Girija says he’s dug ditch for Prachanda

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 5 Nov: “I’ll not leave although I’ve been asked to. But I’ll refine the party,” aging Congress Girija Prasad Koirala told a family assembly Sunday.
He’s even contemplating removing Acting President Sushil Koirala and expressed a desire to appoint daughter Sujata or Shekhar Koirala.
But Sujata may be appointed at the end.
Koirala told family members he’s adopted a strategy of non-cooperation on integration with Maoists.
“I can’t help Prachanda when he tried put me in the ditch; he’ll land in it himself,” Koirala said.
“The ditch is already dug,” he said. “I can’t save him.”
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Nepal president, Maoist prime minister greet victorious Obama

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 5 Nov: Nepal’s Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda didn’t wait long but immediately congratulated US president-elect Barak Obama when his election as the 44th president was announced Wednesday.
Prachanda said Nepal wanted good relations with all countries, including USA and called the election a ‘positive change’.
Prachanda said his government is committed to freedom, democracy and human rights.
The Republican Bush administration has established direct relations with the government led by Maoists who are still on Washington’s terrorist list.
In a separate congratulatory message, nominal President Dr Ram Baran Yadav called Obama’s victory ‘historic’ and added Nepal and Nepalis evinced deep interest in his election.
Dr Yadav hoped bilateral Nepal-US ties will continue when Obama assumes office in January 2009.
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Home Minister Gautam threatens to unleash police against terai rebels

Kathmandu, 5 Nov: Home Minister Bamdeb Gautam Wednesday threatened to deploy police against terai rebels if they don’t sit down for talks o resolve terai demands.
Gautam, who is also coordinator of a three-member government talks team, said army won’t be deployed in the south as Nepal Police and Armed Police Force were adequate to handle the insurgents.
Gautam’s threat comes amid reports talks aren’t imminent nearly two months after government issued invitations to rebel groups for talks.
Some groups are demanding direct talks with a team headed by the prime minister.
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More govt. appointments in public enterprises

Kathmandu, 5 Nov: Government Wednesday announced additional political appointments in public enterprises.
Sugat Ratna Kansakar has been appointed general manager to ailing Nepal Airlines while Uttam Kumar Shrestha has been appointed managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority.
Bishwa Prakash Maskey was appointed general manage of Nepaltelevision.
The cabinet created six additional posts of DIGs—two administrative and four technical.
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NPC members appointed

Kathmandu, 6 Nov: Six members of the National Planning Commission (NPC) were appointed by the cabinet Wednesday.
Those appointed are: Ram Mani Pokhrel, Ayo Debi Yami, Prem Kuwar, Prof Yogendra Prasad Yadav, Sunil Babu Shrestha and Dr Ramdeb Singh.
Government Spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the commission is fully manned with the fresh appointments.
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Three reasons for Congress unhappiness with UNMIN

Kathmandu, 6 Nov: Nepali Congress leader Prakash Sharan Mahat said here are three reasons for the party’s unhappiness with UNMIN, Khim Ghale reports in Kantipur.
Combatants who haven’t been verified continue to remain inside camps; there’s no data on the number of combatants and where they are; the demonstration of containerized weapons in public.
Congress has charged UNMIN hasn’t come out strongly even after Maoists even after the violation of the peace agreement and understanding.
Visiting Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon didn’t give satisfactory answers of Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala.
UNMIN has denied Congress charges.
Spokesman nevertheless said UNMIN has recommended a review of the agreement between government and Maoists who have been permitted to retain some weapons for security in the new context.
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