Tho National Ne"llll:"o9,,,ine I1

Kanti Rajpath: Viable Alternative • Politics: Inconsistent leaders • Ninth Plan: Poor Performance t ~ ~ PeiisOdent FIGHTS GERMS EVEN HOURS AFTER BRUSHING CONTENTS

Page

Letters 3

News Notes 4

Briefs 6

uote Unquote 7 COVER STORY: MISGUIDED AND CONFUSED The growing participation of youths in violence is a matter of serious concern. {Cover phN<1 by SanoJcsh Mnl1adhar) Off The Record 8 Page 16

NEPAL·CHINA RELATIONS Friends In Need 9

POLITICAL LEADERS: Inconsistency In Their Stand 12

TOURISM: Successive Blows 13

NINTH PLAN: Poor Perfonnance 14

KOREAN DANCE: Rhythm OfTies 24

KANTI RAJPATH: Slow Start PHOTO EXHIBITION: Street Life 2S Despite being the shonest alternative route lO link Kathmandu with Hetauda, the construction of the highway has delayed due to government indifference. BOOK REVIEW 26 Page JO

THE BOTTOMLINE 27

PROFILE : Nelson Wang 28

PASTIME 29 INTERVIEW: Chakra P. Bastola LEISURE 30 Foreign Minlster Bastola says the recent visit by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji enhanced the bilat· FORUM: Sobhakar Budhathoki 32 eralties. Page 22

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 SPOTLIGHT EDITOR'S NOTE THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE IVol. 20, No.45, May 25, 2001 (Jaslha 12, 2057) I Chief Editor And Publisher Madhav Kumar Rimal

Editor he recently concluded three day official visit of the Prime Minister of the Sarita Rimal People's Republic of China to Nepal seems to have generated quite a bit of controversy. A very reliable leader of yester years confided to this Managing Editor Keshab Poudel scribe thatthis visit of the dignitary from the biggest nation of the world failed to keep up with the tradition - the mutual expressions of Associate Editor eruninhibited intimacy and concern for each other's well-being. Had it not been for the Bhagirath Yogi deep respect they bear to the throne of Nepal, he went on to say, the Chinese could have Senior Reporter easily postponed or even cancelled the visit. Not that they were not fully aware of the Sanjaya Ohakal political situation prevailing in Nepal and the severe constraints the host governlre Reporter has been suffering from. The changed international scenario and developments ne. Akshay Sharma home must have had irresistible influence on the secular democratic government of the Design and Layout Nepali Congress in Kathmandu. Thi s, indeed, has been plainly evident by the manner Jyoh Singh the Free Tibet movement in the nation 's capital has been functioning despite the film commitment of the government not to permit anti-Chinese activ iti es on the Nepalese Photographer Nishchal Chapagain soil. Since the Chinese do not permit such minor incidents to affect the deep-seated friendly relationship with the Nepalese people, the agents provocateurs have gained Art M.S. Khokna nothing except heart burning chagrin. Modern Nepal-China relalionship founded on solid rock by the late Nepalese dignitaries - King Mahendra and Tanka Prasad Legal Advisor Acharya and Chinese leaders Mao Tsc Tung and Zhou en Lie is too strong even for Advocate Lok Bhakta Rana Hercu)es to dislodge. Since both the Nepalese and Chinese people are finnly convinced Marketing/Advertisement of this irrefutable fact the bilateral relations between the two countries will ever go on Saril Rimal (USA) strengthening. Marketing * * * Madan Kaji Basnet The three day Bandh called by the leftist forces seems to be destined to come through. Navin Kumar Maharjan Madan Raj Poudel All the pleas by the rest of the Nepalese (including all sectors of Nepalese society) have fallen on deaf ears. That the responsible opposition party in the Parliament is becoming Editorial Office so irresponsible as to push the country to economic chaos by initiating the three day GPO Box 7256, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Tel: (977-1) 423127, Fax: (977-1) 417845 bandh is sure to soil its image further. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Will ' Chief Edilor's : 435594 oblige the opposition by vacating his chair. Even though leaders of the UML are getti r­ E-mail: [email protected] too impatient to go to the other side in the parliament, they know they will not achieve Internet Add: http://www.nepalnews.com/ spollighl their ambition in the near fmure. Taking recourse to measures that might spell di saster for the country while hitting (he poorest section hardest, is sure to boomerang in the days Cover Design to come. Our opposition to the three day bandh should not be interpreted as support to Wordscape Kamal Pokhari, Ph : 410772, Fax: 432872 the infamous Koirala government. We have, time and again called for the outright di smissal of the corrupt Koirala government. But democracy, parliamentary practice Distribution Bazaar International and constitutional monarchy have proved to be in vincible shield protectjng Prime 228 Sanchaya Kosh Bldg. Kathmandu Minister Koirala. Even though the couIllry is heading towards unavoidable catastrophe, G.P.O Box 2480, Ph: 222983 Fax: 229437 no body seems la be least concerned lo save it. When the int egrity of th e country is at e-mail: [email protected] Slake, one must be able to sacrifice all personal or parti san considerati ons. We have Printers: Kishor offset Press (P.) Ltd. come LO a stage where all patriotic forces have 10 join hand s and work unitedly to free P.O . Box 4665, Galkopakha, Thamel, the ~ountry from the iron grip ofthe Frankenstein of corruption and alien machinations. Kalhmandu,Tel: 351 044 (Off), 351 172 (Res.), Fax: 977-1-351172, There is absolutely no alternative and no time should be lost. • E-mail: [email protected]

c'D.O. Rcgd. No 15l/039-40 Postal Rcgd. No 42/057/58 U.S. Library of Congress Madhav Kumar Rimal Catalogue No. 9l-905060 Chief Editor& Publisher

2 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001 LETTERS ______

ingTimes'· (SPOTLIGHT, May

fORUM kesl\.w P. Upt!li I 11 INTERVIEW Btlll'lt Mohall AdtlikDf 11 ), iL seems Ihal Nepal would do better by stressing the ex.port Cooperative oforthodox and herbal lea rather Ihan CTC. The high-value or­ Controversy thodox lea has a greater market Your cover story among the health-conscious "Mushrooming Gro\Vth" population oflhc West. Besides, thi s is the sector where Nepal (SPOTLIGHT, May 18) enjoys comparative advantage. clearly pointed out how Herbal tea finds appropriate j1y-by-night operators environment tothrivcinthceao;;t­ are exploiting loopholes ern hills of the country. RoshalJ Amatya ill the law to make a jClst Dhapasi buck at the cost of illllO­ Great Loss cent investors. It is (I pity The ulltimely demise of that the very authorities mOllnlaincc r Babu Chhiri Sherpa who are supposed to i~ a great loss nOI only to NcpaJ check the activities ofco­ but also 10 the entire mountain­ operatives appear so eering community (""Into Thin Air", SPOTLIGHT. May4). His powerless. No wonder, fems arc as tall as the Everest the mushroomillg 0.( such itself and will not be forgotten. dubiolls cooperatives is While we did lalk much aboul contilluing unabated. hi s outstanding personality. we cou ld pay a real tribute to Babu Sheeta Sharma Chhiri by joining hands in real­ Ghattekllla izing hi s last dream-opcninga sc hool in hi s native village in Solukhumbu. Manoj Curling Catch The Culprits May 18). Why did Ihe govem­ will come when investors will New Baneshwor Unless the authorit ies catch mem allow the cooperatives to start losing faith even in finan­ the culprits who have run away operate without ensuring proper cial institutions and banks. Anti-Chinese Activity h the investors' money, the legal checks and balances? Did KrisJlIla Thapa the authorities work hand in glove Minbhawan II has been reported Ihallhe people will continue to lose con­ Tibetan followersofDalai Lama ridence in the cooperatives. to swindle Lhe public? Ir nOI, Tasty Potentials are freely carrying 011 anti-Chi­ (,·Mushrooming GrowLh". what are they doing al a time The unique geography of nese activities i n Nepal. Recently SPOTLIGHT, May IS). Ir Ihe when half a dozen cooperatives Nepal is very suitable for grow­ they ca.;;t votes in Kathmandu for series of cases of fraud are not fled in Ihe span or a week? The ing lea ("TeslingTimes'·, SPOT­ the Tibetan government in exile. addressed soon. many morc poor people want answers quickly. L1GHT,May I I). However,Sla­ Despite Prime Minjster Girija Nepalese will lose millions of Sumall KC Bagbazar tistics show that tea export has Prasad Koimla's firm assertion the ir hard-earned rupees. The nO{ really taken off. The vo lume Ihat Nepa lese so il would nol be Finance Ministry, the Depart­ of tea trade is sti ll insigni licanl. permitled to be used against ment of Cooperatives and lhe Erosion Of Confidence The introduction of a tea policy China, the rollowers of Dalai home administration should co­ The continuing cases of is a welcome development. But Lama in co ll aboration with some operate to prevent such cases. swindling and fraud have hit hard it needs to be translated into ac­ Nepalese and Ihe [ndian RAW Ramall Gurrmg at the confidence of the investors tion. Gloating about our poten­ are freely resorting la anti-China Bholebahal ("Mushrooming Growlh". tials is not going to pay. Indeed, activities. It is also presumed SPOTLIGHT, May 18). There we have 10 emulate)he success that the Indian RAW is spending Tighten The Laws. is palpable sense of panic among or Sri Lanka in Ihis field. huge amount of money for this It is ridiculous that there is small in vestors. The apparent Allllp Shrestha purpose. Who will lake appro­ no adequate legal provision to indifference with which the au­ Sanepa priate steps 10 stop such ami­ check the irregular activities of thorities are dealing with this nalional activities? the cooperatives ("Mushroom­ problem have shaken them. If Stress On High Value Ram Mall Shakya ing GrowLh'·, SPOTLIGHT, thi s situation continues, a time Apropos the arti cle "Test- 8auddha, Kalhm andu

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 3 NEWSNOTES

Refugees Demand has asked top government officials to cut PAC Fails To Arrive down unnecessary meetings with people More JVTs and spend more time on studying and At A Decision The Bhutanese Refugees Repatria­ clearing files. At a meeting with cabinet The Public Accounts Committee tion Committee (BR RC) has demanded ministers, secretaries and former (PAC) of the House of Representatives that more veri fication learn s should be secretari es, Koirala instructed the offi­ failed la reach any decision Monday re­ formed 10 speed up the verification pro­ cials to ensure that the government em­ garding alleged irregularities in the air­ cess. The Nepal-Bhutan Joint Verifica­ ployees are in place in the areas of craft lease deal between the state-owned tion Team (NT) has so far verified nearly their posting, to strengthen personnel Royal Nepal Airlines and China South 2.500 people belonging to 400 families administration, to ensure coordination over the last two months. In a statement, among the ministries effective, formu­ BRRC chairman S. B. Subba demanded late and implement policies only that more verificalion teams shou ld be after extensive discussions and execute formed reviewing the experience of the their duties by remaining within present team so that a large number of the framework of relevant laws and families could be verified at a compara­ regulations. He also instructed the tively shoneI' time. Currently, a single ministries to work effectively for the JVT has been ve ri fying around 10 fami­ success of the integrated security and lies every day, except on public holidays, development program that the govern­ at its Damak-based field office. The JVT ment is laun ching to carry out develop­ was fomled following an agreement dur­ ment works in the areas affected by th e ing the 101h round of joint ministerial Maoist in surgency. RSS news agellcy meeting in Katmandu late last year. Com­ reports. piled from reports May 22. 'Govt. Has Made Prime Minister Preparations For Talks' Instructs Top Officials Deputy Prime Minister and Homc Prime MinisterGirija Prasad Koirala Minister Ram Ch.ndra Poudel has said .-______..,the government has completed preparations to hold talks with the Maoist rebels. "Whatever ru­ West Airlines. A sub-committee headed mars may be doing the rounds by Rastriya Prajatantra Pany lawmaker outside. we have conveyed our Buddhj Man Tamang has already etA willingness for talks to the insur­ c1uded that the deal - made during ~ gents and have also guaranteed tenure of UML minister Shim Rawal - full security to them," he said. was full of irregularities. In Monday's Poudel said the Maoists should meeting, the ruling party legislators al­ now directly contact the govern­ leged that the committee - headed by ment and should not put forward UML legislator Subash Nemwang- was any conditions. "We want a deliberately trying la delay the decision couple of rounds of informal talks on the controversial case. Compiled/rom before the formal ones," said the reports May 22. minister. Meanwhile, leader of the main Maoists Form opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal has said there is no possibility of 'Govt.' In Rolpa talks between the Maoists and the The underground Maoist rebels have present government. ''The Maoists declared their 'local people's govern­ will never hold talks with the G.P. ment' in one of their strongholds at the Koirala-Ied government," Nepal mid-western district of Rolpa last week said . He also declared that hi s party at an open mass meeting. The formation will not participate in talks with of the 'local government' was declared .....----' the KoiraiagovernmenL Hima/aya Koirala in the meeting participated in by hun­ Times May 18. dreds of local people and Maoist sup-

4 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001 NEWS NOTES porters days before the army is sched­ uled to march in. The rebels declared what they called" people's local govern­ ment" last Wednesday amid tight secu­ rity cover provided by the Maoist guer­ rillas. Newly elected chief, SanlOsh Budha. said his party was ready to fight with the army if it invaded their territory and targeted the structures built by them. Chief District Officer of Rolpa, H. K. Upadhyay. said there was a strong possi­ bility of army-rebels confrontation in the dislficl. Kalltipllr May 20. Toni Hagen undation Set Up In honor of the Swiss geologist and a friend of Nepal. Toni Hagen, who first visited Nepal in 1950, the Toni Hagen Foundation was set up here Friday. The Street Strike foundation would help introduce Nepal in all its geographic, economic, social the ideals of the late Babu Chhiri Sherpa, ports said. Sanjay Agrawal! who \051 his and cultural grandeur to the world. who died last month while trying to scale money, said the gang looted about Rs. 2 Daughter of Toni Hagen, Dr. Cathcrine Ml. Everest for the 11th time. Mean­ million in cash and kind. Police said a Hagen, said the Europe branch of the while, the Hotel Association of Nepal search is underway to nab the culprit. foundation will be sel up in near future. (HAN) said one day's hotel closure would Compiledfrolll reports May 18. Atthe function, the Nepali version of the directly affect almost28,000 tourists and famous book "Nepal: A Kingdom in the over 4.5 million Nepalese directly or Himalayas" was also released. First pub­ indirectly engaged in the country's tour­ Food Aid Arrives lished in 1961, the book has also been ism sector. Compiled from reports May In Taklakot translated in German. French and Japa­ 21. The first consignment of 20 truck­ nese languages. Compiled from reporls loads of coarse rice. procured by the World May 20. 22 Kg Hashish Seized Food Program (WFP), arrived at Talakot Officials from the Customs Depart­ near the border betwcen Humla and the mmiteers Appeal For ment and Drug Abuse Control and Law Tibet Autonomous Region of China re­ Enforcement Unit of Nepal Police raided cently. the WFP said. The WFP has also Strike Withdrawal and recovered 22 kg of hashish from one sent 200 metric lons in food aid Lo remote Everest Summitecrs Association of the god owns of at the Tribhuvan Inter­ northern district of Humla. The WFP got (ESA) has appealed lO the group of six national Airport Thursday. The hashish permission to send food aid via Tibet after left parties lO withdraw their th ree-day was concealed in a ca rgo of carpet due to the Chinese authorities granted it nationwide general strike slated for May be exported to Germany. Pal ice said that clearance last July following the visit by 27, 28 and 29 citing that bandh would customs officials seized 61 packets of WFP's representatives to Beijing. hamper the World Everest Day that falls hashish hidden inside ten rolls of carpel. The Chinese autborities also expressed on May 29. In a statement, ESA sa id for "This is the biggest haul of the contra­ desire to support the WFP's efforts the last few years, Nepal has been ob­ band drug in the last two years," ofricials to reach to the hungry poor people in serving May 29 to mark the victory on said. remote areas of Nepal. The WFP plans to Ml. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Theconsignment was being exported seek extensi on of the transportation clear­ Tenzing Norge Sherpa in 1954. Saying by Lord Buddha Export Company to one ance, granted for an initial year. "Provid­ that Ml. Everest has played a very posi­ Christian Pearls Company at Osana Bruke ing development opportunities for some tive role to take Nepal's fame around the in Germany. In a separate incident, a of the most vu lnerable populations in globe, the ESA said the s udd~n announce­ group of seven unidentified men looted Karnali is a priority for WFP," said Dou­ ment of bandh program has created di­ more than Rs 2 million from business­ glas Casson Counts, the WFP Represen­ lemma for the ESA . It is morc important men in the capital at Wotu , near New tative in Nepal. Compiled from reports to observe the day to honour and respect Road in broad daylighi Thursday, re- May 17. •

SPOTLIGHT/MA Y 25. 2001 5 BRIEFS

captured the outpost. Officials say the rebels are spreading their activities in eastern Nepal and targeting ill-equipped police posts afterthe government mobilized arnlY personnel in their strongholds in lhe mid-western region to contain the rebellion.

THE ELECTION COMMISSION HAS EXTENDED THE deadline for distributing voter identity cards till Julyl5, this year at the request of the Home Ministry. According to an EC spokesman, this is the third time that the deadline for distrib­ uting voter identity cards is being extended. TheEC had chosen a total of 41 constituencies in 27 districts for the distribution of voter identity cards under the second phase.

Students going to their :i~:k;;r;;;:ih.~:;' INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION OF MO RANG HAS ~ of private schools ended manded with the government to impose restriction on ~ export of raw jute 10 India, RSS news agency reported. In a THE FLOW OF FOREIGN AID TO NEPAL IS LIKELY statement, the chamber has said all the jute industries in the 10 double this year compared to last year, officials said. country will be closed down and about 18,000 laborers will be According 10 the Finance Ministry, approximately Rs 29 forced out of employment if the trend continues at a time where billion worth foreign aid has been committed as of mid-May there is acute shortage of rawjute in the domestic market. 2001 and the figure is expected to go as high as Rs 36 billion Chairman of the organization, Sushil Kumar Dhanawat, asked by the end of the current fiscal year. It will be nearly double the jute falmers and trade unions to prevent th e export of raw jute amount of Rs 18 billion worth aid commitment made fiscal from the country. year. The aid increment this year is mainly due 10 the loan sanctioned for the ambitious Melamchi Water Supply Project DEFENSE MINISTER MAHESH ACHARY A HAS SAID (MWSP). The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japanese the national consensus can '1 be a pre-condilion for the govem­ government and the Norwegian government have committed ment in implementing any program such as integrated seclI lity over Rs 13 billion for MWSP. Chief of the Foreign Aid and development program (ISDP). '·Yet. we will continue Division at the Finance Ministry, Madhav Ghimire, said the dialogue with all the political parties for effecti ve implemen­ government's commitment toward its continuation in financial tation of ISDP," said Acharya, speaking at a face-ta-face sector reforms significantly helped to send good signals to the program organized here Thursday. Acharya said mobilizata donor community. ofarmy wasjust one component of/SDP and insisted that af1~ mobilization did not rule out the possibility of talks with the MAOIST REBELS HAVE CAPTURED DOCUMENTS insurgents. related to national census 2001 in their stronghold in mid­ western district of Rukum, Nepal Samacharpatra dai Iy re­ THE XIVTH INDIAN ARMY EX-SERVICEMEN WEL­ ported Friday. The insurgents have so far captured census fare Organization in Nepal (IEWON) meeting was held at documents allocated for 16 village development committees in Kathmandu under the chairmanship of Deb Mukharji, Ambas­ the district. A local supervisor of the census, Puma Bahadur sador of India, from 16-17 May 2001. The IEWON is an Bohara, quoted the Maoists as saying that they wi ll conduct the organi zation establi shed to look after the welfare of Nepalese census separately on the basis of the prescribed forms. Ex-servicemen of Indian Armed Forces. It meets annually 10 review the welfare projects executed for the Nepalese ex­ A GROUP OF NEARLY 300 MAOIST REBELS servicemen of Indian Aimed Forces and 10 plan new welfare stormed a police post in eastern hilly district of Okhaldhunga projects. The participants include seni or officers of the Indian Friday night (May 18) killing three policemen, including a Army and the secretaries and zonal members of th e District police sub-inspector and injuring I1 others, reports said. Soldiersf Boards in Nepal. India disburses NRs 554 crores as According to polke, the rebels killed the policemen in a pension to 110,502 pensioners in Nepal every year. An very brutal way after nearly two-hour long gun battle. expenditure of about IRs 5. I 3 crores is incurred annually on The injured have been airlifted for treatment. The rebels also various welfare schemes for Nepalese ex-servicemen of Indian seized arms and cash from the police personnel after they Army residing in Nepal. •

6 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001 QUOTE UNQUOTE

"T here is neither the possibility nor the need for a mid-term election." Ram Chandra Poudel, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, ill Deshantar. * * *

"Leave alone the OpposlllOns,.. even some Congress leaders are wailing for Maoists to attack police posts so that they ca n release a prepared statement demand­ ing PM's resignation." Govinda Raj jos/.i, Millisterfor Lo­ cal Development, criticizing the dis­ sident Congress leaders/or not he/p­ ing the govemmellf, at a party pro­ gram in Dumre, ;11 Kantipur. • • • "We won't rest before taking thi s move­ ment to its logical conclusion." Khadga Prasad Oli, former minister alld celllralleader of Unified Marx- "/r ist-Leninist, 011 his party's movement l____ -=~~~~~~~~~=_~ ~===~:=~~~~~J to oust Prime Minister Girija Prasad __ Koirala, in Budhabar. should retire from politics."' "T hat was not healthy.'· • • • Dr. Dilli Ramall Regmi, sellior poli­ Radlra Raman Upadilyaya, former "At present, the economy of the coun­ tician, ill Punarjagran. chief of the Commissioll for IlIvesti­ • • * try is'3ctive. The economic activities have gatioll ofAbllse ofAuthority (CIAA), increased mainly due to the remittances commenting 011 the recelll differences "If the current si tuation is not given a by the Nepalese workers abroad." of opillioll betweell CIAA and the way out before six months or a year, the Pro! Parthiveshwor Timilsilla, CO I1l ­ PrimeMillister's Office, ill Bimarsha. soul of the nation will die," mellling 011 the economic situation of • • • Sudip Pathak, rights activist and Q the cOUlIlry, ill Gorkhapatra. member of people's committee for • "E very body above 75 years of age • • • peace dialogue, stressing 011 the ur­ gency of dialogue between the gov­ emmellt alld Maoist rebels, in Jana Bhawana. • • • "T here is no use talking of foreign investment at a time when even the domestic investors are running scared ," RajesiJ Kaji SiJreslila, Presidelll of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, in Drishti . • • • "I just wish that I would get chance to do different roles." Niruta Singh, popular movie actress, when asked about her plans, ill Punarjagran. • • *

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 7 OFF THE RECORD 1

Shuttling using the word Lauda. What­ ever Oli's motive may be in REVELATION Ranabhat doing so, supporters of party House of Represent atives general secretary Madhav 'Politicians Do Not Have Speaker Taranath Ranabhat is Kumar Nepal are worried. busy these days shullling be­ Rational Answers' tween the residences of Thapa's Destination - RAJESH KAJl SHRESTHA Kri shna Prasad Bhallarai and It may be truly frustrating RA}ESH KAj/ SHRESTHA, presidelll of Nepal Chamber of Sher Bahadur Deuba. As the for RPP leader Surya Bahadur two fanner prime ministers Commerce (NCe). believes frequent band/IS will destroy the Thapa to ha vc found few ('nUll try 's hopes/or economic progress. Shrestlw spoke to jOllr­ li ve at opposite ends of the people seri ously responding to capital, Ranabhat's journey lIalists abOUT the Nee's opinion on balldhs. Excelpts: must be very taxing. In hopes of gaining something after the How do you see the three-day bandh called by six left removal of Prime Minister parties? Gi rij a Prasad Koirala, It wi ll destroy the national economy and the people will ha Ranabhat doesn ' t seem too to face further hardships. As Nepal's tourism industry is strug­ bothered by having 10 make gling to recover from earli er blows, the three-day bandh will scverallripseach day. But who severely affect the process of recovery. foots the transport bill? As long Haven't you talked over this issue with the organizers? as he is lhe speakerofthe House We have requested them to withdraw the three-day bandh on of Representatives, th at's nOL the ground that it is in nobody's interest. We also informcd them something Ranabhat should how much money Nepal stands lO lose from the strike. worry about. Butshouldn't we? What was the response of the organizers? They agreed with us on the economic impact but they put OH's Strategy their political agenda in front of us. Politicians do nol have Thapa: Many buyers for my idea CPN-UML leader K.P. rational answers. It seems that the agitators have certain compul­ sions. Sharma Oli is ranked among hi s proposal for a national con­ Is this the right way to press demands? the more firebrand of our co m­ sensus. Nevertheless, he con­ No. it is not a rational way to press demands. don't know fades. Wherever he goes, Oli tinues to harp the theme wher­ t why the main opposition party is sti ckin g to its hard stance. does not miss a chance to talk ever he goes. After his meet­ T he leaders of the main opposition party have said the about corruption in airline ing with different political leaders, the Rpp leader is now bandh is part of the sacrifices the nation needs to make to achieve certain goals? visiting different parts of the Why does the nation need to make sacrifices to fulfil pe. country to sell his vision of political interests? We don't carc about their political interests. national consensus. If Thapa What we want isa peaceful society with no political agitation like fails to impress tlie people as this. If responsible political parties organize frequent bandhs, well , where does he expect his what would stop other groups from doin g the same? next destination to be?

Radical Race proving its fiery credentials: rang up SPOTLIGHT and de­ h seems there is a feverish burning the chairs of the Dis­ nied hi s statement of "fasting race among student unions af­ trict Education Officers. In a unto death" publi s hed in filiated to communist panics week, UML's student wing set SPOTLIGHT. .... He was so as­ OH : High on air to prove who is the most radi­ on fire three chairs in seni ve that he said he would deals. H is mention ohhe words cal in standing up for the causc. Kathmandu valley. When they give onc lakh reward to any "air deal" has sparked new in­ After the Maoists-affiliated see thdr leaders selting gov­ body who could prove that tcrest among parly workers. group burned t wo cars and a ernment ve hicles on fire, the statement to be correct. Those After the House of Represen­ school building in the capital students must be thinking that who know Bhallarai well need tatives Public Account Com­ last week and the Marxist­ their pressure tactics are mild not be assured of his fickle m ittee subcommittee on the Leninisl-Iinked union sel afire enough. mindedness. He takes no lime China Southwest Airlines deal a pri vate bus, the student wing to make a vo/reface. More so issued its report on alleged ir­ of main oppositi on party has Bhattarai reacts now si nce he has become al· regul arities, Oli has given up come out with a novel way o f Krishna Prasad Bhallarai m OSt senile. • 8 SPOTLIGHT/MA Y 25. 2001 NATIONAL

King Birendra also gran led audi­ NEPAL-CHINA RELATIONS ence to Premier Zhu and had a quiet dinner with him. Apart from PrimeMin­ ister Koirala. the Chinese dignitary also Friends In Need met business leaders, providing an indI­ cation of where his interest lies. Poor preparations left Nepal unable to take full benefit Premier Zhu met members of parliamenl and Ihe leader or the main from the visit of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji opposition pany. Allhough communisl parties control four out of five munici­ By KESHAB POUDEL ruling party rurlher weakened his posi­ palities or Kalhmandu. no municipality tion. organized a ci vie reception In honor "The visil was successful as the of the Chinese Premier. "This conspicu­ or the first time in 12 years, leaders of two countries got an opportu­ ous lapse in the welcome to the valued F a Chinese premier paid an ern­ Oily to share their views," said Foreign friend has generaled a big debale why . I visil 10 Nepal wilh such a big Minisler Chakra Prasad Baslola. (See Koirala government overlooked such egation. including the foreign , interview) an important event. It has come as a trade and transport ministers, but the The Chinese cooperation is is not big surprise why big indigenous business government was unable to ex.ploit the very substantial, sli ll it is suffi cie nt to houses were so luke warm in express- opportunity to gain morc benefits for Nepal. Allhough Nepal and China signed some imponant agreements on trade. developmenl and olher issues. Nepal could have cXlrached much bigger prom­ ises from the northern friend. \:\\< "I'ening or the Syaphrube;hi­ Rasuwagadhi road will provide an alter­ native transit point through Tibet, but there is a long way to go before it malcrializes. B01h sides have 10 com­ plete various stages of agreements be­ fore the final construction. The government withdrew some of ... projects from their lisl following the • labililY sparked by Ihe leller from the Commission of In vestigation of Abuse of Authority to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Ihe Lauda Air deal controve rsy . After Ihe leller or Ihe CIAA, the King Birendra (center) with Premier Rongji (right) .nd PM Koir.l. (Iefl): Neighborly lalk government was shaken and prepara­ tions for the Zhu visit were tota lly dis­ make Nepal maintain economic inde­ ing their welcome to the Chinese digni­ rupled ror a couple days. Till Ihe lasl pendence. At a time when the number of tary," said an analyst. minute of Chinese premier visit, the Indian lourisls are declining, Ihe The Chinese premier carefully hosl was gripped in inslabilily as no­ arrival or Chinese tourists may cover avoided making any controversial Slale­ hody knew whal runher sleps the CIAA lhe gap. ment. "Even during the sightseeing trip would lake. AlLhough the Chinese premier ac­ to Palan, the Chinese premier kept a low Prime Minister KoiraJa was facing cepled the requesl of Nepalese side 10 prorile," said a diplomat. severe allacks from all quarters build the Baglung-Jomsom-Muslang China and Nepal share slab le rela­ some lime before the announc.;cment of road, another alternative road to tions in diverse spheres and have no the schedule of Chinese premier's trip. link Nepal wilh Ihe Tibel AUlonomous dirferences. Increasing the volume of The main opposition pany took the is­ Region of China, Ihings will nol be trade with our northern neighbor would sue o r Koirala's resignation into the easy when it comes to executing the add a firm dimension to the bilateral streets and the internal squabbling in the project. lies. •

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 9 SPECIAL REPORT

Helauda is around 220 km from Kathmandu. Although Ihe preliminary conslruc­ lion oflhe Tikabhairab-Helauda road was slarled as early as in mid-50s by Ihe Nepalese army. the route still remains rough and incomplete. At present a nar­ row and rough road, links Tikabhairab with Chhaveli and Kalche. some 25 kilo­ meters away. Some light vehicles and mini-trucks can'ying dairy producls from nearby vil lages in Chhaveli and Bhalledanda ply in Ihe roule regularly except during monsoon. A bridge in the Bagmati river is await­ ing construction near Jyamirc vill4 A jam at Prithvi highway: Recurring scene which could link Lalilpurwilh MakwanP!!' district "The Kanti Rajpalh is nOl only im­ KANTI RAJPATH porlanl for LalilpurdistricI bUI also forthe whole country. If opened, Ihis highway can provide commuters with a two-hour Slow Start drive la Helauda," said Madhav Poudel, president of Lalilpur District Develop­ Despite being the shortest route to Hetauda, the Kanti ment Committee (DDC). "This route can provide the shortest link between Rajpath is yet to get the priority it deserves Kathmandu and Raxaul." Raxaul, a major Indian border point near Birgunj. is the By SANJAYA QHAKAL The need for an alternative route to most-used route for transporting goods to Hnk the capital valley can not be exagger­ and from Calculla POri in India. aSl year when Ihe landslide al aled. Though the Tribhuvan Rajpalh, Poudel says, in the face of growing L Krishnabhir in the Kalhmandu­ which is also known as upper highway, problems of landslides and increased traf­ Mugling seclion of Prilhvi Highway cuI helped Ihe highway lravelers during lasl fic. the country is in dire need for a short off Ihe capilal 's access to Ihe resl of Ihe year'sjam, it is considered unreliable and aiternalive. "Kanli Rajpalh providesjusI country for 10 days, there was a heated lenglhy. Anolher aiternalive highway Ihat," he said. • publi c debale abouI the urgenl need for an Dhul ikhel-Bardibas is undereonstruclion Understanding the signi ficance oftwt alternati ve route to link the capital valley. and will be ready after five or six years. Kanti Rajpalh, the Korean International Thc idea lodevelop Ihe Kanti Rajpalh was This highway, however, links the eastern Cooperalion Agency (KOICA) - a Ko­ once gain mooted then. paris of the country. rean government body - has been show­ But as soon as the monsaon rain Kanti Rajpalh is one of Ihe oldesl ing interest in financing the project. subsided and mudslides stopped, Ihe de­ recognized alternate route to link the val­ "KOICA has already compleled fea­ hate. too. ceased. This year, too, there are ley wilh Helauda, Ihe commercial hub of sibilily sludy in 1998. And now we arc already clear signs that more landslides the inner Terai in the eenu'al region. He­ planning la do a detail design for main could be in the ofling. Even before Ihe lauda is stralegically located and provides construction," said Sang Chul Kim, Alla­ onsel ofthe monsoon, Ihe landslide in the oUllel to bOlh Ihe easlern as well as west­ che al Ihe KOICA Nepal Office. same Krishnabhirareaobstrucled lhehigh­ ern cities, not {omention the Indian border The delail design of Ihe highway is way traffic for morc than 12 hours - just points. said to take around three years to com­ three weeks ago. The majorallraclion ofKanli Rajpalh plele. "We will be slaning Ihe delail de­ It has been many years since Kanti lies in its length. It is the shortest route sign hopefully by Ihe beginning of Ihe Rajpath was first recognized as a viable between Kathmandu and Hctauda. Start­ next year." said Kim Jin-Sik, Counsellor alternate route. But interestingly people ing from Tikabhairab, a duslY Lalilpur and Consul al Ihe Embassy of Republic of geL to hear about the importance of this village lying at Ihe banks of Nakkhu river Korea, Kathmandu. The delail design of route only during wet season -only to be six kilomelers soulh of Ihe valley, Ihe Ihe road could cos I around US$1.3 mil­ washed away with the final drops of mon­ Rajpalh lakes only 86 kilomeler la reach lion while the main construction could soon. Hetauda. If you go by Prilhvi Highway, cOSI around $17 million and lake four

10 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 SPECIAL REPORT years to complete, according to KOreA Nepal Omce. Chronology Of Kanti Rajpath Development The South Korean government is pre­ • The first works of Tikabhairab-Hetauda road ~tarts in 1954. pared la provide grant assistance for the • Nepal army is given the responsibility of the construction in 1957, detail design and ~ long-term soft loan for • A section of the rough road completed in 1959. the main construction underthe Economic • The road named Kanti Rajpath io 1962. Development and Cooperation Fund. • An Italian consulting firm undertakes a study of Kathmandu-Hetauda road in 1971. "Korean companies including the con­ • Works and Transport Ministryurges private parties for BUild. Operate and Transfer in 1988. struction firms have been working in Nepal • Japanese International Engineering Consultant Association does another study in 1991. forthe last 30 years. Definitely. they would • Swiss consultants study the road project in 1992. want to participate in the construction of • Finnida. too, studies in 1993. Lalitpur District Development Comminee (DOe) conducts a survey in 2050 BS (1993/94) the highway." said Kim Jin-Sik. • • A task force headed by Dr. Santa BirTuladhar studies the section of the road up 10 Bagmati The delay in the project taking off is river in 20~ I BS (1994195). said to be due to the lackadaisical ap­ • Two separate commillees are formed by Lalitpur mumcipality and Lalitpur DDC to look proach of the government. It has been Into the construction of the road in 2052 (1995/96). rntthatthe Nepalese government only • Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) undertakes the feasibility study in ·ently requested the Korean govern­ 1997. ment for the detail design. • The government finally recognizes the road as alternative highway in 2056 (J 998/99). "11 is unfortunate that the govern­ Source .. LalitplIr DDCIMadhav P. POltdel ment has no sy stematic development pri­ ority. The authorities do not pay heed to the reques ts of elected representatives about Rs 12.5 million, according to Kiran in few patch-up efforts in the Kanti while formulating development plans and Joshi, chief of the Lalitpur district road Rajpath," said Suresh Kumar Regmi, distributing national budge!. Kanti Rajpath office. deputy general manager at the Depart­ is merely an example ," rued PoudeL As the government has not ear­ ment of Roads. At present the Lalitpur DOe is mobi­ marked funds forthe development of the Road officials also bel ieve that there lizing its own resources to develop the highway, the Department of Roads has is a need for a shorter alternative to the road. "But our resources are not enough:' been involved in limited maintenance existing highway. Not only the road offi­ said Poude!. work. cials but also the DOe officials believe Just last year, the government con­ "As far as the road department is that the Nepalese government should ex­ strutted a crucial bridge over Nakkhu concerned, apart from building the pedite the construction of the road by river in Tikabhairab. The bridge cost Tikabhairab bridge, weareonly involved making use of the assistance promised by the Korean government. Apart from providing a crucial short alternative, Kanti Rajpath could herald a new era of development in the povcrly­ crushed southern parts of Lalitpur dis­ trict. "The road ca n usher in revolution­ ary changes in the livelihood of people living in nearby villages of La lit pur and Makwanpur," said Poude!. Being a shorter course. the highway could help hring down the consumption of fuel for vehicles. increase the age of vehicles by trimming down the wear and tear, lessen the traffic load on Prithvi Highway, save tran sportation cost, cut down export cost and expand industries and trade in the area. As the highway commuters have to travel anxiously during the monsoon thanks to the rear of landslides and traffic obstruction, the authorities would do good by introducing alternative routes as soon A passenger bus: Heavy load as possible. •

SPOTLIGHT/MA Y 25. 200t 11 NATIONAL

Birgunj was that it was not a serious crime POLITICAL LEADERS for a low-level employee to take a bribe of Rs 10 or Rs 20 compared to a prime min ister taking a bribe ofRs. I million," then-prime Inconsistency In Their Stand minister Bhattarai was quoted as sayuing in Gorkhapatra of December 27, 1999. Nobody can predict what Nepalese political leaders Bhattarai, who saw communist leaders as conspirators until some years ago, has will say or do next now changed his stand and hailed them as most efficient leaders. "CPN-UML leaders By KESHAB POUDEL sacrificed his life to the cause of democracy. Madhavji and Oliji also are also hard-work­ He has to help the campaign to unseat Koirala." ing leaders. They have also suffered hard­ - Madhav Kumar Nepal, CPN-UML ship. By his experience and experiment, ust as a bad coin drives out a go~ coin general secretary, in Himalaya Times, May Madhavji has established himself as one of J from circulation, the good quality of 17,2001. the prominent leaders. I became prime mjn­ Nepalese leaders is covered up by their light CPN-UML leader K.P. Oli, too, has iSler for the second time with the blessings of. remarks. used many derogatory remarks against Girijababu.l will be prime minister agai. Be it fanner prime minister Krishna Bhattarai, but now he also sees Bhattarai as I get the blessings of the CPN-UML. Prasad Bhattarai. main opposition party his ideal. Bhattarai was quoted as saying in Chalfal leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, May 20, 200 I. . Prime Minister Girija Prasad If onc follows the statemenLS Koirala or RPP leader Surya Ba­ of Bhattarai and Nepal, their U­ haduT Thapa, all have a character turn becomes easily apparent. of inconsistency. Inconsistency in stand results If the gathering of leaders at in thedeterioralion of the quality of tile CPN-UML' 5 meeting to com­ politicians. "Inconsistency is a hall­ memorate the death anniversary mark of polilical leaders," said a of Mad an Bhandary and leev Raj political analyst. Ashrit was an indication, it showed What political leaders said how alliances can be made or bro­ yesterday do not seem to malter the ken at the whim of leaders. next day. What they say today may One and half years agoCPN­ not maller tomorrow. "The stands UML leaders, including Madhav of leaders change every couple of Kumar Nepal, accused then prime hours." the analyst said. minister Bhattarai as corrupt and Political leaders even forget inefficient. But today Bhattarai is who their enemies and friends . savior of their party. Bhattarai, Although all Nepalese politi , too, fee ls very much obliged to leaders have the quality of incon­ the CPN-UML leaders. sistency, Bhattara! and Nepal top Howdid they suddenly change the list of doubles peak. and become friends? The answer: Su~h inconsistency was not lust for power and the policy of always an underlying feature of "the enemy of my enemy is my Nepal politics. Afterthe revolution friend". Consider the following of 1950, people talked about B.P. statements made by Nepal: KOIraia, whose greatest virtue was "The present NcpaJi Congress consistency in hjs opinion whether govemmentledbyKrishnaPrasad Nepal (left) w;th Dhatlara;: Strange alliance in power or prison. His views re­ Bhattarai has proved to be the most garding democracy and dictator­ inefficient in the country," -Madhav Kurnar What happened iD one year to turn ship remained consistent. Such steadfast­ Nepal, in Nepal Samacharpatra, January 10, Bhattarai from a villain to a hero for UML ness is not found in other leaders. 2000. general secretary Nepal?The political equa­ Sometimes political leaders make com­ "The government has not only failed to tions have shifted. munists their No. I friend and the next check corruplion and wprsening law and Bhattarai, tOO, was anti-UML when he moment their main enemy. Tftheleaders are order condition but is fostering them." was heading the government. confused about their enemies, they create - Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepal "I don '1 need any cenificate from com­ them within the pany. This has been the Samacharpatra, February 13. munist leaders about my behaviour. They charactcr ofNepalese politics. Bhauarai and "Bhattaraiji is a great politician who has distort facts to discredit me. All I said in Nepal are no exception. •

12 SPOTLI GHT/MA Y 25. 200 I NATIONAL

rationale behind them," said Dr. Badri TOURISM Prasad Shrestha, addressingjournalists. If things remain unchanged, the three-day general strike called by the Successive Blows six left panies. including the main opposition CPN-UML, will push Why do opposition parties, hotel workers and even some entre­ the Nepalese tourism industry LO the preneurs want to bring the tourism industry to a standstill? brink. ''The LOurism industry will be de­ stroyed by the three-day bandh. If po­ By AKSHAY SHARMA Nepal Tourism Board also took litical panics are really si ncere about cenain positive steps to lure Indian uplirting the national economy, they tourists. The board has staned a special have LO bring other types of agitation ft er the hijacking of an Indian campaign 1O attract Indian tourists programs," said Pradeep Kumar Airlines Ilight from Kathmandu to Nepal by publici ling th e rich and Shrestha, presideI1l of the Federation of ew Delhi in the last week of De­ diverse itinerary the country has LO of­ Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and ~cember 1999, Nepal's tourism sector fer. Industry. has undergone seveml convulsions. The Nepalese media, LOO, created Others agree that the tourism in­ Despite the series of sustained eF­ some difficulties for tourism by its dustry would be damaged beyond re­ forts aimed at paralYling the sector, sensationalism. In October and Novem­ covery if political parties do not give up Nepal's tourism industry has been able ber last year, major Nepalese newspa­ such irrational forms of protest. to surv ive. From indefinite c1osedown pers were full of stories of birds hilling "How can touri sts come to visit of hotels to the hostile propaganda un­ airtrart at country's iI1lcrnational air­ Nepal when they don't havetransportto leashed against Nepal by India's main­ pon. go to the hotels." said onc tourism cn­ meam media, Nepal has still been able Although arrivals of Indian tourists trepreneur. 10 draw visitors. plummeted in 2000 and during the lirst Although opposition leaders arc try­ In the first three months of th e three months of this year, total arrivals ing hard 10 justify their decision to current fiscal year, tourist arrivals rrom still remain positive. hold the bandh, they haven't been third countries witnessed a single-digit "The nation has to pay a heavy successfu!' "Wc don't want to damage in crease. price for frequent strikes. ! don't sce any the eco nomy. what wc want is lO press Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala LO re,ign," said MP Dr. Dilli Raj Khana!. The people are not in a mood to support such destructive activ iti es. It is beyond their imagination that a party Ihm is running the shadow governmcl1l would choose to take such a harmful course . .IIt is not our wish to go ahead with such program, but wc are forced to take such a harsh decision," said Dr. Khana!. He did not mention who forced the organizers 10 take such a suicidal step. As tourism has a major contribu­ tion in the national economy, any negative effect in this sector would hann the country's long-Icnn interest. If Nepalese political panies are really sincere to the cause of the nation, they would have LO start thinking construc­ Tourists travelling by rickshaw: Hit by st rikes tively. •

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 200 1 13 ECONOMY

The performance orthe government NINTH PLAN on the revenue mobilization front, too, is not sa tisfactory. Revenue mobilization over the last three years has almost re­ Poor Performance mained stagnant at I 1.0 percent per an­ num over the last three years as against A recent study says the targets of the periodic plan are the revenue mobilization of 10.8 percent at the end of the Eighth Plan. Foreign aid unlikely to be met mobilization in the first three years, lOO, is not satisfactory with the aid !low re­ By BHAGIRATH YOGI had had adverse impact upon the perfor­ maining at only 42.6 percent of the tar­ mance of the government. Even today, geted amount. the situation is no better. The report has also made some rec­ iven the performance of the Despite the governmentfs commit­ ommendations to improve the perfor­ G economy over the last three years, ment to cut down unnecessary expendi­ mance of the government during the rest the targets set by the Ninth Five Year ture, downsize the bureaucracy and of the plan penod. Referring to the ".. . Plan (1997-2002) are unlikely to be ful­ privatize state-owned enterprises. noth­ ommcndation of the Administrative ~ filled, says a latest report. According to ing spectacular has happened during the forms Commission in 1991 [0 reduce the the mid-term review of the Ninth Plan 6 first three years of the plan period. The number of posts in the civil service [Q that is yet to be made public - con­ government had set a plan of privatizing 70,000 from over 90,000 now. the repon ducted by the Nepal Rastra Bank, the 30 SOEs during this period but so far says the government should scrap unnec- growth target set by the plan document is only one company, least likely to be achieved. Nepal Tea Development As against the target of attaining 6 CorporatIOn (NTDC) percent growth rate per annum during has been privatized and Lhe plan period, during the first three the privatization of the years (1997-2000) the average growth Butwal Power Com­ rate achieved has been only 4.6 percent. pany is under way. h is mainly bCL:ausc of the poor perfor­ Over the last three mance of the agriculture sector (2.9 per­ years, the government cent of growth rate as against the target expenditure has grown of 4.0 percent). (See Box) by annual rate of 12.4 "Even if the GDP growth rate main­ percent on an average. tains the current pace of 6 percent per Increasing debt liabili­ annum for the next two years the average ties of the government growth during the plan period will be and spiraling expenses not more than 5 percent - less than 1 under internal security percentage point than the target," says headings are mainly re­ the report. sponsible for continuous The targets related to consumption. rise in the government Investment and savings arc no better. As expenditure. Similarly, againsllhc target of attaining agrowth of as against the target of 6.1 percent in investment, the average spending Rs 189.58 bil­ growth of investment in the first three lion in development years has been only 3.4 percent. This is works. the government because of the ensuing politIcal instabil­ has been able to spend Hy and slowdown in thecconomic activi­ only nearly 42.9 percent ties. says the report. of the target (Rs 81.29 The Ninth Plan was formulated dur­ billion) in the first ing the coalition era (1994-99). Though three years. If Lhe trend the second year of th<+plan saw the for­ continues. the govern­ mation of a majority Nepali Congress ment will not be able to government after general elections in spend more than three­ 1999. the growing indiscipline and in­ fourth of the targeted "---'-__ fighting in the ruling Nepali Congress amount. Export items: Initial pick-up impressive

t4 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001 ECONOMY

e~sary grades in the lower rung of the civil service by formulat­ ing an organilalion structure. During this period. the gov­ ernment has reduced the number of minislric~ to 21 from 26. The report recommends that there !->till is the need for reducing un­ nCl:I.!~sary government offices and making local level bodies more cffccli vc as per the spirit of dCl:Clllral i zalion. Saying that development projects are still selected under political pressure - nearly 700 *j(:CIS are still in the implc­ .ntation phase. the report has recommended improvement in the selection process of the projects and hack them with ad­ equate budget.

In order to mobilize more revenue. the government should L~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:=:~======::::::= check leakage at the customs point, ell­ Interestingly. the report prepared by poverty from 42 percent at the end of force the billing systcm strongly to the central bank remams silent about the the Eighth Plan to 32 percent during the implement the Value Added Tax effec­ progress toward meeting the overriding plan period. "There is a need of a sepa­ tively and implcment the provision of objective of the Ninth Plan - to reduce rate survey 10 see if the incidence of hanking transactions for trade transac­ ,------,poverty has come down." the re- tions with Tibet Autonomous Region of Target and Achievement port said. China. the report said. It has. however, of the GDP An independent report not mentioned anything about the impact commissioned by the NPC has of the govcrnmentfs move LO mobilize claimed that the in cidenceofpov­ army at the customs point to check Sector target* achievemcnt** erty has declined marginally to ilkgal tradc. Agriculture 4.0 2.9 around 39 percent during the first Regarding privatization, the report three years of the plan period. Non-agriculture 7.3 6.0 d ys that there is an urgent need to rc­ mainly due 10 (he intlux of remit­ move the environment of uncertainty re­ i) Industry 9.1 7.1 tance to the tune of up to Rs 77 lated to the state-owned enterprises. If ii) Electricity 10.4 6.1 billion per annum. The repon is these enterprises were run in a profes­ iii) Construction 5.9 4.4 yet to be endorsed by the offi­ sional way by doing away with political cials. iv) Trade 7.4 5.2 interference, there would be improve­ Since its journey on the path mcnt in their performancc, the report v) Transport 8.7 7.2 of planned development in 1956, says. vi) Finance 5.8 5.4 Nepal has made considerable Of course. there are some positive vii) Social Sector 7.0 7.3 progress in the areas related to aspects of the economy. The foreign ex­ infrastructure development and Total GDP 6.0 4.6 change reserves with the banking system social sector. in the country reached equivalent to Rs (at factor cost) But as nearly half of the popu­ Ill5.51 hillion by mid-December 2000 lation is destined to live below the which is adequate to finance imports for Note: " stands for annual growth rate targeted by poverty line even at the turn of the a period of II months. Similarly, there the Ninth Plan. century, whether the change in have been sign ificant prpgress in the figures at the cnd of the periodic cxports front. Thc total exports from ** stands for average growth rate during the first pl ans will make any positive im­ Nepal rose to US$ 751 million in 1999- three years of the Ninth Plan. pact upon the lives of hundreds of 2000. up from US$ 399 million at theend thousands of poor Nepalese re- of the Eighth Plan. ,-CS_o_u_r_ce_:_C_e_n_t_ra_I_B_u_r_e_a_u_o_f_S_ta_t_is_t_ic_s_) ___----' mains to be seen. •

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001 15 COVER STORY NEPALESE YOUTH Emerging New Radicals Its traditional image of peace and tolerance fadjng away, Nepal risks becoming a playground for a violent breed of youth. At a time when a large number of young Nepalis are veering towards radical ideologies, the behavior of the emerging society is becoming less predictable. The incidents of the last few months point to the danger that Nepalese youth, who are being groomed under tlt." influence of increasing aggressiveness and anarchy, may become the source of great instability

By KESHAB POUDEL capital, a group a/yollngsTers attacked yo uth shows that they have developed a another youth with a shalp Khttkri aneJ habit of living in situations of violence he District Education Officers sticks. and intimidation. Students of govern­ of Bhaktapur alld Lalitpur ex­ - Two weeks ago. allother group of ment colleges aged between 16-21, who perienced the horror of their students tried to burn Rupy Sillgh, pr;n· come from rural areas for higher educa­ life whell a group of youths cipal of Rupy's Illtematiollal School, as tion in the capital, have deviated from kicked them out oftheir offices she was working ill her office. A restau­ their traditional values. Talld set jire to their chairs. These at­ ralll at Jeetpur Phed; was ransacked and As children of illiterate parents, tQcks were part of a campaign of tile burned. youth 'who come (0 urban areas for edu­ studelll wing of tile main opposition - These are only a few examples of cation do not hesitate to join any kind of CPN-UML to show how violellt they the destruction unleashed by the youth in movement, whether it is justifiable or could become in tile course' of their reeell1 times. A large number of other not. agitation against the countl)" s educa­ cases of ex/onion, coercion alld vialem 'Although acti .. ities like smashing tioll policy. activities go "ulllloticed. windows, burn ing cars, obstructing com­ -Ill Battllole area ill the heart of the The current behavior of Nepalese mon citizens from moving freely are

16 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 COVER STORY

It seems almost normal these days to listen to experiences of terror and vio­ lence from different sections of socicty, including ministers. bureaucrats. business­ men, teachers and common citizens. Such activilies are made to appear justified as long as they occur under the cover of political ideology. The real threat isemerg­ ing of violent gangs and local Mafia. though small in number. who also link their cause with some political groups. Why are the young pre-disposed to violence and anarchism in such a way? The yout h who are groomed in the current atmosphere, can save themsel ves or push themselves over thc brink by being im­ mersed in a cu lture that glorifies violence and revenge. 1l1ere is not a single reason behind this growing militancy, as Nepalese society has inherited some of these trailS Youths obstructing street: Culture of violence through the process of modernization and westernization. against the rule of law, political leaders, greater threat to peace and stability in the Nepal's traditional values are based who are the role models of many of these long run. Political forces often use this on an abidin g sense of respect, integrity students,justify such acts as a necessary group of youth to terrorize the common and honor. But now political panies. par­ means to achieve ends. people. ticularly communists, are instilling among "It is right 10 call a general strike Political leaders, business groups and the young the radical thoughts of Stalin, when the government turns a deaf ear to other internal and external forces influ­ Mao and Lenin. What can one expect the demand ofthecountry. Students have encing the political process exploit the from a youth that believes in the ideology always played major role in bringing potentials of these youth 10 create panic of Stalin who justified the physical elimi­ change in the country," said Shankar in society. Things remain under the con­ nation of enemies for political gain? PokhareL a CPN-UML leader who was a trol of the patrons as long as the group Religious leaders argue that the fad­ student leader until a few years ago. members follow their orders. If they turn ing of Hindu cullure is responsible for Apart from these mobs of students hostile, the situation risks spiralling out thi s behavioral change. " In the early days, Alliated with political parties that say of control. When the youth find an easy it was religious authority which molded Yey are struggling for a cause, there is a way of making money and gai ning social the behavior of the youth. In the modern violent streak in another group of youth: and economic stat us through violent society . it is the sense of rule of law, the urban youth, offspring of people in means, few can avoid the temptation. In which helps to shape the youth's out­ po~itions of power, including bureaucrats such a situation, the friendly youth of look. In the absence of rule Gf law and and politicians. Organized student groups, today's society may fall into the hands of religious authority. such deviation in which arc regarded as powerful them­ the enemy. youth is inevitable," said Radha Krishna selves, arc also used to destabilize the There has been no concerted effort to Adhikary, a professor at Balmiki Cam­ po litica l process through crimjnalization. study the criminal behavior of the youth, pus. "If the young mind remains vacant, As their parents are literate and enjoy juveniles and other groups in Nepal. lacking faith in religion and law, law­ sOl:ial sta tus, the urban youth always re­ Worse, no one considers such a study lessness wi ll ruin our society." ceive the backing of society_ necessary. "Theresolution adopted by the As all political parties recruit youth A third group of youths is turn in g recent government attorneys' conference from educational in st ituti ons, it may not increasingly aggressive. During general demanding the establishment of a crime be hard to explain the tide of youth vio­ strikes and protest demonstrations, they research center is a very timely step. Such lence. For political mileage, parties jus­ are used to destroy publ ic properly. This centers are entrusted with the task ofstudy­ tify mobilizing the power of the youth. group mostly comprises Slreet children ing criminal behavior of offenders, cause The new violent culture originated from who are totally deviated from the social of the crime, rehabilitation of the offend­ the decline in religious authority. When mainstream. As the number of such youth, ers, impact and effectiveness of the exist­ the youth are learning the values th at run who don't have social and economic sta­ ing criminal la~s," said Attorney-Gen­ . contrary to their traditional cuilUre. it is tus. rises in the city, there are fears of a eral Badri Bahadur Karki. natural to see anarchism. "Values play

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2601' 17 COVER STORY the most prominent role in the life of the prime minister. In such a situation. violent campaigns to overthrow the Pan­ every individual. ,They encompass the restoring law and order become an impos­ chayat system, is facing a difficult situa­ entireregionofhuman endeavor, whether sible task . tion in power. Once the youth develop the it concerns feeling or willing or doing. Violence in the youth leads to the tendency to break the law, it is difficult to Values are considered as potential deter­ breakdown of institutions. The pictures of wean them away from that path. "During miners of human bchavior," said Dr. Lords Krishna, Rama, ShivaandMahatma the agitation against the Panchayat sys­ Niranjan Prasad Upadhyay, a senior psy­ Gandhi that used to hang in Nepalese tem. Ule present ruling party called on its chologist. Nepal's culture is more toler­ homes now seem to be replaced by those young supporters to disobey authority . ant and egalitarian than the cultures of of Marx, Lenin and Mao, who taught They do not command the moral authority other parts of the world. However, the ways of paralyzing society. If the youth to persuade the youth La abandon vio­ penetration ofmodernizalion is pushing are groomed under such circumstances, lence," an analyst said. Nepal into inationalism and anarchism. one can expect society to plunge into The CPN-UML will face a similar Other anthropologists blame the lack greater violence and anarchy. situation if it wins power. The party lead­ of social control and proper soc ialization What kind of tolerance can you ex­ ers are tOday asking their youth to break responsible for the presenl situation. "Our pect from youth who were taught toelimi­ the law by organiling a three-day shut­ youth are confused about their role. They nate the enemy? The young are being down. They will lose the moral ground tll were taught to respect the elders at the raised on an ideology that seeks to elimi- ask other parties to abide by the law wl they go to power. The violent nature of the youth has already been renected in different parts of the country. Major towns in Nepal have witnessed massive violent street agitation in the last few months as burning govern­ ment vehicles and private property seem to bea normal and well-accepted practice. Under the banner of political parties. des­ perate and fru strated youth have been justifying their anger against the es tab­ lishment. "Nepal, once known as a country of friendly and tolerant people, is turning into a breeding ground for violent youth. Who will benelit from such behavior and how can the youth recover their faith in t~e social process? asked a social sci1l. liSt. ~ "[0 a country like ours. the youth should not be seen as a problem. They A street rally: Political pawns should be considered as a key resource for nation building," said Padma Lal home but they are taught LO disobey the nate the enemy physically, if possible, or Devkota. an anthropologist. The youth order in school and other institutions," assassinate the charac ter of those who have an important role to play." Although sa id one. don 't necessarily agree with you. Foryouth the nature ofviolcll ce is di ffcrent in vari­ "The youth will ruin society if they who are trained in such political thought, ous parts of the country , the youth are go scot-free for their crim inal offense. logic and rationalism do not have any actively taking part in violent act ivities Formal and legitimate state authority, meaning. with an aim to disobey the authority of which is supposed to control through the The youth are being taught the neces­ the state. In the absence of certain well­ administration of cri minal justice, is found sity of violence as just other means to accepted values, Nepalese youth arc to be totally inadeq uate and inefficient," justi fy the ends. Whatever the aims of the forced to follow th e wrong path. said Attorney-General Karki. demonstration may be , destruction of pub­ Security Firms The ad vent of the cu Iture of the jungle lic properly cannot be considered good There is plenty of evidence to show should not come as a sutprise at a time for society. [f one teaches the lesson of that the youth from va ri ous parts of the when political parties act irresponsibly by hating authority, how ca n one expect oth­ country are being groomed under the encouraging a hate campaign against ev­ ers to abandon that path? psyche of violence. In urban areas like ery authority and institution, including The Nepali Congress, which launched Kalhmandu, stude nt migrants from the

18 SPOTLIGHT/MA Y 25, 2001 COVER STORY rural areas have always seen violent poli­ tics as a mean to make an instant fortune. The youth know that most politicians, who are t~ejr role models, were one-time street agitators. More than ninety-percent of Nepalese communistleadees, including CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, were formerly student leaders. In the Nepali Congress. Sher Bahadur Deuba. Ram Chandra Poudel and dozens of min­ isters were one-lime student leaders who blocked roads and defied state authority. The chances of rising up the leader­ ship ladder is higher through violence ans than by working hard. At the same e, the Maoist insurgents are teaching a gun culture to the youth. "Nobody repons against the Maoists. They'reafraid they' ll be killed. Every one is scared;' said an analyst. A bus-load of activists: Misuse of youthful energy? Security Business The booming business security firrns and employees. Even multinational Finns The fear is growi ng that Nepal has are enjoying provides a firm evidence of like Group 4 are providing security in become an ideal stalking ground for an the radicalization of society. These days many offices. Until ten years ago. no one emerging generation of radical youth. almost all private companies employ sc- required private security. Hotels. indus- Politically radicals may be tamed, but curily guards that take care of the office tfies and business houses were regarded who will tame other violent groups? ...,,=-.... ,.",..,...... , as safe. There is a growing Still Safe awareness of security risks Compared with other cities of South and an increased perception Asia, Nepal is still a safe place 10 live in. of threat In these circum­ During the Panchayat system, the youth stances, private security were groomed in a disciplined manner finns continue proliferate. where few ideas of radicalism found place. After the beginning of Although the Congress and Communists the Maoist insurgency and outfits had their students and teachers th e emergence of threats wings. they did not have strong innuence from other groups. many over the large number of young genera­ busIness groups have started tion. The referendum of 1979 and the n,,,,,,}! to hire their own security entry of communi sts and Cor.grcss stu­ guards. "If we do not hire dent wings in the university changed that security guards. there is a situation. possibilityofallack fromdif­ Following the restoration of democ­ ferenl groups," said a busi­ racy in 1990, the university has turned nessmen. "We don't know into a recruiting place for youth. Political when a group of youth will panies find youth no cheap and reliable enter our compound and volunteers to carry out various activities. demand ransom." Now, political parties are even eyeing In a sense. such fears school children as potential recruit~. defy reality: Nepal Polices The Shopkeepers in downtown overall crime rate has actu­ Kathmandu and transport owners did not ally dropped. Since the be­ have to worry about any kind of disrup­ ginning of the Maoist move­ tion. Events like bandh and general strike ment, the overall crime rate were virtually non-existent under the Pan­ has fallen. However, such chayat system. In those days. everyone Street agitation: For whose benefit? ______stati sticsgivescant comfoI1. could sleep without rear, leaving their

SPOTLIGHT/MA Y 25, 2001 19 COVER STORY

balcony doors open lO cool breezes. "Nepal is not going to be the same again. We will have to face more difficult times in coming days," said an analyst. The youth are ready to storm the gates of Singha Ourbar. as they do not see anything wrong in burning private buses and property to press their de­ mands. For most of the last decade. poli­ tics has dominated education and all other sectors. With fascism, communism and other such ideologies fading away from the world. Nepalese youth are facing their full impact. The behavior of youth Science has a new understanding of the roots of violence that promises to explain why not every child with access to radical friends does turn SQ. In other children, constant exposure to pain and violence can make their brain's system of stress hormones unresponsive, like a key pad that has been pushed lOO often logue between your brain and your expe­ Youth have to assume a cohesive just stops working. These are the kids rience. There is some out~and-out brain form with coherent policy and direction. with antisocial personalities. They typi­ pathologies that lead to violence. The Students see themselves as foot soldiers cally have low heart TaleS and impaired good news that understanding th e roots of of democracy, yet many activists show emotional sensitivity. In the Nepalese violence offers clues on how to prevent it. little taste for the conflicL and compro­ context, every party that is not in power The youth culture of Nepal. in com­ mises inherent in a democratic system. feels a sense of injustice on themselves. parison with that of other parts of the Traditional values are decaying in The different responses of parents pro­ world, predominantly associates itselfwith Nepal as parental controls and social val­ duce different brains and thus different value-orientation, but it is gradually los­ ues are disappearing. For the short term. behavior. Behavior is the result of dia- ing ground. various political parties anciinterestgroups may benefit by injecting radical orienta­ tion in the youth to destabilize the politi­ cal process. However, in the long run, there seem!l 10 be a total breakdown of social control. threatening the stabilityofsociety.ln these circumstances, everyone has to pay heavy price once others misuse the youth groups. TIte worst side of the story is lhat political parties and leaders are exploiting their youlh supporters for temporary gains. Those political leaders and parties supposed to control and regulate the youth are using them in a totally destructive manner. There is no mechanism to control the youth. The political parties are trying to consolidate their own positions by tak­ ing advantage of the re~lJessness of lhe radical youth. Under a political cover. vandalism, extortion. coercion and vio~ lence are justified. How long can political leaders go on mobilizing the youth power Police arresting agitators: Who is to blame? for their own selfish purposes? •

20 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25.2001 COVER STORY

'Politicians Must Have The Vision ~ Change The Youth' - PADMA LAL DEYKOT

In

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 21 INTERVIEW 'I Have Been Trying To Make Our Foreign Policy More Dynamic' - CHAKRA PRASAD BASTOLA

Foreign Minister CHAKRA PRASAD BASTOLA. Chinese authorities thanked us for our stand and who also holds fhe agriculture and" cooperatives commitment on both issues. portfolio. is one of the promillellt )'Ollllg leaders of At a lime when India and China are compet­ the ruling Nepoli Congress. Since his appoilltmem ing to establish their influence in Asia, what do as ajoreiglllllillister a year ago, Bastola has visited you think India's response to Zhu's visit to Nepal more thall halfa dozen cOllntries, illt:iIUlillg Nepal's would be? two lIeighbors, IlIdia and China. Aformerombassa­ I have been following Chinese Premier ZhtlS dor to Illdia, Bastola spoke to KESHAB POUDEL statements during his visit to the region. If [rem all Nepal's foreign policy and other issues. £,"cepts: ber correctly. Premier Zhu's remarks in Pakistan also gave some indication about their position. He A Chinese premier recently paid an official said Chinese relations with Pakistan are independent visit to Nepal after 12 years. How do you assess of Chinese relations with India. In our case also, our the outcome of the Zhu Rongji visit? relations with India did not figure in our talks with It was unique in the sense that we had been the Chinese. working on development issues for quite some time Did Chinese side have any specific agenda? and about other malters relating to trade. We have Of course, we held talks on specific and general received assurances that they will be looked into. To issues. In general , we talked about regional and sum up, the visit was productive and useful. international issues. We also discussed issues of What were the issues Nepal and China dis· specific interesl. We talked about l11oredevelopment cussed during the visit? cooperation and bridging the trade gap. Wc talked When we talk about issues, we tend to speak as about these issues very specifically. if there are problems. The special ity ofSin a-Nepalese How do you see the agreement between two relations is that we do not have problems as such. So countries on building the Rasuwa-Syaphrubeshi whatever we talked about basically had to do with road? development cooperation and find ways and means The Chinese held the view that there is no stable to balance the deficit trade between the two coun­ road between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Even their ~''l tries. We did talk about the potentials in the field of ofthc road from Lhasa to Khasa is not stable. So lOurism. waysofexpediting cooperation and making felt that there is a need for a stable road between it more rewarding for both countries. We also dis­ Lhasa and the Nepalese border and up to Kathmandu. cussed regional and international issues of mutual So I think from their poil1l of view, this may be a concern. stable road connecting Kathmandu and Lhasa. Did the Chinese premier also raise the issue What was the response of the Chinese to the of anti-Tibet activities in Nepal and Beijing's Baglung-Jomsom-Mustang road proposal? security concerns? We proposed that they undertake to build tlle No, such issues were not taken up in our bilat­ road under a grant. We were assured that they would eral talks. We have reaffirmed time and again that we look into our request after they completed the will not allow Nepalese soil to be used against any Rasuwagadhi road. /. /The speciality friendly country. We are committed to that principle. Nepal and China have had a frequent ex­ Before Zhu's arrival, you had told the media change of visits in the last year. Why isn't this the of Si no­ that the Chinese authorities might raise security case with India? Nepalese issues? Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala visited They did not bring up security issues, but as I India last year, which was very significant. Before relations is had mentioned earlier, they have always raised the that, I also paid a visit to India. Other ministers have that we do not issue of Taiwan and Tibet. We have always commu­ also visited India. We can say that Indian have have problems nicated our point of view to them. We support the become more preoccupied with the region. one-Cbina policy. Nepal sees Tibet as an integral In recent years, some strain seems to have set as such.'"' part of China and Taiwan as a part of China. The on relations between India and Nepal. Is the

22 SPOTLlGHTIMAY 25, 2001 INTERVIEW slackening of visits a reflection of this? As India is a big country, you have to under­ stand its interest in regional matters. But, as I had also mentioned during my visit, long intervals in hi gh­ level interaction are not a very heahhy sign. We should make sure Ihis should nOI happen. Even Ihe Chinese premier's visit lOok place after 14 years. The Indian prime minister visit ed Nepal not so long ago. It seems the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has become active since the NepaJi Congress formed a majority government two years ago. After your appointment, you have paid more than haJf a dozen visits. including two trips each to China and India. How do you look at it? What 1 have tried to do is to make internmional more dynamic. When you react and re­ spond to a situation, you get a counter response. And anomalies Ihe APP has. then things start. If you do not have enough time to What are the anomalies in the APP? gi ve to an issue and do not get a response and do not Firsl of all, il is a fertilizer-based strategy. Now interact. the results will not come. What has hap­ fertilizer has become a problem in tenns of import pened in the last onc year after 1 went toShital Niwas and transport. The other thing is irrigalion, as lhe (Foreign Ministry) is Lhat we have been trying to APP identified shallow lubewell as a ground waler become proactive in responding to issue s. counuies irrigation system. Agriculture cannot achieve de­ and visit s. sired results by introducing shallow lubewell. It is Do you see the possibility of holding the long­ lechnically nOI feasible 10 irrigale Ihe land targeted delayed SAARC summit in the near future? by Ihe APP. These are among Ihelhings Ihat have 10 We are doing our besl 10 see Ihe SAARC be reviewed. process take place. ultimately leading 10 the summit. How do you see the response of donor coun~ We have been involved in quiet diplomacy to con­ tries? vene the SAARC summit. Donors are quite posilively towards the pro~ As foreign minister, you have made many posal. The review will bring some results and we are visits. What has Nepal gained from such visits? trying to gear up the changes. TIle structural review I visiled Finland and Denmark and Belgium. In has been done and functional review remains. 1mark, [ announced our desire to open an em­ Cooperatives also fall under your ministry. • sy. [also met Ihe Swedish foreign minisler who At a time when a large number of cooperatives was busy with the European Union. are reported to be misusing public money, what How do you see the functioning of the foreign plan do you have to regulate them? ministry? The ministry is aware about the situation. We We want to be proactive and dynamic because will lake necessary sleps 10 regulale Ihem. As you in temlsofthc Shutanese issue and other matters, the know, cooperalives are rooled in a philosophy of lasl one year has been very heclic. We do nOI have economic justice to support the rural population. It is very big slaff. All these activities have geared up its aunil formed by like-minded people. Frankly speak­ activities. I might even say that the staff is over­ ing. we have not been able to follow this concept. loaded wilh work. Your party secured a majority in the parlia­ What is going on with the verification pro~ ment with the pledge that it would providestabil­ cess of Bhutanese refugees? ity. However, internal squabbling is on the ascen­ " We are doing llley are making progress but the process is dant once again, breeding renewed instability. our best to see very slow. The process of verification is a learning How do you look at this situation? process. We need not be agitated so soon. We have It is very unfortunate that we have a lot of the SAARC to fl11d ways and means to e~pedile matters. inlernal squabbling. It hampers the developmenl process take You have the additional portfolio of agricul­ agenda and other issues of national concern. We ture and cooperatives. What is your stand on have to overcome it. We have to realize what our place, ulti­ Agriculture Perspective Plan? responsibililY is. We have 10 prove Ihal our parlY is mately leading We are working on it I want to correct the differenf. • to the summit~'

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001 23 NATIONAL

KOREAN DANCE Rhythm Of Ties A leading Korean group performs tradi­ tional dances in Kathmandu

By SANJAYA DHAKAl the Nepalese Minis­ try of Foreign Affairs, Chameliya Hydro- L-_____:...... _-'" ______...... _ ...... '--'o.J part fromgrowing economic rela­ A ti ons, Nepal and the Republic of electricProjcct,study Korean dance: Rich culture Korea are now going to have closer cultural of Kanti Rajpath and ______-,-- ______ties as well. so on. The KOICA has also been helping mainly because in the latter years, SouW Coinciding with the Visit Korea Year Nepal by sending trainers, experts. doc- Korean car companies like Hyundai 2001 , the Embassy of the Republic of Ko­ tors, taekwondo instructors and volunteers. Daewoo opened up their assembly plants rea organized the 200 I Korean Traditional The Republic of Korea is also an im- in India and began marketing their prod- Dance Group Perfonnance at the Birendra portanttradingpartnerofNepal.Electronic ucts to Nepal through those plants itself. International Convention Cenlcr on May items, vehicles, chemicals are the major Last year alone the volume of me imports 22. A team of artistes from the Seoul Met­ goods imported from the Republic of Ko- of cars from these companies was around ropolitan Dance Theater (SMDT) staged rea whereas goods exported there include $20 million. the perfonnancc of traditional Korean carpet. pashmina and agriculture products. Recently, Golehha Organization. a dance. wn,e cuhural exchanges will boost But tbe balance of trade is heavily in favor leading business house of Nepal. in col­ our relations at the people's level," said of the Republic of Korea. laboration with the Daewoo company has Kim Jin-Sik, Counsell or and Consul at the Nepal imported guods worth US$26 opened an assembly plant in Nepal for Embassy. million from the Republic of Korea in manufacturing t~lcvi s ion. "In future, car The dance program covered a variety 1999. which came down to $20 million in assembly plants could also be opened in of performances including Taepyong Mu, 2000. The decline in this trade volume was Nepal." said Kim. • Drum Dance, Ganggangsuwollae, Salpuri. Cheon-do, Fan Dance, Chum Ban. Mask Dance and Janggo Drum Dance. Each of the dances involving different kinds of Hama Bags ISO Award movements were testimony to the rich cul­ lUre and tradition of Korea. Ham. Iron and Steel Industries Pvt Ltd. a leading producer of tron rods. has rece The SMDT is a leading force in Ko­ been awarded the international ISO 9001-2000 for manufacturing high-class rods. rcan traditional dance. The thealer travels Established in 1990, the plant is spread over a 2,OOO-square-mctcr area In Simara, in around the world introducing the rich cul­ Bara distnct. The industry started production 111 1993 and has already attracted tural heritage of Korea through a diverse investmcnt worth Rs 200 million. Though it took off with an annual production capacity repertoire. The vibrant dance perfornlances of 8.000 mctric tons of rods, the modernization and expansion erforts introduced from enable the audience to appreciate the beauty time to time have raised the capacity to 30,000 metric tons annually. "Despite the of the Korean dance and get a taste of the existing recession in the c:ou~try, the industry has been successful to carve a separate rich Korean tradition. As the country is nil;he for itself in the market because of its unending commilmcnllOwards consumer achieving great success in economic de­ satisfaction," reads a press release issued by the industry. The industry claims that velopment, Koreans are deeply attached to although several iron industries have shut down because of adverse conditions. Hama their traditions and culture. has been able to occupy 15 percent of the market share 111 the country. ··Our products Nepal and the Republic of Korea es­ are used in many major projects like Manipal MedIcal College. Taragaon Regency tablished diplomatic relations in 1974. Ever Hotcl, Bagmall Irrigation Project and ModI Khola Hydro Power Project, among since, the range and volume of bilateral ties others." The industry says it is also eyeing the burgeoning market for iron rods in the has been expanding. The Korean Interna­ Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The industry is also planning to manufacture tional Cooperation Age~cy (KOICA), the blades, angle, channel, binding, wire. nails apan from rods. It currently employs 250 Korean government's body, is involved in workers. Lack of proper government poliCies, high interest rates of banks, lack of various development projects in NepaJ. physical infrastructures, unhealthy competition, bureaucratIc hassles.political instabil­ Some of the majo, KOICA activities ity. breakdown of Jaw and order and obstruction in electricity supply are some oflhe include its belp in the computerization of ·major problems faced by the industry. - •

24 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 ART

PHOTO EXHIBITION CHILDREN Street Life Help The Needy The photographs of Wayne Amtizis vividly depict life A GemlanNGO joins hands with on the streets of Kathmandu a Nepalese counterpart to sup­ port underprivileged children BY AKSHAY SHARMA Amlizis captures various movement of time. The quality of her photos are excel­ Sane Nagarkoti. 10. a resident of ~e streets of Kathmandu are full of lent as is her imagination of the ci ty. In Haichowk. jllst behind .. romance and misery life. but only her photographs. Amtizis has made ev­ Swayambhunath temple. stopped go­ people have been able IQ capture ery effort to highlight the events in front ing to school a few months ago be­ images and present them to the of her in their full starkness. cause his parents couldn't afford lO people. Her passion and courage to go to buy clothes and stationery. The son of In her series, ·'From the street of differcnt pans of the city is commend­ a stone quarry worker is now back in Kathmandu", Amtiziscloses in on vari- able. She is ab le to bring the total pic­ class because his needs have been taken ture of the life of the streets of care of. Kathmandu. Some 200 children have a story From the old generation to new similar 10 that of Nagarkoti. Although and from the urban elite to the poor, every passer-by could sce the plight of she tries to catch their movements in the Nagarkoti family. no One seemed her camera. to be really aware aboul the extent of Although many photo exhibi­ [heir situation. tions have been held on the theme of With the init13tive of Partnership life in Kathmandu.this is first time a Society-Nepal (PS-Nepal) , a local non­ foreign photographer has captured governmental organization. steps have all glimpses of the busy streets of the been taken to support these children. city. The group has received support from One of the interesting parts of social workers from Germany and the the photographs of Amtzis is the Netherlands. composition of her photographs. Pho­ [n association with social workers IOgrapher Amtizis catches glimpses from those two countries. PS-Nepal of all the elements surrounding a par­ has distributed ciothes and stationery licular scene. to the children of workers. Her photographs are evidence of The German and Dutch social the transformation of Nepalese so~i­ workers were here as part of the 125th ety. The photographs captured social anniversary of Henkel KgaA, a Ger­ and cu ltural aspects of the street of many-based chemical company. Kathmandu. On behalf of the social workers, ------"One of the aims of the exhibi- Susanne Lucker from Germany and ous forms of life she saw in the st reets tion is 10 show the day-to-day account lnes Van Rosentiel from the Nether­ of Kathmandu. Some of her photo­ of the street of the Kathmandu," said lands distributed clothes. pens and graphs tell the story of the misery of Amtzis, replying the queries of the re­ notebooks to families who were un­ the city's people in fascinating detail. porters. able to send their children to schools. In her photographs, one can see Amtzis' photographs also showed The duo also contributed 400 ki­ various forms of life, including the as­ the power of photography to collect lograms of clothes to sick children at semblage of the poor in th~ richest city the account of particular time and Kant; Children's Hospital and equip­ of the country. situation. It depicts how Nepalese ment to the hospital management. "We From the old and young to arts and society is tranSforming itself into are helping children in 52 countries crafts to exquisitely carved temples, modernity. • around the world," Lucker said. •

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001 25 REVIEW

decade, the country has seen majority, CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT minority and coalition governments. Whatever the ideological postures they hold, the performance of all of these par­ Continuity with Change ties has been similar. The current constitution, which is A fact-packed volume on the political and constitu­ described as the best Nepal has seen. has brought little meaningful change. The tional evolution of Nepal constitution of 1948, which contained limited rights, would probably be able to By KESHAB POUDEL metamorphosis of Nepalese politics. bring about better resuhs provided it was Following the advent of first consti ­ implemented in letter and sp irit. very coulllry has its own painful tution in 1948. Nepal went on to sce three DJhal also tries to analyze variolls E journey on the road to political and more constitutions before the COllstitu- factors inllucncing Nepal's pol iti cal sys­ constitutional development. It is lem. In his effort to hi ghlight the o nl y through an evolutionary pro- Constitutional and Political history of political deveJopm ' t:ess that countries can expect to Dahal goes through different attain success. The hi story of po­ Developments In Nepal phases of modernization of po­ litical and constitutional develop- Written by Ram Kumar Dahal litical systems in Nepal. He has ment in Nepal has seen several highs covered all important events that and lows. Price: Rs. 595.00 have inlluenced political and One of the important aspects or constitutional development. our fi ve-decade experiment in con­ Pages: 542 To researchers and stu­ stitutional governance is that the Published by Ratna Pustak Bhandar, dents of political science, the country has developed some in stitu­ book provides a wealth of ma­ ti ons and infrastructure to sustain Bhotahity, Kathmandu terial , in c luding copies of all the pol itical process. Nepal's demo­ the constitutions promulgated crati c growth has been regularly facing li on of Kingdom of Nepal was promul­ so far. Through his painstaking and schol- disturbances in the name of political agi­ gated in 1990. As several political par­ arly work, Dahal has brought a new di­ tation. As a result. thc process of political ties have already demanded amendments mension in the study o f Nepal's constitu­ institutionalization has had to face set- to the constitution, no one is cenain how tional development. • backs. long this one will last. Had Nepal been able to travel 0 11 a In the process of study- MANAKAMANA CABLE CAR le ss turbulent road, the situation would ing constitutional develop­ have been much different. Nepal has had ment in Nepal, the constitu­ fo ur different political systems with five tion of 1962 has its own rel­ constitutions and a notable feature of this evancc. It was amended three experience has been continuity with times before the king change. scrapped it in I 990. Although It was during the tenure of the sec­ it enshrined a partyless pol- Since the 17 th Century" ond last Rana prime minister Padma ity, the 1962 constitution did ManakaJTlsna teJ:nple has S um shere that Nepal's first constitution provide relative stability to been Mdely venerated becaue of the belief that was drawn up. Although that document the pol itical process. MsnskaJDana Devi Fulfills did not have many things to boast of, it While many books have all vvishes. began the process of constitutional evo­ been written on various as- Today, instead of the 4 to 5 hour arduous trek. lution. pects of the development of Manakarnan8 is no'W rn this volume, Ram Kumar Dahal, a Nepal's political process, accessible injust 10 prominent scholar of political science, few researchers have at· lDinutes by has allempted to explain the vicissitudes tempted to analyze the vari- Msnaks rn8nS Cable Car. Nepal's political process has endured. He ous factors destabilizing the reflects on the impact anti implications o f process. Nepal's political Every ~assenger Insured Upto the interruptions in constitutional growth. spectrum contains a broad ~;§'i;-!S§-;'~~_~-~c>~~:c>~. ~C>~.C>o~i.~,~~ Dahal has published several books on the range from radicals and r country's political growth and his latest moderates on the left tocen- M.tlIfill

26 SPOTLIGHT/MA Y 25, 200 I THE BOTTOM LINE

By M.S.KHOKNA

Don't stick on three days Bandh. L.J(? tJill die

•

... Le) lJho cares? you 'may die ~ Let the Country to the dOBs . tJe tJant power.

TRANSITION LDCs held in Brussels, Bel­ litterateur and ani~t, with this Radha Prasad Joshi and gium. year's Uuam-Shanti Jaya Prakash Rijal, two Puraskar. journalists, with the Cine RETURNED: Dr. Ram AWARDED: Durga Lal Journalism Award 2058, by Sharan Mahat, Finance Shrestha, renowned poet of Ghanashyam Kandel, a theCine Journal i sts Associa­ Mini ster, aftenaking part in Nepali as well as Newari , poet, with Deep Smriti tion . the 34th annual meeting of with the Abhiyan Puraskar Award , and Parshu th e Asian Developmt!nt 2058, for hi s outstanding con­ Pradhan, an essayist, with Ram K.C., a journalist 0 Bank (ADB) held in Hono­ tribution to society. Deep Ratna Award, by the National News Agency, with lulu, United States, and the Deep Rana Smriti Commit­ thi s year's Media Point Jour­ Third UN Conference on Lain Singh Bangdel, senior tee. nali sm Award. •

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25 , 200 1 27 PROFILE

tastes right. " I am very proud to be here NELSONWANG to cook Chinese food," said Wang, who served dignitaries in India. Wang, whose family migrated to India four genera­ Man In The Kitchen tions ago, sees Chinese food as com­ pletely different from other cuisine. "Be­ Chinese chef Wang delights Chinese Premier Zhu fore preparing the food for the Chinese Rongji and his delegation with his wide-ranging fare delegation, I discussed with them about their preferences." Wang's China Garden Restaurant at By A CORRESPONDENT Thanks to the effort of the Soaltee Mumbai is one of the reputable ones in Hotel Crown Plaza, Wang. an Indian India. This is the reason why top Indian part from WaJlll hospitality. what citi zen of Chinese origin, ran the Chi- politicians and film actors are regular A did Chine;..\.! Premier visitors. "The demand for Zhu Rongji amI his uclega- ~~~~------Chinese food is high in lnllia lion experience in Nepal? amid the large numbe Only Nelson Wang. execu­ middle class Indians," he ti ve chairman of Chi nu Gar­ says. den. a restaurant in Mumbai. Unlike other countries India, can tell how the Chi­ in the region, Wang found nc:-.c guests enjoyed an ar­ all ingredients in the ray of Chinese and Italian Kathmandu. "From oil to all food. the other items, Tdon't have For Premier Zhu. the to go anywhere else:' chef offered 2RO types "I really feel privileged dishes. including Chinese to have been able to cook the and Italian fare. Even dur­ food for the Chinese premier ing the state banquet at in a beautiful country like Singh Durbar and the quiet Nepal," Wang says. "I have dinner at the Royal Palace, always considered Nepal as the food was prepared un­ Chef Wang : Delicious personality the Switzerland of Asia," says der the supervi sion of ------Wang, whois planningtoopen Wang. nese delegation's kitchen. Wang is a I a Chinese restaurant in Kathmandu. • Wang saw the Chinese premiertake prominent Chinese ve ry small portions of food. "Whi le he food supplier in Annual SUBSCRIPTION Rate was keeping his busy schedule, meeting Mumbai. "1 tried to offer with high-ranking officials. I was able [ndi~idu~1 Ins.i'u.ion lndhidual [""i.UI'"'' the best food pos­ Nel'~1 NRI R, W)(J.OO Nit, It, 2500.OV Nepll NRsR. 14()l'l (JO r>.R,lh l~(J(lIM' to prepare food for Premier Zhu and his India le R, 1.t()llOQ le R., 3100.00 InJld [CR,I

28 SPOTLIGHT/MA Y 25, 2001 PASTIME

Kathmandu Spring: The People's Movement of 1990 Now In Town BOOK Kiyoko Ogural200 I Rs. 325.00

The Anthropology of Buddhist and Hinduism Webexian Themes Leadersbip in Nepal D.N. GilIner/2001 Rs. 1112.00 L.R. BaraVK .HachhelhulHari Sharmal2001 Rs.480.00 Nepal in Political Crisis Atmabrittanta : Late Life Recollections R.K. Vaidyal2001 Rs. 651.00 B.P. Koiralal2001 Rs.400.00 Nepal in Crisis: Growth & Stagnation at the Periphery Anthropology and Sociology of Nepal P.M. Blaikie/J .Cameron/J .D. Seddon/2001 Rs.800.00 R.B. Chhelri/Om P. Gurungll999 Rs.500.00 NGO, Civil Society and Government in Nepal Constitutional and Political Development in Nepal K. B. Bhallachan & Olhers!2001 Rs.200.00 R.K. Dahall2001 Rs. 595.00 Nepalese Culture Society and Tourism Domestic Conflict and Crisis of Governability in Nepal Diwas Dhakall2000 Rs. 450.00 Kumar/2000 Rs. 525.00 Readings in Nepalese Public Administration M.K. ShreSlhal2001 Rs.200.00 The Institutionalization of Democratic Polity in Nepal Khadga K .C.l200 Rs . 150.00 A Step Towards Victim Justice System Nepalese Perspective S.K. Shresthal2001 Rs 475.00 Issues of Governance in Nepal A.P. ShresthalS.R. DahaV2001 Rs. 200.00 (Source.' Himalayarl Book Celller, Bagh Baz.ar, Ka/hnulIldu. Ph .' 242085)

Video (English)

Replican! Driven Mummy The Return One Night Mc.Cool's Secret Russian Mafia n & Country Me Myself & Irne "Do not yearn for Ra! Tom Cats physical j ay and, by so doing, dis- Pyar tune Kya Kiya Daman card the more per­ Vijhan manent joy of in­ Khatron Kc Khiladi Jodi No 1 ner calm and con- Rahul tentment. " Albela Censor - SATHYA SAl BABA (Source: SUIJer Swr Video, New Road)

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25, 2001 29 LEISURE

PEANUTS

QUICK , MARCIE, W~AT ' S THE ANSWER TO THE FIRST QUESTION?

MIXEDMEDlA

OLD "'HAVE THINKING

~t$ F'RC)GR.CtrM IS 100 VIOLENT: »,.", ... ILL ;JU~T TURN IT OFF...

ERNIE

30 SPOTLlG IIT/MA Y 25. 2001 LEISURE

CROSSWORD BRIDGE

."UHTJI _ K Q 5 '" • J!J 5 • K \11 ,&, (2 III \1 8 5 \\,1::-1 EAST . 1\\0983 • 7642 • lJ 4 3 • K 2 + 11 R 7 • 5 43 ~ K 4 ... A J 6 2 SOUTH

."10876• J .73+AQJ62 Vulncrdule: North-South i)(>aler. South

The bJddmg. South West 2.North ,.East ,.I. I.Pass •• All",,, Opening lead: S(}3de ace ACROSS DOWN

I. Finished a dish (5) 1. Controller in charge of the beat (9) "Resemblances are the shadows of 4. Riding terrain towards the interior 2. Put letters in right order for magic differences. Different people see (2-7) formula (5) different similarities and similar 9. Ruined ancient city in which Chopin 3. Trouble occurring in washing ma- differences." set composition (9) chine (9) - Vladimir Nabokov 10. Wooden actor-knight (5) 4. Release a French couple (7) 11. Sort of whisk]' made by a republic (5) 5. Sort of vase mummy died to have (7) A reader asks, "As opening leader. when 12. Trips and hits the Ooor noisily (3-6) 6. Extremist giving up painting left I win the first trick, how can I tell if partner is 13. Foreign tongue used in dog food, we university (5) signaling attitude or suit preference?' hear (7) The principle is simple. simpler perhaps 7. Virogous number to sign about king than applying il at Ihe table. Treat every I S. Petition la include painting succeeded (9) third· hand play as an attitude signal (encour­ (7) 8. Ages taken on Sky sport (5) aging ordiscouraging). unless il is obvious to 18. Attendants in train (7) 14. Helping porter within reason (9) both players that it cannot be an attitude Survive weird sister's entrance (7) 16. Unused pullover is in a statc (3,6) signal. Here's an example. West leads the spade ace, dummy and Draw with lead initially ii the sharp 17. Tube that goes below the surface (9) East play the five and deuce. and South plays end (5,4) 19. Send forth to meditate without a the jack. Does Easl's spade deuce request a 23. Arts patron gripped by opera tour-de­ break (7) switch. or is it a suit-preference signal? force (5) 20. Part of electrical system in a Roller? At the table, Wesllreated it as adiscour­ 25. Not picked to win, say, being slow? (7) aging signal and switched meekly to a dia­ mond. Seizing hi s opportunity, South won (5) 21. Dowdy woman following on behind dummy's king and discarded two clubs on 26. Sec how the land lies to shop-lift (4,5) (5) dummy'sspadcs. Helosta trump trick, but he 27. A claimant before the money is found 22. Its holder has to be a good sport (5) scored an overtrick instead of going one (9) 24. Confessed to audience, but not to down. West argued il was too dangerous to 28. Go up and down in the mountain air oneself (5) lead the club king at trick two. However, as (5) events proved. it was more dangerous nOl to switch to cl ubs. pnolY 'vl 'IIIJ.. 'ZZ How does West recognize East's spade dwn.ld·ll"'~~'"8·OlP'I1IW3·61I,~10uqoS·LI ,(aslafM'N'9I'I~UOI1U~'vl s~uoA'8 deuce as a suit-preference signal promising luc40ualJ.. 'L ~llln '9 OIdouc;) S 401 lQufl 'v uOllcI12y '£ uads ·z l,~ew,ocd ' 1 : UMOQ st rength in the lower-ranking side suit? With dummy holding the king and queen of spades, it should be obvious to both defenders that a l'poA '8l"'pua"ld 'LZ ~OOIS switch may be vital. Therefore. with a choice a~"J..'9l ldeufl·~l 0le13 '£l aU'lIUOld 'll4011M '8 'Ol anUlla~ '81 SseAU";)'>I 4S1pln)l of spades to play 3Y suit preference by the spade he plays at trick one. Hi s higheslspadeasks for diamonds. his lowest for clubs. and a middle spade indi­ NOUfl'10S cates no reference.

SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001 31 FORUM Press Freedom Undermined By Systematic Infringement By SHOBHAKAR BUDHATHOKI

Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 has enshrined the Centra] Council Member of the Federation of Nepalese: ~::~~~~~;I fundalllel"al rights of the citizen and accepted press freedom as a ba~ic (FNJ) KumarOjha was arrested in Panchthar. Kapil Rima!. a IT of democracy. The government has recognized the press as the fourth Nepal Press Union (NPU). Nuwako' and a reporter for RarlioSa:garma'hal of the S1a1e. Parliament has enacted the Press and Publication Act and lanabhabana Weekly in Nuwakot. and Rajendra Aryal of HaJKahaK'i enlconoed its regulations and introduced the Working Journalists Act. Radio magazine in Kathmandu were detained for a few hours while party of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and were on assignment. IlnleCn"';OC,,1 Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Theadministration has taken action againstjournalisls. The manal,e-I principle. the government is committed to the protection and mCI1l ofGorkhapatra Corporation suspended a ~ub-cditor ofstal'e-')Wrledl IprolTlo'ion of press freedom and freedom of expression. But journalists Gorkhapatra, Ram Prasad Acharya, forpublishinga statement workers arc also facing obstacles from the government, civil leader. The order was subsequently withdrawn. The Ministry of Inf'lfmta-I . administration. political panies. police and Maoist rebels. On the tion and Communication instructed private FM stations not to b,,>adc.,nl hand. some media professionals are violating their code of conduct news based on their own reporting and sources and required them to have mjsu~cd press freedom. a week in advance permission to broadcast current affairs programs. Investment in the print and electronic media is growing especially The government has attempted to amend laws to restrict 1~~I~'J:~,~O':f,~'h:e~jgr~rOwing involvement of the private sector. The number of freedom Regional Police Offices have restricted reDoftl'rs' Id newspapers is increasing. There were 1.536 newspapers infonnation. directing them to headquarters. The adlllirtistration a i weekly, half weekly. fortnightly and monthly last tioned the managing director of Space Time daily. Jamim ~~~~~~~~I . This year Nepal Samacharpatra started publishing its eastern "Hrithik Roshan episode" and the chief district officer in P Ire"ionaledition from Biratanagar and Kantipur is set to do soon. refused to register a newspaper. Public participation is increasing in the electronic media through Police blocked reporters from entering Maoist affected alSlne:ts,1 Immnlen, ial and community radio. The establishment of community although news coverage of the insurgency continues. NTV in panicular. has been instrumental in raising public awareness. titled "Dirty Kathmandu". The government banned are seven FM stations - Radio Sagarmatha. Kantipur. Classic, Hrithik Roshan after last December's riots. The government KATI-!. HSC, Hits and Metro - in Kathmandu that carrying entertain­ its permission to screen "Aago" (Fire), a movie that ,,:~~;~~rl~a~~;~~~;~1 and other programs. Several FM stations are already in operation year. Police confiscated copies of Deshanter weekJy in Yugabodh daily in Dang and Abichal weekly in Birgunj. 1~~:~:~;;~~~(~i~:~~~';~.~~~:~I~;as~K~O;:S~hii~( Biralanagar), Hetauda(Manakamana). II I (PaJpa)andMachhapuchhrc(Pokhara). Media workers are experiencing threats from pOlitical parties. civil Recently. another FM ' Swargadwari, received a license to operate society. administration. police and Maoist rebels. During the frol11 Dang. Several groups have applied for community radio licenses. review. 34 journalists were attacked. Among them. Mohan Bh,anelanl.l State-owned Nepal Television (NT V) plans to begin satellite broad­ council member of the FNJ and reporter of Deshantar weekly, from mid-June. The private-sector Space Time Network (STN) Pandey, Kantipur reporter based in Nepalgunj. were anacked by to transmit "Nepal Channel" via satell ite to 52 coumries from the Year (Baisakh I , 2058). However. the government is Thethe direction activities of of vice-chairman journalists and of human Matigada right~~~al~c~'i~Vi~S~ts:~~:~~~~~~,;~};~1 Ibl,)cking STN's plan citing administrative procedures. State-controlled tee in Saptari district. Severaljoumalists were attacked under is taking new steps to provide more effective service and political leaders. Ipl.amitoo!"ra,c I' M stations in different partsofthecountry. But NTV and Dhanna DahaJ of Kantipur Diary weekly was abducted. Nepal are also under heavy political influence. often broadcasting rebels attacked and injured Megh Raj Bhalta. chainnan of mobilize support for the government and the ruling party. Union. Pyuthan, and correspondent of National News Agency audience granted by the Crown Prince to top journalists. the Bhimnidhi Hamal, a reporter of Space Time daily. The rebels Janadesh editor Krishna Sen under a Supreme Court order after communication equipment provided by WorldView International in detcntion, moves to establish the Infonnation Technology Bhalehe VDC. the decision to encourage the private sector in televi~ion are Ni ne journalists received threats. Among them were D;lnerldral Ip'lS;'ive developments. Efforts lO build a Media Village. the establish- Chauhan, secretary of FNJ Birgunj and reporter of Billlarsha of a computerized newsroom in Radio Nepal. the setting of the (who was threatened by Minister of Science and Technology Sur'en,]ral IRe:l1l1m'''ation and Compensation Panel. the commitment against censor- Chaudhari). Gopal Thapaliya. chi ef editor. and Ganesh Basnet, ,."nned ofChhalphal weekly. Suresh Acharya, chiefeditorofTarun weeKlv anal 111ISI~,~~,~:~~ r; ~,:~:: ~~;'~~;:Raj Joshi and thei introduction of proportionaandte advertise- Commu- central president of FNJ, and Parasu Ghimire. publisher of were also laudable actions. weekly. the negative features of the year were the restrictions Legal redress is considered vital for the protection and prclml"i'ln ,)fl Security personnel on private-sector photo journalists press freedom and freedom of expression. But it is very difficult to i pictures during two programs inaugurmed by Hi s Majesty justice because of delays in the justice system. Some ncws cases were Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's complaint against the against media workers and newspapers and some pending cases, lel11eroerlce of' ", vc,)()rl"journalism (refening to private publication houses). related to defamation, were finalized. Among them. the case against " ,mlllanv. allegations of news published under the influence of Maoist verdict of Kathmandu District Court fi led by K.P. Gaulam and others new requirement to submit an application to get infonnation yet to be finalized. A case has been filed against "Birkhe" 'he fa;lun"o providecompcnsation for ajournalist injured by the chief published in Gorkhapatra daily on Ihechargedefamation of the court. official car were di scouraging aspects. case filed by Raghu Mainali against the government's di rective to Media workers found.. lhemselves working under several restric­ radio stations is seen as a major legal action of the year. Milan Nepali. former managing editor of Janadesh weekly, has been nTIISSI.n. for two years from police custocly. Amar Bahadur Budha, also (Budharhoki, general secretary of the Cellter for HI/lllall las,;ocia",d with Janadesh weekly. was arrested in Udayapur in April 1999 Democratic Slut/ies, was the coordinator ofthe .,SUlIllS ojP",ssF""d,oml alleged links wi th the Maoist movement and is in detention in Dang and Freedom of fu.pressioll in Nepal Anflutl! Report 200/" on which article is based)

32 SPOTLIGHT/MAY 25. 2001

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