In depth Analysis

Fluidity handicaps Girija government

Kathmandu: By time you read this issue, Prime Minister Girija Koirala’s government will Monday have faced a crucial test of the conventional Parliamentary vote of thanks for the Royal Address and the government will have placed his budget in Parliament Tuesday. If, that is, the motion goes through. (The Monday vote of thanks has gone in favor of the government.) These typify the fast-paced devolution of current politics. Girija Babu heads a government with a convincing majority in Parliament and yet, the fluidity of Current politics makes it an impossibility to predict the imminent future.

The fact is that the Prime Minister’s majority in Parliament is composed of a sizeable number of his own party men who want to depose him from government. Whether they will do so in defiance of the whip as has been the case previously is unknown at time of writing. This regardless of the rumors, that Girija Babu is already a minority in his own Parliamentary Party. Even if he is a majority, a block minority Congress vote against Girija Babu will add to the opposition numbers to topple the congress from power.

It is the latter concern of party power that prevents the Girija opposition in the Congress from precipitating issues in Parliament. The previous such precedence is that Girija Babu would seek recourse to spot elections which as continuing head of party and government he will be entitled to unless his opposition forge a formal split or oust him as Parliamentary leader.

If the KP-Deuba lobby have one outstanding concern to is to make sure that they do not hand-over the party to Girija Babu through either a split or elections. These concerns, however, do not deny them the realization that Girija Babu continuance in Government will allow him the monopoly of government resources by which to strengthen his strangle hold in government and equip him better to undercut this in-party opposition.

Speculations that such desperation may embolden Girija detractors to refuse him cooperation in Parliament in defiance of whips thus is not without substance. And, so if at time of reading the Prime Minister has survived the motion of thanks, the possibility of him facing a similar threat at time of budget session will remain intact.

The fact is that sabre-rattling in defense of current Congress government within the party is already at its pitch. Only this week Deuba and KP were in full attendance at Congress women's organization meet whose Committee was formally dissolved by the party General Secretary that is Sushil Koirala. This is only the more recent of many such acts of defiance that an increasing number of Congress-men have chosen to display in opposition to Girija-Sushil (Koiralas) rule of the Congress. At some point in the near future inaction on part of these rebels will only mean enabling the Girija lobby to undercut them. It is this real situation that is most likely to precipitate issues if, that is, it has not already done so.

Pickering opposes carving out a separate state

Kathmandu : The fresh statement made by the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs during a visit to Colombo that his country out and out rejects the LTTE demand for a separate Eelam state well by carving out a piece from the Island nation-Sri Lanka should have come as a solace to some other South Asian nations who one way or the other suffer or are yet to suffer from the same ethnic issue as is being currently experienced by neighboring Sri Lanka.

The next bloody ethnic conflict after Sri Lanka could take place in Nepal, opine Nepalese political pundits, as some leaders of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party have in the recent past openly declared that if their community remained neglected for long by the establishment in Kathmandu then a sort of Sri Lankan situation might grip Nepal in the near future.

In that happens, however, which country will support the Nepalese ethnic champions for a separate state is yet uncertain.

To a greater extent the ethnic cleansing currently being practiced by Bhutanese regime is of different sort. The Bhutanese refugees of Nepalese origin evicted from Bhutan fortunately have not yet demanded a separate state for themselves. Contrary to the allegations they have only wished to return to their motherland with dignity and honor. However, if their safe return to Bhutan is delayed for long then perhaps it would be Bhutan well before Nepal that will experience such a situation currently being faced by Sri Lanka.

Be that as it may, the US under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas R. Pickering, accompanied by senior US State Department officials, visited Sri Lanka on 29th May. A release issued by the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry on Monday said during his visit Mr. Pickering called on President Kumaratunga, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgarmar and Leader of the Opposition, Ranil Wickremasinghe, it is learnt from Sri Lankan sources in Kathmandu.

The release said the call on Foreign Minister Kadirgamar was followed by official talks between the two sides. During his visit Mr. Pickering was briefed by the Sri Lankan leaders on the current situation in the Jaffna Peninsula and the specific measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the continued welfare, especially in the current context, of the civilian population in the Peninsula. The release said Mr. Pickering heard of the commitment of the Government towards an effective devolution of power for the settlement of the ethnic issue and the detailed steps taken towards this end. The relevance of the facilitation process undertaken by Norway, with the aim of bringing the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE together for negotiations in this regard, was also emphasised the release added. Mr. Pickering appreciated the detailed exposition he received of Sri Lanka's efforts to resolve the ethnic question within the country's democratic framework. He reiterated the position of the United States that the ethnic issue must be resolved through a negotiated political solution, on the basis of Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He conveyed the firm opposition of the United States to the carving out of a separate state. The official talks between Minister Kadirgarmar and Mr Pickering dealt with the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and the United States. The Sri Lanka Foreign Minister was assisted in the talks by Acting Secretary, B.A.B. Goonetilleke, and senior officials of the Ministry. The release said both sides expressed their satisfaction at the continued steady progress in the further strengthening of this relationship.

Congress stalwarts openly defy party dictates

Kathmandu : The stage is set for yet another congress would be conflict.

Personalities none less than Sher bahadur Deuba and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, the two declared arch rivals of the incumbent Prime minister, have this time jointly designed this set and have subtly hinted their rival camp that henceforth they will care little of the congress party dictats that do not command popular support from the party activists.

Paying little attention to the calculated dissolution of the women's organization by the Koirala camp only recently, the two stalwarts, K.P and Deuba jointly addressed the meet of the women's organization that stands dissolved in the eyes of the Prime minister and his brother Sudshil Koirala who is concurrently the GS of the party.

The duo that is K.P and Deuba not only encouraged the officials of the new women's organization but also assured them of their full support come what may.

The presence of Krishna Prasad and Sher Bahadur at the women's meet and the fiery lectures made during the session must have jolted the Koirala camp very badly.

To recall, Sushil Koirala in the recent past has dissolved pretty a good number of congress district committee(s), which in his personal thinking were toeing the lines, other than theirs. The severe actions thus taken by Sushil Koirala against those congressmen whom he considered to be siding with his political rivals apparently have angered the Bhattarai-Deuba camp. This camp out of vengeance appears to have decided to favor those congressmen who have been badly affected by Sushil's decision taken in the recent days. Undoubtedly, Sushil's manipulations made in these regards possess the clandestine blessings of Prime Minister Koirala.

The crux of the matter is that both the Koiralas wish to dominate the impending convention through the support of their "men" so that the Presidency of the party remains under their private family grip. In other words, the Koiralas wish to capture the Presidency this time as well whereas the other camp appears hell bent upon snatching the coveted post from the clutches of the Koiralas.

The lecture made by Krishna Prasad at the women's meet outrightly defying party dictates could well trigger a fresh Battle Royale in the congress camp. How the Koirala camp reacts to this overture will in all likelihood determine the intensity and the magnitude of the battle royale the grounds for which has already been set.

If the case deteriorates between the two warring factions of the congress, its impact would be surely felt on the fateful day the parliament will have to decide the fate of the national budget .

Globalization enhances free flow of knowledge

-Dr.Stiglitz

Kathmandu: An American scholar of international standing has advised Nepal to base her trade policies considering her national advantages.

Dr. Joseph Stiglitz made these remarks at an interaction program organized mainly by the Nepal Council of World Affairs in close cooperation with the World Bank Kathmandu office.

Dr. Stiglitz is currently Professor of Economics at Stanford University and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute.

Addressing a jam-packed gathering of Nepali intellectuals, the versatile American scholar said that no country in the globe could escape from the current phenomenon of globalization. "The matter rests now on the individual countries on how to respond to this phenomenon", added Stiglitz.

Elaborating the charms of globalization, the American economist opined that it offered a good number of opportunities to countries, including the developing ones, to export their goods and services in a competitive manner.

As an academin, Dr. Stiglitz helped create absolutely a new branch of economics—"The economics of Information"-, which has been widely applied throughout the economics discipline. This American economics wizard is also a leading scholar in the economics of the public sector.

In Dr. Stiglitz opinion the process of globalization also enhances flow of knowledge which inevitably went in favor of less developed economies of the world who lack advanced knowledge as compared to their counterparts in the developed nations.

"'Nepal has made enormous progress in various sectors in the past but yet it has to go a long way and perhaps will have to face strong challenges in the days ahead", added Stiglitz.

Good policies and good plans some times do not work said Stiglitz. He however said that for achieving good performance and a faster development a country must possess "good institutions".

The leading economist also touched upon the menace of corruption, which in his opinion retarded the economic growth of a country.

Earlier, Professor Panna Kaji Amatya, the NCWA President, introduced the distinguished scholar to the attending participants.

At the end of the lecture program, Laxman K.C-the GS of the NCWA gave vote of thanks.

New forum for newspaper publishers'

Kathmandu: A new journalist' forum has come in to existence since last week.

The new institution is supposed to look after the pains and the problems currently being confronted by nation's media men who publish newspapers.

Senior journalist Devendra Gautam currently heads the new publishers' forum. The forum has five senior vice presidents to assist the President.

Some ten plus members have been nominated in the executive committee including the chief editor of the Telegraph weekly.

The forum immediately after its establishment has appealed the government to consider VAT waiver to those businessmen who have been advertising their products in Nepali newspapers.

The forum is hereby suggested to appeal the government to consider the problems of English language newspapers that are confronting with problems related with circulation, distribution and meager readership.

B'desh commerce minister arriving Nepal

Kathmandu : At the official invitation of Nepal's minister of commerce , the Bangladesh' commerce minister Mr. Mhd Abdul Jalil is arriving next month to hold talks with his Nepalese counterpart.

Though the dates have yet not been finalised for the visit yet sources close to Nepal's commerce ministry say that minister Jalil will arrive Nepal some time in the second week of next month.

Unconfirmed reports have it that minister Jalil will be accompanied by some journalists, businessmen and indeed high ranking officials from Bangladesh' foreign and commerce ministries.

Nepal's commerce ministry sources attach great significance to this trip, as it would enhance the trade and commerce contacts between the two neighboring nations.

To recall, even after the opening up of the Fulwari route that allows Nepali goods to reach Mongla and Chittagong ports in Bangladesh for third country exports, less has been achieved so far in this regard.

Only recently, the newly appointed Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal, Cyril Sikder, had told a gathering in Biratnagar that the proposed visit of B'desh commerce minister to Nepal would go a long way in expanding the bilateral trade and business contacts between the two friendly countries who are also powerful members of the SAARC movement that is currently facing threats to its very existence.

Telegraph adds: In the meantime, the Mayor of Biratnagar sub-metropolis, Mr. Ramesh Poudel, has formally requested the Bangladesh Ambassador to arrange a trip of the metropolis members to Dhaka so that the team could learn from their counterpart about the urban management scheme so successfully managed by Dhaka metropolis more specially during the rainy season.

The Biratnagar metropolis team is supposed to comprise of some local journalists' as well.

A strong recommendation from the Nepal-SAARC Journalists' Forum has been sent to the Bangladesh embassy in this regard with the hope that exchange of such visits will go a long way in cementing the bonds of friendship between the two friendly nations.

Campaign against green electric vehicle

Kathmandu : A calculated media campaign is taking a formal shape apparently against the well established non-polluting vehicles that run through the use of electricity.

The recent introduction of the SAFA battery operated three wheelers in the capital district for the use of the commuters have to a greater extent contributed in freeing the city from excessive pollution undoubtedly. The extensive use of this kind of non-polluting vehicles have bagged accolades from all and sundry which has fortunately replaced the deadly Bikram three wheelers run by gasoline.

However, some interested quarters have begun a media onslaught against the electric vehicle for obvious reasons. This set of Campaigners State that the battery operated three wheeler is not free from health hazards. The main criticisms they forward against the SAFA vehicle is that these pollute the environment; the acid used in the battery pollute the soil; and that the speed of the vehicle is less than what it should have been in effect.

A statement released by four companies engaged in this business have outrightly denied the charges made against the SAFA vehicles. The companies say that the acid in the battery gets neutralized after its use and that they possess the technology to do so and hence there remains no danger of the used acid as claimed by the detractors.

Further, the chassis used in the vehicle is manufactured right here in Kathmandu and thus a lump sum of foreign currency to buy the same remains in the country. Added to this, contrary to the incorrect claims of the LPG vehicle wallahs-TUK TUK to be more precise- is more dangerous than the SAFA as the gas cylinder has every chances of bursting and the emissions from it are considered more harmful for the health of the commuters within and without.

"'LPG in addition emits Co2, NO , S and Hydro Carbons which are well known chemicals that cause nausea, irritation and vomiting as well", said one of the proprietor of the SAFA vehicles to this scribe.

Is it a conspiracy ?

Kathmandu : Prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala appears to have lured easily his arch rival Sher Bahadur Deuba by politely instructing him to continue to head the commission meant for the Maoists. In doing so the Prime minister feels that he can minimize the threats coming as it does from Deuba quarters for his coveted seat of the executive chief.

However, this is not true.Deuba too has his plans under his sleeve.

As per his plans Deuba would wish to talk with the Maoists insurgents and love to arrive at some minimum consensus. If that happens at all would surely mean that Deuba has added one more feather in his cap. This hypothetical success would further press Prime Minister Koirala to heed to Deuba's possible suggestions of replacing the present Home minister with his close chum that is Khum Bahadur Khadka.

To recall, Khadka is considered to be rather mild personality than minister Joshi regarding the Maoists. Khadka considers Maoists issue as a political one whereas minister Joshi takes it as a terrorist activity.

In case Deuba succeeds in replacing Joshi with Khadka then it would facilitate the ouster of IGP Kharel as Khadka and Kharel are not even in talking terms.

The hypothetical assumption is that with Khadka as home minister Deuba will have some leverage with the Maoists who in turn would wish to talk with him that will enhance his popularity in the party.

Only recently, Deuba has appealed the Maoists to come to talks again.

This notwithstanding, the Maoists appear reluctant in coming to the negotiations. They see in the Deuba offer a conspiracy hatched by Prime minister Koirala engaging Deuba in the talks so that the latter does not pose any threats or whatsoever to his Premiership and even the next Presidency.

Analyzing all these undercurrents in Nepalese politics, it becomes pretty difficult to guess who is be-fooling whom?

National | 5 Question  | Editorial | 2nd Impression | International | Past |