Girija, Prachanda hold discussions

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 July: Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman Prachanda held political discussions Monday amid a continuing political impasse.
Prachanda called on Koirala at the latter’s residence.
Congress and MJF Monday boycotted an all-party discussion convened by Maoists to discuss the impasse., including the appointment of a special secretary at the president’s office.
Maoists oppose the creation of the post to empower a ceremonial president.
The meeting discussed a proposed import of non-lethal weapons opposed by Maoists whose secretariat meeting is being held for the second consecutive day Monday.
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Govt. adopts five-point special security strategy

Kathmandu, 27 July: The political committee of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Sunday adopted a five-point security strategy to improve the law and security situation.
Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department will be involved.
A cabinet meeting will endorse the strategy for 21 districts.
Altogether 109 rebel groups in the terai and east have been categorized as political and criminal groups.
One billion rupees has been set aside to implement the strategy, Kantipur reports.
Altogether 16,000 personnel, including 10,000 personnel by Nepal Police, will be additionally recruited by the security agencies.
Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur have been pcategorized as highly sensitive security districts.
The plan prioritizes opening of highways for movement of passengers and vehicles.
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Maoists to form military commission

Kathmandu, 27 July: Maoists will form a military commission for the development of its combatants, Rajdhani reports.
The issue will be taken to the central committee.
The commission was discussed Sunday at a secretariat meeting held at the residence of Prachanda.
The commission is being formed, according to the office of the chairman, to manage the combatants in the coming days; the commission will also look after their role and responsibilities.
During the insurgency, the commission planned action.
The commission will be launched to define the role of combatants for a people’s republic.
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Dr Niranjanman Singh Basnet appointed director at SAARC


Kathmandu, 27 July: Dr Niranjanman Singh Basnet has been appointed director at SAARC secretariat.
He is joint secretary at the foreign ministry.
Each member state appoints a director.
SAARC has seven members.
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Nothing is impossible: Former King Gyanendra

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 July: Former King Gyanendra hinted ousted monarchy
Can stage a comeback if the people desire.
He said this at a meeting with Nirodraj Pandey, editor of Jana Bhawana, at Nirmal Niwas Sunday.
“I left the palace at the people’s call. The future of monarchy depends on the people’s wishes. Ultimately, whatever the people desire will happen.
“I left the palace laughing as people didn’t want me respecting the people’s wishes.
“The role of monarchy and form will be decided by the people. Nothing is impossible, if the people desire,” the former king said in reply to a question whether monarchy will stage a comeback.
“Who thought monarchy would go the way it did?” he asked.
He said the extended transition in its fourth year will create problems.
“Problems will crop with the extended transition. It will be good if it is shortened.
“Nepal’s future development is adequate with a little help of two developing neighbouring countries,” he said.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“If the oath isn’t taken constitutionally, then Jha can’t work as vice-president.”

(Attorney General Dr Bharat Bahadur Karki, Kantipur, 27 July)

“Don’t let Norway or the countries like that to meddle in your internal affairs.”

(Advice of Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajapaksa to PM Nepal during recent non-aligned summit, newsfront, 27 July)
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Swine flu detected in Japanese

Kathmandu, 26 July: Swine flu has been detected in three more persons, including a Japanese, the health ministry said Sunday without identifying them.
Traces of the disease were also found in two Nepalese arriving from Canada and Qatar.
Altogether 17 cases of the disease have now been detected in Nepal.
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Maoists resume disruption of parliament

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 July: Maoists resumed the disruption of parliament session after a month-long break Sunday following a party decision.
The main opposition has permitted normal proceedings to allow government to present the annual budget of 2009/10.
Maoists said they will again continue to obstruct legislative session until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gives a ‘satisfactory’ on New Delhi’s decision during India visit of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari to resume delivery on military supplied suspended three years ago during the royal regime.
Nepal told the committee there was ‘no problem’ in the import of non-lethal weapons.
Nepal told state affairs committee Sunday a 12-poin peace agreement between Maoists and seven parliament parties doesn’t bar the import of non0lethal weapons.
Maoists also demanded immediate relief for cholera-affected mid-West region where 187 persons have been killed in a cholera epidemic; 18,000 persons have been treated for the disease.
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MJF (Nepal) Yadav faction receives official recognition

Kathmandu, 26 July: MJF (Nepal) faction led by Chairman Upendra Yadav Sunday received official recognition from the election commission.
The commission said a splinter group led by Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar with the support of 17 central committee members can apply for recognition for another party.
Gachedhar faction is in government after splitting the biggest terai political party.
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Two pilgrims swept away in Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 26 July: Two Hindu Bol Bam pilgrims were swept away by swollen Kamala river in Dhanusha Sunday.
Three others are missing.
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Bijayanath Bhattarai takes over as NRB governor

Kathmandu, 26 July: Bijayanath Bhattarai Sunday assumed office as governor of Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) after 25 months.
Supreme court dismissed charges of irregularities by CIAA against Bhattarai.
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