Republica

श्रावण २०८०

MCC acknowledges 12-point interpretative declaration, clarifies that Nepal’s constitution will prevail over MCC Nepal Compact

KATHMANDU, Aug 30: Amid concerns raised by a section of ruling party leaders, including Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, about whether the US government would accept the 12-point explanatory note as a part of the MCC agreement, the US government has clarified that the explanatory note will indeed be included in the MCC grant agreement.

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सम्बन्धित सामग्री

MCC acknowledges 12-point interpretative declaration, clarifies that Nepal’s constitution will prevail over MCC Nepal Compact

Republica श्रावण २०८०

Rumors and truths about MCC: Govt (with full document)

KATHMANDU, Feb 17: The government has made it clear that no provisions of the Millennium Corporate Challenge (MCC) will affect Nepal's sovereignty and independence. At the time when the key coalition members of PM Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government are opposing the government’s move totable the compact in parliament and protests have intensified in the streets of Kathmandu, the government has tried to make it clear that the MCC is not against the country’s sovereignty. On the question of parliamentary ratification, the government has maintained that the MCC requires parliamentary ratification as per the suggestion of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliament. There is no provision of parliamentary ratification in the compact itself, according to the government. The government has also accused the media channels of planting misunderstanding among the general public regarding certain provisions of the compact. To make it clear, the government on Thursday issued a 11-points clarification regarding the compact. Here is what the governmnet has to say: - Is MCC supreme over constitution and law? Nepal being a member state of the Vienna Convention, if any of the provisions of the treaty, agreements or compact made with any nation conflict with the constitution and law of the country, it is obliged to follow the provisions of that particular treaty, agreement or compact. Besides, so far there are no such provisions in the MCC that conflict with the constitution and law of Nepal. - MCC and sovereignty of Nepal The MCC will affect Nepal’s sovereignty and independence. - Issues of intellectual property Nepal will have the first claim over the intellectual property of the MCC. MCC can also utilize it. - Auditing Auditing of the project will be carried out by Nepal along with auditors deployed by MCC. - India’s permission to implement the project The agreement for the project from India is required only to construct the transmission line to be built joining Nepal and India and the agreement has already been made. - Property of the project Nepal will have ownership over all the properties of the project. The tenure of the MCC will be no more than five years.

Ratopati English माघ २०७८

Ruling alliance not in mood to endorse MCC immediately: Former Speaker Mahara

What will happen to the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact? What will the ruling alliance do? I have not gone through the response received from the MCC. However, I am well aware about the issues prior to this because I was also connected with this issue. The MCC was initially related only with economic affairs during my tenure as the finance minister. No concrete plan of construction roads and developing the energy sector was mentioned. However, this has not been limited only to purely economic development as it was during its inception. Two issues were raised during the agreement. First, the US representatives said that it was a part of the Indo Pacific Strategy (IPS). Then officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs also echoed that it is a part of IPS. It means it is a part of military strategy. Therefore, it should be rectified. Next, there are some issues which can not be accepted as it is. It should not be above Nepal’s laws and constitution. Nepal should have the right to pick the project and sites as well. Similarly, audits should be carried out by Nepal’s authorities. Therefore, the MCC Compact should be amended, otherwise it is not acceptable. MCC clarified that it is not above Nepal’s law and it is not a part of IPS. Can it now be endorsed by parliament? The recent letter was sent by the MCC. It is an organization under the finance ministry of the US. Therefore, the US government should clarify about the IPS. It should clarify onr statements made by US officials and statements issued by the foreign ministry. MCC’s Vice President Fatima is on a visit to Nepal. Isn’t her clarification enough? No. The US government said it was a part of ISP. I also heard that the past government had also signed a confidential agreement. You were talking about foreing minister’s tour to US? Yes. I heard about that. However, nothing was disclosed. What I mean to say is that statements alone from the MCC are not enough as US officials had already said it is a part of the ISP. We should seek statements from the US government. You mean to say that further steps should be taken at the government level, yes? The Nepal Government should respond. It should deal with the US government. What happens to the MCC Compact? I can’t predict anything about it. What does your party have to say about MCC? Without amendment, the MCC cannot be rectified. What about the ruling alliance? MCC has now become a matter of interest for the general public, our sovereignty and independence. Besides, the Rastriya Janamorch Party has already announced that it will withdraw its support from the government if MCC is endorsed by parliament. Likewise, CPN (Maoist Center) has maintained that the MCC cannot be rectified from parliament without amendment. We have witnessed row among leaders of Janata Samajbadi Party. The case is similar in the ruling Nepali Congress as well. So, the ruling alliance also believes that it should be endorsed through parliament for now. While you were the speaker of parliament, did the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli pressurize you to endorse the MCC from parliament? Yes, he did. Oli had asked me to endorse the MCC thrice. During that time, NCP used to have two two chairmen. Oli did not think of discussing with his counterpart, Puspha Kamal Dahal regarding the matter. MCC had become an international concern by that time. Afterwards, the Chinese President Xi Xing Ping visited Nepal. I then told Oli that I will review the matter after Xi’s visit. But, Oli’s pressure remained the same. Oli is a nationalist leader, but his actions seem against the nation. How? That is a matter of his concern. He should not have pressurized me. But, he did and I don’t know why? Has Oli changed his view about MCC now being in a position of the main opposition party? I recently held a discussion with Bishnu Poudel. He asked my view on MCC and I told him I am against it. He then indirectly told me, in his own tone “We are the main opposition party” and that suggested that UML has also chosen to stand against it. And,this time their view that the MCC is against the nation’s favor and should not be rectified from parliament is a right stand to take. Was it Oli’s mistake to pressurize the speaker of the house to endorse MCC from parliament? As I have said, how could I know his inner thoughts? He could be trying to act against his own will? Or could be acting in a way and thinking in another.

Ratopati English श्रावण २०७८

MCC answers govt questions

Millennium Challenge Corporation of United States on Wednesday sent its responses to the questions from Nepal government clarifying that Nepal’s constitution prevailed over the MCC agreement, but the agreement could not be amended at this time.

The Himalayan Times श्रावण २०७८

Treaty, agreement should be in national interest: Dr Rawal

KATHMANDU, July 30: Vice-Chairperson of the main opposition party, CPN (UML), Dr Bhim Bahadur Rawal, has said that treaties and agreements should be signed considering national interest as supreme. During the 'special hour' in today's meeting of the House of Representatives, leader Rawal cast doubt over the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement and raised question how would it be implemented at a time when it has not been passed by the House. He shared, "Some provisions mentioned in MCC are contradictory to the constitution of Nepal. It is not in favour of the nation." The UML vice-chairperson argued that our land could not be handed over to any company in the name of MCC. He stressed that diplomatic relations with any country should be made strong but attention should be paid on the thing whether or not it is in favour of the country while signing treaty. Leader Rawal expressed the view that all lawmakers should get opportunity to study MCC and drew attention that all should involve to utilize country's resources keeping national welfare as the condition. Stating that country's independency and dignity should not be put at risk, he argued that foreign intervention would be increased if MCC is passed. He said, "It should be made clear if it is grant."

Ratopati English आषाढ २०७८