Non-refugee Tibetans to be handed over to UN

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 Sept: The Maoist-led government has adopted a policy to deliver protesting Tibetans against China without refugee status to the UNHCR for deportment from where they came.
Since March this year Tibetans coming from Dharmashala, where the Dalai lama lives in self-exile, have been staging daily protests at the Chinese embassy and he visa section at Naxal.
Altogether 106 protesting Tibetans were handed over by the local administration to the Immigration Department for deportation Thursday.
The new policy has been an embarrassment for the UN in Nepal.
China has accused unidentified western countries for inciting the Tibetans for a free Tibet crusade.
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Four ministers to accompany Prachanda on India visit

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 Sept: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda begins a triumphant official goodwill India visit as head of a government to a country that gave his and the CPN (Maoist) protection under watchful eye even as the party was declared terrorist by Nepali and India.
Prachanda lived in the outskirts of the Indian capital under watch and protection on India before entering Nepal on April 2006 after toppling the royal government of King Gyanendra with foreign help and conspiracy.
India, EU and USA conspired with Nepal’s political parties to topple the 238-year-old monarchy.
Prachanda, who begins his India visit Sunday, will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav from MJR, Communications Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara from CPN (Maoist),Water Resources Minister Bishnu Paudel from CPN –UML and Commerce Minister Rajendra Mahoto from NSP.
Prachanda Thursday consulted leaders of 10 political parties ahead of the visit.
The prime minister said he won’t sign any controversial agreements with India during the visit.
CPN (Maoist) Friday discussed the impending visit.
Prachanda will discuss the ravage caused by the Kosi dam burst and problems created, party leader Mohan Baidya Kiran said.
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Dollar gains

Kathmandu, 12 Sept: The US dollar was selling at Rs 73.20 in the market Friday gaining a new height in two years.
For the first time in two years, the greenback crossed the Rs 73 mark.
The dollar sold at Rs 73.05 on 12 October 2006 and the price fell since then.
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Nepotism in CPN-UML

Kathmandu, 12 Sept: Surendra Pandey has been appointed deputy leader of the CPN-ML parliamentary party while Bhim Acharya has been appointed chief whip.
Pandey is married to the party chief Jhalanath Khanal’s wife while Acharya is Khanal’s brother-in-law.
They replace Bishnu Paudel and Ram Chandra Jha who have joined the government.
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Defence minister visiting China

Kathmandu, 12 Sept: Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ is visiting as head of a team 22 September on the invitation of the Chinese government, Kantipur reports.
He will hold discussions with top Chinese leaders and watch a parade of the PLA.
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