PM returns home

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 27: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand returned home today after taking part in the 13th summit conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Speaker, the National Assembly Chairman, the Rajparishad Standing Committee Chairman and the Deputy Prime Minister were present at the VVIP Lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport to welcome the Prime Minister.Also present on the occasion were ministers, heads of constitutional bodies, chiefs of diplomatic missions and high ranking officials of His Majesty's Government.

Nepal called for responding to LDCs' needs at NAM: PM

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 27: Nepal called for special international attention to respond to the needs of the least developed countries (LDCs) in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Kuala Lumpur, said Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand who returned home from the meet Thursday.

Chand, who led high level Nepalese delegation to the 13th NAM summit in the Malaysian capital, said that Nepal had emphasised that all the members of the movement should unite to achieve the shared goal of peace, security, development and justice.

"Nepal clearly voiced that terrorism should be contained without any compromise to ensure world peace," the Prime Minister told journalists upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Prime Minister Chand addressed the two-day summit on the first day on February 24. Elaborating Nepal's views expressed during the address to the 116-nation summit, the Prime Minister said, "We viewed that the United Nations need to be strengthened to revitalise the non-aligned movement."
Nepal is one of the founding members of the NAM founded in September 1961 in Belgrade opting for neutral stance at a time when there were two global power blocs. The numbers of its members reached 116 after entry of East Timor and St. Vincent and the Grenadines during this summit.
Meanwhile, RSS adds: All major political, economic, social and other events and situations in the contemporary world have been analysed and NAM's common views regarding these have been expressed in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration issued at the conclusion of the summit, he said. He added that the declaration pledges to work with determination for making peace, security, justice, equality, democracy and development in consonance with the multilateral international relations system based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, people's right of self-decision and non-interference as enshrined in the UN Charter and international law.
Stating the 'Kuala Lumpur Declaration' as a concrete achievement of the 13th NAM conference in terms of reinstating NAM back into the political and social map of the world, Prime Minister Chand said the declaration incorporates the conclusions arrived at the various ministerial level meetings. The conference has charted out the timely measures and necessary steps required for reviving the NAM.
Chand said the Kuala Lumpur Declaration also spells out positive commitments to make a healthy analysis and assessment of the NAM's views on international issues, reforming NAM's organisation and working procedures, implement and follow up on various international commitments, expand and intensify South-South cooperation, assist international programmes related to Africa, the least developed countries and the developing land-locked countries and creating a multilateral world environment through the consolidation of the UN system.

Stating that while in Kuala Lumpur he had met and held talks with the leaders of various countries, he said during his meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, talks were held on matters of mutual interest as well as on topics on making institutional arrangements for the welfare of Nepalis working in Malaysia.

Likewise, referring to his meetings with the heads of state and government and the foreign ministers of the SAARC countries, the Prime Minister said during meetings with them discussions were held on matters pertaining to organisation of the SAARC summit at the earliest as well as on matters of mutual interest.

Matters of mutual and bilateral interests, regional interests as well as Nepal's contemporary political situation, especially the peace process initiated by His Majesty's Government, figured in talks with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee of India, he added.

Prime Minister Chand further said discussions were held on matters of mutual interest with the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Laos also.

Nepal has become successful in registering its active participation at NAM by taking part in the 13th NAM Summit, the Prime Minister said and added that Nepal getting elected as one of the vice-chair at the conference also underscored this fact.

Chand said that he felt his visit to Malaysia has been fruitful in terms of consolidating Nepal's relations with its neighbours and other countries in the region as well as in giving continuity to Nepal's foreign policy which constitutes one of the five directives issued to the present Council of Ministers by His Majesty the King.

He said the 13th NAM conference also decided to hold its 14th summit conference in 2006 in Cuba.
Replying a question, the Prime Minister said all the leaders in the world wished that peace prevail in Nepal.

He also disclosed on the occasion that a Royal Nepalese Embassy at the consular level would be opened in Malaysia soon for protecting the rights and interests of the Nepalese nationals working in that country.

Japan's support highlighted

RSS

KATHMANDU, Feb. 27: The cooperation extended by the Government of Japan to Nepal for development in the field of rural telecommunications was referred to at a programme hosted here today.

The Government of Japan started providing cooperation in this field since 1982 and it has provided financial cooperation of Rs. 70 million in two phases.

Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, inaugurating the programme organised by the Japan Alumni Association here today, expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for extending cooperation in the field of rural communications in a country like Nepal with its difficult terrain.

Stating that trade and industry in the rural areas cannot flourish without a communications network, he said that activities should be carried out to provide telecommunications services to the remaining 60 per cent of the population.

Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications Mukunda Paudel, Minister at the Japanese Embassy Kajumi Suzuki and resident representative of JICA Nepal Itaro Mitomale also expressed their views at the programme.

Govt set to hold talks for peace soon: Pun

RSS

POKHARA, Feb. 27: Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun has pointed out the need of unity among the government, political parties and civil society to transform the cease-fire into a state of permanent peace in the country.

Minister Pun made this remark while speaking at a function organised here today by Nepal Magar Association on the occasion of Nepal Magar Day.

Stating that conflict management is a complex process, he said if we do not go into the depths of the reason behind the conflict the problem cannot be resolved permanently.

If the political parties want to work for the welfare of the people then the people's demand is to create an environment of peace in the country and the government has also initiated efforts to build an environment for peace, he said.

He wondered whether we are ready to create an environment of peace for the people or not, whether the political parties will cooperate or not and for what purpose the political parties are conducting their politics.

Though the peace talks failed in the past we should try to make talks successful in future, he said adding that in accordance with the directives of His Majesty the King the present government is effortful to create an environment of peace and hold elections and hand over power to the elected government.

He said one phase of talks between the government and the Maoists will be held in Pokhara.
The function was held under the chairmanship of chairman of Nepal Magar Association Krishna Bahadur Thapa Magar.

'Efforts on to end crisis through talks'

RSS

LALITPUR, Feb. 27: Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Gore Bahadur Khapangi has said that the government is making efforts to resolve the prevailing crisis in the country through dialogue.

At the 31st Magar Day Programme organised by organisations affiliated to the Nepal Magar Association and its Lalitpur District Committee here today, Minister Khapangi said that it was a positive aspect to have a cease-fire within 100 days of assuming of office by the present government.
Stating that all out efforts were being made by the present government to filfill the responsibilities entrusted to it by His Majesty the King, he expressed the view that if the entire community unites and rises above personal selfishness, the association will be strong.

At the programme, National Assembly member Balaram Ghartimagar said that the entire Magar community should take steps to enliven and provided continuity to its culture, customs and lifestyles.
President of Bhaktapur district committee of the Nepal Magar Association Kul Prasad Punmagar and a host of other speakers also expressed their views at the programme.

Illegal narcotics destabilises economy: Report

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 27: Illicit production of narcotics is not a road to prosperity and does not give economic benefits to countries producing them, rather it destabilises the economy and it has a socially destabilising effect in terms of increase in crime and violence. This is the key finding of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

The annual INCB report, which was released today, has revealed that farmers growing the illicit crops do not make profits - in fact, only one per cent of the money ultimately spent by drug abusers is earned as farm income in developing countries. "The remaining 99 per cent is earned at various other points along the drug trafficking chain in the development countries," it said.

The International Narcotic Control Board, a Vienna-based independent expert body, has reiterated to countries including Nepal to implement the provision of the 1971 Convention and to become parties to that Convention as soon as possible.

INCB has repeatedly urged Nepal to become party to the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, which is an important drug related convention, the report reads.

The INCB has also noted that Nepal has not proceeded with legislature action against money laundering and promotion of mutual legal assistance and the protection of witness.

The Board has urged the government of Nepal to proceed with the acts without further delay.
Nepal has already become a party to the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988.

Referring to the drug abuse situation in South Asia, the report says cannabis is illicitly cultivated and abused in all countries in South Asia. Seizures in 2002 indicate that large amounts of cannabis are transported from Indian cities and the cannabis produced in India as well as the smuggled out of Nepal and into India is mostly for domestic abuse. "In Nepal, the illicit cultivation of cannabis varieties that are more potent than those which grow wild is rising particularly in lowland areas," the report says.

It said the cannabis cultivation and abuse is rising even in Bhutan, which had never reported any drug abuse problems.

The annual INCB report 2002 contains the latest analysis of the drug control situation worldwide so that governments are awakened to the existing and potential situations that may contradict the objectives of the international drug control treaties.

The report also draws attention to gaps and weaknesses in national control and in treaty compliance and makes suggestions and recommendations for improvements at both national and international levels.

The world drug problem is often seen primary cause of that social problem for the insidious long-term effects of chronic drug abuse and its impact on the drug abuser.

An impact is the sociallly-destabilising effect of illegal narcotics activities, which lead to crime and violence. The report says drug and terrorism are inter-related.

The board wants to see more international cooperation between law enforcement authorities to tackle large-scale trafficking in ecstasy, which continues to be illicitly manufactured in Europe for global market.

CIAA files cases against two police inspectors

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 27: The Commission for Investigation of the Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed today cases against police inspectors Pradeep Pokharel and Mukunda Kumar Niraula for submitting fake academic certificates in their appointment and promotion to the post of police inspectors.
Pokharel, a resident of Gulmi Nayagaon, had submitted the certificate that showed that he had passed Bachelors of Arts from Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, India, in 1997 for the open competition for the post of inspector.

Niraula, a resident of Jhorahat of Morang district, had submitted the certificate of Bhupendra Narayan Mandal University Talunagar Madehpur Bihar showing he had passed BA (hons) in second division in 1994 for his promotion.

Pokharel was selected for inspector through an open competition. But he has fled from the police training centre where he was receiving training.

According to the Corruption Control Act of 2017, and if proven guilty in such cases, the accused are liable to Rs. 5000 fine or/and imprisonment from two to six years in prison, and under existing Anti-Corruption Act of 2059, the accused, if found guilty, are liable to six to one year in prison and a fine of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000. The acts also have provision that the accused, if found guilty, will not get any facilities are retirement.

The CIAA has said that it has filed cases for fake certificates against 88 persons - 18 of civil service, 61 of government corporations; eight of police force; and one of National Investigation Department - in cases of fake academic certificates.

Peaceful political means end terrorism: Envoy

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 27: Russian ambassador to Nepal Valery V. Nazarov today said that peaceful political means was the best alternative for ending the menace of terrorism that has terrorised the present day world.

"Our task should not merely be to fight terrorists, it is to solve the problem by peaceful political means," the Russian ambassador said while presenting his keynote speech at a talk programme on 'International Terrorism: A threat to peace, security and development' organised jointly by Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA) and Russian Centre of Science and Culture here this evening.
Talking about the terrorist problem in Chechnya, he said that the upcoming March 23 referendum would be vital in solving the century-long problem.

"Although al-Qaeda camps are no longer in existence in Chechnya, the international terrorist organisations are still using the place and the al-Qaeda money is working," he said.

Former president of NCWA as well as the ex-ambassador to Bangladesh Prof. Dr. Mohan Prasad Lohani said concerted global action against the menace of terrorism must be initiated by the United Nations, the world's apex body for peace and development.

"There is a united voice from all sectors of life about the fight against terrorism, be it from the just concluded 13th Conference of Non Aligned Movement, or from the civil societies of the world, that the UN should mediate for resolving the terrorist crisis in any of its member nations.

"Even the crisis of Iraq should be tackled through UN," Dr. Lohani maintained.

Talking about terrorism at home caused by Maoists, Dr. Lohani said that this time they needed to be sincere and serious to resolve the problem through peaceful political means.

Former secretary general of SAARC Dr. Yadav Kant Silwal said whatever was needed to be done for quelling terrorism internationally should be done through United Nations. "All the member countries should show goodwill gesture to UN's move against terrorism."

Smeared with ash, sages brace for Shivaratri

By Bishnu Prasad Aryal

KATHMANDU, Feb. 27: They come in all hues, appearances and semblance. Their rugged appearances, matted hair, and body smeared with ash make them the perfect disciple of Lord Shiva. There will be droves of them at Pashupati during Shivaratri, the night of Lord Shiva this Saturday (March 1), displaying strange and bizarre conduct and behaviour.

These people have renounced all the worldly pleasures and comforts and want to find solace by praying to Lord Shiva and in hemp and marijuana and making wild merriment a la replication of the Dynossiac culture of medieval Greece.

They are treated as guests and housed and fed for free. Elaborate preparations have been made to cater to thousands of their tribe who will be visiting the Pashupatinath temple for the festival.
The Pashupati Area Development Trust is making elaborate preparation to make the pilgrims feel at home and to provide them whatever they need.

Ram Prasad Dahal, co-ordinator of the publicity sub-committee under the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), said more than 200,000 pilgrims and other visitors are expected for Shivaratri this year - twice more than last year. The number of people coming for Shivaratri had gone down in the last few years. But this year, because of the peace in the country, their number is expected to double.

He said there should be separate arrangements for accommodating the Sadhus and the beggars.
Sadhus are welcome lots. But there will be beggars as uninvited guests. Hundreds of beggars have already arrived - some of them in unimaginably wretched state. They are found all over the Pashupati area with hopes for generosity from the devotees who come there. For most of them it is good business.

Dahal said that the beggars always outnumber the Sadhus. Still by treating them as pilgrims we will do whatever we can.

The Trust keeps records of the sadhus so that they can be managed. Last year there were more than 900 sadhus, and over 1,000 beggars, according to the committee, who visited the Pashupatinath Temple during the festival.

In the last few gone years, the number of visitors was decreasing due to the violence and other hurdles. However, it is estimated that the number of sages alone will exceed 2,000 this year, said Dahal. More than 549 sages and yogis have already arrived. The Naga Babas (naked sages), one of the attractions of Shivaratri, from India have been coming from today, said Dahal.

The Sadhus are provided with logs for bonfire during the cold February nights and marijuana as a 'prasad' of Lord Shiva while they remain here. When they leave, they are bid farewell with rudrakshya, clothes and cash ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. l,000. "Important sadhus are also presented with chamars (tails of Yak) and bells," said Dahal.

The accommodation facilities will be provided free to all the sages and beggars during the 3-day celebration lasting from Friday to Sunday. The PADT has allocated Rs. 1.2 million to purchase wood to perform bonfire as a ritual, informed Dahal.

The sages and the beggars will be settled separately, and that will be managed by the PADT and other organisations from the private sectors. All the necessary security facilities will be provided to the visitors. For that, security posts and camps will be set up mobilising the police and the army to control possible mob violence in the adjoining areas of Pashupatinath Temple.

A 301-member Main Committee chaired by Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Kuber Prasad Sharma, a 25 member monitoring committee co-ordinated by Ram Prasad Dahal and 13 other sub-committees have been formed to facilitate the devotees and visitors.