Key to peace The direction of the national developments has not changed much over the past couple of years. The one-decade-old Maoist insurgency remains unresolved. The February 1 step was taken to ‘end violence’ and to ‘strengthen multiparty democracy and... 13 Mar, 2005
Reprieve, for now It has come as a relief that the blockade targeting the Kathmandu Valley has been halted. But during the two weeks of the third blockade of the Valley imposed by the rebels, exports from and imports into the capital city by road were virtually stopped;... 27 Feb, 2005
Hopeful sign The ceasefire Israel and the Palestinian leadership declared on Tuesday provides a hopeful sign for peace in that part of the world. Since the death of Yasser Arafat in November, the ceasefire has created the first momentum for negotiations between the... 09 Feb, 2005
Aceh rebels-govt meet ends abruptly Agencies Helsinki, January 30: Talks between representatives of the Indonesian government and its separatist rebels of Aceh ended a day ahead of schedule abruptly, reports UPI. Jakarta officials met leaders from the Free Aceh Movement in Helsinki on... Women 31 Jan, 2005
Fresh hope The confidence-building measures India and Pakistan have initiated this month offer fresh hope for peace and cooperation in a region vitiated by their enmity. It is a matter of relief that the two, who had nearly gone to war again in 2002, seem to have... 28 Jun, 2004
Building trust Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has held out some hope for concerned families by his assurance that he would inquire into the alleged illegal detentions and forced disappearances of persons suspected of links with the Maoists. Deuba’s assurance... 22 Jun, 2004
Take the offer The Maoists are still pushing for a major role of some international body, preferably the UN, in any peace talks between them and the government. But oddly enough, the government has ruled it out, though Nepal has never tired of reiterating its faith... 17 Jun, 2004
Political courage Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has made pledges similar to those by his immediate predecessor Surya Bahadur Thapa. Addressing a press conference in the capital on Saturday, he ruled out the restoration of the House of Representatives, a condition... 06 Jun, 2004
Just too many Nepal has had too many bandhs, strikes and blockades over the last decade. This trend has increased in the last couple of years. The Nepalis seem to have taken these things in their stride so much so that there have been several bandhs and strikes fed... 23 May, 2004
Next government:The dangers that lie ahead Bijay AryalThe quest for the next prime minister continues. The agitating political parties are speaking of “bringing the derailed constitution back on the rails” through the “correction” of the regression committed by the King on 4 October... 13 May, 2004
A powerful case The five political parties have urged the donors to postpone the two-day meeting of the Nepal Development Forum (NDF) scheduled for the first week of May. The donors, on their part, have put the ball in the court of the five-party alliance by asking... 28 Apr, 2004
Malinowski factor US ambassador Michael Malinowski held a roundtable with journalists on Tuesday prior to leaving Nepal. His recall is unlikely to mark a shift in US policy towards Nepal. Perhaps, he has projected a public image of himself or done something else that... 20 Apr, 2004
