Five more Maoists killed

Security forces shot dead five Maoists in Libang in Morang, including a woman, Tuesday evening, a radio report said Tuesday night. Security forces recovered socket bombs and incriminating rebel documents from the clash site. 

Meanwhile, in Jhapa the Chief District Officer survived a rebel ambush in the district Tuesday, other radio reports said. Others, including army personnel, survived the surprise attack. Rebels have been increasing ambushes along highways in the terai and the hills after displacement from strongholds in the mountains and far west Nepal by security forces.

Rebels have moved at least experienced 800 militia from far west to east Nepal to continue their fight against government forces. But Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara told Nepal Samacharpatra in a telephone conversation Monday rebels have, as a matter of policy, deliberately stopped attacking security forces. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

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UNDP launches programme for HIV/AIDS response through Arts and Media 

More than 100 leading artists and media professionals gathered in Kathmandu, from 21-23 December, for the launch of a new programme of UNDP involving arts and media to strengthen the response to HIV/AIDS in the country. 

The year long programme, "Leadership for Results: Arts and Media" brings together some of Nepal's leading creators and communicators to develop breakthrough initiatives aimed at changing society's attitudes to HIV/AIDS and revolutionising the national response to the epidemic. 

Drawing on cutting edge transformational methodologies shared during the programme, artists and media professionals will develop new images and metaphors intended to break down taboos and build awareness about HIV/AIDS and the underlying factors - such as poverty and gender inequality - that fuel the epidemic. 

The programme will also facilitate innovative collaborations between artists, poets, actors, journalists, editors, writers, ICT specialists, TV and radio personnel, advertising and marketing specialists, and others.  

Welcoming the launch of this programme on Dec. 21, Mr. Mukunda Sharma Poudyal, Secretary of Ministry of Information and Communication, said "I would like to thank UNDP for bringing this programme to Nepal. The media has a central role to play in breaking down cultural taboos and superstitions about AIDS. Artists can use their talents to spread awareness, and the media and government can support them in this work". 

Ms Meera Mishra, UNDP Acting Deputy Regional Programme Coordinator, outlined the rationale behind the programme. She said: "UNDP recognizes that artists and media have a crucial role to play in addressing the epidemic. They have the outreach to communicate with every sector of society, and the power to fundamentally shift our attitudes and behavior. They can break down the fear and stigma and empower people to protect themselves and care for those who are affected". 

This Leadership for Results: Arts and Media programme is part of UNDP's global Leadership for Results initiative, which is being offered in 20 flagship countries around the world - including Nepal - and is intended to build leadership and commitment for a comprehensive, development focused HIV/AIDS response. A Leadership for Results programme for government and civil society leaders is already underway in Nepal, and is reaching out to thousands of people and producing substantial results.  

UNDP's Leadership for Results programme uses cutting edge methodologies, drawn from the latest theories in management and leadership development, to address the underlying factors that fuel the HIV/AIDS epidemic and revolutionize responses. 

Describing these methodologies, Programme Facilitator, Mr. Ravi Pradhan, said "this programme will fundamentally transform the way artists and media respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The transformational approach focuses on personal leadership and commitment to act. Therefore the breakthrough actions that the participants will undertake are at the very heart of the programme."

The programme is being organised in partnership with Pragya Management Group. nepalnews.com dr Dec.23

Demonstrations banned around Narayanhiti

Local administration in Kathmandu Tuesday afternoon banned demonstrations around four places in the capital, including Narayanhiti Royal Palace.

Demonstrations have also been prohibited around Nirmal Niwas, the residence of the Crown Prince, Singha Durbar and the official residence of the prime minister. This was stated in an official announcement of Kathmandu CDO.

The fresh move comes one day after the local administration in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur banned torch light processions; students defied the ban Tuesday and took out such processions. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

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10 Maoists killed

Security forces shot dead 10 Maoists at different places in fresh clashes, the Defence Ministry and Radio Nepal said Tuesday.

Three Maoists were killed at two places in Taplejung Tuesday, Radio Nepal said. Seven rebels were killed in Sankhuwasabha, Solokhumbu, Humla, Udaipur and Gorkha Saturday and Monday, the Defence Ministry said.

Three rebels surrendered in Dailekh and Sindhupalchowk to benefit from a government amnesty offer, Radio Nepal said. Amrita Jali, surrendered in Dailekh. 

One soldier was killed in a rebel ambush at Lekhnath municipality in Kaski district district Tuesday. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

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Three arrested, other details: Home Ministry

Students damaged three motor vehicles while three students were arrested on the third day of student demonstrations Tuesday, the Home Ministry said.

Four security personnel were also injured, the Ministry said; more than a dozen students were injured, they said. 

An emergency meeting of five opposition parties denounced the government for what they called a crack-down on student demonstrations Tuesday. They denounced the deployment of the Army against students.

Students continued chanting anti-King slogans despite formal charges against three students leaders for state offences Tuesday at the Kathmandu Special Court. There was a brief scuffle there between students and police.

Students torched a government vehicle in Janakpur and students took to the streets in Butwal after a vehicular accident involving a government motor vehicle.

Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa discussed the student demonstrations with cabinet colleagues immediately after returning home Tuesday from Bangladesh and Maldives. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

Bhutanese return home

Bhutanese members of a Joint Verification team (JVT) abruptly returned home Monday after irate refugees at the Khudanabari camp in Jhapa attacked them and damaged their vehicles Monday, the Foreign Ministry confirmed.

"They should have been here for some time," Foreign Ministry Official said. The incident Monday occurred on the first day the JVT began work to inform 12,000 refugees at the camp on the repatriation process that was to begin in February 2004.

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement Monday, hoped the repatriation would not be hindered. The team returned home via Kakarvitta.

The verification has been questioned at home and abroad as many refugees have fallen into a non-Bhutanese category. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

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PM Thapa ‘rigid’ over students’ arrest

No one has the right to bypass the Constitution and shout provocative slogans against the constitutional King, Premier Surya Bahadur Thapa told journalists at the Kathmandu airport Tuesday. “The students were arrested because they did this.” 

In democracy, everybody has the right to stage protests, PM Thapa said, but there is a limitation. “If one crosses the limitation, then the law penalizes him or her.”

Asked whether the government would now withdraw the charges of sedition, or, offence against the state, for chanting anti-King slogans, PM Thapa said, “It is upto the court now.”

“The case is under the court’s consideration at present. I cannot say anything. But, I will discuss the matter with my colleagues,” he said.

On the students’ escalating violent protests, the PM said it would not be the “cause” of his resignation. “I am still firm on my stance that I will not quit,” said the PM, whose resignation has long been sought by the oppositions.

“Let them make (the streets) warm, it’s too cold,” he added. 

On his party, RPP’s possible “action” against him, PM said he would soon furnish reply to the party. 

PM Thapa was talking with journalists after paying consultation visits to two members, Bangladesh and Maldives in connection with the 12th SAARC Summit in Pakistan this January. Nepal is the current chair of SAARC.

Shedding light over his visit, PM Thapa said it was “fruitful.” According to him, Nepal discussed bilateral and regional cooperation with Bangladeshi counterparts. 

“Bangladesh is positive on upgrading the physical infrastructures in the Kakarbhitta-Phulbari route that leads to the Mongla port” he said.

On sharing water resources, the PM said Nepal and Bangladesh discussed sub-regional cooperation in harnessing the water resources of the region.

“This is a crucial matter and we discussed it in general. But many things are yet to be chalked out,” the PM said. 

Maldives is also positive on enhancing bilateral as well as regional cooperation, he said. 

Ambassador-at-large Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa and Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya, among other high level officials, accompanied PM Thapa. nepalnews.com mr Dec 23 

Student, police clashes continue

Students pressing for the release of three student leaders continued violent demonstrations and clashed with security forces for the third consecutive day in the capital Tuesday, eyewitnesses said.

Most of the clashes centered in front of campuses where students smashed one government vehicle at Exhibition Road. Police baton charged students and burst tear gas shells at Amrit Science Campus in Lazimpat.

The three student leaders- Gururaj Ghimire, Gagan Thapa and Purusottam Acharya -were presented before the special court in the capital Tuesday , where state offence charges were registered against them after arrests last week for sloganeering against the King during a demonstration at the launch of the 10th phase of anti-King protests by five opposition parties.

Student unrest and closure of educational institutions were reported from other parts of the country Tuesday.

Minister Dr.Prakash Chandra Lohani, former prime ministers Kirtinidhi Bista and Lokendra Bahadur Chand Monday failed to get the support of CPN-UML chief Madav Kumar Nepal to stop the student protest. Government spokesman and Communications Minister Kamal Thapa said Dr.Lohani will continue meetings with other political party leaders to end the student protests.

Students brought a torch light procession in the capital Tuesday despite a ban Monday, eyewitnesses said. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

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Govt. starts probe

Government has started a probe to determine whether there was misuse of convertible currency while importing urea fertilizers from the UAE, an official announcement said Monday. 

The Revenue Intelligence Department said the Krishi Shamangri Company had opened a L/C at the Himalayan Bank Ltd. by depositing Rs.120.1m to import fertilizers through an importer. The consignment never landed.

The government investigation started at the request of the Nepal Rashtra Bank. Preliminary questioning of officials at the Himalayan Bank has started. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

Maldives seeks Nepal's support

The Maldives Sunday urged Nepal to help promote the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions considered the major cause of rising sea levels that threaten the South Asian atoll nation, AP reported from Colombo.

Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom asked the visiting Nepalese Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa to help him persuade powerful industrialized countries to ratify the protocol, foreign ministry
official Abdul Hameed Zakariya said.

The 1997 protocol seeks to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are seen as a key factor behind global warning. "We need the Nepalese to support our efforts to bring to the fore the issue of the environment," Zakariya said. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

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One policeman killed, other details

One policeman was killed and another was injured in a Maoist attack on a patrol van at Mahendranagar Monday evening, local security officials said.

Rebels, numbering about seven, fled after a brief gunbattle. Jeet Bahadur BC of the Armed Police Force, posted at Surkhet, has gone missing since Sunday.

Four Maoists, aged between 14 and 50, surrendered to Chief District Officer Anandaraj Pokhrel in Saptari Monday, local administration said.

Bimala Luitel,14, was among those who surrendered.

The surrender came immediately after an amnesty offer if rebels, friends and family surrendered before 12 February 2004 with or without weapons. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

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North Korea calls for a dialogue

North Korean Ambassador Jon Son Myong said Monday the Maoist problem should be resolved through dialogue.

He added that only talks can resolve the problem. Ambassador Jon said the Maoist issue in Nepal's internal problem " We are against outside interference to resolve it," he said and asked for the resumption of talks to solve the problem. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

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Staphit launches new party

Keshab Staphit, newly appointed mayor of Kathmandu, has declared a new political party. He called it the "Socialist Democratic Party"

"I will lead the party. Democratic socialism will be its goal," he told Rajdhani in an interview. CPN-UML expelled him for accepting government nomination to Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation.

"It is not the question of being in or out of the party. The point is to reach your destination. Walk alone if others do not want to join. " UML did not want to move along with me. The party is at one place just
dining," Staphit said. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

US to open four relation centres

The United States will soon open four relations centres outside Kathmandu. Director of American Culture Centre Constance Colding Jones revealed this at a programme in the capital Monday.

The centres are being opened in Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Pokhara and Nepalgunj. She said the United States has increased its level of assistance to Nepal to resolve the Maoist problem.

The USA which had been providing 24 million US dollars annually to Nepal has increased the amount to 38 million to combat the Maoists. nepalnews.com br Dec.23

Arjun Parsai elected Jaycees President

Arjun Parsai of Itahari was elected president of Jaycees for 2004 by the 30th national convention that began in Janakpur Friday. 

Parsai defeated Shanti Ratna of Kavre in a direct contest. Parsai collected 641 votes. Parsai has appointed Nidesh Koirala, Rajendra Sharma and Pradip Chaudhary general secretary, treasurer and legal advisor. nepalnews.com br Dec.23