#104 26 July - 1 August 2002 16 pages Rs 20 I spa, you spa 8-9

Why is traffic so bad? 15 Disaster unpreparedness The response to this week’s floods show our disaster management is a disaster.

BINOD BHATTARAI ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ There are up to five cloudburst eventsThis negligence was made worse this loods and landslides are commonin in the Nepal Himalaya every monsoontime because the government’s information the Himalaya. What was unusual thisseason. These relentless and locally network is in a shambles. Maoists have Ftime was the lack of information, theconcentrated rain (like the 177 mm in destroyed24 phone lines in one-third of all degree of unpreparedness, and the hours that fell in Kathmandu Valley ondistricts, the local bodies which used to rush inadequacy of relief response. Monday night) cause massive flashfloods,information and coordinate relief cease to landslides and river blockages. Given howexist, and the army and police are pre- It took three days for Kathmandu to be common cloudburst events are, you wouldoccupied with fighting Maoists. alerted to reports of the devastation in expect the government machinery to be “This was a medium scale flood, adjoining Makwanpur district where moregeared up for it. than 100 people were washed away by something you would expect every 20 years An expert group did recommended in floods. By Thursday afternoon, the official or so,” says water expert Dipak Gyawali, “the death toll had crossed 150, including1996 30 that the government acquire onehigher C- casualty figures are a result of relief after disasters strike. The UN itself has dead or missing in the valley. The figure130 aircraft, eight helicopters, 157 trucksencroachment of flood plains and urbanisa- not set a good example: one of the areas does not include dozens who died ofand vehicles, tents, communication tion. The really worry is: what if we get coordinatea relief. The group met on inundated this week was the “UN Park” on the snake bites, most after being rushedequipment, to 10 Bailey Bridges and raftsonce-in-500-years for type flood next timeTuesday to take stock of damage, but Bagmatirelief floodplain in Thapthali. Garbage district hospitals which didn’t have emergency rescue. That report, like manyround.” The government has a Centralis hampered by a lack of information onlandfills the and new roads along the Bagmati venom antidotes. others, gathers dust in government shelves.Disaster Relief Committee (CRDC) andground situation. “Mitigation and preven-constricted Neither the hazard maps nor the special-recently set up a curiously named Depart-tion activities work best at the local levelflow, backing “I’ve seen worse rains and floods but not ised rescue teams recommended in 1996ment of Narcotics Control and Disasterand these activities have to be decentral-up flood as many deaths,” says environmentalistwere and set up. Management at the Home Ministry to ised,” says UNDP’s Man Bahadur Thapa.waters. broadcaster Bhairab Risal. But the government seems to be more interested in the political advantages of Editorial p2 Apres nous, le deluge

EXCLUSIVE Localise, says Court The Supreme Court Wednesday issued an injunction against the government One week in Rolpa decision last week to dissolve elected local councils. So far, the government is unmoved by a public outcry, the sharp The people of Rolpa desperately need help. Not to fight the criticism from opposition parties and donors. Prime Minister Deuba tried to Maoists, but to give the Maoists nothing to fight about. convince donors Tuesday about his KASHISH DAS SHRESTHAin GHARTIGAUN political compulsions, but they were ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ the truce and attack the army in Ghorahi. reportedly so skeptical that they are t just takes a few hours walk out of the Rolpa district headquarters drafting another strongly-worded letter to “The government refused to agree to our demands for an interim govern- Deuba to reconsider the move. The of Libang to get the first indication that you are entering Maoland. ment, constituent assembly and the establishment of a republic,” Burma says, decision to dismantle VDCs and DDCs,ITwo young lads approach us and ask where we are headed. They gesticulating vigorously with his forefinger. He plays down they say, is a serious setback to grassrootsnote down our names, refuse to answer questions about democracy and development. Maoist casualties, and plays up the defeat of security who they are. Later, we are told they belong to the forces at Gam, Satbaria and Mangalsen earlier Maoists’ “Company D”. Further on, we run into three more Maoists in civvies, they greet us this year. with the Later, Burma grants an impromptu interview to lal salaam. three visiting journalists. “I have nothing to lose, On the hilltop of Budagaun, there is a I’ll fight to the end. Why shouldn’t I?” he asks. Weekly Internet Poll # 44 festival in progress. There are food stalls, Then he launches into a tirade full of Maoist including one selling local “ice cream”. jargon from the 1960s. Q. Do you approve of the cabinet decision to dissolve People are making sacrifices at the local local government units? We reach Ghartigaun late in the evening to Shiva temple. The Maoists don’t seem to be told that a large Maoist group had just left, have banned the Hindu festival as they have in other parts of the midwest. heading south. This used to be a bustling A young Maoist who looks 15, but says township six years ago. Today, most shops are he is 18, is on patrol carrying a musket that closed, it is impossible to bring in supplies and is taller than him. A certain Comrade foodstuffs. The police post at Ghartigaun was Burma steps up and, taking advantage of moved out four years ago. In November the the crowd that had gathered for the security forces returned, but stayed for only KASHISH SHRESTHA festival, gives a little speech. He is on sick three months. There used to be a local adminis- Total votes: 1161 leave recovering from a bullet wound on tration office, a forest range post, a depot of the his lower back, and he tries to justify why Q.ShouldWeekly Internet there Pollbe an # 45.interim To vote government go to: www.nepalitimes.com in the run-up Food Corporation, an agricultural extension to the November polls? the Maoist leadership decided to break office, and a veterinary clinic. All have been destroyed or abandoned. see p4-5 222 EDITORIAL 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES NATION 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES 333 Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit Editor:Anagha Neelakantan COMMENT by NURU LAMA SHERPA 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, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-543333-7, Fax: 01-521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press: 01-521393 Bahuns and the Nepali state (revisited)

en years ago, I was at the Foreign Ministry to request a change on my It is unfair to blame everything on bahuns, APRES NOUS Tpassport. Restless and beaten by the or blame every bahun of wrongdoing. heat, I waited in queue for the concerned charges of some conspiratorial state LE DELUGE officer to show up. “He should be here any agenda○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to undermine minorities and ○○○○○○○○○○○○ minute,” said the bestow privileges exclusively to the contempt for bahuns at large. Bahun his week’s rains and floods were a metaphor guard. He bahuns is stretching the truth too far. for the crisis battering this country. While vanity hits where it hurts the most: the finally appeared, Such blatant charges seem often to comepride and dignity of ethnic minorities. Tnothing can be done about mother nature, a diminutive from conceited minority leaders whose there is plenty that can be done about the bahun with a fatal attractions are limited to cashing inFOOD CHAIN motherland. gaunt, cross face. on the ethnic card. Officials say that we suffered a natural disaster. Viewing Nepali politics from a purely A few minutes later, a man Ethnic domination is not restricted caste perspective, one can argue that the But just like everything else in this country, it was a carrying a motorcycle helmet to bahuns. The Ranas and the chettris inso-called democratic changes of the largely man-made disaster. Monsoon cloudbursts the Royal Nepal Army, Newars and and earthquakes have been happening in the came through the door and went 1990s were part of a successful bahun Himalaya even before humans started settling in straight in. When I alerted helmet-man Marwaris in businesses, Sherpas in exercise to take substantive power from these hills. But rains and quakes don’t kill people, of the existence of a queue, the officer mountaineering, Gurungs in missionary the Rana and Shah rulers and share the buildings and the sites of settlements do. stared at me and barked armies are some other well-known cases.spoils. The bahuns effectively succeeded, The lack of opportunities within the Natural events mostly kill people when we , “Ta bhote, but the struggle of the lower castes for a state apparatus is one reason why many don’t follow traditional wisdom about locating bhadta janne hunchas?” I have no level playing field goes on. No matter communities, ensuring proper land use and non-bahun communities have built their how nationally-motivated and all- appetite for racial insults, and ten years building codes, or don’t have adequate disaster own “economic” niches. encompassing the aspiration of those who ago I was a feisty teenager. Even so, I preparedness and prompt relief. But all ethnic monopolies, large and spearheaded the democratic struggle, quietly submitted to the officer’s author- Urban sprawl and social inequities send squatters to live on, and farm, small, need to be denounced. Every looking through the ethnic glass it ity since I needed to get my work done. vulnerable flood plains. Badly-designed roads, bridges and embankments Nepali should be provided a fair chance appears as an incomplete democracy. ANALYSIS by SHYAM SHRESTHA That the bahun community collec- exacerbate floods. As long as we seek only engineering solutions that to compete in all activities, public and Something is obviously wrong when tively dominates the political and do not treat river basins as drainage systems and obstruct their flow, we private, within the state. But what of bahuns make up over 80 percent of Nepal’s will keep having man-made disasters. Let’s not pass the buck and bureaucratic systems is beyond conten- communities which have no niches to political and administrative leadership when blame nature. tion. It is in explaining this dominance, rely on? And if ethnic monopolies are they only constitute 15 percent of the This week’s floods over central and eastern Nepal were much worse however, that opinion seems to vary prevalent, why all the hue and cry againstpopulation. Fair representation from various What do the Maoists want thiswidely. The time? anti-establishment revolu- because we have, through our own misjudgement and incompetence, lost bahuns only? Why are only they being ethnic groups in the government should be the first line of defence in times of calamity: Nepal’s efficient and reliable tionaries point to the prevalence of caste- blamed for the sorry state of our countryencouraged, not as showcases to get telephone system. More than 20 of our 75 districts have been without based, conspiracy-inspired discrimination The Maoists have shown newdecision couldpolitical open the doors flexibility. through today? After all, it is not the bahuns whominority votes but to really put minority phones for most of this year thanks to the that has turned the state and its institutions which the nation can be steered towards have ruled Nepal for the last two-quarterviewpoints and grievances at the forefront. revolutionary zeal of our comrades who into instruments to further their hold. The political parties mustpeace. The respondcost of not taking thisin kind. centuries. They have become elected At the same time, minorities should have blown up telecom towers as part of The conservative rightists, on the their effort to build a new Nepal. Without○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ chance could be○○○○○○○○○○○○ very high. The Maoists leaders only after 1990. refrain from impulsive, inflammatory other hand, revert to cultural explana- rapid information, there will not be much have bent a little, the political parties When a Limbu resident of Panchthar reaction. It is unfair to blame everything he latest statement by Maoist taking the country forward through a tions of the traditional bahun commit- relief to coordinate. Four days after the must respond in kind. goes to Phidim to make his citizenship card,on bahuns, or blame every bahun of Chairman Prachanda tells us three democratic political process. This will make ment to learning and education that deluge, we still do not have an accurate But the government has rebuffed the he will most likely encounter a bahun wrongdoing. Democracy provides the picture of the true extent of the damageT tonoteworthy things: the Nepali people truly sovereign, which the Maoists' overtures. The big question is: paved a path for access to high office. bureaucrat who refuses to sign his approval minorities with an opportunity to life and property. Maoists believe they are not now. The first seeks to explain state-sponsored If the government is willing to sit Does the government have its political without some “ organise and have their voices heard Then, it used to be local police posts, It also shows that if other political social injustice, and hence calls for a fight down and resume talks, the Maoists are ownership in its own hands? Its demand without engaging in hateful, malicious to end it. The latter argues for a morally not enjoy the same caste privileges, elected village councils, district-level also ready to come back to the table parties agree to this change and make it that the rebels hand over their arms and educational achievements, monarchical rhetoric or violent, disruptive conflict. officials and Members of Parliament who their main election platform, and if the justifiable position of a meritocracy. Not only was access to education less anywhere, anytime. apologise is unrealistic, and demonstrates a access and intra-ethnic networks to At the same time, increased educa- used to galvanise local relief work, and government can assure free and fair desire to continue to wage war, for any Whatever the origins of the caste available to lower caste groups, but draw the attention of faraway Kathmandu They also appear willing to consider pursue these opportunities. tional campaigns to root out caste elections, there may be hope of a peaceful system, it was encouraged and enforced education could not provide an escape to rush aid. None of them exist anymore. reason. No strong rebel group in the world This view synthesises both the prejudices, and reform pressures to taking part in elections, provided there are end to the present political crisis. by those who benefited most from it. It from caste perimeters. Caste advantages chiya piune kharcha”. In his In many districts there isn’t a single unit of would sit down for talks after surrendering reduce state control on peoples’ daily provisions for an interim government, and All these factors would also force the could hardly be otherwise. So it is not along with the priest-scholar roles in thereactionary and conservative positions, office, a framed, garlanded poster of the local, district or national government left.on mutually agreeable election procedures. weapons. And why would the government and attempts to paint a less political and lives can lessen prevalent negative Maoists to reconsider their stated that non-bahuns are or were less-inclinedroyal courts allowed bahuns easy access king and queen will bear down on the man. So, when a landslide or flashflood strikes, as it did in Khotang two talk with a rebel force that has already more accurate picture of bahun en- perceptions held against bahuns. The Maoists are ready to forge a objective of destroying parliament, and surrendered its weapons? Although the towards education, but in a restrictive to centers of power. With the formation of The Limbu villager never faces the raja in weeks ago, or in Saptari, Chitwan or Makwanpur this week, there is no one a modern state with its requirement for a croachment on the Nepali state. It is a to take charge of relief. People are left to fend for themselves theworking best that partnership with all “pro-people” instead be forced to look upon that Maoists may be feeling the pressure of the cultural climate which ascribed one to a real life; in his mind he is the impartial, forces against retrogression for the certain hierarchical worldview and bureaucracy and election-based political product of historical social processes benevolent arbiter of justice. they can. institution in a more constructive light. security forces’ actions, they do still hold based on natural instincts for self- complete democratisation of the Nepali sway over large parts of the country. predetermined life-path, a lower caste processes and institutions, the educated A non-bahun officer might be equally Luckily for the impervious politicians in Kathmandu, most Nepalis have Before the dissolution of parliament bahuns had “first-mover” advantage. progression in a competitive environ- polity, and to join the political main- The UML could have an important interest in education came secondary to uncooperative but given bahun prepon- come to expect little from them. The people will get by, like they always have, there was the possibility of dialogue in Nepotism, ethnic favoritism, and the ment: it is not the result of an apartheid- MIN BAJRACHARYA MIN stream. requirements of the role in society: derance in the state system, especially with community and self-help. But this time they will also curse callous and parliament with all political parties which role to play here. Unfortunately, the UML like, state-sanctioned design, as many argue. (Nuru Lama Sherpa, a Phaplu native, is unfeeling officials who couldn’t be bothered. People whose bindingWhat motto Prachanda doesn’t say clearly in soldier, farmer or blacksmith. demands of a new nation provided since 1990, contempt for the stifling, had been trying to find a way out of this has taken the status quo stand that Favoritism is rampant, but to bring presently earning a Master’s degree in seems to be: live for the minute, who cares what happens after wehis statementare is whether the “agreed bahuns many opportunities within the corrupt and cold Nepali state has quagmire of violence. But because parliament should not be re-instated, and Public Administration at Harvard gone. Madame de Pompadour is supposed to have saidApres it moi,best: election“ procedures” should be for a state apparatus. Other ethnic groups did effectively transformed itself into a parliament was hurriedly dissolved naively believes that the security forces can University.) le deluge.” constituent assembly, or for parliament. (perhaps because the government got ensure a free and fair election for them. The Maoists themselves must give the wind of such a dialogue) the emerging The UML leadership is under the illusion authentic and final explanation about whatalignment was pushed to the backburner. that despite the dissolution of parliament, 5. Two very-power-hungry they mean. But I believe that since they The dissolution of parliament the dismantling of local bodies, and leaders of Nepali Congress who are keen to try anything under have recently declared their readiness to They were given fake French brought the new possibility of elections to suspension of civil liberties, it can still the sun to snatch power LETTERS DEJA WHO? passports in Bangkok and flewempowerment sector. It is true drop the proposal of a constituent the fore, but it also dispersed the win a majority. 6. Local government minus the to Australia where they, as that the silent, vulnerable and assembly for now, they will settle for the The only way to defend the achieve- Your editorial “Act locally” local representatives emerging alignments between political instructed, destroyed their repressive nature of women government agreeing to an interim (#103) was spot on. Great job.7. A national shutdown each An extreme example of TIME FOR TIMES parties. The most recent Maoist overtures ments of the 1990 people's movement, passports at the airport on hinders them to furthering their Here is a list of what faces ustime there is a royal visit government and a referendum. may therefore be motivated by a desire to stop retrogressive and foreign reactionary convergent thinking, lack of The hectic schedule here doesarrival and claimed political success in any kind of field. hapless Nepalis 12 years later:8. Heightened corruption of This is the first time that the Maoists confidence and vision among not give us much time, but asylum. They are now at the Manjushree’s words struck a bring to the fore and restart the process forces in their tracks, and seek peace and 1. A partyless Prime Minister unheard proportions political parties and leaders iswhen it comes to news from Marrybirong refugee centre andchord and expressed the have been so positive on the question of that was sidelined. The other factors that progress through talks would be for the 2. A dissolved parliament 9. Total indifference of the reflected in the obsession of Nepal then it is will probably be deported. Theyfeelings of many Nepali elections under the present regime. This is must have weighed in on the Maoists UML, the institutionalised faction of the with supposed caretaker people in public office both factions of the Nepali www.nepalitimes.com that wehave lost everything, and nowwomen. government 10. Complete exclusion of the POETIC LICENSE a sign that Maoist tactics have changed decision to make the conditional offer for Nepali Congress, the political parties of the Congress to keep the party all await. This letter is just to they have also lost their 3. Pending court case regard-poor from the development Renuka Gurung, since their plenum in early July. However, talks could be a change in India’s attitude dissolved parliament, as well as the Maoists name and symbol. If the Deubacongratulate you on your 100 freedom. Our association has ing the parliament further process CREHPA, Ekantakuna this is not the first time the Maoists have faction was confidenttheir of th been visiting the Nepalis at the towards them, and the possibility of the themselves to be united as a single aggravating uncertainty 11. Severe hindrance for detention centre, but there isn’t hinted that they are willing to put their American military turning Nepal into a struggling force. 4. EC that can’t seem to decideNepalis to obtain a passport ormajority, why could they not come issue and give you a pat on themuch we can do except to Let this nation live freedemand for a constituent assembly on proxy zone. It would have been up to the UML to which is the real Congress even citizenship certificate up with a new name and symbol? back for providing such a warn other Nepalis not to fall by Ram Prasad Gyawali hold. That was the message in a letter to With elections in November, Nepalis Party (is there such a party 12. No right to protest Ditto for the Girija faction. Thisreliable, credible (and eagerly forge such an alliance. That would have anymore?) shows that both party and party into a similar trap. Manjushree Thapa’s all seven major political parties before the are in a Catch-22 situation. The country been the true test of its leadership: a 13. Economic growth rate of awaited) window on Nepal. This sadness is unbearable, mother, how will I live dissolution of parliament. They said that below 1 percent, population leaders donot have trust, faith Once the latest issue is read on Benu P Adhikari, Nepaliaccusation that some there is blood all over, mother, let me live would lose by not letting the elections visionary role of carving a path out of this growth rate of 2.5 percent and commitment to win the the web it makes us want to Assosiation of Victoria“Congressi boys” threatened nourish me, and let my innocence live. they were willing to come to a common to disrobe her in public is hard take place, but the likelihood of being able crisis. But the UML has shown that it is 14. Election date with little election on their own. They justclick again and again to check if Melbourne, Australia This thunder and smoke are unbearable, agreement if all parliamentary parties to hold free and fair polls does not exist. opportunistic and incapable of looking scope of elections want to coast on the momentumthe new issue has appeared. to believe. This is cheap I can’t sleep with all this noise agreed to bring the army under the beyond short-term power interests. It must 15. Government media com- of BP’s name. We like the combination of attention-seeking publicity to The government’s presence is non- make her point. It has been don’t hold me so tight, let me breathe command of the elected government, in rise above such pettiness at a time when pletely misused daily by the Unlike these politicos, the serious field reports from let me see the world, let my innocence live. existent in more than half the country, people in power done at the cost of the order to make the present bourgeois public does not have any particu-Maoist areas, social and making it impossible to set up polling democracy and the country’s future are 16. Massive spending on country’s image and is quite I was born powerless, how could I ever harm you democracy “fully” democratic. Prachanda’s lar obsession with the Nepali development issues. booths. Even if they were established, under severe threat. Kathmandu beautification unbecoming of a person of her why give me life if you didn’t want me to live 18 July statement appears to be a continu- Congress name or symbol. The Kumar Basnet 17. Kathmandu elites oblivious to intellect. I can’t harm you, let my innocence live. the possibility of people coming out to political parties also fail to analyseSophia University, Japan ation of that line of thought. all of the above, and still MISOGYNY Name withheld, Kathmandu The rivers are thirsty, the harvests hungry vote is slim. the public mood, which is hope- The Maoists had also suggested a partying away. the Buddha is in rage, death is itself in mourning These developments make it neces- fully looking for a renewed political Thanks to Manjushree Thapa’s constitutional provision might be needed Now, is this déjà vu, or “Misogyny amid the Intellectuals” the himals will still smile, let me smile with them sary for the parliamentary parties to take commitment. A new name, symbol the tarai will still dance, and so will I to conduct the referendum. This could what? and new spirit would therefore be (# 103). It is touching and at the my hills will live, let my innocence live. mean that the Maoists may now consider the recent Maoist proposals seriously. an advantage. By quarrelling over same time inspiring. She has The rebels have committed serious Sashi Subedi, Kalikasthan BEWARE portrayed a real and clear Blood won’t quench my thirst, nor flesh my hunger, in a very positive light the insertion of a the tree symbol, both are exhibiting CORRECTION mistakes in the past, but this is an a serious lack of political horizon,We are writing to you to picture of the attitude, percep- I’m now soaked in tears, it’s getting unbearable here referendum amendment in the constitu- publicise the plight of Nepalis intion and behavior of so-called In Bookworm (#103) the text let the birds soar, joy on their wings opportunity for peace that politicians of wisdom, and confidence to and cover of two booksLives ( tion. This is the Swiss and Scandinavian provide people what they want.detention at a refugee centre intellectuals towards women in let this nation live free, let my innocence live. all hues must grab. The conflict can only near Melbourne so that others our society. Sapana Malla’s and Works of Nepalese model, where any provision of the Rajeeb L Satyal, Bansbari constitution can be changed at the will of have a negotiated political solution; there will not be victims. They weredaring and bold expression is Children andPioneer Nepali very encouraging and inspiring the people. It could provide a basis for is no military way out of this. Such a (Shyam Shrestha is the editor duped and cheated by a human Students in Japan a Century of the monthly magazine smuggling mafia which prom- to women like us who have Ago) were interchanged. Both Mulyankan.) ised to take them to Australia been working in the women books are available at Mandala for a price of Rs 800,000 each. (Sung in the panchachamar chhanda and translated from the Nepali original by Kunda Dixit.) Book Point. CK Lal is on the road and will return to this space next week. 444 NATION 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES NATION 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES 555 DOMESTIC BRIEFS Standstill ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Peace will only return when there is a genuine effort to redressOver a week afterpast the term of the local wrongs.government bodies expired, their future remains uncertain, what with the Deuba government from p1 complete road projects. unwilling to extend their term. The constitution and the Local Government Act allow the government to extend the tenure of local The blockade of food and bodies by one year in case elections cannot be held for any reason. consumer goods has affected local Prime Minister Deuba’s government wants to appoint all-party The scars of war are all around: people badly. Bread, instant political committees to run the local bodies which until their tenure gun-toting young Maoists, burnt noodles, shoes are all contraband expired were dominated by the UML. down government buildings, items. There is a severe food But no one else thinks this is a good idea, especially not the UML landrovers reduced to ashes, shortage right across the districts. and the Election Commission. The UML claims it would be against More than elsewhere, it is in this the constitution and the Local Governance Act, and says that it households with only children, suspects these committees will be used to install Congress cadres young widows, and old people. heartland of the Maoists’ revolution in the districts in order to manipulate the parliamentary elections in “We are harrassed by both sides. that ordinary Nepalis are trapped November. The party has also stated that government appointees We just listen to whoever is there between the security forces and the and political nominees are not empowered by the people to run local rebels. There is extreme fear about bodies, and that the term of the local bodies should be extended, or at the moment,” one villager told us local elections should be held. The UML and other political parties with an averted gaze. He looks what both will do, and there are say that the government is playing right into the hands of the scared,and whispers about enough instances of disappearances Maoists, who have been trying to displace locally-elected repre- threats, interrogation, beatings by and torture for the fear to be real. sentatives and establish their own government at the local level. In Out here in the remote hills of all, 3,913 VDCs, 75 DDCs, and 58 municipalities are now virtually both sides. “You could be non-functional. arrested on a suspicion, and if you Rolpa, peace has never seemed don’t have a good explanation further away. The villagers are fed once you’re taken in, you could up of the Maoists, they are fed up be killed.” of the police and now they are fed Ghartigaun has the look of up of the war. Four years after no-man’s land. There is no Kilo Sierra Two, the methods are still the same. Once bitten security, no marketplace, no ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ electricity, few drinking water As I walked out of Rolpa, my Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba isn’t taking chances. Following taps. The local school still has mind raced ahead. Who will bring the breakdown of the third round of talks with the Maoists last year, some classes, but the two us out of this? The same people when the insurgents withdrew from negotiations and resorted to teachers there fled teraf being who got us here? What will bring extreme violence, Deuba has been viewing every Maoist move with suspicion. At a recent gathering of political cadres in Birganj, he threatened by Maoists. an end to this? When will Rolpa announced that the Maoists would have to lay down their arms and We seek shelter in a house. Our stop being a war zone? When will indulge in a little self-criticism before they come to talks. Deuba was host used to run a tea shop until Nepal stop being a battlefield? sceptical about Maoist supremo Prachanda’s recent press release but there are still four a week with indicating the Maoists’ desire for a political solution and the possibil- one day the Maoists came and took The way out of this is not crushed legs. The victims are nearly ity of participating in the November elections. This is another him away. He was held captive for brute force. Peace can only come underhanded step to undermine the government, Deuba told always Nepali Congress supporters, six months, handcuffed, blindfolded when there is development, a listeners. He doesn’t believe the Maoists will give up violence and beaten almost every day. He Q&A with ASHOKor they are teachers who refuse to genuine effort to right past willingly, and is concerned about a repeat of last November. has three daughters and two sons,promised meeting with a local join the Maoists. Some schools inwrongs, and make up for past Clockwise from left: Rolpa abandoned by teachers the youngest was born 16 days commander. Comrades Sushil and He introduces himself as Comrade Ashok, and answers neglect. Ashok arrive, accompanied by the Grade Two students, Gaushala and Bandana, at the Krishna have been replaced with Maoist after the rebels had taken him PICS: KASHISH DAS SHRESTHA our questions in a soft voice. But his is a radical and head of the village “people’s ing, and in the distance the thuds instructors. away. of an approaching helicopter. Madhyamik Gharti School in Ghartigaun, which is running rigid party line. In any other time and any other place, (A longer version of this government”, Comrade Prabak. decided to join the Maoists. this could have been a chat with a trekking sardar in a After a week walking through article will appear in the State of Nepal He was finally released after The Armed Police Force even though two teachers have fled. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ he sold his cattle and all house- They are soft spoken, and give us The other one, Sushil, chats roadside tea shop about the condition of the trails. the villages of Rolpa, it is clear to August issue of the youth training camp on the Nepalgunj us that the people desperately Finally, some insightful reading onState Nepal. of Nepal, a collection hold utensils and paid the the partyline. (See interview.) with us, and tells us about how Army checkpoint en route to Libang. magazine Wave, of which highway issues us a curfew pass. need help. Not to fight the of sixteen essays by 14 Nepalis, one Nepali-Indian, and one Indian Maoists a ransom of Rs 25,000. Another one, calling himself the police raided his house during A policeman showing us the emergency evacuation procedure Kashish Das Shresta is was released Tuesday. Without it, we may have been Maoists, but to give the Maoists The family is still paying a Maoist“Sunil”, comes in brandishing a Operation Kilo Sierra Two in from his sentry tower in Libang. staff writer.) The original, unpublished pistol and shotgun cartridges. He is 1998. He managed to flee, but stopped at a security checkpost, or nothing to fight about. A place to writings deal with a broad “revolutionary tax” of Rs 50 every the Maoists may have suspected spectrum of issues— month. Other villagers pay the apparently our security detail. says they took away his 17-year- Two Maoist teenagers at the Budagaun Mela. start would be to start rebuilding that we were army. Armed police schools, healthposts, bring back education, the economy, tax in cash or kind. Our host Sunil used to work in Kathmanduold niece and raped her. She mercilesslyComrade by Sushil Maoists was using assigned their to be our security detail. gender, ethnicity, democ- and had come home for a break a joined the Maoists after that. tell us of the dangers of a Maoist electricity, finish the half- can’t afford to pay any more, and ambush, and that doesn’t lift our favourite torture method: racy, development, the is heading off to India to find year-and-a-half ago when he was Sushil says there is a company of crushingknee and ankle bones with Maobadi, water, Indian stopped by police, kept in female Maoists 500 strong. He confidence level. isn’t much they can do for him here, perceptions of Nepal, the work the day after our visit. At the Bheri Zonal Hospital rocks. KC’s crime is that he is a insularity of contemporary Nepali literature, the notion of the Hindu custody and beaten. At 16, he tells us stories of the action he Nepali Congress supporter. He is he will be flown to Kathmandu for Another day’s walk, and we in Nepalgunj, Keshab KC has just treatment. state, the role of the new king, and Nepal’s media boom. The book, wait on a house on a hilltop for a has seen, including the Maoist conscious, but groaning in agony. published by Himal Books, is edited by Kanak Mani Dixit, publisher of defeat at Khara, Rukum. There is been brought in. He was attackedHis arms are also dislocated. There The hospital used to get two Himal Khabarpatrika, and Shastri Ramachandaran, Senior Assist- an audio tape of the battle, there the night before and beaten up patients a day with similar injuries ant Editor Theat Times of India. is sound of heavy gunfire, shout- until last year. After the emergency was declared, there are fewer cases Ashok (right) being interviewed.

Nepali Times: Your party has killed teachers here. Why? A small world HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Ashok: Could be. If we killed him, there must be a reason. He Young Danish students will labour for one day in Denmark and send could have been a spy, or been responsible for something that their earnings to aid in the education of Kamaiya children. Eleven benefited the enemy. school-age Danes visited Kamaiya camps last week to meet their Why are you attacking schools? Nepali counterparts. Their conclusion: Kamaiya children will be enslaved again if they are not provided opportunities for education. The demands come from higher places, but our basic idea is to The Danish students expect to collect $ 700,000, which they will It’s a small world do away with the old and make something new on our own. We hand over to Backward Society Education, a Nepali NGO working are running high schools in areas we control. with Kamaiyas that works with the Danish international cooperation xbridge, Canada - On the far side of the world, after an eternity Do you believe that people all over Nepal will agree with your agency MS/Nepal. in transit, a few thoughts on an alternative view of philosophy? Uglobalisation—not that of the hungry capital markets or The world is They must. It is for them. Our philosophy is that we take from the people who have more, and we give back to the people. We will multinationals, nor the rainbow coalition of Maoists, nihilists and do exactly that. When the Maoist government has taken place, protest partygoers whose social life revolves around disrupting getting pretty then there is not much they (the government) can do. international summit meetings. There’s more to this business than you might think from watching television news. Surprise, surprise. Why didnít Maoism work in China? cosy. Some of I really don’t know that. Maybe it’s because of the difference of Take air travel. It used to be the preserve of the global elite, strategy. clichéd jetsetters, global business types, stars of stage and screen, in the time that’s short, the rich and the infamous. For the past two decades in the How do you communicate between units? west, that’s not been the case. Now it isn’t true anywhere else either. good, at others It is strong. If we need to send a message to Ghartigaon from The flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was packed with Indian here, anyone is willing to do it for us, even the local villagers. We it isn’t. had already heard you were coming into these areas. Villagers tourists, but perhaps not the sort that the Nepal Tourism Board had are constantly travelling these routes. If they see new faces they in mind. These were India’s equivalent of backpackers—cheapskates, will automatically let us know about it. in short. Few of them had been on a plane before they came to newspapers of Europe, Britain and Canada are awash with stories Do you have the same kind of organisation in Kathmandu? Nepal. No one had a passport; they barged into immigration lines but and analysis that express unease and outright disdain for the striker not up to scratch, as the grindingly ordinary British commen-behaviour of the George W Bush administration. The blatant There is. They walk around in civil dress. They can’t move about had to retreat from the officer’s steely glare when it was discovered tator said during the Brazil Germany match, “All that matters is who as freely, but they go there to do surveys and things like that. that they hadn’t filled out their embarkation cards. Few spoke partisanship in the Middle East, the horrible bombing of a puts more balls past the goalkeeper.’ And the best team did that in wedding party in Afghanistan, the outrageous holding-to-hostage English, that token of a bourgeois education in India. But they had the end, putting more balls past the best, most entertaining keeper money to spend on a holiday in Nepal, thank goodness. On other of global institutions like the United Nations for narrowly defined ever to guard a World Cup goal—Brazil beat Oliver Kahn in one ofnational interests, corporate malfeasance on a grand scale.... the more expensive flights to London and North America, other people the greatest finals in a generation. It’s impossible not to love Brazil, who couldn’t have afforded this a generation ago sat clutching list can be endless. The best thing one can say is that this adminis- nor to avoid the easy metaphor that the Brazilian melange—races, tration is an aberration, that the Clinton years show better what handbags and ordering free drinks. Compared with the vast sea of ethnic groups immigrant and aboriginal cultures—is globalisation in deprived folk around the world, this expansion at the edge of the America wants from the world, peace in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, miniature, great at football, bad at economics, but something to freedom spread through expansion of economic opportunity, not lower middle may not seem like much, but mark my words, this admire and emulate wherever there are political forces that urge group will continue to grow, travel and influence events beyond the coercion. But the creeping feeling that more and more of us are spurious notions of purity, exclusivity and racism. For a few momentspaying a price for the frighteningly parochial politics of America is mofussil. No bad thing, I say. on Sunday, 30 June, we were all Brazilians. On the undeniably positive side of the globalisation debate, the hard to avoid. Alas, there’s also a growing global distrust of the globe’s only So yes, it’s a small world and it’s getting smaller. But I can do World Cup has united most of us in joy and delight. Never mind thesuperpower, as each week brings more dire examples of American whinges of those whose teams departed early. That’s football, folks, without the 30-hour voyages, endless queues at security, bad food imperial overreach and arrogance. It’s sad to make such an observa-and jet lag that underline globalisation every time I travel. whether it’s a missed hand ball (sorry England, USA, etc) or a star tion in a month that saw the United States celebrate their first Independence Day since last September’s terrorist outrage. The 666 NATION 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES ECONOMY 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES 777 SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED Monetary policy ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ In accordance with the new Nepal Rastra Bank law, the central bank has loosened up monetary policy. This is an extension of its earlier decision to slash the compulsory cash holdings requirements for commercialEconomic banks. hara-kiri Effective mid-July, the NRB has allowed commercial banks to lower their Cash Reserve Ratios (CRR) by one percentage point, which it says would reduce the cost of funds and help lower lending rates without affecting the already low interest on deposits. The central bank’s decision is expected to free up Rs 2 billion for investment. Last year the bank had taken similar policy measures to lower inter-bank lending rates and refinancingOne move for loans has reversed the most important economic gains of the past decade. Covering up for exports, as well as those dispensed by rural development banks. In late December last year the NRB lowered he struggle to save democracy is n a land where all economic willing to wager almost anything that Nepal has been able to tell the world stuck in the stage of identifying Who’s shielding whom? the Supreme Court rules on the the refinancing rates further: from 4 to 2 percent for export loans, from 4.5 to 3 percent for loans to sick industries and from 5.5 to 4.5 percent for loans provided by rural development banks. The refinancingdecisions rate are fundamentallyfor we won’t see most of the promised about the last decade or so have been who’s shielding whom. From dissolution order? Not if you T doesn’t want to seriously think about examine the other elements at play. all other types of lending was lowered from 6.5 to 5.5 percent. The NRB had also lowered the CRRIpolitical in December: ones, the Beed supposes, funds flow into Nepal before some about the success of forest-user groups the trajectories of the sparks flying them before the honourable Supreme Comrade Prachanda starts praising The goal of the policy is to help support the government’s plan of raising economic growth glumly,from 0.8 that percent one ought not be semblance of governance is restored. and self-help income-generating around, you would have thought the Court justices do. the Koiralas’ democratic convic- in the last fiscal year to about 4 percent, as announced in the budget. The bank has already draftedsurprised two by lawsthe cabinet decision to And when that will happen, your groups, both of which have been major targets were clear. But the governing banking, the Bank and Financial Institutions Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The central Political flux has flustered those intions to provoke Deuba—and dissolve all local bodies. Despite guess is as good as mine. As for gettingpossible due to a devolution of the volatility of political alliances has bank and the government have also agreed on the overdrafts the government can obtain—theyseveral are callsto be made by multilateral and more pledges from donors, forget powers of decision-making and power, too. Home Minister Khum succeeds. The prime minister, after always diluted battle plans in Nepal. restricted to under five percent of the revenue collected by the government in the previous year.bilateral The agencies,govern- thinkers and about it. What this fluid situation implementation to the local level. The consistently ruling out a resumption ment would have to convert all overdraft amounts over the permissible levels into treasury bills. Consider the developments of the last Bahadur Khadka was perhaps too virtually all sane Nepalis, the means is that, on the one hand, legislation to facilitate decentralisation of peace talks, says he won’t mind The central bank has also made two other long overdue decisions: calling back its employees assigned to candid in explaining the government’s government went on to commit an act security costs are difficult to fund, and was another landmark for Nepal, as three months. The seven partners of square up to Comrade Badal. The reluctance to extend the local bodies’ serve as directors in banks and financial institutions under its supervision, and begin divesting that,from apart rural from making their own on the other, the present stagnation of many developing countries were still the budding broader democratic development banks. tenure. By questioning the legitimacy next thing you know, Prachanda cajoling of voters easier, does not serve economic growth is going to continue. struggling to put into place precisely alliance were gearing up for their sends out feelers that he might be ultimate showdown with their of the mandate garnered under any rational purpose. The public goodAny talk in the near future of increases this. In terms of the future economic Gautam’s watch, Khadka added insultwilling to contest elections under is clearly a dispensable commodity for in foreign investments or tourism, or scenario, the devolution of political shadowy foes. Their concentration an interim government. Then a on the cause was so compelling that to the UML’s injury. But this must this partyless political dispensation. any other kind of growth will be power seemed possible. not obscure his larger point. If weekly known to reflect the views After the Local Self Governance ridiculous. The current government has they barely realised they had of the Koirala clan quotes “a ditched a partner for trying to Gautam was so good at organising Supply credit Act was enacted, the local bodies had Perhaps, Nepal wants to prove successfully proved that it can be very election campaigns, his Marxist- reliable security source” as saying ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ started making a lot of progress in Murphy’s Laws true. While His efficient. Unfortunately, this efficiency address the Open Theatre mass Deuba and Khadka have already meeting in the only non-English Leninist faction couldn’t have The Laxmi Bank Ltd, the youngest commercial bank, has launched a new scheme to finance thedeciding working what capitalthey wanted and how Majesty is trying to create an impres- is limited to steps that reverse the begun negotiations with a Maoist requirements of small and mid-sized short-term borrowers. The bank says that the Supply Finance seeks to meet foreign language Radio Nepal floundered in the 1999 general they wanted to do it. The frustrations sion on the Chinese government and economic processes in place that made election just because he happened team including the man Poudel was the funding gaps that arise after the dispatch of goods until the receipt of payment. The scheme aims to reach businessmen alike by talking about theone retain some hope for this country broadcasts in. out to raw material suppliers, traders and inventory holders. Eligibility for the financing would requireof the people presenta- at the centre started to be out of power, could it? cultivating as deputy prime economic decentralisation of Nepal, theeven at the worst of times. Hopefully The resolve to defeat the demons tion of buyer-accepted sales invoices (credit notes), and the loans will be made against the finalbecoming payments increasingly due evident as these Moreover, we don’t know for sure minister. So, who’s shielding such borrowers. The bank says this approach to financing helps its customers avoid going throughlocal bodiesthe lengthy began to show that they government has pulled the rug from they will realise their mistake and, if of dictatorship melted away the whether the drafters of the “one- whom? Keep trying. procedures to establish a line of credit. Laxmi Bank is the country’s 16 could convince the donor community under his, and every other sensible not actually hang their heads in shame moment the House of Representatives year-extension” and “other- th commercial bank, and focuses on theof their style of functioning and person’s feet by doing away with the and flagellate themselves in public, was dissolved. Prime Minister Sher arrangements”options in the local vision. The emphasis on decentralisa- basis of all such talk. The king must they will at least look now to damage Bahadur Deuba’s late-night pre- trade and retail segments. governance statute had listed them in tion has been getting stronger and have been considerably embarrassed incontrol. In this case, that can be done emptive strike threw the power- order of priority or meant to leave everyone is pretty much convinced the last month in India and China by nothing short of ensuring that the sharing formula Nepali Congress matters to the discretion of the that for Nepal, empowering local level when matters of governance and local polls do, in fact, take place with president Girija Prasad Koirala had politics arose. the parliamentary elections. government. We’ll probably never units can deliver in suitable form what painstakingly worked out with UML know whether the UML’s prolonga- a top-heavy centralised planning Even as Nepal pleads for more general secretary Madhav Kumar Remittance economy process envisions. assistance, we have done away with the tion plea would have been as fervent Nepal into a tailspin. Nepal’s support There are more immediate, urgent most efficient vehicle to use it. As had Ram Chandra Poudel been the KIRAN NEPAL for Deuba’s decision to seek a fresh ○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ deputy premier and home minister ramifications of this decision, too. The anxious Nepalis wait for some sign popular mandate startled some t’s a good thing that the laws of economics don’t always that this present situation could change who oversaw the 1997 local polls. anti-terrorist funding and allied senior comrades who thought this MIN work. If they did, the Nepali economy would have development packages are now looking for the better, this vacuum in country’s problems. Whether Deuba could have rejected crumbled after the disastrous 2001/02 fiscal year. All wasn’t quite the time to be local governance. The UML chief’s Koirala and Nepal could be arrested I a little uncertain—what funding governance at the local level will Until a fortnight ago, it looked the extension option if his support- dreaming about a UML majority major economic activities—tourism, manufacturing, agency would trust a government that take away what little confidence olfactory alertness comes nowhere for having maintained links with ers had been in control of two- government. The constraints of like Koirala’s was the only major investments and exports—reported major downslides and has neither an identity, nor any power.they have in the political near Koirala’s when it comes to Maoists leaders, the two men have thirds of the positions is equally conformity kept them quiet. camp keen on seeing the Supreme even agricultural production and imports slackened. Even the interim government system in place here. And sensing conspiracies. But Nepal has moved closer. Rastriya Prajatantra Court reinstate the lower house. The worthy of speculation. Revenue barely covered government spending, and MIN BAJRACHARYA people who were slowly but The Nepal-Deuba bonhomie has grown more suspicious of Deuba’s Party (RPP) president Surya Bahadur surprisingly continues with a bloated UML and the RPP have now mapped Will the political clouds lift after collection has almost come to a trickle. “These are signs surely giving up their evaporated with the evisceration of motives after the government snubbed cabinet, and with government Thapa is warning us that even if the their Plan B. Before you conclude that of an economy that is becoming bankrupt,” says Raghav sympathy for the Maoists local elected representatives expecting November elections were free and appointees at the local body level, this shift might presage a revival of the Dhoj Pant, former vice chairman of the National one wonders where governance shall and their cause will certainly a one-year term extension. With key fair, the political climate still would broader democratic alliance, consider Planning Commission. come from. be given pause while Deuba lieutenants suggesting that not be conducive to resolving the where the main players are coming But not everyone agrees with Pant, especially people in Nepal has, all of a sudden, reconsidering their from. Nepal is compelled to strike a the urban areas, where consumption patterns have not become a lot less interesting to the opinions. posture that would set him apart from changed and where real estate transactions, in particular, This is what powers the economy: outside world, aid-wise. The Beed is The good stories that Bam Dev Gautam and Khadga Prasad have continued to rise. Of the Nepalis working abroad, 24 percent are in India, Sharma Oli. Thapa is disoriented by The explanation lies in Nepal’s remittance economy. 16.3 percent in Saudi Arabia, 6.88 percent in Qatar, South his desire to serve a third term as party Employment abroad has not only helped lessen the impactKorea and the United Kingdom, 5.6 percent in the United president without having to be the of the growing unemployment problem, it also continues toArab Emirates, and 1-5 percent in Japan, Malaysia, one proposing an amendment to the inject much-needed cash into the economy. It has also beenGermany and the United States. RPP charter to make that possible. propping up foreign exchange reserves, helping the country 60 percent of those working abroad are between the The reason why Koirala sounds so avoid a major Balance of Payments crisis. Some days ago ages of 26-40, 20 percent over 41, and 16 percent are incoherent about the polls is that he central bank officials said that they estimated that about Rs 70 billion—almost two-thirds of the budget—was comingbelow 25. in as remittances every year. Nepalis abroad tend to do the same thing—an “Strong potential for growth.” The central bank’s books do not reflect this, however, asoverwhelming 85 percent are labourers, 16 percent are in much of this money comes in through informal channels. the armed services and two percent are in organised Officially, in 2001/02 about Rs 16 billion came in throughgovernment employment. proper banking channels, of which Rs 6.1 billion was sent Among those working abroad, 49.4 percent earn about Ranjan Kapur, vice chairman of by Nepalis working in India and another Rs 9.8 billion byRs 10,000 per month, 20.6 percent earn Rs 10,000- Ogilvy & Mather, Asia-Pacific was in workers overseas in third countries. When Nepalis working25,000, 12.8 percent earn Rs 25,000-50,000, 8.1 Kathmandu recently to assess the VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT abroad send money back home through legal channels, theypercent earn between Rs 50,000-75,000 and another 8.1 use Western Union and Money Gram, or commercial percent earn over Rs 75,000 each month. potential for business here and for banks. Those figures are from before the central bank consultation with Nepali partners. We Godavari Village Resort invites applications from qualified Nepalese citizens for the Twenty-one percent send money home through friends following positions. allowed the International Money Exchange to transfer money caught up with Kapur, who is also from workers in Malaysia in May. In its first two months ofand acquaintances, 19 percent through the banks, 17 percent through money order and seven percent through executive chairman, Ogilvy & Mather, 1) PPPositionositionosition : Manager-Sales & Marketing (Female) operations the IME brought in $200,000. PPositionosition Manager-Sales & Marketing (Female) the hundi (informal channel). The remaining 36 percent India and asked him whether he had Qualification : Should be a graduate from a reputed Hotel Management said they sent money using either one or more of these & Catering School OR Graduate from any Management facilities depending on the circumstances. doubts that there are already too foculty. many players sharing the advertising Experience :• 6-7 years working experience in 4-5 star hotel pie and whether the slices are • Good public relations shrinking. Excerpts: • Strong negotiation skills • Should be able to plan and hondle marketing operations independently • Excellent command over English language both What was your Kathmandu trip all about?industry been faring business-wise? written and spoken We were in Nepal to firm up our associationAs in most emerging economies the entrepreneur Salary & Benefits Negotiable with Prisma and assess the potential for growthdoes well. I can only comment on Prisma, in Nepal. which has grown exponentially these last 2)2)2) PPPositionositionosition : Junior Sales Officer couple of years. Qualification : Diploma in Hotel Management OR Graduate from any other Does that mean you see a potential for more Management faculty. growth in Nepalís advertising market? Did you see much indigenous capacity for the Experience :• 2-3 years working experience in related field Nepal is exhibiting a strong potential for growth.creative and production aspects? • Good skill in computer application with public This will not only come from advertising, but alsoThis is a very subjective area. Creative standards relations from PR, direct and rural communications—areashave some way to go, relative to India, but I believe Ogilvy India is particularly strong in. Nepal has the potential to become an offshore • Excellent command over English language both production centre. written and spoken But isnít there a danger that there are already too many players trying to carve Doesnítout that mean there may not be enough SalarySalarySalary : As per company’s rule shrinking slices from the same pie? work domestically within Nepal to justify the Actually, we feel the pie is growing, and thereentry are of large advertising companies such as opportunities. The Nepali economy has shownyours? Interested candidates should apply with detailed Bio-data, recent PP size photograph tremendous resilience and the fundamentals forI don’t think so, we have demonstrated that we are and copies of relevant documents within 10 days. growth are inherent in the system. serious in our partnership with Prisma. Other large agencies are either there already or Manager-Human Resource & Administration How do you think has the advertising contemplating entry. Godavari Village Resort PPP.O.O.O. Box 12446 Kathmandu, Nepal LEISURE 26 JULY - 1 AUGUSTNEPALI 2002 TIMES 26 JULY - 1 AUGUSTNEPALI 2002 TIMES 888 different map that divides the999 Rose oil has a wide reputation mind. It also rejuvenates all body into 10 vertical zones, as an aphrodisiac, and where tissues of the body. starting from the top of the head, anxiety is a factor, it can be branching out to end in the 10 very beneficial. Get to the point fingers, with the main branches ending in the toes. According to There’s plain old unwinding, and then there’s the spa. It’s so Sandalwood Probably the Much eastern medicine believes this system, each part of the body decadently feel-good, you’ll want to be burnt out on a regular basis. oldest perfume in history, that the body runs on a kind of is represented by a reflex point on sandalwood has been used for over ‘vital energy’, imbalances in which the foot or the hand. Like 4,000 years. It has a relaxing, cause illness. In forms of Indian acupressure, the aim of reflexol- antidepressant effect, and where medicines this is called prana, and ogy is to help the body’s energy I spa, depression causes sexual problems, in Chinese and Japanese medicine, circulate effectively without I spa, sandalwood can be an aphrodisiac. blockages, energy loss or chi, or qi. This energy is said to stagnation. Reflexology has been run to every part of the blood, Ylang ylang is an intensely found useful for stress-related and is carried to and from the sweet essential oil that sedates and conditions such as allergies, heart in veins and arteries. The eases symptoms of excessive asthma, insomnia, depression, movement of qi can be affected by tension, such as insomnia, panic anxiety and migraine; disorders you spa attacks, anxiety and depression. massaging an acupressure point on JANAKI GURUNG caused by muscle tension such as ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ you spa a meridian line, or by inserting an The scent of content back pain and fibrosis; and im lights, soothing Henna is a somewhat acupuncture needle a few women’s conditions such as music, an inviting The healing, cleaning, preservative uncommon Indian oil, often millimetres in, or by burning PMS, pregnancy, childbirth and bed, gentle aromas and mood-enhancing properties of distilled with sandalwood as an moxa herbs on the appropriate menopause. It is said to have and a smiling natural plant oils have been point. Working on the right spot attar. It is excellent for devo- eased the symptoms of chronic Dattendant. Robed in a comfortable recognised for over 6,000 years. tion, and to open up psychic can free trapped chi, slow it down fatigue syndrome (CFS), multiple gown, the guest is ushered onto Stress, pollution, unhealthy diet, as a remedy for stress-related nervous diarrhoea and other abilities. The herb itself is used if it is moving too fast or encour- hectic, yet sedentary lifestyles—all sclerosis and even cancer. the bed, instructed to lie down ailments. It is especially helpful It is useful during times of anxiety, stress-related conditions. to dye hair and make it stronger. age it into an area that it has these factors have adverse effects on been bypassing. and relax. A mixture of pleasant- for tension headaches and nervouspanic, hysteria, shock and fear. It Rose evokes a general sense of Saffron helps balance the smelling oils is poured into strong, our bodies and spirits. The art of Reflexology works with a digestive upsets. can help promote self-esteem and pleasure and happiness. It is nervous system, and promotes firm hands that gently knead their aromatherapy harnesses the pure Neroli is uplifting and calming. is particularly effective for sedating and anti-inflammatory. digestion and quietness of the way around the knees. They slip essences of aromatic plants, flowers down the calves while working and resins, to work on the most the muscles, and gently but powerful of the senses—smell and firmly, toe-by-toe, joint-by- touch – to restore the harmony of joint, massage the nerve points body and mind. Essential oils can on the feet. be used to treat common ailments, and promote good health and You don’t have to go to emotional well-being. Thailand to get any of this, or to Essential oils can be burnt, or the fancy new Ananda Spa near Rishikesh in the Garhwal applied to the body. Before you Himalaya. There are spas and spa choose an essential oil for massage treatments to be had in Nepal, in purposes, you need to identify a Kathmandu and Pokhara. carrier oil. Choosing the appropri- ate carrier oil adds considerably to The massage at the Hyatt’s the dynamic nature of an Club Oasis is sheer indulgence. aromatherapy massage and can have Half an hour later, and Rs 850 specific benefits, such as helping to lighter, the guest heads to the addition, the special juice bar and guard against heart disease or steam bath for 15 minutes healthy food menu will be offered inflammatory diseases such as before stepping into the jacuzzi. to all spa guests, as well as medita- arthritis. A rejuvenated, glowing person the Le Meridien Gokarna, “it is tion courses, healthy eating leaves the hotel. sessions, massage therapy training Spas, those old standbys of difficult to find the time and space to pamper oneself, but there is a and yoga classes Dickens and Thackeray novels, Almondoil is a good source growing awareness of the necessity were once synonymous with includes an aromatic steam bath, of vitamin D and suitable for all ‘taking the waters’ at springs with followed by a stimulating cleansing of fitness. Personal wellness, such as a rejuvenating massage aren’t only skin types, especially dry or minerals or other curative natural and anti-oxidant treatment with irritated skin. resources. Even today, many spas body stimulating polish. Then physical pleasures they’re also are based on long-term treatments comes an energising body masque mentally reviving, a recharge of our Avocado oil is easily absorbed and often used to recover from and deep tissue sports massage to batteries.” Le Meridien Kathmandu into the deep tissues and so is stress, long-term illnesses or to ease tired joints and sore muscles. Gokarna Forest Resort Spa’s USP excellent for mature skin. It can receive cures for specific health You then fall asleep in the Jacuzzi, will be its traditional ayurvedic help to relieve the dryness and problems. But that is time- and emerge to a deep-cleansing, treatments, adapted for the leisure itching of psoriasis and eczema. market. There will be the usual consuming, while also on the rise purifying facial. The cost for four Ayurveda in three words Jojoba oilis rich in vitamin E, is the number of people who are hours: $122 for a single person, andvariety of relaxing massages and Ayurveda, or the ‘science of life’, and good for sensitive or oily simply burnt-out, and just want $195 for a couple. The Exotic general fitness and diet develop- aims to prevent illness in the complexions. It contains bacteri- some pampering. The new- Himalayan Discovery sees a guest ment programs, but the resident healthy, and cure disease in the cidal properties, making it useful oil generation spas offer luxurious spend 15 minutes in the herbal ayurvedic doctor will also take on ailing. The science works on the for the treatment of acne. surroundings and exotic treat- steam room. An aromatic ailments such as arthritis, notion that the body is governed ments, often in connection with a Himalayan Honey Seed Rub is spondilytis, paralysis, obesity, Sesame oil, when made from by three functioning principles, hotel or a resort. followed by a dip in an aromatic sinusitis, and migraine headaches. untoasted seeds, sesame oil is good Other options at the Le or for skin conditions, and can be used In Nepal, the concept’s are offered treatments and packagesjacuzzi, and a “Himalayan Massage” tridosas. as a sun-screen. catching on. An increasing numberranging from aromatherapy with and rounded off with a facial using Meridien include aromatherapy, Vatta: Phenomena that come Himalayan herbs. reflexology, and other pure of hotels are offering facilities exotic Himalayan incenses for the under the rubric of the Central and Oliveoil is too sticky for treatment based on European, designed to entice jet-setting world-weary, to a combination of Nearer here in the Valley, the Sympathetic Nervous Systems. massage, but a good addition to a Indonesian or Thai traditions. The executives and travel-weary deep-cleansing facials and specially- Royal Hana Garden on Lazimpat Pitta: The functions of heat blend for mature or dry skin. ensures that you don’t have to spa’s treatment products will be tourists. “Most enquiries regard- tailored massages for avid trekkers production and metabolism, such asThere are many essential oils in travel to Tatopani. The restaurant’stested in-house before being used, ing the Fulbari resort are accom- just back from a rugged trek around digestion, the circulatory system use, but some are more popular Japanese-style outdoor tub has a and there are plans to also start a panied by enquiries about the spa,the Annapurna. Aptly named after and the various secretions and than others. constant flow of warm, calming spa boutique to retail Le Meridien which opened about three years the Sanskrit word meaning excretions that are either the means water, and holds two people at a Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Spa- ago,” says Ramesh Rawat, a sales reincarnation, rebirth, renaissance, or the ends of tissue combustion. Geranium The rose-scented official with the Spa Avatar at the time. After half-an-hour of branded products such as massage revival and rejuvenation, the Fulbari Kapha: The functions of heat geranium has useful properties, Fulbari in Pokhara. “Most of our Spa Avatar works with guests to soaking in it, the last thing you oils, incenses, aromatic oils and oil including its ability to bring a blend regulation and secondary formation in-house guests use it, and many ensure they get the best combina- want to do is leave. burners, bathrobes, towels, soaps, together for a more harmonious of various preservative fluids such as people visit from Kathmandu, tion of massages, facials, body Also available soon will be the lotions, herbal teas and the like. In scent. Geranium has an antidepres- mucus, synovial fluid etc. too.” At the Fulbari, Nepal’s first masques and complementary spa at the luxurious Le Meridien sant quality, and is good for nervous international-standard spa, guests The tension, exhaustion, and circulatory therapies such as reflexology, Gokarna. “In the modern world,” tridosas have their own ranging from $ 20-$130 for singles explains Samira Wadi, manager of and skin problems. definite Pramana (quantity), Guna and from $32-$209 for couples. (quality) and Karma (function). Lavender is one of the safest Available at all The whimsically-named In a normal form they attend to Annapurna Adventure package and most versatile of all essential different functions of the body oils. For centuries it has been leading pharmacies and maintain it. used as a refreshing fragrance and Ask for this brand new collection of Kunda Dixit’s Under My Hat columns at a bookshop near you. Rs 200. To order, email: [email protected] We take pride in jobs well done. or call (01) 543333-7 and just give your [email protected] phone number and address. Phone: (01) 521393, 543017, 547018 Fax: 977-1-536390 JAGADAMBAPRESS Nepali Times subscribers get a 20 percent discount for their copy. 101010 WORLD 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES ASIA 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES 111111 COMMENT by GEORGE P FLETCHER COMMENT by MUSHAHID HUSSAIN What price ‘negligence’? Sending back ‘illegals’ ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ NEW DELHI – Last week saw hunger strikes and a march on the Indian BRUSSELS - The European Union is planning to adopt a common parliament by a group of 400 survivors of the world’s worst industrial The boundaries of anti-Semitismpolicy on the return of illegal residents to their country of origin by the disaster in Bhopal in 1984, and activists campaigning in the capital to end of this year. The European Commission (EC), the executive arm prod the government into bringing to justice Warren Anderson, then ivilised people are loath to Anti-Semitism nowadays is more subtle than spray-painting swastikas.of the European Union (EU), is urging member states to harmonise Wanted: boss of Union Carbide, and eight other top executives of the US-based admit that they are racist, deportation practices towards creating a common policy on asylum company. At least 10,000 people died and another 500,000 were sexist, or anti-Semitic. But they and immigration. EU leaders in June endorsed a common immigra- seriously injured in the disaster. Most survivors, who might have lost their C subspecies of humanity descended tion policy in principle at a summit in Seville, Spain. Under EC disagree about when these taboos are from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The entire immediate family to cancer in the 18 years after deadly methyl- proposals if someone is ordered to leave the territory of one member a newsectors modelof Indonesian life and society isocyanate gas leaked out of storage tanks at Union Carbide’s pesticide violated. If they think that blacks make belief in both the diabolical power and state, the removal order would also apply in all other member states, largely through the pervasive plant in Bhopal, have not received more than $500 as lifelong better athletes or that women make the permanent guilt of the Jews is, to Borchardt said. Common standards would lead to mutual recognition Can Pakistan forge a stablepresence political of military officerssystem and an compensation, despite promises from the Union Carbide management. better caretakers, they deny that this is my mind, the essence of anti- of deportation decisions, he said. that doesn’t depend on individuals?intrusive role of intelligence. The The Bhopal Group for Information and Action (BGIA) says that bias. But what about those who believe Semitism. It is when this image is political step backward since the parliament was pliant, selected discussions with three key union ministers have led it to believe that the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ that “rich Jews” control, say, the invoked in politics that critics cross the (IPS) previous quest for a pliant parliament rather than elected, while political central government is keen on accommodating Dow Chemicals, which media? Are they merely mistaken, or is line between the constructive and the and prime minister has been replaced party activity was curbed, with earlier acquired Union Carbide’s assets, in using compensation money that “mistake” a moral vice? vicious. A good example of this by one for a virtual puppet, somebody Indonesia functioning as a unitary, due the victims for detoxifying the factory site. Dow, which has accepted Today, drawing the boundaries of politicised imagery is a poster Crime: none Union Carbide’s asbestos related and other liabilities in the United ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ like the prime minister of Egypt, Jordanpresidential republic. States, has so far refused to accept pending liabilities of Union Carbide distributed by Amnesty International anti-Semitism is difficult, because CANBERRA – “Imprisoned behind razor wire indefinitely. Age: 6 years. or South Korea. And prior to the Pakistan’s military regime needs in Bhopal. They also say that although charges of culpable homicide much of the world disapproves of in Switzerland. It displayed a compos- Crime: None,” reads one of the advertisements that was launched last announcement of the 10 October to understand some ground realities against Warren Andersen and several other company executives were Israel’s military crackdown in the ite picture of an Israeli tank and a week to kick off a new, high-profile community campaign against the election date Musharraf decreed that any that would influence any political filed in 1987, there has been no move to seek their extradition from the United States. Instead, the Central Bureau of Investigation occupied West Bank and Gaza strip. soldier taking aim at a defenceless Australian government’s hardline policy against asylum seekers. The person who has twice held the office of dispensation. Three are particularly Whether criticism of Israeli policies is Palestinian. The caption read: Let the campaign was launched by Australians for Just Refugee Programmes prime minister would be barred from (CBI), India’s main investigating agency, moved court to reduce the to enlist new supporters and mobilise support to change government relevant as lessons to be learnt. First, charges from culpable homicide to one of negligence, “something right or wrong, pundits and politi- killing stop. Only Palestinian victims seeking a third term for that office. This unlike a host of East Asian authori- akin to a car accident”. are listed. Under protest, the poster policy on asylum seekers, one that has earned Canberra the ire of cians who speak out on the issue many rights activists and the United Nations. was specifically aimed at ousting former tarian regimes like Indonesia, South The state government in central Madhya Pradesh state, where the was withdrawn. should not be lumped together with The advertisements, which have a common rallying call for ‘A Just prime ministers and rivals Benazir Korea, Singapore and Taiwan at some disaster occurred, also filed objections to the dilution of charges against those who say that Hitler should have The Catholic Church has Australia, are the latest development in a groundswell against Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif from the point, Pakistan has not had any Warren Andersen when the case came up for hearing last Wednesday. finished the job. abandoned its anti-Jewish teachings, government policy on asylum seekers. Howard Glenn, director of the option of contesting. ‘benefits’ of dictatorship—better The present move to dilute the case would mean that Anderson cannot Yet many Americans think that but this does not that mean that the program, has no illusions that the support for Australia’s decade-old Likewise, instead of devolution of quality of life for the majority of the be extradited because the present extradition treaty between India and much of Europe’s critique of Israeli culture engendered by Christianity can policy of detaining asylum seekers will change quickly. Glenn hopes power to the provinces, centralised people or control over law and order. the US covers cases of homicide but not negligence that caused the that a community-based campaign in key marginal electorates will ISLAMABAD runaway reaction in the Union Carbide plant. It has now been estab- policies expresses a zeal that cannot be easily redefine its premises. In fact, the - President General domestic roots of terrorism and control would be the key under Second, given the developing soon gain momentum and diffuse racial prejudices that were power- Pervez Musharraf has unveiled religious extremism. lished by scientists that had the Bhopal plant’s refrigeration units not explained simply by Europeans’ Christian image of the all-powerful Jew fully exploited by Australian Prime Minister John Howard in last year’s Musharraf’s political package, with regional scenario and the American been shut off as an economy measure to save about $50 per day, the renunciation of their own colonial past feeds the conspiracy theories that infect election campaign. October elections as part of a plan to The west, particularly the United presidential nominees as governors stakes in Pakistan, the room for runaway reaction in the storage tanks would have been retarded and and thus their sensitivity to an Israeli the way Muslims regard Jews. In the nudge Pakistan back to democracy, butStates, is dealing with challenges in theappointing chief ministers of provinces. manoeuvre and the margin of error perhaps even prevented. Various Indian governments appear to have occupation that looks like annexation. Arab media, Jewish conspiracies the country’s biggest challenge Muslim world through a two-track By no means does this package bear by Islamabad is extremely limited. colluded with Union Carbide in a cover-up and in watering down the remains its inability to fashion an original damage suit filed for $15 billion, activists say. After arrogating As one commentator put it, Europeans constitute the single most popular (IPS) approach: ‘regime change’ and reform.even a remote resemblance to a federal, What could be sustained by previous institutional political structure that can to itself the right to represent the victims, the Indian government filed a feel a collective guilt about the explanation for everything from the 11 Afghanistan has already had both parliamentary model. Rather, this is military regimes will no longer be claim for $3 billion and finally settled for $470 million. September terrorist attacks to the survive individuals and provide while the Palestinian Authority and Holocaust that makes them eager to more the ‘Indonesia model’, certainly possible or acceptable given the Nearly a fifth of the 500,000 survivors continue to suffer from a host Monica Lewinsky affair during the durable stability. The international Iraq are next on this list, but this have Israel stamped as an aggressor Succour for the dying not the Turkish model. Under General changed international context. Third, of maladies, including lung fibrosis, impaired vision, asthma, body ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ community has now a strategic interest contemptuous of Palestinian Clinton presidency (Miss Lewinsky agenda will extend to other Muslim Suharto, who tried the Indonesia model the khaki would very much like to pains, loss of appetite and neurological disorders. But experts say the UNITED NATIONS - Warning of a major humanitarian crisis in sub- humanity. The Germans, as one being the Jewish spy who infiltrates the in preserving Pakistan’s unity and countries as well. Pakistan isn’t doing for 32 years before it collapsed with a ‘monitor’ the mufti in this military- worst may yet to come in the shape of chromosomal aberrations in Saharan Africa, the United Nations appealed last Thursday for quip puts it, will never forgive the White House). stability while at the same time too badly—it is the only country in popular uprising in 1998, a managed democracy that is being future generations. immediate food and relief supplies for nearly 13 million people living prodding it in a ‘moderate and Jews for Auschwitz. The eternal Jew: The stereotypes remain, and they keep popping up. Israelis blame their critics for not in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. the region without an insurgency or a ‘strongman’ was president-for-life. The envisaged by Islamabad at present. But guilt and anger have deeper and unconsciously. In the fall of 2001shedding these irrational beliefs. They A “severe food crisis” is developing in a region already struggling to modern’ direction. secessionist movement. There is no army and America were the props for But if the past track record of Reforming the Pakistani state is electoral constituency for any extremist roots in Europe’s image of the Jew. Stampa captured this latent the Parisian Comedie Francaise stagedfind it hard to negotiate peace in a overcome the legacy of conflict and the debilitating effects of HIV/ the Indonesian model, since the military regimes is any guide, a AIDS, said Secretary-General Kofi Annan. “There is still an opportu- now part of a global agenda, lesser in political ideology, and there is broad More than most people realise, the sentiment perfectly. A group of a brilliant production of Shakespeare’sworld that approaches them armed governing ideology was a strident anti- question lurking in the mind of most nity to avert famine and to save lives, but this window is closing scope and intensity but certainly consensus on issues like democracy, Gospels treat recalcitrant Jews—those Israeli soldiers surround a manger with the hateful echoes of medieval rapidly,” he warned delegates. Annan appealed to western donors for communism with 500,000 Commu- Pakistanis is: who will monitor the similar to the manner in which the economy and the necessity for the who refused to accept Jesus as their with a baby. The caption reads: superstition. In contrast to the Muslim $611 million for immediate food and other life-sustaining support. nist Party members and sympathisers monitors? Merchant of Venice. As though it were Palestinian Authority is being military’s return to the barracks. Messiah—as perpetrators of a crime Will they kill him again? world, Europeans pride themselves on This assistance would meet urgent and non-urgent needs in the six killed decades earlier, in one of the second nature in French culture, the affected countries over the next year. But African diplomats remained overhauled. This restructuring will But despite these apparent pluses, bloodiest political pogroms in the post- (IPS) that lives on in every generation. Just To be sure, at the time of Jesus, being objective. But it is time that they as whites attribute extraordinary sexual director presented Shylock’s attempt tocome to grips with their inner conflicts sceptical that donor nations would respond to the appeal. extend to various domains of the Pakistan’s biggest failure has been in World War II period. The army Jews constituted a hegemonic majority collect his pound of flesh by recalling about Jewish guilt—and their own. Pakistani state including foreign policythe domain of politics: its failure to governed directly, influencing virtually powers to black men, the Christian in Jerusalem. Jews who rejected Jesus west’s instinct is to treat Jews as the the image of the crucifixion. Antonio is particularly relations with India, fashion new rules of the game that No mercy for blasphemers (IPS) ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ were, indeed, among the first to be stretched out on a rock with arms Afghanistan and Central Asia, law could provide the basis for enduring masters of extraordinary forces— intolerant toward the early Christians. ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan government’s efforts to curtail the misuse including the power to kill deities and perpendicular, the Jew Shylock leaning enforcement, education, police and stability. Musharraf’s new political But other hostilities soon took hold, over his breast with his knife drawn. of the blasphemy law has been running into trouble. Since 1981, when control world finance. A cartoon earlier Double standards security services, economy and the package, unveiled on 26 June, is a the law was enacted by former dictator Zia ul Haq, the religious lobby and by the fourth century, Christians ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ this year in the Italian newspaper This is apparently the natural way has acted as both the abuser and custodian of the law, critics say. The had more to fear from each other than (Project Syndicate) WASHINGTON - In a victory for Pentagon hard-liners, a key Congres- law carries a maximum punishment of death. The room for abuse has for Christians to think of Jews— (IPS) from outsiders. Yet the fear of Jewish reenacting in every generation the sional committee has voted to drop conditions on providing US been such that police often quickly arrest alleged blasphemers and prowess continued to shape the crime described by Matthew. It is as (George P Fletcher is Professor of military training to the Indonesian armed forces (TNI). The Senate keep them in jail for long periods to protect them from outraged appropriations committee went along with the Pentagon’s arguments mullahs, who have been known to take the law in their own hands. The thinking of the west, both consciously though a form of original sin entered aJurisprudence at Columbia University.) that the TNI’s co-operation in the global “war on terrorism” waged by independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said that six La US President George W Bush should take precedence over human persons were convicted under the law last year. Of these, three were rights and related considerations. “We can provide some of the given death sentences and the others face long imprisonment. Fifty-one training they need so their people can prevent some of the things that new cases were registered under the law last year. Three were against ANALYSIS by VLADIMIR MAU happened to us,” said Alaska Republican Senator Ted Stevens. Burma’s next problemwomen and the accused were both Muslims and non-Muslims. But often, “This is a huge step backward,” said Mike Jendrzejczyk, an the accused are not safe even in jail. Yousaf Ali, known as a humanist in MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR many circles, was shot dead by his fellow prisoners in northern Lahore Indonesia expert at Human Rights Watch (HRW). He said activists ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Karen insurgents city on 11 June. hope that at least some of the conditions will be re-attached when the BANGKOK - When the UN special envoy to Burma arrives in that South-east bill reaches the Senate floor or the House of Representatives. “This Russia’s Europeanisationwill be trumpeted by the TNI in Indonesia [as meaning] that the Asian nation early August, Burma watchers and exiles will be looking to see what pressure he puts on Rangoon’s military junta to end the flagrant attacks on stigma of what it did in East Timor in 1999 has finally been removed,” (IPS) n less than four years, Russia has undergone an astonishing change. Macroeco- he said. “Many in Indonesia will read it as a signal that human rights the country’s many ethnic groups. Former Malaysian diplomat Razali Ismail’s Russia doesn’t need to join the EU to are lower on the US agenda.” nomic stabilisation is but the start. A common set of fundamental political behind-the-scenes nudging is believed to have played a key, if quiet, role in the values has emerged, and the ideological vestiges of communist economics havecreate institutions worthy of Europe. Indonesia, the world’s most populous predominantly Muslim release from house arrest of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in I ○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ nation, served as a close US ally during the Cold War. But military ties early May. Since October 2000, Razali has made seven visits to Burma to steer been swept away. The achievement of broad political consensus means that were reduced during the 1990s due to growing concern about the the UN-brokered reconciliation talks between the State Peace and Development institutional change can now become more purpose-oriented and consistent. The the EU. Second, there should be no formal approximation to EU institutions whenarmy’s human rights abuses in East Timor, and were cut altogether by Council (SPDC), as the Burmese government is known, and Suu Kyi’s consolidation of political parties has given Russia’s government a stable parliamen- this would impair Russia’s competitive advantages. Reforms of the past few yearsthe administration of former president Bill Clinton in 1999 when TNI- National League for Democracy (NLD) party. tary majority for the first time since the post-communist transition began. organised and armed militias devastated the former Portuguese have already put Russia ahead of the EU in several areas, including tax legislation, Whether he is able to make some headway on the issue of the treatment of But, unlike economic stabilisation, near-universal rules do not apply to colony after its inhabitants voted overwhelmingly for independence. fiscal policy (which aims at balanced budgets), and labour rules. Russia’s Congress subsequently enacted laws making any resumption of ethnic minorities— a sensitive matter for Rangoon —is up in the air. Neverthe- institutional reform. While there has been noticeable progress on the legal agricultural policy is similarly more efficiency-oriented than that of the EU. military ties contingent on Jakarta meeting several conditions. These less, many say that it is time to push for progress in this area, especially in the framework of the strategic plan that the government unveiled in 2000, a break- Third, the legal and technical parameters of the proposed Common Europeanincluded: bringing to justice those responsible for the mayhem in East light of reports by local and international rights lobbies about the extent of through has not been achieved. Many in Russia now seek to accelerate the pace of Timor and other islands where the TNI has been accused of atrocities; Economic Area remain vague. More work is needed to develop detailed targets for these rights violations and the upcoming meeting of the Association of South- reform by pursuing closer ties with the EU. Just as the global strategic realignment releasing political detainees; giving international organisations access Russia. The European Economic Area (EAA), which incorporates EU countries east Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 29-30 July. “The fate of the ethnicnationali- that has marked the war against terrorism led to quasi-membership for Russia in to conflict regions, such as Aceh and West Papua, and ensuring along with Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. EEA membership implies a civilian control of the military, including its sprawling budget and Aung San Suu Kyi is free, but Burma’s NATO, the attraction is mutual. The EU’s Common Strategy on Russia referred in ties has not figured in the talks Razali has held,” says Soe Aung, a director common market and substantial progress towards legislative harmonisation withbusiness interests. Even the State Department admits that Jakarta has at the Network for Democracy and Development, a group made up of 1999 to “the future establishment of an EU-RF free-trade area.” By 2001, the theEU EU, but does not envisage the establishment of supranational bodies (except made little or no progress on all of these conditions. ethnic minorities still aren’t. declared an even more ambitious goal: a Common European Economic Area based exiled Burmese. He says the reports by Human Rights Watch (HRW), for a dispute resolution mechanism). ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ on gradual approximation of EU legislation and standards. Romano Prodi’s Amnesty International (AI) and the local Shan Human Rights Foundation Adaptating the EU’s economic criteria should focus on the following areas: (SHRF), which cover the armed forces’ operations against ethnic groups declaration last week that Russia was now a fully-fledged “market economy” is a step confiscation made in the context of violent threats and threatening demands for toward this cooperative notion. and minorities to quell dissent and insurgencies, “make it difficult for existence of a functioning market economy; Razali to ignore them”. Soe Aung urged an “inclusive approach” to restoremoney and food,” AI reveals in its report,Myanmar: Lack of Security in A common economic area with the EU promises to provide fundamental effective competition and operation of market forces; democracy, peace and stability in Burma. “Democracy and the problems Counter-Insurgency Areas. The violations documented in the report occurred institutional guidelines for Russia’s socioeconomic transformation. Russia can now (IPS) faced by ethnic nationalities have to be addressed together.” Srirak Plipat,from early 2001 to early 2002 in the country’s east, and affected ethnic groups formulate its own long-term development path, with criteria for appraising policy structural reforms aimed at establishing secure property rights, meaningful bankruptcy legislation, an efficient tax system, and a stable financial sector; head of Amnesty’s Thailand office, agrees that Razali’s attention is needed:such as the Mon, Karen, Akha, Shan and Palaung. Prior to HRW and AI decisions. Adapting European standards to Russian conditions can now be viewed “It is important, because there has been little international attention to reports, SHRF released a disturbing report that exposed the Burma’s military as a set of medium-term strategic targets—institutional objectives to be achieved monetary and fiscal policies that promote sustainable growth; A new, hawkish relationship ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ these violations.” use of rape as a weapon of war against the Shan community. Raping Shan within the next 10–15 years. These targets are increasingly compatible with establishment of strong administrative and regulatory institutions. NEW DELHI - British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, on his third visit to On Thursday, HRW drew attention to the violent attacks against Burma’swomenappears to be “a concerted strategy by the Burmese army troops” as part of Russia’s social and economic development, as well as its strategic rapprochement It’s unrealistic to believe this will happen any time soon, or that Russia will India this year amid tensions on the sub-continent, is expected to their anti-insurgency activities, it added. “Eighty-three percent of the rapes were with the west. The level of educational attainment, the evolution of the political Muslim minority. ‘’The government has failed to take effective action to protect come close to meeting the EU’s Maastricht criteria for macroeconomic performance.finally clinch a 15-year-old proposal worth $3 billion to sell this committed by officers, usually in front of their own troops. The rapes involved system, and the structure of GDP make the choice of European standards the most country a fleet of Hawk trainer jets. The bonhomie characterising Indo- Muslims in Burma, imposed restrictions on Muslim religious activities and Russia’s fiscal balance has improved dramatically over the last two years, but the extreme brutality and often torture such as beating, mutilation and suffocation.” natural and appropriate. rapid economic growth and moderate currency depreciation that Russia needs to British relations in recent times has not helped the arms deal, under travel both inside the country and abroad, and taken no action to punish those responsible for destroying Muslim homes and mosques,” the HRW study Burma is an ethnically diverse country with more than 130 communities. But several caveats are in order. First, the use of EU institutional criteria mustcatch up with Europe will keep inflation higher than the Maastricht ceiling. which India is to buy 66 Hawk trainer jets manufactured by British Aerospace (BAe). The matter has been bedevilled, among other declares. In Arakan, a state with a predominant Muslim population, abuse is While the Burmans are the largest group, seven others—the Chin, Kachin, not be confused with the goal of EU accession. The latter is a political issue, and Higher inflation invariably means long-term interest rates will also exceed things, by sanctions imposed by the United States after India carried “commonplace”, including forced labour, destruction of mosques and restric- Karen, Karenni, Mon, Rakhine and Shan—have sizable numbers in regions Russian society is not ready to discuss it. Russia needs standards developed in through another round of nuclear tests in May 1998. However, the EU limits. The establishment of a Common tion onfreedom of movement, HRW charges in the report mostly along the country’s borders. The idea of equality among all ethnic Russia and for Russia. Russia should determine its own targets and goals rather sanctions on defence supplies to India—and Pakistan which carried European Economic Area with Russia means groups is supposedly a pillar of this country—a feature recognised in the 1947 than formalise its desire to join out tit-for-tat tests in May 1998—were lifted when Washington needed Russia can aim for a position in Europe strategic support form the South Asian countries in its ‘war against Panglong Accord, the document that defined independent Burma—but the similar to Norway’s. Russia does not need to terror’ in Afghanistan. India’s defence establishment has been wary of Crackdown on Burman-dominated military regimes have failed to uphold it in practice. join the EU to create institutions worthy of buying British equipment like the Hawk, which sources critical compo- Burmese Muslims. Two days before that, Amnesty accused Burma’s armed While Burmese activists and Suu Kyi have regularly made appeals to Europe. nents from US manufacturers. American suppliers have been tardy, (Project Syndicate) often at critical times. forces, the ‘Tatmadaw’, of perpetrating attacks and abuse against membersASEAN in the past, it has traditionally shirked addressing the matter openly. Its of seven other ethnic nationalities in Burma, which was renamed statements generally encourage political dialogue in Burma, opting for quieter (Vladimir Mau is director of the Russian Academy of National Economy Myanmar by the military rulers years ago. diplomacy in dealing with the junta. If it listens this time, Razali will have his work cut out for him. and co-author ofThe Challenge of Revolution.) (IPS) The human rights violations committed by the armed forces against civilians include “extrajudicial executions, torture, forced labour, land (IPS) political committee. In the mean- FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES CULTURE AND SOCIETY 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES 121212 time, he split the Nepali Congress 131313 institutions should be led by elected with a plan to place his cadres in the Behind the scenes representatives, but not the same VDCs, DDCs and municipalities, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ representatives whose elected terms which is against the Election Deshantar, 21 July have ended. Donors in Nepal know Commission’s code of conduct. We Back at Sundarijal >15 Paper forests well that the parliamentary elections have reiterated our demand that the Very reliable security sources tell us are being held in some months, and tenure of the local bodies be Himal Khabarpatrika, 17-31 July that on Thursday evening [18 July] a that if we are able to hold those extended if elections cannot be held. round of talks was held between elections, that would open the door “The problems that the country Now the government has made Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for local elections in the near future. allegations in public that the UML is and Home Minister Khum Bahadur As the donors are assured of that, they not cooperating in the creation of a Khadka, and a group of Maoists, don’t have any negative feelings. The political committee. Creating an all- faces require statesmanship.” including Rabindra Shrestha (who government has no desire to keep party political committee is against was arrested after the emergency was local institutions without elected the code of conduct for elections. declared), Ram Karki, (who was representatives… The UML had won arrested in India and deported to the elections in most VDCs, and has Is it constitutionally right, or BP welcomes the government’s Nepal), Mohan Vaidya alias Kiran been hoping it could keep on the possible to hand over the local decision to try him and Ganesh (whose head carries a price of Rs 5 same representatives even after their bodies to the bureaucracy? million) and Suresh Ale Magar. Our terms expired, in order to use the Even now we demand that the tenuresuspect their motives. Perhaps Man Singh because he says it source told us they were brought over resources to influence the elections for of the local bodies be extended. It is they are trying to correct their will at least end the period of Members of the Simpani Khahare community forest in Dolakha for talks in a private car that bore the the party’s benefit. From what moral extremely irresponsible of the prime past wrongs. discussing their conservation plan. license plate 4415)… ground does the UML speak when it minister to publicly deny this uncertainty in prison. But he …Now it has become a matter of asks for the extension of the term of provision just because UML has a Should the government agree finds it unfortunate that the widespread discussion what topics local institutions, when at the same majority at the grassroots level, and to the Maoists’ proposal? “We’ve completed all procedures, still the forests have not beenwere brought up at the meeting wheretime it sees a violation of the election for his minister to allege that Bam The government should use this to palace does not trust his party’s handed over to us.” That was the lament of Pusparaj Parajuli, secre- code the moment there is a political Dev Gautam has rigged elections. If move the process of talks forward. It tary of the Hadaiya Paluwatar community forest in Udayapur.both Now prime we minister and home minister were present. Mainly, the appointment in the centre? The same the government has even a bit of faith has to try and gauge whether the good intentions in pushing for are hearing similar comments from other community forestry group party that seems fine with the rule of Maoists’ proposal is sincere. The members around the country. This problem began about a yearMaoists ago are believed to have said that in the people, it should allow the national reconciliation. after the government made new rules for both the renewal ofthey would take part in the elections secretaries in the centre sees possible local bodies to function. government should not reject the community forest papers, and for new approvals. The two newif the interim government were misdoing when the same thing is done It is not possible for the proposal outright, but I feel the prime minister is doing so. requirements are the preparation of a work plan, and an inventoryheaded by of a former judge, or someone by independent administrators in bureaucracy to take up the responsi- the forest resources. The fact is, this rule has made it impossible to not contesting the elections, and if order to take development forward at bilities of elected people’s representa- get renewal papers for Nepal’s oldest community forestry group in Is there a greater need for they could decide on the process. the local level. This shows the UML’s tives. Low-level civil servants would ence for reading. I only sized up the book today. The book is Kavrepalanchowk district. Now its chairperson, who has been double standards… talks now? 1 February, 1977 quite interesting, at least the writer, being a journalist with involved with the forest group for the past 30 years, is beingSince forced most of the Maoists killed lost not be able to carry out these Of course. We can’t continue with scientific training, has very lucid style—anecdotal, historical, to watch the forests being destroyed once again. Nepal hastheir over lives under this prime responsibilities. It would be Sundarijal the damage that is going on. The with a hard kernel of science. The thesis of the book is that 11,000 community forest user groups who protect and manageminister’s about rule, it is difficult for constitutionally improper to let Today bothGorkhapatra andRising Nepal carried a news 865,000 hectares of forests near their homes and villages. Maoists must also understand that living beings inhabit other celestial bodies— other planets of them to accept him as the head of bureaucracy run the local govern- item which gave us the information that the governmentother has suns. But so far as I think nobody can beat Asimov in the there is no possibility of taking constituted a one man tribunal to try me on 8 counts. GM is The forest inventory records the resources in the forests,the the government. rate There is also little ment, and it isn’t right to create a lucid elucidation of scientific subjects. I don’t know if I can get of regeneration, and other information needed to calculate the levels control of the state. From a national also involved in some of the cases with me that the tribunalbooks by him here. During my last detention here I had read chance of the interim government political committee either. will try. After all, the King has decided not to have a dialogue for sustainable harvesting. For instance, community groups havingare the “tainted” faces now in and international point of view, it his “Intelligent Man’s Guide to Science”—a must read for allowed to use 30 percent of the timber (50 percent for some spe- with me. Which is very unfortunate from the country’s point of government. Sources say Deuba’s Meeting Maoists just isn’t possible. And I think it will everybody. cies). People are not opposed to the surveys, but the government, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ be hard for the government to quell view. The problems that the country faces are numerous and term in government could expire by require statesmanship in the leadership which can minimise which is already short of rangers, requires that they carry out the Budhabar, 24 July the situation with force. studies. The numbers of rangers who actually know how toAugust-end. prepare the political differences among groups and individuals and the inventories are still fewer. “After this rule came into effect, Theonly source added that the forge a national unity to face the crisis. We have returned to two community forests were handed over [to the communities] in The Maoists’ and govern- Nepal in this spirit. It is most deplorable that the King Kathmandu [district],” ranger Guru Prasad Dahal told us. Of interim13 government would be formed ment’s actions have made shouldn’t read the writing on the wall and insist on his2 poundFebruary rangers in Kavre district, only five know how to prepare inventories.outside the framework of the present trust impossible. In this of flesh when his victims have themselves offered them-Sundarijal Based on this number—in a place where the community forestryconstitution, and that it would also context, if talks are held and selves to him. He couldn’t rise above petty legalistic attitude movement began—we can safely assume that only 400-500 of formulatethe 1,200 a new constitution. This In yesterday’s paper there was a statement purported to have Arrested students no resolution is reached, and adopt a broad liberal political gesture. So far as Ibeen am issued by the spokesman of Back to Village Campaign government rangers are likely to be adept at preparing inventories. ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ may have been the motive behind won’t other political powers concerned this news is welcome. At least the period ofCentral Committee and running a resolution passed by a This problem could be easily solved if the government were to uncertainty is likely to be over now. I have been living for the asking Deuba to split the Congress Budhabar 24, July be suspicious? political organisation (not named) of India. His resolution must allow all those technicians who have completed the intermediateparty, becauselevel without that there’d last one month in extreme agony not knowing what’s havehappen- been in criticism of the government’s action in arresting in forestry to do the surveys, says Hari Prasad Neupane, former We have to learn lessons from past ing or what the future has in store for us. The decision of the have been no constitutional deadlock, Since the declaration of the emer- experiences, correct past weaknesses, us or keeping us incommunicado. We couldn’t make out which chairman of the Federation of Community Forestry Groups. “In other King to try us is some kind of thaw. I think within 2 or 3party days is that—may be the Socialist Party. But perhaps it has ministries, the work of technicians who are not in governmentand service no need for an interim govern- gency, the student organisation and move the talks in the right the court will sit and the legal process will start. We don’t ment outside the constitution. affiliated with the Nepal Communist been merged with the Janata Party that has recently been is acceptable. Why is this not the case for forests?” More ironic is that direction, even if it means changing know how the court will sit—whether it will open courtorganised or the by merging of non-communist opposition parties. the guidelines for preparing the inventory are only available in English, Party (Maoists) has suffered their format. An all-party meeting trial will be in camera. More likely the latter. Whether weIt could can be the new party that has passed the resolution in our which perhaps gives some reason to cast aspersions on the motives numerous losses at the hands of the will likely raise questions about the engage advocates, whether we can meet our people to of forestry officials…. sympathy. Today both the papers carried editorials colluding government. According to the All- failure of earlier talks in the very first consult about our case in the court. The one man tribunalyesterday’s will statement by the spokesman of the central be presided over by one Mr Shrestha who is a Zonal judge at Others question the rationale for insisting on the inventory. “The Nepal National Free Students’ Union round. And they should rightly be committee of the BVC. The news [is] so meagre and the kind way it is being implemented [makes you believe] that forests are It has been revealed that Minister for (Revolutionary), eight of its central the Janakpur court. He has been authorised to hold hisof newscourt that would interest us don’t get space in these dailies able to do so. whenever he likes in the Kingdom. This to facilitate his looked upon only as sources of timber,” says Sagendra Tiwari of the Water Resources Bijay Kumar members, including the Union’s vice supplied to us. World Conservation Union … There is more to the inventory. Parbati Gachchhedar has been offering holding it in Kathmandu. chairman have been killed and 12 Responsible individuals in Did some washing. Bathed after three days. The sun is Shrestha, secretary of the Janapriya Communist Forest UserDouble Group in standards donations to the Maoists, which is Took up Sullivan’s “We are not alone”— a book on Sci- Udayapur told us that the ranger had asked for Rs 16,000 to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ do the other members arrested. Devendra government have said that a wee bit warmer. Hopefully waiting for warmer days to come. against the government’s declaration survey. Eventually, the survey could not be prepared becauseTarun, the 22 July Parajuli, chairman of the ANNFSU UML and Congress leaders Waiting also for the denouement of the decision of the that it would not let off anyone who group had only Rs 3,000… (R) has called for the safety of the who make contact with government to put us on trial. has established contact with the members arrested. In a letter faxed to Maoists should be imprisoned. Excerpts of an interview with terrorist group. It is learnt that Does this indicate govern- government spokesman JP Gupta. Gachchhedar paid Rs 50,200 to the ment opposition to talks? On the dissolution of local Maoists for the protection of his Budhabar, the names of 98 individu- governance institutions and the house in Biratnagar when he went als, along with their educational It indicates government leaders are “possibility” of donors stopping there to prepare for the eastern associations, districts, and the places putting forward their views irrespon- aid: Firstly, donors do not have [such regional meeting of the Deuba faction of their arrest have been mentioned. sibly. There’s the internal party a] mindset. They believe in independ- of the Nepali Congress. Our sources Since the emergency, ANNFSU (R) dispute, and there is this national ent local governance, that these told us that he secretly met with vice chairman Benoj Adhikari, central crisis. The government should not Bishweshor Khawas, coordinator of committee members Janam Baral, use these circumstances to fulfil its the Maoist sister organisation Tharu Tika Gautam, Ganesh Dhakal, own self-interest. QUOTE OF THE WEEK Mukti Morcha, and pledged more Shankar Tamu, Janak Buda, Rishi Both factions [of the Nepali funds in the future. Ghimire and Kamal PM have died, Congress] maintain that they “Nepal’s democracy deserves help in fighting off the insurgents’ attacks, but it also needs to be while general secretary Purna Poudel, are ‘the party’. Has the prodded towards policies that will remedy some of the misery on which such movements have secretariat members Nabin Rai, Shiva Congress actually split? always fed.” Kumar Dangi, Bipin Bhandari and —Editorial inThe Washington Post, from theInternational Herald Tribune, 23 July. central members Tara Bhandari, RamThe Congress has been unable to Local elections Kaji Maharjan, Raju Nepal, Yuvaraj split in a legal and formal sense. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bhattarai, Saraswati Pokhrel, Dil Despite his talk, the prime minister Budhabar, 24 July Bahadur Rai, Katak Rai, and Komal hasn’t been able to form a separate Pande have been arrested. Most party. In the legal context, the case Excerpts from an interview with members of the Kathmandu District is before the election commission. Rajendra Prasad Pandey, head of the Committee of the ANNFSU (R) haveThe government media expresses Department for Local Government, been arrested. one point of view. Other public CPN-UML. media express another.

The government has indicated It isn’t good for the nation it is willing to talk with the that the Election Commission CPN-UML and the Election Hold talks is delaying tackling such a Commission about an all-party ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ political case, is it? political committee. Would Chalphal, 21 July Not at all. We don’t know what the your party agree to an all-party commission is doing; it hasn’t sought sharing of constituencies? Excerpts from an interview with opinions. If they said that they We met Prime Minister Sher BahadurNarahari Acharya. needed time to deal with a case of Deuba in February and requested him such national importance, that to fix a date for local government would be something. Their style of The Maoists seem ready to working is not transparent. elections. He told us elections were talk, how do you feel about Divine not possible, and that he would this? Collection therefore extend the tenure of the It’s a positive sign, but we still have Tel: 230369 Fax: 977-1-229622 Babarmahal Revisited local bodies by one year in accordance to be clear about their motive. They with the laws. His abrupt decision to appear to be more flexible this time, dissolve the house came around in indicating a change in their view- EASY TIMES May, and was followed by his point. But until we figure out why proposal to create an all-party It’s never been easier to subscribe to Carrot: Democracy they switched suddenly from talks to Nepali Times. Himal Khabarpatrika, 17-31 July violence in the past, people will Just dial this number and leave your address. 543333 141414 CITY 26 JULY - 1 AUGUSTNEPALI 2002 TIMES CITY 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES 151515

ABOUT TOWN YAK YETI YAK by MIKU ART REVIEW by SOPHIA PANDE

EXHIBITION Shunya man ka sthabdha aankhaExhibition haru of paintings by Shashikala Tiwari. NAFA Art Gallery, Bal Mandir, until 12 August. No-go on greenExpressions of a EVENTSEVENTSEVENTS Monsoon momo mania Music, dance, and unlimited Japanese-style momos. 3PM-6PM, 27 July, Rs 200, Even the head of the Rs 640 The new traffic lights were supposed children under 12 Rs 50. Gazabko Cocktail Cafe, Marcopolo Business Hotel, Kamalpokhari. 416432 million, Japanese-aided project to make Kathmandu traffic more grieving mind Chautari Sangam2PM-5.30 PM: HIV/AIDS awareness exhibition, with food festival, outdoor disco, live admits things have been slow. But he says these are teething problems music from The Heartbreakers. Rs 25, free to children under eight. 6PM-8.30 PM: Poornima and cultural organised. But it has got worse. Why? troupe from Bollywood. Tickets Rs 2,000, Rs 1,500, Rs 1,000, Rs 350, for numbered seats. Birendra that will soon be resolved. International Convention Centre, 27 July. 415103 “It’s a new experience for Club at the Hyatt AnniversaryCATH members and spouses invited to the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, everyone, for pedestrians, for 27 July, 7.30 PM – 9.30PM. Entertainment includes DJ, live band, jazz dancers. 491234 drivers, and for traffic policemen,” Durga Prasad Osti, senior divisional Weekly dialogues on life and living and books and audiotapes at the Krishnamurti Study Center, BOOKWORM Dhyankuti, Swoyambh. Saturdays1PM-6PM. 227704. engineer at the Department of Roads told us. “It will take some Pioneer Nepali Students in Japan a Century HarendraAgo B Barua MUSICMUSIC time for people to get used to the MUSICMUSICMUSIC Mandala Book Point, Kathmandu, 2002 Prism liveat the Shangri-La Jazz Bar Friday nights starting 8PM. new lights. But if they’ve worked Rs 500 (hardback), Rs 400 (paperback) Osti is confident that traffic www.hotelshangrila.com. 412999 everywhere else in the world, why Barua traces the adoption in the earlyth 20century of Japan as a model of development and growth will be more disciplined and more Music and barbecueBarbecue, well-stocked bar and Amalgam VI playing a shouldn’t they work in Nepal?” for Nepal’s rulers, who decided to send a certain number of Nepali youth there to study. The streamlined, but it means everyone variety of music. 27 July, 5PM, poolside, Nanglo International Club. Members Rs Indeed. But what if the traffic students who made the arduous journey were welcomed in Japan. This trilingual volume (English, has to follow the rules. By monitor- 150 (adult), Rs 75 (child), non-members Rs 200 (adult), Rs 125 (child), lights are not synchronised, stay red ing traffic flow and pedestrians at includes one beverage. 550861 Nepali, Japanese) contains reproductions of documents pertaining to these students, as well as period photographs. for too long for the main different times of the day, techni- Momos and musicThe Heartbreakers at Nanglo Bakery Café starting 19 throughfare and remain green for a cians at the department have now July, 6.30 PM on. Fridays in Teku, Saturdays in Baneswor, Sundays at the Nanglo little-used side street? And why been able to synchronise the lights. Café and Pub, Darbar Marg. 434554 Rural Development: Principles, Policies and Management Katar Singh doesn’t the Department of Roads Operated by solar cells during Live music by Catch 22, Friday nights at the 40,000 ½ ft Bar, Rum Doodle Restaurant, Thamel. 414336 Sage Publications, New Delhi, 1986/1999 simulate them on a computer before Rs 440 the day, the lights automatically making Kathmandu commuters switch to city power by night and DRINKDRINKDRINK Part of the core curriculum for Tribhuvan University’s MA program in Rural Development guinea pigs? Buy one get one freeat the Splash Bar & Grill, Radisson Hotel, from 5.30 PM – 7.30 PM daily. Wednes-Studies, this volume combines economic theory with the practices of rural development, and on sunless days. In case of power The Traffic Section says the failure, there’s a 30 second days and Fridays also live band and barbecue. 411818 emphasises the role of human resources. Rural development is viewed as a multidimensional synchronisation work is going on, warning period during which July Kegarne MadnessOne free draft beer with every meal, including Mexican specialties at the K- hashikala Tiwari’s stunningminiature poems, giving the process involving the reorienting of economic and social systems and interactions between biologi- but the volume of traffic flow, and traffic follows set routes. too! Beer & Steakhouse, Thamel. 433043 cal, technological, economic, institutional and organisational factors. current show, entitled paintings even more power. the dynamics of intersections need The current improvement Shunya man ka sthabdha Business lunches, poolside parties, romanticFusion dinners Bar, Dwarika’s Hotel. 479488 S Tiwari isn’t selling the live tests. Ever since the traffic works involve Koteswor, Tinkune, aankha haru (The bewildered eyespaintings—she wants them to be Management of Social and Natural Resource Conflict in Nepal: RAMYATA LIMBU lights went into trial operation, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Koteswor Ring Road, Naya of a grieving mind), is a tribute onto display for as long as FOODFOODFOOD Realities and Alternatives Bishnu Raj Upreti “There are so many lights, I phones at the Department of Roads Baneshwar, Singha Durbar, Kalanki Their Late Majesties.The 13 possible. The message, she told Seafood and winesfrom around the world at The Olive Garden, Radisson Hotel every evening. 411818 Adroit Publishers, Delhi, 2002 us, is from the late King Birendra don’t know which ones to look at.” at Babar Mahal have been ringing Chowk, Keshar Mahal and Ram paintings is an intense portal that Masala BazaarExtensive Indian buffet, lassi counter and special desserts at The Café, Hyatt Regency Rs 960 sends the viewer hurtling back intohimself, who once told her that it off the hook with complaints. Osti Shah Path-Dilli Bazar. Delays have Kathmandu until 31 July. 491234 This book, based on an analysis of social and natural resource conflicts, examines the causes of “It took me 30 minutes to get has also seen some of the irreverent time to relive the experience wakingis one’s duty to love one’s been caused by property compensa- up to the news of 1 June, 2001. country, and to do what you do Beer & Barbecue Special1-4 August for lunch or dinner, unlimited beer at The Clubhouse, Le Meridien conflict such as failure to meet the people’s social, political and economic needs due to scarcity of from Maiti Ghar to Bhrikuti cartoons in the newspapers, and

MIN BAJRACHARYA best in order to help it. That tion, coordination with other Each painting is like the Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort. 451212 resources, corruption, bad governance, changing economic conditions, etc. In addition to taking a Mandap on a Saturday afternoon. thinks some of them are quite funny. long-ago message is what kept departments to relocate electricity fleshing out of a nightmare, an Patan Museum Café Mixed menu, garden seating. Lunch only, 11AM—2PM. 25 percent off with Summit critical look at the fundamental structural causes of conflict, Upreti assesses the performance of the All because of this stupid traffic The department has launched gaye durghatana ma parla”. her sane, says Tiwari, and conflict resolution apparatus in Nepal. light at Padmodaya.” pylons, trolley bus lines and exorcism of the pain the artist saysinspired her to paint through Card. 526271 an aggressive public information The project’s main aim is to drainage. If all goes well, and more she has forcibly channelled outher misery. Improved Singaporean and Malaysian Sing food Ma, the Food Court, between Jawalakhel fire “We don’t need red lights in campaign with adverts in papers regulate traffic and reduce conges- aid is forthcoming, the next from her self and onto the canvas. They have an immediacy that station and St Mary’s School. [email protected]. 520004 tion by revamping 10 important Patan.” and large billboards, like the gory intersections to get revamps are: brings on gooseflesh. The (Shunya man ka sthabdha Tukche Thakali Kitchen Buckwheat, barley, bean, and dried meat specialties. Also brunch with Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] These are actual comments this one with a blood-splattered intersections by March 2003. It Chabihil, Gaushala, the paintings are accompanied by aankha haru is on at the NAFA porridge and pancakes, all raw material from Tukche village. Darbar Marg. accident victim with the message: includes installation of traffic and Maharajgunj Ring Road, and little explanatory sentences in Art Gallery, Bal Mandir until 12 week from angry drivers in August.) Friday Continental BBQat Dwarika’s Hotel 7PM on. Rs 500 per person, includes a free beer or soft CLASSIFIED Kathmandu. They are provoked by a “ street lights, pavement work, Purano Baneswor. Nepali, and even these are like drink. 479488 grand three-year plan to improve reconstruction of walkways,

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Passion, love, adventure, fun... WatchJAINEPAL For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman andCINEMAGHAR Samuel L Jackson in the newest chapter in the Star Wars saga. As in The Phan- tom Menace, the Republic is mired in strife. The Jedi must quell a separatist2.30PM and 5.30PM daily. Phone booking: 442220 movement, and fight the Clone Wars.Online booking: 91.2 www.jainepal.com on FM 102.4 NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL DSES-21-07-2002 09:00 GMT DSES-22-07-2002 09:00 GMTThat was what is called a monsoon trough: 177 mm of rain Sun Mon in 24 hours in Kathmandu Valley, a 30-year record. An Mon-Fri 0615-0645orld BBC Today W average of five such troughs hit the Himalaya during an average monsoon, but even by our standards this was a major depression. Dammed by an impregnable high Sat 0615-0645 BBC Science in Action pressure zone over north India, the monsoon front was forced to dump all its moisture over central and westernSun 0615-0645 BBC Agenda Nepal. By Wednesday afternoon, as we see in this satellite sequence, the trough has been blown back into northeast- ern India by westerlies, and western Nepal remains largelyDaily 2045-2115 BBCg] kfnL ;]]jf]]] dry. The monsoon is still moderately active over the Bay of Bengal, so expect more night rain over the weekend Daily 2245-2300 BBCg] kfnL ;]]jf]]] and into next week over Kathmandu. DSES-23-07-2002 09:00 GMT DSES-24-07-2002 09:00 GMT Tue Wed Radio Sagarmatha KATHMANDU VALLEY P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681 Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 E-mail: [email protected] www.radiosagarmatha.org /]l8of ] ;u/dfyf 26-20 27-20 28-21 28-21 27-21 161616 26 JULY - 1 AUGUST NEPALI 2002 TIMES Under My Hat

by Kunda Dixit Do we have the guts? efore I forget, it is my duty as a responsible laughter. Really. What is so funny? citizen to warn all minors that, as per a After all, it is a perfectly natural thing to do. Bstatutory requirement of the Bored of Like all organisms on this planet (we don’t yet Censors, this week’s column is rated ‘R’ and only know whether organisms on other planets have readers who can prove with a photo ID that they alimentary canals that are in working order, but the are 18 or above are allowed to proceed (with search is on) human beings have to eat. What they caution) beyond this point. You two hiding there eat has to be digested by a series of tubes known under the table, run along home to Mama now. collectively as the gastrodrome, and eventually expelled Management would also like to warn clients who through a trap door known by its Latin name, are having breakfast while reading this to stop cloaca right there, and remain in your bunkers until the maxima. I fail to see the humour in that. As I was saying, the bottom line here is: what happens to food after I masticate it is my business. And you should not be poking your noses into it. (Toilet etiquette Rule # 1: Never poke your nose unto others on matters that you don’t want others to poke unto you.) Now that we have that cleared all-clear is sounded. Management will not be up, I can now present responsible for any untoward incident in the this photograph sent by a hard-pressed reader from vicinity of the duodenum. Pokhara of the outside of a public loo at the OK, now that we are only adults here, let us lakefront. Many of you may not have the guts to get to the topic of the week. It is still a mystery look at the categories on offer, and I have taken why human beings find the activities of each the liberty of presenting below an expunged list: others’ digestive tracts so funny. Let’s take a moment or two here to analyse why, for instance, it is that we find someone shooting the breeze while lifting a heavy object an event of such vast amusement 10-Megaton Thermonuclear Explosion With that we can’t help regurgitating the incident in a Fallout: Rs 50 conspiratorial tone with all its gory details (even Mugling Belly With Full Bonnet Wash: Rs 20 orally imitating the exact tenor and decibel level of Mugling Belly With Dry Cleaning Only: Rs 15 the report) to a circle of close friends and relatives Extra-long Mugling Belly: Rs 10 who then break into paroxysms of scatological Non-lethal Hardware: Rs 6 Short-term Deposit: Rs 5 Long, But Fruitless, Squat: Rs 1 (Reading material will be charged extra.)

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