July 29 2005

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh has said that he found King Gyanendra ‘keen to restore democracy.’ Singh made these remarks with the journalists before he wrapped up his three-day visit and returned to New Delhi . He had been in Kathmandu to garner support for India ’s bid to become permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. During his stay in Kathmandu , he had met with the King as well as top leaders of the political parties. He met with Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala, Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and NC (Democratic) acting president Gopal Man Shrestha on Saturday (July 23). Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Singh, Koirala said that Singh told him he felt good listening to the King on the democratic process. “We will believe such things only if concrete steps are taken to restore democracy,” Koirala added. Compiled from reports

Leaders Urge Govt To Support India ’s UNSC Bid

Leaders of various political parties have urged the government to back India and G 4 on their bid for UN reforms and expansion of Security Council. “It is inappropriate on the part of the government to use India ’s request as a bargaining tool to serve its domestic interest,” said Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, former minister of state for foreign affairs and leader of NC (Democratic). Likewise, UML leader Bhim Rawal said the G 4 – including India , Japan , Germany and Brazil – must have appropriate representation and play a vital role in the UN. Their views came even as the India dispatched special envoy Rao Inderjit Singh, the state minister for external affairs, to win Nepal ’s support in favor of India ’s bid. Earlier, Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey told Singh that G 4 bid for UN reforms was ‘under study’ refusing to voice all-out support for India . His remarks was in response to India ’s position that resumption of lethal military aid was ‘under review.’ Analysts believe the Nepal government wishes to extract concessions in the form of resumption of lethal military aid and softening of stance against the present dispensation in return of Nepal ’s support to Indian in the UN bid. Compiled from reports

Daschle Holds Consultations  

The former senator of the United States Thomas Daschle is engaged in consultations with political leaders and government officials. On July 22 he met with NC president Girija Prasad Koirala and foreign minister Ramesh Nath Pandey. Likewise, he also met with UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal . Leading dailies report

Four Soldiers Get Jail For Sexual Offense  

The Royal Nepal Army (RNA) military court has demoted four soldiers and slapped a three-month jail term on each of them on charge of sexual offense during their service in UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Addressing a press meet on Friday (July 22), RNA spokesperson Brigadier General Dipak Gurung said that the Maoists are continuously trying to destabilize the Valley’s security, but security forces have been successful in neutralizing their attempts. Gurung informed that since the breakdown of ceasefire on August 2003, around 4500 Maoists and508 army personnel have lost their lives in various clashes. He further informed that a court of inquiry has been formed to investigate the charges that security personnel killed Rama Adhikari of Taghandubba, Jhapa after taking her under control. Meanwhile, seven security personnel were killed in clashes with the Maoists in Goltakuri VDC of Dang district. At least two Maoists were also killed in the incident. Security officials believe there could be higher casualties on the Maoist side. Leading dailies report

People Are The Symbol Of Nationalism: Koirala 

Nepali Congress (NC) president and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that people are the symbol of nationalism, adding that the people have wished for a new democratic era. “People, not the King, are the symbol of democracy,” Koirala said, addressing a program organized to mark the BP anniversary. He accused the King of making Nepal a stage for enacting drama and warned against making any new experiments. “I will not compromise against the norms and values of democracy. I will move ahead seeking the support of youths and students,” Koirala said. At the same program, Koirala asked his party colleagues not to interfere in the forthcoming convention of Nepal Students Union – the student wing of NC – scheduled to take place on August 14 in Pokhara. Kantipur daily reports

Civil Service Organization To Agitate  

Protesting the amendment in the Civil Service Act that bans its existence, the Nepal Civil Service Employees Organization has announced its agitation beginning Friday (July 22). At a press meet organized on Thursday, president of the organization Murari Bhattarai announced the beginning of first phase the stir. He added that the organization would knock the door of Supreme Court to revoke the amendment, which he said was unconstitutional and against international conventions. Leading dailies report

NT Loses Income By Nine Percent  

Following the disruption in the operation of mobile services since February 1, the state-owned Nepal Telecom (NT) has lost income by nine percent, according to senior officials. Because of the disruption of mobile services, the income in the fiscal year 2061/62 decreased by nine percent compared to fiscal year 2060/61. Addressing the 14 th anniversary of the workers’ union of NT, managing director Sugat Ratna Kansakar said that they still have 96 percent market share. He added that the workers need not worry till the NT has 75 percent market share. He revealed that he has been resisting pressure from ministers to employ their relatives in the NT. Kansakar added they need not be disappointed with the decision of Supreme Court barring them to operate CDMA service. He hoped the SC would deliver justice. At the same program deputy managing director Biswa Nath Goyal pointed to the danger of NT becoming bankrupt due to twin attack – one from the Maoists against its infrastructures and another from the situation whereupon it is not allowed to operate its services. Speaking at the program, various union leaders said there was a ‘big game’ to turn NT like Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) – the national flag carrier that is on the verge of financial ruin. Nepal Samacharpatra daily reports

Bush-Singh Discuss Nepal Situation  

US president George Bush and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have agreed that the King should reinstate civil rights in Nepal at the soonest. After the Bush-Singh meeting in Washington , White House spokesperson told reporters that the two expressed hope for the early restoration of civil rights in Nepal . Meanwhile, reports said that the US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns told a press briefing in Washington DC that US President George W Bush and the visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed that it is critical for the King to restore civil liberties. Compiled from reports

Norway Cuts Aid By 10% For 2006 

Terming the February 1 royal takeover a serious setback to multiparty democracy and human rights, Norway has decided to cut the planned financial assistance to Nepal for 2006 by 10 percent and to immediately terminate the agreement on support for the Melamchi Water Supply Project. Norway , which extends cooperation in the area of basic and primary education, good governance and energy, had promised $ 23.5 million assistance for Nepal for the year 2005. “The decision has been made to terminate, with immediate effect, the bilateral agreement on financial support for the Melamchi Water Supply Project,” Norwegian ambassador Tore Toreng, was quoted as saying in a press statement issued by the Royal Norwegian Embassy on July 20. Norway has also decided not to enter into any new bilateral agreements between the two countries. Norway has, however, decided not to reduce its financial support for educational programs. “We would like to underline that the decision to reduce our financial support to Nepal in 2006 will not affect our ongoing commitments under the Education for All program,” the envoy said. The press statement added that the Norwegian Development Cooperation will now focus more on efforts to promote democracy and human rights, including support for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) mission in Nepal . “ Norway will reconsider the development assistance if concrete efforts were made to re-establish multiparty democracy, and engage in a peace dialogue,” Toreng said. The Himalayan Times daily reports

Prachanda Reinstalls Bhattarai

Maoist chairman Prachanda has re-installed Dr. Baburam Bhattarai in the Standing Committee of the politburo of the party. Other two leaders – Ashok and Rahul – who had also been sacked from their positions along with Bhattarai, have also been reinstalled to the politburo. In a statement sent through email, Prachanda said, “They have been given the politburo’s responsibility so that all the forces can be concentrated against autocratic monarchy and the party can move ahead with new vigor.” It added that the party would adopt the policy of ‘maximum flexibility as well as rigidity’ to move ahead unitedly with all the ‘people’s forces’ for the cause of ‘total democracy.’ Bhattarai, who was in second-in-command, had been stripped off all party responsibilities following policy differences with Prachanda. Leading dailies report

Custom Duty On Imported Books Opposed  

Booksellers and readers have criticized the decision of the government to impose custom duty on imported books. In the budget for the fiscal year 2005/06, the government had imposed 6.5 percent custom duty plus local taxes ostensibly to encourage domestic printing sector. “Nowhere in the world is custom duty imposed on books,” said Madhav Lal Maharjan, secretary of the Nepal National Booksellers and Publishers Association. He said that ultimately this provision will affect the readers since the sellers could always increase the price of books. Books on various subjects from textbooks to fictions, dictionaries, maps, literature, art, science and philosophy are imported. “Even Berne convention and other international conventions state that books should not attract custom duties,” added Maharjan, who runs Mandala Book Point. The association had submitted a memo to the Director General of Department of Customs asking to withdraw the decision. Likewise, they also are planning to meet with Finance Minister Madhukar SJB Rana. Books printed within the country occupy only 30 percent market among campus level and intellectual/readers whereas they occupy 70 percent market among school textbooks. The government plans to raise additional Rs 100 million through the imposition of custom on imported books. Kantipur daily reports

Air Nepal Begins Its Flight  

The newly established Air Nepal International started its international flight formally beginning Sunday (July 24). Its first flight was operated from Bangkok to Kathmandu . From Kathmandu , the 767-300 aircraft left for Kuala Lumpur . The company would operate flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur two times a week each. Soon, it plans to launch operation in Dubai and Doha , according to chief executive Pradeep Raj Pandey. Leading dailies report