A future in the past

The developed world needs to look at the lessons of history when it is helping developing countries. Too often, the answers to conflicts lie in the not-so-distant past, yet are ignored in favor of more fashionable ideas of resolution.

The United States' war on terrorism has been cited once more as a solution, this time to resolve the rebel insurgency in South Asia's poorest nation, Nepal.

The Maoist extremists aim to overthrow the Government and redistribute wealth and land. At least 4,700 people have died during the six-year conflict, 2,500 of them since November, when peace talks collapsed, a state of emergency was declared and the army mobilized.

At a conference in London last week, Britain pledged a 10-fold increase in military support and provision of two helicopters for the poorly-equipped army. In May, the U.S. offered US$20 million (HK$156 million) in defense equipment. But the Himalayan kingdom's problems are deeper-rooted. Corruption and economic mismanagement have impoverished a nation once seen as a potential second Singapore. Government instability nine prime ministers since democracy was restored in 1990 has made

continuity of policies impossible.

Nepalis earn an average of 60 U.S. cents a day, almost half of what the World Bank considers the poverty line. Many people, unable to find jobs, have left for contract work elsewhere.

The Government has portrayed the insurgency as part of the war against terrorism, but it is a conflict that goes beyond resolution through military action.

A more effective solution can be found in the U.S.-backed plans which rebuilt Japan and Europe after World War II. Using development aid rather than military muscle, the wrongs which have been created can be eradicated.

It will be an expensive and lengthy process, but it is the only way developed nations can give Nepal a better future.

-- South China Morning Post, Hong Kong