December 1, 2007:
The Maoists threatened to
resume the war if the monarchy is not abolished, but everyone realizes that is
s desperate threat. The Maoists have been losing popularity in the last year,
and their continued use of extortion and theft to enrich their members has been
widely reported on. Maoist threats against journalists, and the murder of at
least one, backfired, producing even more anti-Maoist coverage. The Maoists are
demanding control of the interior and defense ministries, but cannot do more
than bluster when they are turned down. The mainline Communist Party is even
threatening to replace the Maoists in the government. The Maoists failed to
conquer the country with force, and are now failing to get their way from
inside the government. Meanwhile, anarchy spreads, with more groups adopting
the Maoist tactics of aggressive demonstrations, threats and extortion.