I n d e p t h    A n a l y s i s
Major political change round the corner!

Kathmandu: A general consensus appears to have emerged in course of discussions on the constitution which celebrated its 14th year of drafting last week that the participation of principal actors within the constitution has brought the constitution to its current state.

This consensus should now contribute to gradual concurrence in political circles that the coming developments should contribute to insurance that public personalities hence on become more responsible for the health of Nepali democracy.

Indeed, public reaction on the many statements made by prominent political leaders is one judged by this demand. Girija Prasad Koirala and Madhav Nepal as also Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa stand public judgement on this account. Widespread disgruntlement at the current state of affairs is being solely dumped on these luminaries and the Maoists who seem to be further pressed almost unanimously by the current public reaction.

Increasingly public eyes turn to the monarchy for solace over the past month as mass disgruntlement against public leaders mount. This is in distinct contrast to the trend to view our politicians with a source for solution to the current malaise.

It is this discernible change that leaves room for continued speculation that change is in the making. Increasingly, the possibility of a major shakeup becomes imminent.

While Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa would want to project his continuity in office as a matter of public confidence, his use of the royal appointment to office to strengthen his coterie is being seriously challenged from within his own party. As is his forte, Thapa’s efforts to shift the blame to the Royal Palace when convenient and to accept credit for himself when it so suits him has by now been publicly exposed.

One indication will be found in the promised expansion of the cabinet which is yet to take place. The other is the Thapa’s failure to induct the major parties in his government. Of course, carious excuses no longer hide his effort to predominate the appointment of the Constitutional Council. The failure with the Maoists in the talks also stands tall in assessments.

This has turned tables against Thapa with his deterrents using his very words describing Lokendra Bahadur Chand cabinet as the "King’s tillers" on himself as much as he would like to promote his reformist image. The fact that Thapa, as was Chand, is a King’s nominee it not lost on the body politic.

It is perhaps this and his use of this office to consolidate his political gains at the expense of the monarchy’s initiatives, more so to the detriment of the public anticipation from the monarchy that makes a directional change a near inevitability.

FES Media Seminar on Diversity Journalism concludes
Concept of social obligation to help ease conflict: Experts

By NIRAJ ARYAL

Kathmandu: Why the women residing in Nepal’s remote villages were attracted to the Maoists movement? She replies bluntly: "Maoists with their slogans like free sex, choice in choosing partners, no discrimination, equal participation etc. are some of the special features that has become a matter of attraction for the female sex to which the Maoists have been cashing in from.

It was not clear whether the distinguished lady was all praise for the Maoists or been talking other wise. It will have to be watched as to how the Maoists’ react to the lady’s conclusions.

Listening to the lady’s surprising remarks some body asks from the gathering, " Is it possible to implement catchy slogans like free sex in the rest parts of the country?" She beamingly replies, "If you can do it, why can’t I? So says the distinguished lady Dr. Durga Pokhrel, the incumbent Chairman of the Women’s Rights Commission who is, as a matter of fact, married to a foreigner which presumably allows her to advocate free sex in a blunt manner.

But the question is do we really know what family planning is and do we know how to use condoms? Are we educated enough to accept these changes given the present day conservative societal structure of the country? Who will then be responsible for the population explosion or for that matter of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS, the Maoists or the Women’s Right Commission or at best Ms. Pokhrel who forcefully pleads the theory of free sex.

Do we have to use sensational headlines just to increase our sales? One of the women participants running a local newspaper said using sensational headlines she at times has tremendously benefited. Others said the State should help local newspapers by providing advertisements or by providing monetary supports. But the question remains: "how the government be made accountable and responsible for the newspapers’ for not writing truths?.

At a FES organized four-day workshop on " Peace and Diversity Journalism in Conflict situation" men and women from the Nepali media were present in almost equal numbers. Participants from daily newspapers, weeklies, FM radio stations, news agencies from around the country were present to listen to a German expert Mr. Joergen Klussmann on Conflict Resolution.

The German expert who had been flown to Nepal to share his expertise on the said topic stressed the need to be responsible while reporting and preparing news. He said a reporter has to avoid making reports from the reports which has been already reported in the media. However, the participants, on the other hand, opined that in the present context as the reporters were not allowed to visit Maoists’ affected areas and hence it was not possible to subscribe to Klussmann’s views.

According to Klussmann, both peace and conflict could be described as a "state of mind" which meant that a conflict or peace could be an individual concept of how a situation, person or environment is being perceived. "The concepts of peace and conflict are highly dependent on someone’s assumptions, feelings, impressions and thoughts", adds Dr. Klussmann.

"The basic precondition for solving a conflict of the sort of the Maoists in Nepal is reconciliation and that reconciliation is an active communication tool with a clear aim at achieving a compromise", says Dr. Klussmann.

Guest speaker, Dr. Durga Pokharel who is the Chief of the Women’s Right Commission focussed her presentation on Women’s related issues in the conflict situation.

She said that the country is already fragmented in the issues of gender, rich and poor, caste etc. Citing an example of a village which she recently toured said that Women in the western region become happy to see their husbands getting killed in the fight between the Maoists and the Government. According to Dr. Pokhrel, the Maoists have been using male drunkards as human shields as and when there is a fight with the government forces. She said Maoists raising voices against the traditional societal loopholes are gaining lots of support from the villagers.

"The atrocities perpetrated on the villagers by the Royal Nepal Army was more visible that those of the Maoists", revealed Dr. Pokhrel. She stressed the need to address these pertinent issues by the government and the members of the civil society. However, she revealed that the Maoists were getting support from India and said unless there is an initiative to solve the problem from the southern neighbor, the issue of the insurgency will remain intact.

She, however, did not reveal as to on what basis she alleged that India had been supporting the Nepali Maoists.

Among other guest speakers, senior journalist Mr. Ram Krishna Regmee, said that Nepalese society is handling conflicts since long so it was not at all a new phenomenon for the country. He said this conflict is unique to Nepal because the cause of the conflict is neither religion, nor a linguistic one or even a geographical or for a conflict seeking autonomy. He however, maintained that due to the insurgency, Nepal has already incurred a loss of about 18 billion Rupees worth of infrastructure and that there is already a decline in the GDP by 2.2%. He said looking for a solution to the conflict towards media could be a mistake but accepted that media can play a role in minimizing conflict. Hitting towards the donor countries Mr Regmee said they are also accountable for continuous governance failure in the country.

Mr Dhurba Hari Adhikari, a very senior Nepali journalist said that Nepali media has not acted responsibly while reporting the stories on conflict which, adds Adhikary, have flared up the situation which is what should have been otherwise. However, Adhikari hoped that the Nepali media in the future acted in a manner that contributed to the easing of the conflict rather than flaring it up.

Mr. Shrish Rana, a political analyst speaking on the topic of actors of conflict and peace said political leaders are responsible for the chaotic situation that has gripped the country of late. He said that the solution to the conflict could well be found in our own society rather than looking towards the West because the problem is unique to Nepal and hence the solution lay right here in the country. "Let’s explore the indigenous tools for addressing the issues of the conflict", added Mr. Rana. He rejected the idea that the King being responsible for the current crisis.

Mr. Rana urged the political actors to adhere to the widely accepted concept of social obligation.

At the inaugural of the seminar, Dev Raj Dahal, FES Nepal office, dwelt at length on the processes that are generally brought into action while managing the conflict or for that matter resolving the conflict.

P. Kharel, the media advisor at the FES, made his concluding remarks on the last day of the workshop. He assured the participants that the FES would take initiatives of this sort in the future as well in order to provide knowledge to the media persons on varied topics that are relevant for Nepal.

The attending participants lauded the efforts of the FES and thanked the trainer from Germany, Dr. Klussmann, for his enlightened lecture on the said topic.

The FES awarded training certificates to the attending participants.

Thapa not to settle for less than general elections

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa’s conspiratorial brain presumably works round the clock.

His latest move or for that matter the statement which he made through a NTV program Monday late evening must have brought down the blood pressure of the leaders of the five agitating parties.

Prime Minister Thapa clearly hinted that holding of the general elections could be the single solution to come out of the existing constitutional imbroglio.

" I am determined to conduct the elections come what may", said a beaming Thapa responding to the questions posed to him by the NTV questioner.

"When a new parliament comes into existence, the constitution will automatically come to its original rails", opined Prime Minister Thapa.

Not only this, the Prime Minister also made it amply clear that the ongoing agitation was nothing but a ploy of the agitating parties to bounce back to power. Cutting joke at the leaders’ of the agitating parties, Thapa questioned as to how the derailed constitution would come to its rails if the King made one of their leaders the nation’s prime minister using the same controversial Article 127 of the constitution?

If they are made the Prime Minister definitely the King will use the same article to which they term unconstitutional.

"Their interpretation of the use of the article 127 is faulty", said the Prime Minister.

Similarly he also rejected the five parties’ demand that the article 127 be used for the restoration of the parliament. "If the King does so through the use of the same article of the constitution would tantamount to yet another unconstitutional blunder", opined Thapa.

According to Thapa, the five parties were all up to encourage the King to act unconstitutionally.

All put together, Thapa’s assertion that he would not settle for less than holding of elections, does clearly hint that he will not resign from the chair which he has been occupying at the moment till the elections are over. This also means that the agitating parties will have to participate in the elections Thapa’s way.

During the course of the NTV interview, Prime Minister Thapa also tried to shield the monarch from the onslaughts of the leaders of the agitating lot.

"The King is open. This is my conclusion. He is open for talks but then some one has to approach for the audience", so said Thapa.

This expression apparently puts to rest the wide spread rumor that the King and his Prime Minister differ on so many counts.

Analysing Thapa’s statement made in favor of the King does speak that the King and the Prime Minister share same views vis-a-vis the holding of the elections and the current agitation.

Implied is that the King could talk to the agitating leaders but would act as hinted by his Prime Minister.

On the issue of the Maoists insurgency, Thapa said that the doors for talks were open. He however, also hinted that the government would face the threats posed by the Maoists firmly.

CNI demands transparency and simplification in govt. rules

Kathmandu: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries or otherwise the CNI organized an interaction program on November 5th evening on the budgetary provisions of the current fiscal year and their impact on private sector investment and suggestions for immediate corrective measures.

The interaction saw the presence of the country’s finance minister Dr. P.C.Lohani.

Initiating the debate, the founding Chairman of the CNI, Mr. Binod Choudhary indirectly expressed his displeasure at the manner the government of the day was looking at the mounting problems of the Nepalese Industries.

"Though we must praise the positive and forward looking initiatives taken by the government for the Industries in the current budget, however, so far the government has remained unable to mitigate the problems and the bureaucratic hassles meted out to the Industrialists at time of the customs clearance and other related matters", said Choudhary.

The budget indeed came at a time that was critical and continues to be so but yet the hopes that has arisen among the Industrialists prior to the announcement of the budget have all gone to the dogs, added the CNI President.

It would be proper and logical both if the concerned minister directed his bureaucrats down at the district level not to pose problems while clearing their goods at the border entry points. He also suggested the minister to take measures that ensured qualitative and uninterrupted power supply to the industries so that the Nepali products could compete the tough world market.

Elaborating the pains and the problems confronting the Nepali Industrial sector, Mr. Jagdish Agrawal said that the government should concentrate its efforts in making the whole bureaucratic affair a transparent one and simplify the existing cumbersome rules and regulations.

Mr. Agrawal provided several ideas to the government, which if applied in practice the CNI hopes that the Industry sector would benefit immensely.

Replying to queries, the finance minister informed the gathering that he would do all he can in order to ease the problems confronting the Industrial sector.

Fifth Anniversary of Radisson Hotel

Kathmandu: The Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, celebrated its fifth anniversary last week amidst a simple but colorful ceremony.

The Hotel organized a press conference on November 5 to let the Nepali media men know about their past five years’ activities.

Abhinav Rana, the Resident Manager of the Radisson, Kathmandu, assured the pressmen that the hotel will continue to serve its customers even with mush energy and renewed vigor in the future.

On November 6 evening, Managing Director of the Radisson Hotel, Mr. B.K.Shrestha cut a huge Cake to mark the 5th anniversary of the Hotel’s activities in Nepal. Pieces of the colorful cake were provided to each and every guest staying at the Hotel. The foreign tourists enjoyed the cakes and the unique hospitality with which they were greeted at the very entrance upon their arrival in the Hotel.

In the meanwhile, Paul S. Kirwin, the President and the Managing Director, Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, has congratulated Mr. B.K.Shrestha, the Managing Director, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu, saying that he was proud to be associated with the Radisson in Kathmandu. "Our five years’ association with this prestigious hotel has been very encouraging and satisfying", says Mr. Kirwin.

Polish nationals face Rhino’s wrath; sustained injuries

Kathmandu: Two Polish nationals, Mr. Sebastian Stench and Ms. RENATA Olech were chased and then mercilessly hit by an angry female Nepali Rhinoceros while walking around deep inside the jungles of the Baridiya national Park last week, reports Nepal Poland Friendship Association here.

Thanks the Almighty both the Poles are safe and been treated at the NORVIC hospital in Kathmandu.

The incident took place around 3 PM on November 4.

The two Polish citizens had entered Nepal from India and had planned a quiet walk at the world famous Bardiya National Park but unfortunately met with this accident.

"Thanks the children playing deep inside the jungles who could listen to our painful voices seeking rescue from the onslaught of the Rhino that they were saved and later flown to Kathmandu the same evening, said the Medical practitioner, Dr. Shiva Adhikari, who is taking care of the two badly injured Polish nationals.

Sebastian is a Medical Doctor working at a Cardiological hospital in Warsaw and Ms. Renata is a media man attached to a government owned daily in Warsaw.

"While I was being hit by the Rhino, I had already thought that end of her life was round the corner", said Renata to this scribe when this reporter went to see both at the Norvic Sunday evening.

For me it was an dreadful adventure, commented Dr. Sebastian.

Dr. Sebastian plans to pen a story on the whole incident and let his compatriots know about how adventure greets the tourists in Nepal’s national parks.

"It was exciting and really some thing very much unexpected", added the medical practitioner from Warsaw.

For Renata, the incident apparently has made an impact but then yet she is happy to have faced such horrifying face to face with a dreadful creature.

Both the Polish nationals are leaving today to their country, it is learnt from the Nepal-Poland Friendship Association sources.

Ms. Anna Adhikari, a Polish girl married to a Nepali journalist, also enquired about their health conditions at the Norvic Monday morning.

The NPFA has thanked Dr. Adhikari for his caring love extended to his patients from Poland.

Developed nations politicizing HIV/AIDS issues

Kathmandu: Experts at a two day work-shop on Media and HIV/AIDS organized by Conscious Media Forum concluded that media should report issues on social justice keeping in mind social and economic aspects of HIV/AIDS.

In the program some experts also accused the government for not being able to bring effective programs and strategies to control the HIVAIDS, though it was successful to accumulate funds from donor agencies

Participants agreed that as issues related to HIV/AIDS have been highly politicized it is becoming increasingly difficult to report this burning issue.

Speaking on behalf of the government Dr. Beni Bahadur Karki stressed that media should always play a vital role to fill the gap created in the society by the HIV/AIDS issue.

Speaking on the same occasion country coordinator of the UNAIDS Mr. Michael Hann said that the as the number of HIV/AIDS infected is increasing at a very fast rate Nepalese government should make proper strategy and develop good control mechanism to cope with the problem

Existing policy on HIV/AIDS, adopted by the government is not sufficient enough to face the current situation, said country director of ActionAid Nepal Mr. Sibesh Chandra Regmi.

Chief of the PLWHA Rajiv Kafle blamed the developed countries for making HIV/AIDS related issues highly political for their own benefits.

Health expert Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Dr. Sharad Onta, Senir journalist Mr. Ram Krishna Regmi, FNJ President Mr. Tara Nath Dahal, Mrs. Durga Ghimire of ABC, Nepal, Mr. Prabhu Raj Bhaidya of Yeti Chem also spoke on the occasion.

The program was participated by 50 representatives from main stream media, I/NGO and government sector as well, which was chaired by chairman of Conscious media forum Mr Kiran Pokherel.

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