The Maoist problem appears to be uppermost in the minds of Nepalis everywhere. Even in Australia where Nepalis based in Melbourne expressed their concerns about dialogue to visiting Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka. Khadka, who was down under attending an international AIDS conference, was quick to reassure them at a reception hosted by the Nepali Association of Victoria: "The Maoist problem has to be and will be solved through dialogue. This is the belief of the present government," he told members gathered at the Gurkhas Brasserie, a Nepali restaurant. However, Khadka, self-assured and confident, added on a sterner note: "If the problem isn't solved through dialogue the government will have to adopt harsh measures." Nepalis in Australia also sponsored Dasain programmes in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra with Nepali performers, Santosh Pant, Nabin Bhattarai, Kunti Moktan and Kumar Basnet.