NEWS NOTES (Spotlight Weelky)

Rebels Fire At a Chopper

Suspected Maoist rebels fired at a chopper carrying rations to police personnel in mid-western district of Rolpa on Thursday afternoon but no major damage was caused to the helicopter. According to an official with Ananya Airlines, some unidentified persons on ground fired with a gun at the chopper near district headquarters, Libang. The bullet hit the right side of `tail bum' but no major damage was caused. The helicopter later returned to Nepalgunj safely after delivering the rations to different police posts in the district.

Kantipur Feb. 4.

"Nepal Should Not Fear Of Joining WTO"

Visiting ambassador of New Zealand to the United Nations and Chairman of the "Working party on Nepal's accession to WTO," Roger Farell has said that Nepal should not fear of any adverse impact after joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). Taking part in an interaction program organized by the Commerce Ministry here on Thursday, Farell said that since Nepal was free to enter into bilateral negotiations with WTO member countries as per her interests, there was nothing that she would lose after becoming the member of WTO. "I will do everything possible to make Nepal's accession to WTO smooth and easier," he said. He said that the first meeting of the working group will be held around April this year in which basis for the talks on Nepal's membership will be worked out. Similarly, Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, Mohan D. Pant, said that the government was cautious enough to protect the interests of domestic industries even after joining the WTO. "Though other countries will press for tariff reduction during the bilateral negotiation, we can raise the binding tariff to the level desirable to protect our industries," he said.

Leading dailies report Feb. 4.

Minister Bastola Expresses Reservations

Minister of Agriculture, Chakra P. Bastola, has expressed his resentment toward the way, the ambitious 20-year-long Agriculture Perspective Plan (APP) is being implemented in the country. "This is the third year of the implementation of APP and the Ninth Plan as well but no encouraging results have been seen so far," said Bastola, addressing a two-day workshop on "Transformation of rural Asia: Lessons for Nepal" jointly organized here on Wednesday by the Ministry of Agriculture, Asian Development Bank/Nepal Resident Mission and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "The APP needs a thorough review," he said.

Leading dailies report Feb. 3.

'Maintaining Fiscal Balance Is The Main Challenge'

Newly appointed Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has said that maintaining fiscal balance by controlling unnecessary government expenditure and mobilizing resources as per the target is the main challenge at present. Addressing senior officials at the Ministry on Wednesday, Minister Mahat said that the Value Added Tax had not been implemented in an effective way. He also said that questions are raised regarding the implementation of reports related to collection of revenue but there haven't been any follow-up to them. He also said that the government will expedite privatization program in a rapid way. If the privatization process of the Butwal Power Company is not pursued further, Nepal will lose her credibility in the international community. He said that the government will maintain transparency in the privatization procedures of BPC.

Himalaya Times Feb. 3.

Nepal Doesn't Recognize New Height Of Mt. Everest

The Ministry of Land Reforms and Management has clarified that the officially recognized height of Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world, is still 8848 meters. In a communique issued on Tuesday, the Ministry said that the 1954 topographical mapping of the kingdom of Nepal had fixed the height of Mt. Sagarmatha at 8,848 m. and the Chinese team, which had conducted a detailed survey, had also determined the same height. Last year, the National Geographic, a reputed US organization had reported that the Mt. Everest had become taller by two meters.

Compiled from reports Feb. 2.

Tuladhar Ready To Mediate

Former MP and leftist leader Padma Ratna Tuladhar has said that he is ready to mediate between the government and the Maoists. "I am in contact with the Maoists. I am sure they will come for a dialogue if the government is ready," said Tuladhar at a press meet held in the capital. Tuladhar is known to have "friendly" relations with the Maoists who are launching an underground "people's war" is different parts of the country. Maoists have been demanding the total change in the present establishment by making the country republic. Tuladhar, however, said that the government cannot turn blind eye to Maoists' demands before going for a dialogue with them.

Bimarsha February 4.

Regmi Concerned For Nation

Senior politician Dr. Dilli Raman Regmi says Maoist problem is a political one. The 87-year-old Regmi said although he is against violence, the government has to understand why people are resorting to violence. "I don't think the government is giving much thought about why people are taking up weapons. Because it is trying to resolve the problem by force, the issue is getting complicated," he said. "Solution of this problem should be found politically. They should meet Maoist leaders," Regmi said adding that he was willing to take a leadership role in the dialogue if the government asks him to. The octogenarian leader, however, said he sees no danger to the democracy in Nepal. "I am concerned about democracy but I am not pessimistic about it. Democracy has already taken its roots firmly and nobody can dare uproot it."

Chhalfal February 7.

More Ministers To Follow Acharya

Chataut

Following the resignation of Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya, more ministers of the present cabinet are likely to tender their resignation in coming weeks. According to speculations that are rife in the Girija Prasad Koirala-camp in ruling Nepali Congress, ministers poised to follow Acharya are Mahantha Thakur, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Ram Krishna Tamrakar and Tarini Dutta Chataut. Although, Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has appointed powerful second generation leader Ram Chandra Poudel as the Deputy Prime Minister to diffuse the tensions created by Acharya's resignation, his rival Koirala-camp is still disenchanted and is reportedly preparing grounds for removing him.

Samakalin February 3.

Artificial Shortage Of Kerosene

The increasing trend of smuggling kerosene across the border into India has once again invited artificial shortage of the "poor man's fuel" in this border town of Birgunj. Adding to the woes of the local people, Nepal Oil Corporation has also limited its supply to the border town citing its smuggling to India. Unscrupulous traders are buying large quantity of kerosene from local dealers and smuggling it to India. The price of kerosene in Nepalese market is slightly less than that in India. The local administration has asked the local oil-dealers not to sell more than 5 to 10 liters of kerosene per person.

Ghatana Ra Bichar February 2.

"Congress Unable To Deliver" Nepal

Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the main opposition UML, has trounced the Nepali Congress government saying it is unable to deliver. Addressing a group of Nepalese residing in the US in Washington DC, Nepal said, "It has been proved that Nepali Congress is incompetent to rule the country." Nepal, who is currently on a tour to USA, said corruption was taking its toll in the country. "Because of the Bhattarai government, Nepal is earning a bad name in international arena."

Drishti February 1.