Deuba Appreciates Indian Cooperation

During an address to the House of Representatives on the concluding day of the 21st session of parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba extended special thanks to the people and government of India for their cooperation in searching for Maoist rebels who had escaped to India after carrying out terrorist activities in Nepal. Strongly condemning the Maoists' destructive activities, the premier praised the security forces fighting valiantly in the remote areas of the country to protect democracy and restore peace. Meanwhile, spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry of India, Nirupama Rao, told reporters in New Delhi Wednesday that India had expressed readiness from time to time to assist Nepal in dealing with the situation. In a related development, former prime minister and president of the ruling Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala discussed ways of curbing Maoist activities on Indian soil during his meetings with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other top Indian officials in New Delhi, reports said. Compiled from reports.

'Nepal Not To Allow Anti-China Activities'

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has reiterated that Nepal will not allow any anti-China activities in the Himalayan kingdom.  "Nepal and China are close neighbors and have a long history of friendship. We will not allow any kind of anti-China activities on the territory of Nepal," Deuba told a visiting delegation from the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Xinhua news agency reported. The delegation led by Lekchok, chairman of the People's Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, arrived here on April 13 on an eight-day goodwill visit at the invitation of the Nepalese government. Deuba also reaffirmed Nepal's one-China policy and its recognition of Tibet as an integral part of China. He thanked the Chinese government for its support to the Nepalese government in its fight against terrorism.  Deuba called for further development of trade and economic relations between Nepal and China, especially with the Tibet Autonomous Region.   "As close neighbors, Nepal and China have common interests. This will contribute to more solid ties between our two countries," he said, adding: "If we join hands to develop trade and tourism, the people of both countries, especially Nepalis, will benefit a great deal."   Speaking on the occasion, Lekchok expressed appreciation for Nepal's commitment to the one-China policy and its support for China on the issue of Tibet.   "Successive Nepalese governments have recognized that Tibet is an integral part of China. We highly appreciate this stand," Lekchok said. "As close and good neighbors, China and Nepal have no pending problems, and have always supported each other in international forums," Lekchok said, adding: "Our friendship can be seen as a good example of cordial relations between countries having different social systems." Noting that the two countries have been cooperating in political, economic and cultural fields for many years, Lekchok underlined the great potential to promote cooperation, especially trade and economic links. Compiled from reports.

Finance Minister's House Burned Down

Hundreds of Maoist rebels attacked and destroyed Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat's house in Nuwakot district, north of the capital, Friday night. Mahat, who lives with his family in Kathmandu, said nobody was hurt in the attack. The minister said hundreds of rebels doused kerosene and set the house on fire after pushing the watchman out. He said the fire gutted furniture, clothes, kitchen utensils and food grains. On Thursday, Maoist rebels had thrown petrol bombs at the house of Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, brother of Minister Mahat and an adviser to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, in the capital, causing damage to the house and furniture. Compiled from reports April 21.

No Chance Of Talks: Minister Khadka

Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka on Friday reiterated the government's stand that peace talks with the Maoists could take place only after the rebels returned all the arms looted from police and army garrisons. "Prior to that, there is no chance of talks," he added. Khadka asserted that the government had stepped up security for the five-day shutdown strike called by the Maoists beginning Tuesday. He termed  ìirresponsible" comments by police chief Pradip Shumsher JB Rana at a parliamentary committee last week saying that the police were incapable of maintaining law and order in the capital valley. "Though I don't want to comment on media reports, those who consider themselves incapable of dealing with the situation should vacate their chair," the minister said. IGP Rana had reportedly told the State Affairs Committee of parliament that Kathmandu's 1,500 policemen were too thinly spread to provide security to the capital's 1.5 million people. Responding to another question, Khadka said there was no immediate threat to the stability of the Deuba government from within party. Compiled from reports April 20.

'Maoists Have Violated Geneva Convention'

A member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has alleged that the Maoist insurgents have violated the Geneva Convention by using civilians during their raid on the Armed Police Force base at Satbaria in the mid-western district of Dang last week. After visiting the site of the deadly attacks, NHRC member Sushil Pyakurel, however, said it was yet to be ascertained whether the Maoists had used local people as "human shields". Talking to reporters in Kathmandu on Friday, the NHRC member said all of the dead Maoists had combat fatigues on. But their faces had been badly burned and, in many cases, the heads were chopped off. NHRC Chairman Nain Bahadur Khatri urged the rebels to stop their killing spree and said the commission was ready to play it role in restoring peace. Compiled from reports April 20.

Rebels Attack Bhojpur Airport Tower

Maoist rebels attacked an airport in the eastern hilly district of Bhojpur on Thursday night, reports said. There were no reports of casualties. The airport tower and equipment were destroyed, causing a loss of an estimated Rs. 10 million, reports said. Earlier the same day, a regular domestic flight of state-owned Royal  Nepal Airlines Corporation had to be diverted after insurgents hurled bombs at Simikot airport from the nearby Raniban jungle. There were 16 people onboard. "There was no damage to the aircraft," an RNAC official said. The rebels have attacked airports in Rukum, Dolpa and other remote districts, bringing air traffic - the only means of transport in the region - to a halt. Compiled from reports April 19.

Govt. Awards TV License To Private Firms

The government has finally decided to award television transmission licenses to three private companies, Kantipur daily, the flagship of Kantipur Publications, reported Thursday, quoting official sources. According to the daily, the Ministry of Information and Communications decided to award a license to Image Channel Pvt. Ltd. to operate a metro station in the capital, while Kantipur Television Network Pvt. Ltd. - promoted by the owners of Kantipur Publications - has  been authorized to set up and operate a nation-wide terrestrial television channel. Similarly, Shangri-La Television has been granted a license to procure satellite uplink facilities. All three companies are required to begin their operations within 18 months of acquiring licenses. The ministry had called for proposals from private parties on October 1, 2000. Compiled from reports April 19.

Nepal's Population Crosses 23.15 Million

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has said the population of Nepal has crossed 23 million and is growing at an alarming rate. According to the final report of Census 2001 conducted by the CBS, which was made public here Wednesday, the population of Nepal in June 2001 stood at 23,151,430. The population grew at an annual rate of 2.24 percent in the past decade. The number of women exceeds that of men, the report said. The male population of Nepal stood at 11.563 million, slightly lower than that of female (11.587 million). The number of households stood at 4.25 million. Compiled from reports.

Pressure Cooker Industry In The Red

Pressure cooker industries in Nepal are no longer blowing their whistles thanks to the Maoist insurgency. The government has imposed an undeclared "ban" on the sale and transport of pressure cookers after the insurgents started using the kitchen utensil as a deadly explosive. Some Rs 200 million invested in the sector has gone down the drain and nearly 500 workers risk losing their jobs. Security forces at Pathalaiya recently turned away a truck-load of pressure cookers and warned against transporting them during the state of emergency, said Birendra Kumar Jaisawal, managing director of United Metals Pvt. Ltd. "Now we are finding it difficult to pay back our loans to the banks," he said. The undeclared ban on pressure cookers has also affected consumers and could add pressure on the forest, experts said. Nepal magazine (April 14-28, 2002) reports.

Bastola Meets With Maoist

Former foreign minister and senior leader of ruling Nepali Congress party has reportedly met with Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai recently in Noida district in Delhi, India. Bastola recently visited New Delhi as a part of the entourage of former prime minister and president of NC Girija Prasad Koirala. Bastola reportedly met Bhattarai as a representative of Koirala and provided a number of demands including the withdrawal of Nepal Bandh and violent activities as a rpre-requisite for any future dialogue. Meanwhile, upon return from the tour, Bastola has denied having met with any Maoist leader. ìHow can I meet Maoist leader when the country is waging war against the terrorism,î he said. Himalaya Times April 21.