His Majesty felicitates ROK president

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Kathmandu, Feb. 25: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has extended sincere congratulations to Roh Moo Hyun, President of the Republic of Korea, on his assumption of the high office of President.

In a message, His Majesty has wished the President success in his new responsibilities and expressed confidence that the close and friendly ties between the two countries will be further strengthened during his tenure of office.

His Majesty has also expressed best wishes for the President's personal health and happiness of as well as for the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Korea.

Nominations to MSU senate

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 25: His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has nominated nine persons from various walks of life to the Mahendra Sanskrit University (MSU) senate. His Majesty is the Chancellor of the University. His Majesty the King has, upon the recommendations of the executive council of the University, nominated Miss Maiya Devi Shrestha, Mohan Chapagai and Bir Bahadur Singh from among members of the National Assembly to the MSU senate.

His Majesty has nominated Dr. Trailokya Nath Upreti from among former vice-chancellors, Pracharya of Pindeshwar Sanskrit Bidyapith Narayan Prasad Kattel from among Pracharyas, Professor Shiva Gopal Risal from among educationists, Raj Parishad Standing Committee member Dr. Swami Prapannacharya from among learned scholars, industrialist cum businessman Gajananda Baidya from among donors and Ramesh Nath Dhungel from among social workers as member of the University senate, it is learnt from MSU.

Japanese aid for Valley's power transmission

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 25: The government of Japan has agreed to extend a grant assistance of up to sixteen million yen or approximately one hundred and thirty-five thousand US dollars (about Rs.10,496,000) to His Majesty's Government for the detailed design of the project for extension and reinforcement of the power transmission and distribution system in Kathmandu Valley (Phase-II).
The project is based on the proposed 'Master Plan Study' made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 1990 at the request of His Majesty' Government.In the master plan, a Tangible Plan was proposed targeting improvement of the power supply system in Kathmandu Valley for reliable power supply and decreasing power loss by reinforcing the transmission and distribution network.

Based on the feasibility study conducted in 1991, several urgently required measures were identified for extension and reinforcement of the power tranmission and distribution system in the valley.
In light of this, Japan had extended as grant assistance for the project for extension and reinforcement of power transmission and distribution system in Kathmandu Valley ( Phase-I and II ). Today's grant is going to be utilized for phase -III of the project.

A set of notes was signed and exchanged today between Ambassador of Japan Zenji Kaminaga and secretary of the Ministry of Finance Bhanu Prasad Acharya on behalf of their respective governments.
The project to be formulated under the grant will address the problems of over loading, excessive voltage drop in the distribution system and deterioration of power supply reliability.

On the occasion, Kaminaga expressed sincere belief that after implementation of this project, the power transmission and distribution capacity of Nepal electricity authority would be considerably enhanced and consumers of Kathmanu Valley could have a more reliable power supply. He also expressed hope that the continued support of the government of Japan to His Majesty's Government in its development efforts would help promote Nepal's efforts for nation-building and improve the well being of the people.

His Majesty Government has expressed its sincere appreciation and thanks to the government of Japan for the technical assistance grant and for its continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.

'Nepal should build up strength to enter WTO'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 25: Economists, bureaucrats and social activists today discussed various challenges and opportunities that Nepal will be facing after its accession into the world trade regime. They also reviewed the achievements being made after Nepal formally applied the membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1996.

"Sooner or later Nepal will join the WTO. Therefore, we should be able to build up our competitive strength by identifying the areas in which Nepal has more comparative advantages," said Prachand Man Shrestha, joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies (MoICS). Shrestha, who is also the chief of the WTO Division at the MoICS, asserted that the delay in accession process would add further complications. But we are making headway in negotiations with our dialogue partners, he added.

Presently 23 nations are showing their interests to hold talks with Nepal. We are trying to expand the size of our tax rate; he said adding, "If we agree to negotiate at the present level of tariff structure we can enter into the WTO very soon. But we are trying to maximise benefit in our interests," he said.
Chief of the Nepal's Accession to WTO- UNDP, Dr.Posh Raj Pandey speaking at a discussion programme pointed out the need for further homework to clarify Nepal's position about its tariff structure and legal provision.

More than 36 laws and bi-laws affecting the trade under the world trade regime require amendment.
In this regard Dr. Pandey affirmed that the major laws relating to Nepal's trade are already in the process of amendment.

He also informed that the WTO Secretariat had sent further queries relating to tariff structure and service sectors. "We are working on that," he said. He further said stakeholders in Nepal should be aware of possible challenges and opportunities of the WTO.

Social activists also voiced their concern about the protection of the trade related intellectual property rights (TRIPS). They said interests of the least developed countries like Nepal should be protected. What will be future of Nepal's garment after 2004 December? They questioned. They said Nepal should not hurry to join the WTO, it should focus its strength on capacity building on trade issues.

Experts during the programme also pointed out the need to inform people about the effect of WTO on the Nepalese agricultural products. The discussion programme was jointly organised by the MoICS and the Nepal Accession to WTO- UNDP.

UK names special representative to Nepal

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb.25: The United Kingdom has appointed Sir Jeffrey James as its Special Representative (SR) for Nepal from February 24. The new post has been created for a strong focal point for UK policy towards Nepal, according to a British Embassy press statement issued today.
"Sir Jeffrey in particular will coordinate UK and international efforts in support of the recent cease-fire and the emerging peace process in Nepal," the press statement quoted British Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs as saying in the House of Commons on Monday. "The Government is committed to assisting Nepal and identifying ways to resolve its problems, including putting an end to a conflict that has resulted in immense suffering for the Nepalese people," he said.Sir Jeffrey will contribute to the formulation and implementation of UK policy on Nepal and maintain high-level contacts with key international partners. Sir Jeffrey, 59, is a retired member of UK's Royal Diplomatic Service. His most recent posting was as High Commissioner in Nairobi, South Africa.

Civil society's role emerging: Khatri

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Kathmandu, Feb. 25: Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Nayan Bahadur Khatri has said that the role of civil society in every sector of society is more important than that of government and non-government organisations.

Speaking at an interaction programme on "Role of civil society in establishment of permanent peace in Nepal" organised by the Dr. Dilli Raman Regmi Trust here today, chairman Khatri said incidents of human rights violation are occuring repeatedly in the country and emphasised the need for civil society to become united for restoration of peace.

Commenting on a working paper presented by former vice-chancellor of Tribhuvan University Mahesh Kumar Upadhyaya, former foreign minister Sailendra Kumar Upadhyaya and foreign affairs expert Hiranya Lal Shrestha expressed the view that the government-Maoists talks should be in the interest of the nation or else the country would have to be bear huge damage. Vice-chairman of the trust Himalaya Shumsher JB Rana said dialogue and peace are the need of the day.

CPN-UML's Dr. Dilliraj Khanal taking part in the interaction said social issues should also feature in the dialogue while critic Jagdish Ghimire expressed the view that the movement begun against injustice and corruption by political parties should lead to peaceful talks at the round table conference.
Politician Sribhadra Sharma wished success for the cease-fire and peace talks and expressed the view that every citizen should play a facilitating role in ensuring success of the dialogue. Human rights activist Malla K Sundar said the cease-fire has brought forward with the notion that resolution of all national problems can take place through dialogue. Water resources expert Dr. Dwarika Dhungel expressed the view that the government-Maoist talks should not fail at any cost.

Former chief Election Commissioner Bishnu Pratap Shaha said Nepali people are hungry for peace.
Also taking part in the discussion were Prof. Bishwambhar Pyakurel, industrialist Banwari Lal Mittal, politician Ganesh Pandit, CPN-UML leader Anandadev Bhatta, economic expert Ananda Aditya, Dr. Surya Lal Amatya, former chief secretary Karnadwaj Adhikari, former secretary Dr. Prabha Basnet and advocate Krishna Prasad Bhandari.

Former chairman of the National Assembly and chairperson of the trust Beni Bahadur Karki presided.

Shepherd, 50 yaks killed in Mustang avalanche

By Our Correspondent

POKHARA, Feb. 25: Shepherd Umesh Rokka and 50 yaks havel been killed so far in avalanche near Lomang Thang in Mustang district. Two others have been injured in the incident.According to Nirmal Kumar Gauchan, outgoing chairman of the Mustang District Development Committee (DDC), some 100 people going to Lomang Thang from Jomsom have been stranded on the way because of heavy snowfall on Saturday and Sunday.Twenty people have lost their eyesight.Gauchan said that the snowfall has affected life even in Lower Mustang. He said that trails have been cleared at the initiative of the local people and the government bodies.

'Army committed to abide by truce'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb 25: The Royal Nepal Army (RNA) today expressed commitment to the recently announced ceasefire by the government and the Maoists, but said it will not return to the barracks until the government instructs it to do so.

"The army will abide by the agreement, in both letter and spirit, which the government and the Maoists have reached during the talks," said RNA spokesman Colonel Deepak Gurung at a press meet here today. "But the soldiers will not return to their barracks until the government instructs us to do so," he added.

This is first press conference organised by the RNA after the announcement of the cease-fire almost a month ago. He said that the government had mobilised the security forces to maintain law and order in the country. "If the government feels the need of the army to restore peace once again, it is ready to begin security operations."

He said that the army would take action against the rebels if they continue to raise funds at gunpoint.
The government and the rebels have so far taken the cease-fire honestly, said the army's spokesman and added that they would settle any misunderstanding through mutual understanding and talks.
Asked what would happen to the forces of the Maoists after the peace talk, Gurung said, "We will do what the government tells us. But the Maoists will not be able to wage a decisive war against the army in case the talks fail."

To a query that the Maoists are smuggling in weapons, Gurung said that they were monitoring it closely. He strongly refuted the charges that Maoists cadres had gone missing while in army custody. Currently there are no Maoists in the custody of the army, he said. Gurung informed that the army was providing medical treatment to the Maoists and ordinary people wounded in the encounters between the two sides.

Currently it is running health camps in three places in the Mid-Western Region and is planning to conduct similar camps in other parts of the country. Taking advantage of the peace that has returned to the countryside, the soldiers are now engaged in repairing roads, bridges and schools, which were destroyed by the rebels.

Brigadier General B.A. Sharma of the Human Rights Cell of the RNA said that the army had handed over the Maoists, wounded in various encounters or arrested during the security operations, to the police and district administration offices.

To a query if the army should remain under the control of the parliament, Sharma said that it was already under the jurisdiction of the parliament as mentioned in the Constitution.

RPP supports govt for peace: Thapa

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KATHMANDU, Feb. 25 : Central member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Kamal Thapa (RPP) has said that the talks should be held with the rebels with the consensus of all the parties, constitutional organs and civil society.

Speaking in the Disha Nirdesh weekly programme of the Nepal Television last night he said political parties are responsible should be included in the process . Mentioning the October 4 Royal address as a joyous occasion for the new future of all Nepalis former minister Thapa opined that the political environment developed after that made the address controversial.

Although the political changes achieved in 1990 was fruitful for better future, the political sector could not lead the change in a proper manner said Thapa. Political parties should not be excluded from the forthcoming peace talks as they are more popular among the people, he said.

Expressing his party's full support to the present peace process, Thapa said the party didn't participate in the all-party meet summoned by Prime Minister Chand as it was boycotted by all the major political parties represented in the Parliament.

Thapa said that the present government has been headed by their party leader Lokendra Bahadur Chand but is not necessarily the government of RPP party under its party policy and manifesto.
At a time when the country has reached to a historical turn, the supporters of the present constitution themselves should perform the role of agent in the country, he said.

Former minister Thapa expressed the hope for the formulation of common consensus and understanding between the major forces for the permanent solution of the present crisis in the country.

Bir Hospital: Plenty of real estates but no record

By Deb Bahadur Kuwanr

KATHMANDU, Feb.25: Bir Hospital, the country's oldest hospital, does not have records of its vast real estate property, let alone manage and develop it. Hundreds of ropanis of guthi (trust) land of the hospital donated by different people remain scattered across the country, including plots in prominent urban location.

If developed and managed properly, the property could provide the much-needed resources to significantly upgrade the physical facilities of the hospital. A committee formed to look into the  neglected property of the hospital admits weaknesses in record keeping and utilising the land. Different people have donated land to the hospital founded in 1959. Dhruba Prasad Joshi, member-secretary of the property probe committee, said that during its six-year investigation, it has found property worth millions of rupees. The committee, however, is unable to keep track of the people cultivating the land, said Joshi.

According to Joshi, the hospital owns four plots of land in Nepalgunj; 400 bighas in Butwal; 1,499 bighas in Morang and 398 bighas in Jhapa. Neither the hospital nor the tax offices have record of the people cultivating the guthi land. Similarly, the hospital owns 1 ropani 12 anas of land in Kathmandu, 92 ropanis in Lalitpur and 35 ropanis in Bhaktapur, said Joshi.

Joshi began looking into the hospital's property as philantrophists in the past used to allocate guthi land for maintaining public sheds like patis and pauwas after their construction. Joshi complained that he did not receive cooperation from the concerned sectors like the Ministry of Health and Bir Hospital Management Committee.

"I toured the length and breadth of the country to trace and record the hospital's lands," Joshi said. Many ministers in the Health ministry came and went and Bir Hospital saw many directors change, but none of them showed any seriousness to look into the property of the country's oldest hospital, he added.

However, Dr. Manoharlal Shrestha, the hospital's director, refuted the charge. The hospital has formed a committee, headed by Dr. Prakash Aryal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Health, to look into its property. He is optimistic that some achievement will be made to recover the guthi lands as the Health Minister himself is a staff of the hospital.