02-11-2005, 12:36 PM
<b>Nepal's coup to intensify civil war: Think tank</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Nepal King Gyanendra's royal coup is likely to strengthen the Maoist insurgency and intensify the country's civil war, an international think tank comprising several world leaders has said.
In its latest report, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) projected an intensification of the "civil war" and strengthening of Maoist insurgency in Nepal following the February 1 "royal coup".
"King Gyanendra justified his coup on the need to beat back the Maoists, but it will have exactly the opposite effect. An absolute monarch undermining democracy will only aid the Maoists and do nothing to reduce the risk of them coming to power," ICG President and former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans said in the report entitled 'Nepal's Royal Coup: Making a Bad Situation Worse'.
Observing that Gyanendra had "backed himself into a corner," its Programme Director Robert Templer said the only way to achieve peace was "through effective military action combined with a political strategy that undercuts Maoist positions. Neither is possible without a broad-based democratic government."
<b>The ICG, which has former Prime Minister IK Gujral and several other world leaders on its Board</b>, said the King had "gambled that the world would be reluctant to criticise his move too harshly or to cut support for Nepal as long as Maoist insurgents remain a serious threat."
"However, as international condemnation has gathered pace over the past week, that gamble appears not to be paying off," it said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In its latest report, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) projected an intensification of the "civil war" and strengthening of Maoist insurgency in Nepal following the February 1 "royal coup".
"King Gyanendra justified his coup on the need to beat back the Maoists, but it will have exactly the opposite effect. An absolute monarch undermining democracy will only aid the Maoists and do nothing to reduce the risk of them coming to power," ICG President and former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans said in the report entitled 'Nepal's Royal Coup: Making a Bad Situation Worse'.
Observing that Gyanendra had "backed himself into a corner," its Programme Director Robert Templer said the only way to achieve peace was "through effective military action combined with a political strategy that undercuts Maoist positions. Neither is possible without a broad-based democratic government."
<b>The ICG, which has former Prime Minister IK Gujral and several other world leaders on its Board</b>, said the King had "gambled that the world would be reluctant to criticise his move too harshly or to cut support for Nepal as long as Maoist insurgents remain a serious threat."
"However, as international condemnation has gathered pace over the past week, that gamble appears not to be paying off," it said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->