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 A Kingdom in Chaos
As Nepal slips toward anarchy, its embattled King speaks to TIME about his efforts to restore order |
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Murder and Monarchy
In a Shakespearean tragedy, the Crown Prince of Nepal massacres his own family
[6/5/2001]
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War in the Clouds
Nepal's army has more soldiers and firepower, but the rebels are skilled guerrilla fighters
[9/15/2003]
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E-mail your letter to the editor
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| "The Future Lies in Democracy" |
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An interview with the king |
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By Alex Perry | Kathmandu |
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Posted Monday, January 26, 2004; 21:00 HKT
King Gyanendra came to the Nepalese throne after the heir, Crown Prince Dipendra, shot his father King Birendra, his mother Queen Aishwarya and seven other members of the royal family before killing himself at Kathmandu's Narayanhity Royal Palace on June 1, 2001. In Gyanendra's first foreign-media interview, TIME's Alex Perry met him in his palace office.
TIME: Why did you sack the elected government 16 months ago?
Gyanendra: Had I not acted as I did, I think Nepal would be in a worse situation today. Even at that time, I asked the parties to come [up] with a consensus government, pro-nation, pro-people. I wish the political leadership would understand this, speak more often about the people, not their own betterment. The future of Nepal, yes, lies in constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy. Much of the ill we have suffered is not because of the democratic political system, it's because of the actors in the system.
TIME: What about accusations that you're an autocrat?
Gyanendra: If some people do not understand me, if there is mistrust and a crisis of confidence, let's do something about it. I should not have any active responsibilities [in government]. On the other hand, the reality is: the people of Nepal want to see their King, they want to hear from him. Too many people misunderstood my brother, too. They took his kindness for weakness and exploited that. His role was very, very constructive, too, and I think mine is just an extension of that.
TIME: What happened on the night of June 1, 2001?
Gyanendra: I can tell you what happened. But I cannot tell you why. [The conspiracy theories] are nonsense, wild-goose chases. And the people putting them out there are being cruel.
TIME: How close is Nepal to becoming a failed state?
Gyanendra: It's not happening. It's a cliché that you all love. There is a vacuum, yes, a political vacuum. And whatever efforts the security agencies are making will come to little unless this is filled. Previous governments did not have the foresight to address poverty or they addressed it in such an inhuman way that those areas developed into the hot spots we have today.
TIME: What about human-rights abuses by the armed forces?
Gyanendra: I would say we're learning. I will not say there have not been remises. But is it because the security agencies are becoming effective that these questions are being asked? And which country does not have friendly fire? Which does not have accidents?
TIME: What's it like being a living god?
Gyanendra: I've been waiting for you to ask this. On the living-god thing, let me interpret it this way: we were given the personification of Vishnu, and Vishnu is the preserver of all things. And I'm glad that my role—the role I have to play—has been spelled out like that. But I'm a pragmatic and practical person. I've never said I'm God.
TIME: What keeps you awake at night?
Gyanendra: I work hard enough to get a good night's sleep every night. All of Nepal should have the opportunity to progress irrespective of color, caste and creed. With discipline, dedication and determination, [we should achieve] prosperity. And if the people are happy, the King is happy. But my fear is that we might be heading for a ditch if the people, their grievances and their betterment are not thought of. I put myself in their shoes every night. If anything keeps me awake, it's that.
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