Photo show on 9/11 attack
Presentation calls for unity against war: Pandey

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 3: An exhibition of photographs portraying the destruction and devastation of the 9/11 terrorist attack in the heart of America's trade and defence centres began at the Tribhuvan University Central Library today.

The 28 photographs that comprise "Images from Ground Zero" illustrate the physical and human casualty of the attacks on the Pentagon in Washington and the International Trade Centre in New York.

The photographs at the exhibition, organised by the US Embassy, were taken by noted US photographer Joel Mayerowitz. The award-winning photographer takes a meditative look at "ground zero" documenting the painful work of the rescue workers, the demolition activities and recovery efforts, including excavation and site clearance.

The photographs on display have already been exhibited in 30 countries before arriving in Nepal.
"Let us see these pictures today not as a reminder of a tragic event, but as a confirmation of the human ability to sustain and overcome the adversity and to turn toward a new beginning," said US ambassador Michael E. Malinowsky.

"I find this thought also applies to the current situation in Nepal. We hope that the phase of death and destruction will remain the past," the American envoy said. "Everyone must come together to clear the path towards reconstruction for a democratic Nepal built on a solid ground of political and economic responsibility and stability."

The purpose of the exhibition is to visually relate the catastrophic destruction of the 9/11 attacks and the physical and human dimensions of the recovery efforts.

"The pictures remind us of the horrible scenes of the 9/11 terrorist attack. The photos presented here will inspire people to unite in the war against terrorism" said Minister for Information and Communications and General Administration Ramesh Nath Pandey speaking on the occasion. "The terrorists will never win. The world has been narrowed as the whole world is involved in the fight against terrorism."

The 9/11 is the most heinous attack in human history, said Devi Prasad Ojha, Minister for Education and Sports.

Added TU's Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma, "The pictures convey the magnitude of human loss of the September 11 attack."

The Museum of the City of New York is holding the exhibition to display the tragic scene of the 9/11 terrorist attack. The exhibition is presented by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.

Ministers Pandey and Ojha, US envoy Malinowsky and Dr. Sharma had jointly inaugurated the 12-day exhibition.

'US keenly observing Nepal's current state'

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 3: Nepal features on the list of US foreign policy challenges, and "we keep our eyes on the situation (in Nepal) daily, and work constantly to ensure that our policies pursue US national interests and the interests of the Nepalese people," the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Donald Camp has said.

"The United States faces a number of foreign policy challenges around the world, and Nepal is on this list," said Camp while speaking about US policy towards Nepal at the Heritage Foundation in Washington. "In close coordination with India and Britain, we plan to continue our efforts to help Nepal right itself, end the violence, and return to the path of peace and democracy," he added.

While cautiously welcoming the cease-fire announced by the government and Maoists, he, however, said, "Whether or not this cease-fire holds, we will support the government in its efforts to retain control of the country and protect the Nepalese people."

"We will maintain our assistance to ensure that the Maoists remain convinced that violence is not the answer," said a statement released by the American Embassy here Monday.

Behind our development and economic assistance programmes lies a diplomatic and political strategy designed to keep the Maoists and the government talking. Unfortunately, differences between the Palace, the interim government and the political parties threaten to undermine the chance for dialogue that the cease-fire provides. "The dangerous situation facing Nepal is no time to let such differences prevent a unified front," the US statement quoting Camp's speech read.

Through the statement, the US disclosed its plan to work in close coordination with India and Britain "to help Nepal right itself, end violence, and return to the path of peace and democracy."
"Last month's truce is a big step in the right direction. But we remain on guard - after all the Maoists broke a similar cease-fire in November 2001, the statement read. The Maoist leadership has made clear that it seeks to replace the constitutional monarchy with an absolutist regime - one that would be overtly hostile to the United States.

"So far, the US government has not included the Maoist insurgents on any of terrorism designations, but we have made it clear that we reserve the right to do so," Camp said.

We are meeting this challenge with an integrated strategy that involves a number of elements, he said. On the assistance side, we are increasing development assistance to Nepal to alleviate grievances that gave rise to the Maoist insurgency. In the fiscal year 2002 and 2003, the US will provide over $ 70 million in development assistant, a portion of which will support local development needed to create employment, he said. "Engaging Nepalese at this level helps to inculcate democratic norms and ensure that our money is getting to the people who need it most."

At the same time, we have begun supplying the government security aid intended to give the Royal Nepal Army the ability to contain the Maoist threat including rifles, basic equipment and military training, Camp said. According to him, US military assistance budget to Nepal is $ 14 million for fiscal year 2002.

This combined assistance strategy, along with political and diplomatic efforts, is designed to help create more secure environment as well as to stave off Maoist victory, convince the insurgents that they cannot win militarily, Camp said.

While the development aid is the greater part of our programme, it is the security assistance that has received the greatest attention lately. The Royal Nepalese Army is sorely under-equipped and in need of specific training. "In coordination with other donor countries including India and UK, we have begun helping RNA to meet its critical needs," Camp said.

Khanal appointed GM of RNAC

By Kedar Bhattarai

Kathmandu, Mar. 3: His Majesty's Government has appointed Mohan Prasad Khanal, Director of the Corporate and Marketing Division, as acting general manager of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation. He replaces K.B. Poudel.

The change in the top post was made after Poudel failed to submit to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MOCTCA) the decision of the corporation's board of directors to run the corporation as a public limited company even after repeated direction by the Ministry.

Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabi Bhakta Shrestha said that the Ministry expects the proposal related to the decision by tomorrow.

He said that the Ministry plans to put the proposal to run RNAC as a public limited company for cabinet decision within this week.

The recommendation to convert RNAC as a public limited company was made in the report given by a task force under Dr. Shanker Sharma, the then member of the National Planning Commission. Dr. Sharma is currently its Vice Chairman.

The task force had recommended setting up two companies responsible for domestic and international flights. The report had also recommended devising ways to attract private capital as the government is not in a position to inject large amounts of money to revitalise the airline.

Strengthen milk market, says DPM

RSS

KATHMANDU, Mar. 3: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Co-operatives Badri Prasad Mandal initiated a milk feeding programme for school children at Bhanu Secondary School at Ranipokhari today.The Sanskrit Secondary School and Bhanu Secondary School have been selected under the first phase of His Majesty's Government's programme of feeding milk to school children.
On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Mandal expressed hope that the programme would help in the development of healthy citizens who are the future pillars of society.

He pointed out the need for publicising the importance of milk and milk products, better known as the best food for children's growth and development, throughout the country.

He also stressed the need for steadily promoting the sale of milk and milk products in the Nepali market so as to replace the notorious liquor market.Acting executive director of the Dairy Development Board Panna Das Shrestha said the programme, which aims at spreading the message of the importance of milk and milk products at every door-step with the extensive participation of school children, would be extended to other parts of the country also.

The programme sponsors the Dairy Development Corporation Central Office Lainchaur, Sitaram Gokul Milks Kathmandu Ltd. Kalimati, Himal Dairy Products Pvt. Ltd. Lagankhel, Nepal Dairy Pvt. Ltd Mahabouddha, Everest Dairy Pvt. Ltd. Kalimati and Ugrachandi Pvt. Ltd. Kamalpokhari were awarded letters of appreciation on the occasion.

Likewise, letters of appreciation were also given to schools participating in the milk feeding programme and the Central Dairy Producers Association.

On the occasion, the sponsoring agencies distributed milk, yoghurt, cream and other milk products to some 800 students. The programme was organised by the National Dairy Development Board.

UML unveils peace campaign

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 3: In a move to restore a lasting peace in the country, the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) today announced a month-long nationwide peace campaign from Wednesday (March 5).The programme 'Public campaign for peace and democracy' will also aim at informing the people and implementing the decisions taken at its recently held 7th convention and during the two meetings of the central committee."All want a lasting peace. So everyone should contribute to creating a cordial atmosphere. We are, thus, launching this programme," said UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal at a press meet organised at the UML's central office, Balkhu today.

Nepal said that the peace campaign would inform the people about the government-Maoist talks and solution to the current political crisis. "It would alert the people against the activities of the rightist forces who want to put the country in reverse gear."We have called on all, including the government and the Maoists, to create a congenial atmosphere for restoring a permanent peace in the country, Nepal said.

The party called on the Maoists to stop terrorising, murdering and kidnapping people and UML workers. It also demanded that the Maoists stop collecting donations and forcefully recruiting people in their activities, he said. At the programme, Nepal also reiterated his demand for a powerful all-party government."Such a government, which is the need of the hour, can only bear political legitimacy to hold talks with the Maoists and oversee elections," claimed Nepal.

Nepal said that His Majesty the King was also positive about the formation of an all-party government, which will include representatives of parties represented in the dissolved of House of Representatives.
"In a meeting, donors from different countries told me that there was no alternative to the all-party government. The people and civil society feel the need for such a government to resolve the major problems facing the nation," Nepal added.

The recently-held second central committee meeting on February 18-20 had decided to launch the peace campaign. It will include mobilising its party workers, interacting with the people, hosting an all-party meeting, organising processions, mass meetings, peace walks and press meets. The party has already dispatched its central committee members to every district for the purpose. General Secretary Nepal and party standing committee member K.P. Oli are scheduled to oversee Siraha and Sarlahi districts in the Terai.

Devkota for quality health services

RSS

KATHMANDU, Mar. 3: Minister for Health Dr. Upendra Devkota, issuing directives to senior officials of the Ministry of Health and offices under it, said that special attention should be paid to provide accessible and quality health services to the people.

Minister Dr. Devkota emphasised the need for the employees to regularly monitor the services provided by them and see to it that these services where they should be provided, devote less time to seminars and meetings and accord priority to regular tasks.

He said that a meeting will be held in the presence of the minister every month where the problems encountered would be reviewed, and directives issued to resolve the health problems of the people as early as possible and ensure maximum possible achievement.

Health Ministry Secretary Mahendra Nath Aryal and heads of departments, divisions and centres under the ministry were also present on the occasion.

Over 200 artifacts come to Museum from police

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 3: From the police cupboards, more than 200 stolen-and-recovered archaeological objects entered the National Museum Monday where they will be showcased for public view.

The 206 ancient items made out of metal, stone, terracotta and wood were recovered by the police at different times in the past decade. The ancient artifacts, the largest among them, a 16th-century stone image of Padmapani Lokeswara measuring more than 4.5 feet, date back to between the 10th and 20th century. The smallest of them is a 4-cm-tall bronze bell followed by a 6-cm-tall brass image of the Kaumari dating back to the 15th century.

According to the police, the antiquities were seized from smugglers during raids or were found in an unclaimed state.

Out of the total items formally transferred to the National Museum, in the presence of high-level police and museum officials and journalists, 105 are made of metal, 76 of stone, 23 of wood and 2 of terracotta. According to the Kathmandu District Police Office, legal procedures regarding these artifacts have been finalised.

One of the unusual items going to the National Museum includes the head of a bronze statue of Soviet communist leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. Other uncommon items are a rhino horn, a dhyangro (shaman's drum), statue of the Karmapa Lama and a pair of cymbals. Wooden items include images, torana (tympanum), tundal (struts) carvings and even an old door part. Most of the stone images are intact while a few have lost parts. Majority of the items are images of the gods, belonging to both the Hindu and Buddhist faiths.

During the police-to-museum hand-over today, hopes were expressed that the new items would add to the attraction of the museum based at Chhauni.

"This substantial addition to the museum's collection will be valuable for tourists and researchers," said police chief Shyam Bhakta Thapa who suspects more antiquities might be in the possession of thieves. He called on the police investigators to track them.

With the transfer of the items of archaeological value to the museum for all to see, the door is now open for all those who want to conduct archaeological researches, said Inspector General of Police Thapa. He dubbed this hand-over a respect to the right of the people to know and hoped that it would not be too long before the objects are put on display.

National Museum chief Rehna Banu Saiyad said that the artifacts would be displayed for all soon. However, she also shared her problems with The Rising Nepal, saying that the museum lacked adequate space to showcase all the items it has received. "We have a sizable store of objects that we have not been able to display for visitors," she admitted.

At the hand-over ceremony held at the Mahendra Police Club, the museum chief related the legal provision that allows these objects to be returned to their place of origin should the local people provide sufficient evidence and pledge to protect them.

Kathmandu District Police Office Superintendent Kuber Singh Rana was upbeat that the new items would enhance the museum's attractiveness and draw more tourists to it.

Rana said some more objects were still in police protection and were awaiting legal clearance.

Govt schemes to stop child labour: Chaulagain

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Mar. 3: A master plan to coincide with the time-bound programme to eliminate all forms of child labour with the specific intent of eliminating the worst forms of child labour within a specific time frame has been initiated.

This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Transport Management Kamal Prasad Chaulagain while inaugurating the Asian Regional Workers' Consultation on the Role of Trade Unions in Fighting Child Labour and Forced Labour in the capital today. The four-day meet is being organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Minister Chaulagain said that the widespread problem of child labour and forced labour was a serious threat to social harmony and human rights. "It is a complex problem deeply embedded in the cultural, social and economic scenarios and history of Nepal", he added.

About 2.6 million child labourers are engaged in more than 72 sectors, including carpet factories, brick kilns, portering, domestic work, tea gardens, restaurants, rag picking and other dangerous fields.

A nationwide study by Tribhuvan University in 1999 showed that 60 per cent of these children are aged between 6 and 14 years, although Nepalese law prohibits engaging children below 14 years as a labourer.

As a signatory of ILO Convention 182 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the countries of the Asian sub-region have the common obligation to create a world fit for children by protecting them from economic and psychological exploitation in work, said Minister Chaulagain.
He also said that the government was ready to work jointly with the trade unions and civil society for the abolition of child labour and forced labour from the country.

Frans Roselaers, Director, IPEC said that effective programmes should be launched at the regional level to eliminate the large number of child labourers by formulating tangible policies and strategies.
Leyla Tegmo-Reddy, Director, ILO Kathmandu said that the IPEC programme launched in Nepal since 1996 have been actively involved in implementing action programmes to control child labour, trafficking and bonded labour.

Roger Plant, Head, Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour, DECLARATION, ILO, Geneva said that many states in Asia still needed to ratify one or the other ILO's forced labour conventions in order to combat the serious global problem.

Representatives from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines are also participating.