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Troops for Iraq request leaves Nepal in a spot
KATHMANDU, DEC 28 - Deployment of the Royal Nepalese Army in Iraq was one of the issues that figured on the agenda during US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca’s visit to Nepal this past week. Besides pledging continued US support to Nepal in its fight against terror, Rocca is understood to have requested the government to send some Nepali troops to Iraq.As the government weighs the pros and cons of such a move, sceptics have questions like these: How wise a decision would it be to involve an army, which is fighting a violent insurgency at home – and which is already involved in several UN peacekeeping operations? Doesn’t the army have enough obligations and responsibilities at home?There are experts who oppose any new engagement for the army, and there are those who say there’s nothing wrong with RNA’s involvement in yet another multinational peacekeeping operation, especially when its strength has grown considerably."RNA can send a small unit of a couple hundred soldiers to Iraq – although national security should be the first priority," said military analyst Dr Indrajit Rai, who teaches military science at RNA’s Staff College. "It will not only help our soldiers financially, but also bolster the army’s name and image in the international arena."RNA officials said that the army is ready to go to Baghdad should the government tell it to do so. "We shall do whatever the government tells us to do," a senior RNA official said. "If it (makes a decision to send us to Iraq and) tells us to go, we will go."
However, others like former foreign minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat oppose the idea. "We have to think twice (before making any decision) because our internal situation is so precarious now – a fact the United States understands pretty well," he said.If and when RNA soldiers are deployed in Iraq they would be part of a 30,000-strong multi-national force in Baghdad proposed by the United States. Faced with the rising death toll among its soldiers, the US recently asked several friendly countries including Nepal – and neighboring India and Pakistan – to contribute in the creation of a multinational peacekeeping force in Baghdad.The embattled Surya Bahadur Thapa government has yet to make a decision to that effect. "We have not yet decided on that, the issue is still under consideration," said Information and Communication Minister Kamal Thapa. "We will make an appropriate decision at the appropriate time."
RNA is leading security forces in taking on rebel Maoists since November 2001 when the rebels attacked its garrison in Dang. After merely two years of fighting the insurgency, what used to be a largely ceremonial army has turned itself into a battle-hardened force.
It has trained itself on using sophisticated aircraft, and such modern weapons as US-made M-16 and Belgian belt-fed Minimi M-249. And its strength has increased to 70,000-plus from less than 50,000.
The army, praised the world over for its bravery and gallantry in the 1800s, has been involved in several UN peacekeeping operations for the last 45 years. Since 1958, over 39,000 soldiers have served in 28 different peacekeeping missions. Currently, nearly 2,000 soldiers and observers are serving in Sierra Leon, Congo, Liberia, Kosovo (Serbia), Jerusalem (Israel), Eritrea and Ethiopia.Posted on: 2003-12-29 05:44
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