ANFA problem
Thapa’s elections won't solve soccer dispute

BY NARAYAN UPADHYAY

Kathmandu, Nov. 9: Government dismissed All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) dropped a new bombshell late this evening by announcing to hold elections for its executive committee by tomorrow (Saturday).

With the declaration, the Ganesh Thapa led ANFA has tried to preempt the National Sports Council (NSC) and Nepal Olympic Committee’s (NOC) move to restore the calm in the Nepalese football by holding a free and fair elections to the new ANFA executive body.

It has been believed that once the new body is elected, it will be acceptable to all—to NSC, NOC and also to soccer’s world governing body FIFA and to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

A committee to hold elections for national soccer associations under the convernership of NOC President Rukma Shumsher Rana has already been formed to look after the elections for new ANFA executive body, which has been scheduled to take place on November 15, this year.

Rana has earlier urged all the feuding parties—ANFA led by Geeta Rana who is supported by NSC and ANFA led by Thapa who has the backing of FIFA and AFC, to join the fray in order to restore the order in the nation’s number one sports’ governing body.

But Rana’s appeal seemed to have fallen on deaf ears of Thapa, who looked intent to dodge the government authority and wanted to rule the football roost through hastily organised elections on Saturday, which will, however, have two AFC officials to supervise. Bangladesh football Association General Secretary Harnoor Rashid and AFC Legal Department Chief Sanjivan have arrived here to observe the estranged ANFA’s elections to be held at a hotel of Dhapasi, Kathmandu.

Rukma Rana, whose committee has already published the election schedule, has been a picture of little shocked man with the Thapa declaration. "Their decision to hold a hasty and secret elections will not resolve the matter and the present confusions and uncertainties in Nepalese soccer will continue."

Rana said: "If Thapa holds the elections in his own way, the status quo from the Nepalese football will not end."

Rana further said that he had received a faxed letter from AFC General Secretary Peter Vellapan where he had mentioned that all the warring sides—Geeta Rana, Ganesh Thapa and Rukma Rana should sit together to go into the elections. But Thapa’s decision seemed to have thrown cold water on Velappan’s request.

The baffled NSC Member Secretary, Binod Shankar Palikhe, has been more stern in his stance against Thapa. "I shall, under no circumstance, give recognition to the new body that is formed after the secret elections."

"The new executive body will mean nothing to us and can do nothing to the national soccer," Palikhe said in his reaction against tomorrow’s alleged secret elections.

The former Nepalese football captain Thapa, blamed for holding secretive elections in which he was reelected as the President of ANFA in last October, and his ANFA executive body have been under the investigation for the financial irregularities. The financial mismanagement by Thapa is the main accusation, which led to his dismissal as the undisputed boss of Nepalese soccer.

Immediately after his hush-hush elections, the government dismissed his body and formed an ad-hoc soccer executive committee also known as ANFA under Geeta Rana. After a year long bickering between Rana and Thapa factions, NSC requested to AFC to facilitate the ways to hold fresh elections for one undisputed ANFA. AFC then asked NSC to formulate new statute for holding the elections which NSC and NOC did and Rukma Rana published the new election schedule as per AFC approved statute and its directives.

Thapa’s ANFA has given justification for this elections. In a press statement published this afternoon, it said that it was forced to go into the elections to end the confusions that have marred the Nepalese football over some times.

Thapa’s ANFA also blamed Geeta Rana and NSC for failing to return them the Satdobato based ANFA complex as agreed in Singapore in May during the meeting with AFC officials. The NSC also failed to dissolve the ANFA body led by Geeta Rana before the elections, the statement blamed.

Pesticide control urged to reduce risk on ecology

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 9: By urging the governments, community organisations and civil societies to have a common approach in managing and controlling pesticides, the four-day international workshop on environmental risk assessment of pesticides and integrated pesticide management in developing countries concluded here today.

The programme which was attended by over 50 delegates and environmental experts from various parts of the world also asked the respective governments to create awareness and educate people about the bad effects of pesticides, especially in agriculture.

The function, jointly organised by Department of Agriculture, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy, Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED) and Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany, elaborately discussed on the issues of pesticides, environment, impact of pesticides in the socio-economic sector, regulation of pesticides and IPM Integrated Pesticide Management and extension.

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) and International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) had also coordinated the function.

Sweden okays aid to Melamchi

Kathmandu, Nov. 9 (RSS): The Kingdom of Sweden has agreed to extend a mixed-credit assistance of Swedish Kroner (SEK) 270 million (approximately Rs. 1 billion 96 crore 5 lakh) to the Kingdom of Nepal to support the implementation of Melamchi Water Supply Project.

Of this total assistance, SEK 135 million will be provided as a grant and SEK 135 million will be provided as a credit through Swedish banks.

The assistance will be used as co-funding for Melamchi diversion scheme.

Melamchi is a multi-donor assisted priority project of Nepal with a total estimated cost of 464 million US dollars, of which HMG/N will have to bear 25.4 per cent.

Asian Development Bank, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Norway, NDF, OPEC fund and Japan are other major donors involved in the project.

HMG/N has already concluded agreements with Asian Development Bank, Japan Bank for International Development, Norway, NDF, OPEC. The process is underway for concluding an agreement with the government of Japan.

The main objective of the project is to alleviate the chronic water shortage in Kathmandu Valley on a sustainable, long-term basis, and to improve the health situation of its inhabitants particularly the poor.

The Melamchi diversion scheme will bring 170 million litres of water per day from the Melamchi river into the Kathmandu Valley through an approximately 26 km tunnel.

An agreement for this assistance was signed by Finance Secretary Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala and Ambassador of Sweden Johan Nordenfelt on behalf of their respective governments at the Finance Ministry today.

This is first such kind of Swedish assistance to Nepal.

His Majesty's Government of Nepal has expressed its sincere appreciation and thanks to the government of the Kingdom of Sweden for the assistance and has expected that the economic cooperation between two countries will be further enhanced in future.

Experts recommend anthrax precautions

Kathmandu, Nov. 9 (RSS): In view of the rumors doing rounds that anthrax may spread in Nepal also as it has been spread by terrorists in various countries of the world including the united states, bio-technologists have urged the general public to take precautions.

They have cautioned the people not to open letters which are suspicious. the bacteria of the disease will not affect the body if letters or parcels are opened by first putting on masks and gloves.

This information was given at an interaction organised by the Tribhuwan University social services communication and welfare unit Teaching Hospital here today.

The zoonotic disease anthrax caused by bacillus anthracis is transmitted to human beings from sheep, dogs, cats and wild animals. Unlike other communicable diseases, it does not transfer from one person to another or from one animal to another, say experts.

However, those who work with rotten leather and in wool factory are likely to catch the disease directly. The bacteria of the disease may also transmit through open wonds or if the animal with the disease or raw meat is eaten up or it may also transmit through respiration.

Within 24 hours of catching the disease, one is likely to suffer from such problems as fever, vomiting, stomach pain, throat pain, stool with blood and difficulty in swallowing food and also in breathing. Portion of the skin where the bacteria have affected will have a small blister which will later die down with the spot turning black later.

Such anti-biotic medicines as penciline will save life if they are taken within 24 hours of catching the disease or patients may die within two or three days. Bacillus anthracic are stronger as compared to other bacteria and as these cannot be seen easily, it will be better to consult doctors and take advice once there is suspicion.

Doctor Anil Pahadi of the teaching hospital medical department and micro-biologist Dr Nuchheratna Tuladhar had expressed their views on the disease on the occasion.

No one can shake NC with weapons: Koirala

Nuwakot (Bidur), Nov. 9 (RSS): Nepali Congress president and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has vowed that no one can shake the Nepali Congress with weapons, adding that the people have been supporting the Nepali Congress on the basis of its history and past glory.

The Maoists think that democracy can be finished off if the Nepali Congress is wiped out. but the reality is that the Nepali Congress has been established as an institution in the 60 years of its history and it is only a day-dream to attempt its demise, he remarked.

Addressing a programme organized in Bidur of Nuwakot district on the occasion of the 85th birth anniversary of Supreme leader Ganesh Man Singh today, Mr Koirala called the Maoists terrorists in Mao's clothing.

Stating that the party has given the entire authority to the government for holding talks with the Maoists, he exhorted the Prime Minister to move ahead with a strong heart for the elimination of terrorists from Nepal in the present context when the entire world has stood up against terrorism.

There is no need for an interim government or constitutional change, he made it clear and called upon the people to unite in his liberation campaign which he said will not cease until the end of terrorism in the country.

The Nepali Congress president also laid the foundation stone of the Nepali Congress Nuwakot district party office today.

Nepali Congress general secretary Sushil Koirala talked about nationwide public opinion that has surfaced against the orgy of murder and violence perpetrated by the Maoists and urged the government to move ahead for talks with the Maoists taking into consideration the opinion of the people in favour of freedom from violence and terror.

He opined that the government should create an environment in which the army which is actively involved in peace-keeping missions in the world can also fight terrorism that has spread across the country.

Joint-general secretary Govinda Raj Joshi described the Maoists as enemies of the people and all the political parties in the country and stressed that all political parties should be united to fight their terror tactics and violence.

Nepali Congress spokesman Arjun Narsing K.C. said on the one hand the Maoists were spreading terror and violence and on the other organising mass meetings taking advantage of the existing democratic rights. He accused them of adopting an opportunistic policy.

He also pointed out that the government should not be indifferent to the anti-terrorist public opinion that has developed in the country.

Central members K.B. Gurung, Krishna Sitaula, Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Laxman Ghimire opined that the Maoists were moving ahead in a conspiracy to nip democracy in the bud and called on all the countrymen to create public opinion in favour of peace and democracy and defeat the Maoist conspiracy directed against the rights and welfare of the Nepalese people.

Assistant Minister for General Administration Dil Bahadur Lama said that the flexibility shown by the government vis a vis the Maoists should not be construed as weakness and expressed the determination of the government to protect the life and property of the people.

At the programme presided over by Nepali Congress Nuwakot district president Jagadish Narsing K.C., MP Shiva Humagain, former minister Tirtha Ram Dangol, Nepali Congress Nuwakot district secretary Ram Prasad Adhikari, Gagan Thapa and others also expressed their views.

Meanwhile, talking briefly to journalists here today, NC president Koirala urged the government to hold talks as soon as possible and provide an outlet from the prevailing situation in the country.

He said there is no need for an interim government and constitutional change until democracy is well established in the country.

Mr Koirala opined that the government should present itself more strongly in talks with the Maoists since it now has an upper hand.

He also called on the government to initiate the legal process for mobilisation of the army against terrorism and get the measure adopted by the Security Council.

HMG to withdraw charges against 68 Maoists

Kathmandu, Nov. 9 (RSS): His Majesty's Government has decided to withdraw cases against 68 Maoist workers who are now in judicial custody on different charges.

This information was given today by Minister for Information and Communication Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta who is also spokesperson of His Majesty's Government.

According to Mr Gupta, His Majesty's Government also decided to withdraw the public security regulations.

Similarly, the Home Ministry will make public the whereabouts of the Maoist workers who have gone missing.

In Terhathum, member of the CPN-UML standing committee Bharat Mohan Adhikari has called upon the CPN-UML party workers to retaliate against the Maoists and their activities of murder, violence and terrorism.

Mr Adhikari was inaugurating the district convention of the CPN-UML here today.

He said since the Maoists have been ideologically defeated, it is necessary for the party cadres to organise themselves in order to drive them away.

At the programme presided over by CPN-UML district secretary Bhawani Khapung, chairman of the District Development Committee (DDC) and CPN-UML district committee member Kishor Dulal, Purushottam Adhikari of the CPN-ML, Ram Narayan Dhungana of the Nepali Congress, central vice-president of the council of Nepalese intellectuals Dr Khagendra Acharya, CPN-UML central committee members Bhim Acharya, Guru Baral and others wished for the success of the convention.

Meanwhile, in Mahottari, Minister for Health Sharad Singh Bhandari has said that it has been the thinking of the present government that the Maoists problem should be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

Inaugurating the two-day free Ayurvedic health camp organised by Nepal Ayurveda Doctors Association at Jaleswar from today, Minister Bhandari said that the no one can change the present system through the killing of one Nepali by another.

Claiming that law and order has been maintained in the country at present, he said that two rounds of talks between the government and the Maoists have already been held and the third round will be held soon.

Chairman of greater Janakpur area development board Nagendra Mishra, former MP Hari Shankar Mishra and Janakpur mayor Balkrishna Dhakal also expressed their views on the occasion.

Nepal-India trade talks begin with positive note

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Nov. 9: The fourth round of talks on the Nepal-India Treaty 1996 between two countries at joint secretary level began in New Delhi today.

The talks held in two phases were very positive according to officials.

Joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Purushottam Ojha is representing the nine-member Nepalese negotiation team.

According to a member of the Nepalese negotiation team, today's talks remained very optimistic. The issues such as surge, rules of origin, provision for safeguard were among the topics discussion. It is expected that the talks will take a decisive turn in tomorrow's meeting.

The talks that were scheduled to take place yesterday began this morning.

It is to be noted that Nepal and India had developed an understanding at joint secretary level talks held here in the capital on Saturday and Sunday.

The two sides had carried out discussion on rules of origin, surge and safeguard provisions and the procedures of granting certificate origin.

Industrialists and traders here have taken the India response very positively.

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

India had sent a letter in August this year with the intention of renewal of the treaty.

It is to be noted that after the treaty, Nepal's export have experienced a quantum jump.

It has increased by almost 60 per cent during the year 1997-98. Similarly in 1999-2000. Nepal's export trade to India went up to Rs 22.61 billion.

In the meantime, India's shares of Nepal's import trade also increased. Import from India crossed Rs 40.51 billion making a trade deficit with India to Rs 18.31 billion.