His Majesty felicitates

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KATHMANDU, April 17 : His Majesty the King has extended cordial felicitations to Dr. Bashar al-Asad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, on the occasion of the National Day of the Syrian Arab Republic.

In a message, His Majesty has expressed best wishes for the President's personal health and happiness as well as for the progress and prosperity of the people of Syria.

Best wishes extended

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KATHMANDU, April 16: By command of His Majesty the King, Chief of the Royal Household Sardar Sharada Prasad Pradhan went to the residence of Charge d' Affaires of Denmark Chresten Petersen in Baluwatar this morning and extended best wishes on behalf of His Majesty the King on the occasion of the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

Congratulations

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KATHMANDU, April 17 : Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has extended sincere congratulations to Mohamed Mustafa Miro, Prime Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic, on the occasion of the National Day of the Syrian Arab Republic.In a message, Chand has wished for the good health and happiness of his Syrian counterpart as well as for the progress and prosperity of the people of Syria.

Team formed for talks with Maoists

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, April 16: The cabinet meeting held here today has formed a six-member team under Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal as coordinator to hold talks with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).

According to the secretariat of the Council of Ministers, other members of the team include Minister for Information and Communications and General Administration, and spokesman of His Majesty's Government Ramesh Nath Pandey, Minister for Health, Science and Technology Dr. Updendra Devkota, Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun, Minister for Labour and Transport and Population and Environment Kamal Prasad Chaulagain and Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Mrs. Anuradha Koirala.

The CPN (Maoist) has already formed its five-member talks team under the leadership of Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Dev Gurung and Matrika Yadav are other members of the team.

Speaking in Biratnagar, Deputy Prime Minister and coordinator Mandal said that as the talks team has been formed, the government and the CPN (Maoist) would hold peace talks as soon as possible.
"An introductory meeting of the two teams will be held within two or three days, and the talks will formally kick off," Mandal said.

In the meantime, at a meeting with the executives of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) today, Dr. Bhattarai said that the peace talks process would make headway soon. He said that the CPN (Maoist) would present many issues during the first phase of the meeting with the government team that will include follow-up to the code of conduct.

Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that he has taken the announcement of the government talks team positively. "It's a good sign that the government has made its talks team public," Mahara told the Gorkhapatra daily, the sister publication of The Rising Nepal.

He said that the talks team should have complete authority. He said that the delay in constituting the talks team on the part of the government had created doubts. "But the doubts have now been cleared."

Talks to begin soon: Pandey

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KATHMANDU, April 16: Minister for Information and Communications and member of the government's team for the government-Maoist peace talks Ramesh Nath Pandey has expressed hope that the talks will begin soon.Talking to the French News Agency AFP, Minister Pandey said "formation of the talk team has once again proved that the government is sincere."

Pandey, who is also spokesman of His Majesty's Government, said HMG is committed to the ceasefire and to converting it into permanent peace.

Sharma stresses air services with China

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KATHMANDU, April 16: Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Nepal Wu Congyong paid a courtesy call on Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Prasad Sharma today. During the meeting, Minister Sharma thanked China for the eagerness shown by the Chinese government towards tourism promotion in Nepal and for recognising Nepal as a first tourism destination in South Asia for outbound Chinese tourists.

He said an agreement for operating bilateral air services was necessary for tourism promotion. Applauding the assistance provided in the past by the government of China in Nepal's development endeavours, he said the government wishes to consolidate the Royal nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) for the development of air transport services in Nepal and in this connection expects goodwill on the part of the Chinese government.

Ambassador Congyong, expressing China's goodwill for peace and development in Nepal, stated that the Chinese government is willing to promote bilateral ties and undertake joint investments in Nepal.

DPM calls upon parties to cooperate in talks

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BIRATNAGAR, April 16: Deputy Prime Minister and convenor of the government team for talks with the CPN-Maoists Badri Prasad Mandal has called upon all the major political parties and their leaders to contribute from their respective sides in order to make the peace talks successful.

Addressing a programme organised by the Purbanchal Anathashram (East Regional Orphanage) to exchange greetings on the occasion of the New Year 2060 here today, Deputy Prime Minister Mandal said the main issue at present is to give continuity to the Parliamentary exercise and the constitutional process by holding general elections.

Accusing the country's major political parties of going after party interests at the cost of national and public interests, he asked whether or not activities aimed at undermining the peace talks perpetrated by elements which cry foul at the fall of a hat when the situation is against them was not retrogression in the real sense of the term.

The main objective at present is the establishment of durable peace in the country, he said and warned that the country would again fall into a spiral of violence and terror if the peace talks failed.
Democratic rights are being exercised the most at present, he said adding, the major political parties in the country were active in terrorising public life and creating havoc in the country by instigating students on the excuse of a rise in price of petroleum products.

Eastern Regional Anathashram founder chairman Mrs. Sita Pokharel was on the chair.
On the occasion Deputy Prime Minister Mandal released a pocket calendar published by the Anathashram. Established in 2044 Bikram Year, the Anathashram currently houses 83 inmates including children and the old.

Meanwhile, national president of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) and Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Badri Prasad Mandal has said the NSP is committed to multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy. Speaking at a programme organised here today by the party's Morang district working committee on the occasion of the party's 13th anniversary and 75th birth anniversary of party founder Gajendra Narayan Singh, he said all round development will not be achieved unless there is law and order.

DPM Mandal said violence and terror have had a negative impact on the country and dislosed that an introductory programme between the HMG and Maoist talks teams will be organised shortly.
DPM Mandal, who has been assigned the responsibility of coordinator of the HMG talks team, said the leaders of the political parties have enticed the students, the pillars of the nation's future, into agitating for their selfish interests, saying that regression has taken place.

He said Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has been bearing a monthly deficit of Rs. 750 million because of previous governments, adding that as a situation had arisen in which oil will not be received on credit, HMG was compelled to increase petroleum prices. The Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister said the previous governments made the corporations and factories centres for recruiting party workers thereby causing many of the corporations and factories to collapse. He made it clear that NOC had to carry a financial burden because of corruption by previous governments.

Some big political parties of the country have been engaged in detracting from the talks rather than making efforts to restore peace, he said adding, they are active in their own selfish interests rather than in the interest of the nation and people. Mandal said many people have been leading difficult lives because of the economic vulnerability of the country and the present challenge is to resolve the problem of the farmers and workers as well as the unemployed.

He said the NSP is honestly engaged in the uplift of the backward classes and for people's rights in the Terai and the hills, adding that the late Gajendra Narayan Singh was concerned for the honorable living of the people. NSP general secretary Amrita Agrahari said her party is active in building a better society by removing injustices and discrimination.

Also speaking on the occasion were NSP joint general secretaries Ram Narayan Yadav and Dilip Dhadeba.

Pun warns against undermining talks

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PARBAT (Phalebas), April 16: Member of the government team for the government-Maoist talks and Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun has warned that the Nepali people will expose anyone trying to undermine the peace talks going to be held to provide a progressive political outlet for the country. Talking to journalists here today, he said the peace talks would be hampered if the government and the Maoists both stick to the status quo, adding that both sides should renounce some of their demands for the sake of a durable peace.

He noted that in the first round goodwill talks with the Maoists were held on adherence to the code of conduct.

Pun expressed the confidence that although those calling themselves big political parties do not take part in the talks team, the peace talks would not be affected. In a separate chat with RSS, Minister Pun said the demand for a constituent assembly, an interim government and a round-table conference put forth by the Maoists was only a process, adding that the peace talks should address the problems of poverty and hunger.

He also visited the venue where a world peace Dhanadhanyachal Srimad Bhagawat Mahapuran Gyan Mahayagya is being held since the New Year with the assistance of Parbat Multiple Campus, the oldest college in Parbat district, and pledged an assistance of Rs. 501,100 for the college. According to the campus, an amount equivalent to Rs. 1.5 million in cash and kind was realised as proceeds from the Mahayagya religious ceremony.

Tansen trade fair begins

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TANSEN, April 16: Micro trade fair kicked off at Tansen from today on the occasion of New Year-2060 under the auspices of Palpa Chambers of Commerce and Industries. The fair to be run for five days aims at accessing the products of small-scale entrepreneurs to consumers in easier way, introducing the public to new innovations and commercial technologies, promoting local products and helping preserve and uplift local arts and cultures.

Inaugurating the fair acting chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries Binod Bahadur Shrestha said the co-ordination and co-work between the government and private sectors is necessary in the effort of strengthening the nation economically. Stating that the micro-entrepreneurs can have an important role in the economical development of the country, he said the present situation of cease-fire will be transferred into permanent peace, which he is sure will create a conducive environment for economical changes in the kingdom.

The third vice-chairman of the federation Chandi Dhakal said such trade fairs will play significant roles in promoting more industrial activities in the country.Palpa chambers chairman Hari Rayamajhi presided the opening function.

UML meeting ends inconclusively amid row

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, April 16: The standing committee meeting of the Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) today ended inconclusively as the members were engaged in locking horns on several issues, including the remarks made against the party leadership by two standing committee members K. P. Sharma Oli and Bamdev Gautam, and a central committee member Radhakrishna Mainali.

The remarks made by Oli, Gautam and Mainali, and a petition against the party leadership by 52 party workers overshadowed other agendas in the meeting as soon as it began today. The three were accused of breaching party discipline. They defended themselves during the meeting. Today's agenda was about forming the party's various departments and zonal committees, said party spokesman Pradeep Nepal. "From the very beginning, there was lack of understanding among the members," said Nepal. But Oli said he did not know about the agenda.

"Today's meeting decided to hold the party's central committee meeting on April 21 and 22 to sort out issues related to the party's internal problems," said a UML press statement. Another standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikary said that the party decided to call the central committee meeting as the issues raised today were related to the central committee. The CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari met four leaders of the Janbadi Morcha, including Ram Raja Prasad Singh and Laxman Singh, at the UML's party office today.

During the discussion, Ram Raja Singh had put forth the issue of a republican state, which the UML general secretary had flatly rejected citing national and international reasons. "Nepal said that the UML would never go against constitutional monarchy," Adhikari said.

However, leaders of the both parties agreed that the government-Maoist talks must be fruitful and result-oriented.

Three die as tree crushes moving taxi

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, April 16: Two women and a taxi driver were killed when a tree crushed a moving taxi with the registration No. Ba. 1 Ja 4581 at Bhadrakali during a thunder storm this evening. The victims were rushed to Bir Hospital in an ambulance of Bishal Bazaar Company but were declared dead on arrival.

Those who died have been identified as Archana Poudel, 38, her sister-in-law Jaya Pokharel, 34, of Handigaon and driver Man Bahadur Chhetri, 35, of Simthali VDC, Kavre. The accident happened at about 7:30 this evening between National City Hall and Bhadrakali temple, according to Jana Sewa Police office.

BPMIHS sets aside beds to treat SARS

By Our Correspondent

DHARAN, April 16: The B. P. Memorial Institute for Health Sciences, Dharan has set aside 12 beds in the case of an eventuality to treat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that has hit parts of southeast Asia and some other parts of the world. According to physicians at the institute, immediate treatment would be launched if any case is detected.

Although no case has been reported in Nepal, there are chances it could occur here as more than 10,000 people from Dharan work in Hong Kong. Considering this fact, the management of the Institute has decided to set aside beds for treatment of such cases. Dr. Narayan Kumar said that the institute had taken preventive measures as there is frequent travelling of people from Dharan to Hong Kong. According Co-director Dr. Rupa Singh, different types of masks have been provided for the doctors and the patients of the hospital.

A special committee has been formed for appropriate treatment of the disease. The committee consists of Dr. Owen Luis, chief of the Department of Family Medicine, Prof. Dr. T. N. Mahapal, chief of the Microbiology Department, Prof. Dr. Pralhad Karki, chief of the Department of Medicine, Associate Prof. Dr. Navin Shrestha, co-director of the Department of Medicine, Sami Lama of the Nursing Department and Narayan Chapagain, the administrative officer of the Institute.

Altogether 3,169 cases of SARS have been reported in 21 countries in four continents. Similarly, the death toll has reached 144, according to WHO's latest report. The disease has been taken as the first severe new disease of the 21st century with global epidemic potential.

Countries such as China, Canada, Singapore, United States, United Kingdom and Vietnam are major SARS affected areas, according to the WHO. The disease was first detected in Hong Kong in February this year. There is no specific treatment for the flu-like disease.

Gorkha Palace emerging as important tourist destination

By Bhimsen Thapalia

GORKHA, April 16: With the security situation returning to normalcy, the fort palace of Gorkha, the ancestral home of His Majesty the King, is set to emerge as a hot destination among visitors if amenities can be improved and it is promoted vigorously. The artistic 17th century palace perched atop a rocky hill, houses the chamber where King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the architect of unified Nepal, was born 280 years ago. The temples of royal goddess Gorakhkali and the cave-residing saint Gorakhnath adjacent to the palace are the religious attractions of Gorkha.

As the nucleus of national unification, and from the devotional point of view, Gorkha is already an important landmark in Nepal's tourism map. In the present scenario where peace is taking shape, there is a need to build facilities so as to lengthen the stay of the visitors, says Himmat Basnet, manager of Gorkha Hill Resort.

Promotional agencies, both in the government and private sectors, must launch a massive publicity drive. Once the prospective visitors come to know about Gorkha's glory, the tourism potential of this place is simply immense, says Bharat Basnet, managing director of Explore Nepal Private Limited, a noted tourism entrepreneur.

Gorkha is set to receive extra limelight once the long awaited Prithvi Narayan Museum opens. The royal museum to be housed in the Tallo (lower) Durbar building will be open for visitors by next year, said Raj Jung Rana, chief of the Tallo Durbar management committee. Important artifacts to be showcased in the museum will include the ancient cannon, birth record, ceremonial vests, spears, shields, guns, swords, khukuri knives, state documents, replica of the throne of the great unifier Prithvi Narayan Shah and the Mana Pathi measurements first introduced by King Ram Shah.

Different government offices stationed in this palace complex have already been relocated to make room for the museum. Works are going on speedily to give final shape to the museum that will occupy 17 rooms of the palace building, said Rana. But there are people who complain that waiting for the musuem's launch has worn their patience.

Balaram Adhikari, a tourist guide at Gorkha Hill Resort, said the delay in opening the museum has caused difficulties in his work. "We have been telling our guests for several years that the museum is about to open. Those who visit again ask me to arrange a tour to the museum. I don't know how to explain the matter to them," he laments.

Gorkha's attraction goes beyond history, culture and archaeology. The place offers enchanting natural beauty, most notably the view of 15 mountain peaks ranging from Langtang in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. This is the place where Prithvi Narayan Shah formed the first division of the Gorkha soldiers whose bravery is known the world over. Thus the valiant fighters from Nepal derive their international identity from this ancient kingdom.

Gorkha is a comfortable 4-hour drive from Kathmandu. For visitors seeking a quicker journey, however, an option for air trip is lacking. "A short-take-off-and-landing (STOL) facility is being increasingly felt," says Purna Jung Shah, head of the Gorkha Durbar management committee. The biggest challenge facing this historical town is the lack of a reliable water supply system. Because of its elevation and absence of adequate water sources in the vicinity, water for the hill palace complex is still transported in pitchers carried on the backs of people, which at times takes more than an hour. In the days of Prithvi Narayan Shah, water used to be ferried on the back of horses. "The situation today is no better", says a security man guarding the palace. The Gorkha Bazar residents at the foot of the hilltop face critical water shortages during the dry season.

"This is the only municipality in the country without a water supply system. The residents are dependent on the stone spouts built 300 years ago," says Badri Bahadur Maskey, treasurer of Gorkha Tourism Development Committee and president of Gorakhkali Drinking Water and Sanitation Committee. When it comes to providing facilities for the tourists, water supply is a top priority, he says. The fact that temple visitors cannot get water to wash their hands before performing worships here gives a clear picture of the reality, says Maskey whose organisation is taking initiatives to build a water supply system for thirsty Gorkha.

Two potential water sources for Gorkha are the Khahare Khola about 10 kilometres north of here and Balim Khola about 6 kilometres east. However, it is not topographically possible to deliver water upto the historical palace complex without mechanical lifts.