EU aid to Nepal under review
By Devendra Bhattarai
Eduardo Lechuga Jimenez is Charge d’affaires of the delegation of the European Commission to Nepal. He says that European Union is review its aid programs to Nepal because of Feb 1 royal takeover. In an interview with Devendra Bhattarai, Jimenez, who is in Kathmandu to celebrate Europe Day on May 9, said that EU is for multiparty democracy, constitutional monarchy and transparent governance in Nepal.
What is the stand of EU on Feb 1 political change in Nepal?
Union has already urged for the revival of multiparty democracy as soon as possible. Our view is that if legitimate democratic forces are sidelined from the decision making process, there is no meaning of democracy.
How do you evaluate the three months after Feb 1?
Because of the changed environment after Feb 1, we are reviewing the limitation and nature of our programs in Nepal. Current aid programs will be continued. In Feb, king Gyanendra asked for hundred days with international communities. That period has passed. We are curious as to how many days we have to wait for the revival of democratic process, civil liberties and press freedom. We will bring out information about aid review within this month.
What will be the steps of EU and EC in future?
We haven’t changed our stand. We are for democracy and full democracy as always. But we will review as to how long to wait for. No new projects and those that are in pipeline will come if the governance doesn’t become democratic. Projects on sectors like education and irrigation on pipeline and are on hold now.
Emergency has been lifted and municipal election has been announced.
The real problem is more important than the emergency being lifted. Government says the security situation has improved. We only know the situation of Kathmandu to Nagarkot. Kathmandu was safe yesterday and it is safe today as well. But outside Kathmandu? It is difficult to travel outside and there is no full communication.
And municipal election is not the only basis for democracy. All levels like parliament and local bodies should go through the same process. Before this, press freedom should be restored so that media can report independently.
13 Comments »
hope so. But the EU is as good as the United States and India in the end. Look how many of the EU countries were against the Iraq war, But they are eager for “reconsturction” (read it as contract). construction without destruction!!! More than hypocracy!!!
Comment by harvey — 5/6/2005 @ 12:50 pm
‘More than Hypocracy’should be appreciated if it is for something good.
Comment by Vishu — 5/6/2005 @ 4:09 pm
NO NO………NO, FIRST PEACE, THEN DEMOCRACY
NOW AID FOR PEACE
Comment by NELSON — 5/6/2005 @ 4:52 pm
it is this same EU who was willing to forget the Tianamen square masaccre and lift the arms embargo against china….
it is so hypocritical that they think that a democratic system is more important than humanitarian aid or development aid
Comment by shanker — 5/6/2005 @ 10:34 pm
The EU must realized that Nepali people are not interested to bring those corrupted and illed leaders back in the power with their Raski(wine) and money that they use to buy the votes from Poor uneducated people.
I think at this our, Nepali people are taking wait and see approach about the KG’ moves on Feb 1, 2005. First peace then the democracy. Thank U EU your vested interest Democracy in Nepal.
Comment by Pashupati — 5/7/2005 @ 12:25 am
EU is no less dif than any other imperialistic org like NATO or IMF, you name it!
Comment by Blogbahini — 5/7/2005 @ 9:44 am
Everyone wants to be polticians in nepal.. even these frigging idiots.
Comment by kaley — 5/7/2005 @ 9:19 pm
There is no other embassy here in Kathmandu that is biased, hypocritical and hated than the EU. Govt. should ban the EU office and send all its staff back home to live in shaks and huts and tiny flats. Thjey are living here in such luxury and yet they are not happy to see peace returning. This fellow does not unbderstand what is full democracy. Any democracy should have first elections. After municipal elections, we will have general elections. That is democracy. What is he talking about security situation only in Nagarkot and Kathmandu. I live in Birgunj. The situation here has drastically improved post Feb. 1st. These foreigners have absolutely no idea.
Comment by Astha Thapa — 5/9/2005 @ 3:03 pm
Eduardo Lechuga Jimenez should be ambassador of EU to the Moon because he doesn’t seem to live in this world. What does he mean by restoring and reviving democracy when all elected bodies were dissolved by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba???? HOw can democracy be revived in 100 days?? Is he crazy? Munical elections, district level elections and then general elections are the only way democracy can be revived. Mr. Jimenez you please go home. We don’t want your aid.
Comment by Rajan Bhattarai — 5/9/2005 @ 3:06 pm
I agree. He should go home to the moon. Because that’s where he lives. He is talking about reviving democracy when that has been absent from 2002 onwards. The only way to restore democracy is through elections but he doesn’t seem enthused by that idea. I think he is a former Maoist turned diplomat.
Comment by Neer Oli — 5/9/2005 @ 3:09 pm
Every word he says is wrong. He is saying how long do we have to wait for full democracy? Is he nuts? You waited for 14 years for this trouble and mayhem and you can’t wait for 1 year to elect fresh representatives? You are not in support for democracy. You are in support for confusion and chaos. That’s what you want. We Nepalese have seen the true colours of you donors. You have your own agenda. The agenda to bully, to dictate and then take commission money from that part of the aid that should have gone to children and women. I fully agree. We Nepalese don’t need the aid of the EU. You can go home. Bye Bye.
Comment by Anjan Shakya — 5/9/2005 @ 3:13 pm
Your Excellency Mr. Eduardo Lechuga Jimenez – You Simply Get Lost! [icd] You have no knowledge of Nepal situation. You talk of full communication outside Kathmandu. How can we do it when the Maoists have destroyed everything ? You talk of democracy. How can we have it when the politicians dissolved the House thrice before its expiry? You talk of press freedom. How can we have it when they support the Maoists? [icd]
Comment by Anjan Shakya — 5/9/2005 @ 3:18 pm
Thank You Your Excellency!! I have a genuine friend in support of democracy. – Mad Man
Comment by Mad Man — 5/9/2005 @ 3:21 pm
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