NEWS NOTES (Spotlight Weelky)

China Concerned; Russia Condemns Maoist Action

Nepal's northern neighbor, China, is closely watching the situation in Nepal, agency reports said. Asked whether China would provide military assistance to Nepal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhang Qiyue said: "China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. We believe the Nepalese government would properly handle its domestic issues." A statement issued by the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu said His Majesty the King and the Nepalese government have already adopted effective and contingency measures and the situation is under control. China also expressed hope and belief that Nepal can maintain peace, stability and development. "As a cordial and friendly neighbor of Nepal, China is very much concerned about the latest situation in Nepal," the statement said. Meanwhile, the Russian Federation has condemned terrorism and has expressed anxiety at the new round of violence. Resolutely condemning terrorism in principle, the Russian Federation supports the firm intentions of the Nepalese government aimed at securing sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry hoped that dialogue and national consensus will prevail in the kingdom, bloodshed will be stopped, and law and order will be restored. Leading dailies report Nov. 30.

Over A Dozen Journalists Arrested

Security personnel have taken into custody more journalists and media workers said to be sympathetic to the underground Maoists from different parts of the country, a leading daily reported Friday. According to the report, police have arrested nearly a dozen people, including journalists and management of pro-Maoist ëJana Sangharsha' daily in western town of Butwal Thursday. Those arrested include chairman of the board of directors of the daily Benu Ram Pradhan, director Iswor Gautam, managing director Ajay Man Shrestha, former chief editor Bal Krishna Chapagain, consulting editor Basanta Pokhrel, executive editor Sher Bahadur KC and reporter Jitendra GC. Similarly, in the eastern terai district of Siraha, police have taken into custody publisher Sitaram Saha and joint editor Paban Shrestha of 'Janak Awaj,' a local daily. In the mid-western district of Surkhet, police have arrested editor Bishnu Khanal and executive editor Liladhar Gautam of ëSurkhet Post' weekly. They have also taken into custody four other persons in Surkhet, including Suresh Bhatta of the Patriotic Democratic Forum. Police have also arrested journalist and lawyer Baikuntha Dahal, boarding school operator Hari Rai and Ganesh Rai from eastern district of Udaypur. Earlier, police had taken into custody nine journalists and staff of pro-Maoist newspapers, including central committee member of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists and editor of ëJana Disha' daily Om Sharma, in the capital Monday hours before a nation-wide emergency was imposed. Nepal Samacharpatra Nov. 30.

Tuladhar Briefly Detained

A leading human rights activist and one of the facilitators in the government-Maoist talks, Padma Ratna Tuladhar, was briefly detained by police while he was about to board an Indian Airlines flight to New Delhi Wednesday afternoon, reports said. After detaining him for about one and half hours at the Hanumandhoka Police Office, Tuladhar was released without any clarification. Tuladhar, a heart patient, later left for New Delhi to undergo check-up and treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Human rights activists have strongly condemned the detention of Tuladhar and called it an unwarranted provocative action. Officials said they did not want to detain Tuladhar and had taken him to the police office only to get some information. Compiled from reports Nov. 29.

Ordinance Proposes Life Sentence For Terrorists

Anyone found involved in acts of terrorism or even helping or harboring terrorists will be sentenced to life in prison, a government notice said Tuesday, quoting the anti-terrorism Ordinance issued by the government. "If a life or lives are lost due to the acts of terrorism then the people involved or those conspiring these acts would be imprisoned for life. Even if no life is lost such acts would still be punishable by life in prison," said the notice. As part of their sweeping powers during the nation-wide state of emergency, authorities would be able to detain anyone they suspect of involvement in acts of terrorism for 90 days without charges. "If the authority believes that there is a basis to stop an individual or group from performing acts of terrorism then security personnel can detain them for maximum of 90 days," said the notice. The notice adds that additional 90 days of detention can be added through approval of the Home Ministry. Authorities can make these arrests without warrants, put suspects under surveillance, freeze their bank accounts, and impound their passports. Even if the person suspected of being involved in terrorism is living outside the country, they would be charged in accordance with the local laws, the notice said. Compiled from reports News 29.

Uphold Humanitarian Laws: ICRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reminded government authorities of their obligations under international humanitarian laws with the continuing counter insurgency operations, reports said. "We are afraid because of the situation, we still haven't had access to those who have been arrested, we are getting some information that leads us to believe the situation in the country is serious," Jean-Jacques Bovay, the head of the ICRC's delegation to Kathmandu was quoted as saying during a stopover at ICRC headquarters in Geneva. The ICRC has also handed over a medical kit to the Bheri zonal hospital in Nepalgunj to treat persons injured in the government-Maoist battle. Compiled from reports Dec. 1.

New Indian Envoy Arrives

The new Indian Ambassador to Nepal, I. P. Singh, arrived in the capital Saturday. He replaces Deb Mukherjee, who is retiring from the Indian Foreign Service. A former diplomat, Singh was with the foreign affairs cell of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party before his appointment. Mukherjee left Kathmandu Friday on completion of his tenure. The ADC to King Gyanendra and a protocol officer saw him off at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Compiled from reports Dec. 2.

Israeli Lawmakers Visit Nepal

A four member Israeli parliamentary delegation led by Deputy Speaker Nawaf Mazalha visited Kathmandu a few days back. In an open discussion with the Nepalese press the Israeli parliamentarians said that Israel values Nepal's friendship and always remembers with gratitude Nepal's friendship started more than four decades back when Israel had few friends in Asia and none in South Asia. To a question that why relations were getting cooler, they said it was not so. Israel's feelings for Nepal can never cool. Asked whether Israel will sell arms to Nepal, they said that Israel had no objection to export arms to Nepal. While in Kathmandu the team had audience with the King and also met the Prime minister and other politicians. Israel's ambassador to Nepal Avraham Nir was also present on the occasion

One Killed, Three Injured In a Bomb Blast

Site of Exposion

In what seemed an act of terrorism, suspected Maoist activists exploded a bomb at a carpet showroom at Jawalakhel on Sunday evening, reports said. Chintamani Timilsina from Jhapa, an employee at the showroom, died while undergoing treatment at Patan hospital whereas three more people, including a seven-year-old boy and a woman, were injured in the blast. Earlier, the suspected Maoist activists hurled petrol bombs, also known as Molotov cocktail, at two government vehicles and targeted the house of a police officer in Kathmandu. Nobody was injured in those attacks. Police have beefed up security and intensified checking throughout the capital. Compiled from reports.

Child Prostitution Rising

The problem of child prostitution is believed to be spreading all over the country, predominantly in the urban areas and along highways, said a survey conducted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It estimated that around 800 minor girls are engaged as sex workers in the Kathmandu Valley alone. The statistics were presented at a press briefing on the proceedings and outcomes of the recent South Asia Consultation for second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Dhaka. The South Asia Strategy adopted at the consultation will be presented at the Second World Congress in Yokohama (17-20 December). Compiled from reports.