Kathmandu, April 10, 2007

Seven members of the American Diversity Visa Victims Association today decided to go on fastunto-death outside American Embassy in Panipokhari. “The victims want that the American Embassy refund the money they spent to appear for the visa interview, along with necessary compensation,” the DV victims said in a press conference organised today. Ghanashyam Basyal, president of the ADVVA, said, “We don’t want American visa. If people think that we are protesting to get the visa, they are wrong. We are against the American policy of rejecting Nepalis’ visas without tendering any reasons.” He said the embassy made each of them spend Rs 55,000 for the visa and rejected it without sufficient ground. “There are some families with six members whose spent around Rs 330,000 but none of them got a visa,” he added. “Our efforts to talk to the embassy officials and the Nepal government went in vain. Their apathy has compelled the victims to go on fast-unto-death,” said Govinda Adhikari, vicepresident of the ADVVA. He said the government and the American Embassy would be responsible if something happens to those on fast. “We tried our best to make them understand our problem, but to no avail. We have enough evidence to prove that we are right,” he added. While, Sharon Hudson-Jean, acting public relation officer of the American Embassy official, when contacted, said the embassy had already made it clear to the concerned people that compensation could not be granted.

Cabinet one on statute amendment

Kathmandu, April 10, 2007

Girija Prasad Koirala-led cabinet today took three vital decisions that will pave the way for elections to the constituent assembly, settle the controversy surrounding the position of monarchy and outline the position of the interim prime minister, cabinet sources said. The cabinet today decided to amend the interim constitution to reschedule the constituent assembly poll date to June 20. Change to this effect will be effected in the interim constitution since the government had not done enough preparations to conduct elections at the date agreed upon earlier. The second decision is related to the position of the Prime Minister during the interim period. The statute will be amended so that the PM can be removed from office if two-third members of the interim parliament so desire. The interim constitution has no provision to remove the prime minister should the need arrive. The decision to amend the statute incorporate that provision was taken today on the continued demand of CPN-Maoist and CPN-UML. Third amendment, which will be effected soon, is related to the position of monarchy. Under the new provision, the interim parliament will be in a position to initiate not only impeachment proceedings but also dethrone the monarchy.