Kamal Thapa predicts fresh round of conflict

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa said another round of conflict is certain with the domination of communists.
“A new round of conflict is certain because the peace process was defective. Political parties have failed to understand violent politics was wrong and Maoists even haven’t accepted it,” the leader of the conservative party fighting for the restoration of monarchy told a public prorgramme in Kavre Monday.
“Any form of totalitarianism can emerge whether it is Maoist or something to topple CPN (Maoist).
“Democracy has been ambushed by extreme communism,” Thapa added.
“There’s a deep conspiracy to split the country now; political parties are knowingly getting involved.
“Democracy is in danger with demands of one madesh one province and with the formation of armed groups along with demands for self-determination,” he said.
“Democracy with the king and a Hindu kingdom are Nepal’s identity.’
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Nepotism in CPN (Maoist)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: Maoists haven’t given any positions in government to dalits, backward communities and indigenous people in political appointments, Tarun reports.
The communities shed the most blood during the people’s war.
Newars, Brahmins and chetris are the major beneficiaries.
Relatives of ministers and siblings have been the beneficiaries.
Prime Minister Prachanda initiated nepotism with the appointment of one of three daughters in parliament and another daughter married to an Indian national has been appointed private secretary with rank of officer.
Son Prakash has also bagged a government job.
Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal’s son who passed SLC two years ago has been appointed private assistant while wife, Nainkala has been nominated Chairperson of National Women’s Commission.
Information Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara’s youngest son Rahul has been given responsibility of personal secretary; homework has started to appointed
eldest son Atom a major; he is presently a battalion commander. Minister Deb Gurung has appointed sister-in-law Kusum Sharma personal assistant.
Sisters of Hishila Yami have been appointed to various posts.
Sister Timila has been appointed Chairperson of Kathmandu Drinking Water Board drawing a salary of Rrs 75,000 per month; Chirik Shova Yami has been appointed to the same board.
Kayo Yami has been appointed member of the National Planning Commission while Dharma Debi Yami, who is in the USA, is being called back for a job.
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Rumours of embassy closedown of EU member states

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: Widespread rumours in political and diplomatic circles say several EU member states are preparing to close down their embassies in the capital, Purangajaran reports.
Their interests will be looked after by the Office of the European Commission.
EU member states gave significant political, technical and financial help for the 10-year armed Maoist insurgency and worked to topple monarchy through the second popular movement.
Some diplomats say move to close embassies is being made following indications of a ‘civil war’ while others say EU member states don’t want to get embroiled in further controversy after socialists have completed capture of state power in Nepal.
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Ambassadors’ presence not required at airport for premier

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: Following changes enforced by the foreign ministry, all ambassadors based in the capital need not compulsorily by present at the airport when the prime minister leaves or arrives from a foreigntour, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
A new code says only the ambassador of the country the government chief is visiting should be present at the airport during the prime minister’s arrival and departure.
When Prime Minister Prachanda leaves for India Wednesday to attend a BIMSTEK summit, only ambassadors from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand have been invited at the airport.
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Prime minister’s wife and son not accompanying him to India

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: The prime minister’s wife and son aren’t accompanying him to India when he leaves for India Wednesday, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
His delegation includes 15 members.
The wife and son accompanied Prachanda on his previous foreign visits.
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NOC earns Rs 400m monthly profit

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has started earning a Rs 400 monthly profit after the fall of petroleum price in the international market.
Managing Director Dijambar Jha said this at the Corporation’s 28th general meeting Sunday.
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Political violence continues in terai

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: Political violence continue sin the terai.
Raju Shrestha abducted overnight in Siraha by an armed group.
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IMF team arriving Tuesday

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: A IMF team led by Brian Aitken is arriving on a fortnight’s visit Tuesday to discuss giving continuity to a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) Programme.
The Maoist-led government indicated it wants to continue the programme stalled during the Girija administration.
Nepal had received a $ 73.9 million credit when the programme was launched in 2003 and ended 2007.
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Strike continues ineast, central tarai

Kathmandu, 11 Nov: A continuing strike Wednesday by the backward communities in the east and central terai districts closed down educational institutions and disrupted the movement of vehicles on highways.
The communities pressed nine demands including reservation in state bodies proportion to their population.
Federation of Backward Communities Nepalis spearheading the strike launched Monday.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“We’ve not been able to give people a feeling of change in three months. We’ve failed; but it won’t get continuity.”

(Peace Minister Janardhan Sharma Prabhakar, Annapurna Post, 11 Nov.)

‘There’s honesty in science but dishonesty prevails in politics; Science hasn’t developed in Nepal; there’s no fusion of honesty in science and dishonesty in politics.”

(Premier Prachanda, Annapurna Post, 11 Nov.)

“Diplomats of foreign countries used to meet the prime minister and leaders without informing he foreign ministry. Now on, diplomats must seek permission from the foreign ministry before meeting the prime minister and political leaders.”

(Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, The Himalayan Times, 11 Nov.)


USAID provides $350,000 to counter gender-based violence in Nepal
Kathmandu, 10Nov:The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID/Nepal), has provided $350,000 to reduce the incidence and impact of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Dailekh, Kailali and Surkhet districts of mid-western Nepal.
GBV is an acute human rights challenge in many conflict affected areas of Nepal. The 11-year conflict severely exacerbated the unequal power relationships between men and women, increasing women’s vulnerability to numerous forms of exploitation including rape, domestic violence, verbal and psychological abuse, and physical and sexual torture. Damage to traditional social and economic networks, loss of male heads of household, forced displacement, and reduced access to health and educational facilities dramatically diminished women’s abilities to safeguard their wellbeing and that of their families.
“USAID assistance will help increase awareness of gender-based violence and ensure that those affected, including widows, receive critical psychosocial counseling, medical treatment, education and skills training and job placement services to reduce further risk,” said Beth S. Paige, Mission Director of USAID Nepal. “This project will also employ a proven strategy of engaging men and male religious leaders in reducing GBV. Advocacy undertaken by men in support of women’s interest is one of the most effective means of fostering attitudinal change across communities.”
This 12-month long program is being implemented through The Asia Foundation and its local NGO partners.