Re: Maoists and monasteries
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Re: Maoists and monasteries
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In Reply to: Re: Maoists and monasteries posted by raina on January 28, 2004 at 05:08:58:
: i'm saying that criticizing nepal without understanding nepal's geopolitical pressures is foolhardy to say the least.
On the other hand the there is more to it then so. The Nepalese have for two hundred years cultivated all sorts of prejudices against Tibetans and Tibetan speakers. In the old legal code they were regarded as untouchable. Merchants who had been to Tibet had to undergo lengthy periods of pathya. Twice they attacked Tibet, causing the Chinese to intervene, which later has strengthened Chinas claims on Tibet. The status of Tibetan speakers is indeed so low that a young guy from Manang complained when people in this group referred to Manang as Manangbhot. He had had all sorts of hassles from high caste people because of his ancestry.
When it comes to post-Rana days they have supported the Tibetans when the Americans have done so, and ceased with their support when the Americans have supported China, the most dramatic shift occured after Nixon went to China in 73. In 74 the Nepalese army tried (but failed miserably) to disarm the Khamba, the brave Tibetan warriors that were preparing for the liberation of Tibet in the mountains.
Now, of course, ultimately, the US is to blame, it has persued a spineless policy, can still remember when dingdongplong or whoever went to Seattle appealing to the workers at Boeing just as the Chinapolicy was reviewed. The US and Europe should take a clear stand, but do not as they have economics first in mind, and little remember Sudé Germany.
Per