King Gyanendra for united Nepal

By Sugan Lawati

Kathmandu, 14 Feb: Nepal as an independent nation should stand united and uphold its nationalism and integrity. It should never go through the process of disintegration, said King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev told nepalvibe.com.
"Nepal should maintain its long held independence. It will be unfortunate if the nation disintegrates, more so in communal lines," King Gyanendra said according nepalvibe.com.
"We will be going backwards if we are looking at baise chaubise rajya," he said.
"Ethnic or communal violence will cost dearly for Nepal, the nation won’t be able to bear that."
The monarch stated that the Nepali people's aspirations, especially those in rural hinterlands, have been for stability, peace and security, and the freedom to live and work in peace.
He emphasized that the state should accommodate aspirations and concerns of the people of all hue and shade across the mountains, hills and the plains.
Though the people have not been able to articulate their viewpoints due to various reasons, it is them who have to speak up. "It is the people who should act," he said.
The monarch suggested that short-term initiative with no exit plan does not deliver in Nepal’s case.
"The future definitely lies with democracy. But what kind of democracy are we looking for," the King said adding, "It is here we all have to understand that democracy has to be home-grown."
As far as the election to the constituent assembly goes, the King said, "The people have to have the opportunity to cast their vote free of threats and intimidation. If not what kind of election are we looking for?"
Apparently the monarch has his hopes pinned on the youths of the country. "It is the youth who have to make the difference. The hope lies with them," the monarch asserted.
Besides, change has to evolve, he said. "It has to come through evolution not revolution."
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Sonia Gandhi’s party delegation returns after failed mission

By Bhola B Rana


Kathmandu, 14 Feb: A top delegation of Sonia Gandhi’s Congress (I) returned to India Thursday after a failed attempt to convince opposition groups in the south bordering India to participate in a 10 April constituent assembly election that will endorse a republic in neighbouring Nepal.
During its three-day conclave it Nepal’s political players, team leader general secretary Digbijaya Singh said his party doesn’t support monarchy.
But main opposition BJP waiting to form a government in New Delhi following snap polls said it not only supports the 238-year Shah dynasty that founded Nepal but a Hindu state as well.
A BJP delegation is also visiting Nepal for discussions ahead of a controversial elections that seems unlikely with daily violence coupled with a crippling indefinite called by parties in Madesh demanding immediate provincial autonomy with a the right to self-determination.
It’ll be difficult for the government to concede to the demand for elections which the terai groups said they will boycott without their demands being met; conceding the demand will to accepting the inevitable declaration of independence.
A three-party front Wednesday launched an indefinite strike to press six demands including self-determination and provincial rule.
Leaders of the front rejected Indian suggestions the the parties to participate in the vote.
"We told them we’ won’t withdraw our strike until our demands are met and we won’t participate in elections, Mahanata Thakur, a leader of the front told reporters after talks with the delegation.
The crippling strike entered its second day Thursday amid shortages of POL products and reports of violence amid the closure of markets, schools and transport.
The strike has been compounded by a strike of tanker operators demanding security.
“CA polls should be held at any cost since there is no alternative to polls," Singh said before departure.
Rashtriya Janasakti Party (RJP), a conservative party, said there’s no environment for elections at the end of national conference of district and municipality chairmen Thursday.
"We doubt the security situation will improve and the election will take place," former prime minister and party chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa said.
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Two major commercial banks announce profits

Kathmandu, 14 Feb: Two commercial banks announced operating profits in Q2 ending 14 January.
Everest Bank Ltd recorded a Rs 337 million profit with plans of the joint venture operation with the Punjab National Bank to open its 24th outlet in Lekhnath, Kaski.
Nepal Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank recorded a Rs 364.8 million profit in the same period.
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Shyam Mohan Shrestha heads Nepal France Chamber of Commerce

Kathmandu, 14 Feb: Shyam Mohan Shrestha has been chosen to lead the Nepal France Chamber of Commerce for another term.
Shrestha heads a new 11-member working committee.
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Maoist movement spreads to Bhutan

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 14 Feb: A Maoist movement is emerging in Bhutan as well.
Six activists of Bhutan Communist Party Marxist Leninist Maoist were arrested by Bhutanese security forces during an operation deep inside Bhutan in Sobhang district in the first week of February, the exiled party said from east Nepal.
Official Bhutanese government publication Kuensel said four rifles, a pistol and four grenades were recovered from them.
Party activists were arrested in January as well.
Kuensel said seven Bhutanese helpers were also arrested.
Bhutanese government said the communists are based in UNHCR-administered camps in east Nepal.
News of the arrest coincides with claims by CPN (Maoist) Chairman Prachanda the Maoist communist revolution will spread to South Asia from Nepal after toppling monarchy with the establishment of a republic.
Nepal’s Maoist have been training some of the lBhitanese exlies and refugees in guerrilla warfare and sending thembacck to Bhutan.
Bhutan Maoists said they are working to topple the Druk kings of Buddhist Bhutan.
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UN, US and king rising ethnic issues: Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 14 Feb: Chairman Prachanda charged Thursday UN, USA and theking are raising ethnic issues in Nepal.
“USA and Gyanendra now look pushing ethnicity. UN is uselessly raising the issue as well.
“Legislators in Bihar also are spreading communalism in Madesh,” Prachanda said in an interview in Himal.
“Communalism is not a Maoist contribution,” he clarified and said Maoists were for a ‘new national unity’.
Prachanda charged ‘foreigners’ are behind the violence in Madesh, referring to USA and India.
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Police abandon outpost after Maoist attack

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 14 Feb: Police have abandoned an outpost at Lalmati in remote Darchula district on the India, Tibet border after a Maoist attack, state-owned Radio Nepal said.
Maoists have cutoff water supply to the outpost forcing the police to abandon it before the 10 April assembly election.
Maoists, numbering in tens of hundreds, Wednesday attacked and stoned the police post to force the release of two activists arrested for allegedly attacking former Congress minister Dilendra Prasad Badu, who was seriously injured last week, during an election campaign.
Maoists said the two were innocent.
Badu was injured in the attack that has strained relations between Maoists and Congress making assembly elections uncertain.
Maoists and Congress are sending a joint team to investigate the incident.
Congress leaders have reported law and order situation in the districts is bad before thel historic vote to decide on the 238-year-old monarchy.
The two parties that formed a committee while trading charges hasn’t been able to meet.
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Indian leader claims his country not involved in terai revolt

Kathmandu, 14 Feb: Digbijaya Singh, general secretary of Sonia Gandhi’s Congress (I) said Thursday India does not have a hand in the current anti-government protest in the south as demands swell for self-determination and provincial autonomy.
Singh made the claim after a meeting with prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Singh denied Indian involvement amid calls by Nepali leaders, including former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, he was ready to travel across the border to meet rebel leaders in Indian towns to resolve the terai issue.
A UN official in Nepal was abruptly repudiated by headquarters for an ‘unauthorized statement’ by saying India could help in humanitarian efforts in south Nepal as Nepal’s reels have links across the border in north India.
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