Has further details of Nepal crisis

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 22 April: US Ambassador Nancy J Powell was not present at a meeting of Prime Minister Prachanda with eight ambassadors Thursday as reported earlier.
Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai was present at the collective meeting called by the prime minister; Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav at the meeting with foreign ambassadors.
The prime minister told the ambassadors an explanation from Gen Rukmangud Katawal was sought as the army chief was hesitating to give an explanation for defying government directives, according to Dr Bhattarai.
CPN-UML Chairman Jhanalnath Khanal began discussions with party leaders of the standoff between the government and the army immediately after cutting short his China visit.
He drove straight to the party office from the airport Thursday from the airport for discussions with party leaders.
An informal meeting of central committee will be held Friday along with a meeting of the standing committee.
Deep differences have surfaced in the party on how to handle the crisis; the Khanal faction first support action against the army chief who told the government his dismissal four months before his term expires will be illegal.
Gen Katawal told the government in a letter only the president can dismiss him.
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