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"PRINCESS ANNE'S VISIT |
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"PRINCESS ANNE'S VISIT |
A Symbol Of Goodwill Princess Anne's visit close on the heels of Prince Philip's underlines the value Britain attaches to relations with Nepal By KESHAB POUDEL As Nepal passes through a critical phase of democratic transition, economic liberalization and social transformation, it sorely needs support from the international community. Being a traditional friend, the United Kingdom understands Nepal’s difficulties in consolidating democracy. This realization is reflected by, among other things, the visit of three high-level British delegations to Nepal this year.
All three British dignitaries expressed their commitment to help Nepal in different fields. While British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who came here in April, expressed his support for Nepal's democratic transition and for continuing to maintain the Gurkhas as a part of British Army, Prince Philip and Princess Anne gave their patronage to the environment and social sectors. "Constitutional democracy in Nepal is relatively new, and problems in both the processes of democracy and development are understandable," said Cook in an exclusive interview with SPOTLIGHT (April 21, 2000). The British government is also making strong efforts to boost trade relations between the two countries. The British Wool Marketing Board has already expressed its willingness to market Nepalese hand-woven carpets in that country. The British Embassy even offered space within its complex for the office of Nepal-Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI). During her stay in Nepal, Princess Anne, who inaugurated the British Council's new building, expressed her support for the rehabilitation of victims of girl trafficking, leprosy patients, abandoned children and Bhutanese refugees. uring her visit to the Human Rights Commission, she appreciated the efforts of Nepalese human right workers. Underscoring her wish for the social development of epal, Princess Anne said, "The promotion of bilateral trade will boost the traditional friendly relations between Nepal and Britain." The British government and British INGOs have been working in all the three areas mentioned by Princess Anne. With the support from the British government, efforts are being made to train and coordinate South Asian police officials to tackle the problem of girl trafficking. During her six-day-trip, Princess Anne spent most of her time visiting social organizations in different parts of the country. Apart from inaugurating the British Council complex, a center for learning, and meeting leprosy patients at Ananda Ban Hospital in Lalitpur district, Princess Anne also took time out to meet young Nepalese girls returned from Indian brothels, at Maiti Nepal's Transit Home and HIV\AIDS Hospice at Jhapa, 700km east of Kathmandu. On her way to Jhapa, Princess Anne also went to Beldangi to observe the Bhutanese refugee camp in Damak. Besides, Princess Anne also visited a British project at the Baglung District Hospital and Disabled Children's Education Project run by Save the Children Fund at Baglung. During her stay at Pokhara, Princess Anne visited the CWIN Drop-in Center for street children and SCF-run Children's Initiative to Create Sexual Harassment-Free Environment for Girls, Children's Theater for Development, Slum Education Workshop and Tourism Training Project run by VSO. During his visit, Prince Philip expressed concern for the protection of Nepal's environment. At a time when Nepal is passing through a critical socio-economic and political phase, the support extended by the United Kingdom is very significant. As their friendship dates back centuries, the United Kingdom has always supported Nepal's efforts to achieve tangible changes in improving the living standard of its people. Over the last five decades, the British government has extended help worth tens of millions of rupees to develop infrastructure like road and agriculture extension programs. The Dharan-Dhankuta road, Narayangadh-Butwal portion of East-West highway, Damak road and Biratnagar-Jogbani road are some of the enduring symbols of British cooperation. The Lumle Agriculture Research Center and the Pakhribas Agriculture Center are other sectors that have received British help. The United Kingdom also initiated the community forestry program several years ago and is still backing it. "The relations between our two kingdoms is multi-dimensional and is deepening and expanding. British cooperation in sectors like human resource development and alleviation of poverty is in keeping with the development priority fixed by His Majesty's Government," said Prince Gyanendra, in an address welcoming Princess Anne. Since the restoration of democracy in 1990, the British government has been supporting the democratization process and human rights activities in Nepal. The British monarchy has always maintained warm relations with Nepal’s monarchy and people. The two state visits paid by Queen Elizabeth II to Nepal testify to this warmth and cordiality. Britain has always supported Nepal's efforts to maintain its national identity. The presence of Gurkha soldiers in the British Army is one of the factors that have brought the two countries closer. As Nepal has been learning the process of multi-party democracy with constitutional monarchy, the royal visits are of significant value. The series of high-level visits to Nepal shows the level of prominence Nepal enjoys in British foreign policy. "Nepal has relations with many countries in the world, but the United Kingdom is the only country which has always been friendly towards us," says Dr. Panna Kazi Amatya, chairman of the political science department at Tribhuvan University. Despite their geographical distance, Nepal and the United Kingdom share many similarities in terms of institutions of monarchy and multiparty democracy. The United Kingdom remains one of Nepal's traditional and closest friends in the world. "In the areas of trade diversification, the British market may help to increase the volume of industrial products like hand-made carpets," says Rajendra Khetan, president of NBCCI. Relations between Nepal and Britain have stood the test of time and the recent visits by British dignitaries have further strengthen them. BRITAIN IN NEPAL Nepal-Britain week showcases diverse sounds and images By A CORRESPONDENT With the inauguration of the new British Council complex, the Britain in Nepal week opened to a colorful start. Organized by the British Council with support from the British Embassy and Nepal-Britain Chamber of Commerce, the event marked a special opportunity for bilateral interaction. Among the interesting areas were the music show and the festival of best British films. Presented by renowned British percussion ensemble Network of Sparks with Prem Autari of Sur Sudha and Rajendra Karna and Raju Agrawal of Radio Nepal, the music pervaded the air of the Birendra International Convention Center. The fusion of eastern and western music -- and the talents of the performers -- attracted a large number of Kathmanduties. Half a dozen popular British films were exhibited at the festival. A human rights film festival was also organized, along with an opportunity to discuss the presentations. According to the organizers, this was the first human rights film festival held in Nepal. The aim was to enhance public awareness of human rights issues and to introduce human rights professionals to the use of popular and accessible films in their work. The films covered the rights of women, children, elderly, and efforts to ensure the realization of human rights by all. |
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