Sinha supports action against extremists
Power projects to be expedited: Trade facilitation stressed

By Kishore Nepal

KATHMANDU, Aug. 24: The Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha has expressed satisfaction on his talks with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka, and other political leaders on 'useful' issues.

He said that he had extensive discussion with the Nepalese leaders on bilateral economic issues. "India's relations with Nepal is very good, and I am encouraged by it," he said.

Speaking before the media today before departing home, Sinha reaffirmed India's support to the government of Nepal in the steps taken by it to maintain peace and security in the country.
Sinha said that India stands by Nepal in its efforts to face the challenges of the extremist forces. "India is ready to fulfill the physical needs of the Nepalese security forces."

"The Maoist terrorists wanted in Nepal and apprehended in India have been handed over to the Nepalese authorities," he said. The exchange of information on the terrorist activities has been made more organised and integrated, he said.

He said that the Indian army has shown special attention to curb terrorist activities against Nepal although there are a lot of difficulties because of the long and open border. "We will not allow any anti-Nepal activities from the Indian soil."

The Indian Foreign Minister also said that Nepal already has a firm commitment to curb anti-India activities in Nepal and there are many instances of the Nepalese government acting with determination and speed.

He said the thousands of Nepalese who have entered India because of the Maoist terror would soon be able to return home.

The relations between our two countries have developed on the basis of mutual respect to each other's sovereignty. "We always respect the sovereignty of Nepal," he said.

Commenting on the remarks that thousands of hours of talks on developing water resources between the two countries have remained fruitless, Sinha said, "We will take the hydro power projects to the implementation phase in the next hundred hours of talks."

The development of water resources would be a win-win situation for both Nepal and India, Sinha said and cited the example of India and Bhutan without naming the latter.

"If the water resources is to be developed, both the countries should create a situation where none of them feel themselves as a loser."

He said that he felt the agreed projects should not be kept lingering at the bureaucratic level. "If those issues could not be solved at the technical level, they should be taken to the political level," he said.
India attaches high priority to further developing its relations with Nepal, the Indian Foreign Minister said, adding that the recent visits of His Majesty the King and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba have served to further strengthen the understanding, trust and cooperation between our two countries.
He called the renewal of the trade treaty between the two countries as a success and said the government of India has agreed, on the Nepalese government's request, to enhance the import quota of copper products from Nepal by 33 per cent. India has also taken additional steps to streamline procedures to facilitate trade between the two countries in agro-products, he said.

'Operations against insurgents to go on'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug. 24: The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) will continue its operations even after the expiry of the present state of emergency. "The army will remain in the fields will go on until peace and security is restored," said Madan Prasad Aryal, secretary at the Ministry of Defence at an interaction programme.

The three-month period of the state of emergeny ends on August 27. The emergency was declared on November 26 for a three-month period and then it has been extended twice on a three-monthly basis.
Aryal, also, a member of the National Security Council, did not elaborate whether the emergency will be extended. "I haven't received any information and neither is there any preparation in this regard," he said. We still have three days yet to decide on this issue, he said. The army has two major challenges - maintaining peace and security and holding the general election in a free and fair manner, the Defence Secretary added.

Elaborating the glorious history of the RNA, Aryal said that it was committed for the cause of the country. He assured that even if there is emergency the election would be held in a free and fair manner within the democratic framework, and on the fixed date. He added, "The RNA is detached from any political ideology throughout its history."

Aryal claimed that peace and security situation was greatly improved after the government mobilised the army to suppress the Maoist insurgents. However, a complete peace and security are yet to be achieved, he said. He added, "The RNA is fully committed to restore peace and security."
Aryal mentioned about the achievements of the security forces in the last nine months. "RNA's efforts to combat the Maoist terrorists have been highly successful except for a few instances. The forces have blunted the terrorists' ability to conduct further inhuman and cruel activities.

He also informed that the RNA had recovered 13 percent of the weapons looted from the security forces. The RNA has confirmed 2,481 deaths and 200 injuries on the Maoist side. Nine hundred more Maoists are estimated to have died and 300 more injured.

He also said that 166 army personnels were killed and 235 injured during the operation and two are still missing. The security forces have recovered 32 kg of gold and more than Rs. 3.5 million from the Maoists.

Out of 9,900 suspects arrested by the security forces, 7,178 have been released after interrogation. Aryal said that the RNA handed over 2,490 suspects to the police while 241 are still being held by the army.

Aryal, in a question whether the RNA was capable to combat the Maoists, assured that the RNA was fully capable to do so. "There is no reason to doubt on the ability of the security forces," he said.
Aryal said that the Defence Ministry was preparing to call up 15,000 retired army personnel for the November election. "Necessary homework to enlist them has already been initiated."

He revealed that the ministry was going to purchase some weapons from the United States and two helicopters from the United Kingdom. Similarly, the RNA is going to receive some military hardware and training from the Indian government. He also informed that the RNA is going to purchase 2 MI 17 helicopters and an Air truck from its own budget.

Answering to a query, he said none of the top terrorist leader has been arrested. "But soon they will," he said. He declined of any innocent civilian being killed by the security forces. The programme was organised by the Reporters' Club and chaired by Rishi Dhamala.

Results of SLC supplementary exams

RSS

KATHMANDU, Aug. 24: Examination Controller Office, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur has published the results of the School Leaving Certificate (SLC), supplementary examinations-2058 B.S conducted on July 21-28.

Altogether 38,141 students or 64.96 per cent of the 58,711 attending students passed the examinations.

The results this time has been published on the 27th day of the holding of examinations.

Lankan Minister meets PM

RSS

KATHMANDU, Aug. 24: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lal Gamage paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at the latter's residence at Baluwatar today.

Matters relating to bilateral cooperation between Nepal and Sri Lanka in the development of Lumbini and SAARC activities were discussed during the meeting.

Gaijatra programme

RSS

KATHMANDU, Aug. 24: A special Gaijatra Festival-2002 organised by the Royal Nepal Academy (RNA) on the occasion of Gaijatra or cow festival began here today.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Rajparishad Standing Committee chairperson Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, the heads of constitutional bodies, the ministers and other distinguished persons observed the programme at RNA hall this evening.

Various artistes including among others Sambhujeet Baskota, Gauri Malla, Srikrishna Shrestha, Laxmi Shrestha, Ratan Subedi, Narad Khatiwada, Shivahari Poudel, Dipashree Niraula and Khem Sharma presented humour and satire programmes shedding light on the current political, social and economic anomalies in the country.

Marking the same occasion, a satirical painting competition was also organised here.

Rabin Piya, Rabindra Manandhar and Ratna Kaji Shakya came out first, second and third respectively while Shankaram Maharjan and Rita Manandhar received consolation prizes.

No alternative to fair polls, says Thapa

RSS

KATHMANDU, Aug. 24: President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Surya Bahadur Thapa has said that all the evils and aberrations seen in the country will end if the next mid-term elections are held by enabling the participation of maximum voters in an free and fair manner.

Inaugurating a two-day third national convention of the National Democratic Students Organisations (NDSO) here today, Thapa urged the government to create an atmosphere for casting votes fearlessly as a difficult situation has been created due to murder, violence and terror in the country.

RPP vice president Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani called on the youths to go to the villages with slogan for quality and employment oriented education.