Koirala, Jospin hold bilateral talks

Paris, Mar. 7 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Prime Minister of France Lionel Jospin held offical talks in a cordial atmosphere here Tuesday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Koirala was warmly received by French Prime Minister Jospin at the latter's office.

Also present on the occasion were Minister for Foreign Affairs Chakra Prasad Bastola, Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, Royal Nepalese Ambassador in Paris Indra Bahadur Singh and high level HMG officials.

According to a press communique issued by the Royal Nepalese Embassy here, this visit to France by Prime Minister Koirala' is regarded as an important event in the 150 years long history.

At the talks, French Prime Minister Jospin described political relation between Nepal and France as a glorious one and said that the same should also reflect in the economic ties between the two countries.

Welcoming the on-going activities in the democratic process of Nepal, French Prime Minister Jospin hoped that the process would continue to grow further in the future.

The French Prime Minister also lauded the role Prime Minister Koirala played for the cause of democracy in Nepal, says the press communique.

At the talks, French Premier Jospin was apprised of the process of economic reforms made in the context of Nepal's development needs after the restoration of democracy in Nepal.

As regards Nepal's request for increased French investment in Nepalese private sector for promotion of Nepal-France economic ties as well as for putting Nepal on the latter's priority country list, Prime Minister Jospin pledged reconsideration in that connection in the future.

The communique says that in the course of the talks, France has pledged its cooperation in some projects aimed at improving the relations between the two countries.

Globalisation and SAARC including South Asian and international situations and other topics of mutual interests also figured at the talks between the two Prime Ministers.

On the occasion, French Premier Jospin pointed out the cooperation extended by European union and France to the developing countries.

At the talks Prime Minister Koirala extended an invitation to French Prime Minister Jospin to pay an official visit to Nepal.

Annan stresses role of women for peace

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Mar. 7: Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan has said that the world community must strive to integrate women more effectively in peace processes world-wide.

In his message on the occasion of International Women's Day he has said that they have many reasons – from better legislation to greater participation, from the Cairo conference on population and development to the Beijing Platform for Action, from economic empowerment to intellectual emancipation -- to celebrate the Day even after a quarter of a century has passed since March 8, 1976 when the world celebrated the Day for the first time in the United Nations.

"But this Day is also a reminder that for the majority of the world's women, daily life of whom remains a difficult and sometimes dangerous struggle," he said.

Citing that the women are often the first victims of armed conflict he has urged that they must thus, be recognized as a key to the solution. "As the Resolution adopted by the Security Council makes clear, we must address the issue of women, peace and security on several fronts," reads the message.

Similarly, in a press statement issued on the same occasion executive director of United Nation's Population Fund Thoraya Ahmed Obaid has hailed the efforts of United Nations in its brainstorming efforts to recruit more women for peacekeeping and peacemaking missions and make all operations more aware of gender issues.

Highlighting the activities of UNFPA she has further said, "In addition to protecting women and girl from violence and safeguarding their health, the international community has increasingly recognised that the absence of women from decision-making councils cripples efforts to forestall conflict and also impedes peacemaking, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconciliation". The world observes March 8 as the International Women's Day every year.

Hoteliers move court against unionists' strikes

BY NAVIN SINGH KHADKA

Kathmandu, Mar. 7: In their bid to preempt their employees' unionists-declared shut down strikes in hotels, hoteliers today knocked the court's door challenging the legality of the unions' movement and demanding the invocation of Essential Service Act to keep their shops open.

One dozen upper bracket hotels together with Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) filed writ petitions at the Patan Appellate Court this afternoon labeling the planned unions' strikes -- for compulsory service charge -- illegal, according to a lawyer of the petitioners.

The petitioner hotels include Shanker, Yak and Yeti, Tara Gaon Hyatt Regency, Darbar, Shangri-la, Narayani, Blue Star, Grand, Vaishali, Sherpa and The Everest.

The respondents in the case are Ministries of Home, Labour, Tourism, and Industries, General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions and Nepal Trade Union Congress, two unions of hotel employees and their leaders.

"There is a hearing tomorrow on the case that we filed today and we expect that the court will issue a stay order to the unionists as an interim order," said the lawyer. If that happens, the unionists will not be allowed to begin their shut down strike -- scheduled to start from March 15 this month -- for now.

"We have petitioned that the court, in its final hearing, ban the shut down strikes in the hotels and impose the Essential Service Act in Tourism Industry so that unionists do not force hoteliers to close down their business," the lawyer said.

He pointed at what he mentioned the clauses of the Labour Act 1992 that require each union of any organisation to put forth its demand with its management. "Having done that, the union of the organisation, according to Clause 76 of the Act, can give the management an ultimatum of 30 days before resorting to strikes."

But in the ongoing service charge imbroglio, he said, the unionists of hotels began their movement at the national level under the umbrella of two trade unions -- General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions and Nepal Trade Union Congress. "The unions of each hotel did not make its demand clear to its respective management -- notwithstanding the legal provision. Nor did they give them the ultimatum to go to strike."

Since their approach is illegal, the lawyer said, there is enough ground to challenge the legality of the unionists' movement.

The hoteliers' legal-move comes around one week after the hotel unionists declared series of protest programs to be finally followed by shut down strikes in hotels beginning March 15 this month

The unions had announced at a press meet that they would bring the hotels to a grinding halt if their demand of compulsory service charge will not be met.

Now that hoteliers have resorted to legal battle, the unionists said they are prepared to defend themselves. "We are ready to face the legal hassle and have already initiated the process to counter their moves in the court," said Bishnu Lamsal, General Secretary at the Joint Central Level Action Committee of the two hotel unions.

He said that the unions would face the legal tangle and put on show their shut down strikes hand in hand. "Our movements would go as planned as long as our demand is not met."

One of the lawyers who will be advocating for the unionists' cause said, "This is not something that has to be decided by the Judiciary. Since it is a policy matter, it is out of the purview of the court,"

What started as a rift in the lute, the service charge ball the hoteliers have now passed to the court has thwarted the government's latest plan to bring the two warring sides -- hotel operators and their workers' unions -- across the negotiation table.

It was this afternoon only Omkar Prasad Shrestha, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation had told a press meet that the government would very soon bring the two sides to negotiate on the service charge issue.

Shrestha made the comment while making public the service charge report of a high level committee. The government had formed the body to look into the issue after both the hoteliers and their employees' unions threw the ball into its court more than three months ago. The report has dismissed the idea of immediate implementation of mandatory service charge and has prescribed fixed wage system as the ultimate solution in the hotel industry.

After brawling for the last seven months on the service charge dispute, hoteliers and the unionists are still digging in. Hotel operators are dead against the idea of service charge while the unions are hell bent to get it introduced.

Hotel owners have argued that they cannot levy service charge on their clients' bill since the country, they say, is already offering expensive tourism package. Unionists have countered that mandatory service charge will institutionalize their rights and help them distribute tips equally among all staff.

Mediated settlement should be focussed: CJ

Kathmandu, Mar. 7 (RSS): The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare has prepared a draft for the creation of a family court that will decide on law suits arising out of disputes within the family and brought it up for discussion.

The draft made public by the Ministry is the third model of its kind.

The draft states that authority would be vested in the court to initiate cases and deliver judgement on matters concerning marital relations, termination of marriage, maintaining of relations, severing relations, maintenance, dowry, adopted sons and daughters and guardians of minors.

Accordingly, the Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs will be the convenor of a recommendation committee for setting up the family court, determining its jurisdiction and appointing the judges. The secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare and the Supreme Court Registrar will be members of the committee.

HMG, on the recommendation of the committee and in consultation with the Supreme Court, can appoint or designate judges for the court.

Provision has also been made for the court to seek the cooperation of legal consultants in proceeding with and delivering judgements on cases filed.

Speakers at the inaugural function of the draft consultative seminar organised in this connection under the joint aegis of the ministry of women, children and social welfare and the law research and service centre said that judgement should be delivered quickly in family cases.

They laid emphasis on introducing and passing the act soon in the interest of women and children.

Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, inaugurating the seminar, said that our policy of seeking alternative solutions to disputes and the idea of modern law for taking decisions on minor issues at the local or town level should be kept together and the concept of the family court taken ahead.

He said that the objective of the court would be fulfilled only if the appellants and the defendants hold mutual dialogue and discussions and decisions are taken through consensus among the two parties.

He said, "family disputes have increased due to ignorance of the law, lack of a sense of duty and responsibility and provocation by others. If the two parties receive proper advice, there may be understanding and reconciliation among them. Therefore the first endeavour of the family court must be reconciliation."

Speaking from the chair, Minister of State for Women, Children and Social Welfare Kamala Devi Pant said that when attempts were made in the villages to resolve disputes, the tendency among the people was not to speak in favour of the women and it would be better if problems could be tackled locally without inflicting injustice on anyone.

At the programme, Attorney General Badri Bahadur Karki, Chief Secretary Tirtha Man Shakya, secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Udaya Nepali Shrestha, secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare Urmila Shrestha, legal expert Dr. Shanta Thapaliya and vice-president of the centre Murali Prasad Sharma suggested that the family court should stress consultations and reconciliation more and the family act should be evolved by integrating the act concerning domestic violence.

The act concerning domestic violence has been given approval in principle by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the cabinet has also given it its approval, it is learnt.

Nepal, France ties marked by cordiality: PM

Paris, Mar. 7 (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that Nepal and France relations have been marked by cordiality, sincere understanding, mutual appreciation and bilateral co-operation.

Prime Minister Koirala made this remark at a luncheon hosted in his honour by French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin at Hotel de Matignon, the office of the Prime Minister of France, Tuesday afternoon.

"I would like to recall the state visit of the then President Francois Mitterand in l983 and the state visit to France of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Nepal in l994," said Prime Minister Koirala. "I believe that the regular exchange of visits at high level gives us an opportunity to share our views on common concern and further consolidate understanding between our two countries."

"We admire the leadership role that France has been playing by pursuing an independent foreign policy based on the fundamental values of promoting peace, justice and prosperity of all. It is heartening to note that the universal declaration of human rights draws inspirations from the rights of man and citizen proclaimed in France after the revolution," he noted.

Liberty

"Liberty, equality and fraternity are now universal symbols of freedom and human rights. Similarly, your consistent vision and commitment to the promotion of peace and prosperity in Europe through economic and monetary integration of the European Union has changed the face of Europe and established it as an area of stability and prosperity," Prime Minister Koirala said.

The Prime Minister further said, we are deeply impressed by the rate and the level of economic and social development that France has attained in the recent years.

"Your call for humane globalisation and multi-polarity in world affairs captures the imagination and aspirations of many countries around the world," he said, "After all human beings should be at the center of all progress and development."

While the unprecedented wave of democracy all over the world is no small achievement, the challenges of various dimensions and manifestation continue to haunt the developing countries, he said, adding: " To deal with these challenges, there is a need for co-operation with and understanding of the problems of the developing countries."

Soldarity

Prime Minister Koirala said, "We are happy to note that France has always been at the forefront in expressing solidarity to the developing countries, including policy initiatives at the international level and through strong bilateral development programmes."

Following the restoration of democracy in Nepal, it has successively made efforts to consolidate its democratic institutions and the Nepalese constitution guarantees the fundamental freedoms to all together with universal adult suffrage at periodic intervals and separation of power, he said.

Premier Koirala said, "democratic exercises in Nepal is successively consolidated with the regular holding of three general elections. They were free and fair and participated by about two thirds of the adult suffrage."

The Prime Minister said, "In order to promote equitable growth, Nepal has adopted liberal and market-oriented economic policies, while giving due emphasis to the poverty alleviation program."

Meanwhile, addressing the meeting of the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) on the theme of "Nepal and the emerging international order" here Tuesday.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that globalisation, brought by liberalisation revolution in science and technology together with astounding programmes in communication and transport, has changed the face of the earth.

However, we must make sure that the globalisation does not bring about homogenisation of culture and society. The respect for the diversity of culture and way of life is the strength of the international community and it only enriches life of the people, he said.

Against the background of the grandeur of architecture, immortal arts, vivid intellectual life and the serenity of historical and cultural heritage, the historic city of Paris exemplifies fertile humanity and its constant quest for excellence, the Prime Minister said, adding: "I am therefore, very happy to share my thoughts with you on the contemporary issues of international relations and the way we view them from Nepal."

Interesting times

"We live in an interesting time in history. The beginning of the new century and the new millennium is an occasion for reflection and vision," he said. "The first half of the last century was a period of large-scale wars and devastation. The second half did not witness such wars, yet violence continued in different forms."

Prime Minister Koirala said the demise of the cold war was indeed a welcome development, which unleashed a new wave of democracy and liberalism around the world. The challenge today is, therefore, how to sustain these positive development and ensure peace and progress and prosperity to all, he added.

Today, events taking place in one corner resonate around the world almost in no time. Yet a substantial part of the community is either marginalised or else is only at the receiving end of globalisation, he said. "The continuation of this trend will only increase the inequality between the haves and the have-nots in the world."

Marginalisation

Prime Minister Koirala said poverty, deprivation, ethnic violence and marginalisation haunt these societies, rupturing social cohesion, arresting economic progress. Therefore our efforts must be geared towards making this process of globalisation more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the developing countries in order to bring them into mainstream of international development. Such an open and co-operative international approach will consolidate democratic governance and promote social and economic development and this will also ensure long term peace and security at the international level.

In view of the diverse nature of challenges being faced by the countries around the world and their cross-border implications, the centrality of the United Nations in international affairs should be the order of the day, he said, adding that the principles of collective responsibility and co-operation means a multi-polar world order with due representation of the voice of the developing countries which is essential to have an effective and equitable international order.

Prime Minister Koirala said the issue of protecting environment and promoting socio-economic development also deserves priority of the international community. While they are not mutually exclusive to each other, sustainable development has still eluded both the developed and developing countries, he added.

He said if grinding poverty and growing pressure of the burgeoning populations on the natural resources need to be reduced on a priority basis, consumerism and wastefulness are also be rationalised in developed world.

Non-proliferation of mass destructive weapons and the complete and general disarmament continues to be aspirations of the international community concern of the twenty-first country, he said, noting that consolidation of the NPT and CTBT regimes is necessary to create a secure environment at the international level.

Mr. Koirala said we may feel more secure because of the reduction in arms race in the aftermath of the cold war, yet a reasonable security environment requires further arms reduction measures and non-proliferation efforts around the world accompanied by a change of mindset about the concept of security through armaments alone.

Regionalism

Regionalism seems to be a logical development in an ever globalised world order, it promotes competitiveness, economies of scale and co-operation in the regions, which will also create a conducive atmosphere for peace, progress and prosperity, he added.

While we look up to the European Union for its confident march towards further integration, our own region has proceeded in a modest way towards regional co-operation through SAARC, he said.

Prime Minister Koirala said the regional co-operation will also have a long-term positive impact on improving the climate of the region through interdependence and by increasing the cost of non-co-operation. We believe that good-neighbourly relations around and efforts for promotion of regional organisation would contribute to promote peace, security and well-being of the people of the area, the Prime Minister said.

Liberalisation, free trade and globalisation have thus created such a forceful wave that many countries have become vulnerable to the shocks of the international economy, he said their capacity to withstand and respond to the swings of international situation is rather limited. Therefore, Nepal has called for a new financial architecture that could give due consideration to the plights of the developing countries.

Chinese journos, GS officials hold talks

BY A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 7: A team of Chinese journalists led by Dong Yunhu, director general of the State Council Information Office of the Peoples' Republic of China, visited the Gorkhapatra Sansthan (GS) this afternoon.

During the visit, the team held discussions with the GS officials on issues of bilateral interest.

The visiting team, which includes Chen Kaiguo, Chen Jinkuan, Pan Zhengxin, Zhon Aiming, Zhu Hongli Sun Jing representing the foreign Ministry of China and various newspapers, acquired information regarding the publication system and news policy of the Corporation and hailed the contribution made by the Corporation during its century long history.

Team leader Dong said that media was the most effective but highly responsible body in any country. "Since both Nepal and China share millennium long economic, cultural, religious and touristic ties, the media should play a key role to further these ties," he said.

Chairman of GS Purandar Ghimire said that the exchange of such visits by the journalists of both the countries would not only help know so many things and do the fair reporting but also enhance further the existing ties between the neighbouring countries.

The seven member visiting team also held discussions with Lok Deep Thapa, Acting Editor-in-Chief of The Rising Nepal.

The GS today hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting Chinese journalists, who are leaving Kathmandu for home tomorrow. The team was on a weeklong visit to Nepal at the invitation of the Department of Information.

Team leader Dong also extended invitation to the journalists of GS to visit China.

Govt, Maoists need to be honest for talks

Kathmandu, Mar. 7 (RSS): Human Rights activists here believe that should both government and the Maoists demonstrate honesty the violence and killings that have been in spate over the past six years in the name of the Maoist movement could be brought to an end through dialogue.

Noted human rights activist and peace talks facilitating committee convenor Padma Ratna Tuladhar, who was speaking at a face to face programme organised by the Reporters Club Nepal here today, expressed the belief that given the present positive attitude of the Maoist leadership towards talks and the initiative taken by the government to pave the way for talks, resolution of the Maoist problem through dialogue seems quite likely.

The government has taken a positive initiative for building a congenial environment for peace talks by making public yesterday a list of about 300 Maoist workers whose whereabouts were so far unknown, he observed.

However, the government is yet to disclose the whereabouts of 68 other Maoist workers, he said.

Stating that the committee headed by him will not work as a mediator but will play the role of facilitator without any bias, he said as long as there is a possibility of talks, the committee will continue to function as a common mechanism for dialogue.

As talks are the only solution to any problem, it is highly imperative on the part of the government and the Maoists to sit together and sort out the problems, Mr Tuladhar said warning that should there be further delay in resolution of the Maoist problem it will push the country into civil war.

INSEC general secretary Subodh Pyakurel stressed the need for seriousness and honesty on the part of both government and the Maoists for a dialogue to take place and end in success.

Nutan Thapaliya, also a human rights activist, spoke of the need for an in-depth analysis of the root causes of the problem to restore peace.