Political standoff continues

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 2 May: Nepali Congress central committee emergency meeting is being held Saturday as a standoff continues amid Maoist determination of sack Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
MJF meeting central committee meeting also said Gen Katawal should be removed only through consensus.
Another coalition partner of Maoists in government--CPN-UML—also has called for consensus isolating Maoists.
Main opposition Nepali Congress has firmly backed the beleaguered army chief.
The five-month Maoist-led government and Prime Minister is facing a crisis.
Finance Minister Dr Baburan Bhattarai threatened Maoists will leave government if unable to sack Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
“We will be compelled to come out of the streets,” Bhattarai said if supremacy of civilian control over army isn’t maintained.
Bhattarai charged some elements were trying to impose presidential rule by ousting Maoists.
“Be alert president. You will meet Gyanendra’s fate if act under pressure of some, the finance told a public meeting in the capital Friday.
He admitted Maoist-led government was also being pressurized by foreign quarters not to act in haste.
“There’s no compulsion for the CPN-UML to stay in government if Maoists don’t treat us honourably. Maoists should abandon dictatorial tendencies. And adopt a policy of inclusiveness,” Chairman Jhanlanath Khanal told another political rally.
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Peace Minister Sharma asks Tharus to come for talks

Kathmandu, 2 May: Peace Minister Janardhan Sharma Prabhakar Friday asked Tharus demanding de-linking from Madeshi group to sit down for talks to discuss demands as protests have taken a violent turn.
He asked Tharus to call off protests.
A violent strike for 11 days has paralyzed life in more than 22 districts creating shortages.
Stranded vehicles are being escorted under curfews in the districts.
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Draft constitution to be ready by 23 May

Kathmandu, 2 May: The constitution drafting committee will prepare a draft of a proposed constitution by 23 May.
A meeting of the committee Friday decided to discuss reports of 11 subject committees from 3 to 7 May, according to a new work schedule.
Work has been delayed in drafting a constitution.
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Pressure to extend the mandate of Nepal Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights


Kathmandu, 2 May: Canada and several European countries have exerted pressure on government to again extend the mandate of Nepal office of UN High Commission for Human Rights.
The mandate ends June.
Canada and Great Britain and Denmark were some of the EU member states asking the government to extend the mandate some feel isn’t necessary.
A request has been made by the UN for a three-year mandate extension.
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Japanese minister coming

Kathmandu, 2 May: Japan’s Deputy Minister for Defence Nobuo Kishi arrives Saturday for a two-day visit to inspect activities of Japanese arms monitors with UNMIN.
He will hold discussions with Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal.
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Obama administration puts Maoists on terrorist list

Kathmandu, 2 May: Continuing the policy of the Bush administration, the Obama government also put Nepal’s Maoists on the US terrorist exclusion list.
“The Young Communist League, which includes former Maoist combatants, carried on the Maoist militia’s tactics of abuse, abduction, murder, intimidation and extortion in cities and villages,” a report released Thursday by the US State Department said.
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