The new U.S. Ambassador's first interview to Nepali media after assuming the position of the U.S. Ambassador to Nepal. In mid-September, shortly before the Maoists quit the interim government, the Ambassador gave this interview to the Kathmandu Post and Kantipur newspapers.
Q: How do you assess the current social and economic situations in Nepal?
Nancy J Powell:
It has been 25 years since I left here. I have come back a number of
times maybe seven or eight times in between. So, it was not a complete
shock. I had seen some of the changes during that time. But I have not
been able to get outside the valley. I am looking forward to seeing
what changes I will see in tarai and hills.
At that time it was
impossible to go to the United States from Nepal. If an American needed
money, they needed to come and talk to me, how to get money from his
family. Now they can pick up the phone and talk to their family. There
was no television when I was here before. Now I am able to watch
President Bush's address live on television. It is a very different
phenomenon from having to listen to President Regan as I did back in
1981 when he gave his inauguration speech in the short wave. So, I
think there have been many changes since then. It has entered the
global market place, many tourists from different places are coming
now. I think those are the big changes that I see in Kathmandu.
Q: What about political changes in Nepal?
Powell:
As you might imagine, when I came in 1980 the topic of conversation was
referendum. The discussion was whether to go with multiparty system or
continue with Panchayat system. A significant amount of changes have
taken place in politics since 1980. Now, the Constituent Assembly
elections are coming closer. However, as an American it is little hard
to understand that there is not much of campaign going on here. In my
home state candidates are already campaigning for 2008 elections. But
here with less than 70 days to go, I do not to see the candidates
outside the valley.
Q: What could be the reasons behind the candidates and politicians not going for the campaigns?
Powell:
I think there are obviously a number of reasons. Security concern is
very, very real for many people to getting out. The procedural issues
still have to be resolved in terms of where the constituencies are, and
the parties need to name their candidates once they know where their
constituencies are. So, there are still some procedural issues but the
security is going to have a major impact.
Q:
Ambassador Moriarty was speaking frequently in public against the
Maoists. You have not been as vocal and critical at least in public. Is
it because you have different working style or is it because of the US
policy to slow down criticism against the Maoists?
Powell:
I think it is difficult to comment for someone who is still relatively
new here trying to understand what is said and what it means, which can
sometimes be two different things. It is hard, as a newcomer to
understand what the Maoists' priorities are and what their program is.
There seems to be a great deal of contradictions. It seems they are
speaking to different audiences with different messages.
We are
still receiving reports of intimidation of the candidates who are
campaigning. There was a story on the press yesterday, very horrible
story about a man who was slit for campaigning. We certainly have
reports even from some Americans who have been approached in their
homes here and money and food was demanded. I think those things are
going on much more in rural communities. The violence in tarai, whether
it is originated by the Maoists or by other groups that are inspired by
their tactics, these things are not part of politics. Election should
provide everybody an opportunity to present a view, and have the people
of Nepal provide their answer in the form of vote. That is what
mainstream politics means to me and not the continuation of coercion
that we see in some of the media houses here in Kathmandu. The labor
tactics they are using here are not a part of labor union politics from
where I come from. So, the concerns we have is whether their commitment
to mainstream politics is genuine or not.
All of those involved
in violence is something that the United States condemns. There is
recognition on our part that this is not going to produce stability and
democracy in Nepal. They must respect the laws and the human rights of
those who oppose them and that seems to be increasingly problematic in
Nepal.
There is a democracy in the making and particularly the
Constituent Assembly is a way to find the solutions and set up the
system that can address the grievances. We have a constitution for over
230 years. We still have groups that are bringing issues to our process
to address their grievances. We bring on courts; we bring them to the
election. We bring on the groups that can advocate on their behalf.
Setting up of the process allows the people to have their rights
respected, to have their grievances heard and addressed. Elections are
credibly important piece of getting that process started.
Q:
Given the behavior of the Maoists and the situation in tarai, do you
think that the constituent assembly polls will take place on time?
Powell:
I think it is very important that every effort be made to have that
happen. We are certainly taking it forward. We at the embassy are
assessing on how we can monitor activities, looking at how we bring in
and help others who want to come in from America. So, we are proceeding
on the assumption that the election is going to take place. I think
there are so many things that need to be done on the procedural side;
and the key thing is the commitment by the parties that are going to
participate.
I am told 61 parties are participating. I think
this is the latest number that they are going to the poll. They are
meeting the deadline that the Election Commission has set. That seems
without much possibility they will need to make commitment to do that
and comply with the election commission rules. The parties have to gear
up the campaign strategies.
Q: If the election is postponed yet another time, what would be the reaction of the United States?
Powell:
This certainly will be a major disappointment to us. We all believe
that the elections are critical and there is a finite period of time
here because of the need to bring in people from tarai and the high
hills. Delaying the poll leaves the country without being able to
proceed on with the important task of writing the constitution. We are
certainly hoping that you can go forward.
You cannot do it in
all of the polling places. Perhaps, you have to have a by-election in
some areas either as a result of flood or the security situation. There
are a number of ways to handle constituencies.
Q:
The prime minister of Nepal is saying that sovereignty of Nepal is in
danger and reportedly he shared that with you, too. Do you think so? If
so, how to protect it?
Powell:
I know this is a sensitive issue. My sense is that all of Nepal's
friends are trying to support these elections, support the transition.
You have received enormous amount of help from the international
community. I think that all the Nepali people from round the world are
concerned about their independence and sovereignty. You really do have
many friends that are trying to help you with this process. And the
provision of assistance and ideas should not be seen as infringement on
your sovereignty but rather a desire to help make sure that the process
succeeds.
Q: Talking in the same line, sometimes it is reported that USA and India put unnecessary pressure on Nepal. How do you see this?
Powell:
I cannot speak for India, obviously. I can speak for the USA. That is
the misperception and not shared by many Nepalis. We are trying to help
Nepal. Since I have been here, I have been reviewing a lot of time what
we are doing, and trying to make sure that the programs are effective.
First of all, they use American tax dollars because Americans are
paying for these programs through their taxes. If I had the sense that
they are not right, we will take a look at it. I think in terms of the
amount of money and in terms of the kinds of assistance, we are hoping
that we are making an important contribution. But I do not think it is
making a huge contribution. It is a modest one. So, I think that is a
misperception on the part of people.
Q: How do you assess your positive influence in Nepal?
Powell:
We have been very keen over the years in supporting Nepal. Life
expectancy has increased dramatically, so is survival rate of children.
It may not get very much of the attention but it is a big part of our
assistance. The fact is that there are vaccination campaigns and more
and more children even in the middle of the insurgency had no problems.
That is a key area where we want to continue. The exchange of ideas is
also quite significant. It has come through enormous amount of
education programs that have taken scholars from Nepal to the United
States. We have already started thinking of how we can make library
more resourceful, how we can find scholars that can appear in digital
video conferences, perhaps provide different perspectives on issues
like federalism and address some of the needs. I think one of the
things for Nepal to keep in mind is that there are many countries that
have gone through this similar transition and there are lessons that
you can adapt to your truly unique Nepali structure.
Q:
The US has proposed to resettle more than 60,000 Bhutanese refugees.
Why is the US so keen on taking such a large chunk of refugees?
Powell:
UNHCR, the US government and other countries that have been working at
resettlement option recognize three durable solutions. We look at the
resettlement of he refugee in the countries which have taken up the
issue is there. That is a way to solve the issue. Repatriation to the
country where they came back from or resettlement. And we are not
advocating a single solution. We are recognizing that the international
norm is all three solutions to take place.
The origin of the
efforts --- the crude effort is to recognize the people, who have been
in these camps for nearly 17 years. That is incredibly a long time.
Many are working for future of their children. We currently have
programs in the United States that allow us to take refugees from
around the world. We wanted to make our program available to them. We
have been working on small amount of those who are vulnerable in one
way or others. But this would be a huge increase in the processing. We
are working closely with UNHCR and other countries that have been
donating to keep these camps going.
We are working on two or
three things now before the processing starts. One is to ensure that
there is security in the camps for the refugees to make an informed and
free choice that they would not be intimidated by others in the refugee
camps.
We also need security for those going to do the
processing and those who would be helping us. We have to have a secure
environment for the refugees, for those who are processing. In the next
two/three weeks we will have ready infrastructure for the police. We
will then begin a campaign that includes the government of Nepal,
UNHCR, and the resettlement countries. We will be explaining what the
offers are, what does it mean to do with resettlements in the United
States, or in Canada, or in Australia or in other places. What
particular benefits they would enjoy, what are the restrictions, what
qualifications do they need.
Those who opt for resettlements
will work with UNHCR to process their paperworks. We need to work
through how to get people from current location to Kathmandu to
resettlement locations, to care for them during that process. There is
also logistic thing that has to be worked out. But we will be working
with officials that are posted in other parts of the region. I think
they come from Bangkok, they come from New Delhi.
For a partial transcript of Ambassador Powell's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing earlier in June 2007, click on "Continue Reading" link directly below:Partial transcript of the June 20, 2007 hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Nancy
Powell, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves
as the National Intelligence Officer for South Asia at the National
Intelligence Council. Prior to this she served as the Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs at the Department of State. Earlier in her career,
she served as the Ambassador to the countries of Pakistan, Ghana and
Uganda. This will be her second tour in Nepal. At the June 20, 2007
hearing, she was questioned by Senator Kerry.
OPENING STATEMENTS BY MS. POWELL:
...Nepal is at a critical juncture in its history. Its government and
people are simultaneously working to end a devastating decade-long
Maoist insurgency and to establish sustained multiparty democracy. They
are also struggling to emerge from poverty and to address the issues of
discrimination and inequality that have long plagued Nepal.
Peace
and democracy in Nepal would directly serve U.S. interests in stability
and democracy in South Asia. The Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists
who together comprise the interim government have agreed to a political
roadmap that, if fully implemented, has the potential to deliver peace
and democracy to Nepal. There has been much progress to date but
success is far from assured. Although the Maoists joined the government
on April 1st, they continue to violate commitments they have made in
the course of the peace process. Unrest in the lowlands along the
Indian border has further complicated efforts to restore law and order
and the authority of the government throughout the country. The
security vacuum and the political stalemate precluded free and fair
constituent assembly elections from being held this month as originally
planned. They are now expected in November or early December. In order
to assure these -- (inaudible) -- are free and fair when they do take
place, the government must urgently restore law and order throughout
the country, complete the legislative and logistical groundwork for a
well-administered election, and reach out to disaffected groups to
ensure their adequate representation and peaceful participation in the
political process. If confirmed, I will continue our active support of
Nepali efforts to these ends.
...Also, achieving durable solutions for the 108,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal continues to be a U.S. priority. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the government of Nepal to implement current plans for a voluntary resettlement program that would accommodate at least 60,000 of these refugees. I will also encourage the government of Nepal to ensure that the rights of all Tibetan refugees, resident in or transiting Nepal, are respected.
There remains room for improvement in Nepal's efforts to prevent and prosecute human trafficking, and to ensure its security forces uphold the highest human rights standards. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the government on these issues as well.
SEN. KERRY: Let me just ask Ambassador Powell, if I can, in your judgment, does the interim government have enough legitimacy and lift to be able to pull off the assembly elections?
MS. POWELL: They are certainly going to have to do much more on the law- and-order front in order to ensure that people aren't intimidated, that the campaigns can go forward in a reasonable manner.
SEN. KERRY: Do you think that internally, within the country, there'll be an acceptance of an outcome?
MS. POWELL: I think
that's one of the major questions, particularly with the Maoist Party.
They have committed themselves to the parliamentary system, to the --
SEN. KERRY: How committed do you judge they really are?
MS. POWELL:
I think we will have a chance to see that. They have not shown 100
percent commitment, particularly with the founding of the Young
Communist League. Intimidation, extortion, some of the kidnapping has
been continuing. This has been recognized both in the -- by the U.S.
government representatives, by my predecessor, and also by the prime
minister, by other political leaders.
SEN. KERRY: So
it's your judgment, or the State Department's conclusion, that the
likelihood is they may engage in coercive activities during the
election?
MS. POWELL: That certainly is
one of the things that their pattern has shown so far....They do
intimidate those who are opposed to -- to the Maoist philosophy, and
this has served to form the debate in certain ways that have not been
truly democratic....we need to continue to work with the United Nations
to make sure that the cantonments in which the Maoist fighters have
been put are adequately staffed and taken care of. We need to look at
what we can do to make sure that the people who are in those camps
receive some kind of training that will allow them to rejoin society
after having been part of a group that has not encouraged support for
democratic ideals. I think those are key areas; also those are very,
very important and practical aspects of the elections. They are going
to need money, they are going to need logistics. Nepal is not an easy
country to move around in, and to get the ballots out, to get the
security forces out to the various regions will take a lot of funding
and a lot of work on the logistics....
...one of my first tasks will be to look at our own plans and to see, both for the elections and then what happens the day after the elections. Are we prepared to be able to support the constituent assembly that is elected, and how can they best do that?
...There is a certain amount of support for the Maoists, and that also needs to be respected in an election. They have committed to this, although there are divisions, we believe, within the Maoists. We need to encourage those that are committed to this, the democratic process, and to make sure that all forums, including the courts system -- that there are ways to encourage the ethnic groups and the others who feel disadvantaged, that they have a role. Right now most of the violence is from those groups rather than from the Maoist group.
SEN. KERRY: What role do you believe India has in this?
MS. POWELL: They
have a very important role to play. There are a large number of Nepali
citizens who live and work in India. The border is relatively open.
This
has provided a free flow of ideas and goods. It's also permitted
smuggling and other illegal activities to take place. They have
enormous amounts of influence with the various political groups,
including the Maoists, over the years, and so they will continue to
play a very important role.
SEN. KERRY: Do you believe that China has any ability to help?
MS. POWELL: I do.
SEN. KERRY: What about the strife in Terai?
MS. POWELL: I
think the security forces have not been deployed in a manner to assist
the government in ensuring that there is law and order. There are a
number of groups who have taken the position that the way to get the
government's attention is to take to the street, to commit violent
acts, and this needs to be addressed in a way that they can have their
grievances heard....so that they don't feel the need to go to the
streets.
The current US AMBASSADOR, JAMES MORIARTY is scheduled to leave by the end of July.
