|
|
|
:: NEPAL |
Maoists forcing child soldiers to return: UN
KATHMANDU - The UN Thursday expressed concern that Nepal's Maoists were forcing child soldiers to return to the barracks, reinforcing accusations against the rebels for violating the peace accord on its first anniversary.
Republican system impossible without poll: NC leader
KATHMANDU -- A top leader of Nepal's largest political party running the coalition government has said a Republican system can never be established in the country if the constituent assembly elections were postponed.
Nepal-India joint effort can resolve Terai insecurity, says PM Koirala
BIRATNAGAR -- Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Friday said that the mounting violence, killings and robberies in Terai could be resolved 'in a minute' if Nepal and India work together.
Nepal's 'Daniel Pearl' feared killed by Maoists
KATHMANDU -- Nearly four weeks after he was marched off at gunpoint by masked abductors and went missing despite a manhunt by security forces, there are growing fears that Nepal's TV journalist Birendra Shah has been killed by Maoists.
Nepal government, Maoists gear up for house battle
KATHMANDU -- Rejecting Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's proposal to withdraw their demands from parliament and avert a confrontation, Nepal's Maoists are Monday pressing for a vote in the house -- which is likely to plunge the nation into another crisis.
Nepal king, PM continue rivalry for religious role
KATHMANDU -- Though the era of all-powerful kings has given way to an all-powerful prime minister's rule in Nepal, premier Girija Prasad Koirala still faces an uphill task vanquishing King Gyanendra's charisma among devout Hindus.
Nepal set to get IAEA membership: report
Nepal may soon join the global nuclear watchdog IAEA as a member after receiving the approval of the UN body so as to facilitate trade in nuclear material to boost its agriculture and medical sector.
Nepal polls called off over Maoist demands
Elections to decide Nepal's future were postponed indefinitely on Friday, ministers said, as government and Maoists squabbled over the fate of the monarchy and election systems.
Nepal making no progress in business and economic reforms: WB report
Nepal has ranked 111th in the list of 178 countries in terms of making progress in business and economic reforms, a new research by World Bank says.
Nepal, India agree to beef up security along border ahead of CA polls
Kathmandu: The security along Nepal-India border is being beefed up to strengthen the security along 17,00 Km-plus open and porous border ahead of the Constituent Assembly elections slated for November 22.
Nepal's Naysayers
The Maoists' decision to walk out of the interim government sets the clock back for Nepal's fragile democracy. Yes, the Maoist leadership has promised to press its demands peacefully. But the veiled threat to disrupt the polls scheduled in November to elect a constituent assembly doesn't augur well for the country. It is not clear why the Maoists have resorted to brinkmanship. There is speculation that it could be a fallout of differences within the party.
Nepal's Maoists under fire from key donors
Nepal's key international donors have hit out at the country's former Maoist rebels for jeopardising a 10-month-old peace process by storming out of government and launching a strike campaign.
UN asks Nepal Govt, Maoists to reach political compromise
The UN has urged the Nepal government and the Maoists to reach a political compromise in the broader interest of the landmark peace process, after the former rebels quit the ministry over differences on their demands for declaring the country a republic.
Nepal takes tip from Bhutan
Taking a lesson from the neighbouring Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan, Nepal's Election Commission have started organising "mock" elections in the insurgency-ravaged Himalayan nation.
Maoist Report Card
The 40-point demand of the Maoists before they took up arms in 1996 didn't call specifically for the abolishment of the monarchy. However, Prachanda said in his interview to the BBC soon after Jana Andolan-2 that the combined effect of the forty points was abolition of the monarchy. Therefore, the Maoists will be judged on the basis of only one thing, i.e. whether or not they will be able to abolish the monarchy. Their demand for a constituent assembly can be seen as a means, not an end, to achieve other goals such as making the people sovereign and restructuring the state.
Obstacles to Nepal's Peace Process
Concerns for the future
It is because of my own personal admiration for Nepal, and my country's interest in your successful democratic transition, that I came to speak with you today (June 12). I am concerned about the future of Nepal.
Prasai, Koirala and the Blind Eye
The series of allegations and counter allegations between the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-M that was triggered by the dramatic arrest of "wanted man" Sitaram Prasai has ended. According to reports, NC President and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who, following Prasai's handover to the police by the Maoists' Young Communist League (YCL), had dubbed the latter as "a criminal group", and Maoist Chairman Prachanda, who had in turn called Koirala "a protector of corruption", have agreed not to speak against each other publicly in the future. The agreement reached in Baluwatar may have patched up the differences between the two sides but it must have come as a rude reminder to those buying the dream of a New Nepal sold by the same old politicians.
Even after king's ouster, torture thrives in Nepal: report
Kathmandu, June 26 (IANS) Though King Gyanendra's 15-month regime, marked by violation of human rights, arbitrary arrests and a media gag ended more than a year ago, torture still continues in Nepal with the Maoist guerrillas outdoing the army, a report said.
Nepal Must End Political Indoctrination of Children, UN Says
Nepal's government must prevent the political indoctrination of children and protect the rights of minors affected by a 10-year insurgency that ended with a peace accord with rebels last year, the United Nations said.
Nepal monarchy's fate sealed?
The Nepalese monarchy, which has ruled the kingdom for almost 240 years, was effectively ended when the previously pro-monarchist Prime Minister said it was time to clear the way for a republic.
Virtual Republic
Nepal 's political waters are being roiled once again, with King Gyanendra at the centre of fresh controversies.He tried to defend his role in bringing down a civilian government and concentrating power in his own hands in February 2005, which has provoked Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to call on Gyanendra and his son, crown prince Paras, to abdicate.
India yet to endorse UN role in Nepal
NEW DELHI, May 29: As the Government in Nepal prepares to invite the UN into the peace process with the Maoists, India is yet to make up its mind on the timing and the nature of the external involvement in the Himalayan nation. The 25-point code of conduct signed by the Government and the Maoists last Friday agreed to call upon the UN to monitor the ceasefire.
Border crossings
India cannot refrain from greater intervention in Sri Lanka and Nepal
As a peace process takes shape in Nepal after the popular movement last month against an autocratic monarchy, another is coming under intense strain in Sri Lanka. Both these South Asian security challenges demand India’s deep involvement, including political and military steps, in assisting the former and preventing the collapse of the latter.
For Nepal & India, the road ahead is difficult
MOMENTOUS THOUGH the events and accomplishments of the past few weeks have been, the struggle for democracy in Nepal is perhaps entering its most difficult phase only now. As the country moves towards elections to a constituent assembly, the ingenuity and wisdom of not just the Nepalese political forces but also of India will be put to the test.
India watches Nepal Maoists with some concern
New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) With Nepal getting a new government, India is watching closely Kathmandu's overtures to Maoist guerrillas who remain a source of worry for New Delhi.
Now for a Constituent Assembly
Empowered through battle, a victorious people savour their moment.
WHAT NEPAL has witnessed over the past three weeks is a show of popular defiance unique in the world. Unlike the "velvet" and "colour" demonstrations in the former Soviet bloc countries which received so much moral and financial support from Western Governments, the people of Nepal have had to stare down the advice from Western chancelleries — as well as India — to give up their struggle for democracy mid-course.
In Nepal, the beginning of the end
People power has forced Gyanendra to cede executive power. But only a democratically elected Constituent Assembly can bring the people true sovereignty.
IN THE fullness of time, King Gyanendra — like other monarchs and ex-monarchs who litter the pages of history — will also realise that revolutions have a horology of their own and do not respect the neat rhythms that kings and generals try to impose on them.
Gyanendra’s time is up
By his reckless actions, the king has made himself the main problem in Nepal
That he has managed to get Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury, former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra and US President George W. Bush on the same side of the debate on Nepal reveals all you need to know about King Gyanendra’s ham-handed power play in the Himalayan kingdom.
The countdown in Kathmandu has begun
India's Nepal dilemma must be resolved soon, in favour of popular sovereignty.
AS THE date for the launch of a new nationwide agitation against the autocratic rule of King Gyanendra approaches, all the players on the Nepalese political stage are being forced to confront the imminence of their own particular moment of reckoning. All except India, that is.
In Nepal it is a three-horse race once again
An experiment with peace by Nepal’s Maoists worked quite satisfactorily for four months. The average of ten killings a day dropped down to less than one, and tourist traffic into the country increased by 15 per cent as guns fell silent in Nepal during the period. But on January 2, the Maoists declared an end to the truce and announced resumption of violence, asserting that “the right to revolt against the feudal tyranny is our biggest human right”. In the first three days, there were about half a dozen explosions in different parts of the country, including one in western Mahendra Nagar in which three security personnel were wounded.
Nepal shuts down Magsaysay-winning radio station
Kathmandu, Nov 28 (IANS) Nepal's beleaguered radio broadcasters have came under another attack with the government closing down the oldest community radio station that had fetched its founder, journalist Bharat Dutt Koirala, the prestigious Magsaysay award.
The China factor: Nepal king blows hot, communists blow cold
Kathmandu, Nov 14 (IANS) Proving once again that politics makes strange bedfellows, Nepal's King Gyanendra has cosied up to China while the kingdom's communist parties say Beijing has deviated from communist ideals.
"The struggle against King Gyanendra should be made bipolar"
What are the prospects of an early return to democracy in Nepal?
King's men up in arms over Indian leaders' Nepal visit
Kathmandu, Sep 28: Angered by the Indian political parties' decision to send a team to assess the political situation in Nepal, King Gyanendra's government has begun a campaign against the visit, saying it amounted to interference in the kingdom's internal matters.
India counters Nepal's grouse about INSAS rifles
Kathmandu, Aug 13: Stung by Nepal blaming its indigenously manufactured INSAS assault rifles for a punishing defeat by Maoist rebels, India Saturday said there was nothing wrong with the weapons even as it tacitly questioned the Nepalese army's expertise.
50 Nepalese soldiers killed in clash with Maoists
Kathmandu, Aug 11: Nepal's army has reportedly lost 10 more soldiers in an overnight clash with communist insurgents in a district in midwestern Nepal, taking the death toll to 50 since the skirmish broke out two-days ago.
UN politics to bring India, Nepal closer?
Kathmandu, July 27: While India is concerned over King Gyanendra's royal coup and Nepal is unhappy with New Delhi's suspension of non-lethal military aid, UN politics is likely to bring the estranged neighbours closer.
India confident of Nepal supporting UNSC bid
New Delhi, July 21: Despite calling for restoration of democracy and constitutional monarchy in Nepal, New Delhi is confident that King Gyanendra will repeat his country's support to India's quest for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC).
Of vanishing horsemen and new power riders
(LETTER FROM KAZAKHSTAN)
Astana, July 17: Myths clash with reality as one walks across spanking new streets of Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan. 'Unreal city,' as American poet T.S. Eliot would have said.
Indian visitors bail out ailing Nepal tourism
Kathmandu, July 10: The arrival of summer and Indian tourists has revved up plummeting tourist figures for Nepal's ailing tourism industry. Indian tourists account for 61 percent of the market share, up five percent from last year, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The number of visitors to Nepal by air increased by one percent in June over last year. This can be attributed primarily to slashing fares and a domestic Nepalese airline starting flights to New Delhi.
Is Nepal turning into tourists' peril?
Kathmandu, June 18: Is Nepal, once called the Shangri-la or abode of peace, turning into a tourists' peril with several cases of foreigners going missing in the Himalayan kingdom over the last few years?
Another civilian killed in Nepal crossfire
Kathmandu, June 10: A middle-aged woman became the latest civilian casualty in the escalating conflict between Nepal's Maoist insurgents and security forces, less than a week after a mine planted by the rebels blasted a bus and killed 42 passengers.
India backs roadmap to democracy in Nepal
New Delhi, June 9: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday told Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala that India fully supported a roadmap prepared by the seven-party alliance in Nepal for restoration of democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.
Nepalese bureaucrat kills himself
Kathmandu, June 9: The controversial multi-million dollar drinking water project, that sent Nepal's former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and an ex-minister to prison, claimed a new victim Thursday.
53 die as Nepal Maoists blow up bus
Kathmandu, June 6: At least 53 people were killed Monday in perhaps the biggest civilian casualty in the nine years of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal when a landmine planted by the rebels blew a passenger bus to pieces.
Nepal mulls gas supply from Bangladesh via India
Kathmandu, June 6: Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh are considering a gas pipeline project that will traverse through India, the Kathmandu Post daily reported Monday.
Maoist-hit Nepal tourism tries diplomatic 'immunity'
Kathmandu, May 18 (IANS) Nepal has roped in top British and French diplomats in its efforts to revive the tourism industry hit by nine years of Maoist insurgency and the recent three-month state of emergency.
Deuba calls probe commission illegal
Kathmandu, May 17: As a special court Tuesday started proceedings against deposed Nepalese prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba over alleged irregularities in a multi-million drinking water project, the arrested premier called the move a mockery of justice and illegal.
Army curtails Red Cross work in Nepal
Kathmandu, May 14: The new government in Nepal has curtailed the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which enjoys the goodwill of Maoist insurgents.
Maoists attack Nepal troops, 33 die
Kathmandu, May 10: An overnight Maoist offensive against Nepal's security forces left at least 30 people dead in the Himalayan kingdom while three guerrillas were killed in a bomb explosion.
India to resume arms supplies to Nepal
New Delhi, May 10: India Tuesday announced it was resuming arms supplies to Nepal to combat the Maoist insurgency and hoped that King Gyanendra would take "further early steps" towards restoring democracy in the kingdom.
Deuba's man barred from leaving Kathmandu
Kathmandu, May 10: A senior Nepali Congress (Democratic) politician was Tuesday stopped by the security forces from flying out of Kathmandu only hours after he met top US official Christina Rocca.
SAARC Information Centre set up in Nepal
Kathmandu, May 10: A South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Information Centre has been set up in this Nepali capital and will act as a regional information bank for member countries, Xinhua reports.
Rocca discusses Nepal, Bangladesh with Indian officials
New Delhi, May 9: US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca Monday met senior Indian officials here and discussed developments in Nepal and Bangladesh.
Annan urges restoration of democracy in Nepal
New Delhi, April 28: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Thursday urged King Gyanendra of Nepal to return to constitutional rule and allow political parties to resume their activities.
Restore democracy, we'll 'look into' military aid: India to Nepal
Jakarta, April 23 (IANS) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday met Nepal's King Gyanendra and urged him to formulate a roadmap for restoring democracy, even as he promised to "look into" the monarch's request for resuming military assistance.
Nepal to allow UN to monitor human rights abuses
Kathmandu, April 12: In a pre-emptive move to forestall harsher measures against it, Nepal has signed an agreement with the UN to allow its staff to monitor human rights abuses in the kingdom,.
'SSB stopped militant activity on Nepal, Bhutan borders'
New Delhi, March 27: The deployment of the paramilitary Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on the borders with Nepal and Bhutan has checked activities by subversive, militant and fundamentalist elements, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said here Sunday.
Former Nepalese minister sets terms for rapprochement with king
Kathmandu, Feb 26: A senior minister in the ousted Sher Bahadur Deuba government has said if King Gyanendra wants a rapprochement with Nepal's political parties he has to first release their detained leaders, lift the state of emergency and allow democratic institutions to function.
Indian investor has confidence in Nepal: Minister
Kathmandu, Feb 23: The Indian government may have suspended military aid to Nepal, but the independent Indian investor is ready to put in money in the kingdom, says Nepal's Finance Minister Madhukar Shumsher J.B. Rana.
Indo-Nepal ties a story of wasted chances: Minister
Kathmandu, Feb 22: (IANS) The new Nepal government is "very serious" about its commitments with India, says the country's new Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, calling relations with its neighbour a "story of wasted opportunities".
India suspends military aid to Nepal
Kathmandu, Feb 22: India has conveyed to the new Nepalese regime that it will put its military assistance to the Royal Nepalese Army on hold and has called for the release of arrested political leaders and members of civil society.
Now SAFTA meet cancelled
Kathmandu, Feb 19: A key meeting on the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) pact, which is to come into effect by 2006, has been cancelled close on the heels of the postponement of the 13th SAARC summit.
Gyanendra has miscalculated, says Sujata Koirala (INTERVIEW)
New Delhi, Feb 14: "Monarchy is doomed. The king (of Nepal) has badly miscalculated. Earlier, only the Maoists were his enemy. Now, he has made an enemy of all political parties," says Sujata Koirala, the daughter of former Nepalese prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala,.
Political parties unite for democracy in Nepal
New Delhi, Feb 14: Six leading political parties of Nepal have decided to bury their ideological differences and form a united front for the restoration of democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.
King appoints father's favourites as deputies
Kathmandu, Feb 14: Following in his father's footsteps, Nepal's King Gyanendra Monday appointed two former prime ministers who have remained consistently loyal to the palace as his deputies.
Indian ambassador meets Nepal army chief
Kathmandu, Feb 8: Indian Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee met Nepal's army chief, Gen. Pyar Jung Thapa, to discuss the issue of continued Indian military assistance to the kingdom to combat Maoist insurgency.
Nepal Army chief pleads for continued arms supplies
New Delhi/Kathmandu, Feb 8: Nepal has pleaded with India not to suspend military assistance to its forces, saying such a move would put the country's security in serious jeopardy.
Two tremors in Nepal leave people shaken
Kathmandu, Feb 8: Two tremors shook northern Nepal Tuesday morning, adding to apprehensions in a country limping back to normalcy after the dismissal of the Deuba government, a royal takeover and the imposition of emergency.
Nepal gets connected to the world again
Kathmandu, Feb 8: Peals of joy rang across Nepal, literally, as long distance and internet connections were allowed to resume almost a week after they were shut down in the wake of King Gyanendra dismissing the Deuba government and instituting a new one under his chairmanship.
Tales of torture, rights abuse emerge from Nepal
Sydney, Feb 7: Tales of systematic arrests of politicians, alleged torture of students and targeting of rights activists have emerged from rural Nepal in the wake of the royal coup.
BBC stringer missing in Nepal, two journalists arrested
Kathmandu, Feb 6: A stringer for BBC in Nepal has "disappeared" while two top office bearers of a Nepalese journalists' body have been arrested following the state of emergency declared in the kingdom Feb 1, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said here Sunday.
Nepal to form team to talk with Maoists: minister
Kathmandu, Feb 7: The new government of Nepal headed by the king will form a team to start peace talks with Maoist insurgents, a Nepalese minister has said.
Royal takeover in Nepal may harm tourism
Kathmandu, Feb 7: Nepal may lose its standing as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in Asia in the wake of the Feb 1 royal takeover and imposition of emergency in the kingdom.
Nepal move a setback for democracy:
Washington, Feb 4 (IANS) Criticising Nepalese King Gyanendra for sacking the government and assuming executive powers, the US said it was seeking help from Nepal's neighbours to see a return to normalcy in the Himalayan kingdom.
Nepalese king unveils new cabinet
Kathmandu, Feb 2: Nepal's King Gyanendra announced his new council of ministers Wednesday, a day after he sacked the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba government and imposed emergency in the Himalayan kingdom, reports Xinhua.
At least 40 people killed in Nepal accident
Kathmandu, Jan 22: At least 40 people of a marriage party were killed when the bus they were travelling in met with an accident in Nepal.
India-Nepal talks will be watched by Maoists
Kathmandu, Jan 19: The two-day meeting between the home secretaries of India and Nepal that starts in New Delhi Wednesday to discuss updating the 50-year-old extradition pact will be closely watched by Maoists here. Maoists accuse India of violating the extradition treaty between the two countries.
|
|
