Telegraph Nepal
Without formal invitation from
government of Nepal, the
International Development Minister from Norway,
Heikki Holmås landed in Kathmandu, June 4,
2012.
Interestingly, the Norwegians
have learn, it appears, several lessons of corrupt diplomacy from India. Eric
Solheim was one of the naughty Norwegian development minister who used to poke
his nose in Nepali affairs through the Nepal Maoists, if one were to recall.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy has
on its own declared that the visit is a formal one.
Breaking diplomatic etiquettes
remains no longer the preoperative of Indian diplomats and leadership in Nepal, comment
observers.
We had been advising other
foreigners not to visit Nepal
as the country is reeling under fluid political situation however, we failed to
stop him”, reports quote high placed foreign ministry sources as claiming.
What it was so urgent is a
mystery?
Except rumors that Norway had financially supported the Maoists’
rebellion and meeting between Maoists leaders residing then in New Delhi and Norwegian ministers was a usual
phenomenon, Norwegian interest in Nepali politics is still under scrutiny.
Solheim used to make mobile phone
calls to Prachanda while the latter was in NOIDA. Eric Solheim himself exposed
this (at a Press conference) while Nepal PM Prachanda was on a
Norwegian trip some years back, perhaps in 2009.
However, some reports confirm
that Norway was one among
several western countries that had pressurized Nepal’s political parties to
declare the country secular.
“It’s no longer a secret that Norway was supporting LTTE terrorists in Sri Lanka and
they might have supported Maoists in the same line. But with the Maoists
joining open politics Norway
too has come openly in Nepali politics”, claim analysts in Nepal.
Nevertheless, uninvited Holmås
had the privilege to meet Prime Minister Baburam, Chairman Pushpa Kamal of
Unified Maoists, Nepali Congress President Sushil, UML chairman Jhalnath and
finance Minister Barsaman Pun within hours after landing in Nepal.
He in his meetings expressed Norway’s willingness to support Nepal draft the
constitution.
It has been reported that Deputy
Prime Minister Bijaya Gacchedhar has refused to meet the Norwegian minister.
Well done.
“I had hoped that with the
promulgation of new constitution I will visit Nepal for a celebration. I am
pretty sad because I have to be here in this situation”, Holmås told media
after meeting the prime minister.
“Norway
is ready to extend whatever support Nepal needs to revive the
constitution drafting process”, Holmås also said.
Analysts opine that the best
Norwegian help to Nepal
would be extending “no support”. Will Norway listen?
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