Nepal's internal affairs have been threatened by the international community since the King of Nepal imposes a temporary state of emergency to control a communist insurgency and massive corruption by the government. Nepal is a country that does not fall into the interest of big powers. But suddenly Nepal has been hit in the international community and international media. Some foreigners (diaspora or foreigners) are campaigning against Nepal and trying to impose their strategies on what kind of government Nepal must have or should have. The Bush, Indian or UK administration should not forget Nepal is under Maoist threat. If there is no peace how can democracy exist?

The UN or big powers countries should know King's steps were taken with a view to defeat the violence and maintain the law and order. But big powers are influenced by the propaganda. Even big powers and the UN has supported the military dictators in Pakistan, Syria, Iran, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and many other members States. The UN also supports the absolute rule by Kings of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei, Bhutan, Swaziland, and many others. In many of these Arab countries females are not even allowed to vote in any kind of elections. They are not allowed to show their face in public. Females are not allowed to drive. But they have not said anything about the human right of the people of these countries. The UN also supports the communist countries such as People's Republic of China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba, and North Korea.

Therefore, it shows a double standard by the international community to threaten Nepal by saying that they have decided to indefinitely suspend military aid to Nepal in an attempt to press King Gyanendra to restore democracy. Do they have answers if violence continues, if corruption continues, how democracy can exist? How can democracy exist if 90% of the population is struggling for survival, if the population is living with fear and death every day? How can democracy exist if you don't have a stable government, and if you don't have an economic reform policy for the poor? Democracy can exist if we have a stable, democratic, non-corrupt government and have good economic relations.

If big powers are not willing to help Nepal to build the peace, develop true democracy and control the violence, Nepal has to build its economic relations with China, or with Russia . Nepal has to learn, we should not be economically dependent on big powers where they can play their games when we have a crisis. What kind of government or system Nepal must have will be decided by Nepalese people who are living and working in Nepal, not by the international community or diaspora. They should know, if in a democratic system, people are deprived of employment, it is a danger, as they are likely to be recruited into the armed bands of warlords and political extremists.

Nepalese Democracy

Nepalese democracy brought increased riches to select people associated with the legislators and not the entire population, it is not surprising that it would be replaced by another form of government. It is a familiar scene experienced by democracies everywhere from time to time.

In the U.S. in the 19th century, democracy worked to the excessive advantage of a privileged group too, but gradually it was reformed so that the people at the bottom gained some share in wealth too. I think the key to the reform of democracy (meaning that the general population has control of the legislators) is (1) the education of the masses and (2) a free press. If the press is allowed to print its investigative reports and those of its academics to show what is actually happening in the government and if the population is literate enough to read its publications, then corrupt legislators will be found out and removed in the following elections.

It appears that in Nepal neither of these conditions has been fulfilled. On the other hand, autocracies have usually catered to a select group to the disadvantage of the general population and that is why they were mostly replaced by democracies. We shall see whether king is able to prevent this tendency in Nepal.

Peace

Peace is an essential aspect of democracy. It allows societies to use existing resources and infrastructure to improve the quality of life instead of destroying them in communal violence. Peace must be based on human rights, and implies the progress of the political, economic, social and cultural rights by all. Without Peace ordinary people cannot have a voice.

Widespread starvation and political powerlessness add to global insecurity violent organization are increasing. The arms trade makes weapons more available to Arm groups, drug traffickers and other violent factions around the world. The number of small arms currently in use around the globe is near 500 million. The level of arms currently in circulation has greatly surpassed any cases the availability of small arms is fueling local conflicts.

Maoists

Suffering of civilians in war is increases in Nepal. So long as the Maoist war continues Nepalese people have to live in fear, in the fear of an impending attack on any village. We have to pay a high price for the Maoists war. War and poverty have prevented us from having access to our basic needs of life like health and education. We all Nepalese are anxiously waiting for the end of the war and ushering of peace. In Nepal extreme poverty has forced young people into Maoism.

The social, political outlook and attitude towards poor have made poor people helpless. There are both social and economic problems which have contributed to the upward trend of violence in Nepal. Lack of education, awareness, and opportunities have contributed to the rise of violence in Nepal.

We all Nepalese must work together and educate people so we can begin to create change at all levels. We Nepalese must move from violence culture to a culture of peace. Without peace, democracy cannot exist. We must now think if our children can be safe in tomorrow's Nepal. Nepalese people desire peace and seek justice.

The Maoists war has claimed more than 11,000 Nepalese citizens' lives in the past nine years. New government should eradicate the destruction and threats of violence. Indeed, the government needs to act actively to abolish violence and Maoists should lay down their arms and enter a dialogue for peace. Nepal Government should think critically and creatively about political and societal alternatives for dealing with conflict situations.

Government should develop working relationships, and to broaden networks on individuals involved in conflict management. In Nepal, until the Government eliminates the poverty, overpopulation, national economic decline, fear, deprivation, people's ignorance, violence will remain. Any party involved in violent conflicts should take special measures to protect civilians.

At last, all we Nepali must unite to end the violence and build our economy so we don't have to be dependent on foreigners.

(Kamala Sarup is editor to http://peacejournalism.com/ )