Maoists for first talks with king: Tuladhar
Prachanda not satisfied with government

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KATHMANDU, Feb 25 : Padma Ratna Tuladhar, a facilitator in the previous government-Maoist peace negotiation and a human rights activist, today said that the Maoists want to hold the first phase of talks with the king.

"They would talk to all political parties, but only after initial talks with the king," Tuladhar said at a face-to-face programme in the capital.

He also accused the government for not being serious enough to execute the government-Maoist peace talks. "The government has not yet formed negotiating team, it has neither appointed facilitators nor the experts to initiate peace talks with the Maoists," added Tuladhar.

He raised doubts that the government-Maoist peace dialogue might not make its headway, as the government was not serious on it.

According to him, the Maoist leaders in a meeting with him claimed that they were still in favour of the republic set-up. "The Maoists want to reach their destination of making Nepal a republican state through roundtable meeting," Tuladhar said. "However, they are ready to show their extreme flexibility at this state."

Meanwhile, Prachanda, the chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), has expressed his party’s dissatisfaction over the delayed process of the government-Maoist peace negotiations.

Prachanda alias Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in a press statement issued today, said that the government has not yet formed its negotiating team even after about one month of the cease-fire. "Even after the cease-fire, the government has continued check-ups, nation-wide arrests and even spying," said the press statement. Through the statement, Prachanda has urged the government to immediately release the armed detainees along with their weapons.

It also asks the government to immediately make public the status of the "prisoners of conscience" and seriously initiate peace talks.

Indicating at the government, Prachanda has also warned not to perceive their decision to come to dialogue table as their weakness. "If such rumours keep on spreading and if the government continues its ‘unjustified’ activities, we are still committed to our political will power to fight for years."

Prachanda has also urged all political parties, civil society, intellectuals, journalists and various organisations to cooperate in making the government-Maoist peace-talks successful.

In another programme in the capital, some intellectuals today ruled out the possibility of including the political parties in the talk process. Himalay Shumser JB Rana, former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank said that it was meaningless for the political parties to seek active role in the talks. "It should be absolutely dealt by the government and the Maoists," said Rana in an interaction programme.

Former Minister Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay accused the political parties of creating obstacles in the peace process initiated by the government. Hiranya Lal Shrestha, former CPN-UML lawmaker also opposed the idea of including political parties in the peace talks from the beginning.

Prachanda seeks Koirala’s help

KATHMANDU, Feb 25 (PR) - Prachanda, the chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), in a telephonic conversation with Girija Prasad Koirala, president of Nepali Congress on Monday night, has urged the latter to co-operate for a political solution to the current problems.

Koirala, on the other hand, while stating that the NC was in favour of peace, is said to have asked Prachanda to make the Maoist stand clear in the current political situation. Arjun Narsing KC, spokesperson of NC said, "Koirala demanded that Prachanda clarifies his stand."

Koirala is said to have inquired Prachanda’s position on constitutional amendment, multi-party democracy and the monarchy. Prachanda, while reiterating his commitment to move ahead with the reconciliation process, said that he was ready to discuss all issues.

Govt takes action against erring doctors

By Perina Pathak

KATHMANDU, Feb 25 : The government has initiated action against fifty doctors for not attending their duties, at their appointed stations in various district hospitals and health organisations. Almost all the doctors facing charges are employed abroad, where they had gone, ostensibly for specialised training.

The Ministry of Health was forced to take action on ‘absconding’ doctors, when it was forced to recruit doctors for the vacancies created by Nepali doctors working abroad. Not just doctors working abroad, most doctors deputed to rural areas would rather practise in more lucrative areas than look after hospitals that they were entrusted with.

"The Health Ministry was compelled to take action against the doctors to fulfil vacancies created by their absence," said Mahendra Nath Aryal, Secretary at the Ministry of Health.

A year-and-a-half ago, the Ministry had sent notices to doctors practising abroad and doctors stationing themselves in the more lucrative urban areas. However, when none of the government appointed doctors responded, the government has been forced to take stronger measures.

"This time we are ensuring that all the doctors respond to our notices. We are making sure that no one is left out of any action that we may take," said Aryal. "Doctors deputed to various districts either take training or education leave and leave the country, causing a scarcity of doctors in remote areas, that is why the ministry has decide to take stern action against the erring doctors," added Aryal.

Unfortunately the Health Ministry does not have the authority to terminate the services of these erring doctors as most of them were appointed through the Public Service Commission. "Therefore, we are taking action against the doctors, while taking into confidence and the suggestions of the Public Service Commission we are taking action against them," he said.

The government action was precipitated by the urgent need of doctors in the vacant posts in the district hospitals.

Despite the strong actions of the Health Ministry over the last year, there no doctor has returned to the districts. "Not a single doctor, who went abroad on government or other scholarship programme, has shown any willingness to return," said Aryal. "Most are established doctors earning good sum money elsewhere".

All that the government action, against defaulting doctors has achieved, is that a few of the doctors, well settled and working abroad, have faxed their resignations from their government jobs.

Army welcomes cease-fire
Warns of ‘decisive war’ if rebels ‘betray’

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KATHMANDU, Feb 25 : Royal Nepal Army (RNA) today welcomed the cease-fire announced by the government and the Maoists on January 29, but warned that it was prepared to fight the ‘decisive war’ with the rebels if the peace process didn’t move on the expected direction.

"We welcome the cease-fire announced by the government and the Maoists, we are adhering to it," Colonel Deepak Gurung, the RNA spokesman, told newsmen at a press conference held at the army headquarters here Tuesday. "It is because of the popular wish that we have cease-fire in the country."

He added, "But we are performing our duty, moving around with arms. We have banned extortion - of cash and cereals from local villagers. There have been some misunderstandings (between security men and rebels) in some places, but so far we have been resolving them peacefully through talks."

The Colonel, who was flanked by several high-ranking army officers, however, was loud and clear that the "army would not spare anybody if somebody attacks them," and that the army was prepared for a "decisive war".

"They (the Maoists) can’t fight a decisive war with us," the confident-looking Colonel said in reply to a query. "If there is the decisive war, we are ready for that. We are being prepared for that...We won’t open fire at anybody, but if somebody does then we won’t spare."

The army, however, emphasised that the on-going peace process should come to a logical end, and that the army wants a lasting peace in the country. "It is the wish of the people, political parties, government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)," he said.

According to him, the army is currently working to rebuild the basic physical infrastructures such as bridges, community buildings, schools and army barracks destroyed by the rebels.

Besides preventing the rebels from involving in extortion and other illegal activities, the army is currently involved in rebuilding the damaged rural infrastructures that have affected the poor, he said.

The army, he said, has already rebuilt its barracks in Dang, Achham and Arghakhanchi that were destroyed in Maoist attacks last year. "We have already issued circulars to our bases around the country to rebuild the infrastructures," he said. "But we are also expecting co-operation from the local people."

In different conflict-torn areas, the army has been organising health camps where all those who are sick or injured can come and benefit, he added.

Colonel Gurung also revealed that the army is carefully monitoring the activities of the rebels, who are busy regrouping and allegedly amassing new arms. He, however, said that the army has not yet found evidence to prove that.

Asked whether the army had led to the disappearance of Maoists, as claimed by the rebels, Brigadier General B.A. Kumar Sharma, with the RNA Human Rights Cell, contended that the army had handed over all those arrested to the concerned district administration offices.

"There could be hundreds of people, who have disappeared (since 1996)," he said. "Many people have fled their homes to other parts of the country or even foreign land. But as time passes, many will start showing up again."

In reply to another question, General Sharma said that it was up to the government or parliament to scrap the anti-terrorism act promulgated by the government last year. "We can initiate legal actions with the help of existent laws - such as the Local Administration Act," he added. The General said that the existing constitution had already brought the army under the constitution given that "the army has been surviving on the budget allocated by the government, and that the army has been adhering to the decisions made by the Council of Ministers."

"So who wants what kinds of army-under-parliament-purview, I can’t tell you," he added.

Asked whether the army had initiated legal action against a Captain who allegedly raped an innocent girl in Banke district in west Nepal a few months ago, the General said, "We thoroughly investigated the matter, both nothing came up. Whatever the rumours making the rounds, the family is not in a position to accept that their girl was ever raped."

The army also sent a high-level investigation team, which also constituted a lady legal officer, to carry out an investigation. In it report, the team has concluded that there was no such thing as a rape incident whatsoever, the General said.

How can we convince our cadres that everything is moving in line, asks Sharma

From Our Special Correspondent

KATHMANDU, Feb 25 : The Maoists are committed to safeguard national unity, sovereignty and people’s rights and are ready to become a part of any types of national consensus to meet the challenge, Dinanath Sharma, a politburo member of the CPN-Maoist told The Kathmandu Post today.

"The truce and unity among like-minded forces are not what has provoked this truce nor it is an understanding among the like-minded ideologies," Sharma said. "The existence and sovereignty of the nation is our main concern."

Sharma said that the consultation with some of the national figures, leaders of political parties, intellectuals and civil society was positive and meaningful. "However, the government’s attitude towards building environment of talks has not become positive."

Sharma is in the capital with his colleague, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, for the past few weeks in a bid to create proper condition of talks with the government.

"Indiscriminate arrests, search operation and seizure of weapons are still continuing, our colleagues in the jail have not been released and the government has not formed its negotiation team yet," he said.

"How can we convince our cadres that everything is moving in the expected lines?" Sharma asked, adding, such questions are natural at this situation.

Sharma said he was, however, committed to move the peace process forward smoothly and to foil the attempts of foreign anti-peace elements and their domestic allies.

He said that the Maoist leadership had already requested all to remove suspicion from their mind that we have had a secret agreement with the king. "We have made the facts clear at the meeting with Girija Prasad Koirala and Madhav Kumar Nepal on the issue."

"The formal talks certainly would be held with the present representatives of the old regime i.e. present government," said Sharma, adding that the Maoists did not take GP Koirala more and Lokendra Bahadur Chand less constitutional, under the present constitution. "But what we want is a greater participation during the peace process."

Sharma said the Maoists don’t have any prejudice towards the CPN-UML in spite of Nepal’s attempts to discourage the "people’s war" by supporting the emergency rule in November 2001. "We are ready to give totality to present bourgeoisie democracy."

When asked what is Maoist’s attitude towards constitutional monarchy, Sharma said, "If the constituent assembly elected by the sovereign people favours the constitutional monarchy, we will accept it."

Clarifying the queries coming from different political party leaders about who is going to call round-table conference, he said that the Maoists wanted to be very practical and they are not going to overcome their ego on the way. "We are ready to be more flexible and attend the roundtable conference if anyone including Koirala and Nepal call it."

He also claimed that the rumour of Maoist-palace secret agreement to end the role of other political parties was a part of conspiracy hatched against sovereignty of Nepal. He claimed that all the process before declaration of the cease-fire were carried out through Minister Narayan Singh Pun and speculations about meeting with the king was mischievous and baseless. He dispelled any impression created by the motivated news carried by a so-called daily to the effect that a secret meeting between the king and the Maoist leaders Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai had taken place.

He also informed that both the government and the Maoists are all set to make the code of conducts public within a few days.

SC stay order on CIAA decision

KATHMANDU, Feb 25 (PR) - The Supreme Court (SC) today ordered a stay order on the decision of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to lay off employees working at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

The bench of Justice Gopal Prasad Khatri issued a stay order on the decision of the CIAA regarding 14 employees. A writ petition was filed yesterday at the SC asking the court to nullify the CIAA’s decision of laying off the employees.

The SC had previously issued a stay order in the case of 24 employees who were also sacked on similar grounds. A total of 38 employees were laid off last year after the CIAA had found some irregularities in the examinations the employees had taken while applying for permanent posts.

The employees passed th e examinations as required for the posts and have been working for the past three years at KMC. "The CIAA’s decision to sack the employees was beyond its jurisdiction," said the advocate of plaintiff, Balaram K.C. "The CIAA has become over ambitious in its bid to eliminate corruption," he alleged.

Advocates Balaram K.C, Sushil Pant and Bhim Arjun Acharya are representing the plaintiff. Meanwhile, one of the 38 employees expressing the satisfaction said that the decision of the SC has done great justice to them.

Avalanche kills six dozen yaks, herder

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KATHMANDU, Feb 25 : POKHARA, Feb 25 (PR) - Series of valances in the mountain district of Mustang have claimed a person and over six dozen yaks recently, according to sources.

The avalanche at Kovang area of the district buried three yak herders on Sunday. Of the three, Umesh Rokaya died while the rest are undergoing treatment at a local hospital, according to Kashi Nath Marasini, the Chief District Officer. Series of avalanches at Marfa VDC and Kovang area killed a total of 65 yaks, according to the District Administration Office (DAO). However, the death toll of yaks by avalanches exceeds over 80, according to Nirmal Kumar Gauchan, the ex- DDC Chairman.

Fair trial sought for Nepali arrested in Japan

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KATHMANDU, Feb 25 : Human rights groups have urged for the judicious trial of Govinda Prasad Mainali, who is under detention in Japan, on charges of murdering Yasuko Watanabe, a Japanese woman

Mainali, who was arrested in March 31, 1997, was later released by Tokyo District Court as the plaintiff could not furnish enough evidence against Mainali.

However, he was immediately arrested on the basis of a case filed in the Japanese High Court. The court later handed over a life imprisonment sentence on Mainali.

Mainali later knocked at the doors of the Supreme Court for reconsideration of the High Court’s verdict against him in July, 2001. The court is expected to give its verdict on Mainali within two months.

Padma Ratna Tuladhar, speaking at a face-to-face programme in the capital said that human rights groups, civil society and different other organisations should build up pressure for the release of Mainali.

He also informed that the human rights organisations in Japan also have been actively working for the fair trial of Mainali.

UK special envoy to Nepal

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KATHMANDU, Feb 25 : Sir Jeffrey James, former United Kingdom Ambassador to Nairobi, has been appointed the UK’s Special Representative to the Kingdom of Nepal. His appointment comes into affect from Monday, February 24.

The announcement, made by UK’s Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on Monday, is being touted as the UK’s commitment to assist Nepal and identify ways to resolve its problems. The statement issued today has also referred to the need to put an end to the conflict that has resulted in immense suffering to the Nepali people.

Sir Jeffrey is expected to work for a strong focal point for the UK’s policy towards Nepal. He will be coordinating the UK’s and international efforts in support of the recent cease-fire and emerging peace process.

Maoist inmates submit demands, suggestions to PM

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KATHMANDU, Feb 25 : Maoist inmates in Nakkhu jail have started a series of protest programmes against the government demanding creation of an atmosphere for talks between the government and the Maoists.

In their six-point memorandum of demands, handed over to Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand through jail authorities yesterday, the Maoist inmates have demanded information on the whereabouts of CPN-Maoist leaders, such as Krishnadhwoj Khadka, Rekha Khadka and Purna Poudel, as a pre-requisite for creating an atmosphere for dialogue between the government and the Maoists.

They have demanded release of ‘prisoners of conscience’, abrogation of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Act (TADA), nullification of fake charges against Maoist cadres and free treatment to those injured in the government-Maoist conflicts.

They have also suggested that both the government and the Maoists should stop recruitment, stop propaganda against each other and, the formation of an independent committee to monitor the implementation of code of conduct.

With a view to pressurise the government to fulfil their demands, the jailed Maoists have started sit-in protests since Monday, which is to continue until next Sunday. They have also warned the government that they would start hunger strikes and fast-unto-death from next Sunday if their demands were not fulfilled by then.

The inmates had earlier revolted against the government, a couple of weeks ago, demanding assurance from the government that they would not be arrested immediately after their release, on orders of the Court and District Administration Office.

Minister for Physical Planning and Works and the government negotiator for peace talks, Narayan Singh Pun had to rush to the jail to pacify the inmates.

The inmates have also forwarded some pointers on code of conduct to be maintained by the government and the Maoists during the period of truce.

Two MI-17 choppers on the way

KATHMANDU, Feb 25 (PR) - An aircraft carrying two MI-17 helicopters for the Royal Nepal Army is about to take off from Minsk, Belarus, according to the latest information received from the army, which was leaked to the media persons today.

"The latest information available with us about the two MI-17 helicopters (that are being delivered by the British government as part of its non-lethal military assistance to Nepal army) is that they have already been put on the aircraft," Colonel Deepak Gurung said.

"They must be taking aerial route clearance and all that, but the aircraft could take off from Minsk, anytime." The helicopters were due to arrive in Nepal in December.