HIMALAYAN MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE SERIES p8-9

Ashmina Ranjit in Japan p15 #119 15 - 21 November 2002 16 pages Rs 25

EXCLUSIVE Mahara on CNN Chief Maoist negotiator in the failed peace talks last year, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, spoke on camera to CNN from an unspecified hideout. Mahara flatly denies the Maoists are recruiting children and Peaceniks on warpath killing civilians, and tries to use the Activists launch campaign against military aid to . deadlock between the king and the survived after winning a confidence vote in political parties to his The reverberations of the conflict are no August, but the weapons will not be advantage. Highlights: BHAGIRATH YOGI ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ armed insurgency in 1996 lead us to the Are you terrorists: more confined to Nepali hills and valleys. supplied until after Belgium’s parliamentary ore than 600 people, mostly western opposite conclusion,” claimed the ANHS. “We are a political Buoyed by increasingly convergent world elections in November. force and do not scholars and peace activists based in The Association of Nepal and The association has posted the petition on opinion against terrorism, former prime the web (www.petitiononline.com/ support terrorism. We Mthe US and Europe, have signed a minister travelled to Himalayan Studies (ANHS) at a one-day demonepa/petition.html) for signatures. condemn all types petition urging US lawmakers to stop militaryWashington and London in May this year conference, “War on Terrorism: War as of terrorism. This “It is our considered view that military aid to Nepal. Dozens of Nepali rights activists seeking military assistance. Terrorism” at the University of Wisconsin’s is a people’s and development workers have also aid will not help bring about a negotiated Nearly a month after South Asia Centre on 12 October adopted a movement, a people’s war. It is a people’sjoined in. petition to be sent to the United States settlement, but instead deepen and prolong an force. We are not terrorists and that is the London meeting of donors already devastating civil war. Rather than clear.” to Nepal (June 19-20), the government calling for a halt to the planned military aid. The petitioners said the aid increase the chances for Nepal to achieve a Why do you recruit children: “We British government announced an aid have no children in our fighting force. We “could resolve nothing and would do untoldpeaceful functioning do not admit anyone below 18 in our army. package of £ 6.5 million to procure two harm both to innocent and to the democracy in the This is a baseless allegation.” helicopters as well as provide training and prospects for a political resolution to the foreseeable future, Editorial p2 Why do you kill civilians: “The other logistics for the Royal Nepal Army. insurgency.” such aid will only Reaction and allegation of Maoists killing civilians is The Bush administration announced in In its 2 August 2002 decision, the US aggravate the present also false. In fact the government is conflict, leaving Nepal andrevolution the region to cope responsible for all those killings.” August that it would provide a supple- government said the $20 million emergency with unintended repercussions and untold Prospects for talks: “The reason the mental $20 million as military aid to “supplemental funding” would force the suffering far into the future,” says the ANHS. government is opposing talks is that it is Nepal to buy “non-lethal” equipment andMaoists to decide that a military victory is not preparing for a full-fledged war. If the services for the army. possible and that negotiations provide the best Those who signed the petition come from government agrees to a political solution, a wide spectrum. Interestingly, their diversity is we are even ready for a ceasefire.” But things don’t seem to be moving hope for realising their goals. The petitioners do not agree. “Our collective experience in reflected not only in their understanding of the Prospects for peace: “The whole exactly the way Nepal would like. There has issue, but also in the way they lobby for a world is putting pressure for peace talks, the study of Nepali society and our close been reaction against military aid to Nepal. “noble” cause. There are many names and then an interim government. In such a Belgian Health Minister Magda Aelvoet attention to the course of events since the situation, the king does not have any other commencement of the CPN (Maoist)’s recognised in Nepal as scholars of experience, possibility but to take these talks forward.” resigned over the proposed sale of 5,500 and also a few who seemd to have “walked” automatic rifles to Nepal. The government into the website and signed on. of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt see p6

responsible political system landed him a 14-month prison sen- tence. Shaha never served in a public post after that, but became Weekly Internet Poll # 59 Rishikesh Shaha,prolific as77 a scholar. He was a visiting professor at the Jawaharlal Q. Which of the following offers the best solution to Nehru University and Regent’s Professor at the University of the present political impasse: Nepal’s scholar-statesman Rishikesh Shaha died Thursday shortly after Calfornia at Berkeley. His books, mostNepali notably, Politics: Retrospect and Prospect, Essays in the Practice of Govern- DEEPAK THAPA had visited him and written this tribute. We print this piecement in Nepal and Modern Nepal: A Political have History in the present tense to keep Shaha’s memory alive. become standard reference works, whileIntroduction his to Nepal and Heroes and Builders of provide Nepal perhaps here is something particularly winsome about an ailing old man lightingthe bestup and introduction to the country. giving you a smile of welcome. That is how Rishikesh Shaha greets you when you Rishikesh Shaha’s deep commitment to the issue of enter his room. After the initial shock of seeing how wasted he looks, the first thing personal freedom was evident when he founded and led Tthat strikes you is the topi that somehow remains perched on his head even in the Human Rights Organisation of Nepal in 1988; no repose. Then the sadness creeps over you as you realise that there lies a piece of Nepali mean feat during the authoritarian days. He history, and he is dying of lung cancer. later left the organisation but did not relent in his own While working with Himal South, we Asian used to describe Rishikesh Shaha as personal crusade against injustice. Nepal’s scholar-statesman, and I doubt if there is any other Nepali who can shareIn recent that years, Shaha was accused of being an interim all-party government designation. Just look at his accomplishments. A founding member of the Nepal apologist for the Maoists because of his friendship constituent assembly elections Democratic Congress, one of the constituents which later became the , reinstatement of parliament with , with whom he corre- he later sided with Dilli Raman Regmi in the Nepali National Congress, and was even none of the above sponded even after Bhattarai went underground. part of the People’s Front together with Tanka Prasad Acharya’s Praja Parishad and the But Shaha was also accused of being pro-absolute Total votes: 1,885 to oppose Nepali Congress policies. monarchy for asking the king to step since he believed Thereafter, he left for New York to set up Nepal’s permanent mission to Newthe politiciansYork in were ruining the country. Weekly Internet Poll # 60. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com 1956, and also served as the country’s first ambassador to the US. It is a measureBut heof hiswas above all a humanist, and a keen analyst of Q. Do you support US military aid to Nepal? stature in the world body that in 1961, he was appointed chairman of the international the Nepal’s political evolution. Writing in 1996, a couple of commission to investigate the death of Dag Hammarskjøld, the UN secretary-general who months after the “people’s war” began, Shaha said: “The died in a plane crash in the Congo. signs of an imminent legitimacy crisis are already visible in Shaha was brought back to Nepal in 1960 after King Mahendra’s takeoverNepal’s to serve fledgling as democracy, and the immateriality a cabinet minister. For the next couple of years, he was shunted around as accordedForeign to the civilian deaths in Rolpa is a foretaste of Minister, special ambassador to the UN and as chairman of the commissiondifficult to draft days the ahead.” Only a statesman with vision can

Panchayat constitution. Having won a Rastriya Panchayat seat from the graduates’foresee events so far into the future. MIN BAJRACHARYA constituency in 1967, his statement calling for a more representative and a more

222 EDITORIAL 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES NATION 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES 333

Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL COMMENT by HITMAN THAPA Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit Editor:Anagha Neelakantan Design:Kiran Maharjan [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Advertising:Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription:Anil Karki [email protected] Sales:Sudan Bista [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, , Nepal Tel: 01-543333-7, Fax: 01-521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press: 01-521393 The economics swears by socialism when contesting elections, and swears at it as soon as it How to talk comes to power. People of the centre are of democratic easilydecay transformed into worthless he United Nations representative in There are uncanny parallels between the conflict in El Salvador and that in REACTION AND REVOLUTION cant to be anything other than innocent hypocrites by conservative manipulators. Nepal has said that the UN would bystanders. There’s no single factor such a drastic T be willing to act as a mediator if Nepal. There are also vital lessons for us on how to approach negotiations. here ought to be a single, preferably monosyllabic word we can use both conflict parties are willing to talk. The as shorthand for the premise that violence will not get Nepal any- Like the human heart,4 October Nepal’s has forced mainstream hope liessituation slightly cam be pinned left on, butof there centre. is US Ambassador to Nepal said that the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ T where. Unfortunately, the word does not exist in either Nepali or political parties out of the political centre,no doubt that the political economy of Maoists must be brought back to the table English. Equally unfortunately, neither the Maoists nor the governmentmember can of the National Planning and the forces of the entrenched right resurgent capitalism is one of the main Commission first resigns from his (NT, #118). Both could be the first signs at this point adopt that position without a considerable loss of face, as well and the extreme left are now face to face.factors behind both the rise of leftist that international mediation may actually Lessons for Nepal from El Salvador as actual authority. Even if one of them were to say ‘enough’, too manypost on moral grounds, and then In the next phase of the “grand design”, insurgency and centrist corruption in bridges have already been burnt, too much trust has been seen Ato be allow us to settle the conflict just as it was accepts the post of vice chairman of the all non-communist parties will have to this country. done in El Salvador 10 years ago. betrayed. The victory, even if it comes to the Nepali state, will be sameharsh institution and within a month as his Both sides have to realise that violence is a dead-end eventually inconclusive. By papering over existing angst, there could come together around the king to The leadership of Girija Prasad But it requires a government that has There has to be political and moral will simply emerge another, bloodier insurgency, again with its roots moralin cred- obligation. Then an economic precipitate a direct confrontation with Koirala has spectacularly failed to face the the political and moral courage to boldly All democratic forces must be united ible grievances, and again unacceptable in its brutality. reform package is dusted out of the the left. This strategy is based on the rightist challenge. Madhav Nepal hasn’t push ahead with initiatives that will be Both sides need flexibility and a spirit of compromise So how do we go about this? Let us have no more talk about cupboards‘talks’ of structural adjustment and interpretation that all the UML’s succeeded in nudging the Maoists to the acceptable to both parties as well as the Outside powers should not interfere and stoke tensions without specifying what a dialogue entails. Let’s not talk about are-launched ‘solution’ under the name of stricter hardcore activists have either already mainstream. By vacating the political international community. Mediator must be trusted, discrete and sole arbitrator either, for that supposes a level of simplicity that just is not there.austerity It measures. Put the two together,joined the Maoists, or are on the verge ofcentrestage, mainstream parties have When the government of El Salvador will take time, years, for the genie that exploded out of the Government must have credible military deterrence and it’s impossible to miss the message: doing so. Rightist ideologues seem to ended up inviting extreme adventurism and the Farabundo Marti National bottled frustrations of the Nepali people to vapourise. We’ll Split between hardline and moderate rebels must be make progress and then just as surely we’ll backslide. The a resurgence of the right. think, perhaps rightly, that the leaders ofof the most insidious kind. Since the Liberation Front (FMLN) signed a peace key is to keep at it. The antipathy of Balkhu Palace are now a spent force. By main reason behind their failures is the accord on 16 January 1992 to end the prevented Revolutionaries and reactionaries alike, no matter recklessly trying to cut Koirala down to economic policies they were forced to twelve-year insurgency, both sides claimed Government must deliver social reform and development size, Madhav Nepal and his comrades Both parties must avoid playing to the gallery via media how you define them, lay particular emphasis on appear- towards the commu- follow, most varieties of capitalism will victory. The FMLN leader Joaquin “Red card to the reds”, the people said in El Salvador, ignoring grafitti that exhorted them to ances. That bias is built into the very tools of politics. As nists may just be a may have dealt themselves a mortal blow.pose a problem. So that’s not a solution. Villalobos declared that it was the first organise fort the FMLN instead. assistance to El Salvador. They were still long as possible, the government must be they are talking—arguing more like it—neither side can And a coalition of “briefcase” parties led revolution won through negotiations. The political myth, Even a rump Nepali Congress could hoping that a halt in this aid would able to display the ability to survive be expected to lay down arms. The rebels would be be a nuisance if it is not brought on by leaders with egos bigger than their talks lasted eight years and the tenacious enhance the chances of a military victory. politically and militarily to thwart the nowhere without their guns. For the state, it will be but Sher bargaining was greatly influenced by invaded populated neighbourhoods of San signed on 16 January 1992. Peace was board in the global fight against dormantcapabilities can’t be a substitute for real In April 1991, when the two sides met ultimate offensive by the insurgents or a important to keep up the military pressure but also Bahadur Deuba’s external actors. Throughout all this, the Salvador and held them for a couple of achieved in a manner in which all actors come across as being strong in other ways, for instance socialism. Hence the ingenuous formula-politics. Aslong as glorified clerks again in Mexico City they agreed on mass uprising by a disgruntled population. aversion to any tion of US Ambassador Michael sitting in a luxury hotel-cum-casino government of El Salvador had displayed a weeks, at great cost. could claim success. The government was The government must have the vision and morally. The army will have to have a zero tolerance policy constitutional reforms concerning the able to prevent the takeover by the FMLN for excesses. Meanwhile, military battles won must be shade of red is for Malinowski in this paper (#118), “... thecomplex keep preaching free-market remarkable unity and patience with an Despite the nation-wide guerrilla the capability to plan for preventing armed forces, the judicial system and and at the same time, established a consolidated through better security conditions and at real, and could house is on fire and people are still fundamentalism to Singha Darbar, there adversary that either constantly added terrorist campaign to intimidate and radicals of the right and left who may try to negotiating demands or deliberately stalled human rights, and the electoral system. In functioning democracy, carried out basic least marginal improvements in the quality of life for the have been the worrying about who is going to sleep in will be no end in sight to our present disrupt the elections, the turnout and the September the Salvadoran Congress ratified derail the peace process through assassina- people in the area. the progress of negotiations. structural reforms, attained peace and did reason for his rapid the master bedroom.” This is a politicallynightmare. The failures of the last twelve support for the FMLN’s political allies sentthese constitutional amendments. Yet tions. The FMLN began in January 1981 as a a clear signal that society had rejected those so within the framework of the constitution. Now for the hard part: how to pull this all together. To rise and fall. During correct way of insulting our political years are the failures of a fundamentally another agreement was signed to permit the The crucial factor in El Salvador was start with, we can at least ensure that all of us who are not loose Cuban-supported confederation of who endorsed the path of violence. The The FMLN could claim that their his second innings at leadership, but it is. flawed doctrine of political economy. FMLN guerrillas to incorporate into a new the trust both parties vested in the for the Maoists are on the same page of the debate. As Democratic politics and its leaders have insurgent factions whose goal was to createfailure of the November offensive finally police unit under the civilian Ministry of revolution had prevented the return of mediation role of the United Nations. The we’ve said in this space before, all forces that believe in Singha Darbar, Deuba There’s a more proper way of forced the FMLN to agree to negotiations oligarchic governments and their military been mere victims of circumstances over a revolution similar to which had occurred Interior rather than the Ministry of Secretary General was proactive, and was democracy must present a united front. That needs thinkers, successfully sold the framing the predicament of the political in neighbouring Nicaragua in July 1979. Inwith the government under United Nations strength had enabled them to negotiate for political parties, politicians to brainstorm productively, which class, which centres on appropriate ways which they had little or no control. Defence, a promise that the guerrillas able to get both parties to accept him as red scare to George W one violent decade this insurgency had costauspices. demanded as a means of guaranteeing their greater societal reforms and structural the sole arbitrator. The influence of the isn’t happening. Differences of opinion are expressed with a of fighting the fire. A capitalist class There’s still no alternative to demo- changes of the government. Throughout serious paucity of analysis or even grace, in petty, diluted forms. People Bush and Tony Blair. He the lives of 75,000 people and wreaked Talks began on 4 April 1990 in Genevapersonal safety. regional countries in applying pressure on familiar with the conveniences of the cratic socialism in a country like Nepal. destruction worth $2 billion to the the insurgency, the unity displayed by the are talking—often shouting—at each other and getting defensive instead hitched our wagon to the under the auspices of the Secretary General After personal intervention of the both parties to negotiate, and the assurance master bedroom wants to douse the fire Here hope, like the heart, inevitably lies a Salvadoran economic structure. ruling party, the loyal support of the of arguing their position. Debate is good, and used wisely, would help global ‘war on terror’ and of the UN. The ice had been broken. The outgoing Secretary General of the UN of economic aid by the United States were present the Maoists with nuanced, relatively inclusive proposals for how to with more intense firepower, and limitedlittle left of centre. To bring democratic After winning the presidential elections initial objective of this accord was “to opposition and the cooperation of all otherother factors. proceed from here. A multifaceted understanding on the specifics of hoped the two would help authoritarianism is its favoured model. politics back on track, the economic Javier Perez de Cuellar and under strong national actors remained crucial for success. of 1984, Jose Napoleon Duarte of the terminate the armed conflict by political Each insurgency requires specific and subjects under negotiation is the only way to move forward. prop him up in his seat. He agenda must once more be to reduce the pressure from the governments of the US Insurgents increase the level of violence The underclasses have been terrorised Christian Democratic Party opened the means in the shortest time, to promote and other Latin American governments, the surgically precise tools to defeat. A display The terms of reference for the dialogue are different now. For one, no forgot that he needed to be gap between the poor and the rich. to such an extent, they cower behind first of many attempts at negotiations with democratisation of the country, to guaran- two sides met in New York in December either when they feel that their political of physical and moral strength, honesty, one is about to stand up and deny that the insurgency has its roots in strong internally. apparent apathy. The middle class, the the FMLN, which were initially spurned. tee the unrestricted respect of human rightsand agreed on the technical-military aspectsbase is narrowing both externally and flexibility and mutual trust backed by legitimate grievances, so let’s take that as a given. Let’s not assessDeuba every committed political hara kiri old bastion of democracy, is largely With the presidential elections slated for and to reunify Salvadoran society.” internally or when they desire to strengthen strategic or tactical proposition in terms of whether or not it will resolve the of a ceasefire. corresponding actions by both parties are by allowing himself to be goaded by disillusioned, having witnessed its leaders March 1989, the FMLN suddenly sent a In July 1990, the government and the their negotiating position vis-à-vis the needed to create a conducive environment root problems; nothing but a lot of time, work, and money will do that. Let This included the end of the military government. The government should us instead start focusing on specifics—for example, the precise peopleefficacy more or militantly rightist than he is.capitulate to postmodern imperialism. It peace proposal, but this was a ruse. The FMLN signed an agreement on human for negotiations. guerrillas were secretly preparing a big structure of the FMLN, and the re- always attempt to talk formally and otherwise of military aid in maintaining a holding pattern while aHe negotia- dissolved parliament, called for mid- is a tragedy of our times that almost every rights that included establishment of a incorporation of its members into the tion process is worked through; the confusion over the constitution; the offensive, which they launched on 11 United Nations verification mission. informally with the insurgents and their term elections, and then broke away from civilian, political and institutional life of political allies whenever an opportunity magic words ‘constituent assembly’, which are never given substance;his party. In practical terms, this was November 1989. In a remarkable display However, after this meeting, the FMLN how to give people some cover in the absence of local governments; and the country. The final peace accord was presents itself. tantamount to simply delivering the of raw, brutal power and daring, the FMLNstalled progress in negotiations as they so on. We don’t need fragile, much-maligned ‘compromises’. This is Whereas the guerrillas will remain country to the UML. By backing out awaited the outcome of the debate in the about winning some, losing some, and actually redefining other positions. United States Congress on military adamant in their negotiating demands as If the people on this side understand the framework within whichfrom they his earlier promise of forcing a are now operating, and the most basic, even grudging, kind of unityshowdown that is between the conservatives (Hitman Thapa is the pseudonym of a thing about it? required of them, we can begin. That is realistic. That can help buildand the the communists of all shades Nepali military historian.) unity of purpose that would bring the political parties and all otherat the earliest, Deuba under- One distinct difference between aboveground forces together. This is the first step to strengtheningmined the his own utility. these two groups of countries is that in hand of the state. For the unknown quantity, the leaders of the insurgency,After these moves, Deuba the latter group, they all had legendary we can only hope to take strategic actions that force them to react. The and strong leaders like Lee Kwan Yu, LETTERS ‘state side’ must then put together a team that is inclusive in everywas sensea political liability— Deng Xiaoping, Mahathir Mohammad, Park to talk to the insurgents. instead of proving that he was Chung-hee and King Bhumibol. Nepal a true blue soldier of the right, UNITY doesn’t need stronger political partiesclear picture of what the US and other3. Ministers and MPs who think theythe Royal Nepal Army personnel who Eventually, this is the attitude that will win people on this side the or a group of leaders, or a better consti-friends of Nepal in the west are doing for gave up their lives to save the own the country will have to badge of being truly progressive. The Maoists will have the satisfactionhe turned of out to be just I would like to make two points on tution, or numerous debates about this country. But as he said, “at the end nation’s integrity and sovereignty. report to the team of experts about effecting the kind of change they want through legal, institutionalisedanother shade of pink. After your editorial “Un-United Nation” of the day it’s Nepalis who have to be in A 21-gun salute to all the fighters. interpretation of a the progress and other matters in means. For both sides it will much closer to a real victory than any face- (#118). At this juncture it would be charge of their own future.” We need to that, his exit from Baluwatar stupidly simple their region. Pravesh Saria, Chicago saving gesture. more appropriate to focus on take this advice to heart. was merely a question of legal solutions rather than on the few too- sentence of an 4. We should try to get the bank The state is in a disorganised daze. The Maoists cadre must feel they Malinowski’s reply to a crucial detail that could be left to obvious weak points of the average Article of our details and property of relativesThank of you,Nepali Times, for bringing question on Delhi-Washington dialogue are winning, even as their political leadership must know that thecreative long- constitutional experts Nepali citizen. Broader analysis on high officials who sucked the the human element to the conflict with constitution, or on Nepal, however, is evasive. He could term prognosis is not favourable. But there is always Lord Pashupatinath, the regional level may be an eye- money from the country and sendthe stories over the past year of to work out. Meanwhile, the a signature have given some indications about what who has been known to come to the people’s aid in times of acute crisis. opener, especially for our political their children and relatives abroadpatriots like Mohan Khatri, Dinesh desired effect of the charade campaign in a Washington’s stand is on Delhi’s sinister Maybe he will come of his perch now that we have managed to make a leaders who are there to solve all our to study. Thapa, the farmers’ sons in Kalikot, Ram over corruption control was design to bring independent Nepal under royal mess of everything, and somehow get a dialogue going. national problems. A layman might distant country Mani Gyawali, Krishna Prasad Sapkota. its ‘security umbrella’. D Sharma, Australia not too different from that to defend a few And there are thousands of other Amrit Neupane of public floggings—to incapable politicians. What names of innocent people, of young By email Nepalis who joined the Maoists be- provide amusement to we need is a single leader who can those people too insignifi- HEROES cause they had nothing, of villagers force our 23 million citizens to change caught in the middle, of young men their “Nepali character”. All political Thanks for “The villagers’ support keeparbitrarily detained, beaten and killed by parties should first change their party me going”. Mohan Khatri’s tragedy hasthe a security forces. It is clear that no constitution to make it possible to selectRX FOR NEPAL parallel with a friend who lives a fewone is going to win this war. Only one ask, for instance, why five Asian or elect a new visionary leader instead of days east of Mude. But my friend wasthing is certain, the losers will be the countries—Nepal, , India,sticking to the old so-called ‘jail-returned-Artha Beed needs to add a few morekilled by the state security forces. TheseNepali people. Pakistan and Sri Lanka—could not stalwarts’. things to his “Rx for Nepal” (#116): killings only show the bankruptcy of G Thapa, Dharan achieve significant economic and Sugat Ratna Kansakar, Kamaladi1. We don’t need money-making Maoist “philosophy” and the unneces-

THE CREATION OFWORLDPOVERTY/ CHRISMADDEN social growth compared to other five ministries like water resources etc,sary brutality of the army, which is countries—South Korea, China, all money making ministries needsetting to back its own counter-insurgency Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand?NEPAL'S If be run by a board of experts/ operation. It is a true tragedy. Pol Pot has it is the character or mentality of the specialists. come to Nepal. citizens, why can't our so-called 2. All ministers and MPs will have to M Nepali, by email political leaders change it? If educa- tion or culture is the main hindrance, be based at their region/ electorate UNDER MY who prevented the governments of from where they won the elec- My heartfelt condolence to CaptainLoved the Under My Hat ( “;-)”,#116). If the past 13 years from doing some- tion—we have got the technologyDinesh Thapa who showed his your readers are not too sick of at the moment to do video bravery at a time when the countryemoticons, I would like to add to Kunda conferencing to participate in a demanded it. May his soul rest in Dixit’s list: meeting which will cost less thanpeace. My condolence also to all the the phone bill they use for them-security personnel, police force and @@@@@@:o) Marge Simpson selves in Kathmandu. RESPONSIBILITY (_#_!_#_) Singaporean gum- American ambassador Michael chewer’s bum. Malinowski’s interview (#117) gives a Pavel Zayas, Bangkok 444 NATION 15- 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES NATION 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES 555 DOMESTIC BRIEFS Constitutional rights for criminal justice, under Article 14: 1. No person shall be punished for an act which was not punishable by law when the act was1,321 commit- VDCs gone ted, nor shall any person be subjected to a punishment greater than that prescribed by the○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ law in force at the time of the commission of the offence. Rs 283.5 million and increasing. That’s how much damage the insurgency has inflicted on VDC buildings alone. At last count, 1,321 of Nepal’s 3915 VDC buildings had been damaged by Maoists, mostly by fires 2. No person shall be prosecuted or punished for the same offence in a court of law more than once. Custody (mis)management and explosives. Work has come to a complete standstill in these seats of local self-governance. There 3. No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself. are no plans so far to repair the buildings, due to budgetary constraints as well as Maoist threats that any 4. No person who is detained during investigation or for trial or for any other reason shall be subjected to VDC rebuilt would be attacked again. physical or mental torture, nor shall be given any cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Any person so Far-west Nepal has seen the most damage, with 83 percent—316—of its 383 VDC buildings have treated shall be compensated in a manner as determined by law. been destroyed. In the eastern region, 285 of the 893 VDC offices are gone, in the central region, 334 of 5. No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of 1199, in the western region 221 of 865 VDC offices are damaged, and in the mid-western region, the notJustice incriminate herself, or her right denied is justice denied the grounds for such arrest, nor shall be denied the right to consult and be defended by a legal figures are 165 of 575 offices. The government does not yet have detailed reports of damage from all the to a medical examination. When practitioner of his choice. regions. MANJUSHREE THAPA ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ family members come to visit, they 6. Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before a judicial authority n the sunless reception room of are allowed to see her from afar, but Human Rights Violations in Custody within a period of twenty-four hours after such arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey the station, policemen sit on not to speak to her. from the place of arrest to such authority, and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the July 2001 - June 2002 said period except on the order of such authority. sofas, watching filmi dances on Shova’s experience is unfortu- 7. Nothing in clauses (5) and (6) shall apply to a citizen of an enemy state, and nothing in clauseAnd (6) 443 shall post offices I ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ TV. Didactic posters—“Let’s not nately typical of those detained in Of 456 detainees in Kathmandu apply to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention.It isn’t only VDC offices and infrastructure, service delivery is also being hit, in the form of post offices. associate with corrupt people”— police custody. A report that 246 said they were not informed of the reason for their arrest At last count, 443 POs had been damaged by Maoists in 34 districts. The damage totals almost Rs 7 million Advocacy Forum presented recently 226 said they were physically tortured and photos of police brass line the in physical infrastructure, Rs 4.1 million in office equipment, Rs 800,000 worth of stamps, and Rs 2.2 at a consultation meeting says that 319 said they were forced to sign statements prepared by the police walls. A monk tries to speak in million in miscellaneous damage. Postal service officials say that three of their workers have been killed 150 said they were denied access to family members broken Nepali to the man at the only 8 percent of the detainees by Maoists so far. Arghakhanchi and Accham districts have been affected the most. In Accham alone the 322 said they did not know that they had the right to consult a lawyer interviewed at the Hanuman Dhoka Brufen pills to ease the pain in his must be taken, important gains and little acted on. Only a few damage adds up to Rs 3.4 million, with the Maoists having destroyed 12 post offices, including the district front desk. The families of those 412 said they were not provided medical examinations tangled in police cases shuffle by. Police Station in one calendar year ribs, he says. have been made in custody judges bother to ensure the rights of post office. Other districts affected are Ramechaap, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhuli, Jumla, management under the 1990 detainees. Defence lawyers hesitate Dailekh, Bajhang, Dolakha and Baitadi. Middle-aged Shova, squatting had their cases remanded within 24 Of 134 detainees in Nepalganj These cases are in Kathmandu. constitution’s Article 14. The to go to custody centres because on the floor, says, hours, as required by the constitu- 65 said they were not informed of the reason for their arrest Advocacy Forum’s report exposes “Ke ho ke ho, tion. Only about 35 percent of 62 said they were not allowed to visit with family and friends equally dismal violations at custodyTorture Compensation Act is one they don’t want to seem to be gain. In 1996 the police also soliciting clients. Communities are thaha chaina”—Idon’t know detainees said that they gave 111 said they were not provided the right to read papers before centres in Biratnagar and statements of their own will. signing them Nepalganj. Lawyers are generally created a standard custody manage- largely hostile to accused criminals. Kesang Tseten honoured what’s what. She was arrested 18 ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nearly 43 percent said they had 40 said they were physically tortured (severely) not given access to detainees beforement format. The present IGP has And it is unrealistic to think that days ago, for what, she was not 93 said they were not provided medical examinations their cases are remanded. Detaineesstressed routing out corruption, detainees might demand rights for Kathmandu-based writer/filmmaker Kesang Tseten’s told. She has not received an arrest not been informed of the reason for stirring documentaryWe film Homes Chaps has their arrest. Over 70 percent said Of 96 detainees in Biratnagar are often held illegally, without any improving custody facilities, and themselves. warrant. She cannot read or write. improving the police’s human rights been selected by the American Museum of Natural that they had no contact with 74 said they were not informed about the reason for their arrest documentation, and are sometimes Ravi, a young detainee, says he When the police gave her a record. “A course on human rights History’s prestigious Margaret Mead Film and Video prepared statement, she lawyers. Over 32 percent said they 73 said they were not allowed to read papers before signing them disappeared. They are sometimes doesn’t know why he was arrested, Festival as part of its year-long travelling show, to were denied access to their family 61 said they were not aware of the right to have lawyers hidden from international human is now part of basic police training,”but thinks it may be because he was be screened at 25 venues around the world. The thumbprinted it without knowing 17 said they were severely tortured SSP Shrestha says, “and we are what it said. members. Over 49 percent said that rights observers. Police often use walking about at 3AM. “Apparently documentary follows the scattering and homing 90 said they were not provided medical examinations violent means to extract confes- working with national and interna- no one is allowed to walk around instincts of former students of Dr Graham’s Homes, At her remand hearing a lawyer they had suffered severe physical torture. An additional 41 percent Source: Advocacy Forum sions. Minors are still being held intional human rights agencies.” before five,” he says. a Scottish Presbyterian orphanage in Kalimpong, presented her with another It is a fallacy, he argues, to lay India, as they reunite as adults, still deeply affected complained that they had suffered adult facilities. Detainees share On any given day there are by the social and family displacements that originally landed them inWe the Homes orphanage. Chaps is document, and she thumbprinted “Kerkaar”, the station’s dreaded crowded, bug-infested facilities, the responsibility for custody mild physical, verbal or sexual abuse roughly a hundred detainees at the being promoted as one of the highlights of the film and video festival, the largest showcase for independ- this too, though it was not read out interrogation department. This is sometimes spending nights in management solely on overbur- in detention. where Jeevan, another detainee, Hanuman Dhoka Police Station, on ent cultural documentaries in the United States. The festival kicked off on 7 November with 39 documen- to her. She does not know how long hallways. Women dened police stations. This should be shocking, but so says he was beaten by policemen charges of drug trafficking, theft, taries from over 19 countries. her remand orders are for. She has have trouble meeting “The solution is to inured are Nepalis to the lack of two days in a row. He says he rape, terrorism, murder, cheating, not got her Rs 25 daily allowance. sanitary needs during decrease the numbers basic rights that only egregious couldn’t get a medical examination traffic-related deaths, forgery, She sold her gold earrings to feed his signature. menstruation, and in of people being human rights violations—such as afterwards. The police didn’t counterfeiting, multiple marriage, herself, and to provide for her the study period one detained.” Community death in police custody—are write down what he said in his Another detainee, Prem public offence, abuse of power and fatherless children, now living by woman even gave policing is one way to themselves. She knows, now, that greeted with a public outcry. statement, he says, and they faked Bahadur, says he was beaten other cryptically coded crimes. A ANFA unite birth in custody. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Not far from where Shova sits is unconscious by four or five do this: in over thirty- random sampling of their last names she is being charged with drug Mandira Sharma five areas, selected The Nepal Sports Council, the country’s sports governing body is preparing to unite the two warring All trafficking. But at no time in constables at the station where he reveals the criminalisation of was first held. He was taken to Bir of the Advocacy members of local Kathmandu’s dispossessed classes: Nepal Football Associations (ANFA) currently in existence, but critics don’t think it will last. The NSC’s custody has she been informed of communities have move is prompted by the fact that Nepal requires a single internationally-recognised football association to her right to a lawyer, her right to Hospital for a medical examination, Forum says that Tamang, Rai, Pokharel, Lepcha, host or participate in international events. One ANFA is headed by former national player Ganesh Thapa but no x-rays were taken. Later a reform in custody formed consultative Ghale, Magar, Gurung, Rimal, and officially recognised by the FIFA and the Asia Football Confederation (AFC). The other, formerly The detention centre at Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu. constable gave him a couple of management is groups to work with Lama, Khatri, Yadav, Shrestha, headed by Geeta Rana, is officially recognised by the Nepal Sports Council. Unless they unite, there’s not MIN extremely urgent. local police on crime Lama…. Many detainees are much chance that Nepal will host the under-19 Asia Youth Cup from 1 December, or compete in the Indeed, speaking informally, police prevention and neighbourhood migrant labourers from SAARC Cup in Bangladesh in the same month. “Since ANFA split two years, Nepal has not been able to play at international games,” says NSC member secretary Binod Shankher Palikhe. “We have to try to get personnel tend to defendMandira their Sharmasecurity, and to resolve minor Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Dhading together.” by DANIEL LAK routine violations. They cannot giveinfractions, avoiding the criminal and Makwanpur districts. More medical examinations to detainees, justice system. SSP Shrestha says than 75 percent of them are saying there are no financial that this kind of collaboration illiterate. provisions for it, and that people in decreases the incidence of arbitrary Those who do not know their custody must pay for them them- arrest, overcrowding in custody rights are easily abused. Jamuna, Threatened mountains selves. If detainees talk to family centres, and over-expenditure on another young detainee, says she ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ members, they’ll help hide incrimi- the part of the state. “It also did not know that eloping with a The world’s mountain regions are increasingly under threat as more and more land is converted to nating evidence. promotes friendliness between the second husband was illegal. When farming and grazing, according to a new report produced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).Mountain Watch, the first map-based assessment of environmental change in mountain areas, Little and likeable The backlog in the courts communities and the police.” asked if she needs a lawyer, she As for ensuring the rights of reveals that mountains regions including the Himalaya are fragile and susceptible to climate change. makes it impossible to remand cases confesses that she does not know Areas doing well, apart from Greenland, the region whose mountains appear to be the most pristine, are It’s nice to be that way, but to survive we also need to be self-reliant.on time. Defence lawyers only cheatthose already in police custody, thiswhat lawyers do. What are the North and Central America, where only an estimated 9 percent is used for livestock and 5 percent for detainees or teach them how to lie. requires activism from the courts as chances that the system will respect crops. “Our reverence for these unique, wilderness areas has been partly based on their remoteness, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ If the police don’t beat detainees, well as from defence lawyers, he her rights? their inaccessibility, but this new report highlights how, like so many parts of the world, some of these they’ll never confess to their says. Mandira Sharma agrees, Behind her, a policeman last wild areas are fast disappearing in the face of agriculture, infrastructure development and other Immersed in talk of bandhs, bombs and bad boy politicians, the Minister Mike O’Brien, whose brief is South Asia, also covers Iraq. He’ll crimes…. saying: “The police, the courts and creeping impacts,” said UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer. Compiled by the UNEP World Conserva- watching TV picks up the remote tion Monitoring Centre as a contribution to the International Year of the Mountains, the report was denizens of this kingdom can be forgiven for forgetting that there’s a be busy, very busy, and I daresay might have to burn the midnight oil if By contrast, SSP Chuda defence lawyers are all very aware ofand begins to channel surf. world out there. Will they or won’t they—our Maoists—come to theNepal is to get any of his time from now on. presented to officials attending the Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 29 October to 1 I Bahadur Shrestha’s passion for the reforms that need to be made.” November. negotiating table? Does the present government have any authority, and The State Department in Washington, the European Union, the rule of law is evident as he speaks, But this is yet another sector in will they ever prove it? What is really going on beyond Pulchowki, United Nations, various multilateral and bilateral aid bodies will all be insisting that while new measures which reform is much talked about Shivapuri and Thankot? Will the tourists ever come back? These are allfocused on Iraq. First the war, then the aftermath, which will also be burning, pressing questions that are being endlessly debated around town.expensive, unpredictable and potentially messy. And for good reason. The honest answer to most of them is “I don’t Another foreign development to worry about here in Nepal; Japan’s Foul air know”. But let me throw a few things into the mix from the wider economy is sinking ever deeper into stagnancy and unemployment. There’s The names of detainees ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ world that should add a greater sense of urgency to our landlocked been no real growth in the Land of the Rising Sun for a decade. Most have been changed. Illegal brick kilns are once again spewing vile fumes into the Valley’s already-polluted air. A committee sensibilities. major banks are technically insolvent. The Japanese miracle is either over, was formed by Bhaktapur’s Office of Cottage and Small Industries to inspect the area where most of the or on long-term hold. Something—an earthquake, a political shake-up, a kilns are, and recommend action against them, but that doesn’t seem to bother the kiln owners—some of First look west to a place called Iraq. If you’re paying attention, the new kilns in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are already well into construction work. A study last year you’ll know that it’s lead by a very bad man who is about to come underborder dispute with a neighbour, North Korean nukes—will come along to revealed that only 45 of the 75 brick kilns operating in Bhaktapur district were legal. Still, the government immense pressure from the International Community—ie, the Good aggravate things in Japan. And where does that leave Nepal’s largest aid took action against only 17. donor? Where does that leave Nepal? Guys—to give up nasty habits like making chemical weapons and Brick kilns are one of the leading causes of the Valley’s foul air. In March 2002, the Industrial Develop- gassing his own people. And guess what? War Is Coming! I offer this not Closer to home, has anyone noticed that the ossified leadership of the ment Board decided to phase out the obsolete kilns from Kathmandu Valley in one-and-a-half years and to express opinions, or start a debate. Discussions have ended. It’s beenChinese Communist party is attempting a changing of the guard? Does replace them with cleaner technologies. A study conducted by Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) last year in anyone in Nepal pay attention to China and consider the implications of Bhaktapur’s Jhaukhel VDC found that the concentration of particulate matter in the air was three times decided. The United States will attack Iraq sometime early next year,changes in Asia’s most amazing economy? Try this on for size: China higher in the brick kiln area than elsewhere. perhaps after President Bush returns from a trip to Africa in late January.provides nearly half of all imports into America. Do we care that at some Now how does this affect Nepal, you ask. Let me tell you. Iraq is point soon, Beijing’s autocrats might be facing immense pressure for real the top priority in the US, the UK and all those other countries thatchange from a billion Chinese people who want a bigger share of all that are so generous to us here, that help us with so many things despite wealth, more freedoms, maybe even a slice of power? And India too, our Nepal not being particularly high on anybody’s list of priorities. most important economic partner... watch for elections there soon as the Everyone likes us, that’s true, but not everyone rates our problems BJP seems set to do well in Gujarat. India’s resilient democracy can cope anywhere near the top of their particular league table of overseas with almost any governance change in New Delhi, but Nepal needs to be assistance priorities. And Iraq will bump us much, much further on top of things, reforging relationships and keeping up pressure for down towards the depths of importance. “Right off the screen,” wascontinuing cooperation on the Maoists, cross border trade, migration, etc. how one mournful aid worker put it to me recently. Yes, there’s a world out there and it’s not really all that interested in The war itself will be time consuming, unpredictable and us. It’s about to get less interested. Wecan use that as an opportunity to We take pride in jobs well done. hugely expensive. The media—perhaps even lowly old I—will flock tobecome more self-reliant and solve our problems ourselves, or we can flounder about in lonely obscurity, waiting for an outsider to offer a bag of money or an Iraq’s borders like moths to a candle flame. Even the valiant efforts ofall-expenses-paid junket to the west. But like the water table in the Kathmandu [email protected] the aid donating embassies here in Kathmandu might be severely valley, that’s all drying up. And we’d better be ready. Phone: (01) 521393, 543017, 547018 challenged as they try to coax paymasters and political people to pay attention to us. Just a small example, British Foreign Office Fax: 977-1-536390 666 NATION 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES ECONOMY 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES 777 SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED Businessmen’s prescriptions ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Nepali business community has called upon the new government to implement a range of suggestions made byDiaspora it, dreams Revolutionary saying that such movement was long overdue. The community an exhibition of a Nepali artist’s work. Peace offensive has identified five core areas that it believes need to be addressed immediately—security at both places of business,It’s time for more two-wayPeople flocktraffic to watch between Nepali concerts Nepal and its children abroad. as well as the country in general; revenue law, policy and and films. The diaspora is emerging as a slowdown in the US and almost from p1 administration; the need for an appellate body to hear labour remarkable market for the arts. For everywhere else in the world. Taking a issues and deal with laws and policies; and corruption he Beed’s just been take a trip instance, while in Nepal it would be ‘break’ won’t affect your career too resolve control. to Washington DC. There’s impossible for a band to see over 1,000 something about it; a palpable significantly, and coming to Nepal Stephen Mikesell, a longtime Nepal hand who has written extensively about the Maoist Rajendra Kumar Khetan, spokesman of the FederationT of copies of its album move after a concert, phenomenon and is one of the petitioners, told us over email from Madison: “All of us who sense of authority sends a little frisson where IT startegists, for instance, Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), that’s par for the course if they play in could try their hands at all kind of The only people still describing this constitution as onesigned felt that ... even if the Maoists could be defeated militarily, the aid itself would lead says that his umbrella organisation even has some moreup even the most jaded back. the US. The emergence of quality bands projects, with levels of responsibility to spiralling levels of violence, distortions and unforeseen repercussions far into the future.” specific recommendations. For security in business places,Of course, DC is interesting to such as 1974 AD and their US tour, or the FNCCI suggests forming the industrial security forceNepalis that for another reason too—more that might take years to come to in the of the world’s best are its least prominent framers. But Saubhagya Shah, a PhD scholar of anthropology at Harvard, counters: “I would US, will only increase their market agree if they had talked about overall US policy including enormous military assistance to has already been approved by the cabinet. Similarly, the FNCCI says it is vitally important tothan harmonise 10,000 Nepalis live in and the Nepali revenue mechanism with the fast-changing international system, and amend existingaround labour the city. Meeting with them is value when they return to the US. Israel every year. To single out Nepal could be part of romanticism of political exotica for laws to make them investor-friendly. “The policy should also open up new areas for employment Everyone wins—returnees get valuable the ‘fashionable left’.” both frustrating and exciting. generation that are seasonal, part time, contractual, weekly or hourly that are paid a little higherFrustrating, remu- for many subscribe experience, and Nepal gets profes- neration,” explained Khetan. For their part, the organisers of the campaign were careful to underline that opposition almost fanatically to the belief that sional expertise from its own. to US military assistance to Nepal should not be described as support for Maoist activities With regard to the corruption that business leaders say has taken a serious toll on the country’sNepal is at the end of the road, a failed There’s another side to this here. When contacted by economic sector, Khetan cited four areas where change is required: the revenue administration, public traffic. Nepal needs to reach out to its Nepali Times, some of the key persons behind the campaign state. Exciting, because it is certainly a commercial banks, government procurement departments and public service delivery utilities.wonderful The FNCCI new outlet for Nepali people living abroad and find ways to refused to go on record, citing fears for their own research as well as possible reprisals has also demanded that the revenue advisory committee be made permanent and given teeth, and that help them invest here. When interest the Income Tax Act 2058 be amended. music and arts, and potentially a against their Nepali friends and colleagues. strong investor base for projects in rates are shrinking in the US, the A US scholar actively engaged in disseminating the petition wrote : “It must be Nepal. Nepali government, and even private understood that a petition to the US government regarding its military aid to Nepal is not There are far more Nepalis in the banks should think of dollar- in any way equivalent to support of Maoist activities. Most signers of the ANHS petition US today than there were a decade ago, denominated financial instruments to simply wish to communicate to the US government their opposition to further as is evident in the increased workload bring cash to Nepal. Swapping militarisation of the conflict in Nepal, and would hold the same opinion about the of Nepal’s embassy in Washington. the success of Haribansha’s Je Bhayo multilateral agency loans for a Non- militarisation of any other world conflict (and would also oppose the US’s own moves Straight from berry The embassy was not outfitted to Ramrai Bhayo resident Nepali Bond issue would be towards war with Iraq).” ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ handle so many people, and it still a good way of re-engineering finances, does not have the resources to do as and would also provide the large The debate on whether to aid the Nepali military or not seems set to intensify particu- Juniper Berry gin, a product of Sumy Distillery, has been launched in the Nepali market this festive Nepali community in the US or in season. This is the first gin brand of liquor manufactured within the country using “non-refillablegood a job closure” as it would no doubt like larly in view of reports of killing of civilians by the army. Nevertheless, some analysts think SURENDRA LAWOTI which is a high-tech gin distilling method. The product is available in the 180 ml, 375 ml and to.750 The ml upside bottle is that it can still other countries like Australia to that the Madison campaign itself is missing some fundamental questions. “The distance of packs all over the country from November. contribute to Nepal’s development. If the scholars from a rapidly evolving situation in Nepal may be making them reach for easy pursue economic diplomacy, to give the US access to the Nepali economy, our economy here revolves around and romantic answers,” said one Kathmandu-based observer who, like some of the petition- a film about Nepalis remittances, there’s no reason we can’t ers, requested anonymity. and create avenues for Nepalis to enter pursuing their dreams in ‘Amrika’, are the American economy. institutionalise the repatriation Dipak Gyawali, a political analyst and resource economist, argues that if the Maoists Home appliances by Ichiban the start of something big. As other mechanism. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ One of the most interesting South Asians countries started realising That’s the Beed for you this called a ceasefire, then Nepal’s civil society could exert pressure on the army and govern- features of the Nepal diaspora in the ment to engage them in a negotiated settlement. If Maoists are not going to lay down arms, Touchstone Sales & Services, authorised distributor of in the past decade, the biggest market week, with a positive outlook as Sharp for Nepal, has introduced a new home consumer US is how easy it is to keep at bay for the arts is often the diaspora. Things get a little scary when and as long as the war situation continues the RNA will get its weapons from any source electronics brand called Ichiban in the Nepali market. divisions of geography and commu- always, but wishing optimism were an whatsoever, including the free market. “It is far better for Nepal to get military assistance Now for the frustrating bit. Almost infectious disease. you consider the practical aspects. Gadgets will include home appliances, kitchen equipment nity that would most likely have from the US and the UK as these governments are responsive to their demand that the and music gizmos to Nepali customers. The product range no Nepali the Beed has spoken with in Even in the best of times, the two big sprung up between the same group of RNA respond to reports of rights violations,” Gyawali told us. includes colour TV, refrigerator, deep freezes, air condition- the US—and one seems to have spent a (Readers can post their views parties that had the two-thirds ers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, microwave people back in Nepal. A community Not everyone agrees. Chitra Tiwari, a political analyst based in Washington, argues that lot of time yakking—sees going back as to [email protected].) deserve to have their necks broken has majority needed to amend the consti- ovens, DVD players, etc. For the kitchen, there are rice Mha Puja or celebration of Nepal entailing any benefits at all. Of course, set in. Senior Kangresis are wondering tution couldn’t agree on what should the question is not whether the campaign to stop military assistance to Nepal infringes on cookers, blenders, coffee makers, and even electric woks. Sambat is as important as Dasain or they’re wrong. This is the best time for Nepal’s right as a sovereign country to get assistance, whether lethal or non-lethal. The NHUCHHE MAN NHUCHHE out aloud why they should continue to be changed. When words like professionals to return for a short stint. be the palace’s principal shield when theSikkimisation and sell-out hover over question is whether American taxpayers’ money is being spent to save the lives of the Look at it this way: there’s an economic t looks like we’re finally on the feeling isn’t mutual. (I don’t know what the debate, we know we’ve reached the people, or being used to kill non-combatants. threshold of revolutionary change. the palace thinks, but it is a little precipice. We must nevertheless Rights activists from South Asia also echo similar sentiments. Gautam Navlakha, editor I For the first time in 12 years, Consti-awkward to see the only party associatedconfront our fears, especially when the of the tution Day observances were dominated with attempted regicide claiming to be benefits of change could outweigh its by calls for consolidating the supreme lawthe monarchy’s strongest armour.) costs. Economic and Political Weekly, has been actively questioning the Nepali govern- through radical overhaul or outright The CPN-UML is less enthusiastic A constituent assembly could do ment’s action vis-a-vis the Maoists and was replacement. Forget about the motives about a constituent assembly. This is detained briefly by Indian police during a and focus on the coherence that has much more than clear the runway for odd, considering its ultimate goal of a the Maoists’ long-awaited safe landing. meeting in New Delhi of Maoist supporters entered the national conversation. The republican Nepal. It’s unfair, though, to Revolutionary The mechanics of clean air two months ago. He told us: “Intervention of crude compromises foisted on us as The Prachanda-led political commis- expect firm resolve from a party that outside powers as well as military support ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY sars would have firmer ground from ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ are trained on the reasons for different weighty accomplishments were becominghasn’t been able to extend full support to which to open direct negotiations with during a civil war, as a rule, invites caution roadshow f you’ve been blaming the pollution Don’t toy with your car engine. You’ll save money, but kindsalso of engine problems, and how they too heavy. For the nation’s left, right anda constitution it helped draft. The split renegades that refuse to lay down their because such support vitiates chances of and the gas guzzling of your vehicle on impact tailpipe emission. The program also centre, a constituent assembly is no Meanwhile the insurgents are also get respite from Kathmandu Valley’s horrible air. personality that surfaced on the Mahakaliweapons. The interregnum would allow political resolution. If this is placed against offers ad-hoc courses in cooperation with longer a notion. The only people still garnering support in Europe from the INepal’s infamous adulterated fuel, treaty, the emergency proclamation and the US military expansion in Central and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the mainstream parties to get a better maybe it’s time to look under your interest groups, and awareness courses for describing this constitution as one of thethe dissolution of the House of Repre- South Asia and the nature of regimes being World People’s Resistance Movement idea of the shift in the 1990 balance of (WPRM), a group affiliated with the instead. Motor vehicle mechanics in Nepal the likes of journalists and students world’s best are its least prominent sentatives is an integral part of the propped up, it becomes clear that democratic power. Prime Minister Lokendra Revolutionary International Movement love to hold forth on the ills of adultera- interested in the mechanics of vehicles. framers. Those who argued that the basicparty’s survival mechanism. (And lest we voices in the US oppose military support for law could go unchanged for another half Bahadur Chand has a rare opportunity (RIM). The WPRM launched a discus- tion. They’re right, to an extent, and They’re also helping plan courses in forget, the UML expected to win the autocratic monarchy in Nepal.” sion tour starting in Hamburg, century have decided to keep quiet. to prove that a government struggling vehicular pollution is indeed one of the automobile electronics and mechanics with parliamentary elections supposed to havefor legitimacy doesn’t have to lose its Neither the government nor the army Germany on 25 October, and ending The pronouncements of pundits and in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on 7 main contributors to the Kathmandu instructors from technical colleges. Ten started two days ago.) Once the politicalsense of purpose. (“We’ll bring the have joined this debate, and all a Shital Niwas politicos over the weekend revived November. The roadshow’s rather Valley’s polluted air, but what most participants from major car dealers, several currents become clearer, our comrades Maoists to the negotiating table, or source would tell us was: “We would respond officers from the Valley Traffic Police, and memories of the last anniversary of the wordy slogan is: People’s Liberation vehicle-owners don’t realise is just how can be expected to draft a convoluted vacate our chairs” could be the to the concerned authorities if the need is Not “Terrorism” Imperialists and the Department of Transport have already Panchayat constitution. An ailing Surya important the state of their engine is. document supporting a constituent cabinet’s motto for the month. ) The arose.” Reactionaries—Hands Off Nepal! completed several courses. Another dozen Bahadur Thapa had warned an adamant assembly. That’s the message that the Vehicle Anti palace, which perennially feels com- Other analysts insist that the issue should A statement on WPRM’s website Pollution Program (VAPP), and the will complete their training course soon. Marich Man Singh Shrestha of the dire The Rastriya Prajatantra Party and pelled to invoke the popular will (wprm.org) proclaims: “The agenda costs of failure to move with the times. be looked at from a broader perspective. Says Tribhuvan University Department of But a majority of the over 200,000 Nepal Sadbhavana Party had no direct without really being sure what that is, Alok Bohara, professor of economics at the was to stop the imperialist aggression The pancha dissident-in-chief was in full and support the ongoing victorious Mechanical Engineering are trying to vehicles plying the streets of the Valley run role in drafting this constitution. Now inwill have fulfilled a pledge made 51 University of New Mexico: “In Nepal, having spread. on the pre-EURO-1 system, and VAPP action four months before the tripartite power, they can either make up for the years ago. The biggest winners will be people’s war in Nepal.” Li Onesto, a Narayanhity accord. a strong military can bring some balance in journalist with RIM’s mouthpiece Almost 30 percent of the 136,000 still needs to reach out to the garage marginalisation or bring a fresh perspec- the sovereign people. the strategic equation, and will provide an Revolutionary Worker, presented a mechanics who deal with these vehicles. If Once again, calls for change are tive to the political process. The smaller vehicles tested between June 1996 - May We can start taking responsibility incentive for everyone to come to the table. slideshow about her travels through they, and owners with a DIY complex can coming from within the system and the communist groups caught between the 2000 failed the tailpipe emission tests. In a for who we are and what we do. Now The army has not turned into a death squad, Nepal’s Maoist strongholds at the recent random monitoring of tailpipe be taught to stop tinkering with the credit must go to the Nepali Congress. UML and Maoists can help bring the twowouldn’t that be revolutionary? nor is it a right-wing militia.” meetings. For too long, Kangresis have wallowed in emissions by the Valley Traffic Police in engines, we can yet hope that Kathmandu closer. This is a good time for the rest of won’t be up there with New Delhi, the fallacy that they did the palace a Pulchowk 38 of the 47 vehicles checked our 100-plus parties to prove their Mexico City and Beijing. great favour by dropping the demand for contention that you don’t have to be in flunked the test. Kathmandu has at least Of course, that is far from all. The a constituent assembly in 1957. Sure, power to do the country some good. 200,000 vehicles on the roads everyday. they brought democracy twice. There You do the math. other side of the story however is that must be a reason why they squandered it The VAPP, a training program although MOPE put a ban on more fuel. This means not just a waste of money, both times. The realisation that those initiated by DANIDA’s Environment than 20 year old vehicles as well as made

MIN but a lot more black smoke, which is a big who stumble on the same stone twice Sector Programme Support (ESPS) to a regulation only allowing EURO-1 pollution from vehicles can be avoided. It’shealth risk to Valley residents. What we reduce vehicular pollution, focuses on simply a question of proper adjustment of standard vehicles to be registered none EURO-1 certification for all cars im- need to focus on is getting vehicles here to of these decisions have actually been training vehicle mechanics on the ported after January 2000 to reduce air the engines,” says John Grunwald, a maintenance of EURO-1 emission perform better,” he says. implemented. The backlash from pollution in the Valley. But that hasn’t technical advisor to VAPP from Denmark. standard vehicles, all of which use According to Grunwald, a veteran of the That’s what the VAPP is teaching transport entrepreneurs last year seems been strictly enforced, and neither have mechanics as well as trainers from the localto have killed the matter. “The govern- computers to control ignition, emission other pollution-control regulations been European automobile industry, one of the and fuel systems. All well and good, you schools, for free. ment has not effectively implemented implemented, such as taking all vehicles main reasons for the inefficiency of vehicles Tell a Tale Winners say, but most mechanics here don’t know here, and the remarkable pollution they VAPP’s training centre has an engine any of its decisions on the transport older than 20 years off the streets, has sector made since 1996,” says Bimal The British Council Short Story Competition how this works, and how such a delicately been slipshod, and even the new vehicles cause, is largely due to mechanics and workshop with specimen engines, and has calibrated system can be thrown out of owners tampering with the fuel injection inbeen working with mechanics from car Aryal of theMartin Chautari anti- 18 – 35 years old have been poorly maintained. This means pollution public interest group. As long as First Ranjan Adiga TheMarriage of Ram Kumar’s Son whack if you try to tune the engine as if it that, even though the brick kilns on the order to get a better mileage. “When you dealers including Sipradi, Hyundai, and Second Geetanjali A Lama Kanchhi’s Tale the stalemate continues, it is perhaps were one of the old sort. outskirts of the city have been shut down, tamper with the fuel injection [in the Toyota, and also inspectors and officials Third Nayantara Kakshapatithe UpDrains of Kathmandu The Ministry of Population and course of a normal servicing], and we see from the Department of Transport, and citizens who have greater responsibility in Third Sujata Tuladhar Twist of Fate the Valley’s air remains pretty vile. Environment (MOPE) started insisting on that in the engines of vehicles we get in off the Valley Traffic Police. The personnel cleaning up their air. 15 – 18 years old But it seems as if we can all do our bit the street, there is less oxygen to burn the First Kamesh Regmi Dreams to clean up the air and do less damage to Second Pradipta SJB Rana The Naked Truth Third Sneh Rajbhandari Life Left Lifeless our respiratory systems. “Most of the Third Trishna Rana MyBundle of Joy 888 ADVENTURE 15 - 21 NOVEMBERNEPALI 2002 TIMES 999

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Registration 7.30-8.30 AM. Roads close at 8.30 AM. All races begin at 9AM.

Eiffel Tower, Paris Open Men/ Masters/ Open Women Juniors/ Schools/ (alternate) Women’s Kilometers Location Altitude Kilometers Location Altitude Race00 2 Sundarijal 1430-m 00 Sundarijal 1430-m 05 Mulkhaka 1700-m 9.00 km Sankhu 1495-m EVEREST INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. 16 Jhule 2400-m Wheelchair – Disabled Athletes for that matter) organisa- 22 Jarsing Phowa 1965-m 00 Sankhu 1430-m Siddhi Bhawan, Kantipath 29 km Sankhu 1495-m 9.00 km Sankhu 1430-m PO Box: 10675 Kathmandu tions do—making arrange- too.Tel: The 243631, only 255679, trouble 255680, is 269216,ments 269217so people with money.Fax: 977-1-240083 The entry fees are disabilities can join in the Email: [email protected] not terribly high—between fun. Like last year, the races Rs 280 – Rs 2,200 for this month will feature Nepalis, $20 –$ 80 for specially-designed courses expats, and $190 –$270 forfor the disabled. This year, internationals—but there Handicap International will are other expenses built intohelp meet the competitors’ participating in the races. expenses and other needs. “We’ve planned well for theTwelve wheelchair athletes races themselves, but the have already signed on. cost of logistical support and spare parts are often (For more details, beyond reach for a normal ring Himalayan facilities so, for a small cost,Nepali,” says one biker whoMountain Bikes year,” says race director exhausted bikers don’t have says he may only be able to 442345, 9810.33865, Stewart. The Race 3 course to ride all the way back compete in one race. or email from Nagarkot to from Sankhu and In addition to three races [email protected]) Bhaktapur (see maps) is said Nagarkot. in six categories, HMB is to be the most challenging, Last year more than half also doing something few and was ‘discovered’ by the sporting (and non-sporting German Ambassador, an the participants were Open Men/ Masters/ Open Women Juniors/ Schools/ (alternate) Women’s Nepali, and HMB expects Kilometers Location Altitude Kilometers Location Altitude avid biker. For Races 1 and Race 3 Back on the bike trails that to be the case this year 00.00 Sankhu 1495-m 00.00 Sankhu 1495-m Back on the bikeStewart explains how trails2, there are even camping HMB is lengthening the 07.00 Jarsing Phowa 1965-m 15.30 km Nagarkot 2000-m he told us: “It was better courses they recommend 18.30 Sankhu 1495-m Wheelchair – Disabled Athletes than racing in the European and take people biking on, 29.60 Kattike 1895-m 00 Telkot 1600-m 33.60 km Nagarkot 2000-m 9.00 km Nagarkot 2000-m The mountain bikingthis year, with races the opening areWorld here Cup.” again. Gearand making up to them fall more down repeatedly. ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ceremony in Thamel at The sport is certainly a difficult to help raise the 2PM on 22 November, catching addiction, as standard of serious Nepali round this time last evidenced by scores of bikers. Like any business ment of the Valley’s many year, the opening of and races the next three communities has caught the A days. young Nepalis who’ve dependent on tourism, the Siemens Action taken it up. HMB has had its share of attention of many interna- The mud trails snaking tional adventure sports Asia Himalyan Mountain Himalayan Mountain post-9/11 problems, but Bike Race Series 2001 hit up and down the hills channels and also National Bikes (HMB) was a major that hasn’t dampened their Thamel. ‘Hit’ is perhaps surrounding the capital have enthusiasm for the races Geographic TV. “It was the most appropriate way long been popular with force in popularising moun- particularly due to the tain biking in the Valley this year, or that of the to describe the frenzy of adventure sports athletes, participants’. The efforts interest and support shown activity, horse-drawn carts, especially mountain bikers. with a well thought out by the local VDC’s that the long-term plan that in- made by the local commu- dancing, parades and In addition to the splendid nities to liven up the event television channels are whistle-blowing. The views of the Himalayas at cluded organising races and returning this year,” says championships. “We had a with cultural programs and people of Kathmandu this time of the year, the the mass welcome partici- Stewart. Valley—high-ranking routes offer enough chal- five-year strategy which we The average race time started implementing in pants received upon enter- government officials, lenges and variety for many ing each VDC did not go this year for the Men’s and expatriates, local celebri- months of all-over sore 2000. Basically, we’ve been working towards develop- unnoticed. Women’s Open category is ties, onlookers and the muscles. A star German expected to be between mountain biker, Marc ing a truly international As much as the quality VDCs of Sankhu, Lubhu of the biking, the involve- three and a half to at least and Kakani—all loved the Weichert, who won two race,” says HMB director Peter Stewart. four hours and the trails too festivities surrounding races here last year, publicly have been made more what is, after all, an event extols the delights of off- A keen biker himself, difficult. “A lot of work has Open Men/ Masters/ Open Women Wheelchair – Disabled Athletes primarily for the overly roading in the Valley. After been put to study the Kilometers Location Altitude Kilometers Location Altitude energetic biking up and the competition last year, courses. Participants will 00.00 Nagarkot 1880-m 00 Bhaktapur 1340-m down the hills of the certainly find the course 14.00 Maegaun 1480-m Durbar Square Valley. The races are back more challenging than last 19.00 Chhaharedada 1100-m 7.00 km Taumadi Square 1340-m 24.00 Chandeshwari Temple* 1480-m *Women / Juniors - finish at Chandeshwori Temple and 38.00 Bhaktapur 1340-m transfer by bus to Bhaktapur 101010 WORLD 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES ASIA 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES 111111 OPINION by GIULIANO AMATO ANALYSIS by KENICHI OHMAE Deadlock Aid program changes ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ ISLAMABAD- Pakistan’s post-election political crisis is far from being LONDON – Britain’s international aid program is changing course over as none of the three major parties is able to muster the majority to direct more of its aid to poor countries and to governments in to form a government, delaying the much awaited transfer of power those countries rather than independent projects. The aid will The importance of Zhu from the current military rulers to people’s representatives. now be channeled more to governments “to support the institu- Strong constitution tions of the countries to work for themselves,” said Clare Short, Political sources say that the major point of contention among the head of the Department for Industrial Development (DfID). This China owes its vibrant capitalism to this man. parties has not been who will be prime minister, but their conflicting positions on more than 25 amendments the military regime has made means less government support to large western NGOs and more ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to shut them down or sell them. This○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to the constitution. The changes include curtailing the powers of the If Europeans are to ordain a to local governments and local civil societies. Several NGOs have forced national corporations to be the assembled Communist leadership welcomed Clare Short’s new policies. They are being imple- s China’s new leadership team pledged to make three bold moves to prime minister and creating a supra-parliamentary National Security privatised and go public or to be that he had fulfilled the first promise: common constitution, their mented in Afghanistan and Pakistan to combine development emerges, the world’s attention secure a more vibrant, self-sustaining Council loaded with representatives from the ranks of the military. the Environment, etc—that we can’t support with political aims. The British government increased its has focused on President Jiang economy. First, he would overhaul theoverseen by provincial governments, a many of China’s public corporations Additionally, Musharraf allowed himself to retain the office of the A had become profitable private entities change that proved to be a major know who is doing what and why. aid budget to 0.4 percent of its gross national product (GNP) from Zemin’s successor. But this is 300,000 state-run national corpora- army chief along with that of the president for the next five years. values must be respected by it. impetus for a sudden decentralisation or had been shut down. Those still We need a single legislative council, a 0.32 percent this year, though it still falls short of the UN recom- misguided, for perhaps the most tions that still conducted an over- While the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) mended 0.7 percent of GNP. In four years aid will total $7.7 billion of China’s governance structure— operating were given stringent ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ bicameral European○○○○○○○○ Parliament, with whelming amount of China’s business supports the amendments, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the two distinct treaties. This confuses a year from the current $5.2 billion a year. significant moment in China’s recent one house representing member and accounted for the bulk of its another key legacy of Zhu’s tenure. profitability targets, allowed to choose alliance of six religious parties Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) reject even trained foreign diplomats who history of boom and transformation the people they hired, and encouraged states, and the other the European was the 1998 appointment of Zhu economic activity. More than 70 Second, Zhu said he would wipe them as unconstitutional. PML-Q is the largest party in parliament with negotiate with Europe. leave alone 118 seats, but it cannot form a government without the support of electorate. In this system, legislation percent of such companies were out the many bad debts of China’s to raise money on private stock ordinary citizens. Also, if the (IPS) Rongji as premier of the State Council, 172 members in the 342-member house. Its closest rivals PPP and the will be called legislation, and unprofitable and were propped up by banks and “international trust exchanges, which effectively propelled Community does something that a position once held by Deng MMA, on the other hand, have 81 and 60 seats in the National executive regulations, as in most legal government subsidy. companies.” Many of these had them into the private sector as “red affects someone’s rights, he or she can Xiaoping. Given the obvious chip” corporations. As for the second Assembly, respectively. Observers and politicians say that the systems, will fill in the gaps in importance of the post in recent years, Just as Welch promised to “fix, contributed to a softening in China’s military is perpetuating the deadlock to force the opposition to accept go to court. But if the Union Free media economy by routinely lending money promise, more than 50 heads of primary legislation. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ its amendments and economic reforms agenda. encroaches on your rights, access to a the choice of Zhu’s replacement may close, or sell” non-performing financial institutions had at that point The draft constitutional WASHINGTON – Developing countries need free and independent be of even more significance than divisions of General Electric when he to insolvent corporations. At the time, court may be closed because the there were 245 such trust companies, been fired (more followed), and Union has no legal personality! document presented last week calls newspapers, radio and TV stations to boost their economic President Jiang’s departure from took over the company, Zhu threat- reforms had changed the investment for a single, unified legal entity. development, a recent World Bank study, “The Right to Tell - The centrestage. ened to fire chief executives of Chinese which had such a poor record of The next problem with constitu- climate dramatically. Instead of fleeing (IPS) Whatever it is called, the European Role of Mass Media in Economic Development” concludes. It says Even before he became premier, firms that lost money for more than repayment that overseas investors were tional implications, is the anony- beginning to shun China entirely. the country, capital was flowing in Union, United States of Europe, the media can expose corruption in government and the corpo- Zhu, as the president of China’s two consecutive years, and then either mous, bureaucratic nature of Reforming them would take 10 years, more rapidly than ever before. United Europe, or something else, it rate sector, provide a voice for citizens, and help to create a central bank, was known as the European legal acts. Criticising public consensus to bring about economic change. It can also he said. Zhu’s record concerning his third Return to power will provide for a unitary, simplified architect of China’s 8 percent annual ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ institutions is as essential a part of help markets work more efficiently by providing reliable economic Third, Zhu would streamline the promise was more mixed. While the size system of normative acts that will economic growth in the 1990s and NEW DELHI - Sonia Gandhi, the Congress party president, called the democracy as protecting enumerated information on topics from small-scale vegetable trading in central government and take on one of of the central government fell dramati- introduce transparency and account- Indonesia and Ghana to global foreign currency and capital the mastermind of its successful pro-Hindu coalition government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee legal rights. In the EU we don’t have ability. The institutional structure China’s most pernicious problems: cally, with employment at the State statutes or laws with names, we have “ markets in New York and London. Countries seeking economic fight against inflation. Zhu has Council halved from 34,000 to 17,000, a “comprehensive failure” in a two-day conference of chief ministers should also reflect and help develop development are urged to work towards free press by “enhanc- high-level corruption in government regulations,” “directives,” “decisions,” been China’s Jack Welch, the corruption continued to fester. Despite from 14 major states her party now rules. She said the country was Europe’s broader aspirations. We ing competition, reducing restrictions on the entry of new media, looking to the 115-year-old party to lead it “from stagnation to growth “general guidelines,” “common tough-minded, longtime CEO of agencies. He would propose measures Zhu’s efforts, opposition from vested expect economic and social matters to establishing a balanced regulatory framework, encouraging, and the American conglomerate including, for example, cutting links and from strife to harmony and from darkness to light”. Officially, the strategies,” “common actions,” be connected. We expect Europe to participating in innovative ways to reach people.” interests throughout the government— conclave is meant to review the performance of governments in “common positions”—a myriad that General Electric—a man celebrated between government and organised particularly at the highest levels— play a role for good in the world. for his candor, his global sophisti- Congress-ruled states, and a strategy session for state assembly only experts can comprehend. When crime, and making it more difficult forimpeded reform. Nonetheless, Zhu elections scheduled for December in Gujarat—scene of a pogrom ast week, the president of the We may dislike it, but the EU is part But more Europe cannot mean a cation, and his insistence on a “directive” is issued, you don’t (IPS) bureaucrats to accept bribes. Rongji’s reforms created the kind of level against the minority Muslim community earlier this year. Charges of European Convention, Valery of our system of government, like know who is responsible. In Italy centralised system. Getting the performance. Indeed, Zhu was Politicians often make bold playing field and rule of law on which a corruption in 1996 and a Hindu fundamentalist wave generated by Giscard d’Estaing, submitted a municipalities, regions, and nation- L there is now a controversial statute proper balance among European, renowned for punishing those who fell promises but rarely keep them. On 1 vibrant capitalist system depends. That is the ultra-right wing BJP affected the standing of the party. They lost states. The question is whether we are so-called “skeleton” for a future that will change the rules of criminal national, regional, and local short of his expectations. As mayor of July 2001, at the celebration of the a political legacy second to none in India’s general elections three years ago, but have been staging a satisfied with the way the EU European protests Shanghai, he once disciplined his comeback by winning nearly all the provincial assembly elections constitution of Europe. This docu- procedure in ways that might be institutions will be a challenge. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ 80 modern Chinese history. functions. If not, can we fix it, and is a conducted since. The Congress emerged as the single largest party ment arose despite the fact that the helpful to eminent public figures. FLORENCE– Activists from 105 countries are participating in the tourist bureau officials by making Convention’s mandate did not constitution the way to do it? them scrub the city’s public toilets at the recent elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir and shares Senator Cirami’s name is attached to European Social Forum in Florence, Italy, which is holding a flurry power there with the regional People’s Democratic Party. empower the delegates to produce a The first problem in need of a that bill. We can fight about “the of debates and protests against the negative effects of themselves. constitution. The Nice Declaration, A few months after his appoint- “constitutional” solution is Europe’s Cirami law”! Could we do that for globalisation, and the United States’ plans to wage war on Iraq. th anniversary of the Chinese (Project which I drafted as one of the partici- Food sovereignty, the foreign debt, immigration, information, unified identity. Because of the jumble“Regulation 75”? ment as premier, Zhu delivered his Syndicate) pating prime ministers, only asked us culture, world peace and the economy were on the agenda last Communist Party, Zhu assessed his (IPS) of treaties from which today’s Europe has so many bodies that “three promises” speech, in which he to simplify and restructure the EU’s European institutions arose, “Europe” Thursday, the first day of seminars at the first European chapter progress. His appraisal of his record legislate—the Council of Ministers, basic treaties. is not a unitary entity. The “EU” deals of the World Social Forum, which began to meet annually in the in office is notably accurate, and stands(Kenichi Ohmae is one of the world’s the Council for Agriculture, the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre in January 2001. More than as a convincing testament to the leading business strategists.) Critics believe that Europe may be with foreign policy, the “European (Project Syndicate) Tigers soften stance Council for Industry, the Council for 30,000 people have signed up for conferences, seminars and effectiveness of his leadership. He told ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ too big to forge truly democratic Community” with economic workshops to be held through Sunday, under the theme “Another COLOMBO-Scepticism greeted the Tamil Tigers’ softening of their institutions. But Europe already exists,integration. Thus, agreements with (Giuliano Amato, a former Europe is Possible: Against Neoliberalism, War and Racism”. On decisions that determine our lives are third countries that involve both Saturday a demonstration against Washington’s plans to attack positions in Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict, highlighting the difficulty in prime minister of Italy, OPINION by MARITES SISON brokering a peace deal between the rebels and the state. Tiger made everyday on the European level. foreign and economic matters require is deputy chairman of the Iraq and overthrow the government of Saddam Hussein could attract as many as 200,000 protestors. Despite bad press, Italian guerrillas, who fought for a separate homeland for the country’s European Convention.) reporter Oriana Fallaci described the Social Forum activists as minority Tamils for 19 years, surprised even their ardent supporters “false revolutionaries”, organisers said most stores operated when they said at last week’s peace talks that they would enter the normally Thursday, and the seminars were taking place in a democratic political mainstream. Analysts believe the government is climate of peace and celebration. gradually moving toward legitimizing the rebels’ legal, revenue COMMENT by JOSEPH STIGLITZ Tagging rebels collection, banking and administrative structures already in place in the areas they control. This has drawn criticism from hardline Sinhalese political parties and President Chandrika Kumaratunga, hese are very uncertain and confusing times for Filipinos, who find that arch foe of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s ruling United (IPS) armed rebel groups active in their country for decades have suddenly been“There is a world of difference betweenNational Party. So far, an interim administration in the north and east T classified as terrorists by big powers like the United States and the terrorists and revolutionaries.” has been seen as a temporary step before a permanent solution is Serving two masters European Union. found. merican corporate capitalism has demonstrated amply of late the ability of Unstoppable poverty ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ company bosses to indulge in corrupt practices on an almost unfathom- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ In August, the United States tagged as terrorists the Communist Party of the able scale. The scale of theft achieved by those who ransacked Enron, Without perfect information, expensive SANTIAGO – Poverty has persisted in Latin America and now Philippines (CPP), whose armed wing is the NPA. This month, the EU listed (IPS) Worldcom, and other corporations is in the billions of dollars, greater than the affects 221 million people, according to the Social Panorama them as terrorists as well. Reports say the Muslim-based Moro Islamic Liberation GDPA of many countries. conflict of interest is always a threat. report the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Front (MILF), which seeks a separate Islamic state in the Philippine south, is ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Caribbean (ECLAC) released here this week. Between 1997– bound to be next one in the terrorist list. The NPA and MILF represent the With the assumption of perfect information of traditional economics, theseprudent level, as cutting them would put at risk high potential future revenues problems should never have occurred. Shareholders would realise the books were 2001 there was little or no improvement in the population’s largest, most enduring insurgencies in this South-east Asian country. The from mergers and acquisitions and stock and bond issues. standard of living, and the number of poor in the region grew by cooked, and punish the offending company’s share price. But information is communist insurgency started in 1969, and the Muslim rebellion has been A distortion of private incentives affects public incentives as well, and the two more than 10 million. The study says poverty now affects nearly active since the 70s. 43 percent of the region’s more than 500 million inhabitants. become intertwined. As “money talks” in politics, private incentives distort Politicians and analysts are outraged by the US and EU declarations, saying public policy and prevent it from correcting market failures in ways that then Argentina’s crisis triggered rapid expansion of poverty, contribut- neverperfect. Because of tax advantages and inappropriate accounting practices ing most to the deterioration of the overall Latin American they blur the distinction between separatism, rebellion and terrorism in the further distort private incentives. America’s Securities and Exchange Commis- situation where during the period studied by the Santiago based public mind. “Who are they to tell us that our people are terrorists? I was really firms richly rewarded executives with stock options. Company bosses could sion’s head recognised the conflicts of interests in accounting, but his efforts to ensure that they were well paid without doing anything to benefit their firm’s commission. At the Millennium Summit, which took place at the UN surprised because why is it that other countries are declaring Filipinos fighting address were resisted by industry until scandals forced change. Financial in September 2000, the world’s governments pledged to reduce their own government in their own country terrorists?” says Senator Robert bottom line. They just needed to boost the stock price, then cash in their option. Accounting Standards Board saw global poverty by half over the next 15 years. Latin America Executives received millions in Barbers, a former police official. “They are simply enemies of the government of the accounting problems with suffers the greatest gap between rich and poor in the world but the Republic of the Philippines.’’ compensation, and no one seemed to José Antonio Ocampo, ECLAC executive secretary, suggests executive stock options, but political Different views reflect the debate on terrorism. Some say overuse of the term be bearing the cost. But such options pressure, including from the US that “progressive redistribution of income” would allow economic growth to quickly improve the poorest population’s living standard after the September 11 attacks in the United States last year has distorted diluted shareholder value, and were Treasury, was put on the suppos- and achieve poverty reduction goals. perceptions. Filipinos are beginning to ask if foreign judgments of terrorism— worse than dishonest—stock options edly provided managers with strong the inclusion of the NPA, exiled CPP leader Jose Maria Sison and the MILF in incentives to get the value of their independent Board not to make the ‘terrorist’ league —should be adapted or accepted locally. The United States stocks up fast, often overinvesting. reforms. This happens at at the has linked the MILF to Jemaah Islamiyah, the group that seeks a pan-Islamic Over the last 15 years, executive national and international levels. (IPS) state in South-east Asia and which intelligence officials say is linked to the al- at the same time. In the 90s, the military declared the Marxist insurgency dead, but regained force in 2000, when the Philippines was reeling from the Asian compensation in America soared. So Some countries try to fight this Qaeda network. economic crisis and the ineffectual leadership of then president Joseph Estrada. did compensation that is tied to a vicious circle. For example, because The MILF has denied the charge. Last week, an MILF leader said the United company’s stock price, to the point HIV testing without consent States was making an enemy of Islam by making no distinction between radical From having a low of 2,000 armed guerrillas in the mid-1990s, the NPA we rightly suspect government ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ where the fraction related to long-term has grown to 12,000. Growth has been fueled by poverty as well as a “rectifica- officials who move too quickly into TORONTO- Some Canadian doctors are breaking the law by and moderate groups, and risks pushing more people into extremism. Manila performance is quite small. private sector jobs related to their has been giving mixed signals. The military said it would intensify operationstion campaign” by party leaders, who sought to correct abuses like forced automatically testing pregnant patients for HIV/AIDS unless a revolutionary taxes on peasants. As research over the past three public roles, many democracies woman has explicitly refused to be tested. Alberta, Newfound- against the rebels. But peace negotiators said the government is preparing an decades demonstrates, when informa- don’t allow such “revolving doors.” land and Labrador provinces have officially adopted this auto- amnesty program and is not ready to abandon peace talks, now temporarily The MILF, which broke away from the then dominant Moro National tion is imperfect—and it always is!— Certainly, such restrictions have matic, opt-out approach, ignoring the informed consent provisions suspended. Liberation Front in the 1980s, has emerged as the major Muslim rebel group in Adam Smith’s invisible hand, by costs—they may deter qualified of Canadian health law. Now the Ontario Medical Association Walden Bello, a professor at the University of the Philippines, adds, “Thethe country. Unlike the Abu Sayyaf, the MILF, whose strength is estimated at which the price system is supposed to individuals from accepting public (OMA), representing the powerful lobby of Ontario’s doctors, is CPP-NPA is not terrorist group. It is a revolutionary group whose main targetsbetween 6,000 to 12,000, is reported to have a mass base among Muslim guide the economy to efficient outcomes, is invisible, partly because it is absent. employment, and seldom eliminate pushing Canada’s largest province to adopt the automatic are not civilians but combatants of the Philippine government.” He says, “thereFilipinos is in Mindanao. With the approach. Giving Ontario women the choice to consent before- After its classification as a terrorist group, the communist movement has conflicts of interest altogether. But they are necessary because we cannot really be hand has led to 70 percent of prospective mothers taking HIV/ a world of difference between terrorists and revolutionaries.” Bello believes the sure what motivates an individual, even those who AIDS tests, compared to almost 100 percent in Alberta under its EU had political aims in calling the NPA terrorists. “They (EU) are opposed tovowed to step up attacks against police and military camps. “The revolutionary wrongincentives a drive for the creation of appearancethe of wealth took seem of the highest integrity. opt-out protocol. Ralf Jurgens of the Montreal-based Canadian the U.S. war on Iraq, but to mollify the US, they had to show that they are Filipino masses can never surrender their armed revolution,” said Gregorio hold in the US, at the cost of actual wealth. The loss of public confidence that could result from not acting may be even HIV/AIDS Legal Network, points out that most pregnant women cooperating with it in its war against ‘terrorism’. This was pure opportunism.”Roparty, spokesman for the Communist Party. The MILF has approached the will go along with HIV/AIDS testing to safeguard the life of the problem differently. It has vowed to go after members of Jemaah Islamiyah. Auditing firms that make more money from consulting have a conflict of higher than the cost of governmental regulation. It recently resulted in billions of The government classifies the communists as “the number one threat to baby if a health practitioner properly counsels them adding that national security,” with the MILF ranking second in military strength. The Still unanswered is the question of how far the government, the United interest: they have an incentive to go easy on their clients, or even help their dollars of reductions in the value of shares. (Project Syndicate) those who refuse ‘’often have very valid reasons’’. clients think of ways—“within the rules”—that improve the appearance of profits. Philippines has no law defining terrorism as a crime. The government would Statesbe and the EU will go after these rebel groups now called terrorists. Many ask So do analysts at investment banks that earn large fees from stock offerings tout hard pressed to wage a full-scale war against the communist rebels and the MILFif Sison would be expelled from the Netherlands, where they live as political (Joseph Stiglitz is winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics, and refugees. The EU’s terrorism classification also means the movement’s funding stocks even when they are dubious about them—if these banks have a commercialauthor ofGlobalization and its Discontents.) (IPS) bank division, they may have an incentive to maintain credit lines beyond a sources would be blocked. (IPS) provide logistical and financial 1212 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 15 - 21 NOVEMBERsupport to the MaoistsNEPALI 2002 even TIMES if they HISTORY AND CULTURE 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES 1313 121212 do not agree with them. The 131313 felled in the Shyala jungle of Lho security forces search all houses Conspiracy VDC. Lal Prasad Gurung, program and are suspicious of everyone. ENCOUNTERS by MEGH RANJANI RAI ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ director of the Manaslu Conserva- This does not make for warm ties “This government has no Excerpts from an article by tion Area Project (MCAP), under between them and the public. Back at Sundarijal >21 Dr Dilli Raj Khanal, economist the King Mahendra Trust for The Maoists, however, have and former UML MP, Chhalphal, Nature Conservation, says that the specific targets, they don’t mete out 10 November people are compelled to do so. the same treatment to everyone. Communicating constitutional status.” Gorkha’s northernmost VDCs— Another weakness of the security Finance Minister Badri Prasad Sirdibas, Bihi, Prok, Lho, Samagaon, forces is their strategy to indiscrimi- “Meantime, I’ll keep scribbling…” Excerpts from an interview with Narahari Acharya, NepaliShrestha has recently unveiled the Chumchet and Chhekampaar—are a nately employ informers from the with Coyote 1 Congress,Nepal Samacharpatra, so-called “Economic Reforms seven-day walk from the district public. Information obtained like 10 November Program (ERP) 2002” on behalf of headquarters. The residents of these this is not always reliable. Many the Chand government, which was villages do not use the subsidised people accuse their enemies of being BP Koirala is obsessed with his The Nepali Congress has always stood for constitu-formed amid constitutional and tional monarchy. Why did you propose a constituent iodised salt, because the government Maoists, and innocent people get assembly at a meeting of the partyís central workingpolitical controversy. The program has been unable to provide them with hurt. If the general public is failing health, and thinks his “Where were you? You were committee? comes at a time when the country’s it. An estimated 9000 people in the pressurised by the security forces to Proposing a constituent assembly does not necessarilyeconomic crisis has deepened, and region consume rock salt from Tibet. provide information, they will feel psychological condition under asleep again, weren’t you?” mean deposing the constitutional monarchy. The Nepaliall sectors of the economy are faring The villagers travel for two or the security forces are endangering ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Congress has stood for a constitutional monarchy sincebadly. its The budgetary position in detention is worsening his medical inception, but it also recognises that the constituent three days to get Tibetan salt. them. the first three months of the current The security forces don’t assembly is a tool of government. Proposing a constituent “You can’t buy salt with money. problems. These pages from his t all began with an email on a mountain mailing list. My virtual assembly does not in theory or in practice amount to fiscalending year suggests that develop- You need timber,” says Noru Lama realise that the public will always friendship with Jacqui Higgins-Rosebrook, the woman who “mans” the monarchy. ment expenditure is likely to be less be more angry with them, even if it prison diary written in English than 30 percent of the initial outlay of Chhekampaar VDC. The I the weather station at Stampede pass. (Check out my weather at suffers at the hands of the Maoists planned. Revenue mobilisation as Tibetans believe that the wood Are you saying that the kingís move has created a constitutional vacuum? from northern Gorkha is strong and show that he also fears that the http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/seattle/). Yes. We believe that the spirit of the constitution was killed when the monarch crossed thewell limits as mobilisation set by and utilisation She lives atop a mountain in the Cascades of Washington state,

MIN BAJRACHARYA lasts longer. The inhabitants of this the constitution, and acted according to an interpretation of convenience. Only reviving parliamentof foreign canaid have weakened. area have to make preparations for king intends to keep him in jail for has three grown daughters who live in Seattle with their husbands, and rectify these blunders. If the Deuba government was dismissed for its incompetence and inabilityThere’s to reallyhold nothing new in elections, the present government should have set a date in the next six months for elections. The only salt that will last them for seven a longer period. six grandchildren. I was intrigued with her email ID “Coyote1”. It way out is to restore parliament or hold elections for a fresh parliament. Right now a non-constitutionalthe ERP. Previous governments months at a stretch, so they fell brought images of western woods and snow, with the silhouette of a force is running the country. have repeatedly talked about timber throughout the winter, howling coyote raising its head against the background of a full moon. reforming the bureaucracy, starting about now. “We collect Such were my visualisations, perhaps influenced by Wild Bill Wasnít the constitution violated even before the royal move when the parties recommendedmanaging expenditure, and so on. postponing elections? timber now and once it is dry we Hickock, the last of the Mohicans, tales from Louis L’amour of There are no concrete programs to transport it to Tibet,” says Shane, Fargo and “Clementine”. I wasn’t far from the truth as it That’s no reason for a constitutional monarchy to violate the constitution. Political parties shouldaddress take the problems part faced by country and the people. I was from the people’s side, the most of the blame, because they created the background for 4 October. The all-party meeting was indecisive, Tshering Lama of Lho VDC. 17 February, 1977 popular and at the same time most powerful man. Since I amturned a out. Jacqui’s ancestry includes the Cherokee people of Okla- but it directed the prime minister to find a solution within the constitution. The royal addressNepali may haveindustries or offer the private The district forest office in man of honour and ideals, I was very weak in my power motive,homa and early promised a solution, but this has only added to the confusion. sector any relief. The only novel Sundarijal and therefore I did not use my influence and power, which had Gorkha acknowledges the illegal Spent the day brooding and feeling disconsolately sad. Scottish settlers idea in the new program is come to me without my making efforts for them, to maintainwith myself pure Irish Do you think a restored parliament would be a legal entity? And as for the constituent assem- trade, but says that the conserva- Since yesterday homesickness has assailed me again.in power through manipulation and machination. I could have done limiting the prime minister’s This constant state of agony—how long will it last? I am on her father’s bly, it could take years, as in India, [to frame a new constitution]. Wouldnít that delegationhelp the to nine. tion of the forests in the area is not that. I don’t regret it. But since then I have been subjected to Maoists? its responsibility. MCAP has not getting reconciled to the incommunication of incar-buffetings of political fortunes—up and down, up and down—andside. And a It’s not about who will take advantage, but about getting out of this mess. And restoring parliamentBut the is government not has also ceration. If it continues for sometime my heath willI am now landed, at about the fag end of my life in jail—in aproject that she formed forest management suffer serious damage. I am in for heart trouble. If only the end, but a means to a solution. A constituent assembly might still be important even if parliamentannounced isseveral policy level and committees to protect the forests in condition of total isolation from where I don’t know when, wasif, I workingwill on restored. Otherwise, we should start working on other solutions, and elections should be held soon. The this isolation is lifted. I don’t know how the Jews livedbe liberated. in long-term programs, violating its the area, but all its field offices in death camps in Nazi Germany. Our life here is not so with her cousins Maoists were the main reason the elections were postponed. A constituent assembly mayscope take andthree mandate. or Liquidating or I am not in good health since I am imprisoned. Digestion four years to work, but we need to be mentally prepared, if we want it to bear fruit earlier... northern Gorkha have been bad. Except for total segregation, there are no physical were to get all privatising state-owned enterprises, displaced due to the security discomforts. continued to be bad, there is bleeding from the nose, this morningthe family Youíre perceived as being quite critical of the monarchyÖ involving the private sector in the Papers did not come. We wait for newspapers—there were some traces of blood in my sputum, there is a con-photos on a situation, severely affecting stant buzzing in my ear and peculiar heaviness in the head, I hope the monarchy is always popular, but I wish it would keep up with the times. An absoluteimport monarchy and distribution of petro- conservation efforts. CDO Madhav even those sheets of paper known as Kathmanduheadaches too. I look a little haggard, wrinkled, feel weak indisc. the was made a constitutional one in 1990, and the Nepali Congress respects that status. But 4 October leum products, etc, are significant Prasad Ojha acknowledges his dailies, with some interest. After all that is the onlylegs and continue breathing with difficulty and palpitations of Thethe coyote violated the spirit of the constitution. If the monarchy takes over and tries to retain the executive power, it issues that cannot be decided by source of information of world happenings availableheart. to A long list of physical complaints. Basically they are will be criticised. inability to send security forces to us. Tomorrow being National Day there will no newspa- is an important this government without proper the affected areas. “As we have promoted or even induced by my present psychological state.figure I in the studies being carried out. The pers. And day after is Saturday. Hence we will getsuffer from depression constantly, and sometimes the depression How do you evaluate the performance of the present government? tightened security in and around papers only on Sunday. cosmology of government seems to be conspiring assumes the maniac intensity. This government does not have constitutional status. Technically, it is a body that oversees the daily the district headquarters, we too. The person on the street The Captain informed me that the matter about the intermontane functions of government; executive power lies with the monarch. In the month since it wasto instituted, take away workers’ rights haven’t been able to pay attention I do some writing every day, but it does not at all calm myindigenous people of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. “He is one of there have been no signs about what it plans to do and where it it heading. The Deuba government was tends to feel that the Maoists are supply of zarda to me has been referred to Dr (Colonel)nerves. I am not intensely occupied with this routine. The quality guaranteed in existing Acts to outlying areas,” he says. Bhattarai, whether I can take it or not on medical my favourite gods of all the gods I have studied. My nearest neighbour said to be a failure because it did not set election dates, but the present government hasn’tthrough given anyunilateral amendments rebels, and so irresponsible. But of my writing has also suffered because I can’t bring concentra- indication that elections will take place at all. MCAP had started to see the government forces have a responsi- grounds. It means that perhaps I will be permitted tionto of thought to bear upon it. I devise innumerable ways toare divert a family of six coyotes who are enchanting to watch, my nearest and ordinances. take zarda. Since they had stopped it once in the name effects of its campaign to convince the bility to the people. They should my mind from the obsessive brooding over the present statehuman of neighbours on weekends are 15 miles away at the bottom of Shrestha announced the observ- of a jail rule that no madak padartha must be supplieddestitution—but to such make-belief only promotes my depressionthe mountain by and not nearly as interesting.” She sure has her priorities people in upper Gorkha to use make life easier and safer. us they want to get one if through the agency of a ance of a “plan holiday” and the iodised salt instead of rock salt, but the awareness that they are false beliefs. Yesterday I wroteright. doctor’s permission. A face-saving device. 1,100 words. How empty these are! introduction of a special package to this program is also on hold for the She writes novels, screenplays and poetry and runs a non-profit rescue the economy from its present moment. “The people here are not Today the Captain informed us a new set of utensils wouldorganisation be called “Children of Sosnovaya Street”. She’s going 60, and crisis. But now he also says that the Madrasas supplied to our kitchen which is outside the jail compound. They very enthusiastic about iodised salt,” ○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○ what an inspiration this virtual encounter has been for me. None of that 10 had been using big army utensils to cook our food, and we were says MCAP’s Gurung. “They prefer Kantipur, 12 November interpreting this improvisation in our favour supposing that“my our children need to look after me, I am sick, I am depressed and I am rock salt in their tea. As a result, the detention was a temporary affair. But now they seem to beold”. Age is relative. There is so much to live for and enjoy, and you only tradition of trading timber for rock The ten-month old decision of the making a permanent arrangement for the kitchen, which meansget one a stab at it as far as we know. salt from Tibet, continues.” long detention. I don’t mind a long detention provided, 1) inter-You can go with Jacqui to pick blueberries, or help her shovel the council of ministers to monitor 18 February views are allowed, 2) correspondence is allowed 3) books and snow off the highway with a snow cat. She plants herbs and medicinal th madrasas, Islamic religious schools, newspapers are allowed to be supplied by our people. Five Year Plan will be made Sundarijal plants and grows Stiupic tomatoes developed in Czechoslovakia when and bring them under government Today is National Day which is also celebrated as public by December. How can a it was still one country. Hers is probably the highest high-altitude supervision is yet to be imple- Democracy Day. It was on this day 26 years ago (1951) government that does not have the garden in the state. She deplores hikers who come up the Pacific Crest mented. In a meeting on 31 that I was inducted in a coalition cabinet as Home mandate of the people do this, Minister, inaugurating a new era, a new dispensation in Trail that runs from Baja California to British Columbia and passes January this year, the council had especially when there are already governmental setup—I was slightly over 36 years old. right in front of her drive. Like trekking trails here, that means litter. decided that all madrasas operat- misleading attempts to suggest that What a red letter day it was for all of us—for the She drives down to the ghost town of Lester to celebrate the the Poverty Reduction Strategy ing within the country must be QUOTE OF THE WEEK birthday of Gert Murphy, who is 99 today. And to all her friends who Program and the Tenth Plan are the Security alert registered with the concerned ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ missed the Leonid shower she has lines of verse: same thing. District Administration Offices Our constitution has provisions to punish political parties. It also has provisions that prevent the king’s Dristi,12 November The ERP seems part of the (DAOs), and report to the offices involvement in politics as this may lead to controversy. If the monarch defies the constitution, it is a clear Subash Devkota their annual income and expendi- government’s conspiracy to stay in In the November Himal indication that a change is required. ture. The government also office as long as possible. There is — Daman Nath Dhungana, member of the constitution drafting It has been nearly a year since the authorised the District Education no chance of getting the country committee of 1990, inChhalphal , 10 November. emergency was imposed and the Offices to monitor madrasas. out of the present economic crisis Dirty little middle class secret: government announced the joint There are an estimated 300 Where were you? unless a new government is elected mobilisation of the security forces. Child domestics amongst us to office with a mandate to madrasas operating all over the You were asleep again, weren’t you? During this time, the forces have country, but no records of their modernise the country and suffered defeats at the hands of the transform the Nepali economy. registration with local authorities. ‘Holy’ cow and ‘unholy’ dalit: I wished you were here. Maoists, as well as successes. An office-bearer with a Muslim I watched for you Security forces say that one of the organisation in Kathmandu said Crimes against untouchables main reasons that victories are hard that the madrasas were reluctant …once every thirty-three years, to come by is the reluctance of the to register with the authorities, Temple Tuttle passes by and Salt for trees public to provide them with From evil state to civil society: ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ since the government had information. But both the govern- We get this chance to suck in our breath Rajdhani, 10 November apparently come to this decision Rethinking development in Nepal ment and security forces have not under pressure from the Indian In wonder and whisper analysed why the public does not government. “Moreover, the Yes, yes, yes, YES! Residents from Gorkha’s northern- cooperate with them. administration itself is not really Ballot boxing in Kashmir & Pakistan most villages are involved in an The security forces’ activities interested, so why should the With our suddenly let out breath illegal timber trade via Samdo, have led to an increase in the madrasas make the effort?” he Donor malfeasance in Bangladesh As streaks of gold quarter the sky, exchanging timber from the area’s number of Maoists, not a decrease. asked. Official sources say that pine trees for rock salt from Tibet. Most people affected by the Nepali officials have recently met But you regretted other obligations. Large amounts of timber are being security forces’ offensives have been their counterparts from border Keeping Sri Lankan peace on track Some of you, who slept through the night villagers who provide shelter, food, areas in India, and decided to and money to the Maoists. They follow up the decision and hasten Got up this morning and went to church live in s constant state of terror and the monitoring process. Numafung, woman of Nepal To ponder miracles done will not help the security forces Two millennia ago and half a world away who are just adding to it. The Trip to the Bangla heartland forces’ strategy to destroy Maoist WHAT CAN I SAY? bases has isolated them from the I’ll be ninety the next time it happens. Elephant: Constitution. public. They do not understand Plus more! that the villagers are forced to I’ll need a nap Spacetime 10, November, 2002 To subscribe: Call 543-333 or write to And someone to remind me. [email protected] Will you be with me then? 141414 CITY 15 - 21 NOVEMBERNEPALI 2002 TIMES ART 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES 151515 ABOUT TOWN BOOKWORM

EXHIBITION Raw Material: From the road inTravel Asia collage by Margi Scharff. Indigo Gallery, Democracy and Dictatorship in South Asia: Dominant Classes and Political Out- comes in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh Robert W Stern Naxal, 8AM-6PM daily. 413580 India Research Press, New Delhi, 2001 A Nepali feminist in Japan Rite of Way, Writers Seen photographs from the streets of Kathmandu by Wayne Rs 792 Amtzis, portraits of Nepali writers by Anne Hunkins. 17 Stern examines the idea of coalitions of dominant classes in South Asia in their historical November- 4 December, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber context, and explains how they relate to current political and communal realities in many parts Mahal Revisited. of South Asia. Stern examines the cases of Punjab and and the larger situation of democracy in India, as well as modes of political action in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and asks whether parliamentary democracy matters in South Asia. EVENTSEVENTSEVENTS Christmas Bazar 13 December, followed by barbecue, Kautilya Today Jairam Ramesh courtyard, Dwarika’s Hotel. 479488 India Research Press, New Delhi, 2002 Turkish Delights Music, belly dancing, handicrafts and Rs 532 cuisine from Turkey. 6:30 PM onwards, 15 November - This collection of Ramesh’s columns for 17 November, Hotel Yak & Yeti. 248999 India Today examines with the author’s typical intellect and wit, the economic, social, political and intellectual concerns of India and the Weekend painting course for children with Cecile Houdre. Ages 6-9, 10-12, Novem- wider world. Ramesh touches upon a range of topics including federalism, exchange rate ber through February, 10 lessons each. Rs 3,000 expats, Rs 2,000 locals, including all materials. Alliance Française. 241163 mechanisms, the failure of secularism, the obstacles facing liberalisation, the intricacies of budget-making, Indian agriculture, enterprise and the public sector.

MUSICMUSICMUSIC On Nature and Language Noam Chomsky Live music by Catch 22, Friday nights at the 40,000 ½ ft Bar, Rum Doodle Restaurant, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2002 the workshops. “I was amazed to Thamel. 414336 Rs 1,272 see that the youngest girls A primer for Chomsky’s Minimalist Program, this volume is a significant landmark in the expressed themselves in much the development of linguistic theory. Here Chomsky develops his thinking on the relation between same way as the oldest women— placed on display. DRINKDRINKDRINK language, mind, and brain, integrating current research in linguistics with the burgeoning field of with simple rainbows and flowers. An installation piece titled Friday Indulgence Irish music from An Fainne, tasting with 12 Scottish single malt, neuroscience. These essays will be of interest to students and researchers in theoretical Most of the high school girls “Uplift”, incorporating all the Rs 999. The Piano Lounge, Hotel Yak & Yeti. 248999 linguistics, neurolinguistics, cognitive science, and politics. focused on the breasts...and dresses, is on display at the Aomori Paddy Foley’s Irish APub wide range of drinks and food. Live music on Wednesday, women in the 30’s chose very Contemporary Art Center from 26 abstract expressions.” It was, she Thursday and Sunday nights. 416096. October till 24 November. Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] says, as much of a learning Ashmina will remain in Aomori experience for her as for the throughout this period, enjoying FOODFOODFOOD CLASSIFIED participants, whose cultural the region’s famous apples and its background is repressed and The greenest patch Weekend lunches in the oldest unique culture. She will be

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ modest, as is Nepal’s. and largest garden in Nagarkot at The Fort Resort, PAJERO 1997 for saleForeigner leaving products, silver jewellery, wooden items, Ashmina Ranjit working on a video of women The workshops proved so [email protected]. 226799 Nepal. Very good condition. Never off-road.perfumes and more. Darbar Marg, opposite enjoying themselves at a hot spring Hotel de l’Annapurna continues her popular that men, too, requested (sounds good), and using this Patan Museum Café Mixed menu, garden seating. 54,000 kms, New tires, blue plate (duty not paid): US$ 15,500. Call Mr Camino 524442 a similar workshop for them. “At opportunity to explore her own Lunch only, 11AM-2PM. 25 percent off with Summit (home) or 525313 ext. 675 (office). meditations on first I thought they were joking,” creative work, side by side with Card. 526271 Terrace flat available on short-term lease Ashmina says. “But it turned out sound artists, installation artists One bedroom, one living room, spacious women’s bodies, Vegetarian specialties and clay oven at pizza that they were serious. So now and performance artists from Give yourself the gift of Reflexology ! kitchen, toilet/ bathroom, hot water on tap I’m planning to conduct a Portugal, Canada, Finland, Stupa View Restaurant & Terrace, Boudha. 480262 and a wide beer terrace. Lots of greenery, in a different context. email: [email protected] or ring 425- workshop for men, too.” The men Germany, France and Japan. Barbecue at the Terrace, Hyatt Regency 931 great view of sunset, good price and some get to paint on traditional chill people around. Call Mani Rai 424877 Then it’s back to Nepal for Kathmandu. Rs 550 plus taxes. 7PM-10PM. Complimentary entrance to Rox Bar. or Dinesh 425677. Japanese 491234 her—to conduct art workshops on House for rent in Jawalakhel centrally the body, sexuality, and gender Taste of Beijing Roast duck and other Chinese meat, fish and vegetarian delicacies.located, spacious old Rana bungalow bodies are very much in women’s vided, their views about their own politics for Nepali women? shmina Ranjit has created a rary Art Center, Ashmina has held phundo-shii (which Beijing Roast Duck Restaurant, Birendra International Convention Centre. 468589(9386.61sq.ft) with big garden, ample Contact www.kopilaclinic.com own control. Now she has taken her bodies. Hopefully. And maybe even for parking space. Total land area- 30690.23 buzz over the years by five art workshops for over a Ashmina says is very much like the Nepali men? Newari Bhoj Traditional snacks, drinks and meals, outdoors or indoor, in a restaurant ○○○○○○○○○○ feminist message to Aomori, Japan, “It was wonderful to see their sq.ft. Suitable for offices. Serious enquiries: A declaring, through bold much to the delight of the local hundred girls and women from age traditional Jyapoo tunic-and- self-expression,” Ashmina says of designed by Bhaktapur artisans. Lajana Restaurant. Lazimpat. 413874 Contact S. Rana between 7- 8:30 am and K-Too! Beer and Steakhouse not the 3 to 70, discussing the body, installations and art exhibitions, women—and men. trousers) which will later be Tukche Thakali Kitchen Buckwheat, barley, bean, and dried meat specialties. Also5:30-8 pm Tel: 521128/546857 “longest”, “highest”, “first” or any other that Nepali women have live, sexuality, and gender politics. She superlative. Just a relaxed, easy-going bar Currently at a three-month brunch with porridge and pancakes, all raw material from Tukche village. Darbar Marg. throbbing bodies under all their then asked them to draw and and restaurant with the coldest beer and cultural trappings, and that these residency at the Aomori Contempo-paint, on dresses that she pro- juiciest steaks this side of the moon. By the Visit Ground Zero Fine wines, designer GETAWAYS Kathmandu Guest House. 433043 candles, cards, exclusive Nepali paper Thank Goodness It’s Fridaypackage for local residents at US$111 plus tax per couple/ Single at US$85 plus tax, includes Friday Sekuwa overnight stay & breakfast. For insertions ring NT Marketing at 543333-36. Dwarika’s Hotel. 479488

Tea House Combo Room, breakfast, Nepali thali dinner, swimming, jacuzzi. Rs 700 per head on twin sharing for Nepalis and expats, Tea House Inn, Nagarkot. 410432A charismatic (and tattooed) extreme sports performance artists-of-sorts (he videotapes The Great Godavari Getaway Specialweekend packages including room with himself pulling dangerous and sometimes illegal breakfast and dinner, 25 percent discount on health club facilities. Godavari Villagestunts, then sells them on the black market), Xander Cage (the new heartthrob Vin Diesel) is a Resort. 560675 James Bond-like hero with the personality ofXXX a rock star. Cage is recruited by a government Writing Retreat Full board package. Aesthetic living, innovative thinking, creative agent, Gibbons (Jackson) to infiltrate a Russian writing and nature at Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha. 375280 crime ring, Anarchy 99, led by a mysteriousJAI NEPAL CINEMA figure called Yorgi (Csokas), which plans on Bardia Bonkers Freshwater dolphins, giant tigers, elephants, safaris, rafting, eveningunleashing a lethal substance in the rivers of cocktails, traditional food. [email protected]. Europe, which sends him racing through a series of adventures. Also noteworthy are Samuel L 12 noon, 3PM, 6PM Jackson and the smoking Asia Argento. For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] Telephone booking: 442220 Online booking www.jainepal.com

on FM 102.4 WE LOST OUR SON 11 YRS AGO IN 1991 (The last we heard of him was from Nepal) Mon-Fri 0615-0645World BBC Today Sat 0615-0645BBC Reporting Religion NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Sun 0615-0645BBC Agenda DSES-13-11-2002 06:00 GMTThis dramatic satellite picture taken Wednesday morning shows three volatile elements—a cyclone in the Southeast Daily 2045-2115g] BBCkfnL ; ]]]]]jf China Sea heading west; clouds over the Bay of Bengal; and the season’s familiar westerly front over the Afghanistan- Daily 2245-2300g] BBCkfnL ; ]]]]]jf Pakistan border. The rain this week was a surprise, and damaged the paddy crop ready to be harvested in what should Sun-Fri 0740- 0800Ps}}}}}l5g\\\\\ -/]]]]]l8of]]]]] klqsf_ be Nepal’s driest month. These rain-bearing clouds crept over the Himalaya into eastern and central Nepal from eastern Sun-Fri 0800- 08308anL8anL8anL -ljifout-ljifout-ljifout cGt/lqmof_cGt/lqmof_cGt/lqmof_ Tibet. The low-pressure over the Bay of Bengal will continue to skylight draw them in, but that won’t result in rain in Nepal. This week: Sun-Fri 2000- 2030cfhsf s'''''/f -;d;fdlos ljifodf ax;_ colder nights, with fluctuating daytime temperatures due to the cloud cover. Sat 0800- 0830zflGt cleofg Sat 1930- 2000cfrf/ ljrf/ -e|||i6frf/lj?4 ;xsfo{_{_{_ MARCUS PETERS Sat 2000- 2030s"6gLlts d~r Dear Marcus, KATHMANDU VALLEY We love you and worry about you. Please if you are alive con- tact us, so that we know you are healthy and well. We will help Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Radio Sagarmatha you with everything you need. P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Your mother Erika, Mr. Roland, your brother Harald and Elli. Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 22-10 22-09 23-08 23-08 22-09 /]l8of ] ;u/dfyf Please contact at Home or Skylight (P) Ltd. E-mail: [email protected], www.radiosagarmatha.org Tel: 423851 or 415209 Fax: 420789 Email: [email protected] 161616 15 - 21 NOVEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES NEPALI SOCIETY Nirajan’s new club

rom Kupondole’s Friends Club to a German football club. For Nepali football striker Nirajan F Rayamajhi, it will be a whole new club and country from next year as he joins the German football club, Örnek/Türkspor. A prolific scorer in the domestic league, Nirajan was the first Nepali to score a hat trick in World Cup qualifying matches —he did so against Macau in the qualifying matches to the 2002 World Cup where he scored seven goals altogether. In another first, he is now the first Nepali footballer to play professionally in Europe. It all began when Bikram Subba, a Nepali living in Germany, tipped Örnek’s manager about Nirajan’s skill and the poten- tial. A two-month training period and a few test matches later the 23-year-old had signed on as part of Örnek’s D Division for approximately $1,500 a month. Started by Turkish residents living in Germany, Örnek is considered one of the more competitive and proficient of the many foreign teams based in Germany. Arriving at D Division is considered a success. Professional football starts at the ninth league, clubs have to pass KIRAN PANDEY seven phases to arrive at Bundesliga, the top German league. Come February, the Gokarna resident will be able to show off his skills in stadiums around Germany. He’s looking forward to the experience, sure that it will boost his football career. “The honour and affection that Germany shows its football players has inspired me to play my best and to represent Nepal,” says a thrilled Nirajan. The only sour note for the player will be leaving his wife behind while he goes on to conquer the football fields of Europe. Under My Hat will return next week.

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