Monthly Archives: January 2007

United Nations Security Council Resolution on Nepal

Posted on January 24, 2007 by | 1 Comment

For the record: The following is the full text of the United Nations Security Council resolution, adopted on Tuesday authorizing establishment of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

The Security Council,

*Welcoming the signing on 21 November by the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and the stated commitment of both parties to transforming the existing ceasefire into a permanent and sustainable peace and commending the steps taken to date to implement the Agreement,

*Taking note of the request of the parties for United Nations assistance in implementing key aspects of the Agreement, in particular monitoring of arrangements relating to the management of arms and armed personnel of both sides and election monitoring,

*Recalling the letter of the Secretary-General of 22 November 2006 (S/2006/920) and the statement of its President of 1 December (S/PRST/2006/49), and welcoming progress made in dispatching an advance deployment of monitors and electoral personnel to Nepal,

*Recognizing the strong desire of the Nepalese people for peace and the restoration of democracy and the importance in this respect of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and encouraging the parties to maintain that momentum,

*Recognizing the need to pay special attention to the needs of women, children and traditionally marginalized groups in the peace process, as mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,

*Welcoming the Secretary-General’s report of 9 January 2007 (S/2007/7) and having considered its recommendations, which are based on the request of the signatories of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the findings of the technical assessment mission,

*Expressing its readiness to support the peace process in Nepal in the timely and effective implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,

*Reaffirming the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Nepal and its ownership of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,

UN Political Mission in Nepal
Kathmandu: The Security Council Tuesday (23 Jan) established a United Nations political mission in Nepal to oversee the peace process in the country, following an historic agreement reached last November by the CPN-Maoist and government aimed at ending 10 years of bloody civil war. By a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council decided that the UN political mission in Nepal (UNMIN), to be headed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, will have 12-month mandate which could be terminated or extended depending on a request from the government, according to the UN news center.

The Council also took note of the Secretary-General’s expectation that the operation “will be a focused mission of limited duration.” The resolution outlined main tasks for the mission, which will manage arms and armed personnel from both the government and the Maoists, in line with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and support this year’s planned Constituent Assembly elections. As part of its work, the UNMIN will “provide technical support for the planning, preparation and conduct of the election of a Constituent Assembly in a free and fair atmosphere, in consultation with the parties” and “provide a small team of electoral monitors to review all technical aspects of the electoral process, and report on the conduct of the election.”

*Expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Representative, the United Nations Country Team including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other United Nations representatives in Nepal,

1. Decides to establish a United Nations political mission in Nepal (UNMIN) under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General and with the following mandate based on the recommendations of the Secretary-General in his report:

(a) To monitor the management of arms and armed personnel of both sides, in line with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement;

(b) To assist the parties through a Joint Monitoring Coordinating Committee in implementing their agreement on the management of arms and armed personnel of both sides, as provided for in that agreement;

(c) To assist in the monitoring of the ceasefire arrangements;

(d) To provide technical support for the planning, preparation and conduct of the election of a Constituent Assembly in a free and fair atmosphere, in consultation with the parties;

(e) To provide a small team of electoral monitors to review all technical aspects of the electoral process, and report on the conduct of the election;

2. Decides that the mandate of UNMIN, in view of the particular circumstances, will be for a period of 12 months from the date of this resolution, and expresses its intention to terminate or further extend that mandate upon request of the Government of Nepal, taking into consideration the Secretary-General’s expectation that UNMIN will be a focussed mission of limited duration;

3. Welcomes the Secretary-General’s proposal that his Special Representative will coordinate the United Nations effort in Nepal in support of the peace process, in close consultation with the relevant parties in Nepal and in close cooperation with other international actors;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council regularly informed of progress in implementing this resolution;

5. Requests the parties in Nepal to take the necessary steps to promote the safety, security and freedom of movement of UNMIN and associated personnel in executing the tasks defined in the mandate;

6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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Posted in Peace Process 2

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Nepal Government Calls Protesting Groups for Talks

Posted on January 23, 2007 by | Leave a comment

The government of Nepal has called all the groups protesting in terai region for talks. According to reports, today’s special meeting of the council of ministers called all groups protesting in terai region for talks to solve the impasse. The cabinet also decided to give one million rupees to each person killed during the protests in Lahan district. Two protestors have been killed during the protest programme held after the murder of a student, Ramesh Mahato, reportedly by a bullet fired by a Maoist cadre, during a rally called by the Madhesi Janadhikar forum. The meeting also decided to provide free treatment facilities to all people injured during the protests in Lahan.

The meeting also approved the judicial commission formed by the Home Ministry to probe the Lahan incident. The Home Ministry had formed a three member judicial commission headed by Judge of Patan Appellate Court Janardan Bahadur Khadka to probe the incident. Yesterday’s meeting of the ruling seven party alliance and the Maoists asked the government to form high level commission to probe the Siraha incident and also provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased people.

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Posted in Ek Chhin

23 Jan As per the decision of the government of Nepal made in July last year, the Nepali Army (NA) has set up two separate battalions with the objective of including Madhesi and Kirat community. According to NA spokesperson Brigadier … Continue reading →

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Posted on January 23, 2007 by

Two killed in fresh Lahan unrest, curfew imposed again Jan 22- The relative calm in unrest-torn Lahan today morning proved short-lived when tensions soared in the afternoon after two people were killed in fresh clashes between police and protestors. The … Continue reading →

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Posted on January 22, 2007 by

Nepal Terai Tension: PM Calls For All-Party Meeting

Posted on January 21, 2007 by | 1 Comment

Jan 21- Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has called for an eight-party meeting Monday (22 Jan) morning to discuss the worsening situation in Lahan, where violence flared up following Friday’s killing of a teenager. The PM called for the meeting at his residence at Baluwatar at 8 a.m. tomorrow, sources said. The meeting will also be attended by Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) leaders. Meanwhile, Siraha District Administration today clamped a 15-hour curfew in Lahan and surrounding areas for the third consecutive day to foil any further violence. A curfew order from 11 this morning till 2 am tonight has been issued. Security was beefed up since the morning in Lahan but sensing an eruption in violence and vandalism again by the demonstrators, the local administration decided to impose the curfew again. (background)

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Posted in Ek Chhin

Jan 21- 35 additional containers are being brought to Kathmandu by Friday (26 Jan) for the storage of Nepal Army weapons. According to military sources, the arms containers to store NA weapons are being brought in to coincide with the … Continue reading →

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Posted on January 21, 2007 by

Hi Hi America, Hi Hi Hillary

Posted on January 21, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Hillary Clinton

So Hilary Clinton has decided to take part in the 2008 United States presidential race. What does that mean to us, the people in Nepal who are far away from the US? But hey how far can you be from America if you are living in this world? If life is a meal, America is the chatni (pickle) without which the food becomes tasteless. You get your daily dose of pickle in your life via countless mediums. Internet is America, TV is America, Film is America, Coca Cola is America. Heck, I am not typing Nepal is America and the world is America. Does that really matter? A small event in America is BIG for the world and makes it to our living room in an instant. Why go for other, take this (the Hilary Clinton announcement) as an example. Hillary has just disclosed her intention of entering into the presidential contest, she hasn’t even secured the nomination from her party (Democratic) yet. The election is months away and God only knows if she will win or not, first the Democratic nomination, then the United States presidency.

I can’t believe I wrote a blog in November 4, 2004 titled “Congratulations President Bush! Hillary, are you ready?” While congratulating George W. Bush for his reelection (“Though I endorsed Senator Kerry’s effort for the White House…,” I wrote) I had ended my blog with these lines:

“Let me end this blog with a hopeful note. I genuinely expect Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to run for the 2008 Presidency. That can be possible. She should be prepared for that race. The US needs a female president which will create history on its own. Hillary, are you ready?”

Did Hillary read my blog post and decide not to disappoint me? :)

Whatever is the case, I am sure the time has changed and there is a brand new competitor for Hillary: Senator Barack Obama. Ever since I learned about this guy, I have been thinking about the possibility of the United States with a black President. Obama is not just a black; he is indeed a talented fellow with a charismatic personality. This year too my support goes to the Democratic candidate (as if that mattered to the Democratic Party!) but who will be the lucky one (Hillary or Obama) is still not decided. [After all as a citizen of this world, I think I must have my say over the American politics, economy, culture and many other things because whatever happens there definitely affects us.] Both Hillary and Barack Obama will create history in the US if they become successful in their aspirations. So for the next few weeks, I will play neutral and, for now, extend my best wishes to Hillary Rodham Clinton.

>> Pics above, taken from Hillary Clinton web site, show phuchhi Hillary and Lady Hillary.

[UWB Note: This blog was originally posted on Wagle Street Journal. Click for the original post and the discussion: Hi Hi America, Hi Hi Hillary

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Posted in American Elections

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Again Nepal Banda: Bus Wallas Protest

Posted on January 21, 2007 by | 41 Comments

For the record (22 Jan): The Banda continued. Two boys killed in Lahan.
……….
nepal banda chakka jam

Normal life in the city was disrupted and people had to walk, like these women with a kid in Koteshwor, because of banda. Pics by Wagle

In an IM conversation yesterday afternoon, an American girl who was here in Kathmandu a few weeks ago had asked me the latest from the city. “Everything is fine,” I had replied. “Traffic is okay. No rallies.” I went to New Baneswor half an hour after that and saw a protest rally of Madhesis. Traffic was disturbed but not as badly as today. Yes, after posting these lines, I will have to walk to office, a job that I don’t really like though I love walking.
The National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs have called an indefinite traffic strike (chakka jam) today to protest the torching of public vehicles in Lahan on Friday (19 Jan). Once journalist Bijay Kumar talked about difficulties in predicting Nepali politics. As the editor of Nepal Magazine that had to be in press almost a week ahead of publication date, he faced a peculiar challenge: to make the magazine seemed like produced just a day before by writing in such a way that even if the context is changed, the write-up remains fresh and up to date. He became successful in almost all issues but it’s indeed hard to predict the political and other developments in today’s Nepal. The trend of creating anarchy and take advantage of such situation has increased over the past several months. There is a kind of planned competition to exploit the situation. You never know what’s going to happen when. Anyone can call a Nepal banda any time. General public has to face the difficulties caused by such prompt and unnecessary decisions. Public have always become the victim of such bandas in the past. What can they do other than quietly suffer? -Wagle

nepal banda chakka jam

There were hardly any four wheelers on the street today but I saw several motorcycles. Bikers faced assault and foul words from arrogant drivers and other staffs of buses who were supporting the banda and were active in disrupting the vehicular movement in key sections of different streets. Bus staffs, like the man on right, were particularly unhappy with young motorcycle riders. “You guys ask too much money if our bus hits you,” said an angry man. “And now you are disobeying our call for banda and riding bike? Return to where you came form or I will blow the tires of your bikes.”

The organizers/supporters of today’s traffic banda were rude and assaulted the motorbike wallas. Here is what I saw in Koteshwor. After all, every dog has his day.

In previous Nepal bandas, these transport entrepreneurs and bus staffs were one of the most affacted groups. Today, they were one who were stopping vehicles from playing on the street.

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Posted in Nepali Society 2

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Musical Stardom: Story of Three Nepali Singers

Posted on January 20, 2007 by | 6 Comments

jabeek babu bogati rajeev lohani

Saturday Blog: Small it is but vibrant Nepali music industry has immense reach in all stratums of Nepali society that you can be a national celebrity with only one hit song. Proof? Read the story of these young guys (in the pic above): Jabeek (left), Rajeev Lohani (right) and Babu Bogati (middle). [The following is extract from the story, in Nepali, that originally appeared in today's Kosilee (Kantipur daily). Here is the full story.]

By Dinesh Wagle
Wagle Street Journal (Nepali Music: Vibrant and Growing)

Meet Jabeek, the latest sensation in Nepali music industry, for whom one song, yes one song, and a few months time was enough to become a celebrity in Kathmandu.

Why tears in eyes?
Why wounds in the heart?
Why cry?
Remembering the one who left?

Yes, there is absolutely no point in crying and remembering the one who left you behind but this song by the Shyanjali boy who prefers to be known by one name dominated the Nepali musical scenario in such a way that it’s almost impossible to forget Jabeek. It’s hard to believe that Jabeek, one of the most happening celebrities of today’s Kathmandu, was an unknown boy until a few months ago. Envying? Don’t worry; the life of this ‘one song wonder’ isn’t as rosy as you would like to think. “Many people recognize me and it actually makes things difficult,” Jabeek said in a recent interview. “I don’t earn much to meet the fame created by the publicity I got. People expect me to be a star but I can’t maintain myself [in affording a car, for example, and wear designer clothes.]” [Interesting it may seem, Jabeek will not get a paisa from the sales of the album "Collection" brought out by the record company Music dot com in which his single is included. The deal was that the record company would give him forum to launch himself.]

Seated near to Jabeek is another singer Rajeev Lohani who, how can you forget, rose to overnight fame through the hit number Baleko Aago.

The burning fire, the aflare love
How can I forget?

“Nepali fans have this habit of comparing Nepali celebrities’ income with that of foreigners,” said Rajeev. “When you see a singer only in TV, you start thinking high about the singer. When you meet the singer and find that he/she is just an ordinary person wearing the same kind of clothes you are wearing, you will think ‘what the hell, this guy is a khate (street boy). This is not right [way of thinking about singers].”

The problem with image will hopefully get solved as the income of singers rises, but for the time being welcome to the new Nepali musical world where overnight celebrities like Jabeek and Rajeev are born in every next month or so thanks to the never-seen-before kind of the combination of media and market. The carefully executed equation is fantastic: music videos are released on TV stations on the very day cassettes and CDs are sent to the market. Singers visit FM radios to take part in live interviews and on-air interactions with their listeners, newspapers publish singers’ interviews and photographs and, how can I forget mentioning, the websites bring up wallpaper sized photos and juicy details about the singer to coincide with the album release.

“I have finished recording all of my songs for my third album,” said Babu Bogati of “Sannani timilai hirkaula lauri le thyakka thyakka” fame. “But for some technical reasons I haven’t been able to finish editing the music video. It’s been months that I am waiting for that to be finished. I will bring out the album on the day the editing is over.”

No one than Babu Bogati understands the importance of music video in selling an album and making singer a star. His first album was a total flop because he had no idea about the Nepali music market. “I had just arrived in Kathmandu (from Letang, Morang) in 2055 BS and had no idea about the market here,” he said. “I didn’t understand the importance of media, record company and music video.” It took him about four years go understand that equation and when he appeared on TV with Sannani song Babu Bogati had become the baje of Nepali music market. His song and the video was a huge success and he became an easily recognizable face in Kathmandu.

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Posted in Fun Blog

Nepal in Transition: Maoist and Madhesi Forum Clash, One Dies

Posted on January 19, 2007 by | 47 Comments

Voice of Terai from the United States of America

The following is a press statement issued by ANTA (Association of Nepali teraians in America) NY chapter president Dr. Binay Kumar Shah in 20 Jan.

Association of Nepali Teraian in America (ANTA) has noted with concern the continuing disruption of normal life in the Terai region of Nepal. ANTA believes that the recent success of negotiations between the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) Government and the Communist Party of Nepal (M) leading to the promulgation of an Interim Constitution, Interim Parliament and the forthcoming Interim Government offers the best opportunity ever to restructure the Nepali state so as to reflect the best interests and aspirations of all Nepalis, including the traditionally marginalized people of the Terai region. ANTA firmly believes in democracy, fair political competition and proactive policies by national government as means to overcome the disadvantaged position in which the people of Terai have been relegated by the past regimes. Keeping a forward looking approach, ANTA sees the holding of the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections as central to forming an inclusive democratic system in Nepal.

Aware of the high stakes in a successful transition, ANTA calls on all the political leaders and Nepali people to show highest levels of tolerance, restraint and accommodation at this critical juncture of political transition. Welcoming the statements, as reported in the media, by the government leaders as well as the leaders of both factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) to engage in negotiations to resolve outstanding issues, we call for expedited negotiations to end violence and strengthen the democratic process. ANTA also shares The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Nepal’s concern over the arrest of Madhesi activists and political party members and calls for their immediate release. In the best interest of Nepal’s national unity and democracy, ANTA also calls on the government to
respond promptly to the legitimate demands of the people of Terai region including speedy distribution of citizenships to all those eligible population as the basis of representation, greater autonomy to the people of Terai region and better and visible representation of Terai people in all aspects of government. ANTA firmly believes that the overall development of Terai can only result in a stronger Nepal.

lahan maoist tension

Scene from Lahan, Siraha: Protestors burnt several vehicles.

UWB notice: It has come to our attention that some web sites and publications are using photos published in UWB without our permission. PLEASE do not do so.

By Bharat Jargha Magar

Siraha Distric Administration has clamped a curfew from 6pm today to 4am tomorrow in Lahan, Siraha and the surrounding regions after the entire locality grew tense following the death of a student during a scuffle between Maoist cadres and Forum for Madhesi People’s Rights. A 16-year-old student Ramesh Kumar Mahato of Majhaura, Siraha died when he was shot by the Maoist cadres on Friday at Lahan Chowk. The Maoist cadres opened fire following an argument between them and the forum activists killing Mahato. The forum activists were staging a demonstration at Lahan Chowk when Maoist cadres who came in two minibuses and a jeep accosted the demonstrators just before one of the Maoist cadres opened fire. Following Mahato’s death, a group of angry locals attacked the Maoist cadres. Shiyaram Mahato who opened fire was seriously injured in the attack. The agitated locals also burnt two trucks and eight other vehicles. The forum activists had been staging demonstrations since the morning protesting against the arrest of their president Upendra Yadav. Police later fired several blank rounds to control the situation and have detained two Maoist cadres. CDO Shashi Shekhar Shrestha said that a curfew order has been issued to bring the situation in the region “under control.” Despite the curfew, irked locals kept on staging demonstrations in several thoroughfares in the city.

lahan maoist tension

Questions we ask to Nepal government and Maoist:
1. Why are Maoist cadres still roaming around with arms?
2. Why both of you don’t start talking to groups like Terai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha (TJMM) [both Goait and Jwala Singh factions] and Forum for Madhesi People’s Rights (FMPR)?

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Posted in Madhes Movement

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