Kathmandu, March 7, 2006

US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Donald Camp, is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu tomorrow on a two-day official visit. The purpose of his visit is to convey the details of the brief statement made on Nepal by President George W Bush in New Delhi recently and to gauge new developments here. “Camp will be here on Wednesday and Thursday. He will convey the message on US policy reflected in President Bush’s recent statement on Nepal, which has stressed the reconciliation (between the King and political parties) for peace,” Robert Hugins, the spokesperson at the US embassy, told The Himalayan Times. President Bush, in his New Delhi statement on March 2, had emphasised on the need on the part of King Gyanendra to initiate dialogue with the political parties for the restoration of democracy in Nepal. Urging the Maoists to renounce violence, Bush had also said that both the USA and India had agreed that the King should take the initiative for talks for the resolution of the conflict. Camp, who was the Director for South Asia at the US National Security Council from 1999-2001, is scheduled to meet various political figures and consult with the embassy officials in Kathmandu before meeting the press on Thursday. Hugins said that though there were “several reasons” behind Camp’s visit, Camp will be here chiefly to consult with US officials and other concerned persons.

Women seek greater say in peace process

Kathmandu, March 7, 2006

With very little participation of women in development process and representation in decision-making level of the country, women have now begun demanding equal and meaningful representation in the peace building process. The ongoing conflict in the country has made women not just the victims but also the survivors. Without any say in the war, women bear the brunt of war from the both sides. They have to shoulder the burden of responsibilities due to the deaths of men in the villages, involvement of men in the conflict, migration from the villages and displacement. Apart from that, they have to take care of their children, generate income and protect their property. The Department of Women’s Studies, Parma Kenya Campus, today paid tribute to mothers who have lost their children in the war by lighting one laky oil lamps at its gate. Speaking on the eve of the 96th International Women’s Day, Dr Chancre Bard, associate professor at the campus, said, “Once the war is stopped, peace will come automatically.” The event was organized to “express solidarity with Nepali mothers who have lost their children in the armed conflict,” she said. According to the 10th plan, the number of women stands at 1,15,87,503 of the total population of Nepal. But their strength in the public service stands at a meagre 13.33 per cent. Only 10.85 per cent of women hold land ownership.