Ruling parties and supporters meet

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 Oct: Ruling parties and supporters are meeting later Monday to discuss a continuing political deadlock as Maoists gave an ultimatum to meet their demands by 1 November.
The meeting is being held at the initiative of the Nepali Congress.
A meeting of Maoists, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML was again inconclusive Sunday as the ruling parties rejected a Maoist proposal for a package deal including the formation of a Maoist-led government.
Meanwhile, Maoists have been conducting training camps for fraternal organizations to mobilize people for the threatened movement.
Chairman Prachanda is personally imparting training.
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International conference to protest endangered tiger

Kathmandu, 26 Oct: Nepal is hosting a four-day international conference in the capital from Tuesday to protect the endangered tiger,
Experts from 14 countries where tigers are found are participating in the conference.
CITES secretariat, Global Tiger Forum, Global Tiger Initiative, World Bank, National Trust for Nature Conservation and WFF are supporting the global initiative to protest the endangered cat.
The meet will issue the Kathmandu Declaration to be endorsed by ministers of tiger range countries.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister Dipak Bohara said Nepal has presented China a draft of a memorandum of understanding to be signed by the two neighbouring countries to curb illegal trade in wildlife, including the tiger.
Tiger bones are smuggled to China from Nepal.
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Minister threatens to pass budget by proroguing parliament

Kathmandu, 26 Oct> Government Spokesman and Communication Shanker Pokhrel has threatened to pass the annual budget 2009/10 by issuing an ordinance and proroguing parliament.
“Government can’t run without finances. Government will introduce the budget through ordinance and proroguing parliament,” he said in Sunday Dang where Maoists greeted him with black flags.
Maoists have been obstructing parliamentary proceedings for five months.
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Army running short of ammunition

Kathmandu, 26 Oct: With the delayed peace process, supplies of ammunition of Nepal Army is dwindling, Kantipur reports.
One solider fires five hundred bullets during one exercise.
Eight million bullets are required for 80,000 soldiers in one annual exercise.
Three million bullets are fired during regular firing exercises.
Fifty million bullets have already been fired by Nepal Army in five years during exercises; the bullets haven’t been replenished.
“If this situation continues, army will have to carry guns without bullets,” a senior officer told Kantipur.
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Quotes of former army chief removed from barracks

Kathmandu, 26 Oct: Quotes of former Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal are being removed from different barracks, Annapurna Post.
The quotes were removed from all barracks on order of Army Chief Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung.
Gen Katawal placed the quotes at barracks before proceeding on home leave prior to retirement.
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