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Paras in Austria...

‘Rhino diplomacy’ raises a stink

IANS
Wednesday, March 22, 2006 22:08 IST



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KATHMANDU: An attempt by Nepal to reach out to Europe by gifting a pair of rhinos to an Austrian zoo has raised a storm in Austria, with the opposition there warning the government not to have any truck with visiting Crown Prince Paras.

In the latest twist to the ‘rhino diplomacy’, the foreign policy spokesperson of Austria’s Green Party, Lunacek Ulrike, has urged the Austrian government not to have any contact with a “regime that violates human rights”.

The storm erupted this week after Nepal’s media reported that Paras, the highly unpopular heir to the throne, was to visit Austria, France and UAE with his wife, Crown Princess Himani, Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, and an entourage that would cost the cash-strapped government about Nepali Rs 60 million.

Alarmed by the snowballing controversy, Chancellor Schusel, who was earlier scheduled to attend the inauguration of the rhino park, has instead deputed Minister of Economics and Labour Martin Bartenstein and State Secretary of Finance Alfred Finz to attend the ceremony. But even that decision has come under fire from the opposition.

Ulrike has warned the Austrian government that at a time when Austria holds the presidency of the European Union, the royal regime in Nepal would misuse such contact as an official visit and try to legitimise itself through the EU.

- http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1019472&CatID=9

From Gorkhapatra Editorial - [This is so f---ing hilarious]

HIS Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev has made Nepal's position clear on conservation of the environment and bio-diversity. Addressing a function in Vienna, Austria the other day, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who is also chairman of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC), rightly underlined the need for carrying out activities for the preservation of nature and bio-diversity with the active participation of the people. His Royal Highness also lauded the role of the KMTNC in the field of environment conservation and development. The role of the Royal Family in Nepal's development has been very crucial, in general, and nature conservation, in particular. The King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, under the patronage of the Royal Family, has been a trailblazer in nature conservation and development. This organisation has left an indelible mark in environment conservation both at home and abroad. The credit goes to the Royal family, in general, and His Majesty the King, in particular, as the KMTNC was born and grew under the patronage of His Majesty the King.

His Royal Highness has also been equally interested and eager in conservation and sustainable development of the country. The motto of the KMTNC is conservation through popular participation. The KMNTC believes that activities that are launched with the people's participation alone can bring about sustainable development and tangible change in the lives of the people. In fact, development is for the people, which should be environment-friendly and sustainable. If any activities launched in the name of development cause damage to nature and do not address the problems of the people, it cannot be called development. Thus, the activities of the KMNTC have been popular and successful because they focus more on local needs and popular participation. His Royal Highness has, thus, laid particular emphasis on the necessity of acting as a bridge between the ecology and economy for ensuring the safe and secure future of humanity. The issue of conservation has emerged as an important agenda. Nepal has also expressed its commitment to work resolutely for the conservation of nature and carry out activities for sustainable development. As per its commitment, the efforts of Nepal have been directed towards maintaining a balance between development and conservation, which have been clearly reflected in the speech of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Nepal's efforts at economic development and ecological conservation are expected to further expedite under the patronage of the Royal Family.

जहाँ पाप उहिं फलिफाप भनेको यही नै हो ।

If you commit more sin you reach to more height. If you can be notorious, nobody will even ask you anything. You will be rather respected. It has been proved once again. Just look at Prachanda - he can give interview to BBC, Hindu and Kantipur and still remain safe and sound. KG and Paras loot the country in the name maintaining law and order. The party leaders are trying to figure out how can they reach to their respective KURSIS from where they can start their free fall again. Or, start dog fight over desko haddi.

What a dreadful (kahali lagdo) situation? Is there any hope left for Nepal? Doesn't even seem like there is any solution possible at all. KG isn't giving up. Maoists aren't giving up. Parties are dancing in the street. India takes dubious policy. China promotes dictatorship. What's the next step? Soon, it will be the news of country going into bankruptcy. Let me better not think any further ...