NEWS NOTES (Spotlight Weelky)

Home Minister Threatens To Resign

Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka has said he is against fulfilling all the demands put forward by the Maoists unilaterally. "I would resign if I am pressed to meet the Maoist demands by the prime minister or the ruling party," Khadka told reporters in Birgunj Sunday. Minister Khadka said two out of the three demands made by the Maoists could not be fulfilled ahead of the third round of talks. The Maoists have demanded the release of all their cadres, the dismantling of the Armed Police Force and the scrapping of Public Security Regulations. "They still hold 71 policemen and 37 political activists as hostage. Why should we release all of their cadres?" he asked. Minister Khadka warned that the country could head toward civil war if the Maoists continued their strategy of targeting and killing Nepali Congress workers. Kantipur, Sep. 24.

‘Terrorism Crime Against Humanity’

Director of the American Center, Bob Kerr, has said the government of the United States sought support from all democratic governments of the world to eradicate terrorism. Addressing an interaction program organized here by Press Chautari last week, Mr Kerr said the recent terrorist attacks on the United States were assaults on humanity. Explaining that the United States was not going to take revenge on anybody on account of their religious faith, he said the Washington would eradicate with the support of the global community those forces that wanted to create instability in the world. Mr Kerr, however, declined to elaborate on how the US declaration on the eradication of global terrorism was going to address terrorist activities being launched in different countries, including Nepal. Meanwhile, nearly 200 people took part in a condolence meeting organized by the National Youth Council to mourn the victims of terrorist attacks in the US on the 13th day of the attack. Compiled from reports.

Help Nepal Helps Development Works

Help Nepal Network (HeNN), an organization of Nepalis working abroad, has provided assistance worth nearly Rs 500,000 to different development programs in the country. They assistance include Rs 350,000 to carry out health-related works for the Chepang community in Chitwan district, Rs 150,000 for construction of Bhavani Primary School building in Dang district and Rs 20,000 for purchasing furniture for the Saraswoti Primary School in Pyuthan district. With its network in 12 countries, the organization raises "One Pound a Month" donations from Nepalis working abroad and channelizes it toward education and health programs in rural Nepal. Addressing the function here Saturday, Minister for Works and Physical Planning Chiranjivi Wagle lauded the role played by the organization. Vice President of the Network, Dr. Pranab Gyawali and President Arun Singh Basnet spoke about the activities of the organization. Compiled from reports Sep. 22.

Nepal May Not Face Fuel Crisis

Despite uncertainties related to petroleum products worldwide in the wake of possible retaliatory measures by the United States, Nepali officials said the country might not face a crisis in the immediate future. Deputy director general of Nepal Oil Corporation, the state-owned monopoly, R.B. Khadka said the downward trend of petroleum prices in the international market might not immediately lead to revision in their prices in domestic market. This is because of the arrangement of procuring petroleum products from the international market, delivering it to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and procuring it again from the bordering depots of the IOC at fixed price. The fluctuation in the prices of POL products, hence, doesn’t affect Nepal’s domestic market immediately, he said. Mr. Khadka said there was no need to panic about any shortage of petroleum products in the country. Space Time Sep. 20.

FNCCI, CII For Automatic Treaty Renewal

The two apex business chambers of Nepal and India have called for the automatic renewal of the bilateral trade treaty later this year. The joint recommendation prepared by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called upon both governments to give priority to the continuation of facilities being provided to the export of products belonging to small-scale industries. A delegation led by FNCCI President Ravi Bhakta Shrestha presented a copy of the recommendations prepared by the FNCCI-CII Joint Economic Council to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba here Thursday. The business chambers of both countries have beefed up their activities as India has formally requested Nepal to review some of the provisions in the treaty related to `surge’ of some exports to India. Meanwhile, Kantipur daily reported that export of zinc oxide from Nepal to India has come virtually to a standstill after India imposed anti-dumping duty on the product beginning Tuesday. Nepal was exporting some 3,000 tonnes of zinc oxide to India annually. India has an annual consumption of 100,000 tonnes of zinc oxide, the report said. Compiled from reports Sep. 21.

Interim Govt. Is Not Possible: Bhattarai

Former prime minister and senior ruling Nepali Congress leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has brushed aside Maoist demands for forming an interim government to pave way for drafting a new constitution "to institutionalize the republic." Talking to reporters after the central working committee meeting of the ruling party Thursday, Bhattarai said with 113 members in the 205-member House of Representatives, the Nepali Congress enjoyed popular mandate to rule the country for the next three years. "Sher Bahadurji will remain the premier throughout this period," he announced. He also asked the Maoists to join the political mainstream by laying down their arms. Compiled from reports Sep. 21.

Maoists Intimidate Official Media

A group of Maoist activists set fire on a vehicle belonging to the state-owned Radio Nepal at Satdobato, Ring Road on Wednesday afternoon, police said. The vehicle was destroyed. Meanwhile, Gorkhapatra daily reported Wednesday that the underground party has demanded Rs 200,000 each from general manager of the state-owned Gorkhapatra Corporation Benu Prasai and deputy general manager Hum Bahadur Basyal, and Rs 150,000 from finance controller Yagya Raj Joshi of the corporation. The letters signed by one Prabhakiran, secretary of the CPN (Maoist)’s Kathmandu district committee also said that they would guarantee secrecy needed (while receiving the extortion.) Compiled from reports Sep. 20.

EU Welcomes Govt-Maoist Talks

The European Union (EU), a leading partner in Nepal’s development efforts, has welcomed the cease-fire between the Nepalese government and the CPN (Maoist), and the first round of negotiations between the two sides on August 30. According to a statement issued here by British Embassy, the EU said it encouraged both sides to work seriously and constructively toward the second round of negotiations. The EU has urged the two sides to seek a peaceful resolution of the conflict within the framework of the rule of law, respect for human rights, and multiparty democracy. "The EU notes with concern recent reports of widespread intimidation and extortion of various segments of Nepalese society, as well as demands addressed to various development projects and international agencies by the CPN (Maoist)," the statement said. The EU has also called on those responsible to cease such coercive activities immediately, in order to create a conducive and constructive atmosphere for the dialogue process. Compiled from reports Sep. 18.

Maoists Should Lay Down Arms: Koirala

Former prime minister and president of the ruling Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala has asked the Maoists to lay down arms if they are really serious toward finding a peaceful solution to the insurgency. Addressing a function in the eastern district of Sunsari Tuesday, the NC strongman said it is now known to all that the Maoists want to go to elections after forming an interim government. He wondered how an armed group and unarmed people could go to elections together. Talking to reporters at Biratnagar airport Wednesday, on his way back to the capital, Koirala criticized the government for releasing Maoist cadres involved in attacking police posts. "If you release them now, they will again start attacking the police posts again," he warned. Compiled from reports Sep. 20.

Rights Activists Propose Code Of Conduct

A group of 15 human rights organizations have devised a 24-point code of conduct to be observed by the government and Maoist rebels during the cease-fire. The code of conduct says that the government should not take into custody anybody on the basis of his or her political faith, should annul the Public Security Act, should not ban peaceful mass meetings and rallies and should not use the army under any pretext, among other things. Similarly, the code says the rebels should not indulge in raising forced donations, should not abduct people, should not close down schools and academic institutions and should not force popularly elected representatives of local bodies to resign, among other things. The human rights organizations have also urged both sides not to involve themselves in any activities that could spread terror among the people. Naya Sadak Sep. 20.