Maoists close down schools nation-wide

Kathmandu, 25 April; Maoist student activists Sunday forcibly closed down schools nation-wide protesting a 25 percent hike in fees coinciding with the beginning of the new academic year.
Maoists said they won’t sit down for talks to withdraw their protests until fees are reduced.
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Foreign minister flies for Thimpu

Kathmandu, 25 April: Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala flew for Thimpu, Bhutan, Sunday to participate in a conference of foreign ministers of the eight-nation SAARC beginning Tuesday.
A conference of foreign secretaries began in Bhutan Saturday.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal leaves for Bhutan Tuesday to lead the Nepali delegation to the summit being hosted the for the first time by the Buddhist kingdom.
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Top US diplomat for South Asia arrives

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 25 April: US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert O. Blake Jr. arrived Sunday for a two-day visit amid a brewing political crisis as a deadline for the promulgation of a constitution by the 28 May deadline won’t be met.
The US along with India and EU countries supported a movement to topple the 238-year-old monarchy to establish a republic.
A republic can’t be given the official seal without the promulgation of a republican constitution.
The game-plan to establish a republic went astray when Maoists emerged victorious in the 10 April 2008 constituent assembly elections defeating parliamentary parties.
The so-called international community was surprised by the result as it expected Nepali Congress and UML to sweep polls.
Maoists haven’t abandoned their agenda to establish a Stalinist communist state in the Himalayan state.
“During his April 25-26 stay here, Blake will meet political leaders, government officials and civil society representatives to discuss the peace process, constitution drafting, human trafficking and economic development,” A US State Department statement said.
Blake visits Nepal following arrivals of top officials from London and Norway.
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