US concerned with crackdown on Tibetan refugees

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 May: Before leaving Friday for home for consultations, US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell expressed ‘official concern’ personally with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on the crackdown on daily protests of Tibetan refugees against the August Beijing Olympics.
US government took up the cause of the 17,000 refugees protesting daily against China , as al visiting senior Chinese Communist Party official last month charges bloody Tibet protests two months were planned in unnamed European capitals; he charged western government officials were involved in the protests.
Nepal is now caught in a battle between Washington and Beijing over Tibet.
China has also told Koirala repeatedly to stop the protests of the refugees seeking protection for its property.
After the US the embassy Thursday announced it took up the refugee cause with Koirala his aide Aditya Baral said Nepal adheres to a One China police and Powell’s rebuke was ‘mild’.
“They {Koirala, Powell]discussed the current political-economic situation in the wake of the final election results. Ambassador Powell welcomed the Prime Minister’s statements calling for consultations and consensus on the formation of a new government.
“Ambassador Powell also expressed official U.S. concern about the treatment of Tibetans by Nepali authorities. She urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the right to peaceful protest was maintained and that the human rights of Tibetans in Nepal are respected,” the embassy statement said.
Nepal has been helping China directly in carrying an Olympic torch to the summit of Mount Everest as protests are being held in Asian capitals against the Olympics.
Nepalis helping China by pinning down climbers with 31 expeditions to the second camp [6,200m] of the 8848 meters world’s highest peak until 10 May amid reports the torch is approaching the summit from the north. Being carried by Chinese climbers.
Nepal has helped China directly in carrying the torch to the top of the world by keeping climbers off the final 800 meters to the summit from 8000 metres on a common route.
The last lap of the northeast ridge route from Tibet and the southeast ridge route from Nepal is common.
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Big parties to submit names

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 May: Maoists selected five ‘independents’ to the CA.
They are: Dr Indrajit Rai, Bikshu Anand, Surya Bahadur Sen Oli, Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar and Siddhartha Somani.
Rai has been described as a military analyst who son was deputed to the royal palace as an ADC while Oli is a top administrator of the panchayat era.
Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’, Dinanath Sharma, Martika Prasad Yadav, Lokendra Bistamanar, Narayan Sharma and Nanda Kumar Prasai have been nominated from the central leadership.
Seventeen parties have to submit names under the PR system for the CA to the Election Commission later Friday by 5 PM.
Eight parties submitted their lists till Thursday.
Major parties Maoists, Congress, CPN-UML and MJF won 100, 73, 70 and 22 seats each in the assembly elections.
The Commission will submit a final report of the election to the government sometime this week after which has to convene CA in 21 days.
Congress central committee is currently meeting to approve the 73 names recommended by the party parliamentary committee.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala will be nominated by the party.
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Indian government troubleshooter pushes republic

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 May: Indian government troubleshooter and CPI (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechuri returns home later Friday after pushing a republic following the 10 April assembly elections described as reverses for USA and India.
Both the countries were banking of a victory for Nepali Congress of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala but Maoists emerged victorious as the largest single party in the 601-member CA.
Yechuri came to push the Indian government priority for a national unity government and immediately after Rakesh Sood presented his credentials to Premier Koirala this week.
New Delhi transferred Sood from another trouble area for India Afghanistan.
Yechuri held discussions with Koirala immediately after Thursday followed by a second meeting Friday before leaving.
New Delhi sent Yechuri who has close contacts with Maoists; India’s relationship with Maoists soured after the April 2006 when Maoists were installed in power with Indian government held.
Yechuri was sent after India lost the initiative with Koirala Congress defeat; otherwise, the Indian embassy had access at the time of its desire with the official residence of the premier at Baluwatar.
Maoists held extensive discussions with Maoists leaders Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai.
Yechuri said he came to wish Nepali leaders ‘success;’ for declaring a republic.
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Ice broken between Maoists, Washington


By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 May: The ice was broken finally between Maoists and Washington Friday.
US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell drove to the residence of Chairman Prachanda and held political discussions before flying for Washington for consultations.
Some indication of a a thaw was noticeable when Powell attended but didn’t even shake hands with the chairman at a UN-sponsored donor meeting last month after the 10 April Assembly election won by Maoists.
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