JOYRIDE#204 9 - 15 July 2004 20 pages Rs 25 Can Deuba keep the car on the road?

KUNDA DIXIT Adhikary sees it as a way to get around Maoist objections, and veryone in the new Deuba government agrees perhaps even a Eon the need to restore peace and hold elections, way to bring the they just don’t agree on how to go about it. rebels to the Some want a unilateral ceasefire to pressure the negotiating table. Maoists to come to the negotiating table, others say But such a move it won’t work. is sure to be opposed Peace activists have been lobbying for a ceasefire, by the army. One even if talks are not possible. They say this would close Deuba aide allow the government to address the urgent told us: “It’s not development and rehabilitation needs of the people. going to happen. Prime Minister Deuba has to accommodate a We don’t want money to divergence of views and vested interests among the reach the Maoists.” The four parties and royal nominees in his coalition. It is prime minister prefers an all- clear that on security matters, he needs the army’s party presence in local bodies so that nod. One party insider told us: “We have ministers the budget can be spent on development, who will all be on mobiles reporting back to their he said. bosses. It’s going to be tricky.” However, there are questions about The cabinet’s first real test is next week’s budget. whether village councils can function at a time when Already, there are signs that the UML and Deuba’s the Maoists have been assassinating mayors and NC-D are pulling in different directions. The ward chairmen even in the streets of the capital. UML’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, The problem is not a lack of money. Only 30 Bharat Mohan Adhikary, says he wants to unveil a percent of last year’s development budget was “peace budget” that will take money down to local spent. The World Bank’s $15 million Poverty communities to revive delivery of government Alleviation Fund is lying idle. There is services. clearly a need for a decisive prime minister He told us: “We will use the budget for not just to steer the government in one confidence-building and channel it through direction, but also to have a destination to drive grassroot groups even if they have Maoists in them.” towards. l (With reporting by Navin Singh Khadka) SUBHAS RAI

Weekly Internet Poll # 144 Q. Is there still a rationale for the anti-king street demonstrations?

Total votes:948 Weekly Internet Poll # 145. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Should the government declare a unilateral ceasefire? 2 EDITORIAL 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editors: Trishna Gurung, Jemima Sherpa Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki, [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Disappeared rights Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 HAPPY BIRTHDAY We are trapped between the cultures of fear and impunity hat Nepal now tops the ongoing tussle between the forward to testify and press charges. or over two years King Gyanendra tried to be an activist monarch who wanted to be seen as well as heard. He felt the political world in the number of Supreme Court, the army and the In this current environment, this is F T ‘disappeared’ is old news. Or countless stories of lawyers filing not an option. parties with their infighting and corruption had taken the country to the brink, and he came to the rescue. so it appears, given the lack of habeus corpus petitions on behalf The educated elite, including He fired Sher Bahadur Deuba and took over, appointing two news, analysis and most of the disappeared, all the legal lawyers, know that disappearances, Panchayat era prime ministers from parties without numerical standing importantly, outrage. profession can do is essentially rely torture and extra-judicial killings in the dissolved House. There were indications the royal palace Yet, this is not so surprising. We on its moral authority. Clearly, are illegal. We know that legally, wanted to play an active role in governance through rule by ordinance, are caught in the middle of two that holds little or no value in our the army can only try army say in appointments and budgetary exercises. cruel cultures: a culture of fear and increasingly militarised state. personnel and not civilians. And However, the ground reality had changed so much since 2002 that King Gyanendra last Outright denials of the existence houses can only be legally searched month had to bring back the man he sacked. GUEST COLUMN of the disappeared from within the during the day time, we have a He may have waited too long, tried to Seira Tamang system is a norm, even when right to ask for identity cards and manipulate nominees, but it took human rights lawyers have talked we have a right to search the search statesmanship to swallow pride and bring a culture of impunity. Both feed on to detainees behind bars. parties before they enter our houses Deuba back. It has taken the prime minister a each other. Witnesses to disappearances to make sure that they carry month to convince the UML and others to join Amnesty International defines a live in fear. Earlier this year, nothing that could be planted and a multi-pronged interim government by dangling choice positions. This may not be an disappearance as ‘a deprivation of security personnel in eastern Nepal then used against us. ideal set-up, and not a complete correction of liberty of a person, perpetrated by searching for a woman who was an We need no media campaign October Fourth, but the nature and agents of the state or by persons or eyewitness to the arrest, rape and to let us know of our rights. But to composition of the Deuba team is sufficiently groups acting with the killing of two young girls. They what end? At a recent talk, the different from his two predecessors for us to authorisation, support or took her 15-year-old daughter girl chair of the Nepal Bar Association give it the benefit of doubt. acquiescence of the state, followed instead who is now disappeared. said something simple and Let’s not start wrecking its chances by an absence of information These examples are illustrative of startling: “Human rights are the before the cabinet even begins work. The regarding the deprivation or refusal the moral level, as well as most fragile of our rights”. We can party stalwarts, we notice, are hedging their bets (and maybe their reputations) by to acknowledge it, or by the refusal impunity, within which the state clamour all we want, but when a sending their trusted pals to government. But hadn’t we been saying all to provide information on the fate currently functions. How far away gun is pointed at us, our rights along that the elder statesmen should make way for the young turks? or whereabouts of the disappeared are we from the Peruvian situation don’t stand a chance. The only octogenarian who refuses let go and travels to Delhi to make person or the concealment thereof’. of the 1980s in which whole Those of us happily deceiving momentous pronouncements is Girija Prasad Koirala. Being the wily Given our world renowned rate villages of people were killed in ourselves that as ‘civil society’ we politician he is, Koirala seems to be trying to buy insurance from the of disappearances, current donor order to erase evidence of extra- have the moral edge and are the Maoists in case a government made up of two of his staunchest rivals initiatives to strengthen the rule of judicial killings by state forces? great bastion of democracy must actually starts organising local and national elections. law must be applauded, including It is not surprising that realise that our levels of apathy and Indeed, while there are those who read the surfacial press and fret for the future of the Nepali monarchy, we are in no such resources spent to spread awareness witnesses or victims are unwilling increasingly larger tolerance for misapprehension. The monarchy, as a historical institution, is here to and consciousness of laws and to go to court even if such cases known crimes, aids state stay provided it takes a lesson from the past 12 years that the Nepali rights. However, it is also clear that happen to reach that stage. encroachment of our rights. To people have learnt to speak, have a voice and will not give it up. such funding does not consider a Indeed, lawyers who have break the cycle of fear and Indeed, the king may already have realised the advantage of leaving critical issue: lawyers and our legal themselves been illegally detained impunity, and to restore the moral politics to politicians. Kingship will be both comfortable and rewarding in system are the only recourse to and tortured, are afraid and authority of our judicial system, a constitutional throne. justice for the disappeared, their unwilling to come forward. Our requires the voices of outrage from We wish King Gyanendra a happy birthday, and a long reign that brings prosperity to his people. friends and families. judicial system, as in other us, the relatively safe, and thus As demonstrated by the countries, relies on people coming richly complacent, middle-class. l

fter a month of haggling plotting a split. Thapa loyalists A between coalition partners mulled three options: oust party over control of key chairman Pashupati Sumshere, portfolios, Sher Bahadur Deuba The usual suspects intensify the intra-party struggle, has finally succeeded in assembling or launch a new party. They a team. Looking at the crowd of decided on the third. usual suspects in the cabinet makes The palace continues to be both referee and centre forward So, to summarise, Narayanhiti you wonder why it took Deuba so Palace continues to be both referee long to put this bunch together. cadres, Comrade Madhab Nepal and centre forward in this He went through the had to show he was driving a hard country’s politics. An avowedly inevitable: suffer the indignity of bargain. Pashupati Sumshere is yet royalist outfit like the RPP is quite compromising everything to please to prove that pulling down the comfortable with this, the UML is government of his own party was satisfied with the pork barrel STATE OF THE STATE somehow a worthwhile political benefits of being in government CK Lal exercise. Badri Prasad Mandal, the and the less said about the politics man behind the first public of Badri Mandal the better. That his new partners. The farcical felicitation of King Gyanendra leaves Deuba entrusted with the exercise of cabinet formation was and deputy prime minister of first task of keeping this unruly herd made even more tragic by its sheer post-October Fourth order, must together. futility. His cabinet colleagues are be having a hearty laugh at the Deuba has to show he is boss going to have an even lesser role to discomfiture of all his coalition when someone else is actually play in the governance of the partners. He is the only one who pulling the strings. For his own country. Unless parliamentary doesn’t need to prove anything to survival, Deuba must keep his procedures are brought back on anybody, so he has happily hands off the serious games being track, ministers in Singha Darbar accepted a downgrade. played behind the scenes. His role have no responsibility, which Deuba’s main task now is to on the stage is to keep people means they have no right to set keep his jumbo afloat. The NARENDRA BASNET guessing. He can make it a little their own agenda. They are military in Pakistan gives its well. get themselves elected to more tolerable by trying to be functionaries entrusted with the civilian heads of government up to Having read the signals more parliament in the last election. sincere and honest in doing what task of implementing the royal 30 months before it begins to correctly, Comrade Khadga Oli, With a few exceptions, Deuba’s he is expected to do rather than command. rotate them. The Narayanhiti (Madhab Nepal’s bete noir in the party in the cabinet is represented pretending. Deuba knows his limitations, palace is no less adroit at keeping UML) gives this government a life by lightweights. His sole agenda should be to and he knows his coalition our politicos on their toes. In the span of six months. Deuba’s own The RPP couldn’t stand the make the lives of Nepalis a little partners know it. But he decided BBC comedy series Yes Minister, senior party colleagues aren’t too stress and is cracking up: even more bearable in his third term. to play along with the face-saving someone says “permanence is happy with the composition of the while some of its stalwarts were Other than that, there is very little games of the RPP and UML. In power, rotation is castration”. That government since it is dominated taking their oaths at the royal he can do without risking being order to placate his uneasy young seems to be the palace’s motto as by those who were unable to even palace, others were at the Hyatt thrown out like his predecessors. l NATION 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204 3 L ETTERS

DEUBA QUAGMIRES happens to include all Nepali I was heartened to read the views Your editorial comparison people who don’t give them large of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur between Iraq and Nepal is a bit portions of their material wealth, as Deuba (‘The Maoists are a far-fetched (‘A tale of two well as Americans. Despite the fact bigger problem than the king’, quagmires’, #203) For everything that all Americans are hated by the #203). The prime minister that you find similar between the Maoists, it is the Nepalis who have it comes across as a realistic two countries, I could point to worse. They do not only have to person who understands that the plenty more that aren’t the least give the Maoists money, but also Maoists are 100 percent violent bit the same. Iraq had a ruthless one healthy offspring per house- and are trying to take a shortcut dictator who invaded his hold. It is deeply reassuring to know to power through violence. It is neighbours Iran and Kuwait, and that there are still some altruistic clear that human rights gassed tens of thousands of his souls out there selflessly looking organisations love to criticise the own people. Iraq was invaded and after the common man and woman. army only because if they say occupied by a foreign army, It is also heartwarming that the rebel anything about the Maoists they which, as you point out, was after leadership care so profoundly for get killed. If the Maoists are not its oil. The resistance against the welfare of the people that they interested in talking, then there America may be painted by are willing to threaten and coerce is no other option for the army Washington as an al-Qaeda them into joining the frontlines than to finish them off. The operation, but many are simply while they thoughtfully hide out in international community frustrated Iraqis who want the other countries. After all, if anything RAM HUMAGAIN/NEPALNEWS.COM understands that the Maoists are occupiers out. were to happen to these visionaries, agree with Uprety that exist not only in the foreign export a ruthless terrorist organisation, J Moktan, Kathmandu who would think up ways to coerce advertising, convenience and business but in the local market even if they keep calling for UN the people to join the ‘people’s war’ peer pressure has led children too. The recent glut of mediation. Deuba needs all the l Re: your editorial ‘A tale of and convince them that all this demanding instant snacks that supermarkets, beauty parlours, help he can get from the two quagmires’. The Deuba violence is good for the country and should be avoided as far as Nepali restaurants and ‘99 shops’ political spectrum to end cabinet and the handover of Iraqi the downtrodden? What better way to possible. However, I fail to are part of the same trend. The violence, bring peace to the sovereignty are both fake. Virtual rid ourselves of such scum than to understand why more companies snacks and chau chau market may country, hold parliamentary political or legal authority was absolutely destroy Nepal? When are bringing out ever more appear to be booming, but aren’t elections, reestablish the declared back in the hands of they come to power, there will be no varieties of noodles into the there already enough companies government and start rebuilding Iraq’s interim government in the pocketing of public funds and no market when the “production producing a surfeit of snacks for Nepal so we can all live in same way that the palace blessed bribes. Why? Because there will be capacity is twice the consump- Nepal? The idea is not to copy peace. I strongly support Deuba. Deuba’s multiparty team. Actual no money left in Nepal. I am tion” and still claim to be a what others are doing but to come He is the only leader honest control on the ground remains ecstatic thinking about the future of profitable enterprise. Most up with new, more creative ideas enough to move the country with the US in Iraq and the royal Nepal under Maoist leadership. industries in Nepal fail because for local and export industries. forward towards freedom and palace here in Nepal. Wallace Freeman, email too many people copy successful Sangita Khatri, Kathmandu peace. Let’s just hope he doesn’t Sovereignty is absolute, a nation products. The Nepali carpet mess it up by being like his is either sovereign or it is not. Iraq JUNK FOOD industry was doing very well and CORRECTION former mentor, Girija Prasad remains occupied and Nepal’s I don’t know if it was intentional or was once the largest export Due to a file transfer error, several Koirala, who has to rush off to democracy is still in regression. pure coincidence that Nepali Times industry. With too many entarnts mistakes crept into ‘A high dam India at every opportune Name supplied, Kathmandu #203 had Aruna Uprety’s ‘Junk food in the industry, quality was on the Kosi’ in the hardcopy of moment to get the blessings of epidemic’ and an interview with the compromised and brought about #203. The correct version is in Indian politicians. We must stay FOG OF WAR CEO of an instant noodle manufac- the its downfall. Pashmina met a the online edition. -Editor loyal to our country and sort out Re: Daniel Lak’s ‘Alternative to turer (‘The noodle kingdom’). I similar fate. There were copycats any problems ourselves. War’ (#203). I doubt anyone who Shiva Ghale, email matters in the Royal Nepali Army has seen The Fog of War. Even if PURNA BAJRACHARYA they have, no one seems to have Americans can learn much from drawn any lessons from it. I Purna Bajracharya, the innocent haven’t seen the documentary Nepali terribly mistreated by the myself, but I know that during misguided Bush Administration Robert McNamara’s tenure as US as if he were the terrorist that he defence secretary, his technocrats is not (‘I’ll sue the US came up with the infamous ‘kill government’, #203). As ratio’ theory that was applied to Americans who have lived and gauge how the war in Vietnam was worked with humanitarian progressing. This led to fierce programs in Nepal for much of competition among US the past decade, and as a Peace commanders on the ground to Corps volunteer who taught in ‘bag’ as many of the ‘enemy’ as Nepali schools 40 years ago, we possible. Anyone was fair game as are shocked to hear how the long as they were presumed to be Bush administration’s Patriot Act on the other side. Innocent men, has so terribly mistreated this women and children (sometimes unfortunate Nepali, guilty of even infants) were killed and little more than overstaying his included in the statistics. visa. A suit against the US Commanders who lagged behind government would be an in this race were seen to be less excellent test of the able and their careers suffered as constitutionality of the wretched a consequence. Patriot Act and signal to From what I’ve been told by Americans how far off the track people close to Royal Nepali they’ve let American democracy Army, something akin to this is drift. Purna Bajracharya’s happening in Nepal. Army patience, forgiveness and commanders are under pressure generosity toward the govern- to show results. And in turn they ment that so mistreated him give are putting pressure on officers me hope in what might otherwise and men below them. It is be a hopeless world. And yet this becoming increasingly a ‘result gracious and gentle Nepali, oriented’ army. The achievement typical of his countrymen, of the troops on the ground is forgives the US, “remains directly related to lucrative grateful that he experienced rewards such as being sent on America…” Americans and foreign missions. It is not difficult Nepalis alike have much to learn to see that this can only lead to about democracy and how indifferent and indiscriminate dangerously it is being corrupted action by a force that has grown by the very administrations that weary of fighting a war that seems trumpet its merits to a doubting to have no end in sight. For a world. And we have much to change, Daniel Lak is absolutely learn about forgiveness, right, war is hell indeed. gentleness and patience from Name supplied, our Buddhist friend. Let’s learn Kathmandu the best from each other’s cultures and systems and move MAOIST UTOPIA forward together to clean up the From your paper, I see that the messes in both our countries. Maoists are still maiming, Malcolm and Marcia Odell, torturing and murdering people New Hampshire, USA they find disagreeable, which 4 NATION #204 The day after tomorrow in9 - 15 JULYthe 2004

Global climate change is melting our glaciers, and this poses catastrophic threats to the region glacial lakes to burst simultaneously. affecting the Himalaya-Hindu Kush Aside from catastrophic floods, arc, but there has been no systematic scientists are now also doing long- research and regular monitoring since term computer simulations of how the mid-1990s. Even those studies global warming will affect the flow showed disturbing trends. Records of Himalayan rivers in this century. with the Department of Hydrology All indications are that spring flow and Meteorology (DoHM) indicate in these rivers will increase over the Japanese researchers had found a next 40 years, but the time will come majority of the glaciers in the when there will be so little snow in Khumbu region had retreated 30- the Himalaya that the rivers will run 60m between 1970 and 1989. In dry in the lean season. This won’t the Dhaulagiri region, field studies just affect the lives of people in the until 1994 displayed the same trend. mountains, but also hundreds of Nepal’s most studied glacier in millions of people downstream. Tsorong Himal recorded a 10m Tsho Rolpa in the Rolwaling Two years ago, the United retreat between 1978 and 1989. (in 2000 at left) has been growing Nations Environment Program The 2001 UNEP-ICIMOD due to global warming. (UNEP) and the Kathmandu-based warning was not based so much on International Centre for Integrated field research as comparisons of because we may be running a high Mountain Development (ICIMOD) satellite imagery. But even that was magnitude risk,” Reynolds says. sounded the alarm that 44 glacial alarming enough. “We urgently As glaciers shrink, the melting ice lakes in Nepal and Bhutan were in need to update our glaciological data causes lakes to grow. The lakes can imminent danger of bursting. There with field studies, otherwise we won’t then breach the loose moraine walls, has been little followup field research have any warning when disaster sending huge floods of water, mud since then. strikes,” says hydrologist Arun and boulders downstream. Scientists Trends elsewhere in the world Bhakta Shrestha at the DoHM. call this GLOF (Glacial Lake show mountain regions in the tropics A recent meeting of glaciologists Outburst Flood) and these have are extremely sensitive to climate in May in New Delhi analysed data ICIMOD NAVIN SINGH KHADKA been occurring with increasing change. This year, the US-based on how the receding snowlines in regularity in recent years. Earth Policy Institute reported that the Himalaya caused by climate lobal climate change is without that information, steps A glacial lake burst in Khumbu the equatorial snows on Kilimanjaro change would affect the flow of melting Himalayan glaciers at can’t be taken to drain the lakes or in 1985 killed at least 20 people, could disappear by 2030. It said the water in the Ganga, Brahmaputra G Larsen Ice Shelf in the Antarctica has and the Indus rivers. Hydrological an unprecedented rate, yet install early-warning systems for washed away a hydropower station, field research into this potentially villages downstream. the trekking trail to Namche and already shrunk by 40 percent. In simulations for various global catastrophic trend is lagging behind. British geologist John Reynolds numerous bridges. The town of Greenland, the Jakobshavn Glacier warming scenarios showed increased There are 3,250 glaciers in the was involved in the project to siphon Pokhara is situated on the debris field is now thinning four times faster than snowmelt would swell rivers by as Nepal Himalaya and 2,315 of them water off the Tsho Rolpa glacial lake of a gigantic 700-year-old flood that it was during the last century. In much as 90 percent in the next few contain glacial lakes that are in the Rolwaling valley a decade ago, was caused by the emptying of a big Central Asia’s Tien Shan mountains, decades before they start drying up. increasing in size at varying rates. But but says the inventory of hazardous lake below Annapurna. The worst- glaciers have shrunk by 30 percent “In some of the rivers, the flow no one really knows how many of glacial lakes is outdated. “There has case scenario is a major Himalayan between 1955 and 1990. may go down by as much as 90 them are in danger of bursting, and to be a fresh look at the entire issue earthquake causing several dozen Scientists say this trend is also percent,” says glaciologist Syed Iqbal Attention all aid-o-crats Real work must now resume, this may be the country’s last chance m told that development types have mistakenly saw opportunity in King chance for the expensive consultants, I’ been feeling complacent lately. They Gyanendra’s October surprise. Two privatisers, conflict resolution types, civil can open their Nepali Times each incompetent governments run by royal fiat society specialists, inclusionists and all the Friday morning without fear of attack on have come and gone. Civil war continues to other wealthy tinkerers who flock to the page four. Inside sources in various rage. Civil society either feels too powerless international teat in this country. They’ve developmental agencies tell me that a great to intervene or meanders leaderless in the presided over disaster after disaster. The sigh of relief was heaved when I left the political ether of present-day Nepal. Poverty country has become poorer on their watch, Himalayan kingdom. intensified. Inequalities are addressed and they continue to blame Nepal and And since then, my ranting and raving increasingly through violence. Human Nepalis for that. Oh for the day when an has been confined to various international rights are an abstract notion at best, widely aid person actually sees a decline in income issues that leave the aid-o-crats of Nepal free ignored. and career status when he or she leaves a to But changes have begun. A broad- country poorer or less developed than it HERE AND THERE confuse based government of political parties, was on arrival. Daniel Lak and women, castes and regions sits in Singha Let’s have no more taking credit for obfuscate Darbar, allegedly with executive authority the gains of democracy in the 1990s–media as they see fit. from an evidently chastened king. There’s freedoms, indigenous human rights groups, Ha, no longer. For this week, a talk of constituent assemblies, ceasefires and legal reform courtesy of Sapana Pradhan challenge goes out. The same agencies— peace negotiations resumed. Malla, Mandira Sharma and other bilateral, charitable, UN, World Bank, IMF Aid agencies must rise to the challenge. courageous lawyers. Let the foreigners prove and so on—that cheered the king’s takeover They must throw every effort into assuring themselves by backing civil society and in late 2002 have had a plethora of excuses that this very real opportunity to stop the peace and widespread, inclusive since then for sitting on their behinds in entropy and reverse Nepal’s long decline is development throughout this land on an Kathmandu, blithely sending Nepalis off to not wasted. Real field work must now intense and sustained basis. the field to do what work they have outside resume. Projects have to reach the needy and Let’s see some well manicured the capital. jobs need to be created from one end of international hands covered with the dirt of They’ve commissioned study after study Nepal to the other. Build roads, open effort, and some honest appraisals of the and avoided political reality—that there can health clinics, teach people political rights, results. And in this I know I speak for be no development without democracy. do anything to spread the word that this millions of Nepalis. You’ve lived here and This should be self evident, even to aid could be the country’s last chance. profited during Nepal’s agony. Now put officials and diplomats who blindly and If I had my way, it would be the last something back. Or go home. l SUBHAS RAI 5 HimalayaNATION 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204

Hosnain of the University of Calicut, Sciences has reported receding who is studying glacier recession in glaciers in Tibet and Yunan and India’s Himachal Pradesh. Such warn that two-thirds of the glaciers predictions are corroborated by a in China will disappear by 2050 due small scale study in the Modi Khola, to global warming, affecting some north of Pokhara. “The field study 300 million people living shows rivers will continue to have downstream. abundant water for the next 50-60 Although evidence is piling up years,” says hydrologist Mandira that climate change will have Shrestha at ICIMOD. After that, enormous short-term and longterm experts fear, the rivers’ flows will impacts in the region, scientists say decrease dramatically as the snows there isn’t enough field research to recede. provide empirical proof about the The risk of such drastic change is seriousness of the crisis. At the higher in the rivers of eastern Nepal DoHM, scientists want to do some because deglaciation is more measurements in the Langtang pronounced there. Bhutan’s glaciers, Glacier north of Kathmandu but for instance, are receding three times can’t afford the Rs 500,000 that it faster than the glaciers in central will cost. Last year, the UN provided Nepal because the mountains of the Nepal, Bhutan and India with eastern Himalaya are getting more equipment to check the thickness rain and less snow. of glaciers, but the apparatus is Nearly 70 percent of the water rusting at the ICIMOD office in in the Ganga is from tributaries that Kathmandu because there is no flow down from Nepal, and if money to take it up to the Himalayan glaciers dry up, they will mountains. cause the Ganga to dry up in the lean There are signs that some season too. international agencies are waking up The Tibetan Plateau is a ‘water to the gravity of the situation. The tower’ not just for the Ganga- Worldwide Fund for Nature offices Brahmaputra-Indus systems but also in Nepal, India and China are trying for the Yangtse, Mekong and the to begin joint glaciological studies. rivers of Burma which all have their Says Chandra Gurung of WWF- headwaters in eastern Tibet. Nepal: “Once we get the figures in, The Institute of Tibetan Plateau we will know the real scenario. Then Research at the Chinese Academy of we can plan.” l A popular threat

Harka Bahadur Gurung knew he was putting his life on the line by not resigning as mayor of Pokhara, despite Maoist threats. “If the Maoists wish to kill me, let them do it,” he used to say. “I am not corrupt, I serve the people.” On 2 July, he was shot dead by rebels just outside his home. On Monday, thousands turned up at the mayor’s funeral in Pokhara (right). Harka Bahadur knew there was danger ever since the Maoists killed Birganj mayor Gopal Giri in April and injured the mayor of Butwal in an assassination attempt. He had been getting threatening calls, and told us recently: “Every day is a bonus.” In May, Harka Bahadur was shaken when the rebels killed tourism entrepreneurs Dil Man Gurung and Ishwor Gurung in Ghandruk. After the Kaski DDC president Kamal Man Gurung resigned under Maoist pressure, Harka Bahadur told the press in Pokhara that he would follow suit. He later changed his mind and obeyed the RPP’s directive to remain in office. The mayor was also under attack from the anti-‘regression’ parties who forcefully locked him out of his building last month. Harka Bahadur simply took his office to a chautari outside Pokhara and continued to issue citizenship papers, passports and other documents. Harka Bahadur was a doer, and in the past nine months won accolades from citizens here who were sick of the violence and political disruptions that affected tourism. When the municipality did not have money, Harka Bahadur dipped into his personal bank account. His close friend Lieutenant Thaman Singh Gurung says, “Harka had integrity and he wanted to serve Pokhara.” His project to rid Pokhara of garbage was beginning to work and will not suffer a setback. Harka Bahadur thought his popularity and honesty protected him from the rebels. But, as with the DDC chairman of Rasuwa, hotel owners from Ghandruk, teachers and social workers from all over Nepal in the past seven years—the Maoists seemed to regard that popularity itself as a threat. In recent weeks, Harka Bahadur had finally agreed to keep a bodyguard. Last month, security forces killed the local Maoist commander Raj Bikram Bhurtel and his wife, and the Kaski district administration said the situation in Pokhara had improved. The mayor started taking fewer precautions. Harka Bahadur is survived by four wives, five sons and three daughters. l 6 #204 HowNATION far is it to Nuntala?9 - 15 JULY 2004 It is the time it takes to realise the soldiers are as frightened as you are, and if you run, they will shoot.

ALDEN PYLE in JUNBESI felt sorry for myself when, life a simple, trite, much used Iimagining some non-existent phrase. When you trek through reason to get back to these places you are lucky that from Kathmandu, I rushed down from the morning peppery chia to the Bupsa and twisted my ankle. evening dal bhat, you are Hobbling along, I really wanted privileged to see a whole lifetime. to know just how long it would You will become part of a take for me to get to the warm lodge landscape in motion as you move at Nuntala. I pushed through through ever-changing mountain Jubing and crossed the bridge by views to the changing emotions noon, stopping to iodise my water that play across the faces of and check the time so I would children. It will change your life know when I could drink it. I as it has mine. But as I found, climbed up to the small teahouses and continue finding, it could past the bridge and thought, surely not be relegated to a corner of it could be no more then two hours your life. up the hill. I looked at my watch: So how far is it to Nuntala? 15 minutes till I could drink. It is the time it takes for ama to As I sat, a dozen soldiers serve out a helping of yogurt appeared in the scrub at the far end and refuse payment. It is the of the small hamlet, with them two time it takes Tashi in Nepali teenagers, a girl and a boy. Kyangjuma to see our meal is They seemed to be arguing. The perfect despite the huge soldiers gestured at them with waves trekking group we share her of their M-16s. The two were now lodge with, and the fact that hysterical, shouting back at the armed Maoists robbed her soldiers. lodge last night. It is the time it takes I looked at my watch, 13 to spend with a friend, it is the time minutes. When I looked up again, stood in front of me trying to hours, I had turned into a complete it takes to realise the soldiers are as the two teenagers were running summon up some English, finally It is the time chatterbox. Children, trekkers, frightened as you are, and if you away from the soldiers, heads down settling on “bad people” before shopkeepers. I seemed to need the run, they will shoot. It is the time it and running hard towards where joining the rest of the platoon it takes to sound of my own voice to confirm takes to realise a remark is the plateau that the village stood on heading up to Khari Khola. realise how my existence. thoughtless and wish it unsaid. It is dropped to the river and the bridge. That night I asked Raju in The sauni’s husband was keen the time it takes to play with and A couple of soldiers raised their Nuntala for a jug of chang. But after short life is. to tell me how the army was in the talk to children rather then just weapons and almost casually fired one sip, I was retching in the street, woods above, between me and the photograph them and pass on. It is five, six rounds. A short burst, and unable to stop shaking. I went to had done it. Lamjura, chasing Maoists. I tried the time it takes to realise how short they both fell, one attempting to my bed, where I could not sleep. The day and light were ending, to ignore him, but as he talked I life is. rise and failing. Two more soldiers The next day, coffee, breakfast and clouds were blowing up from had to listen. When they caught It is the time it takes to realise walked over and one kicked them, and the climb to Takshindo. The the valley across the hill, parting over Maoists, he told me, they tell them every moment is important and we hard, before bending with a pistol hills were full of army, their cordon Takshindo. The lodgekeeper to go, to run away, and then they can make a difference, both in our and making the dying youths moving across the hillside, clearing pointed out Thamserku and shoot them down. Villagers know own lives and in the lives of those almost sit up with the force of the out Maoists, the occasional burst of Kangtega. Why had it been so not to run, to stay put and they we meet along the way. Ask me coup de grace to the head. gunfire drifting across the hillside as important for me to know which will not shoot you. Then they anything but please not how far it I looked again at my watch, I plodded up. At the Everest View, ones they were? know you are just gathering wood. is or how long it will take, because registering the fact that I had wet buying cheese and dried apples, a The lodge in Junbesi was warm I remembered the boy and the girl. when you know that, you will also myself. Eleven minutes. The deaf-mute woman in her sixties and welcoming, the dining room But how do they know they are know that it will end. l soldiers had seen me and as they mouthed at me, miming shooting. sunny, as the Rai kitchenboy fried Maoists, I ask. He looked at me like prepared to leave, one of them She pulled her skirt up to show a eggs. The sauni chatted to me about I was stupid. “Because they run Alden Pyle is the pseudonym of a trekker who travelled across the walked over to me, hanging his head horrific khukri slash, half healed. the Kathmandu schools her away.” Junbesi valley earlier this year and shyly like a guilty schoolboy. He The lodgekeeper told me Maoists children attended. In the last 24 A day in the hills of Nepal is a witnessed the events described. NATION 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204 7 The secret success of Nepali soap Himalayan herbal soaps have carved a niche market that is poised to set an international trend

lifestyle.” That means more Wild markets.” The company encourages my line will pass any test in any lab Earth soaps are making their way to sustainable harvest practices and anywhere in the world,” says Lama . bigger markets in the US and experiments with growing herbs at While Nepali handmade soaps are Australia, Europe, Canada, Japan its medicinal herb farm in Nagarkot. popular abroad, the local market is and recently, even Brazil. With virtually all the raw taking time to catch on. And the The fascination with a well- material available in Nepal, Sambhu price of these exotic soaps is the marketed version of Nepal’s Lama at Farm House Herbal is now biggest deterrent. The cost of the exoticism is neither new nor difficult, working to make a 100 percent best Himalayan herbs, pure base and and it is not just the West where it is Nepali soap. The only stumbling essential oils drives the price higher becoming a rage. Japan is the biggest block remains in finding all Nepali than commercial soaps. market for Cosmos Herbal, which base oils. Though mustard, castor Even so, Lama decided to make started in 1994 as a Nepali-Japanese and neem oil is possible to source a soap that fitted ordinary budgets, joint venture. Its soap recipe uses 20 from Nepal, soap makers have to rely relying on a formula used by an aromatic and healing plants on coconut oil from India. But Lama Ayurvedic doctor for 25 years with including lemongrass, citronella, is trying to substitute it with seed oil consistent results. His secret palmarosa, basil, shikakai, aloe and from the Churee tree, good for dry ingredient is dri butter. “We’re used spikenard. Cosmos Herbal exports skin. It is fast growing and can be to calling in yak butter but that’s an average of 50,000 bars a month. found in the western middle hills of not correct because a yak is a male,” Administrative assistant Dev Jajarkot, Rukum and Rolpa. “If we chuckles Lama. “We use dri butter, Shrestha is confident they can meet find Churee can be a substitute for which has less water than milk and growing demands, which is good coconut oil, we will get the mix it with mustard oil—a MIN BAJRACHARYA SRADDHA BASNYAT news all round. Higher demand indigenous Chepang community to combination of the high Himalayan means more jobs. harvest it,” says Lama. and lowland secrets for good skin.” ruise through the toiletry gaining an international following Soap making of these Nepali bars Unlike some other Nepali At Rs 85 for a 113g cake, My aisle in any well-stocked with a range of Made in Nepal is entirely manual. Handmade soaps products, the quality of Nepali Favourite Soap is a bargain even by C Kathmandu supermarket handmade herbal soaps is Wild rely on the cold process, which is all handmade soaps still enjoys a the standard of generic global and there will be a dizzying array of Earth. It was set up by entrepreneur about following the right recipe. spotless reputation. “I am confident brands. l soaps. Attractively packaged and Carroll Dunham almost a decade ago Simplified, it involves mixing perfumed, most are the mega brands to support women’s income sodium hydroxide and base oils. that are a testament to the relentless generation in Nepal and the This sets off a chemical reaction, march of globalisation. Himalaya by exporting Ayurvedic which, when complete, leaves only Increasingly, however, there is soaps. soap and glycerine. Unlike also a growing selection of exotic The company believes in commercial soap making, where the Nepali soaps that have enough literally going the extra mile. It was glycerine is stripped and used in unique selling points to appeal to the first to craft soaps with fresh yak other cosmetic products like creams, consumers everywhere. To begin milk from Langtang, carried in ice the cold process requires personal with, who can resist the cache of coolers by porters from 8,000ft. care and attention. ‘handcrafted’? Add to that exotic Mixed with red clay, honey and a Besides creating more jobs, there Himalayan herbs, other natural choice of lavender or vanilla oil, the are other indirect benefits. Since the ingredients, an Ayurvedic tradition, yak milk soap became a bestseller soaps are made with many herbs no animal testing and— among the 30 soap varieties in the traditionally used in the Ayurvedic kaaachiiiiing—cash registers are Wild Earth stock. healing system indigenous to the ringing here and abroad. The ‘Made in Nepal’ tag Himalaya, they are all found Ayurvedic soap recipes that have translates to value added and unique growing in Nepal. “The Himalaya been around for thousands of years qualities that are especially attractive are a treasure chest for medicinal use natural oils mixed with to international buyers who don’t plants,” says Henning. Himalayan herbs for moisturising want mass-produced generic soaps Communities involved in growing and medicinal properties. The and shampoos. Nina Henning, and harvesting the herbs find a formula may have been tweaked for managing director at Wild Earth market through soap makers. She modern users, but no one messes explains: “Internationally, people are adds, “One of Wild Earth’s roles is around with the basics. getting more interested in holistic to link growers and harvesters of One of the names that is fast health. It influences a person’s entire Himalayan herbs to international 8 #204 AnECONOMY alternative current9 - 15 JULY 2004 An ex-politician from Khandbari shows how hydroelectricity can help fund local health and education No, he is not talking about is doing by trying to rehabilitate grandiose plans for high dams to the Khandbari small hydropower export power to India, or project that was commissioned in expensive foreign-funded and 1989 but was sabotaged by foreign-built plants that generate Maoists two years ago. Dahal and electricity that no one can afford. his friends are trying to raise Four years ago, Dahal and a few money to rebuild the plant and of his friends got together to build use the money from the power to the three MW Piluwa Khola pay for several cooperative colleges hydroplant near Chainpur in in his district, including the eastern Nepal. This is a model for Sankhuwasabha Campus in small, decentralised, locally-built Chainpur, Barun Campus in systems that sell power to the grid. Khandbari and the Madi The privately-built and Campus. MIN BAJRACHARYA bank-financed Piluwa plant was The 2.5 MW plant can be Dahal is working to rehabilitate Khandbari’s hydropower plant and delayed because of the conflict, rehabilitated at a cost of Rs 10 get the distribution network (left) functioning again to pay for community but now that it is up and million and put into operation in education. running, Dahal has another plan two years. Selling the power at Rs up his sleeve: make hydropower 3.50 per unit, the powerplant can self-reliance, reduces dependency and he has some very practical pay directly for local earn up to Rs 1.5 million a year. and give the people a sense of ideas, and this one is about development. The idea is to plough that money ownership,” says Dahal. “When communitising education.” “I always wondered whether into the campuses, pay for teachers the government comes in and Can this idea also be used in hydropower is only a business or and the infrastructure, and implements a large project, the food deficit areas of far western KUNDA DIXIT if it could be used to improve provide hundreds of scholarships local people have no stake in it, Nepal? “Why not,” says Dahal and people’s lives in a more immediate to ethnic, underprivileged they hardly ever benefit, so they immediately does some back-of- t a time when most way,” Dahal explained during a students. A voluntary board don’t feel ownership.” the-envelope calculations. “It costs A members of parliament are visit to Kathmandu. “So, I consisting of campus chiefs, the Dahal says he is not the kind about Rs 100 million to build a sitting around twiddling thought of building small DDC engineers, NEA and local of person who just sits in one MW plant. Selling that power their thumbs, Hari Bairagi Dahal, hydropower plants, selling the educationists has already been set Kathmandu lamenting about the will bring you Rs 30 million a year, the former UML representative electricity to NEA and using the up in Khandbari. state of the nation, the politics and which can buy you 100,000kg of from Sankhuasabha is busy money to finance schools and “This is a great sustainable the conflict, says one senior wheat annually. Karnali will never showing everyone that the future hospitals.” model to turn hydropower into government official who has have a food shortage with this of Nepal is in hydropower. And that is exactly what Dahal development because it fosters worked with him. “He is a doer, plan.” l ECONOMY 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204 9

BIZ NEWS

Flying numbers

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Mumbo jumbo cabinet More good news on visitor numbers. Air arrivals are up by 37 percent at the half-year mark compared to the same period in 2003. But the Deuba has pulled off a Laloo totals are still 33 percent below the 1999 high. There is still some way to go before we can say Nepal’s tourism industry is truly back on ike the Bihari ex-chief track. Interestingly, over the last month, arrivals from the UK, US, minister—husband to the Germany, France and China all went up, but the number of Indian L arrivals registered the first decline this year, decreasing by eight present one—the new percent. Those in the business attribute this to the lack of regular Deuba cabinet not only kept flights between India and Nepal, plus the transport strikes and everything within the family bandas, which lead to a series of cancellations. However, with the but also got enough ministers addition of flights by Jet Airways in June and Air Sahara this month, in the cabinet to cover all odds are Indian arrivals will grow rapidly. bases. We may have yet to

Technically not Indian ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ECONOMIC SENSE The Indian government has announced the Direct Admission of Artha Beed RAM HUMAGAIN/NEPALNEWS.COM Students Abroad (DASA) scheme for foreign students in technical approved by a communist especially with a new institutions. This scheme was developed by Educational Consultants learn how to run a coalition as minister. Perhaps we can government in South Bloc. Or India Limited (EdCIL), under the Ministry of Human Resource a perceived interim depend on him to raise issues is the state minister going to do Development, and features 15 percent supernumerary seats in all on the future of reforms and his mentor’s bidding? higher and technical institutions of India exclusively for foreign government but we succeeded nationals and persons of Indian origin (PIOs). There is also a 50 in installing 31 ministers balance out a socialist agenda The absence of a parliament percent tuition fee waiver for students from SAARC countries, for without the participation of with a free market weakens internal controls in admission to undergraduate programs offered by the National the four major political perspective. government budgets, both Institutes of Technology and other institutions under the DASA parties, who are still protesting Our preparedness with revenue and expenditure. All scheme. For Nepali students, this offer may just open up doors right regression. regard to the WTO should be the more reason for this next door. But there is hope. For the a top priority. The coalition cabinet to maintain fiscal first time, the deputy prime government must come up discipline and promote

Zoo renovation minister is a finance minister with programs it can agree transparency. Multi- and bi-

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ In a unique branding experience, Toyota and the VOITH group too. This makes the Beed on, central issues that have a lateral donors need to see some contributed Rs 4,497,193 to renovate the Central Zoo. The project, happy because we seem to be bearing on the direction of delivery to increase their failing which began in May 2003, aimed to remodel the 72-year-old zoo’s towing the Manmohan line in the economy. It must use the confidence in Kathmandu’s entrance plaza and Asiatic lion enclosure, plus construct the Siman India by finally giving the budget as a clear message that ability to govern. If this Gibbon enclosure. The completed project was handed over to the it means business. government wants to earn King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation this week. economy the importance it deserves. But will Bharat One of the surprises in the credibility, financial discipline NEW PRODUCTS Mohan deliver? new cabinet is that there isn’t should be the starting point. MOTORING ON: Continental Trading, Kia What we’d like to see are a full minister of water It is not pointless to Motor’s dealer in Nepal, has announced Companies Act, laws resources—especially at a continue drilling successive the arrival of the new Kia Picanto. associated with trusts and time when India wants to governments on the importance Available in nine body and three seat open bilateral dialogue on of ‘starting right and starting colours, the Picanto—from the word legislation related to Nepal’s piquant—is designed to handle both city passage into the World Trade water and power. We need a clean’. Something may actually traffic and the open road. Prices start at Rs 1,025,000, and go on up Organisation (WTO) come full-fledged minister as water come of it. l to Rs 1,299,000 for full options. through. This should provide and power are critical to the Readers can post views at an ironic twist, since it will be Indo-Nepal relationship, [email protected] Crity Awards to upgrade ad quality

How are this year’s Crity Awards shaping up? annual 25 percent growth, but not any more. Manufacturing, This is the second year we’re having the awards and we trade and investment have taken a knock and this has have added five categories: best television commercial affected advertising. Even so, we will soon have 56 FM producer, best radio jingle maker, best art direction and best stations in this country, more than seven television channels, outdoor production. There are 23 participating agencies, and and many big publication houses. For example, Prisma is 200 nominees in ten categories. We’ll have an awards registering an annual Rs 120,000,000 , Thompson is clocking ceremony with up to 500 people and a gala dinner. Rs 140,000,000 in transactions.

So what is it that you’re doing differently this time? How does this compare with India? This time it is more a celebration of media in Nepal. Ultimately, In terms of quality and quantity, Nepal’s ad industry is much the survival of media depends on advertising. We are making smaller. But what we want to prove is that even with smaller room for more advertising-oriented entertainment. Jane volume we can aim for quality and creativity. Look at the Subba from Ramp is doing the choreography and their multinationals that are dubbing ads here. We would like to designer is also involved. There is a Crity song. encourage Nepali production in Nepal. But things are changing, as you may have noticed with the Nepal Lever And have the media shown enough support? Close Up ads or Dabur. The media has been very supportive and we are not taking sponsorships from any product manufacturer. This is totally What are the main challenges in the ad industry? an awards ceremony for the industry and everyone, The government and AAAN published a national advertising Kantipur, Himalmedia, Himalayan Times, NepalTV, Radio Nepal, policy, but it exists only on paper. There are five players Samacharpatra, Samaya are involved. And all the television here: the advertising agency, the advertiser, the media channels are broadcasting the event live. vehicle, the target audience and the government. All must follow guidelines and rules for the industry to function KIRAN PANDAY What do you hope to accomplish with the awards? smoothly. This way all advertising expenses will come on Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar of Qualitative growth of advertising in Nepal. There has been a track and international standards will be adhered to vis-à-vis growth in quantity, now we want the media industry to also targeted advertising, circulation and ratings data, and Ad Avenues is also the strive for excellence in content. We hope the awards will content. An advertising council is needed to implement the help creativity among advertising professionals, agencies, national advertising policy so that questions of quality, president of the Advertising technical quality, mode of operations and career development circulation, code of conduct and a continuity of regulation are of professionals. Last year people were not prepared for the addressed. Agencies Association of Crity Awards. This time, we have seen a lot of ad agencies Nepal (AAAN), which is saying “we have to send this to Crity, let’s make a good There are clearly some ads in very poor taste. campaign”. The code of conduct in the national advertising policy will hosting the Crity Advertising address that. We do have very poor quality advertising in Is the country’s economic situation a worry? liquor and other sectors. They are not even in harmony with Awards 2061 at the Soaltee Despite all the problems we don’t have minus growth. This is cultural mores, and community values. There may be a Rs 2,000,000,000-a-year industry, but the overall economic pressure from the manufacturer, but for now it is up to the Crowne Plaza on Sunday. situation has an impact. Till two years ago we registered an ad agencies to address concerns of taste and acceptability. 10 HEALTH Living a little bit longer Donor priorities and government neglect prolong the anguish of Nepali AIDS patients

ith her parched lips, NARESH NEWAR in MAKWANPUR counselling and testing facilities, and shrivelled face and skeletal this means the poorest are the hard- W body showing advanced est hit. stages of malnourishment, Shila Providing care and support to Tamang stumbles around in her infected people need not necessarily dark bedroom looking for a piece of be difficult to implement or roti. expensive, they add. Gains can be Living alone with full-blown made in counselling and TB-control AIDS, 30-year-old Shila has not and care can be made home eaten for days. She is so weak that based, all of it with very little she has to use her hands to drag money, especially when the work is herself around. Abandoned by her done by small, community-based parents and shunned by neighbours organisations. in this district south of Kathmandu, No one seems to ask the she is running a high fever and is AIDS patients what they want. suffering from tuberculosis and Almost every infected person we met hepatitis C. The district hospital is in Kathmandu and rural Nepal say miles away and the nearest all they need is money for care and government health clinic is a three- support. They are are sharply criti- hour walk. “I want to die now,” is all cal of all the aid money that is wasted. Shila can say. “Help me.” “So much money is spent on Health care used to be scarce at hoardings and advertisements the best of times in these neglected for condoms—there is so little districts of Nepal. But the country Makwanpur’s idyllic countryside hides an AIDS timebomb, women like Shila Tamang (below) wait to die while investment in saving lives,” says now has an estimated 60,000 people donors and government debate whether funding drugs that would prolong her life is appropriate. Biswo Khadka, director of Maiti with HIV to take care of. Surviving Nepal, one of a handful of NGOs on meagre incomes, most patients sit-ins in front of the UN building resource-poor setting like Nepal, channeled through three large providing ARV treatment, medical can’t even afford food and basic in Kathmandu, urging officials to immediate universal access to anti- American NGOs that in turn sup- support and home-based care with medicines, let alone anti-retroviral prioritise care and support. retroviral therapy and certain other port 40 smaller local groups. DFID funding from small charities around (ARV) drugs that have made the Activists like Kafle want the AIDS-related medical interventions funds are distributed through the the world. disease manageable in the West. government to provide cheap or free is not possible.” UN system in Nepal. But some public health ex- ARV drugs to patients. But this The National Centre for AIDS Some government officials perts agree that care and support treatment is fraught with problems. and STD Control (NCASC) is complain privately that most donors programs may not be practical to For some donors, such as USAID, it strapped for cash too. With less than and their international partner enforce now. “It would be costly, could mean having to provide Rs 5.6 million coming from the gov- NGOs lack transparency about how and the donor agencies will have to expensive, branded ARVs, rather ernment’s health budget, the centre the funds are being used. “It is our deliver their services through the than the much cheaper generic is too donor-dependant to act own fault, we are not able to local infrastructure, which is weak,” versions because the US independently. effectively scrutinise their proposals says Bijay Rajkumar, an adviser to government adheres strictly to its In May, the government an- and monitor them,” one senior Save the Children (UK). Many Nepalis like Shila Tamang patent laws. nounced that it would provide ARV health bureaucrat told us. But this back-and-forth discus- are dying before their time from Some donors in Kathmandu also therapy to 100 more AIDS patients, The NCASC itself suffers from sion is far removed from the desperate secondary infections and argue that Nepal lacks the clinics, adding to the 25 currently on the political meddling—six of its lives of patients like Shila Tamang. malnutrition. That this should district hospitals and distribution drugs. But the government depends directors were sacked in the last four There are cases of infected women happen in Nepal, where millions of units needed to provide effective on hand-outs from the Global years. “The role of donors becomes committing suicide and children dollars in international aid is invested ARV treatment. So far, ARVs are a Fund even for such a small number. more powerful when the dying from infections and lack of to control the epidemic, is ironic. priority only in countries with a high There are no accurate figures for government is weak,” says health food. In these far-flung districts, Activists say poor Nepali patients see prevalence of HIV (one percent or just how much aid money Nepal activist Renu Rajbhandari. patients are not demanding exotic very little of the aid money because more) in the general population. gets for AIDS, but it is much Donors officials deny they are ARV drugs, their need is basic: food most of it is used for prevention, USAID lists Nepal as one of 10 higher than many other Asian calling the shots. “If there is pressure, and drugs to treat infections. information and awareness, rather priority countries that have a low countries. UK’s Department for it’s pressure to move forward to “Should we just stand by and than for care and support, which HIV/AIDS prevalence, there are nine International Development achieve its goals,” says Anne M let them suffer?” asks an angry some donors consider to be too other high prevalence priority (DFID), for instance, has given Peniston, deputy director of Radhika Chaulagain, an activist in expensive. countries. In low prevalence about £2 million since 2002. And USAID’s family and health planning Makwanpur town who helps a According to UNAIDS, about countries, it aims to deliver half the $30 million allocated to office in Kathmandu. group of infected women with free 10,000-15,000 Nepalis are prevention programs, while in high all health programs by USAID UNAIDS’ country coordinator medicines, food and HIV-testing expected to die of AIDS every year prevalence countries it implements since 1993 has gone to AIDS for Nepal, Michael Hahn, says: “The with the little money she gets from in the absence of effective treatment a package that includes care and work. problem is, how do we get things charities. “What happens to all the and care. “The donors consider this support activities. As with many other poor moving?” foreign aid we hear about all the a low priority because they believe it Donor priorities are written into countries, funds do not go directly Some activists are worried that time?” l is not economically viable,” says Nepal’s national AIDS strategy for to the government. For instance, donors don’t give adequate (This report was made possible with activist Rajiv Kafle, who leads regular 2002-2006, which declares: “In a much of USAID’s money is importance to care and support, support from the Panos Institute.)

ALL PICS: NARESH NEWAR 11 Anti-ARV9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204in India Some Indian activists say free anti-AIDS drugs will only benefit the AIDS mafia that she underwent because of flawed HIV/ (NACO). But community health experts AIDS policies. also say that pushing ARV treatment in itself At the moment, Kaushalya is busy would not address the spread of HIV/AIDS. opposing a public interest litigation case before They have said that introducing ARV the Supreme Court that wants the treatment, which calls for close monitoring, government to provide free anti-retroviral through the ramshackle public health (ARV) drugs, which slows down the delivery system is a scheme that entails huge multiplication of HIV, to all who need it risks. The health system is riddled with through the public health system. “These are corruption, diversion of costly drugs into the (actually) private interest litigations—people black market and poor patient compliance like me who live in villages are never going to with drug regimens. benefit form any government programs—we Anti-retroviral drugs, usually a are better off left alone,” said Kaushalya. combination of at least three different anti- The activist group, Joint Action Council HIV medications, need to be taken on a (JAC) is backing Kaushalya and argues that regular schedule everyday for it to work. the real aim of those pushing for free anti- Once ARV therapy is started, it requires retrovirals is to pressure the government into continuous monitoring for side effects and RANJIT DEVRAJ in NEW DELHI placing bulk orders for the drugs and bail out drug resistance. Psychological support and pharmaceutical companies. advice on nutrition need to be provided. aushalya is convinced her unborn baby Ostracised and humiliated by an orthodox In April, the government responded to In fact, activist groups like JAC challenge K would be alive today if she was not community, Kaushalya sought help from demands from NGOs and organisations of the very notion that there is an AIDS compelled to abort it by the so-called human rights activists to undergo further tests people with HIV to provide free ARV epidemic in India such as to warrant the ‘HIV/AIDS mafia’. that revealed that neither she nor her three treatment in six high-prevalence states of declaration of a national emergency. There Trouble began for Kaushalya after her young daughters had HIV. Earlier tests were Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, are estimated 3.8 million to 4.5 million HIV husband Ranbir, who drove buses for the state- obviously defective. Kaushalya has now Maharashtra, Manipur and Nagaland. cases in India, while the cumulative known owned bus company died of tuberculosis in remarried and is the mother of a healthy fourth Under the program, an estimated AIDS cases nationwide number nearly 1996 shortly after he tested positive for HIV. daughter with her second husband. Today, 100,000 people, starting with seropositive 70,000. Critics say in a country of billion Doctors refused to attend to Ranbir and this frail but plucky woman, who lives in a mothers and children below 15, are expected people, this is not an epidemic and India has advised her to abort the son she was then village in Haryana, believes that no other to be covered by the end of 2005, according much more serious problems like carrying “for her own safety”. woman must suffer the pain and humiliation to the National AIDS Control Organisation malnutrition and hunger. l (IPS) 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204

Mine land willingly chooses to spend a single Meanwhile, Manangey is on the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ night in Salleri. run, but the police say there is “The king and the Maoists Kantipur, 4 July not enough evidence to convict

have a common interest” Gang wars him. “Even when there is Mines are a way of life in Salleri. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ sufficient evidence, they get away They are planted everywhere, Samaya, 2 July easily due to pressure from the Mohan Bikram Singh, underground leader of NCP United even on private land and politicians,” says a police source. Centre-Masal, interviewed in Nepal, 4 July landowners are not compensated. The bloodbath between two Two policemen were injured in notorious rival gangs in Executions

You don’t seem to favour a constituent assembly Kathmandu intensified over the

○○○○○○○○○○○○ mine explosions. Recently, the ○○○○ anymore. people had another mine scare. A last few weeks. Gang leaders Editorial in Samacharpatra, 4 July That is not true, we have advocated a constituent assembly group of travellers had gathered Milan Gurung ‘Chakre’ and since the beginning, and even boycotted the general at the district headquarters to Dipak ‘Manangey’ unleashed The Maoists killed yet another elections for that reason. But the royalists are using the share their experiences of trekking their goons in a series of revenge city mayor, after accusing him of concept to destroy the present constitution and hand over attacks against each other. In not following their orders. First, authoritarian power to the king. The Maoists also want to around Solukhumbu when a May, Chakre survived a lethal change the constitution, but are actually helping the king loud explosion rent the tranquil they killed the mayor of Birganj, achieve his goals by chanting slogans for a constituent air. Everyone was thrown into a attack by Manangey’s group at Gopal Giri, for refusing to pay assembly. Our protest is against such motives. But our panic, thinking the Maoists had Maharajganj, but his arm was extortion money. They have now demand for a constituent assembly is still our major slogan launched another attack, a severly injured in the fight. shot Mayor Harka Bahadur in the anti-regression movement. distinct possibility with rebels Chakre vowed to avenge the Gurung of Pokhara. stationed only four days away. attack, and on 1 July, his It is obvious they are vying Is a constituent assembly possible with the present Later, they discovered that a brother Tejendra Gurung led an for a one party autocratic system. constitution? jackal had stepped on a mine. attack on Manangey near Jai No matter how much they talk We are not saying that we can create a constituent “These mines explode if they are Nepal Cinema. Though he was about supporting democracy, it is assembly through this constitution. But the constitution weighed down by anything over assaulted with khukuris and easy to judge from their actions should be kept intact until high-level authority is given to us swords, Manangey survived. whether they mean it or not. and a constituent assembly is created. one kg,” an official explained. While mines are a real danger, The police have been criticised Besides the executions of the two the security forces see them as a for failing to control the mayors, they attacked and protection against Maoist attacks. situation. They, in turn, blame severely wounded the mayor of The entire district headquarters is the politicians for protecting the Butwal, Punaram Pokhrel, and surrounded by barbed wire, some gangs, but questions have also targeted numerous VDC officials. of it rumoured to be poisonous. been raised at the ‘suspicious In the last nine years of the In a few places, notice boards behaviour’ of the police, who are ‘people’s war’, many political warn, “Danger, live current”. often accused of being associated leaders, students, teachers and After sunset everyone goes with one side or the other. After journalists as well as innocent indoors and avoids talking to Chakre was arrested last week, farmers lost their lives because strangers. There are no social his rival Manangey, who was they disagreed with the Maoists. gatherings or parties at night. “All being treated at Bir Hospital For a long time, the Maoists tried celebrations have to end during managed to escape just a few to put an end to local bodies. the day,” said DDC president hours later. Although a case was They have destroyed many NEPALNEWS.COM Ang Babu Lama. “The security filed against Manangey, an VDCs and killed people’s But does this not mean that the constitution, which helped forces want everyone in their own arrest warrant was never issued. representatives. the king to take over, will keep the royal power intact as homes by the evening.” It seems Chakre also has friends Just after former Prime the Maoists allege? Are you, by any chance, speaking in From inside their houses, in the police force. When Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa favour of the king? locals can see the sweep of Manangey’s wife went to the announced his intention to fill in Actually, the king and the Maoists have a common interest in torchlights late at night, police station to file a case vacant government posts in the bringing an end to the present constitution. Earlier, both the occasionally broken by warning against her husband’s village wards, the Maoists Maoists and royalists were united in attacking the shouts of, “Watch out! Fire!” attackers—Chakre’s brother and intensified their threats, parliamentary system. They were working together to Troops also bang tin cans or five gang members—she was abductions and killings. This led dissolve parliament, bring down the elected government arrested instead. to the government officers and eliminate the constitution. Through their writing and drums. All this is enough to keep everyone on edge. The biggest Chakre is accused of the assigned to the local bodies press statements, both Baburam Bhattarai and Prachanda contract killing of a woman last resigning en masse. Those who aligned themselves with late King Birendra. risk is being caught in the searchlight. If you get year. However, in the absence of have not quit their jobs were But why does your party disagree with such notions? pinpointed,there is a high chance strong evidence, he will soon be threatened with death. There is a difference of opinion regarding the Maoists. you will be shot. While locals are released on a bail of Rs 27,000. The Maoists have constantly Some of our friends from the former United Centre see the getting accustomed to the change No action has been taken against claimed that they are forced to Maoists as the true Marxist-Leninist power. We do not. We in their lifestyle, no visitor him for the attacks on Manangey. take up arms to restore regard the Maoist leaders as opportunists.

But they are spreading across the country. The growing power of a communist party is less important than gaining popular support and political credibility. The Maoists have made serious political mistakes by attacking Pot: All party government the parliamentary system, working in tune with the activities of the king and trying to get support from the US and Europe. The king and India both used the Maoists to end the constitution and interfere with national affairs. All this proves that the Maoists have been working against their own principles, especially as they also attacked farmers, Spacetime, 4 July labourers, teachers and students on a nation-wide scale. The leaders are opportunistic and crimes are being committed at the lower levels.

Aren’t you envious of the Maoists’ success? There are always accusations. Take a look at the Maoists’ QUOTE OF THE WEEK activities. Did they not expressed their unity with King Birendra? Did they not support the idea of an open economy? They killed, looted and abducted ordinary “The Indian ambassador said in a citizens. Do all these actions adhere to Marxist principles? press release that such incidents We have to take this into consideration as well. happen occasionally. What can we say to those who have no shame at all?” Do you, like the Maoists, have personal relations with several political parties? Journalist Madan Regmi, in response Not long ago we struggled against the Nepali Congress. to the Indian nationals caught with Now we are making efforts to join hands with them. arms at Thankot, in Janadharna, 1 July Till when do you intend to remain underground? Our struggle will continue for a long time, as we still don’t have a real democracy. Regression is still a huge threat.

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 13 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS Hush9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204

Deshantar, 4 July

A big mystery surrounds the six security personnel and a civilian from India who managed to enter the country with arms and ammunition. Among the arrested was Bajresh Singh, brother of the Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The Indians had sten guns, LMG and pistols when they were arrested on 29 June at Thankot. They managed to travel all the way from Bhairawa, past tight security checks along the highway to reach the Valley. It is quite apparent that there is a conspiracy going on between the security forces. DAMBAR KRISHNA SHRESTHA According to Nepali law, the perpetrators should have been democracy. They say they will (PLA) has been able to set must be taken to help the PLA, imprisoned for two years and fined Rs 6,000 each, but the respect individuals who have unbelievable records in terms of which is the backbone of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) not only released the arrested different political views than their bravery and sacrifice. Now, it has party and the people’s Indians but handed them over to the their embassy without any own when they form the become necessary to develop at the government: legal charges against the unlawful act. The government has government. But in reality, things political level. We have been l Proper management for the not been able to justify its actions to a dissatisfied Nepali are just the opposite. They have working on this since the collapse treatment and security of public. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy hasn’t issued so much formed their own ‘people’s of the ceasefire last year up until comrades who are injured in as a formal apology. We approached the MFA for clarification government’ in Maoist dominated the point when we began battle. but they passed us on to the Home Ministry. areas and non-Maoists have not decentralised action. But since the l Special plans of district level The biggest surprise is the silence of the political parties been given the chance to PLA will have to bear more crucial organisations of the party for on the issue. Neither the Nepali Congress nor the UML, both of participate. This only reflects their responsibilities in the days to PLA recruitment. which strongly protested Indian security personnel entering Nepal and raiding a house in Baneswor, have not uttered a desire to form an autocratic system come, development at the political l Arrangements of logistics and peep. Even the leftist parties that usually make mountains out in the country. If they are really level has become even more combat materials. of minor Indian interference in our affairs haven’t spoken up. fighting the war for the Nepali important. l Politicisation in the families of Hom Nath Dahal, leader of the ruling NC-D refused to people, then the least they could The party will have to take the PLA. comment. Sadhbhabana (Anand Debi) leader Hridayesh do is stop killing innocent, serious initiative to strengthen the l Intelligence gathering on the Tripathi pretended to be ill when asked for a quote. NC unarmed people. interrelation between the party enemy. spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC says his party does not have and the PLA. At this point, our l Awareness among PLA enough information about the incident. Former foreign minister party has been placing the PLA soldiers about the enemy. Prakash Chandra Lohani was surprised: “Is there no law

PLA against foreigners walking around with arms in this country? ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and military action at the core of The party and the PLA Maoist leader Agni Sapkota in our activities. This policy needs should both try to intensify And why are the parties so quiet even when the government is Janadesh support from every committee at positive relations with the people. unable to explain anything?” Among the few politicians who all levels. This cooperation is Believing in people, serving them, cared to comment was Amik Sherchan of Jana Morcha Nepal: directly associated with the victory being close to them and “We have to understand that they came here with the intention With total trust in supreme of causing a big incident. No tourist travels around with lethal commander Comrade Prachanda, of our revolution. aiming for the people’s welfare are weapons.” our Peoples’ Liberation Army Therefore, the following steps the basis of our principles. Peace now

Translations of editorials from national Nepali dailies on the expanded multiparty cabinet, 6 July All-party government? Kantipur

After 33 days, it is good news that Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba finally managed to form a multiparty cabinet. The bad news is that he also included two royalists, shattering his own vision of an all-party representation. Deuba says the duo represent civil society, but they are merely the king’s representatives. It is definitely not in the interest of democratic parties to involve royalist Mohammed Mohsin, who was given the portfolio for the significant Ministry of Information and Communication. The message is clear: the palace wants a share of everything everywhere. Congratulatons! Rajdhani

The recently formed coalition government represented by Nepali Congress-D, UML, RPP and NSP is definitely different from the last two. Our hope now is on Deuba and his ministers to bring political stability and start peace talks with the Maoists. But all the parties must face severe criticism for the length of time they took to prepare a Common Minimum Program (CMP) and to join Deuba. It became quite evident that they had vested interests. If it there was genuine concern for the country, a CMP would’ve been finalised in a couple of hours, not after more than a month. Peace first Samacharpatra

Now that the four parties have joined the government, they must make clear plans for peace public. This is their top priority and prime responsibility. The parties should be very serious about implementing their CMP. The people are not interested in which party is involved in the government or who gets what ministry. Their concern is peace. The all-party government has to move ahead by making a ceasefire and peace talks their main political agenda. Only this can restore the democratic rights of the people and make general elections possible. 14 ASIA 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204 “In China, 10 million people Xinjiang, and 20 percent in may be infected with HIV by Guangdong,” the report notes in 2010 unless effective action is reference to two provinces in taken,” the UNAIDS report China. warned, while in Indonesia six of HIV prevalence rate among AIDS in Asia the country’s 31 provinces “are Indonesia’s 125,000-195,000 badly affected”. These three injecting drug users “has increased countries are among the region’s three-fold—from 16 percent to Catastrophe-in-waiting most populous, with China being 48 percent between 1999 and home to 1.3 billion people, 2003,” the report states. “In 2002 Indonesia having 203 million and and 2003, HIV prevalence ranged Vietnam 77 million people. from 66 percent to 93 percent To compound that is the among injecting drug users report’s remarks on India: it has attending testing sites in the “the largest number of people capital city, Jakarta,” it adds. living with HIV outside South Furthermore, sex between men Africa—estimated at 4.6 million has also been identified as a reason in 2002”. Yet it is a picture that is for the escalating HIV rates in deceptive and can result in Asia. complacency, given the criteria South Asian sex workers are used, percentage of population, to also vulnerable to the spread of calculate if a country’s HIV HIV, due to low condom use by prevalence rate has reached a their male clients. Yet HIV/AIDS ith only one in four new HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), said at the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) point to be deemed an epidemic. activists say that this reality will HIV cases being reported launch of a global report on the worldwide, the ‘2004 Report on In this light, countries like China, not change unless the region’s W from Asia, the sprawling pandemic. If the region fails to the Global AIDS Epidemic’ India and Indonesia appear governments pursue a more continent is on the verge of being implement effective prevention revealed. During that year, close to marginally affected when set enlightened approach, particularly felled by an AIDS epidemic that programs, “we will see an epidemic half a million people are estimated against the high percentages in in policies to bring those who would dwarf the devastation the likes of which we never to have died by the virus that African countries reeling under inject drugs into the fold of AIDS wrought by the killer disease in imagined despite what has causes AIDS, while 1.1 million the AIDS epidemic. prevention and care. Africa, experts warn. “Asia is now happened in Africa,” she said. people became newly infected. According to the UNAIDS Most detrimental to the region facing life and death choices when By the end of 2003, Asia had Such a grim picture has been fed report, China and Indonesia have would be punitive polices such as it comes to the epidemic,” an estimated 7.4 million people by the rapid increase in HIV 0.1 percent of their population the one pursued in 2003 by the Kathleen Cravero, deputy living with HIV out of the 38 infections from two of Asia’s most aged between 15-49 years Thai government of Prime executive director of the Joint million adults and children populous countries—China and infected with HIV, as opposed to Minister Thaksin Shinawatra United Nations Programme on infected with the human Indonesia—and nearby Vietnam. Botswana, which has 37.3 against drug users, said Paisan percent of the population Suwannawong, director of the infected with HIV, South Africa Thai Treatment Action Group. with 21.5 percent of HIV That year, the Thaksin prevalence and Zimbabwe, with administration launched a harsh 24.5 percent HIV prevalence. Of ‘war on drugs’ to rid the country the Asian countries, only of its amphetamine addiction, but Cambodia, Thailand and Burma this nine-month campaign have the percentages to be resulted in over 2,200 people considered facing an AIDS being killed for allegedly being epidemic, with Cambodia being part of the country’s narcotics the worst affected with 2.6 trade. “The ‘war on drugs’ forced percent of its population suffering intravenous drug users from HIV and Thailand with 1.5 underground out of fear that they percent. Such low percentages, will be killed or be put on a list of though, cannot be glossed over, being a drug user,” Paisan added. asserted Cravero, since Asia is “Many drug users stopped going “potentially worse than Africa to the treatment centres.” because of the numbers”. On Tuesday, HIV/AIDS What are also setting the two activists announced the plans they continents apart are the factors would pursue during the 15th that have fuelled the rapid spread International AIDS Conference to of HIV. In Asia, injecting drug be held in Bangkok from 11-16 use has been a major contributor, July to lobby governments to see states the report. “Among vulnerable groups in Asia in a injecting drug users, HIV more sympathetic light. l prevalence is 35-80 percent in (Marwaan Macan-Markar/IPS) INTERNATIONAL 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204 15

Under a shroud More than a million women died in five years because of failed aid

SANJAY SURI in LONDON

ore than a million women died over the five-year period between M 1996 and 2001 because rich nations failed to honour their commitments to promote sexual and reproductive health, a group of NGOs said at the launch of a new campaign in London last Thursday. The total number will be considerably more in the decade since the developed countries made their commitment at the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994, they added. The NGOs came together in a campaign ‘Countdown 2015’ to call on governments to pay. An analysis of government budgets by the US based Population Action International shows that developed countries had made a commitment of $30 billion for the period 1996-2001 over which the budgets were examined. The amount paid was a little more than $10 billion, leaving a shortfall of almost $20 billion. Countdown 2015 NGOs figure the money that fell short could have prevented 268 million unwanted pregnancies, 113 million induced abortions, 7.2 million infant deaths and 733,000 pregnancy related deaths. US policies have presented a particular problem. Under US law passed by the Bush administration within the first week of President George W Bush taking over, US funding is denied to any agency that provides abortions or engages in abortion counselling or referrals. “The funding is denied even to groups for activities like fighting HIV and AIDS if another part of the group engages in abortion services,” said Julia Ekong from Marie Stopes International. The groups campaigning for more spending on reproductive health say the US, in effect, achieved the opposite of what it had professed to, because it meant many more women resorting to illegal and unsafe abortions. The US government, which was due to spend $12.3 billion for sexual and reproductive health aid, ended up spending about $4.1 billion during the five-year period studied. That still meant that the US paid 30 percent of its due, percentage-wise a good deal more than France, which paid no more than three percent of what it was committed to for the period. Several European countries like Italy, Spain and Portugal have made similarly tiny contributions. Other countries that fell short of their commitments include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Britain and Switzerland. Among these, Britain comes closest to meeting the target after paying 88 percent of its commitment of $2.3 billion, according to figures released by the Department for International Development in Britain. The only countries that have paid their share in full are Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The $30 billion committed is only a third of the total requirement estimated at the ICPD, say the NGOs. The rest was to come from developing countries, which have produced a far greater share of their commitments than the developed countries. Much of the spending within developing countries has come from end users. Increased spending on reproductive health is necessary immediately to meet the millennium development goal of sexual and reproductive rights for all by 2015, the NGOs say. l (IPS) 16 BOOKS 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204 DANGER: JOURNALISTS AT WORK A new book with survival tips for reporters on dangerous assignments

implicated in attacks on journalists. Most much of the available information comes commonly, governments have an ambivalent from international correspondents and from attitude towards journalists, and do not training courses set up for the giants of the regard it as a prime duty to protect them. electronic media. There is a wealth of Even governments who pride themselves on knowledge and experience amongst their democratic credentials put journalists at journalists who live and work on the front risk when they give the police or courts the line of conflict and who have learned to right to seize material or pass laws requiring survive while continuing to do their jobs. journalists to reveal sources or give up Those lessons and that knowledge need to confidential information. be pooled and the courage and tenacity of It is important to recall that of the 1,192 those journalists needs to be honoured. This journalists killed since 1990, more than 90 is a small step in that direction and this book percent were born and grew up in the land is dedicated to these true heroes of our where they died. Foreign correspondents are profession. l the high-profile casualties, but most victims are local. When a victim is a journalist working in his or her own community, the news makes less impact elsewhere. Local journalists are at greater risk because they continue to live in areas from where they ar and violence rarely answer world, harassment, threats and worse report. When the story is over, they cannot anything—but when they happen, have become an unavoidable part of the board a plane and fly away. Wjournalists and other media staff job. While reporting on war or civil It takes the experience of those who have have a crucial role in cutting through the fog conflict the risks escalate and journalists reported from and filmed in hostile zones of deception, lies and manipulation of lose their lives. and tries to draw lessons to save lives. But information that inevitably follows. Their Attacks on journalists have a widespread safety is not just an issue when bullets start task is to show the impact on the lives of chilling effect. They sap the ability of flying. It is also about creating a culture of ordinary people. In taking on that role, journalists to investigate and report and they risk awareness in all aspects of journalism— journalists and others put their lives and deprive the public of the right to know. whether in war zones, investigative reporting safety at risk. Sometimes this is the objective. Violence or reporting events from the streets. Every job has its risks, and journalists, against journalists is often a deliberate policy Live News is a valuable guide to media Live News: A Survival Guide for Journalists whose job is to bring into the open what by people who cheat, rob and inflict practitioners, their bosses who send them to Peter McIntyre someone wants hidden, are at greater risk violence on their communities, so that they the field and to others who rely on media IFJ Brussels, 2003 than most. But the risks today are can avoid exposure and stay in the shadows. being in dangerous places. It attempts to www.ifj.org unacceptably high. In some parts of the Governments are sometimes directly spotlight the needs of local journalists, but www.newssafety.com “Everything stopped then the car blew up” Nepal’s were four other correspondents as well as me. We looked at the remains of the grenade. Slowly endangered police started to arrive—the local police and the army bomb squad. The car door was unlocked so it was suspicious, but we thought the danger had media passed. “I went with other journalists to try to get a quote from the police. Everything stopped around In the year since the collapse of the me. I tried to say ‘hey’ and the car blew up 10m in ceasefire last August, five Nepali front of us. The cop pushed me down and said journalists have been killed and 10 have ‘stay down’—there was silence and then a volley gone missing, according to the Federation of glass and incredible heat. Gas cylinders had of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in Kathmandu. exploded in the boot of the car. I saw the guy to my The Maoists tortured and publicly executed Gyanendra Khadka in Chautara right go down. There were 19 people killed and last year and in March killed former journalist and mayor of Birganj, you could see the blood. I realised I was hit. Gopal Giri. Meanwhile, two journalists with the pro-Maoist Janadesh Suhasini Haidar, a Delhi-based freelance “You need to do your homework. Double weekly Binod Chaudhary and Nagendra Pokharel were killed by the state reporter working for CNN bombs are quite common—the first one draws the as was Padma Devkota of the Karnali Sandesh newspaper. police and a crowd; then the second one goes off. Earlier, eight journalists had been killed during the state of Srinagar, August 2000 I should have moved back from the car. I am more emergency by both sides while seven journalists were reported missing. jumpy now, and I am a little more anxious around The state illegally detained 61 journalists during that period and “My car was at a traffic Iight when I heard a parked cars. I go to places of danger if it is an harassed others, the FNJ report says. The federation also reports huge bang and I asked the driver to go assignment, but not because I like to go to numerous cases of harrassment and beating of journalists while covering towards the sound. We came to a narrow lane dangerous places.” the anti-‘regression’ demonstrations earlier this year. “Security forces beat off a main market street. Someone had journalists and damaged their cameras even after they showed their press passes,” said the report. thrown a grenade into a car in the ditch. There Extract from: Live News: A Survival Guide for Journalists

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Guinness Book of World Records: First rhino to dive in a pelican. Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 4227711, [email protected] NATION 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204 17

ALL PICS: MOHAN MAINALI Hundi Rawat (l, at right in pic) tells grieving relatives not to cry because the journalists are here. Her widowed daughter is in the middle.

Journalists from Doti, Kailali and Kanchanpur share their experiences at a meeting in Nepalganj.

Fed up with censorship by the CDO, reporter Bishnu Lal Buda in Dolpa “Please tell the world about our suffering”bought his own fax machine. Journalists from western Nepal talk about the hardships they face in reporting from the war zone

HASTA GURUNG in NEPALGANJ

prawled on the dirt outside her from heaven, thank you for caring telecommunication affects not just from arousing the suspicions of both they find out that they have been on home, 56-year-old Hundi to come and share our sorrow. Please, objectivity, but as Suraj Kunwar in the Maoists and the security forces. a reporting trip into the villages. S Rawat was weeping over the journalist sahibs, write about our Accham says, also a journalist’s budget. “They really give me a hard time Luckily for them, though, the phones bodies of her four relatives and two suffering and tell the world.” “It costs up to Rs 80 to fax a page. You about my microphone and recorder,” still work in Piuthan so there isn’t neighbours. All were gunned down by When there is nowhere else to need to turn on the generator to get she tells us. any big problem filing stories. an army patrol on the morning of 29 turn, helpless Nepalis trapped by the the fax machine to work and usually Another radio reporter, Sumitra Almost all reporters have October 2002, when they were conflict cling to reporters to pour out there is no petrol, and by the time my Chaudhary of the new Ghodaghodi complaints about the desk editors in mistaken for Maoists. By chance, their sorrows. It seems there is some news lands in Kathmandu it is dated.” FM in Kailali says security forces want Kathmandu who do not understand three journalists from Kathmandu comfort in just being able to talk to Fed up with censorship by the to listen to all her interviews when the circumstances in which they work, happened to be passing by. someone. However, journalists are CDO, Bishnu Lal Buda invested six she returns from assignment in how even a small omission or mistake Most of the villagers were too torn between chronicling facts, being months of his personal earnings to buy outlying villages. “If I try to hide my in a story can have serious shocked to speak. Hundi noticed the involved and affected by the human his own fax machine. The trouble was, identity as a journalist, it might be repercussions on safety. Downplaying presence of the journalists and tragedy all around them and the electricity was erratic so he couldn’t even worse because they may suspect or overplaying a story both create consoled the others: “Don’t worry, logistical nightmares involved in use it when he needed to file a story. I’m a Maoist,” she says. “And it also complications for reporters in the stop crying, they will take our news to getting the stories out. For these and other journalists, getting very difficult to find people field. the outside world.” About 30 journalists from all over journalism is a tightrope act— to speak on radio, they are sacred Most journalists interviewed for Mohan Mainali was one of the the western region met in Nepalganj balancing conflicting pressures from they may get into trouble.” this article had to be goaded to talk journalists, and still remembers being last week to share the problems they the security forces and the Maoists. Ganesh Chaudhary reports for about their problems. Almost moved by how much hope those face in reporting from conflict zones. “We have to keep both sides happy Kantipur from Kailali and says both without exception they told us that without hope still have on the power Some were mundane problems, like for our own personal safety,” says Dan the Maoists and the security forces their problems paled in comparison of the media. (See Mainali’s story ‘Our not having access to fax and phone. Singh Aira of the Doteli Abaj newspaper are increasingly sensitive about to the hardships, misery and fear descendants are doomed’, #122). “There is only one phone in the published in Doti. Lila Shah reports coverage. “They want us to play that the people of western Nepal Earlier, the reporters had interviewed whole district of Humla,” says Jaya for Himalaya Times from Dang. “They down negative news and play up are going through. Says Mohan 82-year-old Surya Bahadur Giri. The Bahadur Rokaya, correspondent of pressure us to report things that they material that makes them look Mainali: “We can’t wait till Maoists had just destroyed the Food Kantipur in Simikot. “Even that phone like, but the trouble is if one side likes good,” he says. conditions improve for journalists, Corporation godown and blown up the is in the CDO’s office. We can’t fax it the other side is sure not to,” she Closer to the Maoist heartland Nepal’s crisis is too serious and a Bajura airport building. Giri sat the anything without him reading it, and says. in Piuthan, reporters Numraj Khanal solution is required too urgently. reporters down beside him, and said: sometimes he censors it.” Radio journalist Pramita Jairu has and Iman Singh Bharati regularly face It is our job to get these stories “It’s like the gods have come down Reliance on the government a hard time preventing her equipment interrogation from security forces if out.” l 18 CITY 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204

ABOUT TOWN From its slam-bang start with Dennis Quaid dangling above a frozen crevasse by an JAI NEPAL CINEMA FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS ice axe that he hadn’t been holding the moment before, to computer-generated timber wolves menacing Jake Gyllenhaal on board a Russian freighter that’s frozen v Secret Moments Paintings by Bhairaj Maharjan till 15 July smack in the middle of Manhattan, The Day After Tomorrow defies logic at every at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited, 4218048 turn with giddy, big-budget glee. Combine a disaster, an overly large cast and state- v Erotic Drawings by Birendra Pratap Singh till 10 July at of-the-art special effects with a dumb script that takes itself far too seriously—what Buddha Gallery Zen Café, Thamel. 4441689 you get is a film that’s both terrible and brilliant, providing a wealth of thrills, v Monsoon Collection 2004 Paintings by various artists at giggles and sarcastic asides to your seatmates. The Day After Tomorrow is campy, Park Gallery, Lazimpat and Pulchowk, until 24 July. cliché-ridden and thoroughly enjoyable, all the way to its utterly preposterous ending. EVENTS Saturday 19 June Bookings open v Film Club: Dark Days, Marc Singer (2000) 5.30 PM on 11 Call 4442220 for show timings www.jainepal.com July at Baggikhana, Patan Dhoka. Tickets: Rs 50. 5542544 v Star Cruises audio-visual presentation on Asia Pacific KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY CLASSIFIED cruises. 3PM-7PM on 10 July at Hotel De l’Annapurna. After last week’s disappointing rise in PM10 (particles small enough to Visit Femilines, the Exclusive v 4th Bagmati River Festival till 21 August Lingerie Store for ladies v enter the human body), levels dipped again slightly this week, with only Just Divine Salsa Workshop with Diego at Salsando the Kritipur monitoring station registering an increase in pollution. undergarments, nightwear, Studio, Darbar Marg. 11-16 July, Rs 1,500 per person. 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For insertions ring NT 4375280 Marketing at 5543333-36. v Early Bird discounts at Shangri-La Hotel & Resort. 4412999 v Summer in Shivapuri at Shivapuri Heights. 9851051780 19 Man like Mahendra9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204

hat sets Mahendra Man dignity and recognition in Nepal,” his tenure at GAA. He now plans to W Shakya apart, in his own he explains. spend more time playing and words, is his ability “to see Returning to Nepal, Mahendra organising basketball tournaments. hope when things are bad”. And that Man spent four years and two terms As secretary of the Nepal Basketball is a talent all of us could do with. as the president of the Godavari Association, Mahendra Man hopes ‘Honda Man’ (his high school Alumni Association (GAA), to work the same magic he did for name has stuck into adulthood) likes rejuvenating one of the oldest GAA. to think of himself as a social social service organisations in the He also hopes to devote more entrepreneur rather than a country. When his term ends this time to his pet venture, Momo King, businessman. Moving into his family week, Rajeev Pradhan and Ashutosh a fast food chain that specialises in KIRAN PANDAY business, Mahendra Man discovered Tiwari are standing as candidates for hygienic and healthy momos. With UMBRELLA ORGANISATION: The main gate at Narayanhiti he had a knack for picking winners. president in elections on Saturday. the success of the restaurant, Honda Palace was busy on Wednesday, as groups like this one arrived in When he went to Delhi to buy light “It has been a rewarding Man now has a new nickname: Momo the drizzle to celebrate King Gyanendra’s birthday. fixtures for his home, he ended up experience,” says Mahendra Man of King. l (Alok Tumbahangphey) in partnership with the dealer who agreed to supply not just his residence but the whole of Kathmandu. The family’s light fixture showroom was the first of its kind in the Valley. It wasn’t until Mahendra Man landed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1987 to work as an international youth counsellor in a Native American reservation that he realised money wasn’t everything. “In the West, we are overwhelmed by the material aspect of life, but I realised there, in the middle of North America, it takes more than money to be happy,” he recalls. Later in KUMAR SHRESTHA/NEPALNEWS.COM Boston, Mahendra Man took night school classes in economics, finance NEW MINISTER: Newly-appointed Information Minister Mohamad Mohasin (centre) with Durga Nath Sharma of Nepal and accounting, and worked different jobs during the day. Television and David Astly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting The Nepali population in Boston Union at a regional meeting on conflict coverage. hovered around 1,500, a number large enough to warrant an annual Dasain party. In 1992, Honda Man was elected president of the Greater Boston Nepali Community, but he was uncomfortable with the thought of making America home. “I believed a middle-class man like me would get better opportunities,

KIRAN PANDAY

KIRAN PANDAY NEW CABINETS: Brand new steel cabinets are delivered to Singha Darbar on Thursday as new ministers arrived at their offices.

KIRAN PANDAY GAY PRIDE: A rally organised by the Blue Diamond Society near Bhadrakali on Monday protesting the sexual harrasment of homosexuals by the police.

KIRAN PANDAY THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: Football fans show their support by baring all and having Greek and Portugese flags painted on as they wait for the EURO 2004 final at 1905, Kantipath on Sunday evening. 2 0 9 - 15 JULY 2004 #204 Two news items that didn’t quite make it

TOURISTS CAN CARRY FIREARMS JUMBO CABINET MEETS www.nepalitimes.com In a significant move to boost tourism, Nepal has The venue for the first scheduled meeting of the new become the first country in the world to henceforth jumbo cabinet had to be changed Thursday after not allow visitors to bring in duty-free personal firearms. everyone fit into the conference room in Singha The first group of heavily-armed Indian tourists to Darbar. avail of this new facility visited Nepal last week. The cabinet then met at the Dasrath Stadium and, Police in Thankot, who had not been apprised of the in order not to waste any more time, quickly got down new rule, detained the pilgrims briefly. to items on the agenda that needed urgent attention. It But they was brought to the notice of the prime minister that were released some of his new inductees weren’t wearing black UNDER MY HAT with profuse coats and topis, and they were immediately Kunda Dixit apologies from dispatched to Dormeuil on Putali Sadak to have new the Ministry of suits made at the taxpayer’s expense. Tourism and Internal Security and whisked away to The prime minister then laid the ground rules for Pashupatinath. There they were required to deposit his new administration, which included: an immediate cameras at the gate, take off their shoes and leave ban on all mother-in-law jokes during cabinet their leather wallets, but were waved in carrying their meetings. But back-stabbing, tongue-lashing, paying submachine guns and assault rifles into the sanctum lip service, pulling each other’s legs, idle banter and sanctorum. other demonstrations of camaraderie and bonhomie “Shooting of photographs by Hindus is strictly would be encouraged, he said. prohibited inside the temple,” explained a member of The prime minister noted that he had learnt from the Pashupati Trust, “but if groups of devotees want mistakes during his previous two tenures and this time to engage in shootouts, we have no problems with he would try not to repeat them. “For example, in that.” order to prevent the government from making serious In a separate development, a group of Indian multi- blunders, we will not take any decisions,” he billionaires flew into Kathmandu in their own Learjet instructed his cabinet. “We won’t actually be doing this week on a brief pilgrimage to the shrines of anything, so there is no way we will make any Pashupatinath, Gujeswori and the Royal Everest mistakes.” Casino. Since they had heard that there was unrest Meanwhile, disgruntled members of various in Nepal, the dignitaries brought grenade launchers, parties in the coalition who were not included in the bazookas and 71mm mortars with them. expanded cabinet have decided to form their own However, the scion of one of India’s biggest steel party called RPPUMLNSPNCD (Disgruntled). barons was detained at airport customs for having in Spokesperson of this new anti-coalition coalition, his possession more perambulators and tricycles than Roshan Karki, who looked quite disgruntled, told is legally allowed to be imported into Nepal. He was newshounds: “We will not allow this government to do finally let in after demonstrating to authorities that the nothing, unless the prime minister expands his cabinet said items were actually cleverly disguised rocket to 102 members and gives us all portfolios so we can launchers and tripod-mounted howitzers. also do nothing.”

CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59