Nepal

by cool j Sat Apr 22, 2006 03:40

I feel it should be brought to the attention of people that the Maoist element in Nepal is responsible for mass poaching both inside and outside National parks in Nepal and in neighbouring areas of india. This is how they are funding a large part of their "activities" across Nepal including mass intimidation of rural peasents via murder, torture, kidnapping and blackmail. With strong connections to Chinese elements they have a ready market for poached Tiger parts, Rhino horn, Shatoosh Antelope skins and bear claws etc. all species that are now on the verge of extinction in Nepal and neighbouring parts of India.. This disgusting and brutal trade is robbing the people of Nepal of their Natural heritage and has decimated tourism which was one of Nepal's biggest earners , with famous National Parks such as Royal Chitwan having their wildlife wiped out after heavily armed rebels murdered many of the poorly armed park rangers which allowed them to clean out whole populations of big cats, antelope and the largest remaining population of the endangered Indian One-horned Rhino.

by - Sat Apr 22, 2006 02:52

He has decided that his exercising absolute power is not really what Nepalese need.

You can go up to the top of the article above and appreciate how much time it has taken for this simple message to get through to his thick skull.

You may even do a body count of how many dead people it took to get to such a realisation.

But most probably you'll just want to climb the bloody big mountain.

by 31 - yipppppppppeeeeeeeee! Rabinda!!!!!!!!!! its a prime number! Tue May 03, 2005 18:12

some Restrictions have been lifted, and some people are out of prison, but the "king's" coup is still not undone.
a report from the BBC on Nepalese journalists rally-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4507745.stm
Rabinda Mishra is the name taken by the gal who came out on top in the simulation, and from how she's aunty beeb's analyst numero uno in the land of the bloody big mountain. Here's her appraisal of events so far-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4502455.stm

And the bloody big mountain has claimed another life, Michael O'Brien a driver and bartender from Seattle, plunged to his death in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, a jumble of unstable blocks of ice that stretch from the first high camp on Everest to the base of the 8,850-metre (29,035-ft) mountain at the weekend.

The camp was at an altitude of about 6,100 metres at the top of the Icefall.
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5747495&cKey=1115123726000

by 30 Thu Apr 14, 2005 13:48

his foundation ("the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation") was reported today through local Nepalese press which is seriously compromised and under extreme duress to be planning a project to light up the bloody big mountain.

Perhaps Bill Gates has turned his attention as "cato thinktanker" from the conclave to the bloody big mountain? It does seem odd doesn't it?
Taking their lead from human rights groups, and the richest states in the world, pressure was being placed on the "king" after his "royal coup" as reported in all the comments above by refusing investment.

Now Gates undoes it, and the King promises a "democratic consultation" next April (of 2006)-
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-04/14/content_2828664.htm
http://english.people.com.cn/200504/14/eng20050414_181048.html
http://www.keralanext.com/news/indexread.asp?id=180375

Perhaps its an example of the ongoing journalist satire campaigns, as they do their best to get around the new oppression by writing utter shite.
in which case it would be "untrue".

by 29 Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:03

at link :-

(things are going on as before in a sort of civil war sort of way, you know how it goes, lots of people get hurt, the weakest suffer the most, young people especially young males get sort of turned on in a primative hunter sort of way and get the taste for blood, which all so often is offered with a dollop of politics)

by 28 Wed Mar 23, 2005 23:27

reading a revolutionary booklet described in today's french press as a "guide to paramilitary struggle", (perhaps as used by SF/IRA or Nigerians [ i dunno write Big Swinging Mickey Mc Dowell an easter postcard & ask him)
Libération credit the photo to Sunday 20th March 2005
the maoist revolutionary "dangerous chap" was photographed in the village of Nuwagaon. If you see anyone like this chap in your local town or parish, call the Gardaí or ministry for justice, and demand an immediate deportation, you might like to bypass the formalities and beurocracy by simply hinting at a weekend disco snog, when things went on and on, and well my I never...

if you'd like to read paramilitary material like the young chap in the photo, contact the International Committee of the Red Cross at http://www.icrc.org/

http://libe.com/page.php?Article=195004&Template=GALERIE&Objet=33976
thank you Baron Rothschild you saved Libération.

probably importing fake ICRC documents.

by 27 Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:13

Well what usually happens after everyone says they've cut off aid, assistance, recalled their diplomatic staff, because it is said a "king" (who some think is an incarnation of Vishnu) (but aint) suspends democracy, the rule of law, and they say maoists blockade the valley of Kathmandu, and they say that golfers still play on the hotel courses, and they say carry this bag up the bloody great mountain for me, and I'll give you country knit socks, and the promise of a gold tooth.

they say.

by 26 Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:13

to a new nepal pro-democracy pro-media site.
and aunty Beeb.
the protests have begun.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4346385.stm
http://www.ptinews.com/
(an indian media site tells us -
that there were arrests yesterday of those planning todays demos. and-
"the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has announced that it would observe March 16 as the 'day for freedom of expression'"

by 25 Fri Mar 11, 2005 13:01

"The Nepali Congress says members will risk arrest by holding sit-ins in front of government offices nationwide.
Senior leader of the Nepali Congress and former minister Ram Sharan Mahat said the new campaign would be peaceful and non-violent.

We are ready to provide arms if that is required by Nepal Zamir Akram, Pakistan ambassador to Nepal

He said other partners in a five-party alliance opposing the king's move were expected to join it. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4339231.stm
*********

So far the Maoists are "out of this alliance". But their strike action has reduced the trade and import into Nepal from India, which along with the ending of foreign economic aid means the regime has been very weakened since it abandoned the rule of law.
Please note like "nota bene" that Pakistan and India who are normally strutting it up like fighting cockerels have agreed to exchange high level dignatory type fans for their present Cricket gigs.
I like cricket, its a great game. I therefore think it unlikely that Pakistan will be supplying arms to Nepal which borders both Tibet and India in the near future, they're just teasing Mr "King".

by 24 Thu Mar 10, 2005 13:05

8 political activists and politicians have been released unto the streets.
None were students.
an estimated "many thousand" "&more" are still in custody since democracy and the rule of law were suspended in the mountain kingdom of Nepal led by a man who some claim is the incarnation of Vishnu.

He isn't.

by xxiii Thu Mar 10, 2005 13:02

the Dalai Lama who is the spiritual leader of the most succesful form of Budhism known to the west, and temporal leader in exile of the country of Tibet, has in this year's anniversary statement said that he & his people can accept that Tibet is a part of China.

This update goes here for several reasons-
I wrote the thread using "dalai lama" as pseudonom.
Tibet borders the bloody big mountain where I don't want see asian campesinos tredging up and down anymore for nothing more the promise of a gold tooth and a pair of country knit socks.
The Dalai Lama is one of the temporal leaders who is believed by his followers to be the incarnation of a divnity just like the "King of Nepal".

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5591248

We can now continue to comment 24 and beyond
with updates on the democracy struggle in Nepal.

Wax figures. (don't light a candle too close)

by european Tue Feb 15, 2005 13:41

at the link you may read the declaration of the spokesperson for Quai D'Orsay, Paris yesterday which announced the recall of the French and partner EU diplomatic missions to the state of Nepal.

The state of Nepal has since February 1, (that is a fortnight) been in a state of extreme uncertainty since a coup d'etat led by the monarch overthrew the government. The nepalese people have suffered for many years due to a conflict between Maoist rebels and the King. Thousands have died and international observers have seen gross breaches of human rights by both parties to the conflict.

It seems to commentators, analysts and observers in Europe, that the proposed route to liberty and democracy enacted by the King is unacceptable.

He has only served to compound the immediate and future suffering of the Nepalese people, to endanger the future economic and human development of the Nepalese people and alienate the state of Nepal from the international community of civilised nations.

The governments of the European Union who hold embassies in Nepal now have some time to listen to the men and women who have been "on the ground" throughout the last weeks, through the suspension of basic civil rights, through the round-up of students and democratic political opponents, through the assault on the press.

Reuters continues to carry direct feed from the state of Nepal.

For their part (read the link) Quai D'Orsay urge the return to civil and human rights and presently predict a return of their legation to the Nepalese state at the end of the month of February.

They have advised against any of their citizens or fellow citizens of Europe visiting the state be it to press wild flowers, play golf, or climb the bloody big mountain.

Irish climbers and golfers interested in visiting Nepal have been offered the same advice.

by barry Mon Feb 14, 2005 16:07

Victory within grasp. YESS!!!!

by - Mon Feb 14, 2005 15:10

India has cut all military assistance to Nepal.
the USA has cut all military assistance to Nepal.

and all in the last hour.
wow eh?

by - Sun Feb 13, 2005 17:25

the king has now issued orders which will really get the back up of his "middle class" citizens.

The Nepalese transport minister claims that the few helicopters at the government's disposal are patrolling the road from India to Katmandu.

And that fuel reserves will allow everyone in the capital to survive the new phase of conflict.

The King has not released the students pacifist, alternative movement, democracy liberty crew.

The King has not lifted the censorship bans on the press.

The King has not apologised to the diplomatic legations for cutting their communication.

The King has now promised tough action (you get taken away) for those who hoard fuel. This is how it always goes. The poor starve and freeze, the slightly richer buy up all the candles and combustibles from the stores and hoard, the rich already have their own generators. We have seen this pattern repeated again and again in most recent years Brazil, Argentina and Venezuala spring to mind.

For the sake of the suffering of his own people, the King really ought "take a hike".

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5535098

by here we go. Sat Feb 12, 2005 21:22

Now we may properly begin talking about the "siege" of the "king" who has rubbished democracy, imprisoned hundreds of students, used his loyal troops against human rights protesters, silenced more than 1000 journalists, breached the Vienna convention on diplomatic legation inviobility.

The Maoists have won the support of former government parties to close the road from India to the capital.

The King as indicated many comments and tired days ago, still has access to two airports, and can leave as soon as he finds a state that will offer him asylum.

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5534055

by Barry Fri Feb 11, 2005 14:00

Nepalese Maoists kick ass !!

Being so close to Afghanistan, for example, the US and Britain will be desperate to ensure this revolution does not succeed.
Victory for the working class in Nepal, will be used as a sprinboard for further revolution throughout the region. The Nepalese have made it clear that once they have secured victory, Nepal will be a revolutionary state, committed to helping other oppressed throw off their capitalist masters.

I sincerely wish these people all the best. Heartening to see some good news on the international front.

by Napper Tandy - 32 County Sovereignty Movement Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:03 inter_sol32 at hotmail dot com

32 County Sovereignty Movement (International Department).

Statement on the 9th Anniversary of the People's Revolution in Nepal.

Comrades,

It is with great joy and inspiration that the 32 County Sovereignty Movement sends its message of solidarity to the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its revolutionary fighters on the 9th anniversary of itssuccessful uprising.

We say without reservation that the People's War in Nepal now
standsalongside some of the greatest and most noble struggles in history. It has become a beacon of hope that shines throughout the world and gives strength to all those who wish to throw off the bonds of tyranny and oppression.

It is for these very reasons that the international capitalist
class feel so threatened and attempt to sustain the despotic Nepali regime. It is for similar reasons for instance that, during the Spanish Civil War, Western governments denied aid to the Spanish Republic and actively supplied the Fascist reactionary forces with the materials to defeat it. It became obvious that if the Spanish revolution had been successful, it would havesparked similar struggles against those very same governments.

In this sense, it is right and correct to make the assertion that the victories scored in favour of the Nepali revolution are indeed a victory for all of us.

The coming months and years will no doubt be full of hardship and further struggle in Nepal as the dying elements of the monarchy and their backers lash out in desperation and the bosses of global capitalism attemptto save them. But what haunts their nightmares is the certainty that an oppressed people, united in their determination to be free, are unstoppable.
They will tear down the walls of the palaces and raise their banners over the ruins of the old order.

32 County Sovereignty Movement (International Department).

by reporters without borders Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:23

The Nepalese army is continuing to prevent privately-owned newspapers from appearing normally while around 1,000 journalists, especially those working for the dozens of FM radio stations, could lose their jobs as a result of the crackdown on the news media imposed by the king on 1 February, Reporters Without Borders warned today.

The press freedom organization said it was horrified by the impact of the six-month ban on all independent news and information. "The abusive use of the press law is a clear violation of the international undertakings given by Nepal, which has ratified the UN's International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," it said.

The daily Kathmandu Post reported that about 1,000 journalists have had to stop work and could lose their jobs. Nepal has a total of 41 FM stations employing hundreds of journalists and technicians. Stations such as Hits FM and FM Adhyatma Jyoti each have more than 10 reporters. And the biggest stations, such as Kantipur FM, have at least 90 correspondents throughout the country.

Some stations such as Kantipur FM and Annapurna FM, which is based in the central town of Pokhara, have already been forced to lay off journalists, while the audio news agency Communication Corner, which distributed programmes to some 14 radio stations, has had to close.

The government previously banned news programmes on FM radio stations in January 2001, but the supreme court quashed the order in July of the same year.

After communications were reestablished yesterday, fresh reports circulated about the devastating effect of the king's 1 February coup d'etat on press freedom. The army is continuing to close newspapers. On the evening of 7 February, for example, soldiers raided four weekly newspapers in the capital to prevent them coming out. A radio journalist quoted on the BBC News website spoke of "psychological terror" being employed by the army against the news media.

A military officer is running the weekly Janaastha. The weeklies Taza Khabar, Samata, Punarjagaran, Drishti and Yugsambad have all reportedly been closed or are under the army's direct control.

Voice of America quoted Rajendra Dahal, the editor of a bi-monthly published by the Himal Media press group, as saying, "if our censorship or self-censorship is not sufficient in the eyes of the authorities, we are threatened, accused or arrested." As an ironic protest against the censorship, Himal Media's publications have run editorials on archery and classical dance.

The news website nepalnews.com is online again after being blocked for a week but is "publishing no news going against the letter or spirt of the royal proclamation." The site said its "international coverage" section has also been suspended. The army has meanwhile asked 30 ISPs to be more effective in their blocking of Maoist sites based abroad.

The family of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) president Tara Nath Dahal is still being harassed by the army. Most members of the FNJ leadership, including Gopal Budhathoki, are in hiding. As a protest against the censorship, Budhathoki earlier this week brought out the weekly Sanghu, which he edits, with a blank editorial page.

Many Nepalese human rights activists known for defending imprisoned journalists have been arrested, threatened or placed under house arrest. Reporters Without Borders is particularly concerned about Subodh Raj Pyakurel and the entire team of INSEC, an NGO with which Reporters Without Borders issued a report about torture and arbitrary detention in Nepal in November 2002.

by - Wed Feb 09, 2005 17:09

has been taken away from his home by men in plain clothes the day ahead of a planned pro-human rights rally in Nepal.
He had previously been credited with out spoken criticism of the post Feb 1 situation in Nepal when the current monarch led a coup d'etat.

by . - "go through the door now find yourself in another labyrnth" Tue Feb 08, 2005 13:40

Nepalese phone lines and internet connections have been restored.
The King has said he'll talk to rebels, but at the same time the Army say they are fighting them in the west.
The King has said he will target corruption.
The King has said nothing about "angels and demons", cloning people to fight parkinson, he has neither confirmed nor denied he's a merrovingian and Aunty Beeb have just opened a "have your own say" page for people in Nepal to tell us all about it.
Human Rights sources in Nepal have been highly critical and have described the implementation of censorship and arrest of students as the use of mass terror tactics. The various newspapers have continued to publish daily editions but are not allowed to print the news, some have focussed on the "lack of trees" instead, and others on "horoscopes" and the sort of thinly veiled satire you'd have read in XVIII century Ireland.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4245411.stm

Under one of the conventions of Vienna it is illegal to cut communications to a diplomatic legation-
Thus the Nepalese broke the law when they cut the phone lines to the British delegation, and three unknown men broke the law when they occupied the Spanish consulate in Kirkveld Berne, Switzerland for several hours yesterday.
The british in Nepal just grumbled. The spanish allowed the Swiss elite emergency response team enter the consul and the Spanish spokesperson Angel Velazquez confirmed that the armed men had escaped. Apparantly they were trying to get into the safe.

by sise Fri Feb 04, 2005 22:13

maybe he's another merrovinginvanjan, ask Mr Brown why not?

by mise Fri Feb 04, 2005 20:24

This appears to be the photo that kicked off concerns of an "Israeli flag".

by University of Aberdeen - press release Feb. 4 - 2005 Fri Feb 04, 2005 14:35

Sexual behaviour study of Nepalese trekking guides

Researchers in Aberdeen have begun a study into the sexual behaviour of trekking guides in one of the world’s fastest growing adventure destinations.

Thousands of trekkers, mountaineers, river rafters and adventurers are among those who visit Nepal every year. As a result tourism - particularly the trekking business - is booming, bringing income and providing employment to thousands of people.

Travellers constitute a well-recognised potentially high risk group for acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS due to their sexual activity - perhaps caused by lowering of inhibitions - while abroad. There is some tentative evidence that significant sexual interaction between travellers and guides takes place.

Dr Padam Simkhada, a Research Fellow with the University of Aberdeen’s Public Health department, said: “Medical problems and health risks of trekkers or tourists are documented to some extent, but little information is known about the sexual activity of trekkers’ guides.

“There is an urgent need to undertake this study to understand more fully the nature and extent of high-risk sexual activity among young Nepalese trekking guides.

“Condoms are available in Nepal but are viewed by many as culturally and socially taboo.”

Dr Simkhada and Dr Edwin van Teijlingen, also from the University’s Public Health department, in collaboration with the University of Southampton’s Centre for Sexual Health Research and local Non Governmental Organisations in Nepal are carrying out the research.

Around 500 questionnaires containing queries about general as well as sexual health are being distributed to individual trekking guides as well as to the companies which hire them. Researchers are also planning to carry out in-depth interviews with guides.

Dr Simkhada, who is from Nepal, added: “Findings from this study could be very useful for the formation of appropriate public health policies, and could help the Nepalese Government to revise the existing training curriculum and training package for trekking guides.”

The £8,500 funding for the study has come from the DFID (Department for International Development) funded Safe Passages to Adulthood programme, coordinated at the University of Southampton.


ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more information contact Dr Padam Simkhada on (01224) 552492.

Issued by the Communications Team, Office of External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 273174.

Ref: 1579nepal
Contact: Jennifer Phillips

by - Thu Feb 03, 2005 22:27

http://india.indymedia.org/en/2005/02/210059.shtml

sat phones still work.
radio broadcasting into the country still works
if broadcast from the high lands.
Remember Khatmandu is in a valley.
It is reliant on roads to the south.
Let's seige it with love and peace.

If you're good @ writing letters you can contact Ambassador Moriarty of the USA delegation to Nepal and remind him of the State of the Union address by President Bush this morning in which he promised complete and full suport to all who seek Liberty, Democracy and Freedom.

You can register your disgust with the treatment of our brothers and sisters with the Nepalese government.
Be foul of mouth, Be diplomatic, Be commie, Be christian, Be Buddhist, Be all the colours of the rainbow.

www.nepalhomepage.com/dir/politics/
www.nepalhmg.gov.np/

You might like to remind them that all civilised countries and states are in the process of freezing economic and other assistance to this regime which is *unacceptable*.

You might like to also boycott Nepalese products which supports the general strike, and if you import nepalese hashish (like you're in Engurland & provide quality product) say no.

You may also like to boycott Nepalese holidays.

You may like to send emails of solidarity to all nepalese sites they end in "dot.np"

by great uncle joe - underground overground wombling free Thu Feb 03, 2005 21:51

If aunty Beeb and all the cousins are to be believed on this there are presently over 250 student protesters being held by the "King" and all his horses and all his men in Nepal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4233729.stm
They are "our student pacifist alternative progressive democratic protesters"

They are the vanguard of Liberty.

You release them Mr "King", or not only will we take the "mr" out from in front of your name, we might even metaphorically rip every gold tooth out of your market of buddhist demons.

(comment eight as the keen reader knows always has a bit of fang in it)

by oh this another simulation? Thu Feb 03, 2005 21:30

“Sab theek hain par yeh maharaj theek nahi hai. Apna hi parivar ko kha gaya (Everything is okay but this king is not good. He ate up his own family),” said an elderly pilgrim.

He was aware of the “royal coup” but not happy with it. Nepal is in bad shape, he added.

The long queue of trucks across the border confirmed that the laggardly ways of the Nepal bhansar (customs) had not changed with the big changes in Kathmandu, 220 km away.

that means over 250 students are being held by the police, aunty beeb has heard gun fire, its the middle of the night, and hotel guests were playing golf this afternoon.

Let us raise our prayers for peace with justice for the poor of Nepal and its neighbouring regions that no-one has to go up the bloody big mountain carrying a 50kg load of stuff for a gold tooth and the promise of country knit sock.

India has cancelled the forthcoming meeting of the SAARC which would have helped the poor of all the region of South Asia who after recent tragedies are suffering horribly and the "king" has managed to stop the news of "general strike" spreading by itnternet (-1000 connections, 100,000+ users) but it will spread by mouth.

Here finally is an aunty beeb old timer on the graffiti in english which he saw which began the Maoists years ago.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4233857.stm

writing is on the wall.

by getting a bit pissed off with this. Thu Feb 03, 2005 16:53

have called for the immediate restoration of the plan to bring Nepal forward to democracy generally called the elected government.

Switzerland nor the USA nor Japan believe the dodgey king is an incarnation of Vishnu.

The Swiss have cut off all aid as of this afternoon, which means the poor won't be able to import the gold they need to eat and buy the backpacks.

The King has ordered the media not to criticise him for a minimum of six months. This is bad news for the Maoists.

It is thus, I have decided, the hour of the night in Catmando to present "cousin alternative heir to the throne".

by duckula Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:56

has given us file photos of the Last King, the Last PM and the current King. and a few quotations from the current King's speech on the massacre of children by the maoist rebels.
Cousin Xin has also given us the figure of troops who the King is comander in chief of : 78,000.
This is much smaller than cousin George who would have you believe that the King can get millions of kids into uniform quicker than you can eat hot readybrek and gold.
Other than that cousin Xin is being very quiet about Nepal only publishing a photo of Spanish lovely girl Penelope Cruz, sexy Mr Blair who gotta kiss from Jean Peterson in Manchester and Chelsea FC who very good at football and rioting. But so too is China and will probably do very well when they play in Dublin. We'll all be cheering. olé olé olé. I'll watch it on the satelite.

Cousin Xin in completely unrelated news is holding talks today with Cousin Vlad.

Mr Putin has signed an accord of security co-operation in invisible ink with Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, who is in Moscow (the capital of Russia) [where lenin died] for talks on this and that, bits and bobs. They will no doubt be discussing in a sort of informal way, the announcement of a ceasefire in Chechnya by one of the rebel leaders there, and I suppose slagging each other off about circus. Mr Putin will say "our russian circus and dancers are better than yours Mr Jiaxuan". And Mr Jiaxuan will say "utter poppycock Vlad, old bean, our acrobats kick the shit out of yours". Then both will stop giggling and concur that the best circus in the world is found in a happy occupied autonomous collectivised social centre. "Ahhhh" they will say "if only we had been younger".

by cousin rothschild Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:36

its the usual sort of site, a few side views of the usual faces, Mr Marx (dead) Mr Lenin (dead) and Mr Mao (dead). the background is in red (commie colour) and there's links to songs and texts.

The CIA have updated their nepalese page on 27th of january, there are an estimated 100,000 - 150,000 internally displaced persons in Nepal now.

The current King took over from his nephew who had shot the family in the drugged up rampage, and died three days later, so in a way he's the old King's brother. very shakespearian. Interesingly enough Nepal is the only officially _hindu_ state in the world.
The Maoists don't like that, and will probably want an _atheist republic_ just like they got in Albania.
It's quite a table of forthcoming discussion, on one side absolute monarchists who till recently legally held their monarch to be a god, and on the other the Maoists who are well... Maoists.

Nepal has according to the CIA oodles more airports of varying quality in addition to the main ones alluded too. Its major import is gold, which the poor people eat. And the Indians have now tightly secured their border with Nepal to stop the Maoists crossing into Indiana Jones Temple of Doom land and setting off a western fad for oriental marxist materialism with guerilla fighters turning up in your local school burning incense and stuff.

Oh by the way, aunty beeb has noted that there are a lot more police and soldiers on the street, but has said nothing about tanks, thats coz there aren't many tanks in Nepal, the Gurka regiment of the Brit Hun forces were disbanded in the last years and they used artilery vehicles instead.
Since no-one is suggesting a recent recruitment drive for police and soldiers in Catmando, this does seem to mean that they've come into the city from further out, and therefore laying on the logic with a thick dollop, that would mean they can't be in control of those regions further out of the city.
Wouldn't it?

The CIA in its updated (27/1/05) fact sheet on Nepal reminds everyone that "left-leaning students" in Catmando are a political pressure group, and not really the same as the Maoist "campesino rebels".

woman in a blanket & kids in cheap armour

by oh its like that is it? Thu Feb 03, 2005 08:59

Aunty Beeb chats to hotel workers.
Aunty Beeb doesn't get to chat to the King.
aunty beeb observes the phone lines are down.
aunty beeb observes there are more soldiers on the streets.
aunty beeb explains the maoists.

Meanwhile, uncle vanguardia (the spanish lot) estimate that the maoist rebels are now in control of most of Nepal leaving only a small triangle loyal to the government between the towns of pokhar and Bhaktapur and Gurkha. Which allows access for the King to either of two airports from his regal compound in catmando.

aunty beeb reminds us that both government and maoist forces have been accused of torture and summary executions.

"As one analyst put it, the government appears to be caught in a classic catch-22 situation."

the king's gamble to remain in power-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4226039.stm
who are the rebels-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3573402.stm
what's Nepal like-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4119145.stm

by oooooops - "not content with slagging off YD for not breeding kids now I'm having a go at the buddhists" Wed Feb 02, 2005 21:36

as usual, for infamous Nepalese Ox, please read infamous Nepalese Fox, tis the little details that count.
all in the fine print you know. dont sign anything or go ticking any boxes unless you know exactly what you're getting yourself into, neither a borrower or a lender or a drug trafficker be.

I think this is great news for the Maoists.

The SWP will be very upset, but the smaller factions of old style commie party can now organise a workers revolutionary march to the GPO and really really like change like you know things like.

In unrelated Big mountain news, the german Andreas “Anderl” Heckmair who was first up the north face of the Eiger in Switzerland in 1938, has died at the age of 98. He was a NAZI !!!! and planted the swastika flag at the top when he got there. Which just go to proves there are still people out there, who plonked that kind of flag on things, in case you were in any doubt about the longevity issues.
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=108&sid=5511114

More than 700 people have successfully climbed the North face since his first ascent, but 50 others have died in the process. In fairness "anderl" used a four man rope team, each one with country knit socks, and proper boots, and didn't rely on slave labour to carry his high protein food packs and painkillers up the north face for him.

by via imc contact form Wed Feb 02, 2005 21:23

Press Release:
02/02/05.
For Immediate Release.
Contact: Sean Burns ([email protected])

32csm Highlights Nepal 'Coup' Plot

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement (International Department) notes with
growing interest and alarm at the move by the Nepalese despot King Gyanendra
to sack the entire government of the country yesterday (1st February)

Although the so-called government was often considered by critics to be a
facade behind which the monarchists have sought to give democratic
legitamacy to their regime, it is now apparent to any objective commentator
that this is exactly where true power exists.

Despite denials by Gyanendra that a coup was rapidly unfolding he quickly
moved to cut all telecommunications with the country (including internet and
mobile phone networks) and shut the capital's airport.

After this he announced (in a style befitting of any tyrant) that he was
suspending several parts of the Nepalese constitution, in particular the
right to freedom of the press, the right to peaceful assembly, the right to
expression and the freedom from unjustified arrest.

There are two reasons Gyanendra would have for such action. Firstly is his
own acknowledged lust for power and a resentment toward liberal reform of
any kind. Secondly is his apparent growing impatience at the so-called
government's obvious failure at ending the successful popular insurgency led
by the Maoist guerilla forces in the countryside.

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement (International Dept) once again calls on
all revolutionaries to support the Maoist forces and their political
leadership in the Nepalese Communist Party (M), and help the people of Nepal
throw out this megalomaniac once and for all.
MESSAGE ENDS.