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Kathmandu Saturday August 26, 2000 Bhadra 10, 2057.
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Mori completes historic visit
Pledges assistance; Calls for expansion of Security Council
By Damakant Jayshi
KATHMANDU, Aug 25 - The prime ministers of Nepal and Japan called for the
expansion of the United Nations Security Council without further delay here today on the
occasion of the latter’s historic visit to the country.
Both Girija Prasad Koirala and Yoshiro Mori were in agreement that the
Security Council needed to be expanded in both permanent as well as non-permanent
categories. At present, there are five permanent members and 10 non-permanent ones, which
are elected for a term of two years. The issue is likely to be raised in the UN Millennium
Summit at New York on September 6-8.
Though widely believed that Japan would be seeking Nepal’s support for
its candidature in the Security Council, Mori did not mention the issue during the
meeting. "Our PM did not ask for Nepal’s support to its claim to a permanent
seat in the SC," clarified Ryuichiro Yamazaki, press secretary of Yoshiro Mori.
Yamazaki was addressing the press after Mori’s luncheon meeting with PM Koirala.
The expansion of the Security Council to include ‘new powers’ such
as Japan, India and Germany has been suggested by various fora.
Narayan Shumsher Thapa, Secretary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it
at a separate press briefing at Shital Niwas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both the sides described the visit as "satisfactory and fruitful"
and the talks between the two leaders as "comprehensive and constructive". The
purpose of Mori’s visit was "to strengthen the good rapport and facilitate the
exchange of views" between the two countries.
The upcoming visit of Crown Prince Dipendra to Japan is another opportunity
to further enhance the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries, Mori was
quoted.
In response to Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori’s request to ratify CTBT,
Narayan Shumsher Thapa said, "Nepal has already signed the Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty and is in the process of ratifying it."
During prime ministerial meeting, Mori called for Nepal’s ratification
of CTBT. "If Nepal did so, it would send a strong message to India," he said.
Both India and Pakistan are yet to sign CTBT, despite strong international pressure.
During the meeting with Mori, Prime Minister Koirala requested for
Japan’s cooperation in solving the Bhutanese refugees issue, which has become a major
problem for Nepal, especially since India insists it to be a bilateral issue.
Mori replied that he had discussed the problem with Sadako Ogata, High
Commissioner at UNHCR. Yamazaki said Japan pledged 1.3 million dollars for the refugees
and another one million dollars for food under World Food Programme.
Koirala was asked to ensure an improved law and order situation in the
country. "Prime Minister Mori has requested security and safety for the Japanese
volunteers working in various projects throughout Nepal," said Yamazaki. Foreign
Secretary Thapa said that there were about 300 such volunteers working in Maoist-affected
areas in Nepal.
The Japanese Prime Minister also pledged to 'energise SAARC'. He has also put
forward a proposal to set up a Japan-SAARC Special Fund to invite people from the South
Asia region to participate in seminars in Japan.
Prime Minister Mori’s visit has highlighted IT sector, as it was
announced today that 50 Nepali youth would be provided IT training in Japan under
"Mori Fellowship". Besides, five thousand youth would also be invited under
educational and cultural exchange programme from the South Asian region.
Japan has also pledged a number of economic assistance for Nepal, according
to which Nepal will get a grant of Rs 1.14 billion rupees during the Japanese fiscal year
for construction of primary schools under Basic and Primary Education Programme II and as
debt relief measures. Japan has also announced grant amount of 300 thousand dollars for
the relief of flood victims.
In a major achievement, Japan has also promised to help Nepal in its river
management ("flood control and declamation of land for agricultural purposes"),
construction of bridges in rural areas and an alternative roads between Kathmandu and the
Terai region.
Earlier, after being received by Koirala, Mori was given a guard of honour at
the airport. All along the route he travelled, Mori was greeted by cheering school
children and adults alike waving Nepalese and Japanese flags.
After an audience with His Majesty the King, Mori
was seen off by Koirala and his ministers.
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