Sujata, Ram Baran Yadav discuss Nepal with Indians, Americans in New Delhi

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 6 March: SujataKoirala, Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Indian Ambassador Shib Shankar Mukherjee suddenly flew together to New Delhi Monday at the same time US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was in the Indian capital, Mahima, a weekly close to Maoists reports.
According to diplomatic sources, the during the planned events the three sides cooked a new political broth to direct Nepal’s politics as constituent assembly election draws near.s
There was agreement at the meeting to weaken Maoists as they are about to capture power through elections with a weakening Congress position.
India was given responsibility to arrange electoral arrangement between Congress and terai groups in the south.
The source claimed they discussed continuity of monarchy in Nepal at all costs.
The meeting decided to support monarchy only when constitution is being framed after elections.
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Army chief says nation facing grave crisis, no mention of group entry in army

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 6 March: Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal Thursday said the ‘our beloved motherland Nepal is moving ahead amid through a grave crisis” and implicitly rejected group recruitment of ethnic gorups, including Madeshis, in the army.
The chief said this on Army Day Thursday; Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala attended the official function in Tundikhel to mark the occasion.
Gen Katawal, in a message, said the army will push ‘integration in a balanced manner’ accepting democratic principles.
There was no mention of group entry of ethnic groups, including Madeshis, in the message.
Instead, Katawal said the Nepal Army’s special character is multi-ethnicity, multi-lingualism and multi-culturlism and added allnepali citizens will be provided opportunities through integration, ability and work efficiency.
The government and three terai groups agreed on it in an agreement brokered by India to break a stalemate to pave way for the 10 April assembly elections.
Sujata, on behalf of her father Girija Prasad Koitala, Koirala flew to New Delhi to thank foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee for his held in breaking the stalemate opening the way for elections.
Katawal said the army will defend national unity, terrotorial integrity and sovereignty making them the focal points.
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Japanese UNMIN peace being replaced

Kathmandu, 6 March: Japan is replacing its six-member team dispatched in March with UNMIN.
The current team will leave March and will be replaced until September 2008 by another team led by Lt Col Masataka Osano.
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