"If Nepal fails to manage the present upheaval, this could force the country backwards," Duncan said in an interview with Republica Tuesday evening. "But, being an optimist, I believe that Nepal would move forward and not backward."[break]
If the announced election is not held, the whole political process would be disrupted, the British minister said, adding, "First, hold the election of the Constituent Assembly and then the local election as the latter is equally important." He also hoped that the upcoming election would determine the political future of Nepal.
During this his fourth visit to Nepal in the last two years, Duncan not only inaugurated a bridge in Sankhuwasabha district but also met some political leaders.
Saying that DfID has been involved in post-conflict countries around the world, Duncan expressed his belief that with the integration of Maoist combatants into the Nepal Army, the peace process would finally come to end. "We have done a lot in Nepal´s peace process and the only thing that I want to see is that the people here live fear-free lives," he further said.
Democracy is to accept and respect the people´s verdict, Duncan said, stressing the importance of elections in a democracy. "If you are hesitant to participate in the election, the democracy would not be consolidated," he said, informing that the UK government was ready to provide assistance for holding the election in a free and fair manner. "We are ready to help from voter registration to conducting the election."
Pointing out that Nepal could not even utilize donor grants last year due to lack of a constitution, Duncan said all political activities needed to be conducted under the constitution and people should stop spreading negative rumors about the constitution.
Recalling his meeting with Chairman of CPN-Maoist, Mohan Baidya, Duncan said Baidya should take part in the election as it was the only way to respect democratic values. "This is my suggestion and personal opinion," he said, adding, "People do listen to me when I say something. He (Baidya) may not have liked what I said, but he listened."
He also said that the political parties should think about the long-term goal as Nepal was in a critical situation at present. "The leaders need to keep aside their party interests and instead work towards the nation´s betterment."
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