News Notes (Spotlight Weekly)

'Islamic Militants Have Opened Base In Nepal'

Indian Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani has claimed that two Islamic militant groups, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, allegedly responsible for last December's attack on the Indian parliament, have opened their base in Nepal. He did not give details. An AFP report quoted Advani as saying that the Indian government has already notified the Nepalese government in this regard. When contacted, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh, however, said the Foreign Ministry had not received any such information from the Indian government. Kantipur June 17.

Rebel Casualties Up To 60

Maoist casualties in last week's battle in the Damachaur area of the mid-western district of Salyan have reached 60, reports said. Security officials said the number could go higher. The Defense Ministry said four soldiers were killed while 26 others were injured in Wednesday's fighting. Reports quoted Chief District Officer Rudranath Basyal as saying that some of the soldiers had dispersed in panic after the rebels mounted a surprise attack while they were having dinner. The dispersed soldiers regrouped and managed to return to their barracks safely along with their weapons, Basyal said. Meanwhile, a three-member fact-finding mission of the National Human Rights Commission visited the Khara area of Rukum district, where a large number of rebels were killed in fighting with security forces about two weeks ago. Compiled from reports June 16.

Foreign Ministry

Foreign Ministry Directive

The Foreign Ministry has asked all Nepalese nationals holding diplomatic passport to return the document as soon as the purpose is over. The move came two days after the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) ordered the government to do so. In a statement, the ministry said action would be taken against those who failed to hand over the passport after "completion of the purpose for which it had been issued or within 35 days of the completion of the purpose". The CIAA on June 11 set a three-month deadline for the government to comply with its orders amid reports that about 5,000 such passports were being misused. Despite legal provisions, government officials returning from foreign trips have not been found returning their diplomatic passport. The users of this particular passport are required to return it to the authorities after they get back home. Compiled from reports June 14.

London Meet To Discuss Insurgency

The British government is to host an international meeting on Nepal on June 19 and 20 to "discuss how the international partners might best coordinate assistance to Nepal in addressing the issues surrounding the current violence in the Himalayan kingdom". According to a statement issued by the British Embassy in Kathmandu Thursday, the meeting will be participated in by representatives from Nepal, regional and extra-regional governments and international donor agencies. The informal meeting, though not a pledging conference, will prepare a plan of action for next steps. The initiative follows the visit of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to Washington and London last month. Compiled from reports June 14.

RNAC airplane

RNAC Resumes Dubai Service

State-owned Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) has started regular flights between Kathmandu and Dubai beginning July 17. Talking to reporters here Thursday, executive chairman of the national flag carrier, Ramagya Chaturbedi, said the decision was taken on the basis of a feasibility study. He said the RNAC was trying to make the maximum utility of the small fleet it had. The scam-ridden enterprise currently has two Boeing 757 aircraft on the international sector. The RNAC had suspended its flights to Dubai, Singapore and European destinations last year after two leased aircraft flew back. Nearly 300,000 Nepalese working in the Gulf countries and tourists in the region will benefit from the thrice-a-week flights, said Chaturbedi. Compiled from reports.

Private Sector Role Likely In POL Business

Following the Indian government's recent decision to allow private-sector participation in the transaction of petroleum products, Nepalese is considering a similar move, albeit with certain restrictions. According to a member of the government-formed committee to study the issue, any group willing to start petroleum transactions must have partnership with a foreign company or group that has its own refinery. The main objective of this condition is to ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the country. The second condition under consideration is allowing a limited number of private companies or groups to engage in the import and distribution of petroleum products in the kingdom. Similarly, the committee has pointed out the need of a separate act for petroleum transaction before opening up the field to the private sector. State-owned Nepal Oil Corporation currently enjoys a monopoly in the business of the POL products. Compiled from reports June 16.

China To Help Nepal Fight Insurgency

The homeland of Mao has reiterated its support for the Nepalese government's fight against the so-called "Maoist" insurgency. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Wu Congyong, told reporters in Gorkha Wednesday, after visiting the Maoist insurgency-hit district, that the Chinese government would provide necessary assistance to Nepal to restore peace in the kingdom. While commending the job done by the Royal Nepalese Army and local administration, Ambassador Wong said the Chinese government would give necessary assistance to Nepal. He did not provide details. Accompanied by the military attachÈ at the Chinese Embassy, Ambassador Wong told an interaction program that since China shared border with Nepal, it had a lot of interest in Nepal's peace and security. "We are hopeful that peace will return in Nepal soon," he said. Kantipur June 13.

Gachhadar

Election Commission Warns Minister

The Election Commission has drawn the attention of Minister for Water Resources Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, who inaugurated the Puwakhola hydropower project in Ilam district early this week, and other top government officials expressing their views despite the declaration of the dates for general elections. In a statement issued Wednesday, the Election Commission said activities like laying down of foundation stones or inauguration of any project is against the code of conduct as the dates for general elections have already been announced. The commission has also demanded an explanation from executive director of the state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority, Dr. J.L. Karmacharya, for scheduling such programs. Compiled from reports June 13.

Road Remains Incomplete

The 86-km Phidim-Taplejung section of the Mechi highway in eastern Nepal remains incomplete even after two decades, an official daily reported. According to the report, the government has spent almost double (Rs. 530 million) over this period to construct the part of the highway, estimated to cost Rs 324.5 million. The government has been allocating around Rs 25 million per year for the last nine years, said Purna Kumar Rai, acting chief of the road project. The report did not say how long it would take to complete the project. Gorkhapatra June 12.