The condemnation of the royal proclamation by the international community has mystified the Nepali people about the agenda of our country's allies ('One country, two view points' # 239). There is no doubt that the Nepali people and our foreign friends seek the same goal: peace. The UK, US and India feel that democracy is the only way to defeat the Maoists. According to the British ambassador, as his country is a "functioning" democracy it can't support a military structure. But can you really enjoy even the basic elements of democracy in a society without peace? What is the point promoting democracy or restoring fundamental rights for that matter, when the people have to live in an atmosphere of fear? The current emergency is a means to achieve the goal of peace and is not an end in itself. The roadmap exists to end terrorism. The envoy's refusal to see the light boosts the Maoists.

Sanchit Shrestha,
email

. Instead of acting as a catalyst to solve the present stand-off, it is embarrassing to find a person of Surya Bahadur Thapa's stature busy requesting politicians to enlarge the current political vacuum by further creating divisions in their respective parties. A nation's political future is sure to make its way for further degradation when a person who has occupied the prime minister's chair more than anybody else, is still engaged in his petty motives with a handful of his coterie. There is also an urgent need for the younger generation to take charge of politics in a real sense. Time has come for all the pro-constitutional forces to unite and tackle the insurgency. Irresponsible remarks and allegations by both sides against one another will only deepen the crisis further. As a first step, the government should restore civil liberties and release political detainees. And the politicos shouldn't go back to their old tricks.

Bikendra Shamsher Thapa,
Kathmandu

. The righteous groups of NGOs are at it again preaching about humanity. We are trying to come to terms with a conflict that was triggered by inept political leaders through their nepotism, corruption and lawlessness. They were the real antithesis to democracy.

The rights groups and NGOs are not the champions of freedom and human rights, they print their do's and dont's in newspapers but have no transparency themselves. They should come clean or just shut up. We should put our own house in order so it can withstand outside pressure with strength, fortitude and independence. We have to assure that human rights of all the people is safeguarded, not just of a few elitist group of politicians and their hangers on.

Pravin Shama,
email

. Kudos to an absolutely profound editorial ('It ain't broke', #240). Everytime I read your editorials online, I wonder if their readership includes and affects those who need to read it most. Let's hope whatever is broken will soon be repaired. The press has been shattered to smithereens and the people have been deprived of accurate information relevant to their everyday lives. In an apparent attempt to restore peace, all the paraphernalia for democracy and development have been dismantled.

Anup Kaphle,
London

. CK Lal in his State of the State column titled 'Statutes of liberty' (#240) couldn't have put it more plainly: 'the state must restore press freedom, not for us, but for its own sake'. It's a real pity that to correct one mistake (end the insurgency) the government is making another mistake (curbing civil liberties and curbing press freedom). It's time the government realised you can't fight totalitarianism by suppressing democracy.

Bhanu Parajuli,
Pokhara