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| Kathmandu, Thursday May 16, 2002 Jestha 02, 2059. |
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PM hints emergency will not be
extended
Post Report
KATHMANDU, May 15 : Prime Minister Sher Bahadur
Deuba on Wednesday clearly indicated that the government might not make any moves to
extend the ongoing state of emergency which is coming to an end on May 24.
"It isn’t necessary that we need
emergency to combat terrorism. Still I will be holding talks with others (on the
issue)," said Deuba, adding that he was not in a position to say anything at this
moment. He was talking to the media at the Tribhuvan International Airport after
completing his 10-day visit to the USA and UK which was focussed on soliciting support
against the Maoists.
While briefing the media about his visit which
he termed "fruitful", Deuba said it had two objectives: to garner logistics
support for the security forces and seek developmental assistance for the alleviation of
poverty in the country. He added that both US President George W. Bush and British Prime
Minister Tony Blair assured him of help "to defeat terrorism". He also said that
he might visit China and Russia to seek their help to combat terrorism.
Replying to a question on the specific US
military aid to Nepal, the PM said that it would depend on the report of the US military
assessment team that visited Nepal recently. He said the report would be submitted
"soon". He denied there was any foreign intervention in Nepal as alleged by some
political party leaders including his own party president Girija Prasad Koirala and leader
of the main opposition and General Secretary of the CPN (UML). He also reiterated that no
foreign troops would be allowed in Nepal.
In reply to a question on the agenda of his
meeting with India’s Chief of Army Staff General S Padmanabhan, Deuba said it would
centre around Maoist issue. "If terrorism is not wiped out in Nepal, it will affect
the whole of South Asia," said the PM, adding that India had helped Nepal with
helicopters and big vehicles. Some time back, there were reports in the India media that
India had given 20 truck loads of sophisticated weaponry. The supply also includes
armoured vehicles.
While in the US, Deuba said he raised the issue
of quota for Nepali exporters. "We are talking about it." In the UK, he said he
raised the pension problem of the British Gurkhas and he met MPs from both the House of
Lords and the House of Commons.
He handed over His Majesty King Gyanendra’s
invitations to Bush and Blair to visit Nepal.
In New York, the PM also addressed the UN
Special Session on Children on May 9.
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