#221 12 - 18 November 2004 20 pages Rs 25

Weekly Internet Poll # 161 Q. Should the pre-2002 parliament be reinstated? The peace industry Is there a conflict of interest in the peace efforts? Total votes:1,002 NAVIN SINGH KHADKA officials told us the money was foundation for future peace Weekly Internet Poll # 162. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com used for “capacity building” in process. Government officials Q. Do you agree with the proposal for a special he more elusive peace conflict resolution for officials, quota for disadvantaged groups in education? are not comfortable about the T becomes, the more it parliamentarians and civil formation of the Citizen’s Peace seems to become an society, research and conflict Commission, an umbrella industry. Foreign conflict- analysis and support for media. organisation of peace groups. Mohsinisms resolution consultants and Visiting British Minister of “Why do you need a parallel Interview with Minister of mediation experts are State Douglas Alexander, said in organisation when a Peace Information, Mohammad Mohsin swarming all over the capital, Kathmandu Wednesday: “Nepal’s Secretariat has already been Is the peace secretariat just an sometimes rubbing shoulders problem should be resolved formed?” asked one member of eyewash? in hotel lobbies with arms internally, and we will support the High-Level Peace It will take time for the secretariat merchants. such efforts.” Committee. to become fully operational. We At last count there were at The Europeans hired two Most people interviewed for are collecting documents for a least two dozen government experts to prepare a report on this article agreed the peace archive. But we won’t wait, and non-government outfits conflict prevention assessment government and the rebels are we will make peace overtures. with the word ‘peace’ on them two years ago and another expert just paying lip service to like the Peace Secretariat, is arriving next month. The EC is negotiations. This week, the When do you expect results? High-Level Peace Committee, releasing another report on the military launched a major air- So far, we haven’t got any Civic Solidarity for Peace and conflict soon. borne and ground assault from authentic response from the rebels for dialogue. The Dasain Citizen’s Peace Commission. “Everyone within and outside Dang on Maoist strongholds in ceasefire was a gimmick, we are The Americans have hired the country seems to be pushing Rolpa and Rukum from Dang interested in a long-term South African conflict expert their own agenda,” says a amidst reports of an imminent resolution. Our twin mandates are Hannes Siebert to advise bewildered Peace Secretariat Maoist offensive in the west. to restore peace and hold government officials, political official. There is a distinct lack Mediators are disappointed. elections, and we are serious parties and civil society. of urgency in the secretariat, and Krishna Jung Rayamajhi of the about both. Britain’s DfID has hired a slew Information Minister Mohsin (see Civil Society Peace Commission of consultants for what it calls box) says it is setting up a says: “Efforts to bring the two But are elections possible? ‘mitigation of conflict effects’ ‘documentation centre’. sides together have not been If the Maoists respect the and has spent 4 million Actually, the Peace encouraging, the response is sovereign right of the people, they pounds to promote peace. DfID Secretariat is supposed to be a distressing.” l will allow them to vote. 20 #221 Bring out the 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 animal in you

he more discerning among you may have realised by now that www.nepalitimes.com T we are a nation of animal lovers. With Pashupatinath as our patron deity, our zoological society has nothing to worry about. We shower considerable respect and devotion to our fellow creatures and this is evidenced in the way we pamper the higher mammals by allowing them free access to our national highways and street intersections. Every year, this adulation for our four-legged UNDER MY HAT and feathered chums reaches a Kunda Dixit crescendo at Tihar when we set aside one day for specialised attention to each of them. We start on Wednesday with National Crow Day to honour Yamaraj’s roving ambassador and plenipotentiary. Devotees get up early in the morning and travel to the banks of the Bagmati where crows can be found partaking of their communal breakfast on the visceral remains of recently-deceased buffalos. We proceed to offer them a plethora of sweetmeats which they totally ignore because (despite its name) a sweetmeat is totally vegetarian and the crows would much rather dine on a plethora of rotting cadavers. But it’s the thought that counts, and how appropriate that at least once a year we recognise the valuable assistance that crows provide to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City as volunteer scavengers, and honour them in nationally- televised ceremonies to decorate them with one of the nation’s highest civilian honours, the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu Third Class. Thursday is when dogs are gods. This is the day we have set aside to worship man’s best friend and to reward Fido, Fuchhe and Lucky for being around when we need them most to provide us with security in these troubled times by yowling non-stop all night at everyone in general and no one in particular. But disregarding our own personal discomfort and sleep deprivation we get up at the crack of dawn on Dog Day to round up the neighbourhood dingo pack and feed them body parts of fellow animals, resisting the temptation to lace it with pulverised sleeping pills. Veneration of our nocturnal canine choir is a tradition that has been passed down to us from the ancient Egyptians who even built pyramids to immortalise dead pets. Giza has three of them: one for Fido, one for Fucche and one for Lucky. Then comes Friday, which in our animal kingdom is reserved for none other than the holy cow. An indication of the reverence we have for our national animal is the right of way we accord to them along our major thoroughfares. No other animal, not even the prime minister’s motorcade on its way to Gokarna for a much-needed vacation to read up on the constitution, has as much priority as the city’s urban cattle population. In fact, the prime ministerial motorcade had to make a slight detour into the sidewalk this week when a bovine traffic island at Jorpati refused to budge despite blaring sirens and commandos wielding Uzis. On Friday, let us show our cows that we care by putting an immediate stop to all this bullshit. In conclusion, on behalf of all the animals who feel left out this Tihar, let me assure them that they are not forgotten. Ours is an inclusive democracy in which all animals have the right to have their day of veneration. So from next year’s Tihar, by royal ordinance, we shall also mark Musa Tihar, House Fly Day, the Day of the Vultures and the National Day for Monkeying Around. l

CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 19 Ballots, not bullets

hen (or if) elections are constituencies into sensitive and and Kosovo. He will now be going to W ever held in Nepal, the non-sensitive and just tried to Iraq. country can tap the foresee every eventuality.” “Nepalis used to be known for experience of dozens of Nepalis The other Nepali provincial their bravery in battle, they are now who have organised smooth polls in coordinators are Subhadayak Shah, known in the UN system as people the world’s hotspots. who looked after Kabul, Hari Prasad who can administer and manage The latest is Afghanistan, where in Mazar-e-Sharif and Neel Kantha countries in transitions to democ- four out of eight provincial Upreti in Jalalabad. The only racy,” says Bhatta. The inevitable coordinators for the recently held other serious incident took place question: how about Nepal? elections were Nepalis working for after the elections were held and Bhatta says elections in Nepal the United Nations. Despite the Hamid Karzai was declared can be held, it just needs to be MIN BAJRACHARYA killing of several voter registration winner when three UN staffers planned right and there has to be SURRENDER: Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari gives up officials, intimidation by militants were kidnapped in broad daylight integrity and political will. And he is answering reporter’s questions about the UML’s inability to make and the threat of violence on from a Kabul street. They willing to help if asked. progress on peace. election day, Afghans thronged to have still not been released. He adds: “We have to the polling stations. There was Bhatta says the western solve it with the nearly 90 percent turnout, and the province of Heart is “more ballot, not the biggest surprise was that women remote than Humla” and bullet.” l came out to vote in droves. conducting elections Naresh Bhatta, who was there was the most provincial coordinator for the challenging thing he has western province of Heart, was in the ever done in his life. UN compound when it was attacked That means something and set on fire on 10 September. because Bhatta has Bhatta (pictured) lost all his previously helped belongings and records, but still organise elections in managed to conduct the polls East Timor, Cambodia successfully. “We had planned it very well,” says Bhatta, who is in Kathmandu MIN BAJRACHARYA for the holidays. “We divided up the SHATTERED: Windows on the newly-built facade of the Employee’s Provident Fund Building at Sundhara were shattered by a powerful pressure cooker bomb that went off on its first floor on Tuesday afternoon. More than 30 passersby were injured.

KUNDA DIXIT

KIRAN PANDAY THIS IS THE BBC IN KATHMANDU: The BBC’s business development manager, Michel Lobelle, with the executive director of Radio Nepal, Shailendra Kumar Sharma, at a ceremony to launch the 24- hour news channel, BBC 103 FM.

MIN BAJRACHARYA TOGETHER FOR A CAUSE: International delegates at the Fourth Asian Spinal Cord Conference after its inaugural ceremony at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday.

RAM HUMAGAIN/NEPALNEWS.COM AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS: A participant at a conch shell blowing contest in Kathmandu on Sunday. 14 INTERNATIONAL #221 Yasir Arafat’s ghost 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 Arafat leaves a vacuum and the absence of a viable successor istory gave Yasir Arafat traditional ideological espoused by Hamas, which far more time than most approach championed by seeks to continue fighting and H leaders to achieve his many Fatah and PLO veterans using terrorism, regardless of mission. After all, as he fought who returned from exile to the how much time it takes till it for his life in a Paris hospital, West Bank and Gaza Strip, defeats both Israel and he had been leader of the including Arafat. Their Palestinian secular Palestinians for 35 years. Yet he current leaders include men nationalists. Palestine will left his people in a terrible like Palestine National then be an Islamist state in situation, with no state, in the Council head Salim al-Zanun which moderates would be midst of a losing war, and with and Fatah ideological chief shot and the old nationalist a bankrupt economy. Sakr Habash, who favour leadership forcibly retired or continuing to battle Israel jailed for corruption. In the until it is destroyed, at which meantime, however, Hamas is COMMENT point they will rule Palestine willing to form alliances with Barry Rubin with a relatively secular the nationalists, particularly nationalist regime. They look the militant faction of Fatah. Looking back at his career, down at younger challengers The problem for Palestinian Arafat never really veered from and view the Islamists as a moderates is clear: any leader the belief that his life’s mission threat. willing to agree to a peace was to destroy Israel by any The younger generation of treaty with Israel would be means necessary and replace it indigenous West Bank opposed, passionately and with a Palestinian Arab state. Palestinians, whose leaders even violently, by roughly 80 An independent Palestine that began political activity in the percent of the movement. A did not include all of Israel uprising of the late 1970’s, key question is whether the held no appeal to him. Now, in embrace a militant strategy Palestinian masses, fed up the post-Arafat era, that views hardliners as with their leadership’s size to the entire West Bank and through his hands. Palestinians must choose one burned-out old fogies bickering, corruption, and Gaza Strip, in addition to more Only if the post-Arafat of several strategies. enervated by corruption. incompetence, could make than $20 billion in refugee movement decides that it really The moderate strategy seeks Unlike hard-line secularists, their wishes known to find an compensation. wants a Palestinian state in an independent Palestine state the militants, whose best- end to a conflict that has cost The main problem left by exchange for ending the conflict as quickly as possible on the known leader is Marwan them so much. But none of the Arafat is the lack of any with Israel in every respect will assumption that once there is Barghuti, the head of the main leadership factions are leadership at all. Rarely in there be a real chance for peace. no more Israeli presence or Tanzim grassroots grouping in proposing that the masses be history has a political movement Arafat’s departure may well violence, the Palestinians can Fatah, are willing to work consulted very much. Nor did been so deliberately set by its mark the beginning of that concentrate on constructive with the Islamists. Arafat leave in place any founder on a course toward process, but the transition to a pursuits, including resettling The militants argue that institutional mechanisms for chaos. Arafat not only leaves no new Palestinian leadership refugees and improving living long-term continuation of doing so. successor but no order. Over the could take years and there is no standards. But this is the view violence will force Israel to Moreover, the popular decades, the movement has assurance that it will be a of only a small minority of withdraw from the occupied appeal of radical religion, developed a political culture of moderate one. l leaders, notably former Prime territories. Then, with ideology, and misinformation indiscipline. Arafat presided (Project Syndicate) Minister Abu Mazin and Palestinians gaining the should not be underestimated. over a sort of anarchy, Muhammad Dahlan, who heads upper hand, they can conquer Few Palestinians are even encouraging rivalries, his own militia in the Gaza all of Israel. aware that four years ago undermining other potential Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs Centre Strip. Finally, there is the Arafat turned down an leaders and ensuring that all and co-author of Yasir Arafat: A The hard-line strategy is the revolutionary Islamist vision independent state equal in authority (and money) ran Political Biography Trying to shine again Comrade Gonzalo is being retried in Peru for a 20-year war that cost 70,000 lives

Maoist doctrine could rid Peru of its over by hooded judges and closed messages to his followers. Jimenez feudal elite. to the public. Hundreds of suspects said he thinks Guzman plans to use ”He has no regrets for what were found guilty and imprisoned, the trial to reorganise his movement occurred,” said Carlos Tapia, a including Guzman, who was politically while several hundred at- former member of Commission for convicted of treason in 1993 and large compatriots continue the Truth and Reconciliation who has has been incarcerated since at this military struggle, mainly from jungle interviewed Guzman more than a naval base just outside Lima. bases. dozen times in the past two years. Peru’s Constitutional Tribunal Last year, a monitoring group, “He feels the acts committed were ruled his trial unconstitutional last the Council for Peace, estimated justified because it was a war.” year and overturned the conviction. there were approximately 730 Eulogio Cruz witnessed the Under Peruvian law, Guzman can Shining Path adherents still at work bloody rebel takeover of his be held for three years as long as a in remote areas. There have been highland village in the Ancash new trial is held within that amount numerous clashes with authorities in Abimael Guzman (right) founder and former leader of the Shining Path guerrilla region more than 12 years ago. of time. To avoid having to release the past 18 months, particularly in movement, and Elena Iparraguirre, his cellmate and lover, raise their arms on 5 November during the first day of his retrial in Callao, Peru. Weeks later, a group of soldiers him in 2006, the government must Ayacucho. descended on the town and shot secure a conviction in a public Peru Interior Minister Javier Cruz in the eye when he tried to stop trial, and Guzman is being tried Reategui has said there is also he 69-year-old founder of (Shining Path) movement them from taking away his son, along with 17 other Shining Path concern Shining Path is trying to T Peru’s Maoist Shining Path envisioned a classless utopia and Epifenio, as a suspected guerrilla. leaders whose convictions were also infiltrate the education system, a terrorist movement, Abimael 70,000 people were killed in the 20- While Cruz survived, his son was overturned. tactic Guzman used in the 1970s to Guzman, faced a civilian court last year insurgency he launched in taken and he has not seen him While there is little chance gain adherents and financing for his week for the first time since he was 1980. The vast majority were since. Guzman will be freed, Peruvian revolution. Steve Stern, a US-based arrested more than 12 years ago. innocent Peruvians caught between ”I want justice,” said Cruz, now authorities are concerned he is expert on the group, said the Guzman and his co-defendants rebels and the military crackdown. 54. “The trial is the first step towards trying to reorganise Shining Path danger exists it will return, but he brought the hearing to a halt when The proceedings were stopped that.” to resume the armed conflict. doubts it could repeat the they stood and faced media cameras and cameras cleared from the In the early 1990s, then- Colonel Benedicto Jimenez, a devastation of the late 1980s and with raised fists. “Long live the courtroom on 5 November. A president Alberto Fujimori former leader of the national early 1990s. “As an organised Communist party!” they chanted. philosophy professor at the succeeded in passing laws to police anti-terrorism unit and the political machine, it is finished,” “Glory to the Peruvian people! Glory University of Huamanga in Peru’s strengthen the trial process against man who led the team that he said. “But there is still the to Marxism, Leninism, Maoism!” altiplano town of Ayacucho, suspected terrorists. Cases were captured Guzman, said the prisoner danger it can create a great deal of Guzman’s Sendero Luminoso Guzman believed that only a referred to a military court presided has been sending orders in coded chaos.” l FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 13 and women’s rights activists. the women activists of local Duty free says, “Products are being

Wearing a leather jacket, red NGOs. “It’s wartime and we brought in without duty being ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ scarf and a gun on her waist, need to move.” A few hours Kantipur, 8 November paid and this has killed our Bhusal is campaigning against later, she walks off with business.” The Tibetans bring Mohan Singh Bikram, leader of Battalion 20 escorted by a The Namche Bajar is stocked clothes, radio, watches and other United Centre-Masal. Not many female bodyguard. “It takes two with Tibetan goods that haven’t goods over the Nangpa La pass know about Bhusal’s position in hours to walk up that hill. Why had their customs duty paid. till Thame from where it is the party. Recently she was don’t you come up with us?” Everyday Rs 300,000 of duty free loaded on yaks. The main involved in a scandal about her Bhusal asks me but I refuse and goods are sold here. The number trading areas are Thame, relationship with senior she quietly treks up the hill of Tibetan traders here is rising Phorche, Dingboche and politburo member Badal, which munching a packet of noodles. and this has discouraged local Tengboche. There are about 40 is why she was unable to This is her fourth public businessmen. The Tibetans sell stalls in Namche and they are occupy a higher position in the appearance after going their goods cheap and open April-October. The tourists’ Maoist party. “Finally I am able underground for over seven consumers prefer them. Dorji preference for their products has to meet you all,” Bhusal says to years. Sherpa, a local businessman affected local businessmen.

of Representatives can’t be reinstated because of the verdict of the Supreme Court. A group that is pro-military, royalist and propagandist and another that Revive parliament belongs to the Maoist camp have both been taking undue support of the apex court’s verdict. The Supreme Court has found it difficult to guard its own integrity in the absence of parliament since the Robinson episode. It has remained silent even when official agencies have wrongly pointed out that after the Supreme Court’s verdict it has become difficult to bring the constitution back on track. Nilambar Acharya in Kantipur, 4 November Should it not have countered that there was never a decision saying the House of Representatives can’t be reinstated? Even if it deems that such defence of its The pro-palace component in the government talks about elections. This is just a integrity is unnecessary, it should have resorted to judicial activism. smokescreen to continue to obstruct the implementation of the constitution. The If the Supreme Court can’t take a stand at a time when the derailed propagandist side of the Maoists advocates a constituent assembly. This too, is constitutional process needs to be normalised for peace, when will it? For the rest nothing more than a word game. of the political spectrum, the question is not whether parliament can be reinstated. Both sides know that there will be no election or constituent assembly without It is whether the hurdles to implementing constitutional provisions will lessen or peace talks. In fact, the royalists do not want elections and the followers of increase after the reinstatement of the House. Prachandapath are not for constituent assembly. Both want the state power Will the House be able to actually meet if reactivated? If it can, should it be system. If any of them win or strike a deal for power sharing, the possibility of made to decide the solution to the present conflict? Should democratic the country holding a democratic election either for the parliament or the normalisation be allowed? The parliament is a meeting point among political parties, constituent assembly is nil. How can we expect peace, democracy and the government and the people, between people’s representatives and the king. Such restoration of the people’s power from both forces under such circumstances? contacts are the need of the hour, whether for peace, amendment of the old Both know that without proper implementation of the constitution, talks will constitution, or for drafting a new one. not take place. Followers of Prachandapath say, “We do not support the idea of We hear about the need for unity among constitutional forces, more so reinstating parliament, we will not allow elections to take place and will not speak between the king, government and parties. Only when all provisions of the to any nominated government.” Royalists say, “We will not allow the constitution begin to function normally can one believe that the derailed reinstatement of parliament and we will not revive the constitution.” constitution can be brought back on track. How can there be constitutional unity Like the Prachandapath followers, they have been harping about being without an active constitution? flexible for talks. One party says it is ready to talk on anything but multi-party Such a dialogue can be held in parliament and the result ratified by the democracy and constitutional monarchy. The other claims to be revolutionarily parliament. Only then can we go for elections, whether it is the election of the representing the people but is not ready to reactivate the constitution. What kind House of Representatives or the constituent assembly and on whatever basis. But of flexibility is this? How can talks be held and between whom? And, more for these to happen, the House of Representatives must be activated. Without the importantly, how will they bring peace? House, talks about peace, elections, constituent assembly and democracy will The prime minister has repeatedly said on state-run television that the House remain talks. 8 NATION 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221

every business with a monthly shops and business houses that turnover of Rs 100,000. The local have registered with them,” says deputy chief of the rebels says Tulsiram Upadhyay of Maya Surkhet businessmen are paying Plastic and Suppliers in Taxed to death anywhere between Rs 25-Rs Birendranagar. “It makes it 5,000 a month. necessary for us to register with Surkhet’s businessmen are forced to register with For Maoist land registration, the Maoists.” people are supposed to go Bus operators face the same the Maoists and pay taxes to both governments further up the road to problem. The chairman of the Babiyachour. The Maoists also Association of Bus Operators in have their own vehicle the district is Home Minister registration done in Ramghat Purna Bahadur Khadka’s brother, and Mehalkuna in Surkhet. and even he would not be able CDO Tilakram Sharma to ply his buses without paying admits he knows about the off the Maoists. However, when Maoist taxes, but his asked he did not wish to administration can do little to comment. stop it. Chairman of the Surkhet Local businessmen seem Association of Industry and happy with the Maoist Commerce Tek Bahadur efficiency. They have also been Bhandari says no one dares to fed up of extortion from people defy the Maoist order to register. pretending to be Maoists, and “Everyone has been to this way they are safe. “Now we Baddichaur, and there is just pay once a month, we don’t nothing the administration can get harassed by pretend do to stop it,” he says. Maoists,” says Bhandari. The Maoists don’t allow All this used to happen in The Maoist checkpost at Baddichaur of Surkhet people from Surkhet, Dailekh Maoist base areas. With the SHARAD KC and Accham to take provisions registration in Surkhet, the SHARAD KC in SURKHET traders now pay two taxes: one Dailekh. Those travelling and goods up to their areas Maoists seem to be testing their to the government and the other without visas have to face unless it has been bought in a reach in government areas as ne morning earlier this to the Maoists. Thirty km outside interrogations and are sent to registered shop, and this is an well. After King Gyanendra’s O month, businessmen in town in Baddichaur (which the labour camps to dig tunnels. added reason why everyone has recent visit, all government Surkhet were all heading rebels have renamed ‘Himal When the rebels began registered. offices are being shifted from out of town towards Baddichaur. Municipality’) is the Maoist registering businesses in the “The villagers know the Nepalganj to Surkhet, and this is They were trying to beat the contact office for surkhet district on 17 September, Maoist rule and they make sure the Maoists’ way of thumbing Maoist deadline to register with businessmen to pay their businessmen gathered at that they buy things only from their noses at the state. l them and fill out tax forms. revolutionary tax, for people Baddichaur. The rebels had In Home Minister Purna who need Maoist ‘visas’ to travel issued a notice saying no one Bahadur Khadka’s hometown to Jumla, Kalikot, Achham and was allowed to run a business Ambushed child without registering with the ‘new regime’. As a result, 1,100 Nanda Buda, one-year-old, toddled on the Mourning in Dasain bloody floor to wake her mother Bidra. She businessmen in Surkhet have was hungry. But her mother was dead, killed While Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka celebrated tika at his registered, whereas only 300 by a Maoist booby trap in their village in home in Surkhet, dozens of displaced villagers from Mugu and Jumla businesses have been registered Humla. Bidra was killed instantly while her were living in tents nearby. They had no food and were begging from with the Surkhet Association of daughter survived. Her husband Jay house to house. “What Dasain are you talking about when we don’t have Industry and Commerce. Chandra recounts finding his wife and how shelter or food to eat?” a frail looking Chandra Buda asked. “We aren’t Tax collection is more he collapsed on seeing her dead. The celebrating anything.” About 200 villagers from the two districts are now efficient than the government’s Maoists tried to take Nanda but Jay Jay Chandra with his living in the open here and more are coming since the Maoists revenue department. It is Chandra woke up and stopped them. “We daughter, Nanda. intensified their ‘join us or leave your homes’ campaign. Most victims amazing what the fear of the are not going with you. I have lost my wife were subsistence farmers. The Surkhet district administration says it gun can do. and don’t want to lose my daughter too,” Jay Chandra recalls telling doesn’t have money to take care of them. Businessmen are supposed to them. The rebels forced him to leave the village. Today, he and his Minister Khadka drove to them in a line of escort cars and assured three young daughters are living in Surkhet with hundreds of other them the govenrment would fly them back to their homes in a helicopter pay their Maoist tax by the fifth refugees from Humla. “So many reporters have come and I have told and sped away leaving the bewildered refugees in tears. of every Nepali month. There is them my story, but no one has helped,” says Jay Chandra. a flat rate of Rs 100 a month for

NAWA AAYAM YUWA CLUB PRESENTS BABARMAHAL DEEPAWALI STREET FESTIVAL - 2061

IONS: CT LIVE CONCERT, DANCE TRA AT & FOOD STALLS

DATE : 13TH NOV 2004 / 28 KARTIK 2061, SATURDAY VANUE : BABARMAHAL JUNCTION, TAX OFFICE TIME : 1:00 ONWARDS 2 EDITORIAL 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Abha Eli Phoboo Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki, [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

hat are left of our traditions are becoming W hollow rituals of an ersatz civilisation. The original function of harvest festivals, the celebration of plenty and family bonding have given way to trivial give-and-take of the marketplace. Dasain and Tihar in the city have become little more than government-sanctioned bandas. There is a curfew for bhailo and deusi, and defying a firecracker ban the Maoists blew up the first floor of the Sanchaya Kosh Building on Tuesday. Aside from the bubble of the capital valley and a few cities, the festivals have lost their lustre. The people are in no mood to celebrate. Still, Tihar is also a celebration of sibling reunion. A chance for sisters and brothers scattered by conflict to get together at least in their hearts. And an opportunity this weekend to look beyond the family to all Nepalis as our own sisters and brothers. It is in these times of murky gloom that we inevitably take comfort in symbolism: the terracotta cup in which we pour mustard oil, dip the wick and light a lamp. It will burn all week of the Yamapanchak. The number five is a recurrent theme over Tihar/Chhat/Diwali. The diyo encorporates the panchatatwa, the five elements of life: earth, water, air, fire and sky. The flame is a miniature sun, the star to which we owe the existence of life on this planet and every molecule in our being. The potter shapes this cup from a mixture of water and earth, lets it dry in the sun, then bakes it in fire. The diyo in the puja room is a symbol of life, death and rebirth, of eternity and immortality. It leads us from darkness to light. And the darker the night, the brighter the light. Singing of love and longingDEUTSCHLAND Displacement and diaspora have set off a burst of creativity in Nepali music

new genre of music is involuntary migration in Nepali A sweeping Nepal. From history. And they have taken to Hits, Image and Kantipur Nepali Soul to find their FM to Radio Nepal’s AM bands, moorings. Lok Dohari folk duets rule the The overseas Nepali airwaves. The music video audience croons with the sound market is dominated by Nepali of rhythm and blues and goes pop. In the markets of tarai, ecstatic with 1974 AD’s Je gar je Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Awadhi bhana jatasukai laijau malai, Yo man ta mero Nepali ho. The logic of the success of this song STATE OF THE STATE is simple: play it on your car CK Lal sound-system with a Nepali flag sticker while you drive on songs with double entendre set endless expressways of an alien to techno music have begun to land to assert your replace Hindi hits at local belongingness to a faraway bajars. These are happening home. times for Nepali music. The Nepali Diaspora is NAWARAJ WAGLE And, as a reflection of the lapping up music from home Bihana utthne bittikai himal music and lyrics are simple: cassettes. Now Rupa Jha and times, a new Nepali Soul is like never before. It’s not just dekhna paiyos. Last week, madal, flute, guitar and the Rama Mandal have become such emerging. Soul was the musical established names like Deepak Bajracharya became the raw energy of the singers’ familiar names in Janakapur outpouring of American blacks Nepathya and 1974AD first Nepali singer to be net-cast voices. and Rajbiraj, and few remember forced to cities of the North and performing in front of homesick directly from his studio in Nepali modern songs have Udit Narayan Jha’s early represented the distress of comptariots, even greenhorn Kathmandu. become anthems for the newly Maithili renditions for Radio displacement. It sings of musicians talk about the More are sure to follow in his literate displaced from their Nepal. Rupa Jha’s Chaita suffering, separation, loss of overseas market as a separate footsteps. Meanwhile, the local ancestral homes. It’s difficult baisakha ke purain dah sings of hope, bereavement, and category altogether. Nepali audience in Nepal is swooning not to be moved with Ekadashi gender bias rampant in Mithila melancholy with occasional singers regularly go on diaspora to an emotive mixture of rock, Bajaraima or Wari Jamuna, pari and doesn’t fail to bring tears self-mockery. People uprooted tours. Babin Pradhan, Yam jazz, disco, and folk—the fusion Jamuna of Khem Raj Gurung. even to grownup eyes. from their homes for reasons Baral, Nhyu Bajracharya and of it all that makes the Nepali You may have never seen Ilam This year, play-time for beyond their control find Raju Tuladhar entertained a Soul. Bajar, but Badalu ko ghumto deusi and bhailo have been comfort in songs of love and Nepali crowd of around 500 in Lok Dohari singers like Bima ma will make you long for the severely curtailed by the longing. Woolwich Public Hall in East Kumari Dura and Sindhu Malla place. These songs celebrate administration, but keep your Unprecedented numbers of London recently after a are our new superstars, and the Proustian remembrance of ears tuned for the fresh Nepalis have been displaced successful US tour. Imagine a some newspapers even have things past. rendering Rato mato, chiplo from their places of birth in the Nepali guard in Iraq listening to separate chartbusters of Lok Till a few years ago, very bato sung to the tune of Buffalo last decade, it is the biggest Ram Krishna Dhakal sing Dohari and Nepali pop. The few listeners bought Maithili Soldiers. l NATION 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 3 L ETTERS

ROYAL TIKA We lost and in some ways we supporting a weak president who medical item. Federal Express did respondents were chosen, how I was taken aback to read ‘Royal should be damn glad that we did. can’t make fundamental changes. not have any authorised service they were interviewed and by tika’ that you translated from Jana We now have the luxury of clear Bush built his victory on a provider in Nepal during that time. whom. Each enumerator in the Astha (#220). It is utterly ridiculous opposition, an opposition coalition of fear and religious However, Mr RM Singh of Everest Himalmedia Poll (‘Yes and no’, blacklisting police officers for not unclouded by a Democratic bigotry. When the economy sours, De Cargo received a call about #218) seems to have spent 10 attending the Dasain royal tika. president whose freedom of the moral contradictions of his this urgent shipment, immediately hours a day interviewing One can’t be forced to attend, movement is heavily constrained position emerge, and his wars consulted a friend in FedEx Dubai respondents, which is too long for people should attend out of their by a Republican Senate and appear increasingly ‘un-winnable’ and arranged for it to be handed accurate data collection. Only own free will. Why should absent House. Iraq is a mess. The that coalition will fragment. Over over to RNAC Dubai, which 40 percent of the respondents officers be asked to furnish an economy is a mess. Our position in 50 million of us have the luxury of ultimately reached Kathmandu. are women, which is below the explanation for not attending? If it the world is a mess. With Bush’s a clear, uncompromised moral Everest De Cargo is now a global census proportion of 48 percent is compulsion then this signifies policy acumen, nothing is likely to position. Be patient, work hard. His service provider and exclusive females. The poll lists ‘don’t that there is oppression. Even more improve over the next few years. recent win hands us a clear licensee of Federal Express for know’ and ‘can’t say’ in one astounding was the revelation that The Republicans made their bed, opportunity for real sustainable Nepal. FedEx in Nepal is able to category even though they officers who didn’t go to the palace now they get to lie in it. Our victory. export as well as import any mean completely different may be penalised by not getting defeat today could plant the seeds Marcus Moench, USA shipment (emergency medical kits things. Another weakness of the promotions and being transferred. for a far more sustainable victory in included) to or from more than 215 poll questions is that the Do promotions depend upon the the mid-term and next presidential l Reading your editorial countries. possible answers to questions can duty, valour, discipline of the elections. Seriously, how would you ‘Bushwacked’ gave me some Neelisha Pradhan, have multiple interpretations. officer or on sycophancy? feel if President Kerry, unable to amusement. As a serious editorial FedEx Everest De Cargo You can’t have socio-economic Milan Gurung, email bring in other countries to bail us piece it was sorely lacking in any answers like ‘corruption’, out of the Iraq mess, felt meaningful insight. Liberalism in POLLS ‘poverty’, ‘joblessness’ grouped BUSHWHACKED compelled to reinstate the draft? newspapers is fairly common Now that you are bombarding us with political answers like Daniel Lak’s Here and There Both support and opposition would across the globe, unfortunately with public opinion polls it gives us ‘Maoists’, ‘king’ or ‘NC’. It is like column ‘It’s over’ (#220) is much highlight the contradictions Nepal is no exception. If Nepal the opportunity to compare results, comparing apples and oranges appreciated. Unlike most Kerry inherent in having a president who had one leader as unwavering as which is an interesting exercise. and doesn’t aid clarity in the supporters in Nepal his reaction is has to pick up the pieces but can’t President Bush maybe the The surprising thing is that the responses. And in the question tempered with wisdom. Depressed publicly disavow a war we should political situation in Nepal would Krishna Hachhethu’s ‘State of ‘What is a meaningful solution to Kerry wallahs in Nepal are arguing never have started. The same goes have some direction and stability. Democracy in South Asia’ poll the Maoist crisis?’ the choice of that 55 million people did not vote for our structural deficit. With a Being a leader does not mean featured 80 percent of Nepalis answers include ‘talks’, for Bush, and he has no mandate. solidly Republican House and giving up convictions for the sake wanting democracy’ (#220) and the ‘constituent assembly’, ‘all-party America is doomed, the world is Senate, Kerry wouldn’t have been of popularity. Reading about the Kathmandu Valley Himalmedia government’, ‘referendum’, doomed. Even your editorial able to take the bold steps political situation in Nepal, it is poll ‘Yes and no’ (#218) both seem ‘constitutional amendment’, ‘UN (‘Bushwhacked’, #219) that wanted essential to resolve our massive laughable that you think to have similar results. Most mediation’, ‘military the rest of the world to be allowed problems. His only role would have Americans are ‘bamboozling their people are dissatisfied with suppression’, ‘reviving to vote in US elections, is sour been to bear the blame…and pass way with petty minded democracy, most think the king parliament’, ‘Indian role’ and grapes. Eighty percent of Nepalis that blame on to all Democrats as insensitivity’. Unfortunately your should remain a constitutional ‘civil society’s role’. But these who have returned from the US are clear evidence of ‘liberal’ paper gives a one-sided view monarch, most think he is in answers don’t include ‘king’s Kerry supporters and they point out incompetence. Yes the loss is real. through the likes of poor old charge and most want him to solve role’. Why not? Elsewhere in the that the American people are We’re going to lose irreplaceable depressed Daniel Lak who the national crisis by talking to the poll, there are questions like stupid and at least Kerry followers parts of our environmental condemns America at every turn, Maoists. But what is most clear ‘Can the king do anything to console themselves with the heritage. We’ve lost global but has chosen to reside there. from both polls is how low the resolve the crisis?’ or ‘How can prospect of Hillary Clinton legitimacy and may have to suffer You want to vote in America? How political capital of the parties have the king resolve the crisis’ which becoming the next president. many years before we’re able to about voting in Nepal first, that’s if sunk. Wonder if the king, parties are leading questions that elicit Women did not vote for Kerry regain a respected position in the you can actually get elections and the Maoists are reading these criticism of the king’s role. There because a) he was not young and global community. We may also rolling. polls and learning their lessons are other biased questions like, handsome b) his divorce and face an economic collapse as the M Danesth, email from it. ‘Who is actually ruling the marrying ‘up’ the Ketchup heiress dollar declines. All this may be JK Panday, Kathmandu country?’ in which 49 percent did not make them too extremely painful. But we’re also FEDEX said the king is. The question comfortable. handed the wonderful gift of clarity. This is to clarify the incident l Public opinion polls are after that is ‘Are you satisfied Mahendra Sakya, Ekanta Kuna Our moral position on many issues described in ‘Spinal conference in important, especially at a time with the current government?’ to doesn’t have to be compromised. Nepal’ (#220). An emergency when there is no parliament and which 83 percent have answered l Come on Dem’s, quit crying. We don’t face the dilemma of medical kit sent through Federal elections are uncertain. It is even ‘no’. These are pre-emptive Express USA four years ago did more important to do them questions which nudge not arrive on time in Kathmandu scientifically. It is not enough to be respondents to furnish How do you like to identify yourself ? due to the problems of using a satisfied with a methodology which preconceived answers. Analysis courier service to transfer a quantifies respondents, we have to of such results lead to fallacious be clear how and where those interpretation because it could lead us to conclude that 83 percent of the people are not happy with the king’s role. There should have been a complementary question: ‘Are you happy or unhappy and why?’ You conclude that the respondents in Kathmandu Valley are confused, whereas in actual fact it shows your poll design is itself confused. Sudhindra Sharma and Pawan Kumar Sen, Kathmandu 4 NATION #221 “We shall return”12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 NARESH NEWAR Peace Corps volunteers leave Nepal with heavy hearts his is their last week here. T The US Peace Corps is packing up to leave Nepal after nearly 42 years of service. Only a handful of senior managers are busy emptying their offices. The library, artistically designed by the volunteers, is now a cold empty room. On the top floor, a large number of Nepali personnel are attending the employment- counselling program for job prospects in other organisations. Several have worked here for nearly three decades certain that the most dedicated American social organisation in Nepal would never close down. Training officer Sherry Russell looks sadly at Maharajganj from the Rana mansion behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the US Peace Corps moved two years ago. “I’m going to miss all this,” she says with a sigh. The organisation does not want to lose the building and is now planning to lease it out to other organisations so that the newly decorated office with its well designed furniture and beautifully painted walls will not go to waste. PEACE CORPS “This is not the end of our also the safety of their Nepali feel the pressure although they the Peace Corps was being large Nepali lokta paper and era but just a suspension, we’ll staff, who might get into trouble knew the rebels had not hurt suspended for six months. dispatched it back to Nepal. definitely come back once if they continued working with foreign nationals. Until a month Although the advisory on family Their office took the hundreds there’s peace in the country,” an American program. Most of ago, about 84 American members was lifted last week, of wishes to Kathmandu’s most Peace Corp’s country director them have to work with volunteers ranging from the Peace Corps pullout stands. significant monasteries and David O’Connor says, more to communities in remote villages teenagers to 80-year-olds were After the suspension of the temples. The paper of wishes reassure himself. “The where the Maoists have working in Nepal. After the program, the volunteers went to remained unopened. suspension of the program was declared war on ‘American blast at the American Centre in Bangkok for a conference to During the Bangkok very difficult to experience but imperialism’. Kathmandu on 10 September, relocate in other developing conference all they wished for now all of us understand why Some NGO partners of the the US Embassy in Kathmandu nations around the world. was peace in Nepal and the this was necessary”. The Peace Corps received threats told family members of the Unable to cope with the thought return of the US Peace Corps to organisation was concerned not from Maoists and American diplomatic staff they could of leaving Nepal for good, each the kingdom. Senior lamas at just about the Americans but volunteers were beginning to leave if they wanted to and said of them wrote their wishes on a Swayambhu and Bouda blessed Leaving in droves MIAMI — Amid the triumphant scenes on the right of American politics, liberal After the Bush victory, liberal Americans want to emigrate gloom and angst is as thick as London fog. These people thought that George W welcome to become beaver-loving dung, many metres thick, coated the Bush might actually pay for what they denizens of the Dominion of Canada. coral reefs of Nauru until the place was saw as his incompetence, smugness and Journalists can only visit. a gold mine for Australian mining apparent inability to do more than one So in a spirit of trans-continental companies. Apparently it’s good for the thing at a time. They were wrong, and charity, I offer some suggestions to the garden. Anyway, Nauru is out of bird now they’re depressed. depressives left in the US, those too poo and it’s going nowhere fast. So depressed actually, that many are offended by the Bush victory to stay American liberals would be welcome to thinking of moving. That’s right. behind and fight for Hillary Clinton in join the local pastime of driving around American liberals, some of whom give 2008. There are other places you may in circles, drinking Foster’s Lager and champagne socialism a whole new be useful, other islands of sanity that bemoaning the fact that seagulls don’t cachet, will welcome you and your wine cellar. shit here anymore. HERE AND THERE want Well, for a start, what about Nepal? Various Central American countries Daniel Lak out. In I mean, come on. This country needs are used to playing host to US citizens Canada, rich foreign investors, right? People fleeing something back home – in the my native land, immigration websites are with ready cash to build homes, employ past, taxes, spouses, drug charges or life swamped with queries from Boston, people, start factories and generally what I mean. its own self. Add to that list, Berkeley, Greenwich Village and Seattle. push ideas of commonweal, Other places for our distraught US Republican ascendancy and you’ve got Some wag redraws the map of North development and peace. Mind you, liberals then How about Nauru? I can a place to run to. Then there’s America, rethinking the ‘Red State-Blue perhaps not. For one thing, I’m sure hear the Nepali Times drop to the floor Mauritius, Dominica, Sao Tome and State’ divide and encompassing Canada. that our existing expat population, from here as readers rush for an atlas. Principe, Uruguay and New Caledonia. Alas for my American friends, and I some of them anyway, wouldn’t be too Just to help pinpoint it, Nauru is in the All need the right kind of new citizen. have many, it’s not so easy. Canada welcoming. It’s a limited patch and as southwestern Pacific, but it’s too small to My travel agency for disgruntled doesn’t need liberal-media-literary- I found to my surprise when I lived in appear on most maps. But it’s there, and liberals is about to take off big time. But academic-leftist types. The place is this fair land, outsiders are welcome in it needs help. then again, maybe people should just already awash with the native born Nepali homes, not so among the Nauru is a country, a circular island hang on for four years and keep fighting variety. Those immigration websites hierarchical long-term expatriates. about 16 km in circumferance, and it the good fight. I suspect most will. advise that doctors, engineers, welders, You who are exceptions, you used to be made from bird poo. That’s Nauru and Nepal may be worse off, but plumbers and carpenters are most know I know who you are, if you know right. Guano, phosphate rich seagull America needs you more. l NATION 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 5

Maoists need breathing exercises ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Maoists may want a ceasefire for breathing space, but an Indian guru says they need breathing exercises to control their anger. Ravi Shankar, the 46-year-old founder of the Art of Living Foundation in India, who was in Nepal last week says he can make the Maoists give up violence with his meditation and breathing techniques. The hirsute guru preaches conquering anger and other negative emotions through philanthropy and breathing practices, and was in Nepal on a three-day visit to spread the “message of love and harmony”. “People who join militant movements usually harbour great stress and fear, which impede thinking and forgiving,” Ravi Shankar told followers in Birganj. “Revenge becomes the dominant theme in their lives”. The Indo-Asian News Service quotes Ravi Shankar as saying: “But inside every culprit there is a victim crying for help. So when the victim is helped, the culprit disappears.” The Indian sage said his breathing techniques help calm passions and make people think positive thoughts, and it has worked with suspected al Qaeda detainees in Mumbai. The Nepal chapter of the Art of Living Foundation conducts courses for prisoners in Nakkhu.

National agenda ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ More than 1,000 participants from all over the country attended a two-day conference in Kathmandu on ‘People’s Initiative for Future’. The focus was to pressure the warring sides in the conflict towards a negotiated PRAYERS IN THE WIND: Tiny scrolls of Nepali paper bearing messages from the Peace Corps Volunteers flutter in settlement. the wind at Boudha(Left) and Peace Corps Nepal director is blessed by a Hindu priest at a ceremony closing his Twenty-parallel workshops and two plenaries were held on constitution office recently. making, restructuring of the state, internal democracy in political parties, monarchy, natural resources, dalits, women, madesh, regional disparity and political economy of conflict. Participants decided to form citizen’s the letters. Hindu rituals were them returned to Nepal to meet lavish residences. Most of them pressure group for negotiation in all districts by 10 December, Human organised at Pasupatinath and the families again and bid them were based in remote villages Rights Day. Peace rallies will be organised throughout the country during at the Peace Corps office where a final farewell. Some and poor urban areas to help Martyr’s Week in January 2005. A massive rally will be held in Kathmandu priests blessed the letters before volunteers are so attached to communities improve their on Democracy Day, 18 February. casting them into the holy Nepal they decided not to leave status in health, education,

Bagmati. the country and are looking for sanitation, forest conservation Why people fall “The Volunteers had a very jobs here. and more. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ strong bond with Nepal. Many The US Peace Corps closes O’Connor, himself a Peace The Fourth Asian Spinal Cord Network Conference this week looked at why of them had close affinity with its chapter in Nepal on 19 Corps volunteer in Ilam from people fall in Nepal. Because of the country’s terrain and subsistence Nepali culture and traditions. November. After this, there will 1967-69, looks lost. “I don’t livelihood, Nepalis suffer excessively from spinal injury related to falls They were all living with be no trace left of the institution know where I’ll be sent, but one from heights. Eighty international experts and Nepali neurosurgeons, Nepali families,” recalls that served Nepal for nearly half thing I know for sure is that I am public health experts, nursing specialists, physiotherapists took part. Dr Russell. Leaving their host a century. Unlike most foreign going to miss Nepal very Upendra Devkota delivered a lecture on innovations in spinal injury treatment carried out in Bir Hospital. “This conference is an opportunity families was the most difficult organisations, the Peace Corps much.” l for us to learn about latest developments in spinal injury treatment and part. Some of the volunteers had were representative of rehabilitation so we can enhance services,” said Esha Thapa, director of been in Nepal barely two volunteers living a simple life (See also: Nepali Pan, End of an era, the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre, organiser of the event. months and more than 15 of without posh office rooms or #216 and Peace Corps Pull out, #214)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) invites application from qualified persons for the position of SENIOR EDITOR

n Post-graduate or equivalent academic background with grounding in the social or natural sciences n 6-8 years experience in editing of technical and scientific materials n Ability to work across a wide-range of specialist subject areas and respond sympathetically to the needs of authors from a diverse multicultural background n Proven, fluent command of written scientific English, proven edi torial skills with commensurate experience with the ability to vary language complexity to suit the needs of a range of audiences

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Personnel Officer, ICIMOD, GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (00977-1) 5525313; Fax: (00977-1) 5524509 / 5536747 e-mail: [email protected] 6 NATION 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 “We don’t want charity” The serenity and beauty of Humla belies the hard life of Nepal’s most- Lawful error remote district which has been made even more harsh by the insurgency. A mule train arrives from the Chinese border carrying food items, The Maoists have given two traders stop by to chat. The 62 km Simikot-Hilsa road would make things easier, but construction has stopped because of Maoist threats. themselves the legal right to Pilgrims travel along the trail to holy Mt Kailash and Mansarobar in Tibet, paying a Maoist tax of $100 for each foreigner and Rs 300 for sanction death penalty Indians. Nepalis have to pay Rs 200, and even porters are taxed. Even then more than 800 pilgrims have taken the route this year, from only RAMESWOR BOHARA law sanctions capital says that ‘feudalistic and 107 last year. punishment is probably not imperialistic forces will be Many Humlis have been either forced out of their villages, or have in SURKHET fled after the rebels started a drive to recruit one person from every surprising. Nepali law itself destroyed’. It has also household. “It’s been six months since I left my family in the village, epal’s Maoists consider does not allow death penalty, specified that any one or any who knows, it might be another six years since I see them again,” says a N themselves outlaws and even though a recent Nepal agency that violates the villager who has been married just one year. He is waiting in Simikot to do not adhere to the laws Police draft badapatra tried to fundamental rights of the take a helicopter out. This is the only way to get in and out of Humla of the land. But a document has supersede the constitution by people will be punished now, since the Maoists don’t permit travellers to walk the trails to the just come to light in which the provisioning death penalty in severely. south. rebel group gives itself the legal its charter. After the clause was A separate provision in the But the Humlis have fierce pride, a can-do attitude that comes from right to take human life. As leaked to the press, and council’s regulatory says that the daily struggle to survive in this harsh land. Despite the hardships, advocates of ‘pro-people’ following an outcry, the final any work against the country, they are quick to smile and villagers still easily overcome fear of power, they can now legally version of the document did people and the people’s war strangers to show visitors around. issue death sentences with not contain the provision. will be regarded as ‘enemy “It is not charity we Humlis want,” says former DDC chairman, Jivan Bahadur Shahi. “We want education and jobs so we can take care of safaya (cleansing) and The worrying thing is that action’. The clause goes on to ourselves. And most of all we want peace.” l (Sujala Panta in Humla) janakarbahi (people’s action). Maoist rulings for capital hint that such offenders will After abducting and killing punishment do not need be sentenced to death, but the Radio Nepal journalist approval of the central party language is not clear. Dekendra Raj Thapa in Dailekh leadership, the death penalty Nowhere have the Maoists in August, the head of the has been ‘decentralised’ to the spelt out the kind of offense Maoist army’s Western rebel’s district and village that will be subjected to Command, Comrade Diwakar, courts. These revolutionary capital punishment. Comrade issued a statement saying: justice systems run by the Rakesh, however, says he has ‘Dekendra certainly committed rebels are allowed to and can understood it to mean that a serious crime. But in line with decide who should live and murderers and informers will the party’s policy he should not who should die, and the be sentenced to death. “We have been killed because he accused can’t defend will certainly give them the was a journalist.’ themselves with lawyers. For chance to refrain from such In other words, it would instance, if the rebels file a activities, but if they do not have been ok to kill him if he case in their local court stating improve, they will be wasn’t a journalist. Had he not that someone be executed for executed,” he adds. This

KAPIL TAMOT been one, the punishment alleged crimes, the court is not includes party members and would have been ‘just’. If this is likely to reverse the decision. cadre who turn traitors. “If any indication of the way Local ‘people’s governments’ they have committed a crime, Maoist justice is going to work, have already been issuing they will have to die,” says the nation needs to be on high death warrants and killing Comrade Rakesh. “There are no alert. It has set the precedence those found guilty. exceptions in the law.” l for the rebels to pick anyone Comrade Rakesh, who is who has made a mistake, also a Maoist central member, knowingly or unknowingly, and defends the move, saying the Comrade Rakesh order their execution. local courts are independent. The rebels have not yet “We don’t interfere with the made their law of capital court’s decisions on death punishment public. But the sentences,” he told us, adding central member of the Maoists that regional people’s and the Seti-Mahakali regional government were fully bureau in-charge Lekh Raj autonomous and were Bhatta (Comrade Rakesh) told authorised to decide us recently that the everything except defence and underground party has a legal foreign affairs. manual allowing capital Although the ‘people’s punishment. “Anyone who council’ has provisioned death commits a serious crime will be penalty, the ruling regulation sentenced to death,” he says prepared by the council’s chief without specifying what Baburam Bhattarai does not constitutes a ‘serious’ crime. clearly specify it. The That Maoist revolutionary document’s security chapter NATION 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 7

t her home, up a steep family patriarch, chuckles as he A wooden staircase in pours a tot of rum for breakfast. Sandhikharka, Pratiba “They demonstrated their arms Acharya is bored. In her tiny Surviving in Argakhanchi and ammunition to us,” he says. bedroom, walls plastered with “They stayed a night then went popstar posters, textbooks are down into the valley. They say piled high. Her school, Individual tragedies of a people trapped by conflict they’re fighting for us and we Argakhanchi Higher Secondary, must help and then they go on.” has been closed for nearly three CHARLES HAVILAND in ARGAKHANCHI DISTRICT So far, a plan to conscript one months on Maoist orders. person from each house has “We’d heard the Maoists been threatened but not think only rich people study in implemented. English schools like mine, so Deep down in the valley they want to close them,” says below, a huge network of the shy 15-year-old in English. mustard fields nestles by the But, she adds, many poor people fast-flowing Jhimruk Khola, scrimp and save to send their hidden from the world outside. children to the district’s 17 The footbridge here is one of the private schools. Pratiba’s family very few links to the Maoist can’t afford to send her away, so Midwestern heartland of like many of her classmates she Pyuthan. Most houses lie empty, is idle and deeply worried about only 20 families live her plans to study science. permanently in this fertile but Pratiba’s school is idyllically remote spot. Purna Ram Belbase situated near pine forests at the keeps a small shop. “If I don’t edge of town. Principal Sri sell the Maoists something, I’ll Krishna Bhushal showed us the put myself in danger,” he says. redundant facilities. His “But if I do and the army finds students have now gone to local out, then I’m in danger too.” schools where there were 200 The army says it has been students in one class before the mounting a major operation closure of private schools. “Now against the Maoists in you can imagine the numbers,” Argakhanchi and three says Bhusal, “It’s hazardous for neighbouring districts. It is their health.” difficult to test this claim. Bitter politicised local CHARLES HAVILAND Villagers like Purna Ram have disputes have produced tragedy Principal Sri Krishna Bhusal (left) of the Argakhanchi Higher Secondary seen nothing but the Maoists here. A widely respected local School on the outskirts of Sandhikharka (above) did cancel a planned meeting Congress leader who had stood partly on grounds of ultra- up to the Maoists, Ram Mani Lekhnath, died in a road and joined the Maoists. caution because of the army Gyawali, (‘The murderous accident while working as a Recently, Kanchi who her offensive. middle ground’, Nepali Times # driver. Her eldest son, Dharma mother insists never wielded a Extortion and related 86 ) was hacked to death here Raj, blamed local Congress gun, died at the hands of the violence remain common. Since three years ago. “He never politicians for having blocked army. As for Dharma Raj, the a major Maoist assault on thought ill of anyone,” recalls Lekhnath’s appointment as a family barely hears from him. Sandhikharka two years ago former VDC chairman Bhoj teacher and joined the Maoists. Travelling deep into the (see: ‘Enough’, Nepali Times Bahadur Basnet. “But his After that, Tilottama says the breathtaking Argakhanchi #111 ) the army has increased its gruesome death made all the army started victimising her countryside, a visitor might be strength here to 700 troops and political leaders run away.” daughter, Kanchi. oblivious to the conflict. Every has also moved its barracks to a Five Congress members and “One day they came and took so often Dhaulagiri appears more secure spot up the hill others have met similar deaths. her away,” she told us. They from behind the jagged green from town. Bhoj Bahadur now lives in would be away by nightfall. kept her for 49 days and beat her foreground with its “The army hasn’t made us Kathmandu and on one of his In the same village, with sticks. On returning home, immaculately tended fields and feel secure,” said a man from rare day-trips to his village, I Tilottama Bhushal is being she had jaundice but was terraces. In Ghorakhori, the the town. “They roam around could sense his family’s unease comforted by her youngest son. ordered to report to the army in Maoists passed through the day during the day, but after as strangers arrived. A hunted Every so often, she breaks down Sandhikharka every three days. before we arrived. Dhan Bahadur sundown there’s no one look on his face, he told me he as she tells of how one son, Kanchi couldn’t take it any more Khatri Chhetri, a venerable here.” l 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 9 Mid-Marsyandi on hold again ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Losing the labour lottery Construction work on the Middle Marsyangdi hydropower project was halted once again after Maoists allegedly blew up a bus belonging to the project on 5 November. The Maoists had issued a public notice two months ago saying that they would not allow construction as long as security forces Raghuji Pant made three mistakes guarding the site also engaged in search operations in the surrounding areas. The government says the soldiers are guarding dynamite used in here did Raghuji Pant, agencies became starkly clear on supporters and denting his construction. An agreement was reportedly reached with the Maoist the Minister for Labour, 1 September, as hordes of young credibility. Looking back, he leadership and construction had resumed this month. W go wrong? Only last people went around Kathmandu committed three mistakes. The contractor of the German-funded project, DDC JV, says it can’t summer he seemed convincing destroying, along with Muslim- Pant failed to understand continue when there is a threat. The Nepal Electricity Authority, which to many people when he owned businesses, the offices of that the best way to help the loses Rs 2 million for every day that work is stopped says there is adequate announced that “no matter over 300 manpower agencies to poor was not to tamper security. DDC JV’s original bid for civil works was 77 million euros but extra claims due to delays have already topped 60 million euros.(See: ‘Delayed what” he would impose a lottery mourn the murder of 12 Nepali arbitrarily in the existing reaction’, Nepali Times # 216) The 70 megawatt project was initially system for private-sector labourers in Iraq. In October, the market but to expand going to cost Rs 14 billion of which 85 percent would be borne by a agencies that select and send minister himself made a trip to employment opportunities for German grant. But given the escalation in the compensation claims by South Korea to explain why he all. Instead of battling the the contractor, the cost of the project to Nepali taxpayers has soared. was doing what he was doing to politically well-placed STRICTLY BUSINESS the employers who, in turn, told manpower agencies in a show Business for awards Ashutosh Tiwari him that they would trust their of ego, he could have used his

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ agents’ judgment more than that time and energy to take them Standard Chartered Bank has announced that it will be sponsoring the Nepali labourers for work of Pant’s government. into confidence to spot and Award for Best Banking Submission at the 2005 Business Journalist of the abroad. Pant, a UML politician And the result of all this is negotiate new opportunities in Year Awards. Standard Chartered first sponsored the banking award in and a former journalist, said that that as Lumbini Overseas new markets for more Nepali 2004, when Richard Morais of Forbes Global won. what he was planning to do was prepares to send workers to workers. driven by his concerns for the South Korea in the usual way, Pant appeared to have Another Bakery poor. the Minister’s lottery proposal, neither done his homework nor

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Since the supply of Nepali despite the hype, has fallen by secured any cabinet support The Nanglo chain of restaurants has opened ‘The Bakery Café Dharahara’ labourers vastly exceeds the the wayside, putting him on the before taking on the agencies. offering customers international quality services. The new venture was launched on 8 November and is doing roaring business. demand for them to work as defensive, disappointing his Using anecdotes, he only plumbers, cooks, factory-floor talked about high charges workers and the like in South borne by the poor, but could

Kia goes golfing Korea, the Gulf countries and supply no hard proof to the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Continental Trading Enterprises, the exclusive distributor of Kia Motors Malaysia, the recruitment public or to a court of law to organised Kia Open Golf Tournament at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort. The agencies exploited the punish the offending agencies. basic theme was ‘Get the hole in one and win Kia Picanto’. opportunity to sell the available In the end, admirable though spaces at exorbitant prices to Pant’s concerns for the poor

VOW now those who could pay, thereby were, his inability to think ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ pushing out the poor from even through how he would push Voice Of Women is organising a Top 10 College Women Competition for gaining a foothold in the his policy (and his blaming women students across the nation. Eligibility requires women currently international labour market. others when it failed) raised pursuing education with leadership experience, involvement on campus Pant said that a lottery, questions about his own and in the community, excellence in field of study and inspiring goals. conducted under the political judgment. NEW PRODUCTS government’s watch, would And finally, Pant could not level the playing field in that all understand that as an industry GEL FRESHNESS Following the launch of the who qualify and participate gets connected to international Dabur Red Toothpaste in July 2003, Dabur Nepal has introduced Dabur Red Gel in 40gm and 80gm packs, priced at would have an equal chance of markets, the power to decide Rs 20 and Rs 40 respectively. Dabur says it is enriched with three core being sent to jobs abroad without what Nepal should supply and ingredients: clove, mint and lemon. paying anything extra. how shifts from Nepalis to Though this columnist had buyers outside who don’t ZOOMING IN After Zoom wafers were launched at Rs 2 per his doubts about the promise of hesitate to drop Nepal if they wafer, Chaudhary Group has now launched Zoom chocolate such a lottery (see ‘The Luck of don’t get their way—regardless wafers at Rs 5. More flavours on the way. the Draw’, Strictly Business of whether they are getting Nepali Times #207 ), Pant’s garments or labourers. This is MUNCHING MAGIC The argument apparently sounded why, regardless of how Golchha Organisation’s Hulas Biscuits & right to many people as letters of extortionist the manpower Confectionaries has launched a sweet and support poured onto the pages of agencies are and regardless of salty biscuit called ‘Magic’ available in the market for Rs 10. national dailies. When Lumbini Pant’s and the Supreme Court’s NATURAL SOAP Wipro Consumer Care and Overseas, the first target of decisions, it was the Korean Lighting, a division of Wipro Limited, India has Pant’s plan, filed a case in the buyers who made the final launched its flagship brand Santoor in Nepal in Supreme Court challenging the decision on what Lumbini 100 gm pack with sandal and turmeric soap. It minister’s decision, the judges should do. l recently acquired Glucovita and has marketed it sided with the government. in two flavours: almond and orange. Meantime, the public’s hatred for manpower Gambling on businessKIRAN PANDAY

Gambling is considered a social evil. Don’t casinos it is really all the player’s luck. encourage it? People gamble everywhere. They place bets on cricket A lot has been made about the contribution that casinos matches and toss coins. You can’t really stop them. The make to the national economy. Is it really that important, and government is in no position to stop them either. A casino don’t the negative effects outweigh the revenue to the gives them a place to gamble with fixed rules and regulations. state? Ninety-nine percent are responsible gamblers. They don’t We do contribute in various different ways. We take from the gamble if they can’t afford it. rich and give to the poor, really. We employ up to 700 people in each casino, on an average. And we pay Rs 10.45 million as What about the black-money-washed-white in casinos royalty to the government per casino. We also encourage local phenomenon, especially with Indian gamblers? singers and dancers in a big way and provide entertainment That is a myth. They can’t claim to the taxman to have won and outlets for people who want a night out. MIN BAJRACHARYA money at the casino without producing a certificate as proof. Besides being a regular columnist, On the basis of this, they’d be liable to taxes in both Nepal and Where do you draw the line between gambling and Rakesh Wadhwa is the executive India. It would be a loss for both parties. compulsive gambling? director of Nepal Recreation Centres Don’t gamble. Don’t gamble in casinos. If you must gamble, Do casinos rig the games so they never lose? gamble with money you can afford to lose. Take the free meals and managing director of Casino No, there is no such thing. We make rules that ensure odds in and drinks. Don’t get drunk and lose unnecessarily. It can Everest and Casino Royale in favour of the casino. More than 95 percent of our players will become a compulsive habit. But that is true of most things: always lose. Only five percent win. The casino has a little edge anything in excess and you will suffer. You must be prepared to Kathmandu. He talked to us about in some games such as blackjack, but if the players know the face the consequences of over-indulgence and pushing gambling and the game of business. rules, they can easily win. Also, each table wins at least once so yourself beyond your limits. 10 GAMING

package gambler: air fare, three year) to the Tourist Service Fees days four nights and free which NTB ploughs into coupons thrown in to get ‘em promotional efforts. It’s a hooked. And, boy, did they get Casino clients are now hooked. diversifying and come not just Nepal Recreation Centre now from India but also from China, manages the six casinos that Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, have mushroomed in various Thailand and Sri Lanka. Says gamble five-star hotels in Kathmandu. NTB’s Tek Bahadur Dangi: Though it was targeted at “Casinos provide attractive Tihar is here, take a bet on the market tourists, Nepalis were allowed to packages for tourists and can gamble in casinos before encourage visitors to increase value of professional gambling government policy discouraged their length of stay in Nepal.” them with Rs 50 charge on The history of the word ABHA ELI PHOBOO entrance. In 1977, the Gambling ‘casino’ comes from the Italian Act of the land granted licence word for a cottage: small epal used to be the only and Nepalis were banned summer homes where people N place between Monaco altogether from going into gathered to listen to music, and and Macau where you casinos. The dens now bank on eventually gamble. The first could gamble legally. With a tourists but most establishments time it was recorded in the huge nation of gamblers next give those entering the benefit of English language was in 1851, door, Nepal’s casinos cashed in doubt. which is probably when English on the bonanza for decades, This Dasain wasn’t buzzing tourists in Tuscany discovered propping up the kingdom’s for Kathmandu’s casinos. They the salacious pleasures of games tourism industry through good do not have much to look forward of chance. times and bad. to in Tihar either as the number Although Nepalis are not It all started with Casino of tourists dwindle. International allowed in Kathmandu’s Nepal at Hotel Soaltee media coverage of the blockade casinos. “I like coming here,” a (previously Hotel Oberoi ). It was and the 1 September riots have Nepali who didn’t want his all nicely tied in for the Indian reduced the number of tourists name mentioned, told us. “It’s this season, especially from not just the gambling, there is India. music, food and drink. I get to “A majority of our clients are sing on stage sometimes if I ask. from India,” says BK Shakya, It’s not like you can win general manager of Nepal gambling, it’s more relaxing to Recreation Centres. “This Diwali, just sit and watch.” it looks like they are staying The gaming industry has home.” But there are the die- always had an uphill struggle to hards who come to Kathmandu be accepted in society, although regularly. “I come to Nepal on gambling is traditional in Nepal, business every few months,” says especially during Tihar. “We Ayush Agrawal, a trader. “I like are a taboo,” admits Kishor the casinos here not just for Silwal, managing director of gambling but for all the other Casino Rad. “But we are a big facilities they offer.” draw for tourism and prop up Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) is the economy.” hoping that recent promos and The pull factor is that road shows in India will bring in casinos offer round-the-clock first-time Indian tourists to the free food and drinks for players casinos, especially from southern with special facilities thrown in. India. Casinos contribute two The push factor is that when percent of their earnings (it gambling becomes a compulsive amounted to Rs 1.7 million last habit, it ruins lives. l ALL PICS: MIN BAJRACHARYA 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 11

Casino Nepal Set up at the Soaltee, Casino Nepal is the country’s oldest casino and was launched in 1968. In 1976, American Richard Doyle Tuttle entered the scene and began managing the casino. He now chairs the Nepal Recreation Centres which runs other gaming establishments in town. With its well-polished ambience, Casino Nepal has repeat patrons and frequent-gamblers. Children can be parked at a nearby video arcade. Casino Anna In 1992, Casino Anna opened and was as BK Shakya puts it “a product of the restoration of democracy”. Located at Hotel de la Annapurna in the centre of town, it drew huge crowds. The casino is built on three floors and the ground floor, in an attempt to catch them young, is targeted at children with slot machines. First floor is for serious gamblers. Casino Everest When the government granted licence for three more casinos in 1992, Everest Hotel opened (what else: Casino Everest). The establishment is known for its wide range of entertainment events with live music 24 hours. Free meals and drinks attract even more people and weekly tournaments have brought a bonanza of repeat customers. Casino Royale 1992 also saw the opening of Casino Royale at Hotel Yak & Yeti in the renovated wing of the Lal Darbar. The casinos even keeps two astrologers on standby in case any of the customers want to consult the stars about their chances for that particular night. There is also an exclusive beauty salon for VIP guests. Casino Rad Casino Rad opened in Hotel Radisson last July and hasn’t looked back since. Besides a loyal clientele of Indian gamblers, it has begun to pull in quite a few Malaysians who are tired of the Genting Highlands, as well as Thais. Like the other casinos, it offers casino packages to guests. Casino Tara The youngest casino, it opened last December and is located at the Hyatt Regency. It has an exclusive VIP subdivision where the minimum bet starts at pretty high stakes. It features Caribbean stud poker, half roulette and more. 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 Rolpa offensive operation is bigger than a and other programs. We never

previous campaign before get to finish our courses.” ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The king holds the key Nepal Samacharpatra, Dasain. Spokesperson of the According to a parent from 8 November army’s western headquarters in Barchen, students fear the army Nepalganj, Yagya Bahadur as much as the Maoists. Min Interview with Dr Keshar Just when there is talk again of a Rajaure, characterised the Prakash Malla of Jorayal has Jung Rayamajhi, former Tihar ceasefire, the army has military activity in Rolpa and been forced to work in a small chairman of Raj Parishad begun an offensive in the Maoist Rukum as a strategy for “area shop in Dipayal and study there Standing Committee heartland of Rolpa and Rukum. domination”. He had no other because the conflict in his The army has launched air and details of casualties on either village was hampering his Samaya, November 11 land attacks against rebels in side. studies. Students who work in the bordering villages of both lodges and shops in the district districts from the south. The Conflict studies headquarters say that if there How was the 1991 security offensive was launched was a ceasefire they would be constitution finalised? ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ able to go back to their villages The interim government after the military received Annapurna Post, 8 November had two prime information that armed rebels and resume studies. The Maoists responsibilities: to frame a were gathering in huge numbers Due to the conflict, fewer maintain their party has never new constitution and to for possible attacks against students are going to schools in forced students to join their hold general elections. The security force camps in the area. southern Doti. The Maoists have indoctrination camps, or join former had to be done first. Maoists have, in the past, been forcing students to join their militia. The army also says Hence, a constitutional gathered in Thawang, Rolpa their indoctrination programs, schools should be conflict-free. advisory commission was before launching major attacks they have been killed in the But both sides violate their formed under the in the western districts. This crossfire between the Maoists commitments, students and chairmanship of Biswanath time, the army decided to and the army. teachers say. Upadhyaya. Kishunji, deploy troops right into the rebel Many students are now Nilambar Acharya, Yog base. The Maoists have claimed dropping out of school and Prasad Upadhaya and I Pampha Bhusal that a third military brigade has moving down to the district

were appointed to give the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ constitution its final touch. been formed and even central headquarters, or to India to work. Ujir Magar in Nepal, Our meeting was held leaders have arrived in Thawang People who can afford to keep 21 November confidentially at the office to plan a big attack. An army their children in the district of the forest department in official said the idea is to strike headquarters or other relatively BAGLUNG-“It’s much safer in Godavari, eight days before the rebels right in their den and safe places are the only ones Nepal,” said senior Maoist the constitution was made decimate their strength. who are able to provide their leader Pampha Bhusal who public. We used a taxi MIN BAJRACHARYA The army has established children with some sort of managed to cross the border and instead of a government temporary camps in Ghartigaun, education. reach Nepal safely after Indian vehicle just to avoid detection. We discussed each section in detail Bhawang and Kureli after being In the southern parts of Doti police chased her in Patna a few and came across a section that said ‘in case of two-third majority in the months ago. Her comrades were parliament there can be a referendum for a republic’. This was dropped from helicopters. There secondary, higher secondary and unacceptable to us. The country could not afford another crisis. When is a lot of chopper activity and middle schools have seen up to arrested. Her sudden democracy had just been established it would be unhealthy to start a more troops are being moved in. 60 percent drop in enrolment. appearance in Baglung recently referendum for a republic or monarchy system. We came to the The army’s Nepalganj-based “Students are unable to study surprised everyone. She was conclusion that the section should be changed. western regional headquarters consistently in schools,” says moving around freely in said the Dang brigade was one teacher. “The Maoists keep Baglung’s remote villages, How did you settle that? leading the offensive in Rolpa taking them for five-day, delivering public speeches and I shared my concern with Ganeshmanji. He shared similar concerns with and Rukum. Locals say the army weeklong or 12-day campaigns meeting local political leaders Kishunji and the next day, I worked with the commission team and we concluded that democracy, constitutional monarchy, human rights and rule of law would remain unchanged. We also agreed that besides these four, other sections would be amended if a consensus was reached with two-third majority in the parliament. In this way, the constitutional monarchy was included in which the king would protect and adhere to the newly framed constitution.

And everyone agreed? There was a debate about the management of the Royal Nepali Army. As per the constitution, the National Security Council had been formed and there was much discussion about membership. One group proposed that the prime minister be made chairperson with the army chief and defence minister as members. Another group disagreed and suggested that the council add the field marshal also as member. There were disagreements over majority of military representatives in the council. Ultimately, it was agreed that the field marshal would not be included. The constitution team decided that the king would be supreme commander of the army and the army would be mobilised on his recommendation. It was said that army generals put pressure on the prime minister because of differences in opinion about council membership. They expressed dissatisfaction about protocol of the chief of army. They proposed that Nepal should be made a Hindu nation.

What are the shortcomings of the constitution in the present context? The prime minister has the right to dissolve parliament but the constitution also says that he should hold elections within six months. There is no mention of any provision in the constitution about what happens when elections are not held within the stipulated time, which is why Article 127 was used and has caused complications.

So how do we resolve this? This step was taken to find a way out of the present constitutional crisis. The king has shown his respect towards the constitution and has approved all decisions made according to legal provisions by the ministerial cabinet. He has been constantly supporting restoration of peace in the country and wants to see elections held. Since 4 October, we have had three prime ministers but none of them was able to hold elections.

So What is the solution? Definitely not by constantly changing prime ministers. The king has to take steps to preserve the nation. He will take important steps after his visit to India if the political parties fail to do something by then. I don’t see any possibility of Prime Minister Deuba restoring peace and Kantipur, 7 November holding elections. The king can solve the national problem himself either by forming an advisory assembly or by chairing the cabinet. QUOTES OF THE WEEK Do you think the Maoist problem can be solved within the existing constitution? Constitution is not the end but the means. There is no need for a new constitution. The constitution is not an obstacle to bringing the Maoists into mainstream politics. King Gyanendra in his message for the 15th Constitution Day on 8 November

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS INTERNATIONAL #221 15 Spiralling into 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 occupied Iraq

DAHR JAMAIL in BAGHDAD he flight from Jordan approaches with a big smile, fluctuates – they tell me how T feels all too waving at me as he walks up to they just finished a stint of 72 normal until we arrive be searched. The man is hours straight with no over Baghdad International undeterred. This entire trip is electricity. One of the Airport. The nose of the plane worth it just to see my dear daughters tells of how, while in Bush’s second jihad dips, the left wing drops, and friend. school the other day, she the downward spiral begins, We quickly load my luggage listened to rockets flying over dropping us 4,000 feet per into his car and drive out, her building. “This is a war America has become dangerously minute into the inferno that is passing some men in a BMW here, we are living like fundamentalist, just like its enemy occupied Iraq. (the favoured vehicle of animals,” she says wearily. Rather than an in-flight criminal gangs), who ask us if I We mustn’t stay long and magazine, a lonely card is just flew in. Abu Talat tells are off to run errands before I go his election confirms the brilliance of Karl Rove as a political strategist. He calculated that the religious conservatives, if they could available to read in the seat them he came to pick up a find a hotel. Every moment T be turned out, would be the deciding factor. The success of the plan pocket. It begins with: ‘For friend, asks me for a pen and finds us watching to see if we was registered not only in the presidential results but also in all 11 of the those of you who have not paper, and quickly writes down are being followed; the state votes to ban same-sex marriages. Rove understands what surveys have travelled with us before, you their license plate while telling kidnapping has gone out of shown, that many more Americans believe in the Virgin Birth than in Darwin’s need to be aware that, for your me, “That could be kidnappers control. He explains that even theory of evolution. He felt that the appeal to this large bloc was worth security and safety, and not for there is no flight after yours. I people who give information getting President Bush to endorse a constitutional amendment banning gay your comfort, we do a spiral will watch to see if they follow about Westerners to crime marriage (though he had opposed it earlier). The results bring to mind a visit the Dalai Lama made to Chicago not descent into Baghdad. This is us. Everyone is being gangs can earn $500. In a place long ago. I was one of the people deputised to ask him questions on stage at carried out to avoid any risk kidnapped now. It is a booming with 70 percent unemployment, the Field Museum. He met with the interrogators beforehand and asked us to from anti-aircraft missiles or business here since there are no this is the only lottery. give him challenging questions, since small arms fire .’ jobs.” The deep red sun peers he is too often greeted with deference STAR & STRIPES The airport is filled with Humvees and Bradley through the pollution as the or flattery. nearly as many foreign security fighting vehicles are perched breaking of the fast approaches Garry Wills The only one I could think of was: guards from ‘Global’ as along the road, with their (it is Ramadan). We go to a few “If you could return to your country, what would you do to change it?” He said that he would de-establish his passengers. A large influx of weapons aimed directly at us stores to pick up supplies for religion, since “America is the proper model”. I later asked him if a pluralist third country nationals, and other cars as we pass. This me, and Abu Talat tells me not society were possible without the Enlightenment. “Ah,” he said. “That’s the looking as though they are is occupied Iraq. I breathe and to ever speak English in public. problem.” He seemed to envy America its Enlightenment heritage. either Sri Lankan or Indian, is quickly remember the daily life We are both on the lookout, Which raises the question: Can people that believes more fervently in rounded up onto the Kellogg, here, driving to avoid craters in ever careful for our safety. the Virgin Birth than in evolution still be called an Enlightened nation? Brown and Root bus to go work the road left by lethal As I type this, a gun battle America, the first real democracy in history, was a product of jobs that could be done by improvised explosive devices, of automatic weapons rattles on Enlightenment values: critical intelligence, tolerance, respect for evidence, a regard for the secular sciences. Though the founders differed on many Iraqis. heavy weapons aimed at cars, down the street, Fallujah has things, they shared these values of what was then modernity. They addressed I nervously wait until scorched palm trees along the been sealed prior to imminent ‘a candid world’, as they wrote in the Declaration of Independence, out of ‘a another small bus appears and road, crime running rampant, attack and the mood in decent respect for the opinions of mankind’. Respect for evidence seems not takes me to the front and the constant threat of being Baghdad is tense with gloomy to pertain any more, when a poll taken just before the elections showed that checkpoint passing signs for caught in the wrong place at expectation. The feeling is that 75 percent of Bush’s supporters believe Iraq either worked closely with al soldiers that remind them to the wrong time by gunfire or an of a war zone, people are Qaeda or was directly involved in the 9/11 attacks. have their weapons ready and attack on a US patrol. I allow downtrodden, tense and angry, The secular states of modern Europe do not understand the fundamentalism of the American electorate. It is not what they had flak jackets on as they enter myself to surrender completely chaos reigns and nobody is experienced from this country in the past. In fact, we now resemble those the ‘unsecured area’, which is to the mindset of Insh’allah. It safe, anywhere. nations less than we do our putative enemies. Where else do we find most of Iraq outside of the US is the only solace here. All this against the fundamentalist zeal, a rage at secularity, religious intolerance, fear of and camps. On the suggestion of Abu backdrop of the recent news of hatred for modernity? Not in France, Britain, Germany, Italy or Spain. We It is tense as we unload. A Talat, we go visit some friends another four years with Mr Bush find it in the Muslim world, in al Qaeda, in Saddam Hussain’s Sunni huge car bomb detonated here of ours, a family whose father/ and his junta. Now the people loyalists. Americans wonder why the rest of the world thinks us so dangerous, just a few days ago, killing husband was beaten into a of Iraq prepare to slide further so single-minded, so impervious to international appeals?.They fear jihad, no matter whose zeal is being expressed. nine people. One of the coma while in US military into the hell that is occupied It is often observed that enemies come to resemble each other. We security guards approaches me custody. It is safer this way Iraq as the siege of Fallujah torture the torturers, we call our God better than theirs — as one American and says, “You don’t want to because as my trusted looms over Baghdad, and a general put it, in words that the president has not repudiated. be here long. There are bad interpreter/fixer tells me, “No heavy, damp night settles President Bush promised in 2000 that he would lead a humble country, things going on here. Very bad one knows you are here yet, so over this once magnificent be a uniter not a divider, that he would make conservatism compassionate. things.” I look up to see a line this is the best and maybe only capital. l He did not need to make such false promises this time. He was re-elected of cars being searched as they time to go places. Y’allah, we precisely by being a divider, pitting the reddest aspects of the red states against the blue of nearly half the nation. In this, he is very far from Ronald attempt to enter the pick-up go now.” Originally from Anchorage, Reagan, who was amiably and ecumenically pious. He could address more area and take a deep breath We talk with the wife and Alaska, Dahr Jamail has spent secular audiences, here and abroad, with real respect. when I see Abu Talat. He daughters while the electricity five months in Iraq. In his victory speech last week, President Bush indicated that he would DahrJamailIraq.com “reach out to the whole nation”, including those who voted for John Kerry. But even if he wanted to be more conciliatory now, the constituency to which he owes his victory is not a yielding one. He must give them what they want on things like judicial appointments. His helpers are also his keepers. Moral zealots will, I predict, give some cause for dismay even to non- fundamentalist Republicans. Jihads are scary things. It is not too early to start yearning back towards Enlightenment. l

Garry Wills, an adjunct professor of history at Northwestern University, is the author of St Augustine’s Conversion. 16 REVIEW #221 Che chic 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 As Guevara fever sweeps the world with the release of Motorcycle Diaries, a Cuban writer wonders about the wonder called Che

that came from his letters and diaries. In his speeches, I discovered the brilliant Che, mercilessly railing against inefficiency, false politics, and double standards. “If we lack organisation the ideas after the impetus of the first moment lose their effectiveness and fall into basic routines and conformity to become a memory,” he once said. I looked around our island and wondered: was anyone listening? I discovered the Che who scribbled love poems and coveted his solitude. I wanted to sit with him, for beer and Defence of the Revolution. own answers. cigarettes, to talk about his The solemn face that Alberto Today, a photo of Che’s love for chess or his favourite Korda caught in his image displayed on the façade books. photographs became tough of Cuba’s Interior Ministry is a or millions of young people man with a funny accent and With the crisis of the and unsympathetic. He must-have for tourists. Visitors around the world, their starred beret, began with less 1990’s brought on by the stopped being San Ernesto de leave and continue their F collapse of our Soviet patron, la Izquierda, the saint or imaginary leftist lives with full introduction to Ernesto Che romance. “Pioneros por el Guevara will be Gael Garia comunismo, seremos como el many Cubans returned to what talisman who delivered us refrigerators. We Cubans Bernal as Che and Rodrigo De la Che! (Pioneers for Che said about economics and from injustice. Instead he remain, in-charge of keeping Serna as his friend Alberto, Communism, like Che we shall admitted the value of what is rose like the flag of the trivial the flame alive. kicking back the stand of an be!),” we repeated day after achieved with effort. We felt in a global mass culture – a I wonder, Ernesto, what you day before starting class. once again the integrity of sign associated with would have turned into had you The chant became so what it’s like to share the consumer tastes in fashion, lived? An archetype feeding the FILM tedious that inevitably the burden of a common music, and drugs. legend? A general talking down Eduardo Sanchez class clown would ask if the predicament. The value of our To rediscover the Che who to us with reprimands? A incantation would end up homemade solutions could inspire, I returned to favourite leader? A twenty-first overloaded motorcycle, hopping turning us all into asthmatics, increased to some who had the young Ernesto of Che’s century Quixote tilting at the aboard and lumbering north on as Che was. Che’s life and always favoured ideas diary. I thought again about windmills of canned politics? A an 8,000-mile journey through deeds all became part of a imported from the east. how on his trip through Latin postcard? A repressor of South America in the film modern bible for young Then Che’s face flooded America, he acquired his feelings? Or just another version of Che’s Motorcycle Cubans. Even if we wanted to our lives, staring at us from T- revolutionary ideals, clarified dinosaur? l Diaries. reject what was force-fed in shirts, banners, walls, and key certain questions and added (Project Syndicate ) For those of us in Cuba old chants or poems like ‘Che rings, with a look as vigilant more. I loved how he was enough to take a similar trip, Comandante’, it was hard to as those on the faces in murals brave enough to postpone his Eduardo Sanchez is a pseudonym for a our journey with Che, the young resist the charm and passion of the Committees for the life for a while to find his Cuban writer. SPORTS 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221 17 Italians shake off shackles Serie A clubs have eschewed traditional counter- attacking tactics in their search for European success

GABRIELE MARCOTTI in ROME

ost years, around this season, taking Cafu, the Brazil management are a testament to time, the pundits gather wing back, and playing him as a his coaching skills and tactical M around the Champions right back. By Italian standards, nous. League tables and begin to draw it amounted to apostasy. Serie A Capello is an astute conclusions, looking for wider sides had always believed that tactician who has employed a trends and patterns. Never mind the man in front of the back four range of styles and formations that only 48 matches have been should be a snarling, hard- in the past, but it was obvious played so far, a total which most running ball-winner with the that, at Juventus, he would statisticians would find lungs of a marathon runner. Not only play one way. Capello’s Your caddy’s world insignificant. even Brazil trusted Cafu’s Juventus wear down opponents As arduous as it may seem, defensive skills enough to play with watertight defending, a halfway through the group stage, him as a full back. physical midfield and strikers Vijay Singh started his golfing it does look as though Italy’s With so many players who need only a few chances to representatives have been comfortable on the ball, Milan score. career as a caddie dominating the competition. Of became the kind of side that And then there is Inter, the four sides with maximum could hold on to possession for perhaps the most interesting of t struck me recently how privileged we are in most parts of Asia. We points, three –– Juventus, Inter long stretches, thanks to the the Italian sides. After years of I can enjoy a round of golf with a caddy at an affordable price. Milan and AC Milan –– hail skills of Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf dull, defensive football served Trust me, in European and North American cities, using a caddy from Serie A. The Italian and Kaka. And with the prolific up by the likes of Héctor Cúper, during normal play is very uncommon. Mostly only wealthy people can contingent has notched 27 Andrei Shevchenko up front, the Roberto Mancini, the new afford them. Golfers there (and actually even in the more expensive points, compared to the rossoneri have the cutting edge coach, has taken a decidedly Asian cities like Japan and Singapore) use a pull trolley or drive a golf Premiership’s 23 and La Liga’s to turn all the creative work in different course. For the first cart. Some even use light bags and carry their sets themselves. Most societies view being a caddy as a profession that indicates no 17. The top-scoring team in the midfield into goals. time in recent memory, Inter real social standing. (In case you didn’t know, caddies are employed by Champions League, Inter, are golfers to carry their golf bag containing the equipment and accessories Italian. So are the competition’s needed to play and enjoy the sport.) stingiest defence, Juventus. Caddies can and should play a Leave out AS Roma––torn to TEE BREAK very important role in a player’s shreds by continuous performance, right from top managerial changes (Luigi Del Deepak Acharya professionals down to club Neri is their fourth in three amateurs. Besides tending to months), injuries and the as yet equipment, caddies assist in a variety of ways, such as judging distances, unpunished moron whose reminding one of hazard placements and reading breaks on the green. missile hit Anders Frisk, the Good caddies also help players in course management, such as taking into account wind speed and direction, advising on options that referee, on the forehead –– and can be taken during the round, knowledge on the rules, and most Serie A sides have looked importantly, keeping the player’s morale and spirits up. It takes quite a decidedly impressive. lot to be a good caddy including being efficient, intelligent, hard Some will be tempted by this working, and of course knowing a lot about golf. to draw definitive conclusions For the caddies, just being the caddy is not the limit. Hard working about the restored supremacy of talented caddies have developed into good golfers. There are Italian football. This would not numerous examples, such as world’s #1 golfer Vijay Singh who recently only be premature, it would also revealed that he started his golfing career as a caddie. Being the caddy be futile to some degree, . The of a top golfer can earn lots of money as well. Tiger Woods’ caddy, Steve days when we could divide Williams, is known to be the highest earning sportsperson in New European sides based on their Zealand! Many professional golfers who reach the top have come from being domestic provenance are ball boys and caddies. This usually meant they started by swinging drawing to a close. The far- wooden sticks at old rotten balls, just as some famous soccer players reaching effects of the Bosman started as kids kicking plastic packs in the back alley. ruling have much to do with In neighbouring India we have witnessed many such examples of this: Juventus have six Italians having gone from being a ‘bag boy’ at the local Golf Club to becoming in their best XI, Milan five and a top professional in the region. Inter only four. Some who are enjoying success today and living a new lifestyle But it is not only the players beyond anything they ever imagined include Vijay Kumar, Mukesh and managers who have been Kumar and Ali Sher. Recently, Ashok Kumar won the order of merit on globalised. Footballing the Indian PGA tour, placing him as the #1 in Indian Golf. He started his philosophies have as well. Inter, career at the Delhi Golf Club, first as a ball boy and then a caddy. It is high time we encouraged our caddies and recognised their Milan and Juventus all play very potential. It is not impossible for some of our caddies to be amongst the different systems based on Of course, none of this would did not break the bank over the best players in the region, and their start will come from the opportunity different philosophies. In many have been possible if the club –– summer, actually registering a to swing a golf club. ways, they reflect the variety in or, rather, Silvio Berlusconi, the transfer surplus. Next time you are discarding your old golf set, or even just a club or Serie A, where there is a owner –– had not embraced the All this has yielded two, for a new one, don’t throw it in the back of the storage room where it veritable hodgepodge of new attack-minded philosophy, performances like the one seen will rot. Talk to your local professional about how it could be used to formations. even when it meant leaking two weeks ago at Valencia. open up a whole new world for caddies who faithfully help you through In Serie A there are sides goals, something which is When the nerazzurri went 2-1 l your round of golf. that attack relentlessly at pace inevitable with such a top-heavy up they didn’t just sit back and for 90 minutes, like Zdenek side. Berlusconi, who made his protect the lead, they went for Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. Zeman’s Lecce, and teams that billions in television and knows the jugular. They rolled forward [email protected] man the barricades for 90 a thing or two about popular in waves and eventually minutes, crossing the halfway entertainment, mandated that handed the Spanish champions line only to counter-attack, like the club should always prioritise a 5-1 humiliation in front of Carletto Mazzone’s Bologna. entertainment over results, a their own fans. “I think this variety has been strategy in keeping with his love Whether Italian clubs can a massive boon,” said Arrigo of image and branding. dominate the Champions Sacchi, the former Milan and By contrast, the men who run League remains to be seen. The Italy coach. Indeed, the variety Juventus made no such history of the game is littered is reflected in Italy’s Champions proclamations. To them, football with sides who dazzled in League participants. Milan is about results and to bounce autumn only to disappoint in serves up an entertaining back from last season’s spring. Yet the sudden upturn attacking brand of football based disappointment, they hired in Italian fortunes is not based around a short-passing game. Fabio Capello –– the closest to a merely on luck. It’s a function He has taken Andrea Pirlo, sure thing that the modern game of the lessons learnt in the dark who had always played in the has to offer –– away from rivals years and the new found hole and sticking him in front of Roma. His six titles with three tactical and philosophical the back four. Or, as he did last teams in 13 seasons of top-flight variety in Serie A. l 18 CITY 12 - 18 NOVEMBER 2004 #221

ABOUT TOWN Veer-Zaara portrays the trauma of FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS partition. In true Yashraj tradition, it is JAI NEPAL CINEMA v Uneven Fragments Art forms by various artists at Gallery Nine. Until 12 November. 4428694 an emotional love story. Saamiya v November Medley Collection of paintings and sculptures by various artists Siddiqui (Rani Mukherji) is a Pakistani at Siddhartha Art Gallery. Until 1 December. 4218048 lawyer who helps two lovers. Veer aka v Babermahal Deepawali Street Festival with live concert, dance and food Veer Pratap Singh (Shahrukh Khan) is stalls at Babermahal junction on 13 November from 1PM. Entrance Rs 50. from India and Zaara aka Zaara Hayat EVENTS Khan (Preity Zinta) is from Pakistan. Due v The Art of Happiness Introduction to Buddhism at Himalayan Buddhist to the partition, they have been Now Showing Meditation Centre, 13-14 November from 10AM to 4PM. 4414843 separated. This film is shows how love v Nepal Kaleidoscope Photo Competition on any subject that portrays Nepal or the Nepali way of life, submission deadline 16 November. conquers all and goes beyond Call 4442220 for show timings www.pjclub.com.np boundaries drawn by men. www.jainepal.com v The Sound of Music at The Royal Nepal Academy on 19 and 20 November, a fund-raiser organised by Triyog High School. 4470608, 4476425 KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY v Ganesh’s Trunk Holiday Bazaar at Baber Mahal Revisited 11AM to 6PM on 20 November. 4436040 There has been a significant rise in the concentration of PM10 at all six v Aasman Mela at Hyatt Regency, Boudha on 20 November. monitoring stations in the Valley. Winter means dry dusty weather. All v How to Tame the Crazy Mind, Talk by Robina Courtin on 20 November, zones need to be on high alert because the air quality is getting even 10AM to 4PM at Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre. 4414843 v 3rd Annual Ride and Rage with the Himalayan Enfielders to the Last unhealthier. Don’t take yours masks off yet! Resort on 20-21 November. Rs 1,500 per person. 4440462 v Kathmandu Dance Festival with German dance master 31 October - 6 November in micrograms per cubic meter. Andreas at Latin Quarter’s Salsa Bar, Baber Mahal Source: www. mope.gov.np Revisited. From 16-27 November. v WCN Amateur Nature and Wildlife Photography Competition for amateur photographers. Deadline 30 Good < 60 November. 5524202, www.wcn.org.np Ok 61 to 120 v Bluebird Festive Blast Shopping specials for Tihar at both Tripureswor and Lajimpat outlets. Unhealthy 121 to 350 MUSIC Harmful 351 to 425 v Jazz At Patan featuring Cadenza and friends at Patan Museum Courtyard Hazardous >425 on 26 November. v Hey DJ at the Yak & Yeti on November 26. Putalisadak Patan H Thamel Kirtipur Bhaktapur Matsyagaun v Fusion Night at the Rox Bar. Every Wednesday from 6PM onwards. v Deo at Not Just The Jazz Bar Fridays at Hotel Shangri-la, Lajimpat. NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED v Jatra Friday Nites Live music by The Strings. 4256622 v Happening live jazz in town at Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lajimpat. Every November is the driest month with Wednesday and Saturday, 7.45 PM onwards. monthly average rainfall 7.6 mm for KATHMANDU the Valley. Halfway through the month, DRINKS we’ve had zero rain. This satellite picture v Island Bar with DJ Raju and The Cloud Walkers. The Rox Bar, taken on Wednesday afternoon shows Hyatt Regency. 4491234 no sign of rain at least for the coming v Free drink deals at Red Onion Bar, Lajimpat week, which is just as well because it is FOOD Tihar. The high pressure zone over central Asia continues to bring in dry, v Charcoalz a barbecue of western, Indian and Mongolian delights at Hotel cold wind from the north and keeps Yak & Yeti, 6PM to 10PM. Till 30 November. v La Soon Restaurant and Vinotheque, moved in the lane next to the away the moisture. A virile cyclone that Egyptian Embassy, Pulchok for spacious indoor and outdoor seating. was spinning off the Arabian Sea has 5537166 dissipated, sending some wisps of cloud v Tickling Taste Buds live barbeque, 7PM onwards every Friday evening at our way. A westerly system over the the Shambala Garden Cafe, Hotel Shangri-la. 4412999 Karakoram will not threaten us. Enjoy v Genuine Thai cuisine at Royal Lotus, Bakhundole. 5521231 the sunny weather and great views of v Delicious barbecue dinner Fridays at Summit Hotel. 5521810 the mountains from the Valley rim. v Farm House Café Unlimited nature with delicious meals at Park Village Hotel. 4375280 KATHMANDU VALLEY v Café Bahal Newari and continental cuisine under the giant Cinnamon tree at Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel. 4700632 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue v Barbecue-Ban Bhoj at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 v Vegetarian Creations at Stupa View Restaurant. 4480262 v Splash Spring BBQ Wednesday and Friday evenings, 6PM onwards. Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu. 23-07 24-07 24-06 22-06 23-08 v The Beer Garden at Vaijayantha, Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 v Dwarika’s Thali Lunch at the Heritage courtyard. 4479488 v The Tharu Kitchen at Jungle Base Camp. [email protected] GETAWAYS v Dream Holiday package tour to Malaysia during Tihar. Marco Polo Travels and Qatar Airways, 2012345, [email protected] v Canyon Swing 140 m down stream at The Last Resort. 4439525 v Getaway package night’s stay at Godavari Village Resort, includes dinner and breakfast. 5560675 v Shivapuri Tranquil village, superb views and birdwatching. Shivapuri Heights Cottage, on the edge of Shivapuri National Park. [email protected] v Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Pure relaxation with special offers for Tihar. 4361500 v Bardia National Park with Jungle Base Camp Lodge. [email protected] v Golf at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa. 4451212 v Weekend Special at Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha. 4375280