Standing Committee meet takes up provisional agenda

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KATHMANDU, Dec 30 – The 27th Standing Committee of the Foreign Secretaries of SAARC began on Sunday in "cordial atmosphere" with all the seven secretaries adopting the provisional agenda. In the next two days, the committee would deliberate on the items mentioned in the agenda.

The meeting began today, said Spokesperson for the 11th Summit Pushkar Rajbhandari of Nepal, with the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary G Wijesiri handing the committee Chair to Nepal’s Acting Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya.

Among the agenda discussed today were the SAARC Secretary General’s report on the activities of the SAARC Secretariat, and the report of the Programming Committee that presented its report today after two days of discussions. The Standing Committee also reviewed the functioning of the integrated programme of action, regional mechanism and co-operation on poverty alleviation, report of the Group of Eminent Persons (GEP), progress on the economic co-operation including SAFTA, WTO and tourism and co-operation with other regional organisations.

Today’s meeting started late as Indian Foreign Secretary Chokila Iyer’s flight was delayed today and was going on at the time of the media briefing. Iyer was scheduled to have arrived yesterday but her flight was cancelled, revealed Rajbhandari. The Joint Secretary also said that the Standing Committee was likely to discuss tariff, debt and marketing, among others, while deliberating on SAFTA and WTO.

CPN-UML, ML set to reunite

By Gopal Khanal

KATHMANDU, Dec 30 - Nearly three years after splitting into two independent parties, the main opposition CPN-UML and the breakaway group CPN-ML are set to reunite.

Top leaders of the two parties have been holding marathon talks in the past two weeks to reunite the two parties within the next three months. CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal played host to the first meeting while CPN-ML General Secretary Bam Dev Gautam’s house will be the venue for the meeting planned in the next few days.

Party leaders, talking on the condition of anonymity, told The Kathmandu Post that both the parties have learnt the lesson from the split. CPN-ML was wiped out in the parliamentary election while CPN-UML lost a good portion of its cadre base and support.

A proposal is being considered which would give CPN-ML a third of the strength in the united party. From the powerful Central Committee to the grassroots village committees, CPN-ML would get a third of the seats and not the 40 percent as demanded by them.

A 40 percent strength in the united party would still give the CPN-ML people an option to split once again. Regulations require that if a group within a party wants to split then they need to have the support of at least 40 percent of the central committee.

At present CPN-UML has 43 members in the Central Committee and if the reunification proposal was to materialize, then 21 members from the CPN-ML would be added.

The reunification is expected to take place before the seventh General Convention of the party slated in less than a year. The talks of reunification has been possible due to the present situation and some flexibility shown by CPN-UML leadership, the leaders said.

The mother party has now agreed that it would be okay for the splinter group to voice their protests on the Mahakali Treaty and their difference of opinion on their stance towards the United States and India even after joining the mother party.

Previously they had been rigid and suggested that CPN-ML would have to silently merge and they would not get a voice or strength in the party. Differences in the party emerged in 1996 when the faction led by Nepal voted in favour of the Mahakali Integrated Treaty backing the government while the other faction led by Gautam opted to protest it.

Just months before the 1999 general election, the party formally broke into two. And the two parties contested against each other in the election that gave the Nepali Congress a majority winning 113 of the total 205 seats. Though CPN-ML did get around six percent of the total votes in the nation, none of their candidates were elected and even their leaders faced a humiliating defeat.

Even now, leaders like Chandra Prakash Mainali are expected to stay away from the reunification. On the CPN-UML side, hard-liners like Khadga Prasad Oli are still suggesting that there should be a merger and not reunification allocating a third of the strength and position to the other group. Suggestions have also been made that both parties dissolve their central committees and then form a general convention preparation committee to make the required decisions.

The united party would then begin a "pragmatic dialogue" even with the Maoist rebels waging a guerrilla war and try to convince their supporters and cadres to leave the violent path and come under the present democratic system.

In Dhankuta, CPN-UML’s central leader Pradip Nepal said he was surprised to hear the news on the possible reunification of the two parties and said conspiracies were being brewed against the CPN-UML.

On the contrary his colleague Amrit Bohara admitted the process of reunification had taken a leap forward.

10 more rebels die in encounter

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KATHMANDU, Dec 30- Security forces, continuing to intensify the crackdown on Maoists, gunned down at least 10 "terrorists" and arrested 37 suspects across the country on Saturday, said a press statement issued here today by the Defence Ministry.

In Chaumala, Kailali district, two Maoists were shot dead by the armed forces following a heavy exchange of fire. The joint security forces of the Royal Nepal Army and the Armed Police Force also seized five guns from the site, said the release. Meanwhile, our Dhangadi-based correspondent said that three more rebels were killed in Gadariya Village Development Committee (VDC) of the same district.

In another clash, two rebels were killed by the armed forces in Baluwa VDC, Kavrepalanchowk. One of the slain was identified as Min Bahadur Tamang, district commander of the rebels. The security forces also recovered large cache of arms and ammunition from the site, according to the release.

One more rebel was shot dead in Gorakhani, Solukhumbu, by the armed forces in an encounter. The security forces also seized 62 guns, large stock of explosive materials, and rebel documents from the site, added the release.

The release also said the armed forces in Patle, Okhaldhunga, shot dead another rebel in a clash.

One more Maoist fell to the armed forces’ fire Dhunche, Rasuwa, while trying to flee detention. The slain has been identified as Bir Bahadur Moktan, said the release.

Meanwhile in another press statement, issued by the Home Ministry, it is said that at least 50 suspected rebels were arrested throughout the country today.

The Home Ministry also said that Maoists killed a civilian, Mahadutta Sapkota, of Tara Khola, Baglung. And in Thansingh VDC, Nuwakot, the rebels shot dead a retired policeman, Ramnath GC, according to the release. A group of armed rebels also burnt down the unmanned police post in Ranimatta, Dailekh, the release added.

Meanwhile, our Syangja-based correspondent said that a woman who allegedly defied the curfew imposed by the local administration was shot dead in Syangja Bazar, headquarters of Syangja by the army personnel.

Lack of staff, fund crippling NHRC

By Kiran Chapagain

KATHMANDU, Dec 30 – Nepal’s only high-level human rights watchdog, National Human Rights Commission, and the government are at loggerheads with the latter’s cool response to the Commission’s demands.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has not been performing as expected due to the lack of required manpower and financial crunch, according to Nain Bahadur Khatri, chairman of NHRC.

Even after one year of its establishment, NHRC has not been able to gear up due to the government’s reluctance to provide enough manpower and budget, Khatri told The Kathmandu Post.

"We have been frequently asking the government to provide staff but the government has not taken any actions yet," Khatri said.

Lack of joint secretaries and undersecretaries has seriously affected the administrative works of the Commission. The joint secretaries are supposed to head the four different divisions in the office, with the same number of undersecretaries as their deputies. But with the government yet to fill the vacant posts, the NHRC chairman and four of its members themselves are busy looking after its administration. Besides these high-level staff, NHRC also needs 25 more junior staffs out of the 46 staff required to run the office.

"The government has provided only five section officers with others being temporary staff," NHRC official said.

NHRC officials say that they have repeatedly put forward their demands to the government, which is yet to take any actions. Spokesman of the Ministry of General Administration Padam Raj Regmi clearly stated his inability to provide these staff.

"We are not in a position to provide the number of staff demanded by the NHRC," Regmi said, adding, "More than that, there is no clarity that who is responsible for supplying the manpower to the office."

But NHRC officials blame the government for its inefficiency. "The government should make arrangements for the manpower supply," Khatri said. "The government always says no."

Soon after its establishment, NHRC had suggested the government to provide 78 staff to run the office smoothly.

This has not only hindered the administrative works of the office but has also affected various projects, designed by the Commission. "We are failing to implement five capacity building projects given by the United Nations Development Programme due to lack of manpower," said Dr. Das. UNDP has provided US dollars 11,000 for this three-year project supposed to begin from November this year.

The project aims to promote human rights, improving administration management of the NHRC research and policy making and educating and informing people about human rights in the country.

Not only does NHRC lack manpower, but it also lacks budget. "The government has allocated Rs. 5 million only for the whole year, which is not sufficient even to meet the present expenses of the office," said Dr. Gauri Shankar Lal Das, a NHRC member.

"The amount we are getting is just 33 percent of the total amount needed to run the office," says chairman Khatri. He said that the annual budget required for NHRC is Rs. 26.7 million.

Despite all these problems, NHRC chairman Khatri is quite hopeful after his delegation met with the Prime Minister about a week ago. "We are hopeful the government will allocate the required budget in the proposed supplementary budget," Khatri expressed his optimism.

Gurungs go gaga at Tamu Lhosar

By Perina Pathak

KATHMANDU, Dec 30 – Madhav Kumar Nepal and Surya Bahadur Thapa, leaders of the main opposition CPN (UML) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party respectively, had a field day Saturday when they had a rare opportunity to dance with the people from the Gurung community.

Nepal looked radiant in the usual Nepali Daura Suruwal while his partner, a middle-aged woman, wore a contrasting Makhamali Choli and Chhit ko Gunyo, combined with Gharel on the head and Dhungri on the ear. And Thapa, who was also in Daura Suruwal, took the centre stage, dancing with Gurung man and woman.

Both Nepal and Thapa were the centre of attractions at the premises of the ex-army organisation at Pulchowk where hundreds of people belonging to the Gurung community celebrated Tamu Lhosar, their biggest festival. With this festivity, the Gurung community also welcomed their New Year.

Not only women, even the men present at the celebration looked different in their traditional attires Reng (Bhangra) Kachhad, Khu and Bakkhu, which has become a rare sight in the cities these days.

Hundreds of people from the Gurung community danced in the music of traditional instruments like Damphu, Khaichadi, Madal and Majhura.

"It is very important festival of the Gurung community, which is more fun if celebrate in a group," one of the participants Maya Gurung said, in a festive mood. The celebration got a further boost with the government announcing a holiday for the people from Gurung community.

Lhosar, which means New Year, are of three types. Sonam Lhosar and Gyalbo Lhosar are observed according to Tibetan lunar calendar and are celebrated by people from Tamang and Sherpa community respectively while Gurungs celebrate Tamu Lhosar.

According to Prof. Gajman Gurung, Tamu Lhosar every year falls on Poush 15 as per the lunar calendar. "From today, the day becomes long and the night short," he said.

Gurung says that the festival is basically related to the time as per the solar system. "But now, the system does not resemble because scientists have declared December 23 as the longest night."

From today, the Lo (horoscope) has changed from serpent to horse. According to Sino–Tibetan astrological system, there are twelve Lo (mouse, bull/cow, tiger, rabbit/cat, dragon/divine eagle, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, hen, dog, pig) and the whole year is called a Lo. The astrological name of this year is horse, which comes after every twelve years.

Gurung community celebrates Tamu Lhosar eating delicacies, wearing new clothes and visiting friends and relatives to receive blessings from the elders of the family.

At the function held today, people involved in mass prayers on which both elders and young participated with equal enthusiasm while children from different schools performed a cultural programme.

Addressing the people there, Nepal said that the country is popular for its multicultural and multilingual society. "So, the peace and harmony between all the communities for the development of this country," Nepal said.

RPP president Thapa said, "Because of multicultural country, different communities could not rise and develop themselves, so unity is very necessary for the development of the country."

Gurungs later recognised Govind Bahadur Gurung, 76, as a pride of the community by felicitating his contribution as a folk singer in Radio Nepal since its establishment.

New Year’s Eve in the time of Emergency

By Ranjana Pradhan

KATHMANDU, Dec 30 – It’s that time of the year again. With 2002 knocking at the door, people from all walks of life in the capital are happily making plans for the New Year’s Eve bash. And everyone seems to have a different and more special way of kissing the last day of 2001goodbye.

The premier hotels and resorts are scrambling over each other with "great offers". The game to woo the Eve revellers has started in right earnest, and each "package" seems more tempting than the other.

The capital’s Star hotels—The Everest, Radisson, Hyatt, Annapurna, among others—have all got some special plans to wow the guests. If it’s the gyrations of an Egyptian belle dancer that’s going to blow the mind of the crowd at The Everest, then a band from Mumbai, Groove Suppa, will be dictating the terms in Radisson. As for Hyatt (Rox), it has gone for local flavour, and it will be the Red Sky Walkers from Kathmandu who will make ‘em dance.

But this being the first New Year’s Eve during an emergency, the hotels have had to make contingency plans. To make it groovy for the partygoers, some of the hotels are offering rooms at "low" and "lucky draw prizes". So you can stay back and not worry about the security checks while driving back home, drunk.

Most of the hotels are expecting around 400-500 party people for the big night.

"We are the first ones to come up with the idea of this night package. I am sure it is going to help a lot of people to stay out of trouble after the enormous amount of partying," says Abhijit Chaturvedi, Manager, Food and Beverage (F&B) Department at Annapurna Hotel.

But there are many who have no plans to spend the last night of 2001 partying in a hotel. Rajendra Khetan, a noted businessman, says he will stay back home with his three-year-old daughter and have a "simple" and "cosy" night. "I feel more secure that way and don’t want to take the trouble of being checked a thousand times if I go out. This New Year’s Eve will be different," he says.

Indeed, it will be different, but in an altogether different way for one of the capital’s Star hotels—The Soaltee Crown Plaza. With the hotel playing host to the SAARC dignitaries, there won’t be much of a bash on December 31 night. The hotel’s ballrooms have all been booked for the Summit. "We will only be holding a small musical event at the Gardener’s restaurant this time," says one of its workers.

But in many ways, the partying will be at a low-key. The emergency and the upcoming SAARC Summit will keep most of the people home, glued to the TV sets or enjoying a quiet drink with family and friends.

Artist Ragini Upadhyay says the present situation "forbids" her from letting her hair loose in one of the city’s party hotspots. She says, "This year’s celebration is going to be different for me. I will be going out to dine but will be back before eight. I shall spend the remaining time at home."

But whether at home, at a hotel or in the wintry outdoors, everyone will be ushering in the New Year in their own special way. Let the party go on.

Maoists force 100s to flee their villages in Baglung

By Lal Prasad Sharma

PARBAT, Dec 30 - Around 100 people of Tarakhola VDC in Baglung district have fled to the district headquarters of Baglung after the Maoist rebels shot dead four people in a series of attacks over the last few days. Almost all the men have fled their homes except for women and children, locals said.

The locals, who arrived in the district headquarters fearing for their lives, said that the rebels did not even allow them to cremate the body of Moha Datta Sapkota, 23, of the same VDC-2, who was shot dead on Friday. The rebels killed Sapkota, who had returned home just a few weeks ago from foreign employment, because they failed to locate his father’s whereabouts, it is learnt. With everybody scared of the consequences they might have to face from the rebels, Sapkota’s body was lying on the ground unattended till Sunday.

Many of the residents are now without shelter. Like Tirkharam Gharti, 82, from VDC-8, and his wife, who is biding their time in Baglung bazaar without any roof over their heads. The octogenarian may never have thought that such an unfortunate state of affairs would one day come to pass.

Around 200 armed Maoists have been attacking the people of the VDC over the last two weeks. Besides killing the four people, the rebels also have been bombing and looting some of the shops and houses in the area.

The locals also said that the security forces have not yet gone into the area despite pleas to the local authorities. More than five dozen victims have appealed to the local administration to provide them security, shelter and food, in the wake of the Maoist retaliation.

Chairman of the VDC, Danda Pani Kandel, who has been taking refuge in Baglung for the last two years due to Maoist threat, said that as many as 65 locals have been in touch with him since they left their villages.

Most of the people fleeing their homes for fear of their lives are members and sympathisers of the ruling Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN-ML and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

Hari Subedi from VDC-6 told The Kathmandu Post that the rebels looted his property worth 700,000 rupees. "I am now penniless and have nowhere to go," said Subedi who is staying away from his village and family due to Maoist threats.

Khadka asks ministers, CWC members to resign

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KATHMANDU, Dec 30 – As a solution to defuse the growing rift in the ruling Nepali Congress, a senior minister today claimed that he has proposed ministers and members of the Central Working Committee (CWC) to resign.

Minister for Home Khum Bahadur Khadka told reporters that he has presented his proposal to the party president Girija Prasad Koirala and asked him to seek the resignation to ease the situation in the party.

The new Cabinet and CWC would be formed in agreement and consensus of the two factions in the party. Koirala has been accused on appointing his close aides and supporters to key party positions and the CWC while Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba appointed his close supporters to the government, which has 41 members.

"If such an arrangement can be made, there would be no need for a jumbo cabinet," Khadka said.

Sources in the government said that only informal discussions have been held and the proposal is yet to be fully considered by the party.

‘SAARC should address human development’

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KATHMANDU, Dec 30 – Former General Secretary of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Yadav Kanta Silwal, said here today that the forthcoming SAARC Summit should address the problem of lack of progress in the region’s "human development".

"The forthcoming Summit should work towards achieving progress in human development since there has been little progress made in the field since the establishment of SAARC in 1985," Silwal said.

Silwal also said that despite SAARC facing a crisis, it has been able to make some progress in certain areas. "Though there is tension and crisis in SAARC, the member countries in the past had arrived at consensus on certain issues, this shows that we share a common future," said the former General Secretary.

Silwal was speaking at a talk programme on the problem of terrorism in South Asia and the ways to find peace and stability. The programme was organised by the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES).

Sailendra Kumar Upadhyay, former Foreign Minister, expressing his grievances over the spread of terrorism in South Asia, said that terrorism cannot be rooted out from the region unless the governments follow the "people’s consent". "Terrorism cannot be tamed by suppression," he said.

In his remarks, Hiranya Lal Shrestha, a foreign affairs expert, said the SAARC summit should work towards founding a human rights tribunal in the region. Shrestha also underlined a need to start "anti-terrorism courses" in the region’s educational institutions.

Sarita Giri of South Asia for Human Rights, said the existing institutions and laws to combat terrorism have not delivered the desired results. "The time has come to form new anti-terrorism institutions and laws."

Krishna Pahadi, Chairman of HURPES, urged the member countries to ratify the International Criminal Court Statute in the coming Summit. Pahadi also demanded that India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives ought to abolish death penalty from their countries. Nepal is the only country in the region which has abolished the capital penalty.

Shankar Kumar Shrestha, Secretary at the National Human Rights Commission, said the regional summit should give top priority to the issue of terrorism.

Rajesh Gautam, Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, said that the SAARC member states must try to find the root causes of terrorism in the region before taking any action to wipe it out.