PM Nepal, Chairman Prachanda hold talks

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist Chairman began talks to end a six-month deadlock as Maoists threatened to announce the next phase of their anti-government Friday.
Talks began at the personal residence of the prime minister.
Nepal, accompanied by Finance Minister Surendra Pandey and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Minendra Rijal Friday briefed President Dr Ram Baran Yadav of the current political situation.
A summit meeting of leaders of UCPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and Nepali Congress is being held Friday to discuss a common parliamentary resolution to end the impasse.
A task force of the three parties is meeting Friday to prepare such a resolution; there was no agreement of a draft Thursday.
The ruling parties oppose discussion of a censure motion in parliament; Maoists say the president acted unconstitutionally to retain sacked Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal.
The ruling parties say the president can do no wrong.
Maoists say they won’t approve the annual budget 2009/10 without a package solution.
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Nepal, India water talks

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: A meeting of the joint commission of water resources between Nepal and India begins in Pokhara Friday.
Secretaries of the two countries will lead the respective delegations at the talks.
Construction of Pancheshower power project, inundation, power purchase , flood control and other issues will be discussed.
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Former king gets diplomatic passport

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: Former King Gyanendra has been issued a diplomatic passport Tuesday after a decision of the foreign ministry, Nagarik reports.
“He has been issued a diplomatic passport as a former king. It’s normal to issue a diplomatic passport to a former head of state,” a foreign ministry source told Nagarik.
The passport is valid for one year.
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UN existing from Nepal

Kathmandu, 20 Nov: B Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary General for Department of Political Affairs at the United Nations, is visiting Nepal next month to discuss the ‘exit’ of United Nations Mission to Nepal (UNMIN), officials said of Thursday, according to The Kathmandu Post.
UNMIN Chief Karen Landgren informed about Pasceo’s visit at a meeting with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Thursday morning.
The UNMIN mandate is expiring on 23 Jan 2010.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“The opposition doesn’t do such work as obstructing the house and not letting the budget pass.”

(Chairman Subash Nemwang, The Himalayan Times, 20 Nov.)

“Democracy is alive because of the president.”

(Congress Vice-president Prakash Man Singh, Bimarsha, 20 Nov.)
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