NATIONAL 4 - (Spotlight Weekly)

‘Gurkhas Will Remain An Integral Part Of The British Army’

— GEOFFREY HOON

Following the visits of Prince Philip and Princess Anne, British Defense Secretary Geoffrey Hoon is scheduled to arrive in Nepal this week from India. Hoon will be the second British minister to visit Nepal this year. After a long row over unequal pensions, the present Labor government of Prime Minister Tony Blair increased the pension of former British Gurkhas last year. During his visit, Hoon will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and hold talks with Defense and Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya and Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola. Hoon gave an exclusive interview to KESHAB POUDEL of SPOTLIGHT highlighting the importance of his visit to Nepal. Excerpts from the interview:

What brings you to Nepal?

My prime reason for being here is to demonstrate the value that the UK places on the long-standing relationship and close links that exist between our two countries, and in particular the significant contribution made by the Gurkhas over the past nearly 200 years of loyal service with the British Army. The UK Government is very grateful for the Nepalese Governmentís continued support in this area.

There is some discontent amongst some ex-Gurkhas concerning pensions. What have you to say on that?

I am disappointed because I think that the vast majority of ex-Gurkhas welcomed the outcome of our recent examination of pensions. Whilst remaining in accordance with the Tri-Partite Agreement between the UK, Nepal and India, it resulted in payments, at the very least, being doubled for all 26,000 Service Pensioners. Payments now range from NCR 7,881 to NCR 38,776 and I understand this equates to a very good salary in Nepal.

Of course, there are those who choose to use the pension issue for their own objectives and I am disturbed by some of the reports I have heard of their activities. But we must not allow the unacceptable actions of a few to get in the way of the special relationship that exists between our two countries. I know that this is a view shared by the Nepalese Government.

Why do Gurkhas receive a lower pension that their British Army counterparts?

I am glad you asked me that. There are two different systems for very good reasons. The majority of British soldiers leave the Army with no pension until they reach the age of 60. Very few Gurkhas, on the other hand, retire before completing 15 years of service and are then discharged with an immediate and index linked pension. I accept, of course, that there are differences between Nepal and UK pension rates, but this reflects the Tri-Partite Agreement and the different costs of living in our two countries. To change this well-established system and to, say, align it with the system designed for British soldiers, would be in breach of the agreement and would result in a large proportion of the serving Brigade of Gurkhas not receiving a pension until they were aged 60. I think most would agree that the need for an immediate pension in Nepal is more compelling.

Do Gurkha soldiers have the same take-home pay as British soldiers?

Yes.

What do you have to say about the Hari Thapa case in the UK?

In view of the legal proceedings, I am afraid that it would not be proper for me to comment.

What about when Gurkhas leave the British Army?

Before a Gurkha leaves the army he attends resettlement courses of his choice, in the UK, in exactly the same way as a British soldier. On arrival in Kathmandu, British Gurkhas Nepal also offer a 6-day re-orientation package to familiarize personnel with life back in Nepal. A Gurkha then receives his pension but can also draw on the services of a re-employment cell, recently set up in Kathmandu, which aims to assist our retired soldiers in finding employment. The initial indications are that this is proving very successful.

What is done for them after that?

We run the Gurkha Welfare Scheme (GWS), which looks after the welfare needs of our ex-servicemen in Nepal. It is funded by a charity, the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT), which also benefits from funding from my department. The GWS provides individual aid including welfare pensions to those who due to short war service or redundancy did not have a service pension and hardship grants for those who fall on hard times. It also provides community aid, in the form of water points, schools and suspension bridges.

Another key area for the GWS is their highly popular medical scheme that allows Service Pensioners to reclaim 75% of the cost for any medical treatment they receive. Treatment is free to those receiving a welfare pension. General Sir Sam Cowan, the chairman of the GWT, visited Nepal last month to inaugurate the newly refurbished Area Welfare Center in Bagmati which forms a vital part of the scheme. Overall, therefore, I am very proud of what we do for our ex-Gurkhas.

How many Gurkhas are you recruiting this year?

This year we are recruiting 230 men for the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Will Gurkhas remain part of the British Army?

Yes. Gurkhas will remain an integral part of the British Army for the foreseeable future.

Would you like to comment on bilateral relations between Britain and Nepal?

Yes. I would welcome the opportunity to do so. There are many strands to the relationship between our two countries which goes back over two centuries. I see the Gurkhas as the basis for that relationship. But there are other areas ñ trade and education represent two examples. These are areas which we feel can be further expanded. Our Department for International Development office here is contributing enormously and I think that the new British Council building exemplifies our long-term commitment to Nepal. I judge that our bilateral relationship is quite excellent, as witnessed by the steady stream of royal and senior ministerial visitors from the UK. I hope that the relationship will continue to prosper and be even further reinforced in the future.

Do you have a message for the ex-servicemen?

Simply that on behalf of the British people, I would like to thank them for the very special contribution they have made over many years, and to pass all ex-Gurkhas and their families my best wishes for the New Year.