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SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UN Kofi Annan, on Wednesday, has called on all sides in Nepal to “maintain the momentum of the peace process.” “The Secretary-General heartily welcomes the agreement reached yesterday between the Seven-Party Alliance and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). This agreement offers the people of Nepal a historic opportunity to end the armed conflict in their country, and to build sustainable peace within an inclusive and democratic state,” Annan said in a statement attributable to his spokesman. “The United Nations has been asked to help in key areas of the peace process. The Secretary-General intends to respond promptly, while emphasizing that both sides must maintain the momentum of the peace process by fully carrying out the commitments they have made,” Annan is quoted as saying by the UN news website. In August Nepal ’s Government and the Communist Party (Maoist) sent letters requesting UN help in areas ranging from human rights monitoring to electoral observation. This move followed a 10-day UN assessment mission to the country, during which time the Maoists also announced they were extending a three-month ceasefire.
THE US EMBASSY IN KATHMANDU has welcomed the announcement that the Government of Nepal and the Maoists have reached agreement on addressing key political and security issues. “We especially congratulate the Nepali people, who have supported this process and who deserve a lasting peace and a transparent and democratic system of government,” said the statement, adding, “The success of any final agreement will depend on its details and their implementation. The agreement must diminish the fear of violence, intimidation, and extortion that the people of Nepal have endured over the past 11 years. In this regard, effective monitoring that includes penalties for violators will prove essential. Like other friends of Nepal , the Embassy will follow developments here closely.” Meanwhile, talking to journalists on Wednesday, US ambassador James Moriarty said that although he considers the agreement as “first good step,” the future actions by the Maoists will determine the US policy. “Future will tell how good this agreement will be. And this, largely, will depend on the actions of the Maoists,” he said.
THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT WELCOMED the agreement between the SPA and the Maoists. “The decision taken by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on behalf of the alliance and the Maoists in the early hours of Wednesday is a victory for the Nepali people,” Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a statement on Wednesday. “We welcome this important move towards peace and prosperity of the people of Nepal and for democratic progress. We hope these decisions will take Nepal on the path of reconciliation, peace, stability and economic prosperity,” the release said. “ New Delhi would be looking forward to the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the Maoists on November 16,” he said. “The people of Nepal must have the right to freely choose and decide their own destiny and future without fear of the gun,” the minister said.
COMMUNITY IRRIGATION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED in 35 districts of eastern and central region from this year. The total cost of this project will be Rs 2.67 billion (US$ 38.2 million). Of the total, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $ 20 million, OPEC will provide $ 7 million; the government will chip in with $ 9 million and the remaining (just over $200,000) will have to be borne by local farmers. The Department of Irrigation has informed that the project will benefit 270,000 poor farmers. At a time when the government has been unable to generate resources for building mega irrigation projects, it has launched the community project. By this project 22,000 hectares of land in Terai and 12,000 hectares of land in hilly region will be irrigated.
THE GALLERY MEETING HALL OF THE HOUSE of Representatives is being restructured to fit in all the members of the interim parliament. According to Surya Kiran Gurung, general secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, the efforts have started to fit in all the proposed 330 members of the interim legislature in the building. He said these works will be completed by November 19. At present, the hall has been housing 205-members of the Lower House. However, as per the November 8 agreement, an interim parliament with 330 members will be formed by November 26.
NEPAL HAS FALLEN DOWN TWO RANKS in this year’s World Human Development Report 2006 launched by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Even though Nepal improved its Human Development Index (HDI) from 0.504 last year to 0.527 this year, it fell down to 138 th rank from 136 th rank a year ago, according to the report, which was prepared after studying the situation of 177 countries. This year the theme of the report was the water crisis. The HDR with the sub-title ‘power, poverty and global water crisis” underlined that the inequality in water provision relates not just to access and expenditure but also price. According to the report Norway has the highest HDI at 0.965 followed by Iceland .
THE WORLD BANK PLANS TO upscale the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) from the existing $ 15 million to a whopping $ 100 million. The fund was set up in 2004 for financing projects aimed at alleviating poverty in seven districts. While the fund now reaches nine districts, the bank is aimed at extending it to about 25 districts. The decision to upscale the fund was approved by World Bank board of directors on November 9, according to bank spokesperson Rajib Upadhya. The PAF is being managed by an independent board. Meanwhile, the bank plans to renew its budget support operations for which it is likely to allocate another $ 100 million, annually. This will help finance schemes announced by the government during the budget. “It is a unique instrument whereby the government can go on spending money on various development projects and get them reimbursed till the last day of the fiscal year,” added Upadhya.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER and Foreign Minister KP Oli appealed to the Indian business community to invest in Nepal ’s hydropower, service, manufacturing and tourism sectors. Addressing a meeting hosted by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in New Delhi on Tuesday, Oli said environment in Nepal is favorable for foreign investment in a mutually beneficial manner. “The conflict is ending and appropriate environment for investment is building in Nepal ,” he said.
