After Millennium Summit
UN Concerns And Priorities

By MR Josse

WHAT are some of the UN’s main concerns and priorities after the much publicised 6-8 September 2000 Millennium Summit which concluded with the adoption by world leaders of a "visionary declaration" on the future of the UN?

EFFECTIVE UN SANCTIONS: One such priority was unambiguously spelt out by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at a dinner in New York recently when he called for more effective UN sanctions saying they should come with built-in incentives for good behaviour.

As he very put it: "States against which sanctions are imposed must believe that if their behaviour changes, the Security Council is genuinely willing to alleviate, suspend or lift the sanctions. Otherwise, they have no real incentive to comply, and ultimately compliance is the only measure of success."

While he acknowledged that sanctions could be used to change the behaviour of a government posing a threat to international peace and security, he "deeply regret the continuing suffering of the Iraqi people" and expressed the "hope that sanctions imposed on Iraq can be lifted sooner rather than later."

Advocating the case for UN sanctions to offer "carrots as well as sticks", the UN top official also pointed out" "Over time, the existence of a sanctions regime almost inevitably transforms an entire society for the worse, as sanctions-evaders, smugglers and the like rise to the top of the socio-economic ladder."

In his balanced view, "If we want to punish let us punish the guilty, and if we want to bring about change, let us target the powerful, not the powerless."

Before moving on to another key UN priority, let us just recall that UN sanctions were effective, for instance, in persuading Libya to hand over two suspects now on trial before an international court in the Netherlands for the 1998 bombing of Pam Am flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.

It should however also be noted that, because of the impact of UN sanctions on Iraq’s powerless segment of its population, even two of its five permanent Security Council members — France and Russia — have recently authorised humanitarian flights to Iraq in which the United States has described as a challenge to the sanctions regime.

Another significant recent UN-related development concerns the blocking of a Bangladeshi proposal that the Security Council help overcome a shortage in peacekeeping personnel by the P-Five states pledging to provide a quarter of all UN peacekeeping personnel.

ALL SHOULD CONTRIBUTE: That idea was apparently sparked by a reference to Kofi Annan’s question at a press conference last month asking" "Can the Council adopt resolutions that require us to deploy troops, and those in the Council do nothing?"

Annan was speaking after Jordan, one of the top troop contributors to the UN force in Sierra Leone, announced it was pulling out its 1,800 contingent by the end of the year. Annan explained that one of Jordan’s reason for doing so was her belied hope that there would be more countries from the developing world joining them on the ground.

It may also be noted that in a recent report to the Security Council, Annan appealed to member states "in particular those with large and well-equipped armed forces, to urgently consider participating in UNAMSIL with troops and/or equipment."

The abortive proposal of Bangladesh, presently a Security Council member, was to amend a Council resolution to commit each of the five permanent members to contribute five per cent of the troops to each peacekeeping operation.

In Bangladesh’s view, its proposal "would not only have ensured the commitment of the permanent members of the Council, but also given credibility to the peacekeeping missions in the future."

(Incidentally, one cannot help but wonder if HMG have developed a position on that interesting initiative not only because Nepal has/thus far, twice served on the Security Council but also since she has a long history of participating in UN peacekeeping operations dating as far back as 1958.)

In the event, it did not fly because it failed to secure the agreement of the Big Give whose contribution — in terms of personnel — is exceedingly skimpy.

As much is indicated by the fact that while Britain, France and Russia have provided a total of 641 peacekeeping soldiers, together with China and the US they have supplied 1,671 police or military observers in all out of a grand total of 38,000 UN troops and civilian police currently serving in 15 peacekeeping operations around the world.

Incidentally, the mood of the Big Five is reflected in the British ambassador to the UN’s retort: "All member states should consider what they can contribute, not just some, not just those which with a large capacity." Contributions to peacekeeping, in his view, ought to be "proportionate and collective."

UN ROLE IN WEST ASIA: Yet another key UN concern spelt out in recent days is the comment of its Secretary-General in a Paris interview wherein he suggested that the Security Council could take charge of Jerusalem’s holy sites via a committee made up of Israelis, Arabs and Christians.

He referred to such a body as a sort of "administrative council (a board) with a governor" that would resolve differences in the city with sites holy to Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Though official reactions to that off-the-cuff proposal are still awaited, uncertain too, at this time, are prospects for an extra $ 60 million in the UN’s next two-year budget to improve security of UN personnel around the world that Annan said he would seek.

Without security for the UN’s security staff it would be utopian to pin outlandish hopes on the world body, irrespective of the declarations of the Millennium Summit: three UN relief workers in West Timor and one in Guinea were killed after that event.

Traffic Snarls A Real Problem

By Mohan K. C.

THE length of roads in Kathmandu has barely any scope for increasing but the number of vehicles are on the increase. This speaks much for the traffic problem that exists in the present time. This also shows that there are more violations of traffic rules. Accidents too have been increasing by the day.

Scenario

The traffic scenario is of much concern among all including the traffic management office as well as the inhabitants of the city. Though there is a growing realisation of the problem, the steps taken so far has not been very effective as far as paving the way for the smooth movement of traffic is concerned.

There was a feeling, when the smoke spewing monsters in the form of the diesel powered three wheelers popularly known as Vikram tempos were displaced from the Kathmandu Valley, that the situation would improve not only as far as air pollution was considered but also the traffic congestion would ease. Though around 700 diesel tempos were displaced, there was hardly any improvement on the overall just because of the fact that new vehicles like the micro bus and such have entered in the same number.

So the difference that was felt when the plying of the diesel tempos was prohibited within the Valley has now been completely lost. The pollution level too shows no signs of decreasing. The roads are as congested or even more than before. Trying to drive a vehicle down Kathmandu roads has become somewhat of a nightmare and more time consuming than ever.

There is also another facet to the problem that of increasing tension among the vehicle drivers and noise pollution in general. Driving under such pressing conditions there is bound to be a flare up of tempers on the road. That can be observed almost every day without fail. Though shooting like that has happened in USA or some other countries over traffic jam and such but here it has resulted in fisticuffs at least. The psychological aspect of the traffic problem too must be identified.

It has been observed that there is a growing irritability among the vehicle drivers in Kathmandu. This fact can be verified in the open even as a casual observer. It is time that this aspect of the multifarious problem be also looked into for the mental well-being of the vehicle drivers as well as the pedestrians who have to face the growing number of vehicles and the corresponding traffic congestion.

Some people have the strange notion that widening the roads will solve the problem of traffic congestion. But they may be wrong just because of the simple fact that the carrying capacity of the Kathmandu roads have to be taken into consideration. And this fact can only be revealed by a survey taking into account various factors like the number of vehicles that is sustainable and the type of vehicles among others.

Making surveys and presenting reports alone will not solve the problem. Once the problems are identified requisite measure should be initiated to solve them. If reports keep on collecting dust in some dingy room then it is useless. Such reports ought to be seriously studied and the suggestions if applicable must be implemented through appropriate mechanism.

But one thing is certain is that the number of vehicles in Kathmandu is increasing rapidly with more vehicles vying for a part of the road and in the race the two-wheelers are beating the race. But what is worrying is that the vehicles with low passenger carrying capacity seem to be dominating. The Safa and gas tempos together with the micro buses and its smaller version can carry somewhere between eleven to fourteen passengers. The problem does not lie on this factor. The point is that their frequency of occupying the road is more than that of bigger buses as they carry more passengers and ply at a comparative lower speed.

Herein one must not only single out Kathmandu, many other cities in the Kingdom are also facing similar problems but on a lower scale. So that obviously calls for long term plans and not patch works alone.

In the talk of congestion caused by greater number of vehicles, the condition of the road also has to be taken into consideration. The more potholes a road has the longer it takes for any vehicle to traverse through that particular stretch.

When we talk of traffic congestion, even the strict adherence to traffic rules must be enforced. If some traffic rules are obsolete then they must be changed and newer ones be formulated. After all allowing everything to go its own way will not serve the overall interest.

The talk of emission standard may be a digression but it is also essential as once it is enforced strictly many vehicles will automatically be displaced. But the need is to be honest in implementing the rules and regulations related to traffic management. It could be possible that there is a shortage of traffic personnel or other logistical problems, they too must come under the purview so that some respite can be had.

If thirty thousand vehicles can be the carrying capacity of the roads then something must be done to stop more vehicles entering the valley or other measures taken like what was done in Rome of the odd numbered and even numbered vehicles having their different days of operations.

Main Task

The main task is now to search for solutions to ease the traffic snarl that occurs on an increasing frequency. Urgent steps are necessary if the inhabitants including the vehicle drivers are to be given respite.

Job Hunting: A Daunting Prospect

By Udaya Lama

GONE are the days when one landed a job on the word of a Hakim. These days the going is tougher and the process more complicated. From filing an application where the details are many and varied to the actual interview.

With the growing number of educated unemployed in Kathmandu looking for a job the competition is here to stay. Intelligence, a whole lot of determination and, of course lady luck plays a part. One needs to mention that experience is an added advantage.

The search for a vacancy starts with the morning newspapers and its assorted advertisements. Everything counts from being the right applicant for the right job under the right conditions/criteria. Nothing is to be left amiss.

A fresh graduate has less chance of being interviewed than one with the necessary field or office experience. And there are lots of pre-conditions to fulfill-computer literacy is a must. No one can escape the fact that ‘IT’ is booming on the home front.

Sticking to formalities allows a certain degree of freedom but not much else. One has to have a personality to go with the qualifications. And be prepared to answer the questions without appearing flustered.

Travel agencies, the hotel industry and the foreign funded projects prefer such candidates than a novice with a pimpled face and a stammer.

The screening process begins from the moment when the applicants’ forms land on the table top. The attached photo speaks for a lot as does the CV or resume and other related particulars which may be missed at first glance but gain attention under a closer look. And may make all the difference in being shortlisted.

The buzzword is emotional quotient and is the one thing that potential employer is looking for. It is the ability to handle people on a personal basis, establish links with clientele and generally provide customised service.

There is not much to look forward to for the beginner with the newly acquired status as a job hunter. Specific requirements are expected for the work in question and without these its time wasted.

Jobs are graded according to the skills required and a certificate is of little help. Training, expertise in the field and also a great deal of exposure are necessary to get consideration. Often one presumes that being smart Alec and savvy can unlock the door to opportunity which unfortunately is not the case.

Under the new democratic set-up pleasing the immediate boss is not the done thing and may have the opposite effect. With everyone from the top down looking for an employee that perform and do a hard day’s work.

The problem of job hunting is all too manifold and manifest and it is hard accepting this fact and getting along with it. For the majority a steady job is an essential part of the bargaining chip without which bread-and-butter is not possible.

Carving a niche for oneself in the job market goes against the odds of making it. Although it is an asset to possess a skill in anyone of these areas - mathematical, verbal or accounting.