US Embassy to close Feb 18-19

By A Staff Reporter

The United States Embassy and all U.S. government offices in Nepal will be closed on Monday, February 18, 2002 to mark Presidents' Day, a U.S. holiday, a U.S. Embassy press release stated today.

Presidents' Day is observed annually on the third Monday in February to honour all former presidents of the United States.

Also, all U.S. government offices will be closed on February 19 to mark Nepal's Democracy Day, the press release stated.

11 terrorists killed, two held

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 15: Security forces killed 11 terrorists, arrested two and seized weapons and explosives along with 4 kilograms of gold during their search operation across the country yesterday.

In a press statement today, the Defence Ministry said five armed terrorists were killed on the spot at Kalika area of Dolpa district, four at Ganeshpur area of Dang and two at Tatopani area of Jumla.

Five terrorists–platoon commander Lok Bahadur Rokka, militia commander Sarbajit Sarki and armed Maoists Man Singh Karki, Dale Sarki and Kande Sarki—were killed on the spot in encounters with the security forces at Kalika area of Dolpa, a Far Western hill district. The forces arrested two terrorists and recovered a large number of guns and socket bombs from the site.

In their operations at Ganeshpur area of Dang, the security personnel killed four armed terrorists, whose identity has yet to be known. They also seized four 303 rifles, one shot gun, one bucket bomb, 36 hand grenade and socket bombs from them.

Likewise, the forces killed Jumla district chief of the terrorist organization Paran Bhadur Dharal alias Tek and an active terrorist Navin Rawal at Tatopani area of the district. A large quantity of arms and explosives were recovered from the area.

The security forces have rounded up a total of 31 suspect; nine from Karmaiya Ghat of Sarlahi, six from Tistung of Makawanpur, four from Dhading, 10 from Kailali and one each from Nawalparasi and Baglung, during their search operations Thursday.

The security forces recovered about a hundred bullets meant for various guns, six detonators, 15 locally made bombs, nine packets of firecrackers, electric wires, safety fuse, sockets and ignition sets used for terrorist activities from Shivapuri of Kapilabastu, the Defence Ministry statement said. Likewise, the forces recovered police uniforms the terrorists had looted earlier.

Four kilograms of gold, which the terrorists looted from various banks in the past, were also found during the search operations from Amarsingh Chowk of Kaski.

Special teams of the army also defused banner and pipe bombs at Itahari of Sunsari, Naya Gaun School of Butwal and near Salle Airport of Rukum.

The army brought Gaune Wali to Nepalgunj hospital for treatment after she was injured in an explosion caused by the terrorists in a jungle of Jajarkot district.

Meanwhile in Kathmandu, terrorists exploded a bomb at the records section of the Land Revenue Office at Kalanki this morning leaving eight employees–including three from the same office, one from the survey department and one policeman – injured. The blast partially damaged the building.

According to the Home Ministry, four suspects are being investigated in that connection.

Similarly, terrorists on Thursday evening exploded a bomb at the premises of Narayan Municipality of Dailekh, partially damaging the building.

The terrorists attacked the locals of Kalika VDC of Kanchanpur, leaving Padam Bahadur Thapa dead and Chhote Lal Chaudhary injured. The search for the terrorists is on.

Meanwhile, according to the Home Ministry statement, 43 individuals–one in Ilam, three in Nuwakot, seven in Kavrepalanchok, one in Nawalparasi, 21 in Morang, four in Sunsari and three each in Rupandehi and Arghakhanchi-surrendered before the respective district administrations yesterday and today.

Meanwhile, RSS reports from Siraha that Chumman Chaudhari, chairman of Ward No. 6, Pipara VDC, Siraha district was gunned down by Maoist terrorists Wednesday night.

According to chief district officer Bhola Prasad Shivakoti, ward chairman Chaudhari who belonged to the RPP was returning home when the Maosits fired at him injuring him in the head, leg and hand, it is learnt from the police.

Police have arrested some persons for invistigations in this connection while a vigorous search is on the terrorists who are at large.

WTO entry to enlarge trade benefits of Nepal

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 15: Speakers at a discussion programme on Nepal’s Accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) shared the view that the country’s entry to the Organisation would consolidate the benefits of trade liberalisation.

"Nepal should acquire the membership of the WTO to overcome the constraints of small market size and to attract more investment in the country," the National Programme Manager of Nepal’s Accession to the WTO Dr. Posh Raj Pandey said.

He said membership of the Organisation would ensure a predictable and stable trading environment, convenient transit facility and economic good governance.

"But before we accede, we need to develop the expertise on world trading and reform our laws to make them compatible to the WTO," Pandey said.

FNCCI Vice President Rajendra Khetan said the Nepalese industrial sector was unaware of the challenges it would face once the country accedes to the Organisation. "We can’t say whether we can sustain ourselves in the multiple trade regime."

He said the government, the private sector and the non-governmental organisations should work together to identify the areas of comparative advantage and explore the existing potential. "We will be at a disadvantage unless the political parties become more transparent and the bureaucrats more efficient."

He also stressed on the need to reform the policies and laws.

"We should make sure that our accession to the WTO does not affect our agriculture and industry negatively," Prachanda Man Shrestha, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, said. "We should make adequate preparations before we accede. Our membership can backfire if we fail to meet the obligations of the Organisation."

The function was organised jointly by the government and the United Nations Development Programme .

UML, ML formally unified

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb 15: After nearly four years of separation, the country's two major communist parties - the Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) and its breakaway faction, the Marxist-Leninist (ML), were formally unified today.

Ishwor Pokharel of the Communist Party of Nepal-UML read out a nine-point unification declaration to an enthusiastic gathering of party cadres and well-wishers of both the parties at the National City Hall here. The commitments were mutually endorsed by the general secretaries of the two parties-- Madhav Kumar Nepal and Bamdev Gautam.

The ML is effectively dissolved following this declaration, said Gautam.

Forty of the 82 sitting deputies of the then Parliament had announced they had broken away from the erstwhile UML to form the splinter party in February 1998. Coincidently, this announcement came from the same venue, the City Hall.

A vertical rift occurred when the mainstream left developed sharp differences during its Sixth National Convention in Nepalgunj in January 1998. The division resulted in big losses to both the parties during the general election of May 1999, with the ML completely routed out and the UML's seats coming down to 69.

Amidst pangs of separation, leaders of the UML and ML started contemplating for a possible merger. "This historic unification will help strengthen the Nepalese communist movement to a great extent and radiate hope among the Nepalese people," said CPN-UML General Secretary Nepal.

This integration will create the biggest political force in the country, Nepal said, adding "We are the only party capable of tackling the Maoist problem and the reactionary forces who want to finish democracy."

Nepal also blasted the ruling Nepali Congress for triggering anomalies, corruption and insecurity in the country. On the one hand there is terror instigated by the state, and on the other, the Maoists insurgents have terrorised the people.

The State of Emergency cannot be a solution to terror, Nepal said, and added it has heightened the burden on the national economy.

The CPN-UML general secretary also urged all the party leaders and cadres to shun the feeling of disunity. "There could be some differences, but we should strive for improvement. We appeal to all the communist parties to forge unity for national interest," he noted.

Gautam said, "The ML is no more. We are united for a greater cause, the communist movement."

Gautam also informed the gathering about the formal dissolution of the ML, saying from now on, all the properties of the ML will belong to the UML. Gautam appealed to all the leaders and party workers to forget the differences and work for a common cause. There could be some differences, but we should try to eschew them, he added.

The CPN-UML will now move ahead by integrating other communist parties in the country, he said. "The UML is the only party that fulfills the aspirations of the people."

Gautam also urged all to go soul-searching while working for the communist movement in the country.

Earlier, Pokhrel, reading out the joint declaration of the UML and ML, said that the unification of the party has inspired the people across the country and that the integrated UML would battle terrorism and anomalies.

The nine-point commitment of the joint declaration states that the UML would go ahead according to the resolution of the Fifth National Convention, which endorses multiparty democracy. Similarly the declaration has made strong commitments to follow the decision of the Sixth National Convention held in 1998.

In the joint declaration, both the parties have agreed to restructure all the units of the new organisation. All the central committee members of the ML will become members of the national committee.

The declaration has also stated that no member of the party shall accuse one another to bring division in the party. Since the ML does not exist, all of its members and sister organisations will be merged into the UML.

Artistes, authors await new copyright law

By Arhan Sthapit

Kathmandu, Feb 15: Exactly two and a half years after Nepali singers, music composers, lyricists and authors launched the first-ever signature campaign for a new law on copyrights, the bill is ready for lawmakers' consideration.

"Since the mind, talent and work of so many people are involved in the making of a song or literary work, it is nothing short of injustice when their works are imitated or pirated," says veteran singer Prem Dhoj Pradhan.

It is in the interest of not only the creators, but also of the government and the people that strong and scientific laws must be enforced to check the infringement on copyrights, says senior lyricist Dinesh Adhikari, who had led the signature campaign on August 23, 1999.

Rampant copyright violation in Nepal is attributed to inadequate provision and flaccid implementation of the existing Copyright Act-2022.

Now creators are pinning high hopes on the Copyright Bill-2058 that is slated to be tabled during the current winter session of the Parliament, also known as the bills session.

The proposed copyright law (Copyright Bill-2058) has been discussed at the designated Population and Social committee of the Parliament, according to Mrs. Riddi Pradhan, Joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. As per existing laws, the copyright protection issue falls under the jurisdiction of this ministry.

The bill is coming at a time when Nepal is working to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The bill will try to make Nepal’s Intellectual Property (IP) system compliant with the TRIPS agreement by December 31, 2005, as required by the world body.

The Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Properties (TRIPS) that came into force on January 1, 1995 is one of the major agreements negotiated at the GATT's Uruguay Round that also established the WTO.

"The copyright bill is indispensable for Nepal’s accession to the WTO," a senior official at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies said.

In a bid to make the bill compliant with the TRIPS agreement and the Berne Convention, as well as to ensure its effective enforcement, law makers Bijay Subba and Bhakta Bahadur Balayar had proposed separate amendments to the draft," says Uday Sapkota of the Ministry. Sapkota was one of those who prepared the draft bill.

At its recent meeting, the Population and Social committee had endorsed the bill along with the amendment proposals. "The amendments have been proposed in consultation with the Copyright Protection Society of Nepal (CPSN) and several outstanding artistes and authors," says Subba, also a noted singer and litterateur.

"The bill is ready for tabling in the House of Representatives for consideration," says Keshav Pudasaini, secretary of the Population and Social Committee of the House. The bill will make its way to the Lower House as a finance bill, according to him.

The current copyright bill has been long in waiting to be tabled in the House. The bill that made its way to the 19th session of the House last winter, however, failed to make headway, as the whole session could not sit even for a single day. The bill was again registered with the Parliament Secretariat on July 10 last year during the 20th session. It was then sent to the Population and Social Committee so that necessary action could be initiated.

If a new copyright act is a must to quicken Nepal’s entry to the WTO, officialdom at the concerned ministry should do the necessary homework to prepare the copyright regulations needed to facilitate the implementation of the act, say copyright experts. Sadly, nothing has been done in this regard.

"The Copyright Protection Society of Nepal (CPSN) can contribute to drafting the regulations," says Shantosh Sharma, general secretary of the CPSN that had provided the necessary input and expertise while drafting the copyright bill.

But a lot will need to be done before the Intellectual Property law can be effectively enforced. "The royalty collecting societies, among others, should be strengthened and activated, as it is an invariable part of the IP law enforcement system," says Sharma.

"The new copyright laws will certainly come as a relief to the artistes and creators, but what is equally important, is the creation of public awareness towards copyright protection," say veteran singer Yogesh Vaidya and senior composer Shila Bahadur Moktan.

'RNAC should be run under Company Act'

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 15: A high level committee has recommended that the national flag carrier, the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC), be run under the Company Act.

It has recommended that the ownership of the airline be changed and one-third of the shares be given to the party or parties looking after its management and the remaining shares to tourism entrepreneurs, local banks, finance institutions, government employees and the general public.

The committee report states that the government has invested around Rs. 370 million on RNAC. "Since the government has no policy to invest additional funds on RNAC, the airline itself has to do something to improve its condition," the report says.

To make the airline competitive in the international as well as domestic markets, its entire structure must change. Two separate companies must be registered for operating international and domestic flights, the report says.

The report has emphasised on the need for properly utilising the Corporation’s assets such as land and reserve engines. It has also recommended the airline to sell one of its two reserve engines of 757 aircraft and pay its debts.

The report has also recommended the airline management to raise all money from its sales agents.

"The airline must restructure its routes and introduce programmes to retain its trained manpower."

The report has said that the frequent change of executive chairmen and board of directors, rampant corruption and leakage have tarnished the image of the airline. "So the airline must be free from political interference," the report says.

As per a cabinet decision, the committee was formed around six weeks ago under the chairmanship of Damodar Prasad Gautam.

Other members of the committee were Narayan Singh Pun, executive chairman of Karnali Air; Bala Nanda Paudyal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance; Bhesh Raj Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Law; Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Sher Bahadur Pandey, executive chairman of Nepal Oil Corporation; Tejendra Jung Thapa, an aviation expert; Yogendra Sakya, tourism entrepreneur, and Narayan Bajaj, a Chartered Accountant; Nagendra Prasad Ghimire, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, was secretary of the committee.

South Asian employers discuss global compact

Kathmandu, Feb. 15 (RSS): A workshop of employers' organisations of South Asian countries on the promotion of the principles contained in the global compact began here on Thursday under the joint auspices of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Employers' Council and NICC of Japan.

Inaugurating the workshop, president of FNCCI Ravi Bhakta Shrestha noted that the people of the South Asian region were unable to enjoy the fruits of liberalisation and globalisation because of want and poverty, the common challenges of the entire South Asia region.

President of FNCCI/Employers' Council Suraj Baidya underlined the need for industrialists of the least developed countries to enhance their capacity in order to survive cut-throat competition resulting from liberalisation and globalisation.

Managing director of NICC Toshio A. Suzuki said that SAARC member countries should modify labour and employment policies and laws and put them into action with total commitment in line with the principles of global compact given the pace of economic development taking place in these countries.

Mohammed Mustafa Sharif, general secretary of the Employers' Federation of Pakistan, expressed the hope that the participating countries would be able to arrive at concrete decisions after extensive discussions on the challenges faced while implementing the global compact and opportunities to be availed from the workshop.

Representatives from employers' organisations of the South Asian region emphasised the need for implementing employment and labour laws to confront the challenges and opportunities resulting from globalisation and liberalisation.

Employers' organisations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal are taking part in the three-day workshop.

House to discuss ordinance from February 18

Kathmandu, Feb. 15 (RSS): The proposal to seek approval of the ordinance declaring a state of emergency throughout the kingdom under article 115, clause 1 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 is to be discussed in the House of Representatives from February 18.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat informed that February 18, 20, 21 have been fixed for the reply by the Prime Minister to questions raised during discussions on the proposal.

He also said that 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 18 has been fixed as the hour for tabling the proposal in the House of Representatives.

The next meeting of the House will be on February 18.

NRB governor rules out bank accounts scrutin

Kathmandu, Feb. 15 (RSS): Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Dr. Tilak Rawal has made it clear that nobody can scrutinise depositors' accounts in commercial banks in contravention of the general principles of banks, and reassured depositors not to be misled into believing that their accounts are being investigated.

Governor Rawal made this remark while inaugurating an interaction programme organised by Nepal Rastra Bank, Banking Promotion Committee and Bank Management Department here today to collect suggestions and advice on the draft "Bank and Financial Institutions Bill-2058".

Governor Rawal said that NRB could scrutinise the bank accounts of persons suspected of involvement in terrorist activities and it could also freeze such accounts.

He warned that the country would continue to face crises until the law and order situation improved.

The present bill has been brought in as an integrated bill so that there will be no unnecessary hassle and time will not be wasted in paperwork in view of the difficulty being faced by financial institutions due to confusion arising from the many acts governing banks and financial institutions, he said.

The draft, prepared by a committee comprising representatives from Nepal Rastra Bank, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Bankers' Association, is aimed at protecting the rights and privileges of depositors, lowering the risk factor in financial transactions, strengthening the economy, maintaining a healthy and competitive financial environment and making necessary arrangements for establishment, management, monitoring and supervision.

The proposed draft, which has 12 chapters and 135 clauses, incorporates provisions under which financial institutions and banks are to be registered at the NRB only and they can buy their own shares with permission from NRB.

The draft, prepared in coordination with the Rastra Bank Act-2058, has made new provisions regarding the sale of institutional shares.

It was also disclosed at the programme that the draft bill is being brought forth after scrapping various acts relating to banks and financial institutions.

NRB deputy governor Ram Babu Panta remarked that the proposed draft has been prepared to enhance the accountability, transparency and reliability of bank and financial institutions. He added that the draft would be presented in the current parliamentary session after giving it the form of a legislative act and incorporating all suggestions received in this regard.

Another NRB Deputy Governor, Bijaya Nath Bhattarai, said the draft will replace many acts governing banks and financial institutions, and pointed out that the draft would become more practical if any shortcomings in it were corrected before it was passed.

A joint secretary at the Ministry of Finance said that the draft had been refined in order to resolve the problems in the banking and financial sector.

The participants were of the view that although efforts were being made to lump banks and financial institutions together under one roof, the qualification of the operators should not be uniform as there were different kinds of banks.

They pointed out the need for rethinking the provision regarding the number of founding proprietors while registering a financial institution. The draft bill has made provisions for 15 founder proprietors while at the beginning it was only seven.

The speakers also underlined the need for incorporating a provision to regard bonds as collateral.

His Majesty confers   medals, decorations

Kathmandu, Feb. 15 (RSS): His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev conferred medals on members of the Royal family and other distinguished persons contributing special services during the reign and after the demise of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev at separate investiture ceremonies held at the Naryanhity Royal Palace today.

His Majesty conferred the Suprasiddha Prabala Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (First class) on His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah at a special investiture ceremony today.

Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and other members of the Royal family were present at the special investiture ceremony.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was also present on the occasion.

His Majesty the King conferred the Omram Patta on Her Royal Highness Princess Helen Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and Jyotirmaya Subikhyat Trishakti Patta (First class) on Her Royal Highness Shobha Rajya Laxmi Shahi.

Likewise, His Majesty the King conferred the Suprashiddha Prabala Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (First class) on Her Royal Highness Princess Prerana Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Her Royal Highness Princess Shitasma Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and Her Royal Highness Princess Dilasa Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.

Similarly, His Majesty conferred the Suprasiddha Prabala Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (First class) on Kumar Mohan Bahadur Shahi, Kumar Gorakh Shumshere J.B. Rana, Mrs. Ketaki Chester, Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammed Moshin and chairman of the Rajparishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi.

His Majesty the King also conferred the Mahagauravmaya Tejaswi Tribhuvan Prajatantra Sripad (First class) on private secretary of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Kaji Madhusudan Rajbhandari, Ujjwal Kirtimaya Nepal Sripad (Second class) on General (retd) Nara Shumshere J.B. Rana, and Omram Patta on chief of the Royal household Sardar Sharada Prasad Pradhan, honourary ADC Major General Bharat Keshar Singh, Royal physician Dr. Mrigendra Raj Pandey and General (retd) Arjun Narsingh Rana.

Likewise, His Majesty conferred the Subikhayat Trishakti Patta (Second class) on nine persons and Prabala Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (Second class) on 20 persons.

His Majesty the King also decorated 68 individuals, including high ranking officials of His Majesty's Government, the Royal household, Royal Nepalese Army and Nepal Police and doctors with the Trishakti Patta (Third).

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev presented different medals to 474 persons on the occasion.

A total of 112 persons including high ranking officials of HMG, the Royal household, Royal Nepalese Army and Nepal Police received the Suprabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (Third), 18 persons received Prakhyat Trishakti Patta (Fourth), 84 Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (Fourth), three Trishakti Patta (Fifth) and 257 Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (Fifth).

Meanwhile, His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev graced a tea reception held at Narayanhiti Royal Palace for the distinguished individuals who were presented decorations conferred by His Majesty on Kartik 7, 2058 BS.

Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was present on the occasion.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Royal Highness Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and other members of the Royal family also attended the reception.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, chairman of the National Assembly Dr Mohammod Mohsin and chairman of the Rajparishad Standing Committee Dr Kesharjung Rayamajhi were also present on the occasion.