US ambassador James F Moriarty held separate meetings with Home Minister Kamal Thapa, who leads a breakaway faction of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and RPP Chairman Pashupati Shumsher Rana, Friday.

Thapa didn’t disclose details of the meeting, according to reports.

A press statement issued by the RPP said the duo discussed the current situation of the country.

Meanwhile, Chief of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal, Ian Martin, also met Rana on Friday.

The RPP statement further said the duo discussed about the deteriorating security situation of the country. nepalnews.com pb Apr 01 06

Tashi Lake Sherpa, 19, of Makalu VDC in Solukhumbu district made a resolve Friday to get his name registered in the Guinness Book of the World Record by choosing to release his new album ‘Sherpini Kancchi’ at the top of Mt. Everest.

Sherpa is making his third attempt on Everest without oxygen. He will set out on his arduous climb on Sunday, said state run The Rising Nepal daily.

”I have resolved to make it to the top of Everest without oxygen to pray for the restoration of peace across the country,” he said at a programme organised in the capital on Friday.

He said that releasing an album at the top of Everest or atop other mountains is something rare, which he is keenly looking forward to accomplish.

Sherpa has already scaled Everest without using oxygen in 2004 and 2005.

Minister without portfolio, Buddhi Raj Bajracharya handed over the national flag to Sherpa to hoist it at the top of Everest. Sherpa is climbing Everest from the Southern side. nepalnews.com pb Apr 01 06

A field report prepared by the Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Coordination Committee held Maoists and security personnel responsible in the Sindhupalchowk incident and criticised both the sides (government and the Maoists) for violating human rights and international humanitarian laws during the incident.

A civilian and two Maoists were killed in the aerial attack carried out by Royal Nepalese Army in a programme of Maoists.

The committee, following its on-the-spot investigation of the March 27 attack, said a 63-year-old civilian, Bam Bahadur Khatri, resident of Thokarpa VDC-4, was killed in the aerial attack by the Royal Nepalese Army aimed at foiling Maoists’ programme.

The attack had targeted the Bhagbhairab Higher Secondary School, where 500 Maoists and civilians had gathered.

The report criticised the Maoists for using civilians’ houses and property as a shield during the attack by ignoring the safety of the non-combatant people. It also condemned the Maoists for forcing the civilians to participate in their programme despite being aware of the dangers involved.

The committee demanded that the government provide immediate compensation to the victims’ families and urged both the government and the Maoists to abide by international humanitarian laws and human rights principles. nepalnews.com pb Apr 01 06

Eleven examinees and an invigilator were injured in a bomb explosion that occurred while the students were taking SLC Social Education examination at an exam centre in Narayan Municipality-9, Dailekh district, Friday morning.

The exam has been put off to April 7 after the blast.

Office of Controller of Examination has okayed the decision to put off the exam. The District Examination Committee said the remaining exams will now be conducted in Sunrise Boarding School.

As many as 204 examinees were appearing for tests in Saraswoti Secondary School at Jhupresal Tartang in Dailekh Bazaar when the blast rocked the centre at 8:30 a.m.

The school building incurred some damage due to the explosion.

The bomb was planted outside Room No 8 of the school.

Many students fainted out of fear after the blast, reports quoted Regional Administrator of mid western region, Mrigendra Prasad Yadav as saying.

According to the police, condition of examinees Hima Gautam, Chandra Kumari Panta, Shanti Kumari Panta, Uma GC, Urmila Sharukh and invigilator Gopal GC was critical and they have been admitted to Dailekh District Hospital for treatment.

The security forces misbehaved with the journalists who reached the blast site and warned them not to report the news.

Students chanted slogans against the Maoists after the incident.

Meanwhile various rights organizations have condemned the incident and urged all conflicting parties “to respect examination sites as safe and peaceful areas where there are no disturbances.”

There is no word from the rebels about the incident.

Maoists exploded the bomb violating their commitment not to target exam centres. Earlier issuing a press statement, the student wing of the Maoists, All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) appealed to all to make the environment conducive for the smooth running of the SLC examinations.

The ANNISU-R has also asked human rights activists, civil society, journalists and stake holders to directly monitor the exams. nepalnews.com pb Apr 01 06

One civilian was killed and eight others injured when a gang of armed looters opened indiscriminate firing at Gobaraiya of Raghunathpur-5, in Mahottari district on Thursday night.

A local Ramdayal Mandal Khatwe, was killed when he retaliated against the gang as they were looting houses, according to reports.

The group of 20 robbers looted cash and valuables worth at least 700,000 rupees from eight houses in the village.

Meanwhile, in Chitwan, an armed gang looted cash and valuables worth millions of rupees from 11 houses at Madhavpur of Ratna Nagar municipality-12 on Thursday night.

The gang also terrorized locals the whole night exploding bombs and opening fire.

At least half-a-dozen locals were injured while retaliating against robbers as the latter were forcefully entering houses. nepalnews.com pb Apr 01 06

Maoists’ main aim is to grab power through violence and by using terror tactics

By Rahul Thapa

Nepal is facing the worst time in the form of terrorism. Terrorism has reached its peak in recent times. On an average two people are killed everyday in the violence perpetrated by the Maoists. And, sadly some political parties have become puppets and joined hands with Maoists leaders.

Last week, an Indian news and current affairs channel AAJ TAK showed a news story regarding preparation and training of Maoists cadres. Many young people including young boys and girls — were showed by the channel receiving armed training. They were equipped with sophisticated arms including self-loading, AK 47 and 56 rifles.

Now the question arises, how these arms reached and are reaching the Maoist outfit in Nepal. Nepal doesn’t manufacture arms. Naturally, these arms are being smuggled into Nepal through the porous borders of our neighboring country. Recently a truck loaded with explosives worth crores of rupees was seized. According to the authorities, the explosives were meant for use by the Maoists.

Recently, Home Minister Kamal Thapa categorically said that the Maoists are receiving their arms and explosives from a friendly neighboring country. The authorities also claimed that it looked that the explosive seized from the truck directly came out of a factory. The minister also claimed that the explosives used in the attack on Army post in Ilam recently had also come in from that friendly nation.

Here the question arises what is the cost of running such a huge movement of terrorism and from whom the Maoists are getting money to run their terrorist activity or how Maoists are collecting money?

Nepali Maoists are proudly claiming that they are a 40,000-strong outfit. They also claim that they are equipped with sophisticated arms, including SLRs, AK-47 and AK-56 rifles, automatic machine guns and anti-aircraft guns.

To run a militant organisation of such a strong outfit lakhs of rupees are required everyday for their cadres’ food and lodging. They also need crores of rupees for procuring arms. Naturally, such underground outfits procure arms and ammunition from the greymarket, which costs more than the actually price of such arms and ammunition.

Suppose Maoists rebels are spending fifty rupees on each cadre on their food and lodge alone every day. That means they need at least Rs. 20 lakh alone per day for that purpose. It comes to Rs. 6 crores a month and Rs. 72 crores a year.

Apart from that they are procuring a huge quantity of arms and ammunition to fight against the trained personnel of Royal Nepalese Army. According to a rough estimate, it would cost not less than Rs. 60-75 crores a year. We should not forgot that the Maoists are concentrated mainly in the far-flung areas with tough terrain.

It means the Maoists need a minimum of Rs. 125 to Rs. 150 crores every year to sustain and run their movement, which they claim they are fighting for the people of Nepal. They say they are fighting to bring democracy in the country. Is that true?

What the Maoists are doing? They are looting banks, collecting taxes from hapless people, forcing poor farmers to donate food grains. If innocent people are not heeding their dictates, Maoists are gunning them down. Hundreds of people have lost their lives at the hands of those who claimed that they are fighting for protecting their rights.

People are aware of the fact that the Maoists are collecting “taxes” from businessmen, factory-owners, and even small shopkeepers. They are also collecting money even from small farmers, milk vendors and vegetable growers.

The Maoists are kidnapping young boys and girls from villages and forcing them to join their cadres. People are so afraid of Maoists that parents are asking their young children to leave villages. In some of the areas with large Maoist presence and influence, one can find villages without young people. Parents send their children over the age of 14 to safer places. In some villages one can found only older people being looked after by very young kids.

Apart from using terror tactics to collect money, the Maoists have their other hidden agenda also. They are using people as human shields in most of their attacks on police or Army posts to minimize casualty. If some innocent persons are killed in the cross fire, the Maoists put the entire blame on the Army or police personnel. Media and human rights activists in such cases severely criticize the government and especially the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) for the killing of innocent persons, ignoring the design of the Maoists for using people as human shield. They should know the actual aim and design of the Maoists — it is to minimize their loss and create hatred in the minds of the citizens against the security force and the government.

Earlier, the Maoists were using terror tactics against the relations of Army personnel. Maoists were asking them either force their wards to leave the Armed force or leave their villages. Some villagers, whose children or relations are serving with the RNA or police force, had abandoned their villages and houses. However, nowadays Maoists have adopted a new tactic. Instead of threatening people and trying to brainwash them in the hope that they will ask their ward to leave the RNA or the police force. However, the Maoists are finding little success in this as people are so afraid to return to their villages.

Thousands of innocent people have already lost their lives from the bullets of Maoists which they had procured from the money collected forcibly. The Maoists’ main aim is to grab power only through violence and by using terror tactics.

What will happen if such violent people are able to grab power? They will kill more and more innocent people who will raise voice against them as they are doing now. We should be vigilant against such elements in our society as terror has no place in the world or in a democracy.

A freelance journalist, Thapa writes on strategic issues. Nepalnews believes in variety of opinion and doesn’t necessarily subscribe to the views expressed by Guest Writers. Please send your comments to [email protected] or [email protected]

(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])

With the dismissal of elected government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba in October 4, 2002 and postponement of the elections of the House of Representatives, Nepal ’s political crisis had entered into a new phase with deepening political crisis widening the gap between country’s major political forces – monarchy and organized political parties. In absence of elected parliament, the power has centralized to the King resulting in the experiments of various forms of nominated unaccountable governments in the last four years. The February 1, 2005 resulted in the rise of extreme rightists and extremist communists in the center-stage of politics concentrating more power in the hands of the King. As the elections of parliament is the only way to transfer the power from the King to the people, political forces must agree to hold credible elections so that people are made powerful and the king is made powerless but with full prestige

By KESHAB POUDEL

Leaders of opposition political parties are pressing King Gyanendra to transfer the power he retained following the dissolution of House of Representatives and dismissal of the elected government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba in October 4, 2002 and new step taken on February 1, 2005 .

The King stepped in the politics in a vacuum of power in the parliament but political parties are yet to accept the fact that holding a credible election of parliament is the only way out to transfer power to the people.

Following the dismissal of the elected government led by Deuba on the ground of its inability to hold the elections of the House of Representatives on schedule, the power has shifted from the parliament to the King – who is now exercising extraordinary constitutional power appointing the governments on his own wish. In the last four years, the King has already experimented with four governments. As long as the parliament is not reconvened through the fresh elections, the King will continue to exercise similar power in future.

“The way out of the present political stalemate is to have the parliament with all the legitimate powers that the constitution has provided. If the election is held, all these powers which the King has been exercising for the last four years will automatically shift to the parliament and the King will remain ceremonial as the constitution has prescribed,” said a political analyst.

The question is how to convene the parliament then. The valid way to convene the parliament is through the elections or through reinstatement by the King as ad-hoc temporary measure. Without holding the elections, however, one cannot have the parliament with the backing of the common people – but political parties are not yet in a mood to participate for elections.

Unnecessary Deadlock

Although the leaders of organized political parties are demanding the transfer of power to the people, their arguments do not give any reason to believe that they are genuinely concerned for such transfer. Had they really been interested to strengthen the power of people, they should accept the challenge of holding the elections of parliament.

Instead of convening the parliament with sole aim of transferring power to the people, political leaders are demanding the reinstatement of House of Representatives to pave the way for holding the elections of Constituent Assembly – which, they claim, will decide the fate of monarchy. By pressing such demands, the leaders of organized political parties are serving the interest of extremists even as the King delays the process transfer of power.

“There is no question to take part in the elections held by the government nominated by the King,” said vice president of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala. “Only through the holding of elections for Constituent Assembly by the reinstated parliament can provide the way out of present political crisis,” said Koirala. “The new constituent assembly will decide the fate of everything including monarchy.”

Even his party boss and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, whose commitment to make people powerful is unquestionable, is pushing unrealistic demands toeing lines of junior Koirala.

Koirala’s statement is creating more political trouble extending the tenure of first vice chairman Dr. Giri and his team. “How could the King reinstate the parliament in accordance with the advice of Koirala duo which will ultimately decide his own fate?” asked an analyst. “This is sheer foolishness.”

So far as the reinstatement of parliament is concerned, it could be a short and stopgap political arrangement only with a certain goal. Such parliament will not have the same support from the people as previous and, therefore, it will not have the similar strength as elected parliament. Any political arrangement made under the discretion of the King will not have the same legitimacy and command the same respect as elected parliament.

If there is a broad agreement, such (reinstated) parliament could be used to find out a leader to form an ad-hoc government to hold an election of parliament on a schedule agreed by all. Beyond that this kind of reinstatement of parliament would not be considered as the true and up-to-date opinion reflections of the people.

At a time when political parties are launching the agitation aligning with Maoists and King Gyanendra is leading the government consisting of all previous extremists hardliners of erstwhile Panchayat period, the possibility to develop political understanding is very deem. First of all, leaders of political parties must change their present uncompromising stand and speak the political language with due respects to the institution of monarchy. These kinds of attitude will force hardliners in King’s camp to change their tone.

“If political parties will not break their alliance with Maoist, we will deal them as par with the Maoists,” said Home minister Kamal Thapa, whose recent statement is also causing more harm to the process of reconciliation. Thapa, who is a cool and calculating politician – has a personal history of playing a crucial role in destabilization of political process in Nepal . In between 1995-1996, he was a major player pulling three coalition governments out of power including two governments led by former prime ministers Lokendra Bahadur Chand and Surya Bahadur Thapa. “Revival of House of Representatives is impossible and seven parties are guided by foreign influence,” he said last week.

Thanks to Home Minister Thapa, there are now three factions in the pro-monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Just a year ago, home minister Thapa provoked RPP leadership in the extent to destabilize the government of Surya Bahadur Thapa paving the way for the first split. Finally, a few months ago home minister Thapa broke RPP taking a faction of leaders and workers with him. Thapa’s action neither strengthens the base of monarchy nor helps to stabilize political process.

“First vice chairman Dr. Tulsi Giri and home minister Kamal Thapa are hatching dangerous conspiracy against all political parties preventing the possibility of reconciliation between the King and the political parties,” said RPP leader Pashupati Shumsher Rana in an interaction organized by Reporter’s Club.

For the reinstatement also, a political understanding is needed between the King and the political parties of the previous parliament. As insisted by Nepal ’s foreign friends, reconciliation is the urgent need of the country. And this only can make the King as respectable and non-controversial as the constitution has perceived – powerless as it has made him.

“As long as this interim gap continues like the present one, extremists and opportunists of extreme ends will have a louder voice whether it is in the street or it is in the government. Extremism is in nobody’s interest. It is not in the interest of the King nor it is in the interest of Army as both these institutions need cover and protection of popular institutions like the parliament and the government accountable to it,” said an analyst. “Once the parliament convenes, the King will be without power but with enormous respect. To make him powerless, why couldn’t there be a national consensus to hold the elections within three months if not in three weeks.”

Thanks to the extremists in the opposition political camp, first vice chairman Dr. Tulsi Giri, who is known for his well homework and analytical capability, and home minister Thapa have ample reasons to rejoice as they will easily confuse the King by interpreting the statements of political leaders.

Even in recent public gathering of media persons, Dr. Giri gave wrong prescription without showing the positive side of the first phase of functional constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy when three national elections and two local elections were successfully held.

“King Gyanendra is wrongly advised by first vice chairman Dr. Giri that the reconciliation between the King and political parties will not solve the present crisis citing the previous phase of cordial relationship between the King and the political parties when Maoist insurgency was launched. Dr. Giri overlooks a fact that the institution of monarchy was not at frontal attack both internally and externally then. Slogans were directed against prime ministers and political networks of the prime minister were there to explain to the people at the grass root all over the country. Now the situation has changed. Persons like Dr. Giri, Thapa and Tanka Dhakal, who have been making every accusation against the leaders of organized political parties – are not currently under attack as the King himself has to face that. Previously, prime ministers were there as shields in defense of the King,” added the political analyst.

Of course, Maoist problem was there but constitution or monarchy were not in controversy. There was no single session in the parliament that debated against the constitution and constitutional monarchy. Dr. Giri -a person who was for a long time in political hibernation in India – is unaware of that situation.

One of the senior most civil servants working with B.P. Koirala and Dr. Tulsi Giri has recently made his observation on Dr. Giri. “Dr. Tulsi Giri, who was very close to B.P. Koirala used to say that I am ready to follow Sandaju (B.P) up to the ditch but I will not accompany him inside the ditch,” observed Kumar Mani Dixit, who served as secretary to prime minister B.P. Koirala in 1960. “Even King Mahendra told his son Birendra never to appoint Tulsi Giri as a prime minister. But, he was active from the reign of King Birendra to King Gyanendra.” (See Kantipur 25 March, 2006 )

Elections of Parliament

The past four years of experiences have shown that lack of parliament is the source of all political problems giving role to conspirators, opportunists and unaccountable people in the corridors of power. Interestingly, the leaders of political parties – who are supposed to play role in parliament – seem to be in no mood to shorten this interim gap.

“There must be a parliament and the election of the parliament is only way out to settle the political problem. To hold the elections, a conducive atmosphere for the participation of all political parties should be created,” said former attorney general and senior advocate Motikazi Sthapit, who had served three prime ministers continuously after the promulgation of the constitution.

“Only through the parliament, the power will be transferred to people,” said Sthapit who has given his opinion on several controversial matters including in the Mallik Commission Report. Instead of taking the notice of populist side, which demanded severe punishments to those high-level officials and politicians (many ministers in present government) indicted by the Commission, senior advocate Sthapit was the person to advise the King as well as prime minister what the law was.

Although institution of monarchy- which is the factor of stability and national independence – shares many common interest with liberal democratic parties, both the institutions are yet to start negotiations on the basis of their common interest.

“We need to start the negotiations so that the process of activation of constitution will begin and elections of parliament are possible,” said Nepali Congress Shailaja Acharya. “Our party is centrist party and we must maintain equidistance with communists and rightists.”

Extremists are not a dependable friend of monarchy and liberal political parties but both of them are currently trapped in the vicious circle of extremism pushing the country into unstable and more anarchical phase.

The recent political development of Thailand proves wrong the arguments given by extremist monarchists that a constitutional monarch is weak and it does not have any political role to play. Despite no constitutional power, how the monarchy in Thailand is regarded as a respected and influential institution at the time of crisis, gives ample evidence of this fact.

When parliament was functional and there was conflict among political parties, they all eyed the role of the King. There are many instances in the past when political leaders expected some role from the King in ending the political stalemates.

Under the active monarchy and without shield of parliament, all political forces have weakened. The King is compelled to appoint rightist extremists in his cabinet and liberal democratic forces are compelled to align with extremist communists. King Gyanendra and leaders of liberal democratic parties know that extremists are not serving their interests but they have no immediate option as both of them heavily rely on them.

“Our party is heading towards the wrong way siding with the communists,” said Shailaja Acharya. “As a centrist party, we were effective in our own space,” said Acharya.

More the extremists are given the roles to play; more it will prolong the life of ad-hoc arrangement like the present one weakening all internal political forces. Whether it is for reconciliation or transfer of power, the parliament is necessary. If there emerge political understanding between monarch and political parties, nothing is impossible including the revival of the House for temporary purpose to form a government to hold the fresh elections or holding the elections under a credible government without reinstatement the previous one.

“The best way to settle the present political crisis is to hold the elections for the House of Representatives by forming all party government representing the previous parliament. The time is running out and the King must reach out to the political parties,” said RPP chairman Rana. “Only new elected parliament will have the mandate to run the country towards any direction.”

For this Nepali Congress leadership, in particular, and seven party alliance, in general, too, have to change their tone and stand to pave the way for negotiations. The King also must direct his nominated ministers not to go beyond the limit by engaging in provocations and incitements.

“The reconciliation between the King and the political parties is necessary to bring the peace in the country and to hold the elections,” said second vice chairman Kirtinidhi Bista. At a time when his entire cabinet colleagues are speaking the provocative statements, Bista’s language of reconciliation, too, is meaningful.

Whether one likes it or not, the present political crisis is the result of lack of elected parliament. Once the election is held for parliament with credible arrangements, the power will automatically shift from the King to the people. The only way to weaken the King requires a functional parliament.

Courtesy : Spotlight

The AFC Challenge Cup is the latest in the portfolio of prestigious AFC competitions, dedicated to national teams of Asian emerging countries. The inaugural competition, to be played in Dhaka and Chittagong from April 1-16, represents a tremendous opportunity for teams to experience participation in a continental sporting event and the possibility to win a prestigious AFC trophy. Nepal is in Group B with Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Brunei. Sixteen nations in four groupings are playing the tournament.

As part of their preparation, the Nepali national team visited Kolkata, India to acclimatize to the Bangladeshi weather and playing standard where they defeated three Indian teams including East Bengal. The team is leaving for Chittagong, Bangladesh today.

A superlative coach, Shyam Thapa, who had coached Indian giants East Bengal and the Indian Youth team in the late 70s and 90s, is all set to bring glory by reaching the finals of AFC Challenge Cup to be held in Dhaka, Chittagong from April 1-16. Coach Thapa, who was also member of the Indian team that won the bronze medal in 1970 Asian Cup, Bangkok, knows the task isn’t easy. Limited choices, short of training days and injuries to some key players are the main headaches for Thapa. Nonetheless, he is sure to cross first obstacle beating all three (Bhutan, Brunei and Sri Lanka) teams in the Group.

Nepal football coach Shyam Thapa

Nepal football coach Shyam Thapa
Nepalnews caught up with Shyam Thapa before the team left for Bangladesh and talked about the team’s tactics, preparation and hopes that somehow can erase the hullabaloo of latest performance in SAFF Championship 2005.

Excerpts from the talk:

How do you find the condition of the Nepalese side after you took charge?

Well, I have been working with Nepalese football for three years and I know everything about each and every player. But, limited choices, injury and short of training days may hinder our way. But, I can assure you that, after my helm, the boys have improved a lot and ready to play the first edition of the AFC Challenge Cup.

After coming out with fruitful results in youth football, you are being categorized as a successful coach. Do you think that ANFA has respected your work appointing you as a head coach?

I think so. We worked hard during the youth football tournament and achieved good results. We fought hard against Japan, defeated Vietnam and unfortunately lost to Malaysia in AFC U-19 Cup 2005. We performed well in the AFC U-19 qualifying round 2006. That’s why I couldn’t turn away accepting challenges. I am sure we will do our best in the AFC Challenge Cup.

The AFC Challenge Cup is knocking at the door and ANFA has already selected players for the tournament. Are you confident with your boys on achieving excellent results?

Had some of our players not been suffering from various injuries, we could have had a very strong side. But the current squad can tackle any obstacles during the tournament as we have perfect blend of experienced and rookie players. I am fully confident with my boys for ‘mouth-watering results’.

Who are your lethal weapons for the tournament?

As I told you before, we are leaving Nepal without four of our first team players; Janak Singh, Rakesh Shrestha, Pralaya Rajbhandari and Upendra Man Singh (retired), but fresh blood that are included in the team can fulfill their void. Our rookie players are ready for any challenge. So, I think a perfect blend of experienced and young players is the main lethal weapon. Some young players like Pradeep Maharjan, Bijaya Maharjan, Vishan Gauchan, Surendra Tamang and Basanta Thapa are also the key players for us.

How do you analyze the opponent’s vigor?

I think, we are in one of the easier Groups. We know about Bhutanese football and a little bit about Sri Lanka. We had defeated Bhutan in all meetings in the senior level but we are totally unaware about Brunei football though they are ranked below us in the FIFA ranking. We will defeat all of them to get to the second round berth.

Will three friendly matches in India provide Nepalese team a big boost?

Yes, definitely. We have set three friendly matches against East Bengal, Mohun Bagan amd Mohammedan Sporting Club in Kolkata, India. I am sure the boys will learn a lot during those matches. (Note: Nepal ended up playing and defeating Indian powerhouse East Bengal 2-1, Sports Authority of India 1-0 and East Bengal U-19 2-0)

Are you sure about reaching the final stage of the AFC Challenge Cup?

Yes, that’s for sure. We are eying the final berth. We also know the task isn’t trouble free. The boys are ready to erase the hullabaloo performances of SAFF Championship 2005. So, all are ready to give a surprise.

Best of luck

Thank you so much.

What coaches (Shyam Thapa, Dhruba KC and Maheshowr Mulmi) say about the players:

Goal keepers:

Bikash Malla

Plus: aerobically agile, good judgment, commanding, experience
Minus: silly goals due to loose grip, height

Ritesh Thapa

Plus: experience, good judgment
Minus: shooting (power), height

Surendra Lal Shrestha

Plus: height, shooting
Minus: inexperience

Defense:

Lok Bandu Gurung

Plus: good vision, shooting, free-kick
Minus: height, un-necessary dribbling

Sagar Thapa

Plus: speed, shooting
Minus: less vision, aggressive

Nabin Neupane

Plus: shooting, versatile
Minus: slow, height

Anjan KC

Plus: shooting, free-kick
Minus: physical strength, slow

Tashi Tsering

Plus: height, shooting, versatile
Minus: consistency

Ram Kumar Biswash

Plus: height, heading, shooting
Minus: technique, foot work

Suman Subedi

Plus: attacking, height
Minus: foot work, techniques

Mid Field:

Bijaya Gurung

Plus: skill
Minus: physical strength

Vishan Gauchan

Plus: good vision, skill, consistency
Minus: shooting, height

Rajesh Shahi

Plus: playmaker
Minus: slow, shooting

Raju Tamang

Plus: playmaker
Minus: physical strength, slow

Predeep Maharjan

Plus: height, shooting, accuracy, speed
Minus: consistency

Hari Khadka

Plus: experience, good vision and commanding
Minus: (injury)

Forward:

Basanta Thapa

Plus: accuracy, shooting, physics, heading
Minus: footwork

Ramesh Budhathoki

Plus: speed, power
Minus: height, techniques

Jumanu Rai

Plus: attacking, speed
Minus: height, accuracy

Surendra Tamang

Plus: shooting, speed, scoring
Minus: selfishness, over carry

Overall, it remains to see, whether the Nepalese warriors perform well or not. Can they break the jinx of bitter performances abroad? Hopefully, they can and they will!

At a time when economists have been saying that the economy of the country is passing through a very difficult turn, a senior government official has said that going by the current trend, it will be difficult for the government to meet the revenue target in the current fiscal year.

Making public the half-yearly report on ‘Current Macroeconomic Situation’, Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Bijaya Nath Bhattrai said that overall revenue mobilization of the government grew by a meagre 5.7 percent to Rs 31.6 billion in the first six months, whereas the budgetary target was to achieve 14 percent growth in 2005/06, according to reports.

The report says that non-tax revenue decreased by 12.1 percent to Rs 4.95 billion from Rs 5.6 billion of the same period last year.

Furthermore, revenue collection from customs recorded a decline of 5.8 percent and stood at Rs 7.025 billion during the period. It was Rs 7.4 billion in the same period last year.

According to the report, inflation based on consumer price index grew by seven percent during the period, as compared to 4.6 percent of the same period last year.

The report portrays similar picture on the foreign trade situation. According to the report, the trade deficit soared by 27.1 percent to Rs 55.4 billion.

The trade dependency with India increased further during the period. Of the total exports, Indian trade accounted for 69.5 percent, while imports from India made up 61.8 percent.

The overall imports of the country during the period rose by 22.5 percent to Rs 87.91 billion, whereas the export inched up by 15.1 percent to touch Rs 32.50 billion.

The growth in domestic credit declined to 4.3 percent in the current fiscal compared to a growth of 5.7 percent in the previous year. Money supply in this period also remained at 4.6 percent only compared to a higher growth of 11.5 percent in the previous fiscal year, said the NRB report.

The average growth rate of price index from mid-February 2005 through mid-January 2006 also stood at seven percent. The price index of food and beverages group moved up by 8.2 percent compared to an increase of 3.4 percent in the same period of the previous year.

The country saw an increase of 9.8 percent in the gross foreign exchange reserve in mid-January as compared to that recorded in mid-July. The reserve in mid-January was Rs 142.6 billion. 

Minister of State for Information and Communication, Shrish Shumser Rana has said the government could impose curfew and disconnect communication services, “if needed”, to foil the protest programmes of the seven political parties’ slated for April 6-9.

Speaking at an interaction at the Media Group Nepal on Thursday, state minister Rana said governments don’t clamp curfew out of fear, but the situation compels them to take such an “ultimate” decision.

If the seven party alliance tries to create chaos on the pretext of peaceful demonstration with the Maoist support, the government will also use its last resort to prevent it,” added, state minister Rana, who is also the spokesperson of the government.

According to him, Maoists have entered the valley, but he did not say how many they numbered or what kind of a threat they may pose.

He, however, refused to say when that would happen.

“Peace will not come with guns. We very well know under whose protection the terrorists have been creating havoc in the capital,” he said.

Rana also claimed that there was concrete reason behind detention of CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. However, he did not elaborate.