By His Excellency Mr. Tanka Prasad Karki on the occasion of the declaration of Nepal as Republic

From today, Nepal has joined the comity of Republican states following the declaration of the Constituent Assembly. This historic achievement, realized through unremitting struggles against the authoritarian rule of the country since last 240 years, will be written in bold letters as epoch-making event. With the declaration of Republic, the country has bidden farewell to the institution of Monarchy forever from Nepal. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly passed a resolution with an overwhelming majority yesterday to formally end the monarchy. Every year on the date of Jestha 15, Nepal will celebrate Republic Day.
This is the herald of a new era with the dawn of democracy in Nepal that has emboldened the new hope and aspiration of the people towards lasting peace and prosperity. I would like to share this pleasant moment with fellow Nepalese and friends of Nepal all over the world who have supported us for the just cause of the people of Nepal.
The world has witnessed the history of bloodshed and painful moments during significant political transformation such as this. However, Nepalese people have demonstrated immense wisdom and their culture of tolerance to provide the King a safe and respectful passage to abdicate. The King has been asked to leave the Palace within 15 days, which will then become a historical museum.
Let me briefly touch upon people’s relentless efforts of the past to regain sovereignty over the nation have passed several hurdles which were expressed through the people's mass movements in 1950, 1990 and 2006. It was a painful traverse of the nation to gain freedom from absolute feudalism to the present republican democratic polity. The state as the federal democratic republic will be the opening article incorporated in the new constitution to be first ever written by the people through their own representatives.
The pace of democratic exercise was jeopardized since, in particular, the King usurped the state power to establish an absolute monarchy. He sacked the elected Government, and tried to marginalize the political parties from the political mainstream. It was unacceptable for the people, political parties and the nation as a whole. Thus, resistance against the King's move was inevitable.
The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) forged an alliance agreeing on the common agenda of reinstating complete sovereignty of people over the state. They signed a comprehensive peace agreement in November 2006 that cleared the way for settling outstanding differences. Previously, the twelve-Point Understanding, and the eight-Point Agreement have all set in motion the peace process for the democratic restructuring of the state and the peaceful settlement of insurgency. The comprehensive peace agreement between the political parties have expressed commitment and solidarity on putting democracy, peace, prosperity, progressive social and economic transformation, independence, integrity, sovereignty and prestige of the state at the centre stage. It was also agreed to bring an end to the existing centralized and unitary state system and democratic restructuring of the state into an inclusive and progressive system to address the various problems of the oppression and discrimination including that of women, dalits (untouchables), indigenous communities, Madhesis, oppressed, ignored and minority communities, backward regions by ending prevailing class, ethnic, linguistic, gender, cultural, religious and regional discrimination. The SPA and the CPN (M) also signed a landmark deal on arms management agreeing to invite a UN mission to supervise the procedures.
The people’s mass uprising in 2006 eventually forced then King to relinquish his absolute power and to reinstate the House of Representatives. He was forced to accept, through a proclamation to the nation, the fact that the ultimate source of state power and sovereignty is inherent in the people of Nepal. He was also compelled to accept the spirit of the ongoing people’s movement as well as to resolve the ongoing conflict and other problems facing the country according to the road map presented by the SPA.
The Government as mandated by the people’s revolution promulgated the Interim Constitution- 2006 through the reinstated parliament to govern the country which also stripped the King’s authority and suspended the institute of Monarchy. The Interim Constitution had also stipulated that the fate of the institution of Monarchy will be determined by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly through simple majority. The Prime Minister himself used the authority of the head of state until the election to the constituent assembly on April 10 this year. The third amendment of the Interim Constitution provided that a republican system would be enforced once the first meeting of the Assembly endorses it.
It was in this background that the historic decision to this effect was taken by people's representatives yesterday. This moment, I would like to pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to realize the dreams of a democratic and prosperous new Nepal. I salute them, the sons and daughters of the soil, with deep respect from my heart and soul.
The people of Nepal have prevailed over all the political hurdles and hitches that were obstacle for social development of Nepal. Every one of us is proud to be a Nepalese, who serve the nation with the feeling of their share in nation building. Only an inclusive democracy can accommodate and nurture the democratic values and cultures with due respect to the fundamental human rights, rule of law, civil and political rights, and socio-economic rights. With the end of a decade-long armed insurgency and institution of Monarchy, the country is now promising to chart towards a new destiny for a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Nepal.
In order to rebuild a prosperous and stable country, we have to strive hard and pursue a people oriented policies so that we can emerge with new vigor and dynamism. Despite the pressing challenges ahead and constraint of limited resources, we are committed to build an inclusive, progressive and prosperous nation. Nepal and all Nepalese are thankful to all friendly countries for their continuous support in Nepal’s endeavour for democracy and attaining permanent peace and progress in the country. A country ravaged by internal conflict for a decade needs special attention and support from all the friendly countries in order to reconstruct and create a new environment for smooth development process -- socially, politically, and economically -- fulfilling the growing aspiration of the people by prudently and meticulously utilizing the limited resources.
As an Ambassador of Nepal to the People’s Republic of China, I take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the unconditional support and encouragement China has been providing to us in our bid to institutionalize peace, stability and progress in Nepal. As a gesture of good neighbourly relations subsisting between the two countries, China always stood by Nepal and the Nepalese and supported the verdict of the people to choose their system of governance.
Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to express my statement and thank you all once again for coming together to celebrate this great occasion with us.

Embassy of Nepal
Beijing
May 29, 2008