By Sushil Sharma BBC News, Kathmandu
There have been a number of protests in KathmanduOpposition parties in Nepal say police have arrested more than 500 people across the country demonstrating against King Gyanendra.
They were protesting against his February take-over of the government.
They are the biggest protests since the king declared a state of emergency and suspended civil rights.
The king said the move was needed to combat Nepal's Maoist rebels who want to replace the monarchy with a communist republic.
Baton charges
Opposition parties say that about 100 people were arrested in the capital, Kathmandu, and that many others were taken into custody in other parts of the country.
The figures could not be independently verified.
The king assumed direct control on 1 February
There have been no comments yet from the authorities, who in the past have played down opposition claims.
The Kathmandu demonstrators shouted slogans calling for the restoration of democracy.
Police baton-charged demonstrators in some parts of the country.
Friday has a symbolic importance for the political parties. It was on this day in 1990 that joint opposition protests forced the-then king to establish multi-party democracy after 30 years of direct rule.
The opposition has once again come together following the royal assumption of direct powers on 1 February.
Opposition members have been holding protests at the royal move since then, despite rallies now being illegal.
The king said that he assumed direct powers because the parties failed to tackle the long-running Maoist insurgency.
Hundreds of opposition leaders and activists were arrested after 1 February.
About 300, including some top leaders, were freed last week.
The political parties have dubbed the royal move undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Sphere: Related Content
Friday, April 08, 2005
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Maoists are not interested in talks: US envoy
Posted on 07 April 2005, © Indo Asian News Service
World News, Kathmandu, April 7 : "The Maoists have made it clear that they are not interested in talking," says US ambassador to Nepal James Francis Moriarty, whose government has put the rebels on its list of banned terrorist outfits."
Since September, the Maoists have had reasonable offers to come to the table to talk and their response has been nonsensical. Initially, it was 'We'll only talk to the king'. Then, 'Maybe we'll talk if the government responds to (our) legitimate questions (whether it controlled the army and was not under the king)," the US ambassador told IANS.
Despite increasing propaganda by the government-owned media that the rebels are weakening due to fighting between their top leaders, Moriarty feels the insurgents represent a threat that could turn Nepal into a "poor man's Cambodia". "I don't think any of us has enough insights into what exactly the Maoists are doing and thinking to say with any degree of certainty that ... the tide has turned against them," he said.
"The threat they represent is terrific. They have talked about collectivisation of agriculture repeatedly, about re-education of enemies, about expanding the 'revolution' - all this is basically a formula for an absolutely terrific totalitarian state in Nepal that also threatens the stability of the entire region."If there is actual infighting among the outlaws, the envoy fears it could worsen the situation: "(Differences are) not uncommon among totalitarian parties.
When factionalism arises, the top dog crushes the other faction or gets replaced as the top dog. Perhaps you end up with a more brutal and more unified party.
"Given a choice between the communist rebels and a king who has repeatedly overstepped his constitutional authority, Washington would unhesitatingly support the latter, he said."My government sees absolutely nothing wrong with what the king said in his proclamation (through which he assumed absolute power on Feb 1) about his two main goals: the Maoist insurgency needs to be addressed and there has to be a game plan for bringing Nepal back to a multi-party functional democracy."We recognise that as of Jan 31, Nepal didn't really have a functioning multi-party democracy, it had a multi-party government. We are worried that what is happening in the interim will make it more difficult for the king to achieve these goals."To achieve these goals, he says there has to be reconciliation between the king and the political parties, who are currently agitating against the royal coup and have a large number of their leaders under detention."Both have to act together. If you have one side or the other pointing the finger and saying the other side must change its way of action, it must apologise for past actions, then you are not going to go anywhere. But if you have both sides agreeing that Nepal is facing a crisis - which it is - and agreeing on a way forward to address that crisis, then you are. It's not a question of one side or the other taking the lead but two sides agreeing on a common programme.
"You have to look at the situation in hand. There is no denying that the king has power... there is equally no denying that the parties ... are essential players (too). The good news is, if you look at them, their interests should coincide. The king says his major goals are combating the insurgency, restoration of multi-party democracy, good governance and corruption control. I don't think the parties disagree with that."
Washington, he says, continues to push the government to release all political detainees, restore constitutional freedoms and begin a process of reaching out to the political parties. Until there is progress on these issues, Washington's security assistance to Nepal's army, especially lethal security assistance - about 3,55 M16 rifles - are at risk.There is no lethal security assistance before the end of May. After that, according to Moriarty, there is also a fairly significant shipment of non-lethal items."We'll be manufacturing these items in the next couple of months. Once we finish manufacturing them, we've to decide what to do with them. If there is progress, we'll go ahead and ship them. If there hasn't been, there will be a lot of pressure not to ship them."
Regarding the ongoing 61st session of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, where several countries are asking for stern measures against Nepal on reports of increasing human rights abuses by the security forces, Moriarty says the US is still reviewing its position vis-à-vis the Himalayan kingdom."What we'd really like to see is progress. A big debate is going on and a tough draft going around. Instead of a tough draft that doesn't change the situation on the ground, we would like to see enough progress on the ground so that the international community can focus on how to help Nepal..."There is a wider view in the US not to do anything that would harm the poor people of Nepal - both people who are poor and those suffering so much under the insurgency."
Despite the allegations of rights abuses against the Royal Nepalese Army at the Geneva meet, Moriarty thinks the army is cleaning up its act since Feb 1."We all assumed there would be an increasing culture of impunity (after Feb 1) but that hasn't happened so far... The army is clearly getting more aggressive in investigating allegations of abuse. I have raised specific cases of abuse and the army has gone out and investigated them in a serious fashion..."If people know they will be tried and if convicted, will spend years in jail, they become much more reluctant to commit abuses... I am not aware of a single Maoist who has been convicted of abuses by a Maoist court."Also, the National Human Rights Commission says they are getting much better access to detainees. I feel uncomfortable saying this - people will say I am an apologist - but I am looking at facts on the ground," he said. Sphere: Related Content
World News, Kathmandu, April 7 : "The Maoists have made it clear that they are not interested in talking," says US ambassador to Nepal James Francis Moriarty, whose government has put the rebels on its list of banned terrorist outfits."
Since September, the Maoists have had reasonable offers to come to the table to talk and their response has been nonsensical. Initially, it was 'We'll only talk to the king'. Then, 'Maybe we'll talk if the government responds to (our) legitimate questions (whether it controlled the army and was not under the king)," the US ambassador told IANS.
Despite increasing propaganda by the government-owned media that the rebels are weakening due to fighting between their top leaders, Moriarty feels the insurgents represent a threat that could turn Nepal into a "poor man's Cambodia". "I don't think any of us has enough insights into what exactly the Maoists are doing and thinking to say with any degree of certainty that ... the tide has turned against them," he said.
"The threat they represent is terrific. They have talked about collectivisation of agriculture repeatedly, about re-education of enemies, about expanding the 'revolution' - all this is basically a formula for an absolutely terrific totalitarian state in Nepal that also threatens the stability of the entire region."If there is actual infighting among the outlaws, the envoy fears it could worsen the situation: "(Differences are) not uncommon among totalitarian parties.
When factionalism arises, the top dog crushes the other faction or gets replaced as the top dog. Perhaps you end up with a more brutal and more unified party.
"Given a choice between the communist rebels and a king who has repeatedly overstepped his constitutional authority, Washington would unhesitatingly support the latter, he said."My government sees absolutely nothing wrong with what the king said in his proclamation (through which he assumed absolute power on Feb 1) about his two main goals: the Maoist insurgency needs to be addressed and there has to be a game plan for bringing Nepal back to a multi-party functional democracy."We recognise that as of Jan 31, Nepal didn't really have a functioning multi-party democracy, it had a multi-party government. We are worried that what is happening in the interim will make it more difficult for the king to achieve these goals."To achieve these goals, he says there has to be reconciliation between the king and the political parties, who are currently agitating against the royal coup and have a large number of their leaders under detention."Both have to act together. If you have one side or the other pointing the finger and saying the other side must change its way of action, it must apologise for past actions, then you are not going to go anywhere. But if you have both sides agreeing that Nepal is facing a crisis - which it is - and agreeing on a way forward to address that crisis, then you are. It's not a question of one side or the other taking the lead but two sides agreeing on a common programme.
"You have to look at the situation in hand. There is no denying that the king has power... there is equally no denying that the parties ... are essential players (too). The good news is, if you look at them, their interests should coincide. The king says his major goals are combating the insurgency, restoration of multi-party democracy, good governance and corruption control. I don't think the parties disagree with that."
Washington, he says, continues to push the government to release all political detainees, restore constitutional freedoms and begin a process of reaching out to the political parties. Until there is progress on these issues, Washington's security assistance to Nepal's army, especially lethal security assistance - about 3,55 M16 rifles - are at risk.There is no lethal security assistance before the end of May. After that, according to Moriarty, there is also a fairly significant shipment of non-lethal items."We'll be manufacturing these items in the next couple of months. Once we finish manufacturing them, we've to decide what to do with them. If there is progress, we'll go ahead and ship them. If there hasn't been, there will be a lot of pressure not to ship them."
Regarding the ongoing 61st session of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, where several countries are asking for stern measures against Nepal on reports of increasing human rights abuses by the security forces, Moriarty says the US is still reviewing its position vis-à-vis the Himalayan kingdom."What we'd really like to see is progress. A big debate is going on and a tough draft going around. Instead of a tough draft that doesn't change the situation on the ground, we would like to see enough progress on the ground so that the international community can focus on how to help Nepal..."There is a wider view in the US not to do anything that would harm the poor people of Nepal - both people who are poor and those suffering so much under the insurgency."
Despite the allegations of rights abuses against the Royal Nepalese Army at the Geneva meet, Moriarty thinks the army is cleaning up its act since Feb 1."We all assumed there would be an increasing culture of impunity (after Feb 1) but that hasn't happened so far... The army is clearly getting more aggressive in investigating allegations of abuse. I have raised specific cases of abuse and the army has gone out and investigated them in a serious fashion..."If people know they will be tried and if convicted, will spend years in jail, they become much more reluctant to commit abuses... I am not aware of a single Maoist who has been convicted of abuses by a Maoist court."Also, the National Human Rights Commission says they are getting much better access to detainees. I feel uncomfortable saying this - people will say I am an apologist - but I am looking at facts on the ground," he said. Sphere: Related Content
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
US quietly put off military training in Nepal
Published on : 4/5/2005 12:17:00 AM
Category : kntimes.com
The US quietly put off a military training session for Nepal's army that was originally scheduled to take place last month.
Exercise Balanced Nail, a military training programme for Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) troops undertaken by the US Pacific Command (USPACOM) in coordination with the Office of Defence Cooperation in Washington since 2002, was to have been held in March. But it was put off silently without the alert Nepalese media getting a whiff of it.
Defence sources said Washington postponed the training following a tacit understanding with Britain and India that none of the trio would aid the RNA till King Gyanendra rolled back his royal coup. Sphere: Related Content
Category : kntimes.com
The US quietly put off a military training session for Nepal's army that was originally scheduled to take place last month.
Exercise Balanced Nail, a military training programme for Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) troops undertaken by the US Pacific Command (USPACOM) in coordination with the Office of Defence Cooperation in Washington since 2002, was to have been held in March. But it was put off silently without the alert Nepalese media getting a whiff of it.
Defence sources said Washington postponed the training following a tacit understanding with Britain and India that none of the trio would aid the RNA till King Gyanendra rolled back his royal coup. Sphere: Related Content
Monday, April 04, 2005
Environmental conservation work in Nepal
Restoration of Biological Corridors in the Terai Arc Landscape
Project details
Geographical location:
Asia/Pacific > Southern Asia > Nepal
Summary
The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) programme aims to restore forests and link 11 existing protected areas that are distributed over 49,500 km2 in the outer foothills of the Himalayas from Nepal's Parsa Wildlife Reserve in the east to India's Corbett National Park in the west. It is part of the Terai-Duar Savannas and Grasslands ecoregion.
Background
The TAL programme in Nepal seeks to protect endangered species and restore natural habitats by building upon and creating effective partnerships with local communities as resource managers, beneficiaries and stewards. Accordingly, the programme will pursue conservation through the economic and social empowerment of local communities and full participation of resource users and government departments.Outside of these protected areas, "conservation-friendly" land uses will provide sustainable natural resources and economic benefits to the local people while simultaneously connecting core areas to allow wildlife population dispersal and the encouragement of biologically viable populations.In the first 5-year phase of the project (2001-2006), the project will restore critical forest corridors, build up stakeholder capacity and develop partnerships with key agencies operating in the TAL. The programme will utilize various strategies such as community forestry, revenue sharing, and education to restore wildlife corridors, protect biodiversity and facilitate sustainable socioeconomic development.
Objectives
1. Restore and manage 2 degraded forest corridors and 3 bottlenecks to maintain links between protected areas within the TAL as dispersal corridors, through community forestry, plantation, natural forest regeneration and strengthening community forestry user groups.
2. Conserve tiger, elephant, rhino and other species of special concern by strengthening the community based antipoaching operations in the forest corridors of TAL.
3. Maintain and enhance environmental services for agricultural productivity, soil conservation and watershed management that enhance local livelihoods and reduce poverty through community participation, using innovative approaches to integrate conservation and natural resource management.
4. Promote conservation education to local communities and strengthen stakeholder capacity by supporting institutions, developing environmental education packages and conducting environmental interactions. Sphere: Related Content
Project details
Geographical location:
Asia/Pacific > Southern Asia > Nepal
Summary
The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) programme aims to restore forests and link 11 existing protected areas that are distributed over 49,500 km2 in the outer foothills of the Himalayas from Nepal's Parsa Wildlife Reserve in the east to India's Corbett National Park in the west. It is part of the Terai-Duar Savannas and Grasslands ecoregion.
Background
The TAL programme in Nepal seeks to protect endangered species and restore natural habitats by building upon and creating effective partnerships with local communities as resource managers, beneficiaries and stewards. Accordingly, the programme will pursue conservation through the economic and social empowerment of local communities and full participation of resource users and government departments.Outside of these protected areas, "conservation-friendly" land uses will provide sustainable natural resources and economic benefits to the local people while simultaneously connecting core areas to allow wildlife population dispersal and the encouragement of biologically viable populations.In the first 5-year phase of the project (2001-2006), the project will restore critical forest corridors, build up stakeholder capacity and develop partnerships with key agencies operating in the TAL. The programme will utilize various strategies such as community forestry, revenue sharing, and education to restore wildlife corridors, protect biodiversity and facilitate sustainable socioeconomic development.
Objectives
1. Restore and manage 2 degraded forest corridors and 3 bottlenecks to maintain links between protected areas within the TAL as dispersal corridors, through community forestry, plantation, natural forest regeneration and strengthening community forestry user groups.
2. Conserve tiger, elephant, rhino and other species of special concern by strengthening the community based antipoaching operations in the forest corridors of TAL.
3. Maintain and enhance environmental services for agricultural productivity, soil conservation and watershed management that enhance local livelihoods and reduce poverty through community participation, using innovative approaches to integrate conservation and natural resource management.
4. Promote conservation education to local communities and strengthen stakeholder capacity by supporting institutions, developing environmental education packages and conducting environmental interactions. Sphere: Related Content
Maoist strike cripples normal life in rural Nepal
Rupandehi (Nepal), Apr 3 :
A nationwide strike called by Nepal’s Maoists against King Gyanendra’s seizure of power has paralysed life for a second day on Sunday in Nepal. Normal life in the district of Rupandehi situated at the India-Nepal border was thrown off gear with fresh incidents of violence and a string of bomb blasts rocking different regions of the embattled kingdom.
The rebels called the 11-day strike on Saturday to protest against King Gyanendra’s seizing of power two months ago and the subsequent arrests of political leaders and suspension of civil rights. Officials say that the impact of the strike is more apparent in rural areas, where the Maoists regularly enforce strikes and blockades, with the otherwise busy market area bearing a deserted appearance with most shops downing their shutters fearing violence.
“On one hand the army talks of opening the shops. Some of the shops were even broken into. Traders are on the run. The whole market is empty due to the 11-day strike declared by the Maoists. Some people in the border areas tried to get out of the place, “ said Anil Kumar, from the India Nepal Friendship Group.
Cross border movement of traffic was also minimal with trucks ferrying goods between India and Nepal remaining grounded. Amar Singh, a truck driver, said: “As long as the road doesn’t open we would stay here. We can’t go back or unload the goods here. So we have to stay here until the road opens, where else can we go?
Residents also said that the strike had disrupted life in the Nepalgunj where a string of bomb blasts late on Friday killed one person and wounded 19 others. (ANI) Sphere: Related Content
A nationwide strike called by Nepal’s Maoists against King Gyanendra’s seizure of power has paralysed life for a second day on Sunday in Nepal. Normal life in the district of Rupandehi situated at the India-Nepal border was thrown off gear with fresh incidents of violence and a string of bomb blasts rocking different regions of the embattled kingdom.
The rebels called the 11-day strike on Saturday to protest against King Gyanendra’s seizing of power two months ago and the subsequent arrests of political leaders and suspension of civil rights. Officials say that the impact of the strike is more apparent in rural areas, where the Maoists regularly enforce strikes and blockades, with the otherwise busy market area bearing a deserted appearance with most shops downing their shutters fearing violence.
“On one hand the army talks of opening the shops. Some of the shops were even broken into. Traders are on the run. The whole market is empty due to the 11-day strike declared by the Maoists. Some people in the border areas tried to get out of the place, “ said Anil Kumar, from the India Nepal Friendship Group.
Cross border movement of traffic was also minimal with trucks ferrying goods between India and Nepal remaining grounded. Amar Singh, a truck driver, said: “As long as the road doesn’t open we would stay here. We can’t go back or unload the goods here. So we have to stay here until the road opens, where else can we go?
Residents also said that the strike had disrupted life in the Nepalgunj where a string of bomb blasts late on Friday killed one person and wounded 19 others. (ANI) Sphere: Related Content
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Ex-Nepal prime minister released
By Charles Haviland BBC News, Kathmandu
One of Nepal's most influential politicians, GP Koirala, has been freed after two months of house arrest.
The Home Ministry says more than 250 people detained after King Gyanendra declared a state of emergency on 1 February were freed on Friday.
The king said he needed to assume direct power to defeat Nepal's Maoist rebel movement.
Mr Koirala has been prime minister three times and leads Nepal's biggest party, the Nepali Congress.
No access
For Mr Koirala, as for other top political leaders similarly penalised under the king's state of emergency, house arrest has not only meant being confined at home.
It also involved an almost total severance of communications such as phone lines and the cutting of their access to independent media.
Now Mr Koirala, who is over 80-years-old, has been freed three weeks after similar restrictions were lifted on Nepal's most recent prime minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Others, however, remain confined or detained, including the leader of the country's second biggest party, Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is reported to be in poor health.
India, a traditional ally of Nepal which has been highly critical of the royal takeover, wasted no time in welcoming Mr Koirala's release and its ambassador here paid him a courtesy call.
The home ministry gave no details of the 250 detainees it said were released on Friday.
Strict media censorship means it is difficult to know how many detainees there are.
However, in a notable development earlier this week, a pro-democracy demonstration was for the first time allowed to go ahead as hundreds of journalists marched through the capital demanding press freedom.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/4401519.stm
Published: 2005/04/01 14:00:12 GMT
© BBC MMV
Sphere: Related Content
Bombings Hit Nepal Before Maoists' Strike
02 April 2005
Officials in Nepal are blaming Maoist rebels for a series of bomb blasts hours ahead of a nationwide strike called by the Maoists to protest King Gyanendra's seizure of power.
Police say the bombings late Friday in the western town of Nepalgunj left at least 20 people wounded - some seriously.
Maoist rebels, who have been fighting since 1996 to replace Nepal's monarchy with a communist government, called for an 11-day general strike beginning Saturday to protest the king's actions two months ago.
On February 1, King Gyanendra assumed absolute power in Nepal's constitutional monarchy, accusing the government of not doing enough to fight the rebels. He had a number of political leaders arrested.
The country's popular former prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, and 258 other detainees were freed Friday amid mounting global pressure on the king. Sphere: Related Content
Officials in Nepal are blaming Maoist rebels for a series of bomb blasts hours ahead of a nationwide strike called by the Maoists to protest King Gyanendra's seizure of power.
Police say the bombings late Friday in the western town of Nepalgunj left at least 20 people wounded - some seriously.
Maoist rebels, who have been fighting since 1996 to replace Nepal's monarchy with a communist government, called for an 11-day general strike beginning Saturday to protest the king's actions two months ago.
On February 1, King Gyanendra assumed absolute power in Nepal's constitutional monarchy, accusing the government of not doing enough to fight the rebels. He had a number of political leaders arrested.
The country's popular former prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, and 258 other detainees were freed Friday amid mounting global pressure on the king. Sphere: Related Content
Friday, April 01, 2005
CHINA DEFIES WORLD TO SUPPORT EMBATTLE NEPAL KING
01 Apr 2005 11:41:11 GMT
Source: Reuters
KATHMANDU, April 1 2005(Reuters) -
China became on Friday the first major country to voice support for Nepal's King Gyanendra as the Chinese foreign minister ended a visit to the Himalayan nation globally isolated since the monarch seized power.
"The international community should respect the choice made by the Nepali people," Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei told a news briefing in Beijing.
"We support the king and the government of Nepal to ensure national stability and reconciliation and for economic development," Wu said.
Beijing had earlier described as Nepal's internal affair the king's move in February to sack the government, declare a state of emergency and arrest political leaders. The rest of the world urged Gyanendra to restore democracy. The latest comments could spark concerns in India -- Nepal's giant neighbour to the south and a key trading partner -- which, along with Britain and the United States, has pressured Gyanendra to revoke his decisions.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is due to tour South Asia next week and will be aiming to cement an improvement in Sino-Indian ties when he visits New Delhi.
Wu's comments came as Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing -- the first senior foreign official to visit Kathmandu since Gyanendra took power -- rounded off talks with the monarch in what is seen as a signal that China would maintain friendly ties with Nepal.
"The visit was full of positive results," Li told reporters at Kathmandu airport before leaving for the Maldives.
"We'll continue to make it even more fruitful for the benefit of our people," he said without elaborating.
Gyanendra justified his decision to assume power as a necessary move to crush a nine-year Maoist revolt in which more than 11,000 people have been killed.
The Maoists have been fighting since 1996 to replace the Hindu monarchy with a communist republic. They have called for a 11-day general strike across the landlocked nation from Saturday to protest over Gyanendra's assumption of power.
The Nepali army said it had stepped up security along highways, and soldiers would escort trucks carrying supplies to the capital.
"We'll make sure that there is no shortage of essential goods in Kathmandu," Brigadier General Dipak Gurung told Reuters. "We have taken steps to neutralise their move."
Nepalese generally heed rebel strike calls and few drivers dare to defy their ban on vehicles.
In February, the Maoists killed a driver and set several buses and cars on fire for defying a road blockade, disrupting supplies of petroleum products and essential goods to the hill-ringed capital for two weeks.
Officials said Kathmandu, home to 1.5 million people, had stocks of fuel and food supplies to last more than a month.
(Additional reporting by Lindsay Beck in BEIJING) Sphere: Related Content
Source: Reuters
KATHMANDU, April 1 2005(Reuters) -
China became on Friday the first major country to voice support for Nepal's King Gyanendra as the Chinese foreign minister ended a visit to the Himalayan nation globally isolated since the monarch seized power.
"The international community should respect the choice made by the Nepali people," Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei told a news briefing in Beijing.
"We support the king and the government of Nepal to ensure national stability and reconciliation and for economic development," Wu said.
Beijing had earlier described as Nepal's internal affair the king's move in February to sack the government, declare a state of emergency and arrest political leaders. The rest of the world urged Gyanendra to restore democracy. The latest comments could spark concerns in India -- Nepal's giant neighbour to the south and a key trading partner -- which, along with Britain and the United States, has pressured Gyanendra to revoke his decisions.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is due to tour South Asia next week and will be aiming to cement an improvement in Sino-Indian ties when he visits New Delhi.
Wu's comments came as Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing -- the first senior foreign official to visit Kathmandu since Gyanendra took power -- rounded off talks with the monarch in what is seen as a signal that China would maintain friendly ties with Nepal.
"The visit was full of positive results," Li told reporters at Kathmandu airport before leaving for the Maldives.
"We'll continue to make it even more fruitful for the benefit of our people," he said without elaborating.
Gyanendra justified his decision to assume power as a necessary move to crush a nine-year Maoist revolt in which more than 11,000 people have been killed.
The Maoists have been fighting since 1996 to replace the Hindu monarchy with a communist republic. They have called for a 11-day general strike across the landlocked nation from Saturday to protest over Gyanendra's assumption of power.
The Nepali army said it had stepped up security along highways, and soldiers would escort trucks carrying supplies to the capital.
"We'll make sure that there is no shortage of essential goods in Kathmandu," Brigadier General Dipak Gurung told Reuters. "We have taken steps to neutralise their move."
Nepalese generally heed rebel strike calls and few drivers dare to defy their ban on vehicles.
In February, the Maoists killed a driver and set several buses and cars on fire for defying a road blockade, disrupting supplies of petroleum products and essential goods to the hill-ringed capital for two weeks.
Officials said Kathmandu, home to 1.5 million people, had stocks of fuel and food supplies to last more than a month.
(Additional reporting by Lindsay Beck in BEIJING) Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Court martial for Nepal officers
Sushil Sharma
BBC News, Kathmandu
The Nepalese army has said that three senior officers are facing a court martial for allegedly committing human rights abuses.
The colonel and two captains were held in connection with the death of a teenage girl in custody last year.
The army has not disclosed the names of the accused. If found guilty they could be jailed for up to seven years.
An army official told the BBC that the colonel was the highest-ranking officer to date to have been court martialled.
'Committed'
The three are accused of involvement in the death of Maina Sunuwar, who was being held in custody in a barracks at Kavrepalanchok, north-east of the capital, Kathmandu, last year.
The army last week said it had taken action against more than 100 soldiers for committing excesses over the past three years of operations against Maoist rebels.
Most of them had been jailed, dismissed or demoted, it said.
Army officials say they are committed to respecting human rights and to punishing those found guilty of abuses.
There has been persistent national and international criticism of the army by human rights groups over alleged abuses during military operations against the Maoists, who have also been criticised.
About 11,000 people have died since the Maoist insurgency was launched 10 years ago to replace the monarchy with a communist republic.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/
Published: 2005/03/30 11:37:14 GMT© BBC MMV Sphere: Related Content
BBC News, Kathmandu
The Nepalese army has said that three senior officers are facing a court martial for allegedly committing human rights abuses.
The colonel and two captains were held in connection with the death of a teenage girl in custody last year.
The army has not disclosed the names of the accused. If found guilty they could be jailed for up to seven years.
An army official told the BBC that the colonel was the highest-ranking officer to date to have been court martialled.
'Committed'
The three are accused of involvement in the death of Maina Sunuwar, who was being held in custody in a barracks at Kavrepalanchok, north-east of the capital, Kathmandu, last year.
The army last week said it had taken action against more than 100 soldiers for committing excesses over the past three years of operations against Maoist rebels.
Most of them had been jailed, dismissed or demoted, it said.
Army officials say they are committed to respecting human rights and to punishing those found guilty of abuses.
There has been persistent national and international criticism of the army by human rights groups over alleged abuses during military operations against the Maoists, who have also been criticised.
About 11,000 people have died since the Maoist insurgency was launched 10 years ago to replace the monarchy with a communist republic.
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/
Published: 2005/03/30 11:37:14 GMT© BBC MMV Sphere: Related Content
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
| Journalists Rally in Nepal to End Censorship | |
29 March 2005 |
Nepalese journalists staged a protest in the capital, Kathmandu, to demand an end to government censorship.
More than 300 journalists marched through the city Tuesday, waving signs calling for freedom of the press and down with autocracy. Police did not break up the rally or make any arrests, as in previous protests.
Nepal's King Gyanendra dismissed the government on February 1, suspended civil liberties and imposed emergency rule. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) says at least 13 journalists have been detained since then.
The head of the organization says its members are going to fight until complete press freedom is restored in the country.
King Gyanendra said he made the power grab in order to subdue increasingly violent Maoist rebels.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Nepal activists held
| |
KATHMANDU: Nepali police detained at least seven anti-king activists in Kathmandu yesterday as they protested against King Gyanendra's seizure of power last month and called for restoration of political freedom.
Witnesses said the activists, including former legislators, were picked up from the heart of the the capital as they shouted anti-king slogans and waved the Nepali Congress party flags, ignoring a ban on protest rallies.
"Restore democracy," and "Withdraw the royal proclamation of emergency", the protesters shouted as riot police detained them.
Sphere: Related Content3 children die in Nepal explosion
Monday, March 28, 2005 at 09:48 JST
KATHMANDU — Three children were killed and three more were injured when an abandoned bomb exploded in southeastern Nepal on Sunday, officials said.
The blast occurred in Janakpur, about 100 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, around noon. Three children aged between 10 and 15 died. (Kyodo News) Sphere: Related Content
KATHMANDU — Three children were killed and three more were injured when an abandoned bomb exploded in southeastern Nepal on Sunday, officials said.
The blast occurred in Janakpur, about 100 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, around noon. Three children aged between 10 and 15 died. (Kyodo News) Sphere: Related Content
Saturday, March 26, 2005
17,000 Nepalese prostitutes in India
Kathmandu, March 26 : Around 17,000 Nepalese women are involved in prostitution in four major Indian cities, Xinhua quoted a women's group as saying Saturday.
The Asmita Women's Publication Group, a non-governmental organisation, released the figure after surveys of brothels in the red light areas of New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata.
The NGO team talked to Nepali women in the brothels.
"Most of them (Nepali women) fall prey to the avarice of family members. Local brokers come second in the line of the process of selling them there," the study said.
The study quoted the International Labour Organisation statistics as saying over 10,000 Nepalese women are taken to India for prostitution every year.
--Indo-Asian News Service Sphere: Related Content
The Asmita Women's Publication Group, a non-governmental organisation, released the figure after surveys of brothels in the red light areas of New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata.
The NGO team talked to Nepali women in the brothels.
"Most of them (Nepali women) fall prey to the avarice of family members. Local brokers come second in the line of the process of selling them there," the study said.
The study quoted the International Labour Organisation statistics as saying over 10,000 Nepalese women are taken to India for prostitution every year.
--Indo-Asian News Service Sphere: Related Content
Nepalese soldier arrested for murder
[Nepal News] Kathmandu, Mar 26 : A Royal Nepalese Army soldier has been arrested for allegedly killing a civilian.
Gobinda Karki allegedly opened fire at a trader Arjun Lamichhane of Manmaiju village on the outskirts of Kathmandu on Thursday night and injured him seriously, the Army sources said yesterday.
Arjun was then rushed to hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.
The soldier was under the influence of liquor when the incident occurred, the sources said, adding the Army arrested Karki along with the pistol used in the murder.
Three other persons, who allegedly helped Karki in the crime were also arrested, the sources added. PTI" Sphere: Related Content
Gobinda Karki allegedly opened fire at a trader Arjun Lamichhane of Manmaiju village on the outskirts of Kathmandu on Thursday night and injured him seriously, the Army sources said yesterday.
Arjun was then rushed to hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.
The soldier was under the influence of liquor when the incident occurred, the sources said, adding the Army arrested Karki along with the pistol used in the murder.
Three other persons, who allegedly helped Karki in the crime were also arrested, the sources added. PTI" Sphere: Related Content
Friday, March 25, 2005
Japan Today - News - Army hails rift in rebel ranks in insurgency-ravaged Nepal - Japan's Leading International News Network
Friday, March 25, 2005 at 08:44 JST
KATHMANDU — Nepal's army said Thursday it has gained an edge over warring Maoist guerrillas amid reports of a rift in the rebel ranks.
"The rift is good, we are getting the upper hand," army spokesman Brig. Gen. Deepak Kumar Gurung said.
Nepal's army said Thursday it has punished more than 100 soldiers for rights violations committed while fighting the communist insurgency in the kingdom.
"At least 40 incidents of rights violations have been probed so far, and 44 soldiers, including senior officers, have been jailed," army spokesman Brig. Gen. Deepak Kumar Gurung told a press briefing. (Kyodo News)
Sphere: Related Content
KATHMANDU — Nepal's army said Thursday it has gained an edge over warring Maoist guerrillas amid reports of a rift in the rebel ranks.
"The rift is good, we are getting the upper hand," army spokesman Brig. Gen. Deepak Kumar Gurung said.
Nepal's army said Thursday it has punished more than 100 soldiers for rights violations committed while fighting the communist insurgency in the kingdom.
"At least 40 incidents of rights violations have been probed so far, and 44 soldiers, including senior officers, have been jailed," army spokesman Brig. Gen. Deepak Kumar Gurung told a press briefing. (Kyodo News)
Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, March 24, 2005
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Nepal army admits rights abuses
The army in Nepal says it has taken action against more than 100 soldiers and officers accused of human rights abuses over the past three years.
The military say that the offences took place during fighting against Maoist rebels fighting to abolish the monarchy.
They say 44 people were jailed, while others were dismissed or demoted.
Human rights groups have in the past criticised what they called repeated abuses by the Nepalese army.
It says that it has been gaining the upper hand in recent months in the fight against the rebels, and that a rift in the Maoist ranks had helped the army operation.
About 11,000 people are estimated to have died in Nepal over the past 10 years, since the Maoists started an insurgency aimed at replacing the monarchy with a Communist republic. Sphere: Related Content
The military say that the offences took place during fighting against Maoist rebels fighting to abolish the monarchy.
They say 44 people were jailed, while others were dismissed or demoted.
Human rights groups have in the past criticised what they called repeated abuses by the Nepalese army.
It says that it has been gaining the upper hand in recent months in the fight against the rebels, and that a rift in the Maoist ranks had helped the army operation.
About 11,000 people are estimated to have died in Nepal over the past 10 years, since the Maoists started an insurgency aimed at replacing the monarchy with a Communist republic. Sphere: Related Content
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Nepal begins corruption inquiry
Tuesday, 22 March, 2005, 17:50 GMT
The king promised to crack down on corruption when he took over
Former Nepalese cabinet ministers are being questioned by a powerful new anti-corruption panel over alleged misuse of government funds.
Two former ministers were questioned on Tuesday after four others were quizzed on Monday.
They were the first to appear before the panel since a royal pledge to crack down on graft and corruption.
The Royal Commission was set up by the king last month, after he seized control of the country.
The commission has wide-ranging powers and is similar to a court of law.
The former ministers are alleged to have distributed more than $50,000 of state funds to their political supporters last year.
"We did not take the money... for personal use nor did we distribute the funds personally" Former Local Development Minister Yubraj Gyawali
The two questioned on Tuesday were former Land Reforms Minister, Jog Meher Shrestha and the former Local Development Minister, Yubraj Gyawali.
They and the four quizzed a day earlier were all cabinet ministers in the coalition government sacked by King Gyanendra last month, and all deny any wrongdoing, saying they are victims of a "political vendetta".
Commission officials deny the allegations and allege massive abuse of power by politicians belonging to previous regimes, but declined to give details.
One of the ministers being questioned, Homnath Dahal, said he would challenge the charges against him in the Supreme Court.
Call for talks
Several politicians have been detained since King Gyanendra sacked the previous government in February and imposed emergency rule.
They include two senior opposition leaders, former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist Madhav Kumar Nepal.
In a related development, Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was sacked from his post of prime minister by the king, has called for direct talks with the king to resolve the political crisis.
Mr Deuba also said an all-party government made up of opposition parties should be formed.
He was speaking to the BBC almost a week after being released from detention.
Last week the United Nations and international agencies warned that Nepal was on the brink of a humanitarian crisis after 10 years of bloody conflict between Maoist rebels and the government.
Sphere: Related Content
The king promised to crack down on corruption when he took over
Former Nepalese cabinet ministers are being questioned by a powerful new anti-corruption panel over alleged misuse of government funds.
Two former ministers were questioned on Tuesday after four others were quizzed on Monday.
They were the first to appear before the panel since a royal pledge to crack down on graft and corruption.
The Royal Commission was set up by the king last month, after he seized control of the country.
The commission has wide-ranging powers and is similar to a court of law.
The former ministers are alleged to have distributed more than $50,000 of state funds to their political supporters last year.
"We did not take the money... for personal use nor did we distribute the funds personally" Former Local Development Minister Yubraj Gyawali
The two questioned on Tuesday were former Land Reforms Minister, Jog Meher Shrestha and the former Local Development Minister, Yubraj Gyawali.
They and the four quizzed a day earlier were all cabinet ministers in the coalition government sacked by King Gyanendra last month, and all deny any wrongdoing, saying they are victims of a "political vendetta".
Commission officials deny the allegations and allege massive abuse of power by politicians belonging to previous regimes, but declined to give details.
One of the ministers being questioned, Homnath Dahal, said he would challenge the charges against him in the Supreme Court.
Call for talks
Several politicians have been detained since King Gyanendra sacked the previous government in February and imposed emergency rule.
They include two senior opposition leaders, former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist Madhav Kumar Nepal.
In a related development, Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was sacked from his post of prime minister by the king, has called for direct talks with the king to resolve the political crisis.
Mr Deuba also said an all-party government made up of opposition parties should be formed.
He was speaking to the BBC almost a week after being released from detention.
Last week the United Nations and international agencies warned that Nepal was on the brink of a humanitarian crisis after 10 years of bloody conflict between Maoist rebels and the government.
Sphere: Related Content
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Nepal's media warned against publishing anti-government news
[World News]: Kathmandu, Mar 18 : Nepal's authorities have warned the country's media to guard against publication of any news item that contradicts the royal proclamation issued by King Gyanendra after he seized power on February one.
Nepal's King had clamped press censorship after taking over power. Media in the Himalayan Kingdom had protested the strictures against it by leaving editorial pages blank.
The government has prohibited until six months from February 2, publication of interviews, articles, information or news that directly or indirectly goes against the Royal Proclamation or instigates terrorist activities, the Kathmandu District Administration Office said in a communique, the National News Agency said.
The notice comes a day after police interrogated the editor of Nepalese language 'Kantipur' daily for publishing a news report detailing the arrests made during anti-government demonstrations last week.
Nepal government has clamped press censorship and suspended publication and press freedom by imposing state of emergency on February one.
Half a dozen journalists have been detained in jail and several summoned by local authorities for questioning. PTI Sphere: Related Content
Nepal's King had clamped press censorship after taking over power. Media in the Himalayan Kingdom had protested the strictures against it by leaving editorial pages blank.
The government has prohibited until six months from February 2, publication of interviews, articles, information or news that directly or indirectly goes against the Royal Proclamation or instigates terrorist activities, the Kathmandu District Administration Office said in a communique, the National News Agency said.
The notice comes a day after police interrogated the editor of Nepalese language 'Kantipur' daily for publishing a news report detailing the arrests made during anti-government demonstrations last week.
Nepal government has clamped press censorship and suspended publication and press freedom by imposing state of emergency on February one.
Half a dozen journalists have been detained in jail and several summoned by local authorities for questioning. PTI Sphere: Related Content
Friday, March 18, 2005
Maoists go on rampage in eastern Nepal
[World News]: Kathmandu, March 17 : Nepal's Maoists, who announced a fresh spate of disruptions from March 14, went on a rampage in eastern Nepal, destroying a telecommunication tower and attacking two government offices, damaging property worth millions.
The Maoist guerrillas carried out the multi-pronged attack in Inarwa, headquarters of Sunsari district in eastern Nepal next to the Indian border.
A morning blast Wednesday destroyed the office of the state-run Nepal Telecom authorities, destroying property worth about Nepali Rs.500 million, the state media reported Thursday.
About 1,200 telephone lines in the headquarters were disrupted following the blast. The telephone lines of 19 other village development areas were also disconnected.
The outlaws also bombed the forest office and topography office Wednesday morning, destroying furniture, documents and records. The attacks come after the top leader of the rebels, Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, issued a statement last week, announcing his outlawed party would start a fresh round of disruptive activities from March 14 to protest against King Gyanendra's Feb 1 royal coup.
The rebels had called a 15-day blockade of Nepal's highways last month to protest against the royal takeover, threatening there would be more disruptions if the king did not rollback his action.
Nepal's media has remained silent on the Maoist agitation due to a ban slapped by the new regime on the media, asking them to report rebel activities only if they are issued by the security agencies. Despite the curb on the flow of information, the rebels have apparently started disruptions in the terai plains in eastern Nepal.
The state media reported the army was providing escorts to vehicles on the Mahendra highway in eastern Nepal and security pickets were patrolling the area.
It also said the army had defused bombs planted by the rebels in two southern districts, Makwanpur and Kapilavastu.
The state media held the outlaws responsible for the attack on an editor in eastern Nepal early this week.
Khagendra Shrestha, editor of a Nepalese publication, "Dharan Today", was shot in the head in Sunsari by a group of people in Sunsari. The army said six outlaws were killed in separate incidents this week during the course of search operations.
However, the news could not be confirmed independently.
Early this week, the army had said the outlawed Maoists had expelled their second most senior leader and his wife from the party. The same day the underground guerrillas issued a statement, denying the ouster of Baburam Bhattarai and his wife Hisila Yami.
--Indo-Asian News Service Sphere: Related Content
The Maoist guerrillas carried out the multi-pronged attack in Inarwa, headquarters of Sunsari district in eastern Nepal next to the Indian border.
A morning blast Wednesday destroyed the office of the state-run Nepal Telecom authorities, destroying property worth about Nepali Rs.500 million, the state media reported Thursday.
About 1,200 telephone lines in the headquarters were disrupted following the blast. The telephone lines of 19 other village development areas were also disconnected.
The outlaws also bombed the forest office and topography office Wednesday morning, destroying furniture, documents and records. The attacks come after the top leader of the rebels, Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda, issued a statement last week, announcing his outlawed party would start a fresh round of disruptive activities from March 14 to protest against King Gyanendra's Feb 1 royal coup.
The rebels had called a 15-day blockade of Nepal's highways last month to protest against the royal takeover, threatening there would be more disruptions if the king did not rollback his action.
Nepal's media has remained silent on the Maoist agitation due to a ban slapped by the new regime on the media, asking them to report rebel activities only if they are issued by the security agencies. Despite the curb on the flow of information, the rebels have apparently started disruptions in the terai plains in eastern Nepal.
The state media reported the army was providing escorts to vehicles on the Mahendra highway in eastern Nepal and security pickets were patrolling the area.
It also said the army had defused bombs planted by the rebels in two southern districts, Makwanpur and Kapilavastu.
The state media held the outlaws responsible for the attack on an editor in eastern Nepal early this week.
Khagendra Shrestha, editor of a Nepalese publication, "Dharan Today", was shot in the head in Sunsari by a group of people in Sunsari. The army said six outlaws were killed in separate incidents this week during the course of search operations.
However, the news could not be confirmed independently.
Early this week, the army had said the outlawed Maoists had expelled their second most senior leader and his wife from the party. The same day the underground guerrillas issued a statement, denying the ouster of Baburam Bhattarai and his wife Hisila Yami.
--Indo-Asian News Service Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Nepal's king uses media to seek edge over rebels
The Associated Press
Friday, March 18, 2005
KATMANDU, Nepal After King Gyanendra seized power on Feb. 1, his government censored the media, arrested journalists and closed down newspapers. Now the government is using the media as a propaganda tool in its fight against the country's Maoist rebels.
State-run media said this week that Maoist insurgents had expelled their deputy commander in a power struggle, suggesting there was a split in the outlawed group that has been fighting since 1996 to establish communist rule in Nepal.
Government officials had ordered privately run newspapers to publish stories citing the Royal Nepalese Army as a source. The government-run Gorkhapatra newspaper carried headlines in red and purple saying: "Crucial division in the Maoists - Dr. Baburam Bhattarai expelled."
Newspapers and television networks ignored a denial by the rebel group's spokesman, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who accused the government of using "divide-and-rule" tactics against the rebels. "We urge everyone not to be taken in by the conspiracy and false information against our campaign, leaders, supporters and activists," Mahara said in a statement Wednesday.
After King Gyanendra, a constitutional monarch, seized power, he dismissed the cabinet, imposed emergency rule and suspended civil liberties. The king says he was forced to act because of the insurgency, and he has ignored repeated international calls to restore democracy.
Since then, Maoist rebels and the army have issued separate statements almost daily, claiming victories on the battle front. Government claims are quickly disseminated through state-run television, radio and newspapers. The rebels have no such access to media.
Several journalists have been arrested since Feb. 1, and government censorship has forced newspapers to shut down. Journalists have repeatedly been threatened by the authorities. During the first days of the seizure, soldiers were stationed in private newspapers and television stations to approve news materials.
Sphere: Related Content
Friday, March 18, 2005
KATMANDU, Nepal After King Gyanendra seized power on Feb. 1, his government censored the media, arrested journalists and closed down newspapers. Now the government is using the media as a propaganda tool in its fight against the country's Maoist rebels.
State-run media said this week that Maoist insurgents had expelled their deputy commander in a power struggle, suggesting there was a split in the outlawed group that has been fighting since 1996 to establish communist rule in Nepal.
Government officials had ordered privately run newspapers to publish stories citing the Royal Nepalese Army as a source. The government-run Gorkhapatra newspaper carried headlines in red and purple saying: "Crucial division in the Maoists - Dr. Baburam Bhattarai expelled."
Newspapers and television networks ignored a denial by the rebel group's spokesman, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who accused the government of using "divide-and-rule" tactics against the rebels. "We urge everyone not to be taken in by the conspiracy and false information against our campaign, leaders, supporters and activists," Mahara said in a statement Wednesday.
After King Gyanendra, a constitutional monarch, seized power, he dismissed the cabinet, imposed emergency rule and suspended civil liberties. The king says he was forced to act because of the insurgency, and he has ignored repeated international calls to restore democracy.
Since then, Maoist rebels and the army have issued separate statements almost daily, claiming victories on the battle front. Government claims are quickly disseminated through state-run television, radio and newspapers. The rebels have no such access to media.
Several journalists have been arrested since Feb. 1, and government censorship has forced newspapers to shut down. Journalists have repeatedly been threatened by the authorities. During the first days of the seizure, soldiers were stationed in private newspapers and television stations to approve news materials.
Sphere: Related Content
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