The American Center donated some 500 books worth $21,000 (Rs 15 lakhs) to nine educational institutions in Kathmandu and around Nepal on Monday.

A press release issued by the American Embassy in Kathmandu said, “The materials are entitled “Essential Readings on America” and will provide English and American Studies students with up-to-date information on American culture, history, literature, and democratic values.”

“With the explosion of interest in American English and American Studies in Nepal, the Embassy wanted to ensure that Nepali students had the best information and resources available to them,” the release quoted Laura Lucas, deputy director of the American Center as saying.

“Though the American Library at the Yak and Yeti has many of these same books, the donation of hundreds of books to the campuses themselves means students will have a variety of resources right attheir fingertips,” Lucas added.

Patan Campus Department of English; Prithivi Narayan Campus Department of English; TU Central Department of English Education TU Central Library; TU Central Department of English; Institute of Advanced Communication Education and Research; Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dang; Butwal Campus, Butwal; and Mahendra Campus, Dharan received those books.

Three campuses also will receive computers from the American Center, the statement adds. nepalnews.com pb Apr 03 06

Head of the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal, Ian Martin, has said peaceful protest is a right (of the citizens) and should be upheld and that security forces should use only absolute minimum force in maintaining the law and order.

Addressing a ‘Face to Face programme’ organized by the Reporters Club in Kathmandu on Monday—three days ahead of major protests planned by the opposition parties, Martin said the right to peaceful assembly should be respected and nobody should be arbitrarily arrested and detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly. “ If we go back to what happened in January, it is our view that both the preemptive arrests that took place on the 19th of January and many of the arrests that then followed, arbitrary detentions were contrary to the Nepali law as the Supreme court found and also contrary to International Human Right standards.”

The further concern, of course, is (that) there should not be the improper and unnecessary use of force, and in particular, use of firearms in context that do no justify that, he said.

Martin further said the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), in this phase of the conflict, had been increasingly targeting urban areas. “They have been making use of civilian buildings, indeed targeting civilian buildings, and I want to stress, particularly how great is the concern of not just OHCHR but the United Nations as a whole and international community at the use of schools and the impact on the schools of this conflict. The fact that urban areas are been targeted means that is where the clashes are taking place and the risk to civilians has become greater,” he added.

In his statment, Martin said the Maoists are also making use of bombs or improvised explosive devices, many of those have been placed in locations where they were likely, or there is serious risk that it would be civilians as well as perhaps members of security forces who will be injured or killed as a result. He strongly deplored the act of placing bombs at the Saraswati Boarding school in Dailekh district last Friday.

“I note, of course that have been a number of denials from spokesperson for Maoists that this was carried out by them, that it was not in accordance with their policy and one of those statements say that there will be a serious investigation by the Maoists and a public report and strong action. But we have been promised investigations before and without there ever being a clear statement as to who was responsible and what action is being taken. So, there must be that serious investigation and we, of course, along with others, will be conducting our own investigation,” said martin.

Among the other concerns about the breeches of international humanitarian law by the Maoists is the continuing use of children within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), he said. “Despite denials that they recruit children under 18, we continue to interview many such children who have been in their ranks. And the continuing abductions of civilians, although I hope we are increasingly able to bring about the release of those civilians who are abducted by the Maoists. We all know that at least one civilian has died in custody, the Deputy Regional Administrator of the Eastern Region, and others continue to be held in circumstances that cause their family great concern,” he added.

Turning in to the response by security forces. one of the things that troubles us most in the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) response is the use of helicopters to fire upon areas where Maoists have allegedly been operating, even more of concern is the dropping of mortar bombs from those helicopters, said Martin. “Such action cannot properly distinguish, as is required by international humanitarian law, between those who are legitimate targets because they are Maoists fighters, and civilians. And most recently of course we have seen the use of helicopters at Thokarpa of Sindhupalchowk, where one villager, an elderly civilian in his 60s, was killed. We are continuing to investigate,” said Martin, adding, “In that particular case, the PLA Maoists army had chosen to hold their event on the premises of the school, so again that falls into the pattern of using schools. But the fact that the Maoists are using schools or school premises, or other civilian buildings, still leaves the RNA with the responsibility of not to choose themselves to target schools or civilian buildings,” he added.

“ I note in fact that the RNA is reported to be taking action against those of its personnel responsible for abuse of civilian population in Kanchanpur district recently. But we are far from seeing the full accountability of RNA personnel and other security forces personnel for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights. Although the RNA, the Police and the Armed Police Force offer statistics as to how many of their personnel have been investigated and disciplined, we are unable to get the kind of information that satisfies us that there are effective investigations and appropriate punishments,” said Martin.

Our office very much shares the widespread public concern at the number of lethal shootings that have taken place by the police and other security forces recently, he said. “From the shooting by the RNA of Umesh Thapa in Dang to the shooting by police of Dayaram Pariyar of NHRC and Ram Chandra Yadav of RPP in Janakpur on the 24th of March, there have been various numbers of cases of shootings by the police and the others. In that situation, what one would want to hear from the Government, from Ministers, is a very strong reminder to the security forces that they must use only minimum force in any law and order situation, and that it is their duty and that of the Government,” said Martin.

Martin then quoted and read some of the international obligations that security forces have and the kind of requirements that he thought the Ministers need to be making clear that they support and expect the security forces to follow. These are parts of what you call Basic Principles of Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. These are not drawn up by human rights activists, these are drawn up and agreed by governments within the framework of United Nations, he said.

“Law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms…

“Whenever the lawful use of force and firearms is unavoidable, law enforcement officials shall: (a) Exercise restraint in such use and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offence and the legitimate objective to be achieved; (b) Minimize damage and injury, and respect and preserve human life…

“Governments shall ensure that arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials is punished as a criminal offence under their law.

“Exceptional circumstances such as internal political instability or any other public emergency may not be invoked to justify any departure from these basic principles…

“In the dispersal of assemblies that are unlawful but non-violent, law enforcement officials shall avoid the use of force or, where this is not practicable, shall restrict such force to the minimum extent necessary.

“In the dispersal of violent assemblies, law enforcement officials may use firearms only when less dangerous means are not practicable and only to the minimum extent necessary…

“Persons affected by the use of force or firearms or their legal representatives shall have access to an independent process, including a judicial process. In the event of the death of such persons, this provision shall apply to their dependants accordingly.

“Governments and law enforcement agencies shall ensure that superior officers are held responsible if they know, or should have known, that law enforcement officials under their command are resorting, or have resorted, to the unlawful use of force and firearms, and they did not take all measures in their power to prevent, suppress or report such use…

“Obedience to superior orders shall be no defence if law enforcement officials knew that an order to use force and firearms resulting in the death or serious injury of a person was manifestly unlawful and had a reasonable opportunity to refuse to follow it. In any case, responsibility also rests on the superiors who gave the unlawful orders.”

Martin deplored that seven of the people arrested before the planned demonstration of January are still, more than two months later, held under the Public Security Act, despite the fact that the Supreme Court has consistently found such detentions to be unlawful. “OHCHR has many concerns about the use of the PSA, as well as of TADO which was due for review yesterday and I regret, though we asked to be consulted on how TADO ought to be in line with human right standards, we have not had opportunity to see the latest draft of TADO that we expect to be issued now,” he said.

“As it is important to prevent further human rights violations in the present, it is also important not to forget those human rights violations of the past. And I think in particular about the need to clarify the fate of those who disappeared in recent years. It is the responsibility of the State not only to clarify the circumstances of those who disappeared in custody, but also to hold accountable those responsible,” said Martin.

Martin also applauded the determination of many journalists to ensure, in particular, that human rights violation are reported. He said his Office would continue to do whatever they could to protect those who may be threatened with victimisation whoever it may be, by Maoists, or State security forces, for their journalistic activity. nepalnews.com by Apr 03 06

Why are the seven political parties accepting the Maoist demand of a constituent assembly in the ruse of establishing full democracy

By Preeti Koirala

The Chaite Dashain is one of the major festivals for all Hindus. In Nepal and in West Bengal, the festival is celebrated in a grand manner similar to the main Dashain festival which falls around October. In conservative households, animal sacrifices are done on that day, while puja is offered to goddess Durga and people throng to the temples in their cities. In Nepal, the day is a declared national holiday. It is on this busy day when devotees have to get up early and clean themselves and their premises, housewives need to prepare for the whole day of puja and the general people need to visit the main Durga temples of Kathmandu that the Maoists have declared a general strike supported by the seven agitating political parties. One does not know why they have chosen this specific Hindu festival to kick off the engine of an agitation that just does not seem to get started.

However, this is not the first time that the Maoists have targeted Hindu festivals and temples so as to “make Nepal secular”. Dozens of temples around the country have been devastated by the Maoists, beef eating has been encouraged amongst its cadres and religious festivals such as Dashain been boycotted in their last one decade of people’s war. For the first time, the once peaceful kingdom in which people of all faiths and religions co-existed have been motivated with the sense of their “identity” as a consequence the Rais and Limbus have been told that they are actually Kirats and Kiratis don’t celebrate Hindu festivals, etc. That the Maoists would want to mess up any existing religious structure whether it is a temple or a culture is well comprehended given the fact of Mao’s red books being for them the ultimate Gita and eliminating the class enemy the only mantra.

But why are the seven political parties, especially the two Nepali Congresses, towing the line of the Maoists whether in the name of flagging off an agitation on the day of Dashain or accepting their demand of a constituent assembly in the ruse of establishing full democracy? This is what reasonable people in Nepal and increasingly here in the United States are failing to understand. Why are the mainstream centrist parties hell bent in shouldering the Maoists whom they themselves declared “terrorists” when they know that if the monarchy and the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) are weakened, it will be themselves that will be the next sure target of the Maoist vandals? Without the monarchy and with a deflated RNA, the political parties will only be able to hold the Maoists for a few weeks if not less. Even with international backing, tremendous support from the free press and the so-called civil society groups, they have not been able to muster strength to bring in a few thousand people in Kathmandu- a city of three million population! How on earth are they going to stop a total Maoist victory once the monarchy and the army are simultaneously undermined inside the Nepali power structure?

The actual raison d’être for this facetious nexus with the insurgents is a virus like infiltration of the Maoists’, their leaders in the guise of human rights workers, lawyers and peace activists, their penetration into the press and obviously their access into the political party’s hierarchy. From the very beginning of the insurgency in 1996, there was rumor that some of the political party’s top bosses have a budding relationship with the Maoist higher command. Home ministers were known to pay regular levy to the Maoists, the opposition party M. Ps were known to request the Maoists to declare bandhs on specific dates so as to pressurize the government while facing no-confidence motions, and cadres of UML have always been having dual loyalty to their mother party; taking up official positions in their VDCs and underneath concurrently collaborating with the Maoists. All this has now been formalized with the infamous 12-point agreement by which obviously the Maoists have gained politically, tactically and purposefully but all that the parties have got is a wrath of the world’s only superpower along with the Nepalis people who don’t believe in a failed ideology of the 19th century which has been dumped even in countries like Russia and China.

It is in this perspective that one must view the up-coming terror warnings of “agitation” and so-called “people’s movement”. If there were no Maoists in Nepal, obviously it could have been called a democracy struggle, but in lieu of the 12-point agreement, and the strike being sponsored both by the seven parties along with the Maoists that it becomes a primary concern for the government and the general people. If the government fails to safeguard the life and property of the people of Kathmandu like the Deuba government on that horrible day on September 1st 2004, then this government has no right to last for a single day. If the state security sits and watches while a mob of gangsters and thugs loot shops, burn tyres, destroy media houses, vandalize two holy mosques in the center of the capital city, then why should the Nepali taxpayers spend their money to run a 150,000 strong state security force? Governments should not hesitate in using force for the collective benefit of the people and this is done by any government of any civilized state. The Maoists are clever in using any opportunity to create havoc and disturb the calm of Kathmandu valley. They will surely try to use this agitation and its dubious “democracy slogan” to their maximum advantage and move on in their ultimate motive of a one-party communist dictatorship. For the long-term benefit of the Nepali people themselves, this agitation must either be postponed by the seven parties or thwarted by the government.

Of course, if the parties scrap their comradeship with the Maoists, they should be given their constitutional privilege for the right of assembly but together with the Maoists, it is like the CPI (M) organizing a joint rally with the PWG and the MCC in Pragati Maidan or the Liberal Democrats making plans of a joint agitation together with the Al Qaeda in Hyde Park. How will President George Bush react if the National Libertarian Party (which is the third largest party in the United States) announces a 12-point agreement with Osama Bin Laden in order to bring the Al Qaeda into the mainstream American politics since a military solution does not seem to be working? The seven political parties of Nepal have forged a working relationship with the Maoists who are declared terrorists and have a red corner Interpol notice, therefore this protest is a danger to national security, democracy and safety of the Nepali people. Just on March 31st they bombarded a school in Dailekh district where students were taking their S.L.C exams, how on earth can the party leaders be hopeful of increased people support for a joint strike called by the same perpetrators a week later? CDOs and LDOs in various districts have either been mercilessly killed or kidnapped and yet the parties appeal for the active participation of civil servants? Isn’t it amazing that the same industrialists and businessmen who have to pay regular ransom to the Maoists are now “humbly requested” to support the united gathering of the ransom takers?

The authorities have meanwhile arrested a few commandos of Maoist Special Taskforce who had entered Kathmandu specially for this agitation. According to officials, those arrested include Narayan GC alias Nirmal, Ram Prasad Sapkota alias Dip Shikha, Iswor Sapkota alias Suman, Sajan Kuwor alias Madhav and Badri Parajuli alias Bidroha. The Nepal Television has telecast their pictures along with their interviews. If the evidence of the Maoist infiltration into this proposed agitation is so blatant and transparent why are the seven parties hell bent in destroying their own motherland and ultimately themselves?

An insurance executive based in the United States, Ms. Koirala writes on contemporary affairs. This article was written before the CPN (Maoist) announced unilateral ceasefire only for the Kathmandu valley. Whether you agree with Ms. Koirala or not, please send your comments to [email protected] or [email protected]– Ed.

(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to [email protected])

His Majesty King Gyanendra, who is in an informal visit of the western development region, visited Palpa district Sunday and acquired information about the state of affairs and security situation in the district.

His Majesty the King offered puja at the famous shrine of Lord Bhairav during the visit.

Following the puja, the monarch visited Tansen, the district headquarter of Palpa, and acquired information about the reconstruction work of the district headquarter, which had suffered heavy damage during overnight Maoist attacks on January 31, this year.

Maoists destroyed historical monuments including Tansen Durbar during the attack.

King Gyanendra walked on foot to see and take stock of the ruined palace gates, its premises and interior parts which housed the District Police Office, the District Development Committee (DDC) office and other government offices. His Majesty also visited the Royal Nepalese Army barracks at Silekhana.

On the occasion, mayor of Tansen municipality, Thatananda Bhattarai briefed His Majesty about the reconstruction works and problems pertaining to water scarcity in the municipality.

His Majesty also listened to the grievances of local people on the occasion.

Their Majesties the King and Queen are staying at the Ratna Mandir at Lakeside, Pokhara, for the last few weeks. They royal couple will stay there for a couple of weeks more and are likely to visit other western districts as well, it is learnt. nepalnews.com pb Apr 02 06

Chief Commissioner of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Surya Nath Upadhyay, has said corruption has thrived in the country due to what he called non-transparent assistance from donors.

Speaking at an interaction on controlling corruption in the Capital on Sunday, Upadhyay said certain donors were also responsible for increasing corruption since they did not maintain transparency and provided assistance on their own terms. He did not name them.

“The country is forced to accept the assistance as desired by the donors irrespective of its actual need. This is the main cause behind corruption in the country,” Upadhyay added.

He accused the donor agencies of putting “unhealthy conditions” while providing donations. He said the CIAA had rejected many proposals from various international agencies as they had put such conditions.

However, stating that CIAA was also receiving assistance from some donors, he quickly added that they were free to discontinue the assistance if they don’t feel they are having their ways, adding, “This will not handicap the Commission.”

The chief of the anti-corruption watchdog also admitted that anti-corruption laws were not sufficient and coordination among concerned agencies was also lacking.

He also said other institutions like the Revenue Investigation Department and others, which can play an important role in fighting corruption, have failed to use their authority to control corruption.

Presenting a working paper on the occasion, joint secretary at the Finance Ministry, Laxman Kumar Pokhrel, stated that ethical behaviour could be more effective than mere legislation in combating corruption.

Other participants of the programme stressed on better coordination among concerned bodies to fight the problem of graft. nepalnews.com pb Apr 02 06

Former Prime Minister and president of Nepali Congress, Girija Prasad Koirala, has said prospect of dialogue with the king has not been not exhausted yet.

In an interview with the BBC Nepali Service on Sunday, Koirala said prospect of dialogue would never be exhausted. “But the initiative must come from the king,” he added.

“This movement aims at returning people’s power back to them.. That is the bottomline,” he declared.

Koirala claimed that most of the actions of the king had failed and that there was a huge gap between the king and the Nepali people.

Koirala, who is the seniormost leader of the Seven Party Alliance (SPA)—that is launching nationwide agitation against the 14-month-old direct rule of the king—refuted allegations that the alliance was collaborating with the CPN (Maoist) whom they had declared ‘terrorists’ while in power. “It is the duty of a democratic force to bring the non-democratic force into the democratic constitutional framework. That’s what we are doing.”

Saying that international community, too, said that there was no military solution to the problem of insurgency and that there was a political solution only, “then when we are trying for a political solution, why is there such a hue and cry?” asked Koirala.

Responding to a query, Mr. Koirala said he was of the view that the continuity of the history should not be broken. “If that happens, it will give rise to a cycle of destabilisation,” said Koirala. “What we want is to activate the present constitution, reinstate parliament, form an all-party government, hold dialogue with the rebels and move all the way to the constituent assembly. If we break the continuity of the history, the identity of democracy will also finish off,” he added.

Koirala further said as soon as the parliament is reinstated, the king will also be part of it. “Then we will have a permanent solution. The problem (we are in today) can’t be resolved in a piecemeal basis,” he added.

The octogenarian leader said he had the conviction that the Maoists would join mainstream. “This is my attempt. The country would not fail even if I, an individual, fail. But if we succeed, it will set an example that the problem (of armed rebellion) could be resolved through dialogue,” he added.

Responding to a query by Sushil Sharma of the BBC, Koirala said if the king created a conducive environment for talks and wanted to move in a new way, a solution could be found.

“The condition (for talks) is that he must return to the previous situation (pre-October 2002). Then the talks could be held and the king could also be safe,” he added. When asked if he had some channel of communication open with the king, the veteran politician said it’s been sixteen months that he hadn’t met the king. “ I don’t have any informal channel of communication (with the palace),” he added.

Koirala said the nationwide agitation being launched by the SPA was also an attempt for reconciliation among the king, democratic forces and the Maoists. This agitation is going on under the framework of four basic principles, namely the end of autocracy, peace, framework of democracy and independent, sovereign and prosperous Nepal. “This movement is moving ahead based on these principles and I am holding dialogue with the international community as well as the Maoists based on these very principles,” he added.

In response to another question, Koirala clarified that his party had not gone for a republic as yet. “We are for a ceremonial king,” he said. He, however, alleged that unlike late king Birendra, the present king had failed to grasp the flow and pace of time. There are two waves in the country now—one of republican and the other of democracy. “If the king fails to grasp the situation, both the waves could become one. The king should take initiative before that,” he added.

“If the king doesn’t understand (the gravity of) the situation, I am not sure whether Lord Pashupatinath or somebody else would come for the rescue (of the monarchy),” he concluded. nepalnews.com by Apr 02 06

A regional bureau of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has said explosion caused at school premises in the mid-western district of Dailekh last week was against the party’s policy.

In a statement issued on Sunday, in-charge of the Bheri-Karnali regional bureau of the CPN (M) Prakanda alias Khadga Bahadur B. K. said attacking educational institutions was against his party’s policy and that the regional bureau had not made any plans to cause explosion within the school premises.

Saying that the incident could be part of a conspiracy, Prakanda said the regional bureau would conduct a serious investigation into the incident, make public report of the findings and strong action would be taken against the culprit.

Similarly, president of Maoist affiliated student wing, ANNFSU (Revolutionary), Lekhnath Neupane, has also clarified that bombing of educational institutions is against the policy of the student body. Reports said he had called journalists in the mid-western town of Nepalgunj to make public his views.

On Friday, at least seven students and an invigilator were injured when a bomb exploded within the school premises of Saraswoti Secondary School in Dailekh. Over 200 students were taking SLC exams when the explosion took place.

UNICEF, child rights groups and political parties condemned the incident and blamed the Maoist for explosion. They also called upon the rebels not to repeat such incidences in future.

Meanwhile, a group of human rights activists reached Dailekh on Sunday and conducted on-the-spot study of the incident. A member of the investigation team said students were still terrified due to Friday’s incident and that their parents had arrived from neighbouring VDCs to take stock of their wards. nepalnews.com by Apr 02 06

The Maoists abducted 56 civilians from different parts of the country in recent days, a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Saturday said.

The statement said Maoists abducted 50 youths from Joginure and Lamachour area of Kaski district on 31st March and took them to an undisclosed location.

Likewise, Maoists abducted Police Inspector Raj Kumar Kheuju, head constable Megh Nath Ghimire and Shyam Krishna Khatiwada and Kedar Pudasaini of Hetauda-9, from Biruwapur area of Parsa district on 29th March.

The statement further said Maoists abducted Mahesh Tamata of Gaddachauki area of Mahandranagar municipality and Min Bahadur Shahim, a teacher of Manma area of Kalikot district on 27th and 25th March respectively. nepalnews.com pb Apr 02 06

The weekly index of Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) continued its downward trend registering a 0.47 point loss over the week due to the decline in the index of commercial banks.

The Nepse index, 337.99 points on Sunday, the first day of the weekly trading closed at 337.52 points on Thursday, the last day for trading under the regular lot.

The Nepse index declined for the second consecutive week. The Nepse index declined by 0.90 points the previous week.

A total of 224,235 shares worth Rs 75.04 million were traded over the week. A total of 217,182 shares worth Rs 92.7 million were traded during the previous week.

Commercial banks, trading, development bank groups posted loss over the week, while, insurance, finance, hotel and others groups saw some rise in the Nepse index.

The index of commercial banks registered a decline of 2.02 points lowering its index to 374.90 points, from 376.92 points. Likewise, the trading group saw a steady loss of 6.2 points, lowering its index to 141.29 points from 147.54 points. The indices of development banks group decreased to 272.71 points, down from 273.48 points.

However, insurance and finance groups registered rises of 2.7 points and 1.12 points respectively reaching their indices to 344.19 points and 246.71 points, up from 341.49 points and 245.59 points.

The index of the others group reached 338.79, up from 326.81 points. Hotels group saw a marginal growth, with its index rising to 182.88 points from 181.54 points.

Like the previous weeks, the commercial bank group continued to dominate the floor of Nepal stock exchange capturing 73.11 percent market share.

The finance group took 21.08 percent share. Insurance group made up 3.39 percent share, followed by trading group with 1.14 percent share. nepalnews.com pb Apr 02 06

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Paras and Crown Princess Himani are in UAE in connection with their unofficial visit of UAE.

Their Royal Highnesses arrived in UAE on Friday after completing an official visit to Austria and an unofficial visit to France.

Charge D’ Affairs of Nepal to UAE, Madhuban Prasad Poudel and high-ranking official of the Foreign Ministry of UAE Mohammed Al Subaidi welcomed Their Royal Highnesses at the Dubai International Airport upon their arrival.

Foreign minister Ramesh Nath Pandey is also accompanying the royal entourage.

Earlier Crown Prince Paras graced the reception hosted in his honour by the Royal Nepalese Ambassador to France Prajjwolla Shumsher JB Rana on 30th March.

The Crown Prince granted audience to ambassadors of SAARC countries in France, other ambassadors of various countries and the members of the National Assembly, the lower house of France.

Their Royal Highnesses had left for Vienna, capital of the Republic of Austria at the invitation of Wolfgang Schusel, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria on March 19.

Their Royal Highnesses are expected to return home tomorrow. nepalnews.com pb Apr 02 06