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VOL. 28, NO. 13, Dec 05, 2008 (Mangsir 20 2065 B.S.)
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Precious Gestures
A British minister pledges aid of Rs 2.4 billion while a Danish minister hints of continued support to Nepal as it moves on the path of democratization
By A CORRESPONDENT
In the last one week, two senior officials from European countries who remain primary donors to Nepal, have renewed their pledge to support Nepal as it charts through the difficult process of transition to flourishing democracy and durable peace.
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Danish Minister Moller: With a package |
The British Minister for International Development Mike Foster on Thursday (Nov 27) announced the United Kingdom's fresh financial aid of £20 million (Rs. 2.4 billion) to carry out various development activities in Nepal for the next two years.
Addressing a press meet organized on Thursday, Foster said, "The amount will be used to support the peace process and programs on poverty reduction that would bring real change in rural Nepal."
Earlier, Department for International Development (DFID) had announced £102 million (Rs. 10.4 billion) support for the Nepal Peace Trust Fund, health and education sectors, building good governance, improving public financial management, rural infrastructure and livelihoods and addressing climate change for year 2008/2009 and 2009/2010.
Foster called on the political parties to use the historic opportunity to build lasting peace in the country. "It is imperative that the Nepal Government utilize the people's mandate by building lasting and inclusive peace."
He said the leaders he had met assured him that they would do the needful to build peace and reduce poverty. During his stay here, he met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam, Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, Minister for Environment and Science and Technology Ganesh Sah, Constituent Assembly members belonging to marginalized groups, UN Secretary General's Special Representative Ian Martin, donors, climate change experts, community groups and private sectors, according to a statement released by DFID.
DFID will also provide £ 500,000 to the Constituent Assembly, said the British minister. The minister who came to Nepal on a four-day visit had also announced a financial support of £1.4 million (around Rs 168 million ) for the Koshi flood victims and pledged £4.5 million (Rs 542.655 million) to build two bridges in the eastern Nepal. Similarly, the minister had announced aid of £660,000 (Rs 795.894 million) by the British government to National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) for climate change in Nepal.
Likewise, Danish Foreign Minister Dr. Per Stig Møller who arrived in Kathmandu on November 28, has said that his government is ready to extend all possible support for success of Nepal's peace process.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the PM's residence in Baluwatar Saturday (Nov 29) morning, the Danish minister said his government can also contribute their expertise on the constitution making process.
According to Hira Bahadur Thapa, Foreign Affairs advisor to the PM, Dahal apprised the Danish minister of aid assurances received from the two big neighbors for Nepal's success in establishing peace and economic transformation. Thapa said the Danish minister express happiness over the progress of the peace process.
A press statement issued by the Danish embassy stated that Minister Møller urged the government to strengthen respect for human rights and to establish the necessary commissions in accordance with international standards in order to heal the wounds of Nepal's violent past.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of conducting a general reform of Nepal's security forces and agreeing on a permanent solution to the Maoist soldiers in the camps. The Minister also emphasized the importance of UNMTN's role in this regard.
The Danish Minister also stressed the need to build the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity by an inclusive constitution process based on a multiparty democratic system.
