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Posted
on 28-Feb-02 01:20 PM
Why the US Envoy resorted, Maoists equals Al Qaida?
KOL Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 28 - United States Ambassador for Nepal Michael E. Malinowski's strongly worded adjectives against the Maoist terrorists, even equating them to radical terrorist groups of the world, did not just pop up following the recent Maoist attacks upon civilians where an eight-year-old girl was burnt alive to death.
There were more to it than just that. Our sister publication, Kantipur Daily, on its Thursday's edition collects together what might have resorted the US Ambassador to give a shot in the arm to the Nepalese government in its own war against terrorism.
During his three-day visit to Achham and Salyan districts Malinowski, his wife and another US diplomat, PeterWorley, did get to hear a live account from the soldiers and policemen who were marred during the recent Maoist's "brutal" attacks. In less than 48 hours later, he not only expressed deep respects to both those living and dead but also declared them as "heroes" and "martyrs".
Malinowski also got to speak with four Maoists, two women and two men -- who were arrested by the security forces -- about their underground lifestyle, political commitment and experiences.
One of them was a 14-year-old girl. In the US Envoy's own words, the young girl was taken by the terrorists and then forced to hold the guns to serve their inerests. She even related her own story as to how she was physically raped by the Maoists.
Another woman was 17-years-old and was recruited by the terrorists in their "cultural troupe" to sing "revolutionary" numbers and dance according to the beat of the comrades. Later, for her own safety, she realized that she had no other option but to join the terrorist militia.
The other arrested terrorist had a different account to tell. The terrorists took him to the jungles after his schoolmates accused him of being a Maoist – only because he protested, with his teacher, of having to sit on the floor while studying. The classrooms in his school had no benches at all.
A local had told the US Envoy that the Maoists had been successful in influencing the Kamaiyas (the emancipated bonded labours) and the Tharus in the Tarai as the government hadn't been able to do much for them. The last of the four arested was a 19-year old Tharu, who was very scared that the terrorists would now harm his family members.
The experiences for Malinowski, who has earlier served here as the Deputy Chief of Mission, was entirely different this time in Nepal. It was probably a difficult question for him to answer – What is more brutal: the terrorists who bombed the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon or the Maoists who raped a 14-year-old?
Ultimately, he announced his decision in public – both are the same. (sjs)
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