Nepal's parliament opened on Friday for the first time in four
years, but the country's 84-year-old prime minister-designate was
too ill to attend the opening or his swearing-in ceremony.
The House began with two minutes of silence for the victims of
this month's anti-monarchy and pro-democracy street protests, in
which at least 13 people died and thousands were wounded.
In a written statement to parliament, the absent
premier-in-waiting, Girija Prasad Koirala, promised to call
elections to a special assembly to draw up a new constitution, hold
talks with Maoist rebels and declare a ceasefire.
The acting speaker said a debate would be held on Sunday on
Koirala's proposals.
Outside, thousands of Nepalis surrounded the gates of
parliament, waving party flags and chanting slogans to keep up
pressure for a new constitution and a curb on the king's
powers.
Others attended the first public rally in Kathmandu in three
years to be addressed by a senior leader of the ultra-leftist rebel
movement, which declared a unilateral three-month ceasefire on
Thursday.
Monks in maroon robes and women in traditional tribal dress were
among thousands gathered outside the gates of parliament.
"Protests continue until the announcement of an unconditional
constituent assembly," read one. "Abolish the Royal Nepalese Army
and set up a Nepalese Army," read another.
Life has largely returned to normal in Nepal since the country's
mainstream political parties called off their campaign.
That followed King Gyanendra's announcement on Monday evening
that he was reviving parliament and surrendering power to the
parties who led the protests.
But Koirala's ill health threatens to get his fifth term as
prime minister off to an inauspicious start.
On Thursday, he was also too ill to attend a large rally in the
Kathmandu to celebrate victory for the pro-democracy movement,
sparking anger among many in the crowd.
Koirala's daughter, Sujata, said her father had bronchitis and
was on antibiotics. He had been also been given oxygen and a saline
drip on Thursday, but his health was gradually improving.
"He is an old man, he is taking rest," she said outside his room
on Friday morning. "The only problem is that it was too hectic a
schedule and he is tired."
In related news, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is encouraged
by the positive development in Nepal, UN spokesman Stephane
Dujarric said late on Thursday.
In a statement released by his spokesman, Annan said he is
heartened by the recent positive developments in Nepal.
"He considers the royal proclamation of April 24 reinstating
Parliament as a positive step that opens the door for a political
process to end the decade-old conflict and address its underlying
causes on the basis of wishes of the Nepali people," Dujarric
said.
The spokesman noted that the secretary-general also welcomes the
three-month cease-fire in Nepal as a step that will further ease
the suffering of ordinary Nepalese and foster confidence between
the soon-to-be-formed Government and the rebels.
(China Daily April 29, 2006)
