NEWS NOTES (Spotlight Weelky)

"No Unity in Action Possible with the Maoists"

Senior UML leader and former Home Minister K. P. Sharma Oli has said that there were no possibilities of working out 'unity in action' with the underground Maoist party until they give up the violent movement and take part in the constitutional process. Oli's comments have come in the aftermath of reports that the Maoist party has proposed a broader alliance between all political parties except the ruling Nepali Congress. Talking to reporters in Dang district on Saturday, Oli claimed that his party could resolve the Maoist problem by adopting economic, administrative and judicial measures with the cooperation of people and through dialogue with the Maoists. He also refuted reports that his party had adopted a policy of equi-distance between the NC and Maoists. Nepal Samacharpatra Jan. 30. (Photo)

Kaji Sherpa Included In Guinness Book Of Records

The feat of Kaji Sherpa, a celebrated Nepali mountaineer, has been included in the 'Millennium edition of the Guinness Book of World Records 2000.' Sherpa has set world record by climbing Mt. Sagarmatha, the highest peak in the world, in the shortest time ever of 20 hours and 24 minutes. First summiteer Tenjing Norgay, the youngest climber Shambhu Tamang and 'Snow Leopard' Ang Rita Sherpa have also been included in the Book. Ang Rita has made world records by climbing the Everest for a record ten times. Leading dailies report Jan. 25. (Photo)

Western Region Bandh Remains Largely Peaceful

The 'Paschimanchal bandh' (shut down strike in western parts of the country) called by the Maoist party passed largely peacefully on Monday without reports of any major violence. Most of the district headquarters, markets, schools and private enterprises remained closed. The private and public vehicles did not ply on the roads due to fear of violence. There were reports of torch procession and firing by the rebels but no casualties were reported. Police said it had beefed up security to deal with any emergency. The underground party had called the 'bandh' to register protest against alleged 'state terrorism' unleashed by the government. Leading dailies report Jan. 25.

Insurance Board Invites A US Company

The Insurance Board, a government body regulating insurance companies in the country, has asked the American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) to contact it for obtaining license to operate life insurance business in Nepal. The US-based Company will have to deposit foreign currency equivalent to Rs 50 million as its operating capital at a local bank to obtain the license. The Board has said that the foreign company will also have to comply with existing rules governing the sector. Sources said that the US Company has already agreed to comply with the government rules. This is the first time that a foreign company has been invited to operate life insurance in the country. Two other companies, including a government-owned corporation, are already working in the life insurance sector in Nepal. The US Company had applied seeking license more than one year ago. Kantipur Jan. 25.

RPP Not To Intervene At Local Level

After the re-unification of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and RPP(Chand) at the central level, it is now the turn of local level party offices to merge with each other. Fearing the intervention from the center might upset the local balance, the unified RPP has decided to leave the mechanism of merger to local leaders themselves. Few problems like the issue of local leadership has started haunting RPP in districts like Rupandehi where the power wielded by both local RPP and RPP (Chand) leaders are equal. Nepalipatra January 28.

Rift Among Ministers

The issue of the appointment of the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has created a rift among ministers in the cabinet. With Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya opposing the demand by other cabinet colleagues including Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai to appoint former Rastriya Banijya Bank chief Tilak Bahadur Rawal, the issue has snowballed into an ominous signal for the stability of the government. While Prime Minister Bhattarai seems to be waiting for a consensus among his partymen regarding the issue, the rift among Congress leaders is ever widening. Bimarsha January 28.

ML To Initiate Joint Movement

The splinter communist Marxist Leninist has decided to bring all smaller parties together to launch a movement on common agenda. With a view to strengthen its voice, the party has enlarged its alliance to include parties like Janamukti Party, Janata Parishad, Green Nepal Party and RPP apart from its already existing ties with other eight leftist forces. The party has decided to seek the cooperation from other forces to launch a joint movement against the Nepali Congress government. According to the party sources, ML leaders have already initiated correspondence with Janamukti, Janata Parishad and Green Nepal Party regarding their decision. Politburo member Radha Krishna Mainali has been assigned the task to seek cooperation from both Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). Jana Aastha January 26.

Koirala To Visit Maoist-hit Area

Nepal Congress Party President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is all set to visit insurgency-hit districts. Koirala is scheduled to visit Rolpa, Rukum, Jajarkot, Salyan, Achham, Bajura, Kailali and Darchula districts. With a view to generate public outrage against the Maoist insurgents, Koirala will be speaking at public functions in these districts. It is said that Koirala will evaluate the development works in these districts. NC strongman Koirala has been calling for all political parties to come together to resolve the insurgency that has hit the country for the last four years. Ghatana Ra Bichar January 26.

When Will Poudel's Day Come?

Although his name figures every time there is the slightest hint of cabinet reshuffle, Ram Chandra Poudel has yet to get the nomination. Touted as the next Deputy Prime Minister, Poudel has been time and again making headlines in newspapers. Last week, too, speculations were rife that Poudel was being introduced as the second man in the cabinet with special responsibility for checking corruption and improving decentralization. But the issue died down as quickly as it had surfaced. It is said Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai still wants to induct Poudel in his cabinet even if only to pacify the party president. Budhabar January 26.

Nepal Leaves Trail Of Discord

It was a simple decision. But its consequences are said to be serious and far reaching. When UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal left for three-week long tour of USA and Cuba last week, he handed over the acting general secretaryship to Amrit Kumar Bohara. The move clearly sidelined the UML strongman and the party's deputy leader in the parliament K.P. Oli. The shockwave of Nepal's decision are still being felt within the party. Insiders allege that Nepal's move (to hand over party responsibility to Bohara) was a part of his and Jhal Nath Khanal's conspiracy to clip the feathers of Oli. Deshanter January 30.