Nation condemns Maoists
Deuba escapes assassination bid

From Mohan Budhayer in Dhangadi & Post News Team in Kathmandu

Aug 25 : Former Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba narrowly escaped an assassination bid by a group of Maoists who opened fire on his speeding motorcade near the jungle of Amkhaiya in the Pahalmanpur Village Development Committee this afternoon.

The incident has ignited indignant fury and all-round condemnation across all party lines and throughout the Kingdom, and has also cast a spell on the ongoing peace process with ‘Maoist Sincerity’ being questioned now. The government and all political parties have condemned the Maoists for resorting to the "dastardly" act.

At the time of the shooting, Deuba was returning to Nepalgunj in his vehicle along with an escort of security personnel after participating in his party’s zonal-level meetings of Mahakali and Seti Zones in Dhangadi and Mahendranagar.

Talking to The Kathmandu Post over telephone, Deuba said, "This is a terrorist-style attempt on the life of a person involved in party programmes." He added, "I am not upset with this incident. I will continue with my scheduled programmes. I am going to Dang to attend a programme tomorrow. This incident shows the real face of the Maoists."

Security officials in the far-western region are learnt to have advised Deuba not to travel in the Maoist-affected districts such as Dang and Kailali. It may be recalled that five Maoists were shot dead in a security action at Masuriya a few days ago.

Meanwhile, issuing a press statement in Kathmandu today, the Home Ministry said that Maoist rebels were responsible for attacking former Prime Minister Deuba. The Ministry said that Deuba and the escorting team both are safe though the vehicle he was travelling in was slightly damaged by bullets.

The statement also said that it was matter of sadness that such an incident took place when a conducive atmosphere was being made to hold the fourth round of talks between the government and the Maoists. The Ministry also appealed to the Maoist leadership to immediately stop such activities that are detrimental to the peace process.

Officials at the Kailali District Police Office said the security personnel escorting Deuba safely managed to rush him to the nearest security base at Sukkhad located about seven kilometres from the site of the incident. Currently, Deuba is taking a rest at the Sukkhad-based joint security base along with his four party cadres. Soon after reaching secure grounds, Deuba called his wife Arjoo Rana Deuba who is in Kusma in Parbat district and assured his family of his well being.

Shortly after the incident, a large number of additional security personnel were mobilised in the area where the incident occurred. The jungle situated in between the Masuriya and Pahalmanpur VDCs is believed to be a Maoist training centre.

Meanwhile, the Maoists were roundly condemned by all sides for the brazen attempt on the former Prime Minister’s life. Deuba’s party, NC (Democratic), flayed the incident as highly reprehensible and unfortunate. "The act is highly damnable and unfortunate. If the Maoists have not done it, then they should disown the act," said Joint General Secretary of the NC (Democratic) Vijay Kumar Gachhadar, issuing a statement.

Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said, "I vehemently condemn the incident. This shows they are not ready to give up violence, including individual assassination to achieve their objectives. It is time they showed their commitment for peace or else their credibility would come to an end."

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Narayan Dutta Bhatta termed the attack as "highly reprehensible."

PM condemns attack

KATHMANDU, Aug 25 (PR) - Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa has strongly condemned the attack on Deuba with modern arms by the Maoists Pahalmanpur in Kailali district.

In a statement PM Thapa said that he was satisfied to hear that Deuba escaped unhurt from the violent assault but said the attack on the leader active in peace political programmes was a brutal attack on democracy and political parties as well.

"The attack is a violation of the code of conduct at a time when the peace process and has raised serious doubts over Maoists’ commitment to the peace process," the tatement further stated.

Students to converge in the capital for political agitation

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Aug 25 : In a bid to muster up support for the September 4 ‘decisive’ struggle planned by the major political parties, thousands of students from across the country are set to converge in Kathamndu this week.

The Nepal Students’ Union (NSU) has already started capturing campuses and hostels in Kathmandu to keep its cadres for the September 4 event and has asked the campus chiefs to call-off classes, according to students.

It has also asked the Tribhuvan University (TU) to postpone the upcoming diploma level examinations, which is beginning from August 31, to give them space in the TU campuses for the 25,000 plus student activists.

However, the TU controller’s office has refused the students’ demands and has already announced the date for the exams and fixed exam centres in various campuses.

"We have asked all campus chiefs to provide space for the students coming from outside Kathmandu to take part in the event. We have also asked the TU Controller’s Office to postpone the date for exams, which coincides with our event," said Gagan Thapa, general secretary of Nepal Students’ Union (NSU). Inspired by their sister organisations’ political passion, student wings of two major political parties—The All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU) and the All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (Unified) have similarly drawn up plans to mobilise students in support of the September 4 ‘decisive’ struggle.

ANNISU president Rajendra Rai said his organisation has called a ‘national gathering’ of about 1,000 central members on September 1, supposedly to muster up support for the September 4 event.

As per the plans, campuses in Putalsidak and Bagbazar area will be occupied by students for their national gathering for about two weeks.

The ANNFSU (Unified) has plans to organise a similar gathering of its cadres in Kathmandu on September 2.

"We have already managed food and lodging for our cadres," said Krishna Sharma, member secretary at the ANNFSU-Unified, the third largest student organisation.

Dr Thapa recommended as ambassador-at-large

KATHMANDU, Aug 25 (PR) - The Cabinet today recommended Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa as Ambassador-at-large with Cabinet rank. He will be a "de facto" foreign minister with wide latitude, according to government sources, who added that even as ambassador to India and Bhutan, Thapa was holding a Cabinet rank.

Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa has been holding the charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr Thapa’s appointment is expected to be approved by King Gyanendra after the monarch returns from the United Kingdom.

Dr Thapa’s last posting as ambassador to India lasted for over six years. He relinquished his extended tenure a little over a week ago.

Thapa has served in various capacities before, both in the country and abroad. He served as Nepal’s ambassador to US twice. He also served as Finance and Water Resources minister during the Panchayat regime. There are no clear indications available as to who will succeed Dr Thapa as ambassador to India.

Peace in the offing: Shailaja

By Damaru Lal Bhandari

KATHMANDU, AUG 25 : Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee (CWC) member Shailaja Acharya on Monday said the resolution of the current constitutional and political stalemate was very much in the offing provided the rebels settled down to build on the achievement of the 1990 Constitution and not root any further for elections to the constituent assembly.

"The rebels are aware of the consequences if they do not compromise. The only way out is to build on the achievement of the 1990 Constitution when international pressures are mounting," Acharya told The Kathmandu Post on Monday, ruling out the "worst phase."

Monday saw her undertaking an eight-day-long hunger strike aimed at self-purification, following what she identified as the "mistakes" committed by the party during the last twelve years. She was, however, not allowed to stage the hunger strike at the party office. This was something which, she said, "I have failed to understand."

"Barring some hitches," she sounded pretty confident that the crisis might be resolved in the next one or two months, a period which might also see political parties attending the round table conference and working out a common path to peace.

"I know parties may feel uncomfortable to attend the conference, but they have no other option," Acharya further said, claiming that even the CPN-UML leaders have conferred with her on the evolving scenario, including the policy they should adopt vis-à-vis the round table conference promised by the government.

However, she conceded that King Gyanendra might end up gaining additional powers going by what the government concept paper reads. "But here, too, much will depend on how far can the rebel leaders negotiate," Acharya further said.

Exiled leader forms Human Rights Council of Bhutan (HRCB)

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Aug 25 : Bhutan’s exiled political leader Tek Nath Rizal today said that the worsening human rights situations inside Bhutan and the complications created by Bhutan’s government in the refugee crisis had compelled him to form the Human Rights Council of Bhutan (HRCB).

Issuing a press statement, Rizal, who underwent rigorous imprisonment in Bhutan for almost a decade following the pro-democracy movement in 1990, announced the formation of the HRCB.

He said the task had now befallen him to consolidate the various Bhutanese organisations to fight for the rights of the Bhutanese people.

Various organisations, including the Association of Human Rights Activists of Bhutan (AHURA Bhutan), Bhutanese Refugee Representative Repatriation Committee (BRRRC), Bhutanese Refugee Women Forum (BRWF) and the Centre for Protection of Minorities and Against Racial Discrimination in Bhutan (CEMARD) have come forward to form the Council headed by Rizal.

"The HRCB is the demand of the Bhutanese people within Bhutan and those languishing in Nepal and India as refugees," said the statement faxed to The Kathmandu Post from Siliguri, India.

Rizal sought support from national, regional and international communities to resolve the refugee crisis peacefully.

Meanwhile, Rizal has said that India and international communities could no longer treat the Bhutanese refugee crisis as a bilateral issue between Nepal and Bhutan, reports from Jhapa stated.

In his first appearance in a public meeting, following his arrest from Nepal in 1989 and his subsequent imprisonment in Bhutan, Rizal today asked India to help resolve the refugee issue immediately. He also asked the international communities to intervene on behalf of the outstanding issue.

"The world cannot ignore Bhutan’s discrimination against and racial subjugation of its minority people. India as a well-wisher of the Bhutanese people must not keep silent over the gruesome suffering of its neighbours," he said while speaking at a programme held in Siliguri Monday.

Rizal, who maintained silence and mostly preoccupied with his medical treatment for the last three years following his release from Bhutan’s jail, has for the first time publicly announced to lead the movement. Bhutan’s government has intensified its suppression in southern Bhutan soon after the refugees protested against the categorisation process in Nepal, he said.

Maoists shying away from the people: Government

POST REPORT

KATHMANDU, Aug 25 : A day after the chief Maoist negotiator Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government demanding acceptance of constituent assembly elections, the government today strongly flayed the Maoists for being bent on thwarting the peace process.

"It is obviously their intention to leave the dialogue table through sticking to one-point demand of constituent assembly elections," said Minister for Information and Communication Kamal Thapa, one of the government negotiators.

Speaking at a discussion programme organised by the Reporters’ Club in the capital today, Thapa said the "surprising," views of the Maoists expressed through Bhattarai’s statement may result into a derailment of the ongoing peace process.

The future of peace talks and cease-fire, Thapa said, would now depend on the Maoists’ action. "We will not be the first party to breach the cease-fire agreement but certainly will not refrain from retaliating if the Maoists adopted violent means again," said Thapa.

"If violence erupts again, the Maoists should be fully responsible for future consequences," he said, "The ball is in the Maoists’ court whether to push the country to war or give continuity to the peace process."

The strong words indicate the government’s resoluteness in dealing with the Maoist ultimatum. Thapa said that the Maoists’ refusal to enter into a comprehensive discussion on the demands and agendas of both the sides during the third round of talks "has made us suspect that they don’t want amicable solution to present problems."

He said that the government was still open to discussing all the issues including the demand for constituent assembly elections but did not want to take it as a pre-condition for talks.

Thapa also urged the Maoists to make their stance clear on the issue of sovereignty, multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy established which he said were the achievements of the 1990 People’s Movement.

He said the people were not ready to accept the constituent assembly elections without knowing the Maoists’ stance on the issues.

According to Thapa, the major factor responsible for the stalemate in the talks process was that the Maoists never wanted to accept the existence of other political forces throughout the talks and wanted to establish themselves as the winning party.

"We have concluded that the Maoists have no intention to go to the people but tactfully capture the state power," said Thapa. He also disclosed that the Maoists had refused the government proposal for holding referendum to decide the fate of constituent assembly claiming that it was a Panchayati practice, and also rejected the government proposal to sign a joint commitment for continuity of peace process.

Meanwhile, today’s cabinet meeting discussed the Maoists’ intention to run away from the dialogue table. The meeting decided to put all the security agencies on high alert from Aug 29 considering the future actions of the Maoists. MMinister Thapa also hinted at possible intensification of security arrangements countrywide considering the possible untoward incidents due to the Maoists’ exit from the talk process and the five party movements.

"The reserved buses without route permit will not be allowed to enter he valley and security personnel will be asked to frisk the passengers," said the source.

According to the sources, the cabinet meeting decided to form all-party committtees comprising of the members of dissolved bodies at all the 4000 local bodies which were vacant since mid-July 2002.

The sources at the Ministry of Local Development, however, denied any attempts to make all party committees in place of the government employees-run committees. "Even homework in this field has not been carried out yet."

Landlocked countries to confer on preferential trade access

POST REPORT

KATHMNADU, Aug 25 : A two-day long International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Development Countries will take place in Almaty, Kazakhastan. The meeting will address the specific needs of the most disadvantaged categories of the world’s nations: low-income countries without territorial access to the sea.

According to a United Nations Information Centre, Nepal, statement issued today the conference will seek to negotiate agreements on cutting red tape, time and costs in goods from landlocked nations reaching markets through transit access countries, as well as improving physical infrastructures in these countries and in the access countries that stand between them and the sea.

The world’s 30 landlocked developing countries, including Nepal, currently expend an average of 15 per cent of their export earnings on transport services alone. It is estimated that landlocked status is costing them about 0.7 per cent in rate of economic growth each year, with cumulative losses mounting over decades.

Development efforts of these landlocked countries remain constrained without the support and co-operation of the developing countries that are involved in the talks as transit access countries, according to Mr. Anuwarul K. Chowdhury, who is the Secretary-General of the conference.

"It is important for countries to recognise the need for preferential trade access for the geographically handicapped landlocked countries. We want the fellow transit developing countries to be more supportive."

According to United Nations officials, the results of the Almaty action plan will be monitored and evaluated in terms of measurable criteria, such as reductions in costs and days it takes products from specific nations to reach deepwater ports.

Environmentalists ask govt to retract decision on conservation areas

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KATHMANDU, Aug 25 : Nepal’s environmentalists, expressing grave concerns over the government’s decision to hand over conservation areas to interested Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), have demanded for its retraction.

Speaking at a programme organised today by Nepal Heritage Society (NHS), they warned that the plan, which was moved forward without any detailed study and consultation with concerned experts, might invite a tragedy.

Dr Keshar Man Bajracharya, chairman of the Nepal Foresters’ Association (NFA), explaining the country’s rich and varied flora and fauna, stressed on the necessity to carry out proper research before reaching such a decision.

"There maybe innumerable medicinal herbs and micro-organisms which we have not fully noticed yet," Bajracharya said, citing an example of fungi. According to him, only 5,000 species of fungi out of an estimated 100,000 believed to be found in the country have been studied so far.

"Therefore, the authorities concerned should reconsider the decision before giving the management responsibility of the conservation areas to NGOs," he said.

The government, unveiling its plan during the presentation of the budget for the fiscal year 2060/61, had identified Khaptad, Shey-Phoksundo and Makalu-Barun National Parks and Koshi Tappu, Parsa and Dhorpatan Wildlife Reserves as potential sites that could be managed by NGOs.

Charging the government of creating confusion, former chairman of NHS, Karna Shakya said, "The government should not have developed the conservation areas in the first place if it had to hand them over to some private parties for their management."

Relating the sacrifice of thousands of people in the buffer zones, chairman of IUCN Nepal Dr Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha and Dr Tej Bahadur Singh Mahat, former dean of the Institute of Forestry, said that the government was about to commit an inedible mistake by thinking of profit only.

Similarly, senior environmental journalist Bhairav Risal said the decision had given enough room for suspicion about the government’s intentions. "Consensus may resurrect political mistakes," he said. "But the government is about to make a blunder."

According to sources, the Ministry of Forest is formulating a working plan on the management of the national parks and protected areas. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) presently looks after a network of eight National Parks, four Wildlife Reserves, three Conservation Areas, one Hunting Reserve, including five Buffer Zones around the national parks. According to official statistics, the conservation area covers 18.58 per cent of the country’s total landmass.

SC show cause notice to CIAA chief

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KATHMANDU, Aug 25 : The Supreme Court today issued a show cause notice to Surya Nath Upadhyay, Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of authority (CIAA), directing him to reply within 15 days about issues related to the Mahakali Irrigation Project.

Upadhyay, the Water Resources Secretary at the time, had approved compensation to the contractors of the project which critics say was more than required. A parliamentary Account committee and another committee led by Dr Bhola Nath Chalise, both had alleged impropriety in the case and had urged action against Upadhyay. Based on those reports, a petition was also filed at the CIAA to investigate the matter. But the CIAA, under Upadhyay’s watch, is said to have ignored the Mahakali Irrigation project case even as it took another similar case concerning the Bakraha river control project. Issuing the show cause notice today, Supreme Court Justice Gopal Prasad Khatri ordered Upadhyaya to furnish reason why the CIAA ignored the complaints about the Mahakali irrigation project even as it undertook investigations on the Bakraha project.

The writ was filed on August 13 by advocate Saroj Kumar Sharma, who also demanded among other things that the Mahakali petition filed at the CIAA be made public since the Bakraha case was made public by the CIAA.

Nepal’s electricity to S Lanka

KATHMANDU, Aug 25 (PR)- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that there is a possibility of creating an interconnection electricity grid stretching from Nepal toSouth India and then on to Sri Lanka.

He expressed this view while delivering the millennium lecture on "Making Our People Rich" organised by the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation based in Chennai on August 22.

According to Nishchal Nath Pandey, Deputy Executive Director of the
Institute of Foreign Affairs, Wickremesinghe was optimistic about the sub-regional co-operation endeavour and boosting of trade between South India and Sri Lanka.

Chilime begins production

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Aug 25 : The 20MW Chilime hydroelectric project started its commercial power production from today. The project entirely built through indigenous labour and capital, with the production cost at just Rs 2.19 per unit, is the cheapest electricity producer in the country.

In 1995, NEA had signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Chilime hydroelectric project at Rs 3 per unit.

The managing director of the project, Dr Dambar Bahadur Nepali, informed that the power generated from the Syafrubesi Power House in northern Rasuwa district was successfully synchronised through 38 km-long 66kV transmission line of the Trishuli-Devighat sub-station.

Nepali said that 11MW of electricity generated from one of two turbines has been connected to the national grid. The second unit would start its production on Thursday.

According to him, Rs 2 billion out of the total estimated cost of Rs 2.32 billion has been spent on the project so far. Sixty per cent of the total investment would come in loan from Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh (employees’ provident fund) and Citizen Investment Fund while the rest would be borne by NEA and share investment from NEA employees and the public.

With the generation capacity of l37 million units of electricity, the project is expected to earn an annual revenue of upto Rs 540 million and reach the breakeven in five years.