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Deuba continues
consultations
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba continued consultations with the opposition and his own party colleagues to forge a consensus ahead of
talks with Maoists to end an insurgency that has claimed at least 1,800 lives in nearly six years as the rebels Sunday held their first open
public met in the heart of the city.
Deuba met Surya Bahadur Thapa, president of the Rashtriya Prajatantra party, to seek the support of the third largest group in
parliament, an announcement said.
Thapa urged Deuba to seek take the co-operation of major political forces to succeed in any effort to broker a deal with the insurgents,
party sources said. Deuba also met general secretary of the Nepali Congress Sushil
Koirala to garner support of the ruling party to deal with the Maoists.
Deuba started the dialogue with the opposition Saturday by meeting UML chief Madav Nepal, the leader of the main opposition in parliament. Deuba defeated Koirala in the leadership of the parliamentary party
last week to become prime minister.
Meanwhile, Maoists held their first open public meeting in front of the Akash Bhairab at Indra Chowk Sunday evening to make their presence
felt in the capital. " We have confronted the police and soldiers .Now we are making our
presence felt in the capital" a Maoist youth leader proclaimed from atop a nearby temple as 200 people listened to him.
Police in uniform and civilian dress watched from a distance. The rebels last week
filed an application to the Kathmandu chief distinct office seeking permission to hold the public meeting.
In the past, Maoists had held sporadic torch light processions and demonstrations in the capital.
nepalnews.com br July 29
Landslides, floods wreck havoc in Myagdi
At least 22 persons have been killed or are missing following landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains Saturday at three
villages in Myagdi districts 160 kms northwest of the capital, officials said Sunday.
One person died and 15 others are missing at Urban village when landslides buried 10 houses, one school and damaged many other buildings
in the district Saturday night, officials said. A bridge was washed away as well.
Rescue and relief teams have been sent to the village 20 kms from Beni. Seven persons are missing in floods and landslides at two other
nearby villages in the district Saturday, local officials said.
Shailja says Koirala resigned because of army role
Girija Prasad Koirala resigned as prime minister because of the role of the army, Shailja Acharya said in an interview Sunday.
"As far as I know, he was forced to resign because of the army role, " the senior woman leader and niece of the former prime minister
said. She did not elaborate further in an interview with the weekly newspaper
Deshantar.
"Ask the details from Girijababu. But he resigned because the army was not deployed in Maoist affected areas to the level desired by the
government," she said in reply to a question if Koirala resigned following the army refusal to obey orders.
For the first time troops were sent to Nuwa village in far west Nepal to free 72
policemen abducted by Maoists this month. The operation ended in a stand-off between the rebels and the army.
A communist leader in a separate interview with the same newspaper said local emergency should have been declared in Nuwa after despatching
troops. "Local emergency should be declared in areas where the army is being deployed. This procedure also was not completed at Nuwa as well,"
said General Secretary of the Samyukta Jana Morcha, Lilamani Pokhrel. nepalnews.com br July 29
Prachanda
talks peace
Maoist strongman
Prachanda said Saturday his party is "sincerely committed to leading
the dialogue that has started to its logical conclusion to find a political
solution to the challenges facing the country."
In a statement he
called for solidarity of "pro people forces" to lead the
county along the "path of radical change." The statement was
timed with Saturday's release of 15 jailed Maoists to create an
atmosphere for talks initiated by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Prachanda lauded Deuba for "creating a congenial atmosphere
for talks" but warned unidentified elements might try to disturb the
dialogue.
The 15 released
Maoists are: Sarjan Singh Thakuri, Modnath Timsina, Mohan Prasad Ghimere,
Rishi Ghimere, Kumari Mokthan, Tolak Pariyar, Balaram Kafle, Ramchandra
Sharma Paudel,, Bhabadatta Pokhrel, Lok Prasad Banjara, Raj Kumar Gurung,,
Om Prakash Paudel, Rudra Bahadur Thada, Ajay Lama and Navaraj B.K.
The
government is preparing to release others whose cases are pending in
courts, a Home Ministry announcement said. PM Deuba is holding
consultations with opposition parties to seek support for a dialogue with
rebels, government sources said. nepalnews.com br July 29
Rhino
electrocuted
A female rhino was
electrocuted and not poached Thursday at Laukhiri outside the Royal
Chitwan National Park, wardens said.
The carcass of the protected species
was found the following day in
a maize field with its horn intact. There are 400 plus
rhinos in the Park. nepalnewss.com br July 29
NEPSE slide continues
The NEPSE index again fell 9.63 points at the
end of five-day trading Friday. Trading opened at 331.59 points Monday and
closed at 321.96 points Friday.
Altogether 40,947 shares of 32 companies
valued at Rs.21.2 million were traded through 985 transactions.
Bank share
index fell to 339.71 from 353.95 and accounted for 52.43 percent of total shares traded during the week. nepalnews.com br July 29
Nepal heritage sites not being delisted
UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsura said Saturday Nepal's world heritage sites are not being
delisted.
"No. On the contrary, we are co-operating and helping the Nepalese authorities in safeguarding the cultural sites, which are already on the
list. We are also helping Nepalese experts on preparing new proposals on new candidates to be proposed to UNESCO," Matsura told The Rising Nepal
daily newspaper in an exclusive interview.
UNESCO and Nepal should work in tandem to prevent further damage to historic cultural sites of Kathmandu Valley while appreciating Nepali
efforts to preserve listed sites, he said. " They (UNESCO mission last year) have understood more deeply
the difficulties existing here. Conservation of heritage sites of the Kathmandu Valley is very difficult due to rapid urbanization," he said
on his first visit to Nepal.
Lumbini, Royal Chitwan National Park, Sagarmatha National Park are also on the world heritage list. nepalnews.com br July 28
U.S. hopes cease-fire will lead to permanent peace
The United States Saturday said the current cease-fire between security forces and Maoists should lead to permanent peace.
"We urge that the cease-fire lead to progress to a permanent peace. And we urge that human rights be constantly respected by all sides in
Nepal," American Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina Rebecca said in a departure statement before
proceeding to Pakistan.
"I gave assurance that we have no intention of looking at Nepal through the prism of any other
nation. The Bush administration sees each of the nations of South Asia as important to U.S. interests," she said. On her first official visit to Nepal, she linked increased American
investments to reducing corruption and red tape.
"I emphasized that a crucial step in achieving that mutual goal is for Nepal to create a healthy investment climate by combating corruption
and unnecessary red tape," the senior Bush administration official said.
"Meeting Nepal's requests will be difficult to meet,'" she said to demands for increased quota for Nepali textiles to the U.S. Washington will continue aid to Nepal "within the democratic
context,' she added.
Any change in Nepal should take place "within the constitutional framework, thus guaranteeing it is the will of the people. Political
change is always possible in a democracy," she said in reference to obvious demands by Maoists for fundamental change in Nepali society.
"A thriving, secure democracy and open markets under the rule of law are essential. As a good friend, the United States looks forward to
continuing its efforts to help Nepal reach these goals," she said. nepalnews.com br July 28
15 jailed Maoists released
Fifteen Maoists have been released from different jails to create an atmosphere for talks with insurgents fighting for a communist
state for nearly six years, a Home Ministry announcement said Saturday.
The names of those released were not revealed. They were all detained under the public security act, the
announcement said.
"The government hopes it will create an atmosphere to begin talks. We hope the Maoists will respond positively," an announcement said.
The Deuba administration and the insurgents announced a cease-fire
Sunday. nepalnews.com br July 28
Nepal condemns LTTE attack at
Colombo airport
Nepal Friday condemned the recent Tamil
Tiger attack at Colombo airport destroying military and civilian aircraft.
"His Majesty's Government condemns all
such reprehensible acts and calls for the imperative need of preserving and
safeguarding peace and order in public life," a Foreign Ministry
statement said.
The Government was shocked by the attack, the statement said. nepalnews.com
br July 28
Bush supports Deuba initiative
to end Maoist hostilities
American President George W. Bush welcomed
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's initiative to end a Maoist insurgency
that has claimed at least 1,800 lives in nearly six years. "I was
pleased to hear that one of your first official acts was to call for a
cease-fire with the Maoists. I hope that you will be successful in
your efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of that dispute.
" All of Nepal's friends join in the
hope that Nepal can focus its efforts from the insurgency toward building
peace, prosperity and a strong democratic government," he said.
Visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christine Rocco
delivered a Bush message to Deuba at a meeting Friday. The European Union
has also welcomed the Deuba initiative. In a statement, the EU hoped
the government and Maoists will begin a dialogue soon to end the insurgency.
The EU said a peaceful end to the dispute should lead to stability and
development. nepalnews.com br July 28
King meets UNESCO chief
King Gyanendra met UNESCO Director General
Koichiro Matsura at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace Friday,
an announcement said. Matsura is the first visiting foreign dignitary to
meet the King who ascended the throne June 4.
Matsura is on a four-day official visit to
Nepal at the government's invitation. He met Education Minister Amod Prasad
Upadhaya Thursday. The UNESCO chief earlier visited Lumbini, the birthplace
of the Buddha.
The King also met separately with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for
South Asia Christina Rocca, an announcement said. Details of the talks were not released. nepalnews.com br July 27
UML activist killed
Suspected Maoists Wednesday hacked to death
an activist of the UML, the main opposition in parliament, even after
the rebels and the government Sunday announced a temporary truce to
end communist insurgency that has claimed 1,800 lives in nearly six
years.
Rebels killed Jaya Bahadur Rokaya, village
chief of Rilu in Bhajang, local officials said. Maoists this
week abducted Yubaraj Giri from his village in Dhankuta; Giri is an
activist of the RPP which is the third largest party in parliament.
Insurgents also kidnapped Krishna Raj
Upadhaya, Chief Engineer of Dailekh district irrigation office,
officials said. nepalnews.com br July 27
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