Chinese military team in town

Kathmandu, 20 A high-level Chinese military team arrived Wednesday, Kantipur reports.
The eight-member team is led by a major general of the PLA.
The team will hold discussions with Home Minister Bamdeb Gautam, Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal, Chief of Army Staff Gen Rukmangud Katawal and Defence Secretary Baman Prasad Neupane.

[Note: The Chinese team arrived after Beijing offered Rs 100 million in military assistance; the sector for investment is to be identified, India is following the visit across the border to Khasa by Badal and Communications Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara during the just concluded festive season accompanied by a Chinese military officer with the embassy in Kathmandu, Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrives for an official visit 24 November as China and India compete in Nepal for influence.]
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Gen Chatra Man Singh Gurung in line to succeed Army Chief Gen Katawal

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: Chatra Man Singh Gurung has been promoted by the rank of general in Nepal Army by government Wednesday, Nepal Samacharpatra.
A slot was vacant after retirement of Gen Amar Pant.
Gen Gurung is in line to succeed Chief of Army Staff Gen Rukmangud Katawal who retires in another nine months.
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Bamdeb Gautam’s China visit postponed

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: Deputy Prime Minister Bamdeb Gautam’s China visit has been postponed, Annapurna Post reports.
Gutam was scheduled to leave 24 November.
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Bhutanese king’s advisor on secret visit

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: At a time when Bhutanese refugees are asking the Nepal government to form a commission to start a dialogue with Bhutan, a team of seven Bhutanese counselors in in Kathmandu for secret talks, Bhupendra Timilshina reports in Nepal Samacharpatra.
The team arrived Tuesday by Druk Air, according to refugee sources.
Bidyapith Bhandari, Dewan Tamang, Bhim Bahadur Rai, Hari Koirala, DP Subedi and two Dukpas are in the delegation.
Sources said team members have held secret meetings and discussions with officials; the subject was not known.
Refugees have been demanding trilateral talks involving Nepal, Bhutan and India for talks though the formation of a commission.
Bhutanese refugees view the visit sspiciously.
One refugee leader said the team may have come to find out government views to make preparations for talks with Nepal.
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Has further details of crucial Maoist central committee meet

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: Two members at the central committee meet of CPN (Maoist) said Wednesday views of the Prachanda and Badal faction should be amalgamated, party mouthpiece Jandisha reports.
Opinions of remaining seven members were divided.
Twenty-six of 35 members of the central committee will speak Thursday.
Nine members presented their views Wednesday.
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CPN-UML meet

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: All standing committee members of CPN-UML will draft a common document for a general convention meting.
This was decided Wednesday by the party’s standing committee meeting.
Work on drafting the document will begin immediately, the party said.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

‘But Vice-President Jha remains confused as to his own role. (So are we, Mr. Veep, if it is any consolation. It’s not as if Nepalis ever had deputy kings.)

(Maila Baje, People’s Review, 20 Nov.)

“The fact that he [Veep Jha] stepped up his public utterances after an extended meeting with Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood has fueled speculation of all variety, especially among those who saw the Hindi oath as part of New Delhi’s design.”

(Maila Baje, People’s Review, 20 Nov.)