#361 10 - 16 August 2007 16 pages Rs 30

Weekly Internet Poll # 361

Q. Which is the biggest obstacle to holding elections in November? Total votes: 5,804

Weekly Internet Poll # 362. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Are the Maoists serious about facing the constituent assembly elections?

KIRAN PANDAY

GARLAND OF FLOWERS: A teacher at the Panchakanya Secondary School in Chundebi on Wednesday gets his students to practice singing the new national anthem which extolls Nepal's unity in diversity and doesn't New song mention the monarchy. Now that polls are certain, let’s go for it

KUNDA DIXIT Prime Minister Girija Prasad the internationals. therefore shouldn’t be seen as an Koirala and Maoist chairman Now that they can’t avoid ultimatum but as the party’s bstacles overcome, the NC Pushpa Kamal Dahal are Nepal’s facing voters, the only way the campaign platform. and Maoists have run out two most-powerful men. But they kangresis can make up for lost Dahal’s biggest challenge now O of excuses not to go for were also the most nervous about ground and lift sagging cadre is to make the YCL and other elections. elections. Both knew they’d fare morale is by reuniting with the hotheads behave so that their Both parties have abandoned badly so they maneuvered to add NC-D. It will also want militancy will not their secret plot to evade polls, dissidents to the interim to set itself apart from wreck his party’s and a hardline Maoist clique that parliament and convert it into a republicans to bag the Editorial chance in wanted their party to quit the constituent assembly without estimated 40 percent of No turning back now p2 elections. The government has come around. elections. voters who want to Maoists have come The only lingering danger is a It was an ill-conceived and ill- retain a symbolic kingship. Since out of their meetings this week by deliberate attempt by extremists of concealed plan, one that would the election will effectively be a actually looking like a more both the left and right to sabotage have cost the government the little referendum on the monarchy, this democratic party than the NC. elections by adding fuel to the legitimacy it had. Still, they’d will be a critical campaign issue. They have also re-committed tarai fires, or stepping up probably have pulled it The Maoists have come out of themselves to the peace process violence against off had they not their central committee intact, and the 12-point agreement. Now, candidates in the been warned and their radical rhetoric of to fare well in elections all the ex- hills. off by rebellion seems to have been for guerrillas need to do is show they internal consumption only. The have abandoned violence once plenum resolution on republic and for all and that they stand for and proportional representation pluralism. 2 EDITORIAL 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit Design: Kiran Maharjan Are we squandering our freedom again? Director Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Circulation Manager: Samir Maharjan [email protected] Subscription: [email protected],5542525/535 Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 [email protected] Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018 www.nepalitimes.com A part for parties NO TURNING BACK NOW istorically when we’ve had struggling for democracy than languishing. peace, we’ve not had making it deliver development. To be sure, we have seen the Ever since Rana prime minister Padma Shamsher granted the first written constitution in 1948, Nepalis have longed for laws made for Hdemocracy and vice The parties are supposed to passage of progressive legislations the people, of the people, and most importantly, by the people. versa. Now, we Nepalis have an believe in the rule of law, but they like the Gender Equality But that expectation for an elected assembly to draft a historic opportunity to have both. are now competing with the YCL Amendment Act, the law on constitution has remained unfulfilled. In a farcical repetition of Last year’s peace accord lays to establish youth leagues. citizenship rights and the history, parties that represent the people are once more having the foundation for a new The peace process is also trafficking law. But it comes back cold feet about elections being held in November. It looks like beginning. The unity of the threatened by excluded groups to the same issue: lack of due instead trying to hold polls, politicians again want to hold them off. political parties, rebels, civil with demands that escalate from diligence in enforcing those laws. But there is no turning back now. society, and professional equality, to autonomy to For the first time in the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s commitment to organisations showed what a secession. The present band-aid history of Nepal, the people will elections seems to be intact despite thinking aloud about taking a unity of purpose and vision can approach of negotiations just have a chance to craft their own shortcut and converting the interim parliament into a constitutional won’t do, there has to be a constitution. It is not a flawless assembly. Even so, revitalising and reuniting the NC must be his genuine effort to address root process. It will be the people’s first priority. The Maoists hounded the NC out of the hills, and the GUEST COLUMN causes and grievances. representatives from the political Madhes Uprising weakened its hold in the tarai. The kangresi rank Sapana P Malla and file feels elections can wait for a more opportune moment We have a chance to parties who will be making the when their party has regained lost ground. restructure the state through the decisions after being elected That’s a prospect Koirala the party president finds hard to achieve. But are we once more enactment of a new constitution through a mixed proportional ignore, but Koirala the prime minister wants elections to be held squandering this hardwon via an elected assembly. system. A certain number of on schedule. Which will he be: party boss or elder statesman? freedom? Constitutionalism implies a excluded groups will be included The Maoists are even more nervous about elections. Pushpa Recognising the contribution balance between the power of the in the closed lists of the parties, Kamal Dahal has come under intense pressure at his extended made by civil society, the eight government and the rights of but it will still be the parties who central committee meeting that ended Wednesday, even though he parties agreed to set aside 48 seats individual. But what power has will choose those members, not astutely staved off militant-minded dissidents. for them but in the end been given to the people so far? the people directly. The supremo has realised that he has lost considerable support in his base areas. And the madhes movement decimated distributed it among cronies. A Ownership of the peace process is The election law also gives Maoist networks in the eastern tarai. A lot of the radical rhetoric committee was formed for the important, but who owns the discretionary power to the party that came out of the factory floor in Balaju this week was meant for drafting of the interim process: the parties or the people? for the use of ten percent of their internal party consumption. constitution and with six Do the parties genuinely reflect candidacy. And history has Only the UML has been consistently serious about elections, members representing four major the peoples’ desires especially witnessed parties never go and that could be because its internal party investigation has parties, but it had no women, given their expired mandates beyond minimum when it comes shown its candidates will do well. That is why Madhab Kumar dalit or janajati members until since the last elections in 1999? to marginalised groups. Having a Nepal has been urging Koirala and Dahal not to get cold feet. protests by activists. The same Can democracy be established constitutional provision for Now with two Alfa Males of Nepali politics having overcome story for the Peace Negotiation with the restructuring of the state minimum 33 percent candidacy their doubts about elections, it seems to be all systems go. the Committee and the Rayamajhi alone, or do we need to restructure for women means that will be the only spanner in the works can now be Commission. our values and delivery? How can cap. Still, we need to explore reactionaries, fundamentalists or royalists disturbing the polls by The status quo is so we expect figures who have held participation within that limited provoking unrest in the next three entrenched that some on to power for decades within scope. months. politicians just don’t see their parties to devolve power to a Political parties play a key It must be civil society and the how serious the exclusion federated state structure? role in transforming democratic people who must put pressure on still is. Political parties are Rayamajhi Commission’s values into living reality and the parties to stay the course. the vanguard of peace and findings have been published but establish peace, but due to lack of They must ensure that the parties democracy, but if the parties the home minister says action has clarity, commitment, and short don’t look at the elections as a themselves are already been taken against the term vested interest there is a zero-sun game. No matter who undemocratic guilty and there is no need to crisis of uncertainty and wins in November, everyone wins. how can they make them public. The suspicion about the election It is not a general election, ever take us insincerity in setting up a truth itself. after all, just a mechanism to select people who will decide how there? Our commission, the inability to this country will be governed in parties have appoint a head to the Human Sapana Pradhan Malla is advocate the future. always been Rights Commission, even the and president of the Forum for better at Commission on Women is Women, Law, and Development. From Mallik to Rayamajhi History has repeated itself as a farce hen Home Minister Krishna Sitaula The commission of inquiry headed by Krishna Prasad Bhattarai on 23 May 1990 Mandal, Sahabir Thapa, and Achyut read out the findings of the former Supreme Court judge Krishna Jung to investigate the excesses of the Rajbhandari. W Rayamajhi Commission on Rayamajhi was constituted on 5 May 2006. Panchayat regime that had suppressed Not only were they rehabilitated, but Monday, Justice Janardan Lal Mallik was in Rayamajhi had championed the values of democracy. At that time, it was they were given positions of authority to a coma in the hospital. human rights, democracy, and rule of law at unimaginable that a commission’s findings repeat their Panchayat era repression. He survived for a few days and then the height of Gyanendra’s absolute rule. could be ignored by a democratic Once again they escaped the net of justice, passed away. Had he seen the cynicism When he promised to bring perpetrators to government. Mallik was regarded highly and there is no guarantee (given the way that greeted the restrained book, it was clear his commission enjoyed for his uprightness and sense of fair play. the Rayamajhi Commission has been recommendations of Justice Rayamajhi, the mandate of the people rather than just Justices Uday Raj Upadhyay and Indra handled) that they will not stage a come perhaps he too would have repeated the government of the day. Raj Pandey were colleagues in the back to hound out Sitaula and his friends. Hegel’s exasperated observation: ‘the only At one point, commission members commission, both equally renowned for Rayamajhi is justifiably furious over the thing we learn from history is that no one Ram Kumar Shrestha and Kiran Shrestha contributions to justice during the way his report is being ridiculed by the ever learns anything from history’. even hinted that the commission was losing Panchayat dictatorship. eight party government, and royalist its commitment. But Rayamajhi’s credibility But the reputation of three of the opposition alike. STATE OF THE STATE was so high he salvaged support. Nearly a country’s most respected judges proved to As for Mallik, he has made peace with year later, sceptics have been proved right. be powerless in the face of king Birendra’s the harsh social realities of Nepal. When he C K Lal There is a certain déjà vu here that harks pressure. Birendra reportedly told headed the CIAA he scrupulously avoided back to the way the Mallik Commission Bhattarai that he was solely responsible getting into any controversy. Perhaps it was Or that it repeats itself as a farce. report let everyone off the hook after 1990. for everything done by his minions. Since the stress caused by this contradiction Sitaula virtually trashed the Rayamajhi In fact, the Mallik Commission became no action could be contemplated against between his belief and behaviour that Commission report by stating that the a metaphor of the business-as-usual the king at that time, the report of Mallik hastened his death. He had been a witness government had already taken appropriate insincerity of electied governments after Commission was consigned to the darkest to history and wanted to testify for truth in action against everyone found guilty of 1990 that ultimately tarnished Nepali recesses of Singha Darbar. the court of public opinion, but political atrocities to suppress the people’s uprising democracy. Once denied justice, people When king Gyanendra staged his realities of the day prevented him from of April 2006. lost faith in the leaders they had helped royal-military coup in 2005, he brought acting according to his conscience. Of 202 persons identified by the propel to power. This erosion of public faith back almost everybody identified by the Soon Rayamajhi and his colleagues too commission, however, most were let off the in politicians ultimately led to the collapse Mallik Commission for gross violations of will face a similar predicament. The path hook or left untouched. Apparently, the of Nepal’s second experiment in human rights and habitual abuse of they choose will determine whether we culture of impunity in the country has constitutional monarchy. authority: Parashu Narayan Chaudhary, have to keep tolerating endless repetitions deeper roots than respect for retributive The Mallik Commission was constituted Niranjan Thapa, Kamal Thapa, Satchit of blighted history or make a bright future justice. by the interim government of Premier Shamsher, Bhakta Bahadur Koirala, Badri for ourselves. 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361 3

LLL ETTERS

ADOPTION final paper work can be processed, is in and moon flag. What brings the insult to privileged (Chamar, Dushad, Dhanuk, As a regular reader of the Nepali Times, their best interests, especially when some the flag and the country is the degradation Halkor) of the tarai are bridged. I had been dismayed by your front page of them had been proposed and met their of our national economy and unstable This could come sooner rather than article (‘On sale’ #339) which was future parents as long ago as July 2006. politics. Our economy is remittance later because of the continued incredibly unbalanced. The more recent While these proposed children with based, and we think negotiating better discrimination and negligence of the followup ‘Kids in Limbo’ (#359) is a bit waiting parents, continue to live in working conditions is enough. When will pahadi administration. Add to this more balanced, but the biases of the orphanages it means that other orphaned we start making investment friendly laws decreasing productivity and journalist are perpetrated in many of the children of Nepal are not able to get into so jobs will be created in Nepal? We still fragmentation of land-holdings, floods, same allegations. Where are the facts? these orphanage beds. Is this in their best only take the tourists who land in our laps, food shortages and frustration in the Here are some data: one in 20 children interest? After signing their initial there is little effective promotion. tarai and there is only one way it can under 18 is an orphan, according to the paperwork in Nepal, and meeting their Agriculture has never gone beyond go. 2006 Demographic Health Survey for proposed child, families around the world subsistence because irrigation, extension, Ram Manohar Sah, email Nepal. This is a huge number given that wait, their hearts filled with love, yet the and microcredit has lagged behind. Nepal’s population of 27 million is very child’s bed in their home remains empty, Domestic industrialists are so greedy, MAOIST RIFT young, 41 percent are under 15. In is this in the best interest of the children? they’re out for the fast buck. We are proud The fissures that have emerged in the Nepal, children are often sent, lent, or The minister now needs to act in the to have a FNCCI president who thinks it’s Maoist movement during their current ‘given’ to relatives or wealthier families best interest of these children, and not necessary to resign on moral grounds convention (‘Prachanda vs Kiran’, to try to make sure they will have process the pending files under the laws even though he is a prominent bank #360) shows that Prachanda is now left sufficient food and, perhaps, an and rules that were in place when the four defaulter. But, being an optimist, I think with a Hobson’s choice to accept the education. At best, these children hundred plus children were proposed and this country can easily be put on the right proposal from the Mohan Baidya become ‘second-class family members’. accepted. track. All it needs is some vision, integrity faction or get damned by his own party Mostly, however, they are treated as Name withheld, email and good managerial skills. leaders. The way YCL is carrying on little more than domestic servants, fed Pravesh Saria, Slovenia with its threats and extortion clearly and maybe provided the opportunity of a I commend Mallika Aryal on her proves the Maoists couldn’t care less little education. In a very small minority article about intercountry adoption, which TARAI whether the elections are held or not. of cases, abandoned children and brings up the issue that there have been Frederick Gaige (1975) was right in Their veiled attacks on the press are orphans are adopted internationally. indefinite delays since April in the saying that the criteria for the nationality premeditated, despite a Maoist being International adoptions have increased processing of over 440 adoption files in determination is not limited to the the minister of information. Maoism has to about 400 cases per year over the progress. In fact, the delay has been in geographical difference between hill and failed and has been abandoned in the past two years, but this is a fraction of effect since February, when the adoption tarai. He correctly pointed out for the first very country where it originated, when an orphan population of at least 500,000 committee at the Ministry of Women, time that, while Nepal’s economic power will our Maoists learn from that? children. These children are taken into Children and Social Welfare last met to Prabin Jung, email loving families, provided full inheritance review adoption files. In every single rights, and treated exactly as if they one of these cases, the adoptive The current discord within the were biological children. Yes, there are parents have developed a strong bond Maoist party is but natural. They some irregularities in the adoption over many months of waiting (usually started with an impossible task at process, but they are not as extensive years of waiting and preparing for a present: establish a communist regime or widespread as your articles imply. child) and in the majority of cases, one based on armed rebellion and with the Instead of exaggerating the ‘market’ for or both parents have been required to premises that the parliamentary international adoptions, and claiming travel to Nepal to meet their child and system was a forum of the oppressors. that all of these children are being submit their file to the CDO in person. Now? It looks like the grapes are sour, stolen, the Nepali Times should Minister Biswokarma and others are to comrades. investigate the kinds of child-labour be commended for identifying the need With the weakening of the party, it abuses that continue to be perpetuated for additional stringent procedures that was a question of time that those who on children through ‘domestic will improve the system and bring it had less say in the party would try to absorption’. The lack of opportunity, closer to new international standards for gain more power. Even so, unequal treatment, and reservation of intercountry adoption. However, an Prachanda is so powerful it is care and love are the norm in these important fact must be mentioned. The unlikely that the challenge will bear situations – and this is in marked Ministry of Law and Justice has fruit. So, this week a drama will be contrast with the love, devotion, and determined that the old files must be staged to gain back the support of the opportunities provided orphaned processed under the current adoption law, dissidents and make the party look children in international adoptee which has never been dissolved and democratic. families. therefore is still in effect. The statement by Kumari Sarala, email Name withheld, email Minister Biswokarma that the new regulations must be passed in order to COMPUTERS IN SCHOOLS ‘Kids in limbo’ (#359) quotes Joint resume the processing of adoption files is I am not against initiatives like the Secretary Vinod Adhikary as saying that inaccurate and misleading. What then is One Computer Per Child or the the new terms and conditions for the use of making all these children and was generated along the plains, political Linux Terminal Server Project (#360). international adoptions are “…in the their waiting adoptive families hang in the power was in the hills. This asymmetric My concern is sustainability. Where is best interests of the child…” and for this balance? If the minister truly wishes to distribution of economical power has the technical staff to maintain the we are all grateful and encourage the “improve the plight of orphans and disappeared with the flow of remittance systems, or the electricity to run them? new terms and conditions to come into unwanted children in Nepal,” he needs to money. Economic dependence has What is the socio-economic effect as soon as possible. However, for immediately finalise the current pending decreased since 1975, altering the environment? Every project makes it the more than 400 orphaned children adoption files ahead of the approaching original ecosystem of political power. look like it has all the answers. In rural waiting ‘in limbo’ who have been Nepali holidays. At the same time, as CK Lal points out Nepal recently I saw the plight of proposed to, and accepted by A parent, email (‘The revolt of the aristocrats’, #360) schools and their very basic facilities. international adoptive parents around political awareness in the tarai has Where do computers fit in? Are we just the world under the current or ‘old’ FLAG CARRIER increased with the spread of education after publicity, donor funding, and adoption rules, it is hard to understand Re: ‘Insult to the Flag’ that you translated and media. It is to be seen how much soon awards? Nepalinux also started with a how waiting for the new terms and from Samaya (#360). Nepal’s national the gap between the privileged (Thakur, bang, and now it is going woo. conditions to be passed, before their airline is not the insult to our unique sun Goit, Jha, Yadav, Singh) and the less M Merdini, email 4 NATION 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361

MALLIKA ARYAL issue and international outrage forced the army to backtrack and modest house in reinstate the women this week. Out of the closets Baluwatar, just five The human rights of Nepal’s minute’s walk from the gender and sexual minorities is Nepal’s lesbians are tired of hiding Aprime minsiter’s residence, has being raised with government become the official home of officials and MPs by lawyers and Nepal’s lesbians as they come out activists. They have demanded a in the open. ‘third gender’ status to Most members of Mitini Nepal transgendered people, and were fired from their jobs or guarantee of representation at ostracised by their families and policy making levels. communities after they were Sunil Pant, an activist with found out. Here, they get skills the gay rights group, Blue training and learn to be Diamond Society, says the army’s beauticians and office assistants dismissal is the first reported so they can be financially incident of discrimination in the independent. military, but it isn’t uncommon. With help from Austrian and “For a long time we have Norwegian groups, Mitini suspected and heard of members also conduct research discrimination and harassment, and outreach to find out more but the victims don’t know where about lesbians who still haven’t to go and ask for help,” Pant told come out in the open. So far, us. He also wonders why only Mitini has a data base of more women are being targeted. “There than 1,200 women, most are must be so many gay men in the middle class, some are from the army, have their cases ever come upper crust of Nepali society, out?” he asks. there are atheletes, policewomen, Advocate Sharmila Dhakal is and soldiers. glad the Nepal Army retracted its Mitini was set up two years dismissal of the women. “But it ago, but Nepal’s low-profile proves that there are many in the lesbian community hit the army who are conservative,” she KIRAN PANDAY headlines this week after two says. soldiers at an army base in Says one Mitini member: HAPPY TO BE GAY: Members of Mitini Nepal at their office in Baluwatar on Wednesday pose for the media for Bhaktapur were detained and “Society will take time to change the first time after deciding to go public. More Nepali lesbians have come out after Mitini was set up two years discharged for alleged homosexual its attitude, but if the law ago to provide support, counselling, and skills training. behaviour. Media coverage of the protected us we would feel safer z Inclusion, not just on paper Member of the Dutch parliament, Boris Dittrich is now going on in politics, identity and inclusion in Nepal, groups share the European based in New York as the advocacy director of the such as BDS working on the rights of marginalised experience where it has been Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Program at sexualities, have also been taking the discussion forward. I important to name sexual Human Rights Watch. In Kathmandu recently, he spoke was approached by the embassy of the Netherlands to minorities to share a core with Laxmi Murthy. come to Nepal, since I was also vice-chairman of value of inclusion, a sense of parliament and of the Standing Committee on Justice, identity, and feeling of How did you go from politics to be an advocate of the heading the constitutional affairs branch. Since Nepal is belonging. How this can be rights of sexual minorities? going through a process of constitutional revision, I was operationalised in Nepal needs I served as a Member of Parliament for more than 12 invited to share my experience of the Dutch Constitution to be worked out locally by years with Democrats 66, a socialist party and was the and the European Constitution with Nepali organisations working with leader of the party for three years from 2003. Wanting a parliamentarians. sexual minorities, such as the Blue Diamond Society, and break from active politics, I did not stand again, and the political parties. Because, if there is inclusion only in decided instead to focus more on human rights work. My Do you think such issues will get a hearing? the Constitution, and the reality on the streets is different, it involvement with the European Parliament continues, I individually met several ministers across parties. reduces inclusiveness to just a word on paper. and in September we are trying to lobby for a resolution Everyone I met was supportive, and agreed that The most important is for society to recognise that it is to endorse the Yogjakarta principles [which codify the discrimination against sexual minorities (for instance the wrong to discriminate against sexual minorities. As long the rights of people with different sexual orientation or gender metis) is very wrong. They expressed their concern about police can beat up metis and there is no public outcry, identity]. recent incidents of metis being beaten up by the police. simply including some words in the constitution will not However, some senior leaders I met said that they were not help. A just, wise, and sound constitution, is a constitution How did you come to visit Nepal? aware of the issues of sexual minorities, whereupon, I tried that serves as a unifying factor in society. It should reflect In 2006, during the HIV/AIDS conference at the UN, I led to discuss ‘non-discrimination’, which is a very universal values that are non-negotiable. Especially in countries like the team from Netherlands and, thanks to alphabetical concept. Nepal where there is a great diversity of cultures, religions, listing of countries, sitting next to me was the team from race, people from different ethnic origins, castes, beliefs, Nepal. During the long sessions, I got talking to Sunil But why do sexual minorities need to be specifically sexual orientation and gender identity, an overall inclusive Pant, Director of the Blue Diamond Society (BDS). mentioned in the new constitution? constitution plays a major role in bringing all these During the last few months, with all the churning that is Well, I am not here to tell politicians what to do. I can only differences together. BUSINESS 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361 5

Flood of flood relief

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Companies, media houses, and banks have all chipped in to help Abuse of authority? people who have been affected by floods. Among them, the Association of Nabil Staff (ANS) The CIAA’s hurried attempt to pounce on top of the Nabil Bank collected cash Central Bank officials smacks of a gotcha attitude donations from the bank staff. These donations were further ast November, the matched by the Staff Welfare Fund. Rs 151,151, along with Commission for several sacks of clothes and utensils were presented to the Hridya L Investigation of the Abuse group, a relief NGO. of Authority (CIAA) lost its cases against two politicians: Khum Bahadur Khadka and Govinda Raj

More networking Joshi. Citing an old law, the then ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ United Telecom has started operations in Bhairahawa from this Special Court said that a public month. The company will provide mobiles with limited mobility for officer could only be slapped Rs 2,000 and CDMA wireless phones for Rs 6,000, including all with a corruption-related lawsuit taxes. UTL boasts the cheapest phone call rates and plans to start services in Pokhara as well. STRICTLY BUSINESS

Two more for BoK Ashutosh Tiwari

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ With the opening of two new branches, in Gongabu and Kohalpur, within one year of his leaving Bank of Kathmandu now has a total of 16 branches and six KIRAN PANDAY extension counters throughout the country. office. Since that length of time had elapsed in the case of both claim appropriate damages from were indeed corrupt, it’s hard to

City Express Joshi and Khadka, the court let ‘dubious’ foreign consultants, see how they could have done ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ them go free. The court’s message who had been paid large sums of what they did without others at City Express is the latest money transfer to the CIAA was, “You guys were donor money despite having done the bank being complicit in some venture that aims to make remittances a late in filing these lawsuits.” unsatisfactory work. Assuming way. lot easier. City Express is in partnership with Nabil Bank, and has Chastened, in part, by that this were true, it would be game These score settling activities its offices at Ghantaghar, Kathmandu. experience, the CIAA seems to to question the effectiveness of are all too believable given that have lost no time last June in the bank’s internal monitoring almost all of CIAA’s staff

VLCC in Nepal hauling up the governor and system. But to use this broad members are on deputation from ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ executive director (ED) of the governance issue as a narrow government ministries. This VLCC Health Care, India’s largest health and beauty brand, has opened its first centre in Central Bank before a court on platform from which to pounce means that the members’ long- Kathmandu. VLCC is the first slimming, fitness, charges of corruption. The on the top brass smacks of a term incentive is to stay loyal to and beauty corporate to be awarded the ISO governor and the ED have since gotcha attitude that only their possible future bosses (i.e. 9001:2000 certification, and has also received the ISO 14001 for been suspended. Released on bail, showcases the CIAA’s hurried politicians and bureaucrats), meeting global environment standards. they are awaiting trials. eagerness to catch big fish at the who, it’s no secret, can use the Meantime, it is worth expense of its own credibility. CIAA to get rid of rivals and

Trip to Liverpool commenting on two signals one The oversight issue: The nuisances. ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ can peel off the CIAA’s letter of Central Bank has its oversight To be sure, smarting over the Contestant number 015622 is the official winner of Carlsberg’s ‘win accusation, which it submitted committees and its own board of loss of major corruption cases in a football trip to Liverpool’ campaign’s second promotion. The winner will travel to Liverpool to watch a Liverpool FC match and on 29 June. directors. Their collective job is to the last three years, the CIAA give away the Carlsberg Man of the Match award. Carlsberg The workflow problem: ensure that the work that the wants a big win this time. It has sponsors Liverpool FC, and is also the official sponsor of Euro The CIAA’s charge can be reframed Bank does or contracts out never had any problem garnering 2008. not as an issue of corruption per conforms to appropriate press coverage for its initial se but as a workflow problem. procurement and delivery arrests. But the many of its wins NEW PRODUCTS That is, the failure on the bank’s requirements. That the CIAA gave have come from a mundane part to file, index and follow up a clean pass to all others, who strand of work: verifying NEW PULSAR: Hansraj on a piece of work that it had were also responsible for government officers’ educational Hulaschand has launched the new contracted out. This failure could oversight work, and chose to zero credentials. Though the CIAA 200cc oil-cooled Bajaj Pulsar DTSi. The new Pulsar comes with well be attributed to the bank’s in on two individuals make it may hope that this particular case a new advanced console that includes an odometer, speedometer, negligent attitude toward the task vulnerable to the counter-charges will be its crowning achievement, fuel gauge, trip meters, engine temperature, battery voltage, and oil of crossing the t’s and dotting the that it is settling unidentified chances are high that a bench of level – all digital. The Pulsar 200cc is available on i’s. personal scores under the lofty judges will ultimately say, “You easy installments from Everest Bank, Teku. In its letter, the CIAA lays out guise of battling corruption. Even came to court too early with what the accused did not do to after assuming that the accused inadequate homework.” z Half the sky

hen Nepal’s newly-restored parliament Vice chair Sarala Lama says many of Nepal’s ills passed a resolution in May 2006 can be traced to under- representation of women in W directing the government to reserve at politics. “I think violence, hatred, communalism least 33 percent seats for women in state bodies, have come up in Nepal because women are not in initially there was jubilation. decision-making positions,” says Lama, quickly This was a landmark legislation for a country adding, “we are not extremist feminists, we are only with one of the lowest levels of participation in asking for equality and what is rightfully ours.” Asia of women in government and among elected According to the party’s manifesto Sa-shakti representatives. But for some women not only did Nepal will ‘struggle against all kinds of extortion, the bill not go far enough, there was also a danger inequality, injustice, and feudalism, reactionary that like past laws it would never be regression and all kinds of anti-nationalism’. Some implemented. of the party’s goals like ‘supporting world peace, So they registered their own political party, disarmament, national, and social freedom Sa-shakti Nepal. “An entire year has gone by, movement and fighting imperialism, communalism, many meetings have been organised, there has violence, and discrimination based on caste and been a lot of rhetoric about gender equality, but gender’ may sound a bit self-righteous. But what they are just words,” says party’s chair, social may appeal to Nepali voters are more specific goals worker Padmini Pradhananga (pictured). “We say like decentralisation, social security, transparency in reservation is not enough, we are equals so give us public administration, and the setting up of village 50 percent not 33 percent.” cooperatives to help create jobs for women. Sa-shakti Nepal is now registered with the ”Men and women should vote for Sa-shakti Election Commission for the November polls and because we aren’t politically affiliated and our main has the scales of justice as its symbol. It has nine agenda is equality,” says Pradhananga who says her working committee members and recently opened group’s social service and wide network across Nepal its membership to those interested in joining, will allow the party to hit the ground running. z Mallika Aryal MIN BAJRACHARYA including men. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361 Listen, don’t talk buying expensive goods from

not go along with it, and the Indians have sent a ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ abroad becomes spicy news. It clear message that this is just not on. So, the option Kishore Nepal in Rajya ko was never bothered by ethics. The is to cite deteriorating law and order and the Rupantharan, July 2007 media is also psychogenic, Cold feet madhes as an excuse not to hold elections. If the journalists have an illusion of Maoists go along with this plan, that would be all After the April Uprising, Nepal is Koirala needs. It’s only India’s negative reaction undisputed qualification. They Yubaraj Ghimire in Samaya, 10 August that has stopped him for now. ready for transformation. can’t appreciate viewpoints that The prime minister has proposed to give the Established power centres are in differ from theirs, the Two events coincided with the Maoist central MJF 37 seats in the parliament, but Upendra Yadav tatters, yet the Nepali media is achievements of fellow Nepalis, committee meeting this week. The admission by a put a spanner in the works by demanding that the unable to shed its dual they are paranoid about Maoist guerrilla that some 1,000 inmates of the interim parliament be disbanded. Koirala’s plan will characteristics. In last 50 years, competition and take pleasure in Nawalparasi cantonment have recently fled the only work if the security situation gets worse, camp accusing their seniors of not giving them the the media has always found itself their own limited indeed he seems not at all interested in improving hobnobbing with power. In first Rs 3,000 a month allowance they were due. Then, law and order. The inability of the police to control accomplishments. there was the YCL action in Dolakha where the the YCL, the militant tarai groups running rampant, phase, the media was divided The Maoists now control the CDO became the target of terroristic outrage. and Sitaula remaining put at home minister despite along the party lines, in the latter Ministry of Information, but they Home Minister Krishna Sitaula who has by now these failures all prove that Koirala is determined to phase, it is divided around too have failed to appreciate the lost all his credibility assured civil servants that let the situation deteriorate so much that elections personality and attitudes. importance of the media. In this their security would be guaranteed. But no one will not be possible. After the 1980 referendum, the top-down world, the Nepali believes him. Prachanda’s long meeting with Koirala just It is getting difficult to say for sure that the media appeared proactive, but people who are consumers of before his central committee meeting was obviously was vigorously discouraged by the behaviour of the attackers and the inaction of the not about the Maoists leaving the government. It media products have no choice Home Minister are not deliberate. The political was to ask Koirala to understand why the Maoists establishment. The 1990 but to accept what the journalists parties and their leaders have been publicly had to be so critical of the government. All this goes restoration of democracy the and publishers dish out. making the constituent assembly election a life-or- to show that there is some kind of agreement at the media didn’t change its spots. This is what our press death issue, but there is also a conspiracy to use highest levels of government. The fact that they are The government merely amended freedom means: the people are the excuse of security to scuttle it. letting things drift is what arouses suspicion. But the words of the Panchayat era free to listen not to speak out. We Koirala has hatched a plan to induct dissident the parties must improve the security situation, they madhesi, janajati, and dalit into the interim policy, but continued the same media people thrive on our claim must govern, they must let the UN fulfil its mandate practices. parliament and turn that body into a constituent on arms management and human rights and of interactive society, but take assembly for now. It is clear that Koirala has been electoral code of conduct. Otherwise, the three Even now, the press is pleasure at the citizen’s inability bouncing this idea off the Maoists and UML. His leaders will take decisions behind closed doors to divided by media personalities. to speak. only fear is that the international community may have their way. The formula of use and consumption remain the guiding Army won’t do it

policy. When the Maoists ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ launched the people’s war, the Dhurba Kumar in Himal media failed to form a clear view Khabarpatrika, 1-17 August of the movement. It didn’t look at the human cost of the war, those The possibility of an army caught in the crossfire. The Nepali takeover amid this fluid political media have never really looked at situation needs to be carefully the possibility of news outside examined. The possibility of the perimeter of power. Most of army doing the king’s bidding is its time is spent chasing loose almost negligible at present. The talking politicians and leaky brass doesn’t wish to be isolated bureaucrats, or a policy-less from the world by trying to save a government. Any politicians king and his kingdom. In the past KIRAN PANDAY FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361 7 Aspirations ensure that all indigenous

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ nationalities are given their share Editorial, Nayapatrika, 9 August of seats by the parties. It isn’t clear whether the federation has The agreement between the postponed this demand, yet. government and the Nepal In the beginning it seemed as Federation of Indigenous if there was coordination between Nationalities (NFIN) sets a the MJF and the federation, precedent for finding a peaceful though the two groups had solution to all demands for fair different styles. The federation political representation to was more constructive, whereas Nepal’s diverse communities. the forum seemed destructive. The agreement sets an example Extreme pressure is often for madhesis and other groups counterproductive and the forum who have been using violence to should learn lessons from NFIN. draw the attention of the state. The main characteristic of They should all learn from democracy is finding amicable NFIN. resolution to all problems. Sitaula: Now we’ll make the laws and prosecute them. Political ethnification or Democracy has obviously Reporter: Prosecute the guilty or the Rayamajhi Commission? ethnic politicisation are raised the expectations of the Paper Headline: ‘Rayamajhi Commission Report Out’ debatable concepts. But there people and this is as it should be. KIRAN PANDAY can be no two opinions about The unitary state ignored the Jana Bhawana, 6 August the army has tarnished its image the need to give political multicultural realities of Nepal more to protect the interest of representation to minorities. for a long time. Now the country QUOTE OF THE WEEK the king rather than pursuing its The agreement on making the needs to be unified, but in a own institutional ambitions. I election to the constituent different way. The quest for The Maoists demand for proportional representation“ don’t think it will repeat the assembly more inclusive and justice to the past discrimination and republic can only mean one thing: they don’t want proportional is a welcome “ same mistake. isn’t wrong, but the motive to take part in elections in November. There are officers who believe development. NFIN has given up shouldn’t be to settle scores. The in democratising the army and its demand of full proportional agreement with NFIN has opened Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra adapting with the changing electoral system. But it is likely new possibilities and has shown Poudel, in Kantipur, 9 August. times. The Americans have raise the issue of a broad that amicable resolution is coopted moderate leftists by agreement with the parties to possible. SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS funding their NGOs. It still wants to neutralise the Maoists, but wouldn’t want to use the army for the job. India has unprecedented influence over the parties. Nepali academics like us don’t imagine meeting the Indian Prime Minister as soon as we land in Delhi, but Indian academics like SD Muni have easy access to our prime minister despite his ill- health. Furthermore Muni goes to the reporters’ club and declares India‘s full support for Nepal. Who’s Muni? This gives us a sense of how much influence India has in Nepal. And perhaps it indicates India doesn’t need the army to extend its influence. The real danger comes from the parties. Koirala is using the army in ways that remind us of Gyanendra. This is dangerous. The defense ministry is not active and the national Security Council hasn’t been formed so Koirala continues to deal with army one-on-one. The army has the government’s support, and most political parties lead by the NC are keen to maintain the status quo. The Maoists are pushing for the security sector reform before the election. YCL anarchy is unabated. Combatants in the camps have a similar style. There is speculation the army might step in given the political climate and the deteriorating situation in tarai. But that won’t happen without the consent of the political parties and foreign powers. It’s not just the monarchy that is history on the world stage, so are military juntas. Except in areas where world powers have a strategic interest (Burma, Pakistan). It is the political parties who deserve blame for the present uncertainty, not the army. The parties who came to power on the strength of the mass uprising have forgotten who is sovereign here. They are harbouring the illusion that they can continue to cling to power indefinitely. The sands of the Bishnumati coul

SCOTT BERRY

hibakhel is not usually counted among Kathmandu’s attractions. C Situated in Ward 19, it is off the tourist trail and few even in Kathmandu have heard of it. But like the valley’s other hidden Rebirth in Ch corners, it is oozing with history. More But his big idea is to build a small traditionally been barred. Having fought original message. Now, in preparation for importantly, a local citizen’s initiative has Buddhist Vihar on an abandoned plot, not caste prejudice to become a sculptor of the vihar, Shanta Ratna Shakya, chairman begun to transform a neighbourhood that only for ceremonial purposes but as a Buddhist images, Shahi has personal of the Nepal Rashtriya Gyanmala Samiti was one of Kathmandu’s dirtiest and least community centre and library, where young experience. comes and teaches Pali chanting, while a appealing. people could learn traditional Newar arts Shahi also feels that sometimes Newar Newar Theravada monk gives brief sermons There are supposed to have been 12 like image casting and paubha painting Buddhism leans too far towards ceremony on the original message of Buddhism. Ashoka Stupas in the Valley, and it is activities from which ‘lower castes’ have and superstition, while forgetting the The rebirth of Chibakhel has happened surprising how frequently you stumble because of local initiative. There are no aid across one. Chibakhel (from Newari agencies or foreign charities involved. It is chibakhyo, ‘Place of the Stupa’) is one of Golden sands and human sacrifice taking time, but it has a sustainable these. The stupas probably date from the Raja Ananda Malla of Bhaktapur learned from an astrologer that sand taken from a momentum. Once the Vihar and Licchavi period, and Chibakhel is on a spot certain spot on the Bishnumati at an auspicious moment would turn to gold. That spot community centre get built, the locals plan that gives it a good claim to antiquity is probably Kankeshwari, one of the eight mother goddesses whose temple stands on to clean up the river bank. There is not situated on the banks of the Bishnumati the banks. The sand did turn to gold, by the way, but the coolies sent to fetch it had much the inhabitants of the square can do where there has probably always been a already sold it to a Kantipur merchant who subsequently became so rich that he paid about the sludge coming from upstream, bridge on the road to Swayambhu. off everyone’s debts and established Nepal Sambat (880 BCE). but they can take care of their own part of When the city walls were built, In medieval times there was a wild stone-throwing festival held here in which the the Bishnumati. Chibakhel wound up outside them. Since young men of two neighbouring toles competed. It was a rough sport: anyone knocked If such local initiatives take off people who did necessary ‘polluting’ work unconscious or captured by the opposing side was taken to the Kankeshwari temple everywhere along the river, who knows, were not allowed inside the walls, the and sacrificed. The festival was only ended by Jang Bahadur when the British maybe someday the sand will again turn to neighbourhood became the home of Newar Resident, a Mr Colvin, who had come for a look, was struck by a stone. There is no gold. z record of Colvin being sacrificed. butchers who still live there. The stupa had a pipal tree growing out Scott Berry is associated with CNAS and of it, and it was restored a few years ago, co-author, with Rashmila Shakya, though not with the greatest sensitivity. of From Goddess to Mortal, the Still, what was once the scene of daily True life Story of a Former butchery is now a pleasant square and a Royal Kumari. playground for children. The initiative to further revitilise the neighbourhood has been taken by Kamal Shahi, who was born in the square and was one of the first to take in hippies in the 1960s (see box). The stupa plinth is now covered with potted plants, looked after by a gardener with copious advice from the local women. Rubbish collectors stop by to collect trash so it doesn’t pile up in the streets. The square has become part of the route for the Duwadashi procession just before Indra Jatra, and Shahi states proudly that, in spite of this being the butcher’s quarter, the offerings in front of the stupa are uniquely vegetarian.

BIRENDRA PRATAP SINGH ld turn to gold again hibakhel Pig Alley and the flower children

In the sixties when curious and curiously dressed young people started arriving in Kathmandu from Europe, the US and Japan, most Nepalis didn’t know what to do with them. How ritually polluting were these people anyway? This was no problem for the Shahi since by a strange coincidence, the Muluki Ain of 1854 put butchers and Europeans on the same level of the caste ladder. Whether they were actually aware of this or not, the local people opened their homes as lodges and feeding houses. Long before Thamel there was Freak Street. And before Freak Street there was Pie Alley (Maru Tole), and before Pie Alley there was the unfortunately named Pig Alley. And at the very end of Pig Alley stood Chibakhel with its little lodges and teashops clustered around the stupa. When the people up the hill noticed how well the butchers were doing feeding hippies, they seem to have decided that perhaps foreigners were not very polluting after all and the scene began to move up the hill. But not everyone left. Earlier this year an Italian veteran of the 1960s passed away in a room overlooking the stupa and was cremated just up the river at Bijeshwari. This was an occasion for many old-timers, Nepali, Tibetan and Western, to get together and reminisce.

ALL PICS: SCOTT BERRY

STUPENDOUS STUPA: Chibakel Square (top) looks spick and span after a neighbourhood cleanup campaign. Kamal Shahi, a butcher-turned-Buddhist sculptor who is a moving force behind Chibakhel's rebirth. Devotees line up with vegetarian offerings at the Duwadashi festival. 10 NATION 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361

prolonging the deadlock. The only explanation for why MJF is not acting with more urgency is because the leadership, like many in the tarai, is convinced that elections will not happen in November because the major parties don’t want it. The Forum is relying more on raw anger in the tarai for the next round of confrontation than thinking of building the party machine for polls. The other groups suffer from similar weaknesses. Goit is a respected political figure but does not keep well and has a weak organisation. He appears more committed to the idea of secession but admits that the next generation will have to take the struggle forward. Jwala Singh is more active and has expanded his organisation rapidly, but at the cost of including more criminals. Neither leader has a pan-tarai appeal or a large The weakness of madhesi popular base though there is increasing acceptance of armed groups shouldn’t make us action. Both Goit and Jwala complacent about the tarai crisis expressed willingness for talks in DIPAK RAUNIYAR the past realising it would give them legitimacy. They had even declared a ceasefire but the government snubbed the initiative. They feel insulted and Sandbagging the plains now appear more reluctant to negotiate, at least in the absence of certain preconditions. The loods have devastated the have helped create an chauvinism, they lose sight of if he walks out he will need to armed factions have calculated tarai. Thousands are environment for engagement. the other factors that affect resume the movement. The that the government will not give Fdisplaced and almost a But given the government’s people’s lives. The response problem is people are not in an in on any major issue, and they hundred people have died. But track record in dealing with the illustrates all that is wrong with agitation mood right now, and can instead capitalise on the like the Kashmir earthquake and madhes, it is not surprising that the madhesi movement: crisis of he has little to go back to. The radicalisation on the ground. But the tsunami in Sri Lanka, the nothing of the sort happened. leadership, lack of a coherent MJF’s organisation is in this attitude can change and they human tragedy offered an What is more telling is the political agenda, limited shambles. It has not been able to may come for at least one round opportunity for conflicting sides reaction of the madhesi groups. organisational strength and their capitalise on the brand of talks if the government creates to build bridges. The MJF came out with one inability and unwillingness to recognition it won after the the environment and Madhesi statement days after the flooding engage in true mass politics. movement. Its tactical blunders civil society exerts pressure. began, and its district units have These weaknesses prevent have made district-level political The madhesi movement is TARAI EYE done little to organise assistance. madhesi outfits from filling the figures reluctant to join the party fractured, disorganised, and Prashant Jha The armed groups neither political vacuum in the tarai, and its Yadav pre-dominance directionless. But there is anger declared a ceasefire nor directed besides posing a roadblock to had bred resentment among firing it still. Faultlines are The state could have used the activists to work for relief. serious negotiations. other castes. getting deeper and confrontation moment to reach out to the Instead, they exploited the Just look at the government- Upendra Yadav himself has between the state and madhesis, alienated madhesi population. A weakness of an over-stretched MJF talks: the lack of progress been out of the tarai for more Maoists and madhesi groups, and sincere relief program with state machinery to continue with has as much to do with MJF’s than five weeks, first in the US between hill-origin people and effective use of international killings, abductions, and looting internal problems as the and then in Kathmandu, at a madhesis is likely in some form. assistance, an appeal to agitating adding to the misery of the government’s unwillingness to time when he should have been The weaknesses of the madhesi groups to come on board and people they claim to represent. compromise. Upendra Yadav is focussing on recruitment and groups shouldn’t make anyone in mobilisation of madhesi civil When political entrepreneurs trapped. If he strikes a deal, he mobilisation. Instead, he is Kathmandu complacent about the society as interlocutors would rely solely on identity will be seen as having sold out, happy shifting goalposts and gravity of the situation. 22 NOVEMBER 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #36111

Nepali Congress Symbol: Tree Agenda: Democracy, nationalism, socialism, equitable development, federal-setup, not decided on monarchy Small is beautiful or republic CPN-UML Small parties are much more enthusiastic Symbol: Sun Agenda: Democratic republic, end of about elections than the big, established ones feudalism, non-feudalistic economy, socialist state, egalitarian state, JOHN NARAYAN PARAJULI us there isn’t any. When pressed, handed in their manifestos to the preservation of sovereignty of the Dhungana muttered vaguely about Election Commission. people he Election Commission is the NC standing for “democracy, “Under the law, they have to Nepali Congress-Democratic getting ready for the 22 nationalism and socialism”. The submit their manifesto for Symbol: Jar (kalash) Agenda: Federal-setup, inclusive T November elections. More UML already senses victory and is registration," says Election society, restructuring of the state than 17.6 million Nepali voters the most keen to have the Commission’s Narendra Man organs, territorial integrity, total are ready. UNMIN is standing by. elections over and done with. It Shrestha, but none of the bigger multiparty democracy, promotion of But the main political parties has a platform that underlines a parties have formally done so, national and local languages. For are not. democratic republic and equity. and some haven’t even updated republic (uncertain after unification of NC). Most of the 64 parties in the UML leaders have been on the their contact addresses. CPN-Maoists fray are small and new, and campaign trail, but even they Out of 64 applicant parties, 58 Symbol: Hammer and sickle within circle they’re mostly ready for the don’t seem to be completely have already been registered. Most Agenda: Proportional representation, November polls. But the main geared up. of these are small, new parties People’s Republic political parties are not. Except The Maoists, still hungover which all had to procure at least Small Parties perhaps for the UML, the big after a bruising party plenum, 10,000 verifiable signatures. There Madhesi Jaanadhikaar Forum parties have suddenly developed have realised that whatever are several that are one-agenda Symbol: Hand held torch cold feet. While most of the support they had has eroded parties to restore Nepal as a Hindu Agenda: Inclusive federal democratic established parties don’t have because of the threats and high- kingdom, like the Peace Party and republic, proportional clearly-defined election handedness of their own cadre Shiv Sena Nepal or turn Nepal representation, mixed economy, social justice, regional autonomy, manifestos, the smaller ones have during the past year. The Maoists into a Hindu republic, like the separation of powers and end to all specific and coherent agendas. did not split during its plenum, Hindu Democratic Party. forms of ethnic, racial, and regional Some are concerned with the but it put Chairman Pushpa Some, like the Nepal discrimination restructuring of state, others with Kamal Dahal on the dock for Cooperative Party, is totally Hindu Democratic Party bringing back the Hindu trying to weaken the party by devoted to development. “Our Symbol: Woman Agenda: Hindu republic, end to all kinds kingdom, still others are only taking the poll route. party is a response to the of dictatorship. interested in uplifting the status The lack of enthusiasm among monopoly of the eight parties,” of women or in improving the the main parties towards says Toyanath Dahal, whose party Democratic Janamukti Party people’s living standards. While elections has dismayed the new wants to create jobs by Symbol: Comb the larger parties are vague and players. “These old men do not establishing rural cooperatives. Agenda: Proportional representation on the basis of ethnicity, ethnic idealistic, smaller parties like the have much of an agenda, what are But Dahal is first to admit his liberation Nepal National Development they going to take to the people?” party doesn’t have much of a Sa-Sakti Party Party has a concrete vision to asks Upendra Yadav of the chance and he will be satisfied if Symbol: Scale make Nepal a middle-income Madeshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) it can just be a pressure group. Agenda: 50 percent representation for developed country in 20 years. which has registered as a party. But there are others who are women, cooperatives in every village, and employment for women. Chief Election Commissioner “The big parties aren’t ready much more ambitious. The Nepal Nepal Green Party Bhoj Raj Pokharel doesn’t find it because they know that election National Development Party Symbol: Mango unusual that the big political won’t happen,” Yadav adds, “they headed by naturalised Japanese Agenda: Poverty alleviation, inclusive parties haven’t yet submitted have been scared to death by the Takashi Miyahara has a 20-year society, federal-setup, their political platforms. “The ethnic and regional awakening of masterplan to develop Nepal protection of personal freedom and property election itself is a political the masses.” based on huge investments in agenda, and that is the agenda of Political analyst Krishna infrastructure. Miyahara’s plans Nepal Cooperative Party the political parties,” he explains, Khanal believes that fear of an include an east-west railway and Symbol: Notebook and pen “I don’t think they will allow uncertain outcome in the link highways, moving the capital Agenda: Cooperative in every village, themselves to be left behind in elections has petrified some party to Naryangarh to ease the employment for youths, vocational tanning, and markets for local products, promoting their own agenda.” leaders and held them back from population pressure, three river ceremonial monarchy We asked the chief whip of getting into serious campaigning. (Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali) Nepal National Development Party the NC in parliament, Ananda Such is the lack of electoral projects, among others. “We are Symbol: Radio Prasad Dhungana, about his preparedness that the major here to do development, not Agenda: Elimination of unemployment party’s election manifesto, he told political parties haven’t even politics,” says Miyahara firmly. z through development projects, promotion of tourism and preservation of the nature, social security, development of education Peace Party Nepal Symbol: Two triangles “We are ready.” Agenda: Declaring Nepal a Hindu state Naba Janabadi Morcha Symbol: Baby Agenda: Autonomy for madhes, federal- Chief Election political parties have to campaign, the setup Commissioner government and the civil society also have Nepal Janbhawana Party Bhojraj Pokharel roles to play. Security is of paramount Symbol: Panas spoke to Nepali importance to the election. The Election Agenda: Pension for farmers, equal Times about Commission alone cannot hold the election. At opportunity for all, democratic republic groundwork for best, we are a coordinating body. Prajatantrik Shakti Party November. Symbol: Clock KIRAN PANDAY What is the one thing that stands in the way of Agenda: Constitutional monarchy Nepali Times: So how are preparations coming holding a credible election? along? We shouldn’t hold elections for the sake of it. Bhojraj Pokhrel: The Commission is busy finalising The November election is a key component of its technical preparations… the peace-building process. If everyone does United, they stand their part, we can hold a successful election. After weeks of wrangling and dispute over who should be more senior, …and you think elections will really take place on leaders of the NC and NC-D say they are on the verge of unity. 22 November? The parties are not yet in an election mode, is “We are doing our homework and we hope to announce unification There is only one date in our calendar. And that is that affecting your work? by next week,” Ram Krishna Tamrakar of the NC told us. NC-D leader 22 November. We are ready and prepared for the The election itself is a political agenda, it is Sher Bahadur Deuba’s threatened to walk out of unity talks if party elections. the agenda of the political parties, and I don’t unity didn’t happen by 15 August. The five-time prime minister’s think that they will want to be left behind in tantrum seems to have worked. But are the political parties and their leaders in the promoting their agenda. But sure, the civil The NC-D says it is the NC that was holding things up. “We are government prepared? society and others need to focus on the key clear on the unity, if anyone is not it’s them,” says Bimalendra Nidhi, We are happy that the parties are with us. Their actors in the process and their activities so NC-D’s general secretary. Deuba wants the simultaneous merger of support keeps us going. that they do not forget whose agenda it is. But both the local and central committees, while the NC wants to just do election campaigning will speed up once we the central committee for now and leave districts for later. The NC-D But you have expressed concern about the security finalise the election programs. Because of the is also proposing a leadership panel at the central level comprising of situation. floods in the tarai and other circumstances, Deuba and Koirala to sort out any outstanding issues until the unified When we talk about election and security, there are things haven’t quite paced up, but I am convention of the party takes place. many stakeholders responsible for it. The security confident it will gradually build its own “The unity process is going through labour pains,” says NC leader agencies have a responsibility of enforcement, the momentum. Anand Prasad Dhungana, “but the baby will be born soon.” 12 INTERNATIONAL 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361

MIN BAJRACHARYA Does the UN still matter? Ban Ki-moon is more secretary than general

ith 192 members and a reflected how the member Since then, UN peacekeeping mandate that covers governments designed the forces have been deployed more Weverything from program, and they chose to turn a than 60 times. security to refugees to public blind eye to the abuse. Yet the There are now roughly 100,000 health, the United Nations is the program’s problems are portrayed troops from various countries world’s only global organisation. in the press as ‘the UN’s fault’. wearing UN blue helmets around But many think the UN is The cost of the entire UN the world. Peacekeeping has had doing a poor job, and believe it system is about $20 billion, or its ups and downs. Bosnia and was tarnished by corruption less than the annual bonuses paid Rwanda were failures in the during the Iraq oil-for-food out in a good year on Wall Street. 1990’s, and then Secretary General program under Saddam Hussein. Of that sum, the secretariat in Kofi Annan proposed reforms to Many also blame the UN for New York accounts for a mere deal with genocide and mass failing to solve the Middle East’s 10 percent. Some universities killings. myriad problems. have larger budgets. In September 2005, the states Another $7 billion supports in the UN General Assembly UN peacekeeping forces in places accepted the existence of a MIGHT AND RIGHT like the Democratic Republic of ‘responsibility to protect’ Joseph S Nye Congo (DRC), Lebanon, Haiti, and vulnerable peoples. In other the Balkans. The rest, more than words, governments could no But such views reflect a half, is spent by the UN’s longer treat their citizens however misunderstanding of the UN’s specialised agencies, which are they wanted. nature. The UN is more an located around the world and A new Peace-building instrument of its member states often play an important role in Commission was also created to than an independent actor in managing global trade, coordinate actions that could world politics. True, UN Secretary development, health, and help prevent a recurrence of General Ban Ki-moon can make humanitarian assistance. genocidal acts. The current test speeches, convene meetings, and For a brief moment after a case is the situation in Sudan’s propose actions, but his role is broad coalition of countries acted Darfur region, where diplomats more secretary than general. together to force Saddam Hussein are trying to establish a joint Sometimes likened to a out of Kuwait in 1991, it looked peacekeeping force under the UN ‘secular Pope’, the UN Secretary like the original concept of and the African Union. General can wield the soft power collective security would become In the poisonous political of persuasion but little hard ‘a new world order’. Such hopes atmosphere that has bedeviled the economic or military power. What were short-lived. Consensus UN after the Iraq War, widespread hard power the UN has must be within the UN proved disillusionment is not begged and borrowed from the unachievable on both Kosovo in surprising. Ban Ki-moon has a member states. And when they 1999 and Iraq in 2003. tough job. But, rather than calling cannot agree on a course of action, Skeptics concluded that the the UN into question, states are it is difficult for the organisation UN had become irrelevant for likely to find that they need such to operate. When blame is security questions. Yet in 2006, a global instrument, with its assigned, much of it belongs to when Israel and Hezbollah fought unique convening and the members. to a stalemate in Lebanon, states legitimising powers. Consider the oil-for-food were only too happy to turn to a While the UN system is far program, which was designed by UN peacekeeping force. from perfect, the world would be member states to provide relief to Ironically, peacekeeping was a poorer and more disorderly Iraqis hurt by sanctions against not specified in the original place without it. z Saddam’s regime. The secretariat charter. It was invented by the Project Syndicate did an inadequate job of second Secretary-General, Dag monitoring the program and some Hammarskjold, and Canadian Joseph S. Nye, Jr. is a professor at corruption was involved. But the Foreign Minister Lester Pearson Harvard and the author of Soft much larger sums that Saddam after Britain and France invaded Power: The Means to Success in diverted for his own purposes Egypt in the Suez crisis of 1956. World Politics. REVIEW 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361 13 Top girl hen Pasang Lhamu was Sick of it nine years old, her W namesake became the first Nepali woman to climb Michael Moore’s new documentary Chomolungma. This year, at age 23 Pasang herself reached the hat’s up with Michael in the form of summit of the highest mountain in Moore bashing? Just romanticised trips the world. read the reviews for his to Canada, UK, She is elated. Things have W been going well for this bright recent release Sicko and you may France, and Cuba. not believe that a person could be More debate on the young woman from Solu Khumbu described with a more inferiority of after she graduated from the contradictory set of words. He is, Moore’s polemics International Mountain Guide School in France last year and apparently, a genuine activist, but will inevitably become Nepal’s first also a disingenuous demagogue. follow, even mountaineering instructor. “At first, He is manipulative, it is said, yet though everyone people usually don’t believe me his analysis too simplistic. He is will agree that he when I say I have climbed Mt a regular guy (a blue-collar is onto something Everest and that I am an philistine even), but–as it’s here. But consider instructor,” she told us. beginning to be pointed out–not this: his methods Pasang now trains students for from the same tax bracket. have made the the Nepal Mountaineering Director: Michael Moore custodians of this Association’s (NMA) basic level course in rock and ice climbing CRITICAL CINEMA 2007 system go berserk. In other 123 min. words, it works! Capitalists are and in mountain rescue. “It’s great Diwas Kc that Pasang has managed to do so terrified of being subjected to his well, we’re really glad to have her doctors who ask individuals with ethical gaze, and now even the in our team,” says Dagombu The right hates him for chopped fingers to choose US Treasury Department hopes to Sherpa of the NMA. obvious reasons. The centre finds between a $60,000 middle finger curb him with legal Pasang is also preparing to him too passionate for its taste, and a $12,000 ring finger. impediments. go back to Chomolungma whereas the left finds his jaunty, Hospitals that drop off patients Moore has found something next year as a high patriotic populism too annoying. in infirmary garbs in the middle that affects Americans in a more altitude guide on the Regardless, Moore is a popular of the street. Insurance policies general, direct way, and perhaps First Inclusive man, and he sells documentaries that decline applicants for being for that reason, critics will make Women’s as if they were fantasy films. thin or fat or… err… simply liable less controversy out of this film. Sagarmatha If you have followed Michael to illness. And a government that It’s a good thing that Moore has Expedition 2008 Spring, of which Moore’s career, you know what he touts the heroism of its fire- decided this time around to stay Sprayway is about, and moreover, what he is fighters but denies them their out of the picture a bit more. mountain gear against. With Roger and Me medical dibs. Although a master model, Sushmita Maskay, is also a (1989), Bowling for Columbine Moore may have you believe confrontationalist, he isn’t member. The expedition has (2002), Cannes and Oscar-winner that the US is barely better than a hounding anyone in Sicko. vacancies for a few more Nepali Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004), and now third world country on this Instead we get testimonies from members. Sicko on his résumé, Moore is matter. But it is astounding that ordinary people who have lost Says Pasang: “Nepali women perhaps the most outspoken the country that spends the and laboured for the sake of are not getting into mountaineering filmmaker contemporary America highest amount on health system profit. Perhaps his personality, because of the lack of awareness has seen. For over a decade and in the world holds the pathetic for once, will not overshadow the and encouragement. I want to half, Moore has stalked the position of 37th in WHO’s issue. change that.” Shailee Basnet devious American bureaucracy ranking. Moore’s intention, then, But he is there, zany and in- and corrupt corporations with is to expose the shadiness of this your-face as ever, a modern a rage. system and demonstrate, in a manifestation of the medieval In Sicko, it is the private basic way, that there is an jester, calling kings fools. For all health-care system of America alternative. his foibles, no one better that has caught his eye. And what Analysts will be disappointed represents the American a sick system it is! Here are that this alternative comes only conscience at the moment. KIRAN PANDAY 14 CITY 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361

ABOUT TOWN Chak De India is the story of Coach Kabir Kahn’s (Shahrukh Khan) fight and struggles EXHIBITIONS while training the female Indian hockey team. ™ Amalgam a group exhibition of paintings by national and international Kabir’s Team India must overcome their artists at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited, until 20 August, diverse backgrounds and learn to use 11AM-6PM. 4218048 everything that life hurls on them to get to the ™ A tribute to pioneering work a collection of paintings by Chandra top. A story about honesty, sincerity and Man Singh Maskey, Tej Bahadur Chitrakar, Bal Krishna Sama, and Rama integrity, the movie follows the rise of Kabir Nanda Joshi, until 11 August at Park Gallery, Pulchok, Rs 50 entrance. Kahn’s team of diverse yet similar individuals Entertainment rediscover their love for the sport of hockey. EVENTS ™ 300 a film based on the graphic novel by Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal

Frank Miller, 10 August, 6.45 PM at Lazimpat Quest www.jainepal.com Gallery Café. 4428549 ™ Live! An international bell festival atop the Swayambhunath stupa, bring along a Nepali puja bell, 6PM onwards on 11 August. ;xeflutfdns" ;ljwfg+ lgdf0fsf{ nflu ;ljwfg;efsf+ ] on electoral system by Surya g]kfn ;/sf/ † ™ Shastrartha Prasad Shrestha and Nil Kantha Upreti, 11 lgjfrgdf{ ;xefuL eO { cfkm}+n] 5fgsf] kltlglw| dfkm{t ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno August, 4-6PM at Martin Chautari. 4238050 ;"rgf ljefu ™ Rato Bangala School presents West gof F ;ljwfg+ lgdf0f{ u/f }+ . Side Story 9 August: 6.30 PM, 10 August 3PM and 6.30 PM, 11 August 1PM and 4PM, 12 August 1PM and 4.30 PM. Tickets at Rs 250, 500, and 1000, proceeds go to Gangalal Memorial Hospital for heart surgery on economically disadvantaged youth. ™ Nyayapremee a play by Albert Camus, directed by Sunil Pokharel, 11 August-8 September, at 5.30PM everyday except Mondays and Wednesdays, at the Rimal Theatre, Gurukul, Old Baneswor. 4466956 ™ Regular pottery classes at Artworks, Pulchok, opposite Banana Cat Café, starting 12 noon till late. 9851101837 ™ Film South Asia 2007 Festival of South Asian documentaries, 11-14 October. www.filmsouthasia.org ™ Toastmasters a communication and leadership program, organised by Kathmandu Toastmasters Club every Wednesday 6PM at Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) building, Tripureswor.

MUSIC ™ Acoustic music by Yanki and friends at Moksh Bar, 8.30 PM.5526212 ™ Rudra Nite at LeMeridien, fusion and classical Nepali music by Shyam Nepali, every Friday, Rs 800 nett. 4451212 . ™ Jazz at Jatra every Saturday 7PM onwards, at Jatra Café and Bar, Thamel. ™ Soul of Raga live classical and fusion music, every Friday night at Nhuchhe’s Kitchen, The Organic Bistro. 4429903. ™ Open mic night at Via Via Café, every Friday, 8PM onwards. ™ Live music at the Red Onion Bar, Wednesdays from 8PM with Yanki and Zigme Lepcha. 4416071 ™ Ciney Gurung every Wednesday and Rashmi Singh every Friday, live at the Absolute Bar, Hotel Narayani Complex, 7PM. 5521408

DINING ™ Mango Etagère taste mango crepes suzette, bread scones with mango ice cream at The Lounge, Hyatt Regency. 4491234 ™ Starry night BBQ with live music by Ciney Gurung at The Shambala Garden Cafe, Hotel Shangri~La, every Friday 7PM, Rs 666 inclusive of a beer. 4412999 ™ Traditional Nepalese BBQ at Splash Bar & Grill, every Friday 6.30 PM, Rs. 799 nett with 1 large Ruslan Vodka. ™ 5th Annual Monsoon Wine Festival 16 wines at Rs 150 a glass and WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Rs 600 a bottle, at Kilroy’s of Kathmandu, Thamel. 4250440 ™ Monsoon Magic live jazz by Inner Groove and a variety of cocktails The southwest monsoon (a bit from the summer special menu, every Wednesday, Rs 599 at Fusion – of a misnomer here since it arrives actually from the the Bar at Dwarika’s. 4479488 KATHMANDU southeast) is taking a breather. ™ Lajawaab curry, kebab and biryani festival, every Friday, 7PM onwards Thankfully so, considering the at Café Horizon, Hotel Himalaya. 5523900 havoc in the tarai this past week. ™ Walk and lunch every Saturday at the Shivapuri Heights Cottage. But this may not last long since 9841371927 there are two cyclonic troughs, pizza pie and pool, a special swimming package one over the Bay and the other ™ Shangri La’s Pizza over the Arabian Sea. Both are with a complimentary beverage, Saturday and Sunday. 4412999 clearly seen in this satellite ™ Kebabs and curries at the Dhaba, Thapathali. 9841290619 picture taken on Thursday ™ Krishnarpan Nepali specialty restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel, six to morning. They will take another 22 course ceremonial lunch and dinner. 4479488 week to reach us and may cancel ™ Weekend special with sekuwa, bara, barbeque, Fridays at each other out. But they may Ambassador Garden House, Lazimpat, 5.30 PM onwards. 4411706 also strengthen each other depending on how the isobars ™ Flavours of the Middle East every Friday and the taste of Thailand arrange themselves next week. every Wednesday at The Café, Hyatt Regency, Boudha. 4491234 KATHMANDU VALLEY Till then, expect the moisture to ™ Light nouvelle snacks and elaborate cordon bleu meals at La’Soon, waft up the mountains and fall Fri Sat Sun Pulchok, behind the Egyptian embassy. 5537166 as rain, mainly in the late evening ™ Continental cuisine and wine by the fire place at Kilroy’s, Thamel. and night with light, cool winds 4250440. from the southeast. And when the sun does shine through, as ™ Smorgasbord lunch at Park Village Resort, every Saturday. 4375280 30-21 31-21 29-20 6 it will in the mornings, it will be ™ Calcutta’s rolls, biryani, kebabs Indian cuisine at Bawarchi, hot and sticky. Bluebird Mall Food Court. 9741000735 ™ Rediscover fine Italian cuisine at La Dolce Vita, Thamel, all new exciting menu. 4700612 ™ Pizza from the woodfired oven at Java, Thamel. 4422519

GETAWAYS ™ Weekend package at Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa, two nights three days at Rs 8,888 and one night two days at Rs 4,444. 4451212 ™ Wet and wild package at Godavari Village Resort, every Saturday and Sunday, unlimited swimming, buffet lunch with a beer, Rs 690. 5560675 ™ Monsoon madness two nights three days package at Rs.5999 for a couple at Shangri-La Village, Pokhara. 4412999 ™ Experience Hyatt one night stay on double occupancy, full buffet breakfast at The Cafe and access to Club Oasis, Rs 5000 plus taxes, valid only for Nepali and local residents. 4491234 ™ Overnight package at Dwarika’s Himalayan Shangri-La Village Resort, Dhulikhel, includes accommodation, snacks, dinner and breakfast. 4479488

For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] HAPPENINGS 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361 15

MIN BAJRACHARYA ALL TOGETHER NOW: Maoist top brass ( from l-r: Baburam Bhatarai, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Mohan Baidya) patched up their differences at the party's central committee meeting in Balaju Tuesday and decided to go for elections and stay in government.

MIN BAJRACHARYA BOOK WORMS: Two Maoist ex-guerrillas in full combat gear outside the meeting hall in Balaju on Monday set aside their assault rifles to flip through a book about the history of the student struggle in Nepal.

KIRAN PANDAY SHE'S HERE: New US ambassador, Nancy Powell, being received by Charge d'affaires Robert Hugins at Kathmandu ariport on Wednesday.

KIRAN PANDAY ART IMITATES LIFE: Shova Chand, a performance artist based in Paris, ShovEESAUESSE perfoming Go West combining threatre, music, dance, and portraying shocking images of the west, at Jatra Cafe and Bar, Thamel on Sunday.

MIN BAJRACHARYA GREAT PICTURE: Sangeeta Thapa of Siddhartha Art Gallery and her family admire the paintings of Bal Krishna Sama at the Park Gallery in Pulchok on Thursday. The exhibition also includes paintings by other greats like Chandra Maskay and Tej Chitrakar and is on till 11 August. 16 BACKSIDE 10 - 16 AUGUST 2007 #361 Abductors Almost Abducted epal is garnering a well-deserved courage to earn some major kickbacks so that the reputation worldwide for being a pretty RB211 engine that is rotting in a Hong Kong hangar www.nepalitimes.com Nincompetent country. Let’s face it, our for more than a year can be overhauled? If the fight blokes can’t do anything right. But, be that as it is between HECO and AMECO, for heaven’s sake may, we are a proud and independent nation. take your cut and get the damn thing repaired. We may not have assets, but we have a whole lot of asses. And that is what makes our country truly FG great. Really, our guys are just not greedy enough. Instead FG of embezzling zillions on plane purchases, the very people who are ministers today went for messy Sorry to say, but even our crooks are third-rate. leases right through the 1990s. Now, they aren’t Our willful defaulters are so mediocre they get even immoral enough to lease planes, they are caught inflagrante with their hands in the happy with measly baksheesh on maintenance honeypot. Then, they’re so dense they can’t even contracts. Pretty soon they’ll be satisfied with an bribe their way out of being blacklisted. Highway underhand payoff on storage fees for the broken robbers in Chandranighapore get involved in engine. Speaking of which, there is a plan to take motorcycle accidents as they make too swift a the engine off the plane that is being checked out getaway. In Birganj, kidnappers botch their in Brunei and fly it back to be fitted on the kidnapping and end up getting caught. Only in grounded jet here. Genius, whoever thought of The Rising Nipple do you get to read that. But, ummm, how will the jet in Brunei fly headlines like: ‘Abductors Abducted’. back? Ambitious as he was to wield absolute FG power, even our wily kingji couldn’t pull off a proper royal dictatorship. He is reported to have So Sri Tin Girija has installed a lift at Baluwatar to said soon after his half-hearted coup in February get up to his first floor bedroom. Which begs the 2005: “Those loyal to me are incompetent and question: if he needs a dumbwaiter in his official those who are incompetent are loyal.” residence how on earth is he going to make it to And those who are royal were neither China on an official visit in Asoj? Isn’t it a health loyal nor competent, the Ass supposes. hazard for our head of state and government? Besides, how is he going to fly to Beijing if FG the 757s are still grounded? In a Twin Otter? Over at our Department of Uncivil Aviation, it FG looks like folks aren’t even smart enough to be really corrupt. If they were, they’d have ordered Still on the subject of aviation, our unusually replacement for X-ray machines long ago and we’d reliable source tells us negotiations with Sri not have to wait in lines stretching right down to Lankan Airlines on flying to Kathmandu have the Ring Road just trying to get into the terminal broken down because our guys wouldn’t allow the because only one of the x-rated things still works. Lankans to carry 100 pax per flight And if they were smart enough to be between Delhi and Kathmandu, corrupt they’d have ordered two Dreamliners long only 75. Call me an ass, but how can ago. Instead, what we have is petty graft that a country that has suspended all involves cabin crew squirreling away undrunk international flights by its flag booze after flights and commissions on ordering carrier not allow someone else fly cabin consumables like plastic cutlery. Makes one passengers? So mean, no? ashamed to call oneself a Nepali. Why doesn’t someone just muster the [email protected] ISSN 1814-2613 CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 04/058/59