Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Richard Baucher hold discussions

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Sept: Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai held discussions on economic and political developments with US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Baucher in Washington DC Friday, Radio Nepal said.
The meeting follows Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s discussions with meeting with the top American diplomat assigned responsibility for South Asia in New York earlier this month during the current UN general assembly session.
Bhattarai is in the American capital to attend an annual session of the World Bank.
USA has established direct relations with Maoists, still on Washington’s terrorist list, the 10 April CA elections.
CPN (Maoist) emerged as the largest political in Nepal following the popular election.
In the midst of a economic crisis, Baucher promised assistance to the developing countries, the state radio said.
Other details weren’t available.
Nnnn

Former king, queen offer tika

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 11 Sept: People waited patiently for two hours in a long queue at Nirmal Niwas to receive tika from former King Gyanendra and Queen Komal on bijaya dashami Thursday confirming their popularity even after a declaration of a republic.
Two lines queued up at the residence of former Crown Prince Paras to give tika from four in the afternoon to eight at night.
Crowd estimate was put at 10,000.
Former Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, whose RPP has opted for a republic, received tika along with serving officers of Nepal Army in civilian dress.
Retired Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Pyar Jung Thapa along with wife, Kamala, also received tika.
Uniformed police managed the orderly crowd.
Nnnn


Armed Bhutan refugees arrested

Kathmandu, 11 Sept: An armed Bhutanese was arrested with a pistol and three rounds of bullets at the Beldangi camp in Jhapa Friday.
Narendra Rai was arrested at thecamp.
Bhutanese Maoists are active in the camp where they oppose the resettlement of refugees in United States, EU, Australia and New Zealand.
Nnnn

Outbreak of diarrhea in Dhading

Kathmandu, 11 Sept: An outbreak of diarrhea has killed four persons at Jhaling, Dhading, where 60 others have also fallen sick.
Medical teams have been dispatched to the remote village two days walk from district headquarters.
Nnnn

Another top Maoist leader says aim of communists in a republic

Kathmandu, 11 Sept: Another top Maoist leader said the ultimate objective of all communists in a people’s republic.
Minister for Local Development Deb Gurung confirmed this to reporters Friday days after the party central committee discussed party strategy in which the hard-line section led by Mohan Baidya Kiram Baidya demanded such a republic demanded a people’s republic.
The country is now in a transitional phase of a democratic federal republic.
Major ruling constituents are opposed to the Maoist along with the main opposition Nepali Congress.
The differences will be a major obstacle while drafting a constitution with Congress charging it fight Maoist designs to impose a totalitarian system..
Nnnn