LETTERS (Spotlight Weekly)

WTO Woes

Your cover story "Preparing For The WTO" (SPOTLIGHT, April 13) provided interesting information on the country’s preparations to join the global trading body. It seems the government, not only our private sector, is ill prepared for WTO membership. Many questions are still left unanswered, especially those regarding the consequences of becoming a member of the global trading regime. The government should issue a white paper specifying the pros and cons of WTO membership.

Sudhir Lamsal
Chhetrapati

Survival Tactics

The authorities should make clear to Nepal’s business community the measures they need to adopt to survive in the post-WTO days ("Preparing For The WTO", SPOTLIGHT, April 13). As barriers will have to come down, the less competitive industries of developing countries like Nepal stand to lose in international trade. All the provisions that the WTO has for promoting the small industries should be explained to the private sector well in advance.

Khagendra Gurung
Thamel

No Alternative

Nepal seems to have no alternative to joining the WTO ("Preparing For The WTO", SPOTLIGHT, April 13). Although there are no benefits for small countries like Nepal from joining the world trade body, we cannot remain isolated. The WTO has come as a rude shock to the smaller countries. There has to be a global movement to force the developed and industrialized countries to consider the grievances of the poor countries.

Krishna KC
Sinamangal

What About Garments, Carpets..?

Export-oriented industries like carpets and garments are already feeling the heat from preparations under way to join the WTO ("Preparing For The WTO", SPOTLIGHT, April 13). As they are currently dependent on quotas, the enforcement of WTO rules will mean they will lose their market, as there is no guarantee that current importers will continue to buy after duty-free access is ensured by the WTO provisions. In view of these stark facts, the government would do well to research the probable impact of the WTO provisions on its exports and chart ways to lessen their effects and even exploit them for our own good.

Kamal Shrestha
Dhobighat

Still Belligerent

Apropos your cover story "Koirala Under Attack" (SPOTLIGHT, April 6), it is astonishing to find how much our prime minister can bear when it comes to digesting the opposition’s voices. He is surrounded by hostile forces but refuses to bow down. While one can marvel at his confidence, one is also perturbed by his desire to cling to power at any cost. At this point in history, Koirala would do well by stepping down and giving a way out to the country’s politics that is stranded at a critical juncture.

Binaya Karki
Hattisar

End The Row

Although ANFA officials have reached a truce that allowed Nepalese team to take part in the World Cup qualifying tourney in Iraq, there is a concern that this will not last long ("Brief Respite", SPOTLIGHT April 6). In case the row erupts again, Nepalese football will have to pay an enormous cost. We cannot afford to let a few people sink the whole sport. The higher authorities must intervene and end this difference once and for all.

Janak Rana
Satdobato

Poignant Story

Your story-cum-interview "For A Fistful of Rupees" (SPOTLIGHT, March 9) was a heart-touching one. It represented the situation of thousands of girls and the plight of family members. NGOs like Maiti Nepal are doing a good job and should be appreciated. However, these problems will continue until more and more people become educated in the true sense. Awareness programmes, seminars, interactions and workshops alone cannot be expected to stop this problem. "Yoshree", the man mentioned in the article, is energetic as well as educated and went to search for his sister. But how many people can do that? The government has to take some strong action to stop this brutal trade and to help the anguished families.

Subhash Lohani
Kalopul