Terms of reference of political committee approved

Kathmandu, 4 Dec: A government political coordination committee met for the first time under the chairmanship of Law Minister Deb Gurung Thursday and approved the committee’s terms of reference.
The 12-member committee was formed this week with two representatives each from six parties of the coalition..
The committee adjourned until Friday.
Members said the committee can help government implement a common minimum programme agreed by riling parties.
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Ian Martin asks govt. to formally ask UN to extend UNMIN mission

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 4 Dec: UNMIN Chief Ian Martin Thursday asked government through a journalist to formally request the UN to extend the missions tenure which expires 23 23 January 23 2009.
Martin said the world body would ‘like to have a request by now’ while talking with a reporter of Kantipur FM. “We need a request very soon.”
Martin explained Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon needs a formal request to request the security council to extend the tenure for the third time.
Martin suggested UNMIN task won’t be complete without the integration of PLA.
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RPP Chief Rana for merger with RPP-Nepal, RJP

Kathmandu, 4 Dec: RPP Chairman Pashupati Shumshere Rana Thursday said his party, RPP-Nepal and Rashtriya Janasakti Party (RJP) should unite.
Rana floated the idea while commemorating the death of RPP founding member Rabindra Nath Sharma on the 13th day.
Panchayat workers launched RPP after political parties were legalized in 1990.
But RPP-Nepal and RJP have split from RPP
RPP and RJP have adopted a republic abandoning but RPP-Nepal still supports monarchy and is working for its reinstatement even after the formal declaration of a republic after the April CA election.
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Chinese foreign minister officially meets only government leaders; avoids opposition

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 4 Dec: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met and held official discussions only with government leaders during his just concluded Nepal visit.
He held discussions only Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, his host Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.
The Chinese foreign minister flew for Myanmar after concluding his Nepal visit Thursday.
Yang didn’t meet main opposition leader and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala.
Most foreign visitors believe their Nepal is incomplete without discussions with Koirala who has launched a jihad against Maoists and PM Prachanda.
Koirala accuses them for breaking consensus politics and attempting to impose authoritarian rule.
Maoists and Congress blame each other for breaking the consensus triggering political uncertainty.
With the snap of consensus politics, fears are being expressed a constitution may not be drafted within the 16 month deadline.
Uncertainty prevails in Nepali politics.
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Two dozen injured in Rajapur clashes

Kathmandu, 4 Dec: Nearly two dozen police and protestors were injured clashes and police firings and teargas lobbing during protests to demand increase in procurement price of paddy in Rajapur, Bardiya, Thursday.
Seventeen policemen were among the injured.
Nearly one dozen shops were looted by protestors, traders said.
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