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DPRK NDC Clarifies Its Principled Stand to U.S., S. Korea2 s Anti-DPRK Terrorism

Pyongyang, (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the National Defence Commission (NDC) of the DPRK issued the following statement Sunday:

The hideous state-sponsored politically-motivated terrorism planned by the U.S. and the south Korean rat-like Lee Myung Bak group to demolish the statues representing the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and monuments in it has lashed the army and people of the DPRK into a great fury and shocked the world.

Much upset by this, the south Korean group is working hard to put the situation under control while peddling the story that there is no organization that spearheaded the terrorism, no person gave instruction and no one was involved in the case.

The U.S., direct manipulator of the hideous crime, is making irrelevant remarks.

But with nothing can they cover up the high treason it committed against history, humankind and the Korean nation.

The DPRK has powerful evidence to prove how the U.S. was involved in the crime and how Lee Myung Bak group attempted to execute it at the instigation and under the sponsorship of its master.

Under the prevailing situation the DPRK NDC states as follows its principled stand on behalf of the army and people of the DPRK:

The Workers' Party of Korea, state, army and people of the DPRK will invariably counter the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK with practical toughest counter-action.

The U.S. loudly "declared" that it had no hostile intention toward the DPRK whenever other opportunities presented themselves. A typical example is the October 12, 2000 DPRK-U.S. joint communique. But they were make-believe propaganda without exception.

In the September 19, 2005 joint statement the U.S. clarified that it has no intention to attack or invade the DPRK. But it was also a sleight of hand to conceal its black-hearted nature.

Recently the president, state secretary and other dignitaries of the U.S. administration are becoming assertive in saying that the U.S. has no hostile intention toward the DPRK but it is also hypocrisy to deceive the public.

The U.S. policy is sham one replete with fraud and hypocrisy.

That's why it loudly spoke that it has no intention to be hostile toward the DPRK and to attack it, but behind the scene it offered extended nuclear deterrence to the south Korean group, openly beefed up aggression troops in and around south Korea and regularly staged big nuclear war exercises targeting the DPRK.

Recently it worked out state-sponsored and politically-motivated terrorism aimed at bringing down the statues representing the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and grand monuments in it. Then it prodded south Korean group to hurl human scum to execute it. This evidently proved that the U.S. regards it as its invariable "national policy" to pursue hostility toward the DPRK.

In the face of this stark fact, the army and people of the DPRK will react to the U.S. hostile policy toward it with the toughest stand.

Only when there is no deceptive policy of the U.S. and south Korea and other forces blindly following it, will it be possible to stabilize the situation on the Korean Peninsula and bring peace to the world. The DPRK has drawn this conclusion long ago.

2. The WPK, state, army and people of the DPRK will counter the U.S. state-sponsored and politically-motivated terrorism targeting the DPRK with physical counter-offensive.

The base of the world state-sponsored politically-motivated terrorism is the U.S.

The U.S. is a hotbed of all forms of terrorism against other countries, and stooges like Lee Myung Bak group put them into practice.

A number of North African countries are undergoing regime change which is called "civil revolution". This, in the final analysis, is attributable to the U.S. politically-motivated, state-sponsored terrorism.

The grim Syrian situation which is developing into a civil conflict is again attributable to the U.S. tentacles stretched deep into it.

It is a well-known fact that the U.S. state-sponsored politically-motivated terrorism is being committed worldwide under the pretext of "war on terrorism".

The targets of the U.S. terrorism are progressive countries which do not accept American politics and those which are not obedient to its high-handed and arbitrary practices.

It is the very reason that the DPRK is on the list of targets of state-sponsored political terrorism worked out by the U.S.

The disclosure of the recent attempt to demolish statue and monument in the DPRK clearly proves that state-sponsored politically-motivated terrorism planned by the U.S. has entered the phase of open implementation.

The U.S. and its stooge Lee group seek to foster destruction and turmoil and galvanize the public opinion with sudden terrorist act and thus destabilize the dignified social system in the DPRK.

As it is confirmed that the U.S. is the base of state-sponsored politically-motivated terrorism targeting the DPRK and Lee group tried to execute it, the army and people of the DPRK will launch powerful physical counter-offensive to remove the root cause.

3. The DPRK will foil the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK and its sordid state-sponsored and politically-motivated terrorist attempt with the might of Songun.

The Songun politics of the DPRK serves as an all-powerful treasured sword for safeguarding the headquarters of the revolution which the army and people regard as their life, and for reliably defending the dignity and social system of the country.

It is the fixed option made by the army and people of the DPRK to steadily increase the self-defensive military capabilities including the nuclear deterrent under the uplifted banner of Songun so as to foil the U.S. hostile policy toward it and give vent to the deep grudge of the nation against the U.S.

Military and technological superiority is no longer the monopoly of the U.S.

The U.S. is gravely mistaken if it thinks it can threaten and blackmail the army and people of the DPRK and undermine the social system in it, which has been consolidated based on the single-minded unity, with war means such as strategic bomber corps and carrier strike forces.

The DPRK has various types of strike means of its own powerful enough to render the U.S. modern war means ineffective.

The DPRK is a political and military power making a leaping progress toward the world and its army and people are dignified with independence which no one dare provoke.

If those, who plan politically-motivated terrorism against the dignity of the DPRK and resort to big or small rackets for war, think the far-flung bases of those plots including the U.S. mainland will be safe, it would be the most foolish idea.

The world will clearly see how the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK meets failure in the face of the might of Songun Korea and what fate plotters of the state-sponsored politically-motivated terrorism and war maniacs face.

Special Promotion for Transit Passengers Flying on Thai Airways International

Thai Airways International (India) and Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi  (TAT) are jointly doing a special promotion for transit passengers traveling by Thai Airways from anywhere in India to any destination in the world. 

With this promotion, any Indian passengers transiting in Thailand for a night or more can rejuvenate and relax with a complimentary spa voucher at the RarinJinda Spa. Passengers can choose between a Classical Thai Massage, Foot reflexology and Aromatherapy Oil Massage. This offer is valid till October 31, 2012. he offer can be availed at RarinJinda Wellness Spa, Changmai, RarinJinda Wellness Spa , Bangkok or RarinJinda, Wellness Spa, Phuket. In this connection Thai Airways will serve with Royal Orchid Service, make trip memorable & RarinJinda Spa calm senses and give to passenger tranquil experience.

Kim Jong Un Congratulated on Receiving Title of DPRK Marshal in Foreign Countries

Pyongyang, July 30 (KCNA) -- Meetings took place in Nepal, Benin and Malaysia between July 21 and 23 to congratulate Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un on receiving the title of DPRK Marshal.

Personages of different social standings and other peoole in those countries took part in the meetings.

The chairman of the Nepal Journalist Association for the Study of the Juche Idea and Songun Politics said Kim Jong Un's reception of the title marked an event noteworthy not only in the DPRK but in other countries.

The DPRK will tower higher in the world as a thriving nation as it is under Marshal Kim Jong Un, the chairman added.

The rector of the Cotonou Institute of Journalism of Benin said the conferment of the title of Marshal upon Kim Jong Un was an expression of all Koreans and other world progressives' boundless reverence and trust in the peerlessly brilliant commander of Songun.

The general director of the Dombo Enterprise Company of Malaysia said it is quite natural for supreme leader Kim Jong Un to have received the title.

Only victory and glory are in store for the Korean people building a thriving nation because they are led by Marshal Kim Jong Un, he stressed. -0-

Inaugural Ceremony of Rungna People’s  Pleasure Ground Held

An inaugural ceremony of the Rungna People’s Pleasure Ground which embodies the noble outlook on the people, the country and the future of the peerlessly great men took place with splendour on July 25. Amidst the playing of a welcome music, DPRK Marshal Kim Jong Un, together with his wife Ri Sol Ju, came to the venue of the opening ceremony. A soldier-builder and a woman worker presented bouquets to Kim Jong Un Present at the opening ceremony were senior officials of the Party, the state and the army including Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim and Choe Ryong Hae, officials of Party, armed forces and power organs, working people’s organizations, ministries and national agencies, soldier-builders, and working people, youths and students in Pyongyang. Present there on invitation were representatives and temporary representatives of foreign countries and international organizations in the DPRK and their wives. Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim and Choe Ryong Hae cut the tape to signal the inauguration of the pleasure ground. Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju looked round the Rungna People’s Pleasure Ground, accompanied by senior Party, state and military officers and foreign guests.

He entered the Rungna Dolphinarium to look round the auditorium, water tank for performance, a room for dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge and other places. He gave detailed instructions on serving the convenience of people in appreciating performance at the highest level.Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju shook hands with the foreign guests and their wives extending greetings of warm congratulations and best wishes to them, and had talks with them in an amicable and friendly atmosphere. After looking round the Minigolf Course, Kim Jong Un went to the Rungna Alpamare. He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that it has been turned into the people’s cultural recreation ground, as the wading pool, dressing and shower room and all other facilities go well with the surrounding environment and are arranged for multi-purpose use. He was very pleased to see the working people in happy laughter enjoying various amusement facilities.

Noting that it is the intention of the Workers’ Party of Korea to ensure that the Korean people, who are the best in the world and who have remained faithful to the Party in the face of all manner of difficulties, enjoy all the benefits of socialism, he stressed the need to manage and operate the pleasure ground properly.

Visit to Rungna People’s Pleasure Ground  Prior to Completion

Kim Jong Un, First Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, First Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, looked round the Rungna People’s Pleasure Ground prior to completion. He was accompanied by Jang Song Thaek, Choe Thae Bok, Pak To Chun, Kim Yong Il, Kim Yang Gon, Kim Phyong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Ri Jae Il, Kim Pyong Ho and Pak Chun Hong. The first leg of his visit was the Minigolf Course.

He said that it was built in perfect harmony with the natural environments of Rungna Islet. The next leg of his visit was the Rungna Alpamare. Looking round the basketball, volleyball and beach volleyball courts built on the roof of the dressing and shower room, he said that vacant spaces were turned to good accounts so as to bring about sea changes around the Alpamare, adding that he is very pleased to see them. Expressing great satisfaction over the best quality of construction, he repeatedly praised soldier-builders for their feats. The last leg of his visit was the Rungna Dolphinarium. He dropped in at a soft drink stand and a souvenir counter to learn about the plans for service activities. Looking round a room for dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge, he underscored the need to provide it better with facilities necessary for giving ample knowledge of sea world to the visitors. Noting that the Rungna People’s Pleasure Ground is a project to which leader Kim Jong Il had paid special attention, he said that Kim Jong Il would have been very pleased if he had seen the completed project.

Such monumental structures of lasting value as the Rungna People’s Pleasure Ground are now being built one after another in Pyongyang, he said, stressing the need to build structures suited to the thoughts and feelings of the Koreans and their aesthetic pleasure and demands throughout the country after the model of this pleasure ground.

Sri Lanka President declares open the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa ceremonially declared open the 150MW Upper Kotmale Hydropower Plant this morning on 14 July at the auspicious time of 10.45 am. The ceremonial opening also attended by Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Japanese Ambassador in Colombo, Nobuhito Hobo. The Upper Kotmale hydro power plant which consists of two generators with 75 MW of capacity adds 150MW of power to the National Grid today to produce 409GWh energy per year. One of the generators became operational from March this year and the other generator was in operation from last month. It is the country’s last mass scale hydro generation project launched by the government as part of the programme to provide electricity to all households in the country by end of 2016. The US$ 450 million hydropower plant was constructed with the assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which funded the lion share of Rs. 50.4 billion (38 billion Japanese Yen) while the CEB invested Rs. 10 billion. This project which was planned in 1960s had been abandoned due to many protests and environmental concerns. The Rajapaksa administration recognized the soaring energy requirement of the country and inaugurated the construction of the project on 03 March 2006, just four months after President Rajapaksa assumed duties as President. Special measures have been taken to minimize the environmental impact of the project. It has been designed in an environment friendly manner retaining the landscape and scenic beauty of the upcountry.

The government provided 495 new houses to families displaced due to the project. Special efforts were made to ensure the well-being of those displaced and they were provided all basic facilities. Other facilities such as schools, places of worship and administrative buildings were constructed as part of the project. The road network in the area was also upgraded. In the past, Japanese government supported many other projects to improve the efficiency of the energy sector of the country, including the construction of the Samanalawewa and Kukule Ganga Hydroelectric Power Projects.

Ministers C.B. Rathnayaka and Muttu Sivalingam, Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, parliamentarian J. Sri Ranga, local politicians, Japanese delegation and ECB officials also participated in the occasion.

AFGHANISTAN: ORDER OR DISORDER

By Khalid Iqbal

A billion dollar question that intrigues the minds, of strategists the world over is about the future course that Afghanistan could follow as the occupation forces are on their way out. The prospects of NATO withdrawal, as envisaged in the recent ‘Chicago Declaration’, raise dilemmas about restoration of durable peace and stability in Afghanistan in the context of interplay of various Afghan forces, and the prevalent regional and global security environment.

Historic evidence has it that neither Taliban, nor Northern Alliance alone could sustain their rule over Afghanistan while ensuring peace and stability. "On post-American-Afghanistan" in ‘The New Yorker’, Dexter Filkins quotes an Afghan governor: "Mark my words, the moment the Americans leave, the civil war will begin. This country will be divided into 25 or 30 fiefdoms, each with its own government."

International Donors Conference in Japan has pledged aid of $ 16 billion spread over four years. Moreover, the US and its allies are also likely to commit about $ 4 billion a year to fund and support an estimated 352,000 Afghan army and police force, over the next 10 years. However, because of the US and Europe’s fragile economic situation, Afghanistan might be lucky if it could receive just enough to keep going.

As regards national reconciliation, President Karzai has asked German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, on the sidelines of the donors’ conference in Tokyo, for help in getting the Taliban back to the negotiating table. Westerwelle assured Karzai that Berlin was prepared to support the peace process. Westerwelle frequently underscores that a political solution is the only way out of the current quagmire. Germany had played a similar role in 2010 and 2011.

Over the last few years, Afghanistan has signed Strategic agreements with different states, especially with the US and India; Afghanistan has also signed similar agreements with Germany, France, Italy, Britain and Australia. This is a quest for strengthening strategic and political hedge. Objective of the Afghan-US arrangement is to pass a strong message to Afghanistan’s neighbours that ‘if you mess with Afghanistan you will be messing with the US’. Designation of Afghanistan as a non-NATO ally further reinforces this message. The Indo-Afghan strategic agreement has less to do with building the ANA and general development than to pressurize Pakistan.

Theoretically, ANSF is all set to take operational control from foreign forces by 2014. By the end of 2014, Afghanistan will have a 350,000 strong security force. These soldiers are "better than we thought", says General John Allen, commander of the US forces in Afghanistan. However, worth of Afghan security forces is articulated by Anthony H. Cordesman, Burke Chair in Strategy, and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on July 24, during his statement before the ‘House Armed Services Subcommittee.’ He said:  "In fact, the effectiveness of Afghan forces during and after Transition may well have little to do with the metrics that focus on their strength or abstract estimates of their combat capability and ability to operate without outside support…Measuring the ANSF’s ability to fight is not nearly as important as measuring its will to fight – and its will to fight for the central government and not some powerbroker or warlord".

Three countries are poised to play the critical role in shaping the future happenings in Afghanistan. These are: the US, Pakistan and Iran. Iran and Pakistan have close cultural, religious, economic and historical links with Afghanistan. The competition for influence in Afghanistan between Pakistan and Iran after the fall of the Najibullah regime prolonged the Afghan civil war. Apparently, both Iran and Pakistan have drawn pertinent lessons. Pakistan is struggling to maintain a balance amongst various ethnic groups in Afghanistan. At the inauguration of the Pakistan embassy on July 19, the guest list had all the main leaders of the political opposition.

United States continues to maintain a dual policy towards Haqqanis. On one hand CIA, has been undertaking secret talks with the organization in the past, on the other hand, the House of Representatives of United States has passed a bill presented by Senator Richard Burr on July 16, 2012. The bill is a step towards mounting pressure on President Obama to declare Haqqani network as a ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization’. On their part, the Haqqanis and Taliban of Afghanistan consider US and NATO as the invading forces. In the opinion of these two groups, they are fighting for their freedom from these occupiers, in line with the UN Charter.

Pakistan has been emphasizing the US for a political solution of Afghan issue, as it has failed to resolve the problem through military means. Pakistan indeed, played a great role in bringing Haqqanis and US and Taliban and US closer to each other for the political dialogue. The Afghan governance structures established at the Bonn Conference, in December 2001, have not been effective. Afghan central government fails to meet the basic needs of its citizens because most government officials are not responsible to the constituents they serve, but to the system of patronage that keeps them in power. Most Afghans do not directly elect their provincial governors. These officials are appointed by the presidency and serve at the president’s pleasure. As a result, they have a stake in perpetuating the endemic corruption.

This year's pullout of 23,000 American troops from Afghanistan is at the halfway mark, General John Allen said in a recent interview with the Associated Press. Allen also said that while Afghan security forces were increasingly taking the lead, more work needs to be done to shore up their confidence in planning and executing operations. At the end of the year troop strength in Afghanistan would be 68,000—the number when President Obama announced the surge in December 2010.

A former US counterinsurgency adviser to American forces in Afghanistan has been quoted as saying, "It appears we’re just trying to get out and avoid catastrophe." Dexter Filkins further commented: "…when the last Americans are due to stop fighting, the Taliban will not be defeated. A Western-style democracy will not be in place. The economy will not be self-sustaining…And it’s a good bet, even al Qaeda, which brought the United States into Afghanistan in the first place, will be carrying on."

Role of Army in the Development of Balochistan

By Dr Raja Muhammad Khan

As a geographical pivot of history, Pakistani geopolitical location has always been significant for the global players. Within Pakistan, the Province of Balochistan, has immense geo–strategic significance in the emerging international political and economic order. This God gifted province, has immense natural resources with traditionally proud and strapping manpower. However, its people mostly remained deprived of basic amenities of life. The current crises in Balochistan are centred on two things: first; continuous deprivation and extensive poverty of the Baloch masses compounded by the lack of economic and social development and second; lack of national unity and inter-provincial harmony, further fuelled by external powers through sub-nationalist elements.

On its part, Pak Army has made gigantic contributions in the development of the Province, which include development in all sectors viz; education, health, mining, provision of jobs in Army, infrastructural development and other socio-economic development. In the field of education, over 17000 Baloch students have been selected for education in various schools and colleges, run by Pak Army and Frontier Corps. Besides, Pak Army is also imparting education to over 6500 Baloch students in the schools and colleges of Federal Government administered by Pak Army.

In 2006, Pak Army took initiative to revive Chamalang Coal Mines project, which was disputed ever since 1980s. After its resolution under Pak Army, 73500 individuals of Luni and Marri tribes were provided  job opportunities and 2000 individuals were employed as guards. The process was followed by excavation of over 2 million tons of coal. Following the consensus resolution of the Chamalang Coal Mines dispute under Pak Army, an education programme namely, the Chamalang Beneficiaries Education Programme (CBEP) was organized by the Southern Command of Pak Army. Under this educational project,  4183 x Balochi students are being sponsored for free education. The hotel facility through this programme has been established in Quetta Cantonment has housed over 100  students of Marri and Luni tribes of the Loralai and Kohlu Districts. The students are provided with free boarding, lodging and medical facilities along with monthly stipends.

The Gawadar Institute of Technology (GIT) is yet another project, indeed, a joint venture between Balochistan Government and Pak Army for imparting technical education to Balochi youth. Army Chief, General Kayani inaugurated the Project in April 2011. The major areas of the expertise under this project are; food preservation and processing and industrial electronics. Through yet another joint venture with the Balochistan Government, Pak Army has established Army Institute of Mineralogy in May 2011. The project aims at imparting basic knowledge and mining skills among the Baloch youth for exploiting the local resources and providing job opportunities too. Gradually, the level of education is being enhanced to graduation in the mining.

In August 2011, General Kayani inaugurated, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences (QIMS). This non-profitable institute aims at imparting quality medical education facilities to the youth of Baluchistan.  For the promotion of vocational training in Fishery and Nautical Sciences, Headquarters Southern Command of Pak Army established Balochistan Institute of Marine Sciences (BIMS).  This project of technical education aims at opening the avenues for job opportunities for the youth of the Province.   Since 2007, over 1000 youth of the province have been given technical training through Baluchistan Institute of Technical Education (BITE) by Pak Army. Free boarding, lodging and messing are being provided beside scholarship.  Students are being provided free of cost tool kits / sewing machines, on completion of the course.

In connection with the induction in Pak Army, over 12000 Baloch recruits have been enrolled and trained as combat soldiers in various branches of Army in last 3-5 years. A sizeable number of educated Baloch youth are being inducted in Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) to become officer in Pak Army.  In Dera Bugti area, Pak Army and FC have launched many Developmental Projects. These includes: provision of job opportunities to over 1500 individuals, financial assistance to over 1500 families, renovation and establishment of 31 health centres. Besides, 458 animal units were provided to needy families and free of cost education of over 150 local students in Baluchistan Public School Sui (BPSS), established on the lines of MCJ. The Sui Town has been provided with the free natural gas. In the health Sector, free medical camps for 2-3 days are being established in remote areas where free medical examination and medicines are distributed on regular basis. Free medical treatment is also provided to approximately 500 to 1000 patients of Mekhter and Chamalang per month. Pak Army is also monitoring many developmental projects for their smooth and free functioning.

General Kayani has already proposed a political solution of the Balochistan unrest. He does not believe in the use of military for resolving the Baloch problems. In May 2012, General Ashfaq Kayani assured the participants of the meeting on Balochistan, held under Prime Minister that, "no army personnel or official of Frontier Constabulary would be involved in any kind of operation in Balochistan." Indeed, a cautious approach deems essential to handle the ongoing provincial situation. For a comprehensive and long lasting solution of the Baloch crisis, Federal Government and all main stream political parties must undertake political dialogue with all stake holders to dispel the impression that the Federal Government has adopted the policy of oppression and denial to the rights to the people of Balochistan. There is a need for continuity and speedy completion of mega development projects on the lines of Pak Army.

History reveals that, the people of Balochistan have a splendid history of self-respect and maintaining their veracity. They have the honour to fight with the "Alexander the Great" without accepting a defeat. Today they have the will to trounce the conspiracies being hatched from across the borders to disintegrate them.  The socio-economic developmental model adopted by Pak Army for improving the living standards of Baloch people is worth appreciating. If Provincial Government and ministries of Federal Government follow the model, Balochistan can be brought at par with rest of the provinces of Pakistan in just 3-4 years.

Experts Back Unctad Proposal for Technical Assistance to four Countries

Geneva – A group of experts on competition policy has discussed the peer reviews of the competition laws and policies in three African countries and Mongolia, and has recommended that UNCTAD carry out a proposed technical assistance programme to follow up on progress already made in the field.  The Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy concluded its twelfth session, held 9–11 July, by backing a proposal from the organization to help the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to carry out recommendations contained in a “tripartite peer review” of national efforts to set up an effective environment for fair business competition. It also requested potential donors to support such a technical assistance programme for Mongolia.

In the follow-up to the peer review, the UNCTAD secretariat presented project proposals outlining activities to be undertaken to implement the recommendations. The proposed activities include country-specific programmes as well as some to be carried out at the regional level in collaboration with existing regional groupings.

The tripartite peer review, in which experts (from other countries) studied the laws and policies of three countries and then discussed their findings with representatives of the countries concerned, was held The meeting of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts concluded on Wednesday afternoon with a peer review of the competition laws and policies of Mongolia. Other activities at the conference included round table discussions on: competition policy and public procurement, the challenges posed to developing and transition countries by cross-border anticompetitive practices, knowledge and human-resource management for effective enforcement of competition law, and effectiveness and capacity-building for “young” competition agencies. In the case of the United Republic of Tanzania, the voluntary peer review noted that the country had “recognized that competition policy aims at perpetuating freedom of trade, freedom of choice, and access to markets”. Among the review’s recommendations are (a) that stable funding should be ensured for the country’s Fair Competition Commission and Fair Competition Tribunal; (b) that the Tanzanian Fair Competition Act be amended “to include a situation where at least two firms exercising dominance in a market may be cited for joint dominance”; and (c) that the Fair Competition Commission be more broadly authorized to receive anonymous complaints from consumers and traders.

P.L.A. of China marked

Kathamndu : On the Occasion of the 85th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Liberation Army of China, The Defence Attache of the Chinese Embassy Senior Colonel Cheng Xizhong hosted a Reception at Hyatt Regency on 28th July, 2012.

The Chief of the Nepal Army Gen. Chatra Man Singh Gurung was the Chief Guest.

 At the Reception, Ministers including finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, Defence Attaches of the different Embassy, High level officers from Nepal Army and Polices Forces, Leaders & Members of the Political Parties and President of Nepal Journalists Association Manju Ratna Sakya were present

Likewise High level Govt. officials including from  MOFA, Ministry of Defence and Home Affairs, Executives of different organisations of Nepal-China Friendship Associations, Media persons, Chinese people as well as other large numbers of people from various walks of life were also present.

On this occasion, Nepal Journalists Association and ARPAN Weekly  Family extend Warmest Greetings, Congratulations and Best wishes  to the Government and People's Republic of China Long live Nepal–China friendly relations.

China overseas investment to see "explosive growth"

BEIJING  (Xinhua) -- Overseas investment from Chinese companies will see "explosive growth" over the next decade, as the government has reaffirmed a strategy to encourage enterprises to invest overseas, experts said. Two investment moves by major Chinese multinational companies drew international attention earlier this week. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) said Monday that it has entered into an agreement to buy Canada's Nexen Inc. for 15.1 billion U.S. dollars. Sinopec Group, the parent company of China's top oil refiner Sinopec Corp., announced the same day that it would buy a 49-percent stake in Talisman Energy's operations in the North Sea at a price of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.

Zhang Yansheng, secretary-general of the Academic Committee of China's National Development and Reform Commission, said Thursday that the country's overseas investment surged 40.8 percent annually from 2006 to 2010, much higher than the 9.6-percent annual growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) registered during the same period. Since 2000, China has implemented a national strategy that encourages Chinese companies to "go global," or invest overseas. The strategy was reiterated in the country's official 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015), which was endorsed by China's top legislature in March 2011.

"The scale of China's overseas direct investment would catch up with its FDI, or become even larger, on the back of the government's stance to step up implementing its go-global strategy," Zhang said.

Chinese enterprises will enter a stage of "global investment, production, sales and services" in the next five to 10 years, Zhang said.

In the 12th Five-year Plan, China has urged companies investing overseas to better carry out their social responsibilities and make greater contributions to the host countries' social development.

A report released this March by the World Economic Forum and the Boston Consulting Group said major Chinese multinational companies are making active efforts to engage in corporate citizenship as they expand into the global market. "Chinese multinationals are aligning their profits with real and lasting contributions to the local communities in which they operate," the report said.

During the 2006-2010 period, employment opportunities provided to local citizens by Chinese multinationals grew at an annual rate of 28 percent.

In 2010 alone, Chinese multinationals employed around 1 million people, 71 percent of whom were local citizens, said the report. "After more than 10 years of corporate citizenship development and involvement in the global context, many Chinese companies have implemented good citizenship practices as part of their overseas engagement, ranging from daily operations to being listed on foreign stock exchanges," the report said.

Zhang said this change from the previous five-year plan showed that China is now emphasizing both attracting FDI and investing overseas.

His views were echoed by Zhang Monan, an analyst with the Economic Forecasting Department of the State Information Center. "Overseas investment by Chinese companies will witness a round of explosive growth in the next 10 years, because it is a general trend for Chinese companies to invest overseas," Zhang Monan said.
She said China's drive to open up its economy will reach a new level in the next decade, and Chinese companies will divert their focus from goods export to capital export.

"China's overseas investment has accelerated in the past years, but remains small compared with the goods export," she said, adding that overseas investment still has much room for expansion.

The country's overseas investment has focused mainly on some Asian, Latin American and African countries in the past. "We should invest more in developed economies to make the investment structure more balanced than before," she said.

China, Afghanistan to strengthen military ties

BEIJING (Xinhua) -- Guo Boxiong, Vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, on called for enhanced military ties between China and Afghanistan while meeting with visiting Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak. Both countries have witnessed significant results in cooperation in recent years, Guo said, noting that bilateral military relations have also been boosted steadily.

Guo praised Afghanistan for its support for China on issues related to China's core interests, adding that China has consistently supported and actively participated in Afghanistan's reconstruction.

China has called on the international community to respect the Afghan people's will and will continue to provide support and assistance for the country on the basis of respect for its independence,sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Guo.

He called on the two militaries to further enhance strategic communication and strengthen pragmatic cooperation in order to contribute to bilateral strategic cooperation. Wardak expressed gratitude for the help China has extended to his country, adding that maintaining healthy bilateral relations is conducive to safeguarding regional security and stability.

To know more information and study on friendly relations between Nepal and Islamic Republic of Pakistan
 Please contact :
The General Secretary
Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association
Post Box No. 285 Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal,
Phone : 4262426, Mobile : 9851024388
Email : manju_sakya@hotmail.com