Think Again

Although Nepal has decided to join World Trade Organization (WTO), our officials and businessmen seem to be unaware about the pros and cons of the global forum. It is a good news to know that Nepal is joining World Trade Organization (spotlight November  26 December 1). The time has now come to about different aspects of WTO. After joining the world governing trade organization, we have to fulfill many commitments. Are we really prepared for it? If not, we got to think again.

Subodh Suwal
Durbartole, Bhaktapur

Joining WTO

Your cover story on World Trade Organization (WTO) was interesting as it helped me to understand the pros and cons of joining the global trade organization. I am very happy to know that the country like Nepal can benefit once it joins the organization. What I want to stress on is that  Nepal must try to get maximum benefit out of its association with the WTO.

Sanat Dhakal
Bhaktapur

If things remain unchanged, Nepal will be a member of WTO next year. There is no doubt that joining the international organizations like that of WTO will benefit Nepal. We must evaluate what obligation do we need to follow and respect after entering the world trade body. There are many advantages and disadvantages in joining the WTO. If we can benefit more without joining the WTO, we can still postpone the deadline to join the global forum. There must be a national debate before taking major decisions on issues like joining such organization.

Nhuche Maharjan
Thamel

I agree with  Minister of Trade Ram Krishna Tamrakar that Nepal has no option other than to join WTO. We lose many advantages and trade privileges, if we do not join WTO. Despite opposition from small group, large number of industrial houses and economists are supporting Nepal's move to enter the WTO.

Remarkable Experience

After many weeks, I have found very enlightening opinion in Spotlight. The views expressed by Meiko Nishimizu, Vice president of the World Bank in her speech "Discovering A New Nepal: A Process of Social Transformation" (Spotlight November 19-25) is eye opening. We need more encouraging statements like that of Nishimizu. As a Nepali, I have never known that Nepal has some excellent record of sovereign credit-worthiness for international private investments. I agree that Nepal is yet to make steady progress in the field of poverty alleviation but we have also achieved some remarkable progress in the field of literacy, health care and infrastructure development.

Govinda Dhakal
Jawalakhel 

Rejoinder

I have read your editorial note of 19 November on the situation in Chechnya with bewilderment. I respect your personal views on different problems and request to publish the view of my government. In your note such words were used as "genocide", "pondering small neighbors", "crime against humanity." It was the criminal regime in Chechnya which deprived ordinary people of the rights to live normal life, to have work, education, health-care, pensions - all this being provided by  the Federal authorities in the areas freed from bandits and terrorists. It was the terrorist groups from Chechen's terrorists who took 1058 hostages for ransom and killed your colleague journalists. Isn't it a crime against humanity? The government of the Russian Federation is not going to close its eyes on this criminal activity. Chechnya will return to its normal civilized life.

V. Ivanov Ambassador of the Russian Federation
Kathmandu, Nepal

Tariff Hike

Your cover story on power tariff was not interesting as it failed to point out many hidden agendas of Nepal Electricity Authority. Of course, price hike is a result of mismanagement and inefficiency in the part of distribution and generation of electricity. But the main question is: who is responsible for this? We all know NEA is a milking cow for politicians. From ministers to bureaucrats and businessmen to official of public corporations, every one is involved in misusing the fund of NEA. As long as political interference continues, I don't think  NEA will make an inch of progress.

Saugat K.C.
Sanepa