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#144 9 - 15 May 2003 16 pages Rs 25

The Beetles King Gyanendra The 3rd Great Himalayan Volkswagen strikes back at Beetle Rally gets underway Saturday, 10 May and this year the theme is peace. Some 30 Beetles of all ages and from the political all walks of life will take part in the rally from BICC to Club Himalaya at parties with an Nagarkot. This year, the Bugs will be accompanied in solidarity by other non- Beetle VWs, vintage cars and EnfieldRoyal wrathunprecedented motorcycles resident in Kathmandu. Money raised will go to the Ganesh But King Gyanendra’smedia dramatic blitz. use of Foundation for cleft-lip operations, the Maya Foundation and Shanti Shanti the media card was welcomed by some Sangh. Even if you don’t have a VW, independent analysts. “It was about time. you can sponsor one. The rally will have The tirades against the monarchy by the prizes for fastest Beetle, slowest Beetle, politicians was getting unbearable,” said one best Beetle, prettiest Beetle, etc. prominent businessman who wanted to [email protected] remain anonymous. “The king has exposed the duplicity of the political parties.” The palace’s media broadsides are expected to harden the stance of the parties, and bring them on a confrontation coursewith the king. For their part, the politicians have been using the threat of street agitation to make King Gyanendra agree to their demand of either a restoration of the parliamentarydemocracy. He blamed political dissolved house or the formation of an all- parties for disregarding the national interest. party interim government. The king also defended his October Fourth They Nepali Times interviewed some of the move to sack Prime Minister Deuba, refuting SHIVA GAUNLE waited three ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ editors who met the king, and although the the parties’ claim that it was unconstitutional. days after fter months of stoically enduring barbsmeetings were all one-on-one the king’s He went on to blame the political parties for their big from politicians, King Gyanendra message to all of them was the same. Some refusing to come on board and assist in rally in Kathmandu on 27 April, and editors thought they were getting exclusive forming a united government in October. Weekly Internet Poll # 84 A broke his silence Wednesday with a insiders say theyEditorial were expecting the palace p2 to interviews, and the sessions lasted late into He said they could not agree among Q. Should a Maoist representative be given a position inslew of on the record conversations to call them in forKeep a collective the meeting window with open the the interim government? Yes, No, Maybe, Don’t know Kathmandu dailies. Wednesday night. themselves about the prime minister’s king. This could still happen, and the king One day before the political parties “He expressed disappointment at the way position, and Lokendra Bahadur Chand washimself said he was prepared to meet the launched a sequel to the People’s Movementthe media has been covering the movement of their consensus candidate. party leaders together at any time. by hitting the streets, the king used the the political parties,” Pushkar Lal Shrestha, of “The political parties have a right to The king has also left the door slightly media as a weapon to go directly to the speak out, but there is a time and place for Nepal Samacharpatra told us. King ajar for compromise. In the meetings, he people. This is the first time in Nepali opposition and it should not jeopardise the agreed that the constitution could be Gyanendra’s message to the editors was clear: history that a monarch has used the media peace process,” the king added. On Thursday,amended or even replaced, if that was what don’t be misled by the rhetoric of the political so aggressively to win public support. The a five-party alliance kicked off its movement the parties and the people wanted. This gives leadership. “We need peace now, and the media reason King Gyanendra could do this was with a silent march in honour of ‘martyrs for a face-saving way forarties p to call off their has to help,” he told them. because he allowed press freedom ever since democracy’. They refuted the king’s claim thatagitation. Interestingly, this offer is also Total votes:2022 All the conversations were published with sacking an elected government six months the agitation would jeopardise the talks. consistent with the main Maoist demand Weekly Internet Poll # 85. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.comago. The media’s independence lent the banner headlines on Thursday morning and “Out movement is not anti-peace, in fact itin peace talks which resume Friday. Q. Do you think the agitation by the parties will end theking’s message added credibility. Interestingly,publishers reported brisk newstand sales. will strengthen peace, it is against regression to present political deadlock? there was no report in the state-controlled The papers highlighted King Gyanendra’s autocracy,” senior Congress leader, Ram Sharan main message that he was not interested in Mahat said. gaining absolute power and that he firmly Gorkhapatra which was busy celebrating its supported a constitutional monarchy and 103rd anniversary on Wednesday.

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Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL COMMENT by ALOK K BOHARA Desk Editor:Trishna Gurung, Design:Kiran Maharjan Webmaster:Bhushan Shilpakar [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Advertising:Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription:Anil Karki [email protected] Sales:Sudan Bista [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333/ 5523845 Fax: 01-5521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hattiban: 01-5547018/17 The force of force From ambiguity to trust No one is going to deliver us peace onmost improbablea silver explanation platter. is often closest to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ reality. On the face of it, a ‘tactical unity’ t least there is one thing everyone seems to agree on:ism according to its own organisational rules and code of KEEP THE WINDOW OPEN between the Maoists (ostensibly fighting to the current political crisis requires serious changes inconduct. our constitution. ur self-esteem has sunk so low that it sometimes takes outsiders to point usovernment out and Maoist negotiators are anything changed in the rhetoric of Krishna establish a dictatorship of the proletariat) and A 11. The Army Chief of Staff and the Commander-in-Chief Recommended changes in the our plus points. And so it is with our media. Many here saw King Gyanendra’smeeting again on Friday, but this touch-Bahadur Mahara from the time he walked out Monarchists (clearly aspiring to prolong It is in the best interest of the country that the new shall have complete loyalty to the Constitution. OOctober Fourth move as regressive, but it is also true that most of ourG freedomsand-go talks don’t seem to be getting of negotiations in November 2001? autocracy for as long as they can) appears constitution be drafted by an all-party negotiating team, and12. His Majesty shall appoint the Commander-in-Chief of existing constitution that should are intact. There is so much free expression that not a day goes by withoutanywhere. multiple During the first round, Maoist If Lokendra Bahadur Chand’s address to highly unlikely. But both parties to the armed upon its completion, be brought in front of the people forthe a Royal Nepali Army on the recommendation of the Prime rallies on the streets of the capital. And Nepali media is freer today than it has ever ideologue Baburam Bhattarai did all the the nation last week is anything to go by, it’s conflict probably find it expedient to referendum. During the negotiation, issues dealing with Minister. satisfy everyone. been. The pro-Maoist papers have restarted, the political mouthpieces of thetalking, various while all poor Badri Prasad Mandal undermine the role of major political parties at public policies must be separated from the constitutional parties are at the vanguard of their pro-democracy agitation, the private corporate clear that he has neither the authority nor the could do was shake his head in bewilderment. this moment. That’s understandable, because fundamentals. Whether we elect a Constituent Assembly or media is vibrant and growing, news and current affairs on community FM stations have motivation to take talks with the Maoists to its These suggestions could provide the middle ground to form a cabinet using experts outside the legislative bodies Former- logical conclusion. In all probability, Chand any such campaign will reassert the power of amend the existing constitution, the following seven areas may increase accountability, reduce rent-seeking behaviour transformed the way many Nepalis receive information, and soon private television willpancha Mandal has reason to be. the demands of the Maoists and the parties. Further, clause change the media landscape beyond recognition. isn’t even aware of what’s happening behind conviction and weaken the forces of coercion. must be the guiding principles. and separate the functionality of the executive and legislative (6) provides the government with some power In fact, we can say without bragging that in the post-emergency and post-ceasefireItems on the Maoist wish list cannot be met the scenes between the insurgents and the The argument that People’s Movement II branches. without substantially limiting the role of the to act quickly in case of a grave situation. months, Nepal has enjoyed one of the freest media in the world. Even traditionally out- spokesperson of the government negotiating will hamper the peace process is absurd. It’s 1. SOVEREIGNTY OF PARLIAMENT 5. FAIRNESS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE of-bounds subjects have become fair game. We don’t know how long this windowking. There of is no way a government of the team. It’s unlikely that Col Narayan Singh the mainstream political parties who have The Maoists and the political parties have raised the The growing rift between the Ethnic diversity in the country should be a king’s nominees would dare discuss such a opportunity will last, and we don’t know whether it was unintended or a deliberate strategy Pun takes the trouble to inform his prime launched the real struggle for durable peace in contentious issue of who controls the army. Ignoring thismonarchy and the parliamentary forces source of tremendous pride and identity to allow society to let off steam during the royal interregnum. Either way, whenpossibility. the king point will not make it go away. In other monarchies like can directly be attributed to the use or minister about what he discusses with Mahara.the country. If the movement succeeds in higher level of representa- and we should all celebrate it. But, using that to generate made himself a political player by sacking the prime minister on October FourthFor allhe his pomp, Comrade Baburam Spain, the parliament has supreme authority over the armedmisuse of Article 127. There are two exposed himself to unprecedented censure and comment in the Nepali media. That Indeed, why should he? Like the prime making the Maoists and Monarchists tion from the smaller parties discriminatory practices must be declared illegal in the didn’t enter Kathmandu at the head of a forces. In the Netherlands, the reigning monarch acts problems with this article: it doesn't may be why the king himself has made minister, each member of the cabinet has beenunderstand each other’s games, that will be its and provides more voices strongest term in our constitution. The gender victorious army. Voters of Rolpa, Rukum and appointed directly by the king, and holds through royal decree as defined by an act of parliament. clarify what constitutes 'an obstacle', and the unprecedented move to go to the biggest achievement. After all, imparting for the minorities. Most discrimination in property rights and work force Jajarkot haven’t sent him to the capital to frameoffice at his pleasure. After the ignominious Both cases spell out the procedures very clearly. I n Nepalit doesn’t provide an alternative in case of people via the mainstream media to education in statecraft is one of the main democracies around the employment should not be tolerated and enforced by a present his case. a new constitution. He has no mandate other exit of three powerful ministers from the functions of political parties in any democracy. the parliament does not have any authority to declare an a dissolved house. Revised, Article 127 may look world use a certain form of special commission. Actually, the reason certain areas thanof the support of a group of armed cabinet last month, the remaining ones have It’s true that, above all else, Nepalis have emergency, and there is heavy reliance on a three-person as follows: Defence Council. A new or revised constitution must clarify the PR system. In simple national life are not written about todayinsurgents calling themselves Maoists. While begun to feel the rug moving under their feet. been yearning for peace for quite some time. 6. GUARANTEE OF LIBERTY this ambiguity. It is crucial that a more democratic decision-Power to Remove Difficulties terms, the 50/50 mixed PR has less to do with official sensitivity thanit’s imprudent to undermine the power of any It’s not just the prime minister, every one Now they seem to have woken up to the hard Elections alone do not guarantee democracy. In addition to with the media’s own inertia and rebellion, it’s also a fact that a partially making process in parliament and perhaps the upper house system elects half of its squeamishness. else enjoying the perks of executive power thesereality that no one is going to deliver it to them establishing strong institutions with the rule of law and the successful insurgency often fails to confer eitherdays has a vested interest in keeping the issue must replace the Defence Council. The current Articles 1181. If any difficulty arises in connection with the representatives based on the The pre-requisite for true democracy on a silver platter. It’s this awakening that will and 115 can be collapsed to produce the following separation of power, a working liberal democracy and its legitimacy or authority on its leaders. of Maoist insurgency festering. If it weren’t forultimately help establish a just and durable implementation of this Constitution, His Majesty may, as current single-constituency constitution must also guarantee the basic human rights, is citizens’ participation. And participa- While entering into any negotiations, the amendments: tion is not possible without a free press. A the Maoists, none of the present set of peace in the country. defined by Act of Parliament, issue necessary Orders to winner-take-all method, and the other half are including the protection of private property, free speech, free press is oxygen for democracy, andrebels have no option other than to depend on ministers would be eligible for the positions remove such difficulty. elected based on the percentage of the popular and religious tolerance. Proper land reform can address the the support of national and international Provisions Regarding the Royal Nepali Army, must be defended by its maximum application. Media freedom, like democracy itself, that they currently hold. Should the 2. During a dissolution of the House of Representatives, votes that each party receives nationally or issue of poverty, economic freedom and a free market are public opinion. Maoists have antagonised both emergency, alarm and war cannot be taken for granted. That freedom is necessary today in Nepal to ensure the insurgency end today, the Royal Nepali Army the National Assembly shall exercise the powers of the regionally. essential in spurring economic growth and creating jobs. A accountability of our rulers, be they elected or appointed. It needs a governmentin the past. that would lose its only justification of having the House of Representatives for the purposes of clause (1). But, as practised widely around the world, strong democracy cannot flourish without protecting gives media that space, and also a media that has no other bias but a bias forIt’s freedom, not that the Maoists aren’t aware of thisfirst claim on the state treasury. property rights of individuals and economic incentives.

MIN BAJRACHARYA fairness and pluralism. 3. The Proclamation of Order, as defined by Act of such a proportional allocation system should be based on hard reality—Krishna Bahadur Mahara’s In Machiavellian politics, it is said that the popular party votes rather than ethnic, gender, or religious While we have this window of freedom, there are uncertainties. Some of reactionthe against the decision of US government 1. If a grave crisis arises in regard to the sovereignty or Parliament, pertaining to (1) or (2) must expressly 7. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT draconian and arbitrary laws that have been used to suppress the press still exist and integrity of the Kingdom of Nepal or the security of any partdetermine its purposes. segregation and quotas, although a reasonable compromise of keeping the Maoists on a ‘watch list’ of could be to assign some gender and ethnic based The amendment clause will be a thorny issue, especially could be activated at any time. Our present liberty, therefore, may be a lie. It is a thereof, whether by war, external aggression, armed rebellion under the current environment of mistrust among the three freedom that can be terminated at anytime. international terrorists betrays the proportional allocation in the Upper House. This can be nervousness of all his comrades. or extreme economic disarray, His Majesty may, as defined Such provisions will broaden the checks and balances by political forces. To safeguard any potential foul play and to On 3 May, we celebrated World Press Freedom Day. It was a time to reaffirm our achieved by requiring the parties to set aside 10-20 percent Maoists cadre are probably avoid conflict of interest, the following mechanism may be belief that press freedom, democracy and development are closely interlinked. The by Act of Parliament, declare or order a State of Emergencyinvolving the Upper House in decision-making and givingfrom their proportionally allocated seats in the Upper Nepali people have now got accustomed to a free press and the democraticreadying process. themselves for the next with respect to the whole of the Kingdom of Nepal or any it a watchdog role. King Gyanendra used Article 127 to fireHouse. implemented: Those who say that we are not ready for democracy or do not deserve a freephase press of their ‘people’s war’ specified part thereof. an elected prime minister for “incompetence”, but contra- demean and insult the people. Freedom of expression is not just about theeven media, as some it isof their leaders are 2. Immediately after the declaration of a State of Emergencyvened Article 35.2 which prohibits him from doing the very4. STABILITYAND ACCOUNTABILITY about the peoples’ freedom. By speaking up for press freedom, the media busyis defending assuaging the fears of the same thing. And instead of using Article 128 to form a newA direct election of the prime minister could reduce future not just itself, but the peoples’ right to know. international community in the and whenever it considers it necessary, until such time as the council of ministers from the members of the major parties,conflict of interest between the head of the government and In our region, the threats to free press today stem not from overtly malevolentcapital city. State of Emergency is terminated by Royal Decree, the the king appointed a leader from a smaller party. Major post-seeking legislators. The sitting prime minister has the forces, but from a state structure that uses business pressure points to manipulateParties and to an armed conflict Parliament shall decide the duration of the State of parties label his move as unconstitutional, but ironically, the control the media. A free press can therefore be threatened even in democratic Emergency. The two Chambers of the Parliament shall prerogative to dissolve parliament by recommending his 1. With a vote of at least two thirds in each Houses, an Act seldom enter into negotiations Supreme Court cannot discuss the issue, because Article 31intent to the king, but it requires him to call for a new societies where these freedoms are upheld by the constitution. consider and decide upon the matter in joint session. of Parliament shall be passed stating that an amendment to unless they can do so from a does not allow any petition against the royal move. Article 35election within a given period. But when you have a position of strength. Politicians 3. A declaration that the Kingdom is in a state of war shalltherefore vests executive powers both in the king and the leadership devoid of political culture, such powers have oftenthe Constitution in the form proposed shall be considered. who believe that the Maoists are not be made without the prior approval of the Parliament.council of ministers, raising further questions about the been misused for political manipulation. The constitutionThe Act of Parliament has an option of requiring a sincere for the talks this time 4. During the dissolution of the House of Representatives,functionality of the interim government. The carefully referendum.

ROBIN SAYAMI could be amended along the lines of the Norwegian need to ask themselves: has the National Assembly shall exercise the powers of the worded changes in Article 127 make Articles 128, 31, andapproach prohibiting parliamentary dissolution during its2. The two Houses shall be dissolved after the Act referred House of Representatives for the purposes of clause (1), (2)35 less alarming. regular election cycle. In South Africa, dissolution of to in (1) has been published. and (3). parliament is not allowed for three years after an election. 3. The newly elected Houses shall consider the Bill and it 5. The State of Alarm shall be declared by the Government, Alternatively, instituting a system of ‘constructive vote of noshall be passed only if at least two thirds of the votes in each by means of a Decree agreed upon by the Council of 2. POLITICAL ECONOMIC DEVOLUTION confidence’ in removing a prime minister, as in Germany,Houses cast are in favour. can generate stability. Our own clause in Article 59 Ministers, for a maximum period of fifteen days informing 4. The bill requiring a referendum in (1) must have a The grassroots must be given decision-making powers governing this provision could read as follows: LETTERS the House of Representatives, which has convened through a system of decentralised regional governments. simple majority of the votes cast in the referendum before immediately for that purpose and without whose Further, a clear division of task among the three layers Constructive vote of no confidence being considered for a vote by the newly elected houses rejoinder made a good read. The authorisation the period cannot be extended. The House of(village, region and centre) of governments must be spelled in (3). RANK AND FILE establish peace and we must KINGCRAFT LAK and contribute nothing to Nepal’s military is a matter of national out in the constitution. support them. It’s clear the development, rather the article Representatives shall not extend the period beyond the How will the two most prominentpride for every nation and that it In ‘Kingcraft’ (#142) Puskar It is disappointing to see articles Centre:Defence, custom and import duties, postal, regional political parties are on the streets seems to be trying to generate members of the class of 1970 costs money to train, equip and Bhusal says, “more Nepalis like Daniel Lak’s ‘Closure is a additional maximum limit of thirty days. What is urgently required is for the major political because they want to corrupt any more strife, which is not helpful. and international matters, citizenship, science and technol- from United Mission to Nepal’supgrade this ‘necessary evil’, like believe democracy is at greatergood thing’ (#142). Such a 6. The authorisation and proclamation of a State of parties, the Maoists, and the king to join forces for a attempts at peace and drag our Believe it or not, most of us ogy, highways, big dams, waterways, income taxes, VAT, etc Amar Jyoti Janata School in it or not. Compared to other risk from the palace than from simplistic perspective on the larger public good. They need to work together to shape nation lower. working in development do care. Emergency or Alarm must expressly determine its purposes,Regional: Health, small and medium hydropower and Gorkha be remembered? I wascorrupt governments institutions the Maoists”. He should have complex subject of development a new constitution that espouses free market and disappointed to read that Buddhi Pant, email backed his statement with the (a process which no country, even Cherry Bird, Kathmandu the territorial area to which it is extended and its duration. and ministries, the Royal Nepali distribution, autonomous universities, feeder roads, forest property rights not a command economy, a strong Devkota had no plans of attend-Army is one of the most highly source of his information. If I among those in the so called 7. Such approval shall not be required in cases where resources, tourism, etc. Parliament can express its lack of confidence in the Prime ing the class picnic and that remember correctly, an opiniondeveloped world, has fully judiciary not the people’s courts, a professional army trained and disciplined outfits in consultation with Parliament proves to be impossible as a Village:Health post, elementary schools, property taxes, Minister only by electing a successor with the majority of its Bhattarai hadn’t even been Nepal, considering the meagre poll inNepali Times (#140) achieved) is insulting to your under civilian control that respects human rights not an Looking at the current VIPASSANA consequence of the actual existence of a state of war. informed. It would have been resources available to it. Asking suggested otherwise. readers, whether foreign or Nepali. business registration fees, sanitation, water supplies, local members and by requesting His Majesty to dismiss the errant militia, social justice not social engineering, a nice for them to put aside their situation in Nepal, it seems that It is always easy to criticise, andIn ‘The crux of the biscuit’ (Under 8. The democratically elected people’s representatives and for better equipment is not asking Pawan, Sydney tourism etc. sitting Prime Minister. His Majesty shall comply with thesovereign nation not a subservient satellite, a multiparty differences for a few hours andtoo much. Dhruba Kumar shouldthere is something seriously wrong the cheap and cynical point My Hat), Kunda Dixit implies that His Majesty shall have supreme authority over the armed enjoy the camaraderie they once with our education system. How scoring contained in this articleonly a diet of fern salad is served request and appoint the person elected. Seven days must system not a one party autocracy and a constitutional have exposed the politics that is forces. 3. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION monarch not an absolute one. must have shared as classmates.bringing this country to its knees.else could you explain the benefits no one, the insults hurledin a 10-day Vipassana Meditation elapse between the motion and the election. inability of our students to tell from every line are not backed byCourse. This is not correct. 9. His Majesty, as a supreme Commander-in-Chief, shallThe current Westminster type of winner-take-all system, also Rajil Risal, email SK Bista, email right from wrong. Who in their I agree with Puskar Bhusal’s the quotation of a single shred ofInterested politicians should not operate and use the Royal Nepali Army on the recommenda-known as ‘first-past-the-post’, should be replaced by mixed right mind would believe what GP hard evidence or reasoned be deterred from attending a A term limit on the premiership, of two terms, could ‘Meddle tally’ (#143). Nepali tion as defined by Act of Parliament. proportional representation (PR). This method allows a Alok K Bohara, PhD, is a professor of economics at the Koirala and MK Nepal say? argument. Debate is healthy, butVipassana course for this reason, also serve to open up the leadership opportunity for younger politicians and intellectuals not University of New Mexico, US. [email protected] Taira, New York only appreciate, but actively these ravings are irresponsible as we serve normal Nepali 10. The Royal Nepali Army shall maintain its professional- generation. Allowing or requiring the prime minister to cultivate foreign intervention vegetarian food. Your article on the two doctors and interference when it helps Roop Jyoti, Kathmandu was praiseworthy. In my opinion,SHOWTIME them to undermine their Devkota’s contributions to NepaliRe: ‘It’s show time!’ by Navin At a time when the domestic opponents. But when society have been more the foreign ‘advice’ or ‘counsel’ Singh Khadka (#143). It’s government and the Maoist valuable. Bhattarai’s ideological appears to go against their shocking that the political mainrebels are sitting for talks to end path left the country with no perceived interest, we hear stream parties are acting like seven years of civil war, Nepal’s future. He could have used his unconvincing rhetoric of enemies of the nation. Sadly, selfish politicians are thinking of CORRECTIONS brilliance and contributed to sovereignty and independence. most Nepalis have become usedways to get back in the driver’s The SLC ranks reported in ‘Class of 1970’ (#142) were incorrect. Nepal’s development like As a foreigner living here, I don’t to political leaders changing seat and spoil our chance for Gorkhapatra, dated 6 May 1970 (Baisakh 23, 2027), lists the top 3 Devkota has in the field of understand why the Nepali their actions and slogans. Nepalpeace and goodwill. If they come as: Baburam Bhattarai from Amar Jyoti Janata Madhyamik neuroscience. It is easy to carry intellectuals, including Puskar has suffered for many years to power I am sure the Maoists will Vidhyalaya (Gorkha), first. Prakash Sayami from Shanti Nikunj guns and hold sway through Bhusal, see foreign interference because of their poor political walk out of the talks. Why does Vidhalaya, second and Jay Singh Shah from Tri-Chandra High threats, but only by fair and free coming only from the West when decisions. The government andNepali society so naively believe School, third. Upendra elections can the Maoists regain the meddling from the South the Maoists are determined to re-the propaganda of the political Devkota was ranked the trust of the Nepali people. appears to be far more serious parties and especially GP Koirala tenth. and self-interested. Or am I Kumar Basnet who did absolutely nothing but missing something? I would Sophia University, Tokyo loot our country for nine years? In ‘The good, bad and appreciate further And why is your esteemed ugly’ (#143) the statue enlightenment from newspaper supporting (at least in the main picture was knowledgeable sources. tacitly) this man and other incorrectly identified. It nincompoops? Jurgen Mathias, Thamel was that of King Mahendra. RNA DEBATE Sushil Dhital, Haryana, India Dhruba Kumar’s ‘Demobilisation, demilitiraisation and democratisation’ (#143) and the electrification can be done even without the foreign assistance NATION 9 - 15 MAY 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 NATION donor agencies including the 9 - 15 MAY 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 4 World Bank and the Asian 5 Development Bank. Community involvement has other direct DOMESTIC BRIEFS benefits. Electronic current cutouts can replace the more Undecided Perks off ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ expensive conventional energy Nepal and Bhutan have yet to finalise the The government has decided to cull facilities meters, halving the cost of results of the joint verification of the provided to former prime minters and home distribution. Power-based tariff repatriation of more than 12,000 Bhutaneseministers. Sher Bahadur Deuba introduced this can also be implemented, which refugees. The two Himalayan kingdoms areperk during his first tenure as a prime minister eliminates the costsassociated still ironing out details for negotiations six years ago. More power to the villagesconducted in one of the seven refugee campsNow official vehicles and bodyguards will be in eastern Nepal almost two years ago. with meter reading and billing. recalled from former home ministers, but ex- HEMLATA RAIin DUKACHHAP This small alteration is especially The joint verification team just concludedprime ministers can still hold onto their ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ s evening falls over this Most of rural Nepal still practical for rural users who use their work on the results but the governmentsgovernment-sponsored bodyguards. Cars in the less than 50 cents worth of of the two nations have yet to make up theirservice of former prime ministers Surya Bahadur small villager in southern plunges into darkness after minds. As a result, the 14 Thapa, Girija Prasad Koirala and Sher Bahadur Lalitpur, the inky electricity a month but end up Deuba have already been taken. Krishna A paying an equal amount for th round of Nepal- Bahadur Bhattarai is the only one still allowed darkness is broken only by the sundown. Ironic for a country billing services. these privileges. Similarly, ex-home ministers KP unsteady flickering of kerosene Bhutan talks on refugee issue earlier that has such immense Unfortunately, the interest has scheduled for 11 May has been postponedOli, by Budhiman Tamang, Khum Bahadur Khadka, lamps and a week. Purna Bahadur Khadka and Govinda Raj Joshi tukis. But outside, have been deprived of their perks. At the launch yet to transform itself into Foreign Ministry officials said more the sky above Kathmandu glows hydropower potential. of the ‘people’s movement’ on 4 May, the five concrete policies. The managing homework needed to be done. The verification with bright city lights. director of the NEA, Janak Lall political parties declared they would renounce times○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ higher than in industrialised that could lead to repatriation is still unclearthose on facilities. The government obviously had Shanti Kala Shrestha, a countries. The study also found Karmacharya, says the state- exactly how to treat the verified refugees no problem in complying. who will be grouped into four categories. primary school teacher, misses the Nepali consumers who spend an Adopting an alternative owned institution is caught in a During the first round of ministerial level convenience of electricity that she average of about $9 annually on approache in producing and Catch-22 situation. “Rural electrification and reduction in meet in 1993, the two had agreed to had grown accustomed to in her kerosene lamps lit for three hours distributing has yielded categorise the refugees as bonafide home village. “It’s little wonder in the evening, were prepared to encouraging results at Syangja generation cost is our priority Bhutanese, Bhutanese who have emigrated that children in this village do so pay up to 30 cents, or up to $ in mid-western Nepal. The areas, but we also need to be more voluntarily, Bhutanese who have committed poorly in their exams,” she says, 1.50 per month, for every commercial oriented. Selling crimes and non-Bhutanese. Since then Thimpu Butwal Power Company had insisted it would take back only bonafideOn hold electricity to rural populace will ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ motioning to the kilowatt-hour of electricity. distributes electricity produced Bhutanese. Nepal says all but those in the If popular demand could make our government tuki. not make us a profit, which is vital non-Bhutanese category must be allowed Senior charter accountant from the 5 MW Andhi Khola to act promptly we would have had a bicycle lane Dukachhap’s lack of electricity is re-entry. Ratna Sansar Shrestha is more than 500 consumers to increase people’s access to in Kathmandu a long time ago. But because the remarkable considering it is skeptical about community scattered through six villages in electricity,” he says. (See interview, If categorised, refugees believe most ofDepartment of Road (DoR) and the Kathmandu located across the river from them will fall into the “Bhutanese who haveValley Mapping Project (KVMP) could not agree involvement because of the cost the district at about Rs 9,600 per emigrated” category because, they claim, theyon the modality of funding, construction of Nepal’s first power plant at factor. “Even with the private connection and spent about Rs Pharping, which will soon were forced to fill in voluntary migration formsKathmandu’s first bicycle lane from Maitighar to the success ofirrigation and water sector as part of the deal, rural 30,000 per km in materials and at gunpoint just when theyevicted were in an Tinkune was suspended. celebrate its 100 MIN BAJRACHARYA th anniversary. management sectors, by giving consumers may not get cheaper labour—significantly lower than ethnic cleansing drive from their homelands in The construction cost of the project was southern Bhutan. However, Bhutanese officials The villagers used to (NEA) rate of distribution is power generation and Five Year Plan but was never power,” he says. “The NEA global rates of $600 per consumer estimated at Rs 12 million. The proposed lane, cannot go lower than the Rs 4 and infrastructural costs of $5000 say Nepali-speaking refugees left of their own2.5m wide and 1.8km long, was slated for complain, now they are just outstripped by growing distribution to community users implemented. The NEA is accord as economic migrants. completion 15 months ago. The failure of the first per unit that rural consumers to $15,000 per km. contractors and financial resentful. “It is sheer negligence demand. Half of the 525 MW groups (CUGs) that will allow determined to see it through announced the flat buy back rates During the 12 cycle lane project puts the future of the are already charged.” institutions. proposed Maitighar-Bhadrakali-Ratnapark, Bagmati- on the part of the government. electricity available in the local involvement in electricity this time. Beginning July, A UMN study shows that a 1 ofPrivately Rs 3 and Rs financed, 4.25 for the locally wet built: a small-scale power project in Syange, Lamjung. Local investment in micro- Nepali Times #142) Bishnumati-Dhobikhola corridor and the Ring Road They are happy to sit in national grid is consumed in generation, distribution and even communities can apply for the There are other dangers: kV distribution system for villages and dry seasons respectively with hydro power projects will bring While the bureaucrats, lanes in limbo. If KVMP and DoR cannot sort out Kathmandu with their bright Kathmandu Valley alone, and in the collection of revenues. development of power projects rural electrification has been a with no ready access can save up an annual 6 percent escalation their problems, these projects too will gather dust down production costs. If the donors and engineers in the city th round of talks in Kathmandu lights, not one cares for small the NEA spends more than 45 This new concept is expected and/or distribution systems pork-barrel issue for politicians to 30 percent in cost above that with 1998/99 as the base year for in some government office. percent of its income on independently or in partnership and is often done haphazardly. incurred through the use of the idea clicks, hydropower experts debate on the right time, last year, both the foreign ministers of Nepal andIn a pre-planning survey conducted by KVMP, villages like ours,” says Dilli Prasad to simplify electricity delivery into the under 5 MW plants. This Bhutan announced they had overcome both in the private sector and method and price for rural 80 percent of Kathmandu residents said cycle Ghimire, Shrestha’s neighbour. purchasing electricity from an effective and reliable method with the public sector. The Little effort is focused on assessingconventional 33 kV system. The triggered a flurry of positive differences on the categorisation of refugees, electrification, another dark lanes in the city were a necessity. An estimated Indeed, if this is the situation for aindependent power producers. with CUGs responsible for directive also plans on assigning whether designs and standards areonly disadvantage would be the officialdom believe, rural but did not elaborate. responses from local developers, night falls on the homes in 15,000 bicycles ply Kathmandu streets everyday. village so close to the capital, it is Of late the buzzword in the distribution and collection of CUGs a 10 percent share from appropriate for rural populations consumer clusters that are usually More than 100,000 Bhutanese refugees are Dukachhap. The tukis are lit easy to imagine how much worse corridors of the NEA and other revenues. The government hopes arrears collected from defaulters, where light is the principal use very small and dispersed. languishing in seven UNHCR-supported camps in and the children strain their eyes it must be elsewhere. government planning offices is local involvement will reduce and a 25 percent from defaulted and peak demand is low. “Things After a conference in March Jhapa and Morang for overdecade. a to finish homework. Only 18 percent of Nepal’s “rural electrification”. Big non-technical losses, and cut fees of blacklisted consumers. will not work properly unless a this year, nine cooperatives from 23 million population have power-sector donors like the operational and maintenance The good news about rural monitoring mechanism is put intoJhapa and groups like Ama access to electricity. Rural areas Asian Development Bank, the problems. electrification is that Nepalis areplace and is active in full Samuha from Kaski also came are far down the receiving line: World Bank, SIDA and The vision to expand rural willing to pay for it. A United capacity,” warns Sridhar Devkota,up with partnership proposals of the German-funded Small only six percent of people livingDANIDA have shown an electrification with the help of Mission to Nepal (UMN) study involving the government to in the hinterlands have access tointerest in projects and are local initiative is not a new idea.shows that electricity is highly Hydropower Promotion Project.develop power in their respective electricity. With only 30,000 interested in funding schemes It was first envisaged in the 9 valued and rural users are districts. In another attempt to new connections a year, the to take power to the villages. willing to pay as much as urban attract local investment, NEA Nepal Electricity Authority’s NEA itself is keen to replicate residents, even though it is three

th

HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK Times are a-changing

o paraphrase Anup Pahari, speaking at last month’s conference on the agenda of change in Nepal, democracy is a sloppy business. A gay fashion show in the capital THe spoke of tabloids and political crises. To that, throw in scandals, irreverent art, loud disagreement with national nostrums and showsdiffer little from“Nepaliness” Americans, Belgians fromis thebecoming French or Dutch, and comedians poking fun at almost everything. Add inclusion to moreAustrians frominclusive. Germans. Whoa, I can already hear the screams of democracy and you end up with something even more discomfiting to outrage from those other small countries. the comfortable classes, now almost united in their loathing of political What helps those smaller and larger countries co-exist culturally is parties, human rights groups and all the other noisy sections of society, not state mandated culture, but inclusion. Gay men, members of ethnic busy demanding their rights. minority groups and, yes, women in Canada, Belgium and Austria have I started to think seriously about some of these things at that fought hard for inclusive policies in their own countries. By doing so, conference, and later at a magnificent beauty contest for men dressed as they have strengthened their nationality. By changing traditional women sponsored by the Blue Diamond Society. That was, in every definitions, they have created indigenous, natural change that is way, a ground-breaking event. For one thing, it was held at City Hall. resilient and lasting. They have banished outmoded, largely irrelevant Think of it, a gay men’s event at a government building in Nepal! And orthodoxies that were frayed at the edges and in danger of becoming I’m not aware of anyone raising any serious objections to it. None of rotten to the core. the usual guardians of orthodoxy and traditional traits of nationality There are reasons for this. Despite democracy, definitions of In Nepal, small steps are being taken to broaden the definition of was given space in the newspapers to trot out their tired lies. The eventMIN BAJRACHARYA “Nepaliness” have remained intact from earlier days. They have alsosociety. Gay men hold a fashion show, the last census allows people to screamed loudly, “WE HAVE GAY MEN IN NEPAL! MANY OF stayed as the purview of the state or a select and exclusive elite. declare their religion rather than simply assume Hinduism. A few THEM ARE LEARNING TO BE PROUD OF THEIR SEXUALITY!”National dress, patriotic folk songs, poetry about natural beauty andpolitical leaders promise inclusion of dalits and other communities, Inclusion is a tough business, especially in a society like this that’sofficially sanctioned history are all part of the package. More and moresome organisations work tirelessly for the downtrodden. It all helps been exclusionary for so long. And where, evidently, democracy has notcitizens—subject to modern pressures from media, economic migrationensure that the underprivileged will continue to shove outward against widened the social net to include Nepali citizens from outside the casteand generational change—have noticed just how these official the stranglehold of a self-serving—yet massively short-sighted—elite. and economic mainstream. This newspaper has reported on the definitions are beginning to show signs of severe strain. Eventually, The comfortable classes will protest, or perhaps they will send their scandalously mono-caste (Bahun) civil service. Add to that political they may simply become irrelevant. servants out to do so. But they will lose the contest and the nation will leaderships from left to right, the business elite, even many NGOs and The two boulders on either side of Nepal’s yam are often cited asemerge as a stronger, more self-confident place. human rights groups whose boards and top people are uniformly fromreasons for strict definitions of citizenship. Without a careful and It’s a sloppy business. But someone’s got to do it. already-privileged sectionssociety. of Where are the dalits, the Tharus? mandated way of expressing nationalism, Nepalis might simply start to Hell, where are the women? This country has fewer women in economicbehave like North Indians or Tibetans, much as—say—Canadians and public life than almost any other outside of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. 6 NATION 9 - 15 MAY 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 ECONOMY 9 - 15 MAY 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 7

SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL BIZ NEWS STRICTLY BUSINESS by ASHUTOSH TIWARI Shape up Alerting all bookworms! ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ “Winning with a Service Differentiation”,Global Exposition and Management the vision 2003 of Hyundai, led to a Services is organising the annual event onOf jobs and politics special service training organised by education and career with a collection of the AVCO Hyundai from 5-9 May 2003. Twolatest and largest books and publications for Peace epistle ow times have changed! Not too experienced instructors from Hyundaisale. The 7 th Politicians must find where the two intersect. The murder and mayhem Motor Company in Korea, Kim Kwang Ho Nepal Education and Book Fair long ago in Kathmandu, the Memo to: The People police used to over the next 14 months don’t and Eric Song, arrived in Kathmandu 2003to is at Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition HallH till lathi charge conduct the session. Trainees were seem to have injected enough 17 May. The Education and Career Fair willpolitical rallies and leave the aspiring From: Peace invited from Bhutan, Bangladesh and beSri held in Hall A and ends on 12 May. migrant workers queuing up outside seriousness into your debate. A Lanka for this course. The participants Talks, workshops, demonstrations andrecruiting agencies to their own business. even years ago, roundtable conference, interim in the absence of freedom. The honed their skills in high scan pro, common rail engine, auto transmissioneducational programs will go on throughoutLast week, just the opposite took beleaguered by your government and constituent architects of Jana Andolan II the exhibition. Students and parents canplace. According to local newspapers, assembly are possible ways of system and engine management system Sconstant bickering, I know that Nepalis had more as well as other mechanisms, both also look into career opportunities whilethe police had to ‘control’ thousands of MIN BAJRACHARYA decided to take some time off. ensuring that I stay for good elected representatives under through theoretical as well as practicalbook lovers will find quality books on Nepalis who wanted to be among the this time. You act as if you can the partyless system they training. everything from academic material to 800 selected for a job in small and Few took my displeasure general books of their interest. Organisers seriously. Your home minister end the root causes of the overthrew than they do today. medium private sector enterprises in hope the fair will bring together career South Korea. Lured by visions of a promised to bring me back conflict simply by dispatching Now, that hurts. Given their conscious people to provide a platform for providing state that comes across as a better future, they showed up in droves within a week. Soon the cracklesdisarmed lads and lasses to the record, Kangresi and comrades interaction with the public. bumbling elephant? Or do they want Gulf. Even if you cut the from all across the country. Meanwhile, security, law and order, basic education, of conflict became louder. may look like power-hungry a mass meeting on the future of the either underemployed and manpower-agency middlemen, health-care and roads, while allowing When those who could stop predators to some of you. Don’t nation convened by various political unemployed—or what the Central competition to let the private sector how many sheikhs would want Kodak for cancer them stepped in, I thought my make that blur the bigger ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ parties at Tundikhel’s Open Theatre Bureau of Statistics (CBS) cryptically provide for jobs? homecoming was at hand. The battled hardened and picture. They are the people The world’s largest photo retail chain had a thinner attendance and passed calls “self employed”), the burden of bloodstained hands for help? Kodak will put aside Rs 2 for the NepalHeinz on rather uneventfully. employment-related concerns will Changing the state’s image is important who will have to implement ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ preparations turned out to be Cancer Relief Society from orders placed Everybody’s favourite ketchup brand is backThe line of South Korean hopefuls only increase in coming years. In thebecause it has a wider effect on how just another ploy in the political My grievances go back a what the palace and rebels for each developing and printing in any of in town. After staying off the shelves for three future this will be the single-most private sector firms—including those playground. Few deigned to little further. I was miffed by decide to sign. They need to be their labs. Processing an average of snaked all the way from Dasrath years, its tomato ketchup, baked beans, dominant agenda in national policy- 2,000 films daily, the collection should Stadium to Maitighar. Those who dealing with national and international gauge how far I had gone. the commanders of the people’s part of the process, not mere Smartones, Ore Ida and Farley’s Plasmon total about Rs 100 thousand a month made it to round two of the selection making and politics. labour markets—become more nimble movement who ranked the witnesses as the two sides want. will now feature in most grocery stores. The When the Brave Lion from and will be used for the treatment and swelled into the Birendra International That is obvious enough. But what in seizing opportunities for our on FM 102.4 True, instead of trying to US-based multinational that has 5,000 Dadeldhura came full circle twowithdrawal of the peace-zone care of cancer patients on a sustainable Convention Centre in Baneshwor. Veryremains unclear is the state’s role in collective prosperity. Once the state sees products and an annual turnover of $9 proposal among the major capture the local bodies, they basis. Photo Concern in New Road is soon the sheer volume of Nepalis assisting the private sector in either itself as the facilitator, then it’s more Mon-Fri 0615-0645orld BBC Today W years ago, he looked as if he billion, claims to be one of the should have stormed the Kodak’sauthorised local distributor in the likely to understand what it needs to do really was on to some act of features of the new most well known brands seeking foreign employment will not becreating more jobs nationally or to make it easier for the private sector to Sat 0615-0645BBC Reporting Religion contrition. After all, he was the conference room, captured most kingdom. today. Its affiliate in India, accommodated in small offices in the finding new labour markets around constitution. To be start new enterprises or expand existing one who trashed that radical of the seats and flung open the Heinz India, manufactures alleys of Putali Sadak or Lazimpat. the world. So far, in either case, the Sun 0615-0645BBC Agenda honest, I, too, felt the state’s record has been meddlesome ones and hire more people. architect’s 40-point wish list doors and windows so that and markets Complan, If nothing else, the events of last g]kfnL ;]]]]]jf palace was trying to Glucon-D, Complan Crunch at best and downright hostile at the Until then, we will continue to Daily 2045-2115BBC and exhausted my every Nepali could see what was week indicates that no matter what use me as a prop going on inside. When each Timers Biscuit and Nycil occupies our ageing political other extreme. have the kind of disjoint we saw last Daily 2245-2300BBCg] kfnL ;]]]]]jf patience. Many of you Prickly Heat Powder. after that push towards constructive Electronic paradise week. Political parties, who are felt the former premier ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ Heinz India’s authorised Changing the mindset: In Nepal, the supposed to represent the people, will Sun-Fri 0740-0800 Ps}}}l5g\\\ -/]]]l8of]]] klqsf_ was just trying to engagement brought greater Consumers can now choose from a wholesales agent Amravati netas, the state is a mother figure, a caretaker whocontinue with fewer supporters. And humiliation, street action range of reasonably priced home International, part of the 8anL8anL8anL -ljifout-ljifout-ljifout cGt/lqmof_cGt/lqmof_cGt/lqmof_ dominant thought among young caters to every whim and fancy, often young Nepalis will continue to leave. Sun-Fri 0800-0830 appliances and electronic goods underSoaltee Group, will be Nepalis has to do with improvingtheir by diverting funds from one needy The political parties must address the one roof. Ashoka Electronics will be importing at least a few future by getting well-paid jobs in or Sun-Fri 2000-2030 cfhsf s'''/f -;d;fdlos ljifodf ax;_ opening their retail showroom at the Newdozen of their extensive area to another less critical sector. Our needs of the young and the out of Nepal. Nevermind that the political parties too like to don the unemployed, and adapt themselves to zflGt cleofg Plaza in Putali Sadak. Prompt after salesproducts into the Sat 0800- 0830 services includes proper installation andkingdom. agencies charge up to Rs 100 cloak of the people’s caretaker, but in a the changing aspirations of the thousand to place them in a sausage-country where more work for Nepali people. Sat 1930- 2000cfrf/ ljrf/ -e|||i6frf/lj?4 ;xsfo{_{_{_ maintenance tips so customers can get the most out of the product. Ask for a demo packing factory on the outskirts of themselves than for others (as per the Sat 2000- 2030s"6gLlts d~r of the home theatre system. Seoul. CBS findings), the questions are Given that nearly 80 per cent of larger. Do Nepalis really want an all- Radio Sagarmatha Nepal’s 23 million population is below P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal 40 (with many above the age of 10 became inevitable. Isn’t it Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 /]l8of ] ;u/dfyf E-mail: [email protected], www.radiosagarmatha.org other Himalayan human nature to prefer war on one’s own terms to peace on kingdom disappeared from the FEEDBACK map. When over half of the someone else’s? It’s never been easier world endorsed the peace Yes, I heard your next to subscribe to proposal, I started feeling a littlequestion. Does it make any Nepali Times better. I know your southern difference to the dead, the EASY TIMESJust dial this number take a short cut into neighbours didn’t. By making orphans and the homeless, as and leave your address.5543333Singha Darbar. I, too, was peace the first casualty of Mahatma Gandhi reminded troubled by his shallowness. democracy, I thought you were another generation, whether the “Misleading and inaccurate” What kind of conciliation was just trying to extend an olive mad destruction is wrought he contemplating by branch down south. You under the name of actually ended up uprooting e have recently been presented with, acontract in the host country. International lenders announcing a cease-fire even totalitarianism or the holy name copy of the article by Navin Singh Khadkawill not find projects in jurisdictions where the before taking the oath of office many things. This may help of liberty or democracy? Don’t entitled ‘The price we pay for power’ whichcontracts upon which a financing is based, are not explain the ease with which the W honoured. Unfortunately, NEA has not honored the and emptying prisons of even try answering that while was published in Nepalithe Times (#142). We find terms and provisions of the PPA by withholding insurgents before concluding mainstream parties could today all three political forces feel they the article to be misleading and inaccurate and payments for energy produced and delivered would like the opportunity to provide additional NEA can be what their commissars were up pick up from where the Maoistshave goals worth staking under that contract. Since the commercial operation information which would allow your readership to to? Equally menacing was the left four months ago. everything on. To cut a long of the facility, BKPC has not requested payment for clearly understand the issues that have been raised. pressure political rivals exerted Don’t get me wrong. The story short, I’ve decided to stay power in excess of the 36MW as otherwise In the mid 1990s, international sponsors in on him to wrap up the peace away a little longer. So don’t alleged in the article. BKPC has and will continue to grievances of the big parties are conjunction with the government of Nepal, mutuallyhonour all of its obligations under the contracts process as soon as possible. In genuine. No one can be at peacebother calling me. You’ll find identified a need for electricity generation and signeda with NEA and HMGN. retrospect, Osama bin Laden me at the front door the day hydroelectric power project in the Upper Bhote KoshiBKPC and the lenders to the facility also expect area of Nepal. In 1996, the sponsors including Panda merely provided the cover for a you discover you’re too tired to the authorities in Nepal to honour their commitments Energy International, Inc (Panda) formed Bhote Koshi resolved and that in the future BKPC under the contracts signed with BKPC. The fiasco that was waiting to fight. Power Company Pvt Ltd (BKPC) to complete and Panda can use these relationships to further unnamed senior NEA official in the article has happen. development of the project. Based upon lengthy support and participate in efforts to increase mistated that BKPC has been asking for payment studies and negotiations with international lenders, international business investment and other for extra power generated by the project. This is the NEA and international contractors, BKPC opportunities for Nepal. false. BKPC has never requested payment for successfully obtained the commitment for the energy in excess of the 36MW amount allowed byFinally, the Upper Bhote Koshi Hydroelectric financing and the construction of the Upper Bhote the contract. The unnamed senior NEA officialProject is has contributed millions of dollars in Koshi Power Facility, a cost-effective, clean, clearly uninformed or for reasons of his own,taxes, royalties, construction costs, employee environmentally sound, hydroelectric generating deliberately misleading your readers. More over,salaries, and community that directly benefit the facility. BKPC has made numerous attempts to correct,people in of Nepal and will continue to make a The ability to obtain the necessary financingan for amicable manner, the outstanding payment significant contribution to the people of Nepal the project was predicated entirely upon the issues with NEA. To date BKPC has not been during its useful life. economics established under the Power Purchasesuccessful. BKPC believes that it is in the best interest of In the May Himal Agreement (PPA) with NBA. Without the obligation of The article is also misleading in its the people of Nepal that both BKPC and NEA live NEA, guaranteed by His Majesty’s Government of comparison of the tariff which NEA pays to upthe to their respective obligations under the PPA. Nepal (HMGN), to purchase power from the project Butwal Power Company verses that which NBABKPC has fulfilled its end of the bargain by at the negotiated rates, the project would not have, pays to BKPC. The method of financing andobtaining financing, constructing and operating been built. Based upon the promises and the Denoting the nation nature of development of the projects operatedthe facility, all as required under the PPA. It is obligations of NEA contained in the PPA, BKPC by the two companies are entirely different,now and time for NEA to perform its side of the raised the funds from a consortium of international hence any comparison of their tariffs is bargain. The failure of NEA to fulfill its lenders including International Finance Corp of the Tamils in Switzerland unjustified and improper. obligations underthe PPA go far beyond BKPC World Bank and DEG of Germany. BKPC constructed the project from 1997 to 2000 and has managed andThe investors in BKPC, including Panda, doand the facility, as the fixture willingness of Uncle Sam & South Asia operated the facility since it began commercialhave a strong relationship with various membersinternational investors and lenders to make operation in January 2001. of the United States Congress and with thesignificant commitments to Nepal may be adversely affected. That result is not desirable for NEA, the Tantamount to any lender’s ability to loan moneyExecutive Branch of the United States Engineering slums Government. It is our hope that the issues withpeople of Nepal, nor BKPC. for international construction is the sanctity of the Tariq Ali interview Todd W Carter, President, Panda Energy International, Inc

To subscribe, call 5543-333 BHIM SUBBA found that 125mg twice daily of Diamox is sufficient for the prevention 8 HEALTH of AMS. This is particularly important medical research is an 9open - 15 field MAY and 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 9 as allergies and other side effects can weight is set at 20kg and 30kg below needs more Nepali doctors. “There is result from using Diamox. Some this height, which, if followed, ‘do-able research’ in Nepal,” says headache, anorexia, nausea or difficultysmaller trials suggest extracts from the with the law stating all porters must Basnyat. “We cannot do cutting edge sleeping. It is common in travellers have death and dismemberment significantly reduce risks to porters. Gingko bilbao tree and asprin are also Whoever is at risk, mountain rescue is research on the coronary artery, but we above 2,500 m, particularly if the effective in preventing symptoms. insurance. But hiking in the hills and certainly can investigate altitude ascent is rapid. The illness can be fatal mountains is not included in the always complicated. Bad weather can While hiking through the hills, sickness and become a world centre for if it progresses to more severe forms insurance. “In many cases it is a matterimpede a successful operation. If the inquiring about traditional remedies rescue is accident related, proper high altitude medicine research.” such as High Altitude Cerebral of ethics. The agency is liable for the If medical input by the Welsh Oedema (HACE) or High Altitude used to nip the illness in the bud couldporter, paying all expenses in case of transportation is critical. Panic and doctors partly enabled the ascent of Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE), prove interesting. Hot fresh garlic soupmedical treatment or hospitalisation. mishandling can cause further damage, Sagarmatha, it seems entirely accounting for 0.0036 percent of and sprinkles of Chinese black pepper Agencies can now buy a medical policycomplicating injuries. Says Sherpa, possible that some homegrown high trekkers’ deaths in Nepal. ( for porters, which solves another “Search and rescue is necessary, altitude research could bring us The misconception that physical problem, but they are not bound by especially given Nepal’s terrain. This country does not have one well-trained closer to help understanding this Himalayanfitness and youth are shields against law to do so.” standby unit dedicated to rescue.” deadly disease. this indiscriminate illness is a popular At Porters Progress, Arjun Dharel and dangerous one. Young and feeble, says there are other provisions like Buddha Basnyat says high altitude old and fit, all are susceptible to timoor) are touted on many village above 3,500-4,000m the maximum altitude related illnesses. A previous menus as surefire natural means to help healthy experience at high altitude can mountaineers cope. health hazardsmean little, while preexisting ailments The Himlayan Rescue Association and illnesses do not preclude (HRA) has been working on high mountain sickness. To be sure, there altitude medicine with aid posts in Cerebral Edema are risk factors involved: rapid ascent, Manang and Pheriche (see box). This Helicopter rescue of a trekker the actual altitude gained, altitude at This magnetic resonance image shows a cross section of the brain of a 33-year- year it will also be present at Base Camp old man suffering from cerebral edema shortly after his evacuation from Mount suffering from altitude which you sleep and individual (5,000m) with a temporary clinic run McKinley, Alaska. (He madefull recovery.)a The bright white shapes at the center sickness out of the HRA susceptibility. station in Pheriche. by four American doctors to aid of the brain are cerebral ventricles. In front of and behind the ventricles lie areas Though the precise causes of of tissue swollen with leaked fluid (false-colored in red). Exactly where the fluid trekkers, climbers, Nepali support staff collects depends on the root cause of the problem. A stroke, for example, can mountain sickness continue to elude and porters. The first aid-post at this lead to fluid within brain cells. But researchers have produced compelling evidence us, simple treatment is often critical: altitude, HRA will be available to the that high altitude causes leakage from capillaries rather than swollen cells. cease and stop climbing, and descend 32 expeditions already planned for this if symptoms do not ease or rather month. A cameraman with the French exacerbate after 24 hours. If resorting expeiditon died last month of a heart to medication, acetazolamide, known toattack, and could not be saved. us as Diamox, effectively reduces There are many risks that face the symptoms of AMS. Pulmonary Edema mountaineer besides illnesses common Prevention is certainly better than This chest x-ray of a 31-year-old male skier evacuated from a mountain in at high altitudes. Trail hazards range Colorado illustrates pulmonary edema. (He also survived). On either side of his cure. Acclimatisation is the natural andfrom avalanches and rock slides to heart the red-colored foggy areas show fluid leaking from capillaries around some gradual regulation by the body to cope accidental death or injury while seeking of the lungs’ 300 million alveoli, or air sacs. Oxygen absorption into the blood is with altitude but is a random process inhibited when these capillaries leak under pressure from constricting pulmonary that perfect photograph—especially blood vessels. Nitric oxide, a chemical that dilates blood vessels, is produced by varying from person to person. To get while adjusting gadgets on a manual the body and can also be administered to treat pulmonary edema. Recent the required amount of oxygen at camera—or getting pushed off the trail research suggests that susceptibility to pulmonary edema may be linked to an higher altitude our heart and lungs by a beast of burden. inability to produce enough nitric oxide. must work harder. At 5000m they are Helicopter rescues are now working twice as hard as they would at possible, but retrieval has been affected sea level. Allowing the body to by phones been knocked out in remote acclimatise over the first 1-3 days at a areas by Maoists. Lack of information particular altitude requires a flexible by trekkers about their itinerary also itinerary and is worth the while. A Fragile Organ makes rescue difficult. Diamox is also used to prevent “The brain is a sentinel,” says altitude physiologist Peter Hackett, who has mountain sickness. Nepali porters have an even more summited Everest. “It’s the organ most sensitive to environmental changes.” A study recently completed by difficult time with rescue. Adhikari of Accounting for only 2 percent of an adult’s body weight, the brain burns up to 15 HRA estimates that 60 percent of well- percent of the body’s oxygen. This view of a healthy brain shows areas that fail Nepal’s foremost high-altitude under low oxygen. Impaired memory and reasoning signal a neurotransmitter established agencies, particularly medicine specialist, Buddha Basnyat, dysfunction in the frontal lobe. Plasma leakage from the corpus callosum, a risk members of the Trekking Agents’ at altitude, creates internal pressure. A staggering gait suggests that this pressure Association of Nepal (TAAN), comply has affected the cerebellum, site for balance control. Coma and death can follow with further stress on the brain Nationalstem. ( Geographic) JOHA BEAN

A climber himself, Sherpa was trained as a mountain guide in France. medical research and rescue has Prevention, cure and intervention: a guide to keeping safeHe has climbed at high in Europe altitude. and Nepal minimised the risks of humans who reasons for the duo’s shortcoming: and takes safety on the mountain very SRADDHA BASNYAT are determined to conquer, climb or ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ seriously. At Everest Trekking, his their stove used to melt ice for just experience the Himalaya. drinking water had ceased to function two-decade-old agency, he insists on ifty years ago when Tenzing With years of professional Norgay and Edmund Hillary and the technology available at the sitting his clients down for a ritual time allowed oxygen inhalation only experience as an adventure travel briefing prior to departure. And the attained the summit of operator, Tashi Jangbu Sherpa reckons FSagarmatha they made mountaineeringwhile resting—the mountaineers were mantra of the day can be a life-saver: not Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can history. Yet unknown to most, their defeated by total dehydration and too high too fast. Problems usually occur insufficient oxygen. be avoided and fatality from AMS when symptoms of AMS are ignored. feat also secured a medical coup. prevented all together. “Whether Learning from the experience the A clinical review recently In 1952, one year prior to the rooted in ego or ignorance, we continue published in first successful assent of the world’s doctors assembled a contraption that to lose lives to altitude related highest peak, a Swiss attempt by enabled climbers to inhale oxygen illnesses,” regrets Sherpa. “We have to Raymond Lambert and none other while on the move. A year later, plenty be attentive to our body and be very than Norgay himself had to turn away of hot lemon in hand and lungs full of honest about it. Walk slowly and the nearly 300m from the top. Later, two oxygen, Norgay and Hillary body will automatically adjust. Welsh doctors, Griffith Pew and accomplished what so many dreamed Walking slowly is the safest way to the British Medical Michael Ward, assessed the principle of doing and so many died trying. walk in the Himalaya.” Journalby doctors PW Barry and AJ Half a century since that celebrated Polland describes altitude illness for climb many advances in high altitude most as a self-limiting syndrome characterised by fatigue and weakness, dizziness and lightheadedness, To the rescue hen prevention must give way to contributed Rs 300,000. HRA chairman Ang Kaji intervention, the team at Himalayan RescueSherpa, “It is easy to build a hospital. Running it is Association (HRA) has led the way sincethe challenge. We are accessing where the need is.” 1973.W The non-profit organisation was establishedThen to there are sustainability issues with tourism in a reduce fatalities in the mountains related to AMS,slump, but once tourism picks up HRA wants to set up various altitude-related complications like snow health posts in Makalu and Kanchenjunga. blindness or frostbite and other accidents. At the HRAHRA coordinates helicopter rescue once information centre in Dhobichaur, prevention throughinformed of a case requiring evacuation. For foreign various awareness campaigns is going on. trekkers, the agency will usually have insurance For those already out on the mountain, HRA information or an agreement in the event of an operates two high altitude aid-posts at Manang emergency evacuation. The HRA coordinates with (3500m) in the Annapurna region and Pherichethe agency, insurance company and the relevant (4200m) in the Everest region. During spring andembassy fall ensuring a guarantee prior to dispatching foreign and Nepali volunteer doctors aided by HRAthe helicopter. This is time consuming in emergency staff hold fort. Foreign patients are requested to situations,pay a but over the years, with practice the crew service charge or leave a donation. Nepalis are has devised a fairly efficient system. The HRA is on treated free of cost, though those who can afford24-hour to radio call with helicopter companies such as pay a Rs 50 consultation charge. Fishtail, Karnali, Dynasty and the Royal Nepali Army. On average 3,000 patients including many Nepalis are treated annually while over 100 emergency evacuations are made. HRA’s Prakash HRA: Adhikari says, “We’ve saved a lot of lives in the past Tel: 977-1-4440292, 4440293 years.” HRA is considering another aid post along the [email protected], Langtang route for which the government has www.himalayanrescue.com government officials say. In 10 provinces, law NEPALI TIMES #144 NEPALI TIMES #144 10 WORLD 9 - 15 MAY 2003 9enforcement - 15 MAY 2003 officials say they have11 achieved a 100 percent success rate. In a population of 62 million people, as many as one in 17 or 5.9 COMMENT by JEFFREY D SACHS percent, of Thais aged 15 years and above are Netting support hooked on methamphetamines or ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Model state ‘ya baa’. TORONTO –The possibility that the Liberal government of Prime ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ But now human rights activists are bringing Minister Jean Chretien might drop its long standing opposition to TOKYO Japanese– analysts are drawing the controversial US missile defence plan and integrate its parallels between the US-designed path thatup another side of the campaign—an estimated small armed forces with the giant US military machine for North Japan took after its surrender in World War2,274 II drug-related killings, averaging over 25 a America is alarming analysts. Under the plan, land-based key player as well. A longstanding and the direction Iraq may be taking under day.US- Official statistics put the number at only 42, interceptor rockets would be deployed to knock ballistic-missile sidekick of Cheney, Rumsfeld led occupation. Japan, Washington’s closestall drugally suspects shot by the police mostly in warheads out of the sky before they hit North America. The Crony capitalists go traveled to Baghdad to in 1983 and war in the Asia-Pacific, is often cited as a modelself-defence. of The human rights community also purchase of laser guided bombs for the country’s CF-18 jet 1984 at the behest of former the successful ‘peace strategy’ the Unitednoted the lack of public outrage or the absence of civilians wanting to wage a legal battle over fighters and investment in data collecting technology are other Bechtel Corporation President States had during the seven years of moves the Canadian military could take toward standardising considerable efforts in the late consummate its crony takeover of occupation. The 1945 surrender led to politicalthe rights violations carried out during the drug its equipment and strategy with US forces. 1990s to get an American-built George Shultz, then passing a bit Iraq’s oil. America will soon try reforms and a new constitution. campaign. The police forced people at bars and The Bush administration is flouting every of non-corporate time as US nightclubs to take urine tests for traces of drug But Ottawa’s foreign policy independence is jeopardised by pipeline to carry gas from to appoint an Iraqi regime that Iraq’s history and the circumstances of the Secretary of State. Rumsfeld’s use. the government’s view that economic security depends onrule the to give its coterie the inside track. Turkeminstan through Afghanistan will aim to cancel many of US-led invasion in March are quite different from continued expansion of trade liberalisation. Business groups to Pakistan and the Indian Ocean. hidden mission was to win Saddam’s oil contracts with that of Japan’s but the plight of the former under like the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) support Even before the bombs stopped Saddam’s support of a Bechtel- France, Russia and China, in US occupation is reminiscent of issues being the increased Canada-US economic and military integration. falling on Baghdad, Khalilzad’s writ built oil pipeline to run from Iraqorder to make room for US and debated in relation to Iraq. They range from how The CCCE is urging Canada to support Washington’s as Special Envoy was extended to via Jordan to the Gulf of Aqaba. UK firms. But this will be harder long US troops will stay in Iraq, the leadership controversial missile defence strategy, even though some Iraq. Among his likely jobs in Iraq This is the same Bechtel that to accomplish than simply dominated by the US military, plans for a new military experts question its viability and cost. While maintaining constitution and talk about military bases in Iraq. defence arrangements with its southern neighbour, Ottawa has will be to secure a pipeline carrying built Saddam’s “dual use” sending in the US army. TheAsahi newspaper recently asked, “After been more sympathetic towards multilateral institutions like the Iraqi oil from Mosul, Iraq to Haifa, chemical industry; now it has The US can not legally World War II, Japan embraced defeat and the (IPS) United Nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Israel via Syria. To stop Syria from been awarded a non-competitive market Iraqi oil, much less invest United States embraced Japan. How is the Kyoto Protocol on climate change than has Washington. objecting, the US is now $600 million mega-contract to in new fields, until the old UN United States going to embrace Iraq?” Shinsaku threatening it as well. rebuild Iraqi infrastructure. sanctions against Iraq are lifted. Nohira of the anti-war group Peace Boat saysWomen to work rather than follow the Japan ‘model’, Iraq should○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ Khalilzad will have plenty of American newspapers now report But the rest of the world believes that former Shell Oil CEO Philip be able to select their leaders in order to haveDHAKA – Bangladesh’s decision to relax the support in the Bush that lifting the sanctions is real democracy. latest restrictions on women seeking work (IPS) Carroll will be appointed as the Administration, which is heavily tantamount to handing Iraq’s oil abroad has rekindled a debate on the loaded with oil industry US czar of Iraqi oil. Carroll’s future over to the US and UK government’s policies on women’s rights, labour executives. National Security most recent job was as Chief occupying forces and their export, and its ability to protect its migrant workers. Art for state’s sake Executive of Fluor, the giant Between 10,000 and 15,000 Bangladeshi women ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Advisor Condeleeza Rice was a corporate cronies. (IPS) have been leaving to seek work abroad every year RIO DE JANEIRO – The Brazilian art world has risen up against Director of Chevron-Texaco construction conglomerate, More telling, and significant despite the mid-1998 ban. the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, which it helped before coming to the National another company that, together in the long term, is the State Minister for Expatriate Welfare and elect, for a provisor that state cultural agencies will only invest Security Council. She even had anwith Bechtel and Halliburton, is remarkable anti-US and anti-UK in line for the big bucks that will Victory high Overseas Employment, Mohammed Quamru,l in projects that have a “social side”. Artists representing oil tanker named after her. sentiment now sweeping Iraq. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Brazilian film, music, theatre, plastic arts and literature Islam said that women under 35 would not be Commerce Secretary Don Evans issoon be paid (using Iraq’s oil Rather than being welcomed as BANGKOK – Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra protested Monday against what they say is “state control over earnings) for US-led permitted to become domestic workers in the culture”. also an oil-company CEO. Vice liberators, the US and UK are Thaksin was on aMiddle East. Other stipulations are that the President Richard Cheney was in reconstruction. high at the end of workers’ monthly salary must be the equivalent The social aspect required for state sponsorship of arts seen as new colonial occupiers, effect lead conductor of the group The United Kingdom can’t and the Iraqis are mobilising to last week from hisof $125 or above, and that they receive projects includes “operating in harmony with government government’s ‘waraccommodation and free food. The ministry also policy, particularly the Zero Hunger Program,” according to a when he served as Chairman of match the US in cronyism, but push the occupiers out. The US Halliburton, the world’s largest Britain’s support for America in on drugs’, which demands a “no-objection certificate” from the document from the public electrical company, Electrobrás, may have done something few ran from 1 husband or from her family. which received instructions from the government’s oil services company. Halliburtonthe war also has a commercial could have expected: united the February to 30 The ban was aimed primarily at those leaving Communications Secretariat. Other rules for state backing aim is now at the front of the line for logic. While Saddam gave oil Shi’ites and the Sunnis in a April. In all of for beneficiaries to promote Brazilian traditions and identity and Iraqi reconstruction projects, for contracts to French, Russian, and Thailand’s 75 to be domestic workers in the Middle East, Cheney-Rumsfeld team is so common cause. Democracy may where most reports of physical and other disseminate national culture to enhance the national image. A which contracts are being handed Chinese oil firms, UK firms such provinces, the priority will be placed on projects that “democratise access to weapons of mass destruction, yet arrogant that it acts as if it can come to Iraq, and the will of the abuses have come from. It was maintained by out without any transparent and as BP were frozen out. UK firms crackdown culture” and stimulate the social development of the poor, sayshen financial crisis hit Asia didn’t mix finance with war. each passing day suggests that the flaunt the takeover of Middle East people will be to stop the plunder against illegal the former Awami League government, which the text. in 1997, America’s leaders Whatever other goals lay behind competitive process whatsoever. are no doubt counting on of their country’s natural drugs has gone faced criticism from women’s rights threat was exaggerated. Another oil while brushing aside questions. organisations and NGOs. Groups like Ain-O- Among the criticisms by filmmakers and actors were more charged Asian governments But what is happening here is returning to Iraq on America’s resources by US crony capitalists. beyond the initial W the Iraq war, the Bush goal also loomed large: control overIn Afghanistan last year, the US Salish Kendra (Law and Arbitration Centre), than a few comparisons to “socialist realism”, the policywith of the practising crony capitalism. In Administration seems keen to line 11 percent (or more) of the world’s installed Hamid Karzai, a former more than “guilt by association” coattails. Only a few hurdles target, which was slashing the Odhikar (Rights), and the Bangladesh Legal Aid former Soviet Union that stipulated political criteria and retrospect, the charge seems like the pockets of its cronies and to oil reserves and, in the longer term, consultant for oil giant Unocal, as with the oil industry. The Bush remain before the US can Services Trust had called the ban a “barrier to objectives for art. number of drug rank hypocrisy. America has shown capture increased control over control over pipeline routes interim leader. It also appointed Administration is flouting every traders by 75 women’s empowerment, employment and This clash between the Lula administration and the artistitself to be second to none in Middle East oil and pipeline routes.between the Mediterranean, the Kalmay Khalilzad, another former rule to give its cronies the inside percent in each poverty alleviation”. (© Project Syndicate) community puts an end to their “honeymoon” period, saypractising cronyism, first with its Only a few pesky obstacles—the Caspian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.Unocal consultant –indeed, track. Before joining the province, observers. rotten corporate scandals of recent UN and the Iraqi people—stand in The failure to locate Saddam’s Karzai’s boss—as special US envoy. Pentagon, Donald Rumsfeld was a (Jeffrey D Sachs is professor of years, and now in Iraq. Asian their way. WMD’s is putting America’s grab Khalilzad and Karzai spent capitalists may have stolen some economics and Director of the The Iraq war was ostensibly for Iraqi oil into sharp focus. The Earth Institute at Columbia borrowed loot, but at least they (IPS) (IPS) launched because of Saddam’s University.)

ANALYSIS by MICHAEL MERTES OPINION by ORVILLE SCHELL

How Germany lost the Iraq war Pyongyang and Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, what is to prevent these same countries from As with people, so too with suspected cases. proposing initiatives to resolve the Is China opening or Taiwanclosing? Straits problem, the This kind of insular reaction to states: trust once lost is a fundamentally global problem is question of Tibetan autonomy or the challenge of insurgent extremely difficult to regain. espite the dominance of the was better to hush up the mass self-destructive. It reflects China’s insular reaction to a lingering discomfort with a global Muslims in Xinjiang? Iraq story, China is back in famine that killed 30 million Of course, by hosting the the headlines, with the people following the Great Leap world of greater transparency, ars always have winners and losers. Saddam D fundamentally global problem like the talks, China’s leaders also tacitly Forward in the late 1950’s and freedom of expression, and a Hussein—dead or on the run—is, of course, the country excoriated for its evasiveness recognise that absolute sovereignty Iraq war’s biggest loser. But Germany has also about the SARS epidemic, and SARS epidemic is self-destructive. early 1960’s than to seem to be in diminished reliance on absolute W sovereignty. In short, China’s is no longer a viable position, or ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ need of foreign help. lost much. It is less relevant in both European and world praised for its suddenly constructive unfairly victimised. one that benefits China. Indeed, if politics than it was before the Iraq war. Repairing the role in convening in helping to Nowadays, the country’s initial reaction to SARS—like its victimisation. The Maoist This deep-seated suspicion of they are successful in bringing damage will not be easy. bring about negotiations between communist leaders acted as if they disastrous early handling of its ideological mindset grew out of international exploitation fuels a about some sort of rapprochement, the US and North Korea, over believed that disclosing SARS AIDS epidemic—is a throwback to The country can no longer play the role of transatlantic Lenin’s theory of imperialism, predator/victim perspective that or even if they only manage to ease North Korea’s nuclear would risk tarnishing China’s its old pre-reform approach to mediator between France and America. It can forget about which, aided by endless barrages of focuses blame on the outside world. the crisis somewhat, their insubordination. What do these two “economic miracle” and driving problems. US support in its campaign to gain a permanent seat in the propaganda against capitalism, So China’s first reaction to SARS accomplishment will be In happier times: Schröder(l) and Bush(r). seemingly disparate responses tell us away foreign direct investment— But if the SARS epidemic UN Security Council. Instead of forging a “third way” for colonialism and foreign hegemony, was to bury the news of a public significant. Any success will confer about China and its evolving place some $50 billion last year, or 80 exposed the retro side of China’s Europe’s left with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, tended to reinforce the sense of health epidemic in the making. a new sense of dignity and status in the world? percent of all FDI made in Asia. approach to involvement in global Chancellor Gerhard Schröder needs Blair to plead his caseleaders who backed the wrong side. So, with Baghdad’s national humiliation. Party on China. For this reason, China’s China’s response to the SARS Such secretiveness—rooted in Why not just keep the fledgling affairs, China has shown its newer, with President George W Bush, who feels personally fall, Schröder began to send conciliatory signals to spokesmen still often say that some reluctant and belated entrance onto Washington and London. During a Franco-German- epidemic suggests an almost fear of humiliation—has been the epidemic under wraps and hope more cosmopolitan and betrayed by the Chancellor’s conduct in the run-up to the foreign intervention has “wounded Chinese Communist Party’s the international diplomatic stage war. In post-communist Eastern Europe, Germany is no Russian summit in St. Petersburg, he explicitly automatic defensiveness when the that it goes away without the world internationalist side by hosting the the feelings of the Chinese people” traditional response to bad news. It is a hopeful trend that bears longer perceived as an absolutely dependable advocate refrained from criticising the US and Britain. “I don’t outside world seems to impinge on ever knowing? three-way discussion between when they feel that China has been America, North Korea and China. watching. If China comports itself of the region’s needs. The EU’s hopes for common want to speak about the past,” he emphasised, “we it or threaten it in some potentially When the SARS epidemic well, and if the meetings are foreign, security and defence policies have been gravelyshould think about how the military victory can be harmful or embarrassing way. In broke out in Guangdong in South These talks, represent a more open, forward-looking, multilateral view productive, this will be important jeopardised. Even the UN—the institution that turned to help the entire region.” this sense, the legacy of China’s China, the government’s first in its own right. But China’s Schröder was supposedly defending—has been Germany’s traditional low-key foreign policy made humiliation at the hands of the impulse was, indeed, to be of China’s place in the world, hinting at a more pro-active and performance could become diminished by his fecklessness. the country an anchor of NATO and helped secure West and Japan in the 19 secretive, manipulate statistics, constructive diplomatic role as symbolic of a more significant But the heart of the matter is the deterioration of reunification. That diplomatic tradtion was about creating pressure the media into silence, long-term breakthrough—the and transferring stability through the strengthening of th and distort the magnitude of the matchmaker and reconciler on the German-American relations. Schröder stoked the country’s global stage. moment when the country put its internatinal governments and supranational structures. early 20th centuries still exerts a epidemic, and impede the World fear of the outside world aside and overwhelmingly pacifist attitudes. That political strategy In the past, China shied away left President Bush believing that Schröder had stabbed Germany is too big to abstain from leadership in Europe. powerful influence, despite the Health Organisation (WHO) from began to emerge as a more pro- him in the back. As with people, so too with states: trust But it is well advised to avoid being suspected of emergence of a globalised “New getting involved early. Even after from most multilateral problem active agent of multilateral once lost is extremely difficult to regain. hegemonic goals. Germany must learn that influence is China” over the last two decades. the epidemic appeared in Hong solving, fearing that it might set a cooperation. precedent for other countries to Germany’s opposition parties and much of its foreign based not only on soft “civilian power”, but also on hard These experiences became burned so Kong and then spread to Beijing, military capabilities. Only an enhanced German relevance deeply into the Chinese psyche that officials continued to withhold intervene in internal Chinese policy establishment warned that the country risked affairs. After all, if China helps to diplomatic isolation, so Schröder joined an ad hoc coalitionin European and world politics will convince America thateven China’s current economic and information. Only under the most resolve the stand-off between of the unwilling, along with France and Russia. Much of it is time to bury the hatchet. political rise has not overcome an biting international criticism and the world press dubbed this “gang of three” an “axis”, a underlying sense of victimisation censure did China grudgingly (© Project Syndicate) word with sinister echoes of the German-Italian-Japanese and grievance. admit that there were 340 cases in World War II axis. Wartime victory makes cowards of It would not be too extreme to Beijing, with over 400 more (Michael Mertes, a former policy advisor to Helmutsay that China has fashioned a Kohl, is an author and partner at dimap consult, a commercial think-tank based in Bonn and Berlin.)whole identity out of its historical (© Project Syndicate) of all 75 donors and recipients, as well as details about the Indian hospitals where the operations took place. 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTEDBachhu FROM THE Damai NEPALI and PRESS Dambar 9 - 15 MAY 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 HISTORY AND CULTURE 9 - 15 MAY 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 13 Gurung were among those who sold Organ racket their kidneys. They were paid less NEPALITERATURE by MANJUSHREE THAPA ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ than what was discussed initially Deshantar, 4 May with Syangtan but were afraid to go Fall from grace? to the police because the law prohibits selling organs. Hari Narayan Syangtan was The interior world of arrested for selling 75 human Ghatna Ra Bichar, 7 May kidneys by the Valley Crime Avinash Shrestha The chariot Investigation Office. For the past ungamati had the Machendranath Rath up and ready for the five years the Sarlahi native lived in once-in-twelve-years haul to Patan on 2 May. The road that Chabahil while conducting a racket Avinash Shrestha writes some of the most interior, emotionally charged poetry being written today by any male poet. links this town to Patan was graded and rolled over to take on that involved doctors in India Eschewing the righteous, sometimes bombastic social B and Nepal. critiques of many of his peers, Shrestha writes intimately of the rath. The chariot itself had spanking new wooden wheels and a In custody the 39-year-old the experience of fear, passion and desire. In the poems new chassis of wood from a massive tree bought for Rs 100 thousand confessed that together with his below he offers us the singular lyricism and physicality of his and lugged over from Trisuli. Directions language. wife he convinced menial workers ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ Unfortunately, the citizens of Bungamati had not managed to into having their organs removed in Ghatna Ra Bichar, 7 May clean up their town for this great opportunity. Although there is an Indian hospitals. Detailed papers ‘industrial fair’ on, and the town clearly hopes to take advantage of the seized from Syangtan show he Of late the Indian press has Chair: Government LETTER TO A FRIEND FROM YOUTH tourism and publicity from this year’s jatra, the town looked decrepit obtained medical recommendations expressed an overwhelming interest Water: People’s Movement and dirty. The rath itself was for kidney transplants from highly in our politics. The Nepali Budhabar, 7 May Neelpawan! Don’t you remember? On the path that dipped lower and lower parked at the back of the reputed nephrologists including Dr populace, however, does not enjoy town amidst a perfunctorily Rishi Raj Khafle of the National we too were lowering and Once in every twelve years this attention. In its 1 May stopping and resting along with us cleaned up garbage dump. Kidney Centre, Dr Pushkar Raj editorial, a new tack. It suggests that if the treated like animals,” says a Thami the chariot winds its way The Times of Indiaoffers king does not want to lose ground, the sun and the day also lowered behind While the sikhara-style Satyal of Bir Hospital and Blue woman. “We have been exploited. the mugwort and raspberry scrubs from Bungamati to Patan. Cross Nursing Home, Dr Pramod unsolicited advice to the king and he must launch his own political This matter has to be Neelpawan! Don’t you remember? temple of Bungadya is tackily painted, the rest of the town remains in Chhetri of Sidhartha Apollo other Nepali politicos. With a title party. investigated.” dejected old-world squalor reminiscent of a Patan of half a century ago. Hospital and Dr Manoj Bhattarai that reads “Kings’ Cross”, the The Times of Indiasays ever More than 60 groups from Placing life on a dare like the trickster Bungadya itself is the ‘local’ name of the god, who is also newspaper says, “King Gyanendra swaying back and forth on a tightrope of Chhetrapati Poly Clinic. Written since the king took over in several VDCs had worked at the sun swayed back and forth above us Avalokitswar and Machendranath. The long sojourn to Patan of the

MIN BAJRACHARYA could strike a blow for an enduring proof from these medical October, there have been concertedconstructing a 2km road under the for many days for invisible ages monarchy by launching a political historically unstable and top-heavy rath is an event in itself. The route institutions sanctioning transplants efforts to consolidate his executive exchange program. The food But time won’t change us as it will that trickster CPN-UML leader Madhab Kumar Nepal has landed himself party that would lead the way to a ran along the ridgetop that runs north along the Nakkhu River. This were also recovered. In India power. Extrapolating from the arrived not only two months late, whose end will surely come diseased, unsheltered in a controversy for his speech at the 4 May mass rally. In a more democratic order. Should he was the first time in the rath’s historical travel that Bungadya will see Syangtan took them to MITO Bulgarian example, it describes in but was also rotten, complain the on some dirty sidewalk critical speech, he indirectly accused the king and the crown make bold to do so, he could well so much urbanisation en-route to Patan. A dozen years ago, Bhaisepati Hospital and Santosh Hospital at detail how the Bulgarian monarch workers. Authorities had delayed prince of serious crimes. In an attempt to earn applause pave the way for a new republic Neelpawan! Don’t you remember? was still the rural from the crowd, Nepal came down so heavily on the Madras, Sanjay Gandhi who got expelled in 1946 made an the delivery of the sacks of rice by where the monarchy too would We’d collected enough dreams monarch and the royal family that the royal palace hasMemorial black unbelievable come back as a leader saying that they had to undergo to last our days of youth Phantasms of old age listed him. “Madhab Nepal lost whatever little sympathyHospital the in of the New Movement Party. The lab tests. “How dare they give us disease and hunger come by to haunt me now kaanthof the Valley towns. The next time Bungadya king had for him…it ends any possibility of him becomingChandigarh and newspaper outlines ways in which this after taking so long with their We’d never thought of such things before makes the trip, it will be a city all the way to Patan. Still, all you had to prime minister with the palace’s support. He has beenPGI Hospital in King Gyanendra can win a popular lab tests?” asks a local who was Don’t tease me Neelpawan, saying I suffer do was turn your eyes across the Nakkhu River to the rice paddies on black listed,” sources from the palace familiar with theLucknow for the among the few that had lodged a an attachment to Buddhahood Don’t tease me king’s temperament told us. mandate in representative politics My illusions of Siddhartha are dear to me the other side to see how it must have looked in the past. procedures. on the platform of uprooting complaint with the District In an earlier incident, the palace expressed displeasure My home, son Rahul and companion Yashodhara Under the corruption, criminality and poverty.Administration Officer. are dear to me I will cast aside these fantasies when Nepal declined to stay in a high-level team constitutedguise of routine It says, “view that the king should Locals suspect foul play, saying I will work to make a foundation on to probe the royal massacre of July 2001. They have, the path between attachment and detachment however, conceded that Nepal’s indiscreet declamationcheck-ups may and X- abdicate isgaining ground”. Only the officials involved in the be due to political difficulties. rays, doctors the Maoists have explicitly made transaction must have siphoned off Neelpawan! Don’t you remember? There are speculations regarding Nepal’s ultra-criticalworking with this demand. It says the the good rice. They say the rice That day we felt terrified, seeing the trickster Syangtan would is rotten and tastes bitter. If you don’t recall—do try to remember stance on the monarchy. Many believe Girija Prasad Koirala monarchy—presently unpopular You’ll find the will to live like a human being incited his statements. Koirala’s proposal that Nepaltell stand the often with both the Maoists and the Chairman of the Road unsuspecting mainstream political parties— Construction Committee Norsang as the future premier if the parliament is reinstated or an all- This is, it seems, our only enlightenment party government is constituted had been agreed uponpatient by that a should take a “proactive step to Sherpa admits the quality of rice is leaders from the five political parties involved in the jointkidney was defunct strengthen the democratic lower than what was promised. movement. Nepal was obviously ecstatic about the needed to be process and, at the same time, There is a discrepancy even in prospect. Moreover, the nationwide attention Koirala removed. The maintain the appeal of the the amount that was handed to received for his comments on the monarchy may havefreshly obtained monarchy”. encouraged Nepal to be more acerbic than usual. the villagers—it arrived with kidney would then 1,000kg less than the agreed Strangely, Koirala, who was the last to address thebe rally,given to a genuine recipient. A abide as a stabilising symbol of upon 35,000. Rural Community was comparatively soft on the monarch. Many interprethealthy this kidney is priced at Rs 300 Infrastructure Development change of tone as an attempt to kill two birds with onethousand on the black market. The Nepal’s multicultural identity”. stone. Koirala gained support from Nepal by proposing him The editorial also says the Maoist’s Dolakha Unit chief Damodar donor receives one third and the Pangeni admits that the rice is as a probable prime minister, but in the same strokerest is divided among the network campaign has severely curtailed the Short changed succeeded in diminishing Nepal’s stature in the palace. ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○ substandard quality, but argues that procures the sale. role of the monarchy in national INATTENTIVENESS With this latest development, the probability of Madhab politics. The volatile situation may Spacetime, 6 May that it is edible as proven by lab Kumar Nepal getting the top job is very slight indeed, Syangtan told police that there compel the political parties to take tests and therefore cannot be The ten chariots of direction have halted especially if a compromise has to be reached with His The morning maidens have tucked off their covers of mist are five such ‘gangs’ selling kidneys Dolakha locals are angry at the sub-returned. Majesty. Whether the joint campaign triumphs or not,in Nepal but could not give details EELUM DIXIT standard food sent by the World The pebbles of their chuckles shower upon analysts say Koirala’s shrewd political tactics will seeon whohim or where these groups come out on top. Food Program under the Food-for- the lake of my inattentiveness Ah! could be found. From his Work scheme. “We cannot be The restless girls of spring— meticulous records, the police POETIC LICENSE by THOMAS LUX obtained the particulars and photos Horses tied to the tree in the windy season A foreign word in the midst of language Unknown guests who have entered the house

A champagne bottle a hundred years older than I The people of Foreign friends playing polo on fields of aristocratic Soldiers for the causechatter the other village The face of the sad afternoon like a whore Rajdhani, 2 May The lazy wind tempted to whisper rumors in our ears QUOTE OF THE WEEK By Chitra Bahadur Singh Hate the people of this village Today I’m well like the pine tree lost and would nail our hats Maoist child soldiers who had been underground are returning home to Daha, a village in far-western Kalikot.in the ancient darkness outside It’s enough to our heads by refusing in their presence to I will not support violence if the Back in the safety of their homes, they pray that they will not have to return to the jungle again. I’ll shut the window that looks out onto memory remove them joint movement takes that direction. Four classmates from Chulimalika Secondary School joined the Maoist rebels more than two years ago I’ll draw closed the curtains of drowsiness or staple our hands to our foreheads for refusing to salute them The nation cannot be subjected to and are very articulate aboutjanbadi shiksha—Maoist speak for ‘progressive-people’s education’. Ten-year old as I lie down to sleep anymore death and destruction. if we did not hurt them first: mail them Jagadish Shahi said that he would continue his education if that policy is adopted during negotiations In addition to being a poet and playwright, Shrestha edits packages of rats, between the government and the rebels. “Hundreds of children like me contributed in bringing the ‘people’s the Royal Nepal Academy’s literary magazine,Samakalin mix their flour at night with broken glass. -Ram Chandra Paudel, Nepali war’ to where it is today,” says Shahi. We do this, they do that. Congress Central Working He claims there are 300 child soldiers who went underground for the Maoist party at Kalikot alone. ShahiSahitya. They peel the larynx from one of our brother’s throats. Committee member, speaking about says he and his colleagues suffered unimaginable hardships for their “ideals”. “It is for love of my parents, grandfather and school friends that I decided to come home,” he said. We devein one of their sisters. The quicksand pits they built were good. the joint movement launched by five His former classmate Devendra Shahi, 12, has no regrets about joining the Maoists. After more than two political parties on 4 May in Our amputation teams were better. years underground, he regards guns and bullets as childplay. “We will be compelled to go back if the present We trained some birds to steal their wheat. Rajdhani, 5 May. peace process fails. I pray that a a situation where children like me have to pick up guns will never arise again,” They sent to us exploding ambassadors of he says. peace. Sita Kumari Singh, 14, and Bimala, 15, joined the Maoist party from Odanaku village of Kalikot and are They do this, we do that. members of the Maoist’s cultural wing, Raktaranjan Cultural Troupe. “Until the valid demands of the Maoist We cancelled our sheep imports. party materialises, the contributions made by artists like They no longer bought our blankets. us will not get due recognition,” Singh says. Both of We mocked their greatest poet Bimala’s parents and her grandparents died in the and when that had no effect seven-year long civil war. She hopes to live with her we parodied the way they dance uncle’s family if permanent peace is established in the which did cause pain, so they, in turn, said country. our God was leprous, hairless. News of 17-year-old Padam Bahadur Rawal’s death We do this, they do that. at the hands of the Royal Nepali Army was broadcasted Ten thousand (10,000) years, ten thousand by the state-controlled radio recently. His parents even (10,000) brutal, beautiful years. performed his last rites when their son, very much alive, returned home. “Even if the ceasefire is put in place, we Lokendra Bahadur Chand: “I am not cannot return home unless a lasting peace is (Thomas Lux is an American poet whose worksThe include Street of Clocks, greedy for this seat. If the need established and the people’s army is merged with the New and Selected PoemsandThe Blind Swimmer: Selected Early Poems.) arises, I will resign from my post!” national army,” Rawal says with certainty.

Spacetime, 4 May 14 CITY 9 - 15 MAY 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 LIFESTYLE 9 - 15 MAY 2003 NEPALI TIMES #144 15

want modifications, we can get ot so long ago setting up a Spoilt forit done for them,”choice says Sangita. house was stressful Custom made furniture is the temptingAll this doesn’t new come trend cheap. in interiors. experience. Choices were Aimed at the high and upper- limited, so you took what you middle Nepali bracket, Sangita got, settling for sturdy and is aware that her creations don’t ABOUT TOWN Npractical over design and have a very democratically aesthetics. Today the sheer priced tag. FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS breadth of options for furniture, Wood, however, caters to Kathmandu Vendorspaintings by Mark Jordans at the Lazimpat Gallery Café. 4428549 furnishings and pretty foibles every budget and taste. With Contemporary Tibetan Art from till Lhasa 14 June at Lotus Gallery, Thamel. 4253646 available in Nepal makes it not the plastic emulsions and metal Tibetan paintings till 20 May at Pathibhara Art Gallery, Thamel. 4256004 only possible to get exactly what polish paints available in the From the sea to the Himalayas Paintings by Ahmed Sareer till 13 May at Gallery Nine, Lazimpat. you want, but also have it at market you could even have 4436944 prices that won’t break the bank. wood furniture that imitates What you pay for is not wrought iron! “There is no EVENTS always what you get, which is why doubt that wooden furniture Studio 7 presents Babu at Raja the Naga Theatre of the Vajra Hotel. Tickets Rs 700. 7.15 PM, 9-11 those who can afford it are still tops the demand list,” says Sushil Thapaliya of Padmashree, May. 4271545 ordering custom made furniture and furnishing. ‘Custom made’ is a company that has carved out a Reiki Second Degree Workshop First Degree 10-11 May at Babar Mahal Revisited. [email protected] niche for itself in the wooden 5541613 not a new concept in Nepal. In the days before showrooms and furniture manufacturing and Rock Nepal 2003Guitarist Louis Bertignac and friends at Hyatt Regency Ballroom, 7PM onwards on interior design fairs, even the from iron and wood to moulded Sabita Dhungana of Aakarshan, a retail business. His stiffest 14 May. Rs 1250 pp. 4491234 discerning were at the mercy of plastics. You can buy entire pioneer manufacturer of custom- competition comes from cheap rd 3 Annual VW RallyKathmandu to Nagarkot on 10 May. Rs 500 pp (lunch included) in aid of the their local furniture ranges (two side tables, made wrought iron furniture in pieces imported from Malaysia, Ganesh Foundation, Shanti Shanti Sangh and Maya Foundation. Details: 4428752. one sofa, two armchairs) made Nepal. They are so popular with China and other Southeast Asian Exhibition on J Krishnamurti9-17 May at Bhrikuti Mandap. in Italy, made in Nepal for Italy the expatriate community that countries. “Nepali furniture is 7th Nepal education and book11AM-6.30 fair PM till 10 May at Bhrikuti Mandap. or available in prefabricated, several Akarshan pieces have much stronger but some Exchange Mela Hyundai distributorsAvco Intl) ( 10-11 May, 11AM onwards ready-to-assemble sets been exported to Europe. “You customers are swayed by the sikarmi. Craftsmen at Bhrikuti Mandap. Valuation of old cars, maintenance workshop, testdrives. (screwdrivers not included). can experiment with colour and better finish on imported from south of the border could be goods,” he says. International bowling tournamentorganised by NMA and NBA. 10-11 May at Bowling Boulevard, Designs range from Victorian design, and wrought iron is hired for a few days to refluff the Designing interiors is still a Royal Bowling and Shahanshah Bowling Centre. Details: 4443337, 981032149 dark wood to the latest trends in cheap here in Nepal compared to quilts, upholster the sofa and run wrought iron furniture. The key prices abroad,” explains Sabita. fledgling business says Siddarth up a few curtains for good to the whole exercise of interior Akarshan has begun to make Gopalan, a young interior measure. decoration is to be true to collapsible furniture so those designer whose clients include Director Ken Ghosh takes us on a romp of Of course there would be teenage love and misunderstandingsIshq in oneself. And keep an eye on your who have to move often can Sipradi, the Australian Embassy, budget, unless you plan to easily cart them along. Furniture Vishk. Starring Amrita Arora, ex-MTV unfortunate ‘accidents’—one leg Himalmedia , the Roadhouse JAI NEPAL CINEMA shorter than the other, the print replace your furniture every year. that can be disassembled and Café in Thamel and recently the presenter Shenaz and Shahid, the film revolves around Rajeev (Shahid) who is of the brocade would be tacked Like the Hong Kong Chinese, transported easily is popularly Khetan Group’s corporate cynical of love and commitment. Payal (Amrita) lzIff -clgjfo{ _ PlR5s xf] Og . on in the wrong direction. Now always invest in the best quality known in the business as headquarters. Siddharth treads is besotted with Rajeev and believes that custom made is minus the you can afford. knockdown furniture. “Their the fine line between kitsch and 12PM, 3PM, 6PM hard work and honesty will snare her dream ljlGt kq lzIff pkxf/ xf Og] . mishaps. Customers can get Wrought iron used to be convenience is one reason why classic as he juggles interiors for man. Things don’t go according to plan whenTelephone booking: 4442220 exactly what they ask for: “Size, they are becoming so popular,” the nouveau riche and the Online booking 5f/f5f] /L] nfO +egf { u/f }+ . regarded exclusively as garden Alisha (Shenaz), a girl with looks, lzIff jfnaflnsfsf ] clwsf/ xf ] . colour and material is all your says Birendra Deo of Furniture Scandinavian-leaning sophistication and class, steps into the frame. www.jainepal.com and patio furniture but are choice,” stresses Sangita Hamal ofincreasingly finding their way 2000, a company that specialises minimalists. Kathmandu is a Better Homes. into people’s living, dining and in office tables. melting pot of different concepts The trends running riot range bedrooms. “People are going Wrought iron is even making and for those who can’t afford gaga over our furniture,” says an appearance in non-traditional his services, here is Siddharth’s NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Naxal Opp. Police HQ areas like the kitchen. The folks hint to do-it-yourself designers: VIS -07-05-2003 10:00 GMT “You can use a lot of glitter and SKY LIGHT (P) Ltd. 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by Kunda Dixit Bush lands Soyuz in NorthPoster Korea girl picture speaks a thousand Software glitch sends Prez ballistic over the DMZ. words. And Min children don’t understand why their Bajracharya’s picture of mother’s picture is plastered on every wall in Kathmandu. “Luckily DurgaA Thapa became an icon of the People’s Movement 1990. my father-in-law and I believe BY OUR SPACE CADET Sign Language. Durga was 22 then, a student at in the same ideology, and “As long as I was in North Korea, I Padma Kanya Campus. Min my husband doesn’t mind PYONGYANG(AP) — In a Reaganesque (pic, left) was 19. She had joined it toomuch,” Durga figured I should ask folks here about theirone of the rallies that were the finale to his one-week stay on board thenuke reactors and the manufacture of precursors of the restoration of laughs. International Space Station, President weapons-grade plutonium,” Bush told democracy when the George W Bush made a ballistic reentry reportersinto dressed in full space regalia. Ofphotographer’s his eye caught the the earth’s atmosphere in a Soyuz capsuledramatic reentry into the atmosphere duringdramatic image. but landed in North Korea instead of thewhich the Soyuz space capsule was exposed “I was shouting so much that I South Lawn of the White House, space to eight Gs, Bush said: “There is a lot ofdamaged my vocal chords, and it experts disclosed Tuesday. pressure on the chest as you get to sub-never fully recovered,” Durga says in her hoarse voice. Initially, orbital velocity, your tongue sort of slipsDurga was thrilled to see herself around inside your mouth and toward thesplashed on posters, but after 14 back of your throat, and at one point thereyears I she sometimes feels it has thought I hit the G-spot.” been misused. The picture was first published in the book,Dawn of Bush added that his landing here, Democracypublished by the although unscheduled, would “send a Human Rights Protection Forum in strong signal” to all countries harbouring1991. Durga finally met Min terrorists, contemplating the developmentBajracharya of two years later. weapons of mass destruction, or boycotting“I was looking through the McDonalds: that “the American presidentviewfinder, when I saw this can drop in on you at anytime anywhereextraordinary in image and I just the world”. responded instinctively to the spontaneity and zeal,” recalls Min, In Washington DC, a senior White Housenow the staff photographer for IMAGINARY IMAGING, INC. IMAGING, IMAGINARY official denied that the reentry was Himal Khabarpatrikaand Nepali President Bush walks out of the Soyuz capsule after it inadvertently landed in North Korea Tuesday.deliberately planned as a made-for-televisionTimes. Both are thrilled their The event marked many firsts. It was footagethe for the 2004 Re-elect Bush photo earned so much Campaign, but added: “As commander-in-recognition, but both feel they first time that a US astronaut has returned to chief, the president wanted to go into spacehave been exploited. Now an earth on board a Russian spacecraft, and the official at the Chief Comptroller’s to personally look for Saddam Hussein. We first time in history that a sitting US Office, Durga says she has been had intelligence reports that the Russians president has paid a surprise visit to North bypassed for promotions. As a smuggled him out of Baghdad before it fell Korea. A Russian space official at the government official, she now limits to coalition forces, and secretly blasted herhim political interest to union cosmodrome in Star City, Kazakhstan, off into space so he could hide in the activity. The impact on her believed that the steeper-than-normal International Space Station with the $1billionpersonal life was bigger. Her family reentry was caused by a glitch in the was dazzled by the sudden cash he stole from the Iraqi Central Bank. guidance system in the president’s cerebral exposure the photograph The president believes the war isn’t over till cortex. “It was a software problem, not a brought—as a result she was he gets Saddam.” married off even before she hardware problem,” he told a packed news Asked of the whereabouts of Osama finishedbin college! Recently, Min’s conference. photo of Durga enjoyed another It took helicopters hours to locate theLaden, the official revealed that the leadercomeback of when the political Al Qaeda in fact did not exist and that wasparties relaunched their agitation craft near the DMZ, and when rescue why it was so difficult to find him. “But onwe’ll 4 May (see picture). Durga’s personnel finally reached it they found the keep trying,” he added. president walking a little unsteadily and trying to interrogate a bewildered North Korean border guard in International MIN BAJRACHARYA

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