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| VOL. 27, NO. 21, February 01, 2007 (Magh 18 2064 B.S.) |
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PRIME MINISTER GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALA, who has been ill since Sunday (Jan 20), is gradually getting better, doctors attending on the Prime Minister said on Wednesday (Jan 23). Prime Minister Koirala, on Wednesday, met a few journalists at his official residence, Baluwatar, and informed them about his "improving" health condition. Doctors attending on Prime Minister Koirala expressed disappointment over the rumors concerning the Prime Minister's "deteriorating" health condition. "Those rumors were baseless and fabricated," Dr Bhagawan Koirala said, adding that PM's health was improving. Doctors, however, have suggested that PM Koirala take rest for a few days. According to Dr Arjun Karki, they examined PM Koirala this morning and found "signs of improvement" in his health. A statement issued by the doctors this morning said that the Prime Minister's respiration was also improving; hence, they have decided to gradually reduce the quantity of oxygen given to the PM. Meanwhile, Dr Randeep Guleria, one of the top Indian specialists from AIIMS, New Delhi , examined the PM and endorsed the line of treatment given to the PM by his team of doctors here.
INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO NEPAL Shiv Shankar Mukherjee has said that people and leaders of Nepal themselves are capable of resolving the problems seen in Terai region. Talking to reporters after the function held at Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to mark the 59th Republic Day of India, Saturday (Jan 26), Mukherjee said that Indian government is willing to extend all kinds of help to Nepal government in this regard. "Of the entire problem Nepal is facing as a whole, Terai is a part of it," he said, adding that the problem will be solved by the leaders and people of Nepal as per the "process owned and operated by the people of Nepal." "We are there to help," Mukherjee added, "as per the request of Nepal." He denied reports of Indian hand in Terai unrest. Mukherjee also said that 99 percent of border issues between Nepal and India have already been sorted out. "There is no border conflict across the 1900 km, which is the underpinning of the unique relation of our countries in the world," he said. Meanwhile, on the occasion of the 59th Republic Day of India, the Indian government gifted 30 ambulances, 12 trolley mounted 40 KVA portable diesel generators and 14 sets of books to various organizations in different parts of Nepal.
ENTREPRENEURS HAVE URGED government to make customs as trade facilitation points to boost foreign trade in the context of globalization and free market. Citing Nepal's entry into multilateral trading system like the World Trade Organization and other free trade regime, they stressed need of a paradigm shift on its treatment. "The customs points should no more remain a source of revenue rather become trade facilitation points," they said. Speaking at an interaction organized to mark the 56th International Customs Day organized jointly by the Department of Customs, FNCCI and Nepal Foreign Trade Association, they urged the government to improve infrastructure at the major customs points as well as modernize them. Diwakar Golchha, first vice-president of FNCCI, said that the customs' role is very vital in facilitating foreign trade, particularly for the promotion of exports, which will ultimately help boost the economy. "Our thrust should be at promoting the export-oriented industries, which is essential for both employment generation and gapping ballooning trade deficit," he added. Besides infrastructure development, Golchha stressed the need for improving procedural matters including customs evaluation, inspection, documentation and releasing. "Adoption of modern technology including ICT tools could bring in major changes in customs points." Pradeep Man Vaidya, chairman of Income Tax and VAT Committee at FNCCI, made a presentation on Nepali customs in the context of trade facilitation. "Although Nepal has made a significant progress in customs reforms, it has yet to change itself."
THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (UNSC) has extended the tenure of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) by another six months, say reports. The extension of the tenure by six months was requested by Nepal government. It had been established in January of 2007 with one-year mandate. However, due to delay in Constituent Assembly election, the tenure of UNMIN, too, had to be extended. "The challenging timelines set out in the agreement will require efforts among all the parties to build mutual confidence," said the British-drafted resolution prolonging the mandate, according to Reuters. "The original hope had been that UNMIN's role in supporting Nepal 's peace process ... could be accomplished within the initial mandate of 12 months," UN special envoy for Nepal Ian Martin told reporters. The UNMIN was established to assist with elections as well as to monitor weapons stored at camps for former Maoist rebels and was due to end on Wednesday. It has more than 800 staff, including nearly 200 arms monitors, the Reuters reports. Martin said meeting the grievances of ethnic groups who felt excluded from the political process would be "the central challenge" to holding the elections on time. Martin said: "In order to complete our task and exit we need not only that election to take place, we also need ... there to be a durable long-term solution to the management of arms and armies."
