|
|
| NEWS FLASH 2000- LAST UPDATED : Friday, February 23, 2001 10:28 AM + 5:45 GMT | |
|
Koirala talks with opposition leader to end standoff in House Kathmandu, Feb 22: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala engaged whole day in frantic political talks with leaders of different political parties today in order to end the present standoff in parliament and ensure smooth proceedings in the House. Prime Minister Koirala met with opposition leader in parliament Madhav Kumar in Nepal and discussed with him ways to end the present crisis in parliament. However, the meeting between the two leaders ended with no conclusion. Both Koirala and
Nepal had been accompanied by senior leaders of their parties. Foreign
Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola and Defence Minister Mahesh Acharya and
central leaders and spokesman of the Nepali Congress Narahari Acharya
accompanied Koirala in the talks with Opposition leader CPN-UML sources said that Koirala repeatedly asked to continue dialogue to solve any problem and allow the meeting of the House simultaneously. However, opposition leader remained adamant on his party's earlier stance of Prime Minister's resignation over Lauda Air deal. The source said that opposition leader Madhav Nepal clearly said that they would not allow the meeting of the House unless Prime Minister Koirala resigned. Koirala then returned with no concrete decision. Also today, five
opposition parties decided to continue their joint move to block the
proceeding of the House to force Koirala to step down. As parliament could
not run for the last two weeks because of Two More Policemen Killed, Three Injured Kathmandu, Feb.22: Two more policemen were killed and three others were injured in an ambush laid by Maoists at a village in Sindhuli district Thursday morning, officials said. The dead and injured have been evacuated to the capital by helicopter. The rebels laid the ambush at Belghari village. Sindhuli is one the most seriously affected districts by a communist insurgency that entered its sixth year February. Meanwhile, Sanjaya Bahadur Singh who was injured in a Maoist attack at his home village in Kailali district in west Nepal Monday succumbed to injuries at a hospital in the capital Wednesday, sources said. Singh is a relative of former home minister Prakash Bahadur Singh of the panchayat era. nepalnews.com br Chinese Defense Minister Visits Lumbini Kathmandu, Feb.22: Visiting Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian Thursday visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha on the second day of his four day visit to Nepal. Chi and his wife
Jiang Qingping offered prayers at the Mayadevi Temple depicting Buddha's
nativity. The visitors worshipped at the Chinese monastery at Lumbini monastic zone. The Trust has set aside land to countries to build monasteries at the holy site. Chi and his wife later flew to the resort town of Pokhara where they are spending the night before returning to he capital Friday. nepalnews.com br President of IPPF begins Nepal visit Kathmandu, 22 February Angela Gomez De Mogollon, president of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), arrived here on a four-day visit. The IPPF, a major donor to family planning associations worldwide, funds at least 46 percent of the Family Planning Association of Nepal’s (FPAN) annual budget. The FPAN, an NGO, receives around $1.5 million from the IPPF annually. Speaking at a press meet organised today at FPAN, Gomez stressed that although the South Asian region was small in terms of geography, the population mass that needed to be reached is among the largest in the world. Hari Khanal, deputy director general of the FPAN, said a committee formed a year ago has made recommendations to the government, including reproductive education in the current school curriculum, to supplement the health education initiatives already in place. Khanal said that the FPAN has networks in 34 districts, and that sex education is conducted in 18 districts. Nepalnewsw.com/at Kathmandu, 22 February: Historian and former foreign minister Dr Dilli Raman Regmi is in critically ill and is undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Bangkok, an announcement of the Dr Dilli Raman Regmi Trust said. The senior politician has been transferred to an ICU section and is said to be on a life support system. Dr Regmi is now being treated for pneumonia, kidney and heart ailments. Nepalnews.com/br/at China supports regional peace keeping centre in Nepal Kathmandu, 22 February: Visiting Chinese Defence Minister Chi Haotian Wednesday showed "positive response" to Nepal’s initiative to establish a regional UN peacekeeping training centre in the kingdom, sources said. Nepal has been lobbying international support to establish the centre at Paanchkhaal about 75 km east of the capital. The centre trains Nepali peacekeepers working for the United Nations. Nepal has peacekeepers in Lebanon and East Timor. Defence Minister Mahesh Acharya sought China's support during the first round of official talks with Chi. The two defence ministers have said King Birendra's state visit of China beginning Monday will promote friendship between the two countries and expand areas of bilateral co-operation. Chi is the first Chinese Defense Minister to visit Nepal and will be meeting King Birendra and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala separately. Nepalnews.com/br/at Rivals ask Koirala not to go for mid-term poll Kathmandu, 21 February: Rival lawmakers of the Nepali Congress, who are seeking Koirala's removal, have asked Koirala not to choose the option of mid-term election in the wake of crisis in Parliament because of opposition protests. Thirty-eight lawmakers of the Nepali Congress including Sher Bahadur Deuba issued a statement Wednesday asking Koirala not to take the mid-term poll option but initiate serious dialogue with opposition parties to end the present crisis in parliament. They also held a meeting in Kathmandu Wednesday prior to issuing the statement. Their statement came following a news report that Koirala was contemplating to recommend the King to dissolve the House of Representatives and announce fresh parliamentary elections. Following more than two weeks of stand-off in Parliament because of opposition parties' joint attempt to block the proceedings of parliament, Koirala discussed with his loyalists and cabinet members’ four alternatives to end the crisis. One of them was mid-term election. Rival NC lawmakers said that mid-term election at the present context would be suicidal both for the party and the nation and called upon Koirala to discuss with opposition to end the problem. Rival lawmakers of the Nepali Congress have not participated in the opposition move of ousting Koirala but have been demanding Koirala’s resignation from within the party forum. In the Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress held recently, Koirala’s rivals including Sher Bahadur Deuba, Bijaya Gachhadar, Chiranjibi Wagle and Pradip Giri demanded his resignation to give an outlet to the present crisis. However, Koirala has refused to step down under pressure and has asked to initiate constitutional method to remove him from the post. Nepalnews.com/yl/at Kathmandu, 21 February: Thousands of Hindus from Nepal and India flocked to the temple of Pahsupatinath, Nepal’s holiest Hindu shrine in the capital Wednesday, to offer prayers to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Mahashivaratri even as the evening brought a slight drizzle. Devotees bathed along riverbanks nation-wide, including Bagmati at Kathmandu, for salvation. King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the royal family also offered worship at Pashupatinath. Bonfires were lit at street corners in the evening to celebrate the occasion. Nepalnews.com/br/at Chinese Defence Minister begins Nepal visit Kathmandu, 21 February: Visiting Chinese Defence Minister Chi Haotian said Wednesday that he would explore "cementing bilateral relations between Nepal and China and the two armies in the new century and other issues of shared interest." Haotian, the first Chinese Defence Minister to visit Nepal made the comment upon arriving here on a four-day visit after concluding visits to four Southeast Asian nations. The visit comes ahead of King Birendra’s state visit to China beginning 26 February. "To further promote Sino-Nepal relations in the new century not only serves the fundamental interest of the two peoples, but also contributes to peace and stability in the region. I believe that my visit will help promote lasting stability, good-neighbourliness and friendly co-operation between our two countries in the new century," said the Haotian while speaking to the press after official talks with his Nepali counterpart Mahesh Acharya on Wednesday. "No arms purchases will be discussed and no agreements will be signed during the visit," said Defence Minister Mahesh Acharya. "We are grateful to China for training our army and helping to develop our infra-structure," he added. Defence officials of both countries have been regularly exchanging high-level visits. Chief of Staff of the People’s Liberation Army General Fu Quanyou visited Nepal in April 2000 while two successive Chiefs of Army Staff of the Royal Nepal Army have also visited China. Nepalnews.com/br/at Human rights commissioners to visit Maoist areas Kathmandu, 21 February: Two separate teams of the Human Rights Commission of the Parliament will for the first time visit Maoist controlled areas of west Nepal Saturday and Tuesday to assess the human rights situation there, sources said. The first team consisting of Sushil Pyakhurel and Dr Gaurishanker Lal Das will visit Rukum and Jajarkot Saturday while another group led by Kapil Shrestha will visit Rolpa and Salyaan beginning Tuesday. Maoists have not given a direct response to the planned visit. Nepalnews.com/br/at 400 Nepalis died in Gulf countries in three years Kathmandu, 21 February: A report prepared and published by the Labour Department Wednesday has said at least 400 Nepalis working in harsh conditions in three countries in the middle east have died in the last three years. The daily newspaper Naya Sadak was quoted as saying that the report prepared by two senior government officials from the Labour Department said 14 labourers died in United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in January alone. Labour Secretary DB Bhattarai and under-secretary Deb Ratna Tamrakar in the same ministry prepared the report after visiting the three countries. The news also says that Nepalis work in the unorganised sector and do not come under the purview of labour laws and that those working as domestic helps, drivers, herders and agricultural workers are often not paid for months. The officials recently visited West Asia to study the opportunities and work condition of Nepalis. Nepal for the first time opened a residential embassy in Qatar last year. Nepalnews.com/br/at One Maoist killed, three injured Kathmandu, 21 February: A Maoist was killed instantly and three others were seriously injured in a shoot-out with police Sunday at a village in Dailekh in west Nepal. Police say the shootout ensued after rebels attacked a police patrol at Raniban village. The other insurgents fled with the injured but police managed to recover some arms and ammunition from the site. Nepalnews.com/br/at Kathmandu, 21 February: The state owned Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation has announced 50 percent concession on airfare to Nepalis 65 years of age or above on its internal and India flights. Concession tickets will be issued by the airline’s head office in the capital and all branches upon presentation of citizenship certificates for the current fiscal year. However it is not known how many persons will benefit from this facility. RNAC also gives concession on tickets to cancer patients and an accompanying help. Nepalnews.com/br/at Nepal Bangladesh trade fair extended Kathmandu, 21 February: The week long
Nepal-Bangladesh trade fair organised by the Mechi Chamber of Commerce and
Industries and the Panchagadh Chamber of Commerce and Industries of
Bangladesh that began 10 February has been extended to 10 March on popular
demand, an announcement said. Nepali goods including noodles, medicinal
herbs and handicrafts are being exhibited at five stalls and are said to be
big draws at the fair held in Bangladesh to promote bilateral trade between
the two nations. Bangladeshi authorities have granted 50 percent customs
concession on Nepali products and nearly Rs 50,000 worth of goods are being
sold daily. Maoists Kill One and Injure Six Others Kathmandu, Feb.20: Maoists Monday night severely beat one person to death at three villages in Kailali district and injured six others, police said. The injured was identified as Arjun Bahadur Singh. The rebels targeted members of Singh's family in the attack, reports said. More than 1,500 persons have died in a communist insurgency that entered its sixth year this month. Maoists have targeted police and activists on the ruling Nepali Congress party in their attacks. nepalnews.com br King seeks court advice on Citizenship Bill Kathmandu, Feb 20: His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev sought advice of the Supreme Court on the controversial Citizenship Bill that was presented to His Majesty for assent. His Majesty the King asked the Supreme Court whether it is Finance Bill or not. The House of Representatives, Lower House of Parliament, passed the Citizenship Bill in the 18th session of parliament as the Finance Bill despite objection from all opposition parties. The Bill had been sent to the Royal Palace for His Majesty's assent on December 1, 2000. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 states that the King has to give assent on the Finance Bill when it is presented to the King after approval from parliament. It is the first time that His Majesty the King has sought advice of Supreme Court on any Bill. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal in its Article 68(3) describes the Finance Bill in this way: Finance Bill means a Bill concerning any or all of the following subjects: i) the imposition, collection, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of taxes; ii) the preservation of the Consolidated Fund or any other Government Fund, the deposit of moneys into and the appropriation or the withdrawal of moneys from such Funds, or the reduction, increment or cancellation of appropriations or of proposed expenditures from such Funds. iii) the regulation of matter relating to the raising of loans or the giving of guarantees by His Majesty's Government, or any matter pertaining to amendment of the laws concerning the financial liabilities undertaken or to be undertaken by His Majesty's Government iv) the custody and investment of all revenues received by any Government Fund, moneys acquired through the repayment of loans, and grant moneys; or audits of the accounts of His Majesty's Government. His Majesty the King can send any other Bills
except Finance Bill to parliament for reconsideration if His Majesty is not
convinced with the justification of any provision of the Bill. The Citizenship Bill was unanimously passed by the Lower House and sent to the Upper House for its approval. However, the Upper House rejected the Bill saying it was against national interest as well as the spirit of the constitution. When the same Bill was presented in the House of Representatives as a Finance Bill for voting, opposition parties boycotted the House opposing the Bill. However, the Bill was passed by majority and directly sent to the Royal Palace for His Majesty's assent. The Citizenship Bill seeks to give citizenship by descent to those even if their parents were not born in Nepal. This provision has drawn flak from opposition parties and civil society. Supreme Court is to debate on the Bill on March 4 in a special bench, according to spokesman of the Supreme Court. Nepalnews.com yl Upper House adjourned due to opposition boycott Kathmandu, Feb 20: Opposition parties boycotted the meeting of National Assembly, Upper House of Parliament, Tuesday demanding resignation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, which forced the chairman of the National Assembly to adjourn the meeting of Upper House at the absence of opposition lawmakers. Surendra Pandey of main opposition CPN-UML raised the issue of Lauda Air deal and demanded resignation of Prime Minister Koirala. Pandey alleged that Prime Minister Koirala was involved in the controversial Lauda Air deal and announced his party's decision to boycott Tuesday's meeting of the National Assembly. Other opposition parties followed suit. As the opposition bench was empty, Chairman Dr Mohammad Mohsin adjourned the House until 22nd of February. Nepalnews.com yl
|
|
|
