N-Child Mary Celeste Starzyk lobbying

Ci provo con un messaggio da nchild..... qualcuno ha voglia di farne una sintesi? Mi pare che confermi più o meno le notizie che stanno girando in questi ultimi giorni, ma è interessante perché l'operatrice in questione ha parlato direttamente col ministro

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Dear Nchilders,

I arrived in Nepal on June 13. Since that time, I have had a number of meetings with various people involved with Nepali adoptions.

On June 14, I brought a letter to President Carter at the Soaltee Hotel where he was staying. I asked him to please raise the issue of the 400 files currently frozen at the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs. President Carter did so in his meeting with the Prime Minister on June 16.

On June 17 I met with members of various adoption committees. I continue to be alarmed by Nepal's interest in becoming a signatory to the Hague Agreement. I do not believe Nepal is in a position to fully implement this agreement at this time. My concern is that if Nepal signs this agreement, it may ultimately result in stopping all international adoptions from Nepal.

On June 20 I met for over an hour with Mr. Bishwakarma, Minister of Womens and Childrens and Social Welfare Ministry. We discussed many of the issues surrounding adoption, particularly Mr. Bishwakarma's concern for child abduction for the purposes of international adoption. Mr. Bishwakarma indicated that, at this time, there will be no major change in the "one boy, one girl" policy. He did indicate that he hopes to have the new Terms and Conditions in place within one month's time. He expects to begin processing the 400 files at that time.

I have been working with Nepali adoptions for fifteen years. During that time, I have dealt with every minister involved with adoptions. Mr. Bishwakarma is the first Maoist to have held this position. I am impressed with him. I found him to be knowledgeable and thoughtful regarding adoption issues. He seems to be aware of the needs of all parties involved in adoption.   He does not appear to be opposed to international adoption as a solution for some of the problems facing poverty-stricken Nepali children.

Mary Celeste Starzyk

Director