Aryavartha
22-12-2005, 12:10
Notch one up for democracy !
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=84264
Bhutan King to step down, polls in 2008 for parliament
KRITTIVAS MUKHERJEE
KOLKATA, DECEMBER 18 Bhutan's King is to hand power to his son and stage the kingdom’s first democratic elections in 2008, the state-run Kuensel newspaper reported on Sunday.
In March, Thimphu came out with a draft constitution that aims to set up a two-party democracy after a century of absolute monarchy put in place with British help in 1907.
‘‘I would like our people to know that the first national election to elect a government under a system of parliamentary democracy will take place in 2008,’’ the newspaper quoted King Jigme Singye Wangchuk at a rally in Trashi Yangtse.
Wangchuck said his son, Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, would take over from him in 2008.
‘‘It is my wish and prayer that during the reign of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the Palden Drukpa (Bhutan) will remain strong and glorious ... and the hopes and aspirations of our people will be fulfilled,’’ Wangchuk was quoted as saying.
Reuters
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s1534071.htm
Bhutanese monarch plans to abdicate
The World Today - Monday, 19 December , 2005 12:33:00
Reporter: Edmond Roy
ELEANOR HALL: To a surprise announcement in one of the world's oldest monarchies.
In the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck has announced he will abdicate his throne in favour of a democratic system.
The 50-year-old king made his announcement during the country's National Day celebrations, stunning the people of Bhutan who've so far resisted change.
This report from Edmond Roy.
EDMOND ROY: For months now, King Wangchuck has been hinting at the possibility of an abdication.
When he finally made his announcement it was in a remote village, three day's drive from the capital Thimphu.
One the world's most isolated kingdoms, Bhutan is a hereditary monarchy established in 1907, where change has been slow in coming.
The kingdom is known for its strict enforcement of traditional values. Smoking is banned across the country, and tourism is regulated to allow only 6,000 tourists a year.
Former National Party leader and deputy prime minister Tim Fischer has been following events in Bhutan for the past two decades.
He believes the latest announcement by the King is a momentous event for the kingdom.
TIM FISCHER: It is very significant, because everyone expected the King would carry on for another 15 years til he was perhaps aged 65. He's been on the throne, his coronation was in 1974, over 30 years, and he's been a very progressive, modernising king.
If you want an equivalent, it is as if the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II announced in her Christmas message in a few days' time that she was going to abdicate in December 2008 and Prince Charles was going to abdicate at the same time for a double generational transfer.
EDMOND ROY: Now, you've been there several times, you still keep in touch, how is this being viewed by the people? I'm told that they don't want him to step down.
TIM FISCHER: They are resisting the switch to democracy, to a fully-fledged parliament. There are now a group of ministers and a prime minister in rotation, they are very cautious, and the King is taking the new constitution to each province for large-scale meetings, and he is getting a bit of push back on it, but he is very purposeful, very resolute, a very humble person, no Swiss bank accounts, no Lear jets, feet on ground as he leads his people and leads his army in a very direct way into the 21st century in every way.
EDMOND ROY: Last month the Government announced that it had made plans to appoint an election commissioner before the end of the year and draw up constituency boundaries along with mock voting sessions.
It had also made public plans to provide for two houses of parliament, a 75-member national assembly and a 25-member national council with the King as head of state.
The Government had also earlier this year unveiled a 34-point constitution, which is being sent to all 530,000 citizens for their views.
The proposed constitution that specifies the role of the monarchy, the clergy and the duties and responsibilities of citizens, is expected to be ratified by the end of the year in a national referendum – all of which, according to Tim Fischer, is in contrast to what is going on in the neighbouring Hindu Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal.
TIM FISCHER: It's a very sharp contrast to the agony and turmoil in Nepal, the pollution, the Maoist rebels, the bitter divisions that exist at the very top in the Kingdom of Nepal, and the difference, dare I say, is the very real leadership that flows from King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan, who has absolutely committed to doing the right thing by his country.
ELEANOR HALL: And that's the former deputy prime minister, Tim Fischer, who's just returned from Bhutan, speaking to Edmond Roy.
Unlike other monarchies where the kings hold ceremonial military positions, the Bhutaniese monarchy are actual military heads. IIRC, the crown prince took part in an operation against militants in which he lead from the front.
I am hoping that this would put some pressure on the Nepalese king to give up his absolute powers. But then, since he is in the Chinese camp, I am doubtful if there will any effect.
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=84264
Bhutan King to step down, polls in 2008 for parliament
KRITTIVAS MUKHERJEE
KOLKATA, DECEMBER 18 Bhutan's King is to hand power to his son and stage the kingdom’s first democratic elections in 2008, the state-run Kuensel newspaper reported on Sunday.
In March, Thimphu came out with a draft constitution that aims to set up a two-party democracy after a century of absolute monarchy put in place with British help in 1907.
‘‘I would like our people to know that the first national election to elect a government under a system of parliamentary democracy will take place in 2008,’’ the newspaper quoted King Jigme Singye Wangchuk at a rally in Trashi Yangtse.
Wangchuck said his son, Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, would take over from him in 2008.
‘‘It is my wish and prayer that during the reign of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the Palden Drukpa (Bhutan) will remain strong and glorious ... and the hopes and aspirations of our people will be fulfilled,’’ Wangchuk was quoted as saying.
Reuters
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s1534071.htm
Bhutanese monarch plans to abdicate
The World Today - Monday, 19 December , 2005 12:33:00
Reporter: Edmond Roy
ELEANOR HALL: To a surprise announcement in one of the world's oldest monarchies.
In the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck has announced he will abdicate his throne in favour of a democratic system.
The 50-year-old king made his announcement during the country's National Day celebrations, stunning the people of Bhutan who've so far resisted change.
This report from Edmond Roy.
EDMOND ROY: For months now, King Wangchuck has been hinting at the possibility of an abdication.
When he finally made his announcement it was in a remote village, three day's drive from the capital Thimphu.
One the world's most isolated kingdoms, Bhutan is a hereditary monarchy established in 1907, where change has been slow in coming.
The kingdom is known for its strict enforcement of traditional values. Smoking is banned across the country, and tourism is regulated to allow only 6,000 tourists a year.
Former National Party leader and deputy prime minister Tim Fischer has been following events in Bhutan for the past two decades.
He believes the latest announcement by the King is a momentous event for the kingdom.
TIM FISCHER: It is very significant, because everyone expected the King would carry on for another 15 years til he was perhaps aged 65. He's been on the throne, his coronation was in 1974, over 30 years, and he's been a very progressive, modernising king.
If you want an equivalent, it is as if the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II announced in her Christmas message in a few days' time that she was going to abdicate in December 2008 and Prince Charles was going to abdicate at the same time for a double generational transfer.
EDMOND ROY: Now, you've been there several times, you still keep in touch, how is this being viewed by the people? I'm told that they don't want him to step down.
TIM FISCHER: They are resisting the switch to democracy, to a fully-fledged parliament. There are now a group of ministers and a prime minister in rotation, they are very cautious, and the King is taking the new constitution to each province for large-scale meetings, and he is getting a bit of push back on it, but he is very purposeful, very resolute, a very humble person, no Swiss bank accounts, no Lear jets, feet on ground as he leads his people and leads his army in a very direct way into the 21st century in every way.
EDMOND ROY: Last month the Government announced that it had made plans to appoint an election commissioner before the end of the year and draw up constituency boundaries along with mock voting sessions.
It had also made public plans to provide for two houses of parliament, a 75-member national assembly and a 25-member national council with the King as head of state.
The Government had also earlier this year unveiled a 34-point constitution, which is being sent to all 530,000 citizens for their views.
The proposed constitution that specifies the role of the monarchy, the clergy and the duties and responsibilities of citizens, is expected to be ratified by the end of the year in a national referendum – all of which, according to Tim Fischer, is in contrast to what is going on in the neighbouring Hindu Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal.
TIM FISCHER: It's a very sharp contrast to the agony and turmoil in Nepal, the pollution, the Maoist rebels, the bitter divisions that exist at the very top in the Kingdom of Nepal, and the difference, dare I say, is the very real leadership that flows from King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan, who has absolutely committed to doing the right thing by his country.
ELEANOR HALL: And that's the former deputy prime minister, Tim Fischer, who's just returned from Bhutan, speaking to Edmond Roy.
Unlike other monarchies where the kings hold ceremonial military positions, the Bhutaniese monarchy are actual military heads. IIRC, the crown prince took part in an operation against militants in which he lead from the front.
I am hoping that this would put some pressure on the Nepalese king to give up his absolute powers. But then, since he is in the Chinese camp, I am doubtful if there will any effect.