Gyanendra to take immediate and genuine corrective steps to restore Nepal?s democracy and the basic rights of its citizenry, starting with the freeing of detainees and the opening up of media and communication channels. These alone can bring about the necessary environment for establishing long-term peace, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Nepal.

Sincerely,
Nepalese Americas Council (NAC)
http://www.nepalcouncil.org

NAC member and other community organizations:
1. Association of the Nepalis in the Americas (ANA)
2. America Nepal Society (ANS), California
3. Nepalese Association in South East America ( NASeA)
4. Nepalese and Friends Association (NAFA)
5. Kaligandaki Friendship Society (KFC), Washington, D.C.
6. Nepali Youth Organization (NYO), Washington, D.C.
7. Society of Ex-Budhanilkantha Students - North America
8. Nepa Pasha Pucha Amerikaye (NPPA)
9. America Nepal Friendship Society (ANFS), New York
10. Nepal Cultural Society of B.C. (NCSBC)
11. International Nepali Literary Society (INLS)
12. Association of the Nepalese in the Midwest America
13. Nepal Seattle Society
14. Florida Nepalese Association (FNA)
15. Nepal Community Network of Canada (NCNC)
16. Nepali Women?s Network of North America
17. NCNC( North Carolina)
18. NAH ( Houston)
19. Nepalese Society of Texas ( Dallas)
20. Greater Boston Nepali Community ( Boston)
21. Nepali American Public Affairs Council (NAPAC)
22. Nepal Concern Group-Canada

Contact Persons:
Dr. Alok Bohora bohara@unm.edu
Dr. Ambika Adhikari ambika_adhikari@yahoo.com
Dr. Anup Pahari apahari@comcast.net
Mr. Girija Gautam Girijagautam@aol.com
Dr. Gaury Adhikary adhikary@med.umich.edu
Dr. Jeetendra Joshee JeetJoshee@yahoo.com
Mr. Puru Subedi psubedi@gmail.com
Ms. Mallika Shakya mallika_ldn@yahoo.com
Mr. Shambhu Lama shambhu.lama@nepalaffairs.org
Mr. Suman Timsina stimsina@yahoo.com
Mr. Arun Sharma Sharun5@aol.com
Mr. Sharda Thapa sjthapa@speedsite.com
Mr. Aditya Jha aditya@osellus.com
Mr. Naresh Koirala naresh1@shaw.ca
Dr. Shyam Karki nepal1975@yahoo.com
Dr. Shiva Gautam sgautam@bidmc.harvard.edu

Job done, right? Wrote a protest letter and finished. That's lip service for sure. But youare the people who had mo mo party after this Kng G's move.

u guys sucks

u guys and your families benefitted the most when their was the bramhaloot in nepal during the 14 years of past democracy...all of u are those who acquired the elite status in nepal or better say kathmandu....by the virtue of those corrupt leaders and their corrupt deed....now u are in the u.s.a and backlashing the step taken by the king (however unpopular he might be..) to bring the normalcy back in nepal....



TIMI HARU THULA BADA BHANAUDA HO.....AMERICA MA BASNA PAIYO BHANDAI MA NEPAL KO ASMITA RA NATIONAL SECURITY KO BAREMA HALUKA COMMENT GARNEY

U JACK ASHES HAVE NO RIGHTS TO SAY..THE PETITION REPRESENT THE VOICE OF ALL NEPALESE IN U.S.A....

भ्रस्टाचारी र भ्रस्टाचारीका छोराहरुको लिस्ट हो कि के हो यो?
ठोक ज्ञाने ठोक यिनीहरुलाई पैला।

Contact Persons:
Dr. Alok Bohora bohara@unm.edu
Dr. Ambika Adhikari ambika_adhikari@yahoo.com
Dr. Anup Pahari apahari@comcast.net
Mr. Girija Gautam Girijagautam@aol.com
Dr. Gaury Adhikary adhikary@med.umich.edu
Dr. Jeetendra Joshee JeetJoshee@yahoo.com
Mr. Puru Subedi psubedi@gmail.com
Ms. Mallika Shakya mallika_ldn@yahoo.com
Mr. Shambhu Lama shambhu.lama@nepalaffairs.org
Mr. Suman Timsina stimsina@yahoo.com
Mr. Arun Sharma Sharun5@aol.com
Mr. Sharda Thapa sjthapa@speedsite.com
Mr. Aditya Jha aditya@osellus.com
Mr. Naresh Koirala naresh1@shaw.ca
Dr. Shyam Karki nepal1975@yahoo.com
Dr. Shiva Gautam sgautam@bidmc.harvard.edu

First of all, it's very unfortunate that the country is going through the current political turmoil. We can argue about who is to be blamed and who is not. I would consider everyone is to be blamed. Now, how do we get out of this situation is the first question that would come to my mind.

The so called leaders in our system have again started leading to the wrong direction and I am not surprised at all. Some going on record supporting for sanctions to the country and some making press releases that do not reflect the hearts and minds of majority of the people.

The press release from NAC is just an example of how these so called "leaders" have failed the majority of the people. They mention about 25 million people but they represent only the corrupt faction which was ruining the country for the last couple of years. They mention about election process but they would have been happy to have the parliament reinstated for the "corrupt politicians" without providing the rights to the people to vote. And why dont they NOT mention what the corrupt politicians did in the last couple of years?

They have listed all the organizations in the USA (I believe), but I am sure that the organizations I am involved did not even have a clue that this was coming out. I would challenge all the leaders of those good organizations that have been listed to come out and declare that they actually support this press release.

PS: I wont be surprised if all the listed contact persons have given up their Nepalese citizenship to get the US citizenship.

Very interesting press release. What is that list for? Contact? For what?

This release by NAC is total Bullshit. WTF gave these organizations the right to put their names on the petition? I belong to more than one on the list and I condemn the misrepresentation here. Take GBNC for example. GBNC is a non-political organization that should not side with either the maoists, the monarch or the incompetent politicians. Where on its mission statement does it state GBNC's political affiliation?

And by the way, since many of these organizations accept donations (for what i still consider to be worthwhile causes) that are tax-deductable, IRS section 501(c)3 actually limits this kind of political activity.

Someone needs to be held accountable. Was it the GBNC president or someone else who authorized the use of the organization's name. And why did NAC include the name without proper authorization?

All of these organizations include members who have varying political affliations. For one individual or even the executive committe to overlook this fact is not acceptable.

wa re wa bhrastachari Nepali ka bigreka chhora haru USA ma aera pani politics! jaya hos timro......... George bush le timi haruko uddhar garun!!!!!!!!

Mr. Major and the NAC:

With all due respect to the elitist of the nepali community as well as the free country that is the US, I have to strongly disagree with all that you have said and all that you stand for.
I agree with Prem dai and Nepali tiger on this issue.
One thing you have done very well, is point out the problems present in Nepal, but all the .harvards' and the .umichs' have failed to come up with any single possible solution to the problems.
We all can list the problems and denounce the actions taken, but great minds are those (mid you, you claim to be one), who can come up with a practical solution to those problems and implement it.
You say you will do your utmost to defend the lives and rights of nepalis, sirs and madams, I would love to chat with you as to what the "utmost" you are so willing to do is.
You say, it threatens the peace and democracy in Nepal, the way I see it, there was none. Ofcourse there wasnt any peace left, and for democracy, the only evidence of it was the broken down railings in Ratnapark.
You say give the power back to the government that represented the people, hell I can say with absolute confidence that they did not represent me, or any of the people I know. All they did was represent themselves and their "own".
For all I care, Girija can be in house arrest for the rest of his life, thats the least he can do after screwing up everything possible for our country.
And I am not gonna cry a river if I dont see the current politicians back in power.
Ofcourse democracy is the ideal of goverment form, but we are not in an ideal situation, are we?
I am not saying I totally agree with the move, but in a situation when I cannot think of a better solution, I am willing to give this a shot.
I am very skeptical about the move, if the dictator turns out to have worked the situation for his benifit, then he can keep on prolonging this "war", and be in power forever.
About human rights, they were being violated, and without any solution in sight, it wasnt going to be any better for a long time, if a sloution could be reached in a short amount of time ..... by risking a little more of what was already going on, again ... this is not a good solution .... but can anyone suggest anything better ???????
For now .... lets hope to god and whatever it is that we have faith in .... that the king is atleast a decent person, cause if not ..... we might as well make ourselves VERY comfortable in this country.

Shady

achano ko pir khukuri le bujhdaina. the us, uk and india do not understand the problems facing nepal and nepalese people as much as we do. so the nepalese folks who have been simply regurgitating stuff from cnn and bbc and most of the western commentary should realize that.

Seven of the listed contact persons have Dr. in front of their names and none of them seems to have understood what it is to be a registered member of IRS section 501(c)3. Here is the quote from IRS website (IRS-2004-59):

"These organizations cannot endorse any candidates, make donations to their campaigns, engage in fund raising, distribute statements, or become involved in any other activities ..."

Website:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=122887,00.html

Well, I checked Nepalicouncil.org and also found the following statement under their Bylaws, ARTICLE: XII, NON- PROFIT STATUS:

"The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, education, and/or scientific purposes under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal revenue Code. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements)..."

To me it seems like these elitist have learned a lot from their mentors(Girija, Madhav, etc) about respecting the constitution and the laws. Kudos to you guys, I hope you did not jeopardize other organizations IRS status. I wont be surprised if any of them are actually funding or supporting the terrorists (Maoists). Just pray George wont send his people knocking on your doors.

It seems they got their doctoral from Bihar. May be girija and Makune recommended them for honorary doctoral degree...............shame on them.

Dear friends:

Thanks for expressing your concerns on NAC's Press Release. Please know that NAC represents all Nepalese community in North America. If you have any questions, you may contact any person(s) list above directly, or your local affiliation.

Keeping your concern(s) in mind, I have forwarded this posting thread/link to NAC. I will post if they do reply. Thank you.

Best - Major

11. International Nepali Literary Society (INLS)
Mr. Puru Subedi psubedi@gmail.com

धन्यबाद Major!
अरु त मरे नि ठिकै छ बाँचे नि ठीकै छ मलाई मतलब छैन यो पुरु किन जान्नी भऽको?
INLS को साखाहरु संसारमै छरिएको छ र सबैको यही बिछार छ भन्ने सोच्या छ कि के हो?
अनि INLS ले राजनिति सित के सरोकार नि फेरि?

Mr. Puru तिम्रो नाम दिनु अगाडि सोध्या हो पिताजीलाई ?
मुला जान्नु सान्नु छैन। यसै नाम दिने जहाँ पायो त्यही?
राजनिति गर्न मन छ भने पार्टि खोलेर बस् मुला।

I'm no more tan a tiny drop of INLS Japan Chapter.

It looks like people involved in NAC have been giving interviews as well regarding the situation in Nepal. Here are some that I have noticed on the peacejournalisam.com site:

Dr. Alok Bohora
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=1104
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=551

Dr. Gaury Adhikary
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=1077

Dr. Ambika Adhikary
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=509
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=547

Dr. Shiva Gautam
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=430

Dr. Anup Pahari
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=495

Mr. Girija Gautam
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=730

It looks like people involved in NAC have been giving interviews as well regarding the situation in Nepal. Here are some that I have noticed on the peacejournalisam.com site:

Dr. Alok Bohora
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=1104
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=551

Dr. Gaury Adhikary
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=1077

Dr. Ambika Adhikary
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=509
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=547

Dr. Shiva Gautam
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=430

Dr. Anup Pahari
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=495

Mr. Girija Gautam
http://www.peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=730

KaliG, thanks for pointing to those articles.

I went through some of those and I must say that it's their right to express themselves on a personal level. Everyone has a freedom to express his/her personal views without taking somebody elses support for granted specially if its without consultation.

The problem here is the Press Release they came out with. I never thought NAC was a political lobbyist or an organization. I am also starting to get the impression that some of the organizations listed were not consulted and their names were used in the release.

To me, it looks as if these listed contact persons are "Ahmad Chalabi" in the making. And you know what Chalabi did.

.

Well, I checked Nepalicouncil.org and also found the following statement under their Bylaws, ARTICLE: XII, NON- PROFIT STATUS:

"The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, education, and/or scientific purposes under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal revenue Code. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements)..."

I think they used the clause "for EDUCATIONAL purpose". To educate Gyanendra about ka-kha-ga of democracy !!

Major jee,
yhan protest gare ra ke garne......................aba tyo listma va ko haru pani black listma pri halyo ni....................

ear friends:

Thanks for expressing your concerns on NAC's Press Release. Please know that NAC represents all Nepalese community in North America. If you have any questions, you may contact any person(s) list above directly, or your local affiliation.

Keeping your concern(s) in mind, I have forwarded this posting thread/link to NAC. I will post if they do reply. Thank you.

Best - Major


ani khai kole ijajat di yo sabai nepali lai represent garne..................
more than 90% supports king...............

khai ke ho ke ho nepali haru jhan ga pani neta giri garna pugi halcha..........