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VOL. 27, NO. 34, May 09, 2008 (Baishakh 27 2065 B.S.)
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WITH JUST 100 DAYS LEFT FOR THE BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 to begin, the National Sports Council organized a special program at the historical Basantapur Durbar square in the capital Wednesday (Apr 30). Addressing a gathering of top sports officials and players, speaker of the interim parliament Subash Chandra Nemwang wished a grand success for the upcoming games and also reiterated Nepal's "one-China" policy. Nemwang said Nepal wishes to see a stable, prosperous and peaceful China and expressed confidence that the "centuries old" relationship enjoyed by both the countries would become more strong and cordial in the coming days too. The organizers said that from today onwards a count-down to the 2008 Beijing Olympics will also be displayed at the Basantapur area which is visited by almost every foreign tourists coming on a visit of the country. This is the first time that such a program is being held in the nation's capital and is believed to be symbolic given the drubbing the international image of China received due to protest by Tibetan exiles in Kathmandu and across many parts of the world just before it is about to host the showcase event that is supposed to catapult it into the leading league of nations. Wishing success to the summer games that is set to begin in the Chinese capital Beijing from August 8 onwards, a rally was also taken out from Dashrathrangashala, the national stadium, Wednesday. Officials of Nepal Olympic Committee, NSC and leading sports personalities had participated in the rally.
IN THE FACE OF GROWING GLOBAL FOOD shortages and spiraling prices of food stuffs, the government has decided to restrict the export of rice, paddy and wheat. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, on Wednesday (Apr 30), decided to ban the export of the food items, according to Secretary of the Ministry Purushottam Ojha. "We have taken this decision in view of increasing food prices in the world market and their shortages so that we can avert any situation affecting food security in the country," said Ojha. From the eastern border point of Kakarbhitta, seven to ten thousand tons of wheat were being exported daily to Bangladesh. Traders have said that in the last one month LCs have been opened to export 50,000 tons of wheat to Bangladesh. While India has banned export of rice and wheat, the continuous outflow of food items from Nepal had affected the local market. The price of rice, wheat, flour had increased by 25 to 30 percent. The government's decision has come amid calls by the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) to restrict export of food stuffs.
AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATES, Nancy Powell, has expressed official US concern about the treatment of Tibetans by Nepali authorities. During her meeting with the Prime Minister, Thursday (May 1) morning, she urged the PM to ensure that the right to peaceful protest was maintained and that the human rights of Tibetans in Nepal are respected. She welcomed the respect accorded to Tibetans during their April 28 protest at Swayambunath. Powell had called on Prime Minister Koirala in preparation for her return to the United States on consultations. They discussed the current political-economic situation in the wake of the final election results. Ambassador Powell welcomed the Prime Minister's statements calling for consultations and consensus on the formation of a new government.
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH has asked the Nepal government to rescind orders authorizing security forces to use lethal force to suppress protests associated with the Olympic torch's relay up Mount Everest. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Wednesday (April 30), HRW urged Prime Minister Koirala to immediately rescind these orders and ensure that authorities uphold the rights to freedom of assembly, expression, and association. HRW also urged that forces refrain from using unnecessary or excessive force against protesters. The rights body said the Nepali security forces should abide by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, which call upon law enforcement officials to apply nonviolent means before resorting to the use of force and only in proportion to the seriousness of the offense. It allows lethal force only when it is 'strictly unavoidable in order to protect life'. "Nepal authorities should be using whatever means necessary to protect basic human rights, not violate them," said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, adding, "With the world watching, this is the moment for Nepal's new government to prove that it aspires and adheres to international standards."
EXPERTS HAVE SUGGESTED EXPORTING hydropower to bridge the yawning trade deficit with India. "The Bihar state of India alone will need 10,000 MW of power in next few years," said Dr. Shankar Sharma, former vice president of National Planning Commission (NPC). He said Nepal could earn Rs 250 billion if it can export that much of power. Dr. Sharma, who had recently visited Patna, India to take part in a seminar on Indo-Nepal relations, said that India, too, has shown interest in reducing trade deficit with Nepal. "Commitments have also come in development cooperation of Nepal," he said. He, however, said that actual assistance Nepal has received from India has been less than its commitment in the past. He informed that although India committed to provide annual assistance of $ 70 million per annum, it provided only 25 percent of that. Economist Dr. Bishwambher Pyakuryal said Nepal could not continue to survive by taking advantage of custom duty differentials. He said comprehensive economic partnership agreement with India would be beneficial for Nepal
