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| Sunday, 15 August 2004 |
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Foreign envoys slam Maoist threat to close multinationals in Nepal KATHMANDU, Aug 14 (AFP) A group of foreign envoys and business leaders in Nepal Friday slammed threats by a pro-Maoist trade union federation to close down 24 companies including a number of multinationals next week. "The ISG in the interest of the people of Nepal urges in the strongest terms that these companies be allowed to operate freely within the framework of the laws of Nepal and in accordance with international norms," the Industrial Security Group said in a statement here. The All Nepal National Federation of Trade Unions last week accused the companies of exploiting their workers and said it would shut them down from August 17. Among the enterprises named are the deluxe hotel Soaltee-Crowne Plaza, the Surya Tobacco Company, the Aqua Mineral Water factory, Bottlers' Nepal (a Coca-Cola company), Elite Petrol Station, a string of garment and fabric factories and steel rolling mills. "The targeted companies include a number of joint ventures with foreign companies and foreign joint venture partners are a major source of capital and technological expertise for Nepalese industry," the ISG said in a statement. "These companies operate in a fair and transparent manner without discrimination, social exclusion, or any political affiliation. "Threats against and demands for payment from these joint ventures contravene international norms," said the ISG, which comprises representatives of the embassies of France, Germany, India, Britain and the US and their chambers of commerce and industry in Nepal. "Disruption of their operations would severely affect the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of their employees, their families, and associates, undermine investors' confidence, discourage future investments and harm Nepal's economy," the statement said. The Maoists have been waging an eight year rebellion which has killed close to 10,000 people. |
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