Three biggest parties discuss impasse in constitution drafting; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 23 July: Main opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) and ruling parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML Thursday discussed ways of breaking an impasse and delay in drafting a constitution.
UN has predicted it may not be drafted within the May 2010 deadline while inaccurately and incompletely analyzing why the process, including implementing a 12-point peace agreement negotiated by India and promoted by foreigners have been delayed.
UN and foreign capitals are wrongly saying the processes were entirely Nepali.
A report of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to the security council makes no mention of the mistrust between major political players after Maoists won constituent assembly elections in April 2008 and attempts by other parties to prevent Maoists from immediately forming an elected government.
Elections were held without proper environment.
Nepali Congress is especially unhappy with the result renewing pre-conditions like return of seized assets by Maoists and dissolution of YCl—preconditions abandoned by Girija Prasad Koirala before going for the historic elections the result of which can’t be undone.
Assembly elections, Nepali Congress, aren’t parliamentary elections.
One –time assembly elections won’t be held until Nepali Congress gets a majority in the body after dismissing the assembly.
The secretary general’s report only mentions consensus politics broke down only this year after when the Maoist-led Prachanda government was ousted through majority vote for which there is a provision only in an amended constitution.
The report mentioned distrust between Maoists and Nepal Army which was already there before the Maoist attempt to dismiss Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
What has in effect happened in a presidential and military coup by creating a parallel power center in the presidency even after the king as ousted.
No mention of this is mentioned in the Ban report.
The reason for the non-mention of breakdown of consensus politics after Maoist electoral victory is understandable..
UN has certified the election and can’t oppose the election or its result.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda proposed a summit of three parties to lend the deadlock.
The meeting was also attended by Congress Vice-Chairman Ram Chandra Paudel and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
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Sukhand Ratna Kasnsakar appointed CEO of Nepal Airlines Corporation

Kathmandu , 23 July: Sukhan Ratna Kansakar was appointed CEO of Nepal Airlines Corporation.
The cabinet made the decision.
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Committee formed to investigate Saptari firing

Kathmandu, 23 July: A three-member committee headed by home ministry senior official Shanker Prasad Koirala has been formed Thursday to investigate a police firing killing one person and injuring four others.
The committee has been asked to report in 10 days.
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Jiban Ram Shrestha resigns

Kathmandu, 23 July: National Sports Council member-secretary Jiban Ram Shrestha resigned Thursday.
The CPN-UML appointee resigned after the sports ministry came under the TMLP leadership.
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