www.nepalitimes.com #139 4 - 10 April 2003 16 pages Rs 25

Maoists, police and

soldiers are rushing home BAJRACHARYAMIN ‘‘‘ to meet families while the Peace bridge peace lasts. in KALIKOT

MANJUSHREE○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ THAPA athletes have joined a regional few weeks into the ceasefire, volleyball competition. A driver who and Dailekh bazar is trans- weekly plies the Nepalganj-Dailekh ’’’ Out in the open A formed. “Nobody dared to road says hundreds of people who had The Maoist negotiating team hasn’t had a move about like this before,” marvels a fled during the state of emergency are moment to spare as it made its high-profile young man, eyeing the bustle. “The returning. “The Maoists, the police comeback in Kathmandu this week. Maoists didn’t dare come here, and the and the army are rushing back to meet Baburam Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur their families while the peace lasts.” Thapa have been giving back-to-back security forces wouldn’t go to the interviews to media, meeting political villages alone. Now they’re all talking Further afield in Dullu, the scene is leaders and diplomats and reiterating their to one another.” even more festive. Many village men three-point demand for a roundtable A few Maoists are openly attending are stoned on the occasion of Holi, in conference, constituent assembly and an passing-out ceremonies in local schools. flagrant defiance of Maoist puritanism. interim government. A rally in Tundikhel In nearby Chupra village, Maoist “We welcome the talks,” says Maoist on Thursday, two months after the ceasefire agreement, was attended by about 15- area secretary, ‘Rebel’, talking to us at a 20,000 supporters, mainly from outside the hotel close to where a man, high on Valley. Bhattarai said: “It is today’s hard Weekly Internet Poll # 79 bhang, is ranting about a monarchy- reality that the king is a force to be Q. ‘No war in Iraq’: Agree, Disagree, Don’t know reckoned with, and for now we need to

Maoist conspiracy against democracy. THAPAMANJUSHREE “We’ve had to resort to violence out negotiate with him...But if the talks fail we will go back to the jungle.” The rally was a of necessity, not desire,” Rebel says. show of force timed to precede King “We agreed to the peace talks because Gyanendra’s public felicitation in the people want relief. We are commit- Dhangadi on Friday. Victims of Maoists ted to moving forward through talks.” also held a black-flag demonstration near Tundikhel to coincide with the rally, saying, OVER TROUBLED WATERS: Villager being pulled across the Karnali at continued p8 “Stop terrorism once and for all, don’t use Ö Raraghat above the remains of a suspension bridge blown up by Maoists last year. the talks to grab power.” Total votes:561 Weekly Internet Poll # 80. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Should the Maoists be included in an all-party government of national unity? Pollution, poaching threaten Chitwan’s success

in SAURAHA KUNDA○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ DIXIT eight rhinos that have died were killed by poachers. hen Crown Prince Paras released a nursery-bred gharial into the Narayani River at the “This is a serious threat, it could undermine three decades of successful conservation in Royal Chitwan National Park on Monday, he may not have known that toxic effluents Chitwan,” says Chandra Gurung of WWF Nepal. The park authorities say they are aware of the W were pouring into the river from factories upstream. problem, and with the ceasefire the army says it plans to re-occupy abandoned posts. The Earlier in the day, his send off for the first of 10 Chitwan rhinos being translocated to the outspoken ex-MP from Chitwan, Jagrit Bhetwal has no doubt who the culprits are. “Rhino poachers Royal Bardia National Park came as conservationists sounded alarm are in cahoots with local politicians,” he told us. “Rhino killing increased bells over a worrying rise in wildlife poaching. Crown Prince Paras is after the 1996 elections, and it became really bad after the army pulled chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, and back.” officials hope royal patronage will galvanise government resolve to Overcrowding in Chitwan means rhinos often raid crops on the park control the twin threats of pollution and poaching in Nepal’s parks. perimeter where villagers poison or electrocute them. Translocations The gharial release is one of Nepal’s most-successful efforts to reduce the pressure on villages in Chitwan, and also to develop an save endangered species. Since 1978, more than 400 of these alternative viable population for rhinos in west Nepal. Of the rhinos in endangered fish-eating crocodiles have been bred and released into Bardia, 83 have been moved from Chitwan. But Bardia is in the heart of the wild. In that time, urbanisation and industrialisation have degraded the insurgency, and translocation expert the Narayani River so seriously that it threatens the program. Shanta Jnawali admits things are difficult Another conservation success story is the comeback of the rhino. and there is little monitoring. “The army has see also p4-5 Hunting and habitat destruction had nearly wiped them out from moved out of seven of the 11 range posts Narayani pollution Chitwan by the 1970s, but since then the rhino population has in Bardia and our guess is that there is multiplied five-fold to nearly 400 today. Tigers have also made a poaching going on,” he told us. dramatic rebound. The illicit trade in rhino and tiger parts follows laws of supply and Part of the reason for this success is that Nepal’s reserves have demand: as long as affluence creates a demand in China and Japan, there been under military protection since 1976. But after the army was will be poor farmers and criminal middlemen in the subcontinent willing to ensure supply. “We have to look into the demand side in China,” says deployed for counter-insurgency two years ago, only seven of the 32 PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Crown Prince Paras with Claude Martin, director general of WWF International, who was in Chitwan guard posts in Chitwan are manned. Poachers have moved in, picking Princess Himani and their daughter Purnika petting this week to oversee the rhino translocations. “And we also need to off rhinos with the biggest horns. Last year, 37 of the 54 rhinos that an orphan baby rhino in Sauraha on Monday. died in Chitwan were killed for their horns. So far this year, four of increase vigilance in Nepal and India.” 

#139ntpepec.p65 1 4/6/03, 1:08 PM 2 EDITORIAL 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 NATION 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 3 Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL FLOW CHART by GAURI PRADHAN Desk Editor: Trishna Gurung, Design: Kiran Maharjan Webmaster: Bhushan Shilpakar [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki [email protected] Sales: Sudan Bista [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333/ 5523845 Fax: 01-5521013 Beyond the iron gate Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hattiban: 01-5547018/17 What does SLC-topper Baburam Bhattarai have in mind for the nearly

HE ATHMANDU SPRING 200,000 Nepalis who will not pass this year? ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

T K ○○○○○○ Many of us are dazed by the dramatic changes in the z Is there a way out of the constitutional deadlock? or two whole months now, the guns have been silent. The Kathmandu spring has already thrown up some dramatic scenes of reconciliation: the prime minister his week nearly 300,000 students are national economy. such skills require the ability to play with political landscape post-ceasefire, and especially after top z Can a roundtable conference play the role of an F shaking hands with a Maoist ideologue who goes on to speechify like an sitting for their School Leaving Like in most other prismatic societies words and numbers. These are the subjects Maoist leaders surfaced last week. To focus our minds “interim parliament”? incumbent minister, a relaxed Maoist military commander answering questions softly on T Certificate examinations all over the where traditional ties and modern that the middle-class doesn’t resent. a talk show on state-owned Nepal Television, a Maoist negotiator visiting the Federation country. Despite the introduction of the aspirations co-exist, nepotism and the afno For the SLC-failed unwilling to pursue on the task of peace-building that lies ahead, there is a z What happens to the Maoists' 'people's liberation of Nepali Chambers of Commerce and Industry to announce that his group has always 10+2 system, SLC continues to retain its manchhe culture dominates the Nepali job formal education, trade education can be need to look step-by-step at where we are and where we army'? supported the free market, and the entire leadership out in the open at Tundikhel for a mystic importance as the gate to future market. But the absence of trade education an alternative option. Better trained want to go. z Are a constituent assembly and referendum the way mass meeting to rival the royal rally in Dhangadi. Can there be more surprises as this career options. Students (and, even more, in the school curriculum is no less of a masons, metalworkers, fitters, tailors, season of peace wears on? We certainly hope so. their parents) regard the exams with a factor in flooding the offices of prospective shoemakers, hairdressers and waiters are The existing power balance between the king, the out? But while we are distracted by scenes of sensational bonhomie on television, mixture of hope and trepidation. employers with an army of virtually sure to find that an expanding service let us not forget the rest of the country is still waiting silently for the peace dividend. Maoists and the parliamentary parties will form the basis z Who and what will decide on the government of And by the eye-witness accounts from Kalikot, Rolpa and Rukum that we carry in this For most of the 300,000, their worst unemployable youths. Frustration sets in economy can never have enough of them. for a peace dialogue to craft a future polity. The timeline national unity? issue, it looks like this is going to be a long wait. fears will come true. No more than one- early. Secondary education reform needs to There is a schism between what the newly-surfaced leaders in Kathmandu say, and third of students ever pass the SLC exams. Predictably, the fate of the SLC-failed be a part of the post-insurgency reform will depend on the sincerity of all parties towards peace, z How can peace be institutionalised and sustained? what their cadre in the hinterland do. They are carrying on pretty much with business as The Board of SLC Examinations cruelly is even worse than those who remain with agenda. Whether armed cadre of the development and protection of human rights. The main usual. They may not be shooting and ambushing, but the extortion has not stopped declares that the rest have ‘failed’. The their traditional occupations. Barring the Maoists are accommodated in any of the (“Who cares what our leaders say in Kathmandu, who’s going to feed and take care of government slams the door on these young lucky few who have connections in the existing forces of the government or a new issues to be resolved are: A lot will depend on the pattern, process and us?”). There is fear and intimidation (“Wait till the ceasefire is over, we’ll take care of Nepalis, stigmatising them for life as right places, most of the youngsters outfit built to make space for them, the fact z Is the monarch the source or patron of the facilitation of the future dialogue. Here is a flowchart you.”) Training and recruitment is going on above the treeline, and masked khaobadis failures. While a few do doggedly return to continue to live off their parents as long as remains that most don’t have skills other constitution? of the road ahead: are robbing and looting. examination halls the following year, most they can’t find a way to escape to menial than pulling the trigger. It bears reckoning On this side, women and children are still asked gruffly to get off the bus at the end up in the job market with ‘SLC- jobs in the Gulf, Malaysia or India. that many of them are also victims of a security checkpoints. The police and soldiers may look more relaxed, but many are still appeared-but-failed’ attached to their cvs. Education reform should be high faulty school system, and should be given ROBIN SAYAMI needlessly abusive to the very people whose hearts and minds they are supposed to win. Not all successful candidates pursue priority. But a bare mention of ‘trade another chance at being trained in There is a government vacuum in large parts of the country. As a result, the expected Agenda of Dialogue Process Priorities/Measures Outcomes Role of Civil Society return of Nepalis to their home villages has not happened on the scale anticipated. In higher studies even after passing out of education’ in schools raises the hackles of a economically useful skills. Terathum, only one family out of 15 displaced by the insurgency has come back (see p school. Forced by circumstance, they begin Nepali middle-class fixated on clerk- There was talk of polytechnics of 13). Way over on the other side of Nepal, in Thawang, no non-Maoist chased out of this to look for jobs and realise belatedly that factories. For years, the sole purpose of technical education being established in stronghold is going to return home soon. they possess very few marketable skills. school has been to produce loyal servants every development region with Indian War-weary Nepalis are wary of this peace. Time and again, they tell our reporters Apart from the 3Rs (Reading, Writing, for the regime and the state. It can be assistance. Such institutions for producing Ceasefire, Bilateral negotiation between Humanitarian help, service and End of armed conflict, normalisation Civil society should act as a watchdog how afraid they are that it’s all going to start again. Watching Maoist leaders as they Arithmetic) of basic education, the SLC unsettling to dismantle this structure overnight. mid-level technical personnel have their peace dialogue and government and Maoists protection of human rights and massive reconstruction and pressure groups to make the peace 1 humanitarian issues hog the media, ordinary Nepalis may be forgiven for wondering why they fought this syllabus doesn’t have very much to equip One of the ways of making school uses. But more urgently needed are training campaign process successful and result oriented. ruinous war in the first place. And imagine the puzzlement and anger of those who lost students for life. This certificate, as graduates more employable is to train them centres that take the school-failed and Civil Society should be active in the close relatives and friends in this war: what are they thinking when they see the faces, numerous parents soon discover, makes for various occupations. A trained nurse, transform them into successful technicians. z Amendment of protection of human rights, fair distribution of the handshakes, the wide grins? Victims of Maoist violence held a parallel rally to the their children too good for subsistence plumber, electrician, mechanic or We need to replicate the technical training constitution and election Full sovereignty to people for people- humanitarian services and in monitoring the Maoist “felicitation program” in Kathmandu. Their frustration with government apathy Resolution of Code of Conduct for the restoration of agriculture in the village, but not quite accountant has a better chance of finding centres of Jiri and Balaju. Roundtable conference z Election of constitutional centered pluralistic political system matches their anger at the Maoists. 2 constitutional crisis sustainable peace. But for peace we need to look ahead, revenge will bog us down in senseless and good enough for the secondary sector of the work here or getting higher pay abroad. All Public-private partnership in education assembly or constituent and constitutional monarchy endless retribution. The time for truth and is a popular slogan these days. But no assembly reconciliation will come. One of the reasons the Maoist profit-seeking entrepreneur would be z Restoration of parliament leadership agreed to this ceasefire was because the motivated to get into something that revolution was going out of control, in many places requires a relatively large initial investment, lumpen criminals had infested the cadre-base. Luckily, has a longer gestation period and the return Massive economic and social both armies realised in the nick of time that this was an is not always lucrative. Private schools and Social transformation and end of Guarantee of All sectoral conference of development programs, National consensus for peaceful unwinnable war. Now they have to build on it, go capitation-fee colleges make better financial peoples’ welfare govt, parties, civil society mobilisation of national and exploitation and economic, socio- beyond revolutionary jargon and tired cliches to strive 3 cultural and educational discrimination transformation of present conflict, sense. Polytechnics, trade schools and international assistance good governance and guarantee for qualitative and long-lasting peace. training centres producing skilled craftsmen This is only possible with a system that gives all of human rights Nepalis a say, a true bottoms-up democracy in which no must remain a government initiative. Baburam Bhattarai fascinates the one is excluded. But who is going to guide this Formation of interim or Formation of national or End of the present void in people's professional class of urban Nepal because National roundtable meeting process? Our best bet is the monarchy which now has to national government interim government representation, democratic reform rise above day-to-day politics and Panchayat-era he once topped the SLC examinations. 4 rallying. It has to shed being just another political That was before Comrade Bhattarai force to one that wins back unforced respect, carries became an architect, and much before he Abiding by code of conduct of peace dialogue continuity and is a symbol of nationhood. became an engineer of human souls. Now Consultation with political parties, Nomination of Formation of a team of and formulation of monitoring mechanism If everyone agrees on those goals, then the peace that he is above ground, one wonders what facilitators and formulation of and others concerned Facilitation process experts for peace dialogue process will just have to decide on the best mechanism he has in mind for the ‘SLC-failed’ who timebound programs for to get acquainted with issues related 5 and support of facilitators (Gauri Pradhan is director of the of getting there. have flocked to his cause.  dialogue to dialogue by the facilitators human rights group CWIN.)

LETTERS

CK LAL being what he is. Last week’s we may meet the same fate as matter (SPM), a principle pollutant Kathmandu 24/7! Now, it in the world, it should therefore we have been concerned for We agree that it is time that citizens have been jailed on Christians. UPWARDLY MOBILE War. The naked girl in the picture As a regular visitor to Nepal and intelligent critique of Sir Jeffrey’s Iraq. and health hazard, will be seems pollution is even follow that the people of some time at the increase in the effective regulation of these account of their Christian faith. I suppose some people fear Kanak Dixit’s lament in his is Phan Thi Kim. She met her an occasional reader of Nepal imperial mission to Nepal was Kiran Nakarmi, email reduced by 80 percent compared affecting flights in and out of Kathmandu also have a volume of quarrying and stone industries takes place—not only Newspapers have printed several and dislike Christianity because it conversation with Michael photographer in Havana in 1989, Times, I am often intrigued by well-aimed and blunt. I shall wait to the conventional kilns. The Kathmandu. Are we going to constitutional right to breathe crushing work in the valley. This for the sake of those directly defamatory articles antithetic to is perceived as a threat to Hindu Thompson (#138) that seventeen years after the first the passion that your columnist to see the reaction that it SAFE KILNS technology also provides a wait until we’re all sick before clean air (“Gasp!”, #137). The has resulted in more injuries due involved in this dangerous work, Christianity. Plus, despite the culture, tradition and religion. Kathmandu’s middle class do not picture was taken. She was nine CK Lal generates. I have never generates. English-speaking This is in relation to your box item cleaner and better working we do something about this? odd-even rule actually had to accidents related to these but also because of the effect ceasefire, Maoists continue to Tradition, culture and religion are go hiking around Kathmandu in the first picture, and it so been able to understand why Nepali elite, from here and “Kathmandu’s killer kilns” (#137). environment for labourers on site, We must be cautious, beneficial effects: traffic activities (both crush industries that it is having on our beautiful terrorise and threaten to murder tools to help people. The tools seems a tad misplaced, if there moved me that it was the seemingly intelligent readers abroad, are sure to take Lal to There is good news for which could attract local responsible and treat our congestion decreased, the air and motor accidents) which is valley. Nepalis because they profess faith are not more important than the are people like Sagun inspiration for my short story, pounce on him, sometimes for no task because he has done Kathmanduities, specifically the unemployed people, replacing the environment with respect. was cleaner. And it perhaps brought to our hospital for Pradeep Failbus, in Jesus Christ. people. I congratulate the Nepali Karmacharya and Yogi “Bamko jhirka” and was reason whatsoever. After something that none of them are brick kiln neighbourhoods. They present trend of skilled and semi- Rashmi Bhattachan, began to dawn on some treatment. In addition, many of our Dr Mark Macdonald, Do the perpetrators of these government for dismantling the Kayastha around translated into English in reading your last three issues capable of doing. Though I can breathe in cleaner air made skilled Indian labourers. The email Kathmanduites that most places in staff travel the Kathmandu-Lele Anandaban Hospital, Lele acts not believe that human beings caste system. The essence of (www.karmacharya.com. www.paradesh.com volume 12. continuously, now I think I know admire your courage in possible by “Vertical Shaft Brick technology also provides room to the city are within walking/ road to work each day, and have deserve to choose a faith for Jesus’ message can be np/hike/hike1.htm). With more You are right to call Iraq as why. CK Lal makes even learned consistently publishing Kiln” (VSBK) technology, which is address social issues prevalent in The recent odd-even rule on bicycling distance and do not commented on how difficult and CHRISTIANITY themselves? Are they so insecure explained in one sentence, “Be young “upwardly mobile” “Another Vietnam”. Let the Nepali intellectuals look like contrarian views, I think Lal a proven, economically viable, the brick industry such as child vehicles was reportedly require a Land Cruiser. Cleaner dangerous the road has become The last few months have in their own views that they must willing to lay down your life and professionals like them we can people of the Third World along morons. He exposes them for deserves to be read by the non- energy-efficient and environment- labour. announced because of a air in Kathmandu will also attract as a direct result of the huge witnessed a resurgence of anti- defame, threaten and imprison love others, even as I, God, have only hope that a critical mass of with the Iraqi people be united what most of them are: narrow, English reading Nepali public as friendly technology. Two pilot VSBK Technology Transfer ‘gasoline shortage’ caused by more tourists, who won’t have to number of stone trucks which ply Christian sentiment here in Nepal. persons of a different faith? done for you.” I can’t think of a outdoorsy Nepalis will be and take part in the resistance shallow, intolerant, and mean. well. VSBKs in Imadol, Lalitpur are Program, Ekantakuna the war in Iraq, which is walk around like masked bandits. the road. In the last month, several Nepali What are the fruits of better motto to create a venturing out more often to war against US imperialism. Take for example Lal’s take on Rebecca Barnes, Sunsari being constructed with the curious because Nepal doesn’t If a drastic problem requires Christianity in Nepal? Christians harmonious, fruitful society. This discover the grand scenery of Hari Har Khanal, noted sociologist Robert Merton. support of the Swiss Agency for Thanks to Hemlata Rai for the get a drop of oil from Iraq. This drastic solutions, then reinstating started some of the best, most is why I am a Christian. Yet, a our beautiful nation. Chitwan I haven’t read such an erudite Thanks to CK Lal for ‘War Development and Cooperation great insight on the current rule was withdrawn after only the odd-even rule may not be a well known and reasonably priced good motto isn’t enough. In the Bhupendra Rawat, email obituary in a long time. Lal dividend’ (#138). Why on earth (SDC) Nepal and technical situation of Kathmandu’s air three days, allegedly (among bad idea. schools in Nepal. Christians end, doesn't the way I live my life I would suggest that you devote explains the ideas of Merton does our government want to support of Skat Consulting. The (“Gasp!”, #137). It is indeed very other things) on the basis of a Buddha Basnyat and created an important hospital in show my true inner faith? If a The photograph accompanying more space to SARS than the rather than describe his support this war and go against process is underway to construct saddening to read about the writ submitted to the Supreme Birat K Simha, Kathmandu Kathmandu that continues to serve Hindu lives a life of loving others, “Another Vietnam?” (#138) Iraq war in your international personality. If even that can world opinion? Nepal’s support is two other VSBKs in Bhaktapur. negligence of people and a Court by some lawyers saying many poor people at minimal costs I consider him my brother. If a reminded me of the tragic war pages. The government should generate censure, I salute Lal for not really important to America, The VSBK technology for brick government that does not see and that it prevented people from We would like to express our regardless of race or faith. Many Buddhist walks the beautiful path the Vietnamese faced. I still have a health worker placed at and we should not extend it to burning offers 30 to 40 percent can’t control fuel adulteration. enjoying their wealth and agreement with “Gouging out a Christians come to serve medically of serving others, she is my remember seeing the picture in the airport to keep a check on such a senseless act even if it energy savings compared to the People who mix kerosene with luxuries as guaranteed by the living in Lele’s quarries” (#137). in rural, remote areas of Nepal. sister. We are all united as a Newsweek with the girl fleeing flights coming in from did matter. Nepal should stick conventional Bulls Trench Kiln petrol and diesel should be fined constitution. Given that As superintendents of a hospital Many Nepali people have been family by our love. the napalm attack and posing Singapore, Thailand and with the UN if it wants its own (chimney bhatta). Moreover, the heavily and even put in prison. pollution kills, and Kathmandu which is located in the Lele valley, able to put their alcohol and drug ìEKRî, Kathmandu with the photographer who took Hong Kong. sovereignty, otherwise one day emission of suspended particulate Imagine living and breathing in air is one of the most polluted and also as residents of the area, habits behind them after becoming that picture during the Vietnam Harish Agrawal, kathmandu

#139ntpepec.p65 2-3 4/6/03, 1:08 PM 4 NATION 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 NATION 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 5 DOMESTIC BRIEFS

Running for aid ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ British adventurer Rosie Swale Pope began her speed trek from Hilsa in west Nepal to Pashupatinagar in the east, going through several high passes like Thorung La, Larke Pass, Tashi Lapcha and Nara. Proceeds will go to help Pollution alarm on the Narayani renovate Humla’s only hospital that presently serves a population of 50,000 with only one doctor and no laboratory. Three guides, a medical staff, 10 Toxic effluent discharged into porters and three supporting staff will accompany the 57-year-old grandmother. Interested sponsors the Narayani River from a paper can help by donating Rs 100 for every hundred of an estimated total of 2,500,000 steps that she will mill (see pics) is threatening the make during the tour. Rosie spoke of her experiences as a sailor, voyager, adventure, gaucho, cross country runner, trekker and ecology of the Royal Chitwan mountaineer at a fund-raising dinner at the Hotel Yak & Yeti on 29 March before flying to Nepalganj on 31 March. Contact Creative National Park downstream. Statements at 5522741 for inquiries and donations.

Rights and wrongs ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

0 5 10km Nepal once again made the dishonour rolls of the Committee to Project Journalists (CPJ). This year we were singled out as a case of “the most spectacular abuse of press freedom” under the guise of protecting national security. CPJ this week said “hundreds” of Nepali journalists were unlawfully detained and 16 were formally incarcerated in 2002. Nepal’s human rights situation is as bleak on other frontiers too. The United States Human Rights Report 2002 highlights our poor track record. It accuses both the government security forces and the Maoists of rights violations. The report concluded that the Maoists were no less heinous or ruthless than national security forces in killing and torturing people. The use of unwarranted lethal force, torture as punishment or to extract confessions, arbitrary

ALL PICS SAMMAN J THAPA arrests and extra judicial killings that took place was condemned by the report. SAMMAN J THAPA Nepal’s best-known nature last year there were only three. 1984, environmental concerns were Forum of Environmental Journalists water. A low BOD value implies a cocktail of caustic soda and but environmentalists say a The public outrage has been a catch here: the court has not

in GAIDAKOT ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ sanctuary. No systematic census has been not very high on the national (NEFEJ) and the Environmental lot of micro-organisms present in chlorine flowing into the river, company of that stature should building up, and three years ago followed up,” says Chapagain. “In Malaysia opens up

conomic growth and Luckily, being a big, snow-fed done on the estimated 400 gharials agenda. After it was privatised, the and Public Health Organisation the water (which is a healthy sign). the fish don’t stand a chance. show responsibility towards the two young lawyers, Raju Prasad India, courts are stricter in public ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ecological conservation river system, the Narayani has a which have been released into the paper mill increased its capacity to (ENPHO). Bhrikuti’s effluent water had a Actually, the effluent can easily public and the environment even Chapagain from Tandi and interest litigation to ensure that The Malaysian government has decided to open a diplomatic mission are often on a collision built-in capacity to flush itself, Narayani River from the Kasara 70 tons of paper per day and is One toxicity analysis of samples BOD count of 74 mgO2/l, and 1 be treated and the mill has a large without being legally forced to, Thaneshwor Acharya from its judgement is followed.” India’s in Kathmandu. Nepali visitors to the country will also be granted a course, and nowhere is especially during the monsoon. breeding farm since 1978, but an planning to up it again to 128 tons of Narayani water by independent km downstream it was 6.4 mg O / pit that it tells visitors is for especially since it is located in Gaidakot itself, filed a case in the courts keep themselves informed 14-day visa on their arrival. In return, Nepal will be establishing an E 2 this more apparent than at the But in the dry season, IUCN study showed that even eight with new modern equipment. researchers last year showed just l. Narayani water above the mill waste water treatment. The such a sensitive river system. Supreme Court. The verdict in through a monitoring body about embassy in the Malaysian capital. The national flag carrier RNAC recently began a twice-weekly flight service to Kuala Lumpur. Both point where the Narayani River concentrated pollution on the years ago only seven percent of the The mill’s pollution record is so how serious the problem is. One was measured at only 3.6 mg O2/l. factory has in the past decade “I remember going to them 2001 required the government to how their interim order is being enters the Royal Chitwan Narayani is killing fish, which in released gharials survived in the bad that environment groups and indicator of pollution is Chemical Measuring the pH value of repeatedly promised to environ- several times in the mid-1990s,” come up with permissible levels of implemented, instead of relying countries hope to promote tourism and bilateral economic relations, which will include a plan to increase the number of Nepalis working National Park. turn is wiping out birdlife, wild. On Monday, Crown Prince ecologists have been trying to get it Oxygen Demand (COD), and discharge is an indicator of alkaline mental monitoring groups that it recalls one senior member of the pollution for both air and water solely on information provided by in Malaysia. Official data on Nepali workers in Malaysia puts the Nepal’s third largest river is reptiles and other fauna. Paras and assembled dignitaries to treat its effluent for more than a according to Nepali law, COD content, and the paper mill’s would set up a treatment plant King Mahendra Trust for Nature pollution, and ordered Bhrikuti the two parties involved, and only number at around 80,000. the source of fresh water for the Studies have shown that released another five gharials into decade. In 2000, the legal group, content in industrial discharge effluent was 11.5 on the pH scale, there. We tried unsuccessfully to Conservation, of which King to restrict its emissions within set then gives the final verdict. western reaches of the park, downstream from Narayanghat, the Narayani at Amaltari, 15 km Pro-Public even filed a public cannot exceed 250 mg/l. A sample whereas this value is not supposed talk to senior management at Gyanendra used to be the patron. standards by establishing a “But in Nepal this doesn’t sustaining its aquatic life, the Narayani’s once-abundant fish downstream from Gaidakot. interest litigation in the Supreme of Bhrikuti’s effluent showed a to exceed pH 9 in industrial Bhrikuti Pulp and Paper Mills in “They’d just give us the run wastewater treatment plant. happen. We have only succeeded attracting indigenous and stock has dwindled. The “The effect of pollution on Court, which ordered the plant in whopping 979.6 mg/l. Even 1 km discharges. Since the pH scale is Kathmandu and Gaidakot in the around.” Chapagain says that although in adopting a model without fully migratory birds, and replenishing population of Brahminy ducks has gharials is cumulative,” says December 2001 to clean up its act. below the mill, the river had COD logarithmic, this means that the course of researching this article. As a result, this one plant the verdict came, the judgment understanding it, let alone its wetlands. However, the declined sharply. The rare conservation researcher Prahlad But the foam still floats down the of 58.14 mg/l, whereas the alkalinity of Bhrikuti’s effluent Journalist Rajendra Dahal alone generates 300 cubic metres took another year. It officially implementing and practicing it,” population growth in Chitwan Gangetic fresh-water dolphin, Yonzon of Resources Himalaya. Narayani. international threshold for drinking was almost 1,000 times more was president of NEFEJ when he of effluent per ton of paper informed the offending party of Chapagain told us. “This allows valley, the use of agro-chemicals, already depleted by the Gandak “The pollution kills the fish, and Over the years, Bhrikuti’s water is in the 5-10 mg/l range. than permissible standards. The visited the plant twice in 1991- produced. The waste has caked wrongdoing and what they must the polluter to use loopholes and and the location directly Barrage on the Indian border, have the gharials have nothing to eat.” discharge has been analysed and Another indicator of pollution researchers also detected high 92. “They take you around in and crusted on the banks, and do in order to rectify it. “There is get away scot-free.”  upstream of polluting paper mills, all but disappeared. There used to When the government decided tested by the Royal Nepal Academy is Biological Oxygen Demand concentrations of ammonium circles. Every time someone went foam from the discharge pipe breweries, distilleries and other be 18-20 sightings per year of to set up the Chinese-aided of Science and Technology, various (BOD) which measures the amount nitrate and nitrite. to meet them, they would show floats past canoes full of tourists factories now seriously threaten dolphins in the Narayani till 1996, Bhrikuti Paper Mill in Gaidakot in government ministries, the Nepal of biologically usable oxygen in the With such a chemical the same site for waste water on bird-watching trips inside the treatment,” recalls Dahal. “But I park. don’t blame Bhrikuti. I blame the The pollution is not just HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK government for not making a affecting the wildlife. The mills categorical finding about also pollute the air, and many pollution, and acting on it.” people in the vicinity who can It may be true that Bhrikuti is afford it have sent their children using the apathy and disinterest to school in Bharatpur or We never learn of the government departments, Kathmandu after they fell sick. TORONTO – I write this from a country that’s not at war with Iraq. Canada has decided that it will not support America’s efforts to oust We were told it would be high-tech, Saddam Hussein from power in Baghdad. Mind you, Canadian warships are patrolling the Persian Gulf and Canada isn’t exactly paying close attention precise and quick. Instead, it is like to its exports to the United States to make sure that none are used to kill Iraqis. Our cabinet ministers constantly contradict themselves about all wars since cavemen first looted whether we want Saddam out of power or not, whether America is right in and killed rival tribes. its war making or not. But we’re not bombing the people of Baghdad. I’m pleased about that. That’s about all that pleases me about this ludicrous conflict. We were again, do not a coalition make. It’s a silly media shorthand that told it would be high-tech, precise and quick. Instead, it is infantry-led like borders on propaganda. And America’s claim to have the backing of all wars since cavemen first raided other tribes’ hunting grounds. Civilians more than 35 countries is stretching things somewhat. Yes, Holland, are dying from smart bombs guided by dumb people, and it could drag on Spain and Italy—eyes firmly on postwar reconstruction money for months. Officials in Washington and London try to say that the media perhaps—have all said a reluctant “yes” to George Bush. So have raised all of these expectations. The media fires back with smart weapons of Tonga, Lithuania and Micronesia, the latter an American colony, by In the April Himal South Asian

their own—the words of Donald Rumsfeld, his deputy, Paul Wolfowicz, MIN BAJRACHARYA the way. But France, Russia, Germany and even Canada all say “no”. and Dick Cheney, all promising a quick denouement, minimal casualties been longing for this war for years now. President Clinton was presented And aside from America, so do the ordinary people of the non- and so on. They mostly said such things on television so it’s easy enough to with the total war option in 1998 when Saddam threw out UN weapons coalition countries. Slovenia has publicly protested to the State Why do the women die? play back the tapes. I believe this is called “undeniability” or perhaps they, inspectors. But he was a detail man, he knew where the devil lay. And he Department that it should not be counted as a supporter of the war. like Saddam, had body doubles. said “no”, and sent in the bombers for just a few days. His successor who The Slovene government did back America a few months ago, but Maternal mortality and the failure of South Asia’s health establishment Vice President Dick Cheney even spoke on the TV program Meet the goes on gut feelings and conviction, we’re told, likes to delegate, and has sensing that public opinion was against an invasion of Iraq, Slovenia’s Press during the 2000 election campaign, promising a humble less- faith in his instincts. The world is lead by President Bush’s intuitiveness. prime minister changed his mind. That’s not inconsistency, it is Chattisgarh tribals’ struggle for resources and survival z Empire of cricket interventionist foreign policy for America should he and his cohort George Personally, I prefer Clinton’s brain to Bush’s gut. democracy in action. Rethinking health strategies in Nepal z Tale of the war widow W make it to the White House. They did, and there’s no sign of humility Another thing, let’s stop calling the Americans and British a “coalition”. As Nepal embarks upon its peace process, the world lurches ‘Caste psychologies’ z Reacting to war in Iraq z Tamil refugees in India anywhere. Too much dust and smoke from bombs and cruise missiles, I The dozens of countries who banded together in 1990 to eject Saddam’s further forward into primitivism and madness. One group of cavemen guess. Admittedly, Cheney was speaking before 11 September 2001 but a forces from Kuwait, backed by a UN Security Council resolution, were a brandish their clubs at another. Women and children die in clashes PLUS MUCH MORE trawl through other statements made by his partners in crime, especially “coalition”. Frenchmen fought alongside the Dutch and Poles. and from deprivation caused by war. Will we ever learn? Not if history Wolfowicz, show that a significant body of opinion in official America has Americans, Brits, a few hundred Aussie special forces and yes, the Poles is a guide…  To subscribe: Call 5543-333 or write to [email protected]

#139ntpepec.p65 4-5 4/6/03, 1:09 PM 6 NATION 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 ECONOMY 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 7 SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED Tea slump Hail○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ damage may prove to be costly for tea farmers in eastern The oil yo-yo Nepal this year. Harvesting has been postponed by two weeks— time for the plants to heal but if there aren’t enough sunny days the crop is highly susceptible to fungi and rot. Perhaps more Civil defence worrying is a plummeting international market for orthodox tea. The low down on high prices. ow that the Maoists have conferred arithmetic. While politicians and the Two years ago, the farmers in Ilam earned Rs 40 per kg of fresh upon civil society a status equal to the When the next elections roll around, we still won’t be able to figure people were pondering what had really The price of petroleum products control something tied to our exchange tea leaves. Last year they got paid half that amount. “This year it in the United States yo-yos with N palace, mainstream parties and out what democracy is because we won’t know what we want it to be. changed on 4 October last year, civil might go even lower,” says CP Rai, manager of Himalayan rate with India that in turn sways with T every day of the Iraq war, affected the Indian currency’s dollar parity. themselves, we can perhaps expect some society activists were already on the Shangri-La Tea Producers. The recent increase in oil prices in by things as diverse as news stories, Politicians also do not understand that courteous discussions on the national streets protesting against a resurgence of Nepal will bite into their already narrow profit margins. consumer confidence and commodity malaise. When Maoist negotiator Krishna the palace’s political ambitions. they cannot control the prices of global markets that shuffles things around on crude oil that has more geo-political Bahadur Mahara said his party would Rest assured, elections will be held the bourses and the commodity “unveil” chief delegate Baburam Bhattarai sooner or later. And we’ll again start Best at show and socio-economic ramifications than ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ markets. In contrast, here in Nepal the any other commodity. Keeping that in and the rest of the quintet on the security complaining how democracy begins and The award winning Philips Plasma and Pixel Plus televisions are now available from Syakar. The Pixel Beed has observed prices only go one assurances of civil society, many of us were ends on the ballot paper. We still won’t Plus technology won the EISA Award (European Imaging and Sound Association Award) in 2002 mind, here’s a radical perspective—we way—up. And interestingly, because act myopically when we raise a hue waiting for Narayan Singh Pun’s be able to figure out what democracy is and has enjoyed an unrivalled success in Europe. The company says this has set a new benchmark the government is the sole arbiter of and cry without trying to understand denunciation of this latest assault on the because we won’t know what we want it in picture quality. The new televisions are on sale at the Philips showroom at Jyoti Bhawan in that decision, it alone faces the Kantipath. the rationale behind price hikes. (old) state’s credibility. to be. Civil society will continue to be consequences. The only way for Nepalis to move Building on his pledge to ensure that central to the debate. Other than the war, we now have away from lambasting the people at the civil society got a fourth set of seats at the The mainstream parties knew all Just add water two important things to protest: top is to first understand that prices of

proposed round-table conference, Mahara along that our political model would have ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ electricity tariffs and fuel. For one of the The politicisation of oil has been Coffee Mix, a foil packet of sugar, milk creamer and instant coffee, imported by Akhil Trading commodities can rise (and fall) and accompanied three eminent personalities to to take into account our own social and poorest countries in the world, we pay hardwired into our South Asian minds. Concern from Khao Sang Company in Thailand could have a lot of converts among Valley coffee this has as much to do with previous Butwal to escort Bhattarai and co-panelist cultural environment, tradition, decision- among the highest prices for our Over the years we have born witness to governments trying to shy away from drinkers who don’t have time to brew. Available in packs of 6 (Rs 40), 10 (Rs 70) and 30 (Rs 190), electricity, thanks to the NEA. The post price-hike activity south of the Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal out of making and governance. They tried Coffee Mix is also conveniently available in singles (Rs 5) at department stores. raising prices as it does with the state subterranean shadows into the capital’s tinkering here and there by articulating massive bungling between the NEA border. Buses were burnt in Calcutta of global affairs. Secondly, the sparkle. Let’s hope Bhattarai’s overture of such concepts as “new democracy”, and Nepal Oil Corporation results in after a five paisa increase but we Nepalis government should allow the market avoiding extemporaneous prolixity in favour “people’s multiparty democracy” and Beauty aid Nepali consumers paying the price—an took a Rs 9 jump in the price of to determine the prices of oil or

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ unfair trade of less for more. kerosene with a large dose of tired of a coherent text on the two-states-three- “assertive monarchy”. The political class Hitline detergents and Roxy System cosmetics from the Schmees Group of Germany is making a electricity by ruling in favour of MIN BAJRACHARYA Of course the public bears the acceptance, broken by only a few spurts political-forces theory at his conference couldn’t go deeper in search of foray into the Nepali market. Their range extends from hair shampoo to carpet shampoos, from body privately managed or owned brunt of it, after all the government of street protests and slogan chanting. augers well for the hard bargaining ahead. politics and a depletion of options, the disillusionment with democracy to define government, too, was viewing many of qualifiers because of the harsh legacy of sprays to insect killers and also includes liquid shoe polish and liquid soaps. companies. Last but not the least, leave In retrospect, civil society didn’t need Nepali dilemma ran deeper than what was our perception of civil society. these organisations and activists as fierce the air-water-soil exegesis of the barely conceals attempts to transfer The Beed has noted that political the ramifications of price hikes to the responsibility for its inefficiency onto the Maoists’ exaltation. There was a time in demonstrable. Some of these organisations were too competitors for external cash and partyless past. activists are at their most combustible nation’s economists and planners

Home sweet home the masses. Rather than allowing when the price of petroleum products instead of embroiling it in politics and the late 1980s when Rishikesh Shaha’s Once the people realised that the close to the new power elite and too internal space. Don’t expect civil society activists ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ privately managed or owned businesses are raised. Governments have fallen on arrest used to make “this-just-in” news on promised reforms to the partyless order dependent on donors for their own good. The bright face faded into the dark. to create conditions in which the Half a kilometre from the Ring Road at Sitapaila, Star Holdings will be constructing 70 independent speaking about a subject one does not houses following the trend for housing estates and to meet consumer demands. Financial to set the price based on demand and this issue alone so it is no surprise that know in open-air theatrics at BBC World Service radio. While the were cosmetic, they had to make up their The behaviour of a few undermined the Amid our complaints that democracy was majority of Nepalis can begin supply, the government stubbornly political parties feel it is a legitimate acronym HURON revived images of the minds about how soon to vote with their credibility of the entire fraternity, as limited to periodic elections, however, civil participating in real socio-economic companies working with Star Holdings are offering a 20-year loan to finance up to 70 percent of the Tundhikhel.  total building cost of each house. holds onto prehistoric policies. In cases ticket into the corridors of power. American Indian tribe and the great lake feet. After the Kangresi civil-disobedience perjoratives like “dollar farmers” and society kept score of constitutional exercises and political change any time soon. of such negligence, the Beed declares Oil is a good populist tool to woo across much of the world, it embodied our campaign for democracy imploded with a “political brokers”, ostensibly more vulgar through public-interest litigation and They can help us conceptualise Readers can post their the government should be thrown to voters. Every single party promises comments or suggestions to astonishment at the Human Rights series of bomb blasts in 1986, an embryonic in the vernacular, stuck. The public secluded briefing sessions in Nagarkot. The democracy without conditions and the lions, or worse still, left to an stable prices in its manifesto. Politicians [email protected] Organisation of Nepal’s faith in the civil society started taking shape. Since clamour for civil society organisations to issues of social equality and economic compulsions, without fear of being enraged Nepali mob. are ignorant enough to assume they can democratic aspirations of a dazed people. academics, human rights activists, doctors, respect some of the basic norms, values and justice were kept alive in the non- castigated as regressive. After all, they Caught between the inexplicable engineers and journalists made the people principles of good governance they preached government realm while political players would be the last people to invite their referendum verdict against a return to party move in 1990, it was perhaps natural for our grew louder. By this time, the were engrossed deeper in parliamentary own extinction.  INTERVIEW Now, for the peace dividend Nepali Times: How will the Iraq war impact Can you make any economic forecasts for the How does the government plan to the Nepali economy? year? rehabilitate people displaced by the Shanker Sharma: It will depend on the duration It is still early to make any forecast. We have to insurgency and find them local and intensity of the war. In fact, the world has deal with the fallout of the Iraq war with four employment? anticipated this for quite sometime, and the months to go before the end of this fiscal year. Of People who left the country, especially for India, market has responded accordingly. Fortunately, course, it will be much better than last year (when have started returning home. The local there haven’t been any disruptions in the supply the growth rate was negative) but we will not be administration and NGOs are supporting those of petroleum products so far. If the war drags able to achieve the growth rate of 5 or 6 percent who took refuge at various district EASYEASYEASY TIMESTIMESTIMES on, it will have a negative impact on Nepal’s we projected earlier. headquarters. Large-scale rehabilitation will It’s never been easier foreign trade and tourism. One of the areas depend on the outcome of the peace talks. The to subscribe affected most by the war is the petroleum How about reconstruction and rehabilitation government is going to sanction labour- to sector. With the imports bill going up, it could in areas directly affected by the Maoist intensive, income-generating programs at the Nepali Times adversely impact the balance of payments insurgency? district level. situation. The Indian government revised the Essential services like electricity have already Just dial this number price of petroleum products nearly ten times in resumed. We have asked donors to continue How will the Tenth Plan address the need and leave your address. the last six months. We had to hike the price activities in their sectors. The Peace and for reconstruction? because the government has been absorbing all Development Trust is working towards We have made two different projections for the the difference. We know this will affect rehabilitating the people displaced by the Tenth Plan. Our focus has been on poverty 5543333 transportation costs, inflation and cost of insurgency. NGOs and INGOs are also actively alleviation and we have already incorporated production. involved. The needs of local communities are being issues like re-orienting development programs assessed. We need to launch immediate towards this end. Except the humanitarian and That means it will affect economic growth. humanitarian as well as long-term income other immediate needs, our long-term programs MIN BAJRACHARYA Worldwide economic growth is estimated to generating activities. The Trust is working to fit exactly into the framework of the Tenth Plan. decline by 10 percent. There were some signs establish food-for-work and school-feeding of tourism reviving this season, but the Iraq war programs. Our aim is to bring the peace dividend to You were appointed a member of the NPC was a backlash and remittances too will suffer the people. Within three to four months you will five years ago. How do you see your new temporarily. Nepali exports could also be see development works expedited. role as its vice chairman? affected, reflecting trouble in our export Though it is a collective responsibility, Shanker Sharma has been destinations. All of this affects the GDP, which How much is all this going to cost us? accountability increases when you are in a puts pressure on the government’s budget, We estimate the destruction of infrastructure at leadership position. We have already finalised through a roller-coaster ride in development expenditure and creates a negative around $250 million. That figure doesn’t take into the Tenth Plan and are now working a summary. his five years at the National impact on economic growth. account the impact on the economic growth. We The first-phase of the Mid-Term Expenditure Planning Commission, but need Rs 2.5 billion immediately to reconstruct the Framework (MTEF) is complete, and we have This will hit development, too. What advice infrastructure in priority areas. The costs for also finalised the Poverty Reduction Strategy nothing has prepared him for are you giving the government? reconstruction in the second phase have yet to be Paper (PRSP). The high-level committee for the present challenge of The development funds could not be spent at the estimated. The government has already allocated a monitoring development programs met after a cashing in on the peace district level due to insecurity. There was very budget for district headquarters at Achham, Jumla gap of nearly 20 months recently under the dividend. Five months after his little demand for central grants among the Village and Arghakhanchi. The first phase of chairmanship of the prime minister. Some Development Committees and District reconstruction activities are already speeding people, including the donor community, find it appointment as vice-chairman Development Committees. Now the government along in these places. hard to believe that the NPC has completed all by the Chand government, he has formed a committee headed by the Local this. We are preparing a preliminary report for spoke to Nepali Times about Development Officer at the district level. This will Do you have a timeframe in mind? poverty monitoring within this fiscal year. The place responsibility of works related to roads, Basically, the course of the peace process as well NPC is working to coordinate reconstruction, the impact of the Iraq war on drinking water, irrigation, rural electrification and as the availability of funding will determine it. As rehabilitation and relief works. Although we the Nepali economy, poverty rural infrastructure with community-based soon as the situation is favourable, we will also have a heavy workload, I am satisfied with the alleviation and reconstruction. organisations and users groups. work on strategies for nation building. NPC’s performance.

#139ntpepec.p65 6-7 4/6/03, 1:09 PM 8 NATION 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 9

in THAWANG KIYOKO○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ OGURA We saw only a few armed he mid-west is red: Maoists on our week-long rhododendron forests are trek from Karibot bazar in Taflame, the valleys are Salyan to Thawang in Rolpa. crimson with simal blossoms and This group agreed to pose in the trails are festooned with red uniform, but with masks. Maoist banners. A month after the ceasefire was Spring declared, the arrival of spring cloaks this blood-soaked land in new flowers of hope. The season blurs evidence of the seven-year in the insurgency as we walk from Salyan Thousands of people gathered at this mass meeting organised by council was is the third after the first 'people’s government' was declared and Rukum to Rolpa. Rhod- Maoists at Chaurjahari on 3 March. Twenty-five members of the newly in this district two years ago. “The term of the district council is actually odendrons burst red flowers all elected United District Council of Rukum were introduced to the two years. But elections are being held every year so we can establish along the rugged trail from gathering. Celebrations lasted till 3AM and the Maoists put up a play. power more quickly,” says Sharun Bantha Magar, the newly elected chief Thawang to Uwa in Rolpa. In The main theme revolved around “the families of the Royal Nepali Army of the council. This year, for the first time, the council drew up a budget heartland and the People’s Army” and tried to show how these two armies can work of Rs 2,300,000 for the construction of small scale hydro-electric power western Rukum, fields of dukku, flowering radishes, undulate in the “If the talks are unsuccessful we have only two together for the sake of the nation (above, right). The newly elected plants and 'people’s schools'. gentle breeze. Peach blossoms options: run away, or die.”

confetti the paths of Rukumkot. ALL PICS: KIYOKO OGURA husband and two daughters died Santosh Budha, a member of the The evidence of war is only for the sake of Nepal’s sons and central committee member and apparent when we reach human daughters.” The emptiness in her the 'United Revolutionary habitation. In the villages, the eyes makes what should have been People’s Council' gives a lal people who suffered are still sullen a patriotic sentiment sound hollow. salaam at a mass meeting in with memory. They distrust Our arrival in the village Chaurjahari. A former high strangers like us who come asking coincided with the third ‘people’s school teacher and a Magar questions. They talk guardedly at council’ meeting to elect new leader born in Thawang, Budha first, but the words spill out once members to the district-level said in his speech, “Some We met a group of the militia who they begin. Their stories of ‘people’s government’. One evening, foreign forces are trying to were carrying materials for helplessness have fermented into more than 20 relatives of those killed benefit from the political situation rebuilding a school. Many armed hatred, directed predominantly by security forces gathered to talk in Nepal. It is possible that our Maoists were engaged in against state authorities. Fear is still with us. A 19-year-old widow who main enemy might not be the reconstructing infrastructure with a constant companion. lost her husband during the attack in Royal Nepali Army but these These ruins used to be the Rukumkot area police office, built on top terrain made it really difficult to fight but they surrendered half an the villagers in Thawang. The At Kholagaun, western Rukum, Jumla last November says, “I feel a forces. In that case, we may of a hill as a secure fort. In April 2001 Maoists raided the station hour after we started the assault,” recalls platoon commissar Rabi. declaration of the ceasefire has the house we stayed in had other strong hatred towards the enemy. I have a situation where the two leaving 40 dead—32 were policemen. “We attacked to make the After this attack, many police stations in Rukum and neighbouring seen many of them return home visitors—'Manjil', a Maoist always think of how to revenge my armies could work together.” Zonal Bandh a success. It was a full moon night and the steep districts were evacuated. for a few days. cadre since his student days, husband’s death.” When asked who and his wife who had is her biggest enemy she gives the come home on leave. party line, “Everyone who belongs to hall. The usual greeting is a lal 1996, 25 Thawang residents have address the deep anger of people illusions about the peace talks. of the parliament should be agreement in Kathmandu will not The family has three state power.” salaam. been killed either by the army or the in villages like Thawang in the “The ceasefire is just a breather. formed.” But if the central bring an end to conflict in these “martyrs” to the Contrary to expectations, we In the middle of the village is the police, a figure that doesn’t include midwest? How will they The battle will continue. We are leadership has a clear plan for the rugged mountains of mid-western Maoist cause. In saw very few armed Maoists en rubble of 15 houses torched by Maoist cadre and militia from the rehabilitate guerrillas if the demanding the election of a future, it is not clear from talking Nepal. A young woman says, “I 1999 the police route. But at Thawang in north security forces when soldiers came in village killed in action. “Most of ceasefire holds? Who will bring constituent assembly just to stop to people here what it is. am very afraid that the talks might killed the father and eldest Rolpa armed Maoists are in full hot pursuit after the Mangalsen attack them were common villagers,” health care and education to these more bloodshed. It’s not our final The guerrillas are reluctant to be unsuccessful like the last time. daughter. Last year her 19-year- control. Members of the militia Thawang is different from any other village. Security forces that early last year. It wouldn’t be far- Pratap Roka of the Thawang remote hamlets and cancel out the aim,” a platoon commissar in give up their arms. “If the talks In that case, we have only two old sister died in the Mangalsen and villagers are building a road, stayed here a month-and-a-half in March last year set fire to the fetched too say that the root of the ‘peoples’ government’ tells us. roots of future unrest? This is as Rukumkot tells us. Santosh break down, we will fight again to options: run away from this attack in Achham. The 58-year- volleyball games are organised 15 houses in the village centre. Many residents fled: some went ‘people’s war’ lies in Thawang. This As the central leaders of the much a challenge for the state as it Budha is a Thawang-born Maoist the last,” says a 23-year-old militia village or die.”  old mother, who has been every evening and the soldiers of to work in foreign countries and others to live in their goth in communist stronghold has been Maoists surface in faraway is for any future local Maoist leader, and he adds: “The army member in Thawang. Sitting in interrogated and tortured by the the ‘people’s liberation army’ summer pastures. targeted by the authorities many times Kathmandu to begin peace talks administrator. should be dissolved and a the sunshine under a peach tree in (Kiyoko Ogura is a Kathmandu- police, says, “I am happy my organised meals together in a big ever since the Panchayat era. Since with the government, who will Most villagers here have no national army under the control Kholagaun, it is clear that a peace based Japanese journalist.) “We don’t need the Maoists, and we don’t need the army. We just want to be left in peace.”

from p1 communities. In Haudi village, Kalikot district, talk, as is the absence of the mainstream political Ö villagers talk with disturbing compulsiveness about the parties. There are many Maoist men along the trail, killings that they witnessed. They say that Sahadev “The Maoists have forced us to hold posts in their gossiping in tea shops in the idle way of village men. Badi was made to dig his own grave, and then made to party, so we are doing so,” says one ex-UML man. “We They appear as relaxed as the villagers. They ask after sit in it as he was set on fire alive by the security forces don’t like them from inside.” It does appear, at times, the mission that brings outsiders to their region, but do for being in possession of a gun. that the only people who support the Maoists are the not restrict our movement. They brook blunt questions They say that Dilli Prasad Acharya, a teacher, was Maoists themselves. Most of the party’s men along the about their methods and motives, and they admit, in a shot from a distance as he washed his hands. They say trail are menacing, and some are even thuggish. All roundabout way, that their movement lost popularity as that Takka Bahadur Shahi, a student, was shot for the women—or girls—we meet are 12 to 17 years old. hubDaf leqkfqf] ] the state’s counterinsurgency efforts escalated last year. avoiding a security patrol. They say that Ratan Many of the cadres are SLC-failed or entirely illiterate. @)^) ;fnsf] “The people are demanding peace,” says Area Bahadur Shahi, a teacher, was mistaken for a Maoist For anyone mature in thinking, the persuasiveness ;jq{ ahf/df Committee Member DP Rijal of Dandibandi. Another named Ratan Bahadur Bam, and shot. And they say Sick patient being carried to hospital in Kalikot. of their political thoughts are limited. Near Khalanga, worker in the party’s Farmers’ Front echoes this view: that Hasta Choulagain and Ravi Bohora were both the gutted district headquarters of Jumla, a man says, pknAw 5 . “The people want peace.” summarily executed on the suspicion of being Maoists. bridge that the Maoists have destroyed, the district “Only 15 to 20 percent of their workers are ideologically The Maoists are quick, though, to point out the The villagers also speak with equal horror of Raj headquarters Manma bazar gives off a tense air of motivated. The rest are jobless kids who wouldn’t be kmfgM] %%$&)!&, %%$&)!* state’s breaches of the code of conduct, exaggerating Bahadur Shahi, who was forced by the Maoists to admit hush and control. Visitors must register with security given money if they asked for it from their parents. So for effect. A more balanced account comes from a that he had informed on them, and who was then forces when entering and leaving. An informal curfew is they join the party, and extort from us with their guns.” human rights worker in the area, who says that on 28 hacked to pieces before being shot dead. They point enforced at six by policemen blowing whistles and Will these workers abide by their leaders in coming February in Dullu several hundred armed Maoists and out where the security forces dropped explosives from a wielding rifles. At night the army routinely carries out to a peaceful settlement? The answers are mixed. about a hundred armed security forces came close to a helicopter, they talk of the houses that they have target practice in its hilltop barracks, setting off flares Some younger Maoist cadres say they will agree to a clash. There was firing from both sides, but no injuries. burned, and of the rapes and beatings that they have that light up the surroundings in a lavish display of settlement only if it does not smack of compromise. In another case, a teacher, Bhakti Sharma, was meted to ordinary villagers. Most of these violations might. Rebel says, “We won’t follow Krishna Bahadur arrested in Dailekh and held by police for 21 days on took place, they say, in reprisal after the February 2002 The activities of the mainstream political parties is Mahara if he sells out. We’ll follow only Prachanda.” the suspicion of being a Maoist. Still, says the human Maoist attack on Achham. restricted to the bazar. A round-table talk called by the But Maoist Area In-Charge Kanchan Sagar of Jumla rights worker, these are minor infractions as compared “We never liked the Maoists,” says one man from Maoists just outside Manma was boycotted by the says that his party workers are committed to peace: to the violence of the preceding year. parched, poverty-stricken Raraghat. “But we came to bigger parties and government officials alike. Further “Anyone who presents an obstacle to peace will lose Indeed the state of emergency has ravaged like the security forces even less, because instead of along the trail, however, Maoist Area Secretary favour with the people,” he says. “The government has giving us protection from the Maoists, they betrayed 'Sandesh' speaks of a recent two-day interaction broken the code of conduct, but we have not.” Maoist welcome arch in Dailekh. us. They killed indiscriminately, without differentiating program at Ratadab between the army and the He points at a grim-faced youth, the local between innocent civilians and Maoists. Now we want Maoists. commander of the military wing. “Look, he’s not them all to go away. We don’t need the Maoists, and From his account, it is clear that a competitive wearing a uniform: we’ve laid down arms. Even when we don’t need the security forces. We just want to be ‘development war’ is fast emerging: since the cease-fire the government makes a mistake, we’ve been flexible.” left in peace.” the RNA has held two medical camps, and the Maoists He is very emphatic about this. “We will not turn the Another man, listening in on the conversation, have countered with camps of their own, as well as hopes for peace into disillusionment.” disagrees. “But we must get compensation for those programs to build bridges, clean up villages, electrify For the people of these hard-hit districts, a lot is who have been killed,” he says. “Won’t redressing past settlements, and teach in schools. Area Committee riding on the promise that the present peace will hold. mistakes be part of the peace talks? Or will they just Member 'Kopila' insists, despite our expressions of All along the trail, when asked what they would do if the talk about who gets what post?” disbelief, that the party is planning to construct the talks were to fail, villagers told us that they would have These are the questions being asked, quite abandoned Karnali Highway. The absence of the to choose between leaving home once again, or dying civilian government is glaring in all this development MANJUSHREE THAPA vocally, in Kalikot district. Several hours uphill from a in the crossfire. 

#139ntpepec.p65 8-9 4/6/03, 1:12 PM 10 WORLD 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 11

Pentagon vs Powell, Europe Aid agencies are Friends and allies

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○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ WASHINGTON – Even as US troops grind their way toward waiting for a green TOKYO – With the US-led invasion of Iraq likely to last much longer Baghdad, the administration of President Bush remains in light on safety to that initially thought, Japan sees no choice but to step up its turmoil over its post-war plans to occupy Iraq. The main support to US-led troops as an insurance given the unstable issue of who will be in charge of the occupation pits the The waiting game go back into Iraq. SARS attack situation with North Korea’s nuclear crisis. Signs of this foreign policy position by Tokyo, despite sizeable Pentagon against the State Department and its allies in AD McKENZIE Archbishop Nicholas Chia Europe, notably British Prime Minister Blair. The Pentagon IN SINGAPORE public opposition to the war, was evident from Prime Minister

○○○○○○○○○○○○ has instructed Catholic appears determined to maintain as much power for itself, Junichiro Koizumi’s statement on the day the invasion began that time and that food has run out, with medical supplies from Closed schools, empty churches to avoid giving Japan stands firmly behind the US-Japan security alliance. Now, while the State Department, backed by the intelligence we can expect a major crisis.” Jordan to Baghdad this week. taxicabs and people communion into people’s community and Blair, is arguing for major roles for other US Japan’s support may go well beyond financial support. In a The more immediate The first relief convoy sent wearing face masks at the mouths, but having them allies, the United Nations and other opposition figures. telephone conversation with President Bush, Koizumi left open the airport—these are just Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld reportedly insisted that concerns is disruption to the from Kuwait by the local Red receive it on their palms option of dispatching Self-Defence Force troops to Iraq to maintain all relief and aid work come under the jurisdiction of Army water supply, a health threat in Crescent Society was mobbed some of the signs that it is instead. The Anglican order as requested by the United States. Participation of these General (Retd.) Jay Garner, the co-ordinator of the the region, which is becoming a and the supplies did not reach not business as usual in Church is also staying away forces overseas need special laws to be passed each time for Pentagon’s office of reconstruction and humanitarian serious problem in the south of the people it was intended for. this South-east Asian city from the usual practice of their dispatch. assistance, who will report directly to the chief of the US Iraq. Some of the water supply to Kassis says the ICRC is meant state known for its having churchgoers drink Given North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons, Japan is Central Command, General Tommy Franks. Secretary of Baghdad has been disrupted by to coordinate operations by cleanliness, efficiency and wine from the same cup. acutely aware of its reliance on the US security umbrella. State Colin Powell argued in a letter to Rumsfeld last week heavy bombardments. UNICEF local societies, and that it was discipline. The initial SARS cases Washington’s backing would come in handy with regard to that US government relief work should be headed by the US has stored high-protein biscuits unaware of the move from Some unusual steps here involved three women instability in North Korea, which has been at loggerheads with the Agency for International Development (USAID), which in Kuwait for distribution to Kuwait. The ICRC has been are being taken as both Singapore wears a who had travelled to Hong United States after its admission of a secret nuclear program and reports to the State Department. Aid groups have called for children once the organisation able to offer significant help in the Singapore government deserted look with closed Kong—the most seriously hit Washington’s labelling it as part of the “axis of evil” that included the United Nations to assume control of relief operations. (IPS) gains access to Iraq. Basra. It helped restore the and its people become by the virus with 470 cases of Iraq. (IPS) De Rooij says there is supply of clean water to half the increasingly concerned schools, empty cabs and infections and at least 11

Russia’s new markets concern the effect bombing will population after coordinating about the contagious and most residents staying dead—and subsequently New spoils of war

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ have on children “but we have arrangements with all parties, potentially deadly disease indoors. passed on the virus to family MOSCOW – Moscow is eager to develop new markets for developed very effective including the Americans and the now known as Severe members and friends. About PERTH – There are signs that United States farmers are eyeing the its crude oil and become an alternative to the volatile Middle programs to deal with that, British. In Baghdad the ICRC Acute Respiratory 1,500 individuals who have lucrative Iraqi wheat market as one of the spoils of war, much to East, especially as a source of fuel imports from Asia. which we can put in place after partly repaired a water Syndrome (SARS), which has killed two people here been exposed to the virus have been quarantined. the alarm of Australian Russia is particularly keen to build pipeline projects in the a war.” The focus is on the purification plant damaged in and made 89 ill so far. Worldwide, the illness has They have been ordered to stay at home under the producers who claim the US Far East to boost its oil exports to countries such as south, but Amman to the west the bombing. killed at least 55 and affected 1,550 people from Infectious Diseases Act and are not allowed out even is trying to use humanitarian Japan—the second biggest importer of oil in the world after of Iraq is already shaping up as But water supply has been cut Hong Kong, China and Vietnamto Europe and North to buy food. Anyone who disobeys the order faces a aid to muscle in on the United States—and China, the world’s third largest oil A young Iraqi boy grabs a box of supplies distributed by an aid agency in southern Iraq. a hub for aid organisations. A completely in three southern America. heavy fine. Australia’s $449 million market share in Iraq. consumer. battery of UN aid managers districts with a population of The Singapore government ordered the closure of At Changi airport some airlines have been Washington announced Over the past few months, the Russian government has FERRY BIEDERMANN for the United Nations Office of could not get it together politically, briefs the press daily at the some 400,000. The British forces schools until 6 April, affecting some 600,000 students following WHO guidelines asking travellers whether

been mulling over its plans while keeping watch on the IN AMMAN last week that it planned to ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ the Humanitarian Coordinator now we also are seen to fail on the Intercontinental hotel in the are trying to extend a pipeline in this tiny city state of 4 million people. Local they might have been exposed to the virus, or send 600,000 tons of wheat conflict in the Middle East. At the moment, Russian oilmen They cannot say so openly, but the for Iraq (UNOHCI). “In a few humanitarian level.” The Security regional headquarters at from Kuwait to these areas. teachers welcomed the decision. Residents are whether they had any telltale symptoms. Other decline to speculate whether their bold pipeline vision in the to Iraq as food aid as it sentiment among senior United days time at most we will launch Council has to reactivate the now Amman. British and US forces are snapping up face masks to protect themselves from airlines, however, seemed unaware of the advisory. A Far East could be affected by Iraqi war. “It is too early to began a military invasion to oust Saddam Hussein. The US Nations officials who now have to an emergency appeal for more suspended oil-for-food program— For now, everybody is responsible for the welfare of the others’ sneezes and coughs. Over the weekend, a sign foresee if consequences of war or changes in Iraqi oil task force has been set up to examine border Department of Agriculture said the first portions of some 200,000 wait in the Jordanian capital than a billion dollars,” says nearly 60 percent of Iraq’s preoccupied with safety. Most population under their control, at a pharmacy in the normally bustling Parco Bugis controls to prevent further cases of the disease tons would be released soon with another 400,000 tons “made exports policy may affect pipeline project,” says Rosneft Amman until Iraq is safe again is for chief Dmitry Panteleyev. Russia is looking at two competing Wimhurst. “If some of the population depends on food from organisations will not send their says Wimhurst. Where aid Junction shopping centre said it all: “Face masks out from entering Singapore as experts struggle to available as needed”. The Australian Wheat Board (AWB) says it Saddam Hussein’s regime to projects. One, backed by Russia’s top oil firm Yukos and countries who oppose the war this program that distributed by the people in while there is a organisations cannot operate, only of stock”. Outside the same centre, a line of taxis find a cure for the illness. was unfair for the US Wheat Associates to steal their market China, is a $2.5 billion, 2,400 km extension of the existing collapse quickly. refuse to help out, that could Iraqi government. Now the council military threat. The UN has its the armies can supply relief, he stretched halfway round the block, waiting for Several entertainers, such as Moby, cancelled share during a war. Farmers in Western Australia have threatened network from near Irkutsk to Daqing, China. The other, What they do speak openly pose serious problems.” may have no option but to renew own security assessment teams, says. The UN has left 3,400 local patrons. “Few people are going out,” said taxi driver concerts here and in other countries in the to sue the government for millions of dollars in compensation. backed by state-run oil firm Rosneft and Japan, would cost about is their worry about the He worries also that the it. “We estimate that people had the International Red Cross staff behind in Iraq, and large Lim Teck Hua. “They are afraid of the virus.” region. Although the Rolling Stones did perform Just a day before bombing began, the UN suspended the oil- $5.2 billion and circumvent China, running 3,800 km to the international divisions over Iraq. prolonged war and lack of security six weeks supply of food,” says prefers to coordinate its stores of supplies. They carry out Earnings have fallen as there are so few clients. two gigs here, they cancelled shows in Shanghai for-food program and withdrew all their staff from Iraq. Australian Russian city of Nakhodka on the Sea of Japan. (IPS) The chasm between countries that will mean that the UN cannot Carel de Rooij who heads the operations with all the parties operations wherever possible, says A local newspaper, Today, summed up the mood and Beijing. The United States, Australia, Finland Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the government is support and oppose the war may carry out its much-needed Baghdad office of UNICEF and is involved. Medicins Sans Wimhurst. “It’s not easy to sit with the headline “Terror in a speck of spittle”. and Ireland have issued a new travel advisory, working to secure its speedy resumption “as soon as seriously affect the whole aid effort, humanitarian tasks soon enough. now working from Amman. “So if Frontieres decided they could here and be unable to go in and According to the paper, SARS has become the “best warning their nationals to postpone trips to areas circumstances on the ground permit”. (IPS)

Right to protest says David Wimhurst, spokesman  (IPS) ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ Wimhurst says, “First the UN there’s still fighting in five weeks not wait, and sent two trucks help. That hurts.” (IPS) known acronym in Singapore these days”. Singapore’s affected by SARS.  LONDON – Amnesty is documenting instances of human rights abuses and the inflicting of war on civilians within Iraq OPINION by DEEPAK CHOPRA Franchising SKILL in a report due to be released in a week or so. Meanwhile it (F-SKILL) is pointing out violations of the right just to speak against the CAREER OPPORTUNITY war in 14 countries: Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Egypt, Shocked and awestruck F-SKILL imparts market responsive training for employment of Nepalese youth. The Project is looking for highly Germany, Greece, Jordan, Norway, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, motivated candidates for the following positions: Turkey, the US and Yemen. Fifteen stories the media has already bungled. 1. Programme Officer – Quality Control

“Human rights abuses connected to the war on Iraq in NEW YORK Main Responsibilities: GREG○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ MITCHELL have not been limited to that country [Iraq],” says the report Prospects for peace ♦ Establish processes and procedures to enable F-SKILL to attain quality control in line with internationally The war is two weeks old and already the media has got at least 15 stories wrong or In the shadow of war: backlash against human rights. recognized quality standards (eg. ISO) misreported a sliver of fact into a major event. Television news programs, of course, have been ♦ Review and revise all operating and reporting systems “Governments appear to be using the world’s focus on the There can be no hope if government policies the prime culprits. Newspapers, while they have often gone along for the ride, have been much ♦ Establish quality control processes for the delivery of training to franchisee clients theatre of war to violate human rights shielded from public ♦ Work with training providers to establish quality standards for the delivery and assessment of trainers scrutiny.” Many of the countries cracking down on are based on self-interest and greed. more nuanced and careful. Newspaper coverage has not been faultless, as photos and ♦ Coordinate training and accreditation of trainers demonstrations have a record of not allowing peaceful headlines often seem shock-and-awe-struck but, compared with TV, newspapers seem more ♦ Establish monitoring and assessment procedures to ensure compliance with quality control systems ♦ protests, Judit Arenas of Amnesty said. Amnesty is also CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA – Is it childish to hope to create a peace editorially—and mentally—balanced. Some have actually displayed a degree of skepticism of Regularly review quality control systems for F-SKILL and Franchisees consciousness in a world when every television radiates the devastation of claims made by the military and the White House—what used to be known as “journalism”. ♦ Conduct quality control audits very concerned about measures taken against asylum ♦ Assessment of trainer training and liaison with ToT providers to update and improve the quality of training seekers particularly in the US and in Britain. In the former, Iraq, the birth place of civilisation? Arthur Miller has observed that human The problem is that most of the TV commentators on the home front appear to be just as Qualifications and Experience Operation Liberty Shield mandates the detention of beings have a profound longing for meaning and purpose—perhaps that is “embedded” with the military as the far braver reporters now in the Iraqi desert. Here, then, is a why we deny the evidence that society, its leaders and world governments ♦ Degree or diploma in Business, Commerce or related area asylum-seekers from Iraq and at least 33 other, as yet list of stories that have been widely misreported or poorly reported so far: ♦ Formal training in Quality control processes unnamed, countries. The report says “anti-terrorism” have lost their minds. The record of human behaviour overflows with ♦ Willing and able to work long hours, independently and productively legislation has been used to support these violations in continuous violence. 1. Saddam may well have been killed in the first night’s surprise attack (20 March). ♦ At least three years experience working with quality control systems ♦ Ability to work in a team with good communication skills several countries. (IPS) Human beings have been racist, bigoted, ethnocentric and tribal 2. Even if he wasn’t killed, Iraqi command and control was no doubt “decapitated” (22 March). throughout history. We are the only species that has devastated the ecological ♦ Good negotiation skills 3. Umm Qasr has been taken (22 March). ♦ balance of the planet. We have committed murder in the name of God. We Strong conviction on the Impact Financing modality of support and assisting disadvantaged people 4. Most Iraqis soldiers will not fight for Saddam and instead are surrendering in droves (22 ♦ Excellent knowledge of English and Nepali both written and spoken have created weapons of mass destruction. Can we be naive enough to say we March). ♦ Excellent knowledge of computer applications are going to create a peace consciousness? Panos South Asia is pleased to invite you 5. Iraqi citizens are greeting Americans as liberators (22 March). 2. Programme Officer – Business Support Services What we see on news networks is reality TV competing for ratings. Were to a discusion forum: 6. An entire division of 8,000 Iraqi soldiers surrendered en masse near Basra (23 March). Main Responsibilities: it not for the fact that hundreds of thousands of people are going to be institutions start to focus on building a peace consciousness that will render ♦ 7. Several Scud missiles, banned weapons, have been launched against US forces in Kuwait Coordinating franchisee selection Conflict Conscious News Management in P affected by the war and many hundreds will die, including children, we military power irrelevant we will see things change. ♦ Conducting franchisee orientation and business training of franchisees might as well all make popcorn and enjoy the show. Perhaps we can create an environment where nationalism itself becomes (23 March). ♦ Coordination of F-SKILL mentors: selection, assignment and professional development Nepalís peace process: Lessons from Sri Lanka ♦ As long as the policies of governments across the world are based on self- an out-moded idea. The philosopher Krishnamurti said 50 years ago, 8. Saddam’s Fedayeen militia are few in number and do not pose a serious threat (23 March). Providing business support services to franchisees including conducting workshops and referral to specialists eg. legal, taxation etc. th 9. Basra has been taken (23 March). Date: Sunday, April 6 2003 interest and greed there can be no hope. The nations at war and their leaders “Nationalism is tribalism.” Einstein said, “Nationalism is an infantile ♦ Coordinate the conducting of labour market surveys, targeted at employers throughout Nepal Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm may appear to be enemies but they are in fact implicit allies in the disease; it is the measles of humanity.” Eric Fromm said, “Nationalism is 10. Umm Qasr has been taken (23 March). ♦ Constantly improving from a technical perspective, the “franchisee package” offered to franchisees Venue: Baggikhana, Patan Dhoka destruction and devastation of humanity. In this situation no amount of our form of incest—it is our idolatry, and patriotism is its cult.” Today these 11. A captured chemical plant likely ♦ Reflecting the principles and manner of operating the franchise business as defined in the Franchise Agreement, After a brutal, prolonged conflict, Sri Lanka has been engaged in a truce and peace angry activism against war is going to help because angry activism is still are dangerous statements to make. produced chemical weapons which includes the brand name and the confidentiality of skill and know-how transferred ♦ Develop strategies to disseminate F-SKILL approach process which has lasted more than a year. Sri Lankan media and civil society anger and only adds to the turbulence of the world. Perhaps we can create a consciousness where to tell the truth is to be a (23 March). ♦ Make regular and in-depth field visits to examine and monitor the work of the franchisees have played essential roles in achieving the truce and sustaining the peace. There If we recognise that consciousness is a field which modern science is just true humanitarian, where we can go beyond national identity and see 12. Nassiriya has been taken (23 are lessons for Nepal, at present in its own delicate truce period, which can be Qualifications and Experience beginning to understand, there may be some reason for hope. More than ourselves as members of the human race and children of this planet, where March). ♦ drawn from the experiences of Sri Lanka. We are pleased to bring you the 2000 years ago Buddha said: We are inter-beings that inter-arise in the different nationalities and tribes are considered not reasons for conflict but 13. Umm Qasr has been taken (24 At lease five years successful operation of a small business following speakers: Sunanda Deshapriya is a former daily newspaper editor in ♦ Business training or related qualification preferable Colombo, an insightful columnist, and director of media programs for the Centre for interishness, and there is only the interishness. If we think only in terms of parts of an indivisible eco-system. March). ♦ Excellent knowledge of English and Nepali both written and spoken ♦ Policy Alternatives, a leading non-governmental organization in Sri Lanka. Sanjana me and mine then no amount of military power can provide security. The An anthropologist friend of mine said that if insects disappeared from the 14. The Iraqi government faces a Excellent knowledge of computer applications Hattotuwa is the Centre for Policy Alternatives’ analyst of public attitudes and greater the military strength, the greater the insecurity, which is a product of planet, all life here would cease in five years, but if human beings disappeared, “major rebellion” of anti- media trends in Sri Lanka. Teitur Torkelsson is Press and Information Officer fear. True security comes from an expanded sense of self in which greed is life would flourish in five years. Perhaps Mother Earth is saying, “You know, this Saddam citizens in Basra (24 Interested candidates are requested to forward their hand written application with at least two with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) which works to monitor the truce replaced by sharing, arrogance by humility, aggression by nurturing, human being, it was an interesting experiment, but it didn’t work. Let’s move March). references by 18 April, 2003. Please state the position you are applying for (Quality Control or in Sri Lanka. Together they offer a wealth of insight into Sri Lanka’s peace process demands by conciliation. on.” Maybe that is our fate. Maybe it isn’t. The world waits with bated breath for Business Support Service) clearly in your application and mail to the following address: and the possibilities for Nepal. Programme and discussion to be facilitated by 15. A convoy of 1,000 Iraqi vehicles F-SKILL/Helvetas GPO Box 688, Kathmandu This can happen only if our leaders emphasise service and not profit- the lovers to lead us out from this nightmare.  (IPS) Kanak Mani Dixit and Republican Guards are of Himal South Asian. Women candidates and those from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. making, cooperation and not competition, open hearts instead of open speeding south from Baghdad This programme is co-organised by International Media Support (IMS), Media Only short-listed candidates will be called for interview. markets: when we identify with the human family instead of the nation or the (Deepak Chopra is founder of the Chopra Center, member of the board to engage US troops (25 Services International (MSI) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). F-SKILL is implemented through a network of the franchisor and franchisees and supported by the Swiss Agency tribe. If we join forces then maybe it is not so naive to hope that we can of directors of the Alliance for the New Humanity, and author of How March). (Editor & Publisher) change things. If the media, entertainment industry, and educational to Know God.) for Development Cooperation (SDC).

#139ntpepec.p65 10-11 4/6/03, 1:12 PM 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 HISTORY AND CULTURE 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 13

Above ground maintained a thoughtful ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ expression at the statement. Rajdhani, 1 April Back at Sundarijal >31

Chits and cheats

○○○○○○○ End of revolution ○○○○○○○○ Baburam Bhattarai stole the limelight when he entered the Nepal Samacharpatra, 2 April Binaya Kasajoo in Budhabar, 2 April BICC hall to participate in the sixth anniversary of the Reporters’ A police inspector pressurised the “I have suddenly become a political being” Some may have found it unbeliev- Club in Kathmandu. Earlier this examination authorities at an able, others merely amusing: week, colleagues Ram Bahadur exam centre at Banepa’s 24 March, 1977 said they were lodging us separately till our statement to the police Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Thapa and Matrika Yadav Siddhartha Boarding School to was recorded. But since we refused to cooperate, I don’t know Chand and the Maoist peace talk accompanied Bhattarai to his first allow SLC candidates of [page contains entry continued from 21 Arpil] what they will do now. Moreover, all the officials of Nepal are liars— coordinator Baburam Bhattarai public function in seven years. Dipendra Police School to cheat including army officers—they are paid to propagate, speak and act standing together as they distrib- Prime Minister Lokendra in exams. Only children of 25 March lies. Bahadur Chand entered the hall policemen are admitted to the uted awards. The Nepali media “Why do you worry that your Sundarijal has found their blue-eyed boys in seconds after Bhattarai with his latter institution. According to son will fail the SLC ? We have GM was taken away to be lodged separately in the new cell whose 26 March entourage of bodyguards but was exam centre chief Gyan Bahadur the Maoist peace talk team. Even officers who will see to it that he construction was so feverishly completed this morning. The Ass. Sundarijal state-owned media are giving them largely ignored by the public who KC, policemen stationed at gets through.” Anchaladhish came and said that we must be kept separately kept till Spent the day in solitary confinement. I find a sense of firmness and wholehearted coverage. On the one focused all their attention on the Banepa took control of the centre certain processes of inquiry are completed. GM was taken away at fearlessness welling up in me. There is absolutely no agitation in my hand this could be an indication of rebel leaders. Chand and the and allowed candidates to cheat about 11:35 AM and a team of officials with the Ass. Anchaladhish, mind,whether intellectually considered. When you think of it, the press freedom, and on the other, it Maoist leaders shook hands in the math exams for more than distributed, students of the government advocate and others came to take my statement. GM must deprivation of even a solitary companion is awful. But I am really warmly and when they were an hour. They were also seen Mountain Boarding School had could be the glamour that sur- have gone through the same procedure. We had decided unless legal very composed—which is not a worked-up stimulated courage that invited to take their seats at the coaching students. their answers delivered by the rounds rebel leaders creating an advice of our … is made available to us, and we decided who our is born out of desperation. I am calm, and have become really dais, Bhattarai and Chand smiled KC told us that a group of policemen deployed for security legal advisers will be after consulting our men, we would not make illusion that the regime may have normal. As a matter of fact, all these days I used to be agitated and, and whispered to each other to policemen arrived half an hour at the centre. A huge crowd had BP Koirala and Ganesh Man any statements. GM must have taken this stand because they didn’t except for the last few days, in great mental agony—which is not changed in Nepal. jointly preside over the function. after the exam began, and allowed gathered outside the exam hall to Singh are separated and take long to deal with him. They came to my camp at about 12:30 PM. my usual reaction to situations however desperate or difficult. Now I The ceasefire announcement Bhattarai greeted leaders of the three senior students of Dipendra help the candidates. Journalists They were with me for 45 minutes. am normal. This is a difficult situation. I have to face it coolly. I have came as a surprise to most other political parties with equal Police School to start cheating. were denied entrance into the kept in solitary confinement GM is probably lodged in the newly constructed jail just outside my suddenly become a political being now. When I returned here my Nepalis. A series of abrupt devel- warmth—shaking hands and The gang left when the chief hall when they demanded to for the first time in the four jail where walls tipped with electrified wires are visible from my [cell]. suffering was that of a man with a family of dear ones. It was opments occurred after that. It is distributing hugs to those who district officer arrived after KC know what was going on. There appears to be a small courtyard in front of his cell which is private griefs that made me so unhappy. I am, since yesterday, no understandable that the leaders dared to encourage a more contacted him for help. District months since incarceration. enclosed in high walls. The gate of the new prison is of strong iron, more a private family man. I am a public figure, a leader of a expected to participate in proposed intimate greeting. He raised his education officer Lok Prasad and I believe the security guard has been reinforced. This is movement that has a high ideal and cause. This transformation from To arms Both refuse to give any amazing—in view of the fact that these extraordinary security the private to the public has given me strength.

roundtables and peace talks put on fist in a lal salaam to Bamdev Upadhaya said there would be no ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ a good face, meet with other Gautam and Hridesh Tripathi. more incidents of this kind during Jana Aastha, 2 April statement to the assistant measures are against our escape—we have voluntarily returned to It now appears that the king has decided to take a political line political powers and members of The organisers treated Chand and the remaining examination Nepal. This morning I told the Ass. Anchaladhish that they must be not to allow the narrow legal process to take its course. He is ill- zonal commissioner without aware that ours was a voluntary return and that it was through no civil society. But Bhattarai has Bhattarai on an equal footing by period. CDO Narendra Dahal The Royal Nepali Army (RNA) advised to do this but the atmosphere of fraud that he created to successful efforts of theirs that we are here, but they behave as if disappointed everyone by his asking both of them to jointly said he had heard about the wants to keep its boys ready in the presence of their project his image, leadership and authority, the first victim is he we were apprehended with great difficulty. I told him ours was a himself. So far as I am concerned, I am all right. inaugurate the function. incident but denied seeing anyone case the ceasefire is broken eagerness to stand on the same lawyers. Instead of political decision, therefore even if we are sent off we wouldn’t leave Yesterday, at about 11.15 AM, I developed a very strong pain in Throughout the proceedings actually involved. The police dais as the ministers from the “old again. Sources tell us that the exacerbating his depression, the country. I would go back to my house at Chabhel and GM to his at the region of my liver—excruciating pain that made even normal regime” to hand out awards to Prime Minister Chand appeared personnel deployed at the centre RNA is equipping its soldiers Thamel. I told the Ass. Anchaladhish that we must get the normal breathing difficult. The pain last for about 15 minutes. I asked for a controversial people. After witness- visibly discomfited. When the corroborated KC’s account of with M-16 rifles in the solitary confinement raises privileges of prisoners—ie regular interviews and correspondence, doctor this morning and Dr Basnet came. He said that I have an ing his eagerness, authors who master of ceremony requested events despite accusations from insurgency affected districts of and a supply of books and newspapers. He explained his inability to enlarged liver. He feels I should take some medicine to correct my want to sell more copies of their both the leaders to distribute the police force that KC was lying Rukum, Rolpa and Salyan. BP’s morale. He thinks it do anything on the matter, but I reminded him since I am kept in heart condition…the missing of heart beats. He doesn’t feel there is books, youths flogging music certificates and awards Bhattarai to tarnish the image of the These rifles are used by the transforms him into a public detention on his orders, he can’t avoid responsibility as to the condition any serious trouble, such conditions are produced by reasons other albums and traders that need their looked elated, while Chand Dipendra Police School, which is security detail who guard the figure, and gives him of my imprisonment. Poor officer! than heart condition like gas in the stomach, etc etc. But he also sales boosted may be encouraged seemed exasperated. a fierce competitor of his royal palace. The M-16 is Now real solitary confinement has started for me and GM. It was says such conditions shouldn’t be allowed to continue so I The audience was fascinated institution, Siddhartha Boarding comfortable to carry and is fully already a solitary imprisonment but with the departure of GM the suggested medicines. About liver too he will send some medicine.

MIN BAJRACHARYA to request his presence at their responsibilities which he by how the leaders who bayed for School. The candidates from automatic. The RNA purchased solitude has increased hundred-fold. We used to discuss things and events. There are no guarantees This doctor prescribes a large number of medicines, whereas each other’s blood a few months other schools at the exam centre 5,000 American made M-16 last now needs to live up to. his very persona was a kind of assurance that life was still normal. I Bhattarai is infamous for less medicine. My bp is 122/80. Good. that Bhattarai won’t give any more meaningless audiences. ago now hugged each other in have demanded army guards August to replace its ageing don’t know how long this will be maintained. The Ass. Anchaladhish Worked washing laundry and bathed. The appearances made by CPN (ML) leaders, specially Madan Bhandari 13 years ago public. Several members of the against more foul play saying SLRs. There are plans to replace wasn’t any less dramatic than Bhattarai’s public appearance on 29 March. Nobody has audience were also heard policemen could not be trusted. If all SLR rifles with the A-One forgotten that the official greeting card from Nepal’s first communist prime minister, Man speculating what might have the police are convicted, they version of M-16, all LMG rifles Mohan Adhikari, carried a picture of the goddess Durga riding a lion. And the public has yet happened if these leaders had could face up to six months of with the A-Two version and all REVIEW by CK LAL to recover from the spectacle of seeing a communist leader making offerings at the discovered this warmth a few imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 SMG rifles with Colt Pashupatinath temple. People don’t want leaders who talk big about political ideologies and years earlier. Applause filled the fine for illegally entering an Commando models. The latest spout slogans, only to jockey for positions of power in the government. People want actions hall when RPP president examination hall according to the move has been made to to match words. Nepalis are tired of unfulfilled promises. History proves that political Rajeswor Devkota suggested Education Regulation laws. modernise the RNA. Officials are revolution cannot be sustained without social revolution. Bhattarai’s appearance at the Bhattarai should now take up the A similar story of policemen convinced the new weapons will function on 30 March has sown anxiety and fear among advocates for change. They see it as role of an alternate prime helping examinees has surfaced boost the morale of the soldiers a demise of the revolution. Will what they fear come to pass? minister, adding it was from Dadeldhura. Ten minutes since the it is lighter and more “everyone’s desire”. Bhattarai after the question paper was The rise (and fall) of the people’s war powerful than the rebels’ SLRs.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK plits and amalgamations of communist parties are complex. Editors of The People’s War in Nepal: Left proclaimed in front of business bigwigs that his outfit so common and confusing that it’s almost Perspectives have chosen to get around that challenge was all for the free market. The book compiled by “In case we do need international mediation, we’d rather have the United Nations do it than any other Simpossible to examine them as independent by asking leftists themselves to asses a ‘war’ that Karki and Seddon is an intellectual tombstone of a dead In this new book, leftists country.” Code of misconduct institutions with different sets of distinct belief systems. threatens to make many of them politically irrelevant. war that consumed nearly 8,000 Nepalis. For students assess a conflict that Dambar Krishna Shrestha in Myanglung There isn’t much in the formal declarations of the UML The book begins with an introduction, and is of the communist movement in Nepal, this book can be -Baburam Bhatarai after meeting UNICEF’s Nepali deputy director, Kul Chandra Gautam Himal Khabarpatrika, 30 March-13 April that makes it any different from, say, the Maobadis. divided in three parts: an overview, Maoists perspectives is a useful primer. Perhaps the biggest weakness of this in Rajdhani, 3 April. The shroud of ideological ambiguity covering the and left perspectives. For Nepali readers sick with the collection is the absence of any useful conclusions, or an helped make them The ceasefire is two months old now, but Dambar Bahadur Katuwal’s family has not dared return home to entire utopian spectrum of the left makes objective ventriloquism of the Maobadi leadership and the exploration into the relationship between Nepali and politically irrelevant. Sankranti bazar in Terathum. The family has been living in the district headquarters Myanglung for a year. The assessment of any discrete movement extremely verbosity of other leftist luminaries, there is nothing Indian Maoists. Maoist rebels still hold the three-storey family home whose head, Dambar Bahadur, is a retired Royal Nepali new here and they can skip quite a bit. Army soldier and an adviser to the Nepali Congress (Democratic). Despite the editors’ claim that they have “tried to “I hoped that my six-member family would be able to return after the ceasefire, but now it turns out the rebels maintain a light touch as regards matters of writing The last issue (Oct-Dec, 2002) of Dialogue can be are using our house to conduct their roundtable meetings and cultural programs,” says a frustrated Katuwal. style”, the volume is no more lucid than any other hazy cited here as ‘further reading’ for the Karki-Seddon Maoists tried to abduct him last year when he refused to recall his son, Birendra Katuwal, a soldier in the army to harangues that routinely fill up the pages of Nepali collection. This journal of Astha Bharati, New Delhi, join the rebels. Katuwal came to Kathmandu, but found the cost of living too high and shifted to Myanglung. He publications like Drishti and Janadesh. The sole gives what can perhaps be termed as the Right was unable to go back even for the last rites of his father. “They threatened to kill me and I dared not go,” he says. exception to the overdose of ideological swearing is Perspective on the “Maoist Insurgency in Nepal and Others have similar stories to share. Bhairab Chaulagain, former chairman of Oyakjung Village Comrade Mohan Bikram Singh’s convincing indictment India”. Articles by Parmanand, Deepak Thapa, General Development Committee has also been living in Myanglung for a year. He is a UML supporter and his of “The Royal Palace Massacre and the Maoists’ Pro- Ashok Mehta and Chandrasekharan are directly about ideological inclination automatically pitted him against the Maoists. He moved when the rebels threatened to King Political Line” in Part Three of the book where he the Maoist insurgency in Nepal while Prakash Singh, a abduct him after he helped organise a UML protest rally against the Maoists. swears at his former comrades. Compared to what has former Director General of Border Security Force of Point 17 of the code of conduct signed by the government and the Maoists says both parties will help create gone before, Singh’s piece reads like a thriller. India, explores their cross-border nexus. an environment for the internally displaced to return home, but the affected are not convinced about their Now that Baburam Bhattarai and his team of Last month, US Assistant Secretary of State for safety. “I still feel threatened, I cannot even think about returning home yet,” Chaulagain says. negotiators are sharing the stage with Lokendra South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca made it clear that A majority of elected members from 32 VDCs in Terathum and other political workers live in Myanglung, Bahadur Chand, the ideological underpinings of the the Maobadis of Nepal were still on her watch list. some have been here for two years. Ganga Maskey and Sriman Pitha Magar, VDC secretaries of Jaljale and Maoist uprising may have receded into the background. Unfortunately, most assessment of the phenomena of Oyakjung, conduct their administrative duties from the district All that remains is the claim of an armed group of left extremism in South Asia still has to be based on headquarters. They have little to return to because rebels destroyed insurgents that they be given a fair share of the spoils of newspaper reports. These two volumes—along with an most of the VDC buildings. Jirikhimti VDC secretary Rajendra Kumar DAMBARKRISHNA Shrestha told us his office has been operating from two rented rooms state power. The sartorial elegance of Bhattarai and earlier publication of CNAS that explored Domestic at Myanglung. Comrade Ram Bahadur Thapa notwithstanding, the Conflict And Crisis of Governability in Nepal in an The acting district president of Nepali Congress, Bhim Prasad Maobadi leadership started losing its revolutionary eponymous title (Nepali Times #40)—will help Ispo and former policeman Moti Gurung are also refugees here. The People’s War in Nepal: Left Perspectives sheen as soon as it surfaced in Kathmandu’s polluted Dialogue Quarterly Vol 4 No 2 broaden the horizon of scholars interested in the rise Baburam Bhattarai: “This is the new model democracy we have been demanding!” Gurung was forced to leave when he could not afford to shell out the SHRESTHA Arjun Karki and David Seddon (eds) air. Now, they are just another bunch of political BB Kumar (ed) (and fall?) of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal. Such Rs 50,000 that the Maoists demanded as a donation. “To our Adroit Publishers, Delhi manipulators. Astha Bharati, Delhi publications also inform inquisitive decision-makers Budhabar, 2 April knowledge, only one family has been able to return home so far,” Pages: xxiv+494 The demise of left extremism was formally Pages: 196 about the ground realities that give birth to issues they says Hari Lochan Sharma, the chief district officer of Terhathum. Rs 1,000 announced the day Krishna Bahadur Mahara proudly Rs 100 are expected to address. 

#139ntpepec.p65 12-13 4/6/03, 1:13 PM 14 CITY 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 BROADCASTING 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 15 BOOKWORM afield as Guam and Angola. The team says that feedback keeps Resistance and the state: Nepalese experiences David N Gellner (ed) them responsible and vigil. “We Social Science Press have very responsive listeners, and Rs 525 now they let us know their This readable book gives a graphic description of conflicts over the interpretation of history, Yo BBC ho opinions almost instantly through and various perspectives on the Maoist insurgency that has taken control of large parts of The BBC’s Nepali Service is the email,” says Raut. rural Nepal since 1996. The contributors illuminate the complex relationship of a ALL PICS SRADDHA BASNYAT The BBC Nepali service has modernising, developmentalist state and the people it professes to represent and benefit. main source of news for the been almost axed several times, but has always managed to survive ABOUT TOWN Nepal darshan Ashok Vyas Nepalis in Nepal and abroad. budget cuts. Any new plans for Kantalaxmi Publications expanding the service? “Nothing FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS Rs 440 SRADDHA BASNYAT also available on bbc.co.uk/nepali really on the horizon, the BBC has

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#139ntpepec.p65 14-15 4/6/03, 1:14 PM 16 4 - 10 APRIL 2003 NEPALI TIMES #139 Under My Hat NEPALI SOCIETY by Kunda Dixit The man in the middle any who saw the pictures anniversary function on Monday, get to talk to the entire press corps of Prime Minister Dhamala told us: “I wanted to show at one go. Whatever one may say Decoding the code of conduct M Lokendra Bahadur that the process of reconciliation about his abrasive style and self- Chand shaking hands with had begun.” Although his intended publicity, Dhamala is self-made. Baburam Bhattarai at the message got twisted, the function He was jailed for hawking anti- t is our job as journalists (motto: “The truth do exactly what he and/or she pleases, Convention Centre on Monday got more public interest than most Panchayat newspapers when he shall prevail, unless it’s a lie”) to keep all and Aware, that most of us couldn’t be bothered which wondered who the man in the other face-to-face events was just a high school student. I sundry informed about the activities, however bunch of crooks replaces the present bunch of middle was. It was none other conducted by the club so far. The 30-year-old political science than Rishi Dhamala (centre, pic Dhamala is not a modest man, graduate was a full-time journalist trivial, of our public figures’ private lives. That is crooks, below), the flamboyant that’s for sure. He is often seen until he founded Reporters’ Club why we will go to any length to ferret out the facts: Recalling, that the International Potato Institute in chairman of the Reporters’ Club sitting sandwiched between six years ago. Now he says he is even if it means joining an all-expenses paid junket the 1954 Quito Declaration in its Article 129 Nepal, adroitly squeezing celebrity invitees so he is always on ready to hand over the club to his to Japan and never coming back. Being curious cats stipulated that all yams shall be subject only to such himself between the two so the the front page of newspapers and successor and return to reporting of the fourth estate, we are duty-bound to let the limitations as are determined by law solely for the cameras could catch him. on television. “Look, I don’t again. “I crave for the rush of The occasion was the sixth purposely get into the limelight,” producing a daily newspaper,” he cat out of the bag. We tell all. We spill the beans, purpose of securing due recognition, respect, right anniversary of the club, and as it he says testily. “But I deserve credit confided. and the let the chips fall where they may. and freedoms of other potatoes, either sweet or turns out, the prime minister for what I do.” But it isn’t hard to imagine Many of you may have heard that there is now otherwise, wasn’t told that the wily Dhamala In the last six years Reporters’ that beneath all that there is a a top secret code of In view of the would get him to shake hands Club Nepal has invited even the political animal struggling to get conduct in effect which aforementioned: with Bhattarai. most inaccessible and media shy out. “Yes, I would like to ultimately To his detractors, and they public figures for the pleasure of get into politics, and I have strong is such a well-guarded 1. A Goodwill are legion, Dhamala is a self- being grilled by Kathmandu’s grassroots support in my home secret that no one Volleyball Match will be seeking publicist who uses his hacks. Controversial political district of Dhading,” he admits. In actually knows what it held between the two club to shamelessly promote leaders, timid bureaucrats, that case, all this exposure and contains. Which is just as Negotiating Teams to himself. But even his critics diplomats, ministers and prime rubbing shoulders with politicians well. Being Nepalis, we break the ice this credit Dhamala with a nose for ministers from home and abroad will be useful. news that turns a Reporters’ Club have all gone through the wringer. But isn’t he running out of would probably break weekend at the function itself into a news event. Dhamala says his job is guests to invite to his forum? Who every rule in the book if Dashrath Stadium. The Asked why he didn’t warn his symbiotic: the journalists get is left? Rishi Dhamala doesn’t we knew what those Government Team will guests about the nature of the access to figures they could not hesitate with the answer: rules were. Nevertheless, wear daura suruwals, otherwise interview, and his guests “The king.”  it is our sworn duty as professional snoops to decode while the Ungovernment Team will wear tweed the code of conduct. This is what we have managed caps. to dig up so far: 2. The Ungovernment side shall not turn down Preamble to the Code of Conduct any invitation to attend ribbon-cutting and lamp- Given, that Nepal is a sweet potato, lighting ceremonies, music CD launches, bartamans, Bearing in mind, that we are landlocked between a weddings, Ghode Jatras, anti-Iraq war rallies and rock and a hard place, interaction programs followed by dosallah-wearing.

Conscious, of the fact that the yam is rotten to the In each venue, comrades shall deliver a speech lasting NYUCHEMAN DANGOL core and there are worms crawling all over it, not less than a half-hour each. Bearing in mind also, that if things go on at this rate 3. Both Negotiating Teams are entitled to be the said sweet potato will be history, accompanied by three bodyguards per member, who Considering, that it behooves us more than ever shall stand backstage wearing wrap-around designer before to close our ranks to better meet the hopes shades and olive green flak jackets with an ominous and expectations our people have nurtured for bulge on the leftside. decades, 4. The captains of the Ungovernment Negotiating Convinced, that the United Nations charter Team shall follow these guidelines for dealing with Times in Delhi reaffirms the faith of the International Community media: give at least one interview daily in all the Fresh hardcopy editions of Nepali Times and in the dignity and sanctity of the human person, capital’s newspapers provided nothing of any Himal Khabarpatrika the equality of the rights of men and women, as substance is actually uttered, hold one press now available in New Delhi. Contact: RK News Agency MCD No. 002263 well as the right of every small nation to be invaded conference every other day where all reporters will be Defence Colony Market by the world’s only superpower, mandatorily flogged with a bamboo cane before they (next to Moet’s Restaurant) For subscriptions in Determined, to defend the right of every citizen to enter the venue.  New Delhi, contact: [email protected] APRIL ISSUE OUT NOW www.wavemag.com.np

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