Maoists withdraw plans to declare autonomous republics

Kathmandu, 6 Nov: Maoists Friday withdrew plans to declare autonomous republics during the second phase of their anti-government protests.
Chairman Prachanda made the announcement in Ilam Friday.
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Ruling parties protest Ban KI-moon’s suggestion

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 6 Nov: Twenty-two ruling coalition parties Thursday strangely denounced UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s call for a government of national unity welcomed by Maoists after first inviting the world body to handle Nepal’s political issues.
The denunciation is correct, but why were foreign parties invites to handle Nepal’s internal issues.
What are the ruling parties doing to stop or reduce foreign interference in internal matters after inviting foreigners in the first place?
The Moon call for a national unity government comes soon after directives to government to stop the promotion of a general in Nepal Army and not to enroll soldiers to fill in vacancies.
The UN also interprets a vague peace agreement that is subject to various interpretations even though the UN is not the final interpreter.
Chairman Prachanda welcoming the secretary general’s call said it was also the demand of UCPN (Maoist).
“It is for the Nepali people and political parties to decide the kind of government, how to form it and under whose leadership it should be firmed.
“The Maoist –led government was a majority government not a national government. But the UN did not bother to issue a statement then to ask Nepal to from a national unity government,” political aide Raghu Pant of the prime minister said.
“The UN does not need to preach us regarding formation of the government,” Vice-Chairman of Nepal Congress Ram Chandra Paudel said.
UN security council begins Nepal discussions in New York Friday.
The coalition partners denounced the UN chief’s call after inviting the world body to handle Nepal’s political issues.
They denounced the call even as they unhesitatingly discuss Nepal’s internal issues in New Delhi and other world capitals.
Maoists and the then seven political parties signed a seven-point peace accorded brokered by India in New Delhi and written in Hindi.
The Nepali text was translated from Hindi.
The seven parties were the first to invite foreign involvement in Nepali politics and now they denounce Moon’s call.
Surya Bahadur Thapa, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pashupati SJB Rana just recently returned after holding discussions on Nepal’s internal issues with Indian leaders.
The ruling coalition partners hit out at the United Nations even as CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khamal discussed Nepal’s internal political issues with Indian leaders in New Delhi.
During the political pilgrimage, Khanal held open discussions Thursday with with Home Minister P Chidambaran, Foreign Minister SM Krishna, CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI General Secretary AB Bardhan.
“I have been assured of all assistance for our peace process and development,” Khanal said after discussions with the Indian home minister.
MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav is also in the Indian capital discussing Nepali politics with Indian leaders.
Indian leaders have been issuing directives to Nepalis on how to handle the country’s transition after monarchy was toppled.
Nepali politicians are discussing Nepal with Indians during the ongoing Maoist anti-government agitation which entered the sixth day Friday.
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Nepal, India home secretary talks

Kathmandu, 6 Nov> Home secretaries of Nepal and India begin talks Friday on security issues.
India will urge the formalization of a new extradition treaty that has already been prepared; agreement has been delayed because of concerns in Nepal India has rights in the new treaty to get extradition of people it considers anti-Indian.
Nepali side to the talks is being led by Home Secretary Gobinda Kusum.
Nepal will seek the control of activities of India-based of terai rebels.
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Swine flu outbreak in Parbat

Kathmandu, 6 Nov: A swine flu epidemic has broken out in Parbat where nine cases have been confirmed.
Tests from 12 persons confirmed the outbreak of the disease in the west Nepal district.
Schools were closed there temporarily after the outbreak.
Forty-eight cases of the disease have now been confirmed in Nepal.
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Five seriously injured in bomb blast

Kathmandu, 6 Nov: Five persons were seriously injured in an abandoned bomb blast at a field in Bara Thursday.
Among the injured were children and women.
It wasn’t known if the bomb was left behind during a 10-year Maoist people’s war or the current insurgency inn the terai.
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Bus mows down three in capital

Kathmandu, 6 Nov: A bus mowed down three pedestrians in the capital at Chabahil Thursday.
Irate mob torched three vehicles.
This was the worst traffic accident in the capital after five Indians were killed in front of Bir Hospital by a young driver of a personal cart several months ago.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Contrary to the purely ceremonial role envisaged by most architects of New Nepal, Yadav [president] seems set to acquire executive influence. His high-profile political consultations in connection with the formation of the new government have angered sections of the Maoists. The president’s direct participation in the activities of the Nepal Army has alienated some quarters on the other end of the ideological spectrum.”

(Maila Baje, The People’s Review, 6 Nov.)

“I’ve never seen such a fragile prime minister.”

(Communist leader Amik Serchan, The Himalayan Times, 6 Nov.)