Prime Minister K.P. Bhattarai resigns
Nation’s leadership should go to new generation: PM

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar. 16: Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, who has had a rough ride since he assumed office in June last year, resigned today giving in to months of bickering and a renewed pressure from rebel lawmakers.

“I want to inform this House that it is going to be my last speech in the capacity of Prime Minister,” Bhattarai made a emotional announcement at the end of a nine page address to the jam-packed House of Representatives this afternoon.

“I thank the Speaker, leaders of the opposition parties and all other friends of my party for their hearty cooperation to me,” the Prime Minister said. “I want to inform the lawmakers from this rostrum that, in a while, I am going to the Royal Palace to submit my resignation to His Majesty the King,” Bhattarai said in a choked voice as tears rolled down the eyes of some ministers.

The Prime Minister himself could not hold back tears as he went and sat on his chair in the front row of the Treasury Bench after an emotionally charged speech that was carried live on Nepal Television and Radio Nepal.

The next moment, Bhattarai took out a neatly folded, white handkerchief from the left coat pocket and wiped his eyes as Speaker Taranath Ranabhat read a notice from His Majesty that said the resignation of Industry Minister RamKrishna Tamrakar had been accepted.

Tamrakar had resigned early this week to join the rank of 11 ministers, who had resigned under moral pressure in response to a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minster by 58 Congress lawmakers last month.

“I am ready for sacrifices of any scale for the sake of the country and democracy,” Bhattarai told the House in the address that outlined the achievements made by the government since his appointment as the Prime Minister. No confidence motions, he said, had been moved against him at a time progresses were being made in various fronts and the development works were picking up.

In his speech, Bhattarai spoke in terms of high respect of Congress’s new generation, which he said, had devoted their youth and energy for the cause of democracy and hence are capable to inherit the leadership next.

Following is the full text of the Prime Minster’s speech:

The present political conflict has affected the whole country, which has fallen into an unexpected crisis. The cause of the crisis is within us, not anywhere outside. Our tendency is guilty for this. The politics under democratic and undemocratic system is not the same. But some characters in our politics seem to have taken both as the same. In a democratic system, powerful are the aspects of values and morality in whose absence the whole system becomes weak. This is what the present crisis is all about. We are the ones to conduct the system. Therefore, we become the cause of the crisis if we possess unconstitutional and uncontrolled political ambition. The system is good, but the question of whether or not our conduct is compatible with it is before us. We have to find the answer ourselves. I am talking about this not to protect my leadership as Prime Minister, which is at stake now. Because the aim of my involvement in politics was not to hold the chair, but to achieve democracy and construct a prosperous Nepal. I became PM because of coincidence, circumstances and people’s faith in me. Besides, the Supreme Leader late Ganesh Man Singh’s good wishes were also involved in my becoming interim Prime Minister. And this time I had carried out my responsibilities faithfully. Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala had projected my name as future prime minister prior to the general election held in May last year. Probably because of this, our party garnered a comfortable majority. I am directly accountable to people because it is not only the parliamentary equation but also people’s interest that is reflected in my premiership. I am now bound by moral obligations since my name was projected as future PM to ask for vote. What should I reply to the people who voted for me? I am looking for a decisive answer to this question.

Since I share the votes people elected all the NC MPs with, I appeal to the party, its President, leaders and all of NC members to recall the promises we made before the country and people because the party has to reply to the public even after my resignation. The new Prime Minister who comes after me too cannot escape the same blow. I never intended to make NC’s internal politics a subject of persistent parliamentary debates. Nevertheless, I, as the leader of NC’s parliamentary party, should be given an opportunity to put my views before parliament that is made up of the people’s representatives.

Against all odds, our government is trying to give motions to the works in a prioritised manner. In order to ensure good governance in the country, the government is serious about curbing corruption and adopting strategies to maintain the system. I am committed to eliminate corruption. Had the party assisted me to streamline the rampant situation, it would have eased my successors because sooner or later I would have to resign.

When I was sworn in the chief executive ten months ago, the country was rift with instability, anomalies resulting from the dirty game of power politics and there were a number of aberrations. But I feel that the conspiracy hatched against me within a few weeks of my swearing in has prompted political instability and proved as an obstacle to good governance.

Why do tides of instability arise whenever the government takes steps against rampant corruption, moves towards the direction of good governance and initiates cordial discussions with the opposition to lead the country to the path of development?  I have not been able to understand this. Why does a no motion proposal surface at a time when the Maoists, who launched the so-called People’s War in 1996, have agreed to sit for peace talks? The indices of economic growth rate, export trade, market price and foreign exchange reserve during the last ten months were encouraging. We are on a process of establishing Human Rights Commission. Meanwhile, the talk to end the decade-long headache of Bhutanese refugees’ problem has shown some progress. What does the haste for leadership change indicate at a time when Nepal is going to be elected president of the United Nation’s Human Rights Commission, when Norway established its embassy in Kathmandu and when the PM of a democratic Nepal has been extended invitation to visit friendly country of France? My visit to the United Kingdom that resulted in the increase in British Gurkha’s pensions, the imminent visit of Nepal by British Foreign Secretary, the grand success of 8th South Asian Federation Games in Kathmandu, the recent improvement in environment and price control have uplifted Nepal’s international image.

Till when would we Nepalese suffer from cursed history of Bhim Malla and Bhimsen Thapa, when patriotism was punished? Since last half a century we Nepalese have been devoting ourselves to establish value-based politics. Until true democracy is established and democratic norms and values become our personal behaviour our country will never develop. It is my firm belief. Since last 60 years I have been incessantly struggling for my beliefs. I have suffered several plots and been made victim of conspiracy and sabotage on my stand to become true democrat and nationalist. However, I am not upset. I would continuously carry out my responsibility to lead the future generation towards positive direction. Politics of principles is my life value. If politics of ideology and value, and politics of principles and ideal is displaced, I would say, there is no future for the country and democracy. Therefore, I caution all the democrats, specially friends from Nepali Congress and all the other political parties to be aware about us loosing our mission and identity.

I propose that leadership is handed over to the new generation, therefore, the country takes a new direction, and the poor people of this country feel relieved. Fortunately, we have a generation of leaders who never learned to compromise democratic values and who never were derailed in search of alternative to democracy. The generation sacrificed its youth for democracy; they have also proved their mettle to carry out responsibilities given to them with efficiency, sincerity and faith. If this campaign for democracy has any future, it has safe future in the hands of this generation of leaders. We can count out the people who have no faults. The leaders who are tested by history are on many occasions attempted to be present lightly and degradingly, which, I caution, is a conspiracy against Nepali Congress to destabilise its leadership.

My intention is not to stick to the premiership, but to give a new dimension to the mode of thought, for which I am willing to pay any price. Similarly, I am ready and willing to sacrifice anything to ensure Nepali Congress’s continuous involvement in the path of campaigning for democracy and democratic exercises. In the past also I have suffered insult and bitterness in my attempt to ensure party unity. Today I before this House, which I feel is my duty, to defend myself against the attempts to defame me. However, I do not have ill feelings against anyone, therefore, I request you not to misinterpret my address.

My innermost wishes are that we work together dutifully and with our full commitments to nationalism and democracy. If the change of leadership of government is a must for this, I am ever ready to comply. I spent my life for value based politics and I am still ready to defend democratic norms. My only intention and ambition is to ensure Nepal’s pride and democracy.

‘Nation facing critical situation’

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar. 16: Main Oppsition leader Madhav Kumar Nepal today said that the nation was passing through a critical situation and recommended structural and institutional reform in the political, economic and social sector as a remedy.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) Nepal said that no part of the state was functioning properly at present.

Nepal said that lawlessness gripped educational, bureaucratic and judicial systems adding that Nepali Congress government was incapable of solving the existing problems of peace and security, unemployment, corruption and the ongoing Maoist insurgency.

“The nation is sick with anarchy but the NC government is least concerned about the problem,” Nepal said addressing a face to face programme organised by Reporters’ Club here this afternoon. “It is not even aware of all these problems. NC leaders are busy fighting for position, power and commission.”

Nepal charged that the government had abused the bureaucracy, educational institutions and the police force for the interest of the party.

Nepal accused the government of being involved in what he called white terrorism. “Its not only Maoists who are involved in terrorism, the government also is involved in it.”

 Nepal said that the government’s oppression was responsible to the rise of Maoist problem but he also criticised the insurgents labelling their move as brutal and wild.

Nepal said that the government had failed to give the citizens a sense of difference during the last ten years. “It is time to assess whether the government performed in line with the spirit of people’s movement,” Nepal said.

“The revivalists at home as well as the external forces are taking advantage of a weak government,” Nepal said. He appealed to all the political parties and the civil society to remain alert of such forces.

Nepal said that the nation desperately waited for a positive change. “The nation cannot reverse back; neither can it remain in the status quo. It was an irony it was messed up in status quo during the last ten years.”

He said that the government had to rise above the conservative mode of thought to assess the gravity of the problem and find a way out. Nepal stressed on responsible politics for giving the nation a new direction. 

Nepal-Bhutan talks prepare common ground

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar.16: The secretary level talks between Nepal and Bhutan on the Bhutanese refugees issue concluded here today preparing common ground work for the verification of the refugees, Foreign Ministry stated today.

“A lot of common ground has been prepared and understandings reached between the two countries to enable the verification process regarding, for instance, the joint examination of the documents, printing of the proforma, sharing costs, outlining the work procedure of the verification team, among others,” read a press statement issued by the ministry.

The verification process, according to the Foreign Ministry, is likely to begin after the documents, prepared by the secretary level meet here, have been approved and adopted by the Ministerial Joint Committee.

“The text of the verification has been prepared and it will be discussed by the Ministerial meeting,” Ugyen Tshering, Bhutanese Secretary, told The Rising Nepal  just before departing from here this morning.       

Foreign Ministry has further added that the differences, that persisted between the two sides on key issues including the basic unit for identification of refugees, creation of an appeal mechanism, have been narrowed down. “Nepal holds a very clear position on these issues in the interest of speedy and careful completion of the process.”

The secretary level talk on the verification process here was the continuation of the meeting the two sides began last month in Thimpu. The verification has to do with the categories of the refugees divided into four groups: bonafide Bhutanese citizens, Bhutanese who have emigrated, non - Bhutanese, and Bhutanese who have committed crimes.

The two Himalayan kingdoms agreed to categorise the refugees in 1993 when the first Joint Ministerial Level Committee meeting took place here. Ever since, the two sides have already held eight rounds of ministerial talks apart from several secretary level dialogues on the festering refugee issue.

The upcoming ministerial-level meet will be the ninth one of its type and is believed to be the final one before the field verification of the refugees begins. The date of the ministerial level meet, however, is yet to be fixed.

After the eighth ministerial level meet here in September last year, officials had said that the Dragon Kingdom had softened its stand on the second category of refugees — Bhutanese who have migrated. Ever since the ministerial level meet in 1994, Bhutan had been claiming that it was unable to take back the second category refugees due to its Citizenship Act 1985.

Most of the around 100,000 refugees languishing in the UNHCR managed camps in eastern Nepal claim that were forced to sign the voluntary migration forms in Bhutan when it forcefully evicted them.

Bhutan launched its ethnic cleansing policy in the late 80’s cracking down on the Nepali-speaking southern Bhutanese, also  known as Lhotsampas.

More than 50 per cent of the around 700,000 population of Bhutan is estimated to be Lhotsampas.

PM’s remarks draw attention of NC secretary

Kathmandu, Mar. 16 (RSS): Secretary of the Nepali Congress   Parliamentary Party  Benup Raj Prasai has said that his attention has been drawn by the remark made by the Prime Minister against him in a statement issued by the private secretariat of Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Wednesday that the date of March 17 had been fixed for the nc Parliamentary Party meeting without consulting the Prime Minister to discuss the motion presented against the Prime Minister.

The press release signed by Mr. Prasain says - I was unable to directly contact the  Right Honourable  Prime Minister, the leader of the Paliamentary Party as all the documents had been received on his behalf by the Prime Minister’s chief advisor Dr. Narayan Khadka when I  went to the  Prime Minister’s residence, Baluwatar at 7:00 p. m. on March 14 for informal consultations  after the no confidence motion was  registered against the Prime Minister the same day.

There is a provision under  Article 19 of the nc Constitution to inform the  party general secretary and not even the party president in situations when the party president is the leader of the parliamentary party in the process of  taking action and decision after  no confidence motion was registered on March 14 by the 69 members of the nc parliamentary Party stating that they had no confidence on the right honourable Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, the press release states.

The release says that in the present situation the date was fixed out of rationale that a ruling party should not be held prisoner of indecision in view of the nation’s condition and by realising the impartial role of the secretary in fulfilling the parliamentary party constitution approved by the honourable leaders Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Girija Prasad Koirala  and their inspiration of the democratic norms and values   as well as rule of law.

Govt, Maoists talks called

Kathmandu, Mar. 16 (RSS): A two-day western regional conference organised under the joint auspices of the Human Rights Protection Joint Forum far western regional conference organising committee and Grinso-Nepal has concluded in Pratappur of Kailali district.

Chief speaker and president of the Human Rights protection Forum  Padma Ratna Tuladhar on the occasion spoke of the need for working unity within the human rights campaign, adding that talks should be held between the government and the Maoists and both sides should stop violence and killings.

The conference emphasised the need for building a unified forum after holding wide-ranging discussions on the obtaining human rights situation in the country.

The conference also issued a joint “Pratappur (Kailali) Declaration” which includes a five-point declaration on formation of a human rights protection joint forum, a nine-point declaration the present status of human rights in the country and another outlining the immediate steps to be taken in this regard.

The conference also constituted a five-member executive committee under the chairmanship of Manorath Joshi from Kanchanpur.

Twenty-one representatives from the far-western development region had taken part in the conference.

The Pratappur declaration states that the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 as per  ideals established under the multi-party democracy in the country were being abused by the state, the state has failed to make arrangements for the protection of the weaker sections of society such as the elderly, women,  children, the oppressed and indigenous people.

Instances of administrative repression, extra-judicial arrests, torture of undertrials, denial of legal protection and counselling and killings and abduction of innocent people are going on on the pretext of the Maoist conflict, the declaration states.    Similarly, the declaration said various social anomalies such as untouchability on the basis of caste, girl-trafficking and violence against women were still being practiced and that international covenants and declarations to which Nepal has pledged its support, have not been implemented fully.

The declaration also points out that the general public was being deprived of accessible development facilities because of implementation of costly and big projects implemented under the dictate of international donors and investors.

No initiatives have been taken to banish the Kamaiya system of bonded labour even at the threshold of the 21st century and neither have any initiatives been taken for abolishing the Badi and Deuki social systems in the far-western region and the Rautes (the only community which lives by hunting and gathering in Nepal) have not even drawn the slightest attention, the declaration reads.

As for the immediate steps to be taken, the declaration states that an autonomous, independent and powerful human rights commission acceptable to all parties should be constituted immediately, the Torture Compensation Act should be implemented in an effective manner and the government should stop arbitrary arrests, oppression, extra-judicial killings, custodial torture and abductions.

It points out that an acceptable investigation committee should be constituted to monitor human rights violations, its report made public and the culprits brought to book.

The declaration also points out that a peace initiative should be immediately launched in order to stop violence and terrorism and reprisal attacks taking place in the name of the Maoists “people’s war” and efforts  made for starting talks between the government and the Maoists.

Likewise, the declaration calls for the annulment of all acts and regulations that run counter to the constitution and human rights and discouragement of all efforts to re-introduce the bill designed to amend some laws relating to internal administration.

Calling for an end to the Kamaiya system, the Pratappur Declaration suggests a dignified and humane solution to the Badi and Deuki systems and introducing of a special programme for the Raute.

30 illegally built house removed

Dhangadhi, Mar. 16 (RSS): The District Forest Office Kailali has removed 30 houses and sheds illegally constructed on encroached forest land at ward No. 4, Ghanteshwar, Malakheti Vdc in Kailali district.

The forest office is also protecting some 25 Bigaha of forest land reclaimed from various persons, district forest officer Akhileshwar Lal Karna said.

Meanwhile, legal action has been initiated against 84 persons who were arrested  in January-February on the charge of forest encroachment and smuggling of forest products.

Some of them were arrested red-handed while smuggling out 412 cubic feet of timber.

In another related incident, forest officials have seized about 82 logs of high grade contraband timber from Rajesh saw mill in Dhangadhi.

Although it is not known who brought the timber to the saw mill, action has been initiated against the mill owner.