President, Maoist dialogue

Kathmandu, 1 Dec: In continuing direct dialogue between the president and Maoists on anti-government and anti-president protests, Vice-Chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha Prakash Monday held a dialogue with Dr Ram Baran Yadav. .
The meeting was the second in eight days.
Prachand and Chairman Prachanda held the first round of discussions last week.
Shrestha met the president alone Sunday.
‘The Maoist vice-chairman requested an end to a political impasse. The president is for an agreement between political parties. He said he alone cannot do anything and asked parties to move forward jointly,” presidential press advisor Rajendra Dahal said.
Shrestha said quoting the president,” I’ll work staying within the parameters of the office. Three parties should work for an outlet.”
They discussed the controversy over the taped conversation between Prachanda and Girija Prasad Koirala, according to Shrestha.
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Prime minister invited to visit China

Kathmandu, 1 Dec: China has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to visit China from 26 to 31 December, a foreign ministry source said.
The invitation was extended Friday by Chinese Ambassador Qiu Guohong.
Nepal has already visited India.
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Kamal Thapa cleared

Kathmandu, 1 Dec: A special court Monday cleared RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa.
The court dismissed a CIAA petition seeking recovery of millions of rupees Thapa disbursed as home minister during a last popular 2005 movement.
Ministers in governments dole out government funds to cronies.
The present government doled out Rs 20 million for the medical treatment of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala although he is in a position to pay his health bills; the party could have paid the money as well.
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Two killed by wild elephant

Kathmandu, 1 Dec: Two persons were killed by a wild elephant while fishing at Kamalakoch in Sindhuli Friday while fishing
A tusker entered Sindhuli from Udaipur where two other persons were also killed.
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P Kharel NPI chairman

Kathmandu, 1 Dec: P. Kharel has been elected chairman of Nepal Press Institute (NPI).
Tapanath Sukla, Shoba Gautam and Manteshwori Rajbhandari have been elected vice-chairman, general secretary and treasurer respectively.
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Top army brass at defence ministry

Kathmandu, 1 Dec: Military leadership has asked not to Nepal Army a tool in power play, Annapurna Post reports.
Army Chief Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung and senior generals said this at internal discussions at the defence ministry Monday.
The meeting was held at the office of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari.
He said the army will be put in a difficult situation with wrong reports on the meeting with the president, prime minister and defence minister on the centered around the Singapore tape.
Major generals Toran Bahadur Singh, Gaurab Shumsher Rana. Ajit Jung Thapa, Nepal Bhusan Chand and others were present ant the two-hour meet.
Filling vacancies, stopped promotions, training, import of ammunition and budget for the air wing were also discussed.
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Nepal, India security meeting

Kathmandu, 1 Dec: Joint secretaries of Nepal and India are meeting for three-day talks in the Nepalese capital to discuss security issues, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
Foreign ministry said talks are being held after agreement with India during the August visit of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Discussions will center around supply of non-lethal weapons, non-military hardware and construction of a helipad in Surkhet.
India has agreed to construct the helipad during the India visit of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari.
“We’ve learnt India will raise the issue. India has claimed it has evidence Indian Maoists are receiving arms through Nepal,” a foreign ministry source told Nepal Samacharpatra.
(Note: The claim comes after India sheltered Nepali Maoists during the 10-year people’s war and finally brokered a peace agreement between seven parties and Maoists.)
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Maoists seize forest

Kathmandu, 1 Dec: UCPN (Maoist)–aligned organizations representing the landless have led thousands of people from various hill districts of mid and the far-West to a state-owned forest in Kailali for settlements, The Kathmandu Post reports.
In the last five days, a round 10,000 people have thronged Dudejhari forest in Baliya VDC in Kailali district, and the mass exodus continues.
These squatters were told they would be provided free land in Kailali.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Why is Nepal keeping a distance from an old friend like France?. We’re surprised. By not sending an ambassador [for three years] Nepal is intentionally is staying aloof from us. France is Nepal’s true friend.”

(French ambassador to Nepal, Annapurna Post, 1 Dec.)

“We can guarantee the new constitution and take the peace process to the logical end through this movement.”

(Maoist leader CP Gajurel, The Himalayan Times, 1 Dec.)

“Bescause different committees formed by the constituent assembly is searching for a resolution on differences between parties for drafting a new constitution, a political mechanism or another committee will benefit only some individuals.”

(RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa, Annapurna Post, 1 Dec.)
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