News Notes (Spotlight Weekly)

"Ensure Security And Good Governance"

In his message to the countrymen on the occasion of New Year 2059 B. S., King Gyanendra has recalled that the past year had been painful for all the Nepalese. Without mentioning the tragic incident at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace on June 1 last year, His Majesty said continued violence and destruction of development infrastructures in the country have left our economy in shambles. The Nepalese people, determined as they are to ensure a happy and prosperous future for themselves through the overall development of the country, are not only discouraged but also disillusioned, His Majesty said. The time has now come to see to it that our nation tides over these challenges. All Nepalese-- with the focal point on their allegiance to the nation-- must, therefore, unite in widening the base of mutual confidence and understanding through democratic exercise, His Majesty said. Saying that the people themselves are the bedrock of any polity and the only catalysts of change, King Gyanendra reminded that the primary responsibility of the state is to ensure a simple life with dignity for each and every Nepalese in an environment of peace, security and good governance. It will be well for all concerned to be mindful of this fact, His Majesty said. RSS news agency reports April 14.

"Maoists Are Enemies Of Human Civilization"

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has admitted that the present situation was not easy one for the Nepalese people. Terrorists by the name of Maoists are carrying out their cruel activities with the intention of denying even the basic services to the people by destroying the country's development infrastructure, said the premier in his message on the occasion of the New Year 2059 B. S. They are making schools, health institutions and various other service-related institutions the target of their attacks. The Maoists, who have made general life of the people miserable by destroying such infrastructures of the country such as drinking water projects, bridges, electricity supply, power houses, telephone services and post offices, want to dismantle the entire civilization and are carrying out barbaric activities to take the country back towards an era of barbarism, said Deuba. In this way, they have identified themselves as the enemies of not only constitutional monarchy and the multi-party democracy but also of the entire country, people and human civilization as a whole, Mr. Deuba asserted. While wishing the security personnel on the ground all success in their task, the premier also called upon all the political parties, rights activists and human rights organizations, the civil society as well as the people at large to contribute from their respective side toward maintaining peace. In separate messages, ruling Nepali Congress President GP Koirala, leader of the main opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal and chairman of the Rstriya Prajatantra Party Surya Bahadur Thapa have also underlined the need of broad democratic unity to fight the insurgency. Compiled from reports April 14.

Cabinet Members Protest Party's Decision

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and 33 members in his cabinet have protested the ruling party's decision to expel Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta from the ordinary membership of the party for one year. In a letter addressed to the party President, the cabinet members said Prime Minister Deuba should have been consulted before making such a decision. The disciplinary committee of the ruling NC had took the decision Wednesday alleging Gupta of violating party discipline by defending controversial remarks made by chief of army staff, Prajwolla Shumsher Rana. Compiled from reports April 11.

US May Provide Hardware Support

The United States has principally agreed to provide military hardware to Nepal and is currently "assessing the need," acting Foreign Secretary Madhuraman Acharya told reporters Wednesday upon his return home from a trip to the US and the UK. Mr. Acharya said Nepal and US have agreed to tackle terrorism by enhancing their co-operation to eliminate the scourge of terrorism. He, however, declined to elaborate on the "nature" of co-operation. Accompanied by Foreign Ministry spokesman, Gyan Chandra Acharya, Mr. Acharya had left for the Washington D. C. early this month. The Acharya duo met high-ranking US State Department officials, including Christina Rocca, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, and Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Mark Grossman and Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Alan Larsen and the Co-ordinator for Counter-terrorism Frank Taylor, during their visit. In London, they met senior officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The discussions were focused on terrorism and economic co-operation. Meanwhile, agency reports from New Delhi said Ms. Rocca raised the issue of Nepalese Maoists enjoying safe haven in Indian territory. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had visited New Delhi last month seeking the southern neighbor's cooperation in containing the rebel activities across the common, open border. Compiled from reports April 11.

Info Secy Accused Of Asking Bribe

Chairman of the Space Time Network (STN), a private cable TV company, Jamim Shah has accused acting Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Prabhakar Adhikari, of asking for a bribe to get things done. At the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Thursday, Shah played the audio cassette carrying conversation with Mr. Adhikari which, he said, had been recorded some one-year back. Adhikari denied of having ever asked bribe from Mr. Shah and counter-accused Shah of attempting to blackmail him. "The audio cassette may have been doctored. All I told him was that he should clear the unsettled amount (Rs 770,000) as presented in the Auditor General's Report," Adhikari said. Publisher of Space Time and Space Time Today dailies, Shah has also launched "Channel Nepal," a private sector TV channel. STN has been paying a huge sum to foreign companies, as the Information Ministry is yet to provide it uplinking license from Nepal. Compiled from reports April 12.

SAARC Adopts Agenda For Poverty Reduction

During their meeting in Islamabad early this week, the SAARC countries have adopted a 16-point agenda that focuses on good governance and sound macroeconomic management to eradicate poverty in the region. According to host Pakistani Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, the meeting of Finance and planning ministers from all seven member countries agreed to pursue a broad range of policies designed to benefit the region's 550 million people who live below the poverty line. The Islamabad Action Plan, adopted in the meeting, also focuses on access to micro-financing schemes for small business, increased trade and stronger social safety nets, greater access to markets in developed countries, the removal of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers and "flexibility for developing countries in intellectual property rights, reports said. Compiled from reports.

World's Highest Hospital Gets Equipped

Pheriche Hospital, the world's highest hospital close to the Mt. Everest base camp, has been equipped with electricity, running water and insulated rooms, facilitating treatment and accommodation. The hospital has been renovated and expanded with additional facilities to run treatment equipment, said the Everest Memorial Trust (EMT), a British charity that has undertaken the hospital's refurbishment project. "Now the hospital is double the size than before with better modern facilities," Dr. Sandy Scott, a medical doctor with the EMT, told reporters in Kathmandu Saturday. The Trust will hand over the hospital back to Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) in the spring of 2003 after the renovation works are completed. Built in 1974 by Japanese nationals, the Pheriche aid post is located at an altitude of 14,600 ft. and treats trekkers suffering from high altitude sickness. Compiled from reports Apr. 14.

Parbat Lives On Remittance

Over 16,000 people from the western district of Parbat send remittance well over Rs 1190 million every year. According vice president of Parbat district development committee, who coordinated the survey, of over 16,000 people from the district, over 12,700 work in India and send back their earnings worth Rs 583.1 million every year. Of late, people from the district are also traveling abroad looking for lucrative jobs. Nearly 2,000 people have already got their passports issued to seek jobs overseas. But most of the people prefer India as it is closer home, it doesn't need passport or visa to travel and they can easily find some jobs through one of their acquaintances. Kantipur April 8.

Detained Journalists Transfered

Security personnel have transferred ten pro-Maoist journalists and media staff from Bhadra Bandi Griha (prison) to District Police Office at Hanumandhoka late Tuesday. Those transferred include editor of Janadesh weekly Govinda Acharya, editor of Jana Disha daily Om Sharma and executive editor of Dishabodh monthly Ishwor Chandra Gyawali. The reason of transfer could not be immediately known. All of them were arrested on November 26 last years hours before the government declared a state of emergency. A full bench of the Supreme Court is due to hear their case on April 22. Rajdhani April 11.