Emergency enforced to overcome difficult situation
Donors briefed about HMG policy

Kathmandu, Dec. 17 (RSS): Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, talking to representatives of donor countries and international donor agencies at the Foreign Ministry today, briefed them on the present security situation of the country and the economic programmes adopted and to be adopted in future by His Majesty's Government.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Deuba said His Majesty's Government was compelled to enforce a state of emergency in the country to overcome the inconvenient situation created after the Maoists launched a new wave of violence and terror by unilaterally breaking away from peace talks.

He made it clear that all the security agencies mobilised in the country have taken action only against the terrorists and those providing shelter to them and that special directives have been issued for the protection of the human rights of the general public even in such circumstances.

The Prime Minister said although the short-term goal of the present security steps initiated by His Majesty's Government against terrorism is defeating terrorism, His Majesty's Government is committed to the long-term peace and stability of the country as well as achieving socio-economic progress of the general public and sustainable and equitable economic development by means of social transformation and uplift of the socio-economic condition of the oppressed and deprived section of society.

He added that in order to achieve these objectives, the present government came out with an eight-point programme along with programmes for land reforms, upliftment of the Dalits and women, corruption control and promotion of good governance as soon as it came to power.

He said His Majesty's Government was preparing to bring a special programme for the relief of the people suffering from Maoist violence and terrorism, especially women, children and the weak.

His Majesty's Government is steadfast in its commitment to adopting frugality, reducing unnecessary expenses, working out spending priorities and administrative and fiscal reforms, Deuba said.

Keeping in view the priority of the country and the obtaining situation, the Prime Minister appealed for more assistance from donor countries and agencies in the development and construction works being carried out by the government at present.

Representatives of donor countries and international donor agencies present on the occasion expressed the view that peace and stability were indispensable for the country's social and economic development, stressing the need to give continuity to the development programmes His Majesty's Government has implemented.

Expressing their support for the government's programmes, they pledged continued cooperation for Nepal's development, good governance, stability and progress.

Minister for Physical Planning and Construction Chiranjibi Wagle, National Planning Commission vice-chairman Prithivi Raj Ligal and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh were also present at the programme.

Also present were the finance and foreign secretaries as well as other officials.

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