#189 26 March - 1 April 2004 24 pages Rs 25

No April fool Political parties have announced a fresh round of intensified anti- king protests starting 1 April. They say they mean business this time, and vow the agitation will continue as long as parliament is not restored and an all-party government formed. They have pooh-poohed the government’s plans to announce election dates as a ploy to cling to power unconstitutionally, and said as much to visiting British special envoy Jeffrey James. The fresh demos will be concentrated in the capital. Meanwhile, they have welcomed UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s willingness to help end the conflict. See editorial: ‘Kofi’s offer’.

Weekly Internet Poll # 129 Q. Should the political parties take part in elections if the government announces dates?

Total votes:1,017 THOMAS BELL Weekly Internet Poll # 130. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Should the government consider renegotiating a ceasefire with the Maoists?

Apartment Newly converted long stay two- bedroom apartment. En suite bathrooms, kitchen, spacious living room/ dining Bad blood in Beni room. Room maid service, Air conditioning, cable TV, roof terrace, in a pleasant quiet location. Swimming pool and Summit Club Membership facilities. The stench of death is overpowering in Myagdi, and Rates negotiable. For further information please call the country is sucked into a vortex of violence Uday or Rabindra on 55 24 694/ 55 21 810. THOMAS BELL in BENI day, 20 March, until six the next grotesquely disfigured Maoist 5,000 Maoists involved in the morning against thousands of corpses that lie strewn about. attack: frontline fighters, militia and t is the morning after in Beni and Maoists, until their ammunition ran The army camp is the only porters. “They came in waves, like a scene of utter devastation. The out. Those who survived either fled, government building to survive the sea, one after another, one after Ipolice station is a blackened or were taken prisoner. Down the partially intact, although it was another,” said Lt Col Nepali, wreck. The barbed wire had been road, the soldiers at the army base nearly overrun at one point. Some looking exhausted after two nights clipped away and the perimeter wall kept fighting till daylight and most 25 mortar rounds and a rocket without sleep. “There were more blasted open at several points. of their casualties took place in the landed here, fired from the women than men. And many, many Sandbags at the sentry posts are torn morning. mountains above. Whoever decided child soldiers, below 14. I saw them to shreds. Near the army base, a Next door, the CDO building to put the district headquarters here while I was shooting back.” There woman is washing the bloodstain has been reduced to rubble, and is at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki were six Maoist bodies inside the from the steps outside her shop, still smouldering. The street outside and Myagdi wasn’t thinking of army base and Nepali points them while her daughter looks on. is littered with spent ammunition security. out: “They are all young children, The police and soldiers and unexploded bombs. People Lt Col Ragu Nepali’s office with this one is a girl.” guarding the police base fought pick their way around in silence, their its sandbagged windows is a wreck. from 10:30 on the night of Satur- faces covered, glancing at the He estimates there were at least continued p4-5 2 EDITORIAL 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editors: Trishna Gurung, Jemima Sherpa Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki, [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur Knowing rights from wrongs GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 Time to evaluate past training of our security forces by KOFI’S OFFER British and American experts N Secretary General Kofi Annan’s serious expression of concern on he announcement that Command and General Staff Pokhara’ 7-26 November 2002, U Tuesday regarding the situation in Nepal ends with a reiteration of T American military personnel School (where one of the core ‘Human Rights and Humanitarian his offer to help find a solution. But he needs both the government are in Nepal on an “ongoing courses at the SOA is also taught) Law Seminar’ jointly conducted and the Maoists to make that request for mediation. regular training exercise” in the and the US Army War College. by the Judge Advocate Branches Kofi Annan has echoed the sentiments of nearly all Nepalis: that words of an embassy press release While tens of thousands of officers of the RNA and the US army 13- there is no military solution to the conflict. He has urged the government and the Maoists to “end the fighting and resume the peace process with comes as no real surprise. from foreign armies train in the 14th May 2003. the participation of all political and civil forces in the country”. We Regardless of rhetoric, international US, AI reports that far more Human rights has also formed couldn’t have put it better ourselves. The fact that political parties have military supplies and training are receive US training in their own the UK’s commitment to develop wholeheartedly welcomed the move is also a positive sign. part of the international ‘war for countries through a variety of US Nepal’s Police via DfID since Maoist leader Prachanda called on the UN to monitor human rights peace’ strategy against the Maoists. programs. In Nepal, the real extent 1993. However, in light of reports violations in the country. Earlier, he even expressed willingness to Strangely, though, in a land of US and other donor-Nepali of continued human rights demobilise if there was an internationally-mediated peace process. The problem with these statements is that they are so inconsistent and PR- military engagement remains violations and extra-judicial driven we never know if they are to be taken seriously. Besides, there is a GUEST COLUMN beyond real public scrutiny. killings by the state, certain widespread perception that previous ceasefires were used to prepare for Seira Tamang What is verifiable is the fact questions about the nature of escalation. The comrades have to admit that their lack of respect for that while some US military military training and at the very human dignity, their brutal methods and disregard for public opinion obsessed with reviews of training includes human rights least, the effectiveness of human haven’t particularly endeared them to a majority of the people. They have to do much more to earn the trust of the people and potential development projects and education, it is not systematically rights training, needs to be raised. mediators. The abduction of school pupils for use in human wave attacks programs, no review has been required in most other training for There is room for legitimate makes a mockery of Maoist commitments, and even if Prachanda swears undertaken of the human rights foreign forces. Furthermore, the questions concerning the commit- by the Geneva Convention what is the guarantee his warlords will? and ‘conflict’ training given by 1996 Leahy Bill which requires ment and orientation of military Then on this side, there are military hawks who can’t countenance any donor agencies. This is important background screening for past interventions in ‘postwar’, ‘war for talk of negotiations, even while they grudgingly admit that there is no because the US military training human rights violations of foreign peace’ and ‘peace-inducing military solution. So, the slaughter gets worse, bad blood grows and the antagonism is harder to bridge. If efforts to negotiate are not initiated has a poor track record on human recipients of US military and missions’ in Nepal as there is soon, we will see worse carnages than Bhojpurs and Benis in months rights. At a time when conflict police training has yet to be fully elsewhere. ahead. Both sides have to assess how much longer they can, or want to, specialists like Robert Gersony are implemented with no standardised This must be seen in light of continue this nonstop nonsense. making comparisons between Latin process for conducting checks. the Army War College’s Peace- Kofi Annan is a busy man, and has to deal with hot spots around the America and Nepal, with Quality background vetting, in keeping Institute in Pennsylvania world clamouring for attention. The fact that he releases an appeal like this about Nepal means a lot. The government and the Maoists should accompanying plans based on fact, varies greatly from country to being closed last year with grab this olive branch that Latin American ‘successes’, it may country. endorsement from Secretary of gives them a good pretext to be pertinent to remember that the In response to international Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The break the deadlock and begin School of Americas (SOA)—later human rights concerns, British rationale for the closure of the genuine dialogue in search for renamed the Western Hemisphere and US military assistance to only institute dedicated to peace meaningful compromise. Institute for Security Cooper- Nepal is said to include human was belt-tightening, even though Outside powers, especially India, have leaned on the ation—was notorious for training rights training. Training, its budget was a only $1 million a government to reject third military personnel soldiers and interactions and seminars year. When asked why the party mediation, arguing that rightwing militia responsible for conducted by the Human Rights Pentagon refused to provide it would put a legitimate state human rights violations in El Cell of the RNA include: numbers of enemy combatants side and an outlaw group on Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, ‘Human Rights and Humanitarian killed in Iraq, Rumsfeld replied: the same pedestal. But wouldn’t internal mediation Colombia, Chile and Argentina. Law’ 22-26 July 2002 and 5-9 “Death has a tendency to encour- also have to do that? Amnesty International (AI) states August 2002 ‘Interaction age a depressing view of war.” Let’s seize the opportunity that in the 1980s and early 1990s program on Human Rights’ on 21 A review of human rights offered by Kofi Annan and the SOA used manuals that August 2002, ‘Interaction training and its effectiveness is form a Multilateral Peace advocated “torture, extortion, program by British Army human called for in our struggle to move Commission to find a way out kidnapping and execution”. rights training team in towards a post-conflict, of this madness. RNA officers are sent to the Kathmandu, Nepalgunj and democratic Nepal. l

L ETTERS

BALANCED individuals and their civil society. (marda ko choras/choris), or if As you say, it is very recent in watch Mr Banks live. And I wonder CK Lal in ‘Poll pot’ (#188) is his Both our intellectuals and leaders they do not want to rot in hell, they history terms that your country has if I would even want to. Imagine usual cynical self without lack the most basic tool, which is will all unite and fight the Greater had any form of democracy and I being a non-alcoholic guy who only considering the people and the educational goals and moral Battle of Regression against the only wish that one day there will be wants good jazz, but is country. Whereas Yubaraj character to lead and have a vision Maoists to create stability in the a resolution and you will have surrounded by people who only Ghimire in ‘Scandalous silence’ in for the country. Education in our country and tackle poverty to peace and prosperity for everyone. want to be at the ‘hip joint’, binge his Capital Letter column in the country is a means to the end alleviate the suffering of the I wish peace for all Nepalis. drinking all night and not quite same issue has given us a game of politics where all the people. Julie Sinclair, Scotland respecting the art, for which the broader perspective of the people student organiszations are Challenging their manhood may event is supposed to have been in and the nation. We readers would affiliated to one or the other be the only way to get them to act. l We enjoyed Manjushree the first place. The question of like to thank the Nepali Times for political parties. The goal of If not, they will have only further Thapa’s ‘Educating foreigners’. As making Jazzmandu accessible to publishing the two articles in the education is to create thinking justified their status of namarda. foreigners who visit Nepal actual jazz lovers or those wanting same issue. At least it is now people and manpower for the SN Singh, email whenever possible (though we a taste of it is something I wonder balanced and we don’t have to nation so that they can lead, think move in rather less exalted circles about too. The ticket prices really read only CK Lal’s well written, and/or perform for the nation. EDUCATING FOREIGNERS than those she describes) and who speak for something—and with yet motivated, articles. Education is not a means to climb I have just read the very interesting load up on books at Kathmandu’s audiences full of farangs really, is Dipak Ratna, Thamel up the political ladder. article by Manjushree Thapa excellent bookstores (what a Jazzmandu about Jazz in Moral character has its roots in (‘Educating foreigners’, #188) with pleasure they are) could we Kathmandu, or has it sold its soul l CK Lal’s ‘Showing we have religion and culture. Most of our which I agree. suggest that for her next article she to alcohol? guts’ (#188) has to do not only leaders are god-fearing Hindus (in I have visited Nepal twice, the compiles a list of her suggested S Kashish, Kathmandu with moral courage but mostly spite of some of them being first time as a “pampered tourist” reading? action. Your columnist advocates communists), so the only method to but last year I was privileged to be Scott Berry, Naoko Takagi, l Louis Banks is an Indian of the quintessential argument get the message across to them is among ordinary families, school email Nepali decent, but seems to love forwarded by Aristotle in his now in a language they will children, all from very poor the place he has lived in, the place Politics, the ‘Good Men’ who understand, ie, they will be backgrounds. But there again, LOUIS BANKS he grew up in, more than some far follow and the ‘Thinking Men’ who responsible for their karma of this most of the population are poor. I After reading ‘Louis Banks comes away land where his parents lead. The fundamental underlying life. They all will go to narka for agree with the comments about back’ (#188) I noticed tickets priced came from. principle to a polity is ethics and creating all the dukha for the foreigners and the lack of at Rs 2,999 for an evening of jazz Bhumika Ghimire for a functioning democracy is people. If these erstwhile leaders knowledge of history of Nepal. and an infinite supply of alcohol. I Florida, USA respect for the rule of law, which are thinking of a legacy to leave Here, the British monarchy, as you have been a jazz enthusiast for is lacking in our civil society. behind, or how posterity and know, has no real influence over many years now, but despite my CHALLENGE Aristotle also wrote how history will judge them, or even if the democratic government which love for the music, there really is no Here is a challenge to the various important ethics was to they have an ounce of pride makes me very lucky to live here. way for me or others like me to INGOs to submit their annual 3 OP-ED Spring cleaning26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189

or the fifth time since he was appointed last year, British special History doesn’t move in a straight line, it moves in fits and starts F envoy to Nepal Sir Jeffery James is here again. His achievements in defusing the ongoing conflict in this country are a closely guarded secret. But our political parties did take Sir Jeffrey’s hints last year to temporarily suspend street protests against the constructive monarch. The rapprochement he had promised between STATE OF THE STATE the king CK Lal and consti- tutional players failed to materialise. King Gyanendra continues to consolidate and display his power, apparently without any second thoughts about his 4 October takeover that pushed out democratic politics through the hole of Article 127 in the constitution, the only article that still seems to be valid.

Despite the carnage on the banks of Kali DHRUBA BASNET Gandaki last weekend, the public The ruin of the CDO building in Bhojpur which was destroyed in the 2 March attack still holds a sign that promioses a ‘pro-people government’. felicitation in Pokhara on 29 March is going ahead. In fact, if the royal minister Kamal ballistic. They may think that running Spain” speech calling for government be blinded by the slaughter, but deep inside Thapa is to be believed, the king will be down parties helps improve the palace’s restraint on media, he sent an email to a they must know that they need the main- felicitated on schedule even at Ground Zero image, but it discredits the already colleague two days later, “One, twenty-four stream parties to bring the country back to in Beni itself. weakened political layer between the hours later, the Spanish people kicked out normalcy. The Raj Parishad meanwhile is holding monarch and the Maoists. When the next the government. Two, they had the If India’s Central Reserve Police Force’s another of its roving meetings in Biratnagar 26 Chait comes, as it will sooner or later at opportunity to do so!” If the present pre-election sweep against insurgents gains next month to hear the ‘people’s aspirations’ this rate, who will come to the defence of experiment in the governance of the country momentum in the badlands of Bihar and and submit its recommendations to the the monarchy: the military and the fails, it won’t just be the Thapas that will go. uttar Pradesh, our own Maoists will be hard- monarch. From the proceedings of this Privy Mandales? Sir Jeffery said he held talks on the pressed for cover. They will need the parties, Council’s previous meetings at Dhangadi, The royal communication minister is “current political situation” with different not vice-versa. Nepalganj and Pokhara, it’s quite clear what half right that a section of the press has parties. He began on the right note with a For their part, the party leaders look a bit these recommendations will be: call upon been unwittingly abetting the insurgents meeting at the Human Rights Cell of the flustered lately, a bit like crabs in warming the king to go beyond his constitutional by ridiculing the practitioners of peaceful Royal Nepali Army on Monday. water. They will have to jump out soon, and role. politics. But the way minister Thapa plans Presumably, the Maoists are also having the planned 1 April demonstration may The government-controlled media are to deal with it is completely wrong. their views conveyed to him through turn out to be a harbinger of change. surprisingly muted in criticism of the Nothing helps the anti-establishment respectable intermediaries. But if the British Who knows, 2004 could be what the Maobadi, compared to the vitriol they pour rumour machine as effectively as curbs on emissary were to trim the frills of the 1986 Satyagraha was against political parties. When it comes to the press. invincibility rhetoric, the helplessness of the to the 1990 “Peoples’ Movement”. History hitting out at parties, palace-friendly When an old Nepal-hand in the UK military as well as the rebels is too stark. In doesn’t move in a straight line, it moves in propagandists have the tendency of going read minister Thapa’s “example from the heat of the battle, the combatants may fits and starts. l

budgets and expenses for the aforementioned colonialists and 6 Get involved within your Nepali anything. How does his public to review. Show us the parasites is that the excess in pay community. I wonder how many head work anyway? I mean, actual percentage of their budget is required to bring in the ‘experts’ of the expatriate community what is he thinking about that is spent on ridiculous salaries needed to fill these positions. The actually know their Nepali when he is doing nothing? I as out-of-country hires, the most important qualification for any neighbours? Here’s another open really want to know, because actual percentage of their budget of these positions is that the challenge: donate 10 percent of I think he is a big time talent. spent on administrative expenses person is interested in the position your absurd, unethical incomes Having the capability to make and the percentage actually for the right reasons (income, or volunteer 10 percent of your others laugh is something applied to work within their control, power and resume building time in small-scale local wonderful. Keep it up, is all I presumed and target areas. are not among the right reasons community development activities can say. Justify these hypocrisies in clear here), that their heart is in it, that 7 Give credence to the hundreds A Amrita, email conscience. they truly believe in these efforts of qualified volunteers working at Corruption can also be and that they have an the grassroots level throughout l Does his motto defined as the inappropriate use understanding of Nepal. Nepal, not for a love of money or (‘lata ko desh ma

of funds, or the diversion of Here some humble power, but out of a love for Nepal gaando tanderi’) SUBHAS RAI funds from their intended recommendations: and a respect for humankind explain Herojig’s purposes and targets. In those 1 Reduce these absurd salaries. 8 Provide a forum for communi- sudden fame? terms, the institutionalised, self- They are unjustified, unethical and cation, advocacy, formulation, Tsering regulating systems of the breed dissension, disparity and, implementation and review Dolma dominant INGO’s in Nepal is most yes, corruption between the untouchable definitely corrupt. 2 Hire more Nepalis, and provide volunteer community and the HAT Of course, the common claim them with equal pay. This is after upper-caste policy makers of the Wow guys and guyettes, kick butt Times has now a sports page. is that the problem is with corrupt all their nation, their people and INGO bureaucracy issue was #188. Kunda Dixit had However, I believe it would be Nepalis. But who is more corrupt, their problems: they understand a It would be fairly instructive if me rolling off my motorbike seat as I more relevant and reflective of the person who originally controls great deal more than ‘experts’ the amount of total international have been following the new rule the nation if the column also the money and inappropriately, 3 Conduct a cost-benefit analysis aid Nepal has received were of reading Nepali Times while featured the much more unethically uses 80 percent of the of your much-publicised activities, divided by the population. driving downtown on the right side popular soccer, volleyball or original funds, or someone who and more importantly... Compare this number to a of the road (‘Driving me nuts’, even cricket, instead of might inappropriately, and equally 4 . . .connect this to an Nepali’s average yearly income. #188). focusing solely on golf. Or has unethically, use 20 percent of the independent outside review, which Pete Heyn, Kathmandu Name withheld on bourgeois golf eclipsed blue remaining funds? you will respond to request, email collar soccer in our poor A common response, most 5 Get out of the Kathmandu Valley HEROJIG GOLF country? likely on the minds of the and into the field. Herojig makes me laugh like It is commendable that Nepali Kabita Pradhan, email 4 NATION #189 “They came in waves,26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004

ALL PICS: THOMAS BELL

From l-r: Lt Col Nepali’s office in the army base took a direct hit from a mortar round fired from the mountains above Beni’s welcome sign for tourists is pockmarked with bullet holes An army Mi-17 prepares to airlift commandos from Beni to Baglung to engage the Maoists The body of a policeman being carried to a helicopter on Monday afternoon The charred remains of a man who was killed when a guest house belonging to a Nepali Congress worker was destroyed Among the belongings of dead rebels were pictures of loved ones Superpower polls

he coming election in the United government, it’s all too clear. The world is States is one of the most crucial battles America is too much of a world power for its losing its nerve. Jabbering, cowardly liberals T ever fought in this country, not to election to be left solely to the Americans are running amok in the media. Enemies mention in the wider world. lurk behind every rock, most of them It’s not often that the contenders for bearded and wearing turbans. America can power in a US presidential election offer only trust America and even then, that half such starkly different views and policies. It’s of the country that supports the current not often—perhaps not since the American government. civil war in the 1800s—that politics has so If you’re from John Kerry’s side of the fiercely spectrum, you see a dangerous, HERE AND THERE divided unpredictable and arrogant regime with its Daniel Lak this land. eye on the prize of a second term in office. And in You see international alliances in tatters, the rest of the world, it’s unprecedented that America distrusted around the world and a so many leaders of other countries actually corporate culture of greed and grab, so long feel they have a stake in the outcome of this as you pay off the Republican Party. Your vote. followers agree and battle is joined. In Spain, a horrible terrorist attack I have said it in this column before that underlines this on the eve of national American elections are too important to be elections and the people vote for a party that left only to Americans. The current deep rift takes a strongly anti-American line, or, at over the Bush administration underscores least, an anti-Bush administration line. 9/11 tragedy. In country after country, of Europe, Asia, Canada and Latin America this point. People in the US do not vote America was an election issue in Spain. If people tell pollsters that George W Bush would love to see Kerry take the White anymore. Turnout is usually less than 30 and when Britain’s crumbling Blair and his cabinet team actively lied about Iraq House in November. Even those countries percent in presidential polls and important government takes its policies to the people to force the Middle East into war. Israel helping the US in occupying Iraq, Poland, issues of foreign policy or the environment this year, relations with the US government remains a notable exception to this, naturally Korea and Japan, are fed up with the current rarely drive the vote. I have a radical will be a key election issue. France agrees on enough, given that its interests— state of things in Washington. Australia’s proposal. its long-standing anti-American line, understandably—lay in the toppling of John Howard, mini Bush to his laconic Give the world a vote in America. somewhat repaired at the moment by Saddam Hussein. countrymen, might be an exception here. Perhaps not one person, one ballot, but cooperation over Haiti. Democratic party challenger Senator But he’s the exception that proves the rule. some form of say over an electoral contest It’s plain. The world despises President John Kerry has already said that various Just what the hell is going on? It all that effects the fate of the planet. It won’t Bush. A significant percentage of Germans figures from other countries are quietly depends on your point of view. If you’re a wash in Peoria, but Pokhara and Potsdam think his government actually planned the supporting his campaign. This is true. Most supporter of the current American just might welcome it. l 5 likeNATION the sea ” 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189

from p1 the Maoists running in the streets “The children were like 14-15 years on the parade ground. They were below,” said one eye witness. “They old,” said another resident. flying in fresh troops and picking The rebel force had started were a little afraid at first but after At around 8:30 on Sunday up others for the cordon and search infiltrating the town at about 8:30, that they watched in fascination. morning a witness in the bazar saw operations that seemed to be just after the curfew. The attack The Maoists were taking time to eat 10-15 of the captured policemen concentrated to the south of Beni. itself started at 10:30, when the chow chow and asking for drinking being led away to the north with Even on Monday, the people of mortar and automatic rifle fire water from the houses. They didn’t their hands tied behind their backs. Beni looked shellshocked. Some were started from the hills above. Local do anything to the public.” Towns people said a helicopter cautiously venturing outdoors, people said that it came as a The Maoists were carrying flew over Beni at around 2AM, but looking at the damage. Opposite the complete surprise and there had pressure cookers as assault charges, it couldn’t do much. The fighting CDO’s office stood the house of been no sign of preparation inside on long bamboo poles to be placed was house-to-house and in the Netra Bahadur Mahat, a Nepali the town. A witness, who asked not against the walls of their targets. middle of the town, which is located Congress activist, which was used as to be named, describes watching Casualties were carried back on at the bottom of a deep gorge. a guest house. The Maoists had come the rebels operating in the street stretchers and in dokos. Some Attacking from the air, would have and taken everyone out and set fire below his home. “Half-an-hour Maoists took medical supplies from meant heavy civilian casualties. It was to the building. Two people who after it started, the place was full of a local pharmacy to treat the not till 9 o’clock on Sunday morning were hiding inside were burnt to Maoists,” he says. “They were wounded. that the Maoists began to move off death, their charred remains still carrying bombs that way, and “Until ten the next morning they and the army’s helicopters returned inside the ruins of the house. carrying casualties back.” were moving around freely,” said to chase them away. But the first Not far away, next to the army Beni’s citizens shut themselves another eye witness. “One Maoist helicopter landed at the parade camp is a school. Its furniture and inside their homes, hiding under was even carrying messages back and ground on the banks of Kali doors were broken and the walls beds to the sounds of gunfire and forth by bicycle. After the sun came Gandaki only on Sunday afternoon. pock-marked with bullet holes. A explosions all night and into the up, they were walking here like they The army says many rebels were few children had begun returning next morning. While the fighting were coming home from a movie. killed by the helicopters that to investigate the damage to their raged along the road leading to the Singing, joking, showing no fear.” pursued them, and at one point the classrooms. Behind one the Maoists CDO’s office, the police station and The witnesses said they saw up entire hill above Beni was in flames had left a socket bomb and an assault the barracks, the rest of the town to 70 casualties, either dead or as the aerial strafing of fleeing charge the size of a football. was under complete Maoist injured. The children were used at Maoists continued. Helicopters were Among the weapons and clothes control. night, but by morning they had landing regularly by Monday, left behind by the Maoists were three “The children were watching been replaced by adult fighters. whipping up blinding dust storms photo albums retrieved from the pockets of dead Maoists. They showed mothers and fathers, pictured outside their village homes. Smiling young people stood in fields as helicopter gunships fired at wearing Dasain garlands. There is a retreating Maoists. picture of a handsome young man, The operations were still going posing on a boat at Phewa Lake. on and there was a lot of helicopter Other pictures were of Maoists activity. At the parade ground, a posing together, smiling and group of grim faced commandos was brandishing weapons. One photo climbing aboard an Mi-17 bound showed a young woman holding a for Baglung. A group of women bunch of flowers and, on the facing wailed from the edge of the field as page, a young man’s conventional the bodies of dead police and soldiers studio shot, with ‘I love you’ written were being loaded up for the flight across it in English. to Pokhara. The last remaining bodies of Outside Pokhara airport on security personnel were being ferried Monday police and army families out by helicopter on Monday were crouching in the shade, afternoon, but the bodies of the watching the bodies being unloaded Maoists still lay rotting in the ditches from the helicopters. There was and along the roads. Human rights bomb damage to a bridge along the observers and reporters had started road and the trees felled across the arriving, and there were reports way were still being cleared. In a coming in from outlying villages village along the road, a funeral was that civilians were among those killed being prepared. l KANAK MANI DIXIT 6 NATION 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189 Pokhara not in the mood Pokhara’s welcome for the king and queen is overshadowed by Beni

RAMESH POUDEL in POKHARA

reparations for the public banda on Saturday and Sunday to That there is local support for felicitation ceremony for King prevent people from coming for the the felicitation can also be seen from P Gyanendra and Queen ceremony which will be held at the the fact that people have made Komal in Pokhara on Sunday has stadium. In neighbouring Lekhnath financial contributions for the been overshadowed by the heavy Municipality, the scene of numerous event from businesses. casualties in the battle of Beni last Maoist attacks in recent months, the But some believe this is not the week. rebels declared their “Peoples’ right time for felicitation. “How can NEPALNEWS.COM Even as helicopters bringing in government” last week. you have one at a time like this?” casualties of security personnel and Reports reaching here said a asks Srijana Adhikari in Pokhara civilians are still arriving at Pokhara, convoy of vehicles, including those Bazar. Leaders of the agitating Ill advised and gunships climb off to the west from the palace, being escorted by political parties are equally vocal. to attack Maoist positions, pickups helicopters along the Prithibi “This is not the time when the king Some unsolicited advice before bedecked with banners are Highway to Pokhara was shot at by should choose to be felicitated,” said King Gyanendra’s Pokhara address exhorting the people of this tourist Maoists at Jamune in Tanahu. Rebels Rabindra Adhikari and Shukra Raj town with loudspeakers to welcome have been repeatedly forcing the Sharma, local leaders of the UML ast week The Independent reported that the former Iraqi dictator, the king and queen. The people of 1,057-member felicitation and Nepali Congress. L Saddam Hussein, was advised wrongly in the run-up to the Pokhara look somber and seem committee to resign. The local authorities, however, invasion of Iraq by the US-led coalitions forces. Apparently the divided about whether the Meanwhile, local newspapers claim that preparations have been advisers led Saddam to believe that the Americans would never be able felicitation should go ahead. and FM stations have focused on the finalised, and security arrangements to take over Baghdad. They were soon to be proven wrong. The king and queen will be Myagdi clash and the human toll. are in place and the people have On Sunday, King Gyanendra will receive yet another civic reception staying at the royal residence at Ratna In such an atmosphere, people are no reason to worry. “There in Pokhara. His advisers must be busy checking the final draft of yet another royal address to the Mandir by the banks of Phewa Lake in a confused state of mind. “I would is no compromise in security nation. The events so far have and this is also the entrance to the like to take part in the felicitation arrangements and that is LONDON EYE proved that the king is being main tourist area. Security is already program,” said Pramod Sharma, a why people are quite excited to Robin Raj misled by his advisers, though it very tight. local entrepreneur in Lekhnath take part in the felicitation,” says would be important to recognise The Maoists, as is their practice, Municipality. “But I am scared that Acting Regional Administrator that it was the king himself who picked them. So, as it has happened, have already declared a two-day rebels may do something.” Bodh Raj Adhikari. l the blame has largely fallen on the king himself, not on the advisers. The king has surrounded himself by the likes of Marich Man Singh and Sharad Chandra Shah, both staunchly royalist but highly discredited Panchayati stalwarts. What can one expect when he has chosen to be advised by such blinkered horses? This columnist modestly believes that he is more open and objective than Singh and Shah. Hence, from the perspective of distance, it may make sense to provide some unsolicited advice from London on the eve of the Pokhara address:

a) Kathmandu’s rumour mill has it that the king may announce general elections in Pokhara. That will be yet another mistake. The announcement of the general elections at present is only likely to further complicate the situation. Just because the king has been visiting the district headquarters amidst heavy security does not mean that it is safe for polls. Even if they are held in phases as the Home Minister, Kamal Thapa, repeatedly emphasises, they are not likely to produce democratic results.

b) In terms of PR, it may be wiser to announce the establishment of a charitable trust from the assets left behind by his beloved brother, Birendra, and his family. This may actually redress some of the damage to the institution of monarchy in Nepal.

c) The king must be realistic in choosing the words of his speech. One can deceive some people for some time, but not all the people all the

time. So far he has limited himself only to rhetorical statements which SUDARSAN RANJIT have gradually brought him down to the level of other political leaders.

d) The sooner the king accepts the importance of political parties as indispensable democratic institutions the better it is. He should not be cynical about them when so much cynicism is growing about his own Khaobadis in Hong Kong role. Trying to make political capital out of their weaknesses was, is and will be a blunder. HONG KONG — The Hong Kong authorities the staff of the Royal Nepal consulate and Royal e) The politics of civic receptions must stop. The king and his coterie have arrested two men for publishing a ‘hit list’ Nepal Airlines and the editor of the Nepal have always suffered from political myopia and the latest moves are in an alleged attempt to blackmail prominent newspaper. The document read: “Our attention just the latest example. On the one hand, they have consistently members of the Nepali community there. The is concentrated on Hong Kong because we are hampered the institutionalisation of the state as a democratic and list names 20 Nepali businessmen, diplomats, getting more evidence that our comrades are progressive entity, while on the other, gradually discredited the airline officials and security guards as main facing many problems. Some people who are monarchy. ‘enemies’ and it was published last year in the working as agents against our peaceful name of Maoist rebels. It threatened those it people’s war are regarded as our main enemy f) By deliberately sidelining the democratic forces, the king is playing a named with violence, including being “fractured and listed.” dangerous political game, which will be long-drawn and which he will to death”. The release of the hit list last October had never win. If he does not lose, it may be his son who will. And when But, police investigation showed that the caused widespread alarm among intelligence that happens, the outcome will not be as tame as in 1990. men were common thugs and were not analysts because the listing of the names associated to any terrorist organisation, None of the king’s advisers, nor Prime Minister Surya Bahadur indicated that the Maoist insurgency had Thapa, can be expected to give this kind of advice. These royal puppets according to the South China Morning Post widened even outside the borders of Nepal. The have outlived their usefulness in pursuing their personal ambitions. newspaper. Early investigations had indicated Organised Crime and Triad Bureau has been There are scores of other true monarchists in Nepal who are genuinely that the list may have been prepared to fund the investigating the extent of support for the Maoist concerned about the longevity of this institution and could provide far Maoist movement. The list was circulated under rebels in Hong Kong and the possible presence more valuable counsel. It just requires King Gyanendra himself to keep the letterhead of a group calling itself the of any hit squads. So far, they have found no link an open mind. Special Group Command and it was titled ‘Hit between the rebels and any group in Hong List for Hong Kong’ naming people including Kong. NATION #189 7 Between Bhojpur and26 MARCHBeni - 1 APRIL 2004

ithin a fortnight, that logic, the government won. Maoist rebels have Even if that was said to put on a How long can the police sustain such heroic defeats? W carried out two brave face, it is a claim few will dramatic attacks on district believe. headquarters: Bhojpur and Beni. Home Minister Kamal Both the Maoists and the Thapa had to face government have claimed victory. unprecedented protests from Hundreds of people were killed, police in Beni for their “heroic but both sides won! defeat” caused mainly by the absence of support from the CAPITAL LETTER army. The police face a Yubaraj Ghimire predicament as they continue to be the number one target of the The attacks have seriously Maoists, and at the same time exposed the level of rift and lack the military denies them proper of cooperation among the training and equipment. This government’s security agencies event will also send a strong and which might have implications bitter political message in the much more damaging than the background of the ongoing two attacks themselves. And the power tussle between the king Maoists don’t seem to have and the pro-democracy political realised yet that capturing state parties, especially in the context power is not possible without the of their accusing the king that he people’s voluntary participation. may be trying to appropriate That alone can preserve what executive powers by counting on residual political identity the the army’s loyalty. party still has. No doubt, the political Let’s look at Beni. From what parties always adopted a myopic is known so far, police armed attitude towards the army as with only .303s were attacked by being loyal to the king and overwhelming numbers of hostile toward them. They Maoists with automatic weapons didn’t even bother to support and mortars. Even while the the legitimate defensive action police were cut down, the army by the army. But it is still equally did not act until its own barracks important for the king to prove were attacked later that night. that the charge has no basis. During the six-hour-long pitched This perceived proximity of battle between the police and the the king and the military, and guerrillas, night vision helicopters the pent-up resentment among hovered overhead but retreated. the police force attributed to the The entire district lack of cooperation from the headquarters were overrun and army needs to be addressed the government’s moral and immediately with a reconciliation physical defeat became quite between the king and the obvious when the head of both political parties in defence of the Body of a man shot dead by the army the district police and civil spirit of the constitution. That on Monday lies on a street in Beni. administration were abducted would also show a way out of the THOMAS BELL along with 30 others. However, current impasse. The police force reviewed. Only quick action will felicitation trip to Pokhara. There power in October 2002, now have the impression that the needs to be developed as an save the dangerous fallout of the will be questions asked—why such the responsibility to set things government tried to give was: autonomous agency not having Bhojpur and Beni fiascos from extravaganzas when Nepalis are right? It isn’t too late for King since the army brigade could not to play second fiddle to the getting out of hand. fighting and dying by the Gyanendra to overrule members of be overrun, the Maoists failed in army, which means the unified It may also be time for the king hundreds? The people will ask: his coterie by refusing to go to their mission. By extension of command principle needs to be to reconsider his proposed doesn’t the king, who took over Pokhara. l 8 #189 NATION Getting26 MARCH our - 1 APRIL 2004 Act together Parties are up in arms about the government amending the Treaty Act to push through Nepal’s WTO accession

constitutional provision.” The to politicise the issue like this since government says the amendment safeguards have been built into the was only to meet the WTO deadline. amendment with a clause that says The Treaty Act requires parliament it is only for joining international approval before any treaty is signed organisations and not for bilateral with an international body or foreign treaties like river sharing projects country. With the amendment in with India. place, it is possible just by royal They say the amendment also KIRAN PANDAY approval of a government has a mandatory provision that the recommendation. government must notify the House “The amendment is only of Representatives within seven days intended to allow our entrance into of its formation about the changes the WTO,” Commerce and made. And, if the dates for elections Industry Minister Hari Bahadur are announced, the changed NAVIN SINGH KHADKA Basnet told us. “The words provision will be null and void. ‘exclusively for the WTO’ may not Meanwhile, officials at the ot having an elected Faced with the 31 March violate the constitution. appear in the amendment, but that Commerce and Industry Ministry legislature and an elected deadline for WTO accession, the “This is another striking example is what it is.” WTO cell chief this week were flipping over the N prime minister is not just grist government has hastily amended the of just how undemocratic this Prachanda Man Shrestha at the pages of international treaties like for the political parties in their ‘anti- Treaty Act through another royal government is,” said UML General Ministry told us in an interview (see the Vienna Convention to make regression’ agitation against the king. ordinance. This has drawn fire from Secretary Madhab Kumar Nepal. p 9) that all the effort for membership sure that the ratification through the It has also thrown Nepal’s accession parties which accuse the government “If they can amend an Act like that, of the WTO would go down the ordinance would not be challenged to the WTO into new controversy. of trying to sideline parliament and they can do the same with any drain if the deadline is not met with in court. ratification. As far as the WTO is concerned, Since Nepal is not a member experts believe it is unlikely that the of the General Agreement on Trade global body will be interested in and Tariff (GATT), it had to knowing the mechanism of negotiate with members of the ratification as long as it is ratified. WTO one by one and that took “The WTO would not almost five years before membership be bothered in the ways adopted was approved last September. for the ratification,” said Posh Raj WTO pundits agree that Pandey, a UNDP adviser. Nepal must not miss the bus. They SAWTE’s Adhikari agrees: “All that say that internal political wrangling it needs is the ratification by the should not hold the membership state. Whether the ratification is hostage. “We cannot afford to do done through the parliament or any that,” says Ratnakar Adhikari, a other mechanism is not WTO’s WTO expert from the group, South business.” Asia Watch on Trade and Even so, it is clear that the Environment (SAWTE). “If we fail government could have toned down to ratify the accession in time, it the parties’ opposition to ratification would be disastrous for our by royal ordinance if it had economy.” consulted them. Nearly all the main Former lawmakers of the parties have supported Nepal’s agitating political parties argue the entrance into the WTO when they issue is beyond economy and that it were in power. But the way things raises doubts on the government’s are done, the parties are angry and true intentions. “Because they did may pose problems when (and if) not even bother to hold discussions the parliament sits again. “We are with us on such a serious issue, we not going to take any responsibility have reasons to be suspicious,” said if something goes wrong due to the Upper House member of the Nepali WTO accession in the future,” said Congress and professional lawyer, UML’s Nepal. “This government Radheshyam Adhikari. will have to take all the blame.” Upper House members of the The opposition of the political agitating political parties had even parties seems to be less about the jointly demanded an Upper House practical disadvantages of a rules- session for ratification. The session based trading regime and how it would not only have discussed the would hurt the world’s poorer prospects and risks for Nepal in the countries and more about opposing WTO, but would have also a royal appointed government. demonstrated the government’s Their argument: If the government commitment toward democracy. has made amendments in an Act “But, the government chose to avoid through ordinance today, it can also such a democratic way revealing its change any provision in the real character,” said constitution in the days to come. Adhikari. They say that is the real threat to Ministry officials see no reason democracy. l ECONOMY 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189 9 Bandas and blockades Let’s delink economics from politics

he Beed has overheard plans The trading psyche of Nepali T to organise car and business has never been upset by motorcycle rallies during the bandas or blockades, rather it has next banda. Over the past two provided more arbitrage months much has been written opportunities to make that extra rupee. The vegetable vendors in Kalimati as well as the adulterated ECONOMIC SENSE fuel gas stations, always pray for Artha Beed that landslide in Krishna bhir or KIRAN PANDAY about how bandas have crippled the strike by any organisation—as life and its economic impact, but long as life comes to a standstill. perhaps no one has come forward Business that thrives on WTO deadline: with such a radical idea. It could capitalising opportunistic nuances worth be a try. The banda has served to further bandas. If the psychosis fits in well with the lazy business community came forward and escapist Nepali lifestyle, and is to try and address these issues 31 March secretly more than welcome in without really looking at their own some quarters. self interests, things would be Prachanda Man Shrestha heads the WTO cell at Government offices tell you to different. the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and has collect documents after the next Blockades also bring about the been at the forefront of Nepal’s negotiations with banda and card game lovers need to look at supply chain bilateral partners before entering the global trade cannot resist the lure of the next management that has never been KIRAN PANDAY regime. He explains to the Nepali Times how hartal. But the most interesting is an issue of focus for most including Kolkata, which, despite difficult that job is. that the hotel people, who were businesses. Issues of alternative all liberalisation moves it is making, crying foul on tourism decline due highways, more connecting roads has yet to get rid of the stereotype Nepali Times: Where are we in the process of getting into the WTO? to banda calls, are now ganging or more aircraft for the national image it sowed in the 1970s as a Prachandra Man Shrestha: Since we were not a founder member of the up to organise a strike. They want carrier therefore should not be city with more non-working days General Agreement on Trade and Tariff (GATT), we had to finalise the the government to dole out ignored as these are the times than working days. Despite great terms of the WTO membership with each member. That took a lot of time. Even after we submitted the complete document in 1998, it took us four subsidies to them to be able to pay when one wishes there were improvements over the past years to get through the formalities. After the bilateral meetings in Geneva outstanding bank loans. alternatives. Surely, the decade it has yet to shed that in 2003, the protocol of accession was ready. Our accession to the WTO was The lesson for neo-socialists to government cannot ignore these image. unanimously endorsed by all 146 countries in the fifth WTO ministerial learn: in a market driven economy, issues either. In the tourist or the economic meet in Cancun of Mexico. We were given the deadline till 31 March to endorse or ratify the WTO package we have received. Since last September, if one cannot repay debt It is time to take a serious look map of the world, Nepal does not we have carried out a public debate on the package we have received. So obligations, then one should turn at what the real impact of such want that reputation. While far, no one has called it a bad deal. to the government. If the bandas or blockades on the political issues may take its own But we don’t have a parliament to ratify the deal. government doesn’t oblige, then economy is. There is a socio- course on settlement, the economic Our constitution has a provision for making laws in absence of the House of threaten to call a strike. And we cultural side to what image we are agenda should be de-linked by all. Representatives and we have done so in the past 14 years. In case of WTO, say we are an economy ready for really selling about Nepal and Surely, the business community if we are required to join it within a certain deadline, we can bring the ordinance accordingly. But we have been cautious enough not to hamper WTO, SAFTA and BIMSTEC. Nepalis. We need to learn from the has a great role to play in this. the democratic system. If the House of Representatives, after it comes into Wake up. Indian state of West Bengal Hello, hoteliers. l being, finds that the WTO package was not the right deal, it can still take action. The ratification had to be done through the amendment because we BIZ NEWS have the 31 March deadline. If we fail to do so, we will be putting our country’s credibility at stake. Social security NEW CONDITIONS: With the

arrival of summer comes the ○○○○ But the politicians have been saying the amendment was ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ For the first time in Asia, the International Labour National Panasonic Air unconstitutional and that ratification could have been done through the Conditioner. Famous for durability Upper House. Organisation (ILO) is launching a national campaign on social security and coverage in Nepal. The and low power consumption, the Despite the provision in the Treaty Act, we could not get the ratification offer includes spare parts and done through the House of Representatives because it is not there right now. campaign aims at raising awareness on social protection among stakeholders including the after-sales services with any of the four attractive But we are running out of time for ratification. After intensive discussion with models. legal professionals, we decided to make the amendment in the Treaty Act government, employers, workers organisations, the civil society and donor agencies. through ordinance so that ratification is possible. The additional clause in PACKAGE-LIFT: 200gm of Upahar the Act will be applicable only in case international organisations join, The ILO is holding a technical round table discussion and a national conference this week in Tea is now available in an attractive which have to be multilateral and that means only the WTO. The new pack, designed to give consumers amendment also has a mandatory provision that we notify the House of Kathmandu. The ILO office in Kathmandu says the campaign is in line with the government’s Poverty a “new, stimulating and refreshing Representatives within seven days of its formation about the changes made. feeling”. Also included is an attractive If dates for elections are announced, this provision will be null and void. Reduction Strategy and is also aimed at contributing towards building consensus among different quarters to gift coupon, and of course the same That is how we have tried to maintain the spirit of the Act and the old flavour and strength of good tea. constitution. extend social security coverage among working people particularly in the informal economy. Of the country’s How exactly does Nepal benefit from being a member? 11 million workers, less than 0.4 percent are employed IFB INVASION: A tide of new products accompanies In very simple language, we are now part of a permanent international trade in the formal economy which is covered by some form IFB’s entry into the Nepali market. Included are IFB system. The WTO also enhances the capacities of least developed countries of social security. Agriculture, which is Nepal’s largest Washing Machines, which are fully automatic and basically amount to having a full-scale laundry at and using its resources the WTO can improve service delivery so business contributor to the economy, is almost entirely informal. becomes more competitive. There will be stability in policies under the home. The range also includes the IFB Dishwasher, WTO framework. Least Developed Countries (LDC’s) have suffered from NEW PRODUCTS which boasts a capacity of upto 95 utensils, a hygienic unstable policies and that has scared off investors. hot wash and goes easy on the water. Their 100% SAFE DEPOSITS: NCC bank has introduced the “Bal Cloth Dryer is sure to make those monsoon months But WTO is under fire for being unfair to poor countries. Suraksha Khata” scheme to secure today’s children’s much easier, but by far the most In any international organisation, countries of similar status do lobby for futures. The initial deposit of Rs 2,500 has a one percent stylish offerings are from the their own interests. WTO is no exception. In the last few years, we have seen higher interest rate than usual, and is operated by the “looks hot, cooks hot” range of IFB that developed and developing countries have been voicing their child’s guardians. On reaching maturity, the account is microwaves. These come in a respective interests. We believe compromise is possible. Of course, there converted into an ordinary savings account. Another NCC variety of different sizes, with all are many debatable and arguable issues within the WTO. But, there is no innovation is the “NCC Savings Plus” scheme, providing the usual cooking options, but better institution at the global level. Therefore, we have got to try to interest on the basis of daily deposits with no specific also include the latest lightwave maximise benefits of membership, we can’t do without it. required deposit amounts. Both schemes are accompanies technology and even built in FM by free medical coverage and accident coverage. Does that mean we will have to rely on others? radios. In Cancun last September, a group of developing countries could speak against what they claimed the cartel of developed countries for their interests. There is a separate sub-committee of the least developed countries. It has put forth the common demands and requirements of LDCs. If we were out of WTO, we could have never done that. The private sector says the government is not capable of handling WTO membership by itself. That is a valid observation. In WTO negotiations, the government is supposed to represent the country and the private sector cannot take part directly. Therefore, there has to be a private-government linkage. So far, we have been taking the suggestions of the private sector and other stakeholders on an ad hoc basis. We need to develop a permanent mechanism for such input to be raised at the WTO. 10 LIFESTYLE 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189 Simply soul Vipassana is pure, simple, undiluted, devoid of dogma, rituals and commercialism

ood, bad, ugly and zillions of other adjectives try to define the human and inhuman qualities that reside in all of us. This G would be obvious if we were to just stop and watch the number and nature of thoughts that go whizzing through our minds every moment of the day. The mind is so mega-faceted that it creates a universe out of every indi- vidual. Emotions and the NEPALI PAN resulting reactions come and go Sushma Amatya inside out heads all the time. Most of us, unaware of this natural process, continue to react MIN BAJRACHARYA blindly to the sensations that we ultimately translate to likes and dislikes, wants and not wanting. These desires can be summarised into two categories: attachment and aversion. Attachment to objects, Silence: geniuses at work people, feelings and incidents that make you feel good, and aversion towards the same that make us feel uncomfortable or miserable. How many of us can honestly say that we are happy and peaceful, Everyone benefited from an artists’ retreat at Nagarjun regardless of the situation we may be in? In reality we are constantly swinging from one end of the pendulum to the other. Perhaps there are rare moments when the pendulum centres itself and the mind is SRADDHA BASNYAT The participants kept diaries in pieces of canvas placed several inches balanced and free of fear. These moments are still moments when the which they wrote down thoughts and apart from each other, the results were t the serene jungle retreat of feelings that arose during the five-day stunning: swirls of turquoise blues and mind feels peace, and joy flows in the blood stream. Osho Tapoban in the retreat. The only requirements were emerald greens and a relief Buddha The heart knows. Every cell of our body retains memories, A Nagarjun hills west of that they be completely honest and sitting in meditation fixed into a ball experiences. It stores every thought that we indulge in by reacting to Kathmandu, a group of 13 Nepali avoid dry accounts of what they did of light to the left of the painting (see the thoughts. The human body is blessed with awareness, it has artists, writers and musicians gathered or what happened. “The purpose of pic). For the others, it was interesting inbuilt wisdom. Treated right and listened to, it can be your best ally. last week for the five-day workshop this exercise was to help us and the to watch him work. “He was forced Think about the gut feeling that you ignored, only to suffer the called (modestly) Genius at Work. participants understand their own and to think differently. The first step was consequence of not having followed the warning, or the conscience The organiser was Sutra, a group others’ creative processes,” explained to break the shape, a challenge he that screamed at you not to say or do certain things that you pushed that is trying to bring renowned Nepali Sutra member, Sujan Chitrakar. accepted. These were the kind of aside and ended up having to pay a heavy price for later. Our minds artists together to bridge the Intoxicated by the jasmine immediate result we were looking for,” and bodies naturally follow the laws of nature, we instinctively know generation gap and cross-pollinate delicately scenting the forest air, noted Ranjit. what is right for us and others without having anybody telling us. We ideas. In the process their simple and participants found their time at Sashi Kala Tiwari, known for her do not need a university degree to know that we must not harm innovative approach kept participants Tapoban a relaxing break from the vibrant expressions on canvas, had a others or ourselves, that we must treat others as we would like to be interested and thoroughly entertained. tumult of their busy lives in the city. different experience. On pieces of treated. The experience, for most, was an Some even commented on personal canvas resembling a rectangle cut in So what would be a way to learn to be balanced, be free from fear entirely new one. responses to the stark yet pleasant half diagonally, she painted two fallen and remain calm amidst life’s storms? How can we be free from Writer and satirist Krishna Murari change of pace and lifestyle. Literary leaves. “Nature was alive and all suffering? Gautam (alias Chatyang Master) was figure Khagendra Sangraula whose around, so I took the leaves and gave I found my answer after learning the Vipassana meditation ecstatic. “The workshop gave me a writing appears periodically in the them their own identity to show that technique. It showed me the way to be focused in the present, to be chance to cleanse my mind,” he told Kantipur column Kushan Kaka, their existence is still very strong,” she free from the burdens of the past and worries of the future. Vipassana us. “It was a great opportunity to entertained the group with his musings explains. When asked whether the is pure, simple, undiluted. It is devoid of dogma, rituals and know what others are doing, painting, while walking up the unending and oddly shaped canvas presented a commercialism. It teaches you to look inwards and watch yourself sculpting and how I can help them be agonisingly vertical stairs to reach the challenge, she replies: “It’s not about constantly in your thoughts, speech and actions. better and how they can help me be street or scramble down to the river shape. It’s about expression. It’s about It teaches meditation as a way of life that you practice at all times: better. I feel enriched.” just for a smoke. Tapoban prohibits how you put yourself in the paper, while sitting with your eyes closed and in every act of living. The two Sutra’s prime mover, Ashmina tobacco. “Khagedra Sangraula poem, canvas. Everything else is Ranjit, also thought the experiment brought in the positive and the minor.” For Tiwari, most of the results veins have to run parallel concurrently, for your spiritual heart to worked. “As younger artists we wanted negative, all his moods. To me it was of the workshop will be long-term, beat. One doesn’t work without the other. There are times when I to show respect to our gurus, know interesting how he put his thoughts realised as her subconscious releases will fall down hard and suffer. But now I have learned to pick myself more about them and how they work. and feelings into creation as a writer bits at a time. For now she appreciates up and start walking again. Now I know the way. And I also know We wanted to know what is between and this was our goal with the young artists wanting to learn from that I will go just as far as I walk, not more, not less. It’s as simple as their art and their art process,” she exercise,” said Ranjit. her own experiences. She hopes they that. l said. Other members of the Sutra Though everyone was asked to find a new road to call their own. group include ceramic artist Kala write, the artist participants were given Non-artists and artists alike, all Premi Shrestha, musician and an activity of their own. Each had a enjoyed the retreat. Artist and freelance writer Sulil Subedi, painters small piece of canvas to work with. cartoonist Durga Baral learned new Manish Shrestha and Sarita Dangol, Initially, some like Sankar Raj Singh ways to solve problems in his work by graphic artist DP Upadhyaya and Suwal were annoyed and demanded a seeing how other artists work, Sujan Chitrakar who teaches art at larger canvas. But when he proceeded understanding the philosophy behind Kathmandu University. to paint on several long, rectangular what they do. l 11 NATIONPutting it on air 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189

A radio program that forces listeners to think NARESH NEWAR

ost Nepalis are used to M seeing the comedy duo Madan Krishna Shrestha and Haribangsa Acharya on television. Few know that they also have a radio show. Maha (Madan and Hairbangsa) star in a 10-minute radio drama Manisha Aryal (l), and Madan Krishna Adalat, which go to the roots of and Haribangsa recording their radio social, political and economic program Adalat in the studio. conflicts in Nepali society. But as MIN BAJRACHARYA usual, Maha don’t do it in a stations around the country. It also of the world through British Forces’ Yatra because we felt existing linkages amongst economic activities preachy and moralisitic way, but reaches listeners in eastern, central Broadcasting Services’ V-Sat links. business programs on radio and or an entrepreneur’s vision,” rather with humour and and western Nepal through a Antenna’s latest venture has television do not do justice to adds Aryal. l entertainment. network 10 of NGO or cooperative- been to produce Business Yatra, economic issues. They tend to be The two are back together in run and commercial FM radio specifically targeted at the full of jargon and rarely explain why Chhinophano airs on Radio Nepal every radio after 17 years, and the thanks stations. Since January 2004, it has Kathmandu audience with businesses and consumers should Saturday evening 7:30-8:00 pm Business Yaatra is on Radio Sagarmatha for that goes to the production also started to reach British Gurkha information on money and business. care about a particular piece of 102.4FM every Thursday morning house, Antenna, which was started soldiers stationed in different parts “We decided to produce Business government legislation, inter- at 8:00 am by a group of radio journalists. The brain child of Manisha Aryal, a print-turned-radio journalist, Antenna is making waves by shoring up the public service broadcasting model in the country. “Listening to FM stations, you get the feeling radio presenters, especially the DJs, don’t treat Nepali listeners as intelligent people,” says Aryal. This is why she wanted to start something new and different by turning Nepali audience into not only listeners, but also active participants in debates and discussions. Since its launch in 2002, Antenna has proved to be one of the most successful radio production companies in the country with its weekly radio magazine, Chhinophano, that reaches millions of Nepalis in cities and villages throughout Nepal. Nepal has now established itself as a pioneer of community radio worldwide. Local broadcasters in towns and villages across Nepal have shown that public service broadcasting is alive and well in the country. And others have taken notice. Nepal’s new community FM broadcasters are gradually promoting the public service broadcasting culture pioneered by Radio Sagarmatha in Kathmandu, which was the first private community radio station of South Asia when it started in 1997. What makes Antenna’s Chhinophano an important addition to this trend is the presentation by Nepal’s most popular humorists and satirists like the Chatyang Master and the Maha duo. The producers keep experimenting with the structure of the program to make it more relevant to the listeners. Chhinophano reaches listeners in the eastern, central, western and far western regions of Nepal through Radio Nepal’s central and regional transmission centers and through Radio Nepal’s six FM 12 JUSTICE Something that he Govinda s’ story

The conviction, imprisonment and the rejection of an paid back a loan to him at the time of the killing. appeal of a Nepali prisoner accused of the murder of The case came to trial in 2000, and the Tokyo a Japanese woman has raised serious questions about District Court acquitted Govinda. He was getting ready Japan’s justice system. to head back to Nepal when the Tokyo District Govinda Mainali was accused of raping and killing Prosecutor’s office filed an appeal at the High Court Yasuko Watanabe, a manager at the Tokyo Electric and Govinda was locked up again. On 22 December Power Company (TEPCO) who lead a double life and 2000, the court sentenced Govinda to life worked as a prostitute after working hours. On 19 March imprisonment. 1997, Watanabe’s Japanese legal activists decomposing body was found in have taken up the case and an empty room in the same even set up a Justice for building where Mainali and Govinda Innocence Advocacy other Nepalis lived in Tokyo’s Group. One of them is Mikiki Shibuya district. Kyakuno who is convinced the She had been strangled 10 Nepali is innocent and says the days previously. When the police Japanese justice system has a came, most Nepalis fled because “deep-rooted racial xenophobia”. they thought it was an immigration raid against Another Japanese who has taken up Govinda’s case illegals. But Govinda turned himself in and said he is writer Shinichi Sano, who wrote the best-selling book, didn’t do it. Govinda’s mistake was that he initially Office Lady Murder Case. Sano visited Govinda in jail denied having known the woman and later admitted many times and even came to Nepal to meet his that he had paid for sex with Watanabe three times. friends and family. “I never believed Govinda was The latest was ten days before the murder. guilty,” Sano said in an interview with Nepali Times in The police built up a case against Govinda, 2001 in Tokyo (see: ‘Govinda’, #39). “Govinda was just saying he had killed her for the 40,000 yen which a fall guy from a poor country that didn’t dare to make other customers said they had paid her that evening. a fuss to take all the blame.” After Govinda’s appeal to DNA analysis of the condom found in the room the Supreme Court was turned down in October, Sano HAPPIER TIMES: Govinda Mainali outside the restaurant where matched Govinda’s and one Nepali said Govinda had wrote this passionate defence of Govinda’s innocence. he worked in Tokyo.

SHINICHI SANO in TOKYO

n 22 October 2003, I was Nepali journalist in 2001, ever dream come true. Now, there was 37th birthday which was on 21 Govinda’s brother Indra still O in Sapporo in Hokkaido bothered to interview Govinda in no point dreaming any more. Naomi October. Govinda sobbed inces- hasn’t recovered from the shock. when I heard that Govinda the detention centre in Kosuge to told me: “It’s too much to bear to santly, and said: “The Supreme “When we heard the sad news, Mainali’s appeal had been rejected hear his cries of innocence. think that what we did that day, Court is a place where the all went quiet in the house, nobody by the Surpeme Court. A reporter talking about the hopes for the brightest people in Japan are, said anything,” he told me. “Then in Tokyo called me on my cell phone A song of hope future, it might have made it even isn’t it? And that court is send- everyone started crying at once. I for reaction, and I trembled with On 21 October when legal reporters, harsher for him to take in the shock. ing an innocent man to jail? I couldn’t stop crying, the tears just anger. The ruling was totally unjust. tipped off by the authorities were Naomi Yoshikawa told Govinda haven’t done anything wrong, gushed out.” Govinda’s 76-year-old Even though the District Court ac- already writing their stories about “See you next week, take care,” waved how can I spend my life there? I mother and 82-year-old father, quitted Govinda, the High Court the rejection by the Supreme Court, goodbye and left the visitor’s won’t be able to see my aging Radha and the children, all wept continued sloppy deliberations with social activist Naomi meeting room. parents alive in this world bitterly. Neighbours heard the the presumption of guilt to come out Yoshikawa of the Justice for On the morning of the following anymore.” crying, and thinking someone had with an unacceptable ruling of a life Govinda Group went to see day, 22 October, the defense I called Urmila, Govinda’s elder died, went in to find out what was sentence, overturning the acquittal. Govinda. She had no idea about the counsel and the core members of the sister, in Nepal. I had seen her in happening. In the ten days after the Starting next year, a series of Supreme Court verdict. At this time Justice for Govinda Innocence Kathmandu a few years ago. Supreme Court verdict, Govinda got reforms are to be introduced in the Govinda himself had not been Advocacy Group went to see Choking back tears, she said, “When more than 300 letters from friends Japanese judicial system to allow for notified of the decision. Govinda after learning from the a Japanese TV reporter called me, and strangers, who wanted to more participation of citizens. The minute he saw Naomi, media about the decision. The my hands started to shake and I cheer him up. Govinda’s ruling totally goes against Govinda thanked her for writing moment he saw them, Govinda couldn’t say anything.” She called that trend and is a travesty of jus- out the lyrics of his favorite song in showed the document declaring her sister-in-law, Radha, in Ilam The evidence tice. After the acquittal by the Dis- Roman letters and sending them to the Supreme Court decision by who wept on the phone, called Yasuko Watanabe was a senior trict Court in 2000, Govinda him. Govinda had mentioned that putting the sheet of paper out Govinda’s name again and employee of the Tokyo Electric should have been deported imme- he liked the song ‘Nada Sousou’ against the transparent acrylic again. “I felt so sorry for my gentle Power Company (TEPCO) by day, diately for illegal overstaying, but he (‘Tears trickling down’) by an board dividing the visitors and brother,” Urmila told me. “Govinda a prostitute by night who walked was re-detained. Such action is un- Okinawan singer, Rimi Natsukawa. detainees. didn’t do anything wrong. God the streets of Shibuya. She constitutional and the rejection of Naomi had started visiting Govinda The rejection seems to have knows the truth, now, I can only disappeared on 8 March, her body the appeal now highlights the in March 2003 when she been cruelly timed for Govinda’s pray to God.” was found in Room 101 of Kijyu- injustice of the whole procedure. accompanied Radha, Govinda’s As someone who has followed wife, to Kosuge for a brief prison this case closely, I maintain that there visit. When Govinda mentioned the has been a serious miscarriage of song, Naomi said, “The song sounds justice and Govinda’s case throws like it’s about you and Radha, up many questions of judicial doesn’t it?” She later wrote out the reforms in Japan not just for lyrics and sent it, adding a message foreigners, but also for Japanese that said, “I hope the two of you can citizens. It also opens questions of see each other again soon.” docile Japanese journalists who are Naomi and Gonvida talked completely taken in by the power of about their families and their authority and simply pass on their daughters. As always, Govinda was information through the media. caring and considerate about others No Japanese reporters actually despite the stress of his incarceration. went to the Maruyamacho area of Govinda told Naomi that his elder Shibuya Ward, where the murder daughter Mithila would like to be a DOUBLE LIFE: Yasuko Watanabe (left) walked the streets of Shibuya looking for customers from the took place. No reporters, except a doctor and he wants to make her immigrant community. The apartment where her body was found on 19 March, 1997. 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189 13 A Japanese author writes an impassioned plea for justice in the case of Nepali serving life never did imprisonment for murder in Tokyo

ANGRY AUTHOR: Japanese writer, Shinichi Sano, at his home in Tokyo reading from his book on Govinda Mainali..

KUNDA DIXIT so apartment building in to life imprisonment, was correct it infallibility that once indicted, the is Yasuhiro Muraki. In May 2001, Govinda also has two adorable Maruyama-cho, on 19 March. In would have meant that Govinda suspect has to be convicted no exactly a year after Govinda’s re- daughters. The younger daughter, the toilet bowl of the apartment had to have killed Watanabe on 8 matter what. The Supreme Court arrest, Muraki was himself Elisa, is turning 10 and was born was a condom containing semen. March, after which he would have is no longer a place where the truth detained by the Tokyo Metro- just after Govinda came to Japan. The police determined that she was had to take a ride in a time machine is patiently pursued and justice is politan Police Department on He has never seen her. killed late during the night of 8 to go back 10 days and discard his fairly secured. It has turned into a charges of child prostitution, March and a DNA test was semen in the toilet. The Supreme place where the self-protection of paying 20,000 yen to a 14-year- The last visit conducted on the semen, and this Court supported such a ludicrous the justice system and miscarriage old girl. Muraki was later con- On 4 November 2003, I went to was determined to be Govinda’s. verdict. of justice are hastily secured. victed on a violation of the Anti- see Govinda at the Tokyo Govinda admitted to having Much of the circumstantial I went to see the former Chief Child Prostitution and Anti-Child Detention House. Wearing a white sexual intercourse with Watanabe evidence was in favour of Govinda. Judge Toshio Takagi without any Pornography Law. He was given a zip-up jacket, Govinda appeared in that room on 28 February. But For 11 days until Watanabe’s body appointment. He was the one who two-year sentence with a in the interview cell. He looked the police insisted that it happened was found, he continued to live as overturned the District Court suspended sentence of five years. unexpectedly well, his face had on 8 March. This became the most usual in Room 401 of the Kasuya acquittal and sentenced Govinda He was dismissed from the colour, but his hair which was full critical piece of evidence in the trial Building, down the hall from Room to life in prison in 2000. Takagi position of judge in an impeach- at the time of his arrest had now and expert opinion was consulted 101. Would a murderer do that? retired from the Tokyo High Court ment hearing, the first in 20 years. receded. regarding the degree of the Govinda also had plenty of oppor- in November 2001 and later A paedophile judge was among “I didn’t do it. I’m innocent deterioration of the individual tunities to flee the country after 8 became a professor at the Law those who passed the verdict in and in jail, is it because I am from a spermatozoa. March. Department of Teikyo University, Govinda’s trial. This fact alone poor country like Nepal? Mr Sano, The conclusion was that the Three days after the body was lecturing on Criminal Law. I waited considerably damages the please help me,” Govinda said. head part and the tail part of the found, Govinda voluntarily went to for him in front of his research credibility of the judiciary. But the Now that Govinda has been sperm were completely severed and the Shibuya Police Station for office on the Hachioji campus of Supreme Court, the last-resort transferred to a maximum security that it would take more than 20 questioning, fully aware of the risk the university. When I greeted him guardian of the law, took the lead prison, only family members are days for sperm to disintegrate like of being arrested for overstaying his as he came back from the classroom, in ratifying an act that can be allowed to visit and only once a that. This corroborated Govinda’s visa. This strongly suggests his he looked surprised for a moment, described as a crime committed by month. But Govinda’s family lives statement. However, the High innocence. The same can be said for but quickly regained his compo- the judiciary. in Nepal. Who is going to visit Court accepted a supplementary Watanabe’s commuter pass that was sure. I went to see Muraki in him? opinion that contamination by E found in the yard of a private home I asked him how he felt about Yokohama, where he lives in a In an effort to save Govinda, coli bacteria and cleaning liquid in in Sugamo, far away from the murder the Supreme Court rejecting newly built, high-end condo- his defense counsel wasted no time the toilet bowl could have hastened site, a week before the body was Govinda’s appeal. He answered, minium near a train station along in getting ready for filing a request the deterioration of the sperm. found. “The ruling is totally reasonable the Toyoko line. The entrance hall for a retrial. However, judging This became the sole piece of Regarding this mystery of the because the District Court ruling is equipped with fully automatic from the precedence, chances are decisive evidence that sup- commuter pass being found in a was wrong. Now that the decision security locks. The elaborate slim. Govinda’s cries of innocence ported the theory of Govinda as place where Govinda doesn’t go, the is made, it means that the Supreme security precautions, along with will likely be muffled in prison the perpetrator. District Court gave a fair judgment, Court approved of my guilty judg- the inorganic exterior of the build- until the day of his parole, which The defence counsel con- concluding the possibilities that a ment. This man strangled and killed ing, reminded me of the Tokyo can take up to 20 years. By that ducted an experiment in which it perpetrator other than Govinda a woman. There is nothing more Detention House which used to time he will be 60 years old. asked five Nepalis to provide sperm could be involved. However, the to say, excuse me.” And he shut the hold Govinda in custody. Govinda will have grandchildren samples and put them in condoms, High Court flatly refused to take this door. Muraki himself answered the without having seen his daughter’s leaving them in the toilet bowl as evidence. Out of the total of six judges intercom. “I can’t talk,” he said and husbands. His Nepali mother and under identical conditions. The that took part in the consultation, hung up. I could hear the sound father will have passed away, sperm disintegrated after 20 days. Fallacy of infallibility there is one who was first for of children’s laughter in the deeply cursing Japan, a country If the reasoning of the High The Japanese police and judiciary are rejecting Govinda’s re-detention background. Muraki had twin which framed their son for a crime Court which sentenced Govinda obsessed with the fallacy of and then retracted the decision. He daughters. By a cruel twist of fate, he did not commit. 14 NATION #189 Musical manifestos for peace26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004

In a unique project, popular Nepali musicians have put children’s peace poems into song and will sing together at a charity concert

MIN BAJRACHARYA SRADDHA BASNYAT exactly what her poem would be orphanages like Happy Home, called: Shanti. Now her poem has children were asked to write and ast year Santoshi Darlami’s been woven into song by the teen paint about peace. Their work was dream came true. She had heartthrobs of Aastha Band. collected and brought out as Shanti: L always wanted to see her Back in Kathmandu, countless Children’s Manifesto for Peace. father’s birthplace at Baseri Eko Tol, other stories of death and violence Last year the manifesto was just a couple of hours by bus out of moved Sangeeta Thapa into action. circulated to all political parties and Kathmandu. Then, on a week-long “Over the years I’ve been hearing reached the prime minister’s desk. school vacation, she finally went. about thousands of children being In April 2003, Siddhartha Art That’s when she realised, living in out of school and many thousands Gallery and WPPF exhibited the Kathmandu, she had no idea what more being abducted. So we got this children’s work based on the theme was happening in the rest of the idea to have children write poems ‘a hope for peace’. country. and paint so they could pour out The manifesto was then “My uncle’s daughter was killed their feelings,” said Thapa, director presented to 13 Nepali musicians, by a bomb. She was only in class of Siddhartha Art Gallery. each of whom selected a poem and two and very talented. I saw what That was almost three years ago. agreed to compose and arrange a KIRAN PANDAY was happening in the rest of the The gallery hooked up with World song from it. Raman Shrestha of challenge: “I’ve added my guitar Of Bijaya Poudel’s poem, he adds, country, I understood what people Peace Propagation Forum (WPPF), Samjhana Audio & Video and touch so it’s rhythmic and people “You need sincerity and this boy were going through,” said 16-year- and through the forum’s network Dewakar Pandey of ournepal.com can dance to it. Technically, it’s Bijaya has that.” old Santoshi calmly. When she was of over 400 schools across the organised the artists and are now been a revolution for me.” He’s so The rest of the artists—a truly given the chance to write a poem for country and with coordination working to release the CD and music pleased, he wants to perform the astonishing all-star group including a nationwide competition she knew efforts by GTZ, CWIN and video. The group song took the song again. Karma Band, Karna Das, Sunil longest to coordinate. Bajracharya is also performing a Baredwa and even Sur Sudha and The album, Shanti ko Sapana, second song from a poem written Anil Shahi—all have similar tales of will be released at a benefit concert by Mahendra Raj Karki, a student how the children’s poems inspired this weekend at the BICC and the from Bhaktapur, which has become them to devote their time to children are ecstatic. Some are class the title song of the event. Despite converting the words into music. 10 students like Bigya Shah is are being the only artist doing two The proceeds will go to a having a hard time concentrating on songs, Bajracharya humbly tells us, children’s park. The mayor has the upcoming SLC exams. “I’m so “I was touched when I read already allocated 11 ropanis in Sina excited I can’t describe it,” 16-year- Mahendra’s poem. He was really Mangal, opposite the airport. old Bigya exclaims. Meeting the thinking about why we need peace. There’s talk the concert will travel singer (see pic) didn’t do anything Everyone is seeking peace, but to Pokhara and Dharan. “Maybe the to calm her down. usually can’t articulate why.” songs will even get translated and Bigya’s is the only poem in Mahendra is also grateful to performed by international artists,” English. A student at St Mary’s, she Bajracharya for choosing his poem, said Sangeeta Thapa, already says she wrote I Wish My Dream Malai Shanti Chahieko Chha. thinking about the next phase. Would Come True to address the “Everyone feels the things I wrote But for now, the concert has got need for peace: “Nepali children are about, but he really appreciated my to have its strongest impact right suffering mentally and physically. feelings,” says the 18-year-old who here at home. Actor and pilot Vijay People need to stop the violence wrote the words after visiting his Lama, known to give his time to because it’s impacting the children, hometown of Charikot recently. A worthy causes, will participate in the our future, negatively. Peace family member was hassled by group song at the concert and is deserves everyone’s attention.” security forces, and though they currently involved in filming the Bajracharya had become apologised for it immediately, Karki music video for it. “It’s time people disillusioned with charity work, felt it has become very difficult for who love Nepal come together and seeing no tangible benefits from past normal Nepalis to work or go to join hands against violence. The performances. But this one is school and just lead normal lives. bleeding of our nation has to stop.” different, he says. Despite being one This is the first time artists like About the group song, he adds, of the most popular male singers in Nirakar Yakthumba and Nalina “This song can be a national song, the Nepali music scene and having Chitrakar (the only female not biased by politics or religion, but a busy recording schedule for his performing) can recall so many artists by Nepalis.” l new album, Bajracharya managed to working together for charity. compose and arrange a song from Yakthumba of 1974AD, says it’s The Shanti ko Sapana benefit concert Bigya’s poem himself. Since it was been a learning experience for him: will be held at the BICC on 27 March at 5PM. Tickets are available at Tik n’ Tok, not written as the lyrics to a song, “I realised you don’t have to know Suwal Music and Video and all Bajracharya admits it was a literature to get the message across.” Nanglo outlets. INTERNATIONAL #189 15 Is Spain a role model?26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 Two European leaders have opposing views on the falllout of the terrorist attacks in Madrid

ith all due respect for the There is only one real problem: from the beginning for the UN to ose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, in keeping with both his campaign Spanish electorate and to what do we do now? Pack our bags? be given a role in the Iraqi conflict J promises and his participation in demonstrations for peace and W those citizens mourning If this is the answer, it means yet and to use every diplomatic means against the illegitimate war and illegal occupation of Iraq, has their dead, I believe that socialist again abandoning the Iraqis, letting possible to avoid resorting to military confirmed as president elect his intention to withdraw Spanish troops leader Jose Luis Zapatero’s position them descend into a violent civil force, introducing a proposal to force from Iraq unless the United Nations takes over command of operations there. on withdrawing his country’s troops war with unimaginable Saddam Hussein into exile which in His decision is logical and coherent. I agree entirely with Zapatero from Iraq constitutes a victory for Al repercussions for the region and the other cases (Liberia for example) and believe that brute force alone cannot defeat terrorism. We must study world. proved to be a practical and its causes and understand the It would be opportune if we in reasonable solution. reasons for its influence over YES the West understood that we are In a broader context, our plan for NO desperate and humiliated Emma Bonino not the only players and arbiters in a World Organisation of Democracy Mario Soares populations. the world, and that every word we involves a reform of the United The awful attacks of 11 March in Qaeda. This was precisely the pronounce is translated, heard, Nations intended to restore the spirit Spain demonstrate that global terrorism still has significant resources and is capable of broadening its scope of action, striking a European country interpretation of the terrorist group interpreted and repeated, hour after and the letter of the UN Charter. for the first time. Those who believed that the “war on terror’’, to use itself, as was clear from the hour, by 220 million Arabs or However, in the current Bush’s phrase, could be won by defeating and occupying Iraq and, later, declarations of “we won!’’ that Muslims. circumstances, we must recognise that by capturing Saddam Hussein, are at a loss to explain what just flooded the Internet and Arab Certain leaders of the after the divisions within the Security happened. television programs, whether correct European left have stated— Council and the terrorist attacks that We cannot avoid asking whether the strategy conceived for the “war or not. involuntarily, I am sure—that they killed the highest UN functionaries on terror’’, which gives priority to military force and ignores the Many in Europe had continued share Zapatero’s position. Perhaps in Baghdad, an appeal to the UN is conventions of international law and human rights (in Afghanistan and Iraq, for starters) was the most intelligent and appropriate. This question to believe that terrorism was almost they haven’t grasped how this no more than a rhetorical alibi unless grows more urgent the more one takes into account the progressive exclusively a matter between Arabs announcement might be read and accompanied by a explicit call to deterioration of both countries and the growing tensions in Iran, Syria and and the US and that America was in acted upon by the terrorists those countries, including in the Pakistan and, in a a certain way “asking for it’’. But 11 themselves. (It was not by chance Arab world, that still stand on the more subtle but no less worrying manner, the Islamic world in general— March provided irrefutable proof that US democratic presidential sidelines with regard to Iraq, to finally not to mention the progressive worsening of the Israeli-Palestinian that the Al Qaeda represents a real candidate John Kerry immediately commit to assuming real and conflict, with the unacceptable construction of the new “wall of shame’’ on the West Bank. Wherever we look, the world is slipping into profound crisis—a crisis of morality and values. The clash of civilisations and religions–and within them of fanatic and extremist sects, like the Christian fundamentalists, which count George Bush among them–seems to be setting the stage for an extremely dangerous future. “Predatory globalisation’’—to borrow a term from the book with that title by Princeton University Some 11 million Spaniards, a quarter of the population, turned up to protest the Madrid bombings that killed 200 people. professor Richard Falk—is reducing threat to us all, and that it is an criticised this position.) But if we substantial responsibilities in that Third World countries, principally in Africa, to misery, but it is also creating organisation operating on a global think for a moment, it isn’t hard to country. two-tiered societies in the developed world, where the gap between rich scale with a political agenda that, far guess what the result might be: In short: in sharp contrast to and poor is growing wider and wider. from being secret, is publicly more attacks, against governments Zapatero’s position, the correct Capitalism itself is changing its nature, evolving from a productive, proclaimed, preached, and or international and regional response to 11 March should be, industrial model to what is essentially a financial, speculative one—what propagated. organisations, civilian or military “We will all go to Baghdad,’’ with might be called casino capitalism. Any who might still believe that facilities, Arab, American or the determination to assume a This syndrome is spreading throughout the world as unregulated globalisation leads us deeper and deeper into unforseen disasters. these attacks are the work of “a few European, selected with great concrete role in the fight against Immorality and the absence of ethical values have further exacerbated Bedouins’’ or who feel safer locked tactical or “political’’ precision to terrorism. Only in this manner can the situation, as has the rampant subordination of politics to partisan in their homes, are either naive or spread terror and make us all the calls for UN and/or NATO interests and unjust economic criteria. simply don’t understand what is at hostages or prisoners. involvement have real meaning and The time to react is now. A few days ago eight million Spanish stake. This is why a campaign promise effect, as expressions of shared citizens—a fifth of the population—demonstrated in the streets and It should suffice to consult a map of the Spanish socialist presidential responsibility. squares of Spain against the terrorist attacks of 11 March. This act of the slaughter of the last few years: candidate, which unexpectedly Finally, it must be said that there should serve as an example. All people must reject immorality in economic activities, deception in politics, indifference to the hardship of one’s New York, Bali, Istanbul, Riyad, was converted into a potential is nothing noble about abandoning neighbours and insensitivity to catastrophes and pandemics like AIDS Casablanca, Baghdad, Nassyria, government policy, must not the Iraqis (as happened to the until the day they strike one or one’s family. Kerbala, and now Madrid—in become an order to withdraw Chechens, the Bosnians and many The fact that today’s world is interdependent means that we are all addition to the earlier attacks in troops that could play into the others) when they need us most and responsible. Therefore solidarity and social justice cannot remain mere Nairobi, Dar Es Salam, etc—to grasp hands of Al Qaeda. at a time so crucial to their future. It slogans. As ever, everything depends on whether we decide to improve the dimension of the threat. A tally We are not all Zapateros, nor is hardly a gesture that the democratic the troubled world in which we have to live. This is why I believe the victory of Zapatero and the Spanish Socialist Workers Party was an of the errors, real or presumed, should we be. Nor can we serve (or world could feel proud of. l (IPS) committed in the last few months even seem to serve) Bin Laden and excellent sign. It is a victory that reinforces those who are working for peace, social justice, dialogue, human rights and international law. This is by various protagonists in this drama his political agenda. Emma Bonino is a deputy in the European Parliament and leader of the the way to fight terrorism. l (IPS) can hardly count as an excuse. As a radical militant I fought Transnational Radical Party. Mario Soares was President of Portugal from 1986-1996. 16 ASIA 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189 Asia’s two polls Malaysia shuns radicalism In what is probably the biggest upset in Malaysian electoral history, the Islamic opposition party and its sole ally, the National Justice Party of jailed former deputy Premier Anwar Ibrahim, have lost nearly everything they had won in the 1999 election. At the time, they benefited from massive backlash against former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was perceived to have had Anwar arrested in 1998 because he posed a challenge to him. But in the 21 March polls, voters routed the state governments led by the Islamic party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) in the Muslim majority strongholds of Kelantan and Terengganu. PAS managed to win only six of the 86 parliamentary constituencies it contested.The National Justice Party lost nearly all the 48 seats it contested. However, its president, Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, Anwar Ibrahim’s wife, won her Permatang Pauh seat by 590 votes on a recount. Political pundits are arguing the causes for such a big rout. What happened and why? “The verdict is a resounding endorsement of Abdullah, moderate and progressive Islam,” says social scientist Chandra Muzaffar. “Malaysians—Muslims and non-Muslims alike—have made an unambiguous decision rejecting PAS-style radicalism in the name of Islam.” Meenaxi Analysts said the losses PAS suffered on Sunday showed that its 1999 gain was entirely because of protest votes against the Mahathir government over its treatment of Anwar Ibrahim. “The Dr Mahathir’s The best of everything makes this movie an retirement and Abullah’s pleasant personality took the spite out of the Malay anger,” said an academic, who declined to be named. Muslims extravaganza of colour, music, dance and talent also, generally rejected Islamic radicalism of the type advocated by PAS.” RANJIT DEVRAJ Abdullah took over from Mahathir in October and immediately in NEW DHELI wooed Malays by distancing himself from the veteran, cancelling some wasteful megaprojects and pledging to clean up the civil service, elebrated painter MF favourite cities, adds an international when we were researching the restructure the police force and put an end to official corruption. His Husain’s latest cinematic touch as does the choreography scores,’’ said Owais. C Leading Bollywood film critic focus on agriculture, rural development and public health were popular. venture, Meenaxi—Tale of supervised by the Italian National In the wake of the vote, some fear that the massive loss would radicalise Three Cities, might as well have have Award winner Illiana Czhtaristi. Khalid Mohammed commented PAS. However, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang himself vowed to stick to been a ‘tale of talents’, because of “I wanted the best,’’ MF Husain after a preview: “Marvellously the constitutional way. the way it converges Indian artistic says with the same uncompromising European in its candidness and (Baradan Kuppusamy in Kuala Lumpur/IPS) talent at its inspired best. attitude that is the hallmark of his utterly rooted in the Indian soil in The title of the two-hour paintings that adorn the homes of its surging spirit and high drama, feature film derives from the fact collectors around the world. Not long Meenaxi from its that it was shot in the Indian cities ago, a Husain painting Sitar first shot to the last, moves with a of Hyderabad and Jaisalmer and in Player fetched $50,000 at a puckish spirit, almost as if its makers the capital of the Czech Republic, Christie’s auction in Hong Kong. were escorting the viewer through Prague. These historic, culturally Those who are tempted to view a fairground carnival.’’ rich cities form the backdrop for Meenaxi, the film, as another Ever the iconoclast, Husain— Meenaxi (with the actress Tabu in painting may be forgiven because who still walks barefoot in the title role), a woman in search of Husain sees celluloid in much the salutation of the days when he perfect love. However, Meenaxi’s is same way as he would canvas. began his career hand-painting not the only quest. The story— This is why while making billboards for Bollywood films— “Meenaxi” means the fish-eyed Meenaxi, serious differences of departs so far from the conventional Hindu goddess—weaves around the opinion arose between him and in Meenaxi that even the storyline search of Urdu writer Nawab, Owais, who is also a painter but more is barely discernible. played by Raghubir Yadav, for his serious about making a transition Instead, Meenaxi appears as lost muse and his rediscovery of self. into the multi-dimensional world of avtars (incarnations) in the effete, This unfolds following his filmmaking. jaded mind of Nawab—first as the Taiwan turmoil chance meeting with the lithe and “There were times when the Hyderbadi purveyor of perfumes, Uncertainty and divisions loom in the days and weeks ahead in Taiwan, lissome Meenaxi, a perfume seller, differences were so serious that we then as a comely activist for water after mass demonstrations, fuelled by folktale-like speculations about the at a qawwali (devotional Sufi singing thought the film would not come conservation in the deserts of rigging of the 20 March presidential elections, turned into violent riots. which blended Hindu and Islamic off,’’ said Owais. But perseverance crenellated Jaisalmer and finally as Supporters of the defeated Kuomintang party clashed with police and opponents from the winning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), whose mysticism) in the central Indian city paid off and each time he was able the waitress Maria in a waterfront candidate, incumbent President Chen Shui-bian, won 50.12 percent of of Hyderabad. Meenaxi proves to to bring his father around. Husain is café in Prague who aspires to be an the vote—just 0.2 percent more than his challenger, Lien Chan. be something of a wayward muse, as famous for his moods as his actress. Taiwan’s High Court ordered all 13,000 ballot boxes be sealed after but she goads and torments Nawab masterpieces. “There is a chronological Lien Chan, leader of the Nationalist party or Kuomintang, demanded a into states of passion that perhaps is MF Husain easily and sequence unlike in Gajagamini,’’ recount. While formal legal proceedings in Lien’s election challenge are set to begin within a week, his supporters have already been taking to the the real muse of all art. Ask Husain generously gives credit for the film explains Owais. Gajagamini, streets to demand an immediate recount. and he will tell you that “the only to Owais but the master’s touch is (woman with the sensuous gait of A crowd of 10,000 supporters of Lien Chan braved the rain on true gift a human being can have is apparent from the word ‘go’. Indeed, an elephant), released four years ago, Sunday, staging a 10-hour protest in front of the presidential office in passion’’. Husain rewrote the track, based on was Husain’s vision of Indian Taipei. Demonstrators were chanting “invalid’’ while waving the flags of Tabu and Yadav have his studies of the art of the Sufi womanhood as represented by his the opposition alliance. A girl in her twenties had her belly exposed and formidable reputations not only as mystics and even the title Meenaxi own muse, the former Bollywood the Chinese character for ‘Liar’ written on it. The attack was addressed at President Chen, whom the opposition has accused of playing up an highly rated actors in Bollywood, was his suggestion. screen goddess Madhuri Dixit. assassination attempt on 19 March, just before the elections, or even but also for their ability to get under Owais is equally modest, saying What weaves the narration staging it himself. Chen was slightly wounded in the stomach by a bullet the skin of the difficult, complex that he was blessed by the sheer talent together is the versatility of Tabu as he rode through the streets in southern Taiwan on the day before the characters. The male lead role, that of actors of the calibre of Tabu whose in her role as the demanding critic Saturday elections. of a raffish motor mechanic, is played acrobatic swaying to the opening solo Meenaxi, who provokes Nawab In other cities across the island, protests took a violent turn as KMT supporters rioted, clashing with DPP’s followers. Police forces were by Kunnal Kapoor, a male model number Yeh Rishta (this into renewed attempts at writing dispatched to install calm. Faced with mounting pressure from the public selected for his compelling classic relationship) which features Dalinda, only to dismiss each essay as to prove that the 19 March attack on incumbent President Chen Shui- features. sets the pace for the whirlwind of hackneyed and perhaps not worth bian was not “faked”, the presidential office took the unusual step of MF Husain, 88 and his son emotions and feelings that follows. the candle. showing close-up photos of Chen lying unconscious on the operating Owais Husain, 36 have thrown Tabu, in turn, ascribes her If nothing else, Husain table and of him recuperating in the hospital. Yet many remained together the music of AR Rahman, dervish-like performance to AR succeeds, with Meenaxi, in unconvinced of their authenticity. Some of Taiwan’s political commentators are also accusing Chen of the camerawork of Santosh Sivan Rehman’s music. “It is the music. It exploring the fathomless world of being scared to face up to the challenge mounted by the opposition. “If and the singing voices of Asha is almost divine.’’ There is nothing creativity and the torturous DPP’s actions during these elections have been all fair and just, why Bhonsle and Alka Yagnik and the incidental about the dervish bit. relationship between the artist, his doesn’t Chen come out and say: ‘We will begin to recount the votes now’,’’ Lebanese Dalinda to create their “Rahman and I went to Maulana art and his muse. All this in a argues Professor Chang Lin-wei from Taiwan University. extravaganza of colour, song and Jalaluddin Rumi’s birthplace in completely novel and yet universal (Antoaneta Bezlova in Taipei/IPS) dance. Prague, one of Husain’s Anatolia to listen to the dervishes way. l (IPS) INTERNATIONAL #189 17 American power 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 in an election year Global power, and America’s share of it, is like a three-dimensional chess game

merica’s presidential election multi-polar, with the US, Europe, Japan campaign is heating up, and with it, and China representing two-thirds of A the debate about American power. A world production. On this economic year ago, after the blitz victory in the four- board, other countries often balance week Iraq War, many people thought the American power. The bottom chessboard is issue was settled. But difficulties in Iraq and the realm of transnational relations that than half of all Internet users. But in a from the Cold War to the Global in America’s other foreign relations have cross borders beyond government control. decade or two, Chinese may become the Information Age, but the dominant foreign placed the topic at the heart of the This realm includes everyone from bankers language of the largest number of Internet policy paradigms have not kept pace. campaign. who electronically transfer huge sums, to users. It will not dethrone English as a Today’s growing global networks of A little over a decade ago, conventional terrorists transferring weapons or hackers lingua franca, but at some point, the Asian interdependence are putting new items on wisdom worldwide held that America was in disrupting Internet operations. market will loom larger than the American national and international agendas and decline. In 1992, the winner of the New On this bottom board, power is widely market. Americans simply cannot solve many of Hampshire primary election argued that dispersed and it makes no sense to speak of Even more important, the information these by themselves. International financial “the unipolarity, multipolarity or hegemony. revolution is creating virtual communities stability is vital to prosperity, but the US COMMENT Cold Those who recommend a unilateral and networks that cut across national needs the cooperation of others to ensure it. Joseph S Nye War is American foreign policy based on such borders, and transnational corporations In a world where borders are becoming over— traditional descriptions of American power and non-governmental actors—terrorists more porous than ever to everything from and Japan won.” When I published Bound are relying on a woefully inadequate included—will play larger roles. Many drugs to infectious diseases to terrorism, to Lead in 1990, I predicted the continuing analysis. organisations will have soft power of their Americans will be forced to work with other rise of American power. But today, I regard Many of the real challenges to own as they attract citizens into coalitions countries beyond their borders. it as equally important to challenge the new American power are coming not on the that cut across national boundaries. Because of its leading edge in the conventional wisdom that America is upper military board but on the lower The terrorist attacks on New York, information revolution and its vast invincible and that the “new unilateralism” transnational board. Ironically, the Washington and now Madrid are terrible investment in traditional power resources, should guide US foreign policy. temptation to go it alone may ultimately symptoms of the deep changes already the US will remain the world’s single most After the collapse of the Soviet Union, weaken the US in this domain. occurring. Technology has been diffusing powerful country well into this new some analysts described the resulting world Why is this true? Today’s information power away from governments and century. While potential coalitions to check as unipolar and saw few constraints on revolution and the type of globalisation empowering individuals and groups to American power may be created, it is American power. This is misleading. Power that accompanies it are transforming and play roles in world politics— including unlikely that they will become firm alliances in a global information age is distributed shrinking the world. At the beginning of wreaking massive destruction—that were unless the US handles its hard coercive among countries in a pattern that resembles the 21st century, these two forces increased once reserved to governments. Privatisation power in an overbearing unilateral manner a complex three-dimensional chess game. American power, particularly the ability to has been the leitmotif in economic policy that undermines its “soft” or attractive On the top chessboard, military power is influence others through attractive, or what in recent years, but in politics the power. l (Project Syndicate) largely unipolar. The US is the only country I call “soft” power. But with time, privatisation of war is terrorism. with state of the art air, naval and ground technological gains will spread to other Moreover, as globalisation shrinks Joseph Nye, Dean of the Kennedy School forces capable of global deployment —thus, countries and people. distance, events in faraway places—like of Government at Harvard and a former US Assistant Secretary of Defense, is author of the the quick victory in Iraq last year. But on the For example, today America’s 5 percent Afghanistan—have a greater impact on forthcoming book Soft Power: The Means to middle chessboard, economic power is of the global population represents more everyone’s lives. The world has moved Success in World Politics. Military spending outdated and ineffective

President George W Bush. The report charges that some of the Washington already enjoys a substantial technological edge By cutting military spending, the most expensive items in the budget have little to do with the over any conceivable adversary. US could boost overall security threats the United States faces today, and calls for a much more In addition, the report calls for stopping deployment of the integrated approach to determining defence priorities that would national missile defence (NMD) system until the technology is include non-military priorities such as economic assistance and proven. “So far, despite spending $75 billion, we have not found peacekeeping, as well as strictly military programs. any that works, and we cannot plan our security around doing The report, ‘A Unified Security Budget for the United States’, so,” it says, noting that NMD is the single biggest item in the concludes some $51 billion of the proposed $230 billion 2005 2005 defence budget. budget could be reallocated and saved to use on non-military The report also calls for reducing the nuclear arsenal, initiatives to substantially boost overall security. closing unnecessary military bases and overhauling the “Cutting the Comanche (helicopter) program was a good start,” Pentagon’s financial management. Doing this could save as said Marcus Corbin, a senior analyst at the Centre for Defence much as $56 billion in 2005 alone, freeing up funds for other Information (CDI). “But our report identifies 10 other programs priorities like buying improved flak jackets and body armour, or that could be safely cut to free up resources for other neglected realigning US forces to better prepare them for likely missions, security priorities, such as diplomatic operations, weapons of mass like counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and stability and destruction non-proliferation and port container inspection.” reconstruction operations, which are particularly relevant to US The 23-page report comes amid growing public concern over efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Such efforts could cost around the build up of unprecedented fiscal deficits and the rapidly $5 billion annually. rising defence budget. From 2000 to 2004, the Pentagon’s budget The report specifically calls for reallocating some $6 billion ballooned by more than 50 percent, and is now comparable to to key non-military programs, including diplomacy, international that of the world’s next 25 biggest military spenders combined, communication and non-proliferation projects, like the Nunn- according to the Centre for Arms Control and Proliferation (CACP). Lugar initiative to fund disarmament in Russia and to find Moreover, its current proposal for 2005 does not include weapons and nuclear scientists alternative employment. expenditures for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Also, the administration and Congress should consider the Pentagon is spending nearly $70 billion this year alone. sharply increasing development assistance for poor nations by With Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan’s warning up to 10 billion dollars a year to address the hopelessness and JIM LOBE in WASHINGTON that future social security benefits might have to be cut, many despair that can breed terrorism over time. lawmakers, including Republicans, are insisting that no program Finally, the report calls for increases in homeland security ver one-fifth of the proposed 2005 US military budget should be immune from reductions. funding, allocating more money for emergency first-responders, O could be cut and the money spent on projects that would In that light, the task force called for a major reassessment of including local police and fire departments and port security. better protect the nation’s security, according to a report other expensive weapons systems with questionable usefulness. It “Currently we are wasting large sums on the wrong forces for from nine national-security experts. says the nature of today’s threats should permit the Pentagon to the wrong occasions,” the report concluded. “It is a mistake to Since the 11 September attacks, overall US security is not reduce investment in the next generation of conventional believe that increasing the Pentagon budget alone will strengthened, despite steep increases in US defence under weapons, such as fighters, helicopters, submarines and tanks, where guarantee our safety.” l (IPS) 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189

Just loot and malnourished, Pariyar is so mood. “Better late than never.” ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ determined to bear a son that she

“I am not corrupt” Kantipur, 21 March no longer cares for her own health. Bank row Her husband, Bal Bahadur, has ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Maoist atrocities against innocent threatened to bring a second wife Space Time, 22 March Khum Bahadur Khadka in Deshantar, 21 March civilians are on the rise. Incidents if she doesn’t live up to her of extortion, looting and physical promise. “I have to give him a son Differences have cropped up I have not earned money at the expense of national interest. torture prove that the Maoists anyhow,” says Pariyar. “My between Nepal Rastra Bank Nor have I made money through project commissions. I am a have no respect for human rights daughters will be homeless once he (NRB) and the foreign god-fearing man and I swear to god I am innocent. But you of ordinary citizens, say human remarries.” management of Nepal Bank must understand that all leaders somehow receive money for rights activists. Recently, in With no sympathy for his Limited (NBL). The central bank elections. Which leader does not manage funds that way? If Chhaimeli Bhanjyang, 20km wife’s health condition, Bal is of the opinion that the foreign they don’t take money, how will they fight elections? I admit that south of Kathmandu, they looted Bahadur is firm. He lacks any love I have received funds for elections. I have taken money from management has been able to Rs 1.5 million worth of property or sympathy for his own perform in line with the reform my friends. Can any leader, including Madhab Kumar Nepal and cash after severely beating up and others of the UML and NC, claim that they fought elections daughters, so much so that he objectives in the oldest bank of spending their own money? Can they say that the money they three female members of a local even refused to take them to a local the country. But the NBL foreign gave to their workers was actually their own? One must speak household. Bhim Prasad Acharya’s clinic for polio drops. management—ICC Group of the truth. People say Khum Bahadur Khadka earned billions of mother had just died and he was Consequently, four of them are Scotland—has blamed the rupees through irregularities and corruption when he was at Pashupatinath Aryaghat with already disabled and his wife has government of not cooperating home minister. If Khum Bahadur or Govinda Raj can be corrupt his father, Tara Prasad Acharya, to spend 24 hours looking after for the reforms. NBL Chief then Ram Chandra Poudel, KP Oli and Bamdev Gautam are when the incident occurred. When them as well as work as a wage Executive Officer Craig also the same. Since I am a determined person, I don’t care they came back home, they found labourer. Unfortunately, there are McAllister complained that the what others think about me. I would not like to speak much the Maoists had not only looted no health workers to educate them government reform programs about the corruption charge against me because the case is their shop, mill and all their about nutrition and other health were not moving because the still under consideration in the court. Only my enemies savings but had also left a note matters. There is also a lack of clapped when I was detained by the CIAA. But people must government had not yet formed saying that they had taken over social workers to counsel them the promised asset management understand that I was framed. If the corruption charges against the house and that the Acharyas me was just because of my house, many people in about gender equality. company. “The judiciary has also Kathmandu have houses like mine. should no longer live in their own not cooperated with our reform house. A red Maoist flag can be process.” But the NRB has seen on top of the house. “They Justice delivered

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ blamed the foreign management showed a bomb and threatened to Annapurna Post, 21 March of not making any progress kill us if we didn’t pay the money compared to the reform plans. as they demanded,” says Bhim’s Following a court ruling, two “We had awarded the wife, Durga. “We told them to daughters of Bir Chand Ajad of management contract with certain take everything in the house and Banke district will now get their objectives. But, the progress is not we requested them not to beat us. shares of paternal property. 21 and satisfactory,” said central bank But they wouldn’t stop,” adds 19-year-old Sanjaya and Shanti governor, Tilak Rawal. Laxmi, Bhim’s second wife. The Ajad filed a case in the district Under the financial sector group of Maoists included young court demanding their shares of reform program of the women as well as students in paternal property last year. They government, the management uniform. moved the court, complaining that of the NBL was handed over to their father was not supporting the ICC group for a two-year Dying for a son them for even their food and contract. Without extension, the

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ education. The two sisters have foreign management now has Rajdhani, 21 March been living separately with their only five months left. When the mother since they were evicted NRB and NLB signed an Parbat—Kaushalya Pariyar has from their father’s house 18 years agreement almost two years ago, seven small daughters and four of ago. They were forced to leave the condition was that the them are physically disabled. In a because their father had expected a government would have to bid to preserve her marriage, she son from his wife. Bir Chand had establish an asset management has been promising her husband married another lady after his first company and the foreign to finally deliver a son. But each wife went away. “We are happy management would have to bring year since she got married when that we have received justice even the 60 percent non-performing she was just 16, Pariyar has only after a long period of 18 years,” asset of the bank down to 10 borne daughters. Looking weak MIN BAJRACHARYA Sanjaya said in a triumphant percent. With time running out, I have a strong footing. I have a history in Dang. I was all set to resign from my position in the Nepali Congress (Democratic) when I was still in CIAA custody. But, Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta had warned that our resignation could worry our workers. He suggested that we should resign only after we were released by the commission. I was convinced and after my release, I met Deuba and told him that I was sick and needed a break. I also suggested that the central committee of the party had to be reorganised. I left for India. But, when I came back I found that our central committee had been converted into zonal coordinator. I had serious reservations about it because the move had reduced my role and position. I requested Deuba for reconsideration but he did not seem interested. So, I resigned from the position of general secretary and decided to rejoin Nepali Congress. Deuba has always complained that Koirala did injustice to him. But, now when Deuba himself is the boss, he has been repeating the same mistakes Koirala made. Perhaps he had learnt them from him. Deuba may have contributed to the restoration of democracy. But now that democracy needs to be Find the difference brought back on track, I don’t think Deuba can shoulder that Surya Bahadur Thapa : We will hold elections. We will, we will! responsibility. I have always been a close associate of Girija Girija Koirala and Madhab Nepal : We will have a decisive movement. We will, we will! Prasad Koirala, I was with him after the restoration of Citizens : They all look the same. multiparty democracy. In due course of time, we developed some differences and I chose to go my own way. But I never deserted him. It was he who abandoned me. Rajdhani, 21 March After Koirala resigned from the position of prime minister, I QUOTE OF THE WEEK had to make a choice between Sushil Koirala and Sher Bahadur Deuba as candidate for the parliamentary party “We will treat the abducted 36 government personnel in accordance to the Geneva Convention,” leader. I went for Deuba. Now I am back to the Girija camp because I believe that Nepal’s democracy is in peril due to Deuba. My differences with Koirala are about policy matters. Maoist leader, Nanda Kisor Pun alias Pasang in BBC Nepali Service, 23 March

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189 19 it is almost impossible for the The Maoists had blamed the foreign management to do that family for helping the security and that is fanning criticism on its forces to find two of their cadres, performance. The latest record Dipak and Magaru Tharu who No need for foreign funds shows that Rs 11 billion of the 18 were later killed after their arrest. billion in outstanding loans are non-performing. Krishna Pahadi, human rights activist You released a press statement holding the Refugees Jana Astha, 24 March army responsible for killing former MP Hem Tarun,○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 21 March Narayan Yadav, and at times your statements Brothers Jana Astha: Are foreigners keen to fund target the Maoists. Don’t you fear the possible

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ human rights activities even if you are against consequences of doing all this? Desantar, 21 March The Bhutani government has the idea? I believe that one should not join the human rights been under heavy pressure Krishna Pahadi: All donors have their own vested movement feeling insecure and scared. Activists Sankuwasabha—Sherpa especially after the refugee issue interests. I don’t believe that they are funding just for should be least concerned about themselves while brothers, Dawa and Karsang, are was raised at the UN in Geneva human rights activities. We fighting for the security and proud of working hard and by Foreign Minister Bhekh are fighting for our own human rights of all Nepali making a living in their own Bahadur Thapa. It is now busy democracy, human rights citizens. I have not yet homeland rather than following in plotting a fabrication of events to and peace. So, our own received any threat from the footsteps of their fellow deviate the attention of the nationals should be the ones either the government or the to provide funds. We can’t Maoists. If you die, you are Nepalis who go abroad for cheap international community. It has campaign with foreigners’ relieved from this tragic labour. The two are popular and been spreading rumors that the money. world. If not, you have respected in Gufa Bazar of the Nepali Maoists are planning to opportunities to do many district due to their perseverance attack the royal palace of Bhutan. So how many Nepalis things when you are alive. and commitment to walk with This government has also been have financially In a sense, there has been a their yaks with supplies from the trying to wreck the relationship supported your lot of new awareness about town to the remotest villages, between Nepal and India by organisation? human rights in Nepal. We We have an annual budget have realised that we have to which takes weeks or even months. falsely claiming that the Indian of only Rs 400,000-500,000. speak up when others’ rights They walk as far as from outlawed Bodo and United We collect our local funds are violated. Otherwise, they Dhankuta’s Hile Bazar to Chauki Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) through the people who like won’t speak up when our Bhanjyang Bazar of militants had entered Nepal and to join us as members. We own rights are trampled. Sankuwasabha. Each of Dawa and are working together with the are sure to collect the Karsang’s 12 yaks carries 80-85 Maoists to plan the palace attack. amount this year, with which The army and the state kg. They make a profit of Rs 3 for Home Minister Pendon we can run our programs claim that they never each kg. “We can make at least Rs Wangchuk has even discussed this easily. I’m sure other arrested the disappeared organisations would people.They will say 3,000-4,000 in one trip,” says issue already with India’s Anil definitely estimate a cost of MIN BAJRACHARYA anything. They totally denied Dawa, adding that the 12 yaks can Baljit. This only goes on to prove Rs 2-4 million for the same work. the killing of Maoists after they were arrested in carry up to 11 tons at once. It’s that the Bhutani government Doramba. They claim innocence over the raping of not an easy trek though. Walking officials are doing everything to Aren’t your human rights activist friends young girls in Chisapani Karnali. After the Doramba in the tough hill and mountain prove that they are untouchable as angry that your initiative could lead to the investigation, the army threatened human rights terrain, the two brothers relieve long as they remain under the drying up of their foreign support as well? activists. But we are not alone. There was strong their weariness by singing on the shadow of a powerful nation. I am nice with everyone. I don’t interfere in their international support, which is the reason why the way, listening to the sweet chirps There is clear evidence to prove work. They might be right in their own way. We have army eventually admitted their mistake. But frankly a policy in our organisation that we would never speaking, not even ten percent of their mistakes have of the birds, watching the that the Bhutani government is indulge in criticising others. We are ardent followers been exposed publicly. beautiful mountain scenery and not serious about solving the of the Gandhian philosophy. joking with each other. But the refugee crisis. Last Friday, when What about the Maoists? Sherpa brothers are afraid that Thapa met UN High Won’t you risk losing your members, who They are also grossly violating human rights. It’s with the road development in the Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud would opt for dollar-oriented organisatons? difficult to say whether they are acting as terrorists remote villages, locals may soon Lubbers, Bhutan was suddenly Some have already left but we have new members or rebels. If they are rebels, then they should stop find it cheaper to get their goods seen in negative light, that is why interested to join us. Those who are serious about killing and abducting unarmed civilians and give up by lorry. The more the road Thimphu is in crisis-control mode. our movement will never leave us. arms. advances, the farther the Sherpa brothers have to walk to find new routes and new villages. Laxmi’s pain Drishti,○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 23-26 March

Bardiya—Laxmi Gurung was beaten so brutally by Maoists on suspicion of being an informer that she had to get her left arm amputated. Her helpless mother fainted while watching her daughter getting hammered mercilessly by the Maoist activists. “These vicious people were hitting and punching her endlessly,” says her tearful mother, Dhankumari Gurung. Laxmi returned to her Jhaptiphat village after her operation at Bheri Zonal Hospital, thinking that they would leave her alone. She was wrong. They still beat her and kept her under strict vigilance in her own house. Already emotionally stressed after the recent death of her husband, Laxmi’s trauma was so unbearable that she decided to take a huge risk by fleeing the village, preferring to live a refugee’s life in Gulariya, the district headquarters. Later on she heard that the Maoists had abducted both her brother and his wife. After their release, the brother died but Laximi doesn’t know how. 20 HISTORY AND CULTURE #189 “I beheaded him with my khukuri”26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 The British finally captured Mogaung in Burma after fierce fighting in May and June 1944. The Gurkha and African brigades suffered heavy casualties. Tul Bahadur Pun of the 3rd/6th Gurkha Rifles was awarded the Victoria Cross for extraordinary bravery in attacking Japanese positions single-handedly and killing scores of Japanese soldiers, including some he beheaded with his khukuri. In this continuation of his memories from last week, he describes his platoon’s attempt to capture the town. This serialisation of the testimonies of retired Gurkha soldiers is translated from Lahurey ka Katha by Dev Bahadur Thapa and published by Himal Books.

s we planned our attack, I different courses, with the our infantry was wiped out. Since to take him away. He stressed that it should take commanding officer remaining in there was nowhere to take shelter, instructed me to retreat A place between 1 and the middle. We had to throw many were killed. by crawling. I managed 2AM, since that is the time the grenades on his instructions. We We were pinned down in the to hide myself, and in enemies would be asleep. had them ready and when the open fields. I was leading my this position I was However, the officer in signal came we instantly threw platoon and was in the extreme unhurt when the command seemed reluctant, since them at the enemy bunkers. The right corner and the section enemies started firing attacking in the dead of the enemies stuck the barrels of their commander was in the middle. with machine guns. Not night would not be easy. guns out of their bunkers. The Everyone else was killed, I escaped one of our troops raised However, I insisted that for this bombs started exploding and we because I was on the edge. The their heads as the very reason, the timing was ideal. threw more, one after another. platoon sergeant hid behind a battleground was so flat I stressed that there were chances Those inside the bunker started mango trunk and escaped. He that nothing could escape the enemy sentries may be asleep shouting. It seemed that was called and asked me to leave my the enemy’s notice. at this time, making it better for their end. At the opportune weapon, take a gun and charge. I I was in a dilemma. The attack. The officer nodded his moment our company started looked to the right and left and bullets were very close, yet I assent. pouring onto the bridge. Our found no trace of anyone, they didn’t know how to get to We made a scheme to be on troops got mixed up with theirs. had all been killed. I was the lone them. A British regiment was our guard by 1AM and to attack Some fired bullets and some hit survivor and it was clear I would fighting close by, firing at by 2AM no matter what. Two the enemies with the butt of the also be killed. the enemy posts. In one leap, companies were assigned for the rifles. The hand-to-hand combat I raised my head, and the I got to the ammunition task. The first would enter the ended with the elimination of all enemy spotted me. I jumped boxes and threw them inside bridge at the front. As soon as we the enemy. forward twice to reach where the the bunker. Since they contained is why all my grenades were started firing, the second At dawn we saw that most of section commander’s gun was cartridges on a belt, I wrapped the bouncing back. I took out my company would begin making them were killed and those who lying. I picked it up and jumped belt around my body, then khukuri and cut through the noise, creating the impression survived had managed to escape. into the midst of the enemy, firing starting loading the bullets. Each mesh. As I was snatching the gun that a large contingent was on We had the bridge under control at all sides until they were all stripe could take 30 bullets. First I off the fallen man, two enemy the assault. Our company was to and our troops went out to killed. A little distance away there tried to throw hand grenades at soldiers came up from behind and lead. capture the town. We fixed our was a bunker and a circular sentry the enemy, but they kept tried to capture me. I had left my They pushed me to the camp near the town in open post. Four enemy soldiers were in bouncing back and exploding weapon outside, and all I had at front, saying I had already made fields, with no place to hide and the process of loading their guns. behind me, no matter how hard I my disposal was the khukuri. I reconnaissance of the situation. I some of us were killed because of When I jumped in among them, threw them. I kept reloading and beheaded one of them and hit the was a rifleman at the time, and this. There were, however, a they were surprised and couldn’t firing. There was uninterrupted second one on his shoulder and I was accompanied by another number of mango trees. One figure out what to do. I pulled the firing from the other side, which had to cut him several times before man of the same rank, a section could hide behind one of these trigger, but had run out of ammo. destroyed part of my hideout. he also died. Suddenly, a third commander and a company trees. They were advancing when I After five or six attempts, I hit the enemy appeared, but I cut him officer captain. We were to make On two nights we made false threw a grenade into the trench enemy and the firing from his with my khukuri too. Others the first assault and the rest were attacks. We fired away and and killed them all off. side stopped. from the trench followed, but I to jump off if anything of pretended it was the real thing to There were artillery pieces and I raised my head and saw him kept slashing them with my consequence took place. A full deceive the enemy. On the third machine guns all around. lying flat on the ground. I went khukuri. When there were too company was kept in the rear to night we actually marched in, Suddenly the British officer who to the edge of the bunker to take many of them, I took out another making diversionary noise. but made the mistake of taking was with us when we captured the his gun, but found there was a grenade and threw it at them. The enemy had no idea of positions directly in the line of bridge appeared. He had been hit wire mesh in front of him to There was some rustling, and then our plans. We were to take two enemy cannon fire. Almost all of by a bullet and was imploring me protect him from grenades. That it was all quiet.

BIGBEN scenarios and characters. His work is remarkably simple, and although the paintings lean toward the abstract, Death poems they are easy to grasp. In the thirty paintings done over three months, Dangol seems to have captured the eccentricity, momentum and themes of Manjul’s poems perfectly. Dongol turns Manjul’s Manjul’s poems have already proved their worth since their first publication five years ago. Now its time words into art for Asha Dangol to prove himself as well. “I was looking for some sort of exploration in panting, and I found Promising artist Asha Dangol’s work at his second solo Manjul at bay,” says Dangol. While Manjul’s poems may exhibition ‘Inside the Words’ at the Moksh Art Gallery sound pessimistic with the whole collection titled “Death in Jhamsikhel is more than just paintings. Poem”, they infact sing a song of life. “His word games Impressionist Dangol has transferred the words of and compositions are really moving,” explains Dangol. popular poet Manjul’s ‘Death Poem’ series onto his (Maheswor Acharya) canvasses, a collision that proves to be filled with visual delights for viewers. Inside the Words paintings by Asha Dangol Dangol’s work is illustrative, with bold line drawings Moksh Art Gallery till 5 April dominating the canvasses and depicting local 5528703 SPORTS #189 21 Advance tips 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004

Hit it further, not harder and add a few more yards in your drives and other shots nce a golfer has reached a reasonable level in his game, it is inevitable that the lure of hitting the ball a little further begins O to beckon. Though the maxims of “it’s not how you drive, but how you arrive”, and the better known “drive for show, putt for dough” are well known, there are good reasons to hit the ball further. Youngsters who can hit the ball further are almost always given preference in golf training academies over those who are shorter and steadier. Why? TEE BREAK Because, to make those low scores Deepak Acharya needed today, you need to be able to reach the par 5s in two shots, and hit short irons into par fours. A few months back, a senior diplomat and avid golfer said to me:

“Deepak, these people spend over $500 for a new club that hits the MANISHA ARYAL ball 10 yards longer. I wonder, if they spent a quarter of that amount taking golf lessons, they would probably be better off.” I totally agree with him, but I wonder if other golfers realise this. Dhaka to Kathmandu It is true that with new technology, equipment has revolutionised the game, but there is sometimes a culture of buying fancy new equipment to almost make a fashion statement, showing off a little within the golfing community. Fortunately this is not as common in (and back) Nepal as it is elsewhere. So how can you hit the ball a little further? Though ‘power’ makes the ball travel further, once the dynamics Volkswagen Beetles from Bangladesh negotiate are understood, it becomes quite obvious what exactly creates more distance. It is the speed the clubhead is traveling when it hits the ball Nepali highways in style and this is a result of the downswing swing speed. Very simply, the KANAK MANI DIXIT faster the clubhead travels towards the target as it makes contact with Abdul Rauf of Dhaka checks the carburettor the ball, the further the ball flies. of a Nepali Beetle maintained our Volkswagen Beetles left by Kishore Bhujel in Sanepa. My tips here today are geared towards increasing the clubhead Dhaka at dawn on 19 March, speed. Yet, one should know their limits, as everyone does not have F headed for Kathmandu. It perfect timing and is not as flexible nor as strong as Mr Tiger Woods. was smooth sailing all the way, past Average club golfers usually gets too tense when standing before the India-Bangladesh border at the ball, specially when they have their driver in their hands. They Chyangrabanda, the night stop in often think a quick and longer backswing will achieve more distance. Siliguri and right up to This excessively fast and long movement actually leads to a breakdown Kakarbhitta. But then, the first of their swing, and thus the power they are trying to achieve. stoppage because the Nepali One should not over try. The human body when coiled up for a immigrations/customs officers did golf shot is similar to an elastic band. If stretched, it adds power, but not know of the ‘Carnet passage’ stretched beyond the optimum point, the band warps or breaks. papers that allow transborder travel One major key to swing power is suppleness. The more ‘elasticated’ for vehicles. you are, the more speed you will generate on the downswing. For this “There are military checkpoints you must be relaxed. If you are tense over the ball, your muscles everywhere, which we did not even become rigid and inflexible. You need to be stretchable and full of see in India’s heavily militarised in Kathmandu. It is an easy two- here is not good. However, engine energy. Siliguri region or in North and-a-half day trip. We hope more synchronisation is the main There is a simple breathing technique that you can consider Bangladesh,” says Zahid Moin. He people will travel this route, problem in the machines I have incorporating into your pre-shot routine, which will relax you and hastens to add, “But the armymen especially after the Nepali officials seen. As a result, the vehicles sound help you to generate more swing speed through the impact. were all very pleasant and always get to know the Carnet paperwork unhealthy and cannot give enough Standing upright, breathe in deep and hold your breath for a few waved us through.” and the bad stretch in Nepal is power.” seconds. Then put your hands on your sternum and press inwards What struck Murtaza Sibgatul repaired.” Rauf Bhai, it seems, can while breathing out, using the pressure of your hand to force the air Haq most was to see women active “Surprisingly,” said Murtaza to diagnose the health of Beetles by out of the lower part of your lungs. Repeat this a few times (preferably in the many towns along the Nepal general agreement, “Our engines simply cocking an ear and casting a stopping before you hyperventilate). This will help you relax before tarai and in Kathmandu. “We did ran better on gasoline that we took careful eye over the chassis-and- you move on to your set up and will help you hit the ball closer to not see women walking around so on in Nepal.” Hmmm. The Beetles’ body of the sick machine. And he your full potential. freely either in Bangladesh or air-cooled engines fared very well in was concerned about the Nepali During your actual swing, you need to build up the energy India.” Adds Murtaza, “Also, we their life-time test on the Sim Beetles. Perhaps he would be needed for the downswing. A major key is not over swinging on the saw lots of cows and Nepali dogs Bhanjyang climb and also the last willing to come for a longish stretch backswing. Swing back only as far as you can turn your shoulders, and were very tireless in chasing our stretch up from Naubise to at the cost of the Kathmandu only then release your downswing and have the confidence to take a Bangla Beetles.” Nagdhunga. “Our engines Beetle Owner’s Club, to train full follow through. Sujon Didarul Islam, to a remained ice-cool,” says Sujon Nepali mechanics and pass on the Keeping the backswing within the limits of your body’s flexibility chorus of agreement, described the Didarul Islam. The credit for the skills that he possesses as the conserves the valuable energy needed to generate more swing speed climb up from Bhainse to Sim fine performance of the Bangla vehicles get older and more in need through impact. Bhanjyang past Aghor on the engines, says Zubeir Moin, goes to of attention. Try this out and let me know if it helps. Thribhuban Rajpath as the most the technical skills of Abdul Rauf, But there is no chance this time harrowing part of the journey for the genial 52-year-old who is one around, other than for a cursory Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Head Golf Professional at Gokarna the flatlanders. “We just did not of the few remaining professional look at the Nepali Beetles. For the Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected] dare look down the side, mechanics in southasia trained by Bangla Beetles have miles to go particularly in the stretch past Volkswagen itself. before they sleep. First, the climb Tistung,” recalls Ahmed Raju Rauf Bhai is also traveling with up to Nagarkot, then appointments Kabir. “We were stunned to see the team and he is asked what he with the Bangladesh ambassador lorry drivers careening around at thinks of the condition of the Humayun Kabir and the Nepal such speed.” Nepali VW Beetles they have met Tourism Board, before dashing off The unannounced leader of the in Kathmandu. With a friend to Pokhara and finally down the team is Zubeir Moin, the tall and translating his Bangla, he replies, the way they came: to soft-spoken manager at Siemens “The cars in general are looking Narayanghat, Kakarbhitta, Siliguri, Bangladesh Limited. He said, “The very good from the outside, paint is Chyangrabandha, Bogura, road was smooth all the way from good and the interiors are cleaner Bangabandhu Setu and, finally, Dhaka, except for the last 100km than our Beetles. But denting work Dhaka. l 22 CITY 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189

ABOUT TOWN BOOKWORM FESTIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS Maoists in the Land of Buddha Prakash A Raj v Paintings by Asha Dangol until 4 April Nirala Publications, 2004 12:30-7:30 PM at Gallery Moksh. Closed Mondays Rs 632 v Glimpses of Kathmandu City Paintings by Uma Shanker Shah, 26 March to 12 April at Prakash Raj presents an account of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal, with Park Gallery, Lazimpat. 4419353 references to the changing image of our country—from the birthplace of Buddha v Numafung paintings until 30 March at Gallery Nine. 4428694 to a nation of chaos. v Samadhi Paintings of Sri Lanka by Prakash Chandwadkar, 24 March to 26 April at the Lazimpat Gallery Cafe. 4428549 Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 4227711, [email protected] EVENTS v Lars Von Trier’s Dogville screened by the Film Club, 5PM on 28 CLASSIFIED March at Baggikhana, Patan Dhoka. Tickets Rs 50. 5542544 The Last Samurai is set in Japan, JAI NEPAL CINEMA v Three Kings 6:30 PM on 25 March at Moksh Club, Pulchowk. 5528703 where Civil War veteran Captain Visit Ground Zero Fine wines, designer v Kathak Nritya at the Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka. 5:30 PM on Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) trains the candles, cards, gifts, stationery, wooden items, 26 March. perfumes and more. Darbar Marg, opposite v Emperor’s troops to use modern Hotel de l’Annapurna Meditation Camp at Osho Tapoban, Nagarjun. 3 April to 9 April, weapons as they prepare to defeat 4353762 the last of the country’s samurais. But Visit Femilines, the Exclusive Lingerie Store v Stand-up comedy by Oohi Ashu, followed by music at Dhokaima Café, for ladies undergarments, nightwear, bathrobes Patan Dhoka. 6PM on 1 April, entry Rs 100 Algren’s passion is swayed when he and more. Ladies staff. Opposite Sajha Yatayat, Harihar Bhawan, Pulchowk. Tel: 547428 MUSIC is captured by the samurai and learns about their traditions and code of v Jazzmandu LIVE IN STYLE! Arcadia Apartments in the Supper Club 26 March, 7:30–11PM at the Hyatt Regency. honour. heart of Thamel. Centrally located, fully Tickets Rs 2,999 furnished apartments at unbelievable rates. For Jazzmandu All Star Fever 27 March, 6PM onwards. Tickets Rs 699 From 26 March 2004 Call 4442220 for show timings. www.jainepal.com details: 981026903, 4260187 v Raagmani Guitar and compositions by Anil Shahi. 5PM onwards on Renting made easy: www.2letonline.com- 24 March at Hotel Del’ Annapurna. 4258418 Looking for a place to stay- Log on to find the v Not Just the Jazz Bar with Chris Masand and The Modern Jazz Live perfect house, apartment or even a retail space Band every Friday and Saturday night. Shangri-la Hotel, Lazimpat, that meets all your needs. Make an easy 1000 4412999 bucks by reporting a vacant property to us. Find v Abhaya & The Steam Injuns at Dwarika’s every Friday from 7PM out how- www.2letonline.com onwards. 4479488 Get 10 % exclusive discount on the normal FOOD subscription rate of Himalmedia’s publication v namely; Himal Khabarpatrika, Nepali Times and Margarita Night on 26 March at Dwarika’s. Rs 650 per person, 4479488 Wave magazine. Only at the Grihini Department v Sunny Side Up BBQ lunch with live music at the Garden Terrace, Store limited, Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu, every Saturday and Sunday. Baluwatar, Phone: 4415186 Rs 650 per person. 4273999 v Café U in Sanepa, Patan, opposite British School is now serving dinner Wanted : Nepali pilot, interested person every Friday and Saturday night. 5523263 should have experience for ultra light aircraft v with Rotax 582 engine. Apply with cv, photo and Bring your wine along every Thursday and Sunday and buy our contact address within 7 days to Avia Club dinner. Himalatte Café, Thamel. Nepal Pvt. Ltd., P.O. Box 13680. v Free Irish Coffee with every main course. K-too! Beer & Steakhouse. 4433043 To-Let: Prime Location at Main Road, Harihar Bhavan, Pulchowk (Opp. Sajha Bus Garage). GETAWAYS Suitable for NGO, INGO and other Commercial v Shivapuri Cottage Dadagaon luxury package of gourmet meals, board Offices-3 floors of approx.900 sq. ft. each along and transport. Highland Travel & Tours, 4253352, 4253053 with lift facility. v Shivapuri Heights Cottage at the edge of Shivapuri. Plus Top 2 Floors with Big Dining and Kitchen Apartment with magnificent view of Lalitpur & Email: [email protected] Kathmandu. Contact No. 981032166 v Weekend Special for Rs 3,000 per couple, Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha. 4375280 Free advertisement on Internet for property owners wanting to offer their holdings on rent or sale. Visit www.gharjaggah.com or call NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED 4246346. VIS -25-03-2004 03:00 GMT As we enter the dry season, the weather patterns KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY For insertions ring NT are living up to their reputation. The entire Marketing at 5543333-36. As the dry season progresses, there is more dust in the atmosphere and as subcontinent is sunny and bright, temperature traffic volume grows all seven monitoring stations in Kathmandu Valley in the plains is edging up to the 40 celsius mark, reported increased concentration of particles below 10 microns in diameter. as a sign of things to come. There has been a These particles are so small that they lodge in the lungs and cause longterm slight easing off in maximum temperature in harm. Patan Hospital has now overtaken Putali Sadak as the most polluted Kathmandu Valley as wind direction shifted site in the Valley. The area recorded a weekly average (based on the daily slightly to a more westerly heading. This averages) of nearly 270 PM10, up from the previous week’s 236 PM10. This 91.2 area registered unhealthy air marks for all seven days of the period. The satellite picture taken on Thursday morning What you burn is shows no sign of any moisture-bearing clouds highest and the lowest air pollution levels in the area were 295 PM10 on 15 what you breathe. March and 233 PM10 on 19 March. on the horizon. Clear, bright and hot days ahead. The lack of moisture means thermal updrafts Good < 60 14 - 20 March in micrograms per cubic meter. don’t get converted into thunderstorms, Source: www. mope.gov.np although some temporary local rain is possible Ok 61 to 120 along the high mountain valleys towards Unhealthy 121 to 350 afternoon. Harmful 351 to 425 KATHMANDU VALLEY Hazardous >425 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Putalisadak Patan H Thamel TU Bhaktapur Matsyagaun

27-11 28-12 28-12 27-11 26-11 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189 23

HAPPENINGS NEPALI SOCIETY he is one Nepali Sir Edmund S Hillary can be really proud of. A student of one of Hillary’s schools in Pangmo, today Bandinima Sherpa is a woman entrepreneur in a trade dominated by men. Bandinima is the first-ever woman vice president of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN). You could say the trekking business is in her genes: ten of Bandinima’s elder brothers and sisters are all in the tourism business. But she was not content with just handling the family business, she KIRAN PANDAY wanted to take a leadership role. “All DISCUSSIONS: Nepali Congress leaders Girija Prasad Koirala and around me, I saw people without Sushil Koirala at the central comittee meeting at the party office in Teku adequate knowledge of the business on Thursday. running the show in institutions like TAAN and misusing their positions,” Bandinima says. She felt it was her responsibility to infiltrate the system and try to fix it from within. It hasn’t been easy. But two years after she became an executive member of TAAN, she has earned praise from even her male colleagues and was elected vice president. It is not in Kathmandu that Bandinima feels at home. An avid trekker herself, she’d rather be up on the mountain trails leading groups, On her way up scouting for business potentials and getting a first-hand experience of the KIRAN PANDAY DHRUBA BASNET lives of porters, tea-shop owners and The CDO office in Bhojpur on Sunday after it ensuring that the trekking industry to the remotest regions of Nepal One of Bandinima’s pet peeves FLYING THE FLAG: spreads its benefits around. and Tibet, and is gearing up for a is Nepali laws that don’t allow Nepali moved to the government guest house. The first building was destroyed Bandinima herself is living proof gruelling hike to Nar and Phu in women citizenship rights unless they in the Maoist attack on 2 March. that there is something in the Manang next month. can name their fathers or husbands. Sherpa chromosome that makes It is in Kathmandu, attending Bandinima is a single mother with them much more adaptable to to her administrative duties at two children, so the citizenship altitude. She can make short work of TAAN that Bandinima gets a little question is close to her heart. She a 10-hour near-vertical climb of breathless. Asked about whether wishes the national laws were as 3,500m or more, leaving even she is treated differently because gender-egalitarian as the norms in fellow-highland guides panting far she is a woman, Bandinima gives a her own matrilineal Sherpa society. below. loud laugh. We guess that’s a ‘no l She has guided trekking groups chance’. (Navin Singh Khadka)

KIRAN PANDAY MOURNING: Family members of the late Ambassador Jaya Pratap Rana grieve on Monday after his body was brought to Kathmandu from Washington. DC.

KIRAN PANDAY MAMMOTH RALLY: Participants in a rally celebrating World Tuberculosis Day at Basantapur on Wednesday.

NEPALNEWS.COM SPORTING CONTRIBUTIONS: Singha Bahadur Basnyat (l) holds the prize for best sportsman at the benefit for Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre held in Gokarna on Sunday. 2 4 26 MARCH - 1 APRIL 2004 #189 International Day of Fools

s the world gets ready to solemnly commemorate the United www.nepalitimes.com Nations International Day of Fools (IDF) on 1 April, here in A Nepal itself, the government has formed a 350-member April Fool’s Day Celebration Main Committee headed by some of Nepal’s most outstanding certified idiots. It is appropriate and proper that April Fool’s Day should be celebrated with such enthusiasm and gusto in our homeland given that we are currently living in a Fool’s Paradise. UNDER MY HAT Nowhere else in the world is Kunda Dixit mediocrity commemorated with such passion as it is here, with groveling sycophantic newspaper columns like this one that are living proof that, as far as Nepal is concerned, every day is April First and we have a foolproof system for suffering fools. To mark All Fools Day, which by coincidence happens to fall on 1 April this year, the Committee is planning all kinds of foolish activities that will throw light on the great strides this country has taken in making a complete ass of itself among the international community of nations. Career in TV For instance, Nepali leaders will be sending out congratulatory telegrams to all fellow heads of government felicitating them on the occasion of 1 April, 2004 and wishing them many happy returns of the day. Looking for a career in television? Sara Sarans & Vijay, producers of the popular Dishanirdesh and other television programmes, are looking for a highly-motivated candidate to work as anchor/producer.

You should be a university graduate, fluent in English and Nepali, aged 20-30, have the drive and passion for current affairs and broadcasting. Successful candidate will be offered an attractive salary package and career prospects. Apply withinten 14days with a recent passport photograph.

P.O. Box 1639 4th Floor Heritage Plaza 1 Kamaladi, Kathmandu [email protected]

Newspapers will bring out special April Fool Supplements, which will contain funny lies about our respected rulers in headlines like: ‘Prime Minister Dozes Off At Cabinet Meeting’. Harharharhar! These April Fool headlines are so funny, yar. Luckily, we don’t even have to make anything up since April Fool headlines are actually indistinguishable from non-April Fool Headlines like: ‘Govt Denies Prime Minister Dozed Off At Cabinet Meeting’. For those foolhardy enough to believe the newspapers on April Fools Day, here is a sneak preview of a headline from next week:

Nepal Has Failed Successfully: Experts KATHMANDU – The Organisation of Failed States (OFS) has finally decided to give membership to Nepal, saying it is in recognition of the country’s laudable efforts in showing the rest of the world the way backward. Delegates from all the world’s states that are proud to call themselves failed are arriving in Kathmandu next week to take part in a three-day international seminar titled ‘How To Ruin Your Motherland in Five Easy Steps: A Guide for States Aspiring to Fail Spectacularly’. The conference is expected to formally approve Nepal’s accession to the OFS, which brings with it many benefits such as pouring more good money after bad. “This is indeed a great achievement, we have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory,” said Phool Kumar Nepal, head of the government’s April Fool’s Day Celebration Main Committee. “But we can’t rest on our laurels, we must rest on our pillows and go back to sleep.” The conference is also expected to pick Kathmandu as the venue for the soon to be set-up Research Institute for Failed States. The short-list of strong contenders were Lumumbashi, Timbuktu, Loubomo and Bongo- bongo, but Nepal won hands down after promising that the secretariat would be located on the landfill site on the banks of the Bishnumati to give it an authentic Turd World ambience.

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