July 28, 2006

At least 23 persons were killed when a bus traveling from Kathmandu to Jalbire in Sindhupalchowk plunged 150 meter down from a cliff in Chanaute Phulpidanda-6. Those killed include driver, conductor, farmers and school children. Nineteen persons died on the spot while others succumbed to their injuries later on. Around two dozen persons were injured. Nepal Army, Police and local Maoist militia engaged in rescue efforts following the accident. Leading dailies report.

Maoist Army Obstructing Interim Govt

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister K.P. Oli has said that the presence of armed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the Maoists was a stumbling block to the immediate formation of interim government. “Once interim government is formed, there would not be separate militaries of the state and the Maoists; the talks team would also go, everything will have to be dissolved,” said Oli, adding, “All these things have to be settled beforehand.” Speaking at a program in Pokhara, Oli said interim government cannot be formed before settling the issue of arms management. Kantipur daily reports.

Proposal Made For Arms Management

The all party peace committee has proposed a comprehensive ceasefire agreement with detail provisions regarding the management of army and weapons belonging to the state and the Maoists. The committee formed by the government came up with the proposal after one week of homework. It has submitted the draft proposal to the government. The seven-page long draft calls for stopping recruitment in both government and Maoist army. It calls for stopping demonstration of weapons and combat uniform by Maoist army in public. It calls for stopping Maoist armed activities including transporting of weapons and explosives. “Nepali Army shall also limit its activities unless there is a threat to national security,” the draft states. It proposes that Nepali Army can be mobilized in necessary situation such as when there is external aggression; it can organize patrol when there is illegal transport of arms and so on. The draft states that one side cannot seize or search arms stored by other side. The draft also has provisions calling for total and safe rehabilitation of displaced persons, among others. Kantipur daily reports.

Few Know About CA

An opinion poll, the findings of which were made public on Sunday (July 23), revealed that as many as 71 percent of the illiterate respondents from among 1860 were not aware what constituent assembly election meant. Ditto in the case of respondents from ethnic groups, with 64 percent of them demonstrating lack of knowledge about constituent assembly elections. Only 4 percent from among Badis, Magars, Tharus and Pariyar communities were aware of what it is all about. Consider this: 31 percent of the respondents from among farmers, 32 percent from among members of ethnic groups and 46 of illiterate respondents were found equally ignorant on its technical aspects. Some 19 percent of the respondents said it was all about re-writing a constitution. Some 29 percent of the respondents felt that such an election should ensure representation cutting across religious beliefs, caste, language and geographical divide. Another 25 percent said it could be based on proportional representation. Similarly, 60 percent felt that a constituent assembly could bring peace while 31 percent felt it could herald total democracy. Some 6 percent felt the election could see Maoists forming a government. Fifty-two percent felt that the election to CA be held within six months while another 28 percent said it could be held in the next 12 months. However, a majority of the respondents from political and professional brackets said an election be held within 6 months. Then there are 46 percent of respondents who preferred to issue a call for settlement of Maoist arms before the election. A large number of respondents felt that democracy can be sustained only if corruption is controlled. The polls, conducted by the Nepal International Electoral Forum, had divided respondents from among political, professional, students, farmers, ethnic and illiterate groups. It was conducted between May 20-June 6 in 31 municipalities in Kathmandu , Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Palpa and Dipayal, among others. The Himalayan Times daily reports.

Five Nepalese Return Home From Lebanon

Five Nepalese nationals have returned home on Saturday from the war-torn Lebanon whereas 80 others would be returning soon. The five Nepalese who arrived in Kathmandu – rescued by Indian government along with Indian nationals – from New Delhi include Anju Gurung, Lok Bahadur Thapa, Shree Prasad Gurung, Manmaya Gurung and Samjhana Tiwari. Seven Nepalese had been rescued by Indian ship from Lebanon a few days ago. Two persons – Aruna Devi Adhikari and Om Prakash Oli – however, decided to remain in India at their relatives’ home. According to Thapa, all Nepalese in Lebanon want to return home. “Because the war has intensified, anything can happen to anyone there. So, the government should not delay in rescuing them,” said Thapa. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports.

Maoists For 33 Percent Seat In Interim Parliament

Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has told the visiting European delegation that his party was vying for an interim parliament, which would constitute one-third representation from the seven-party alliance, the Maoists and civil society. “A few members of our delegation met the Maoists’ second-in-command and he talked about an interim parliament in which he demanded one-third representation of the SPA, one third of the Maoists and one third of the civil society,” said Neena Gill, the delegation’s leader, wrapping up the visit on Friday (July 21). She said the cordial discussions between the delegation members and Dr. Bhattarai concentrated on the issue of arms management. Dr. Bhattarai did not give any assurance of ending extortion to the EU delegates, according to Gill. Luisa Morgantini, a team member, who also met Dr. Bhattarai, said: “I have an impression that the Maoists are serious in returning to competitive politics, the only thing is that they are bargaining for more.” Gill said the EU would fun the government of Nepal in its efforts to reach out to the needy. She said the Maoists are also in need of funds. “All will get equal aid; we are not going to dole out money to any political party or group,” Gill said. She did not meet Maoist leaders because “the EU has a policy of not meeting the Maoists until they disarm.” She said the question of decommissioning of the Nepal Army should not arise as it cannot be treated on par with the Maoist army. The current government is legitimate because it was elected by the people at one point of time and the national army holds similar legitimacy, Gill said. She further suggested the Maoists come up with ‘realistic demands.’ “They are keen to join the political system, but if they come up with unrealistic demands, the peace process will break down,” she told reporters after a press conference. The Maoists are not willing to disarm before elections to a Constituent Assembly, she said, adding, “We encourage them not to carry arms because no political party can go to elections with weapons.” Gill said, “The government had given us a list of areas which needed EU’s support and we told the deputy prime minister to prioritize them.” She said the EU has already released 7 million euros as development assistance to Nepal after the restoration of democracy. The Himalayan Times daily reports.

Mahara Objects To Govt. Letter To UN

Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara has raised serious objections to the letter sent by the government to the United Nations. “In the letter, the government has asked the UN to ensure that Nepalese Army remains within barracks. Whereas it has asked the UN to monitor the decommissioning of arms of our People’s Liberation Army, which means our army and arms will have to be separated. This is not acceptable to us. We will not decommission till the final settlement of political issues,” Mahara said. He urged the government to reconsider its letter to the UN. Compiled from reports.

Agreement On Interim Parliament, 100 Seats For Maoists, Civil Society

The NC, UML and the Maoists had, in their talks at Godavari , reached an agreement to retain all the members of the revived parliament and add representatives of the Maoists and civil society in an interim parliament to be formed, according to a news report in The Himalayan Times daily datelined New Delhi . Rahul Barua, secretary general of the South Asia Foundation based in New Delhi , an organization working for a peaceful solution of the conflict in Nepal , told this to this daily after meeting top leaders of the political parties and Maoists in Kathmandu . “I met NC leaders Dr. Shekhar Koirala, Chakra Prasad Bastola and Maoist peace talks coordinator Krishna Mahara in Kathmandu . I have briefed the Indian government and Sitaram Yechuri of my discussions with them and explained the Godavari agreement,” Barua said. Barua had accompanied Yechuri to Nepal recently. He also worked as secretary of the Nepal Democracy Solidarity Forum based in New Delhi , which was formed for restoration of democracy in Nepal . “The 205 members of the House of Representatives will continue as members of the interim parliament. In addition, 100 seats will be allotted to the Maoists and the civil society,” he said. The Maoists will have 60 to 65 seats in the interim parliament and the civil society 35 to 40 seats,” he added. He said the roadmap formulated by Sitaram Yechuri for restoration of peace in Nepal is heading towards success. “The interim parliament will come into existence with an announcement of the HoR and all the powers and authority will be transferred to it,” he said. The Maoist leadership is ready to deal with the issue of arms management after an interim arrangement is made, he said, “All the issues will be included in the agenda that will be discussed in the talks scheduled for July 21.” The Himalayan Times daily reports.

Palace Military Secretariat Abolished

The cabinet meeting on Monday dissolved the Military Secretariat at the Royal Palace . It decided to form a coordinating team under the Ministry of Defense to look after the issues of security of the palace. The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was held at his official residence in Baluwatar. The Military Secretariat had come under severe criticism for its role in centralizing the military authority in the royal palace. The Secretariat used to act as contact point for the royal palace in military-related matters. It was charged of becoming extra-legally powerful. Compiled from reports.

25 Nepalis Returning From Lebanon

Twenty-five Nepalis are returning home from Lebanon on Indian ship. According to Dipendra Upreti, president of Nepali Service Society in Beirut , they were rescued along with Indians. Upreti added that there are only ten more Nepalis who want to return home. Others are content to wait and watch. First Secretary at Nepalese Embassy in Egypt Bhrigu Dhungana has traveled to Beirut to help Nepalis without proper travel documents. Meanwhile, International Organization of Migration (IOM) has also started to rescue Nepalis stranded in Lebanon . According to IOM’s Nepal Representative Srijana Pokharel, the organization is ready to rescue workers from ten countries including Nepal , India , Pakistan , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka and Philippines . Nepal Government has requested the organization for help in rescuing its nationals, she said. She added that Nepal has also informed about its willingness to become IOM member soon. Kantipur daily reports.