US, UK visit successful, says PM

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 15: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today said that his visit to the United States and Britain had been fruitful to fight terrorism and poverty.

"The United States and Britain have promised their full support to assist Nepal to defeat terrorism and to combat poverty and unemployment," Deuba told a press conference at the Tribhuvan International Airport after his return to Kathmandu completing his visit to the United States and Britain. The Prime Minister returned home this afternoon completing his visit of the United States and Britain and addressing the UN special session on children.

"In the United States I met with President George W. Bush, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State Colin Powell and informed them about Nepal’s present situation. I requested them to assist Nepal to fight terrorism and poverty and they have responded very positively."

"I met some of the Senators, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and other UN officials. They are also sensitive to Nepal’s problem," he said.

Premier Deuba said the US government would announce the assistance soon. "The assistance will be announced after the discussion of Need Assessment Report," he said. A US military team was in Nepal before the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States to assess the needs to fight terrorism and to address poverty and unemployment. The team has already submitted its report to the government.

"The assistance will consist of logistic support to the security forces and the assistance to fight poverty and unemployment." Responding to a query on whether the assistance would also include military support, he said, "The assistance aims at making Nepal stronger but not bringing foreign troops to fight the Maoists."

"Besides, we also held talks with the US officials to increase bilateral trade between the two countries," he said.

"I talked with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair about the same problems (terrorism and poverty) and he has assured me to assist Nepal to address them," said Deuba. "The British Prime Minister is expected to hold an internal meeting soon to discuss and decide about assistance," Deuba said.

He said the members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons expressed goodwill towards Nepal.

"I also talked to Blair about increasing the pension facility of the British Gurkhas," said Deuba. "He was positive about it."

Deuba said he had extended invitation to President Bush on behalf of His Majesty King Gyanendra and to Blair on his own behalf. "They are willing to visit Nepal."

Asked whether the government would hold talks with the Maoists, Deuba said, "I did not go to the United States and Britain to ask them whether we should hold talks with the Maoists or not."

Responding to a question regarding the extension of the state of emergency Deuba said, "I will consult others to decide how we can go ahead about it. But it is not necessary to extend the state of emergency to fight with the terrorists."

Peace vital for food security

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 15: Senior government officials from 25 Asia-Pacific nations ended three days of talks on food security here on Wednesday stressing that political stability and peace are essential conditions for increasing agricultural production in the world’s hungriest region.

The Food and Agriculture Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific said, the consultation has submitted a set of recommendations for consideration by ministers from these countries during the plenary session of the 26th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific, which takes place on 16 and 17 May in Kathmandu.

Increasing agricultural production, equitable access to productive resources, population control, conducive public policies, and peace and order, were among the key elements identified by the consultation as vital for food security.

The senior officers expressed serious concern over the negative effect of food insecurity on pregnant and nursing women, infants and children.

"They agreed that successful experiences from countries in the region prove that the best way to tackle poverty and hunger is by empowering the rural poor." In this context they emphasised the relevance of the development goals agreed on by the nations of the world at the UN’s Millennium Summit in 2000.

"There was consensus that devolution of decision-making authority and development resources to community levels is crucial to the empowerment process," noted the meeting document adopted at the end of the consultation.

Delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga and the United States of America attended the 13 to 15 May Senior Officers Meeting. Observers from the Holy See, The Netherlands, representatives of UN specialised agencies and several intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations were also present.

The FAO regional conference is one of a series of such meetings across the world in preparation for a gathering of world leaders for the World Food Summit: five years later (WFS: fyl) to be held at FAO headquarters in Rome from 10 to 13 June 2002. WFS:fyl has been convened to mobilise political will and resources to accelerate global hunger reduction in keeping with the 1996 World Food Summit pledge by 185 nations to halve the level of hunger by the year 2015.

Noting that the region is home to two-thirds of about 780 million hungry people in the developing world, the meeting expressed concern over the decline in the flow of financial resources to agriculture. Encouraged by the recent International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico, and the representatives of Asia-Pacific governments called for "substantial increase in agriculture and rural development investments".

They also expressed satisfaction with those positive outcomes of the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Doha, Qatar that supported fair and equitable agricultural trade regimes. They urged countries in the region to "ensure that the important principles accepted in Doha are implemented". In this context, the meeting requested FAO to assist in improving national capabilities in the region to "participate fully and effectively in the upcoming round of negotiations on agriculture to ensure fairness and equity in existing arrangements".

Discussions were held on issues related to sustainable mountain development, livestock and fisheries development for household food and nutrition security and poverty alleviation; empowering the rural poor; and regional preparation for WFS:fyl.

The meeting highlighted the vulnerabilities of mountain ecosystems, mountain cultures, women and children in upland areas as well as the "ill-preparedness of mountain people to compete effectively in open economies". It called on member government to give high priority to establishing and improving transport, energy and communication links and services to mountain communities.

While preparing mountain communities to benefit from locally available comparative or competitive advantages, the meeting suggested that governments must work with non-governmental organisations to provide "targeted safety nets" and social programmes to reduce hunger, create jobs in the mountain areas.

Bhutan says not now to UNHCR office

By Navin Singh Khadka

Kathmandu, May 15: Bhutan has termed premature the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) proposal to open its office in the Dragon Kingdom to facilitate Bhutanese refugees’ repatriation, officials with the world body told The Rising Nepal today.

"They (Bhutan) said the time has not come for such an office
to be set up in Bhutan," said Michel Duponza, UNHCR representative to Nepal. "They have, however, not said ‘no’, it’s an ongoing discussion."

The UNHCR office here did not specify when it had first asked for the permission with Thimpu. The Geneva-based UNHCR Headquarters proposed the idea with the Bhutanese mission in Switzerland in the past considering the pending repatriation of the around 100,000 Bhutanese refugees languishing in seven different camps it manages in eastern Nepal.

"The idea is specifically linked with the repatriation of the refugees," said Duponza. "With our 52 years of experience in handling refugees, we have offered our help to them so that the repatriation could be done effectively."

In response, Bhutan has said that it would allow the UNHCR office to open in its territory at what it calls the right time, according to UNHCR officials. And when is that supposed to be? Most probably after the 12th round of the Joint Ministerial Level meeting between Nepal and Bhutan on the refugee crisis, Bhutan is said to have told the UN’s body dealing with refugee crises all over the world.

After a joint Nepal-Bhutan team verified a little more than 12,000 Bhutanese refugees at Khudunabari camp – one of the seven refugee camps — last November, the Foreign Ministry is awaiting Bhutan’s confirmation on the dates for the 12th round of meet. "We have not yet heard anything from them," said a senior Foreign Ministry official.

The meeting is crucial to bring out the results of the joint verification of the refugees at the Khudunabari camp. It is at this meet, the two Himalayan Kingdoms are supposed to iron out their festering differences on who of the verified refugees should be repatriated.

Ever since they decided to categorise the around 100,000 refugees into four groups – Bonafide Bhutanese, Bhutanese who have emigrated, Bhutanese who have committed crimes and non-Bhutanese – in 1993, Nepal and Bhutan have been at logger heads on how to treat the four categories.

The Druk Yul has been adamant it would take back only the bonafide Bhutanese while Nepal insists all the categories except the non-Bhutanese ones should be repatriated.

Bhutan’s cold shoulder to UNHCR’s proposal to open its office in its land comes in line with Thimpu’s dilly-dallying in bringing out the results of the verification of the Khudunabari Camp, refugee leaders claim. A good five months have passed since refugees of this camp were verified.

"For Bhutan, the right time to open the UNHCR office in its land will never come," said Ratan Gazmere, Chief Coordinator of Association of Human Rights Activists, Bhutan. "Therefore, the UN will have to push its mandates to solve the refugee crisis. But the sad part is that no one is taking the refugees into confidence while trying to address the refugee crisis."

The frustrated refugees, who have been lodged in the camps for the last 11 years, claim that they were forcefully evicted out of their homeland in southern Bhutan after they were made to sign voluntary migration forms at gunpoint. Bhutan, however, denies that and says that the refugees were illegal economic immigrants in its land.

Preserve sanctity of Pashupati area: Wagle

Kathmandu, May 15 (RSS): Minister for Physical Planning and Works Chiranjibi Wagle, who is also looking after the portfolios of the Prime Minister, said that the cooperation of everyone is necessary for implementation of the master plan of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) for the conservation and development of the Pashupati area which remains a centre of religious faith of all the Hindus throughout the world.

Minister Wagle made this remark while releasing the first part of the "Shiva Mahapuran" at a function organised to mark the 16th anniversary of PADT and "Akshaya Tritiya" at a function here today.

Wagle stressed the need to implement programmes to develop Nepal into a religious touristic place.

The clean water of the Bagmati River is being offered to the temple of Lord Pashupatinath, he said, adding that the religious places and rivers of Kathmandu valley should be made free of pollution.

The Nepalese society should remain alert of attacks being made by the Maoist terrorists on religion and culture, Wagle said, adding that the vandalism carried out by the terrorists on the Mahendra Sanskrit University of Dang district is a very deplorable act.

Speaking from the chair Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C. said that the PADT master plan approved in 2056 B.S. was receiving impetus.

Stating that the "Patis, Pauwas and Shattals" being built in the Pashupati area are being evacuated in accordance with the master plan, K.C. informed that 119 buildings built on the western side of the Pashupati Temple would be evacuated.

His Majesty’s Government has increased the PADT’s budget by Rs. 100 million for development of the Pashupati area this year, PADT member-secretary Basanta Chaudhary said that the cooperation of the local residents was necessary for cleanliness and development of the Pashupati area.

Convenor of the PADT Publicity Committee Ram Prasad Dahal read out a message sent by Her Majesty the Queen wishing for the success of the programme for releasing the "Shiva Mahapuran."

Former PADT member-secretary Chetonath Gautam and treasurer Shanker Raj Pathak threw light on the "Shiva Mahapuran."

Wipe out social evils: Nepal

Kathmandu, May 15 (RSS): General Secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal initiated a week long Srimad Bhagawat Gyan Yagya for peace and amity in the country as well as in the world here today.

General secretary Nepal and Rajparisad Standing Committee member Dr. Swami Prapannacharya jointly performed the bhoomi pujan for a building of Prannath Sewa Ashram to be constructed by Sri Krishna Pranami Sewa Samiti at the same place.

A four-storey building with a temple of Radhakrishna, a shelter for elderly persons and guests will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.5 million on the land donated by Ram Nath Dhakal and Om Kumari Dhakal of Koteshwar ward No. 35.

At the function, Nepal honoured the couple as well as hermit Purusottam Das Timilsina, who donated Rs. 10,000 for the construction of the building by wrapping shawls around them.

Referring to violent activities that have been on a sharp rise in the country as a result of the lack of a sense of altruism, Nepal said if all Nepalese showed sincerity and devotion in assuming their duties, such social evils could be wiped out.

Poet Madhav Ghimire said the animal kingdom cannot exist without spirituality.

Coordinator of the building construction committee Krishna Prasad Sapkota underlined the need to light the candle of religion to usher peace in the country.

Chairman of Krishna Pranami Sewa Samiti Krishna Prasad Khatiwada said the committee would run an ashram to serve the helpless and elderly people.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML Standing Committee member Sahana Pradhan says that all the sectors in the country were facing an array of problems because of failure of the interim government that came into existence following the popular movement of 2046 B.S. in charting out a new course of action.

Speaking at a colloquium on "Nepalese youth women and the present context" organised by the Democratic Youth Organisation Central Women Department here on Tuesday, she said since the women’s problem is the problem of the entire society, everyone should be made aware of this fact.

MP Gokarna Raj Bista noted that a struggle needs to be launched to roll back the
laws pertaining to gender discrimination pervading in the Nepalese society because of exploitative mind set of the state and the bureaucrats.

National Women Commission chairwoman Dr. Durga Pokharel said that the commission is formulating short-term and long-term plans as well as opting for involving women in the policy-making level.

Advocate Sapana Malla lamented it is the women who suffers a lot because of the structure of the state and the out-dated laws.

Mamata Giri, head of CPN-UML central women department, while making presentation, demanded that 33 percent seats be reserved for women.

Chairwoman of Nepal Women Association Uma Adhikary informed the gathering that homework is being done to get women represented in the National Planning Commission while chairwoman of National Democratic Women Organisation Roshana Karki emphasised on the need for tackling problems relating to women illiteracy, poverty, reproductive health and political aloofness.

Deputy chief of the department Ranjana Maskey and member Urmila Aryal also expressed their views on the occasion.

ICC ratification to improve rights situation

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 15: Early ratification of the International Criminal Court (ICC) would help the country like Nepal to tackle the problem of human rights violations and other criminal activities including genocide. It would be a " right way" to tackle the Maoists problem by bringing the rebellions into a broader legal framework, said Subodh Pyakurel general secretary of the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) today.

Ratification of the ICC would further consolidate the legal rights of the people help maintain justice in the society. If Nepal ratifies it before July 1, it can nominate a judge in the ICC, said Pyakurel while talking to the media people.

The government should not delay in ratifying the ICC, he said adding "However, the existing laws that defy the ICC should be reformed on time."

Ratification is in the interest of Nepal, so as to control the violence and oppression against anybody, he noted. Though the ICC works along with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it deals the case of an individual or an organisation, said Pyakurel.

Speaking to the reporters at the programme on "Coalition for International Criminal Court - Nepal Lobby Tour", Pyakurel said "We have culture of impunity. And Crime of aggression should be entitled for punishment." The ratification of the ICC, on the one hand demands the national laws to be reformed. On the other hand, it would help find solutions to discourage the culture of impunity and the criminals will be punished.

David Mattas, Director of International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development said the early ratification of the ICC would consolidate the court and help Nepal to tackle the Maoists problem by bringing Maoist rebels into the legal framework under the ICC norms. Replying to queries of the reporters, he said Nepal could be largely benefited by ratifying the ICC.

He also expressed satisfaction over the response of the Nepalese political leaders regarding the ratification of the treaty.

In response to a query as to how the ICC would take action against a party who violates the laws, he said the cross investigations would be carried out to prove the prosecutors.

Niza Conception, Coordinator /Forum Asia Project on Promotion of ICC in Manila said the ICC works for controlling criminal activities across the globe. The role of the government is vital in implementing the ICC norms.

According to the INSEC, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), which represents over 1,000 non governmental organisations in the world is working for the establishment of the ICC.

The INSEC has been working as the National Coalition of the International Coalition for the Criminal Court.

Presently the CICC officials are visiting Nepal to appeal Nepal for the ratification. The CICC delegates have met government officials and acquired positive response for the ratification.

Fundamentally, the ICC is not different from the ICJ, but it looks after the cases where an individual or individuals are party to the conflict.

Out of 190 countries, over 150 countries have shown their commitment to the ICC. However, 66 countries have already ratified the ICC.

The court comes into force from July 2 this year. The ICC mainly looks into four different areas such as genocide, war crime, and crime against humanity and aggression. The court can easily penalize to those who commit genocide or violate human rights, according to a press release issued by the INSEC.

For jurisdiction, there are two pre-conditions. Firstly, the incident of crime should happen in the territory of a signatory state. Secondly, the accused should be a national of signatory state. The court can take its jurisdiction even if one of the parties of the dispute are signatories of the ICC.

There will be 18 judges in the court representing different geographical regions, says INSEC.