NEWS NOTES (Spotlight Weelky)

Opposition To Wait And See Deuba's Preformance

Opposition leaders have said they would like to wait and see the performance of the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government for sometime now. But they were quite critical about his past performance. "Looking at the past of Mr. Deuba, there is no reason to trust him," said Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the main opposition and UML general secretary. But we are ready to cooperate the government if it comes up with new comprehensive programs, he said. Vice chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, said the new premier should be given some time to prove himself. CPN (ML) President Sahana Pradhan said Mr. Deuba should bring some change in his behavior this time around. Deuba's 18-month rule during the coalition era (1995-97) is still criticized for allowing duty free luxury vehicles to the lawmakers, among others. Compiled from reports.

Rebels Kill Two Policemen

As the Nepalese capital was busy choosing a new premier, Maoist rebels raided an isolated police post in the eastern hilly district of Tehrathum on Saturday night killing two policemen and injuring five others. The insurgents looted all the arms and ammunition from the Potlang police post, reports said Sunday. The post has collapsed completely due to the bomb blast. The injured policemen are being treated at the BP Koirala memorial hospital in Dharan. Compiled from reports.

Ex-Gurkhas To File Case At British High Court

Ex-Gurkha soldiers of the British army have said they are going to file a lawsuit at the High Court in the United Kingdom shortly demanding for equal rights and facilities as their British counterparts. The Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organization (GAESO) branch office in the eastern district of Sunsari has appealed to all its members to fill in forms for the lawsuit since the case cannot be filed in an organized way. Till the July 9 deadline 2,714 ex-armies have filled the forms for filing the case. According to Bhakta Sher Rai, president of the Organization, there are a total of 3,167 British ex- armies in Sunsari district alone. Of them, the number of ex-armies receiving pension facility is 2,500. The GAESO has been spearheading the campaign for what they say discrimination against the Gurkha soldiers in the British army. Nepalese citizens are allowed to serve in the British and Indian armies as per the tripartite treaty of 1947. Leading dailies report.

'Koirala's Resignation Victory Of The People'

On the eve of the elections for the new leader of the ruling Nepali Congress parliamentary party, chairman of the underground CPN-Maoist, Comrade Prachanda, said if the new Prime Minister is not different in character and style as Girija Prasad Koirala then the country's problems would remain unsolved. In a statement issued on Saturday, Prachanda said attempts to choose a leader similar in character to Koirala would not solve the problems in the country even after Koirala's resignation. Resignation of Koirala is a victory of the people," said Prachanda. Koirala had no option but resign as he could not escape the armed as well as peaceful struggle of the people," he added. Compiled from reports July 22.

Death Toll Reaches 17 In Bajura

The death toll of policemen killed in an over night attack at Pandusen striking police base in the far-western district of Bajura Sunday night-- within hours of the appointment of Mr. Deuba as the country's chief executiveóhas reached 17, officials said. Thirty-one policemen were injuredófive of them seriously, and two others are missing after the assault. Police said up to 30 rebels might have been killed during the gun battle. The rebels take away all of their dead and injured comrades after the assault. More than 50 policemen were stationed at the base during the time of attack by hundreds of Maoist rebels. More than 400 policemen have lost their lives so far in the Maoist attacks over the last five years. Compiled from reports July 24.

"Nepalese Must Resolve Nepal's Problems"

Addressing the 35th AGM of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on July 17, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said the problem in Nepal was such that we could become the playground of foreigners. There may be problems within the party, differences in the programs, but if we can rise above the partisan interest, by keeping in view of the nation all the problems that have emerged today can be resolved forever and Nepal would emerge as a strong nation, said Koirala. "I have been telling to Maoists or terrorists that we should resolve this problem (created by ourselves) within the country. Why should we look at others? Why should we seek other's help? Nepalese must resolve Nepal's problems," said Koirala. Nepal Samacharpatra July 19.

RNAC-Lauda Agreement Terminated

After causing an irreparable loss to the image of premier GP Koirala and loss of over Rs 400 million to the state-owned Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, the infamous Lauda air deal has come to a premature death. Official RSS news agency reported that RNAC has cancelled its Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft lease with Lauda Air of Austria with effect from May 26, 2001 through mutual consent. Both the sides had reached into an agreement on September 27, last year and regular services had started from December 1, 2000. The aircraft did not return to Nepal after it was taken for repair and maintenance to Bangkok on My 29, this year. The agreement has been revoked without any additional liability to the RNAC, officials said. The Commission for Investigation on Abuse of Authority has filed cases against ten officials involved in the deal including a former minister, senior RNAC officials and two executives from the Lauda Air for their involvement in alleged irregularities in the deal. Compiled from reports July 19.

New FNCCI President Outlines His Priority

Newly elected President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, has said he will give priority in ensuring renewal of the Indo-Nepal trade treaty due to expire later this year "in a way that it would not have any adverse impact on the Nepalese products." He also said he would give priority to unify the business community and to maintain industrial security. Shrestha expressed worry about deteriorating situation of industrial security and said he would hold dialogue with the government to ensure implementation of the recommendations given by the FNCCI. Shrestha has succeeded Pradip Kumar Shrestha after being unanimously elected to the post of the apex private sector chamber by the 35th AGM of the FNCCI. Kantipur July 19.

HEADING

Israeli Ambassador To Nepal, Avraham Mir, has said restorationof peace in the Middle East is possible only through the medium of dialogue. Talking to reporters at the Israeli embassy in Kathmandu on June 19, Nir said Israel has always been in favor of peace. The only democratic country in the Middle East, Israel wishes for the peace and prosperity of its neighbors, said Nir, RSS news agency reported. He also expressed concern over the escalation of violent incidents within Israel. Saying that Palestinian side was behind 570 violent incidents that took place in Israel in the past 35 days, the ambassador accoused the Palestinians of trying to win international support by fielding children in war zones. The Palestinians want Israel to turn into another Kosovo, he said. Mr. Nir also accused Palestinian side ofcarrying out misleading publicity against Israel in order to garner support from the international community.