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#184 20 - 26 February 2004 24 pages Rs 25 Cute cars Kathmandu The 3rd NADA Auto Show 2004 is underway at the BICC till Sunday. braces for a Among the sleek cars on exhibit are all the latest model sedans and SUVs. But springtime of three cute cars need special mention: Democrazy Nepal’s very own Sherpa light commercial vehicles, India’s road queen unrest the Ambassador, and the tried and trusted rear-engined Volkswagen Beetle. The Sherpa is made by Hulas Motors in Biratnagar and has launched Nepal into the list of countries with its own automobile industry.Cube International is importing the newest model Ambassadors to Nepal and promoting them as ideal taxis. The 4th Great Himalayan VW Beetle Rally kicks off on 13 March, with money raised going to cleft palate surgery. Read all about these great cars on p 12-13.

Weekly Internet Poll # 124 Q. Do you think King Gyanendra overstepped the bounds of a constitutional monarch with the royal address in Nepalganj? Government supporters at the statue of King Tribhuban Thursday shouted pro-monarchy slogans. Later in the afternoon, political parties also marked Democracy Total votes:2,130 Day by shouting anti-king slogans. Weekly Internet Poll # 125. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com KIRAN PANDAY Q. Do you agree the extradition of two senior Maoists indicates New Delhi’s policy shift? KHADGA SINGH However, this week, several The Maoist campaign of sabotage late last year in an operation that district level cadres from the UML, and assassinations in the capital come also yielded a large quantity of he Maoists are still able to set Nepali Congress and RPP have been as King Gyanendra himself continues weapons and explosives. The off big bangs in the capital, gunned down in various parts of the his whirlwind tour of the Maoist Maoists blamed captured cadre T and assassinate people they country. The Maoists had pledged heartland. In what is obviously the who gave away information on don’t like, but times are getting that they wouldn’t target political palace’s new public relations drive, hideouts, safe houses and secret tougher for the rebels. parties and this has cast doubts on television news have been showing arms caches in the capital. The Maoists faced an their credibility. The latest killings the people spontaneously greeting The five-party alliance, still unprecedented barrage of criticism are bound to further widen the gap the monarch in areas the Maoists smarting from the king’s blunt from Nepali and international between the parties and the Maoists. regard as their dens. rebukes against them in the human rights organizations and Meanwhile, civilian casualties In an interview with the BBC Nepalganj address, used political parties for the murder of caused by Maoist booby traps are Nepali Service from somewhere in Democracy Day on Thursday to peace activist Ganesh Chiluwal on on the rise. Even if these attacks were India, Maoist spokesman Krishna relaunch their agitation, Sunday. The leadership appears to not deliberate, the end result is that Bahadur Mahara this week took a announcing be taken aback by the extent and at least ten civilians have been killed softer line than usual, but insisted a new phase Editorial p2 tone of condemnation and the rebels this week alone by carelessly laid that the republic demand was still of protests to What’s the point? are in damage control mode. Maoist roadside bombs, grenades on: “We are prepared to accept a force the king to restore parliament. After the morale-hitting and socket devices in Kabhre, Jhapa democratic and multi-party Party demonstrators at Ratna Park extradition of two top leaders from and Surkhet. republic.” on Wednesday were instructed to India earlier this month, the Maoists There have also been civilian The Maoist attacks in the Valley keep their anti-monarchy slogans appear to be reassessing their strategy. casualties at the hands of the army: have been carried out by a brand new mild and not to provoke violence. Student leaders have called off a five- in the latest incidents, soldiers ‘Valley Team’ headed by senior However, some students day banda scheduled for next week, gunned down three youngsters guerrilla leader Top Bahadur immediately began chanting pro- saying they empathise with the collecting roadside donations on Rayamajhi. The previous rebel cells republic slogans and demanded a people’s hardships. Shivaratri in Chitwan. were decimated by army intelligence more radical line. l 2 EDITORIAL 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184

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 Colombia and Nepal GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 Countries once famous for coffee and mountains WHAT S THE POINT? he errors made and land ownership, inequality, ’ T opportunities lost in resolving injustice, corruption, impunity GUEST COLUMN Nepal’s war bear many re- and poverty are not addressed. ith each passing day in this terrible conflict, one wonders if the Karin Eichelkraut W two sides are competing to see who can punish the people more. semblances to the early part of the Some 500 Colombian The Maoists blast a bus in Sindhupalchok. Six passengers are conflict in my own country, landowners occupy 45 percent of killed, the arm and head of a 14-year-old boy are found 100m away. Colombia. Nepal used to be known the country’s cultivable land. More students and union leaders were Children are killed by roadside bombs on their way to school. The Maoist for its great mountains and gentle than half the Colombians live arrested and there were widespread website ‘takes credit’ for the murder of Ganesh Chiluwal. Take credit for people, but that image is changing. below the poverty line, 80 percent human rights violations throughout killing a man committed to non-violence, a victim of violence himself—just the 1970s and 80s. because he diagrees with your methods? Colombia used to be known for in rural areas. The annual income Security forces surround a house in Makwanpur on a tip-off and coffee, today it is known for the of the wealthiest 10 percent of The deteriorating economy apparently mow down everyone inside. And on Wednesday, when there was world record it holds for gross Colombians is 42 times that of the opened the door for the narcotics full-scale conventional warfare in progress in Mudbara with air support and violations of human rights. poorest 10 percent. Although the trade, making the guerrillas and drug artillery, the rest of the army was on Tundikhel simulating helicopter-borne There are economy has done well, it is lords initial allies. But as they grew assault on a mud hut. What were 20 violent inequality more than poverty that richer and more powerful, the drug onlookers outside the fence supposed to think? deaths per day in is a cause of the violence. lords began to resemble the If the political parties ever trusted Colombia, and Colombia’s conflict dates back oligarchs. The cash-starved guerrillas the Maoists’ pledge not to target their the toll in Nepal to the late 1940s, when FARC started extortion and kidnapping of workers, after this week’s murders they is coming up to (Armed Revolutionary Forces of landowners and their relatives. In won’t do so again. that level. There Colombia) first emerged from a order to defend themselves, the We are now in the same notorious landlords created paramilitary league as Guatemala or Colombia for are more than group of peasants fighting for land human rights violations. If the military two million reform. During the 1960s more groups, which grew into a brutal and the guerrillas can’t stop fighting, displaced guerrilla groups came out. The force during the 1980s involved in they can at least pledge to fight by the people in upper classes were alarmed and so ‘social cleansing’: the elimination of rules. Signing the human rights accord Colombia, was the United States. real or suspected drug addicts, ex- would mean ensuring that innocent Nepal is getting The government first tried convicts, thieves, criminals, Nepalis who do not agree with this slaughter and want no part in it, are not there. Colombia violent eradication during the mid prostitutes, homosexuals, beggars harmed. is proof of how 1960s, by allowing the military to and street children. A civil society The Maoist leadership must now badly things can arm civilians, which is what the that shared these interests tolerated acknowledge that the path of armed go wrong in a Nepal government is now doing. the excesses. struggle they embarked on eight years country. Successive presidents ruled under By the 1990s, the spiral of vio- ago has degenerated into mayhem and lence had gone out of control— violence. All this has achieved in eight Equally a state of emergency for over two years is militarise the country and important: it decades, giving the military more leading to a culture of violence in spread misery. It has strengthened the shows how power and cutting civil liberties. society. Moral values declined, army, tripled its budget in three years. badly things can The military budget soared and so media turned to sensationalism and It’s time for the comrades and the go wrong in any did foreign financial aid, training bias, and aggression and intolerance generals to ask themselves: what is the country when and hardware for the armed forces. became common. Today, 85 percent point? GOING FOR THE SPREE, ACRYLIC ON LOKTA PAPER root causes of Freedom of press was restricted, of violent deaths in Colombia are BY KARIN EICHELKRAUT

L ETTERS

BIG GULF there an original, immediate, MEDIOCRE Maoists for the current state of the money and market share when the I flew from Kathmandu to Abu socially responsive and socially I used to admire and respect country, shouldn’t media also take country is in such a grave Dhabi last Saturday night in a responsible intervention to support Daman Nath Dhungana as a responsibility? On top of this, situation. much better position than most of Nepalis workers travelling politician with dignity and what private media is doing right We should look at media my fellow passengers. How overseas for work is taking place principles. His tenure as Speaker now is fighting with each other for (swadeshi or bideshi), which has many Nepali labourers migrating right now. demonstrated that he could have forgotten that it has a public to the Gulf countries for work Jamie Cross, grown into a statesman. But lately, service role. They are not here lose their dignity before ever University of Sussex, UK I have been disappointed with his just to make money and construct leaving Kathmandu? Please, political analysis and standing, big buildings for themselves. somebody tell me that in some 8, GOING ON 9 exemplified by his stance in the Brajesh Gautam, Kathmandu donor office, there is a budget I read with interest and sadness piece you translated (‘Bilateral’ line for a Citizen’s Advice Kunda Dixit’s ‘8, going on 9’ #183). His role as the mediator of SIKKIM Bureau, money for an institution (#183). It seems like a distant the failed peace talks was pathetic, Your editioral (‘Seek ‘em’, #180) that provides free legal memory sitting down for breakfast and today he just sounds tried, was quite fallacious in its context, information to wannabe migrant in 1996 in Kathmandu to read a frustrated, disillusioned and a but you are right that Nepal is not workers, an office that news item that the Maoists had person who has lost touch with so small that it can just be investigates the credibility of started a ‘People’s War’. We the ground reality. Or has he swallowed up like Sikkim. So, why manpower agencies, checks the expected it would soon be decided to take any extreme the fear of Sikkimisation? Let us be fees being charged, the services resolved, and the Maobadi would measures to punish “mediocre not apprehensive on that issue, being offered, the contracts rejoin the electoral process and politicos” and an “active palace”? but let’s probe whether India can being signed and assists those Nepalis could get back to building Sandesh Hamal, Lalitpur create other problems for us who feel they have been their young and fragile democracy. which would hinder our path to mistreated or cheated. Tell me, Who could have foreseen the next MEDIA development and prosperity. The that in some annual report there few years: the royal massacre, It was stimulating to read the problem isn’t that Nepalis lack self- is a budget line big enough to the intensification of violence, the discussion in your paper about the esteem, as you argue, but they are provide fair salaries for a team of dismantling of the institutions of ongoing media war in Nepal. It sensitive and patriotic. We don’t well trained, committed staff who democracy. Little did we know that seems all your contributors in #182 have an inferiority complex. We have the skills to answer the last the US would pump in so much were open to the option of foreign are proud to be Nepali. We also minute concerns or anxieties of military aid. Dixit writes: “As the media in Nepal. It is true that there lack zest and zeal, and to a certain migrating workers with respect Maoist war completed eight years, has been a phenomenal growth in extent we lack morality. So let’s and seriousness—instead of never has peace seemed as the private media since 1990. But inculcuate these values so that we treating labour migrants like a remote.” If there is ever to be has it really benefited our society? never have to worry about herd of stupid school boys, ‘peace’, the ‘war’ must be seen as There has been a lack of serious Sikkimisation because of the country bumpkins or prospective not just a ‘Maoist war’ but also a discussion about grave topics like strength of our national unity. At terrorists as the frustrated low ‘government war’. Both sides have education and health. All the least our dignity and pride is intact, ranking officials at Kathmandu shown the Nepali people and the private media is doing now is and these will protect our national airport do. It is not necessary for world that they are willing to fight covering superficial and identity. further research into support till the last rupee, the last Nepali. sensational issues that make Pabitra Poudyal, Bhaktapur services for those who migrate This is a lose-lose situation. Only readers happy. If we take the overseas for work. There is no when they start negotiating a real notion that people make up their THE KING AND YOU need for the production of more and lasting peace will Nepal’s minds after reading the papers, CK Lal’s ‘A king can’t do wrong’ overly consulted baseline future look bright. Let’s hope next then what is the result? They have (#181) raised interesting points studies, or yawn-yawn mandate year this time you won’t have a become hopeless and cynical about the responsibilities of a king heavy, textually diplomatic, policy headline ‘9, going on 10’. about the future. If we blame towards his ‘subjects’. Despite the positioning. Please, tell me that Michael van de Veer, Hawaii political parties, the king and the MIN BAJRACHARYA ‘we’ this and ‘we’ that, he couldn’t OP-ED 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 3 due to common crime and not directly to the armed conflict. When the violence increasingly touched the elite (politicians, A Dhaka spring notable figures, and the media) the government tried to rein in the para- militaries, declaring them illegal. A springtime of political But bringing them to justice has proved almost impossible: their awakening in Bangladesh power to intimidate and their financial or military links were too DHAKA–There have been three instance, a Bangladeshi hartal is strong against a feeble system of hartals in five days in Dhaka, so as a enforced only between dawn and justice. The guerrillas turned to the Nepali I am prepared. dusk. How convenient. Why didn’t same brutal methods that It is the hartal season, and when we think of that before? This means characterised their enemy and that happens you know the two milk trucks and bread delivery vans worked against the common people dowager begums of Bangladeshi do their rounds in the morning for whom they were supposed to democracy are at each other’s unhindered, shopping malls do be fighting. From around 6,000 throats again. The difference this roaring business in the evening. guerrillas in the early 1990s, FARC time is that Khaleda Zia is the During hartals, Dhaka’s one is now up to 20,000 and controls premier, and it is Sheikh Hasina’s million rickshaw-pullers like their 40 percent of the territory. They Thamel counterparts, earn enough grow because the young have few STATE OF THE STATE to pay back their loans. Hartals have now become an important compo- jobs and opportunities. CK Lal nent of the political economy of Under pressure from foreign turn to bring the country to a Bangladesh with its wealth governments, the fight against the standstill in an effort to unseat her redistribution potential. drug mafia has intensified, fuelling rival. Earlier, Begum Zia had done The other thing Nepalis more violence. The cartels have the same when she was in the share with our Bangladeshi splintered into smaller groups that opposition. cousins is our penchant for the are even more difficult to detect. Our political cultures are the most convoluted conspiracy No amount of aerial herbicide same. They have hartals, we have theory to explain the simplest sprayings, no crop alternatives have bandas. The relationship between political phenomenon. Even MIN BAJRACHARYA effectively controlled the lucrative Zia’s BNP and Hasina’s Awami professors mutter something big is change in Nepal. it is. trade. Surprisingly, the League resembles the ties between afoot because the opposition parties There is tyrant lurking in the Like Nepalis, Bangladeshis take capital Bogotá, has lowered its crime Nepali Congress and the UML in are agitating at a time when so many heart of every South Asian that leaps their independence very seriously rate in the last years, standing out the good old days, even though in foreigners are here. The fact that out the moment it spots a weaker and the mantra here too is the ISI— as the only city in Latin America to Kathmandu, political mudslinging there is a global Microcredit Summit target. Perhaps that explains the identity, sovereignty and independ- do so. The reason: two successive has now been replaced by gunfire going on in Garmeenland that has impatient and intolerant politics all ence. mayors who were honesty, and bombs. attracted foreign dignitaries is too our leaders. From Sheikh Hasina to Spring is the time when committed and accountable. l Given that they had a headstart obvious an explanation to convince General Musharraf, and from memories of a long struggle come over us, the Bengalis have developed them. It reminds us of President Chandrika to our very flooding back. It is springtime for Karin Eichelkraut is a Colombian hartals into a fine art form. Chandrasekhar’s private visits own Comrade Prachanda—all are people in Dhaka and Kathmandu as who has been living in Nepal for Compared to our bandas, their to Kathmandu last month convinced there is only one way to a budding democracy tries to the past five years. strikes here are civilised. For billed as a harbinger of political govern and only they know what blossom anew. l

make his attitude towards his of our political culture that every people any plainer by deciding to time a rival is in power, you force lavish money on expensive cars the country down by declaring a and over-the-top increases in banda and make the people suffer pocket money. At this time! This just so you can score points. man has an agenda. Replacing Grow up, you politicians. As you one generic government-type with rightly say: “Throughout all this, it another ad infinitum will not is only the people who are improve Nepal’s lot. So, the showing any sanity or sense of students have a point, and if they responsibility.” This is why the take the next step by getting people are not joining the political focused and prepared to actively parties’ protests and the student participate in the process of unions, because they don’t trust running the country instead of their motives. This is why they are limiting themselves to running not coming out overwhelmingly in around in the streets, things will support of the king, because they change. Change from within. Who think he has an authoritarian else is there? Education is not agenda. And the reason they may exactly taxing, and there are no have second thoughts about jobs waiting for them, so they coming out on the streets to have the energy and time. protest Maoist atrocities is Students have done this quite because Ganesh Chiluwal has effectively even in developed shown them what happens to countries, and the desire for people who disagree with the change openly expressed by the Maoists. The people don’t want to Nepali student movement is the have anything to do any of these only breath of fresh air and so-called rulers who want to certainly a step in the right reign over their dead bodies, and direction. we would like to think that the Claus Schunke, email reason they stayed home and didn’t go to work for two banda l We couldn’t agree with more days this past week was with your sharp and cogent because they are totally fed up editorial on the people being with this sad circus that passes treated like pawns (‘Pawns’, for Nepali politics. #183). Everytime there is a Nepali Nila KC and killed, a family forced to move out Laxmi Shrestha, Dhulikhel of their village, schools forced to CORRECTION close, or people abducted, it is Due to a currency conversion one more instance of the people error, the price of two Indian being made to suffer because of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) the power struggle at the centre. was erroneously stated in ‘8, Why should the people be going on 9’ (#183). The aircraft punished if the political forces will cost approximately NRs 500 can’t agree? It has become a part million apiece. 4 NATION 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 Gas stations have won the right to keep Back to zero selling adulterated petrol and diesel for another six months and harass the people anymore. They should be punished!” shouted a visibly-upset Sita Lama on a mo-ped who was late for work because she had already waited an hour for gas. These voices were magnified in public discussions on FM stations like Sagarmatha where the gas dealers and the government came under a sustained barrage of criticism for being unable to stop adulteration. Their message was simple: don’t let the petrol mafia get away this time. There has been evidence that almost 60 percent of the petrol stations around the country are selling adulterated petrol and this has been going on for years. Following an investigative report by this publication and Himal Khabarpatrika in 2000, the government set up a probe committee under Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. Only a handful of gas stations who openly admitted adulteration were ever penalised. Now, the gas stations have bought time. The government will be involved in the same kind of study KIRAN PANDAY conducted five months ago by the probe committee which NARESH NEWAR adulteration. Many feel the petroleum mafia is so strong, its revealed that 60 percent of gas stations were selling tentacles go so high up in the Nepal Oil Corporation and adulterated fuel. For another six months, the Nepali public s expected, it took just four days for the government the bureaucracy, that the government can’t really challenge will be using diluted diesel and petrol and breathing its to buckle under the pressure of petroleum dealers it. carcinogenic fumes. A who closed down all 1,450 gas stations across the But an official from the Department of Commerce put Kerosene in petrol and diesel does not burn completely country this week. up a brave face, telling us: “We are firm in implementing our and releases cancer-causing hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides The government had decided to stop allowing gas decision and the government will take severe measures as and carbon monoxide instead of the less-harmful carbon stations to sell kerosene, saying it was too tempting for them and when appropriate.” The government had reportedly dioxide. Besides destroying engines, it also harms human not to mix subsidised kerosene with diesel and petrol. It decided that, had the strike continued, it would have either lungs. Kerosene destroys the catalytic converter, allowing told gas stations to keep their kerosene depots outside a one forced the gas stations to open or got the Nepal Oil benzene additives in the petrol to escape into the km radius from their gas stations. On Wednesday, the Corporation to scrap their dealership licenses. atmosphere. Benzene is a known cancer-causing gas. government agreed to give the gas dealers six months to When the petrol strike started earlier this week, people Asthma is on the rise in Kathmandu, caused mainly by comply with the regulation. thought this was again about prices. It wasn’t. Essentially, it the soot particulates in the air from vehicle exhausts The gas dealers have bought time, and they only got a was about one party that wanted to keep on adulterating burning adulterated fuels. Another health problem is slap on the wrist for threatening public health by the fuel and pocketing the profit. hypoxia, which is caused by lack of oxygen in the blood widespread adulteration of fuel. One spot check by this The government decided to implement a task force and is related to excessive carbon monoxide in the air, again paper two years ago revealed that up to 45-50 percent of recommendation to relocate kerosene pumps far from the caused by incomplete combustion. Hypoxia leads to the diesel and petrol in Kathmandu’s gas stations were petrol stations. It’s not that the mixture of kerosene in petrol fatigue and dizziness and is the cause of numerous traffic mixed with kerosene. takes place right in the petrol station, but the hope was that accidents. Overwhelming public opposition to the strike and the problem would reduce to some extent. Actually, Valley vehicles are increasing at 13 percent a year, and lobbying by the consumers’ associations were not enough to adulteration starts from the storage point in Amlekhgunj most vehicles are poorly maintained and use low quality bolster the government’s capacity to resist the dealers. depot and there is a large network involved in this crime fuel. The more the government delays taking extreme However, the government says it will use the six months to (Nepali Times #19, ‘Nepal Oil Corruption’). measures to reduce adulteration, the more public health is conduct a probe on gas stations selling adulterated petrol. The mood on the street was turning ugly against the gas at risk. Children suffer the most from respiratory problems. “Now it’s all up to the consumers, they have to be dealers. “The government finally acted, we support it, this A World Bank study in 1995 showed Kathmandu’s air empowered,” says Sri Krishna Shrestha, president of Pro- crime has to stop,” said Ramesh Thapa, who had queued up pollution even then caused almost 5,000 cases of Public, an organisation campaigning actively against two hours in Pulchok. “They can’t bully the government bronchitis in children and 20,000 cases of asthma per year.

Out there, no one knows the extent No Nepal of this country’s agony alfway around the world from Nepal, Make no mistake. People in India are lavishly spent on various reports and media H I’ve covered a lot of territory in the concerned for Nepal. They ask after its seminars by the dear old Department for past week. On board passenger jets, in welfare, still shake their heads about the International Development, DfID. And not airports, bars and restaurants and in royal massacre and compare the Maoists much development. They all giggled at conversations with dozens of people, I’m with their own loony Left in Bihar. the thought of a recent junket for struck by one thing. Nobody anywhere But their concern is momentary and dozens of Nepali politicians to knows the extent of Nepal’s agony. lapses when the talk moves onto Northern Ireland, which a lot of In Delhi, the buzz is all about elections. local politics, peace with Pakistan, DfID conflict resolution types seem How bad will the Congress party meltdown Musharaff’s possible role in to think is a resolved conflict. “At be? Will they finally ditch Sonia Gandhi? selling nukes to the North least they could sip some proper How big will Vajpayee’s win be and what Koreans and most Guinness,” remarked one friend will that mean for a slew of domestic issues importantly—cricket, the who’d been here and tasted what from taxes upcoming test tour of Pakistan. passes for the famous black stout in HERE AND THERE to Hindu Nepal rates far below all of these Kathmandu. Daniel Lak temples in items on the Indian radar screen. A But no notion of Nepal’s dire Ayodhya? few days in London followed my challenges, of the sad demise of Not a mention of Nepal anywhere, not even time in India. In the heart of the beast democracy, of the violence, the economic with extraditions of Maoists and pro-rebel that is the BBC, I again fielded questions decline and the sheer absence of creativity at rallies organised in Delhi. This is particularly about Nepal. any level of the current leadership, or the worrisome, given that most analysts in Nepal Well informed people—and there are rebellion’s top cadres. Nothing. Finally, I sit seem to think that India’s role in resolving many there—wondered which was in now at sea level in America and listen to the the Maoist issue is crucial. It may be, but at greater trouble: the Maoist insurgency or world’s loudest media cacophony. Iraq, the moment, India is busy, very busy. Nepal constitutional monarchy? My answers were Bush, Kerry, desertion, Vietnam, taxes, is doing little to engage India on this, merely long and a trifle complex. I could see even deficits, evil, terrorism and on and on. No reacting to issues and occasionally allowing my most interested friends glazing over a Nepal. Perhaps it’s for the best, maybe this misguided or malevolent local press barons to little. They picked up a little when I told place needs to be left alone to face its fate. whip up anti-Delhi hysteria. them that their tax money was being But it’s all rather sad. l NATION 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 5

DOMESTIC BRIEFS

No to civilian militia weak and bleeding from the mouth, and DB Karki, a

○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ doctor at Kathmandu Medical College diagnosed him The Brussels-based conflict resolution organisation, with aplastic anemia for which there is no treatment International Crisis Group (ICG), has said the available in Nepal. “He urgently needs a bone marrow government’s plans to set up village militia risks transplant, and that can only be done in India. If escalating the conflict. properly treated, he could lead a normal life,” Karki The government has denied it has already told us. Rai’s family of three brothers are working to started distributing weapons to volunteer ‘peace collect the money required for the treatment, which is committees’, but says such a force will allow locals estimated at Rs 700,000. The family has appealed to to resist the Maoists and deter violence. Not so, donors. says the ICG, which argues that militia are likely to

become “an untrained, unaccountable and Nepal beat South Africa in U-19 undisciplined armed group”. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Human rights groups have argued that the civil Nepal beat cricket powerhouse South Africa in the U- militia will make villagers a party to the conflict by 19 World Cup Cricket on Wednesday in Bangladesh, At the rate of vehicle growth, the situation must be much worse now. In destroying their neutrality. ICG says experience boosting its chances to rise up the rankings. monetary terms, this impact causes the loss of approximately Rs from other countries show that it will lead to a rise The Nepali team took on Uganda in Group B 200,000,000 per year. in human rights violations. As example of things to Thursday, and a win may vault the team into the Many consumers have lost their faith in the government ever come, the group gives the example of the village of Super League. The Nepali teenagers lost by eight resolving the problem because it is hand-in-glove with the petroleum Sudama where locals have been armed. On 4 wickets to England in the opening game of the mafia. They say giving the gas stations another six months already smacks Feburary, the village was attacked by a large tournament. But Wednesday’s win against Test- of corruption. Even moving kerosene supply one km away from gas number of Maoists. Although the attack was playing South Africa is a great morale booster. The repelled without any reported injuries to civilians, it two countries now have equal points in the tally. stations is not the answer. “That is just a temporary solution, we must appears that the village was targeted because of look at subsidies, and improve monitoring and quality control,” says Pro- its reputation as a pilot location for the militia Public’s Shrestha. l program. Meanwhile, Amnesty International condemned the murder in Kathmandu this week of Ganesh Chiluwal, head of the Maoist Victims’ Association (MVA). “Such killings of civilians are in How it’s done contravention of international humanitarian law, The Indian modus operandi works in Nepal too which promotes respect for civilians and prohibits reprisals and summary executions of those not actively engaged in the conflict,” the group said. Political parties and the National Human Rights Commission have also condemned the murder. Nepal must score a convincing win against

Help needed Uganda, or South Africa must either lose to England

○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ on Friday. “Let’s pray history will not repeat itself,” It has just been two months since Raj Kumar Rai Binaya Raj Pandey of the Cricket Association Nepal was told by his doctor that he had a blood disease (CAN) told Nepalnews.com. In the last World Cup, that needed a bone marrow transplant. Nepal was also in a similar predicament, winning a Since then, the world of this 24-year-old car match each with Pakistan. But Pakistan beat England mechanic has fallen apart. He had started feeling and Nepal had a low run rate.

l Tankers trundle out of the gate. l Stop. People openly pilfer fuels from these tankers in small cans. l Pilfered fuel is sold cheap (petrol Rs 20 per litre, diesel: Rs 15 per litre) to the casual customer—in this case the customer is the tanker owner itself! l Almost every third tanker backs into an enclosed site, locally called hotel, re-emerges after 10-15 minutes and carries on down the roads.

(source: http://www.cseindia.org) 6 #184 ForeignNATION aid or first aid?20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 How to spend money when a war is going on stalemate in the peace and changed development model.” A Maoist banner proclaiming parliamentary process. They But even if donors wish to the eighth anniversary of the reluctantly agreed to the World make direct delivery at the village insurgency adorns a Bank’s $70 million budgetary level, development projects will be suspension bridge in Sindhupalchok last week. support in November, but with caught between the Maoists and strict conditions that democracy be the government. Both sides will restored and the peace process create problems for projects restarted. At the Finance Ministry, implemented by the other. “If the officials are happy that there have donors reach an understanding been commitments of more than Rs with rebels, security agencies will 13 billion from donors for the be suspicious, and vice-versa,” one current fiscal year. aid official who did not want to be Bilateral and multilateral donors named told us. “And the are now egging the government to government may be worried the consider involving Maoists in Maoists will take credit for donor- development and, if need be, in the aided projects that are successful rebels’ strongholds. “You are trapped in their areas.” in between,” said Rudiger Wenk of Some donors have informally the European Commission taken the government’s permission delegation in Kathmandu. “That is to get projects implemented why you need to have an without using the government arrangement so that the work can network. The German aid agency go ahead smoothly.” The EC has GTZ and the UN’s World Food different programs worth $70 Program have decided to launch million. The funds have to be spent food security and rehabilitation between 2000-2006. projects in 15 village development One of the biggest bilateral committees of Rukum and Rolpa. donors, DfID, believes Nepal needs WFP’s ‘Quick Impact Program’ has a new development model to suit been going in seven conflict-ridden the special circumstances. The and food deficit districts. agency has been spending Rs 3 Even while it claims that it is billion in Nepal annually and thinks sidelining the Maoists, the assistance programs should be government understands that implemented at the village level for without development projects in social justice and elimination of the most needy areas, the number discrimination. of Maoist sympathisers will not “Given the situation Nepal is in, decrease significantly. Therefore, it it needs a development model that is in the mood to revise the entire is different from what it used to be gamut of development project before 1996,” DfID’s Wood says. issues through a discussion with The agency plans to increase its donors. And that is probably what annual assistance to Nepal to Rs 6.5 will dominate the agenda for the billion by 2007. “We are already Nepal Development Forum in working toward the direction of a April. l Melamchi in a mess again DHRUBA BASNET After years of slow motion, the Melamchi project has finally ground to a KHADGA SINGH in the hands of the rebels. They unusually blunt after finding out complete halt. The ambitious $464 million scheme to bring glacial melt argue that the people are in desperate half of the development projects water to parched Kathmandu through a 28km tunnel is Nepal’s biggest early half of the development situations vis-à-vis education, health were not on schedule or had to be infrastructure project, and authorities say it is now on hold because of Maoist threats. projects in the country are and food and need urgent help. The abandoned. In the last fiscal year, Officials from the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) said their N either grinding to a halt or government is understandably not thirty percent of the development staff had to return to Kathmandu this week after Maoists ordered them to have been suspended. The money keen on the idea, but officials say budget was never disbursed, stop work. “The Maoists pasted notices on walls, and we just can’t they are open to discussing it to find although the people needed the compromise on the safety of our staff,” one official said. Although Maoist meant for them, much of it from activity has delayed work, this is the first time the rebels have actually foreign aid, is unspent. a suitable compromise. resources desperately. forced the project to stop. The government and Nepal’s At a meeting last week, Prime “We have kept the issue open The only tangible outcome of the project so far has been a 9km donors say they will use the next Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa for discussion during the NDF stretch of access road from Melamchi to the headworks of the tunnel in Helambu. The international contractor, Hanil Koneko, has already been meeting of the Nepal Development instructed officials to come up with meet,” the NPC’s Shankar Sharma paid nearly 30 percent of its fee for less than 15 percent of the finished Forum in April to put on their ideas about how to speed up said. “The donors may have road. thinking caps about what to do with implementation of projects so the something on their minds. We will The controversial Melamchi project aims to pipe 170 million litres of water a day to Kathmandu. Critics and experts have charged that it is too the unspent budget. money can be spent. Officials who listen to each other and then decide expensive, and will only benefit an already pampered capital. They also One idea the donors are pushing attended the meeting at the on the new modalities for say cheaper options of storage reservoirs on the Valley rim and upgrading is to disburse money, even if it is in National Planning Commission told disbursement.” the water supply system should have been the priority. us that the prime minister was The government is happy that The Asian Development Bank, Japan, Norway and Sweden are among Maoist-affected areas and could get those supporting the project. With MWSP in limbo, the government is now despite the insurgency and poor shifting its attention to the Kathmandu Valley Water Optimisation performance of projects, donors Program. Based on a Japan Bank of haven’t really slashed their budgets International Cooperation report, the focus has shifted to reforms in the or pulled out. “We will not abandon water supply system within Nepal at its hour of need, and donors Kathmandu. “Under this plan, we will should not,” David Wood, head of make new reservoirs, correct the pipe network and other reforms,” says the British aid agency DfID said in MWSP Executive Director Dhruba an interview. Bahadur Shrestha. “For that, we will But this euphoria among cut down the number of reservoirs to officials may be short-lived. Donor be built outside Kathmandu for the Melamchi project.” Kathmandu loses officials say their patience is wearing more than 40 percent of its water due thin: both with the sluggish progress to an outdated and faulty water pipe in development work as well as the system. 7 NATIONBalancing rights and wrongs20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 Ganesh Chiluwal was mourning, but is that not allowed under Maoist law? he Supreme Court’s angry Prachanda and Baburam, instruction finally worked: projecting them as ‘killers’. Even T the army headquarter has from the Maoist point of view, this started receiving habeus corpus was bad timing: to shoot an petitions filed on behalf of Maoist unarmed advocate of non-violence detainees. HQ’s response also when human rights groups, media comes as the international and civil society were pressuring community expressed its the government to probe the unhappiness over growing reports incident in the Bhimad area where of human rights violations by the 20 people, including 18 Maoists, were killed in army action. CAPITAL LETTER Amnesty International was Yubaraj Ghimire quick off the mark, asking the government to probe whether the security forces. Defiance of the 20 were executed after being taken 54-year-old Shekhadi Datta judiciary by the security apparatus into custody. While the state, Chiluwal grieves before his son’s could have meant an end to the including the armed forces, cannot cremation on Monday. rule of law. be expected to act in vengeance MIN BAJRACHARYA Pressure groups and donors are and in violation of the letter and human rights makes it imperative not take up violence. to the logical end. equally bitter and frustrated over spirit of the law, it is also time that that demobilisation be a minimum Despite its public This only indicates that the rights violations by the Maoists the Maoists clarify publicly what condition for a future peace process, pronouncements, the Maoist Maoist leadership is either hand- who have shown they will kill justifies or legitimises their right to preferably mediated and monitored leadership has proved as apathetic, in-glove with renegade anyone: armed or unarmed. The kill those who oppose violence and by an international agency. if not more so, in internally perpetrators of crimes, or they rebels clearly have double terror. Amnesty and others should probing atrocities committed by can’t annoy those who did it. standards on the right to life, Chiluwal’s murder in cold ensure that the rebels whose release their cadres in violation of the Chiluwal’s murder may not fall depending on whether they are blood only proves the Maoists they seek also support the rights of party guidelines. The killing of into the above category, but is far victims or perpetrators. have little respect for the right to other citizens and not pose a threat innocents in Taplejung, or the more condemnable. He was only The Maoist’s ‘Special life of anyone who opposes them. to them simply because they do not rape of a 49-year old woman, a exercising his democratic right to Taskforce’ took the life of Ganesh The murder also casts doubts on subscribe to their political views. In mother of five, the attack on protest against those who killed his Chiluwal, president of the Maoist their intentions and sincerity for fact, it should be the duty of Keshab Prasad Upadhyay during near and dear ones. He was Victims’ Association in the heart of dialogue at a time when they have domestic and international rights his official trip to Surkhet—all mourning. Is that such a taboo the capital on Sunday, a day after called for the UN to mediate in groups to procure an undertaking have been on the agenda of their that it warrants a death penalty in his association burnt effigies of the conflict. Such contempt for from the detainees that they will ‘probe’, which were never pursued Maoist law? l 8 #184 Double loading20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004

MUDITA BAJRACHARYA

aya Thakuri was three months pregnant. Her M husband, Jay Ram Thakuri, was worried that this was complicating his relationship with his first wife. So, he had been shopping around. He chose Manakamana Medical Hall in Koteswor where the The London dream fee was Rs 5,000—considerably less than other pharmacies. When she was taken in, Maya was unaware her Many Nepali-Londoners find husband was getting her an their hopes shattered abortion. According to legal depositions at “I think that England is another form of heaven. I think that if I go to the Kathmandu District Court, England, I will at once forget my trouble from which I am suffering,” Thus Guna Raj Awasthi performed the wrote Sunita in a school essay. She kneeled hunched over a kerosene lamp, operation. Soon after, Maya started on a gundri mat. It was a warm balmy night in Lamjung. having severe abdominal pains, So, Himalayan countries like Nepal and others are not the only vomited and her blood pressure Shangri-Las —England is a Shangri-La too. When asked, the majority of dropped alarmingly. She was rushed Nepalis here will remember the London of their pre-migration imagination to Teaching Hospital, but died on as a sophisticated place of tall buildings, pristine streets, organised lives, the way. The post-mortem result A mother walks through Kathmandu friendly, highly educated people and success. Yet how many actually end showed probable cause was ‘amniotic up staying here permanently? Not as many as you would think. This is not streets carrying a load on her back, fluid embolism’, essentially a botched only due to visa issues, so why do so many choose to leave? as well as her baby. abortion. On arrival here, the London Dream can be both confounded and MIN BAJRACHARYA confirmed. Yes, here are the tall Awasthi and two nurses from the Now that there is a law for safe abortion, buildings, but they are just one clinic were sued by Maya’s brother LONDON EYE and were detained, but are now out maybe Nepali mothers will not have to Fay Adams aspect of a much bigger picture. There are clean streets, but they on bail. The doctor and his staff deny suffer and die needlessly have sanitised, de-individualised houses holding over-individualistic people that they performed an abortion on and around the corner are “filthy” streets that “smell like meat”. There are Maya, saying she had come for a children or husbands who force them more women do not lose their lives organised lives: suited chic Londoners eating Prêt-a-Mangé lunches. But check-up and died from a to have unsafe abortions do not have in unsafe and underground clinics. they stride blindly past huddled junkies lying sunken into spirals of spontaneous abortion. a choice. That is when abortions “Women don’t have the negotiating chemical highs and pavement lows. Maya Thakuri died three months become a life-and-death issue not power to have a child, have no access There is success: life in London can reap many rewards. However, a before the cabinet in January passed just for the foetus, but also for the to family planning, they are common experience of Londoners tells a different story. Many find a directive laying out terms and mother. Although specialists say sex- compelled to give birth or terminate themselves caught in a compelling, vicious cycle of earning and spending, conditions under which hospitals selective abortions are not as a pregnancy and when they do have like a dog chasing its tail. So of course, for some, it is not long before “the can perform abortions. This follows common in Nepal as in China or a child, they don’t even have the city loses its inaccessible importance”. up on a two-year-old law that makes India, it is a growing phenomenon power to confer it Nepali Going ‘home’ to Nepal brings with it the clash of the Shangri-La and abortions legal in certain situations. and could be one of the unforeseen citizenship,” Malla says. the lived London experience. It brings identity crisis. In the words of Under the new directive, only consequences of partial legalisation Maili Magar was 14 when she Shohidur Rahman in the Guardian Weekend, “Londoners come wrapped registered medical institutions and of abortion without proper was raped by a co-worker in a in many layers”. Back in Nepal, can they slip easily into the celebrity role doctors with valid licenses can guidelines and enforcement. restaurant in the Valley. She was so of one who is altogether more modern? Will they tell stories of a land perform abortions, which can only “It is the duty of the medical young, she didn’t even know she was where pumpkin is never out of season, where students have laptops and be done with the woman’s consent, community and practitioners to lay pregnant. She started falling sick so where there are poor people and children who are overweight? This is a and only if the foetus is less than 12 down the ground rules and follow decided to go home to her family in workable identity for one returning from the Promised Land, bearing weeks old. In cases of incest and rape, them,” says Bhola Rijal, a maternal Dhading. There, she had a prestigious gifts and the badges of a shifted status. But then, increasingly, abortions are allowed up to 18 weeks. health doctor. “A good law is not miscarriage. But the neighbours the distance from Kathmandu to London can begin to contract and that But till the directives are enough, we need it to be complained to the police that she had between self and Nepali home lengthen. implemented with a strict code of killed her baby after it was born. She On the other hand, determined to be as inconspicuous as possible, finalised, the regulations enforced people might find themselves speaking little of London, temporarily trying and the law followed, women’s ethics.” He says some unethical was sentenced to six months in jail to eclipse a more recently acquired self with an original Nepali self. One rights activists say, there will be more doctors are earning money by for infanticide. After spending three interviewee commented, “why should my family worry about my time unnecessary deaths of women like claiming they can tell the sex of a years and seven months in detention, living abroad, let them have their dream”. But simultaneously an urge to Maya in under-equipped and child even within a few weeks of she was released in Feburary 2003 challenge the idealisation of London may also be pressing: a returned clandestine clinics. pregnancy. Ultimately, Rijal admits, with help from the Rural Women’s daughter will tell her mother to allow British visitors to help make momos, When Sabina Shakya became sex preference for boys is more Development and Unity Centre. while a brother says he believes that development is not “about getting to pregnant for the third time after difficult to change and can only She is now living at the centre’s choose between a range of cars”. In addition, a feeling of protectiveness having two daughters, her happen with a transformation in rehabilitation unit where she is towards Nepal can also weave into this picture but it sits uncomfortably ultrasound showed the baby was also societal values. getting skills training. For the first with despair, frustration and embarrassment at the country’s political a girl. She came to a clinic in Patan Sapana Pradhan Malla has been time in her young life, Maili is situation. All these various impulses together form a charged and known for secretly performing trying to provide legal assistance to optimistic about her future. mismatched conglomeration of emotions—sometimes meaning that the abortions. The doctor told her that women convicted of abortion who “Imprisoned women have return to London after a visit home is a bittersweet relief. ultrasound sex-selection was are in jail. Most of the 35 women suffered injustice and need help to Why such a cocktail of conflicting emotions? One answer may be that unreliable, but said he could perform currently serving sentences are poor get back into society,” says Sambhu we internalise society’s attitudes. People find it hard to see identities as a DNA test to find out. When we and illiterate. Men are rarely charged Jung Rana at the centre. Despite her plural, malleable and different in every individual. How often have you spoke to her, Sabina was unaware that even though they coerced women suffering, Maili is luckier than most. been asked whether you feel more Nepali or more British? People want she would be breaking the law if she into having abortions. “The only way For thousands of other women who these to either be mutually exclusive (as does the Nepali embassy) or else went through with a sex-selective we can address this problem is by will be forced to have unsafe they expect them to be two separate coexisting identities. More than abortion. raising the status of Nepali women abortions, the government’s new coexistent they are actually merged, one with the other. One’s Britishness Aside from a lack of awareness with literacy and awareness, boosting rules and medical directives will be can be a Nepali Britishness and vice-versa. In London people can often feel among women about the new law, their self-esteem and empowering meaningless unless they are shown extra Nepali or isolated from Britishness, while back home Britishness can abortion is also a class issue. Urban- them,” says Malla. to work. show up starkly against a Nepali background. based women have always had access But such behaviour change will More importantly, Nepali society The confusion caused by these expectations of mono-identity is partly to safe abortion, without the fear of take time. What can be done till then? also has to change and treat its women what causes the erosion of London-the-Utopia. And, like Western images For now, activists like Malla want all better. of Nepal as Shangri-La, this London is revealed as a projection. Thus, in criminal sanction. And because they l our shrinking world, Nepali-Londoners tend to find that any expectations, can afford it, they get discrete and the women in jail for abortion to be safe medical attention. Poorer released, and for the regulations in like Sunita’s of a heavenly England, explode into fragments. l Some of the names of the women in this mothers, burdened by previous girl hospitals to be passed urgently so article have been changed. NATION 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 9 BIZ NEWS

NADA auto show ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Well-oiled palms Some 50,000 visitors will have thronged to the automobile show Dealers, government and consumer activists are all to blame 2004 in Kathmandu by the time it ends this weekend. “This is the most appropriate forum for the ur investigation [shows] charges. On its own, his automobile sector,” says Bikash Chettri, chief executive of Global “ that the moment the arrest symbolised the Exposition and Management Services (GEMS) and organiser of the O ‘mother stock’ of petrol corruption in NOC. The event for the third time since it started in 1998. The five-day show, and diesel enters Nepal from India, government sent out letters which started on 18 February, includes both national and international there is systematic adulteration every to private owners of petrol participants displaying both new and old models of four and two step of the way: along the side of the depots, asking them to sell wheelers. On display are also vintage and classic cars. The show, also highway to the Nepal Oil kerosene separately, from a participated by Standard Chartered Bank, Nabil Bank and Union Corporation (NOC) depot at location that is at least a km Finance, includes seminars hosted by international auto experts. It’s from their existing business. also a chance for the banks to promote their car loans. “We are confident this show will help promote the automobile industry and STRICTLY BUSINESS Unhappy with that, the Nepal Petroleum Dealers’ market its services,” says Chettri. GEMS also organises books exhibits, Ashutosh Tiwari exteriors and interiors and lifestyle products in Nepal. Association (NPDA)—the Amlekhgunj, in the distribution Nepal Media Society

More flights to Bangkok network from Amlekhgunj to equivalent of petrol depot ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○ Kathmandu, at petrol pumps all over owners (ie, another cartel)— Nepal and Thailand on Monday signed a long-awaited Air Services the country. The protection racket has hit back by instructing its Agreement that will allow airlines from both countries to operate up to goes up the NOC ranks, to the members to shut down all 22 flights a week from the current 7. At present, only specified airlines from both countries can operate with a limit on number of passengers. politicians. And everybody gets his depots for now. “There is now a ray of hope to not share.” The result is that despite just meet the demand of tourists So reported this newspaper in NOC’s assurance that there but also enhance the growth of the December 2000. Krishna Upreti of are adequate petroleum products in It’s also an open secret that industry,” said the Nepal Tourism Chitwan’s New Sita Oil even said: the country, one can, at the time this government officials were in cahoots Board (NTB) in an ecstatic press “There is no way I could make a piece is being written, only buy them with NPDA members. But the release. Thai Airways International profit without mixing kerosene with at a few state-run depots. But if government abruptly changed its tune. brought 40,000 touriss to Nepal in petrol and diesel.” At the time, this there’s anyone to be blamed, it’s all It’s like when one thief suddenly 2002, nearly 20 percent of the widely published revelation met with three groups: NPDA, the government changes profession to be a police total. NTB is currently holding a tourism promo in Thailand and says the no hue and cry from the politically and NCF, but for different reasons. officer, the other is angry. This is what agreement will promote Bangkok as Kathmandu’s tourism ‘gateway’. partial and led-by-Harendra- NCF, despite its high-sounding happened here. Pampered NPDA is Bahadur-Shrestha-forever Nepal name, rarely undertakes any proactive sulking in a corner like a betrayed

Bigger Qatar Consumers’ Forum (NCF). work and preemptive investigations friend.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Qatar Airways is taking delivery of 13 new Airbus aircraft in 2004, In fact, judging from the then on behalf of consumers it purports to Still, much of the blame should go boosting its fleet to 38 by the end of the year, as it continues to build a lassitude of so-called consumer rights represent. Looking at which way to NPDA. Not only was it pursuing a fleet of 52 aircraft during the next five years. advocates, the news that our political winds are blowing, it is myopic strategy to adulterate petrol Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer Mr. Akbar Al Baker, government officials along with their reduced to merely hogging the media with the government as a silent partner, addressing a press conference in Amman confirmed that this year’s political masters were in bed with with predictably safe comments too it is also stuck in an industry in which delivery of aircraft represented the airline’s biggest. “This sort of petroleum dealers to sell diluted late and too little, that too, only after the government is the one and only growth is virtually unheard of in the airline industry, and proves once petrol to unsuspecting consumers issues have come to a boiling point. authorised supplier. Short of getting again that we are one of the fastest growing airlines in the world,” Al was just another boringly predictable In this case too, its prolonged silence out of this lucrative business altogether, Baker said. story on corruption. in the face of the December 2000 the NPDA members have no choice but The fleet includes four new A330s, two A320s, and two A321s. In addition, Qatar is also leasing four A330s, bringing our fleet of A330s Or so it seemed, until this week. media investigation should tell most to grease palms to buy more time, or up to a total of thirteen Airbus A330s by the end of 2004. Qatar Suddenly, the story got interesting. sensible Nepalis that this organisation come around to agree with whatever Airways links Kathmandu to Doha and Kuala Lumpur 14 times a week Madan Raj Sharma, the immediate lacks credibility when it comes to the government says, which, as this with onward connections. past general manager of NOC, is really pushing for consumer rights at page goes to press on Tuesday evening, The politics of nowbusiness in jail—arrested on graft all times. outsourcingI predict they will do. l

everal years ago in Delhi, I called a pest computer literacy. The problem of taking jobs from the poor in rich countries S control firm to treat my apartment for America’s General Electric was one of the to the rich in poor countries must be addressed termites. A South Indian gentleman with pioneers here. GE has saved $340 million a pleasing smile arrived with canisters of annually since shifting some of its back-office chemicals and a large syringe. He went about work to India. Taking all costs into account, a his task meticulously. Each time he sprayed, a call center in Kansas City costs more than three mist settled on everything. I asked whether this times as much as one in Mumbai. Not would really work. Breaking into a comforting surprisingly, employment has boomed in grin, he said: “Sir, have no worry whatsoever. India’s IT-enabled offshore services sector, This is very strong stuff. It is totally banned in soaring from 106,000 in March 2002 to the 171,500 a year later. According to the latest COMMENT United projections, employment will cross one million States.” I by 2008. Kaushik Basu edged India has been a major and growing out of outsourcing location for Microsoft, Hewlett the room, as he reared the syringe to Packard, British Airways and other major administer another dose. corporations. Motorola has been laying off Recently, I gave a lecture in Helsinki on workers in the US and moving operations to global labour standards. As my talk concluded, Brazil, China and its plant in Chihuahua, I got into an animated debate with my Mexico. Poor nations look to these facts and audience. A globalised world, with one trends with hope, while many industrialised country’s goods, capital and pollution flowing countries view them with anxiety. One audience nations. Indeed, such measures are crucial in the into another, will inevitably need common member in Helsinki told me despondently that When a corporation outsources operations long term, because if BPO makes developing norms and laws. But as my pest-control agent’s he had soured on globalisation after some of to a developing country, some of its countries better off, their demand for goods answer illustrated, one man’s poison can be his friends lost their jobs through no fault of incumbent workers really do lose out (at least and services will grow. another’s assurance. Common standards in a their own, but merely because Ericsson decided in the short run). Of course, many other groups This will create new jobs in rich countries— world as inequitable as ours will raise many to move some European plants’ operations to gain. Workers in the host country, such as and more than were lost to BPO. But they may contentious issues. China. software technicians and call-center operators, not be in the concentrated, visible sectors that The impact of business process Some economists dismiss such complaints clearly benefit from BPO, but so do moved to developing countries. This makes outsourcing (BPO) on many developing as merely fuel for protectionism. Wrong. Poor shareholders and company owners (whose BPO an easy target for populists, which is nations’ labour markets is a case in point. With workers in rich countries are the most profits grow) and consumers (who pay lower unfortunate because what developed countries technological breakthroughs in electronic vulnerable to BPO. Such matters, if not dealt prices). Many gain—and are well placed to really need is a flexible workforce. communication and increasing bandwidth, with carefully, can fuel nativism and populism. compensate the losers. To this extent, If BPO were stopped, industrialized many jobs that were done in industrialised On the Ku Klux Klan’s Web sites, economics developed countries’ bear a responsibility for nations—and their workers—would be worse off nations, but that did not require face-to-face now vies for space with race hatred. Indeed, the cushioning the impact on their workers by in absolute terms. l (© Project Syndicate) interaction, can now be moved to poorer two combine to produce a neatly perverse providing adequate social welfare protection, countries, which have cheap labour, an analysis: globalisation is bad because it gives together with relocation and re-training Kaushik Basu is Professor of Economics and Director, Program on Comparative Economic educated workforce, and high rates of our race’s jobs to other races in developing benefits. Development, at Cornell University. 10 DEVELOPMENT #184 Turning tanks into tractors20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 The world spends $1,000 billion a year on weapons and only $57 billion on development aid “Countries have massive financial countries and less developed ones. gaps standing between them and “The emerging countries are achieving the millennium goals.” improving their living standards,” he The gaps have arisen when the said. But the poorest countries have world has never had as many seen their human development resources as now to meet such goals, indexes shrink as never before. At this the report says. pace, in sub-Saharan Africa the UN UNDP’s Mark Malloch Brown development goals will be achieved told the conference the problem was only in 2147. known, the solution was known, But he added that despite failures JULIO GODOY in PARIS what was lacking was “the political in implementation, the millennium will to implement them”. declaration has helped create a global ack of political will at Market-led globalisation awareness of the development power centres is deprives the poorest people of problems and the emergence of a civil L emerging as the major resources in order to increase the society demanding solutions. The obstacle to meet living standards of the rich, Brazilian elite have understood that it is not international goals set by the President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva enough to call for good governance. United Nations to halve poverty by Wolfensohn told the fifth annual number of hungry people. told the closing session over a satellite “What counts now is to have real 2015. conference of the Parliamentary Universal primary education, link. “This is unacceptable,” Lula results in health, in education, in Called the ‘millennium Network of the World Bank in Paris promotion of gender equality, said. “The world has enough access to clean water,” he said. “The development goals’ these targets have this week, which was attended by reducing child mortality, resources to satisfy the needs of a manifesto for the 21st century is to been accepted by developing representatives from 80 countries to combating HIV/AIDS and other population twice as big as the present set social and environmental countries, including Nepal. But explore initiatives to meet the diseases, ensuring environmental one. But it lacks the political will to priorities, and to fulfil the moral development experts say weak millennium goals. sustainability and developing a overcome this inequality.” obligations of the Northern governance and leadership are “At this pace we are not going to global partnership for development Lula called for a special tax on hemisphere towards the South.” hindering chances that the goals will meet the millennium goals by the are other goals. weapons sales to create and Removal of subsidies is central to be met. year 2015,” Wolfensohn warned. It now seems the goals will never international fund to pay for that, said Dutch parliamentarian and “Every year the most powerful The eight goals were established at be met given current levels of aid. development. “It would generate forum chairman Bert Koenders. nations of the world spend over the United Nations General “If present trends continue, there enough resources to launch a “Donors cannot provide aid to create $1,000 billion in weapons, $350 Assembly in September 2000. With will be 10 million child deaths in consistent global development development opportunities with one billion in subsidies for agriculture, 2015 as target date, the goals aim to 2015, compared to half that if the policy,” he said. hand and then use trade restrictions but only $57 billion in development halve the proportion of people living target is met,” the British charity, Malloch Brown warned of a to take these opportunities away with aid,” World Bank president James on less than one dollar a day and the Oxfam, said in a report late last year. growing gap between emerging the other.” l (IPS)

EU gets stingy

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BRUSSELS— The EU could downgrade its aid to developing countries in its next budget, transferring money to needy new members as well as diverting money to security. The European Commission says its budgetary outlay will reflect its commitment to the UN’s millennium development goals. “The enlarged Union must play a greater role, as regional leader as well as a global partner, “Commission president Romana Prodi said at the launch of the budget last week. “To meet these expectations implies developing the EU into a politically responsible actor capable of punching its weight.” The Commission proposed a budget of $14.6 billion for 2007, but detailed figures on where this money will be spent has not been published. But the Commission has indicated that the only component that would need increased resources is security, saying it would like Europe to respond to “fundamental threats of terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, failed states, internal and regional conflicts”. Lobby groups are concerned the money will be diverted on strategic security and not on development cooperation and humanitarian aid. “Europe’s growing external responsibilities have to be matched with an increase in the money allocated to development cooperation,” says Simon Stocker, director of Eurostep, a Brussels-based network of NGOs. “This is necessary to tackle the root causes of fundamentalism.” Activists want the Commission to divert money from subsidies to European agriculture to development cooperation. “It makes no sense to maintain high export subsidies on agricultural products, which leads to dumping in the developing world at a time when we want a coherent strategy to fight poverty,” Stocker said. (IPS)

Dutch deportations

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Dutch rightwing parliament on Tuesday gave the green light to deport some 26,000 asylum seekers back to their home countries. The applicants, many of them from Africa and Asian countries including Nepal, have lived in the Netherlands for years, must leave over a three-year period. Only 2,300 will be allowed to stay. The controversial decision has been greeted with howls of protest from the Dutch people, who have a reputation for tolerance. However, there has been a growing anti-immigrant feeling among centre-right supporters of the ruling party. One man who will be deported sewed up his mouth in protest. The decision will affect asylum seekers who came to the Netherlands before 1 April 2001, and most of those affected are Yugoslavians, Albanians, Iraqis and Afghans. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s government has gone further than the policies of controversial anti- immigration politician Pim Fortuyn, who was shot dead ahead of parliamentary elections in 2002. Two-thirds of the Dutch people oppose the move, as well as human rights groups and the Dutch Council of Churches. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Dutchman Ruud Lubbers, has also expressed concern. (IPS) LOSAR, TIBETAN NEW YEAR 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 11 landNomad’s Jill Gocher portrays the hardy Khampa of eastern Tibet own societies. The Khampa are Tibet’s “cowboys”: exuberant, hard-working, family- oriented, and devoutly Buddhist. The historic kingdom of Kham was always “more Tibetan than Tibet” even though its people do not live within the territory of modern-day Tibetan Autonomous Region. The Khampas earned a reputation as fearless guerrilla fighters in the anti-Chinese resistance after Tibet was occupied in the 1950s. Many Khampas were based in guerrilla camps in Mustang and carried out hit-and- run attacks on the plateau, until they were wiped out in a Royal Nepali Army action in

1975. KIRAN PANDAY “Every year, Kham is becoming less remote. Earlier only very few extremely meditation. The lightmeter is here,” she says, determined people could go there,” says tapping her head with a finger. Gocher. Since Kham is not a part of Tibet, But the process of developing is not so old- tourists don’t need permits and this makes it fashioned. The pictures are scanned, edited even more accessible to outsiders. on Photoshop through a digital process and Gocher doesn’t like to think that her turned back into bromide prints. This portraits are of a dying people. “Yes, the spirit technique has allowed Jill to subtly insert of the Khampa may be eroding, but this colour where you least expect it amidst the exhibition is a celebration of their dignity and light sepia: the surprising red tint of a coral on JILL GOCHER deep values.” The photographer has a horseman’s ring, a red silk braid on the stylish here may be a reason why Australian photographing and exploring. The recurring deliberately chosen black and white. “Colour hair of a Khampa in a fedora. photographer and writer, Jill Gocher, theme in her work is of people and cultures is distracting, black and white forces us to focus Ironically, it is through Jill Gocher’s T exhibition that the Khampas may be able to was fascinated by the Khampa. They which are struggling to survive against the on what is important: the interplay of light are both nomads. relentless tide of soulless modernity. Says Jill: and shade and composition.” come a full circle to Mustang. Lamas from a Gocher has been living and working in “Traditional values and lifestyles give Gocher points to a picture of a child lama monastery in Mustang will be performing at Asian countries for the past 20 years, meaning and balance to life, a fact that we in in the courtyard of a monastery in oblique the inauguration on Friday and it is intriguing spending a lot of time in Indonesia—that the West are slowly coming to realise.” light. “This came out well, it wasn’t posed, I to think that some of them could actually be vast archipelago of 15,000 islands which is a Too often, though, the East is so busy just happened to capture the moment when offspring of Khampas who once used to be world in itself. But more recently she has trying to catch up with the West it doesn’t this gorgeous, precious little lama was walking based in Nepal’s trans-Himalayan regions. l discovered the Himalaya and its peoples. realise what it is losing. This is where across the light,” she says. The black and whites Today, she divides her time between documentists like Jill Gocher come in, many are taken with Jill’s 50-year-old Leica. “It is a Khampa—Portraits of Eastern Tibet by Jill Gocher From 20 February 16, 2004 Singapore and Nepal, writing, times, to remind us of what is precious in our very silent camera, and every photo is a Siddhartha Art Gallery, 4218048 12 CARS

The moving force behind the charity and from Patan Durbar Square to Dhulikhel in their rally are New Zealander Susan Fowlds and stride. The maintenance vans and tow trucks paediatric surgeon Narayan Thapa from Nepal. on last year’s rally proved largely The two decided to combine their common unnecessary. Ladies and interest in Volkswagen Beetles (their own Internationally there has been some bad white and black Bugs respectively) for a news for Beetle enthusiasts, the last VW cause. The rally became a way to raise money plant in Mexico ceased production in July for those who can’t afford the procedure 2003. More than 21 million cars have been even at minimal cost. With an estimated 40,000 sold since the car’s launch in 1939. Although Gentlemen, the Nepalis with cleft lip and palate, the ten parts from India are still available, the authentic operations sponsored by last year’s rally may Beetle parts that were still being produced in Get your carburettors seem to be just a drop in the bucket. South America are becoming rarer. Even so, organisers hope that the next The Beetle has such unique features– cleaned for the next rally will have as many as 20 more participants rear engine and air cooling system–that its Beetles than the 36 last year. The project is gaining parts are not readily interchangeable with big Bug rally momentum as more Beetle owners become those from other vehicles. However, local aware of the rally and its cause, not to mention mechanics have found ways of giving an old he 4th Great Himalayan VW Beetle Rally the fun of ‘dressing up’ the car and taking it Beetle a heart bypass if it needs one by T gets set to hit the road again this year for a long drive. These are people who take repairing old parts, modifying and when a swarm of Beetles of all ages their cars very seriously, lavishing time, money cannibalising organs from junked models. l roar off from Patan Darbar Square to and TLC on their Bugs. (Jemima Sherpa) Dhulikhel on 13 March. Shantu Kumar Dangol is one of the few The small population of Nepali Beetles is surgeons that Beetle owners will trust with [email protected] going strong, many of them blithely their Bugs in Kathmandu. Dangol can’t exactly [email protected] overtaking Japanese sedans 30 years their explain the special bond between Beetle junior on the Lazimpat uphill with that owners and their cars, but says: “People like distinctive growl from their hind-quarters. them because they are rare and antique, and Blame it on rampant consumerism and the also because they are comfortable.” age of use-and-throw, but many of us simply Dangol himself owns a red Beetle don’t see how or why anyone would want (see picture) which came first in to drive what is, quite frankly, an antique. the rally last year. He says However, two decades after production driving a Beetle takes a little stopped in its native Germany, the cult of getting used to, but the durability the Beetle is alive and kicking in Nepal. Once of the Bug and its parts means again Beetle fans are planning to head out that maintenance isn’t as much en masse to show off their machines and of a problem. With regular also raise money for a cleft palate surgery checkups Beetles do just fine charity. and will take this year’s drive Her Excellency, the Ambassador Why I care so much about the car nobody likes

the freedom of the middle of the stranglehold over the industrial road no matter how narrow and economy by using their influence many other hazards, mean that with politicians and bureaucrats breakdowns and accidents are to ensure that their products were both bound to be frequent on the not threatened by competition. Indian roads. Here again, the It wasn’t until the early 1980s Ambassador scores. Over the many that the Ambassador faced any years that she has dominated the competition which might have Indian roads, there has grown up threatened it. Despite the arrival an efficient and cheap vehicle of the Maruti, the ancient recovery system. Almost every Ambassador still retains a sizeable village on a main road has its mistri share of the market. or mechanic, who knows the But India is a land which Ambassador like the back of his values tradition, and so even after greased hand. other competition has arrived in The Ambassador is the the market, Hindustan Motors say beneficiary of those years of they have no intention of phasing economic planning when out the Ambassador. So the lady industrialists had to get a license lives on. l MIN BAJRACHARYA from the government to make any life— you do not trade in an breakers, bullock cart drivers for investment, the notorious ‘license Mark Tully is the author of AUTO MATIC Ambassador. Until the courts whom left and right have no permit raj’. Licensing enabled No full Stops in India (Penguin, 1991) stepped in with emission meaning, lorry drivers who claim and worked for the BBC out of Mark Tully some 20 families to retain a New Delhi for 25 years. standards, the average age of the Ambassador taxis on the rank care about the Ambassador outside my house in Delhi must Nepali ambassadors because I do not like losing old have been at least 20. But Ifriends, especially ones which longevity isn’t her only selling For the Ambassadors’ detractors who thought they had bring back memories of better point. The Ambassador is rugged. seen the last of the dinosaurs, wait! Hindustan Motors times. With her friendly pug- A recent advertisement admitted is poised to make a comeback to Nepal with new, improved versions of the Ambassador: the Nova nosed face, headlights resembling that modern cars scored on miles Classic and the Grand. the eyes of Thomas The Tank to the gallon, miles per hour but The cars may look like something out of a Engine, aero-dynamically- the Ambassador won hands down timewarp for the uninitiated, but for those familiar with unfriendly rounded roof and on potholes to the mile. this silhouette from their childhood days traveling unfashionable high gait, she recalls She has advantages for the taxi through India, there is some brand loyalty. However, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Bhairawa running out this the Ambassador’s dealers in Nepal, Cube month, there is a market for more than 700 new taxis. the gallant days of motoring when driver who charges on a per capita International, is not resting on nostalgia alone to sell The Nova Classic is an affordable Rs 950,000 and drivers never knew whether they basis and of course for the joint the product. “The reason this car has staying power gives 12km/l for diesel and 10 km/l for petrol on a 2 would reach their destination family. No one knows what the despite all the new competition is because it is great litre engine, which compares favourably with a 800cc without a breakdown. exact record for an Ambassador’s value, it is sturdy and it is economical,” says Cube’s Maruti. The Ambassador is the steam load is: the claims go as high as 30 Pragyan Rana. The Ambassador Grand is more luxurious and can engine of the Indian road, a passengers. I have counted 20 in The Nova Classic comes with an LPG engine and cost up to Rs 1,350,000 with power steering and air- is ideally suited for a taxi, and the first unit was sold in conditioner. “If you see it as a luxury vintage car that challenge to drive and requiring the remoter parts of India, east of Kathmandu this month. Cube estimates that with the won’t put a hole in your pocket and as an economical much maintenance. Like a steam Varanasi. Supreme Court’s deadline of two years on car, then it’s a great buy,” Rana says whose company engine, she too has a long working Potholes, unmarked speed- replacement of taxis more than 20 years old in also sells jeeps and vans. 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 13 Lau ayo motor Sherpa yo!

Feeling patriotic? Go for Hulas’ range of Made in Nepal LCVs hey may not have the same finish, the cheap and, their manufacturers say, made for self-confidence to compete with the big ideally suited.” While the design chassis same elegant aerodynamic lines of their Nepali road conditions. After eight years of brands. and tyres of the Sherpa are Nepali, the T Japanese rivals but Made in Nepal Sherpa being tested on our potholes, Sherpas have This is not the first time that the name engine and gearbox are Chinese. vans and light commercial vehicles are sturdy, now ironed out all the kinks and attained new Sherpa has been borrowed by a car The original model Sherpa 46 (D) had manufacturer. The other one is Austin a 5+1 gear and a top speed of 100 km/h Rover’s Sherpa van in Britain. But these are with 12 km/l—all for up to Rs 790,000. 100 percent homegrown vehicles put There is now a whole new lineup from together by Hulas Motors of Biratnagar. Hulas that includes: the Sherpa 13-seater “We take pride in our Sherpa,” says double cabin jeep, Sherpa mini truck, executive director, Surendra Golchha. Sherpa Mini-V van(Rs 500,000) and soon “There is very good scope for a light to be unveiled will be the luxury Mustang commercial vehicle (LCV) in Nepal LCV which will come fully equipped with and we have a product that is power steering, air conditioner, 2.5 l engine, radial tyres and leather seats. And all this for Rs 900,000, one-fourth the price of a comparable imported brand. Hulas is hoping for a production run of 20 cars a month. Sherpa owners are all praise for their vehicle, some of it tinged with patriotic pride that their country has finally made it to the league of those that produce cars. But what they like most of all about their Sherpas are the price tags! l

www.golchha.com 14 CULTURE #184 Songs in sheep’s clothing20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 Woolgathering and rediscovering Bheda ko oon jasto.

It starred, if the word can be used in context of a documentary, journalist Narayan Wagle, and Amrit Gurung and Daniel Karthak of the well-known Nepali rock band Nepathya. Wagle, who heard the tune on a Langtang trek sings it for the musicians who decide to trace the origins of the song—a journey that takes them to the goths of Thulo Syabru and Gosainkunda. The song Bheda ko oon jasto, however, currently exists in three avatars: what the shepherds sing in Narayan Wagle and Amrit Gurung looking for the song in a Langtang forest (left) and Gurung jiving with a Syabru musician. the high mountains below Langtang, the Nepathya remake shakachuk and an overt synth the lyrics in a distinctly Sherpa that followed the documentary and presence. The occasional whoop of cadence. singer Deepesh Kishore Bhattarai’s “Ya hai!” and the ubiquitous flute In the final analysis, one is not Bheda ko oon jasto that was released interval is perhaps an attempt to better than the other. They just last year. It seems no one owns a maintain folk credibility. But present different facets to a tune that folk song: it belongs to the people, Bhattarai’s sound is psuedo-folk, if is copyrighted to all Nepalis. And so different versions— there is such a genre: the folk song we are grateful for whatever way our interpretations—of one tune has undergone a pop music thrives. “Lok geet belongs to abound. In Western music, it bears metamorphosis to take on urban the people, so it’s unfair to call into a passing resemblance to the sensibilities for the city listener. question artistic interpretations,” says Grateful Dead’s prolific takes and Which isn’t to say Nepathya Deepesh Shrestha, program director retakes. Just better. have a faithful rendition of Bheda at Hits FM 91.2. “However, I will Snatches of the song from the ko oon. But they do have a 38 say that I prefer Bhattarai’s rendition documentary are atmospheric. The second introduction that because the style and arrangement KIRAN SHRESTHA people sing the Nepali and Tibetan incorporates folk instruments. While is more appropriate to the song, TRISHNA GURUNG most don’t know more than those lyrics with a Tibetan accent and Bhattarai picked pop, Nepathya besides Nepathya had something to four words. beat, true to their roots. They sing relied on rock overtones for a more work off when they released their n a country that has nursery The popularity of the song was about what they know: lover’s contemporary feel. The “shakachuk” version. The bottom line is that rhymes about flies on the wall, helped by the documentary Bheda cheeks that are as red as the apples is replaced by “shikshik”—a sound neither have true Nepali pan.” I it’s not surprising to find the song ko oon jasto in search of a song of Syabru and of course, clouds viewers will recall from the With rumours of a hip hop of the moment is not about that played during Film South Asia that look like sheep’s wool. documentary, and the synthesiser is outfit going into the studio to record unrequited love—even in ’03, and has just completed a Deepesh Kishore Bhattarai is replaced by guitar riffs and drums. their take on Bheda ko oon jasto, no February—but about sheep’s wool. screening tour in towns across known for his folk songs and his Nepathya rejects the lilt for punchy matter what we make of it, one thing Everybody seems to be singing or Nepal to packed halls and version launches straight into the energy that is reflected in the way is assured: the song will survive long humming Bheda ko oon jasto, and enthusiastic crowds. original song with backups going lead vocalist Amrit Gurung delivers into the future. l One song

SRADDHA BASNYAT in LANGTANG

About half way between Lama Hotel and Ghode Tabela, at 2,770m, Kaisang Sherpa comes out of the trailside lodge singing a song. It is the current folk hit, Bheda ko oon jasto, and Kaisang’s breath comes out in puffs of vapour in the cold air as he sings. “We learned it from friends who sing it around here, it’s a fun song, but more from the Helambu side. Here, we sing Tibetan songs,” he tells us. Kaisang hadn’t heard of the Nepathya version from the documentary of the same name, which was filmed on the other side of the mountain from here in Gosainkunda, or the one released earlier by Deepesh Kishore Bhattarai, so we decided to test both songs to see which one he liked. He listened intently on the earphones to Bhattarai’s version and repeated the line likening the sweet taste of Kanchi’s cheek to the apples of Syabru. He seemed more distracted during Nepathya’s version and later confessed: “I like Bhattarai’s one better. It’s more like the original.” Kaisang then goes back to his kitchen chores, launching into his own version: “Bheda ko oon jasto.” 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 15 16 INTERNATIONAL #184 Deconstructing Iraq20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004

If Iraq’s prospects are as dismal as my analysis suggests, any international contribution to the US-driven reconstruction effort is likely to be little more than money flushed down the drain. This does not mean that the world should abandon Iraq. But the international community should direct its money to humanitarian causes, such as hospitals and schools, rather than backing American designs. The World Bank and other institutions considering assistance through loans face even greater difficulties. Piling more debt onto Iraq’s already huge obligations will only make matters worse. If Iraq’s economy falters as a result of a misguided economic reconstruction program based on shock therapy, the country will be further indebted with little to show for it. The dream of Iraq’s American invaders was to create a stable, prosperous most important task—beyond twice before trying shock therapy collaborators. Without legitimacy, and democratic Middle East. But COMMENT creating a democratic state and again. But the Bush administration, any purchaser will worry about the America’s economic program for Joseph Stiglitz restoring security—is backed by a few handpicked Iraqis, security of his property rights, which reconstructing Iraq is laying the reconstructing the economy. is pushing Iraq towards an even will contribute to even lower prices. foundations for poverty and chaos. ith one exception—the Blinded by ideology, however, the more radical form of shock therapy Furthermore, those buying l (© Project Syndicate) actual military “victory”, Bush administration seems than was pursued in the former privatised assets may then be W which looks increasingly determined to continue its record Soviet world. Indeed, shock reluctant to invest in them; instead, Joseph E Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in Pyrrhic—President Bush’s Iraqi of dismal failures by ignoring past therapy’s advocates argue that its as happened elsewhere, their efforts economics, is Professor of Economics adventure has been marked by experience. When the Berlin Wall failures were due not to excessive may be directed more at asset at Columbia University and author of The Roaring Nineties: A New History of repeated failures. Scant signs of fell, the countries of Eastern speed—too much shock and not stripping than at wealth creation. the World’s Most Prosperous Decade. weapons of mass destruction have Europe and the former Soviet enough therapy—but to insufficient been found and, according to Union began transitions to a shock. So Iraqis better prepare for David Kay, America’s chief arms market economy, with heated an even more brutal dose. inspector, the stockpiles either debates over how this should be There are, of course, similarities Forged Portuguese never existed or were destroyed accomplished. One choice was and differences between the former years ago. So Bush simply ignored shock therapy—quick communist countries and Iraq. In the data, gathered by Hans Blix’s privatisation of state-owned assets both cases, economies were passports, anyone? UN inspectors, and the evidence and abrupt liberalisation of trade, pervasively weakened before they on which he based his case for war prices and capital flows—while collapsed. But the Gulf War and seems to have been largely the other was gradual market sanctions weakened Iraq’s economy MARIO DE QUEIROZ in LISBON fabricated. liberalisation to allow for the rule much more than communism Worse still, it is now clear that of law to be established at the weakened the USSR’s. Moreover, Bush never had a plan for when the same time. while both Russia and Iraq are “Worried about your future and wish to keep your family’s options open? war ended. Instead of moving Today, there is a broad heavily dependent on natural Take advantage of the benefits of Portuguese nationality, which is available towards peace and democracy, the consensus that shock therapy, at resources, Russia at least possessed to all people from Goa,” reads the billboard. Similar ads can also be seen in Diu and Daman, the other two cities in western India, that along with situation in Iraq remains so least at the level of microeconomic demonstrated abilities in some other Goa formed the Portuguese State of India (PSI) until late 1961. Indian dangerous that Paul Bremer, the reforms, failed, and that countries areas. Russia had a highly educated citizens entitled to Portuguese nationality because they or their forebears American occupation leader, is (Hungary, Poland and Slovenia) labor force, with advanced were born in the PSI before Portugal pulled out, frequently apply for using instability as his rationale for that took the gradualist approach technological capabilities; Iraq is a passports to sell for a paltry sum to organised crime rings. avoiding democratic elections this to privatisation and the developing country. The mafia then sell them at a high price not only to people from other year. Of course, America tried to reconstruction of institutional To be sure, Russians went parts of India but also to citizens of neighbouring countries who are keep real order in some places, infrastructure managed their decades without opportunities to physically similar to Indians, like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The revealing a lot about what it truly transitions far better than those exercise entrepreneurship, while process of applying for a passport costs nearly $700. The crime rings valued in Iraq. that tried to leapfrog into a Ba’athist rule did not suppress Iraq’s then sell the documents for between $1,240-1,860, according to When Baghdad fell, the oil laissez-faire economy. Shock- merchant class and entrepreneurial information disseminated early this month by Goan-born Portuguese ministry was quickly protected, therapy countries saw incomes spirit in any comparable way. But parliamentary deputy Narana Coissoró. while museums and hospitals were The secretary of state of the Portuguese community, plunge and poverty soar. Social Iraq’s location puts it at a distinct José Cesario, spied billboards on his way to Goa during allowed to be looted. If there was indicators, such as life expectancy, disadvantage compared to Russia a visit to the former enclaves in India late last year. But not outright corruption in the $7 mirrored the dismal GDP and many post-communist states: despite the efforts by Portugal’s billion in contracts awarded to numbers. none of Iraq’s neighbors is doing judicial police and by the Civil Halliburton, whose former More than a decade after the particularly well economically, while Registry, where 11,221 passport chairman was Vice President Dick beginning of the transition, many many post-communist countries sat applications are under Cheney, there was undoubtedly a post-communist countries have next door to the European Union investigation, Portuguese strong whiff of crony capitalism. not even returned to pre- during the 90s boom. Most authorities admit that the racket Halliburton and its subsidiaries transition income levels. Worse, importantly, ongoing instability in continues. Cesario said it has have been ensnared in charges of the prognosis for establishing a the Middle East will deter foreign become a lucrative business for war profiteering ever since and have stable democracy and the rule of investment (other than in the oil crime rings that specialise in had to pay back millions of dollars law in most shock-therapy sector). forgeries and in trafficking immigrants to the EU, of which to the US government. countries looks bleak. This record These factors, together with the Portugal is a member. Among the Now, everyone agrees, the suggests that one should think ongoing occupation, make quick bearers of adulterated privatisation particularly Portuguese passports are alleged problematic. The low prices that the Indian terrorists Abu Salem and America’s economic program for privatised assets are likely to fetch Masood Azad, who were reconstructing Iraq is laying the will create the sense of an captured in Lisbon in 2002. illegitimate sell-off foisted on the Neither had any family relations foundations for poverty and chaos country by the occupiers and their in the former PSI. (IPS) 17 ASIA Real peace20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184to reel peace The film industries of India and Pakistan are falling in love beginning of an era of new politics between Pakistan and India that seek to establish perpetual peace,” comments Amir Wasim, a journalist. “This would be like breaking the cultural barriers that the two states had artificially erected to create artificial distances between the two peoples.” Despite separate entities, the movies churned out by the two industries carried similar cultural and traditional undertones and were hardly distinguishable. Both countries allowed the commercial screening of each other’s movies till they went to war in 1965. Political and MUDDASSIR RIZVI in ISLAMABAD “Joint movies by India and Pakistan will diplomatic differences subsequently erected certainly give a real value to peace efforts at the cultural blockades. ndia’s and Pakistan’s governments are still official level for millions of people. That we can “I understand that there would be many at flirting with each other at the diplomatic level, actually work together and co-exist will be the home who will oppose my decision, but whatever Pakistan’s highest-paid actress, Meera (left), I but their film industries are already falling in message that people will get sitting in their living I am doing is for peace. Can anybody come out will act in a Bollywood thriller, while Pooja love—signing up artists from the country rooms,” says Ayesha Khan, a schoolteacher and and oppose peace?” asks Meera. She had turned Bhatt (above) will direct a Pakistani movie. otherwise demonised across the border, planning movie buff. down two roles offered to her by Bollywood joint productions and promising peace through This may just be true. Meera, Pakistan’s producers last year due to state-level tensions. song for Pooja’s debut movie, screened in the the silver screen. highest paid actress and heartthrob of its movie Another Pakistani top actress, Resham, and well- Pakistani city of Karachi during the Kara Film In short, the snail-paced progress at the industry, has been signed for a Bollywood movie known Pakistani pop-mystic poetry singer, festival in December. political level is yielding a rapid snowball effect in to be co-produced by Indian filmmaker Mahesh Rafaqat Ali Khan, are close to signing contracts, The Pakistani government, on the other the area of people-to-people ties, business, trade Bhatt and Pakistan-born British producer Sevy while many others are in waiting. hand, is also taking the movie diplomacy seriously. and cricket. Major headway is being made in film. Ali. Meera will play the lead role in the Hindi Similarly, Meera has contracted famous Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri has Interaction between Bollywood and Lollywood thriller that is about a blind woman who becomes Indian choreographer Saroj Khan to direct dance asked Indian filmmakers to stop making movies has been growing in recent months. psychic after an eye transplant and can see sequences in one of the movies she is producing that spew hate. Such movies grew in number Despite an official ban on Indian movies in murders in a red light area before they are in Pakistan. Indian actress-turned-director Pooja after the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan they are freely available here on video committed. Bhat, who visited Pakistan in December 2003, is Pakistan, as producers from both countries and CDs. The government has restricted its ban “Although Meera’s seems to be just another ready to direct a Pakistani movie. Pakistan’s most cashed in on the political climate of animosity. to only the commercial screening of Indian movies. traditionally plotted movie, it underlines the popular band, Junoon, has already composed a l (IPS)

vagina say, they think, and fear that a name like this would attract far too V-Day in China much attention. Attention means discussions, means gatherings, in one word it means trouble.’’ Vagina in Chinese translates as Valentine’s Day: Yes, Vagina Monologues: No the “road to Yin” where ‘Yin’ symbolises the feminine side of nature ANTOANETA BEZLOVA as opposed to Yang, the masculine in BEIJING side. While the juxtaposition of Yin and Yang is one of the essential nce puritanically critical of all principles of Chinese philosophy, the O occasions that paraded love, dissection and flaunting of female communist China has sexuality is still regarded as a cultural embraced the celebrations of phenomenon imported from the West. Valentine’s Day as a succession of In Shanghai, the play was consumer opportunities coated in cancelled because “the authorities romance. said it doesn’t suit China’s national Valentine’s Day in China this situation”. However, the play has year meant vogue. It means red roses already generated a lot of buzz in and heart-shaped chocolates, fat the Internet chatrooms—testimony to Cupids and a commercial victory for quite the opposite: the presence of fashion brand names, whose interest and divergent opinions on the signature bags hang proudly on the subject of openly discussing female arms of many couples. sexuality. Valentine’s Day means anything Eve Ensler’s play created a wave but vagina. Even after acquiescing of cultural shocks when first in 1996, to blatant public displays of it tried to examine publicly touchy sentiments of love last weekend, subjects like orgasm, menopause, China continues to shun the word sexual abuse, rape and lesbian ‘vagina’. experiences. Based on interviews with A pioneering performance of the 200 women from different walks of internationally-acclaimed play ‘The life—including prostitutes and women Vagina Monologues’ was banned in goal has not spared the play the axe. raped in war—the play has grown into Beijing on Valentine’s Day—a week After having sold most of the 500 an international movement used to after its staging was cancelled in tickets for this single show in the fight violence against women and Shanghai. “We were told we haven’t capital, producers had to call it off. given birth to a ‘V-day’. obtained permission from the Proceeds of up to $30,000 were lost The play has been translated into cultural authorities,” says Angel An, for the organisers and chief among 25 languages and staged in over 40 one of the curators of the private the losers is the Network for countries, including the Chinese- Today Art Gallery, which was to host Combating Domestic Violence of the speaking Singapore and Hong Kong. the show. China Law Society. Had Chinese cultural gurus The producers of Eve Ensler’s “I’m not surprised by the ban,” declared that ‘The Vagina controversial play have tried to says Hong Ying, a female writer whose Monologues’ is too loaded with minimize the sensation caused by own novels have raised controversy gruesome stories of war rapes and its debut in China by pledging all in the past. “It is the name of the unsuitable for a romantic festival as profits from the show to a Chinese play that counts. ‘Vagina Valentine’s Day, the cancellation of group that works with domestic Monologues’ sounds so scary to the show would have hardly generated violence. Yet the commendable Chinese officials. What could a such fervent anticipation. l (IPS) 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 “The word democracy doesn’t exist in the Maoist lexicon”

Excerpts of editorials from three national dailies: Maoists to civil society. Those involved in the politics of This is a double standard. violence must be called tyrants. The Chiluwal episode is a Chiluwal’s murder forces us to doubt the Maoists’ Kantipur, 17 February challenge for the Maoist leadership that has been trying to commitment to multiparty democracy. The message is quite convince the world of its tolerance and democratic clear: the word democracy doesn’t exist in the Maoist lexicon. The killing of Nepal Maoist Victims’ Association Chairman credentials. The Maoists have exposed their double Ganesh Chiluwal is the latest example of the rebel group’s standards and shown they are unreliable and opportunistic. Samacharpatra, 17 February fascist streak and its political bankruptcy. Such demonic and By killing those who don’t agree with them, the Maoists are brutal revenge against someone who believes in peaceful pushing the country down a spiral of violence. After one more murder by the Maoist rebels, people have opposition to their excesses puts a question-mark over the begun to ask: Is this what is the ‘people’s war’ is all about? Maoists’ political belief and character, and throws doubt over Rajdhani, 17 February Nepalis are about curious what kind of political system the their public commitment. Ganesh Chiluwal opposed Maoist rebels want to establish by killing citizens who have violence and struggled for the relief and rehabilitation of the By killing Ganesh Chiluwal, the Maoists have gagged committed no crime. Chiluwal’s murder has proved that no victims of Maoist violence. The effigies of Prachanda and Maoist victims. The murder goes completely contrary to one is safe in this country. It has also given us a preview of the Baburam Bhattarai were set alight. If that was the reason why what they professed. It has proved that the Maoists’ public kind of government they will set up, and the kind of freedom he was murdered, then that is a dangerous warning from the commitment of not killing political figures was just a ploy. we the people will have if the rebels capture state power.

Kingspeak Nepalganj address: A king has to electrocuted in his sugarcane field.

○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ be seen and heard, democracy has He was released from police Gopal Khanal in Kantipur, been undermined, students have custody after paying bail of Rs “I want to give 16 February been provoked by the parties, stress 50,000. on elections. Elephants that arrive in herds Last year, when the king addressed and raid their fields regularly people in Biratnagar, he asked all plague locals in the district. They sides not to be bogged down in Elephant murders it another try” ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ also suffer huge losses when the petty politics and stand united. Kantipur, 16 February animals eat their grain storage. One year later, the king is going all With no other recourse available to out to blame the political parties. In A 50-year-old Sunsari woman faces them, many have installed live Narayan Singh Pun in Drishti, 17 February the Nepalganj address, the king court charges for killing an wire devices to keep the marauders went to unprecedented lengths to elephant. The pachyderm died at l Everyone in Nepal knows that peace must be established in the at bay. Those convicted of killing country. Even the international community says so. But how do we express his dissatisfaction with the Mina Bhujel’s house in Panchayan elephants have to pay between Rs do that? We can’t use guns against the Maoists just because they parties. nearly two months ago after she 50,000 and Rs 100,000 or serve are rebels. There should be efforts for peace, only then will the The changing kingspeak: installed live wires around her five to 15 years in prison according peace process begin. But there are no peace moves at the moment. I Biratnagar address: The granary. A week before the incident, to the National Parks and Wildlife want to give it another try and be responsible for restarting the monarchy is for democracy, the same elephant had eaten almost Conservation Act. peace process. We cannot expect an environment for peace to democracy is for national all her stored maize. Although appear spontaneously. We have to make it happen. development, and the monarchy officials at the DFO filed a case

l There are many kinds of rebellion. Given the principles that the Same side and democracy are both for Nepal’s against her, they are sympathetic. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ‘people’s war’ is based on and the phase it has entered, it would be RPP spokesperson Roshan Karki in wrong to think that it can be quelled by force. That cannot be done. It development through a free “We feel sorry for the loss she could take a long time, the government may be able to weaken it but market economy and corruption- suffered, but we have no choice,” Rajdhani, 16 February not eliminate the problem. free system. says DFO Shambhu Prasad l This problem has two parts: military and political. There are Dhangadi address: Nationalism is Chaurasia. “If we let her go, there “The king’s speech in Nepalganj economic And social aspects in between as well. Even if the Maoists the meeting point...pluralism and could be other incidents of elephant last week has opened doors for are militarily weakened, the political aspect will remain, their ideology free competition are prerequisites, murders.” Khama Bahadur Dahal, dialogue between the monarch can’t be killed. It will keep resurrecting. To solve that permanently, and the international community another farmer in Sunsari, also faced dialogue is the only way. and the political parties. I say this l The adverse effects of the Maoist problem will not be limited to has started believing us. a similar trial after an elephant was because both the king and the our country. Our neighbours will be affected, so will the rest of the world. There are 94 Maoists in the central committee and 15 in the politburo. That is perhaps why the government played down the handing over of the two Maoist leaders by Indian authorities. l Talks are possible even if the present government that forced the Maoists back to the jungle, is allowed to continue. In politics everything is possible. We have neither opposed Surya Bahadur Thapa nor have supported him. I have this question to ask: why is someone who has been repeatedly unsuccessful brought to power? This is our country’s bad luck. l The king will not be successful if he allows unsuccessful people to run the country. l I am nobody’s adviser. I say what I see. What we want is a democratic election where there is a level-playing field. How can elections be held when there is a group that is using guns? Until the political parties can move about freely, elections are not possible.

Speed it up! Paper on hand: Roadmap Rajdhani, 15 February QUOTE OF THE WEEK “No one is going to believe the king just because he says he speaks for the country and the people.” – CPN (UML) General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal in Nepal Samachapatra, 11 February RABI MANANDHAR/DRISHTI SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 19 parties have expressed similar Jhapa, the Asia Circus from Banaras research of certain species like concerns for the betterment of has put on daily shows with monkeys, snakes, deer and Nepalis and for the future of performances by Nepali girls who crocodiles. There is concern that the Junketeers democracy. This proves the two are from Makwanpur and adjoining government’s permission to export sides can come to a meeting point, districts. Instead of raising their monkeys will send them to labs in just like the king said in his speech. voices against the exploitation of the West where they will die slow Kantipur, 14 February The king pointed out issues like Nepali girls who are usually sold to and painful deaths. The corruption as hindrances to good the circus by impoverished families, government has reportedly already Senior government officers are busy travelling abroad, ostensibly for governance, constructive training the local government authorities allowed the export of thousands of seminars and observation tours. Under the leadership of Chief Secretary for youths and a development and others watch them without any rhesus monkeys to America. Bimal Prasad Koirala, officers from various ministries are busy shuttling to Europe and Africa to attend training programs. Koirala himself is busy roadmap for the western region. He guilt. Abdul Gaffar, the circus Monkey suppliers are looking at preparing for another junket just two days after his return to Nepal. said politics inspired by the people, manager, says his circus runs in Nepal because other countries have Under-secretary Hari Prasad Nepal who just returned from Malaysia is devoted to and based on the Nepal with the help of local banned exports. Nepali activists already on his way to Japan. Four administrators from Ministry of people, is the only way to make Kamesh Shaha from Hetauda. have sent 500 letters of protest to Population and Environment are somewhere abroad. Two more officers from this ministry are in Sri Lanka. After just 10 days of new multiparty democracy a success. His Anita Chapagain, 18, from the Department of National Parks appointments at the metropolitan municipality office, officials will soon thoughts can be the guideline and Hetauda says she was “supplied” by & Wildlife Conservation be on a US tour with the motivation for all of us. After all, her parents to an agent and then (DNPWC) to prevent the export. deputy mayor of there is nothing more important taken to India via Birganj and sold In Nepal, monkey researcher Kathmandu as the delegation leader. All costs than the people’s welfare. The king to a circus company. “I have no idea Mukesh Chalise has denied and allowances will be said as much in his speech and this of where my family is now,” says allegations of involvement in the borne by the office. is the same philosophy that the Anita, tears in her eyes. She has controversial deal. But he is said to It’s nothing new for leaders of the political parties have worked as an entertainer for the past be working closely with an government officers to indulge in international stressed repeatedly.” eight years. American research organisation tours, especially for those Gita Gurung from Butwal has that has been helping to establish a who have good relations been part of the circus for six years. monkey breeding and research with INGOs. This usually Life is a circus She was recruited when she was just centre in both Nepal and Russia. increases in frequency when ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ eight-years-old. Six of her sisters also Chalise works with the Natural retirement approaches. Samacharpatra, 15 February Junior officers don’t get junkets often. Most of the time, the secretary worked in the circus but left to get History Museum of Nepal with takes a trip meant for junior government officers because of attractive It’s a dreadful scene. Young Nepali married. Now her mother, Kalawati, which the government has reached perks and allowances. girls perform risky tricks in skimpy wants her daughter to marry too. an agreement to supply 150 Due to the conflict, most donors’ money does not reach the villages. The circus forces the girls to monkeys for breeding purpose. The funds are used instead to finance officers’ trips for study, research outfits. In this circus they jump and observation—categorised as ‘software’ work to learn about good without a safety net, walk on work in both Nepal and India. No Researchers can buy a rhesus governance and efficient bureaucracy. “Officers travel around and share tightropes, stand on a beer bottle, one in either country is doing monkey from DNPWC at a cost of their experiences but they don’t apply anything in office,” says Madhab ride a uni-cycle and balance three anything to stop them. Rs 25,000 for breeding and they Ghimire, former secretary, who has made more than 40 international can use their second generation for visits. other girls on their shoulders. The Officers from education, industry, finance, local development and

Nepali audience is mesmerised as Monkey trade research as per the government foreign ministries get more opportunities to travel. One secretary from ○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ policy. It is estimated that 14,000 they watch the girls, some as young Annapurna Post, 15 February the foreign ministry has been abroad 16 times in the last 18 months. as three. The audience doesn’t seem monkeys are used every year in The so-called ‘exposure and confidence-building’ tours have reduced bothered by the fact that the girls American research labs for testing after directives from the CIAA last year. There was a time when 68 Animal rights activists are urging bureaucrats—from section officers to secretaries—made about 84 are all exploited by the Indian the government to withdraw its vaccines and other drugs. American international trips in just one year. Most of the time, the government circus. wildlife farming policy, which labs are reportedly ready to pay as officers never revealed the purpose of the visit and funding source, For the past several weeks in allows domesticated breeding and much as $10,000 for each monkey. especially when they went through donor agencies. 20 EDUCATION 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 How to build a nation Basic schooling is the foundation of development

JIM LOBE in WASHINGTON

nvesting in universal primary South Asia and Africa are not education is one of the best ways attending school, the report said. I for poor nations to boost The correlation between economic growth, their citizens’ primary education and economic health and other indicators of productivity is quite dramatic, it development, says a new report adds. One year of additional released by a group of 16 private education increases individual US development and relief agencies. output by between four and seven The report, ‘Teach a Child, percent, the report found, while a Transform a Nation,’ took raw data farmer with just four years of basic from the World Bank and other education was found to be nearly United Nations development 10 percent more productive than his agencies and found a high neighbour with no primary correlation between education and education at all. KASHISH DAS SHRESTHA the benchmarks, such as economic Educating girls, in particular, women were more likely to be load. International agreements have developing countries needed far growth and health statistics, which was found to increase per capita caught up in trafficking, the sex made some progress in reducing the more resources for education and determine a country’s development. income and reduce poverty in all trade and child labour. Similarly, debt, precisely to provide countries that, in the absence of greater debt “Education provides the countries. Educated women countries with higher levels of with more resources for health and relief, those resources would have foundation upon which stable generally assume more responsibility secondary school enrolment were education, but many development to come from wealthy donors. But nations are built,” said Stephen for household finances and are also found to be politically more stable activists say these accords must go it is not only a question of more Moseley, chair of the Basic seen as more responsible in how than those with lower levels of much further to ensure that the money to reduce class sizes to Education Coalition (BEC), which money is spent, particularly with education. Higher levels of WEF goal of “education for all” can manageable levels. The developing includes CARE, International respect to the health and education education appeared to be critical in be achieved. world currently has about 26 Youth Foundation, Save the of children. The report stresses that reducing corruption as well, adds Developing countries on million primary teachers in their Children and Women’s Edge, education is not by itself sufficient the report. average spend about $40 per child schools, but reaching the WEF among other groups. to generate successful development, The BEC was created after the on primary education, compared target will require that between 15 While the report indicates that but that it is indispensable to 2000 World Education Forum with 100 times that amount in the and 35 million more be deployed, enrolment in primary schools is increasing economic productivity (WEF) in Dakar, Senegal, where wealthy developed countries of the report says. increasing around the world, foreign and improving health, as measured officials from 164 UN member- North America, Europe and Asia. Altogether, an extra 5.6 billion aid from donor countries for by life expectancy and lower infant states pledged to make primary When Kenya last year made primary dollars will be required to reach the boosting enrolment is still not mortality rates. Educated people also education truly universal in their education free—a major step WEF target, according to the UN keeping up with demand. Of some are better able to protect themselves countries by 2015. While 83 toward the WEF goal—it found Educational, Scientific, and 680 million primary school-age from becoming infected with HIV/ countries are on schedule to meet some 1.5 million children who had Cultural Organisation children worldwide, some 115 AIDS and other infectious diseases. that goal, according to the study, not been attending school flocked (UNESCO), which the United million—about 60 percent of them Women with at least some 71 nations are falling short, about to classes. But the system was not States rejoined this year after a 20- girls—are not now in school. And secondary education were found to one-half of them in sub-Saharan prepared for such an influx, and year boycott. That additional one-half of those who are enrolled be three times more likely to know Africa, the world’s poorest region. average class size rose from 40 to funding is roughly equivalent to in primary school today do not how HIV is transmitted than In addition to high rates of HIV/ 120. what Washington currently spends finish. More than one-third of women with no education at all. AIDS infection, sub-Saharan Africa According to the report, the in Iraq and Afghanistan every six primary school-age students in Similarly, poorly educated girls and suffers from a huge foreign-debt experience demonstrated how weeks. l (IPS) Feminine reality BIGBEN

The walls of Gallery Nine are filled with women. Thirty paintings by Erina Tamrakar reflect an alternate reality of the conventional Nepali woman. Erina’s latest work journeys further on her portrayal of women as a major subject of expression. Her art shows women in perhaps that most dynamic of roles: motherhood. Her subjects are pensive and somewhat aloof, very different from the usual conventional interpretation of the gender. Her women play with a newborn baby, contemplate with their swollen womb or are wrapped in their sense of self. The paintings on display suggest that Erina has worked with open heart and tried to explore many feminine approaches. The artist’s steady hand and use of colours leap out, these paintings show the artist’s progress in employing hues and texture to create a sparkling energy. The overall impression is of women content in their existences. Equally appealing are paintings which consist of double and triple canvases composed as sequels. l (Maheswor Acharya) MEANWHILE, in the villages, carom universities were thriving: politics of the game or politics? Reflection and Reality paintings by Erina Tamrakar till 28 February at Gallery Nine, Lazimpat 4428694 SPORTS 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 21 Golf at 40 It’s not cricket! Tashi Ghale and Deepak Acharya If India refuses to play Pakistan, peace may suffer

chat about what it takes RANJIT DEVRAJ in NEW DELHI ashi Ghale is a businessman who owns and runs the Royal Singi Hotel row is building up between T in Kathmandu, and an avid sportsman. Seven years ago, when he India and Pakistan over turned 40, golf was the last thing on his mind. Today, he ranks as A India’s reluctance to honour Nepal’s top amateur golfer, having proved himself by winning the amateur a commitment to send its cricket team category in the Surya Nepal Masters over for a tour in March. India has 2003 in November and through his TEE BREAK contribution to Nepal winning the cited security concerns but the real Deepak Acharya Team event in the Nepal Amateur reason could be the fact that the right- Open 2003 in May. wing, ultra-nationalist Bharatiya Tashi is now a valuable sponsor for golf in Nepal. It was through his Janata Party (BJP) government initiative that Nepal’s golf team participated at the 2002 Asian Games in expects to fight a general election in Busan. Similarly, with the help of the Nepal Golf Association (NGA), Nepal April and is anxious to avoid anything joined the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, followed by a team which went that might make it look bad. “We to Australia and participated in the prestigious Nomura Cup. Ghale is also cannot risk the safety of our players the man behind the Nepal Amateur Golf Open 2003. I took the opportunity to interview him last week. who will be expected to play on open grounds,” said Deputy Home Deepak Acharya: What inspired you to take up Golf? Tashi Ghale: I used to play football and tennis, and sometimes snooker. Minister Swami Chinmayanand when One afternoon eight asked if the six-week tour would years ago, my friends materialise. Ang Tsering of The issue of whether or not captain of the Indian side and Sachin which are considered safer. India Thamserku Trekking India’s cricket 11 will tour Pakistan Tendulkar, reckoned as one of the restored sporting ties with Pakistan and Paresh Lama from in March is considered so sensitive world’s best-ever batsmen, have both only three months ago as a sign of Nepal’s national team, that a final decision has been left to indicated that they had apprehensions improving ties between the two asked me to join them at the Royal Nepal Golf Vajpayee himself. Reports from regarding the tour. On Friday, PCB nations. The severance in sporting ties Club (RNGC). They Islamabad suggest that the Pakistan chairman Sharyar Khan told Indian wrecked commercial prospects at gave me one club and Cricket Board (PCB) may seek news channels from Islamabad that if neutral venues where matches were a few balls to hit, and Musharraf’s intervention. The PCB the Board of Control for Cricket in scheduled, such as Singapore, Sharjah that was the start. I was could lose anywhere up to $25 million India (BCCI) does call off the tour or and Toronto. Cricket and other 40 years old then. I in sponsorships and advertisement postpones it, the matter would be sporting matches between the sub- soon found myself and television coverage rights, taken up with the International continental rivals invariably prove to hooked. including $4 million to the Korean Cricket Council (ICC)—which could be major crowd-pullers because of the Why do you work so electronics giant Samsung that holds then award stiff penalties. extra sizzle. But they are even more hard at your golf? Soon after being the title-sponsorship rights. Indications are that if the tour ferocious when played on each other’s exposed to golf, I Officials in the home ministry does come through, the Indian team territory. Last year too, a South decided to become a said earlier in the week that the may not include some of the country’s African team refused to play in member of RNGC and government favours a postponement top players. Likewise, the BCCI may Peshawar, which is close to the started taking lessons. I of the tour to May, by which time insist on not having to play in some of Afghanistan frontier, while the New became attracted to the club tournaments. Being very competitive by the general elections are expected to Pakistan’s ‘tough towns’ like Karachi Zealanders called off a tour after a nature and since I believe a person cannot be a winner without being be out of the way. To add to the and Peshawar, but limit the series to bomb went off in front of their hotel disciplined and diligent, I started working hard to win. My game improved and soon I became a single handicapper. conundrum, Saurav Ganguly, the the capital Islamabad and Lahore, in Karachi in May. l (IPS) How would you evaluate your success? I strongly feel the level of competition is low, and we don’t have many players who can compete in international amateur tournaments. Just because I have been selected to represent Nepal, I can’t participate just for the sake of it, and so I put in the hard work in practicing to reach this level. How do you balance running a top hotel and finding enough time to practice? It was very difficult in the early days. I had just started the hotel and was more of a weekend player. Once I began to represent Nepal I had to manage my time for golf as well. I’m in the office early and stay till noon, then after lunch reach the golf course and I’m back in the office at night. It’s a daily routine for me now. What does Nepal need to make breakthroughs in this sport? Golf has gained massive popularity, globally and regionally. If some Nepali golfers perform well at international levels, it is automatically inspiring. We can’t just lay back and wait for that to happen. It has to be pushed with integrated support from the golfing community: golf clubs, NGA, Nepal Sports Council (NSC) and the Government of Nepal. It’s sad that we have so few talented young amateur players. Deepak, after you and Toran Shahi turned professional, we haven’t seen many similar cases, but surely within a few years we can produce great golfers. We need to unite and form a golf development committee, establish a junior Golf Academy, select young golfers and give them proper training. I see no reason why Nepal cannot grab a gold Medal in the Asian games in the near future. What future do you see for Nepali youngsters? I see a very prosperous one, however I have found that neither the professionals nor top amateurs see it from that angle. We have talented players but none are giving their one hundred percent. To achieve success one must be fully determined and want it to happen, and not just wish it to happen. Examples are our two top amateurs, CB Bhandari and Shiva Ram Shrestha who come from very different social and economic backgrounds, but neither give their all. Today, even the regional Indian Golf Tour has so much money that one can live a comfortable life by playing golf professionally, but people should be ready to work hard at their game. What are your goals in golf? Due to the projected and now I have no ambition to become a professional golfer, nor to win a Gold cancelled bandh of 29 February, Medal in the Asian Games. I mainly like to support golf development in the charity golf tournament on this country as we have a very high potential. I’m ready to support talented behalf of the Spinally Injured has players in my personal capacity, and to be associated in the management been postponed. The new date is of the national golf team, and support them. Notice 21 March. We are sorry for the inconvenience. What does one need to become a successful player? Good coaching, yoga and fitness, good golf practice facilities and most Postponement of importantly, the sprit of hard work. Golf Tournament. Esha Thapa, Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center, Jorpati. Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Head Golf Professional at Gokarna Forest Tel: 4470874 Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected] 22 CITY 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184

ABOUT TOWN BOOKWORM FESTIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS Sâdhus: Holy Men of India Dolf Hartsucker v Reflection and Reality Paintings by Erina Tamrakar till 28 February Thames and Hudson, 1993 at Gallery Nine, Lazimpat. 4428694 Rs 1,430 v Sadhus: The Great Renouncers Photographs by Thomas Kelly till 29 The author has spent many years in close study of these Indian mystics who February at Indigo Gallery, Naxal. v For the sake of love Sculpture, painting and form a vital and unbroken link between the birth of yoga many millennia ago print exhibition till 2 March at Gallery Moksh, and the present day. In this authoritative and highly readable account inside Club Hardic, Jhamsikhel. 5528703 accompanied by spectacular photographs, Hartsucker traces the historical and v Losar: Tibetan New Year, 21-23 February mythological roots of the ascetics. EVENTS v Self Refloxology for your feet 10AM-12PM 22 February. Above Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 4227711, [email protected] Everest Bookstore at Babar Mahal Revisited. Details: Buddha’s Feet, 4425931 v Aarohan Theatre Group presents Henrik Ibsen’s A Dolls House at CLASSIFIED Sama natak ghar, Gurukul, Old Baneshwar. Weekends till 14 March. It has been a while since Hollywood has produced a bonafide action hero, but it Tickets: Rs 25 (for students), Rs 50 and Rs 100. Details 4466956 Luxurious 2 bedroom apartment with v The God’s Dance of Kathmandu Valley 7PM on Tuesdays. appears that one has finally emerged. Look spacious living dining, modern kitchen, 2 out Vin Diesel, because the Rock appears Tea+Ticket: Rs 400 at Hotel Vajra. bathrooms, private telephone, ample parking, v ready to roll. He is the Schwarzenegger of sunny terrace overlooking garden, solar Tennis shots Dual tennis courts at The Godavari Village Resort. the 2000s with a comprehensible accent. In Facility includes racquet & ball. 5560675 heating. Call:5524389 v Welcome to the Jungle - The Rundown, Dhokaima Saturday Haat from 10AM-1PM at Dhokaima Café, Patan director Peter Berg has wisely kept computer Visit Femilines, the Exclusive Lingerie Store Dhoka. Organic vegetables, ceramics and more. 5522113 animators on a short leash. The story is for ladies undergarments, nightwear, MUSIC simple: Beck (The Rock), a self-described bathrobes and more. Ladies staff. Opposite v A-Four Guitar Quartet 7PM onwards on 20 February. Entry Rs 200. “Retrieval Expert”, finds himself in Brazil on Sajha Yatayat, Harihar Bhawan, Pulchowk. Moksh, Club Hardic, Pulchowk, 5528703 his latest job. His mission is to locate Travis Welcome to the jungle Tel: 547428 v (Seann William Scott), his boss’s son, and The Trio Givone Gypsy Jazz band from France Every night from 7PM bring him to California. Welcome offers LIVE IN STYLE! Arcadia Apartments in the onwards at the Piano Lounge & Bar, Hotel yak and Yeti. 4248999 The rundown heart of Thamel. Centrally located, fully v everything a good movie of this sort should: Not Just the Jazz Bar with Chris Masand and The Modern Jazz Live plenty of suspenseful action, a few good furnished apartments at unbelievable rates. Band every Friday and Saturday night. Shangri~la Hotel, Lazimpat, laughs and a share of obligatory “reluctant JAI NEPAL CINEMA For details: 981026903, 4260187 4412999 buddy” bonding. If you’re in the mood for From 20 February v Abhaya & The Steam Injuns at Dwarika’s every Friday from 7PM Renting made easy: www.2letonline.com- this sort of lighthearted entertainment, it’s Call 4442220 for show timings. onwards. 4479488 right on the money. Looking for a place to stay- Log on to find the v Rock Trends 2060 2-5PM on 21 February at Dasharath Rangasala. www.jainepal.com perfect house, apartment or even a retail Featuring Robin n Looza:, Mongolian Heart and Deepak Bajracharya. space that meets all your needs. Make an easy 1000 bucks by reporting a vacant FOOD property to us. Find out how- v Sunny Side Up BBQ Weekends at the Garden Terrace, Soaltee www.21etonline.com Crowne Plaza. 4273999 v Friday and Saturday dinners at Cafe U, Sanepa. 5523263 Get 10 % exclusive discount on the normal v subscription rate of Himalmedia’s publication Bring your wine along every Thursday and Sunday and buy our namely; Himal Khabarpatrika, Nepali Times dinner. Himalatte Café, Thamel. and Wave magazine. Only at the Grihini v Celebrate Losar Tibetan New Year, 21-23 February at Stupa View Department Store limited, Restaurant & Terrace, Boudha Stupa, 4480262 Baluwatar, Phone: 4415186 GETAWAYS Wanted: Nepali pilot, interested person v Special halfboard package at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 should have experience for ultra light aircraft v Thank Goodness It’s Friday Dwarika’s overnight package. 4479488 with Rotax 582 engine. Apply with cv, photo v Shivapuri Heights Cottage at the edge of Shivapuri. Email: and contact address within 7 days to Avia [email protected] Club Nepal Pvt. Ltd., P.O. Box 13680.

Modern houses for residential office or flat. KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY Contact 4720147, 4721728 The air quality measured at selected stations in Kathmandu last week showed (surprise, surprise) the air unhealthy on 1 to 3 bedroom modern apartment with all most days. It contained PM10 particles of pollution that facilities. Jawalakhel Ringroad, 5528134, damage your lungs and harms your health. Since this 5527632 data takes time to come out, we will have to wait till next week to know the effect of the banda and the strike by For insertions ring NT 91.2 Marketing at 5543333-36. What you burn is petrol dealers. But if past measurements on banda days what you breathe. are anything to go by, the PM10 concentrations will be half the levels on non-banda days along busy streets. Good < 60 Conclusion: the main source of PM10 pollution in our air is vehicular emission. Ok 61 to 120 Unhealthy 121 to 350 Harmful 351 to 425 Hazardous >425

Putalisadak Matsyagaun TU Bhaktapur Patan H Thamel NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED VIS -19-02-2004 05:00 GMT This satellite image from Thursday afternoon clearly shows the emerging post-winter transition. The usual westerly fronts have now been shoved northwards by a migrating jetstream. From here on, we will see more and more manifestations of thermal updrafts creating local showers along the mid hills of the Himalaya. The sudden thunderstorm on Sunday was Rise and shine an indication of things to come. On the other side, dusty winds from west India have cast a thick haze Get ready for a brand new day with BBC World Today. over the tarai and lower hills. Morning temperatures in Kathmandu Valley have been warmer than normal Every morning on 102.4 FM from 5:45-6:15 AM thanks to the southerlies, expect warm afternoons Daily 2045-2115 BBC g]kfnL ;]jf with a fresh breeze towards afternoon. KATHMANDU VALLEY Daily 2245-2300 BBC g]kfnL ;]jf Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Radio Sagarmatha P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 E-mail: [email protected], /]l8of ] ;u/dfyf 23-05 23-04 22-04 24-03 24-02 on FM 102.4 www.radiosagarmatha.org 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 23 HAPPENINGS The silly season s we approach another silly season in Nepal, it is an opportune moment for all responsible A citizens to be prepared to meet whatever eventuality fate has in store for us in the run-up to the much-awaited Five-Day Banda . One of the things we have to get ready for is a nationwide shortage of tyres, the weapon of choice thundering flypast by the Royal Air Farce’s entire against regression. At the rate that they are being fleet of seven strategic long-range heavy bombers, consumed on the streets, our strategic stockpiles of there is little doubt that we have, as a nation, put the radials and x-tra fear of god on the foreign military attaches and their NEPALNEWS.COM road grip wives who were invited to the event to take part in the UNDER MY HAT DIPLOMAT PILGRIMS: German Ambassador Rudiger Lemp (right) and premium treads puncture-the-balloon contest. It is a glorious martial Kunda Dixit French Ambassador, Claude Ambrosini at Pashupati on Wednesday on are now running tradition in our country to spook resident envoys of the occassion of Shivaratri. so low that there is a strong possibility the agitation potential aggressors on Shivaratri and Phulpati and could come to a grinding halt. National tyre reserves allow them to be shocked and awed by our military therefore need to be urgently replenished on a war- might and the ability of our brave commandos to ‘fire footing before the next and final phase of the at will’ in an orderly and disciplined manner. agitation which is just departing from Gate Eight. It is also accepted practice in international Otherwise the vanguards of our anti-regression diplomacy to respect the warm feelings that friendly crusade may be forced to make even bigger arsenals of countries harbour toward us, and reciprocate at the themselves than this scribe has so far made. earliest possible opportunity. This is why it is The next thing we have to do is gird up our loins heartening to note that our ambassador in London for the possibility that the strike by adulterous gas will soon be presenting a note verbale to the station owners will soon be over because the authorities there expressing our deep concern about government will refuse to allow them to keep on creeping militarisation in the UK and to remind them breaking the Sixth Commandment, which states, and that additional Gurkhas will only be provided if they I quote: “Thou shalt not covet the kerosene in thy are deployed for non-lethal purposes. neighbour’s petrol.” But seriously, what on earth are Our envoy in New Delhi has also met Indian officials to give them unsolicited advice about our MIN BAJRACHARYA we going to do if, god forbid, our petrol stations start selling petrol? What if our cars actually pass their belief that only if India adheres strictly to BIG HITS: Robin n’ Looza: after accepting the HITS FM Music Award for Best Song in a Foreign Language from the British Council’s Barbara emission tests without having to resort to an under- constitutional norms and rule of law can democracy be Hewitt for their song, One Day @ a Time. the-table application of lubricants? And, finally, won’t strengthened in the world’s largest anarchy. And the increased concentration of oxygen in Washington has agreed to Nepal’s demand to allow a Kathmandu’s air be harmful to our unaccustomed team of Nepali human rights activists to monitor the lungs? US presidential elections in November, especially in Having witnessed the awesome display of polling districts in Florida to ensure that there is no firepower the other day at Tundikhel with that ballot-tampering and chad-counting irregularities. l

MIN BAJRACHARYA BANDA BOY: Mother and son walk it home, leading a group of tourists on New Road during Tuesday’s banda.

MIN BAJRACHARYA BEFORE THE BIG BANG: The army’s APCs at the Shivatari Army Day parade on Tundikhel. This picture was taken one hour before Maoists set off an explosion at the Royal Nepal Airlines building in the background.

MIN BAJARACHARYA OLD IS GOLD: Vintage cars line up at the NADA Auto Show 2004 at the BICC on Wednesday. The car fair goes on till 22 Feburary. 2 4 20 - 26 FEBRUARY 2004 #184 www.nepalitimes.com

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