Koirala’s France visit is part of the top-level dialogues initiated since president Mitterand's State visit to Nepal

-Keshav Raj Jha, Former Royal Nepalese Ambassador to France

He secured his Masters degree in Political Science with major in diplomacy and International Relations. Prior to this he obtained his Bachelor in Law with major International Law. He sharpened his knowledge in these subjects by attending courses in some of the advanced countries of Europe such as Germany, Belgium, London, Geneva and more closer in India and the Philippines.

Naturally this should have prompted to join the foreign ministry, which he did in the year 1967. Since then Monsieur Keshav Raj Jha served the ministry for well over thirty-three years. During his long engagement with the Shital Nivas Mr. Jha served the nation as a very successful diplomat and could yet be considered to be an asset of the nation provided the nation wished to seek his expertise. This is not forthcoming, however. Mr. Jha laments that he was not contacted even by his former institution while the nation’s Prime minister made a trip to the Fifth Republic, which in essence was his last assignment as Ambassador of this country to France.

He began his career as a Lecturer at Public College in the year 1963. Joined the Government College in 1965. He served as DCM in Nepal embassy in the US as back as in 1980. He was alternate permanent delegate of Nepal to the UN and concurrently served as Consul General at New York city.

Mr. Jha was Chief of Protocol in the early 1990s. Finally he was appointed as Royal Nepalese Ambassador to France in the year 1993 wherein he also served as Permanent delegate to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

Understandably Mr. Jha has attended several international conferences and has represented Nepal successfully. The list is long. Back home, while being at the ministry he had headed various divisions and exhibited his diplomatic acumen.

Some of the decorations he has received include the Royal Victoria Order; Order of Civil Merit II Spain and Grand officer of the order of National merit, France and indeed Prasiddha Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, Nepal.

At the moment, Mr. Jha is spending his retired life. Yet he loves reading books in his free time.

Last week, I met this seasoned diplomat at a party and requested for an exclusive tete-e-tete. Below the results-Chief editor.

TGQ1: What factors do you perceive Mr.Jha to have compelled a sitting Prime Minister from the Nepali Congress party to insist upon an 'official visit' to France at times of direstrait in the politics at homs? Consider last year's example of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai insisting on the same? Your exclusive comments please!

Mr. Jha: In France, State visits and Official visits are scheduled at least one year in advance. Every year, there are 150 visits from different Heads of State and Governments. Some of them are of private nature, others are working visits while very few are State-Official visits. Premier Koirala's visit to France was first scheduled in June 1993 during my tenure as Ambassador. France would like to receive him as first democratically elected Prime Minister of Nepal since the restoration of democracy. At that time, his meeting and Lunch with President Francois Mitterand was fixed. Meetings with Premier Edouard Balladur, Foreign Minister Allain Juppe, National Assembly President M. Phillipe Seguin, Minister of Economy M. Edmon Alphandery and several others were fixed. But because of some reasons, this visit could not be materialized.

In 1994, I had arranged the State visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen (20-23 September 1994). It was one of the most historic visits in the annals of Nepal-France relations. Their Majesties were accorded warm reception wherever they visited. Paris wore a festive look with Nepalese and French flags. French Television, newspapers gave very positive coverage to this visit. We, however, failed to cash in following the most successful State visit. The mid-term general election produced a minority Government, which was busy for its survival from the day of its installation. Rest is now a history.

Last year Mr. Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was invited after a gap of five years. He could not make this visit because of internal squabbles in the governing party itself. This was second "cancellation". If this time also Premier Koirala had cancelled the visit, it would have sent a 'wrong' signal. All these factors might have compelled premier Koirala to stick to the date of his "official visit"' to France irrespective of certain political developments inside the country. This very fact demonstrates the great political significance France has attached to its relations with Nepal. At this point of time, I'm reminded the conclusion of a famous French scholar Silvain Levy's book entitles "Le-Nepal-a study of Hindu Kingdom" in which the author explained the importance of Nepal in Asian history and regarded it as one of the crossroads where South, Central and East Asian influence met and combined. French people still hold this view.

The official visit of premier Koirala has double significance. First, it is the first official visit of Nepalese Head of Government since Premier Jung Bahadur Rana who had visited France on August 14, 1850. This visit took place almost after 151 years. Second, it is the first visit of any Nepalese premier since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 20 April 1949. Besides this, the present visit is also the first visit of democratically elected premier since the restoration of democracy in 1990 and their Majesties State visit to France in 1994.

I consider this visit as a part of the top-level dialogues initiated since president Mitterand's State visit to Nepal in 1983 and HM's state visit to France in 1994. This visit has provided an opportunity for both Premier Lionel Jospin and Koirala to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues. The summit meeting between Koirala and Jospin and President Chirac has given a timely push to expand areas o economic cooperation, promote trade and encourage French investment taking advantages of the economic liberalization and openness policy adopted by Nepal.

TGQ2: How you have assessed Prime Minister Koirala's visit to France? You being the immediate past Ambassador to that country, your comments become very important in this regard. Also tell us how the French government normally takes Nepal? Please enlighten us with your rich experience.

Mr. Jha: Nepal enjoys tremendous goodwill in France. As a result, France has also manifested a sympathetic attitude for the socio-economic development of Nepal. A substantial French economic cooperation can be taken into account from the period of assumption of office by the socialist President Francois Mitterand in 1981.

This visit should be considered 'politically significant'. I personally believe that the visits of Heads of government and State should not be measured in terms of economic assistance he receives from that country. Thy could generate tremendous goodwill and create atmosphere conducive for future cooperation. I think time has come for us to change our old concept of measuring every thing in terms of aids. This official visit reflects our many shared aspirations and many common interests. This will not only deepen our bilateral ties but also further strengthen and consolidate it to the mutual benefit of Nepal and France.

During my five years assignment in France, I always found that the French people have taken Nepal in high esteem and respect because mutual understanding, goodwill and cooperation have always characterized Nepal-France relations. There are no irritants to deal with. It is extremely cordial and positive. Nepal should take advantage of it following this visit.

TGQ3: Nepalese intellectual remain astonished over the fact that Nepal's Prime Minister could see the French President at the fag end of the visit. What could be the reason behind this surprising factor? Is it that our man in Paris should be blamed for this or is it that the receiving end did not exhibited its desire to receive earlier? Was the French reluctance because of the Nepali Prime Minister who is scandal ridden at least in the eyes of Nepal's opposition? Your remarks please!

Mr. Jha: The Heads of State and Government visiting France at the invitation of their counterparts usually meet and pay respect to President and the Prime Minister. Under Fifth Republic constitution, both the President and Prime Minister share foreign, defence and European affairs. President Jacques Chirac is very active. He travels quite often for having dialogues on bilateral, regional and international issues. I think meeting with President was not announced because of his "uncertain" schedule. It was announced in Kathmandu at 3 pm, half an hour before Koirala landed in Kathmandu. President Chirac is a great friend of Nepal. He has great love for this country. He is looking forward to pay a State visit to Nepal before his tenure expires in 2002. His Majesty has invited him soon after his assumption of office. It was renewed this time when premier Koirala visited there.

TGQ4: Do you consider that Prime Minister Koirala's visit to a developed West, France, has been materialised at an opportune moment? Back home, opposition parties claim that the visit has been done without having any proper and required home work? They also say that a shaky Prime Minister of the sort of Koirala as he stands today could have not well represented Nepali standpoints regarding national, regional and international politics? What say you?

Mr. Jha: As I mentioned earlier, visits are scheduled in France well in advance. The time may not be opportune for Nepal because of certain political development inside the country but it can't be changed as we wish unless we want to postpone it for next year or so.

Two senior cabinet ministers accompanied Premier Koirala. Both of them are competent in their respective fields. Besides premier himself is one of the longest serving Premier of Nepal since the restoration of democracy. I do not see he would fail to put up our points of views before the French leaders.

As far as the preparation of this visit is concerned, I wish to add that the visit could have been far better organized had the foreign ministry or Premier's office consulted and shared the experiences of those who know France and her leaders. I think there is no substitute to experience. It seems our mandarins in Shital Nivas and Baluatar ignored it.

TGQ5: What should be done and could have been done to promote Nepal-France bilateral ties in sectors as economy, environment, trade investment, telecommunication and energy sector? Do you think that France will upgrade Nepal and bring back to the lost priority list? Your opinions please!

Mr. Jha: Premier Koirala's meeting with President Chirac and Premier Lionel Jospin and other leaders will certainly pave the way for greater understanding about Nepal and her problems. This, in turn, may be positive factor in the long run. France is an important trading partner of Nepal within the EU. France, under the EC scheme of Generalized system of Preference provides tariff concession to almost all the Nepali products. The first ever Nepal Promotion Expo-1999 jointly sponsored by Nepal-France Chamber of commerce and Industry and France Chambers of Commerce, Paris and Union of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry from November 25 to 27, 1999, is a landmark in the annals of Nepal-France cooperation in commercial and trade sectors. France has been extending economic cooperation to Nepal since 1981. It has so far signed seven Financial Protocols with Nepal to the tune of 770.5 million FF. In addition, France has provided Food aid, grants, to Nepal. So far 17 agreements have been signed. French government cancelled the debt, which matured due on and after 1 January, 1989 on the Treasury loans granted to Nepal and disbursed before 31 December 1988. The debt cancellation amounts to FF 106. 142. 443, 38. Since 1990, French assistance to Least Developed countries like Nepal consists of only grants. She has been mainly providing economic cooperation to Nepal in the fields of electricity transmission, airport equipment, road construction, telecommunications, television, hospital, archaeology, feasibility studies of West Seti, photographic survey of Arun river site, seismic survey, and helicopter etc.

Nepal enjoys excellent political relations with France. We have to translate this relation into economic realities. I, therefore, believe that both countries could set up Nepal-France Economic committee to promote bilateral ties in sectors as economy, environment, trade, investment, telecommunications and energy. This committee should meet every year and discuss matters of future cooperation. France has such forums with our neighbors and they are taking benefits from it.

Nepal is a least developed country. Naturally, it falls under the categories of aid receiving countries but since 1998, the Socialist Government of Jospin knocked out Nepal and other countries of our region from the list and diverted this assistance package to French speaking countries in Africa and newly emerging countries of East Europe. Now the visit of premier Koirala to France will certainly help French leaders to review it and bring it back to that category. I'm optimistic about it.

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