EU troika mission begins political parleys

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 8 Oct: Amid a fluid political situation with Maoists threatening a decisive movement after tihar, a six-member EU regional director’s troika mission launched discussions with government and political party leaders soon after arrival Thursday of a two-day visit.
Discussions began first with Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala.
The visitors are scheduled to meet Chairman Prachanda later Thursday.
The team is led by Klas Molin, head of department for Asia and the Pacific ministry for foreign affairs of Sweden.
Sweden currently holds the rotating EU presidency.
The mission has arrived at a time when the Maoist threat to launch a movement appears real.
Maoists have been obstructing parliamentary session for four months to push demands to punish President Dr Ram Baran Yadav for acting on behalf of 18 political parties to overturn a decision of the Maoist-led government to sack Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
The visit will give the troika the opportunity to assess the current stat of the peace and constitution drafting process to confirm its s strong backing to these processes and to discuss the EU’s continued support for peace and economic progress, a German embassy announcement said.
Nnnn

Congress central committee meet begins

Kathmandu, 8 Oct: Nepali Congress central committee meeting began at party headquarters Thursday one day after party president Girija Prasad Koirala again demanded the postponement of the scheduled general congress in Birgunj from 21 October.
Top central leaders oppose move of Koirala who is arguing a congress and general convention held within a period of three months will be a financial burden on the party.
The central committee fixed the date for the congress.
Koirala renewed his demand at an informal meeting with central leaders Wednesday.
Nnnn


Surya Bahadur Thapa continues political discussions in New Delhi

Kathmandu, 8 Oct: Former Prime Minister and Chairman of Rashtriya Janasakti Party Surya Bahadiur Bahadur Thapa Wednesday held discussions with Foreign Minister SM Krishna at a hotel in New Delhi, Naya Patrika reports.
Besides Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and main opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani, he also held discussions with Karan Singh Tuesday.
Rao held a dinner reception Tuesday for Thapa at her residence.
Thapa also held discussions with chief of intelligence RAW.
According to sources close to Thapa, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh isn’t meeting Thapa while a meeting with Sonia Gandhi hasn’t been confirmed.
Former Prime Minister Thapa on Wednesday met national security advisor MK Narayanan and his predecessor Brajesh Mishra separately, The Himalayan Times reports from New Delhi.
He discussed with Narayan and Mishra Nepal’s peace process, according to son Sunil, who was privy to both meetings.
Thapa is said to have told the Indian leaders that political consensus not merely among the major political parties but all the stakeholders of the constituent assembly was the best way to bring the peace process to a logical end.
nnnn

Rock-fall kills French tourist

Kathmandu, 8 Oct: A rock-fall killed French tourist Gwenoel Cadreara, 27, en route to Manang Wednesday.
His body awaits postmortem at Manang hospital.
Nnnn


MEDIA GOOGLE

“I don’t want to make any comment about it [integration of Maoists in Nepal Army] since this is purely a political matter. It’s the matter to be resolved from political level.”

(Army Chief Gen Chartraman Singh Gurung, The Himalayan Times, 8 Oct.)

“Who is the president and why can’t he be discussed? The door won’t open until his actions are scrutinized.”

(Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Naya Patrika, 8 Oct.)

“Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala have said the government under CPN-UML leadership won’t be changed. I won’t give credence to rumours without believing Congress assurances.”

(PM Nepal, Kantipur, 8 Oct.)
nnnn