Jean Christophe Lafaille—a French mountaineer who was on a mountaineering expedition to climb 8,463 meters high Mount Makalu– has been missing for the past three days, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said in Kathmandu Tuesday.

A helicopter was flown to the Makalu region to find Lafaille but his whereabouts could not be known, officials said.

Lafaille last spoke to his wife and manager Katie via satellite phone on Thursday, when he was camped at an altitude of 7,600 metres on the eve of his bid for the summit of Mt Makalu, a French news agency AFP reported today.

Mount Makalu is Nepal’s only 8000m mountain that remains unclimbed in winter.

“It’s of great concern to us. This was a solo climb,” AFP quoted Mohan Singh Chhetri, general manager of Asian Trekking, which organised Lafaille’s expedition, as saying. Chhetri said the agency has contacted the French embassy in Kathmandu about possible rescue options.

“No rescue is possible past 7,000 meters,” the news agency quoted a source who asked not to be named. “Choppers can’t go that high and small planes are no use.”

Katie Lafaille initially believed that her husband had failed to call because of a low battery on the satellite phone, Chhetri said. “We have received e-mails from her. She will be coming to Kathmandu to go to the base camp,” he added.

Lafaille has previously scaled 11 peaks above 8,000 meters and has made at least once dramatic reappearance in the past, when he was given up for dead on the south face of Mount Annapurna. In 1992, he first began to scale the Himalayas with a climb on Annapurna with Pierre Beghin, who suffered a fatal accident at 7,000 meters, the news report said.

International Crisis Group—a leading Brussels-based think tank—has warned that Nepal risks political collapse and increased human suffering unless the royal government calls off municipal elections and cooperates in a broad-based peace process.

The latest report from the ICG entitled “Nepal: Electing Chaos,” made public on Tuesday, said that the royal government is inviting confrontation by forcing through, amidst a new crackdown, municipal elections on 8 February which will not be free, fair or credible. Filling local posts with what it called palace placemen will neither restart the national democratic process, nor bring peace closer, the report said.

“This is the most recent in a series of moves which have inflamed tensions and increased polarisation between the palace and other political forces. The King claims local elections will reinvigorate democracy, but they would do the opposite. All mainstream parties, which have considerable street support, are boycotting; many posts have no candidates nominated to contest them. The palace has responded to protests with an assault on civil liberties reminiscent of its opposition to the 1990 democracy movement,” the report said.

“The palace’s agenda is clear: to sideline democratic parties and consolidate monarchical rule”, said Rhoderick Chalmers, ICG’s South Asia deputy project director. “Nepal needs a peace process, not a sham election which will do nothing to restore democracy or resolve the conflict”.

The palace has dismissed opportunities for peace, refusing to reciprocate the four-month Maoist ceasefire or explore the November 2005 agreement between the Maoists and the mainstream parties, which holds open a possible compromise with the monarchy. The Maoists ended their ceasefire and launched a renewed offensive in January, proving not only that they are still a force to be reckoned with, but that they are still the only political player with a coherent strategy, the International Crisis Group said.

While there is still dispute over how to move toward peace, the conflict remains soluble. The political parties must settle internal differences and develop a clear agenda, and the Maoists must offer a concrete plan for disarmament and commit to a new ceasefire. The international community should show the King he does not have a blank cheque to turn the political clock back a generation…., the latest report said.

“The outside world must help convince King Gyanendra to reverse course and create an environment for a genuine peace process or Nepal’s civil war will become much worse, with the monarchy an increasingly likely casualty”, said Robert Templer, ICG’s Asia program director.

Former prime Minster and Chairman of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) Surya Bahadur Thapa has said that the monarchy and democracy might collapse if there was no consensus between conflicting parties.

Former prime Minster and Chairman of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) Surya Bahadur Thapa

Former prime Minster and Chairman of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) Surya Bahadur Thapa
Speaking at an inaugural of the first district convention of the party in Dhankuta on Tuesday, veteran politician of Panchyat era, Thapa, said that instead of resolving the problems dogging the country, the government is holding the municipal elections.

He pointed out the need of national reconciliation to resolve the present crisis of the country.

He said that it is a weakness of the government to take criticism of the government’s act against human rights as foreign intervention.

The RJP which had registered at the Election Commission for the purpose of municipal election did not participate in it saying consensus among constitutional forces is a must to resolve the present crisis dogging the country rather than holding election.

The government is holding the municipal poll on February 8 despite the call from seven major opposition alliance to actively boycott it and the Maoist threats to disrupt it.

The International Mission for Press Freedom and Free Expression in Nepal has condemned what it called the persistent repression of the media and increasing crackdown on freedom of expression since the royal takeover on 1 February 2005.

In a joint statement issued Tuesday as the direct rule of His Majesty King Gyanendra is to complete first year, the mission said Nepal’s journalists have been confronted with an autocratic regime for the past 365 days. During this period, the independent press has lost most of its legal and constitutional protection it had acquired since 1990. More than a thousand journalists have lost their jobs and the government-induced economic pressure has increased on many media companies, the statement added.

The International Mission has registered at least 273 cases of arrests of journalists and 147 cases of physical attacks and threats towards the press from all parties involved in the conflict, the statement said.

In addition, there have been 569 cases of press censorship. Over the last few weeks, the Nepal government has arrested more than 100 political leaders, civil society activists and journalists, imposed a curfew, restricted communications and placed a ban on demonstrations within the capital city, the statement added.

“Media censorship has increased, including an embargo on Indian newspapers and TV channels, the mission said. “In addition to direct attacks on media personnel by the conflicting parties, the government has introduced a series of laws, ordinances and regulations since February 1, 2005 which have dramatically restricted freedom of expression and changed the regulatory environment for the print, broadcast and online media,” the joint statement said.

The International Mission said it was particularly alarmed by recent reports of a draft Broadcasting Authority Ordinance which has not yet been made public by the Government.

”The creation of a regulatory authority is positive in principle, but we are concerned by the composition of this proposed body and certain aspects of this draft legislation (especially the excessive increase in the fee for a radio station license, which would seriously hamper the electronic media, especially the independent and community radio stations).’This Broadcasting Authority Ordinance, if enacted, is in violation of the Government’s obligations under international laws as well as Nepal’s own Constitution,” the statement said.

The International Mission applauded what it called the extraordinary mobilisation of the country’s journalists and media. It has enabled them to win back, in the courts, some of the rights that were taken away by the government. However, the mission’s member organisations are also extremely concerned about the resumption of fighting in Nepal following the end of the cease-fire by the Maoist insurgents in 2005, the statement said.

”We fear that media professionals will again come under attack from all sides of the conflict, especially at the district and rural levels. We stress that journalists are protected in wartime by the Geneva Conventions,” the statement added.

The International Mission has urged the royal government to respect its national and international obligations, uphold freedom of expression and the rights of the media by lifting all repressive laws and ordinances.

”We ask for the immediate release of all journalists and human rights activists currently detained, and an end to the ban on demonstrations, imposed recently,” the statement said.

Due to continuing deterioration in press freedom and freedom of expression situation, the International Mission would conduct a follow-up mission to Nepal in March 2006 to continue dialogue with the country’s media and the authorities, the statement said.

The mission had first visited Nepal in July last year.

The members of the mission include Committee to Protect Journalists, FreeVoice, International Federation of Journalists, International Media Support, International Press Institute, Press Institute of India , Reporters Without Borders, South Asian Free Media Association, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters – AMARC, World Association of Newspapers and World Press Freedom Committee. Nepali authorities are yet to comment on the latest statement by the international press freedom mission. They, however, claim that Nepali media is one of the freest in the world.

By Kiran Chalise

Some people see things as they are and ask why,
Others dream things that never were and ask why not.

– GB Shaw

Things are going downhill in the Himalayan State of Nepal. The political arena has transformed itself into a ‘crowded chicken farm without any eggs’ – too much politicking, too little substance. After unwarranted loss of about 12,000 innocent lives in Maoist insurgency, after a tragic death of about a dozen key royal family members and after delivering some of the most corrupted governments in history, it is ‘business as usual’ for Nepalese political entities. Questions need to be asked – at what cost? On whose expense?

Political equation has resulted in a triangle – an accidental King, the Maoists rebels and a group of failed parties. Each blaming the other for everything that has gone (and going) wrong. A rattan basket criticises a palm leaf basket, a palm leaf basket criticises a bamboo basket and a bamboo basket criticises a rattan basket. Still, all baskets are full of holes. The same applies with the Nepalese political scene.

In absence of leaders with vision and politics of substance, the responsibility has now fallen on the hands of ordinary Nepalese and the world community to ask difficult questions and make harsh comments.

Here is the rub. What seems to be the real issues in Nepalese politics today? I believe these are:

Firstly, the issue of monarchy vs republic: whether it is necessary and relevant to keep the monarchy or should Nepal become a republic and
Secondly, what system of governance is appropriate in Nepal today: for example active monarchy (similar to Panchayat System, pre 1990s), passive/constitutional monarchy (similar to multi-party democracy, post 1990s) and no monarchy (Republican Systems without the involvement of monarchy).
However, the three dissenting parties are not discussing the real issues but dealing with the side-shows such as constitutional amendments, holding elections etc.

So, what could be the way forward? One cannot be doing what one has always been doing and expect a different result. It is time for some fresh, alternative and strategic thinking.

Perhaps, keeping with the ideals of a democratic tradition, Nepalese people should be given the opportunity to decide on such crucial issues through referendum. Given the complexity and nature of the problem, a two-staged referendum (monitored/observed by an international delegation) should be conducted asking people to answer simple but important questions. For example,

Stage 1, Referendum
Question: “Should we keep the monarchy or become a republic?”
Possible outcomes of Stage 1 Referendum are either keeping the monarchy or becoming a republic. Depending upon the outcome of Stage 1, a little more detailed question should be asked at Stage 2.

Stage 2, Referendum
Question: “Which political system should we choose?”
If the result of Stage 1 referendum is to keep the monarchy, then the choices for Stage 2 will be political systems involving monarchy (such as active monarchy, constitutional monarchy etc).

If the result of Stage 1 referendum is to become a republic, then the choices for Stage 2 will be republican systems without the monarchy (such as democratic republic, communist republic etc).

Stage 3, Implementation
Adopt the chosen political system by amending the constitution, holding elections, forming the government and taking other necessary actions.

Is there any precedence of people deciding on a political system involving the monarchy? In November 1999, Australians went to the polls to decide whether to keep Queen Elizabeth II of England as their Head of State or become a Republic. The Republicans lost by a margin of 45 percent to 55 percent. Australia is still a Constitutional Monarchy. It is a nation in its own right with the Queen as Head of State.

Although there is no comparison between socio-political context between Nepal and Australia, the idea of using the referendum as a tool for a breakthrough in the present and ongoing stalemate is not impossible. Although a referendum will not solve all the problems people have, it will provide some identifiable benefits and a direction. It will strengthen democracy by allowing the people to have a say (responsibly and with care). It will test whether the monarchy still exists in the heart and minds of ordinary Nepalese. It will determine whether the people are happy with the way things are and would like to maintain the status quo. And above all, it will prove whether people are really ready to tango with the Maoists as they claim.

What are the risks with this approach? What if the chosen system does not deliver? What if something goes wrong later on? Well, nothing can go wrong because nothing is going right.

(An architect and town planner, Chalise is currently based in Sydney. He describes himself as a politically neutral professional who cares about welfare of Nepal and the Nepalis and wrote this article a while back Please send your comments to [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] and your comments/suggestions to [email protected])

In the wake of serious security concerns and active boycott of the opposition political parties, a significant number of municipal seats remain without candidates for the February 8 polls while 22 mayors and deputy mayors have been elected unopposed.

The Election Commission (EC) Sunday said 22 mayors and deputy mayors elected unopposed received certificates from the concerned election offices as the specified time for publishing the final name list of candidates ended at 5:00 p.m. today.

The 22 mayors and deputy mayors elected unopposed are from Ilam, Damak, Bhimeshwor, Bahktapur, Banepa, Panauti, Dhulikhel, Ratnanagar, Prithvinarayan, Vyas, Waling, Tansen, Birendranagar, Nepalgunj, Gulariya, Dipayal, Ramgram and Butwal municipalities. Likewise, mayors and deputy mayors have been elected in Kapilvastu, Baglung, Dasarathchand and Amargadi municipalities also, spokesman of the commission, Tej Muni Bajracharya, said.

Over 600 candidates cancelled their nominations citing security threats while no nominations were filed in hundreds of municipal posts. Many of them accused the government of forcing them to file candidacies.

Election is talking place in 58 municipalities, including the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and four sub-metros in 43 districts on February 8.

Except for Nepal Sadbhawana Party led by local development minister Badri Prasad Mandal, no national political parties have registered at the EC for election purposes.

Former foreign minister Bhekh Bahadur Thapa has said that the diplomatic processes in Nepal have taken a negative turn.

Former foreign minister Bhekh Bahadur Thapa (File photo)

Former foreign minister Bhekh Bahadur Thapa (File photo)
Speaking at an interaction on Sunday organized by Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA) Thapa said, “The flawed political process invited conflict in Nepal. But the diplomatic processes here have not only come to a standstill, but have taken a negative turn.”

Stating that the socio-economic conditions too were in a reverse gear, Thapa said, “We are not guided by the rule of law, which has been sidelined. Those with guns wield power and the intellectuals have been alienated.”

He said the sidelining of the professionals has reduced the diplomatic processes to a game of self interests. Greater national interests are being neglected, he added. Thapa also blamed the people who “talk big” of giving undue importance to the foreign diplomats in Kathmandu to curry favour from the latter, according to reports.

He also blamed the leaders of being stupid enough to sign almost all international conventions and treaties on table, not keeping in mind the obligations that comes along with them.

“Now our own rights are being imposed upon us by the foreigners,” Thapa added hinting at the presence of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) in Kathmandu.

He said that for the progress of any country, the first emphasis should be given to the humanitarian and social works rather than to politics and security.

Speaking at the same programme, former chairmen of the NCWA, Kasha Raj Jha, prof. Surya Lal Amatya and Dr Mohan Prashad Lohani also expressed concern about growing foreign interference in the country. They said Nepalis themselves have to resolve present crisis dogging the country.

A meeting of the central people’s movement coordination committee of the seven agitating parties called upon the people not to allow persons who were and would be elected in the municipal elections from entering the local body offices.

A press statement issued by the committee also called on the people to socially and politically boycott the ‘elected persons’ saying the elections were being held to prolong the King’s autocracy and the elected people will not represent the people.

It also condemned the government for keeping under control some of the persons even after they were declared elected unopposed.

Meanwhile, the seven agitating parties on Sunday held anti-election marches in various constituencies of Kathmandu Valley from villages to the city centres of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur municipalities calling upon the people to boycott the municipal polls.

Meanwhile a report said there is 2104 vacant posts in 58 municipalities after 647 candidates took back their candidacy.

There are a total of 4,146 posts in one metropolis, three sub-metropolis and 54 municipalities across the country.

Many candidates took back their nominations due to the threats from seven political parties to socially boycott them and the Maoist threats to take physical action.

The alliance of the seven political parties is actively boycotting the municipal poll.

The EC, after publicizing the final list of candidates also distributed election symbol to the candidates.

One local woman was killed and another injured in crossfire between the security forces and the Maoists in Nepalgunj on Sunday evening.
Map of Nepalgunj (File photo)

Map of Nepalgunj
Security personnel and the Maoists exchanged fire for around 10 minutes after the Maoists opened fire at the police office at Khajura road. The Maoists fled after the security personnel at the police office and the security forces deployed at the Nepal Rastra Bank’s branch office retaliated, reports said.

This is the third attack by the Maoists in Nepalgunj following the withdrawal of unilateral ceasefire on January 2.

Likewise, reports from Bardiya said the Maoists set off three bombs at the DDC building at Gulariya, damaging the building slightly. Security personnel retaliated after the explosions. This is the fourth time that the Maoists have detonated bombs at the DDC building.

Ten more bodies of the Maoists killed in a clash between the security forces and Maoists at Hatuwagadi area of Bhojpur on Friday night have been recovered.

The RNA’s divisional headquarters in Itahari said the Maoist death toll from the Friday clash has reached 21.

The security forces continued their operation against the Maoists at Ghoretar and Bhanjyang area today as well.

Separately, two Maoists were killed in an encounter between the security forces and the Maoists at Likuwapokhari area of Khotang district on Saturday, reports quoted the RNA’s eastern headquarters as saying.

Meanwhile, a report from Mahottari said the RNA foiled the Maoists’ bid on Saturday to bomb the buildings of the DAO, the District Post Office and the DDC Office at Jaleshwor, sources said.

The army resorted to firing after the Maoists exploded bombs at different government offices in Jaleshwor.

Charred vehicles at the Centre for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA) garage inside the Tribhuvan University premises, Kirtipur. An unidentified group Sunday afternoon hurled petrol bombs at the three government vehicles destroying it, Jan 29 06. nepalnews.com

An unidentified group Sunday afternoon bombed three government vehicles at the garage of the Centre for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA) located inside the premises of the Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur.

According to reports, a jeep, a van and a car belonging to Tribhuvan University (TU) were completely destroyed in the explosions.

According to the police, three persons on a motorcycle hurled bombs at the vehicles.

Police said, “The explosions could have been caused by petrol bombs,” adding, “They are investigating the incident.” Nobody has claimed the responsibility of the incident.