Nepal Monitor: The National Online Journal

The death of the long-ailing Girija Prasad Koirala had been rumored in the past. But when the 86-year-old veteran politician and the five-time Prime Minister actually passed away on March 20, 2010, reality struck in the face of Nepalis—they had truly lost their national guardian. When he lived, he was a perpetual presence in the affairs of the nation so much so that he was as much hated by his critics as he was adored by his followers. Having dominated active politics for more than 60 years, and having struggled for democracy throughout, he was one of the last elderly politicians of the old generation. His death has created a deep void in Nepal’s politics, currently in a difficult transition. As the architect of the peace process, which helped bring the violent Maoists into a peaceful, democratic fold, Girija Babu, as he was affably called, worked to bring political unity among party leaders for a conclusive peace process in the country until his last breath.

For the historic import of the death of Koirala at this time, Nepal Monitor samples statements by world leaders and agencies. This page will be updated throughout the week as more condolences come in online.

Statement by the U.S. Embassy on the Passing of Girija Prasad Koirala
March 20, 2010

On behalf of the American people, we wish to express our sympathy and solidarity with the people of Nepal upon the death of Girija Prasad Koirala, leader of the Nepali Congress party and former Prime Minister. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Koirala, especially his daughter, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala. Throughout his long career, G.P. Koirala struggled for democracy and peace in Nepal. He led the 2005-2006 peace negotiations that ended Nepal’s brutal 10-year civil conflict and laid the foundation for lasting peace. The best way to honor Mr. Koirala’s legacy is to accelerate the peace process and finalize the new constitution as quickly as possible. The United States stands with Nepal as it mourns the loss of a statesman.

URL: http://nepal.usembassy.gov/pr-03-20-2010.html

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

New York, 20 March 2010 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Death of Former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala of Nepal

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the passing early today of H.E. Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala, former Prime Minister of Nepal and President of the Nepali Congress party.

Mr. Koirala's death is a huge loss for Nepal and its ongoing peace process. As a friend of the United Nations and a staunch believer in its ideals and principles, Mr. Koirala will be remembered as a strong voice of multilateralism and global cooperation.

Mr. Koirala was a pioneer of Nepal's labour and democratic movement of the 20 th Century, who fought fearlessly and at considerable personal sacrifice for justice and democratic rights in his country. His courageous and resolute leadership played a central role in the People's Movement of 2005- 2006 and to the ending of the 10-year armed conflict.

The Secretary-General will remain grateful for Mr. Koirala's unwavering support to the United Nations for its role in the peace process as well as its development, and human rights work in Nepal. He extends his heartfelt condolences to Mr. Koirala's family, the people and Government of Nepal and the Nepali Congress party.

URL: http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4436

United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN)

IN NEPAL (UMIN)
Condolence message

Representative of the Secretary-General Karin Landgren expresses deep sorrow on the death of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala 20 March 2010

Representative of the Secretary-General Karin Landgren, on behalf of UNMIN and the UN Country Team, expresses deep sorrow on the death of eminent leader, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

With his passing, Nepal has lost a towering figure in its political history. Girija Prasad Koirala was instrumental to the peace process in Nepal which ended 10 years of conflict. He brought his political skill and credibility to bear in persuading the parties to begin the dialogue that led to the 12-point Agreement, and later to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement itself.

Girija Prasad Koirala spoke with urgency about the peace process ten days ago in his meeting with UN Undersecretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe. Last year, he proposed the High-Level Political Mechanism as a way forward on the most contentious issues of the peace process.

Mr. Koirala served his country and the cause of peace. UNMIN and the UN Country Team mourn his passing, and convey our deepest condolences to the Government and people of Nepal, the Nepali Congress Party, and the Koirala family for the loss of G.P. Koirala, irreplaceable and fearless defender of a democratic Nepal.

The greatest tribute to G.P. Koirala will be to take up the spirit of his conviction, bringing fresh
dedication to concluding the process of preparing a new constitution and consolidating a lasting peace in Nepal.

URL: http://www.unmin.org.np/downloads/pressreleases/UNMIN.GPK.Condolence.20.03.10.ENG..pdf

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil
New Delhi, March 22, 2010: The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has condoled the passing away of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala.

In a condolence letter to the former Prime Minister’s daughter, Ms. Sujata Koirala, who is the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Nepal, the President has said, “I am deeply grieved to learn about the demise of Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala. Girija Babu was a towering personality in the political arena of South Asia. He will always be remembered for his immense and invaluable contribution in bringing peace and democracy to Nepal.

Girija Babu was a true friend of India. He worked tirelessly to foster close and multi-faceted relations between our two countries. The people of India share the sorrow and grief of the people of Nepal over the loss of Girija Babu.”

URL: http://presidentofindia.nic.in/pr220310.html

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, NORWAY AND SWITZERLAND
Issued by the Embassy of France as Local Presidency

The Heads of Mission of the European Union, Norway and Switzerland, express their deep sorrow on the death of Girija Prasad Koirala, former Prime Minister of Nepal and President of the Nepali Congress Party.

Mr. Koirala was first and foremost a democrat, who made a major contribution to the establishment and the deepening of democracy in Nepal. He fought during almost 60 years for justice and political rights, with perseverance, courage and self-sacrifice. He was the first Prime Minister of Nepal elected under a democratic Constitution in 1991. He played a central role in the people’s movement of 2006, Jana Andolan II.

Girija Prasad Koirala was one of the main architects of the peace process in Nepal which ended ten years of civil war. With his political experience and wisdom, he succeeded in bringing all the parties to dialogue and ultimately to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Mr. Koirala was very concerned about securing the completion of the peace process. Recently, he had promoted a key initiative with the creation of the High Level Political Mechanism in order to advance the cause of the peace process and solve the most contentious issues. In paying tribute to his memory, the Heads of Mission of the European Union, Norway and Switzerland, urge constructive all parties in the political process to help deliver peace and prosperity for Nepal, in accordance with the deep conviction of Girija Prasad Koirala and the people of Nepal.

With his passing away, Nepal has lost a great statesman and a leading figure of its modern political history.

The Heads of Mission of European Union and Norway extend their sincere condolences to Mr. Koirala’s family, especially his daughter Sujata and his grand-children, to his party colleagues, to the Government and to the people of Nepal.

URL: http://www.ambafrance-np.org/article.php3?id_article=1088

Dr. Manmohan Singh, PM of India

PM condoles the passing away of Koirala, former PM of Nepal
March 20, 2010, New Delhi- The Prime Minister has condoled the passing away of the former Prime Minister of Nepal Shri G.P.Koirala. In a condolence message to the departed leader’s daughter Ms. Sujata Koirala the Prime Minister described Shri G.P Koirala as one of Nepal’s tallest leaders and an elder statesman of South Asia.

The text of the Prime Minister’s condolence message is as follows:

“It is with deep sadness that I learnt of the passing away of Shri G. P. Koirala. Shri Koirala was one of Nepal’s tallest leaders and an elder statesman of South Asia. Beginning with his days in the trade union movement, Shri Koirala spent his entire political life championing the cause of the people. He was first and foremost a democrat and his long struggle to usher in democracy in Nepal reached a successful conclusion when he became the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Nepal in 1991. He subsequently guided the destiny of the people of Nepal for a further three terms as Prime Minister. Shri Koirala was a mass leader and a statesman, whose knowledge and wisdom guided the polity of Nepal in the right direction at critical junctures in the country’s history. The passing away of Shri Koirala marks the end of an era in Nepalese politics. Shri Koirala had an enlightened vision of India-Nepal relations and worked sincerely to bring the people of the two countries closer together. I have personally had a long association with Shri Koirala and have benefited immensely from his wise counsel and advice not only on issues affecting our bilateral ties but also on matters affecting South Asia as a whole.
I convey my deepest sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and followers.”

URL: http://pmindia.nic.in/lprel.asp?id=1081

Press Release by Indian External Affairs Ministry: India condole the death of Shri Girija Prasad Koirala

The President, the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister have conveyed their condolences to H.E. Ms. Sujata Koirala, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Government of Nepal following the demise of Shri Girija Prasad Koirala.

In their messages, the immense contribution of Shri Koirala to fostering and strengthening close and friendly relations between India and Nepal and his contribution and tireless dedication to the cause of peace and democracy in Nepal was recalled.

New Delhi
March 20, 2010

URL: http://meaindia.nic.in/pressrelease/2010/03/20pr01.htm

Pakistan: CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM FOREIGN MINISTER

Excellency,
On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan , I express my heartfelt condolences to you, Excellency, as well as the government and the people of Nepal on the sad demise of Honourable G.P. Koirala. This is not only a personal loss to you and your family, but a national loss to Nepal .

Mr. Koirala, who remained Prime Minister for four times, played a very important role in the political developments in Nepal .

May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

From
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Islamic Republic of Pakistan

To
H.E Ms. Sujata Koirala ,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
Islamabad , 20 March 2010

URL: http://www.mofa.gov.pk/Press_Releases/2010/March/PR_070.htm

Japanese Embassy
Statement on the Demise of Mr. G. P. Koirala, Former Prime Minister

1. With the news of the sad demise of former Prime Minister and the Nepali Congress President Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala, Embassy of Japan would like to express sincere condolences for the bereaved family and for the Government of Nepal and its people, on behalf of the Government of Japan and the Japanese people.

2. Mr. Koirala made a historic contribution to the ongoing peace process and democracy of Nepal. His demise is a great loss for the nation. Embassy of Japan wishes all political parties to be united and accelerate the writing of the constitution for its peace process.

3. This early morning, H.E. Mr. T. Mizuno expressed his deep condolences at Nepali Congress Headquarter, also paid his last respect to Mr. Koirala together with the diplomatic corps at the National Stadium in Tripureswor.

URL: http://www.np.emb-japan.go.jp/ann/210310.html

UK : A message from Rt Hon David Miliband MP (20/03/2010)

The British Embassy announced today that the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Rt Hon David Miliband MP, has sent the following message of condolence to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hon Ms Sujata Koirala.

"I was very sorry to heaqr of the dealth of your father, Girija Prasad Koirala. I know he will be keenly missed by you as well as the nation he so faithfully served over his long political carrier.

I am sure he will be remembered for his devotion to democracy, as well as his role as peacemaker. Please accept my condolences on behlaf of your family, your colleagues in the Nepali Congress Party, and the nation of Nepal."

David Miliband

URL: http://ukinnepal.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=PressR&id=21926530

Statement by Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on the

Death of Girija Prasad Koirala
March 22, 2010

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter sends his sincere condolences on the passing of Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

"Girija Prasad Koirala dedicated his life to the struggle for democracy in Nepal and he played a heroic role in Nepal's peace process," said former President Carter. "He was a great statesman and he remained unwavering in his commitment to sustainable peace and multiparty democracy in Nepal."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nepal, the Koirala family, and the Nepali Congress party. I am deeply sorry for this loss," said Carter.

"I encourage Nepal's political leadership to now carry former Prime Minister Koirala's legacy forward by renewing efforts to bring lasting peace and a new, inclusive, democratic constitution to Nepal. This will be a fitting national tribute to the great man," Carter added.

URL: http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/koirala-032210.html

OTHERS : Condoences were also sent by the following representing their governments and country, however, NM has not been able to locate these original texts on the Web [Please send us links, if you find any]

• Chinese Communist Party
• Doris Leuthard, President of Swiss Federation
• Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, Bhutanese monarch
• Jigmi Thinley, Bhutanese Prime Minister
• Katsuya Okada, Japanese Foreign Minister
• Sheikh Hasina Wazed, Bangladeshi Prime Minister
• Sonia Gandhi, president of Indian National Congress
• Wen Jiabao, Chinese Prime Minister
• Yang Jiechi, Chinese Foreign Minister

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