National unity must to make peace process success: HM
Priority to all round development of Far Western Region stressed

From Our Correspondent

DHANGADHI, Apr. 4: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, addressing the civic felicitation programme at Dhangadhi today, said that at a time when the world was going through a difficult phase, national unity was even more important to us. His Majesty said, "There is only one option - the option of saving the country from the brink of disaster." Should we fail, we stand condemned by history and humiliated before the future generation, His Majesty said.

Addressing the civic reception held to felicitate Their Majesties the King and Queen by the people of the Far Western Development Region, His Majesty the King said that the Nepalese were unreservedly committed to multiparty democracy and that all of them should concentrate on ways and means of uplifting the country and the countrymen to the height of progress in the shortest possible time.
"Our people deserve good governance, a corruption-free administration and a government accountable to the people."

Since peace is an important prerequisite for progress, definite efforts must be followed for a lasting peace. All individuals, political parties and civil society, who have goodwill towards the nation and its people, must contribute to making the peace process a success, His Majesty the King said in the address. His Majesty said that patriotism should be the pivotal element of all diverse opinions. Nepal's Monarchy's devotion to the country and the people's unwavering love for their land are history's glorious past, its present and also its future, His Majesty said.

His Majesty said nations that started their development endeavours together with Nepal had made remarkable progress. Majority of the Nepalese people, however, still suffer from disease, hunger and illiteracy, His Majesty the King said. "Not a single individual, a single village or a district or any ethnic group or community should feel neglected, His Majesty said, adding this goal should be achieved with the active participation of the political parties and elected representatives in a multiparty democracy.

The international community has once again begun to place their faith on Nepal's improving situation as well as on its governance, His Majesty said. "We should not allow this opportunity to go to waste."
Describing the strong bond between the institution of monarchy and the people nurtured by mutual affection and confidence as the quintessence of Nepali identity, His Majesty said Nepal has been able to maintain her independent identity and self-respect throughout history only because of the people's consistent trust in the institution of monarchy and the monarchy's dedication towards the people.

The following is the full text of His Majesty's address:

Beloved countrymen,

We are happy to be amongst our beloved people of the Far Western Development Region here in Dhangadhi. The quintessence of our Nepali identity is the strong bond between the institution of monarchy and the people nurtured by mutual affection and confidence. Nepal has been able to maintain her independent identity and self-respect throughout her history only because of the people's unwavering trust in the institution of Monarchy and the Monarchy's dedication towards the people. We would like to reiterate here that the affection and allegiance of the people have been the source of inspiration for us to dedicate ourselves to the good of the country and the people.

To act in accordance with the wishes of the people is an unchanging commitment of the Monarchy. In keeping with this commitment, the well-being of the people, providing hopes for a bright future for the younger generation and ensuring a pride of place for the country among the comity of nations through multiparty democracy are our only desires.

We must give utmost priority to the all round development of this Far Western Development Region, which has lagged far behind compared to the other parts of the kingdom. It is time we concentrated our efforts in the development of our nation. Countries which had embarked on the road to development at the same time as we achieved a lot of progress. We, however, have fallen behind. The majority of our people must still endure the heart wrenching existence of disease, hunger and lack of education.

While addressing our beloved people of the Eastern Development Region last January, we had stressed on incorporating market economy, good governance, transparency and corruption-free practices into our national agenda in the hope that the administration would inculcate a culture of responsibility towards the common people and that the polity would infuse the society with moral values.

Since we are all unreservedly committed to multiparty democracy, we should all concentrate on the ways and means of uplifting the country and the countrymen to the pinnacle of progress in the shortest possible time. Peace is a pre-condition in achieving this and there must be unequivocal effort in giving permanence to peace. All individuals, political parties and the civil society who have goodwill towards Nepal and the Nepali people must contribute in earnest to make a success of the peace process that is already underway. It will be against the popular will of the Nepali people if anyone tries to thwart this.

Unfortunately, the world is going through a difficult phase and national unity is even more important to us at this juncture. The only option for Nepal and the Nepali people at this crucial hour is to work together to bring the country back from the brink of collapse. Should we fail, we will stand condemned by history and be an embarrassment for future generations.

It is our conviction that our people deserve good governance, a corruption-free administration and a government responsible to the people. It is our desire to see that not a single individual, a single village or a district or any ethnic group or community feels neglected. We also wish this goal to be achieved with the active participation of the political parties and elected representatives of the people under the aegis of multiparty democracy. The international community has once again begun to place their faith on the improving situation in Nepal as well as on its governance. We should not squander this opportunity.

It is but natural to have differences of opinion and competition in a multiparty democracy. However, the converging point of all these different opinions must be patriotism. A monarchy ever devoted to the country and the people and a people with innate love for their land are the glorious past of Nepali history, its present and also its future.

On behalf of the Queen and ourselves, we would like to thank the organisers of this function and all our countrymen who are present here today.

May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all!

Jaya Nepal!

Their Majesties accorded warm welcome

By Bhimsen Thapaliya

DHANGADHI, Apr. 4: Thousands of people enjoyed the slight drizzle and an atmosphere free of dust, sweat and thirst at the civic felicitation ceremony of Their Majesties the King and Queen today. Their Majesties the King and the Queen arrived at the Boradandi Royal Nepalese Army base here at 10:40 a.m. from Nepalgunj. Their Majesties were received at the barracks by dignitaries, including the chief judge (Mukhya Nyayadhis), Regional Administrator and Chief District Officer of Kailali. Their Majesties had flown to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu Thursday afternoon. From the Boradandi barracks, the royal entourage arrived at the civic felicitation ground at 11:10 a.m.

Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand greeted and received Their Majesties the King and Queen. Members of the organising main committee also greeted Their Majesties. Eager people lined up on the side of the entourage route to have a glimpse of their King and Queen. Upon arrival of Their Majesties at the Open Air Theatre, the people who had been waiting patiently applauded and waved the national flag. The ground had turned into a sea of motley mass. Their Majesties greeted and waved hands at the mass from the special dais.

The more than 70 felicitation letters presented to Their Majesties the King and the Queen by different organisations were read out by Nain Bahadur Swar, Rajparishad member and chief of the Royal felicitation organising main committee. The people of the Far Western Development Region in the felicitation letter have expressed the belief that Their Majesties' visit would help the people come out from the clutches of their hardships and inspire a new lease of life. The visit would also spark a new wave of vigour to reconstruct the damaged physical infrastructure, the letter of royal honour read.
Reading the felicitation letter, Swar said that the close bond between the King and the people is a unique Nepalese tradition. He expressed gratitude to His Majesty for visiting the doorsteps of the people and sharing their woes and joys. The letter complains that there is an increasing trend of showering more opportunities to the already developed regions while those that are left behind are pushed further behind.

An unfair system of distributing the national resources is responsible for the anomalies being seen today. "Resource distribution is based on population rather than on balanced regional development," the felicitation letter laments while lauding the monarchical tradition of delivering justice to the victims of injustice. Swar and Dhruba Kumar Priya presented gifts to Their Majesties. About five dozen cultural and industrial displays were presented before Their Majesties. They represented different ethnic communities, organisations, industrial houses, religious institutions, educational institutions and other groups.

The centre of attraction was the dances reflecting the rich cultural life of the region. Kaiya Chaudhary of the organising committee expressed gratitude to Their Majesties for accepting the felicitations of the people of this region.

The welcome address was delivered by Hem Bikram Thapa, vice president of the organising main committee. A musical band had performed the national anthem and welcome song at the ceremony. Friday evening, Dhangadhi residents celebrated the event by illumination.

Maoists, Masal hold talks

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 4: CPN-Maoist and CPN (Unity Centre - Masal) held bilateral talks here today.
On the occasion, serious discussions were held on the prevailing condition of the country, it has been mentioned in a joint statement signed by convenor of the dialogue team of the CPN-Maoists Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai and joint general secretary of the CPN (Unity Centre -Masal) Prakash. In the statement, it has been stated that both the parties have reached understanding on finding a way out through the constituent assembly and appeal has been made to all the political forces, civic society and the public at large to free the country from the crisis.

"We call upon all the social-political forces to play positive role from their respective places to ensure the dialogue between the state and the Maoists to be meaningful," it has been mentioned in the statement.

It has also been stated that it is impossible to resolve the problem without the participation of the political parties inside and outside the Parliament.

Finnish delegation arriving Monday

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Apr. 4: A Finnish delegation headed by Ms. Paivi Luostarinen, deputy director general of the America, Asia and Oceania desk of the Finnish Foreign Ministry is arriving in Kathmandu on Monday for a weeklong visit.The delegation with will discuss with the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the recent political development here and the future economic and financial cooperation with the Nepalese Ministry of Finance, said a press statement of the Embassy of Finland today.

The Finnish delegation will also meet with representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu, National Human Rights Commission and international organisations. It will also familiarise itself with the development projects jointly financed by the two countries. Nepal is one of Finland's long-term partner countries, which means the latter is providing financial support in various development programmes. Finland is assisting Nepal in rural water supply and sanitation, education, environment, mapping, and human rights, democracy and good governance.

Smuggling hampering economy, says Pradhan

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BIRGUNJ, Apr. 4: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Mahesh Lal Pradhan has said that as political instability and lack of security in the past have had an adverse impact on the national economy, the responsibility of its uplift has now fallen on the shoulders of the private sector. Minister Pradhan made the remark while addressing the concluding function of a training programme on 'Investigative Economic Journalism' jointly organised by the national union of journalists regional committee, Birgunj and the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today. On the occasion, he said that one of the main causes of the present sorry state of the economy was smuggling of goods.

Stating that the government was putting in place the legal and infrastructure requirements for the development, promotion and extension of basic industries directly related to export trade and the needs of the general public, he said the political sector should accord due priority and honour to the economic and sector for sustainable economic development of the country. The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies also made it clear that the government was compelled to increase the price of petroleum products as it could not withstand the effects of the world political situation on the national economy and trade.

He stressed that the Nepali journalism should give appropriate place in the news to the social and economic problems of the country on a priority basis. Second vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Rajendra Khetan said that the government should involve the private sector also in the policy, structural and procedural reforms for the promotion and expansion of market for Nepalese goods.

President of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry Satya Narayan Agrawal presided over the programme.

TU result

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 4: The Tribhuvan University Examinations Control Office, Balkhu has published the results of the Master level second year economics new course (except thesis) examinations conducted under the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences this year.

Attend office in time: Jangam

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 4: Convenor of the public service follow-up and inspection team for the Bagmati and Narayani Zones Bharat Mani Jangam has urged the civil servants to attend office in time and remain busy in office work throughout.

Addressing the employees of the Ministry of Population and Environment here today, he underlined the need for incorporating five minutes before and after office hours also as office time. He said the public services has been hampered as employees usually do not reach office on time, waste 1 to 2 hours in tea-break and leave office well before the end of office time. Pointing out that the employees should not engage in party politics or have affiliation to different political parties, he said except than establishing internal organisations for the professional rights and welfare of the employees, they should not give time for other activities.

He said that the public service follow-up and inspection team is active in streamlining the administrative machinery in view of extensive complaints that irregularities, corruption, indiscipline and such nefarious activities taking place at the centre being received from the districts and other lower tier offices.

Team member Kumar Bahadur Karki, shedding light on the objectives of the team, said that the country would move ahead on the path of progress if the employees mend their ways. He said that 85-90 per cent of the civil servants were skilled experts in their respective fields. He also sought co-operation from the employees in identifying those employees involved in irregularities and taking action against them.

Secretary at the Ministry of Population and Environment Lok Man Singh Karki highlighted the rationale of establishing the Ministry, its objectives and activities. He said tat the Ministry has not been able to perform effectively due to the lack of infrastructure and manpower in the Ministry.

Meanwhile, convenor of the public services monitoring and inspection team for Bagmati and Narayani Zones Bharat Mani Jangam directed the officials of the Agriculture Development Bank main office today to work for the people as per the rules and regulations. He said the employees union activities should not hamper the office works.Jangam urged the employees not to do any dilly dallying in the works of the people.

'Janakpurdham symbol of Nepal-India cultural ties'

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JANAKPURDHAM, Apr. 4: Indian Ambassador Shyam Sharan has said that Janakpurdham area has remained as a symbol of cultural and religious ties between Nepal and India since the ancient time.
At a felicitation organised in his honour by Janakpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries here today, Ambassador Sharan said that the Government of India has focused on projects benefiting the people of both the countries and that it has also shown interest in the development and construction works such as a round around Janakpurdham and drainage. He also said that if Nepal needed the services of experts in the field of agriculture and drainage construction, the government would be providing these at its own cost.

On the occasion, Assistant Minister for Local Development Dr. Asharfi Shah said that the Nepal-India ties were strong not only at the governmental but also at the people's level and praiseworthy work has been done in various sectors including health with the cooperation of the government of India. Counsellor at the Embassy of India Javed Usmani said that the Government of India will provide I.C. Rs 850 million for optical fibre telecom centre along the East-West Highway and I.C. Rs 450 for 200-bed Trachoma Treatment Centre and the construction work of these will be completed within two years.

Mr Usmani also said that talks were in progress for the establishment of an information technology institute in Nepal and expressed the commitment that apart from big projects, the Government of India was willing to formulate small ones as well. President of Janakpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ram Naresh Shah presided over the programme.

One killed in army copter accident

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KATHMANDU, Apr. 4: One person died in a sudden accident of an helicopter belonging to the Royal Nepal Army. The jawan was seriously injured in the accident died this morning while undergoing treatment at the Birendra Military Hospital. The army jawans who sustained injuries in the accident have been airlifted to Kathmandu by an army helicopter and they are receiving treatment at the Birendra Military Hospital at Chhauni. Fifteen army jawans on the board the ill-fated helicopter from Suparitar Barrack were going to guard a repeater station of the Nepal Telecommunications Corporation at Mahadevdada hills at an altitude of about 6,800 feet but unfortunately, it lost its balance while touching down and rammed against a tree close to the helipad.Detailed investigation of the accident is going on, it is learnt.

Police seize hides of spotted leopard

By Indra Adhikari

KATHMANDU, Apr. 4: The ward police office at Swoyambhu has seized 109 pieces of hides of the spotted leopard and 14 other hides of an unidentified animal from a bus bound for Dhading in central north Nepal today. The hides were packed neatly in 11 sacks. Pasang Chimkel Lama of Gorkha, currently living at Swayambhu, has been arrested.

According to Superintendent of Police at Hanuman Dhoka Kuber Singh Rana, the hides were seized during a regular check at the Halchowk post at Swayambhu at noon today. The hides were found in a bus with registration number Ba. 2 Kha that runs on the Kathmandu-Dhading route.

Rana said that the hides had been packed in sacks together with chilli, wool, and other food items. Rana said that the unknown 14 pieces of brown skins could be that of the Ratuwa (barking deer). Inspector Arun Kumar Shah said that they found the hides while checking one of the sacks upon mere suspicion. "The sacks were packed so well that it took us half an hour to open two sacks," he said.

Lama said that a Tibetan had given him the 11 sacks on Wednesday. He said that he was asked to carry the sacks through Gorkha to Tibet through his village of Chekanpark in the northern part of the district in west Nepal. "I did not know that the sacks contained the hides of animals, I would never have carried it," he said. Lama, 35, said he did not know the name of the Tibetan, but could recognize him. He also said that he had known the Tibetan since the last five years while portering in the area. After handing over the skins, the Tibetan had told him that he was returning to Tatopani. Lama was also given Rs. 50,000 to carry the hides to Tibet.

Lama was promised tea, salt and rice in exchange for taking the hides across the Himalayas. "The Tibetan had said that it was necessary to take the hides through Gorkha because he had not found any porter at Tatopani," Lama said. Lama came to Swayambhu about a week back to meet his son who is studying Lamaism there.

Each hide is numbered on the back by a marker. The animals are believed to have been killed recently as the hides have not dried well. The largest of the hides measures about nine feet in length.
Rana said that the hides would be handed over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation Center.