Cardic ailments becoming problem in South Asia: PM

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KATHMANDU, March 2: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand inaugurated the 2nd joint conference of Cardiac Society of Nepal and SAARC Cardiac Society amidst a function held here today.

About 200 cardiologists and cardiac surgeons from the SAARC countries have been participating in the conference which is organised with a view to achieve better understanding on common issues and problems of heart disease being faced by the SAARC countries Heart disease is rapidly increasing in South Asia Region. It has severe economic consequences that result from premature death, long term disability and cost for patients, it is said.The problem of rheumatic heart disease is still a major problem in the South Asia Region.Though the coronary artery disease is declining in the developed countries, it is rapidly increasing in the SAARC Region. Almost five per cent of civil servants above the age of 30 are suffering from coronary artery disease in Nepal, according to a survey done in Nepal about five years ago.

In India, prevalence of coronary artery disease has been reported as being 11 per cent in 2001.
Inaugurating the conference Prime Minister Chand said there should be co-ordinated efforts of the SAARC countries to the common problem of heart disease, which is increasing every year.
"In recent decades, the occurrence of heart disease has become common to developing countries while previously it was thought to be rich men's disease" he said.

Though miraculous achievements have been made in the treatment of cardiac ailments, they are too expensive and therefore unaffordable for the general people of our region," he added.

Prime Minister said "given the seriousness of the disease, it is high time for us to educate our people for its preventive measures."

He urged the participants to come up with a vision and thinking in serving the society with more dedication and commitment.

Prime Minister Chand also called on the cardiac surgeons and cardiologists to discuss and deliberate on issues of concern with emphasis on providing cheaper health care for the poor.

"Ours is a region dominated by poor, so all our efforts need to be directed towards the cause of their service and upliftment," he said.

If co-operation in health among the SAARC countries is a must, co-operating among other nations is also equal important, he added.

"We share common problems and common constraints. If deliberations at this conference can lead to mutually beneficial co-operation among the SAARC countries, it will further open a new area of togetherness and solidarity, which is what we are striving for," Prime Minister said.

Health Minister Dr. Upendra Devkota said there is the need of finding out treatment method through research and study in accordance with our social, economic, and cultural reality of the South Asia Region.

Dr. Devkota said the specialists should focus their attention to make the treatment accessible to the general public in an easy manner rather than fix expensive treatment price through expensive nursing homes in the name of modern equipment.

Prof. Abdul Malik of Bangladesh, Dr. M. Khalilullah of India and Dr. Dur Gunawardane of Sri Lanka said that the disease could be prevented through education and awareness generation rather than expensive treatment methods in the region.

President of SAARC Cardiac Society Dr. Mrigendra Raj Pandey and general secretary of Cardiac Society of Nepal Dr. Arun Sayami said there is the need of co-ordinated efforts for the treatment of the heart disease in the region.

Govt sends code of conduct to Maoists

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, March.2: Minister for Works and Physical Planning and coordinator from the government side for the peace talks Narayan Singh Pun said today that the government has sent to the Maoists its stances and agenda along with the code of conduct for peace talks.

"They were sent yesterday (Saturday)," he said, and added that the government hoped they will be accepted by the Maoists. The formal talks will begin within two weeks, he said.

Speaking at an interaction programme on "Agenda of Present Peace Talks and Role of Women" organised by Sancharika Group here today Minister Pun said that the political parties, civil society and people from every walk of life should work together to reach the existing conflict into logical end.
"If the political parties are responsible towards the nation and the people, they can never elude the peace process as peace and security are the primary needs for the nation," said Minister Pun.
To manage the existing political conflict, the root causes should be addressed in order to take the problem to a logical end and to establish a lasting peace, he said.

As the Maoist movement was guided by political motif against the backdrop of existing social, economic, political and gender discrimination, and by looking at its nature it should not be taken completely as terrorist activity, he said. This was the reason behind the government's withdrawal of the terrorist tag and the red corner notice to stop bloodshed and violence.

He said the peace talks would be held in three phases - political, military and humanitarian - and the humanitarian aspect should be taken as the most important considering its seriousness.
The present challenge before the nation is to include the Maoists within the framework of existing polity through safe management of the existing conflict, he said.

"The prevailing socio-economic condition and political crisis, quest for good governance, and corruption control that remained untouched in the last twelve years, rather than who should lead the interim government, are the main agenda to manage the conflict," he stressed.

The political parties should admit their weaknesses before the people if they want to strengthen democracy and salvage the country. To do so, he said, they should have the moral courage.
As the government has been playing the role of facilitator in managing the round table talks, a sustainable solution should be sought by reaching into an agreement among the concerned political and social sectors, he said.

But the problem must be managed within the principle of democracy, he added.

Pun came down heavily on the other mainstream political parties for their differing stances by disregarding the national interest, saying it is the political parties themselves, which brought about the current situation.

Standing committee member and leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-UML, K. P. Oli said that the peace talks should reach to a logical end. If the process of negotiation failed the nation would fall into a great risk, he warned.

As crisis of confidence is the main problem among the political parties, government and monarchy, all should try to find a minimum level of understanding to forge national confidence.

He said both the government and the Maoists should not lose their patience to bring the cease-fire into a logical conclusion.

Dr. Durga Pokharel, Chairperson of the Nepal Women's Commission, said that as the women and children were the most affected ones and the government should work without any prejudice and delay for their rehabilitation by bringing about special package programme.

Regarding the representation in round table peace talks, the less benefited sectors should be included to address their problems reforming the prevailing weakness of the constitution, she said.
Senior journalist P. Kharel said that no one should seek the position just for the sake of representation.

'Ceasefire will be converted into lasting peace'

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KATHMANDU, March 2: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Cooperatives and Local Development Badri Prasad Mandal has assured everyone that the ceasefire between the government and the Maoists would be converted into lasting peace because what the people wanted is peace, stability and development.

Inaugurating the grocery traders association here today, Deputy Prime Minister Mandal stated that the government was moving ahead cautiously to make the peace talks fruitful and ensure sustainable peace in the country.

Stating that the contributions of the small and retail trade was significant in the economic development of the country, he said that the government was willing to promote this field providing direct services to the general consumers.

President of the Nepal Chambers of Commerce Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, president of Human Rights Organisation of Nepal Sudip Pathak, association president Krishna Man Shrestha and a host of other speakers expressed their views on the occasion.

Chand calls for support of parties for peace

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DAMAK, March 2: Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has said that as religion refers to serving others, people of all the faiths should move ahead for peace among the mankind by adopting this meaning of religion.

Prime Minister Chand was addressing a foundation stone laying function and religious discourses programme organised by Kirat Religion Protection Central Working Committee at Chulachuli-2 Hattileda of Ilam district.

The three-day comprehensive religious programme has been organised to coincide with the Mahashivaratri Festival with the Motto "World Peace and Unity: The Need of the Day."
Stating that all the political parties and the civic society should extend cooperation to every efforts of the government to ensure law and order in the country, Prime Minister Chand said that as the first and foremost need of the country was peace, the present government was working sincerely to consolidate law and order situation in the country.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Chand honoured academician Til Bikram Nembang (Bairagi Kaila), chief of Dhankuta Multi-Purpose Campus and academician Bishwa Kumar Shrestha and Devdas Rai by draping them with a shawl each and a felicitation letter.

Prime Minister Chand laid the foundation stone of Kirat Manghim to be built at a cost of Rs 1.5 million.

Prime Minister Chand acquired first hand information on the construction works, water supply scheme, health institutions and the problems in local level development endeavours.
On the occasion, former minister and central member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Padma Sundar Lawati said that he government should be sensitive for the overall development of Kirat religion, language and culture.

Balguru Omanand, inaugurating the Yonghang Memorial Rest House on the occasion, said that manking would be happy by pursuing spiritual goals.

Prem Bahadur Bhandari who is the advisor to the Prime Minister, and felicitated personalities academician Bairagi Kaila, Dilip Rai, Fanesh Rai and a host of other speakers expressed their views at the programme.

Twenty-six persons donated one pint of blood each at the programme and a cultural show was also staged.

Parties unable to suggest common solution to crisis

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, March 2: The nation might be on the threshold of entering a historic peace, but leaders of the major parties, represented in the dissolved House of Representatives, are unable to decide on a common role for them.

Although they all agree that the cease-fire, reached between the government and the Maoists a month ago, must translate into a lasting peace, they have failed to reach consensus on a solution to the political crisis.

The Nepali Congress (NC) has been demanding the reinstatement of the parliament while the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) wants a powerful all-party government. The NC argues that reviving the House is the key to breaking the political impasse. The UML insists the parties should resort back to the political exercise undertaken in 1990 to resolve the crisis since the House of the Representatives has been dissolved.

The parties differed heavily during an interaction on 'Political Outlet for Peace and Democracy' organised by Democratic National Youth Association Nepal (DNYAN) here today.

Speaking at the programme, UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal accused the NC for being an obstacle towards a resolution to the political crisis by demanding the restoration of the parliament.
"The NC has broken an agreement reached among the four key political parties which called for the formation of an all-party government," he said.

The parties must abide by the verdict of the court on the dissolution of the Lower House.
"Let us suppose a political party files a petition in the court seeking the restoration of the House. The court could take months to decide. Should the court decide on the same verdict, what will be the state of the parties?" questioned Nepal.

Nepal said that the Monarch should not be blamed for the dissolution of the parliament because former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had recommended its dissolution to the King.
"It was the NC that rejected the proposal of bringing a no-confidence motion against the then prime minister Deuba," he said.

Nepal said that the Maoists were defying their word by continuing to raise funds at gunpoint and threatening the people in the villages.

NC General Secretary Sushil Koirala said that the revival of the dissolved House of Representatives was the only way to solve the complicated problem facing the nation.

"Once the House is reinstated, we should work towards forming an all-party government. Then only can we arrive at a meeting point to restore a permanent peace in the country," added Koirala.
President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana said that the government-Maoist talks should be held within a democratic framework.

"Constitutional Monarchy, multi-party democracy and people's sovereignty can only be the meeting point while finding a solution to the problem," added Rana.

Rana stressed on the immediate implementation of the code of conduct for the talks and forming a mechanism to monitor it. "If there is a roundtable meeting, all parties must have equal and active participation," said Rana.

Chitra Bahadur KC of the CPN-Unity Centre Masal said that the demand for a constituent assembly by the Maoists is only a slogan.

Hridayash Tripathi of the Nepal Sadbhawana Party said that his party would not object to a constituent assembly. "The problem cannot be resolved by isolating any of the three factors - Palace, Maoists and the parties represented in the parliament," he said.

Amik Sherchan of the People's Front Nepal said that it was unfortunate that the major parties are unable to show unity at a time when the country is plunged in a crisis.

Contribute to maintain law, order: Thapa

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KATHMANDU, March 2: Home Minister Dharma Bahadur Thapa said the country has demanded the service of every Nepali to give continuity to the peaceful environment of the present time.

Inaugurating the 12th annual general meeting of Nepal Ex-policemen's Association here today he said the face of the Nepalese people is bright due to the peaceful environment in the country.

All sectors have been able to work without any hindrances even within a period of one month of ceasefire and the nation has achieved economic progress, he said.

He also urged the former policemen to contribute to maintain law and order situation of the country.
Chairman of the association D.B. Lama said the nation should utilise the services of about 70,000 retired policemen.

It was demanded that late Inspector General of Armed Police Krishna Mohan Shrestha should be declared martyr and the security guard permission be given only from the recommendation of the association.

Inspector General of Armed Police Sahabir Thapa said the association should effectively launch its programmes.

Former chief of the National Investigation Department Hari Babu Chaudhary, former inspector general of the police Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan and general secretary of the association Ganj Singh Gurung said the skills and experience of the retired policemen should be utilised.

NC to utilise ceasefire for peace, democracy

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KATHMANDU, March 2: President of the Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala has said that his party would utilise the ceasefire between the government and the Maoists to launch movement for the sake of peace and democracy.

Addressing a discussion programme organised by the Democratic Engineering Club here today, he stated that the NC had taken the announcement of ceasefire positively.

NC president Koirala stated that his party would not compromise with anyone on multi-party parliamentary system of governance, Constitutional Monarchy, sovereignty of the people, adult franchise, and the rule of law restored following the People's Movement of 1990.

He reiterated that the House of Representatives should be reinstated for the successful conclusion of the dialogue between the government and the Maoists and maintain law and order in the country.
Koirala said, "The House of Representatives should be reinstated to ensure that national politics of reconciliation achieved from the people's movement and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 were not derailed.

He said, "The Constitution of 1990 has saved the country, people, King and democracy and provided political stability. None will benefit in case it is affected adversely."

As politics and development are complementary, one of the two should not be viewed separately from the other, he added.

He said that his proposed comprehensive unity campaign was for the political, economic and social transformation of the country. Club president engineering Sarjoj Devkota presided over the programme.