Re: Baburam's article available in English (was: Re: Nepalia Imbruglia)

["Johannes Schneider" <Johannes.Schneider@xxxxxxx>]

Ulhas Joglekar wrote:

>
> I am not attacking anybody. I wrote: 'I hope etc...' That should clarify
my
> intention. It is a question of having a credible strategy, if disasters
are
> to be avoided. I have already clarified my reservations elsewhere about
the
> strategy of economic autarchy, which I suspect, is likely to follow if
> CPN(m) were successful. I have already explained in some detail the
> geography, economy and culture of Nepal in the context of South Asia.
> If CPN(m) were successful,they would have two options: a) Recognise the
> reality of power and position of Indian state and Indian capitalism and
> reach some form of accommodation with it, or b) Retreat into untenable
forms
> of 'delinking'. The latter option would be a kind of Pol Potism.This would
> be completely at odds with the contemporary
> trends in Asia. One must have a credible strategy, unless one is yearning
> for glorious martyrdom

Ulhas,
I share a lot of your doubts about Maoist strategy. Your option a) seems to
be a possibilty, especially if you look at the way how the 'Maoist'
leadership of Ethiopia (and partly Eritrea) accomodated to 'realities'.
Furthermore I strongly doubt there is a path to 'Socialism in One Country'.
But still the way you are arguing sounds like TINA. Either surrender to
imperialism or choose the path of Pol Pot. BTW Pol Pot as symbol stands less
for 'delinking', than for genocide.

> I have given enough indications of Nepal's position relative to
> South Asia to enable everyone to see for themselves the difficulties of
> constructing socialism of a certain kind in Nepal. Also remember that
China
> and India are nuclear weapon states. It is vital that China and India have
> normal and friendly relations. China and India can not afford a nuclear
> confrontation. It would a grave folly for China and India to allow their
> relationship to be destroyed by events in Nepal. It would be foolish for
any
> Nepali political force to try to complicate Sino-Indian relations by
trying
> to play China against India. This is not in anyone's interests.
>

I am certainly not in a position to give adice on anti-imperialist positions
in South-Asia. But don't you think India is ahving a dominating position in
Nepal and the accusations against Indian 'hegemonism' contain some truth.

>
> I agree that it is for Nepalis to decide. But there are Nepalis and
Nepalis.
> There are other Leftwing forces in Nepal. Why they don't agree with
CPN(m)?

The main opposition force in Nepal is the CPN (UML) [Communist Party of
Nepal, Unified Marxist-Leninists]. Despite their name they have been
previously in government with the most discredited parts of the old
Panchayat system. Hardly a revolutionary step.
By all accounts I can get from Nepal the CPN(Maoist) is rather successful in
the rural area and has some support in the cities as well. Even bourgeois
sources agreee this is not due to simple force, but since they are the only
real political alternative in the eyes of the Nepali peasants.

Johannes