Flashback on Pinochet & Left on National Review Online

Flashback on Pinochet & Left on National Review Online
Excerpts:
When South Africa recently refused to extradite the former Ethiopian ruler Mengistu back to his homeland, there was not a peep of protest, though all of Pinochet’s crimes could have been fitted into an afternoon of Mengistu’s rule, and the tortures practiced in Chile were but therapeutic procedures by comparison with what was done in Ethiopia.
...
It was his achievements, not his faults, that were so hated.

Priceless!

RIP Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte

1915 - 2006

Thanks to the old bolshevik-killer for changing the tide of not only South American but Global history! MSM of course call him "dictator", but the love and respect of his grateful countrymen tell another story - at the cost of some 3,000 lefties thrown out of helicopters over the Pacific, he righted wrong and set the country on unprecedented democratic and economically liberal path. The country, his country!, today is undisputably the richest and best run south of Rio Grande. As a wise rebbe said centuries ago: "By the fruit shall yee judge..." !

The genuflecting Indian

Well, it´s not only me who thinks about the MaoBadBoyz as murderers, Manvendra Singh even favorably compares Osama bin Loaded to Prachanda - the former killed FAAAR fewer people!

The genuflecting Indian is back at it, grovelling lest the foreigner be displeased. It was a trait observed by a number of 19th century British officials. And it is on display even in the 21st century — supposedly the century India will arrive on the world stage. It certainly can’t if its arrival is preceded by such sycophancy.

We first prostrated ourselves when the Nepali Maoist chief Prachanda visited New Delhi. And the same was repeated for Hu Jintao, the President of China.

Nepal was six years old as a democracy, with multi-party electoral choices, defections, skullduggery and everything else that happens when the vote determines the voice. In those six years the followers of Chairman Mao could not convince the people of Nepal to give them an electoral majority. So what did they do? They began their own long march to death, despair and destruction. This war on the state began in 1996, and has, hopefully, ended in 2006. The death toll is estimated to be about 13000. Prachanda, the same person now feted as a leadership speaker, led all of this devastation.

In his numerous appearances in Delhi, Prachanda’s consistently tried to come across as a saviour statesman. But his task was made easier by the grovelling Indian, who obediently accepted this metamorphosis, sans a squeal. Not a word about the consequences of this destructive decade, in Nepal and in India.

Nepal’s Maoists believe, as do their Indian clones, in the use of violence for furthering political goals. It is an integral part of the Maoist Holy Grail. Now put this operation in a different context. Amongst those in the immediate neighbourhood who believe in the use of violence for furthering political aims is Al-Qaeda. So then, would Osama bin Laden make it to the podiums that Prachanda did? Why not? After all, Osama’s terrorists have killed fewer people than Prachanda’s fanatics. The only difference being that while one claims to be on a mission from god, the other swears it is all for the people.

It is the People’s Republic, of course, that makes Indians grovel even more. True to their understanding of the host’s psychology, the Chinese toyed with us by reiterating their claim over Arunachal Pradesh in the hours before Hu Jintao was to land in India. Many were naturally agitated. But there were some, expectedly, who were ready to genuflect even in the face of this provocation. Some even went further and declared that the Chinese ambassador’s line was not the policy of the People’s Republic!

Through the history of the world, any utterance of the ambassador has been regarded as the policy of his government. The ambassador speaks for his government. If he doesn’t, then he is either recalled by his government, or asked to explain his case by the host country. It is a matter of great shame that in this case neither happened. Beijing didn’t think its ambassador in New Delhi said anything wrong so there was no reason to recall him. And New Delhi didn’t think Beijing’s ambassador said anything wrong enough to be called into the ministry and asked to explain.

To top it all, the Indian government went into overdrive to prevent Parliament from putting together a resolution stating that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable part of India. The plea taken was that President Hu was still in the country and nothing should be done to spoil his mood.

I remembered late Gen BC Joshi’s visit to China. It was the first by an Indian army chief. It was while he was still visiting that the hosts decided to test a nuclear device. His mood was of little concern to the Chinese hosts. But the Indian is willing to forsake national statements so as to pleasure the guest.

This trait is the big difference between the world’s last two civilisational states. Over many centuries, China was colonised by India. Intellectually, that is. In the 21st century, Chinese scholars would be the first to acknowledge this, and Indian scholars the first to express their ignorance. Because over time India and China went into decline as foreign rule cemented its grip on both. But while the Chinese have rid themselves of that colonial clasp, Indians are still in its clutches.

Economists in India are having a busy time as charts and graphs show upward trends. But all of it will mean nothing until a basic flaw in the mind is rectified. The opposite of grovelling is not growling, for there are other equally effective methods of keeping the spine straight. The day our leaders realise this, India would stand a better chance of making that great leap forward.

tihar tika

tihar tika
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

tihar tika

tihar tika
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

tihar tika

tihar tika
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

tihar tika

tihar tika
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

tihar tika

tihar tika
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

Maoists thrash NC-D worker

KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - In yet another blatant violation of the ceasefire code of conduct, Maoists brutally thrashed a Nepali Congress - (Democratic) activist in the capital.

On Sunday evening, Maoists abducted Prabin Khadka of Bishnu Budhanilkantha VDC-4 from Chu Fan Restaurant, Maharajgunj, and released him on Tuesday evening after beating him mercilessly. Khadka was admitted to Medicare Hospital, Chabahil, in the evening, with deep bruises on his soles, thigh and back.

Maoists handed over Khadka to his relatives at Brighter Tooth Paste Factory in Thimi. "After abducting me, they hit me with sticks on different parts of the body," Khadka, 30, said. He claimed that the Maoist tortured him and added that they had beaten him over a hundred times on the temple, charging him with being involved with gangsters Chakremilan and Tejendra.

The victim's brother Shyam Khadka said that before abducting his brother, the Maoists had threatened him (Shyam) over telephone and demanded he surrender to Maoists.

Binod Bhattarai, NC-D chairman of Kathmandu Constituency number 3, informed that Khadka was released when party president Sher Bahadur Dueba and minister of state Ramesh Lekhak took initiative in the matter.

---

Ah, the bearers of progress and humanity, proud heirs to Stalin-Mao-Pol Pot legacy, spreading the "good news" like the bruises on Prabin's body!

Same things happened in autumn 1947: 4-5 months before communist takover in Czechoslovakia. Democratic MP Dr. Hora complained of communists excesses of EXCATLY the same kind, while the country was still nominally democratic, to the then No.2 communist leader, General Secretary Rudolf Slánský. He laughed it away saying: "We have different democracy!". 2 years later he was arrested, tortured, and confessed. In 1952 they hanged him. His old comrades. Something Baburam Battarai should keep in mind: Revolutions, after devouring it´s innocent victims, tend to turn on it´s own: Trotsky, Slánský, Lin Biao.

Pity we cannot reverse the order...

Four Set Free from Maoist Custody in Bhaktapur

THT Online

Kathmandu, November 2 A team of National Monitoring Committee on Code of Conduct for Ceasefire (NMCC) on Wednesday got the safe release of four civilians from Maoist custody in Bhaktapur. All of them were taken into Maoist custody on charges of hooliganism, possessing illegal arms and raising money posing as Maoists. The Maoists had detained all the four in a warehouse of an old carpet factory near Brighter Tooth Paste in Bhaktapur. The Maoists released the abductees in the presence of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) officials, the NHRC said in a statement, adding that the four were handed over to their families. The team led by NMCC member duo Taranath Dahal and Padam Lal Biswokarma on Wednesday visited the warehouse and set them free them from captivity. They had visited the place acting on a tip-off. The victims who were set free by the NMCC team were found to have been severely beaten up and blindfolded while in Maoist detention. Those released are Shyam Dahal of Maitidevi, Rajendra Man Shrestha of Gyaneshwor, Biswa Ram Maka of Bhaktapur and Daba Lama, a Nepali Congress cadre from Sindhupalchowk. After being brought to the Babarmahal-based NMCC office, NMCC member Dahal told reporters that they found the four persons blindfolded when they visited the warehouse-turned Maoist custody. Dahal said the local Maoists who were guarding the warehouse did not initially allow them to visit the place. But they managed to set them free after they contacted Maoist leaders and the local Maoist cadres cooperated with them. Dahal said that they, however, could not set free the fifth one named Subirman Singh Basnet running a poultry firm at Sitapaila, Kathmandu. A Maoist cadre said they had arrested him on charges of possessing a country-made pistol. Basnet admitted to possessing the pistol for his personal safety, according to Dahal. --- The kathmanduites are at last getting the same medicine the maobadboyz dished-out for 10 years in the countryside - kind of forced-learning by experience! All the huaghtiness and scorn of the King-hating media have now disapeared and nobody feels safe - first time in the Valley! Ah, such a lack of imagination - did they thought the blood-thirsty leopard will change spots and become children-friendly labrador?

Just as I feared, predicted!

OHCHR-Nepal calls on CPN-Maoist to stop policing

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - OHCHR-Nepal called on CPN-Maoist on Wednesday to stop its "law enforcement" activities which have intensified recently, especially in the Kathmandu Valley, and which have resulted in serious abuses of human rights. A press release issued on Wednesday by Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) stated, "OHCHR-Nepal considers these parallel "law enforcement" activities to be illegal, as well as in violation of international human rights standards to which CPN-Maoist has made repeated commitments. These commitments include the directives issued as a result of the CPN-Maoist Central Committee meeting on September 2. The directives explicitly state that party cadres shall not conduct abductions, torture and ill-treatment, and that those responsible for such actions will be held accountable." In a letter dated October 31 to CPN-Maoist leadership, OHCHR-Nepal noted that it had confirmed abductions of 39 individuals in the districts of Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kathmandu in October alone, added the release. The release further stated, the CPN-Maoist itself publicly declared on October 21 that more than 80 individuals had been taken into captivity, whom they accused of being linked to criminal activities.

"CPN-Maoist cadres have held individuals incommunicado in hidden locations – thus increasing their vulnerability to human rights abuses. In September and October, OHCHR-Nepal made visits to eight places where the CPN-Maoist held individuals in captivity in the Kathmandu Valley," stated the release, adding, "These places included several factory buildings occupied by the CPN-Maoist, and the offices of CPN-Maoist sister organisations, including the All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) and the All Nepal Transport Workers Union (ANTWU)."

According to the OHCHR-Nepal release, it has received reports of at least seven other locations in Kathmandu Valley used by CPN-Maoist for the interrogation of individuals. Adding that OHCHR-Nepal has investigated a number of reports of ill-treatment and torture, including severe beatings, the release further added that OHCHR-Nepal staff have witnessed serious injuries among those held captive by CPN-Maoist, consistent with claims of ill-treatment and torture. OHCHR-Nepal has also at times been obstructed by CPN-Maoist cadres from gaining immediate access to those in captivity, stated the release, citing on several occasions in October, OHCHR-Nepal had to request the intervention of the CPN-Maoist leadership in order to get access to those being held, contrary to the party's April 16 statement of commitment to human rights and humanitarian principles that "OHCHR shall have the freedom to visit any location without obstruction". In its letter of October 31, OHCHR-Nepal had welcomed the assurances from the CPN-Maoist central and regional leadership regarding the party's policy to give OHCHR-Nepal full access to persons in CPN-Maoist captivity. However, it is imperative that such access be given immediately in order for OHCHR-Nepal to be able to fulfill its mandate, OHCHR-Nepal urged CPN-Maoist in the release. "OHCHR-Nepal calls again on the CPN-Maoist leadership to stop all parallel 'law enforcement' activities, and especially incidents of torture and ill-treatment. State authorities have sole responsibility to arrest and detain criminal suspects, and it is essential for the re-establishment of the rule of law that all parties respect this," said Sandra Beidas, Officer-in-Charge of OHCHR-Nepal.
---
Duplicity and lies, and senseless, terrorist violence have always been the mark of the communist evil. Now it´s poor Neplais turn to taste the bitter, poisonous drops.
Who cannot learn from history si doomed to repeat it!

Magic of Google Earth.

Magic of Google Earth.
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

As looking from helicopter 300m up and east of our house! And even the top

of Ganesh Himal behind Changu Narayani is visible.

Proud pappa!

DeeShri & pappa leaving for week-end by ferry to Frederikshavn
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

WildFiber family outing.

Mark "WildFiber" and his kids prepare for an afternoon paddle-boat adventure. We run out of beer, though, and the villages on the other side of Phewa Lake were dry... 

Thapa family - Dasain Tikka 2063B.S.

  

Tikka: It´s Baburam´s turn.

The trusty Tamang with receding hairline receives my blessing, with Indu´s approval and our youngest grandson, Abishek, enjoying the Holy Day (and school holiday as well!)

Dasain 2063 B.S. Tikka

Aah, sweet Dasain time, with swings, kites in blue skies and tikka!Like last year, and years before, this is Hindu X-mas and Easter rolled into one week of puja, tikka giving/receiving. And overeating - it´s estimated that about 75% of meat consumed by Nepalis happens this bloody week.
One change though - this is the first time since Shahi dynasty came to Kathmandu Valley, some 250 years ago, when the top politicians, from PM down, didn´t receive tikka (blessing) from HM the King! 

Bhaktapur walk-about

 

My Grandparents & Uncle. Cemetery Trenčianske Stankovce.

Note there is space left for aunt Blažka´s date of death! And the poor soul died 6 days after my visit. She would have been 80, just three short weeks later. RIP, dear Auntie

Pionier Jawa 50cc - my first motorbike - 1963

 

Saw this bike in village Selec, 5 km upstream from my grandparents´ house. I recollect the freedom this apparition gave me, my first pub-dances, and my first drunk-driving.
It was a bitch to remove all that superlfuous fairing, and even harder to put it back - always few screws short. But for 1960-ties it was great design. One must not forget that till that year - 1963 - Cezchoslovakia made 65% of world´s bikes! Then the Japanese started, today it´s the Indians and Japanes making millions of two-wheelers...

Friend gravely wounded.

A boy from village, now a strong young man, a friend to our boys and a friend of mine, had a miraculous escape yesterday morning. First the news fro0m NepalEyes.com:

13 security personnel, 1 Maoist killed in Kavre clash
Nepaleyes Report Kathmandu, March 21
At least 13 Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) soldiers and a Maoist were killed in a clash at Dapcha area of Chhatrebanjh VDC-6 in Kavre district Monday. A local man and three other security men were also injured in the incident. The clash that ensued after the rebels attacked a group of security personnel that had gone to resume the water supply at Dapcha, which had been blocked by Maoists. The clash had lasted for about two hours. A press release issued by Ministry of Defense confirmed death toll on RNA side. It also claimed that casualty on the side of Maoists was also quite high. However, Maoists dismissing the Ministry's assertion confirmed the death of their battalion commander Chaturman Tamang alias Anish. They also said three of their cadres were injured in the incident.

-----

I have not yet seen him in the Army Hospital in Chhauni, but our doughter called me after visit:
B. (until we win, no names!) and his group were ambushed by the MaoBadBoyz without warning while walking through a village to remove blockade of water channel in Dapche, East of Dulikhel, Namo Budha, abt. 40 km E of the Valley. Yes, the BAD Royal Army of Rapists according to the Divine Communists, went to help the people! For this the bastards were waiting in farmhouses and opened up withou warning. B., as his fellow Gurkhas, was instantly hit. The bullet pierced his side, bypassing (I stop usind the word MIRACULOUS, it will be too repetitive...) any vital organs: liver, stomach, spleen or bone!!! He kind-of lost conciousness, but felt being kicked as some voices said: "This one is ALSO dead!". They took his M16 rifle and left him for dead. All around were his friends, dead or dying...
This is, as said, from second, daughter's hand. I'm going tomorrow to see him, if they let me in.
This sympático guy came back home just 3 weeks ago from UN-deployment in (East-) Congo and we had long talk about the situation there and his experiences, while his 18-months old daughter run around in these silly chinese sneakers with irritating squeaking sound and blue/red LED lights, chasing/being chased by our dogs, as large as this tiny tot... He got a week holiday, after 6 months in the african jungle! , then back to nepali one...
I pray for this guy, may Shiva give him strength and he return to his family here in the village!
Jai Shiva!

Rain !

After 5 months, longest according to the British Embassy 100-year records!, yesterday the clouds not only threatened, they DELIVERED! Our potatoes look dark-green, shiny this morning, winter wheat straighter... I can AGAIN see from my terrace across the Velley to Pathan and hills above Dakshinkali. Our little puppy never knew rain and is perplexed and shivering.
From NewslineNepal

Rain God Greets Kathmandu, Finally
2006-03-10 06:42:09
NLN Correspondent, KATHMANDU: After five-months of virtual drought, Kathmanduties finally witnessed the rains on Friday. The long desired rainfall came at a time when the city dwellers were gradually feeling the parching heat of summer. The rain-triggered coldness once again compelled the city dwellers to seek the coziness. Soaked with water, the major roads of the city also symbolized the end of month-long dryness. Not only Kathmandu but also the most parts of the country are forecast to record the satisfactory level of rainfall, according to the Department of Meteorology ?Meteorologically speaking, the valley is on the verge of receiving more rainfall in days ahead,? informed an official of the department. The available data of the department showed that the capital normally receives 54 ml rainfall annually during the winter season. However, for the first time in meteorological history of last 100 years, the city faced the completely dry winter.

Where is our Pinochet?

I am truly depressed by developments in Nepal. I didn't have any apetite to blog (for 3 weeks!!!) and comment on this sorry state of affairs. HM blew it - he didn't go the whole nine yards of Pinochet when he took over last year, while he could...
And now he, and the whole Nepal, is paying the price: Like the good ole' Osama been Loaded said - the parties - and the citizens in general - like the STRONG HORSE. And HM looks a lot like a lame one. If he had listened to his inner voice (and mine!) he would have hanged the people responsible for the rise of MaoBad Boyz and he would have gained respect. And more respect would come if he had expelled anyone: foreigner, ambassador, "human rights" campaigner, ANYONE who as much as squeek-ed about "this war is unwinable". And pulled Nepali soldiers from Congo defending who knows what and let them defend their farms and homes. He could have put the country on war footing, make the same conditions for Kathmanduites as for their brethren livng under in the hills, so no one will have any illusion there IS A WAR GOING ON: close dancing halls, concerts, cinemas, restaurants to close at 6PM. Finger-tip scanners with GSM-phone connected to Police database, ID cards for everyone in the Valley

7 March, 2006
NEPAL
Maoist rebels sell looted petrol to raise funds
by Prakash Dubey

Attacks on tankers are followed by cheap oil sales in villages. Experts say the rebels are running short of money.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) ? Maoist rebels are stealing and selling petroleum products to raise funds since the decline pf the lucrative marijuana trade. On 25 February, in the southwest district of Banke (500km from Kathmandu), the rebels seized nine tankers of the Nepal Oil Corporation and distributed around one million litres of petroleum products at a price less than the official rate of 6.5 rupees per litre. The 18 drivers were released on the night of 27 February and handed over to human rights activists.

One activist who secured their release said: ?The Maoists said they would distribute the petroleum products among the poor villagers at a minimum price, to help them. They further contended that the tankers belonged to rich bourgeoisie elements who exploit the people.? He said the rebels refused to return the tankers although they were private property but at least, they did not blow them up as they did on 24 February in Kavre district. Another two tankers were seized in Chitwan district, near the Rapti River, on 25 February.

Naveen Karki, an economist, told AsiaNews: ?It?s not precise to say the Maoists distribute petroleum to help the poor. Rather, they sell the stolen petroleum in villages through people to who they give a good commission. They must find funds to cover their daily needs, as incessant army offensives against them have weakened their economic hold in areas where they used to get money from people. I am sure Maoists will target other economic installations to procure funds.?

Karki added: ?Another source of easy money for the Maoists has been the multi-million cultivation of marijuana in the country?s northern districts. Now, the marijuana trade is protected by the army, the government and political parties, but the true beneficiaries were the Maoists. However in recent times, Indian security forces have stepped up anti-smuggling operations and the drug trade in Nepal has collapsed. The rebels have lost millions of rupees per week. This is why they have taken to looting private tankers, unlike in the past, when they

looted or destroyed oil tankers intended for security purposes.?

Post Election Frenzy

Now that Prachanda threatened HM the King with trial and execution if he didn't take the hint "to go to exile", there come reactions from ordinary nepalis:

National culture refutes Maoist violence

by Prakash Dubey

Negative feedback has greeted the rebel leader's statements against the king. And the Supreme Court has released the former premier, detained since July.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) Statements made yesterday by the Maoist rebels have not been well received. Meanwhile, the former prime minister has been released. King Gyanendra "must leave the country", said Prachanda, leader of the Maoist rebels, in an interview broadcast on 12 February, the tenth anniversary of the revolt. Or else, added the leader, the king should stand trial in a people's court. "This statement is preposterous in the backdrop of the recent emerging political scenario of the country when a milieu of dialogue is being built up among all political forces," Ravikant Mishra, a human rights activist and political scientist told AsiaNews. In November, the Maoist rebels and a coalition of political parties which oppose absolute power for the monarchy reached an agreement regarding pluralistic democracy, a referendum about the monarchy and the renunciation of violence. At the beginning of the month, Prachanda said in another interview that he was willing to dialogue with the king to resolve the crisis gripping the country that had claimed some 13,000 lives. "But all of a sudden Prachanda has changed his stand like a chameleon and is demanding that the king face exile or execution. This is inauspicious for peace in the country and could precipitate worst violence," added Mishra. "Prachanda must not forget that the Nepalese culture is rooted in non-violence despite the ongoing spate of killings and bloodshed unleashed by both army and Maoists," said Norbert Rai, a lawyer in eastern Nepal. "Our law does not provide for execution or capital punishment even for an ordinary man, let alone the king whom Nepalese people consider as divine." Such statements, he continued, could only "reinforce the people's conviction that the Maoists have a culture of violence and blood and they cannot become heralds of peace in the country". "People want peace and reconciliation" and these statements "will only alienate the people from the Maoists and political parties allied with them". --- Meanwhile, the Supreme Court yesterday released Sher Bahadur Deuba, the former prime minister and declared "invalid" the order for his arrest - indicated by the king - under which he had been detained since July on corruption charges. Deuba was removed from his post in February 2005, when the king seized direct power. An official from Deuba's party, Dip Kumar Upadhaya, said: "This is a victory for democracy and a humiliating defeat for the royal regime." ---- As "failed" states go, this is AMAZING development - despite hoarse calls about Palace Dicatorship etc. - the Supreme Court of "failed state" orders sworn enemies of HMK to be released, and the State complies. Some "failed state" !

Panauti attacked.

Last night the MaoBadBoyz probed the defences of the Valley for the third time - this time from the East. After the Thankot Massacre last month (West of Kathmandu, on the way down to India) and big clashes at the end of January with aerial bombardment of Makwanpur villages (South), now came coordinated assault on Panauti with diversionary faints at Dulikhel (district HQ) and Banepa - only 25 km E of the centre! Details are still ariving.
I know the area well, actualy this is the part of the country I feel most about, just like a home: Indu hails from a small village 2 HR uphill from Panauti, she still has some land there though her Father and Mother passed away in the past 18 months. I went up there gladly many times since 1984, and in the village I savoured the simple Nepali life: spicy greasy chicken, jhar (beer-like concoction) and dnces by villages in the moonlight. Power and water came only in the last 5 years. With the great gompa of Namo Bouddha presiding over the plain we went swimming down to Roshi Khola and watched a tribe of monkeys doing their antics on opposite shore - too steep even for goats to graze, so it was left to monkeys. This was where I first saw bombed out school in the village and abandoned, burnt-out Police posts. 40 km from Civilization! It seemed more absurd then anything Kafka wrote...
Info sofar from NepalNews:

Security forces and Maoists clashed in Panauti in Kavre from Monday evening. The rebels targeted RNA base camp at Gorakhnath hilltop. The Maoists also attacked the Panauti Municipality office. Though the Maoists have reportedly taken into their control some security personnel deployed in the municipality office, there was no official confirmation. Locals said the Maoists, after attacking Panauti, headed towards Dhunkharka in three buses at 11:00 p.m.

Maoist Band, Day II.

Hazy weather hungs over the Valley, sun shines strongly through only at midday, and it's hardly seen when it sets above Thankot. The temperatures are nice, max. hovering around 23°C. Nepalis are used to BANDHS now, having survived about 100 of them. It suits their easy-going, unstressed daily life - a day, or as is the case now, a week off! Why taking chances with your motorbike or car - there is no remedy from insurance and HMG's reimbursmenet scheme is hazy as the weather. Bike/car is a substantial investment - so better take the day off, if you can...
But the idyl - except for a report of a torched bus bellow Kathmandu yesterday- couldn't last! The Liberators of Mankind showed their terrorist teeth and shot dead a hapless taxi driver tonight:

Taxi driver shot dead in Kathmandu (7:40 p.m.)

An unidentified group of people has shot dead a taxi driver in Kathmandu on Monday?the second day of nationwide shutdown strike called by the Maoist rebels.

According to police, Jitendra Shrestha was shot dead at around 6:30 p.m. on Monday just near the gate of B & B hospital at Ring Road of Kathmandu by one of the two passengers who were traveling in the same taxi (plate no. Ba 1 Ja 8884).

The bill in the taxi showed only Rs thirty-two, according to police.

Police quoted local eyewitnesses as saying that the assailants immediately fled. Shrestha succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

Police said the assailants had used a Chinese-made pistol to attack Shrestha-- a resident of nearby district of Dhading.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack on an unarmed civilian earning his bread. Police blame Maoists for the attack. There has been no word from the rebels regarding the incident as yet.

The incident came as a large number of taxis and private vehicles were seen plying in the streets of Kathmandu (with their plate nos. covered) defying the week-long strike called by the Maoists. Only few vehicles took to the streets of the capital on Sunday.

The rebels have called the strike as part of their bid to disrupt municipal polls slated on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the government?s spokesman, Shrish Shumsher Rana, told a press conference that the government had made adequate security arrangements ahead of the polls. He even asked people to go out for voting by shedding off any kind of fear.

Armed security personnel were guarding major thoroughfares of the capital today. Royal Nepalese Army personnel could be seen standing guard in front of polling booths and ward offices of Kathmandu municipality.

Most of the shops in main roads remained closed while shops in the inner parts of the city were open. Schools, colleges and private offices remained closed for the second day on Monday due to the strike. nepalnews.com by Feb 06 06

So this means there will be NO taxis inside the Ring Road tomorrs, and much less trafic. Poor chap, that somebody will execute for doing just his job and provide for family! Think of this offer of the senseless Communism, the 100,000,001 in row! May this murederous ideology never wins in Nepal!

Week of trials & tribulations ahead.

Another test of wills is awaiting the hapless nation. From tomorrow, and for a week more, we'll have to endure MaoBdBoyz Diktat and stay home and eat rice... well if you have any. There are countless thousands in the Valley who live by daily wages - from taxi- and rickshaw- drivers to porters and bus conductors. The low bottom of the social pyramid, supposedly these are the guys the Prachanda brigade is living in the jungles for - and what are they supposed to live on for ENTIRE week?
So I suspect the BANDH will be observed on Sunday seriously, everybody calling on (landlines and post-paid mobiles only!) friends and relatives around the Valley, and when they start to see that the terror is mostly in the mind of the beholder, and driven by empty stomach and desire to see family, the BANDH will start to unravell on Monday. So on Tuesday the MaoBadBoyz will do something, in their twisted eyes, spectacular - set a fire to some intrepid bus, with people inside, just to make statement, just to show how incompetent HMG is.
Just like tonight on the ever-so condescending and Palace-hating KANTIPUR TV the usual suspects: the self-appointed, foreign-financed guardians of Human Rights with straight face postulated and fumigated that it was the Home (Police) Minister, the able Kamal THAPA who through his INTRANSIGENCE has somehow provoked the MaoBadBoyz into attacking and bruning down Tansen!
So I made my preparations - I have hoarded all of 5 l petrol and will start cruising on my BULLET on empty roads tomorrow: no dust and smoke, no TATA buses trying to kill me, wellm maybe MaoBadboyz! Best days for cruising are BANDH days! And they can shoot me, J have lived long enough, and who knows, I might show some hope, and courage to frightened Nepalis!
Jai Nepal!

This is the secret: Foreign remittances!

One of the reasons HMG is is immune to pleading of its donors, the EU and various foreign do-gooders is the million plus Nepalis in Malaysia and Gulf. That might be the BEST development of the sad, slow and bloody civil War: to wean the nepali-elites, especially the NGO and TOYOTA Talibans off the foreign-aid tit! You want a TOYOTA: work hard and buy one!
Nepal is a poor country, but Nepalis are rich.


As Nepal economy weakens, one export grows: peopleKATHMANDU: With Nepal?s finances in shambles due to a deadly Maoist revolt and mounting political turmoil, the country has found a new export - its people - to help keep its economy going.
About 1.2mn Nepalis are estimated to live abroad, and that does not include uncounted millions in India.
Last year they sent back $1.1bn - up 17% from the previous year - an amount that accounted for 12% of Nepal?s gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
?People can?t stay in their villages because of the political situation and the Maoists,? said Narendra Raj Shreshtha of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies.
?All the young people are going abroad and mostly old people are left in towns outside Kathmandu.?
More than 180,000 people left Nepal last year for work abroad, government figures show, four times the number who left five years ago.
The Maoist insurgency that began a decade ago and political upheaval aggravated by King Gyanendra?s seizure of absolute power last year have pushed increasing numbers of Nepalis to seek better lives elsewhere.
Economists say it is the money these Nepalis send back for relatives that has been vital for the desperately poor Himalayan nation?s economy even as the Maoist conflict and political instability have escalated.
?This is the flip side of insurgency, as unfortunate as it is, that overseas remittances are increasing,? said Sultan Hafeez Rahman, ADB director for Nepal.
?Remittances are one of the great equalisers in otherwise inequitable economies. People who go abroad are randomly and evenly distributed from across the country,? and the money they send home is evenly spread, he said.
King Gyanendra dismissed the government on February 1, 2005, promising to end the Maoist revolt that has claimed over 12,000 lives.
But with continuing rebel attacks, protests and government crackdowns on dissent, peace looks far off and the number of Nepalis leaving the country of 26mn nestled between India and China is only expected to grow.
While worker remittances have been a boon for the country where 31% of the population live below the poverty line, the money sent home cannot match the conflict-related loss.
?Remittances have helped but they cannot offset the decrease in investment in infrastructure, education and health,? said the ADB?s Rahman.
In the 1990s, annual economic growth averaged a healthy 4.9% but this figure dropped to an average of 1.9% between 2002 and 2004, according to the ADB.
Tourism, which was the kingdom?s economic lifeblood, has also slowed sharply. It contributed around 4% to GDP in the 1990s but in the last financial year to July 2005 kicked in just 2%.
Arrivals by air, which peaked at half a million in 1999, numbered about 270,000 last year, government figures show.
?If there wasn?t a conflict, tourism wouldn?t have been as hard hit. Nepal has major potential in tourism but none of this investment has taken place for 10 years now,? said Rahman.
The money earned from tourism was just $143mn in the fiscal year that ended in July 2005, down from $246mn a year earlier, according to the ADB.
?There is hardly 25 to 30% hotel occupancy,? said Narendra Bajracharya, head of the Hotel Association of Nepal.
Adding to the economic woes is the disruption caused by Maoist roadblocks outside the capital, government curfews and party-led strikes. These have made it difficult for businesses to operate normally, let alone grow.
?Transportation costs will jump. Industries have already cut down production - they can?t compete, they can?t supply,? said Badri Prasad Ojha, director general of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Furthermore, after the king?s takeover, some international donors and lenders curtailed aid. The World Bank suspended a $70mn credit to Nepal, saying it would need to see how the government implemented development spending and economic reforms.
Development spending, a large part of which comes from donor aid, has fallen by a third since 2001.
?In the case of government-to-government assistance, when local government is dysfunctional, it?s difficult to get the money to the community,? said Minty Pande, country director of the development organisation Plan, which like other international NGOs with local networks has continued its projects.
?Now is not the time to leave Nepal,? said Pande. ?Now is the time to give assistance, but give it as directly as possible.? - AFP

One year after.

HM Gyanendra summed up his achievements in a low-key, patriotic address this morning on Nepali TV stations. He claimed, I think with merit, that the country is better then a year ago. He asked the people to participate in the forthcoming municpal elections:

FULL TEXT OF THE PROCLAMATION TO THE NATION FROM HIS MAJESTY KING GYANENDRA BIR BIKRAM SHAH DEV

Beloved Countrymen,

1. It is now a year since the decision was taken to restore law and order and activate the multiparty democratic polity in the country in keeping with the nation's needs and the people's aspirations. Arresting a situation that was slipping into anarchy and reactivating a stalled democratic process has not been easy. Yet, given the commitment of our patriotic countrymen, all the Nepalese people have experienced the nation grow in confidence and the self-respect of the Nepalese people restored within a short span of one year, with the cloud of pessimism dissipating. We are confident that, remaining alert to the sensitivities of the self-respecting Nepalese people and our glorious ever independent history, we will be able to ensure for the nation peace, stability and prosperity within the next one year through mutual understanding and with patriotism as the focal point. We believe that a road-map to sustainable peace and reenergising a meaningful democracy are two sides of the same coin. We are confident that a road-map of consensus will forever end all possibilities of resurgence of violence and terrorism in our motherland, which will otherwise put at risk the universally acclaimed multiparty democracy and hurt the self-respect of Nepal and the Nepalese people. Guided by a national perspective that upholds our political, administrative and civic traditions, we are confident that by April 2007, all popularly elected bodies will be active in ensuring a bright future for the Nepalese people through a dedicated exercise in democracy so as to create a welfare society. 2. The nefarious designs to portray Nepal as a failed state a year back has now begun to unravel with acts of terrorism being limited to petty crimes. The elected government not only dissolved the popularly elected village, municipal and district bodies but also at the national level. The process of activating multiparty democracy and Constitutional Monarchy has now begun with the people exercising their franchise to reinstate these bodies for which the elected government had failed to conduct elections in spite of being given repeated opportunities. The people are determined to ensure the success of the municipal elections currently underway. In fact, the freedom to exercise one's vote through adult franchise forms the democratic basis for a honourable national consensus. Democracy flourishes only through the enfranchisement of the people and democrats are never losers when democracy is upheld. Therefore, the first and foremost preconditions for consolidating democracy are to gain the support of the people through the ballot and respect their mandate. In keeping with these universally accepted democratic principles, the process to reinstate all the elected bodies through free and fair elections has been initiated. We are confident of the active participation of all democrats who have faith in the people's democratic rights. Democratic norm dictates that, while upholding the people's rights, their confidence can be won only through participation in the democratic process. Beloved countrymen, 3. With efforts to initiate a meaningful exercise in democracy in keeping with the accepted norms, measures are also underway to improve public service utilities for the benefit of the people. As the bureaucracy has been freed of political pressures and discipline instilled among them, criminal activities under political patronage is now under control. The ongoing fiscal and administrative reforms will be implemented in a more effective manner. Rule of law alone will ensure good governance. As long as corruption, which has proved to be a parasite to our society, is allowed to spread its tentacles, a system of governance as aspired by the people cannot be ensured. More effective measures will be adopted to realise the commitment to maintain fiscal discipline. The concept of Land Bank will be effectively implemented to make available land to the landless, agricultural tenants and freed bonded labourers. Internal and external investments will be mobilised to accelerate the pace of economic development, increase employment opportunities, improve transport infrastructure and attain self-sufficiency in the energy sector through optimum utilisation of water resources. An effective integrated policy must be adopted to initiate development activities that have direct impact on the people. A conducive environment exists to utilise the opportunities created by information technology in the economic development of the country. Likewise, the role of the service sector is also increasing in importance. In this context, special programmes will be introduced to create opportunities of self-employment within the country for talented youths. Measures will also be adopted to train those youths going abroad for employment so that their skills and abilities are duly recognised. 4. The Nepalese are well aware of the fact that character without any moral foundation, politics indifferent to national pride and a form of governance bereft of the people's confidence will neither benefit the nation nor the people. They also know that politics will not have the strength to inspire the people and overcome challenges if it is tainted. It is our belief that multiparty democracy cannot be made meaningful in the absence of significant popular participation in governance, effective decentralisation of authority in the village, municipal, district, zonal and regional levels and maximum autonomy to elected local bodies in the formulation and implementation of development projects. 5. Democracy can be adopted into our way of life only if we are prepared to have faith in the people's abilities and the elected representatives. To achieve this, guidelines will be formulated in a transparent manner through collective wisdom and reflections based on experiences and aspirations. Appropriate measures will also be initiated to convincingly address, in the greater good of the nation, grievances regarding indigenous people as well as discrimination relating to regional and other issues. Contributing to efforts aimed at the general welfare of the people alone can ensure the collective well-being of the Nepalese. The nation can be freed from the clutches of poverty and made prosperous only through the collective participation of all. We are confident that all Nepalese, conscious of their national pride, will make significant contributions from their respective places towards the success of the pro-development strategies currently being implemented. While history will be the sole judge of an individual or a generation, it should be our endeavour to ensure that the present generation of Nepalese is given due credit.

Beloved Countrymen, 6. Nepal's foreign policy is now clear and stable. Our foreign policy and relations are solely guided by how best to serve and protect our national interest in a rapidly changing world. This has restored Nepal's prestige and credibility in the international arena. Nepal desires friendship with all and is always ready to cooperate for mutual benefit. Nepal has malice towards none and is ever alert in ensuring that her territory is not used against any friendly country. Nepal is ever ready to have mutually beneficial fruitful relations with both her neighbours. This policy remains unchanged. To act as a catalyst in enhancing economic ties between her two neighbours, Nepal is preparing to be the transit point between them. Nepal's role as a transit point will contribute to the welfare of Nepal, India, China and the region as a whole. 7. Nepal has unflinching faith in and is totally committed to the principles of human rights. It is in this spirit that our country has adopted the policy of institutionalising the promotion and protection of human rights and rectifying its shortcomings. It is not easy for a country combating terrorism to strike a balance between the compulsions of national security and upholding the rights of the citizens - this is a reality faced by all democratic countries afflicted with the scourge of terrorism. But it is our strong belief that the people must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful manner, with due consideration to national security. 8. The Nepalese people desire for sustainable peace. This was clearly spelt out to us when we had direct contacts with our beloved people during our recent visits to various parts of the Kingdom. The vigilant Nepalese have well understood the conspiracy to foment further acts of terrorism in the name of momentary cessation of violence. If those who have gone astray wish to rejoin the mainstream of peace and creativity, democracy and coordination, and if they wish to dedicate themselves in the service of the people through the ballot, abjuring their murderous acts against the nation and people, we make it clear that they will be given the security and opportunity necessary to shoulder the responsibilities of governance in their capacity as the people's representatives, having won the people's confidence through the universally accepted democratic exercise. The people can be won over only through peaceful political and constructive activities. Activities like disrupting peace, encouraging discord and creating hurdles on the road to rapprochement in the name of democracy will benefit none. Let us, therefore, unite, with patriotism as the focal point, in dedicating ourselves to the people's welfare and initiating a new chapter in the exercise in meaningful democracy. We wish to emphasise that all differences can be resolved within the framework of the Nepalese patriotic tradition in keeping with the Nepalese psyche, which has never had to put up with subjugation throughout history. Beloved Countrymen, 9. We have always, single-mindedly and with determination, strived to fulfil our beloved people's aspirations in the greater interest of the motherland. We have no desire other than the Nepalese people's welfare and the responsibility towards Nepal's glorious history. While utilising the indestructible synergy constantly spouting from the fountain head of patriotism, it will be in the interest of the nation to uphold, with utmost dedication, the glorious history of the Kingdom of Nepal. The success of this alone will keep the nation secure and ensure a meaningful democracy for the people. 10. A clear decision was made for the country last year. Today, let us, once again, pledge to achieve this national goal. The Nepalese are determined to see a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Nepal in tune with the 21st century. The essence of Nepal's glorious history is the fact that the Nepalese people themselves determine Nepal's national agenda in the interest of the country and their own. 11. Patriotism is the only means of creating a democratic society. We, therefore, call upon all Nepalese to consign mutual recrimination to the bitter past and build a secure and prosperous future for the nation and people, while upholding democratic norms.
May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all!
Jaya Nepal!

Election Farce & Tragedy.

I had always wished well, both to the tried people of Nepal, and to HM Gyanendra, and to this day I believe the sacking of the corrupt, inefficient, lazy Deuba government was CONSTITUTIONAL. But I believe also, to put it mildly, HM is recieving flawed advice. Mildly, undiplomatiacally: I think he should scarp the farce election! It seems it was enough of the MaoBadBoyz to kill ONE candidate, Bijay Lal Das in eastern Janakpur city earlier this month, kidnapp Ram Kumar Tharu from farwest Nepal, and bomb the house of a third in the midwest and people simply didn't dare to register.

The contestants for the mayoral posts in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City (LSMC) said they were undeterred by the Maoist threatening and were determined to contest in the municipal polls. They said they were safe and living in their own residences. Speaking at a programme in Kathmandu, mayoral candidate of KMC Rajaram Shrestha said no one should bar people from exercising their franchise or contesting for people?s representation. Candidate for mayor in Lalitpur Sub-metropolis Prem Lal Maharjan said he has no fear and is living at his own residence. ?I am determined to contest in the municipal elections, as it is an integral part of democracy,? Maharjan said, adding people do have the right to boycott elections if they wish to. Prachanda Man Shrestha, another mayoral candidate of KMC, said he was not afraid of those who have vowed to disrupt the municipal elections. Urmila Shrestha, who is contesting for mayor of Thimi Municipality, also expressed determination on vying for the post without any hesitation. ?I am not interested in politics. I am contesting in the elections to serve the people,? Shrestha said. Madhu Shah, who is contesting for LSMC chief, was also firm on his decision to take part in the polls.

Banda Revisited on Bicycle

Last week it was the DAYLONG CURFEW - governement-sponsored "chakka band" ("Stop the Wheel!"), yesterday it was the 7 dwarves turn. Judging from the NTV people took it in stride, many joked that it's good with "excercise" and nice without pollution and noise. There were also large number of bicycles - so maybe one positive legacy these "bandas" leave behind is the versatility and utility of bicycles! Now if only Nagar Palika (the Municipality) start making some cycle-paths along the most frequented roads...
Elections are on, yesterday was the last day of registration, and it must be said, many candidates got cold feet after brutal murder of a mayoral candidate in Janakpur last week. Many places there were only 2 or 3 who cast their "topis" in the frey!

3,255 candidates file nominations for municipal polls

Of the total 4,146 posts, only 3,255 candidates filed nominations across the country on Thursday for the February 8 municipal polls.

The EC is holding election for 4,146 representatives in one metropolis, four sub-metropolis and 53 municipalities in 43 districts of the country.

According to the Election Commission, 236 nominations were filed for the posts of mayor and 192 for deputy mayor.

Only 98 nominations were filed for 177 seats in Kathmandu metropolis, including 10 nominations for Kathmandu metropolis mayor and eight for deputy mayor.

_____________________________

Knowing the energy and seriousnes the nepalis, even during the "nominal" elections in panchayati times, took to the polls, it shows the intimidation works! The maobadis by killing one hapless politicians in Janakpur were able to derail and descredit the elections. Now the doubters and ill-wishers can rightly point that "there is hardly any interest in these Palace elections"
Thanks very much, 7 dwarves! Nepal sinks deeper into quagmire.

Koirala berates Koirala

Bollywood starlet Manisha K. was all over MSM last couple of days. This handsome young lady is on a warpath against her grand-uncle, the O3. She is not as smoooooth as him, but at least she makes sense:








How can democrats shun polls? questions Manisha

By Bhuwan Sharma
KATHMANDU, Jan. 24: Indian cinema's popular actress Manisha Koirala has appealed to the political parties to move towards the path of peace, understanding and reconciliation by participating in the upcoming municipal elections.

Stating that the ongoing street protests would only lead to greater conflicts, the granddaughter of late leader B. P. Koirala said that it was the need of the time to go for talks and understanding with His Majesty the King by putting an end to the protests.

"You claim to be democrats but reject the polls. How can you be democratic?" she questioned, indicating the seven agitating political parties. "The political parties should take part in the polls."

"People's mandate is the true identity of the political parties and their leaders", actress Koirala who arrived in Kathmandu Tuesday said at her father Minister Prakash Koirala's residence in Maharajgunj.
...

She said that while there is Maoist problem in the country, the parties are aggravating the situation by rejecting the polls. Recalling the contribution made by her grandfather and other leaders, she accused the political leaders of leading democracy to the present situation during the 12 years of their rule. "They could not solve the Maoist problem that began during their own time."

She asked the leaders to join hands with the King to solve the Maoist problem. "They should first help the King solve the Maoist problem, and then only they should talk about democracy. They should not create difficulties only by boycotting the polls."
...

Expressing her sincere trust on the King, she said, "The King is democratic. His Majesty has asked for three years, which is not a very long period. The democratic forces should not fear for democracy. Once established, democracy will remain."

She said she would assist the elections and would stay in Nepal until then. "During my stay in Kathmandu, I will help create an atmosphere for polls. It is my duty to come to Nepal during elections."
...
She claimed that there was democracy at present in Nepal and said, "That we are going for polls is itself a proof that at present there is democracy in Nepal."

Asked why the international community were asking the government to restore democracy, she said, "They are selfish, and they see with biased perspective. They did not say a word when Bhutan's king evicted 100,000 of his citizens of Nepalese origin who have been suffering."

___________________
Right on! She doesn't mince words (like her grand-uncle), and asks SENSIBLE questions - what it is the 7 dwarves are afraid of?
Any election, held in minimum of freedom and without state coercion (and that is the situation we have here!) clears the confusion and CORRECTLY measures the public mind. And every susquent election attracts and gets better candidates.
It's Democracy, stupid!

Day curfew in the Valley

I think this Kamal Thapa is a wonderful camel: if he didn't do this daytime curfew, we would have the 1,000 dead I predicted!!!
They should charge the O3 and his attack poodle MKN with sedition and give them 20 years and a hammer and send them to Humla breaking big stones for the roads they neglected to build in 12 years of their accursed PM-ship!!!
People in general seem to enjoy an extra day-off, some, like my 'amrikan frens', went for a hike on the surrounding hills. And the city can enjoy a day-off of smoking TATAs and HERO HONDAs too!

Update 16:30 Looking from the terrace, listening to BBC World on the 'net, watching the afternoon TV-News shows. All is quite is in Valley... only sporadic exercise with M-16's from neraby barracks. Accroding to my unmentioned 'frens', the same is giong on at the APF barracks bellow Maharjgunj on the other side of the Valley - maybe to let people know that they are "ready"- for anything... And the hapless tourists, walking the 4 km to the airport with huge backpacks. Latest from the Palace friendly (controlled) NTV: the Tourist Police woke-up to the fact, and there were phone nos. to call and shuttle buses from all major hotels, from Hyatt in north (Boudha) to Oberoi in south and Himalaya in Patan, and of course from Thamel-area.
Another day in life of the Kingdom is slowly ending - but 18:00 is quickly approaching, and hungry hordes will hit the streets, and lights will go out, may still get tricky!

Leopard attack in bamboo grove!

Neighbor-owner of broiler-farm (fortunately 150 m away from our terrace!) came rushing to borrow a phone. The mobile was cut-off in preparation of tomorrow's mega-demo, so he had to use our phone for a call to Bhaktapur Hospital. I waited politely on the terrace, as a large group of grown-up boys and young men run across the pale-green winter-wheat fields, shouting and gesticulating. Neighbor finished his call and came up, where my lady waited with a cup of tea. Boy had he a story to tell. One of his workers, a local village chap, heard a newari girl, about 5, from a (another-) neighbor's farm to cry "Chor, chor", which means "Thief" from Khyber Pass down to Tamil Nadu, and in it's slightly modified Roma (Gypsy, in old, rasist times...) form "Chorka" is also known in whole of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. And due to modern immigration, even in Helsingør, largest Roma colony west of Teplice (western Bohemia) this word is understood!
But back to this village lad - when he heard the cry he rushed to the little girl who stammered "there where two thieves", and they took a goat. In the direction she pointed, at the western edge of our hill, there was to his knowledge only one grazing goat, HIS! Filled with righteous rage, he set after the "thieves". The edge of the hill goes steep down, with large bamboo growth with great view of Changu Narayn temple on the hill, and there was his goat - in jaws of a leopard! He, or more likely she, hungry mother I think, dropped the goat and charged the poor, anarmed guy. It bit him on right upper arm and badly mauled him on his back and run away in the growth. I couldn't help - can't walk more than 20 m before my newly healed leg gives up - I could just watch as they carried him ob a bamboo stretcher across the fields to the road, out of sight, to wait for the ambulance... I heard later he lost lot of blood and is in deep pain in the hospital.
And the goat is dead. And she was pregnant, the neighbor said, the poor fetus was still moving! And the leopard has not been cornered, maybe staring down from some bamboo grove on the Telkot ridge above, growling with hunger.
This guy, according to village lore, is a kind-of unlucky bird (german: Pechvogel): he had three sheep grazing last year and a pack of 10 dogs from our village tore them to pieces, neighbor laughed, showing with small movement of his hands how much. or better - how little - there was left of ALL three sheep! Some people really seam to ATTRACT bad luck!

Kathmandu Valley under attack

Eleven policemen killed in Maoist attacks at Thankot and Dadhikot (news update 9:30 p. m.)

Latest reports say at least eleven policemen, including a police inspector, were killed during coordinated attacks by Maoist insurgents at Thankot police check post in the capital, Kathmandu, and Dadhikot police post in Bhaktapur district Saturday evening.

According to security sources, the rebels attacked the Thankot check post at around 5:40 p. m. They first exploded a bomb and later opened fire indiscriminately. Police inspector Mahesh Rawal, two sub-inspectors and seven policemen were killed in the attacks. Sub-insepctor Yadav KC is said to be in critical condition. Over 40 police personnel were stationed at the check post during the time of surprise Maoist raid.

At around 5:30 p. m., another group of rebels attacked a police post at Dadhikot in Bhaktapur district in the Kathmandu valley. A total of 17 policemen were stationed during the time of Maoist offensive, according to police sources. Sub-Inspector of Police, Hari Prasad Sharma Wagle was killed while seven more police personnel were injured. A civilian, Sangita Mahat, was also injured during the attack. Some policemen are reported mission after the Maoist offensive.

Officials are yet to provide details about the number of casualties in the latest attacks. A Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) official said RNA personnel have already reached Thankot and are conducting search operation. All the vehicular movement along the main entry point to Kathmandu have been stopped.

According to a Nepalnews correspondent who reached Thankot police post after the incident, Maoist rebels had arrived at the police post in a bus. They were in combat dress. It could not be known how could they cross another security post at Nagdhunga only a few kms away on their way to Thankot.

Thankot is the major overland entry point to Kathmandu.

Krishnasenonline, a pro-Maoist news agency, has owned responsibility of Saturday?s attacks at Thankot and Dadhikot and has claimed that there has been no casualty on the part of the rebels.

Suspected rebels have also caused explosion at the office of ward no. 9 of Lalitpur municipality this evening. There are also reports of explosions in some ward offices of Kathmandu metropolis.

Details are still awaited.

Saturday?s attacks are the first major attack by the rebels in the Kathmandu valley after they broke off their four-month-long unilateral ceasefire early this month. In December 2004, they had attacked a police post at Sankhu at the outskirts of Kathmandu killing four police personnel. nepalnews.com by Jan 14 06

So far so good...

Been waiting this past 2 weeks for some sign of where the things are moving. Lot of movement under surface to be sure: the politicians manouvering, the MaoBadBoyz deploying, the RNA donning helmets...
Biggest news is the (second?) split in the RPP. Powers that be at the Durbar have discerned that the royalists too need a popular mass party, as to counter the massive rallies of the 7 (moral) dwarves. Like the one 2 days ago in Janakpur, where all 7 honchos surveyed SERIOUS crowd, congratulating each other. MKN goes even so far as to predict the END OF THE MONARCHY IN 4 WEEKS!!! Well, the mental capacity of this pygmy in mind, it's hard to give any credence to his claim.
Back to the RPP-split: As I already wrote the other day (05-12-19), my favorite plitician, Kamal THAPA, currently the Home (Police and Admin) Minister, was elected president of the RPP, and Pash.Sumsher RANA was sacked - "expelled". Yersterday PSR went to Patan Court, and tried to annul the decision and get "his" party's symbols protected. But he's whistling in the dark, and his "independent" position (that is "independent" of anybody - HM King, the 7 dwarves, his co-leaders in RPP, but not independent of India - from where his wife hails, and where he is frequent visitor!) is gone. This is right how it should be in Civil Wars: from the chaos of multiple players, through attrition, treachery and the last vestigies of common sense, there at last emerge TWO PLAYERS, and everybody in the country will have to choose one or the other - Red or Blue!

On the operative side, the War is grinding on, but somehow with diminished violence (so far!) - there was an attack on Nepalganj Airport, Wednesday ditto on the Bardiya town Dhungaddi in the Far West (600 km W from KTM). So far no or minimal casualties. It seems the RNA air wing is earning it's pay - it's no more so easy to muster 1,000 - 1,500 fighters in one place for their hallmark MASS ATTACKS. The RNA helos are flying above them, trying to figure out where the bands of 200 or so fighters will converge and mass for the next attack. It's not easy in the barren hills of Rolpa, no cloud cover.

UPDATE: There is battle raging in Tanahun:

Ten Maoists killed in Tanahun clashes: MoD

At least ten Maoist insurgents were killed in two separate encounters with the security forces in the western district of Tanahun on Thursday.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the rebels were killed in clashes at Chitre and Aambote areas.

No casualties on the security side were reported. The incident and the casualties are yet to be confirmed independently.

Two rifles, socket bombs, logistics and Maoist documents were recovered from the clash scenes, the statement added. nepalnews.com mk Jan 12 05

But everybody is tense, waiting - Prachanda is, whatever you might sink of this deluded man, is a man of his word, so to speak - so the attacks in the Valley are expected. And dreaded none the same.
Faster, Your Majesty, faster!
("Borrowed" from Michael Ledeen)

Tighten the seat-belts, here comes 2006!

This year, 10th since the MaoBadBoyz took to the jungles to teach Nepalis a lesson, will be decisive. It will make or break - or, in best case - hang - Prachanda and his commie loonies and fellow travellers.
Tomorrow, Jan. 2nd, expires the one-sided, extended maobadi truce, which the RNA never honored. For the last week there were rumors and partial reports of RNA's offensive in the "birthplace" of maoists - better known as Dolpa Human Experimentation and Torture Area #1.

Already, the RNA freed 1,000 villagers from maobadi forced labor camp - when the terrorist saw the RNA they ran away - good sign for the upcoming fight!

Abducted Rukum locals rescued: RNA

More than 1000 villagers who were forcibly taken by the Maoist insurgents from different places of the mid-western Rukum district on various dates have been rescued by the security forces, according to the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA).

A statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) on Friday said that the locals were rescued from Rukumkot, Shoba, Chunawang and Mahat areas of Rukum on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, four Maoists have surrendered in Pyuthan and Bajura districts, according to the DPR.

Sitaram KC, secretary of the Maoist party in Biju Bazzar area in Pyuthan district, surrendered to the security forces along with his gun and ammunition on Wednesday. Likewise, on the same day, three Maoists namely Bal Bahadur Shahi alias Balbhadra, Shanti Singh alias Rabina and Reule Rawal alias Prakash surrendered to the local administration of Bajura district. nepalnews.com mk Dec 30 05

Then we have the municipal elections in early February, which will be decisive for the further political developments for the whole 2006. If these elections (in RNA-controlled towns and municipalities) go well, without too much bloodshed, they will demonstrate that HM King's strategy is sound, and, more importqantly, the impotence of both the MaoBadBoyz and irrelevance of the 7 dwarves.