UNMIN Chief, PM Nepal meet

Kathmandu, 7 July: UNMIN Chief Karin Landgrin and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Tuesday discussed the delayed peace process and integration of 19,000 Maoist combatants in society and Nepal Army before this month’s discussions of the country situation by the UN security council.
Landgrin is leaving for New York to participate in the discussions.
She has already held discussions with key political players Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist Chairman Prachanda.
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Obstructed parliament session resumes

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 7 July: CPN-UML and Unified CPN (Maoist) Monday reached a four-point agreement and broke a two-month impasse to resume parliamentary business.
The party leading the coalition government and the main opposition said,” An initiative will be taken to forge a consensus on the issues raised by Maoists within one month, after holding discussions among major parties.”
The agreement accepts Maoists obstructed parliamentary proceedings because of the” president’s move on the army chief and civilian supremacy’.
The budget session will now begin Wednesday after end of the delayed winter session; annual budget 2009/10 is expected to be presented 13 July.
Maoists obstructed house proceedings after the nine-month Maoist-led Prachanda government was ousted following a vote in the 602-member parliament.
The agreement between CPN-UML and Maoists was signed by chief whips Bhim Acharya and Posta Bahadur Bogati of the two parties in the presence of top party leaders.
Addressing parliament, Maoist Chairman Prachanda said Monday his party would cooperate to run the budget session of parliament smoothly while Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said Maoist concerns would be addressed.
Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala Monday proposed to Prachanda a political mechanism to run government.
“The main opposition party need for be there to run government,” Prachanda told parliament.
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OHCHR-N objects to promotion of Maj Gen Toran

Kathmandu, 7 July: Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights –Nepal (OHCHR-N) Monday objected to a Nepal Army recommendation to government to promote Maj Gen Toran Jung Bahadur Singh to rank of Lt Gen.
The office said he may be involved in serious human rights violation.
OHCHR-N said Maj Gen Toran was commander of the 10th brigade at Maharajgunj in 2003/04 when serious human rights violations occurred.
Many Maoists disappeared from the facility there.
“Given these serious and credible allegations, the government should investigate into Maj Gen Singh’s role in the rights violations before taking a a decision on his promotion.
“The OHCHR-Nepal acknowledges and appreciates the important contribution made by the Nepali Army in several United Nations peacekeeping missions which obliges peace keepers to maintain the highest standard of human rights compliance.
“Singh was reportedly the commander of the 10th Brigade in 2003/04 when these human rights violations occurred.
“The commander knew or ought to have known about these actions by the battalions under the command on the 10th Brigade,” OHCHR-N said in a press release.
The UN objection has spoilt possibility of the promotion of the major general.
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Former king expresses concern

Kathmandu, 7 July: Former King Gyanendra, who celebrated his 63rd birthday hoped Tuesday, hoped Nepal won’t break down as hundreds of people went to Nirmal Niwas to greet him even on a rainy day.
“I am well aware of all the comments directed at the royal family and myself, be they positive or negative, during the one-year period following my exit from Narayanhiti.
“I salute all those who made the positive comments,” the former king said.
“My hope is that the necklace of Himalaya, hills and terai sown by my family and all Nepalis won’t snap,” the former king said.
One last king of the 238-year-old Shah dynasty said he was deeply saddened and concerned that even after sweeping political change people’s living standards hadn’t improved.
The then king said he abdicated voluntarily hoping the move would usher in prosperity and peace.
The former king asked all to unite and against internal conflict and external factors that may disintegrate the country.
The last king said he was committed to democracy.
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PM Nepal launches personal website

Kathmandu, 7 July: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Monday launched his personal website www.madhavnepal.com.
This was announced by assistant press secretary Suro Jung Pandey.
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Nepal plays Bhutan

Kathmandu, 7 July: Nepal meets Bhutan in the ACC Women’s Twenty20 cricket tournament in Kuala Lumpur Group A match Tuesday.
A win will ensure Nepal a berth in the semi-final.
Nepal has won all three group matches so far while Bhutan has won one its three matches.
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67 dead in Jajarkot

Kathmandu, 7 July: Two more persons died of diarrhea in Jajarkot overnight.
The death toll in the last two months has risen to 67.
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