ASIA/NEPAL - “The unrest is over and people again hope for peace in the country. Even the Catholic community is optimistic about the future”, says the Apostolic Pro-Prefect for Nepal

Kathmandu (Fides Agency) - “The situation is quiet and hopeful. The new government is ready and it is trying to involve the Maoist rebels in the peace and in running some areas of the country. It would be a way of bringing peace back to the nation. The people seem favourable to this option. We, as Catholic Church, are optimistic about the future of the country” is what Fr. Pius Perumana, Apostolic Pro-Prefect of Nepal, told us, while he made his way through his pastoral visits to several cities and villages far from the capital.
“In the various villages that took part in the protest of the last weeks, Fr Perumana explained, the people seem satisfied with the democratic turn there has been to the events, and now they hope that it may be possible to build a nation that effectively fights poverty, bringing to peace and welfare for all, so that tourism may be stimulated and increased once again”.
With regard to the small Catholic community, Fr Pius says that “in this moment it enjoys the return to overall peace and quiet, and it is devoting itself to the assistance of the wounded and the refugees who suffered from displacement and troubles during the weeks of the conflict. We have been on the brink of a civil war, which would have brought the country to a catastrophe. Today, having authorised the formation of the Parliament and the government, the King will remain in office as an observer, an official representative”.
In the meanwhile, Girja Prasad Koirala, the new Prime Minister, after consulting with his 7 democratic party allies, has formed the new government: it is composed of Koirala plus six other ministers. The new government has stretched out a hand to the Maoist rebels, accepting a unilateral three-month ceasefire, and inviting the Maoists to talk, in order to put an end to the violence, which in the last 10 years has produced 13 thousand victims, causing severe economic and social problems to the country. According to all observers, it is a further chance given to the Maoists to show that they really mean to disengage from terrorism, and contribute to building a just and free country. The people, indeed, want to fulfil their yearning to democracy, justice, dignity and liberty and hope for a final solution to the conflict.
(PA) (Fides Agency 5/5/2006)