UML convention kicks off, cautions Maoists

By Ghanashyam Ojha & Shyam Sundar Sashi

JANAKPUR, Feb 1 : Questioning the legitimacy of cease-fire declared on Wednesday, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist & Leninist (CPN-UML), cautioned Maoist leaders not to bring the king into active politics, as the party’s seventh national congress kicked off in this historic town today.

Madhav Kumar Nepal, the UML general secretary while inaugurating the party seventh national congress, also urged the Maoists to get ready for an "open discussion of all sorts of options" to pave the way for peaceful negotiations.

"I urge the Maoists to come for open discussion regarding the constituent assembly, round table meeting and interim government, the conditions they have floated for peaceful dialogue," Nepal said. "The king must be limited as a constitutional monarch."

UML has already made it clear that the party was ready to go for constituent assembly, round table meeting and the interim government, the conditions under which the government-Maoists cease-fire was reached on last Wednesday.

Spurred on by the thunderous applause and presence of about 100,000 party cadres at the Barha Bigha of Janakpur, Nepal also said that the government-Maoist cease-fire was an unexpected and surprising event. He also said that the cease-fire smacked of ‘conspiracy’.

Raising doubts over the durability of the cease-fire, Nepal urged the Maoists to surrender their weapons if they were really sincere for talks.

Nepal also reiterated that UML was in favour of the preservation of the achievements of the 1990 Peoples’ Movement, multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy. "UML in no way accepts the rule of gun," Nepal said.

Addressing the UML congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, president of Nepali Congress (Democratic) said that there was a ‘pre-planned conspiracy’ in the making to ignore the parliamentary parties in the process of the cease-fire reached between the government and Maoists.

Deuba also urged all the political parties to come up with a common agenda to fight the current complicated political situation.

"All the political parties must reach a consensus and proceed with a common agenda at such critical situation," Deuba said.

Reiterating his stand for peaceful dialogue with the Maoists to resolve the current crisis, Deuba said that NC (Democratic) had no any grudges to join the round table meeting if all other political parties make their representations.

However, he also made it clear that he had no any faith in such round table meetings. "The Maoists have already betrayed me and they may do so for the second time also," Deuba said. "If Maoists use the cease-fire as a ploy for this time also, the country has to pay a great price."

Speaking at the convention, Sushil Koirala, the general secretary of Nepali Congress also demanded that the process of the cease-fire and the things related to it should be made transparent.

However, he claimed that the present constitution was supreme in itself.

Claiming that the present crisis can never be resolved by ignoring the political parties, Koirala urged the Maoists to clearly define their demand of constituent assembly. Another speaker Amik Serchan, president of the Peoples’ Front Nepal said that there were so many things left to be done before reaching at a peaceful dialogue with the Maoists.

"There are many cases left; how about the armed militants of the Maoists...," Serchan said. "Therefore I don’t think that the Maoist problem can be resolved this way."

He however reiterated that the current problem could be resolved only with a better co-ordination between the king and political parties.

General secretary of Nepal Sadbhawana Party Devendra Mishra, central committee member of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Khem Raj Pandit also expressed their best wishes to UML in the convention.

The total of 22 delegates of communist parties from India, China, Vietnam, Korea, Sri Lanka Bangladesh including the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal also addressed the convention giving their best wishes to UML.

UML is going to hold its close-session meeting followed by the party 35th central committee meeting tomorrow.

‘UML leaders met Maoists’

During a situation when the government-Maoist cease-fire is proceeding towards a peaceful dialogue, Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of UML and Amik Serchan, president of Peoples’ Front Nepal on Saturday made public about their talks with one of the Maoist leaders.

"I had a talk with one of the Maoist leaders this morning," Nepal said.

Nepal said that the Maoist leader told him that there was no any evil-intention hidden in the cease-fire in his query regarding the peace process.

Sherchan who had come to give a welcome speech at UML national congress also said that he had a talk with a Maoist leader who told him that they were proceeding towards the peace process.

PM seeks RPP’s support in peace talks

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 1 :Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has expedited consultation with political parties, in order to chalk out a common agenda, while dealing with the Maoists during the peace talks, a source close to the Prime Minister said.

As part of efforts to acquire consent of the political parties, Prime Minister Chand, today held a comprehensive meeting with leaders of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the party to which he belongs.

During the meeting, PM Chand informed the party leaders that he wanted positive co-operation and active participation from all the constitutional political parties during the talks. He sought the RPP leaders’ co-operation first.

According to sources close to the PM, he is going to hold similar meetings with Nepali Congress tomorrow and with the CPN-UML leaders after their return from Janakpur, to discuss the recent political development.

"NC leaders have already been contacted in this regard," said Prem Bahadur Bhandari, political advisor to PM. He told The Sunday Post today that Prime Minister was going to address the countrymen, probably on Monday, to inform the latest cease-fire agreement and the government’s future plan to find a solution to the Maoist problem.

Meanwhile, the convener of the government’s negotiation team, Minister Narayan Singh Pun today said the government would prioritize solution of humanitarian problems rather than political and military issues.

"We should address the problems of those who have been displaced during the seven years of war," said Pun. "The dialogue and relief programme should go together."

He also said that he wanted to visit some of the districts, severely hit by Maoist violence, to know the actual problems of the victims there.

Pun visited Dilli Bazar Jail with two facilitators of the talks, D R Lamichhane and Dr Birendra Jhapali. He also visited Central Women’s Jail and met with women detainees.

He informed that the government was going to make public the names of all jailed Maoists at the earliest. "Prime Minister has already declared to make their name public and we are collecting data from the districts," said Pun.

School teacher, newest target of ‘comrades’

By Surendra Phuyal & Sharad Adhikari

KHANDBARI, Sankhuwasava, Feb 1 : He was the breadwinner of a family of five, who included his spouse and three children - one daughter and two sons. More importantly, he was one of those rare teachers, who did not, and do not, hesitate to go to remote corners of the country in these times of Maoist insurgency.

But 39-year-old Ganeshman Adhikari died an extremely painful death at the hands of the Maoist rebels three weeks ago, on January 12. A teacher of Raja Rani Primary School in remote Pathivara village, one day’s walk away from here, he was abducted from his rented house in Pathivara village-4 several days ago.

"We don’t know what charges the rebels had levelled against him," late Adhikari’s tearful widow, Khineshwori Adhikari, said as the Adhikaris prepared to wrap up the rituals of the 11th day of mourning on a recent afternoon.

But his near and dear ones strongly suspect that the rebels could have charged him with tipping off government security forces, who had launched a raid in the village earlier in January.

Popular among his friends and neighbours for his humbleness and honesty, Adhikari, the teacher, is possibly the newest target of the insurgents, who have brutally killed several schoolteachers across the hills and plains of the country in recent times.

"They had abducted others (one more teacher and a civil servant) as well, but why did they spare others and kill him only? Why did they our so mercilessly?" Adhikar’s 66-year-old mother, Kumari, sitting with her 70-year-old husband, Ram Bahadur, said. "He was innocent. And they (the rebels) didn’t even bother to understand what our son told them. Were they animals?"

Then both of them burst into tears, as friends and relatives, who had gathered at the Adhikari residence to extend sympathy, looked on. "They (rebels) repeatedly charged him with Khukuri on such a beautiful face," Kumari, the mother, said, as turned her head back and attempted to hid her wailing face with her shawl.

As Adhikari’s parents and widow chatted up with this reporter in the home-yard, his two sons, 15-year-old Mohan, 13-year-old Manoj and 16-year-old Mandira, were performing the mourning rituals that most Hindus follow.

Adhikari was the third among five sons the elderly couple had. The Adhikaris became extremely desperate the moment they heard the news of his abduction. And it was a painful and fruitless wait: they found his body nine days after he was actually killed by the rebels on January 12.

"The rebels had repeatedly hit him with khukuri, his face was beyond recognition," his brother, Gopal Bahadur, said. "And later they had hit him with bullets." His body was recovered from a jungle, which lies about an hour’s walk away from his school and rented house.

The last time Adhikari visited his family was on November 26. During his visit, he had managed to fly his son to Kathmandu for medical treatment. After his return, he spent a couple of days with his family.

"And that’s it," his widow Khineshwori recounted. "He seemed a bit worried about his personal security, but was confident that he would remain safe."

And Adhikari was also preparing to retire, as he had already completed his service of 15 years to HMG, according to his Khineshwori.

Janadisha scribes arrested

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 1 : The authorities have arrested three journalists, including Om Sharma, editor of Janadisha, a daily close to the Maoists.

According to sources, editor Sharma, executive editor Khil Bahadur Bhandari and computer operator Nim Bahadur Budhathoki were arrested, following an order from the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu.

They were arrested on charges of violating Article 3(1) of the Public Security Act (2046), according to CDO Laxmi Prasad Bhattarai.

The CDO, according to the Act, is empowered to stop anyone from "causing harm to national sovereignty or disrupting peace and tranquility" through untoward activities.

CIAA chief, justices engage in verbal spat

By Bal Krishna Basnet

KATHMANDU, Feb 1 : Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Surya Nath Upadhyay has alleged that the courts have failed to gauge the gravity of the cases coming up for trial from the Commission. "This, incidentally," he said, "is ruling out cooperation between the two institutions."

The justices have billed the latest allegations, as something which can affect the outcome of the dozens of cases related to abuse of authority and hence objectionable. They have said that courts will look for the factual ground and not language and motive before deciding the cases.

In fact, this came to the fore at an interaction programme on Saturday, during which Upadhyay argued that the courts have not followed the language in which the cases are written. This was enough to draw the ire of justices who had come to attend the programme.

"We do not give verdict basing our views on the language used in the charge sheet. We go by facts and evidence," was the common refrain from justices attending the programme. But this did not deter CIAA boss to stick to his view that "justices have overlooked the language of the cases."

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Special Court Top Bahadur Magar said that the allegations and counter-allegations were unfortunate, since the court has yet to give out verdict in the cases referred to by the CIAA boss.

Saying that the courts go by the evidence and not the language per se, Magar said, "In fact I would like to draw the attention of the commissioners at the language the charge sheets have come with." He also advised the ombudsman body to refrain from filing cases before drawing up foolproof charge sheets.

"We face a tough time while giving out desired verdicts in cases, which have seen tardy investigation. Any lapse on the part of the justices to overlook facts and evidence, leaves enough room to malign the prestige of the courts," he added.

Saying that the courts are committed to stand by the commitment to punish corrupt elements he further said, "Some cases are just full of charges at the accused but are not strong in evidence. This often gives a tough time for the judges."

It may be said that although the CIAA had suggested arraignment in the cases of Khum Bahadur Khadka, Chiranjivi Wagle, and Jaya Prakash Gupta 3/4 all former ministers 3/4 the court had however released them on bail. The CIAA had subsequently moved the court saying the court asked for a paltry bail amount.

Moreover, Upadhyaya also said that since corruption cannot be fought out by CIAA alone, there is need on the part of the Special Court to shed the traditional mentality in the interest of transparency in public life. The view was contested by Magar.

Yet another justice of the Special Court Damodar Prasad Sharma said, "It does not behove them to say that we at the Special Court do not understand the language." He also said that if the CIAA had done intensive research into the cases in question, they ought to have arrested the concerned accused soon after.

In fact, Sharma was of the view that CIAA commissioners would not be themselves satisfied, just in the event they are asked to look into the cases of corruption, from the viewpoint of a sitting judge.

"There is no room to say that courts have not followed the language. This reflects badly on the CIAA itself," Sharma further said.

Speaking at the programme organised by Transparency International and Judicial Council, Supreme Court Justice Hari Prasad Sharma said that while the court is always in favour of stemming corruption, there has not been enough efforts on the part of the ombudsman body. He also flayed the way in which cases are filed.

Crown Prince inaugurates alter

Post Report

TREVENI, (Nawalparasi), Feb 1 : His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras inaugurated an alter named Jaya Shri Mukti Nath Harinam Sankirtan Puja Mandap, at Triveni Dham today, on the auspicious occasion of the final day of the three-day Maghe Sankranti festival.

The Crown Prince also gave offerings of rice, ghee and charu at the alter. He also opened the 84-day-long Bhajan Sankirtan (songs in praise of the Lord) for 108 great Mahayagyas, led by Swami Kamal Nayanacharya, due to commence from February 19. The Prince was accompanied by HRH Crown Princess Himani.

The couple also offered prayers at the newly constructed Mukti Nath temple of Akhanda Jyoti Baba Swami Shri Charitable Trust and graced the immortal flame inside the temple.

Swami Kamal Nayanacharya also apprised the couple on the plans to develop Gajagraha area in Dham, as a key religious and tourist destination.

Convention to decide on constituent assembly

Post Report

JANAKPUR, Feb 1 : The proposal of constituent assembly, presented by UML Central Committee members Shankar Pokharel and Rajendra Shrestha, would be presented at the party general convention for a decision, as party general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Pokharel could not agree upon a term.

Nepal, in the party’s 35th Central Committee meeting today, opined that the proposal of constituent assembly should be taken as one of the options but Pokharel insisted upon taking the constituent assembly as the only solution to resolve the current crisis that has beset the nation. The meeting then decided to let the general convention decide on the proposal, a party source said.

The committee also formed a nine-member close session committee of the party general convention.

The Central Committee meeting was held in the absence of K P Sharma Oli and Bam Dev Gautam, powerful leaders who have voiced their dissent within the party.

Both Oli and Gautam, who were staying at Rama Hotel at Mills area, Janakpur were ordered to leave the hotel by the party ‘Housing Committee’. The party is said to have told them to leave the hotel on the ground that foreign delegates had to be adjusted over there. Both the leaders have now shifted to Swagat Hotel at Shiva Chowk.

The party ‘Housing Committee’s’ decision of ordering Oli and Gautam to leave the hotel is being viewed with great concern among the UML party leaders and cadres here.

High level meet on HIV/AIDS kicks off tomorrow

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 1 : Delegates and experts from various countries along with Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will participate in the two day high level conference on HIV/AIDS that is going to kick off in the capital from 3 February.

According to the statement issued here today from the UNICEF, Regional Office for South Asia the title of the conference is ‘Accelerating the Momentum in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in South Asia.’

The conference is very significant important because of the increasing epidemic of HIV/AIDS in South Asia. According to the UNICEF report, about 1,500 children in Nepal under 14 years are affected with HIV/AIDS till the end of 2001.

In the conference the UNAIDS Executive Director, Dr. Peter Piot and the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for HIV/AIDS in Asia, Dr Nafis Sadik will also address and participate in the sessions, states the statement.

High level delegation from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will attend the conference. And other senior ministers, parliamentarians, civil society leaders, people living with AIDS, religious leaders and representatives of the South Asia Regional Forum for Young People on HIV/AIDS, who met on 15-18 December, 2002 in Kathmandu will also participate in the conference.

Also Minister in Charge of the Presidency from Uganda, and senior public heath officials from Thailand will share experiences gained in HIV/AIDS prevention and care in their respective countries, states the statement.

Apart from conference, Bellamy in her visit is scheduled to meet His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister to get better understanding of the situation of children in Nepal. It is also planned that she will hold discussions with civil society organisations, international organisations, development partners, media, children and young people to stress the urgent need to advance children as zones of peace in Nepal.

According to the statement, Bellamy welcoming the recent announcement of cease-fire between the government and Maoists said that, "this offers a unique window of opportunity to refocus on children and the human development agenda."

Bellamy has been serving as the executive director of UNICEF since 1995 and is a respected voice for children in the international community. Apart from her focus on reducing spread of HIV/AIDS and its impact on young people Bellamy has also focused the world’s leading children’s organisation on other major priorities like - immunising every child; getting all girls and boys into schools and getting all schools to offer quality basic education; fighting for the protection of children from violence and exploitation; and introducing early childhood care programmes in every country.

The conference will be hosted by the government of Nepal and is sponsored by the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia and UNAIDS, states the release.