#124 20 - 26ecember D 2002 16pages Rs 25

BHAGIRATH YOGI ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ rivatisation sounds great inGoing to the dogs theory. But Nepal’s experi- Pence with handing over sick state-owned enterprises to private business has not guaranteed recovery. In fact, Cold warcontroversial privatisation deals over the past decade have ‘There is really nothing to destroy here in Humla.’reeked of malpractice. Many public enterprises are now so far gone, there are no carry off a torturous sale of the buyers, and the trend is towards National Tea Development liquidation. Soon after being Corporation. appointed finance minister two MIN BAJRACHARYA on the anvil for privatisation. The Privatisation of non- months ago, Badri Prasad most time consuming has beenperforming the state-owned Shrestha unveiled his Economic handover of Butwal Power enterprises is high up on the Reform Program which included Company (See box, p7). economic reform agenda being the privatisation of eight pushed by bilateral and multilat- state-owned enterprises this Privatisation“We have given top priorityis at to the crossroads. eral donors and lenders. In its fiscal year. Butwal Power Company,” finance 1999-2001 Country Assistance secretary Bhanu Prasad Acharya Ministry officials say they are Strategy (CAS), The World Bank told us. The cabinet is expected to fast-tracking proposals put in the tied the bank’s future lending decide late Thursday on a deep freezer by previous with privatisation. The govern- Norwegian-funded compensation governments. But many of these ment’s privatisation plans are package following the Maoist enterprises are so sick that there also linked to the IMF-backed damage of the Jhimruk powerplant are no private-sector takers and Poverty Reduction and Growth that is delaying the process. will likely be put out their misery. Facility (PRGF). The government has already After identifying seven ailing decided to liquidate Nepal Coal,public enterprises for privatisation Cottage Industrial and Handicraftin 1997, the government has only Emporium and Hetauda Textiles,managed to split the Agriculture government sources told us. Inputs Corporation into two But five others, including separate private companies, and Himal Cement, Hetauda Cement, Birgunj Sugar, Bhaktapur Brick and Tiles and Butwal Power are In remote Humla, it’s too cold to fight, but not too cold torestore destroy peace, health without posts, close that schools everything and extort is futile.” money. Simikot airfield (seen in picture, above) will KAPIL TAMOTin SIMIKOT remain a lifeline for food until the road is com- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ abita Lama used to run a string of health pleted. Subsidised rice is flown into Simikot from posts in Nepal’s most remote and harsh Surkhet and Nepalganj after the Maoists destroyed p7 Bregions, providing free medical care to bridges over the Karnali. The Maoists have set up a continuedð checkpoint on the main southbound trail from women and children. Humla, and take a tax of Rs 3 from every traveller. After her clinics in Torpa was destroyed six Tourists bound for Mansarovar have to pay $100. months ago by Maoists, villagers tried to talk themVillagers need a “visa” to go south. Locals need into leaving health posts alone. But they destroyed papers from both the Maoists and the district the clinic in Albang too. “They told us they administration to go anywhere. don’t want any NGOs here, they want to destroy Ironically, the food situation is not so bad everything built by the government and have a because the conflict has driven away so many republic,” Babita Lama told us. “Now we have to people. Southern Humla is depopulating fast, there take our sick to Muchu or Simikot.” are few young men left. Many of them had offered It was Humla’s remoteness that had saved the to enlist in the security forces. “The Maoists were district from the worst effects of the insurgency, butgoing to come after us, so we offered to join the that doesn’t seem to be a protection any longer. police or army,” one young Humli in Nepalganj told Maoists are even travelling across the border into us. “They didn’t take us, so we decided to get out.” Tibet to buy winter clothes and food, and Chinese A 200-strong police force is stationed near the border guards at Taklalot now examine the elbows airport. The army unit has set up a base on Rani of Nepalis. If they are rough and scratched, they Ban, a strategic ridge above the main bazar. But at are taken for Maoists and refused entry. 10,500 ft, it is bitterly cold and windy here for the “We used to be neglected by Kathmandu even soldiers. “Limi, one man huddled inside a dark tea shop Chinese border to Simikot is only half-finished whispers: “In the daytime, the soldiers come and because dynamite isn’t allowed. beat us up, and at night the Maoists do the same.” The Chinese have offered to build two bridges Two teachers from Simikot were kidnapped and in Hilsa and Muchu. “If only our own government killed a few days before Dasain. Simikot resident, was as supportive, Humla would be transformed,” 29-year-old Juna Buda, was killed for not paying Shahi told us. “But the most important thing is to extortion money. Ex-MP Chakra Bahadur Shahi and VDC chairman Padam Lama had their houses looted. Jivan Shahi’s home has been attacked twice. Most schools are closed. The government school in Simikot is open, but the teachers there dare not make the children sing the national Weekly Internet Poll # 64 anthem. “We take classes, but our heart is not in it, Q. Who is to blame for the SAARC Summit being postponed? we just live from one day to the next,” says one teacher. “There has never been anything here worth destroying.” An autonomous Karnali Authority to oversee development and administration could bring hope. But Kathmandu has only paid lip-service to the idea. With a resigned air, Jivan Shahi tells us: “If the donors push it, it could still happen.”t

Total votes: 1,087

Weekly Internet Poll # 65. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. What should be the future shape of our constitution? 2 NEPALI TIMES NATION NEPALI TIMES 3 EDITORIAL 20 - 26 DECEMBER 2002 20 - 26 DECEMBER 2002

Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL OPINION by DHAWAL SJB RANA 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, Hattiban: 01-547018/17 Musharrafship rights by the government. Think nationally, act locally Dictatorship is too crude, self-regulation of dissent Donor agencies is preachingthe way human rightsto go. THE ROOTS O WRATH to suitably attentive activists in Kathmandu are ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ engaged in a fail-safe game—you can’t go ensuring accountability. t is readily apparent to many of us that this revolution is a dead-end street.eports It in the Panipokhari-friendly pressimpossible, to ensure human rights when wrong when you are converting the already- The Deuba move not to renew the term of may not yet be evident to the Maoist leadership, or even if it is, maybe theindicate that Christina Rocca expressed the country is being governed by a non- converted. But these sermons have very little The Maoists are only completinglocal bodies even thethough process there was a constitu- of Ihawks call the shots. The military-monarchy combine, on the other hand, is relevance at the grassroots where neither the Rher concerns about the instances of representative executive. dismantling grassroots democracytional provision to extend that the Sher term by a year had their roots in the short-sighted policies of waiting for new hardware so it can start a decisive offensive that it hopeshuman will break rights violations in Nepal during her It’s not just the executive functions, Maoist militia nor the security forces are under was a cynical political move to get the UML- the back of the rebel movement. BahadurKathmandu, and Deubathe rules they started. forced on local visit here last week. any obligation to exercise restraint. dominated local councils out of the way in case Positions have hardened so much that neither side cares too much for talks at even legislation seems to have fallen prey councils to prevent true devolution. Nepal’s ruling class knows that the to what has come to be termed the By repeatedly stressing the Great ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ general elections were held. present. The feelings of war-weary Nepalis doesn’t seem to count. The people don’t see Pakistan, the ruling classes of tal rights for the common people of the But on the whole, the Local Self- Govern- of the midwest, and that the very parliamentary more than Rs 450 million damage has been Nepal seem to be forging ahead nonetheless. country continues to fall upon the shoulders of ment Act BS 2055 (1999) was positive. One parties whose grassroots leadership his revolution clause allowing an elected member to change done. Municipalities and DDC buildings has decimated are now his allies in the fight for After October the

Tracking six weeks of death in Nepal LETTERS his embarrassing moment when BAJURA 1 Dec: At least 1 Maoist killed. youths on the footpath loudly 1)KANCHANPUR 18 Nov: 1 civilian killed in Jonapur; 5 Dec: At least 1 MaoistDADELDHURA killed. 2) 11 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed.BAITADI 3) 3 Nov: 2 Maoists killed in Gokuleshwor area; 23 Nov: At least 1 MaoistDOTI killed. 4) DEVELOPMENT SET talked about “dacoit MPs” ( danka 13 Nov: 14-year-old killed by bomb.DARCHULA 5) 3 Nov: 2 Maoists killed in Sipti area. 6) SURKHET 11 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed; 15 Dec: At least 1 MaoistACHHAM killed. 28 7) Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed. 8) BARDIYA3 Nov: Many analyses have been donethe increased expenditure for many nerve. The photographs of contributing by being less sansad ) and had admitted that Daniel Lak’s angry call for thosebut the impact of the policies andmarginalised ill, frequently on thousands of Nepalis who have tocynical. 10 Maoists, including area commander, killed in Chandanpur area; 11 Nov: 1 Maoist killed; 19 Nov: 14-year-oldr VDC-4 killedby Maoists in Bhimapu for “spying”; 19 Nov: 2 Maoists killed in Rajapur by Maoists in internal dispute; 21 sometimes he feels like hiding in the “development industry” toworking practices of the develop-useless profit driven treatments, as flee their own country in search G Binisha, by email Nov: 1 civilian killed in Rajapur delta; 25 Nov: 2 soldiers, 1 civilian killed by Maoists in Bhurigaon; 5 Dec: At least 1 Maoist killed; 15DAILEKH Dec: At 20least Nov: 1 Maoist 3 Maoists killed. killed 9) in Narayan Municipality.KALIKOT 10) his MP badge while walking on speak about the current state ofment agencies themselves are allone possibility. Might they further of jobs and security showed the 15 Nov: “At least a dozen” Maoists killed attempting to cross Jumla-Kalikot distict border; 5 Dec: At) MUGUleast 1 19 Maoist Nov: Atkilled. least 11 1 Maoist killed.JUMLA 12) 14 Nov: Battle results in 37 security personnel, “as many the street. In this so called Nepal is well aimed (“A develop-too often omitted. What appearsenhance poverty and stark reality and the great despair as” 300 Maoists killed (confirmed Maoist deaths totaled 105), NHRC later accuses Maoists of “indiscriminatelyRUKUM firing 26 on Nov: civilians”. At least 13) 1 Maoist killed.PYUTHAN 14) 28 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed. 15) “politically-conscious society”, ing crisis”, # 121). Having bothlacking in the public domain is marginalisation for many and thus of the poor people of Nepal. Butl Reading Kunda Dixit’s “The BAGLUNG11 Nov: 10 Maoists killed in Gwalichaur VDC; 13 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed; 19 Nov: At leastMYAGDI 1 Maoist 19 Nov: killed. At 16)least 1 Maoist killed.PALPA 17) 11 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed.MAKWANPUR 18) constructive criticism about worked within the developmentmuch evidence of analytical selffeed a disenchantment that fuels in the same issue you have 10 Nov: Postman beheaded in Hetauda; 14 Nov: 1 civilian killed in Aam BhanjyangKATHMANDU VDC.9 Nov: 19) 1 Maoist killed in Budhanilkantha; 11 Nov: 1 Maoist killed; 15 Nov: Maoists reportedly claim responsibility public-interest-issues published villagers’ support keeps me machinery ourselves, this reflection, and the lack of analysisdirectly the rise of increasingly industrialist Mohan Gopal for the murder of 2 US embassy guards; 19 Nov: 1 policemanBHAKTAPUR killed. 20) 11 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed. 21) SINDHULI 11 Nov: 1 retired policeman killed in Hatpate VDC; 8 Dec: 5 civilians killed in in news media should not be going..." (# 116) and Toya criticism strikes an uncomfortableand focus on some of the develop-violent and radical ideologies? Khetan floating conspiracy taken as “jounalistic crime”. Dahal’s “Captain saved airport, bus bombing near Sishneri.RAMECHHAP 22) 3 Nov: 1 Maoist killed in Tilpung area; 11 Nov: At least 1 MaoistBHOJPUR killed. 23) 24 Nov: 3 Maoists killed in Gupteswore; 5 Dec: At least 1 Maoist killed. nerve. There is now a move ment organisations’ practices Questions like this are vitally theories about politics. It is very Moreover, inter-party and intra- but not himself” (#117) made me 24)SANKHUWASABHA 27 Nov: 2 Maoists killed in Khandbari. 25) MORANG4 Dec: 1 Maoist killed in Budikhap, Dulari VDC. towards hiring consultants–andthemselves. These are frequentlyimportant to pose and research in sad that while thousands of party squabblings (mud-slinging proud of the patriotism and consequent diverting of funds—tobased on ideologies of privatisa-these current times, and not just people are dying or forced to may be a more appropriate word) bravery of Major Khatri and continually re-analyse the tion and marketisation, for reject as being too ideologically leave their homes, you have the were taken as perfectly normal Captain Thapa. My heartfelt PARBAT 5 Dec: 2 Maoists killed. LAMJUNG 23 Nov: “At least” 50 Maoists killed; 1 Dec: At least 1 Maoist killed; 15 Dec: At least 1 Maoist killed. situation. The focus of what example. Yet despite many focused. Given the influence rich and the elite in Kathmandu phenomena in our past 12 years condolence to both these great needs to be done, and how thatpractitioners (and we include development organisations have in having nothing better to do than of democracy. At the same time, men. Those responsible for their GORKHA 14 Nov: Battle claims the lives of 23 security personnel, “about five dozen” Maoists; 19 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed. needs to be done is shifting, forourselves here) best intentions theNepal, their absence in these giving interviews and airing their all political leaders have been murders are the ones waging this example like working on issueseffects of what we do, may be quiteanalyses results in an increasingly cynical views. My question to you saying that our nation’s unique fratricidal peoples’ war. I have a NUWAKOT 16 Nov: 4 soldiers killed in Bhadrutaar by landmine; 17 Nov: UML activist killed in Mumari VDC; 19 Nov: around conflict displaced peopledifferent to what is intended. Wedistorted picture of the way in which is: are the people living in political system has four main question to the comrades: what At least 1 Maoist killed; 28 Nov: 5 Maoists killed; 5 Dec: At least 1 Maoist killed; 11 Dec: 2 MaoistsC. killed in Sunkhani VD and figuring out new ways of only have to think of the rise in thethe current situation is represented. Kathmandu even remotely aware power centres—Royal Palace, kind of development are you working in conflict effected areas.number of private pharmacies andThere is now a desperate need to of the problems existing outsideaiming to bring with this redress this gap to include the aidNepali Congress (NC), UML andthe valley? What are all the rich SINDHUPALACHOWK 14 Nov: 2 Maoists killed in accidental bomb blast in Sangachowk VDC. Maoists. Hence, even if Pradip brutality? Why are you killing machinery itself in any further industrialists and power brokers the people who are helping the KAVRE 11 Nov: At least 1 DOLAKHA 14 Nov: 2 civilians killed in landmine explosion near Lankuri Danda critical analyses of the current Nepal’s contention that it is a doing to help the country in its deliberate attempt by one poor and the disenfranchised? Maoist killed; 15 Dec: At least 1 KHOTANG 23 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed. situation, however uncomfortable present condition, other than These and others you have Maoist killed. that may be. power center to defame the NCblame the present or previous and UML leaders is true, it killed were men full of compas- Dr Ian Harper and government, the king, etc, etc? sion and generosity of spirit. And should be taken in a demo- You take a walk on the busy TAPLEJUNG9 Nov: 1 Maoist killed near Sandra MacDonagh by e-mail all that you have shown is your cratic spirit, especially when thestreets of Kathmandu and find Phungling; 10 Nov: 1 civilian killed in Sanghu VDC; 11 Royal Palace itself is digesting pathological addiction to KAILALI 1 Nov: At least 4 Nov: 1 Maoist killed in Fulbari VDC; 23 Nov: 2 Kathmanduites rushing about inhumanity and violence. If your all kinds of direct criticism andshopping and having fun and Maoists killed in Pahalmanpur; 9 civilians killed in Dhungesanghu VDC; 26 Nov: At least revolution is true, and if you 1 Maoist killed. verbal abuse by NC and UML see the poor and displaced on Nov: 2 Maoists killed; 10 Nov: senior leaders against the want the support of people like Maoist district commander killed;ROLPA 15 Dec: the streets. I am sure the Maoistsus, then you will have to take the 11 Nov: 1 civilian killed in cross- institution of Monarchy. are making the most of this 1 soldier killed in PANCHTHAR 17 Nov: School teacher killed in path of peace. You still have the fire, 1 Maoist killed; 14 Nov:Talawang, 1 Maoist Sugat Ratna Kansakar,situation. There is much to be Former MP killed in Dhangadi; 16 Barbung, UML activist killed in Nagi VDC; 23 Nov: chance of getting out of this killed. Abducted boy murdered; 26 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed; 11 Kamaladi learnt and there is much to be spiral of violence by declaring a Nov: 3 Maoists killed during night KAPILVASTU 11 Nov: At DEMO-CRAZY done by not just the government fight in Dhangadi; 17 Nov: Retired GULMI 7 Nov: Dec: 1 Maoist killed near Phhidim. ceasefire and negotiating. policeman killed in Tikapur; 19 least 1 Maoist killed; 29 Nov: Central Working Committee but every citizen of Nepal. Not Otherwise, one day, you will 1 civilian killed in Champaran. 2 Maoists killed. just blaming others, but being Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed; 20 ILAM 17 Nov: School teacher killed in Gajurmukhi VDC; Member of CPN-UML party Pradip answer for these crimes against Nov: 1 civilian killed in landmine positive and individually 1 Dec: At least 1 Maoist killed. Nepal (“Twisting the truth”, #123) the people. blast in Shripur VDC; 1 Dec: At has ferociously complained about a least 1 Maoist killed. Kumar Basnet, Tokyo CHITWAN 11 Nov: JHAPA11 Nov: “Suspected Maoists” killed in RSS news report regarding appar- DANG 14 Nov: 9-year-old from Chainpur At least 1 Maoist killed. Gherabari VDC; 28 Nov: 1 civilian killed in Bahudandi. ent misuse of medical expenditure killed when bomb explodes in his hands, 4 by few politicians in the past 12 Maoists killed in Fulbari VDC; 20 Nov: Army SIRAHA 9 Nov: 1 civilian killed in years. Nepal, in one of his regular bus driver killed by sniper near Buauri; 21 Nov: Gauripur VDC-9; 11 Nov: 2 Maoists killed columns in a prominent daily 1 civilian killed in Tribhuvan Municipality-1; Note: "Maoist" refers to death toll MAHOTTARI 10 Nov: 1 civilian killed in Kanti bazaar. in Botechaur area; 27 Nov: 3 Maoists killed newspaper, had once written about provided by the MoD. Some dates 26 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed; 29 Nov: ARGHAKHANCHI 10 Nov: in Phulkahakati, 1 in Gauripur; 28 Nov: At l reflect the day on which a killing was 1civilian killed in Saudiyar; 5 Dec: At least 1 Authorities announce September BARA 16 Nov: “The Exodus” by Karuna announced. Compiled from media SARLAHI4 Nov: 2 civilians killed near Ganeshchowk when suspected Maoists hurl petrol leastbombs 1 Maoistat bus; killed; 5 Dec: 4 Maoists, 3 Maoist killed. battle killed 62 Maoists, 70 soldiers; sources. 2 Maoists killed in 10 Nov: 2 civilians killed in landmine explosion; 11 Nov: 1 civilian killed in public execution; 26 Nov:policemen Local Maoist killed in Lagan. Thapa (#123) touched a raw 19 Nov: At least 1 Maoist killed. Dummarwana VDC.leader killed; 30 Nov: 1 policeman killed in Sangrampur. 4 NATION NEPALI TIMES NATION NEPALI TIMES 5 20 - 26 DECEMBER 2002 20 - 26 DECEMBER 2002

DOMESTIC BRIEFS Killing with impunityCorruption report released

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Transparency International released its annual report on corruption in South Asia this week, with mixed ments and rebel movements using he seven-year Maoist insurgency and government A new Amnesty International results for Nepal. Of the five countries in the survey, Nepal received the worst score for government attempts to contain it have resulted in serious effectiveness and critical scores for graft/corruption, accountability and press freedom. However, child fighters (See “Killing with report exposes the human Minors in a majorThuman rights violations,war according to a scathing Nepal received better scores in six of the seven measured categories of corruption than most other impunity”, p5). The UN earlier new report by Amnesty International. The report says at rightsresponsible forcrisis grave human in Nepal. rights violations has raised countries in the region. Only the tax sector, which 25 percent of surveyed Nepalis report as being corrupt, received a score above the regional average. The survey, which involved the participation of appointed a special representative least half of the 4,300 victims of the conflict since major questions about the commitment to or concern for Maoists. The Supreme Court on to investigate the use of children ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 3060 respondents in Nepal, argues that Nepal’s four most corrupt sectors are, respectively, land November 2001 (compared to the 2,700 lives lost in the human rights, even though the Constitution of Nepal administration, customs, police and the judiciary. The complete report is available at Tuesday ordered the release of by the Maoists. last five years) were killed unlawfully. protects fundamental rights and Nepal is a signatory to all www.transparency.org 16-year-old Diwakar Adhikari The success of the consorti- The vast majority of the victims were civilians targetedmajor human rights treaties. who has been in prison since he um’s lobbying efforts, activists for their real or perceived support to the CPN (Maoist), Krishna Pahadi, ties. Children of families who after they were taken captive. The Maoists International delegation to Nepal in September which Rocca and Bhattarai have been victims of human rights that 30 percent of Maoist militia international pressure on the claims that the rebel leadership have also been responsible for recruiting collected meticulous information on atrocities by both sides. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ are underage. The coalition is a rebels to discontinue recruitment has realised it is under pressure, abuse by the security forces also children into their ranks and using them in combat It will be submitted to members of the forthcoming United US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina Rocca’s four-day visit to Nepal was billed as a situations. The rapid deterioration in the human rights Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) at consortium of six international of under-18 children in its armed but is still “in the denial stage”. need no inducement to join the “fact-finding” mission and follows a series of high-level stopovers in Nepal by senior US and European revolution. situation is set against a background of a mounting politicalGeneva in March 2003. Amnesty International will press officials in the past year. But Rocca also took the opportunity to hurl a warning to the Maoists that they may human rights organisations working militia. He added: “Awareness against be placed on the US government’s terrorist list if they continued with their violent activities. on a global ban on use of children as “There has been a sudden crisis in the country and embedded in a pervasive climate for the adoption of a resolution expressing concern about the This is a sore point with the the recruitment of underage of impunity, said the report. deepening human rights crisis in Nepal, in particular “Although the Maoists have not yet been put on any official terrorist list,” she added, “this step may be soldiers and based its conclusion on increase of homeless children in Maoist leadership, and they have children have certainly increased Impunity is a longstanding problem in Nepal. reports of widespread extra-judicial executions, “disappear- taken into consideration if their violence continues unabated.” This was not just a general reference to the data collected in 2000. district headquarters and towns repeatedly denied recruiting within the Maoist leadership— Successive governments’ willingness to condone the actionsances”, torture and unlawful detentions. Maoist attacks on ordinary Nepalis, but officials said it was a warning to the Maoists not to target US- Estimates of child soldiers are near Maoist-affected districts,” employed personnel in Nepal. Last month, the Maoists took responsibility for killing two Nepali security children. A Maoist negotiator to although they have not stopped of the security forces, even when they have committed gross Amnesty International says it will also urge members of officials working for the US embassy in Kathmandu last year. notoriously unreliable. The says Gauri Pradhan of the child the last year’s peace talks with the practice.” Human rights human rights violations, was underlined by the incorpora-the UNCHR to consider appointing a Special Rapporteur Rocca also said the US was involved in “close and continuing” dialogue with India and other countries underground group is elusive, andthe government, Krishna Bahadur organisations have reported an welfare group, CWIN. A recent tion of Section 20 in the Terrorist and Destructive for Nepal. They have called upon both the Maoists and the survey in Rukum found that out on the situation in Nepal and said Washington wanted to see constitutional rule and multiparty democracy it is difficult to tell the age of Mahara in his 14 November increased recruitment drive in the Activities (TADA). This section grants prosecution government to uphold human rights and humanitarian flourish in Nepal. She compared the Maoists to the Khmer Rouge and added that violence had to end and many of the militia members. Oneinterview with CNN dismissed thehinterland, where Maoists have of 1,000 people displaced, about immunity to members of the security forces “or any other standards as a confidence-building step towards peace talks. the insurgency was not the answer. reporter who visited Rolpa in allegation as “baseless”. But he forced families to give at least one300 were children and many were person” for “any act or work performed or attempted to be “The tactics currently employed by the Maoist insurgents are reminiscent of the tactics of the Pol Pot in performed by him in good faith under the Act.” April met many Maoists who admitted that the revolution has theteenage child to the movement ripe for recruitment. Janjati and the indiscriminate taking of innocent lives, including the forced recruitment and victimisation of innocent The persistent failure over the years to act against those children,” she added. looked like they were not more support of children and also for training into the militia. This Dalit children have been found in than 15 years old, but when asked the Maoist “People’s Army”, and While Rocca was in Nepal,Washington the Times newspaper in her capital published an interview with admitted having “young revolution- has resulted in a massive out- Baburam Bhatarai in which he appeared to answer US concerns point-by-point. Asked for his response to they all said they were 18. aries” in the Maoist cause. migration of young boys and girls,80 percent of Maoists reportedly killed in encounters with security the comparison made between the Maoists and the Khmer Rouge, Bhattarai said that the Khmer Rouge’s A National Human Rights The international coalition’s even from districts near atrocities had been exaggerated. “There is no independent and authentic account of events in Cambodia Commission member after a tour Kathmandu. forces are from Janjati or Dalit under the Khmer Rouge available so far,” Bhattarai maintained. lobbying with the United Nations communities. of the midwest earlier this year to name the Communist Party of While denying that they use Asked about the killing of the embassy security personnel in Kathmandu, Bhattarai said US govern- “In my experience the ment employees and American citizens in Nepal were “completely safe”. He said the two had been accused estimated that about one forth of Nepal (Maoist) in a Security child soldiers, the Maoist majority of children actively of espionage, and added: “Henceforth, if any such charges are levelled against any such employee, the the Maoist combatants were Council resolution appears to leadership has said that increasing concerned embassy would be advised before taking any actions.” children below the age of 18 involved in armed insurgency are Nepal makes the list have succeeded with the release of years. Besides combatants, the Secretary General Kofi Anan’s motivated by other reasons, and are not coerced into the conflict,” Maoists also reportedly use report on Monday in which the Despite global treaties, children are being recruited as soldiers by teenage children as porters. Maoists figure among 23 govern- says Pradhan. The current Maoist governments in the Congo, Burundi and Liberia and are prevalent among On the other hand, the campaign to close schools is rebel groups in Colombia, the Philippines, Uganda, Sri Lanka and Nepal. expected to provide a fresh Olara Otunnu, the UN special representative for children and armed Elephant polo security forces have also been conflict, said the report for the first time named governments and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ spurt of young recruits for the groups recruiting youths younger than 18 for military combat. accused of imprisoning children The National Parks team, led by Captain Ram Prit Yadav, won the stdouble annual at World the 21 movement.t “This shows the international community is serious and also that on suspicion that they are Elephant Polo Championships (WEPA) hosted by the Tiger Mountain Group on the polo field at the edge the community is watching,” Otunnu said. An estimated 300,000 child soldiers were carrying arms in over 40 countries worldwide, most of of the Royal Chitwan national park last week. The Nepali team beat Chivas Regal Scotland, the defending them in Africa and East Asia, according to UNICEF. WorldChampions, captained by Peter Prentice. The National Parks team also won the Tiger Moun- The report listed 23 groups including governments and rebel factions tain All Nepal Challenge, a in five countries where child soldiering is common. While the govern- match played by mahouts on ments of Congo, Burundi and Liberia were named as recruiters of child their own elephants, beating the soldiers, Otunnu included Nepal’s Maoists in the list of rebel groups using children as soldiers, porters and sexTiger slaves. Tops (A team. The World picture of children hired as porters by Maoists in the midwest, above.) Elephant Polo Championships HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK Otunnu said the report represented the “beginning of a systematic effort in a new era of monitoring and reportingare an annualon the invitational event conduct of parties and how they treat children during conflict”. arranged by Tiger Mountain and run by WEPA. The standards being violated include a number of human rights pacts as well as an amendment to the 1990 Convention on the Rights of the Child that prohibits the use of children younger than 18 in combat. These standards apply to insurgent Human rights and wrongs groups as well as governments, making both accountable for such actions, the report said.

here is a maddened slavering demon stalking this land and its appetite for blood and despair is growing. Nepal and Nepalis are being A new Amnesty International report proves Tbrutalized by a culture of violence that is transforming this former land of peace in the Himalayas and there may soon be no going back. Nepal is sinking ever deeper into a morass I invite anyone who thinks these thoughts are over the top to read of bloodshed and disregard for basic “Nepal: A Deepening Human Rights Crisis” released this past week by humanitarian norms. Amnesty International in London. Almost alone among international civilians by any party to a conflict is banned under the Geneva organisations, Amnesty has been watching developments here since the convention, to which Nepal is a signatory. Maoists fired their first shots in

SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL BIZ NEWS COMMENT by NAVIN SUBEDI Tenth Plan

○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ As usual, the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) has identified poverty reduction as its overridingRural goal. The plan, consumers made public this week, aims at reducing the number of people below poverty to 30 percent of the total popula- tion in the next five years. The National Planning Commission (NPC) has estimates 38 percent of the current Split personalities population lives below the poverty line. Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Shanker well in the Khadka-Gupta-Wagle Sharma said 58 percent of the total development expenditure in the plan period was expectedThere to be financed is salvation for consumer goodsAlthough manufacturers. figures for house- Image makeovers seem to be underway.trio’s graft travails. The people by foreign aid. The plan has set a 6.2 percent growth target if the law and order situation improves.○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ If it doesn’t, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ hold expenditures in rural areas in love the loud voices that are the plan will settle for 4.3 percent growth. The plan emphasises coordinating security and development issues, Nepal are unavailable, one can reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed by the Maoist insurgency and rehabilitating people who haveanufacturers fled from of Doti used to be fixated with Lever were smart enough to tion in retail outlets. This also ment, the possibilities are omi- overflowing sewage in Baneshwar recognise the potential of an provides for an interesting nously expansive. Surya Nepal is sponsoring the program to promote its The rural market has lain alert us to what we risked losing undoubtedly comprise the bulk ofmostly counterfeit with little or ones for having mauled the faith of premium tobacco product, Shikhar. Vogue Advertisement and Event Management will organisefallow the eventfor several at reasons. Most no representation of major irretrievably. Much will depend on Dasarath Stadium in the capital. Biratnagar, Signature Whisky is an exquisite blend of rare aged redesign products for rural accepted the cardinal wisdom in many fronts, conflict is perhaps an One remarkable thing about contributed to this opinion. But 1985 and 1995. So, it comes as N“divide-and-rule” ploy has national reconciliation. Japan). Moran Auto hopes the spacious and scientifically130,000 outlets planned in rural Nepal. schemes, which results in lower Maoists were the real villains. could easily be managed by new showroom will cater efficiently to customer needs. profit margins. The logic behind merchandise. The bottom line is: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) manipulating the force and foibles Most of these shops are small it’s a win-win situation.t with daily turnovers of less than the freebies doesn’t always add Rs 1,000. They sell anything fromup. A family of four which uses a Travelling in style daily necessities to cosmetics and tube of toothpaste a month will ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ medicine. not increase their consumption FOLLOW-UP Samsonite, the global leader in stylish luggage, has opened an outlet at Durbar Marg in the Nepali capital. twofold despite a fall in prices Samsonite Travel World, the one stop shop for all travel needs for the consumer, displays a range of Samsonite luggage as well as other products to create a suitable ambience for discerning shoppers. The company philoso- and a bumper offer. Rabina and Rabin in hospitalphy—toberecognised for travel solutions—emphasises catering to a changing consumer attitude.

NARESH NEWAR ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ “It all seems like a dream to me,” says Bhakta Bahadur tion.” Golchha complains that he pays taxes worth Rs 6,000 per tonne of Regmi as he watches his children Rabina and Rabin paper, whereas cheap paper is being imported from international market at playing in the hospital garden. Bhakta Bahadur had just country while the foreign joint-venture Surya Tobacco has 59 percentzero duty. “How can we survive in such a situation?” he asks. arrived with his children on Saturday at the Sushma market share with just 400 staff. Balananda Poudel of the CorporationThe privatisation process has been bungled mainly because of Koirala Memorial Hospital (SKMH) in Sankhu after a six- hour ride from Simara. Coordination Division at the Finance Ministry told us simply: “Thepolitical interference and corruption, even though the rules and proce- Sellingliabilities of mostout state-owned enterprises are so high that the governmentdures are in place. The new government needs to not just redress past from p1 There has been overwhelming support for the Regmi ð can no longer sustain them.” wrongs, but also meet fresh targets. Donors supporting privatisation realise family since this tragic story was first reported (“Why the The situation is so bad that the government is scrounging justthis to is lay big off challenge for the government, but say it has to bite the bullet. children?” #121), and the SKMH offered free treatment. Rabina and Rabin were badly burnt in a Maoist arson attack Tangible progress in the handover of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporationemployees of the companies to be liquidated. “We had asked for over“State-owned Rs enterprises are a major burden on the treasury and have on their bus on 4 November near Malangwa. Bhakta (RNAC) and Nepal Telecommunications Corporation (NTC) were220 in factmillion to pay off the staff of the Sajha Yatayat, out of whicha historythe of mismanagement and inefficiency and they add a further Bahadur’s wife, Anju, was among three passengers who NARESH NEWAR among the main conditions for Nepal qualifying for the World Bank’sgovernment high- made available only Rs 50 million,” said Shyam Sunderfinancial burden to a government budget already under severe pressure,” died in the incident. The children have still not been told of case loan scenario. Sharma, Registrar at the Company Registrar’s Office, who is alsosays serving Chris as Jackson, economic adviser at the British aid group, DfID. their mother’s death. The new tourism minister, Kuber Sharma statement last month,liquidator that he to the public transport enterprise based in Pulchowk. “PrivatisationSome is a difficult reform area. However, we hope to see evidence employees have sued the government challenging the liquidation of both When Dr Andreas Settje of SKMH read the story, he was willing to hand over the management contract of the loss-making of renewed political commitment in pursuing reform driven by the current Sajha and Himal Cement. was so touched that he got the hospital to offer free RNAC to anyone local or foreign who could fork out Rs 1.5 billion, proved fiscal crisis.” treatment no matter how long it takes. “I felt really upsetRabin and Rabina with their father, Bhakta Bahadur controversial. Sharma’s deputy, Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, clarified to usEven last companies that were privatised relatively smoothly have gripes DfID had no plans to provide further support to public enterprise after reading their story. I’ve come across a lot of severeRegmi, and Dr Andreas Settje at the Sushma Koirala week that what the minister actually meant was that RNAC wouldagainst be turned the government. Says Diwakar Golchha, whose conglomeratereform, took but Jackson says it would consider future support if there was cases like this. But the history of this case is very Memorialtragic,” Hospital in Sankhu. into a public limited company and its shares floated. But for thisover to the Nawalparasi-based Bhrikuti Pulp and Paper ten years ago:evidence “We of commitment from the government. Under a DfID grant Settje told us. happen, the national airline needs to streamline management haveand curb enhanced its the factory’s capacity eight-fold, improved productivitytotalling and$4.5 million, the Adam Smith Institute advised the Privatisation Individual donations through the human rights In the wards of the Sankhu hospital, Rabin and Rabina annual losses of Rs 1 billion. quality, but we have got zero support from the government afterCell privatisa- at the Finance Ministry from 1997-2001. organisation INSEC for Rabina and Rabin’s expenseshave and already become the most-popular patients. Doctors Ever since privatisation was launched by the Nepali Congress govern- The process is now at the crossroads, and some say it needs a serious rehabilitation have reached nearly Rs 50,000. Many of the and nurses given them full attention, other patients and ment in 1992, 18 companies have been handed over, but there are over contributions came from school children. “When I read the re-think. Says Dilli Raj Khanal, economist and former UML MP. “Questions even total strangers hug and talk to them in the garden. two dozen in various stages of sickness still left. They are haemmoraging have been raised on the credibility of the whole process of privatisation, we story I couldn’t stop crying,” recalls Sarah Neupane,Settje of says the burns are serious, and besides guarding Class 11 at St Mary’s School. “We thought we could Rs 2.4 billion a year, and the government is just not able to pick up the had also supported it on a merit basis. There is a need to make the entire against infection the treatment will include skin grafts, tabs anymore. Just RNAC makes up nearly half the losses. process more transparent and credible.”t contribute, so we made copies of the article and distributedorthopedic surgery of the fingers as well as psychological it.” Neupane’s effort raised Rs 5,000 from her counseling for another six weeks. According to a recent Finance Ministry report, only 14 enterprises have classmates. Four-year-old Rabin is now bored of staying in bed, and completed their audited reports. It adds: “The performance indicators of “The story of Rabin and Rabina public enterprises show that the financial efficiency and physical achieve- likes hopping around the hospital compound while his nurse shows the impact of the meaningless war ments are worsening day by day.” The government has only received Rs and the suffering that the Nepalis, runs after him. Six-year-old Rabina looks 245.7 million from state enterprises, 1.27 percent of its total share especially children, are going through,” cheerful, looks carefully after her brother, investment. said another contributor, Meena Shrestha and can be seen in animated conversation Officials say the major objectives of Nepal’s largely donor-driven from Bijuli Bazaar. with the friends she has already made privatisation program have been reducing the role of government in Bhakta Bahadur thinks god has BPC saga finally nears end among other patients. business-related activities, enhancing private sector participation in the answered his prayers, and is thankful that At INSEC, activists say they were economy, and attracting private “shy” capital in business ventures. But fellow-Nepalis have responded so immedi- happily surprised with the overwhelming critics say the forthcoming liquidations prove the failure of the privatisationIf all goes well, Interkraft Nepal, a consortium of Nepali and Norwegian ately and generously to his family’s process. Asks state sector expert Narayan Manandhar: “How can you call away as they would find alternative projects for investment elsewhere,” said support from Nepal and abroad. “It has tragedy. He had no one else to turn to, and liquidation of companies on the verge of death privatisation?” investors will finally win the majority stakes in Butwal Power Company (BPC)Norwegian official. was getting increasingly worried about inspired us to introduce a whole new approach Ratnakar Adhikari, co-author of thePrivatisation: book, Expectation in the next few days. Last week, a proposal submitted by BPC is Nepal’s biggest privatisation project, and whether his children would recover fully. to self-help,” says Kabita Aryal who heads and Reality, also argues that privatisation, by definition, should increasethe Privitisation Committee at the Janakpur Cigarette Factory which has district1,200 suffered a loss of nearly Rs 270 million. The United Mission to Nepal in 1966, Butwal Power Company employees, but occupies only 29 percent of the tobacco market Norwegianin the government earmarked $3.1 million for manages and operates two hydropower stations with a total INSEC will hand over the collection to a bank account in the name of Rabina and Rabin Regmi next week. Contributors so far: repairing it, and the cabinet meeting took on added 1. Shota and Julie Kamishima (Rs 10,000)2. Lincoln School Community Service Class of 2002 3.(Rs Anonymous 10,000) (Rs 5,000)4. Rita Bhandary capacity of 17 MW and owns 14.9 percent of Himal Power urgency because the once-extended deadline for this money expires Bangladesh Bank, Janakpur (Rs 2,500) “Undue delay in the process of privatisation would drive potential investors MW Khimti hydropower project. 9.Meena Shrestha, Bijuli Bazar (Rs10. 2,000) Hanna Battisti and Thomas Benedikter (Rs11. Pushkar1,000) Dangol, Balaju (Rs 500) 8 NEPALI TIMES 9 HOLIDAY 20 - 26 DECEMBER 2002

This holiday season, do things you never got

around to doing in on Christmas Eve or day. Or go dance the night away on New Year’s Eve at Kathmandu Valley.Rouge:Not fabulous Indra Sarovar. Round off the day If you want exotic and remote that T with a jacuzzi or sauna session. year than taking a flight to see Mt is within reach, then a 20 minute flight 25 December 2002 415373 Everest (Sagarmatha, Chomolungma) TNrs. 650.00 nett per person from Pokhara takes you on one of the Just away from Nagarkot proper up close in the year that marks the 50 (With complementary glass of world’s most spectacular flights red wine.) is Nagarkot Farm House, a hilltopbetween Annapurna and Dhaulagiri to T T resort surrounded by thousands ofJomsom Mountain Resort. The resort New Year’s Eve fruit trees and great mountain viewssits above the delightful town of An overnight package from the typical Nepali-style Jomsom, overlooking the Kali Gandaki T building. The cosy restaurant gorge and on the lap of the Nilgiri. The th Single Nrs. 2500.00 prepares set meals from local three-night package includes a round Double Nrs. 3400.00 organic produce. A serene settingtrip to air ticket from Pokhara and ponyanniversary of the first ascent of the enjoy long walks, good company and world’s highest mountain. Necon Air, Extra BedT Nrs. 1000.00 perhaps contemplate the universe. Buddha Air and Cosmic Air offer Room with breakfast 271545 sightseeing flights. T Welcome drink T Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, built in Special Gala dinner with glass of the Newari style, faces the Panchkal wine, Live music by Valley and offers breathtaking views the Heartbreakers (All Taxes) of the Jugal Himal peaks and terraced hillsides. You can mountain T RATE FOR DINNER T bike, go on hikes, raft or just lounge Single Nrs. 900.00 on the outdoor garden patio. Packages are available for Couple Nrs. 1500.00 Christmas and New Year. 222389 You can’t do better than a glowing recommendation from Time Magazine: “If Kathmandu’s relentless traffic, noise and incense laden smog becomes a little too suffocat- ing, head to Nagarkot for some Tel: 560675 clarity…and there, the Club Himalaya Resort boasts an indoor pool, sauna and a helipdad.” Head for Nagarkot’s trendy resort. 414432 December 24-25 Borderland is the prime VIP Safari at Border- land- $35 destination for adrenaline junkies. Three hours north of Kathmandu, the OR bring a sleeping resort is set on sprawling terraces bag and crash in the surrounded by mountains and lodge. $19.00 waterfalls. Borderland offers very Other activities include special Christmas Adventure rafting, Canyoning, Packages that include village walks, kids rock climbing rafting, canyoning, rock climbing and a trek around the Tibet border. December 27-30 425836 (three nights four “Silent Nights” at Shangri-La days) Trek around the Village, the boutique resort in Tibet Border departs Pokhara, celebrates the holiday and returns to Border- season, with special rates for Nepalis and residents of Nepal. The lands just before the Jazz Bar hosts Christmas Eve New Year. dinner, while Shambala Garden will serve buffet lunch on Christmas December 31- Jan 1 day. Celebrate the New Year at the Borderland Stay-$35 Jazz Bar with an overnighter. 435741 VIP Safari- 4ull Board OR bring a sleeping bag and crash in the lodge. $19.00. In- cludes transportation, food and lodging.

Borderland Resorts Tel: 425836 425894 Borderland introduces special Adventure packages Adventure special introduces Borderland Borderland introduces special Adventure packages Adventure special introduces Borderland [email protected] 10 WORLD NEPALI TIMES ASIA NEPALI TIMES 11 20 - 26 DECEMBER 2002 20 - 26 DECEMBER 2002

COMMENT by IAN DAVIDSON OPINION by PRAFUL BIDWAI Refugee rights Biodiversity and biopiracy ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ CANBERRA - Australia’s refugee policy has led to rights NEW DELHI– India’s newly passed biodiversity act has come under abuses says US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its strong criticism from leading environmental activists who say the report, “By Invitation Only: Australian Asylum Policy”. “Big bang” union legislation alienates indigenous farmers from their own resources—but Canberra’s ‘Pacific solution’, which involved diverting facilitates biopiracy. asylum seekers from Australian waters to Pacific nations Union Environment and Forests Minister T R Baalu, claims the act willing to take them on a short term basis in return for safeguards the interests of local people, growers and cultivators of financial support is also viewed critically. HRW takes issue A large EU will havebecome to impossible have unlessthe the scope Scuttled meet biological diversity, as well as Indian researchers through the new with Australian government claims that simply because character of a federation;for majority voting this is enlarged, is a and National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). State level boards and manage- asylum seekers transited through another country on their the veto power of individual states ment committees that will regulate access to plant and animal genetic way to Australia they should be returned to their country of question of arithmetic,reduced. A notlarge EU ideology. will have to Sabotaging SAARC’s evolution into a resources support the act. Indian citizens and companies are allowed Ukraine. Russia is just too big, too with potentially disastrous global origin. Controversy continues to surround the Oct 19, 2001 have much more the character of a vibrant economic bloc is the surest way offree access to biological resources within the country for research Asiatic,○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ too nuclear, and too much ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ consequences. purposes but are barred from transferring findings to foreign entities sinking of SIEV-X, which went down in international waters, federation than a small EU. This is of a “great power”, to be accommo- shooting oneself in theIndia’s foot. second calculation is without the NBA’s approval. resulting in the drowning of 353 people. a question of arithmetic, not dated inside the EU. In 1999 too, India cancelled a that SAARC is dispensable. New Critics from the Research Foundation for Science Technology and The Australian government rejects the accusations of ideology. An analogous argument ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Delhi would like to pretend it is in human rights abuses. Phillip Ruddock, of the Ministry for In theory, the advantage of this SAARC summit following a major the Environment (RFSTE) argue these provisions only succeed in applies to the development of a burying biodiversity under a mountain of bureaucracy that can only Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, rejected “big bang” enlargement is that it conflict with Pakistan at Kargil. This timethe global big league by virtue of more effective EU foreign policy. If the size of its economy, the skills of serve to alienate ordinary farmers from their resources while making the Human Rights Watch report as “riddled with factual may concentrate minds on the need the US continues to downgrade its round, India falsely claimed they were international biopiracy easier. errors and…defending the practice of using people smug- not communicated summit dates, the educated layers of its popula- for a radical re-think needed for a commitment to multilateralism, and India has documented over 45,000 species of flora and 75,000 glers.” The Australian government recently rejected recom- bigger EU. Past enlargements have although they were, in September. tion, and its relative success in intervenes militarily wherever it information technology. It would known species of fauna and contains with its borders two of the world’s 10 mendations from the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the been in packets of one, two, or at pleases, then the world will become Later, New Delhi made its Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and rather do business with superpow- biogeographic zones. The country is one of the world’s 12 megacentres most three new members and attendance conditional upon of biodiversity. Trade to set time limits on refugee detentions. a much more dangerous place. existing members pretended they “progress” toward setting up a Southers like the US, the EU and Japan, British Prime Minister Tony and the Association of South-east need not fundamentally change the Blair says that Europe should be a Asian Bulgaria and Romania, can aim for multilateral context; that assumption which the US acts solely in its own being squeezed out of all regional bogged down by disputes intergovernmental EU, with more demobilise its 700,000 troops SAARC. SAARC has lived with membership three years after that. no longer holds. immediate national interests, the cancellation of a summit of the trade blocs. in Tokyo, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said there was a between the developing emphasis on cooperation between South Asian Association for amassed at the border—to punish these tensions. Why India now cites link between a group of Malaysian Muslims and the al-Qaeda network. Turkey has had its status as an EU being unprepared for its EU will be compelled to do Obstructing and sabotaging South and the industrialised sovereign states and less attention to Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Pakistan for its sponsorship of them to scuttle the summit, has to He said the link could be tracked to the 80s, when a group of Malaysians officially recognised candidate for “big bang” enlargement aggravates likewise. No EU government, North. China, which struggled common EU institutions. This is scheduled for mid-January in “cross-border terrorism”, in do with two calculations. SAARC’s evolution into a vibrant and Muslims from south-east Asia who went to Pakistan for religious membership reaffirmed, even if the problem. No one has any idea however, yet seems prepared to face studies came in contact with Afghans fighting occupying Soviet forces. for 15 years to become part of notable among big member states Islamabad. Host-state Pakistan particular, an attack on India’s Parlia-

(© IPS) 12 13 @ROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED @ROM THE NEPALI PRESS 20 - 26 DECEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES HISTORY AND CULTURE 20 - 26 DECEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES in various government offices only country for the last 12 years. In fact,added to her resolve to get an US conspiracy this is true. Political parties enjoyed NEPALITERATURE by MANJUSHREE THAPA FICTION by RANJAN ADIGA ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ education. She started learning to Jana Ekata, 16 December their monopoly and expanded their read and write with the help of her organisations down to the grass- 15-year-old daughter, Najra Bano. Left is right roots. More than once, circum- Soon, other women in the Amid, the stances proved that political parties increasing community joined her and War and the wanted to hold elections when they political Amiran’s example has encouraged were in power. They were not above Excerpts from an interview with pro-left intellectual Govinda Bhatta polarisation 50 women from her community to Jana Bhawana, 16 December mobilising government resources forbecome literate. “ I don’t feel shy to The marriage of the current their own benefit. These political Maoist learn along with my grandson rather I Child’s Imagination parties now accuse the king of You have remained quiet following the royal declaration. problem, feel proud,” said Amiran. She is a violating the constitution after Why? Christina rarity in the mid-western district of I haven’t remained quiet (on the 4 October royal move). seeing the royal move did not serve Banke wher nearly 90 percent of the Ram Kumar’sPart son— II Even before the present government was formed and Rocca, US assistant secretary of state their interests. Leaders at the helm recently read stories for a competition of school children’s stories, in which entrants were for South Asian Affairs in her recently Muslim are illiterate. “This is a showed its true form, I had made my views clear. I told of national politics—including welcome move. We are also trying to free to write on anything related to contemporary Nepal. The vast majority of stories written those who accused the king of being regressive not toconcluded be visit has recommended Iby those in school were set amid the Maoist insurgency. The children could haven written the evenings, on while the seniors drank rum and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, late so hasty. The Nepali Congress holds the biggest responsi-suppression of the insurgency. During find ways to support such initiative,” played cards, Rajesh sat beside them snatching a Ganesh Man Singh and late Man said Mohammed Siddiqui, a noted any aspect of today’s life, and yet they—almost uniformly—chose this topic. It made me feel bility for the current situation, but that doesn’t mean weher are four-day stay, she met the king, afraid. Idrink or two himself and sometimes even having at loggerheads with His Majesty. We have to think about the Mohan Adhikari, had repeatedly social worker from Nepalganj. prime minister, chief of army staff and said monarchy is the only institu- Not that the stories were bad. Most were crafted very well, and displayed a sophisticationa few hands at ofthe game. He enjoyed this new found long term and resolve the crisis through dialogue. Whenleaders I of political parties. While said this, rightists lauded me for being right while leftists tion that has abided by the language that I had not expected from teenagers writing in what is, in many cases,freedom, their awaysecond from the glaring eyes of his father told me I shouldn’t have spoken in the king’s support. everyoneI still else in the country is looking country’s constitution. We must language. Judging for the quality of language alone, I should have been impressed.and minglingBut I got with senior officers gave him a sense say the royal declaration wasn’t regressive. There are forways a political solution, Rocca came upnot forget this reality. stuck on the question: what are the limits of our children’s collective imagination?of And fulfillment. what doBut now there was only one thing with promises of increased US aid to to move on from here. Peaceful understanding and dia- The anger of the parties is these limits say about us? lacking in his life—a pretty wife. Slowly thehought t logue can save the country from regression. The king,Nepal. She appealed to the Maoists to geared towards the government Wanted: judges A surprising number of stories depicted the Maoists as warriors for a just cause.was hittingOthers him harder, especially when he saw that however, has been careless towards political parties—lay down their arms, totally overlook- ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○ alone. But they haven’t brought out depicted them as misguided in adopting violent methods, but essentially good people.every evening Only while a all the other officers had their those who came to power after the People’s Movement. It’s natural for the publicing and the needthe for first creating a Budhabar, 18 December any program to deal with the few stories depicted government forces in heroic terms. These stories came, by wivesand tolarge, go back to, he was left with no choice but to political parties to feel angry if the palace chooses to go it alone. political environment conducive to from children studying at the most elite schools of the country. The children had obviously seen Maoist insurgency so far. Despite go back to a lonely, dingy room. He wanted a change their surrender. She also hinted that Nepal’s courts are experiencing a little of the insurgency themselves: desperately,yet and lately spent his nights figuring out Rather than working to create a consensus, the political parties are intent on criticising accusations levelled at the king, her country might enlist the Maoists shortage of judges which has they had formed strong views about it. the kingís declaration as unconstitutional and regressive. Theyíre working towards they haven’t reached a consensus on ways to bring this up with his father. as a terrorist group in the near future. resulted in a delay of justice. The Their idealism was typical of their age, undermining the monarchy. what His Majesty should have done. However, proposals for him had already been It becomes obvious the purpose of posts of seven judges—two and sweet. It was the uniformity of I will not call the royal declaration regressive, unconstitutional or undemocratic. The king Parties that malign the king by pouring in from various sectors in Kathmandu, but permanent posts and three their choice of subject that kept has reiterated that he wants to hold elections quickly and to hand over power to herthe visit govern- was to encourage the trying to interpret the country’s as the father of the groom, Ram himself wasn’t temporary posts—are vacant at haunting me. What does it say about ment formed after the election. Even the present government has said it wants togovernment hold to use force and suppres- constitution to suit their purposes is us that our children—all—want to writesatisfied with any of them. Sometimes the girls were elections as soon as possible. The current crisis is the result of the king being put in a Nepal’s Supreme Court. The sion against the insurgents. It cannot not a new phenomenon. We can about war? not pretty enough while at other times no agreement difficult position and the inability of the parties to come to a consensus. We can’t call it an Judicial Council, comprising the be just a coincidence that her visit conclude that it is the political parties Perhaps we wrote them in our could be reached on the dowry issue. He was quick to unconstitutional or regressive step. A few positive aspects have emerged from this situa- Chief Justice, two senior judges, coincided with the growing momen- themselves who are responsible for the point out that he wasn’t after money but for his own Winner of the British Council tion. Corrupt ministers are being taken to task. Today, the people will not be swayed by the the minister for law and a member childhood as well: those poems and terms “democracy” and to vote for political parties. If the parties are right in theirtum criticism of a campaign of for a political present constitutional crisis. stories that school children send indaughters’ to marriage, he had to sell the small patch of Short Story Competition solution to the Maoist problem. It is nominated by the king, has yet to the king, why are the people quiet? The day after the royal declaration, there should have At a time when the parties should the daily newspapers, published ancestral land that he had in the village. Now it was clear that the US benefits tremen- address this problem. Conse- much to the pride of parents the (18-35 category). been millions of protestors on the street. have worked in collaboration with the only fair he got a portion of the fortune back. dously from instability in Nepal and quently, the number of cases are country over. Some of these works areAfter rejecting scores of proposals, finally hope What direction will the nation take when political parties react to the royal declaration? king, they are trying to portray a piling up. A large number of judges good, and some need a little more ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ has already developed relationships had come through a colleague at the office. The From his deliberations with political leaders and the views that the king has expressed, I do triangular competition between the posts are also vacant at the work. The large majority are very with the reactionary forces in this family in question was the colleague’s neighbour. have been an acquaintance of Ram. After their tea not suspect him of trying to undermine democracy and establish autocratic rule. But if king, the Maoists and the parties. Thisappellate and district courts. Many altruistic. Many dispense advice on country. The US hopes to oversee its They were looking for a suitable boy for their and fried peas were consumed, Ram paid for both, powers within the palace and rightists surrounding the king are trying to use him to bring clearly demonstrates the parties are of these posts have been vacant how to develop the country. Others “anti-China movement” from Nepal daughter who had passed matriculation examina- and they walked back to the office; Ram in a about such a situation, we have to fight to the end. I do not think the demonstrations and against democracy. since the time of ex-Chief Justice sing paeans to the beauty of the public meetings taking place now are aimed against the king. But I do suspect ato weakenrightist the economic challenges motherland. Indeed, national pridetions with second-class honours. The colleague, pensive mood, stroking his chin with his fingers Keshav Raj Upadhyaya. Shiva Ratri’. Lord Shiva was born on that day. We should do pujaThat for night Lord he told Maya Devi about the A commentary by Ritubichar in and even the film director. Groups of uni- himself and making his seniors dance with him to Himal Khabarpatrika 16-30 December formed policemen made their presence felt at Shiva that day, saying we are trying to bring out my father. We are going to beproposal successful. over dinner. She crouched in her space, folk music. And now when the moment arrived, he the festival venue. There was a demand for One day they called my mother to their barrack. So my mother went, but I couldlistening not to goevery word without giving any response. the tape and plainclothes policemen were felt at peace with his burning desires. He had seen “Jogimaraka Jyundaharu” is a documentary because I had gone to school. My mother went and met my father there and returned.Ram slurped After to his satisfaction, pushing balls of rice asking questions. Finally, a phone call from a the girl’s picture and had coyly nodded his appre- made by journalist Mohan Mainali for the that day I also went, but they did not give me time to meet him. So I returned.into his mouth, licking daal that trickled like ciation to his sisters. He felt lucky that such a higher-up authority directed the film not be teardrops down his wrist. After he finished, he Centre for Investigative Journalism. “Jyunda”shown at all. Here, then, is a child who is writing what she knows. It is not her fault that what she beautiful girl would ever come his way and already literally means the living, but ironically the film belched, abruptly got up to wash his hands and left When an “incompetent” government knows is terrible… in his mind, started fantasising about their first is about 17 young men from Jogimara village the kitchen. He sat on his cane chair kept on the In Imperium, his book on the messy integration and disintegration of the Soviet Union, night together. Now he was doing the same when in Dhading district who were killed by securitydeclared an “emergency” in November last small patio, and lit hisyak cigarette. year, it started a process of eroding our Ryszard Kapuscinski writes of the mentality that forms in those who live in conditions of he was roused by the loud thuds on his door. forces while they were building an airport in “Sharmas from Baneshwor Wonder if they’re Kalikot. The story is linked through the fundamental rights. Now, with a “clean” ideological fervor: “A mind touched by such a contagion is a closed mind, one-dimensional, By ten, the Kumar family was ready. Ram was narratives of their widows, fathers, mothers,government and a rescinded emergency, it monothematic, spinning around one subject only—its enemy. Thinking about ourrelated enemy to the Sharmas from Chahbail. Anyway, if dressed in a gray tunic with traditional close-fitting sons and uncles. They all lost their breadwin-seems we aren’t allowed to watch a movie sustains us, allows us to exist. That is why the enemy is always present, always they’rewith us…” giving a bed and a cupboard with twenty trousers and a flower-patterned cap resting proudly ners and the effect on Jogimara has beenand grieve for our fellow Nepalis. Have we We may be losing more than we know, watching the way our children’s imaginationsthousand are rupees, it’s not such a bad deal,” he lost the right to weep, too? on his head. Maya Devi, was adorned in a red sari devastating. being colonised by the subject of war: We may be losing our humanity. murmured under his breath and gave a long sigh, asand jewelry, which she had worn only during her Mainali’s film documents the grief, the his eyes fell on the small patch of unkempt garden daughters’ marriage. But even the lavish dress loss and chronicles how the families and the growing wildly outside the patio. He flicked the failed tobring any light to her face. Rajesh wore a cigarette butt into the garden and went in. village coped with the loss of not even getting neat white shirt and a pair of red trousers crisply the bodies of their relatives back. The story of All week, Ram thought about the forthcoming this community was first published in Himal ironed and properly creased. The dress was a perfect meeting, and was suddenly overtaken by a new gust ofmatch for the blush on his face. When the daughters Khabarpatrika and Nepali Times (#106). In the December Himal energy. Whatever he did, he had the event at the back Jogimara premiered recently at the arrived, carrying their babies like bundles of clothes, of his mind. At the office, he sat on his desk with the they all headed off, squeezed in two taxis to the house Kathmandu International Mountain Film Diasporiac dispositions: Fashioning the NRI ledger open in front of him, peering over at Kiranji’s of the Sharmas. Festival 2002. The documentary proved to be table, eager to strike up another conversation about so popular that two additional screenings at The Sharmas greeted them at the door. The father The ‘Madrasi’ of Malaysia: the Sharmas. Kiranji, himself tremendously excited the Russian Cultural Centre played to full Being ‘Indian’ in Southeast Asia of the bride, an officer in the Ministry of Health was a houses. Many in the audience couldn’t hold with his role, sneaked to his table at every given cunning Brahmin with an aquiline nose and sly eyes. back their tears, and many were so moved Exposing the saffron brigade’s fundraising scam opportunity, carrying a brown file to give the He received them with the traditional namaste and a that they asked how they could help the impression that it was official, and sat beside him wide grin, flashing an uneven row of tobacco stained relatives of the dead. Starvation amidst surplus: The business of hunger to divulge yet another piece of information on teeth. His wife who had appeared from behind had a However, the government didn’t share the the Sharmas. striking resemblance to Maya Devi.t audience’s empathy. It made its displeasure Ved Mehta’s tempest of self-revelation At tiffin time both of them went down to the known by harassing the festival organisers tea stall and discussed the background of the Cartoon of the week MOHAN MAINALI Sashaying through structural adjustment: (To be completed in #125) Sharmas at length. Their roots, branches, sub “Talks” The ugly business of beauty branches. Inevitably somebody or the other would Hindutva indoctrination: Growing into their knickers Spacetime, 15 December TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 543-333 OR WRITE TO [email protected] 14 15 CITY 20 - 26 DECEMBERNEPALI 2002 TIMES 20 - 26 DECEMBER NEPALI 2002 TIMES

BOOKWORM

Communication for Development in the Third World: Theory and Practice for Empowerment (2nd ed) Srinivas R Melkote and H Leslie Steeves Sage Publications, 2001 Rs 792 This completely revised edition builds on the framework provided by the earlier text. It traces the history of development communication, presents and critiques diverse approaches and their proponents, and provides ideas and models for development communication in the new century. ABOUT TOWN Contemporary Pakistan: Political processes, conflicts and Veena crises Kukreja "ESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS v Sage Publications, 2002 WINNER Showcase 2002women entrepreneur’s exhibition 10AM-7PM, 21-22 Rs 472 December at Tridevi Temple, Thamel. The author provides a rare seasoned analyses and insights into the political processes at work in v Snow and other adventures:“Poems in Frames” by Mark Wyatt at Lazimpat Gallery Pakistan. She maintains the military regards its dominance of Pakistani politics not only as a Café, Lazimpat. right but as a duty. This is a topical, cogently argued and insightful commentary. v Cubismby Surendra, paintings by Shova and ceramic sculptures by Cecile Houdret at Park Gallery till 25 December. Park Gallery, Patan. 522307 The Civic Culture of Local Development Laura A Reese and v Woodturning in Kathmanduby Dan Hogan, andUnspoken Words: new Tibetan Raymond A Rosenfeld Calligraphy by Dhumakhang at Indigo Gallery, Kathmandu. 8AM-6PM till 14 January. Sage Publications, 2002 413580 Rs 2935 v Tamang Cultural Festival and International Tamang Conference 2002.19-22 December, The focus on economic development policy provides a window on local decision making and Exhibition Hall, Bhrikuti Mandap. allows for the development of a theory, introduced by the authors, about the role of local civic culture in framing local decisions of all types. New research questions are posed and new EVENTS directions are raised. v Kids Carnival at Hyatt Regency 10AM-4PM, 21 December. Rs 1500 for family of three, Rs 600 inclusive of all activities. 491234 v Winter Day Camp ECCA for students (Class 4-9) 29 December-14 January. ECCA, Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] Thapathali, Kathmandu. 268297,268328 email: [email protected]

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NEPALI SOCIETY Positively Malvika fashionable and if you want to live up to that, you have to try to be iss Nepal 2002 Malvika perfect. But at the end of the day Subba’s private hurdle I’m just normal Malvika,” she says. Mwas learning to strut in Her family and friends don’t treat high heels. She pursuedher any differently. With a small that with the single-mindedmoue she says her mother still monitors her pocket money, determination that she applies doesn’t allow too many late to her life. “You have to really nights, too much TV or long believe in what you’re doingphone conversations. because if you’re unsure then Malvika confesses she wasn’t your objective isn’t clear. Makeused to the attention. “I’m not a plan for what you want andenjoying all of it because now, as a how you’re going to get there.public figure, I think before doing things. But I’m taking it in my Then go for it.” stride,” she says confidently. The This 21-year-old set her sightshighlights of her public appear- on the Miss Nepal crown when theances have been her fans, young pageant began in 1994 but waitedaspiring beauty queens, who ask till she graduated before sendingfor autographs and tips. Her in an application. For a closet advice? “Finish your education feminist (“I know what my rights arebecause that’s really important. Absorb what’s happening, read and what I want, but I don’t go on and groom yourself.” and on about it.”), Malvika Malvika thinks Nepali pageants thinks beauty pageants “are a have a long way to go compared to positive way to showcase India where they have become what you are” and nothing lucrative money-spinners, espe- annoys her more than cially after the success of several airhead stereotypes of Indians at the Miss Universe and Miss World contests. Given the beauty queens. She plans to chance, she would like to compete get a degree in mass for Miss World and represent Nepal communication with a littleas an “Ambassador of Peace”. TV presenting on the side, “We have to show we want just till she learns enoughpeace and are determined to to work behind the camera.reclaim what we had before—a peaceful nation where we did not She dislikes judgmen- have to live in fear.”t tal people, but in the two weeks since being crowned has learned that as a public figure she will be judged. “People expect to see someone MIN BAJRACHARYA petite, graceful and

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