Rebel whereabouts likely to be made public

By Suman Pradhan

KATHMANDU, Nov 2 As the deadline set by the rebel Maoists loom near, the government has made up its mind to make public the whereabouts of captured rebel guerrillas, including one of their top field commanders Dinesh Sharma.

The Home Ministry has been working feverishly to prepare a list of all captured Maoist rebels and where they are lodged among the dozens of jails throughout the kingdom. The exercise has been continuing for some days inside the Ministry, and now the government is prepared to release the list, a top official familiar with the developments told The Kathmandu Post on Thursday.

"The government is in the mood to make public the list of captured rebels and where they are lodged," the official said. "There is a high possibility that it could be released by the deadline set by the Maoist leadership."

Maoist leader "Comrade Prachanda," in a statement released Wednesday, issued an ultimatum to the government to make public the whereabouts of Dinesh Sharma and other captured rebels by 3 p.m. Friday. Or else, Prachanda warned, the rebel group would construe the government's non-compliance as a rejection of peace overtures.

While the Girija Prasad Koirala government is almost agreeing to the Maoists' demand regarding its captured colleagues, it has yet to make up its mind whether or not to upgrade the recent "unofficial" talks between Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel and Maoist central committee member Rabindra Shrestha to the "official" status.

"We would want to continue the unofficial rounds a little more before deciding on making it official," the official said.

The reason for such ambivalence is that, once given the official stamp, the talks between the DPM and rebels could turn out to be a catalyst in the rebels' attempt to raise funds, buy arms, and most important of all, in their fresh recruitment drive.

"The Maoists could point to the official contact and tell potential recruits, 'see we are talking officially with the government. We are no different from the government. There is no harm in joining us'," the official explained. "That could be a major boost to the Maoist morale."

Meanwhile, there are reports that top Maoist leaders have managed to establish contact with no less a person as Prime Minister Koirala himself. The report, as yet, is unverified, but it has been known that in recent days, the rebel group has been trying to develop several channels of communication with the nation's political leadership.

Govt rolls out aid package for rebel areas

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 2 - Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel today announced a Rs. 190 million development package for the five Maoist-affected hill districts of the mid-western region. The districts include, Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Kalikot and Jajarkot.

At a press conference held here today, DPM Poudel said that the Integrated Development Programme will start as soon as possible and that local governments, political party workers and security personnel including the army will be mobilized to ensure the success of the programme.

"We have finally decided to push ahead with the programme," Poudel who is also looking after the Home and Local Development Portfolios, told reporters. "The programme will start from tomorrow...The main objective of the programme is to carry out participatory development programmes in these districts.

According to him, the amount in the "Basket Fund" is a result of donations from the Prime Minister's Assistance Fund, District Development Committees (DDCs)' and Village Development Committees (VDCs)' annual budgets, and the funds of Members of Parliament from the respected districts.

Under the programme, Rs 39.8 million will be spent in Rukum, Rs 40 million in Rolpa, Rs 42 million in Jajarkot, Rs 32.5 million in Kalikot and 35.8 million in Salyan district.

DPM Poudel who personally visited the Maoist hotbed area two months ago, said that the government came up with the idea of the Basket Fund to bring an end to the "inefficiency and ineffectiveness in the scattered development projects there".

"The projects--such as construction works of the Karnali Highway and other infrastructure projects--will be overseen by representatives of the local people such as the VDC and DDC executives and government officials, that way there will be less chance of irregularities," Poudel said when asked what the government has done to ensure correct utilization of the fund.

He also said that 1,000 quintals of food under Food for Work Programme will be dispatched to the impoverished hill districts, and that the programme will generate more employment opportunities for the locals.

Deuba alleges irregularity, Acharya refutes

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 2 - In a no holds barred speech, former Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Nepali Congress party Sher Bahadur Deuba Thursday accused party president and Prime Minister G P Koirala of indulging in irregularities in the preparation of list of active members of the party.

The active membership controversy has been raging within the ruling party just a few months before the 10th General Convention of the party in Pokhara in January where the party's president will be elected. Deuba is likely to contest Koirala for the post. It is the active members who will elect the party president.

In Kathmandu district alone, 618 active members have been denied renewal while 938 new members have been included in the list.

"Can anything be done without the connivance of the party president?" said Deuba, adding "The NC president has actively encouraged the anomalies to suit his own ends." "When I went to check the list, I was told there were no records or files."

Deuba said further that elected district committees were dissolved to "appease an individual's wishes", without clarifying whom he meant. "The central leadership is "nakedly" interfering in party's affairs in the districts. Even the agreements reached in the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the party are being ignored. What happened to the agreement between Bhattarai and Koirala?"

The former Prime Minister also criticised the party leadership for sidelining dissenting partymen and leaders.

"Unhealthy hunger for power is increasing among the party leaders," said Bhattarai, senior leader and former president of the party. "People may earn money by unscrupulous means but that money cannot be allowed to influence party decisions." He, however, clearly indicated that he would not become Prime Minister or party president even if offered by Koirala.

Bhattarai declined to comment on the active membership controversy nor on the rumoured changes in the Council of Ministers.

Former finance and foreign minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said the party constitution has vested too much power in the president's hands. "During the Panchayti era it was all right for the party president to concentrate all power in him but times have changed now. This should change now."

They were speaking at a meet organised by NC's student wing, Nepal Students Union (NSU) to discuss the challenges of the upcoming 8th General Convention of NSU.

When contacted, Narhari Acharya, NC spokesman, said: "I do not think Deuba could make such a statement (alleging irregularities in the list) since he himself was present at the CWC meetings where the process to finalise the names of active members was agreed upon even by Deuba. The work has progressed according to the agreement."

Acharya added that now they (the Deuba camp) wanted the process to be changed, which was against the agreements reached in the 38th (Aug 29-30) and 39th (Oct 22nd) CWC meets.

Meanwhile, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki and Bimalendra Nidhi have resigned as members from the NC Central Election Committee. Karki had, earlier in the day at the programme, hinted that he would resign as he was unable to prevent the anomalies regarding active membership issue. Previously, Hari Nath Bastola, a member of the Active Membership Investigation Committee too had resigned from his post Tuesday, saying that the regulations of CWC was not followed by the Committee while investigating active members.

Charisma could decide tight US elections

By Akhilesh Upadhyay

NEW YORK, Nov 2 - If Gore goes on to lose the presidential race, blame it on his personality flaw.

Everything has been served him on a platter. As the deputy to President Clinton, he has overseen the most prosperous period in American history. In the last eight years he has been in office, the unemployment rate climbed down to an all-time low, the economy is booming and America is the world's undisputed super power.

Yet Gov. George W. Bush, very thin on experience and a political lightweight, keeps coming back. Some polls even give the Texan a narrow lead in the closest presidential race since 1960. Can anybody explain? Has the American voter lost his/her mind?

"Bush is taking a page from Reagan," said Mike Adams, a feature editor with The Baltimore Sun, referring to former US President Ronald Reagan. "He puts his arm round you, sticks to simple speeches, comes up with simplistic answers. Gore, on the other hand, gets so deep on issues, the voter loses interest."

When Gore started leading in polls after the Democratic Convention in September, Democrats were relieved. Many thought the inevitable had happened. He looked by far better suited for the Oval Office. And that was that. Then the lead, never solid, suddenly began to slip.

"We have never liked 'intellectual candidates,'" said Maria Yoo, 22, a New York University Student. "Gore gets really excited during the debates. Bush is relaxed. But I am definitely going to vote for Gore." Her choice for Gore, she explained, is very much issue-based, adding Gore is "pro-choice" - supporting women's right to abortion. If people like John F. Kennedy, Reagan and Bush do well in the polls, according to her, "it must be because of their entertainment value. Kennedy wasn't around for even a full single term and people call him the greatest president."

Much like her, the Gore campaign was hoping its message would make a mark on the voter after three presidential debates in October, where the vastly experienced vice president was expected to deliver fatal blows to Gov. Bush. Independent analysts agree Gore delivered some solid sound bites during the three debates. His foreign policy pronouncements were sound, his education programs were less patchy and he seemed to have betterí¬and well-versed answers to almost everything.   But subsequent polls hardly reflected any surge toward the vice president.

"That's Gore's real problem," said Adams. "Ask Gore the color of the sky, and he won't say it's blue. His answers are very complex and complicated for the average American who is not looking for details from his leader but simple assurances."  Bush on the other hand, said Adams, delivers feel-good sound bites in simple terms and keeps away from exhaustive details. "It took sometime for people to figure that out. And everyone said he was stupid. He is running a smart campaign."

Though Americans greatly value grasp of policies in their leaders, they haven't always based their decision solely on issues raised by candidates.

In 1952 the Princeton-educated Adlai Stevenson, who considered personalities irrelevant, and focussed on issues-lost to World War II hero Dwight Eisenhower, who was far less comfortable on policy matters. Among recent presidents, Ronald Reagan stands out as a master of touches, with aversion to nitty-gritty.

Jounrnalists who covered White House during Reagan's presidency say he would point out to a second journalist before the first one could pin him down for details and specifics.

Many, including Reagan's Democratic rival in 1984 Walter Mondale, reckon the president seeking his second term in office delivered a knockout punch during a television debate when a journalist reminded him that he was already the oldest president in history. "I am not going to exploit,"replied Reagan, "for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience."

Many think that really hurt Mondale. Reagan went on to register a landslide victory. But the presidential debate that captivated the American people, and established the value of charisma in the presidential race, was that of 1960.

Young and handsome Democratic Senator John F. Kennedy turned the table upside down during the debates against Vice President Richard Nixon. "His (Bush's) likable manner should not lead voters to gloss over the shaky grasp of policy..." wrote The Philadelphia Inquirer in its October 28 editorial endorsing Gore. Another major newspaper, The Denver Post said the two were "equally matched" in their appeal for average voters but urged voters to choose Gore who has "made a better case" of issues.

After cold-shouldering him for months, the Gore campaign has now asked President Clinton, who has tons of charisma himself, to join the Democratic campaign trail. Unlike Gore, Clinton resonates well with the public, said Adams. "When the Senate decided not to throw him out of office in the impeachment trial on the Lewinsky sex scandal, it was because of his public ratings."

Among other things, President Clinton is now trying to enenrgize black voters. Analysts say a high black turn out could prove crucial to tilt the 2000 election in Democrats' favor.

NEA, US company sign deal

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 2 - A partnership agreement was reached today between Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the U.S.-based Tacoma Power and Wisconsin Electric under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/United States Energy Association (USEA) energy partnership program.

Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Bishnu Bam Malla, Steven Klein of Tacoma Power and Richard White of Wisconsin Electric signed what officials described as a historic agreement during a function here Thursday evening.

"This energy initiative will promote sustainable energy development by bringing together energy sector officials from the region to share experiences and discuss ways to cooperate on energy matters," U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, Ralph Frank said.

"By setting the groundwork for cross-border cooperation, and eventual trade in energy, this program will stimulate regional economic growth," he added.

Ambassador Frank also noted that during his recent visit to South Asia, President Clinton announced the start of a new U.S. government sponsored South Asia Regional Initiative for energy cooperation between Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

Officials said the partnership will provide a basis for the sharing and transfer of knowledge of market-based energy production, transmission, distribution and regulation between the U.S. partners and NEA. The utility partnership is for a two-year period and is being funded by USAID and private sector in-kind contributions.

Minister of State for Water Resources Ram Bahadur Gurung, Executive Director of USEA Barry Worthington and other high ranking officials were also present at the function.