PM wishes well for disabled brothers, sisters

Kathmandu, Dec. 3 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has wished all disabled brothers and sisters a happy and prosperous future on the occasion of the 10th International Disabled Day.

In a message on the occasion of the International Disabled Day today, Prime Minister Deuba expressed confidence that this day will inspire Nepalese society to foster a more positive attitude towards the disabled and build a congenial environment for all disabled to participate in every social activity.

Stating that His Majesty’s Government has initiated various reform measures and launched a variety of programmes on its own and in coordination and collaboration with non governmental organisations for the same purpose, he said in the days to come also further programs would be launched for the protection of the rights of the disabled and fostering their well-being.

In a similar message, Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Rajendra Kharel wished that the International Disabled Day would inspire all to regard and treat the disabled as respected citizens of the country.

The families of the disabled, the community concerned and civil society as a whole have a more important role than that of the government to play in ensuring equal treatment and an equally respected place for the disabled in society.

Although medical rehabilitation helps improve the physical condition of the disabled to some extent, such rehabilitation will fail to bring desired results if society does not accept them easily, he said adding, keeping this fact in mind the government has adopted a policy of working together with civil society for the all-round development of the disabled.

Likewise, Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Sushila Swanr has stressed the need to change the existing negative social attitude towards the disabled and disability.

In her message, Minister of State Swanr pledged every effort to adopt both preventive and curative measures and promote social awareness about disability.

Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare Rabi Bahadur Shrestha said His Majesty’s Government is fully committed to the implementation of the plan of action developed for observing the decade of the disabled in Asia and the Pacific and the SAARC region.

No resource constraint for govt to quell terrorism: Mahat

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec.2: There will be no resource constraint in the ongoing military mission to quell Maoist terrorists, Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat said today at a forum where all speakers agreed that the state of emergency in the country is the need of the day.

"We are determined to pump in whatever resources the army needs to meet its objective," he said at an interaction program organized by the Reporter’s Club. "For that we may have to slash the budgets under other heads or there may be other implications like increase in internal loan, budget deficit, among others."

Minister Dr. Mahat remarked that the security expenses have gone up by millions of rupees and the government is prepared to take up the challenge to wipe out terrorism. "We will do whatever it takes to end terrorism and the day that happens, the state of emergency will be lifted."

The international community, according to him, has hailed the government’s decision of declaring the State of Emergency and that they have even pledged their material support for the military action against terrorism. "They have even said that we should have taken this decision earlier."

Dr. Mahat said that the government has invoked limited emergency power to quell the Maoist terrorists. "This is no Martial Law. All that the emergency state of the nation demands is that there should be no hindrance against the military action to eliminate the Maoist terrorism." He said that the government had given the Maoists the benefit of doubt to stop bloodshed. "The terrorists were given the honor but the idea did not work."

The Finance Minister said that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal still provides avenues to the Maoists if they choose to come back. "But for that, they will have to give up their arms and renounce the path of terrorism they have resorted to."

Dr. Mahat said the government can maintain security to attain the objective the declaration of the state of emergency and also to host the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit, slated to be held here next month.

Speaking at the same programme, Sachit SJB Rana, former Chief of the Army Staff, said that the army does demand the declaration of the state of emergency when it is undertaking a mission like its ongoing operation against Maoist terrorists. "Only such declaration will help such mission go smoothly and become successful. The situation also gives the mandate to the army to bring the situation under control."

Stressing that the Maoist terrorists are no match for the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), Rana said that the soldiers would go back to their barracks once they accomplished their mission. "It is only the mater of time. It may happen anytime soon or it may also take some time."

The former Chief of the Army staff said that the open border between Nepal and India has been helpful for Maoist terrorists. "The open border has been very helpful to train themselves and it is the same corridors through which they have been involved in illegal activities."

The retired army man also said that RNA needs to be equipped with modern equipment like 5.56 rifles, helicopters, among other facilities.

Senior Advocate Mukunda Regmi said that the declaration of the state of emergency is very much in line with the Constitution. "The mobilization of the army in today’s context is in aid to civil power. And this is very natural at a time when terrorism has created internal refugees in our country."

The government should take a two-pronged approach while dealing with the Maoist terrorism, said Yadav Kanta Silwal, Former General Secretary of SAARC. "Apart from the military operation, the government should introduce development packages for the least developed areas." He also proposed the formation of what he called National Integration Plan to be participated by all the castes in the Kingdom. "The plan should be instrumental for empowerment and employment."

Political Scientist Professor Lok Raj Baral said that the state of emergency was a remedial measure. "Such measures need to be taken up in developing countries like ours." He said that government should give continuity to any good work it starts during the state of emergency.

The business community does recognize the indispensable need of peace and security in the country, said Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. "We know that the government has resorted to crisis management and while doing so it should focus on the protection of multinational companies."

Nepal-India trade treaty
Time extension a temporary relief: Experts

BY RAJ KUMAR K.C.

Kathmandu, Dec 2: With the extension of the Nepal-India Trade Treaty 1996 by three months that is due to expire after December 5, the crisis looming over the bilateral trade is said to be put off at least for short period of time.

Besides, it is believed that both Nepal and India will have plenty of time to prepare common ground for negotiations. Though Nepalese industrialists, traders and even economic analysts have taken the extension of the treaty as a positive gesture of neighboring India, given the present situation in the country, they think that India should have finalized it.

If India wants the treaty to be tackled at political level, the matter should have been decided now. It is necessary to understand the intention behind the extension of the treaty by three months, they said.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Friday and said that in view of difficult situation in Nepal, India has extended by three months the bilateral trade treaty.

‘State of Emergency in the country should not be correlated with the renewal of the treaty,’ Prof. Dr. Gunanidhi Sharma maintained.

However, Rajendra Khetan, second vice president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) believes that the extension of the treaty has given enough leverage to prepare necessary ground for negotiations.

India has been pressing Nepal to review the treaty on various issues regarding the value addition, certificate or origin and the surge.

In view of Prof. Dr. Bishowmbhar Pyakurel, the situation of status quo is better than termination. ‘We have not taken the situation in a normal manner since India formally sent Nepal a letter for the review of the treaty in August.’

It is to be noted that Nepal and India have already held four rounds of talks at secretary and joint secretary level since India demanded for review of Article XII of the Nepal India Trade Treaty in August.

According to Article XII of the 1996 Trade Treaty, the treaty shall remain in force up to December 5, 2001 and shall be automatically extended for another period of five years unless either of the parties gives to the other a written notice three months in advance of its intention to terminate or review the treaty.

In the period of three months Nepal should work on various forms of value addition in its five items. It should brace itself for various forms of negotiations, he affirms.

India has proposed a 50 per cent value addition on Nepalese export items like ghee, acrylic yarn, zinc oxide etc, during the fourth round of talks held in New Delhi, but Nepal has taken stance of up to 30 per cent.

India claims that its industries are adversely affected by the Nepalese export items like vegetable ghee acrylic yarn, GI pipes, copper wire and zinc oxide. Hence, India wants a 50 per cent value addition slab on those items.

Besides, India accuses Nepal of taking a huge benefit out of the treaty, which provides Nepalese products, unlimited, duty free access to the Indian market. And it has raised issue of surge on export too.

If the treaty is to be tackled at political level there should be certain give and take from both sides, says Prof. Pyakurel.

However, he maintains that the percentage of value addition should not be same to all five items. ‘The rate of value addition should be different.’

For how long Nepal is going to seek special privilege from its neighbor? According to Prof. Pyakurel Nepal should develop its own competency so as to brace itself for the membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Nepal from the very beginning has been striving to convince its big neighbor for the automatic renewal of the treaty, but India has been constantly pressing Nepal that the treaty should be reviewed to provide safeguard to its industries.

‘But India’s stance on the extension of the treaty has created more confusion and it is ambiguous too,’ said Prof. (Dr.) Guna Nidhi Sharma while talking to The Rising Nepal.

If the business communities (CII and FNCCI) from both the countries agree upon 30 per cent value addition, there arise no question of 50 per cent, says Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, President of the Federation of the Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries. Nepal should not agree on 50 per cent, he says.

Even the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has already approved the renewal of the treaty in its original form. CII – the counterpart of the Federation of the Nepalese Chambers of Commerce (FNCCI) which represents private sector in India has recommended its government to give continuity to the treaty.

According to a report, none of the ‘alleged’ exports such as – vegetable ghee, acrylic yarn, GI pipes, zinc oxide and copper wire exceeds the given limit which ranges from 0.5-3 per cent. Besides, the export items of Nepal also involve several manufacturing processes as well.

Trade statistics show that Nepal’s export to India is insignificant. The total export from Nepal to India does not come even within a range of 0.1 per cent of India’s total import.

PM meets the press
Govt move meant to end terrorist acts, says Deuba

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 3: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said today that the state of emergency was declared only for ending the terrorist activities from the country and against those who are involved in terrorist activities, those protect and perpetrate terrorist activities, and those who help in creating the atmosphere of terror.

All others can remain assured that the state of emergency would in no way hamper their normal lives, Premier Deuba affirmed at a reception hosted at his residence in Baluwatar this evening.

This was Premier Deuba’s first interaction with the press following the declaration of the state of emergency in the country a week back. He thanked the media, the political parties, intellectuals and the peace-loving Nepalis for their support and approval of the government’s action against the Maoist terrorists. Premier Deuba also made the pressmen clear that the government was committed to channelise the flow of information despite the geographical and other physical constraints.

He also thanked the foreign countries for understanding the government’s compulsion in declaring the state of emergency and for their support and cooperation in fighting terrorist activities. "On behalf of the government and the people of Nepal, I would like to extend sincere thanks to the international community for their support at this critical moment," he said.

Deuba also made it clear that the state of emergency was declared after the Maoists left no choice for the government.

"The government did everything with pious and honest intentions and to the best of my ability to stop the spilling of blood of one Nepali by another," the Prime Minister said and added that he had left no stone unturned in seeking a peaceful solution to the problem even when the Maoists continued with their threat, violence, kidnapping and extortion.

"I was even accused of being too liberal and lenient to the Maoists, still I sought a peaceful solution through dialogues," the Prime Minister said.

"But when the Maoists continued with their violence and attacked the army it laid bare their malicious and deceitful intentions closing all doors for a peaceful solution," Deuba clarified the compulsion for using the army, declaring the state of emergency and the issuance of the ordinance against terrorist activities and punishment.

Responding to the queries of journalists the Prime Minister said that the military operation was very much successful. "The situation is improving," Deuba said. However, he declined to specify the exact time frame in ending the problem.

Earlier, Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta said the interaction was meant to clarify the government outlook towards the recent actions against the Maoist terrorists.

Minister Gupta said that the government fully understands the importance of dissemination of information in such a difficult situation and that geographical and other difficulties have posed some problem in doing so. "Still, the government is doing its best for the flow of correct information in a smooth manner," Minister Gupta said.

Int’l Disabled Day today

Kathmandu, Dec. 3 (RSS): The tenth International Disabled Day is being observed today across the Kingdom with various programmes.

The number of disabled people in Nepal is estimated to be around 2.4 million while about 80 institutions and organisations are working for their welfare.

Military operation continues
Arms seized, Maoists surrender

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 2: In its continuing military operation against the Maoist terrorists in different parts of the country, Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) Saturday seized explosives, arms and ammunitions from various parts. Many Maoist terrorists also surrendered today to the local administration in different districts.

A press statement of the Ministry of Defense informed that the army seized a large quality of ammunition and explosives along with an army vehicle in the search campaign launched in various parts of Rolpa district today. The army’s vehicle was hijacked by the terrorists from the army barrack in Dang recently.

The army also carried out raids from helicopter gunships on the training centres and hideouts of the terrorists at Doramba area of Ramechhap district.

"In the attacks of Doramba of Ramechhap district today, the terrorists suffered heavy casualties," stated a press release issued by the Ministry of Defense this evening.

Likewise, the RNA personnel, through the long-range firing foiled the terrorists’ attempts to destroy the Sunkoshi Hydropower Project and Dam in Ramechhap Saturday night.

In the process of searching campaign, a joint patrolling body of the RNA soldiers and police had seized explosives, grenade and socket bombs at Tinpiple of Lamjung district.

Similarly, the bomb-disposal squad of the Royal Nepalese Army diffused explosives at Nayan Tole of Lalitpur.

An army’s helicopter has brought a seriously injured chairman of Chipur VDC of Dandeldhura to the headquarters of the district for the treatment. The VDC chairman was seriously beaten by the Maoist terrorists on Saturday.

The Ministry informed that there has been no casualty to the army side in the actions.

The Ministry’s press release stated that due to violence, extortion and loot in the name of so called Maoists’ People’s War, peace-loving Nepalese people have suffered a lot. His Majesty the Government, taking its responsibility to the people into consideration, has mobilised all its security organs against the terrorists in all parts of the Kingdom to safeguard the life and property of the people.

In today’s press release, the Defense Ministry has also called upon ex-Royal Nepal Army soldiers, ex-Indian Gorkha army and ex-British Gorkha army, as dutiful Nepalese citizens, to contribute in restoring peace in the country from their respective fields. It has also reminded that these ex-army personnel had made immense contribution by displaying courage and bravery in all difficult hour.

Referring to the government’s initiation for a peaceful exit to the Maoist problem through the talks, it further said that His Majesty’s Government tried hard to resolve the issue through talks by showing a good gesture to the Maoists despite their continuing atrocities in the different parts of the country.

In a bid to create cordial atmosphere for the talks, the government released the Maoists detainees and withdrew the cases against them. In this regard, the government also succeeded to hold the third round of talks between the government and the Maoist terrorists.

However, the Maoists unilaterally broke away from the talks and unexpectedly stepped into the violent campaign at a time when the government was preparing for the fourth round talks.

When no other alternatives to protect the lives and property of the common people from the violent activities of the Maoists were left, the government was compelled to take the harsh measures against them, the press release said.

According to the Home Ministry, 42 persons involved in the terrorist activities today gave in to the District Administration Office in Khandbari of Sankhuwasabha district today. "They have vowed that they would lead a normal life now onward," a Home Ministry press release stated.

Similarly, one terrorist each surrendered before the District Administration Offices of Tanahun and Doti districts today.

FNJ demands reinstatement of dismissed journos

Kathmandu, Dec. 2 (RSS): The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) published a press release here today stating that it was stunned to hear about the dismissal of dozens of journalists from the daily newspaper "Rajdhani" without prior any notice. The journalists had been working with the daily since its inception.

Denouncing in very strong terms the injustice meted out to the daily’s employees, FNJ has sought the reinstatement of the dismissed journalists.

In the press release, FNJ has drawn the attention of the Ministry of Information and Communications towards prohibiting the tendency of setting up publishing firms without complying with the provisions of the Working Journalists Act.

FNJ has made a strong demand with the concerned authorities to immediately initiate the process of providing services and facililties to journalists working at newspapers published on an institutionalised basis in accordance with the provisions of the act.

Nepal, China teams to study prospects

Kathmandu, Dec 2 (RSS): The 5th meeting of the Nepal-China non-governmental cooperation forum concluded here yesterday with the commitment to foster mutual cooperation for expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting expressed solidarism to reduce Nepal’s trade deficit with China, launch projects to produce goods with Chinese investment and technology in Nepal and meet the requirements of the Chinese market and further enhance Chinese investment for promotion of trade, tourism, agriculture and other sectors in Nepal.

According to the press release issued by the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the meeting also decided to constitute joint study teams to resolve problems encountered in expansion of economic and trade relations between the two countries, identify additional areas for investment, and provide necessary suggestions for attaining the objectives of the forum to extend the benefits to the people of both the countries.

The private sectors of both the countries also agreed to work together for increasing the number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal by implementing the memorandum of understanding signed by the the government of both the countries, develop package programs for chinese tourists in Nepal, enhance joint investment in hospitality service, simplify the legal provisions for the visiting Chinese tourists as well as the mode of payment.

Likewise, the meeting also agreed to decide on the date and venue of the 6th Nepal-China Non-governmental Cooperation Forum to be held in China in the end of 2002.

At a function held at the FNCCI secretariat to mark the conclusion of the forum’s meeting, co-chairman of the forum and president of FNCCI Rabi Bhakta Shrestha said that the Nepalese private is hopeful of the commitment made by the chinese side for increasing investment in the trade sector of Nepal.

Executive vice chairman of the all China Federation of Industries and Commerce Zhang Xuwu said that the Chinese investors had been attracted by the commitement demostrated by His Majesty’s Government and the Nepalese private sector for increasing Chinese investment in Nepal.

Zhang Xuwu said that the Chinese would remain fully committed to move ahead in accordance with decisions taken at the 5th meeting of the Nepal-China non-governmental cooperation forum.

FNCCI first vice president Binod Bahadur Shrestha and FNCCI third vice president Chandiraj Dhakal also expressed their views on the occasion.

‘NFC should focus improving its services’

Kathmandu, Dec 2 (RSS): Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Purna Bahadur Khadka has said that Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) should continue to provide its services to the people on the basis of competitiveness in accordance with its objectives.

Inaugurating the 27th anniversary function of NFC here today, Minister Khadka said that nfc should focus its attention on fulfilling its responsibilities towards the people by making improvement in its management, godowns and distribution system, and enhancing the working efficiency of its employees.

Stressing the need for the employees carry out works for expansion of NFC, Khadka urged the NFC employees not to launch any movement until a conclusion is reached on the basis of the agreement between the government and the employee in the past.

Assistant Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Prakash Bahadur Gurung said that ministry would carry out works to strengthen the NFC which has shouldered the responsibility of supplying foodgrains to the remote areas, food shortage areas and natural calamity affected areas in the country.

Secretary at the Ministry Bhanu Prasad Acharya said that the management and the employees should move ahead with the same objective for the welfare and benefit of NFC. the ministry wil extend necessary cooperation for this purpose, he added.

NFC Chairman Purnananda Sharma said that even though the working areas of NFC had decreased because of the private sector, its infrastructures had remained the same. NFC should indentify news areas of work and diversify its activities, he added.

NFC General Manager Bhawani Raj Pandey said that the employees should unite and move ahead to expand the activities of NFC which remains limited to the remote areas.

President of the NFC employees union Shishir Kumar Jha and president of the NFC employees association Prakash Bahadur Adhikari stressed the need to move ahead on the basis of consensus to provide continuity to the works of the corporation, guarantee job security to employees and end administrative corruption.

On the occasion Minister Khadka gave away dirgha sewa padak to the employees completing 25 years of service while NFC chairman Sharma gave away letters of appreciation to the employees retiring from NFC.

Govt appeals for ex-armymen’s cooperation

Kathmandu, Dec.2 (RSS): His Majesty’s Government has appealed to the ex-Royal Nepal Army, ex-Indian Gurkhas and ex-British Gurkha soldiers to cooperate with the government in its bid to maintain peace and order in society describing them as honest and duty-bound Nepali citizens who have made courageous contributions in situations no matter how difficult they might be by living up to the saga of their valor and bravery.

Stating that violent activities carried out in the name of the Maoist people’s war have caused a serious setback to the peace-loving Nepali people, His Majesty’s Government under compulsion pursued the hard line to maintain law and order and prevent the loss of people’s life and property in the country, it is stated in a press release of the Defense Ministry today.

Noting that the government pursued talks to resolve the problem despite the excesses by the maoists, the Defense Ministry noted that at a time when the government had released the maoists with the aim of preparing the atmosphere for talks, withdrew pending cases against the maoists and was making preparations for the fourth round of talks, the Maoists unilaterally closed the doors for talks and resorted to violence.