His Majesty receives letters of credence

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 31: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev received letters of credence from ambassadors-designate of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Yemen to the Kingdom of Nepal Grace Ammal Asirwatham and Dr. Mohamed Saa'd Ali respectively amidst special functions held separately at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today. Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Chief Justice Kedar Nath Upadhyay, Chairman of the National Assembly Dr. Mohammad Mohsin, Chairman of the Raj Parishad Standing Committee Dr. Keshar Jung Rayamajhi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narendra Bikram Shah were also present on the occasion.

After the credential ceremony, His Majesty the King received in audience the ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Yemen separately at the Narayanhity Royal Palace.

Crown Prince visits UN House

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 31: Two more community-oriented conservation programmes are being implemented in Chitwan and Upper Mustang under the joint agreement of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC). According to a press statement issued by the UNDP here today, this was the first landscape level conservation programme being implemented in the country.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev, who is the chairman of the KMTNC, visited the UN House today. On the occasion, UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Henning Karcher provided an overview on UNDP activities to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Dr Karcher in his welcoming remarks stated, "UNDP feels privileged to work closely with KMTNC in a number of important areas which definitely make a difference to biodiversity conservation, and in the promotion of community-based approaches to the management of natural resources." Following the overview by the UN Resident Representative, HRH Crown Prince was also brief on other UNDP activities in areas of good governance, general equality and social development, and energy and environment.

The programme in Upper Mustang focuses on the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage through community participation. The landscape level Tiger Rhino Conservation Programme in Chitwan is a joint endeavour of HMG/KMTNC/UNDP in the periphery of the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP). The Programme aims to promote landscape level biodiversity conservation with strong community-based management initiatives to conserve endangered species in and around the RCNP. It also establishes a viable link corridor between the Mahabharat Range and the Valmiki Tiger reserve in India adjoining the RCNP.

The Tiger Rhino project was recently chosen by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as one of the modeled programmes for its approach in providing post project sustainability and transferring ownership to the community. His Royal Highness also visited the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), at the UN House that was built in early 2001, designed to withstand earthquake of up to 8.5 Richter scale. The Center has been established to support disaster response activities on case of emergencies, and will keep communications open with the rest of the world and within the country through radio and satellite phones and assist in the coordination of rescue efforts.

'Monarchial culture, perfect, ideal system'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan 31: The monarchial culture is Nepal's historical and cultural legacy and there should be no room for any suspicion against the Constitutional Monarchy and the multiparty democratic system, Minister for Information and Communication and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey said today.

Speaking at a programme organised to celebrate the 18th Anniversary of the Nepal Television, Minister Pandey said that it is only under the Constitutional Monarchy the multi party system can be consolidated for peace, progress and prosperity.

"Everyone should feel proud about the glorious history of the Institution of Monarchy," Pandey said. "We should forget our past mistakes and shortcomings and should forge ahead by acknowledging the multi-party democratic system and the Monarchial culture as the perfect and ideal systems."
Pandey said that everyone should accept the fact that mistakes were committed during the past 12 years. " Now the nation has completed one phase and is moving to another."

Saying that the Nepal Television (NTV) has made a big leap forward increasing its capacity tremendously from the time it was commenced from a small office at Lazimpat 18 years ago, he pointed out that the NTV needed to present itself more competitively. Since the nation has many villages where even the services of Radio Nepal have not reached as of yet but private sector electronic media have made their presence felt, the NTV needed to be more alert and serious to face this challenges, he added.

Pandey reiterated that at a time when the world is being narrowed due to the unprecedented development in the communication and information sectors, it is a compulsion for the NTV to develop its capacity so that it could compete with others. "It needs to raise the quality of its programmes to attract more viewers by modernising itself, which is anticipated by the present age of competition."
Information and Communication Secretary Mukund Sharma Poudel said that the NTV should develop its potential to provide effective competition to other electronic channels.

Minister Pandey, earlier, presented letters of appreciation and different prizes to the advertisers providing maximum amount of advertisements to the NTV, best lyricist in the national songs category for the NTV, best song and the winners of the different activities organised to mark the 18th NTV anniversary. Late Gopal Prasad Rimal, Late Gopal Yonjan and Navraj Karki were adjudged the best lyricists. Likewise, Pandey handed over cash prizes to the talented children of the NTV employees.
NTV officiating General Manager Bishwa Prakash Maskey, NTV Employees Union's acting president Basant Rupakheti also spoke at the programme chaired by Information and Communication Joint Secretary and the Chairman of the NTV Board of Director Mukund Prasad Acharay. At Present, the NTV beams its programme for about 17 hours a day.

Delegation

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 3l: A delegation led by Central Police Family Women's Association chairman Anshu Thapa met Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand and handed over a sum of Rs 111,111 in aid of the fire victims of Terhathum, it is learnt from the Prime Minister's office.

Appointments

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 31: With the approval of His Majesty the King, and upon the recommendation of the Judicial Council, Chief Justice Kedar Prasad Upadhyaya has appointed Chief Judges Baliram Kumar Upadhyaya (Appellate Court, Biratnagar), Ram Prasad Shrestha (Appellate Court Pokhara) and Khilraj Regmi (Appellate Court, Patan), the temporary judges of the Supreme Court for one year, it is learnt from the Supreme Court.

Gratis visa likely for Everest summiteers

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 31: His Majesty's Government is likely to announce the provision of gratis visa for Mt. Everest summiteers and other visitors who will be coming to Nepal in May to participate in the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), the world's tallest peak.

"We are expecting an official announcement in the near future," said Kuber Prasad Sharma, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, addressing a gathering of representatives from Kathmandu-based foreign diplomatic missions. Hundreds of Everest summiteers and adventure lovers from different parts of the world are expected here to participate in the major activities of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Sharma informed that famous mountaineers Sir Edmund Hillary and Junko Tabei have agreed to be the honorary President and Vice-President respectively of the Mt. Everest Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee, and they will be in Nepal on the 28th and 29th May this year.

He said the announcement of cease-fire has sent positive messages about Nepal to the world. "The changed situation will be helpful in the promotion of Nepal's tourism industry." He requested the diplomats to extend support and cooperation to Nepal by conveying the invitation to Everest summiteers in their respective countries. He asked them to help make the mega event a grand success.

Ang Tshering Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the newly appointed board member of the national carrier Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC), said that the Golden Jubilee Celebration would enhance Nepal's image as an adventure tourism destination in the world.

Sherpa said that the NMA has received very good responses from many international alpine clubs, including the Union of International Alpine Association (UIAA), regarding the Golden Jubilee Celebration, which is one of the major components of the Destination Nepal Campaign 2002-2003.
The NMA is the implementing agency of the historic event. According to him, the last week of May this year will be full of important events such as the meeting of the Himalayan Environment Trust, Council Meeting of the Union of Asian Alpine Association (UAAA), annual general meeting of the International Mountaineers' Association, and the historic gathering of the Everest summiteers. Several other events such as inter-school athletic meeting, Lhasa-Kathmandu-Lhasa Auto Rally, Whitewater Rafting Competition and Elephant Polo Competition have already been held as part of the celebrations. The success of these events has demonstrated to the world that Nepal continues to remain one of the safest destinations to visit and enjoy adventure and sports tourism. Events that will follow include Rock-Climbing Competition, Everest Marathon and Trans-Himalayan Mountain Bike race.

Kofi Annan welcomes ceasefire

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 31: The Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation Kofi Annan has warmly welcomed the announcement of a cease-fire on Wednesday by His Majesty's Government and the forces belonging to the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), and the government's intention to convene all-party talks.

A statement issued today by the spokesman for Secretary-General Annan states that the Secretary-General is encouraged by these developments, which he hopes will facilitate an early start of talks between the two sides and lead to the peaceful resolution of Nepal's internal conflict.
Secretary-General Annan wishes to reiterate his readiness to provide assistance from the United Nations system in sustaining a process of national reconciliation and reform in Nepal, the spokesman has said in the statement.

China, Japan welcome ceasefire agreement

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Jan. 31: China has called the cease-fire declared by His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the anti-government forces as one significant and positive step towards peace. A press statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu said that China appreciated any effort conducive to the resumption of peace and stability in Nepal.

"As a friendly neighbour, China sincerely hopes all political forces and people of insight in Nepal could work together to resolve the present problems, and realise the peace, stability and development in Nepal at the earliest," the statement reads. Similarly, the government of Japan has welcomed the cease-fire agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists, and the announcement by the Maoists on January 29 that they will stop their armed campaign.

The Embassy of Japan issuing a press statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan said that the government of Japan calls on all the groups concerned to cooperate with each other closely to as to resolve the conflict peacefully for the sake of the welfare of the people of Japan.

Memorandum presented

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan. 31: Sancharika Samuha, an organisation of Nepalese women journalists working in different media, presented today a memorandum to Minister for Information and Communications, and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey at the latter's office. In the memorandum, it has demanded that the government appoint women journalists at the decision-making level of the state run media.

Other demands include participation of women journalists in government appointments and participation of at least 33 per cent of women journalists in the government and private media houses.
The women's group has also demanded that the publication houses must appoint journalists as per the Working Journalist Act.

Minister Pandey was positive on the demand of women journalists, said Nirmala Sharma of the Sancharika Samuha. She said that Minister Pandey had given assurance them that he would coordinate a meeting among different publications and the ministry for the purpose.

Truce in interests of nationality, democracy

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 31: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Nationalist) has welcomed the cease-fire between His Majesty's Government and the CPN (Maoist) and expressed the hope that the truce will ultimately be in the interests of nationality and democracy.

Meanwhile, Hariyali Party Nepal at its central committee meeting today welcomed the opening of the door to talks with the CPN-Maoists. A communiqué signed by party chairman Badri Prasad Khatiwada says that the prejudices of the past should be set aside to make the talks a success.
Similarly, the NGO pro-public has issued a communiqué heartily welcoming the ceasefire between the government and the Moaists, pointing out that this has come as a response to the yearnings of the Nepali people for peace. It hoped that the talks now said to take place in the near future will pave the way for lasting peace and progress.

The Reporters' Club Nepal has also issued a communiqué welcoming the cease-fire. The Samyukta Bammorcha Nepal has welcomed the declaration of cease-fire and agreement to hold talks reached between the ruling side and the Maoists in present circumstances when peace was becoming an objective necessity for the country and aspiration of the public. Likewise, the Private and Boarding School Association of Nepal (PABSON) has also heartily welcomed the declaration of cease-fire following agreement to hold talks with the recognition that dialogue was the only appropriate medium of peaceful resolution of the problem and also the designation of the team coordinator on behalf of the government side.

Similarly, various institutions and organisations and groups have heartily welcomed the ceasefire declaration by both His Majesty's Government and the Maoists. The institutions and organisations and groups welcoming the ceasefire are Foundation of the Nepalese in America, Group of Development Communication, the Human Rights and Peace Foundation Nepal, Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, the National Marwadi Council, the Federation of Nepalese Transport Entrepreneurs, the South Asian Coordination Committee on Political Empowerment of Women and the Nepal National Association of Churches.

Likewise, other institutions and organisations welcoming the ceasefire announcement are the World Hindu Youth Association, the Human Rights Education Radio Listeners' Club, the Dhobi Community Association, the National Dalit Commission, the Peace Campaign Group, Nepali Janata Party (national prosperity), the Samudayik Bikas and Digdarshan Kendra, the Sanatan Dharma Sewa Samiti, Nepal Christian Society, UCEP-Nepal, Sahara Group, the Paropakar Sanstha, Nepal Children's Organisation and the Child NGO Federation Nepal. Meanwhile, in Janakpurdham, CPN-UML leader Bamdev Gautam has welcomed the cease-fire and said that he has taken it positively.

Speaking to journalists here today, Gautam said that the cease-fire and dialogue should not be left inconclusive in dramatic manner and called for participation of the political parties and the civic society in it. He said that pressure should be exerted to the government and the Maoists to focus on political, economic and social changes in the country.

He said that the general convention of the party should focus mainly on the prevention of retrograde the Maoists issue.

Minister Sharma refutes news report

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KATHMANDU, Jan. 31: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Prasad Sharma has in a statement here today denied having said there was a meeting between His Majesty and the Maoists.
In the statement, Minister Sharma has expressed unhappiness over the effort made to drag him against his belief by publicising things that was not said.

His Majesty the King is the centre of confidence and devotion for all Nepalis, Sharma said adding that he is not involved in the ill-tendency of dragging His Majesty into baseless issues. "I have serious regrets over those who spread rumours against my ideology, style, expression and respect for the monarch", he adds in the statement.

'Economy trapped in vicious circle of low growth'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Minister for Finance Dr. Badri Prasad Shrestha has reiterated the government's commitment to maintain fiscal balance by containing regular expenditure within the budgetary limit.

The revenue collection was at the rate of 6 per cent during the first six months of the current fiscal year as against 4.4 per cent during the corresponding period in the last fiscal year, he informed.
He said the overall treasury position of the government was also better than that of the corresponding period last year.

He further said, "No development activities under priority should suffer owing to the lack of fund despite the usual problem of time lag between the implementation schedule of the development activities of the government, and the disbursement schedule of the donor-community." "I must, however, admit that the capacity of the government to finance development activities during this period of time lag is limited largely because of government's commitment to limiting domestic borrowing to the estimated level," Minister Shrestha said at a recent workshop on the Progress Report on 'World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy (CAS). "The government needs budgetary support from the donor community," he said.

The country's economy is trapped in a vicious circle of low growth; low savings and low investment with growing under-employment; badly damaged tourism industry; shrinking trade; and unfavourable investment climate, he asserted. Reconstruction of the damaged and destroyed infrastructure, along with proper delivery of basic needs of the people such as food, medicine and drinking water are our immediate concerns, Minister Shrestha noted.

"The government is, therefore, implementing a modest package to provide some immediate relief to the people." The economic reforms and development activities should be geared up to prevent the economy from further slowdown. "If further slackening is prevented and macro-economic stability is maintained, the economy will revive and it will start functioning normally. But peace is important," he added.

If economic reforms go ahead, economic growth is inevitable, he said, adding that the gravity of the situation and the ground realities of the country were such that any viable and sustainable option could mean a wide range of reforms for better management of public resources and public enterprises, and for better delivery of public goods and services.

"As we look forward, an effective implementation of the Tenth Plan needs well articulated annual programmes and budgetary allocation within a well defined Mid-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) with sharp focus on four major mutually reinforcing components of the poverty reduction strategy namely - broad based economic growth: accelerated social development; well-targeted programmes for the poor, vulnerable, deprived and excluded groups; and good governance.

All these need a "clear and correct approach". The contributions of the state and its effectiveness, the role of private sector and also the role of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs), International Non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and the Community-based Organisations (CBOs) are equally important. Besides the participation at the grassroots level through decentralisation is also important.

Referring to the CAS Progress Report, Minister Shrestha said 'the report, in essence, is the Bank's assessment of Nepal's overall performance, problems and prospects in the recent past as well as in the present'. It is on the basis of the progress report; the Bank has upgraded its lending levels to Nepal from to Low Case to Base Case."

He further said: "We can take advantage of such enhanced level of assistance on the basis of our future performance in the management of public resources, delivery of public goods and services, maintaining transparency, accountability and anti-corruption measures." Over the past few years or so, Nepalese economy has passed from a cycle of accelerated growth to rapid deceleration. This has promoted the formulation of the CAS in 1998 to help Nepal in overcoming some major constraints of development and this remains relevant even today, Minister Shrestha added.

The present government has announced a time bound and comprehensive reform package that include Immediate Action Plan embracing virtually all areas that need immediate attention and action, he said.

For its effective implementation, 'we have already made necessary institutional arrangements for regular monitoring, evaluation and coordination'. As we go along, we shall certainly have regular consultations with the donor community at appropriate levels, the Finance Minister noted.