Fear, Ennui and Doubt Underlie Calm in Nepal's Capital
Catchy headline, eh? True too.
" Only a few donors have suspended all aid. No British or Indian military aid has come since the emergency decree. The United States, which until recently trained and armed Nepal's military, says it is considering whether to continue. Britain has also suspended some aid. Bristling at what it calls foreign interference, the palace has suggested that it would look for aid elsewhere. It has repeatedly said that it would welcome help from China, though no public offers have come. Pakistan recently proposed increasing military aid, no doubt as a check on its rival, India. "
I don't think any donor has suspended all aid - yet. Most of the restrictions have been on military assitance and not development, though I know a few projects have been cancelled. This is actually a good bargaining tool because no matter what the palace says, Nepal can't actually get military aid from Pakistan or China. Why not? The last time Nepal tried, India closed the usually open border. With no fuel, the country ground to a halt.
I'm told The Times will be doing another story on Nepal on Tuesday, front page.
Posted by Martial