Their Majesties grace reception

Kathmandu, Sept. 10 (RSS): Their Majesties the King and Queen graced a reception hosted on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Birendra Hospital (Tri-Chandra Military Hospital) at Tribhuvan Army Officers’ Club this evening.

Their Majesties were accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah.

Deputy Prime Minister and Local Development Minister Ramchandra Poudel, who is also looking after the Prime Minister’s portfolios, Chief of the Army Staff General Prajjwalla Shumsher J.B. Rana and senior army officers also attended the reception.

The 380 bed hospital equipped with a wide range of medical and surgical facilities even provides helicopter to evacuate patients from different parts of the country, when needed.

Crown prince Leaves for Sydney

Kathmandu, Sept. 10 (RSS): His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev left here today for Sydney, Australia, to witness the 27th summer olympics that will begin there on September 15.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the patron of National Sports Council and Nepal Olympic Committee.

His Royal Highness is scheduled to return home on October 4.

His Royal Highness was seen off at the Tribhuvan International Airport by the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Rajparishad Standing Committee Chairman.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Prime Minister Ramchandra Poudel who is looking after the portfolios of the Prime Minister, the heads of the constitutional bodies, the Ambassador of Australia to Nepal, high officials of His Majesty’s Government, the office-bearers of the National Sports Council and Nepal Olympic Committee.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev reached Singapore today en route to Sydney, Australia to witness the Summer Olympics 2000.

HRH the Crown Prince was welcomed at Kaitek Airport in Singapore by the representatives of the Foreign Ministry and the ADC to the president of Singapore.

Certificates given away

Kathmandu, Sept. 10 (RSS): General Secretary of the Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala gave away certificates to the participants of a modern bee-keeping training organised by Gandaki Bee Concern at a function here today.

Twenty-one bee farmers from five districts took part in the training organised with the objective of imparting technical as well as theoretical and practical knowledge on bee-keeping, teaching techniques of increasing honey production and marketing.

The training also aimed at attracting more and more farmers towards bee-keeping and making them economically self-reliant through bee-keeping.

Addressing the programme, general secretary Koirala remarked that although a good source of income in most of the rural areas, bee-keeping had still not been able to attract the attention of most farmers.

He underlined the need for the private sector to provide extensive training to farmers in association with the government for development of bee-keeping.

Dedication, perseverance and honesty are necessary virtues for starting any enterprise, Mr. Koirala said, adding that small-scale enterprises like bee-keeping would not only provide employment but also make one self-reliant.

He also urged the youth to start their own enterprises rather than look up to the government for employment.

Minister of State for Water Resources Ram Bahadur Gurung said that the private sector should also start setting up suitable enterprises to resolve the existing problems like unemployment and poverty in the country since government’s efforts were not alone enough for this purpose.

MP Ram Bahadur Bista underlined the need for providing such training in Achham district which is suitable for bee-keeping.

Former minister of state Amar Raj Kaini spoke of the need to enhance the economic condition of the farmers by the commercialization of agriculture.

Executive director of Gandaki Bee Concern Dev Bahadur Gurung disclosed that Gandaki Bee Concern has so far trained 900 persons on modern practical techniques of bee-keeping.

At the programme presided over by mp Hari Bhakta Adhikari, chairman of Baitadi District Development Committee (ddc) Paramananda Bhatta, Laxman Pun of the undp small enterprises development programme, chairman of Nepal unesco federation Dr. Dambar Bir Thapa, chief of the district agriculture development office Shambhu Kumar Shrestha and training participant Ganesh Giri spoke on the importance of bee-keeping as a vocation.

Preserve Nepalese identity: PM

Kathmandu, Sept. 10 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala left New York for Geneva Saturday afternoon after participating in the United Nations Millennium Summit from September 6 to 8.

Permanent representative of Nepal to the United Nations Murari Raj Sharma, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the United States of America Damodar Prasad Gautam and other senior officials of the permanent mission of Nepal to the United Nations saw the Prime Minister off at the jfk airport, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier in the afternoon, Prime Minister Koirala, as a chief guest, attended a reception hosted in his honour at Colombia University, New York by Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal , America-Nepal Friendship Society and United Sherpa Association on behalf of the Nepalese community.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Koirala urged all Nepalese to remain united and preserve Nepalese identity as a strong force abroad.

During his address and later in response to queries, he emphasised "the three-pronged strategy His Majesty’s Government has taken to deal with the problems the country is facing now."

Maintenance of law and order, corruption control, alleviation of poverty and establishment of good governance in the country are the needs of the day, he said, adding that the government was committed to these priorities.

On the occasion, issues and problems related to Nepalese in the usa and matters related to socio-economic and political development were shared in a cordial atmosphere. Premier Koirala also responded to several questions from the audience.

Permanent representative of Nepal to the un murari Raj Sharma, Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the usa damodar Prasad Gautam, president of alliance Mr. Rajendra Shrestha, president of America-Nepal Friendship Society Mr. Kamal Karki and president of United Sherpa Association Mr. Karma Gyaljen Sherpa also spoke on the occasion.

‘Draft to amend Corruption Control Act not clear’

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 10: Civil society representatives and others today said that the proposed draft to amend the Corruption Control Act-2017 was not clear and comprehensive enough to contain corruption.

They showed reservations about the provision of a National Alertness Centre (NAC) under the Prime Minister’s office in the Bill that is yet to be discussed by the Parliament and the concerned parliamentary committee. The Bill brought in to the Parliament during the 18th session was left unapproved as the Parliament session came to a sudden end a few weeks ago.

"Instead of being an instrument to check corruption, NAC may serve as a liaison between the high level authority and the corrupt elements thus bypassing the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, let alone Special Police," social activist Kedar Khadka told a discussion programme.

Khadka said that the Bill allowed flexibility in matter of punishments and fines adding it should be more specific in these issues.

President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Suresh Acharya said that the Bill lacked clarity about the institutional structure of the Centre. "How will the positions be filled, through administrative adjustment or political appointments?" he questioned.

Like Acharya, Former Attorney General Sarbagya Ratna Tuladhar said that the Bill was vague adding it was merely a cosmetic treatment and would produce little results.

Economist Dr. Minendra Rijal called for provisions to contain the officials that misuse their authority to get works done from their subordinates. He also stressed on the need to discourage political patronage which he said was the main factor behind rampant corruption.

Administration expert Chudamani Raj Singh Malla said that laws alone would not check corruption. The existing laws can produce significant results if implemented effectively, he added.

"Crisis of confidence between different wings of the state has been a major barrier to combat corruption," Parliamentary State Management Committee’s Chairman Homanath Dahal said in the programme organised by Transparency International Nepal.

Forget old disputes, NC workers told

Kathmandu, Sept. 10 (RSS): Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya has urged Nepali Congress party workers to forget their old disputes and bickering and make the forthcoming Nepali Congress Mahadhiveshan a success.

At a get-together programme of Nepali Congress Parsa district workers here today, Nepali Congress Central member Acharya said, "we shall be regarded as true workers of Nepal Congress only if we can keep the prestige and dignity of the party intact."

Priority would be accorded to speedy resolution of the problem regarding agriculture tools and Narayani irrigation, construction of Padma-Thori road and Ramraja-Ranighat bridge, he said, making a firm pledge on his party to fulfil the commitment to that effect made by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the party leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai.

Minister Acharya said that steps would be taken to end the aberrations caused at that place by dance restaurants.

Since Rs 44 billion out of the country’s budget of about Rs 53 billion are spent on meeting salary of the public servants how it would be possible to carry out development work with the remaining Rs 9 billion, he queried, urging the businessmen and industrialists to think seriously over it.

He also called on all to bear in mind the great dedication and sacrifice and contribution made by B. P. Koirala and follow the trail blazed by him.

Nepali Congress Parsa district unit acting chairman Harendra Singh presided.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya has said that the problems in the industry and trade sector cannot be solved without maintaining transparency in the functioning of the sector.

Inaugurating here today the 24th annual general meeting of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Finance Minister Acharya said His Majesty’s Government is ready to help promote industry and trade, and constitute district level revenue problem resolution committee. But, he added, the people involved in the industry and trade sector should help the government in wiping out illegal business by registering their respective businesses with Value Added Tax offices.

Problems regarding VAT and other revenue difficulties can be solved and transactions will also become transparent if the original bill of goods is presented at the customs, he added.

He also gave assurance that a revenue problem resolution committee will be formed in accordance with the recommendations of the industrialists and businessmen.

President of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Pradip Kumar Shrestha pointed out the need to find out the reason behind the sluggish state of business and trade in the country.

FNCCI, Narayani Zonal Representative Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, acting president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce Jagdish Prasad Khetan and other speakers also expressed their views at the function chaired by president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries Babulal Agrawal.

On the occasion, Finance Minister Acharya felicitated National News Agency (RSS) zonal reporter and vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Iswar Chandra Gautam and editor of local Prateek daily Jagdish Prasad Sharma in recognition of their contribution to the development of journalism.

Also today, Minister Acharya visited Birgunj customs office and acquired information about the activities being carried out by the office.

Customs chief Iswar Pokharel apprised the Minister of the activities of the office.

I commend Nepal’s efforts: Mori

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori has commended Nepal for its attempts made to achieve democratic and economic development in the country.

The first ever Japanese Prime Minister to visit Nepal, Prime Minister Mori expressed his commitment to further expand the bilateral ties existing between the two friendly countries, Nepal and Japan.

In an interview with Ramesh Tiwari of this daily’s sister publication, the Gorkhapatra Daily, Premier Mori said that the 50th anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations, due to be held in 2006, would be a good opportunity for both the countries to enhance and consolidate the bilateral relations and mutual cooperation.

Referring to the next SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit to be held in Nepal, he said that Japan had given much importance to the role played by SAARC in the region and that Japan would continue its assistance to the Regional Accociation in the days ahead through Japan-SAARC Special Fund.

Prime Minister Mori came to Nepal on a one-day official visit on August 25 during his South Asian Tour.

Below is the full text of the interview with the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori:

Q: What were the main objectives of Your Excellency’s visit to the nations of South Asia?

A: The major objectives of my visit to the nations of South Asia were to further enhance Japan’s bilateral relatons with these nations and further promote mutual understanding, in light of the importance of this region.

Regarding the Kingdom of Nepal, as the first incumbent Japanese Prime Minister to visit that nation, I am committed to further expand the good bilateral relations we have. I commend the efforts made in Nepal toward democratization and economic development, and given that Nepal is the next chair of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and that the secretariat of SAARC’s situated in Nepal, I discussed the importance of the role played by SAARC.

Q: What measures have Japan taken to enhance its economic relations (expand investment) with the nations of South Asia?

A: The South Asian countries are advancing their economic reforms through economic liberalization and deregulation, and they actively tackle issues related to overcoming poverty toward achieving socio-economic development. I believe that it is important for Japan to strengthen our economic relations with all of these nations.

While there have been steady increases in trade and investment between Japan and the South Asian countries, there still is great potential in this regard. Japan recognizes the importance of expanding exchanges and dialogue between the governments and private sectors. In the future, both the Government of Japan and the Japanese private sector will cooperate together to expand our economic relations will all of these nations through the conclusion of an investment, promotion and protection treaty and the dispatch of economic missions.

Q: What are Japan’s policies regarding South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation?

A: Japan places importance on the activities of SAARC as something which could provide a framework for stable development in the South Asian region.

Although the SAARC Summit is still postponed, Japan hopes to see a full recovery of the functions fulfilled by SAARC at an early date.

Japan continues to support the activities of SAARC using the Japan-SAARC Special Fund.

Q: What is your evaluation of the G8 Summit?

A: At the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit active and fruitful discussions took place as to what must be done so that during the 21st century the people of the world will enjoy greater prosperity, deeper peace of mind, and greater world stability.

As a result, we were able to send forth messages from Okinawa toward the world including the G8 Communique Okinawa 2000, the Okinawa Charter on Global Information Society, the G8 Statement on Regional Issues, and the G8 Statement on the Korean Peninsula.

In particular, in the area of information technology (IT), there are nations in South Asia which have a high level of expertise in IT sectors and Japan intends to cooperate with them to realize the outcome of the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit.

Q: What will be Japan’s role in the international community in the 21st century?

A: Although, since the end of the Cold War, there has been a reduction in the possibility of a large-scale war, the world still faces factors of instability as we can see from many outbreaks of regional conflicts and ethnic conflicts within nations, expanding danger of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and increasing seriousness of the problem of terrorism. Furthermore, while globalization is advancing in the world economy, we have seen the negative side of globalization as evidenced in the Asian economic crises and we are facing new issues for which the entire international community must act unitedly.

Japan intends to fulfil a role and responsibility commensurate with its position in the international community in order to achieve global peace and prosperity in the 21st century. Japan intends to positively contribute in resolving these various issues facing the international community and play an active role in realizing further development of the world economy.

Q: What kind of relations do you want to build with the nations of South Asia?

A: Japan recognizes the strategic importance of the region of South Asia in the 21st century. I intend to build an even broader and deeper relationship with these nations.

In the year 2002, Japan will mark the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with India and Pakistan and the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with Bangladesh. Similarly, in the year 2006, Japan will mark the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with Nepal. These occasions will give us an opportunity to further expand our relations with these countries.

In particular, Japan intends to expand youth exchange and intellectual exchange programmes which play an important role in deepening mutual understanding.

Q: What is the evaluation of the Government of Japan of Nepal’s democratization process?

A: In the year 1990, the Kingdom of Nepal made a transition from the panchayat system to a parliamentary democratic system. Since then, changes of government have taken place based on elections. Japan commends such efforts towards democratization being made by Nepal.

At the time of the Houston Summit in 1990, Japan announced it was prepared to provide intellectual assistance and economic assistance for the promoton of democracy in the region of Asia. Since then, Japan has dispatched election-monitoring missions at the time of general elections in 1991, 1994, and 1999. In addition, there is an active exchange of high-level personnel between both countries and the dispatch of political and economic scholars to give lectures under Japan’s Democratization Assistance Programme.