Special committee meets

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: A meeting of the special committee for supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants has started under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Thursday.
The meeting started amid Maoist threat to quit the committee following Defence Minister Bhandari’s assertion defence ministry won’t implement the committee’s decision to integrate Maoists in the state army.
She said the ministry and Nepal Army, stakeholders, aren’t in the committee.
’I did not say I would not accept the committee decision. I just tried to convey that the participation of the ministry and UN should be ensured in the special committee,” said a minister who overheard the telephonic conversation, according to The Kathmandu Post.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Wednesday sought explanation from Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari over her statement that her ministry and Nepal Army has no compulsion to accept any decision on army integration taken by the Prime Minister Nepal-led special committee, according to the newspaper.
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Moon lobbies on behalf of UNMIN

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Jan. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Patrick Moon said Wednesday the controversial high level political mechanism launched by NC President Girija Prasad Koirala Chairman Prachanda and UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal could be useful to bring parties together.
“The high kevel political mechanism could be a useful took in bringing all parties together and in reaching agreements on different issues that need to be decided,” he told reporters before concluding his Nepal visit.
The task force of the HLPM meets Thursday to prepare code of conduct and terms of reference of the mechanism to be presents to the mechanism Friday for discussion.
HLPM is mired in controversy since its launch.
Leaders of NC, UCPN (Maoist) and UML said the body was launched without discussions in parties.
NC, UML and Madesh leaders said a body that doesn’t the prime minister is meaningless.
The premier was later included as an invited guest by Koirala, Khanal and Prachanda.
“I raised human rights in all my meetings. I indicated we wanted Nepal Army and Maoists to seriously address human rights issues.
Maoists should renounce ‘violence and terrorism” and hold ‘accountable those who are responsible on human rights violence”.
He presented the preconditions for removing Maoists off the US terrorist list.
He added:” We want to see Young Communist League abandoning violent and criminal activities.”
Moon lobbied on behalf on UNMIN whose mandate ends 23 January.
“’We certainly think UNMIN’s role has been a positive one. They, like others, have been a little frustrated with the slow progress on issues they have been charged with,” the top US diplomat for South Asia said.
The UN in Nepal is a front mainly for its western
financiers.
UNMIN has come under fire for ineffectively managing 28 cantonments and camps—a hotbed for criminal activities.
Maoists move freely in and out of the camps.
In defence, UNMIN claims it only has a ‘soft ‘presence in Nepal.
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Army promotions

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: Maj. Gen. Pawan Jung Thapa has been promoted to the vacant position of Lt. Gen in Nepal Army.
The cabinet Wednesday also extended the tenure of Maj. Generals Gaurav Shumsher J.B.Rana and Anil Jung Thapa for another two years.
Gaurav is in line to become army chief.
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Army chief visiting China

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: Chief of Army Staff Gen Chatraman Singh Gurung has received an invitation to visit China, a senior Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday, according to The Kathmadu Post.
The date for the trip, which will be tentatively take place, will be finalized after consultations with Chinese officials.
Meanwhile, Nepal has proposed to hold boundary talks with China in March.
“Nepal and China no not have any boundary disputes, but we need to hold such meetings regularly for the effective management of the border,” said the official.
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NRB Governor Bhattarai on leave

Kathmandu, 21 Jan.: Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) Governor Bijayanath Bhattarai went on leave Monday prior to retirement.
Bhattarai retires 31 January after a 36-year service.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“New Delhi has openly taken Narayanhiti’s place. We’re serious about this.”

(Chairman Prachanda, Naya Patrika, 21 Jan.)

”We’re concentrating on defending national sovereignty more than in forming a government.”

(Maoist leader Mohan Baidya Kiran, Rajdhani, 21 Jan.)