Deputy Chief of Chinese PLA begins Nepal visit

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 6 Dec: Deputy Chief of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PL) Lt Gen Ma arrived Saturday heading a 10-member delegation of four major generals, becoming the seniormost Chinese official to visit the Himalayan state of Nepal.
Security and additional military assistance described as a ‘regular goodwill visit’ will be discussed, Nepali officials, including security on the sensitive Nepal-Tibet border.
During the visit, Nepal and China are signing a military accord to formalize a Rs 110 million grant announced earlier 2008 by Beijing to purchase Chinese military hardware.
The grant was announced during Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal’s China visit.
“The recent visits by top Chinese generals is unprecedented, though this is not the first time military accord is being signed between the two countries,” said a former Royal Nepalese Ambassador to China who preferred anonymity.
But a military agreement is being signed for the first time publicly; military agreements, in the past, were signed without public notice.
The Chief of China’s PLA has never visited Nepal though chief of the Nepal Army visit regularly visit the Himalayan state’s northern neighbour.
A military delegation headed by Maj Gen Ei Hujeng visited Nepal last month.
Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi returned home this week after the first visit to Nepal by a Chinese foreign minister in four years.
China has been supplying military hardware to Nepal amid Indian concerns.
In 1989, then government of Rajiv Gandhi slapped a 18-month blockade on land-locked Nepal after importing anti-aircraft from Beijing.
Nepal’s Army Chief is honourary general of the Indian Army—a title that India withholds from conferring when dissatisfied with Nepal.
Nepal’s Gurkhas are recruited in the Indian army; Gurkhas have fought against China as part if the Indian army.
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Suspect in teenage murders escapes


Kathmandu, 6 Dec: A second suspect in the murders of Kathmandu two teenagers gave police the slip at Biratnagar airport Friday while being flown to the capital.
Birendra Kumar Pandit was being flown to the capital under police escort after arrest in Sunsari.
Pandit slipped out of the airport terminal toilet where police let him go unescorted.
Second suspect Dipak Mehta is still missing.
Another suspect Rajendra Pandit was arrested in the capital Thursday.
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Cable car operations to Manakamana temple resumes

Kathmandu, 6 Dec: Inconvenienced devotees were happy Saturday with the resumption of service by Manakamana Dashan Pte Ltd after nearly one month.
Devotees had to trek to the temple top after disruption of service.
Management and employees reached an accord Friday; management agreed to reinstate sacked employees.
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CPN-UML in dilemma

Kathmandu, 6 Dec: Top CPN-UML leaders won’t immediately abandon Maoists even abandon after joining a government led by the CPN-(Maoist).
Top CPN-UML leaders, the second ranking coalition partner of the Maoists, are dissatisfied with the functioning of the coalition leader.
“CPN-UML will continue to stay in government and improve the Maoists even though they can’t be trusted,” Generl Secretary Jhalanath Khanal said.
CPN-UML, has officially been described by Maoists as ‘opportunists’. It has been blowing hot and cold with the CPN (Maoist) with which it shares power.
Khanal said this in Birjung while inaugurating a party district convention as main opposition Nepali Congress attempts to woo it away from government.
Hel said the leading party in government has lost credibility because it continues violence.
CPN-UML, that was expected to win the April assembly elections, sided with the CPN (Maoist) to form a government after elections abandoning Nepali Congress.
CPN-UML team leader in government and Deputy Prime Minister, considered close to Maoists, is attempting to save the government by encouraging Premier Prachanda to give main opposition two seats in a army integration committee.
‘I’ve recommended two seats for Congress in the special integration committee. Not to push the country towards war, it’s not right to get bogged down on quota in the special committee,” Gatuam said.
Government has offered only one seat to the Congress in the committee rejected by the main opposition.
Work on integration of the PLA and Nepal Army hasn’t started, as a result. threatening the peace
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“’Government exists only in name; it’s powerless. It can’t take any decisions. Its powerless because of foreign imperialist powers.”

“Law Minister Deb Gurung, Kantipur, 6 Dec.)

“A constitution is impossible to draft in 17 months. Maoists are attempting to reap oranges by planting chilli.”

(KP Sharma Oli, Rajdhani, 6 Dec.)