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Nepalese terrorists accused the US of undermining the peace process underway in the landlocked mountain nation citing examples of American threats to cut aid guerrillas join the interim government without giving up their weapons first. Talking to state-run Nepal TV, leader who calls himself Prachanda says “Even now, they are creating an atmosphere of suspicion and trying to stop a peaceful atmosphere from building up.”

The US categorically rejected the notion of supporting a coalition government in Katmandu that includes rebels if they continued to heap violence in the countryside and do not give up their armed struggle. US Ambassador to Nepal Moriarty said that the US, which is a key donor, his country’s laws forbids the Administration to “supply assistance to those who support (terrorism).” The US rightfully lists the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a terrorist organization.

The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) Government and the rebels are negotiating terms that will allow the rebels to join an interim government this year and participate in elections for a special assembly in 2007. The thinking is to allow the elected assembly to decide the country’s political future, including the fate of the monarchy. The fear is that the terrorists will use their arms to intimidate, coerce, and influence support based on threats the population to vote in their favor. Moreover, there is no guarantee that they may accept the verdict if it is against them.

Mass protests against his rule forced King Gnanendra to give up absolute power that got increasingly repressive, undemocratic, and autocratic.

Prachanda also accused Washington of interfering in Nepal’s internal affairs and opposed the supply of arms to the Nepal Army and said he did not want “foreigners’ words” to “prevail over us” and that Nepal should “act on the needs of Nepalese.” While this is fair, the important point to consider is who represents the Nepalese and that is the reason why a free and fair election is required where these issues are debated in a non-intimidating scenario. That is the US argument and Prachanda is using that to raise the bogey of a foreign imperialist power to obfuscate the debate.

Since the declared truce in May, about a dozen people have been killed by terrorists or suspected anti-Maoist vigilantes. They have promised to stop their extortions, kangaroo courts, extra-judicial killing, torture, and coercion methods but ground level reports do no suggest that they are living up to their promises. The terrorists hold most of the countryside under a repressive regime where violence is common. The US and the United Nations blame the rebels for most of the violations.

Recently, the terrorists have used innovate arguments to legitimize their existence. They have proposed that their cadre be clubbed with the army under a joint command but in different geographical locations. While this may seem fair, the real issue is who runs this joint command, what process exists to hold the rebels to their promise and responsibilities, and how would the nation deal with the crimes that they committed. Already, the SPA government has release most of the imprisoned terrorists regardless of the charges against them.

With this background, Indian communist leader Sitaram Yechury visited Nepal and was promised that the terrorist group their will not help the Naxals in India nor will they help set up a Terror Corridor that spans from Nepal to Karnataka. Recent intelligence reports suggest Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence is increasingly using Nepal and Bangladesh as a base for their terror campaign on India. Therefore, there is fear in India that Pakistan may subvert these elements in Nepal to establish a direct portal that brings terrorism into the prosperous and peaceful Indian heartland unhindered.

Therefore, it is in India’s interest to influence the SPA and the terror groups to ensure that they are disarmed before they join the interim government. While India does not need to take a vocal and aggressive public stand, it needs to be forceful and determined in private. The rebel diplomacy program must be clearly told that India will assist the nation only when they disarm. Perhaps, the non-hardcore cadre of the rebels can be absorbed into a Paramilitary force that comes under the command of the Nepal Army.