Relations between China’s PLA and Maoists PLA discussed


By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 3 Oct: Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal who just returned form China disclosed forging ‘qualitative’ relations between Chinese People’s Liberation and Nepal’s PLA were discussed.
“Nepal’s People’s Liberation Army and China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) should be consolidated and theyshould help each other. There was help in the past; now there should new qualitative relations’ discussions were held,” Badal told party mouthpiece Janadisha.
“We also discussed helping each other in military field,” he disclosed.
Badal reiterated Thursday PLA and Nepal Army will be integrated in six months.
Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai also said Thursday a high-level task force will be formed for integration.
“Integration is part of the peace process. After integration, a new national army will be formed,” Badal said.
Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel opposed integration.
“Conflict will again start with integration,” Paudel warned.
After returning from China, Badal has directed defence officials to begin homework for creating a new security organization making national security the focal point, Rajdhani reports.
He has also started discussions with military experts.
An agreement was reached in principle in China to help defend each other.
Nnnn


Ruling coalition to form political committee to reduce differences


Kathmandu, 3 Oct: Six governing parties have agreed to form a political coordination committee to improve coordination and cooperation for the smooth functioning in government.
The agreement to form a committee came as differences surfaced in the coalition.
Parties have been asked to submit names by Saturday.
Nnnn

UNMIN accused of favouring Maoists

Kathmandu, 3 Oct: Acting President Sushil Koirala of Nepali Congress Thursday charged in Nepalgunj UNMIN was favouring Maoists, Annapurna Post reports.
“UNMIN will lose the confidence of Nepalese because it is only working in favour of Maoists,” Koirala charged adding Nepali hoped UNMIN would work independently and impartially.
Koirala also accused Maoists of being authoritarian.
Nnnn

Maoists could derail constitution drafting process

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 3 Oct: Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala said Maoists could delay writing a new constitution.
“The Maoists are trying to extend their tenure and I suspect that they are trying not to finish the constitution within the stipulated time.
“we have to turn their attention to formulating the constitution, and that may require protests and demonstrations from the people. Otherwise, there will be more anarchy,” Koirala told Himal Khabarpatrika.
Nearly six months after the CA election, not a word of a new basic law has been discussed by the assembly.
Rules and regulations for a drafting committee are still being discussed.
Small parties in the CA with 25 groups are demanding there should be conscience voting while drafting the constitution amid opposition of bigger parties.
But there was agreement the CA will promulgate the constitution in the presence of the president, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
Nnnn

Paddy production to decline 17,000 tons in East

Kathmandu, 3 Oct: Paddy production will decline by 17,000 tons in the east with the floods this year, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
WFP conducted a survey.
Nnnn


Another Nepali in Guinness Book of Records

Kathmandu, 3 Oct: Deepak Sharma Bajgain has been included in the Guinness Book of World Record for reading continuously for 121 hours, The Kathmandu Post reports.
He made the new world record during thelongest marathon reading, a prohgramme organized by The Readers Club from Sept 19 to 24.
Nnnn

Differences between Sushil Koirala, Girija

Kathmandu, 3 Oct: Acting Nepali Congress is currently in Nepalagunj for the last 10 days after differences with President Girija Prasad Koirala, Bimarsha reports.
Acting president has made repeated requests for the dissolution of the unwieldy central committee; Girija didn’t agree.
Sushil Koirala also called for the dissolution of Nepal Students’ Union, Women’s Organization and Tarun Dal.
Sushil arrived in Nepalgunj without forming a committee for drafting the constitution.
Nnnn