In Nepal, King Gyanendra's proclamation today that he intends to hand over power to the increasingly restive population of his country is making headlines around the world. A quick scan of the Web sites of the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, BBC, The Times of London, and Al Jazeera produces the following headlines, respectively:
"Nepal's King Vows Change in Political Power"; "Nepalese King Says He Will Transfer Power"; "Nepal King Gives up Absolute Power"; "Nepal King Moves to End Protests"; "King Bows to the Protesters"; and "Nepal King to Restore Democracy."
Nepal's bloggers, however, interpreted the king's short speech differently. Over at United We Blog! the king's statements were called "an utter deception," a "cosmetic change that was ... done only to manage the growing international pressure upon him."
At Democracy for Nepal, (posted from New York), Paramendra Bhagat writes, "the king's address on Friday was too little too late.... The political prisoners still languish in jail. The barbaric attacks on peaceful demonstrators continue. Two leaders got arrested at the airport on arrival. The king has not fired his illegitimate cabinet. The king continues not to recognize the seven party alliance as the legitimate political force in the country."
Also, though not published in English, the blog Mero Sansar offers photos and video from the streets where the protests are taking place. Warning: some of the images are pretty graphic.
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