Their Majesties grace Swoyambar ceremony

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah graced the Swayambar ceremony of the second daughter of Her Royal Highness late Princess Prekshya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and late Dhirendra Shah, Her Royal Highness Shitashma Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah solemnised with Abhinesh Shah, the first son of Arjun Jung Shah and Asha Rajyalaxmi Shah at Jibankunj, Maharajgunj this morning.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Royal Highness Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah¸Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah and other members of the Royal Family were also present on the occasion.

Their Majesties grace wedding

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah graced the auspicious wedding ceremony of the son of Manju Rajya Laxmi Rana at Bansbari, Kathmandu today.

Their Royal Highnesses grace beating the retreat

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: On the occasion of the 53rd auspicious birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev graced the beating the retreat programme organised by the Nepal Police at the National Police Training Academy here today.
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was also present on the occasion.

Also present at the function were Her Royal Highness Princess Prerana Rajya Laxmi Devi Singh and other Royal family members.On the occasion, a royal salute was offered to Their Royal Highnesses.
HRH the Crown Prince was offered the programme booklet and a special issue published by the Nepal Police by Inspector General of Police Shyam Bhakta Thapa to mark the auspicious 53rd birthday.
Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess witnessed the various programmes with keen interest.HRH the Crown Prince, on the occasion, gave away prizes to the l0 outstanding participants of the beating the retreat.Those present at the function included the Chief Justice, the National Assembly Chairman, the Deputy Prime Minister, ministers, former prime minister, heads of constitutional bodies and the Nayab Badagurujyu.Also present at the programme were leaders of political parties, high ranking officials of the Royal Nepal Army and the civil service, heads and representatives of Nepal based diplomatic missions, and other distinguished persons from various walks of life.

An illumination and fireworks display were carried out by the Central Police Women's Association to mark the auspicious birthday.On the occasion, Danuwar, Chepang, Kauda, Jhyaure and Deuda dances together with pageants of all the five development regions were presented.

Likewise, the Kauda dance along with the playing of musical instruments and Panchebaja also took place.

Unity among various cultures Nepal's enduring identity: PM

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: On the auspicious occasion of 53rd birthday of Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand inaugurated Kathmandu Festival at Hanumandhoka, Basantpur organised by the Birthday Civic Main Celebration Committee here today.
On the occasion, Chand said Nepal is a country of cultural diversity and national unity among various cultures is our identity.

He said the festival would be important for the promotion of internal and external tourism, culture and trade promotion.

Chand made free pigeons, the symbol of peace, and distributed letters of appreciation to various persons making contributions to organise the festival.

About 60 stalls reflecting the Nepali culture, handicrafts, musical instruments and food items are on display in the three day festival.

On the occasion, chairperson of the Auspicious Birthday Civic Celebration Main Committee Indira Malla said various programmes are being organised to mark the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.
Co-ordinator of the festival Rashmila Prajapati and joint co-ordinator Pramil Sthapit shed light on the festival.

Likewise, Cottage and Small Industries Development Committee, Dhading organised a two-day industrial exhibition at Dhadingbeshi.

Different distinguished farmers and small industries were awarded at the concluding function organised Wednesday.

Bhim Bakeries, Sahayog Furniture Industries, Shankar Tailors, Nira Bag Industries and Nribeswor Chalk Industries were selected as distinguished producers and manufacturers from the groups of food-stuff, handicrafts, clothing and woollen wares, leather materials and miscellaneous respectively.
District Judge Shanti Raj Subedi and former MP Rama Nath Adhikari jointly distributed prizes and certificates to the distinguished farmers."

No danger to democracy: Basnet

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DAMAULI, Feb. 20: Minister for Land Reforms and Management and Forest and Soil Conservation Badri Narayan Basnet has said that as the talks between the government and the Maoists have reached a definite point, there was no danger to democracy.

Inaugurating a newly built building of the Department of Land Survey at Tanahu today, he said that as the main responsibility of the incumbent government was to control corruption and ensure good governance, those performing well will be suitably rewarded and those performing badly duly punishment.

Secretary at the Ministry of Land Reforms and Management Anant Raj Pandey, CDO Govinda Mani Bhurtel and a host of other speakers also expressed their views on the occasion.

Minister Basnet also took part in a face to face programme organised by the Reporters Club, Tanahu, today. He also inspected the land revenue office and the forestry office and gave necessary directives to the employees there. He likewise visited the Byas cave where the sage Byas had performed meditation and took part in a familiarisation programme organised by the Sangam Club.

Pandey stresses on role of press in democracy

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: Minister for Information and Communications and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey has said the state, the press and civil society have an equal responsibility in the preservation and protection of democracy.

Addressing a colloquium on 'Role of the press in the protection of democracy' organised on the occasion of the 53rd National Democracy Day by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) here today, he emphasised the need for the press to disseminate true, factual, impartial and reliable news as expected by the state and society.

Who will benefit if questions on sensitive state issues are raised in a carefree manner, the Minister wondered and made it clear that the government did not intend to curb the press.

Minister Pandey, who is also the spokesman of His Majesty's Government, urged one and all not to be skeptical towards the existing multi-party system in the country.

Stating that democracy would be strong if political parties are strong, he stressed that His Majesty the King is committed to multi-party democracy.

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun said it is his convction that as freedom of the press is the bottom line of democracy, there is no freedom where there is no expression.
He said the government is aware that the press should not be constricted in the present situation of conflict and rebellion in the country.

The Minister added that the government was working on drafting a code of conduct to give stability to the peace talks between the government and the Maoists.

He said the talks would not be durable if decisions are taken in haste.

The conflict management process is based on democratic norms and values, he said and added that the political parties and human rights activists would also be included in the round-table conference.
Stating that he has been engaged seriously in the peace talks between the government and the Maoists from the very beginning, he made it clear that he respected the historic parties.

Nepali Congress central member Narahari Acharya said there has been qualitative and quantitative development of the mass media in the 12 years since the restoration of multiparty democracy.
He said the state should think seriously over issues concerning the formulation of legislation on the press and press freedom.

Central member of the CPN-UML Raghuji Panta pointed out the need for fixing the date for elections in order to protect the achievements of the 1990 People's Movement.

Central member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Khem Raj Pandit stressed the need of unity among the democratic forces.

Chairman of the Nepal Press Council Harihar Birahi said freedom of the press is necessary for building a society free from discrimination and for the protection of democracy.

At the programme presided over by FNJ president Taranath Dahal, president of Press Chautari Shambhu Shrestha, FNJ central member Binod Dhungel and Nepal Press Union general secretary Tarun Poudel also spoke on press rights and freedom.

Nepal-Norway relations discussed

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: Ambassador of Norway to Nepal Ingrid Ofstad called on Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun at his office in Singha Durbar today.On the occasion, talks were held on matters of mutual interest.The talks focused specially on various development programmes implemented in Nepal by the Norwegian government as well as future programmes.

NC-Democratic meet to be held

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: A meeting of the central working committee of the Nepali Congress-Democratic will be held at the party central office at Maharajgunj on February 24, Monday, the party has stated.

'NAM should work for poor nations'

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) needs to be more effective in favour of the small and economically poor nations.This was pointed out by experts on foreign affairs and intellectuals taking part in a talk programme on 'The role of NAM in the changing world context' organised by the Russian Science and Cultural Centre here today.On the occasion, the speakers expressed the hope that the 13th NAM Summit going to take place in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, on Feb. 24, will play an effective role in making the NAM more effective and giving a strong voice on behalf of the weak nations at a time when the entire world has been beset by terrorist activities and globalisation.

The speakers were of the view that the NAM has greater role to play specially in the context of the growing atomic arms race and the increasing possibility of the threat of excesses and interference like the one currently being perpetrated by the only superpower in the world-the United States of America-on Iraq, being superimposed on other countries also.

The speakers also expressed concern that the existence of other least developed countries in the world except 25 such states would be in jeopardy if the current situation, in which the economic sphere of the least developed countries has completely diminished and has been confined only in the political realm, persisted.

Former minister Hari Bahadur Basnet said there was a possibility that some of the economically weaker states might take recourse to rebellion in future owing to the oppression of some of the richer and developed countries in the context of rampant globalisation and liberalisation as is having sway across the globe today.

Chief of the Central Department of Political Science at the Tribhuvan University Mohammad Habibullah said the least developed states expect assistance from the capitalist and developed world. But he added that these states would not accept interference in their national integrity.

At the talk programme presided over by patron of the Nepal-Russia Friendship Association K.P. Bhandari, association general secretary Dr. Gopal Shivakoti, second secretary at the Russian Embassy Alexsavalia Chenko, spokesman of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) Hom Nath Dahal and others also expressed their views.

Biodiversity asset for tourism development

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb.20: The varied bio-diversity of Nepal could become a new tourism product. An International Conference on Himalayan Bio-Diversity to be held in Kathmandu from February 26 to 28 will discuss finding a new dimension in tourism promotion through conservation, management and utilisation of biological resources, unexplored as well as scarce.

The three-day conference, organised on the occasion of the International Year of Mountains 2002 and the International Year of Eco-Tourism 2002, aims to bring about sustainable approach to natural resources management, which includes specifically, Himalayan flora and fauna, biodiversity conservation and trade related property rights. The meet will hold discussions on papers presented by the participants on the prospects and challenges of ecotourism in Nepal and the Himalayan region.
At a press meet here today, Subash Nirola, Director of Tourism Products and Resources Development at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said that as the country was rich in natural resources and bio-diversity due to its varied geographical structure, their potentiality and importance should be identified as new products for tourism development.

"Our concern must focus on conserving bio-diversity in order to develop our tourism industry," Nirola said.

He also said that community mobilisation and social awareness were needed in order to preserve and protect the endangered indigenous flora and fauna facing extinction.

"The conference will provide an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas amongst innovative grassroots farmers, green entrepreneurs, scientists, academicians, policy makers, social organisations, environmentalists, tourism experts, industrialists and other related stakeholders to find practical solutions for the conservation and management of the Himalayan biodiversity," states a press statement issued by the International Conference on Himalayan Bio-Diversity.

The meet will explore mutual regional cooperation for effective implementation of biodiversity action plans by developing an international network of Himalayan biodiversity conservation efforts to exchange information and technologies at local, national, regional and international levels.
Prof. Dr. B. N. Prasad of the Central Department of Botany at Tribhuvan University said that more than 150 scientists, researchers, planners and development professionals from more than 15 countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region, SAARC, Japan, USA and European countries will participate in the conference.

The conference is being supported by the NTB and organised by Himalayan Resources Institute (HIRI), Biodiversity Research Group (BRG), Central Department of Zoology TU, The Ecological Association and Nepal Biotechnology Association.

Martinair to continue Dutch link with Nepal

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: Martinair from The Netherlands will operate weekly flights from Amsterdam to Kathmandu starting from October 8. This will replace the Dutch connection Transavia Airlines, which will be discontinued from April.

This was made public during a reception in Amsterdam hosted by Nepalese Ambassador to The Netherlands Narayan Shumsher Thapa on the occasion of the Democracy Day of Nepal.

On the occasion, Nepalese Consul General Cas de Stoppelaar said that Transavia Airlines will stop the Amsterdam-Kathmandu operation for cost cutting and other strategic reasons. Moreover, the new airline is bigger and better, he said.

"This is indeed good news for the ailing tourism industry in Nepal," says Yogendra Shakya, Board Member of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The Dutch have contributed substantially to tourism promotion in Nepal, especially after the Amsterdam-Kathmandu connection by air, he said, adding the flight by Martinair would be a major boost to tourism.

"The negotiation took a long time. It is in the final stage and has to be approved by the Nepalese authorities," said Sander Heijmans, senior vice president of Martinair. Although tourism in Nepal has gone down we are confident that we will be able to make the flights a success, he said.

Amsterdam is well known for its excellent transit facilities, with fast connection to the rest of Europe and the USA.

India to host next talks on extradition treaty

By Bhuwaneshor Sharma

KATHMANDU, Feb. 20: The first round of the official-level talks to replace the five-decade-old Indo-Nepal extradition treaty and work out a new Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (AMLACM) ended here today after deciding to organise the next meeting in New Delhi.
"The next or the second round of the joint secretary level talks will probably take place in the next two or three months in Delhi," said Dr.Madan Kumar Bhattarai, joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leader of the Nepalese delegation. Talks on the extradition treaty and the AMLACM will take place simultaneously, he added.

"We made smooth progress, and there was no 'deadlock' during the talks. We discussed the points of the drafts on extradition exchanged earlier," said Dr. Bhattarai.

India had forwarded its draft to Nepal some 18 months ago, and Nepal did the same in July 2002.
Officials, however, refused to comment why the talks ended inconclusively. We are following the UN special model while working on the proposed extradition treaty, said Dr.Bhattarai.

India wants the new treaty to allow the extradition of third country citizens as well as persons undergoing a year's sentence in prison.

The renewal of the extradition treaty is aimed at accommodating the changing trends of crimes and criminal activities, including economic, cyber and terrorism. The nature of crime in the last 50 years has undergone a significant change, said Dr.Bhattarai.

Similarly, the new AMLACM aims at assisting both the countries in the investigation process of crimes and in accumulating evidences on transnational crimes said Sushil Sumsher Rana, joint secretary at the Ministry of Home.

Nepal has so far not signed any such agreement. India has signed such agreements with about 14 countries.

Nepal is less experienced with the extradition issue both theoretically and practically, while the AMLACM is completely new for us, said Dr. Bhattarai."The existing extradition treaty was hardly implemented during the past five decades."

Therefore, we need to make a lot of preparation on these issues and consult experts and related officials, including judicial and legal, before reaching an agreement, he said.

India has extradition deals with more than 30 nations.

Altogether 14 officials from the Home, Foreign Affairs and Law ministries from both the countries attended the four-day meeting, the first time in the last half-century.

Dr. Bhattarai headed the six-member Nepalese delegation on extradition while Shushil Sumsher Rana represented the AMLACM. B. A. Roy and S. K. Chattopadhyaya led the Indian side respectively.
The existing extradition treaty was signed by the then Nepalese Prime Minister, Matrika Prasad Koirala, and Indian Ambassador to Nepal B.K. Gokhale on August 2, 1953. The first extradition treaty was signed in 1855 between the then Rana regime in Nepal and the East India Company in India.