In depth Analysis

Prime minister Girija Koirala on warpath!

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Girija Koirala has begun his onslaught against detractors in his own party in a bid to weaken his opposition and strengthen himself. The sacking of Bhattarai appointed executives in almost all government corporations and their replacement with Koirala men the transfer of key administration personal for visible Koirala benefit and, now, the threat to sue key anti-Koirala Congress politicians and backers on charge of corruption are all aimed at the anti-Koirala lobby in the congress.

Whether this will actually serve to tame the Girija opposition or whether it will aggravate will be seen in Budget session of Parliament which Girija babu has boldly called for as early as next fortnight. Amidst rumors that the Bhattarai-Deuba lobby is on the increase the recent measures are sought to demonstrate Girija strength, his ability to tame his party and his determination to cope with corruption in the congress.

His opposition, however, will not hesitate in pointing out that the party is hardly cleansed when the bulk of the corrupt are in the Girija ministry and are there because their corruption gives them the political clout to be chosen as Girija cronies. This sentiment has been aggravated by the UML movement against corruption which pin points key Girija ministers among this country's most corrupts.

Revealingly, glaring loopholes in the UML anti-corruption campaign become equally publicly evident. It is widely recognized that the UML has spared Girija babu himself from their list of the corrupts. The fact that it is the Girija ministry that conducted the Tanakpur deal which the UML had made a political issue of prior to it being voted the largest Parliamentary party giving it claim to a nine month government.

Indeed, a tacit trade-off seems to have taken place between the Prime Minister and the country's largest opposition on the matter of corruption at least. Whether this has been applied to the other Parliamentary parties remains to be seen. Much wheeling-dealing had been publicly exposed during the successive RPP governments whose ministers has come under much public scrutiny until the Girija-UML Ministry that concluded the last general elections. It is understandable, thus, that the UML seems to have dropped its charges of election excesses under the previous Girija cabinet in which it itself was a major partner.

Whether or not the new Girija onslaught will threaten the now near public UML-Bhattarai proximity becomes yet another matter of speculation to be witnessed in the coming budget session.

It is clear that the Prime Minister is opening a dangerous front at this precarious moment. That the corruption issue is an arbitrary one, remains a matter of key consideration in any public effort to be rid of it. This is specially so under a Girija cabinet where numerous public exposes of dirty dealing calls for public skepticism as to its sincerity. Already, the emphasis on privatization recalls the ineffective wheeling-dealing of select Corporations in their hand-over to the private sector. One example already available to the public is the virtual paralysis that today grips the Royal Nepal Airlines once again. Clearly, the Girija gamble is on. It is doubtful that the effects sought by the move in the Congress itself will be achieved. Kathmandu district, for one, where Ganesh Man Organization under Prakash Man remains the largest single block appears already to have been alienated by the Girija moves. How the opposition, UML, will capitalize from this also becomes key to the Girija success. For the UML, with other Left parties in an agitation stage the competition is compelling indeed.

Freedom of press is essential

Kathmandu : On this first World Press Freedom Day of the new century, and in the context of the International Year of the Culture of Peace, we urge all actors in conflict situations around the world – governments, local authorities and armed forces – to protect the right of all citizens to reliable information and the right of journalists to provide it without fearing for their security, their freedom or their life", said Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary general and

Director-General Koichiro Matsuura and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson to mark World Press Freedom Day that falls today 3 May 2000.

The joint statement made on the occasion by the three equally competent international personalities further says that,      'in every society, freedom of the press is essential to transparency, accountability, good governance and the rule of law.  It cannot be suppressed without dire consequences for social cohesion and stability.   When it is sacrificed, whatever the reasons invoked, the chances are that conflict is not far down the road.  All States should ratify the relevant international human rights instruments and should scrutinize their domestic legal systems with a view to bringing them into line with international standards governing the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The sponsors of this joint statement have also opined that in times of conflict, the media’s responsibilities for independent and pluralistic reporting are more important than ever.  They can help to prevent the worst atrocities.  But when belligerents see freedom of expression as an enemy to their cause and the media as a tool for propaganda, journalists who attempt to report in a non-partisan way face pressure, manipulation, intimidation, or even elimination.  And when they are forced to leave, the cycle of violence does not end.  The only remaining eyewitnesses – aid workers and local residents – often become the next targets.

Dhaka-Kathmandu bus service possibility being explored

Kathmandu : Despite the abrupt suspension of the eleventh SAARC Summit that was to be held in this Himalayan Kingdom last year, the fact is that the people of this region care now little about the politics that of late appears to have gripped the SAARC process.

That the people wish to interact with the SAARC diplomats and exchange their views on national and regional issues came to light only last week when a cross section of the Biratnagar people greeted the newly appointed Bangladesh Ambassador Cyril Sikder in their home town and indicated the envoy that they wished to enhance their contacts with the people and the government of Bangladesh at all possible levels come what may.

As usual, the Ambassador's trip to Biratnagar had been managed and well coordinated by the non-political organization, Nepal-SAARC Journalists' Forum.

Ambassador Cyril Sikder's trip to Biratnagar could be described a successful one in the sense that he addressed the University scholars, made a speech at the Mahendra Morang Multiple Campus, met the journalists, interacted with the local business men who trade with Bangladesh and assured them all in his meetings with them that his country was prepared to enhance the bilateral ties and sought their support in his fresh endeavor.

On 28 morning, Ambassador Sikder paid a courtesy call on the Chief District Officer in Morand, Tulsi Bhattarai and appraised him of his mission. Mr. Bhattarai assured him of his all out support for the enhancement of our bilateral ties.

The Purbanchal University arranged a talk program in honor of the diplomat. On the occasion, Ambassador Sikder opined that exchanges of scholars between the two countries had become a must to further the existing bilateral ties. He also hinted that he would do the needful in materializing the visits of scholars of the two countries soon so that both benefit from such trips.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Dhruba Narayan Lal lauded the efforts of the present leaders of Bangladesh who in the recent years had contributed lot to the enhancement of the international prestige of their newly born country. He asked the Ambassador to explore the possibilities for sending resource persons for the benefit of the university students.

Dean of the University A.K.Das highlighted the activities of the management campus of the varsity. N.P.Upadhyaya, Chairman NSJF, assured the B'desh envoy of the forum's continued support in the future as well.

Ambassador Sikder donated Rs. 10,000 to the varsity for buying books.

Later, the Mahendra Morang Campus greeted the Ambassador in a unique fashion. The diplomat received gifts from the campus. Counselor Abdul Kader Khan assured the campus that he would send some books for their library soon.

Later in the afternoon, the B'desh diplomat interacted with the local business men and assured them of his total support in doing away with the present hassles which they have to encounter while trading with his country.

During the evening, the Ambassador briefly met the local pressmen. During the meet, Ambassador Sikder divulged that his country wished to help Nepali businessmen by airlifting the Nepali cargo meant for third country exports and that soon efforts aimed in this direction would be initiated. He also divulged that surface transports from Dhaka to Kathmandu were being explored. He hoped that with the initiation of this bus service between the two SAARC capitals, tourist inflows to each other's countries could be easily developed. Counselor, Mr. Khan thanked the journalists attending the press conference.

Prior to this, the Biratnagar sub-metro Mayor, Mr. Ramesh Poudel and his team members greeted the Ambassador at their office. Matters of bilateral interests were discussed on the occasion. The Mayor wished to visit B'desh to study how the Dhaka Mahanagar has managed the city during the rainy season.

At the end of the program, the Ambassador hosted a cocktail reception in honor of the local dignitaries. The Biratnagar Press Club Vice Chairman Surendra Aryal extended his full support to the NSJF in making Cyril Sikder's trip a success.

Next morning, the Ambassador and Counselor, Mohd. Abdul Kader Khan went to see the eastern border of Nepal and also visited the Bhadrapur airport.

Bhutan's diplomatic victory!

Kathmandu: The Bhutanese side has yet again diplomatically thrown the ball in the Nepalese court.

Those international dignitaries who have visited Bhutan during the past ten years, barring a few, all have surprisingly returned satisfied and have inevitably said that the dragon Kingdom under King Jigmey appeared serious in arriving at an amicable solution to the Nepal-Bhutan refugee imbroglio.

This also implied that it was Nepal who was the real villain to this issue.

This is definitely Nepal's miserable failure in the diplomatic front and conversely the grand success of the other side.

The UNHCR Chief , Ms. Sadako Ogata, who just landed Monday in Kathmandu after the completion of her Bhutan trip almost gave this impression that the fault lay in Nepal not Bhutan.

Ms. Ogata's speech made in Nepal regarding the Bhutanese refugee issue and the sentiments of the Bhutanese side definitely appears to be a positive one. However, considering the past performances of the Bhutanese side during the eight rounds of Nepal-Bhutan previous talks gives one the impression that this time again Bhutan has lured the international visitor as usual by exhibiting their keen desire on the solution of the issue. In essence, the results would be yet otherwise presumably.

However, Ms. Ogata's statement that she saw a role of India in the solution to this overly stretched imbroglio between Nepal and Bhutan is important. Indian response to this gesture is simply predictable.

India , for one, has been stating that the whole issue was a bilateral affair and hence it should go bilaterally.

To recall, the refugees entered Nepal through India, as Nepal does not border Bhutan.

Ms. Ogata's positive and at times sentimental statement has come close on the heels of the EU delegation's impression that Bhutan should be serious on this count.

It remains yet to be seen how Bhutanese side takes the matter during the impending bilateral talks on refugees.

Bhattarai's speech jolts the congress activists

Kathmandu : Contrary to the claims, the congress party remains divided distinctly into two powerful camps.

That there is the real existence of two camps headed by Prime minister Koirala and Bhattarai-Deuba lobby respectively came to the open yet another time Monday when the unceremoniously ousted Congress Prime minister Bhattarai too spoke his mind regarding the performance of this government.

Addressing a congress affiliated organization meet on the occasion of the May day celebrations, the almost deposed Prime minister Bhattarai said the audience to compare the performance of his government with those of the Koirala who in terms of years in power far exceeded him and Deuba.

Analysts have taken this statement as a modest hint to Koirala that he too had dismal performance as and when he ruled the nation at different intervals of time.

He however, admitted that the party was in a mess but yet wished not to expose the contradictions that were aplenty.

He expressed his utter displeasure over the fresh Koirala stance that summarily sacked practically all the Bhattarai's men who were awarded lucrative posts during his tenure.

"' The sacking of the political appointees has been effected in a manner as if the system had changed", lamented Bhattarai.

Throwing the ball in the audience court modestly, Bhattarai very cleverly asked them to evaluate the performance of the Prime ministers as to who had accomplished what during their individual tenure and also suggested them to evaluate the reasons which forced some Prime ministers to quit from the chair.

Bhattarai's polite but yet meaning loaded speech made Monday clearly hints that the injury which he received during the ouster a month back is yet to heal.

Govt. advised to continue dialogue with Maoists

Kathmandu : The government under Prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala will receive a serious jolt when it will be told soon to resume the process of "dialogue" with the Maoists' insurgents to arrive at a solution to the four year plus insurgency that has troubled the government and its law and order machinery very badly.

The Deuba commission, which is yet to submit its report to the government regarding the Maoists issue has tentatively, advised the establishment to go in for a dialogue instead what it thinks to be an issue that summarily warranted military solution.

The tenure of the almost defunct Deuba commission constituted by Prime Minister Bhattarai expires day after tomorrow.

The commission officials hope to submit the report in a week's time from now.

"' The government must give continuity to the dialogue process for its solution"', says the gist of the report in its findings.

The report also advises the ruling government to seek the support of all major political parties for its solution.

The report among others has pointed out that the government's total inability in addressing problems regarding social, economic and political ones prevalent in the regional level too have caused this insurgency to take an inflated dimension.

The report also alleges that the improper mobilization of the law and order arrangement too have remained instrumental in the increase of the Maoists activities in the region.

"'If all the available options fail miserably then only the mobilization of the army could be discussed"' concludes the report yet to be submitted.

The government till Tuesday afternoon has not extended the tenure of the commission led by Deuba. (Compiled from various sources).

Press Day in Nepal

Kathmandu : The Federation of Nepalese journalists, FNJ, too has arranged various programs in series to commemorate this day that falls on May 3 each year.

 Today morning, a rally of the journalists will move through the main thoroughfares of the town to mark the occasion. Similarly, talk programs have also been organized by the FNJ in close cooperation with the Nepal Press Institute, NPI, in Biratnagar and Nepalganj to celebrate the day.

To mark the Press Freedom day, the FNJ initiated a Blood Bank for the Nepalese journalists.

Similarly, various media related institutions also have charted programs to mark this day.

,    In every society more so in a democratic country like Nepal, freedom of the press is essential to transparency, accountability, good governance and the rule of law.

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