OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

"I See The Possibility For Talks"

— Sher Bahadur Deuba

Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuaba is the coordinator of the high level committee formed by the government to recommend ways to solve the Maoist problem. Deuba spoke to the press on various issues surrounding the functions of the committee. Excerpts:

As the coordinator of the high-level committee, how do you see the Maoist problem?

It must be settled in a peaceful way. In the human history, violance has never brought any change. This is the reason I am requesting the government and Maoists to opt for the peaceful resolution of the problem.

What is you future plan?

After the Dashain festival, I am going to visit the Maoist-affected districts. I will go along with human right activists and leaders of other political parties.

It is said that you were not active for a long time. What do you say?

I am busy preparing the final report and meeting the leaders of different political parties. It is a basesless accusation against me.

Do you see any possibility for the talks between the government and Maoists?

Yes, I see the possibility for talks and negotiations. Since the popular opinion is in favor of negotiation, no one can go against the wish of the people.

Surprised Over Stroke

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Tarini Dutta Chataut has no control over his tongue. A Congress leader from the far western district of Kanchanpur, Minister Chataut's blunt statements have annoyed a number of his colleagues. When Minister Chataut came to know that the Secretary of the Ministry Barun Prasad Shrestha was admitted to hospital following a mild heart attack, he expressed surprise and asked how it was possible. He said that instead of Secretary Shrestha, the stroke should have occurred to RNAC's executive chairman Hari Bhakta Shrestha who is mired in controversies of scandals of plane purchase/lease jobs. Minister Chataut even suggested senior Shrestha to learn some lessons from RNAC's chairman on how to avert crises from affecting one's health.

Masters Of Double Talk

Nepalese politicians have mastered the art of double talking. Be it former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai or UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, blowing hot and cold in a single breathe is their habit. The following few samples of comments by Bhattarai and Nepal are but few examples of how they use their art.

Hot -- "I have decided not to hold any post by contesting elections. It is my final decision." Former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. (31 August, 2000 Kantipur)

Cold -- "Girijababu has told me that he will not contest the elections but I have not taken the final decision myself whether to contest the election or not." (6 September 2000 Kantipur)

Hot -- "As long as Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala does not disclose the names of MPs whom he says are smugglers and supported by mafia, we will not allow the House to run smoothly. General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal reacting to the comment of the PM Koirala. (17 August 2000 Kantipur)

Cold -- "It is shameful for me to say that mafia is active in the parliament. We have to unite the people to alienate such mafia elements from politics." (14 September)

Time Out For Family Reunion

Speaker of House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat took time out from his busy schedule for the trip to UN to meet his daughter-in-law and daughter. Likewise, the Secretary General of Parliament Secretariat Ishwori Prasad Upadhyaya visited his son. As two of the senior members of the parliamentary delegation were busy meeting their family, rest of the members of the delegation were left with problems over what to do.