KING GYANENDRA HAS EXPRESSED DEEP SORROW and extended condolences on behalf of the country, countrymen and himself over the recent natural disaster in the United States. Hurricane named Katrina has caused immense damages in a few US States like Louisiana and Mississippi. Meanwhile, the government has offered to help the US government by providing $ 25,000 as a token aid.
THE GOVERNMENT OF GERMANY HAS donated $ 302,125 to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in support of the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. The embassy of Germany handed over the donation to a UNHRC titled “Humanitarian Assistance and International Protection for Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal,” according to an embassy statement. It is expected to cover the refugees’ cost from August 15 to December 31, a move the embassy hopes will help the Bhutanese refugees in the country.
HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, on Friday (September 2), appealed for the United Nations’ mediation for dialogue between the government and the Maoists. Over sixty human rights organizations and members of the civil society, including the Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC) and the Nepal Bar Association (NBA), submitted the appeal to the UN addressed to Secretary General Kofi Annan. HURON’s chairman Charan Prasai handed over the appeal to the UN assistant resident representative Erica Yogensan at the UN office here. Prominent rights activists such as Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Malla K Sundar, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel, Charan Prasai and Bishnupukar Shrestha signed the appeal.
UNILEVER NEPAL LIMITED, a joint venture company, is going to resume its operation from Friday (September 2) after Maoists withdrew their indefinite strike. Issuing a statement on Thursday, the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), Makwanpur branch called off the strike. Shambhu Satyal of the ANTUF said the strike was withdrawn after the Unilever management agreed to fulfill some of its demands. Following the withdrawal of the strike, the Unilever management has decided to begin its production, which remained closed for the last 16 days.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED Information Secretary Lok Man Singh Karki as its Chief Secretary. The position of chief secretary –the highest position in Nepalese civil service – had been left vacant after the retirement of Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala. Karki was chosen from among six competitors including Finance Secretary Bhanu Acharya, Home Secretary Chandi Prasad Shrestha, Water Resource Secretary Mahendra Nath Aryal, Forest Secretary Ananta Raj Pandey, Health Secretary Lava Devacota and Secretary in the reserve pool Shashi Kanta Mainali. Karki began his government career by joining palace service twenty years ago when he was appointed by late King Birendra to the post of under secretary.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS OPERATED a current account in Bishal Bazar branch of the Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) soliciting generous support from individuals and institutions in the aid of victims of Katrina hurricane – the worst natural disaster to hit the United States in its history. This was informed by the Office of the Council of Ministers and Prime Minister’s Office. The government has already announced to provide a symbolic assistance of $ 25,000 to the US.
SPEAKING AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE of journalists organized by Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), leaders of political parties have asked the journalists to write in favor of total democracy. They expressed solidarity with the journalists and thanked for their support. “Now we should move towards democratic republic. In this movement, journalists should not be weak,” said general secretary of UML Madhav Kumar Nepal. Likewise, NC leader Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat praised the journalists for working admirably even amid conflict.
THE TENURE OF FOREIGN MANAGEMENT TEAM of the Nepal Bank Limited (NBL) has expired on Sunday (September 4). The team from ICCMT of Ireland had been appointed, under the Financial Sector Reforms Program, initially for the period of two years – which was extended by another year. The meeting of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Sunday could not make any decision related to extension of its tenure. The World Bank (WB) is said to have proposed to extend its tenure by two more years whereas the NRB favors extending the tenure by one year after looking at the teams’ commitment towards work performance. Sources said that the NRB is in a mood to renew the contract with the team if it carries out its work performance based on practical considerations of the country.
THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL HAS TAKEN note of the appeal addressed to him by a large number of non-governmental and civil society representatives in Nepal requesting his good offices to help find a peaceful solution to the conflict. “The appeal reflects the deep desire of the people of Nepal to see an urgent and to the conflict that has brought them profound suffering. The Secretary General has made known to all interested parties his availability to help in search for a solution,” stated a statement issued by the UN office in Kathmandu. “The Secretary General has further learned of the decision of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to declare a ceasefire for a period of three months. On numerous occasions he has urged an end to hostilities and the initiation of an inclusive national dialogue in Nepal with a view to resolving the underlying causes of conflict. The Secretary-General earnestly hopes that all sides in Nepal will take all measures which will lead to peace talks and lasting peace that the people of Nepal crave and desire.”
