President of Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala has said unity between the two Nepali Congress parties is needed to intensify the current agitation.
Talking to party cadres in Biratnagar on Monday, Koirala said, “I wish for unity between the two Congress parties — Nepali Congress (NC) and Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC-D). Talks on uniting the two parties will begin once I return to Kathmandu,” the Annapurna daily reported.
Former prime minister and founder leader of NC Krishna Prasad Bhattarai had also called for the unification of the two parties.
Koirala informed that he and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, president of NC-D discussed about the party unity during their meeting following the release of Deuba from detention.
The party divided into two factions in 2002.
Party cadres too have said party unity will help intensify the agitation, Koirala said.
Regarding the King’s offer to the parties for talks, Koirala said, “I will comment on the offer only after talking it out with the other parties.”
The NC president, who had come to Biratnagar on Wednesday, returned to the capital on Monday.
By Devendra Shrestha
Recently Professor Surya P. Subedi said that the international community should not look at Nepal from the Indian prism. The issue merits further deliberation.
Nepal is a geo-strategically important country. Not only because it is in the middle of two nuclear powers and shares border with two fastest growing economies in the world but also because Nepal serves as a buffer zone between China and India. Yet, India has much to share with Nepal. Our age-old traditional and cultural ties, about 80 percent of Indians being Hindu and sharing an open border, India has special attachment with the only Hindu kingdom of the world.
Professor Subedi rightly said that the international relation is a game of give and take. Diplomatic relations and trade promotions are two parts of a coin. In this game of give and take, India’s relations with Nepal would be on the basis of strategic determinants of Indian interests.
India has great stake in Nepal and has been monitoring political developments in Nepal closely. India has always maintained her relations with Nepal strategically but at the same time wants to impress the international community that she has always been supportive of pro-democratic causes of Nepal. Whether India would have supported pro-democratic movements in Nepal had the earlier governments bowed down to Indian demands is questionable.
The greatest threat India feels now is from the Maoists. India is disappointed that our successive democratic governments have failed to counter Maoist insurgency. This has followed significant growth of Maoist activities in India threatening her own internal security. India is further suspicious of anti-Indian activities in Nepal. India may not be trying to export democracy in Nepal but she wishes status-quo if not better “take than give” from Nepal which may be justifiable under the principle of international relation. India wants Nepal under its sphere of influence both politically and economically, as a secure buffer zone with China. India thinks it is justified to be involved in Nepal’s matters as she feels Nepal’s internal matter can affect hers.
Can international law govern the relation between India and Nepal? Yes, it can. However, it is not unusual for strong countries, to put in place and continually modify, elaborate rules and institutions to manage their relations in the way that best suit them. History is witness that stronger countries have a better say in international relations compared to their weaker counterparts. The SAARC has already failed in this respect and LDC issue has little to offer.
There is no harm for India accepting international mediation in Nepal to resolve the armed conflict in its neighbourhood. Are we taking every act of India suspiciously or is our southern neighbour unnecessarily interfering in our internal matters? Whatever the case may be, the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Transit being extended for only three months, India’s decision can have crucial effect. Now, we have come to a situation similar to that the late ‘80s when Indian embargo forced the then royal regime to collapse. Who knows, Nepal’s attempt to play ‘China Card’ and bringing Chinese arms might recently bring another collapse in similar fashion.
It is wrong for the international community in general to look at Nepal through Indian eyes. However, it has to be accepted that India, being a neighbour and a democratic country, is a better witness than China. What I think Professor Subedi missed is that there are always power games played in the business of give and take. India’s ability to convince the international community as a reliable witness should be accepted as her diplomatic success, however, what power games have been played underneath is an issue for further exploration.
India has reasons to appear as a pro-democratic country. One reason could be because some coalition partners of the Government of India are sympathetic towards the major political parties of Nepal. It could also be because India wishes to show that she is serious towards democratization and wants democracy flourish in the region. However, in the theory of give and take, these issues have little relevance. There must be some other issues, probably or most importantly to build up her image as a reliable member of the international community. May it be as a trading partner to attract foreign investments or in her bid to permanent seat in the Security Council, she has to prove that she is great, she is democratic. In the humble reciprocity, it is fair for the international community to tune in with India as long as they have common agenda. Any difference arising, the understanding will break.
International community must be aware of a comparable situation of the late ‘70s Iran. The contrast was that the international community had been supporting the regime when large majority of the people were against it. This resulted into a hostile diplomatic relation between say Iran and the US, which is yet to be repaired. The Prime Minister who was appointed by the King had to convince the Iranian King to flee.
Coming back to Indo-Nepal relations, India thinks she has done so much for Nepal. She ignores the facts what Nepal has done for her. Tens of thousands of Nepalis still serve in Indian Army fighting and dying for Indian cause. Such contributions are bluntly undermined if not ignored. Nepal’s zero tolerance policy against anti-Indian activities in Nepal, securing her northern border and being blatantly flexible in her treaties and agreements with India are some of the points that may be mentioned here. In return, Nepal has always been forced to accommodate to the power negotiations of India.
If India seriously wants to build up her image in the international community, she needs to start from the issue of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. The treaty between Bhutan and India permits her to be involved in this issue and the international community knows it very well that Indian involvement can resolve this issue without further delay. India’s small contribution can fruit tremendous results. India needs to adopt flexible policy towards Nepal as India has nothing to lose from the success of Nepal but she may have to bear the burden if Nepal fails.
It must be appreciated that the international community and India are coming together to help Nepal. However, it would be premature to assume that the international community will continue following India in its policies towards Nepal. The business of “give and take” may apply to the relation between the international community, but, such business should not affect Nepali interests in any way.
(Devendra Shrestha has an LLM in Dispute Prevention and Resolution from the University of Westminster, London. 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])
Manoj Sapkota, son of late Prem Prasad Sapkota, torching the funeral pyre of his father’s body at Tulsi Ghat of Seti River in Pokhara on Sunday.
(Photo source : THT)
Prem Prasad Sapkota, joint regional administrator of eastern region was cremated in accordance with the Hindu tradition, at Tulsi Ghat in Pokhara-9, Sunday.
Sapkota’s eldest son Manoj, 28, gave fire to the dead body.
His dead body was brought from Dharan by helicopter via Kathmandu after post mortem in Kathmandu.
Sapkota, who was abducted on February 7 along with 14 other government officials and security personnel during a Maoist attack in Dhankuta died in Maoist captivity on Friday at Kurule area, Dhankuta district.
Meanwhile, Minister Thapa has said that Maoists have proven their barbarism by brutally killing Sapkota, Joint-Regional Administrator of the Eastern Region, who was abducted after an attack in Dhankuta, recently.
Minister Thapa made this remark while paying tribute at the body of Sapkota at the TU Teaching Hospital on Sunday.
The body of the late Sapkota was brought to the Teaching Hospital for post mortem from BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Dharan, Sunday morning.
Various rights bodies have condemned Sapkota’s death in Maoist captivity and demanded impartial investigation in the case, but Maoists are yet to say anything about Sapkota’s death in their captivity.
Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC-D) has expressed serious concern over denial of medical assistance to its leaders in custody.
Gopal Man Shrestha
(File photo)
Issuing a statement on Sunday, the party has said that acting president of the party Gopal Man Shrestha, who is being kept at Armed Police barracks in Duwakot, has been deprived of treatment despite a Birendra Police Hospital report one month ago that he is ill and needs an operation.
Similarly, the party has said that its leader Nanda Krishna Joshi, who is being kept in Women’s Training Centre, Jawalakhel, is ill. The party has asked for immediate release of all its leaders.
They were arrested a day before a major protest rally and mass meeting of the agitating seven political parties in the capital on January 20.
Even as the government has been periodically freeing opposition leaders and cadres, there are still dozens of detainees including some senior leaders in custody around the country.
Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Dr Tulsi Giri (File Photo)
Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Dr Tulsi Giri (File Photo)
Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Dr Tulsi Giri has said that the message of the King on the occasion of the National Democracy Day on Sunday has left the responsibility on the political parties to make conducive environment for reconciliation.
Kantipur daily quoted second man in the royal cabinet Dr Giri as saying, “The ball now is in the party’s court and naturally further political development will go ahead as per the reaction of the political parties to the message.”
He further said that the message is one step ahead than the royal address of the February 1.
Stating that the language of the message is very good, Dr Giri said the King had clearly appealed for the reconciliation and talks.
Dr Giri said that the King is interested for reconciliation so the political parties should understand the King’s intention and be ready for it.
Stating that there is no need to mention agendas for talks in the message, Dr Giri urged to see the meaning of the message rather than content.
Giri said that the problems dogging the country could not be resolved by organizing rallies in the streets and added that there should be dialogue and consensus among the King and political parties to give an outlet to the present political crisis.
He further said that all should be flexible to resolve the present crisis, adding, that does not mean all should agree in the King’s roadmap, but the thing is to find consensus through dialogue.
Dr Giri urged the political parties to think about what shape they want to give to the politics of the country and called for dialogue to find consensus.
Dr Giri was of the view that though Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala had said talks and consensus were possible only if the municipal polls was postponed, talks were still possible at present as “demands like talks are not possible without restoration of parliament have not been put forth.”
Two day after the rise in prices of petroleum products, transport entrepreneurs have warned that they will be compelled to hike transportation fares if the government did not fulfill their demands immediately.
Speaking at a programme in the capital on Sunday, they served a three-day ultimatum to the government to either revoke its decision to hike the price of petroleum products or increase transport fares accordingly.
President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNNTE), Yogendra Karmacharya, said the entrepreneurs have been bearing losses since the government increased the price of diesel and petrol six months ago. “Now we cannot wait anymore,” report quoted him as saying.
Vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Transport Entrepreneurs (FNTE), Tulsi Ram Maharjan, said they have decided to hike the fares for short distance routes by Rs 2. “We have been called by the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MoLTM) tomorrow at 2 p.m. to discuss the matter,” he said.
However, MoLTM spokesperson said there was no decision on the issue of fare hike as the office remained closed on Saturday and Sunday.
On November 7, the Fare Review and Recommendation Committee had suggested the government to hike transport fares by 12 and 15 percent respectively for long or medium routes and short or local transportation. Likewise, the committee had recommended 16 percent hike in the existing fare of meter taxis.
Meanwhile, transport workers have demanded that the government revoke its decision to raise the price of petroleum products. “The government’s decision to provide monopoly in deciding the price of petroleum products will cause much difficulty to the people,” stated a release issued by the Independent Transport Workers’ Association of Nepal (ITWAN).
Following permission from the government, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Friday announced increase in the fuel price. The NOC has allowed private dealers to fix the price of petroleum products sold from outlets.
Officials at the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central monetary authority of the nation, have said that the increase in the price of petroleum products would increase inflation by 0.7-1.82 more than projected, a report said.
epal Samacharpatra cited a latest report by the bank that the increase in the price of kerosene would stimulate the increase in price of consumer goods by 1.81 percent. The increase in the price of kerosene and petrol would add 0.88 percent and that of diesel 1.83 percent to inflation, the report quoted the chief of research department of the bank, Keshav Acharya, as saying.
The bank’s projection of seven percent annual inflation would now reach eight percent. Acharya said the new projection that the inflation would rise by at least 0.7 percent more was made in conscience that the price of petroleum products would not be increased before the next fiscal year.
This is the highest inflation in the last seven years. Economists warned that the situation of continued decrease in government expenditure on social sector while the GNP growth and population increment remained static at around two percent was a sign of danger for national economy. Economist Raghav Dhoj Pant estimates that the inflation would reach double-digits.
Earlier, the banks had said that the inflation was beyond its control and could not be normalised by monetary policies. The latest report by the bank says that the inflation in December 2005 was around nine percent.
Meanwhile, the NRB said trade deficit crossed Rs 41 million at the end of fifth month of this fiscal year. This is 20 percent more than that of last year which was only eight percent.
The report by the Nepal Rastra Bank states that the trade deficit has increased because the export in this period had increased by 6.8 percent while imports increased by 14.8 percent. Last year the import had increased by 10.4 percent and export by 13.2 percent.
Of the total trade deficit, India accounts for more than Rs 24 billion, an increase of 25 percent compared to the previous year. The trade deficit with India had increased by 18.1 percent last year. This year, export to the country has increased by 15.6 percent while import by 34 percent.
Trade deficit with third countries had increased by 13 percent compared to nine percent last year.
Trade deficit has been increasing at alarming rate for the last few years. The most affected is the readymade garment and carpet export to European and American countries.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince declaring open the 20th Kaski district level Birendra Shield Sports Competition at the Pokhara Stadium on Sunday. Photo source: gorkhapatra.org.np
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince declaring open the 20th Kaski district level Birendra Shield Sports Competition at the Pokhara Stadium on Sunday. Photo source: gorkhapatra.org.np
Patron of National Sports Council, Crown Prince Paras, inaugurated the 20th Kaski district level Birendra Shield Sports Competition amidst a special function held at the Pokhara Stadium on Sunday.
Crown Princess Himani was also present on the occasion.
Minister for Education and Sports Radha Krishna Mainali, Assistant Minister for Education and Sports Bhuvan Pathak, Member Secretary of National Sports Council Kishore Bahadur Singh and other senior civil servants and people’s representatives welcomed their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince and Princess upon their arrival at the stadium, according to reports.
Their Royal Highnesses observed dances, PT and the Olympic torch march presented by students of different schools with keen interest on the occasion.
Crown Prince Paras gave away certificates to the schools declared the best in PT display, school uniform and discipline.
A total of 88 private and government schools are participating in the competition organized by the District Education Office, Kaski.
The participating schools are contesting in volleyball, race, long jump, high jump, triple jump, javelin throw and shot-put.
The Royal Nepalese Embassy in Bangladesh organized a special function at the Embassy premises in Dhaka on Sunday to mark the 56th National Democracy Day.
A press release issued by the Embassy said Nepalese working in the various international organizations, students studying in Dhaka, other Nepalese residents in Bangladesh and the officials of the Embassy were present on the occasion.
Those gathered on the occasion, offered garlands and flower bouquets on the portrait of late His Majesty King Tribhuvan.
Addressing the gathering, the Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the Bangladesh spoke about the importance of the Day as the late King Tribhuvan himself fought together with the people of Nepal to usher Democracy in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General of the Center for Integrated Rural Development Program, Dr Durga Poudel said that peace and democracy are the twin pillars for the development of the country. He said that late King Tribhuvan had to put his crown into stake to herald democracy.
All present on the occasion offered flower bouquets and prayed for the long life, good health and happiness of Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of 56th auspicious birthday of Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah.
Madhav Kumar Nepal (File Photo)
Madhav Kumar Nepal (File Photo)
Security personnel deployed at the residence of CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday barred a team of human rights activists led by Chairman of Human Rights Organization of Nepal (HURON) Charan Prasai from meeting with Nepal, who is currently under house arrest.
A press statement issued by the HURON quoted security personnel as saying that they were instructed not to allow anybody to meet Nepal.
HURON has called on the government to immediately release Nepal from house arrest, which is against the international humanitarian law.
The government placed many leaders of major political parties under house arrest from January 19, ahead of the proposed mass meeting of the seven party alliance. Though the government released many leaders from house arrest, the CPN-UML general secretary is yet to be released.
The one month long detention warrant of Nepal expired on Sunday. Nepal was placed under house arrest on January 19, one day before the seven-party alliance’s planned rally in the capital.
Meanwhile, Rajendra Pandey, UML central committee member condemned the government for not releasing party general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal even after the expiry of month long house arrest.
Pandey said according to law, no person can be placed under house arrest for more than a month.
UML’s another standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari has also been placed under house arrest for the past one month.