NEWS NOTES (Spotlight Weelky)

Gen. Rana In Favor Of Activating NSC

In what is seen as a significant move, Chief of the Army Staff General Prajwalla Shumsher JB Rana said on Friday said it was necessary to activate the NSC in view of the present situation in the country and to regularly coordinate and monitor matters relating to national security, RSS news agency reported today. Addressing a function organized at the Royal Nepalese Army command and Staff College at Shivapuri, Rana said though the country's constitution has made provision for a National Security Council it has not yet been developed institutionally. The three-member council headed by the Prime Minister has Defense Minister and Chief of the Army Staff as its members. As per the constitution, the King can grant permission to mobilize the army upon the recommendation of the NSC. In view of the growing Maoist insurgency, Koirala has said he was in favor of activating the NSC. Compiled from reports April 22.

Koirala For Cooperation With Neighbors In Fighting Terrorism

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who has accorded top priority to contain the on-going Maoist insurgency in the country, has sought cooperation of neighboring countries to fight against it. Addressing a function organized to mark the 53rd anniversary of Nepal Council of World Affairs here on Friday, Koirala said the government of Nepal was ready to fight jointly with her neighbors against internal and cross-border terrorism and other criminal acts such as drug trafficking and flesh trade. Koirala said peaceful coexistence with the immediate neighbors, India and China, has been the cornerstone of Nepal's foreign policy. He said Nepal's commitment for global as well as regional peace was indispensable for social prosperity. Leading dailies report, April 22.

11 Nepalis Killed In Indian State Of Assam

A total of 19 people including 11 Nepalis have been killed by separatist rebels in northeastern states of Assam and Tripura of India, AFP news agency reported today, quoting police officials. Eleven Nepalis were killed in two separate attacks on Wednesday evening in the Karbi Anglong hill district of Assam State, some 350 km east of the state capital Guwahati. The Karbi National Volunteer Force has taken responsibility for the attacks. The KNVF, which only has an estimated 100 members, is fighting for greater autonomy for the Karbi tribes people in Assam. The rebels killed Nepali woodcutters hired by timber contractors in two villages in Assam in their bid to discourage clearing of forests for business purposes, reports said. A different group of rebels killed eight Bengalis in northeastern State of Tripura. Compiled from reports April 21.

Senior Communist Leader Lama Felicitated

Senior Communist leader Nirmal Lama, who is undergoing treatment at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for his throat cancer, was felicitated amidst a public function at the City Hall here on Thursday. Lama, who was brought on a wheel chair, urged the Nepalis to continue their fight to end political level corruption in the country. Former Prime Minister K. P. Bhattarai, UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari and leaders from different political parties lauded the role played by Lama in restoring democracy in 1990 and in the communist movement of the country. Compiled from reports April 21.

'Nepal Doesn't Need To Worry For Aid'

Country director for Nepal of the World Bank, Hans Rothenbuhler, has said Nepal need not worry for aid if it strengthens its institutional capacity. Talking to reporters after the Paris meet of Nepal Development Forum, Hans said export of electricity would help Nepal earn a huge income on a long-term basis and agriculture is the only alternative to alleviate poverty. Mr. Rothenbuhler also said there was a need to create a conducive atmosphere for the private sector to expedite Nepal's development. Meanwhile, the International Development Association, a lending arm of the World Bank, said in Paris meeting that it would alone provide 400 million dollars to Nepal (per annum) if the Nepal government implemented the documents of reforms effectively. Nepal's total foreign aid mobilization at present stands at US$ 400 million per annum. RSS news agency reports.

Ex-British Gurkhas At UNCHR Meeting

An organization of former British Gurkha soldiers has said it has raised the issue of discrimination against them by the British government as a case of racial discrimination in the on-going meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday, legal advisor to Gorkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organization (GAESO), Yuba Raj Sangraula, said the organized raised the issue as an example of human rights violations in the 56th meeting of UNCHR in Geneva. The organizations have been demanding equal pension and benefits to ex-Gurkha soldiers who have served in the British army at par with their British counterparts. Compiled from reports April 20.

US Embassy Clarifies

A week after two leading dailies published a story regarding `adoption controversy' related to the US ambassador-designate to Nepal, Thomas Furey, the US embassy in Kathmandu said last Monday that referring Furey as a 'racist' (in the news reports) was thoroughly unfair, completely unwarranted and unsubstantiated. KANTIPUR and THE KATHMANDU POST dailies had reported last week that Mr. Furey, who was stationed at the US embassy in Kathmandu in the '80s, had adopted a Nepali child but later returned the child to the orphan home after some time reportedly because of his dark skin. "Eighteen years later this matter should be put at rest. Mr. Furey is eminently qualified to be the US ambassador to Nepal. He has enjoyed a successful career as an officer of the US government and loves Nepal and its people. If confirmed by the Senate, he will be an excellent representative of the US government and people to the Kingdom of Nepal," the press statement issued by the embassy said. A US national, Robert Cardinalli, who is now serving at USAID office in Cairo, had appealed to the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate to block the appointment of Furey. Furey's appointment is yet to be approved by the Senate Committee. Compiled from reports April 18.

Gautam Takes To Court

Angered by the allegations leveled by his former comrades-in-arms, General Secretary of Marxist Leninist Bamdev Gautam has filed a case against UML leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal, Pradip Nepal, Ishwor Pokharel and K.P. Oli charging them of defamation. The UML leaders had accused Gautam of indulging in corruption in a mass meeting organized by the party a couple of weeks ago in the capital. The main opposition leaders, speaking at the public meeting, catagorically accused Gautam, among others, of indulging in corruption. Analysts say Gautam's move to pledge in the court of law could turn interesting as it could reveal corruption by UML leaders too. Meanwhile, the ongoing rivalry within the ML party has reached a temporary truce after UML leveled the charges against its leaders. Nepalipatra April 21.

Lingual Rightists Call For Nepal Bandha

The lingual rightists demanding the equal right of indigenous languages are preparing to call for a nationwide shutdown on May 31 (Jestha 18). It was the same day last year when the Supreme Court had ruled no other languages except Nepali should be used for official communication purposes in municipalities. The ruling came after Kathmandu municipality and Rajbiraj municipality decided to include Newari and Maithili languages respectively in their day-to-day activities. The lingual and ethnic rights organizations have been protesting against the apex court decision and have even staged shutdowns in the past. Samakalin April 20.

Nepalese In US Invite Deuba

Leader of the ruling Nepali Congress party Sher Bahadur Deuba has been invited as special guest to attend a conference organized by Nepalese living in United States of America from July 1 to 4. The conference will be held in Atlanta city. Among other renowned Nepalese invited to the conference include leader of the main opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal, Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala and singer Udit Narayan Jha. Punarjagran April 18.