Kathmandu, March 17, 2006

Nepal is capable of resolving her internal problems and the foreigners should not interfere, Chinese State Councillor, Tang Jiaxuan, who is on a three-day official visit to Nepal, said here today. “We beleive that the Nepali government and people have the political wisdom and capabilities to solve their own problems,” said Jiaxuan. Stating that China has consistently supported Nepal in her efforts to safeguard sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, Jiaxuan said, “The Chinese government and people firmly pursue the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. We have never interfered in the internal affairs of Nepal and respect the mode of development chosen by the Nepali people.” He advised the constitutional forces to reconcile and said, “The Chinese government and people sincerely wish to see peace and prosperity in Nepal. We sincerely hope that all constitutional forces in Nepal will seek to appropriately settle the current difficulties through dialogue, based on the maintenance of Nepal’s independence, sovereignty and national unification.” “A peaceful Nepal enjoying stability, development and prosperity serves the fundamental interests of its people and will promote regional peace, stability and development,” said Jiaxuan in a statement addressed to a reception organised by China Study Centre.

Blockade Day-IV sees vegetable prices soaring

Kathmandu, March 17, 2006

The fourth day of the three-week- long blockade called by Maoists today saw prices of vegetables shoot up by 80 per cent in the Valley. Especially, prices of vegetables like tomatoes and radish, brought into the valley from outside, have gone up by more than 80 per cent, according to the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMD). Vegetables worth Rs 8.5 million are bought and sold daily in Kalimati. According to the KFVMD, approximately 450 metric tonnes of vegetables are brought into the valley from different districts of the country. However, only 632 tonnes were supplied in the valley during the three days of the blockade. “Local suppliers in the valley and neighbouring places like Kavre and Dhading supply green vegetables, cauliflower, cabbage and a very small amount of tomatoes,” said Arjun Prasad Aryal, deputy director of the KFVMD, adding that the decline in supply of vegetables from outside the valley has resulted in the steep hike in prices. Aryal said that 650 metric tonnes of vegetables were brought into the valley on March 13, a day before the blockade started — nearly 200 metric tonnes more than in normal days. However, the blockade has not much affected the prices of fruits. General Secretary of the Retail Business Association, Pabitra Bajracharya, said the blockade has not affected prices of essential commodities.