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The End of Fighting in Nepal

"An Historical Experiment"

Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dashal, also known as Prachanda, has laid down arms in Nepal. SPIEGEL spoke to him about the end of the armed insurrection in the country and discussed the future of democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.

AFP

Maoist Chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, popularly known as "Prachanda."

Prachanda: It's certainly very exciting, especially for my family. Our children were small when we went underground. Now they're adults, and the world is opening up for them.

SPIEGEL: Your cadres are laying down their arms -- not exactly the victory you had in mind. Has the international campaign against terrorism convinced you to give in?

Prachanda: Yes, unfortunately. Without it, we would probably have triumphed. But the situation led to difficulties and we had to take the political initiative. What follows now is an historical experiment –- not just for Nepal but for the whole of Southeast Asia. We want to develop the conditions for a true democracy.

SPIEGEL: Your war cost the lives of more than 13,000 people...

Prachanda: … but not for nothing -- they died in the name of progress. It's always been that way in history.

SPIEGEL: You remain a cynic.

Prachanda: We have managed at the very least to dramatically transform the economic and political condition of our people. And we will abolish the arrogant monarchy that Nepal has suffered under for more than 230 years.

SPIEGEL: You yourself don't seem to trust the peace. You're still living in hiding.

Prachanda: I will be able to move freely only when King Gyanendra has been fully stripped of his power -- hopefully after the first session of the assembly charged with drafting a constitution.

SPIEGEL: Your Maoists are now sharing parliament with other parties, many of which want to retain the monarchy, although with greater rights of co-determination. That seems to spell trouble.

Prachanda: A clique of corrupt and wealthy bootlickers aside, the Nepalese don't need a king. They don't need him emotionally either. Those days are gone. There's simply no more place for him.

SPIEGEL: Can you see yourself becoming the president of Nepal?

Prachanda: I'm not interested in such a position. But if the masses want to hand me the responsibility, and if my party judges me the best candidate, I will go along.

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