Three big parties meet Monday

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 7 Dec: Three big parties- UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and UML, are holding consultations Monday to discuss a prolonged political crisis that is dragging the country towards a crisis.
The meeting follows Sunday’s discussions between Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Chairman Prachanda to discuss the impasse ‘it totality’ for an agreement.
Main opposition Maoists after ouster from government are on an aggressive mood after being in control of Singha Durbar for only nine months.
Government last week forcibly evicted more that 5,000 Maoist squatters who captured hundreds of hectares of forest land in Kailali in the far-West even as they continued to seize personal assets.
Government turned the table blamed Maoists for the forcible eviction resulting in at least five deaths charging the opposition for inciting forest capture against the spirit of the comprehensive peace treaty.
Even as Nepal and Prachanda agreed to a three-party summit Monday, Chairman Prachanda Monday morning again absented himself from a meeting of the constitutional council to fill vacancies in constitutional bodies like the election commission.
The Maoist chief has only okayed the appointment of Anup Raj Sharma as chief justice.
The standoff has put on hold other matters as well.
Remaining three of 11 subject committees recommending provisions for a proposed constitution by a 15 December deadline have to submit recommendations in another eight days.
There was no unanimity between major parties on recommendations of eight subject committees.
The schedule, it appears, will have to be rescheduled for the eighth time even as Chairman Subash Nemwang bravely says the deadline to promulgate a basic law by 28 May 2010 won’t be changed.
Maoists have been disrupting parliamentary proceedings for five months holding up important legislation as well.
Maoists aren’t cooperating in the eviction 4,000 plus disqualified combatants from cantonments and camps under UN watch demanding integration in the state army or compensation for integration in society.
Influential Nepali Congress leader and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said Sunday the constitution won’t be drafted until the integration or rehabilitation of 19,000 plus Maoists.
Failure of promulgate a constitution will trigger a political crisis to force another amendment in the interim constitution drafted by an unelected and self-appointed parliament.
The original six-month deadline has prolonged to three years without signs of a breakthrough.
An extended UNMIN mandate to help integration pf combatants ends 23 Janauary 2010 or in another 47 days; the mandate may have to be extended again with agreement of parties, international donors and the world body amid fatigue and uncertainty.
nnnn


Maoists force closure of educational establishments

Kathmandu, 7 Dec: Maoists Monday forced the closure of schools nation-wide as part of their third phase anti-government and anti-president campaign.
Maoists are pressing old educational demands such as increased pay, perks and permanent tenure for teachers.
At the party’s beaconing, organizations affiliated with UCPN (Maoist) are on almost daily protests.
nnnn

Nepali team participating in Denmark summit


Kathmandu, 7 Dec: The 12-day summit kicks off in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, Monday.
A 12-member team led by Forest Minister Dipak Bohara is flying there later Monday.
A 57-member team with 32 Everest summiteers, is leaving for Denmark.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will join the conference later.
Nineteen-tine Everest summiteer Appa Sherpa and Dawa Sherpa , WWF Climate Ambassadors, on a European tour to highlight the negative impact of climate on the Himalaya, Sunday presented a rock from the Everest to Austrian President Heinz Fischer in Vienna.
They will attend the UN summit in Denmark as part of a team of Everest summiteers.
“Climate change is already a reality in Nepal. We first saw mosquitoes in Namche Bazzar in almost 3,4500 meters, and even flies in the bas camp on Mount Everest at 5,360 meters,” Appa said after the presentation.
Nepal is presenting a 10-point Sagarmatha declaration at the summit highlighting the adverse impact of climate change on the Himalata as the snowline recedes.
Nnnn


Swine flu detected in Ilam as well

Kathmandu, 7 Dec: Swine flu has been detected in Ilam as well, Kantipur reports quoting an infectious hospital sources at Teku.
Two samples were brought tests from the town in east Nepal Friday.
Swine flu was earlier detected in the Valley, Chitwan, Parbat and Pokhara.
Nnnn

Further details of anti-China Tibetan refugee activities in Nepal and along Tibet border

Kathmandu, 7 Dec: Government intelligence agency has concluded Dalai Lama is directing Tibetan activities from India, Kantipur reports.
A report of the National Intelligence Department to the home ministry has concluded Dalai Lama is conducting the Free Tibet Movement in Nepal from India.
“Such activities are being conducted from India by the government –in-exile by establishing offices and recruitment with the help of supporters,” the report says. The campaign is being supported by westerners.
Those injured in anti-China campaign get medical attention in Europe and USA.
Thy are given incentives and life-long financial support.
Besides Kathmandu, activities are increasing in Mustang, Manang
, Rasuwa, Sankhuwasabha and other districts along the border.
nnnn


SPORTS

Nepal plans India in SAAF Games

Kathmandu, 7 Dec: Nepal meets India in Group A league match in the 8th SAAF Games in Dhaka Monday.
India has three points after defeating Afghanistan while Nepal has one time following a draw with Maldives.
Nepal needs a win to qualify for the next round.
India has defeated Nepal in eight outings so far.
Eight teams in two groups are in the tournament.
nnnn

MEDIA GOOGLE

“The Maoists are establishing themselves as a neo-feudal party by looting farmers, extorting civilians and encroaching on forestland.”

(Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel, The Kathmandu Post, 7 Dec.)

“To rein in judiciary is the ideology of one party. The constitution-making process is complicated. Not a single provision can be passed without securing two-third majority. So such an ideology cannot pose any threat to the judiciary.”

(Supreme court chief justice-designate Anup Raj Sharma, The Himalayan Times, 7 Dec.)

“The person we sent to protect the constitution has made a mockery of it.”

(Maoist central leader Netra Bikram Chand Biplab, Jana Bhawana, 7 Dec.)
nnnn