Sorry, there's a problem with Prachanda and his gang. In interviews I've read, he never really answers the questions, just refers to Mao's doctrines and philosophy. There's no substance in his statements and he often rambles. If he wants the Maoists to have a say in the government of Nepal, why can't he control his people so they behave like a responsible body with a real purpose in government? How can they be seen as a legitimate party when they kidnap people and create problems for the man on the street? To the rest of the world, they seem like a bunch of thugs, bullying their way through with no agenda. They are doing what they want, where they want, how they want, when they want.

Chai Wanarat,
Thailand

. It took just a handful of men burning tyres, waving red flags, and shouting childish Maoist slogans to paralyse the country for two hours last week. I've seen Maoist cadres extorting money in broad daylight, forcibly demanding Rs 5,000 from a shop in Boudha, and Rs 10,000 from a hotel in Lajimpat. Such people are outlaws. They and their leaders belong behind bars. If Prachanda is responsible for all these incidents, including the murder of innocent people and burning a bus full of passengers, he should be dragged to The Hague as a war criminal.

Bernd Mueller