PM Prachanda meets world leaders; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Thursday held discussions with Turkish President Abudullah Gul in New York.
Prachanda also held discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y Thinley.
Dahal held discussions with Norwegian International Development Minister Eric Solheim—a frequent visitor to Nepal.
Prachanda also held a telephonic conversation with former US President Jimmy Carter.
He addressed the UN Millennium Development Goals summit.
Many has observed President George W Bush comment during a brief encounter with Prachanda as a diplomatic snub, Samya reports.
“ I am closely watching developments in Nepal closely; I know what is happening there,” Bush said.
During a meeting with US Assistant secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher, Prachanda gave a clear signal he had no faith in Nepal Army when two officers were told to go out of the room.
Ministers in the Maoist-led government are also on a tour of world capitals.
Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav Thursday discussed bilateral Nepal-Denmark relations and expansion of cooperation in Copenhagen with Foreign Affairs Co-chair of parliament Karsten Lauritzen.
Law Minister Deb Gurung is in India and Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ is visiting China; Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara is in North Korea and Youth Minister Gopal Sakya is in Azerbaijan while Culture Minister Gopal Kirate is in Hong Kong.
Tourism Minister Hishila Yami returned from UK Thursday while her husband and Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai flies for Washington in several days to attend a conference of the World Bank.
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Cuba opening embassy in capital

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Cuba is opening an embassy in the capital shortly, Samya reports.
The embassy will be headed by an ambassador.
Diplomatic relations are being established between the two countries.
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NSP establishing a defence brigade

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) is establishing a 40,000 strong Madesh defence brigade in the next six months quoting NSP Minister for Commerce Rajendra Mahoto, RSS reports.
Mahoto said the entry of Madeshis in Nepal Army en block would have more chances as per the understanding signed between the government and the United Madeshi Front.
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Congress to disrupt CA session Friday

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Nepali Congress is disrupting the CA session Friday, Annapurna Post reports.
Congress will disrupt proceedings until Maoists explain the presence of armed Maoists security guards in the assembly.
An informal party meeting Thursday decided to disrupt proceedings.
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Widespread govt. transfers

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Government administrative committee Wednesday decided on widespread transfers on senior government officials while Prime Minister Prachanda is in USA.
The committee meeting was chaired by Home Minister Bamdeb Gautam.
Fifteen joint secretaries have been transferred and 30 joint secretaries have been reinstated.
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250 Nepalis stranded in Kabul

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Around 250 Nepali youth who had landed in Kabul a few weeks ago through foreign employment agents are reportedly stranded after agents fled, The Kathmandu Post reports from Damak.
According to Indra Prasain, his brother Bishnu Prasad called him Thursday to inform that he had been left high and dry after the agent disappeared without providing them promised employment.
Prasain also quoted his brother assaying that many had become ill due to lack of food.
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Rebel held in Parsa

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Sinod Mahato Parsa district in-charge of Tarai Mukti Tigers was arreste neat Raxaul Thursday.
A petrol pump was bombed in Biratnagar Thursday.
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14 committees in CA

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: An agreement was reached Thursday to have 14 committees in the CA—three administrative, one constitutional and 10 issue related.
A constitution drafting committee will have 61 members; all 25 political parties in the assembly will be represented.
Nepali Congress wants former chief justice Bishwanath Adhikari to head the committee while other parties are pushing the candidacy of the CA chairman.
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Former king’s dasain ghar in Narayanhiti

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Chief Priest Shekhar Pandit, who was reinstated recently by government, has made available a room in his office in Narayanhiti as dasain ghar for former King Gyanendra and his family, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
He also collected materials for ghatastaphana Thursday.
The room is also the prayer room of the former king.
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Production resumes in Dabar Nepal

Kathmandu, 26 Sept: Production resumed at the Dabar Nepal plant near Birgunj Thursday after a 27-day clpsure by management.
Workers were demanding perks, including bonus.
Management agreed to hold talks with union leaders.
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