News Notes (Spotlight Weekly)

India Concerned About Nexus Of Extremists

In a report published by the Indian Home Ministry, the Indian government has alleged that Nepalese Maoists along with Indian extremist groups like the Maoist Communist Center (MCC) and the People's War Group (PWG) are harboring strategies to create disturbances by organizing violent attacks in the belt covering Indo-Nepal border all the way south to Andhra Pradesh. The ministry expressed deep concerns regarding the burgeoning nexus and has recommended for more stringent security measures in the border in the report prepared after studying incidents from 2002 till now, reported news agencies. The report states that more than 85 percent of all violent activities in the stated region were carried out by these extremists in the year 2002. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports May 5.

Facilitators Skeptical About Their Role

Miffed at the agreement between the Maoists and the government not to allow facilitators to speak out in public (regarding talks proceedings) and to take part in the dialogue itself, the newly nominated facilitators have expressed their frustration. At a program organized in capital on Sunday (May 4), Daman Nath Dhungana, one of the four facilitators, said that he will resign from the post if the concerned parties do not agree to constituent assembly. "I have my own principles. If things do not happen as per my ideals, it is meaningless to stick to the post," he said. Padma Ratna Tuladhar, another facilitator, also expressed dissatisfaction that their responsibilities were not spelt out. However, other two facilitators Shailendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Karna Dhoj Adhikary said that their role was merely to facilitate the talks and not guide it. Dhungana and Tuladhar were nominated facilitators by the Maoists while Upadhyaya and Adhikary were chosen by the government. Leading dailies report.

British Envoy Promises Assistance For Rehabilitation

Biritish Ambassador Keith Bloomfield said that Britain was willing to provide assistance to rehabilitate victims of the insurgency. Speaking at a program organized by Bigunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in Birgunj on May 4, ambassador Bloomfield said, "The British government has forwarded a proposal for the rehabilitation of the victims of insurgency and the management of the conflict in order to establish a lasting peace." He said that the British government had provided a grant assistance of 7 million pounds towards conflict management and 23 million pounds towards rehabilitation of insurgency victims. He added the British government would continue providing 32 million pounds as grant assistance in the next three years. He said that there should be extensive pressure on both the government and the Maoists to convert the present peace process into a lasting peace. Leading dailies report.

Bullion Market Improves

With the onset of wedding season, the price of the yellow has began to pick up once again after two months of going downhill. Despite the increase in its price, demands have not slowed down. According to entrepreneurs, the daily consumption volume of gold has reached to 15 kilograms now compared to 10 kilograms only few months ago. "After reaching to historic peak, the price of gold had continued to decline. Now it is once again increasing along the demand," said Tej Ratna Shakya, president of Nepal Gold Silver Entrepreneurs' Association. Three months ago, the price of gold had reached maximum with each tola (approximately 10 gms) fetching Rs 9400. The price had declined after the war in Iraq and came to Rs 8320 two weeks ago. But in the last one week, the price once again increased and reached to Rs 8660. Kantipur daily reports.

Chand Comes Down Hard Against Political Parties

Prime minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, in a televised statement on Friday (May 2), came down hard against political parties for announcing mass agitation even as the government and the Maoists were sitting down for the crucial peace talks. "Peace should be the high priority national agenda," he said. Chand also made it clear that he was ready to give up prime ministerial position any time if that serves the interests of the people, safeguards democracy and fulfils the necessity of the country. "If the people are not happy with efforts to restore peace and instill good governance; if I am wrong about people's yearning for peace and if I am incorrect about the nation being propelled to the receiving end if the peace efforts were disrupted, I do not wish to continue in office a minute more," said Chand. "The hard-earned peace should not be lost, law and order situation should not deteriorate and leaders must not return to horse-trading." He criticized the parties and said their "sole objective" was to occupy the PM's chair and hinder peace efforts. "If you can guarantee restoring peace and rescuing the country from destruction as per the wishes of the people, I am ready and willing to quit." He also criticized the major parties for inviting conflict and confrontation, and disrupting everyday lives by using innocent students to fulfill their vested interests. "Nepali people should decide who is at fault?" he said referring to inadequacies of the parties in governing the country during the past years. Accepting the role of political parties in democracy, he said, "I have always invited the parties before reaching any important decision in issues of national interest." The PM further said, "Lets not hold peace and democracy in ransom in the fight for the prime minister's chair." Chand's statement came two days before the parties scheduled to hold mass meeting to announce their people's movement. The Himalayan Times daily reports May 3.

Bhattarai Accuses US Of Trying To Sabotage Talks

Apparently taken aback by the decision of the US Department of State to include the Maoists in its list of Other Terrorist Groups, Dr. Bhattarai, coordinator of Maoists talks team, accused America of trying to sabotage the peace talks. Speaking at a press conference in Dang on Friday (May 2), Dr. Bhattarai said success of the talks will depend on the acceptance of the constituent assembly by the King and that the negotiating table was now in Washington. "The foreigners would like to see that Nepal does not find a way out of the present crisis. But we are not in a position to physically harm the US which claims to be the supreme power of the world," he said. Stating that foreign powers have been playing active roles to decide who will be at the helm of affairs in Nepal after the Sugauli Treaty, he said, " The activities of foreign powers are on the rise in Nepal." A day after the US listed Maoists in the terrorist list, the Maoists have said the US move is directed towards derailing the freshly begun peace process in Nepal. "We strongly urge the US to revoke the decision," said Krishna Bahadur Mahara, leader of the party and member of the Maoist talks team. Meanwhile, Dr. Bhattarai said that Maoists would support for any move aimed at restoring people's right indicating to the joint movement of the political parties. The Himalayan Times daily reports May 3.

SARS Suspect Recovers

A British national who was admitted to Tek hospital as a suspected SARS patient a few days back, returned on Saturday from the hospital after full recovery. The epidemiology and disease control division of the ministry of health has said another suspect who was admitted also did not prove to be a SARS patient. Dr. Padam Bahadur Chand, chief of the division, said that no SARS patient has been found in Nepal till now. Leading dailies report.

US Puts Maoists In Terrorist List

In a significant development, the United States Department of State has put the Communist Party of Nepal — Maoists in its list of Other Terrorist Groups. The list of 74 terrorist organizations was released by the State Department on Wednesday (April 30). The list includes 36 main terrorist groups and 38 other terrorist groups. The Sri Lankan rebel outfit LTTE is also listed in the main terrorist groups. Maoists have been listed in the terrorist group at a time when they are engaged in peace talks with the government of Nepal. KANTIPUR daily reports that Us Ambassador to Nepal Michael Malinowski termed the development as being in the stage of observation. According to him, the Maoists have been put into close scrutiny. The American government could change its position bearing in mind the attitudes that will be shown by the Maoists in course of dialogue in the days ahead, the ambassador said. Leading dailies report.

Maoists Give Chilling Warning

Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, coordinator of the Maoists talks team, has warned that the history will repeat if the government continues to ignore their agenda. "If this government makes the same mistake as that made by Deuba government, we will be compelled to repeat the history," said Dr. Bhattarai, addressing a meeting in mid-western town of Ghorahi in Dang district. Maoists had walked out from their talks with the government of Sher Bahadur Deuba in 2001 and attacked military barracks in Dang triggering the imposition of state of emergency and widespread bloodshed. Dr. Bhattarai said the success of the present talks hinged on the issue of bringing army under the control of elected government. "We will strive to integrate the people's liberation army into the Royal Nepal Army to constitute a national army. Peace will be restored if the negotiating parties agreed to keep the army under the people's control," he said addressing the public rally. He further said, "In case the talks are disrupted, we will drive the urbane forces to jungles and we will come back to the urban areas from the jungles." Warning the Narayanhity Raj Durbar (palace), Delhi Durbar, British Durbar and White House, Dr. Bhattarai said the history of Dang attack will be repeated if the same mistakes are repeated again. Compiled from reports.

India Sweeps The Series

Indian Under 19 team made a clean sweep by rooting their Nepalese counterparts 3-0 in the three one-day matches held in Kathmandu. India defeated Nepal by 3 wickets to win the third and final match on Wednesday. The match, which is termed as Kathmandu Klashes, was held at grounds of Trbibhuwan University in Kirtipur. India successfully overcame the total of 144 runs posted by Nepal in the rain-reduced 27 overs match. Indian player Gyaneshwore Rao was declared the man of the series. Leading dailies report.