Security council meets; other details

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 May: A meeting of the security council chaired by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal met Thursday amid a looming constitutional and political crisis amid certainty a constitution to formalize a republic declared by an unelected and self-appointed parliament won’t be announced in the next eight days.
The meeting reviewed the security situation.
May 28 is the deadline to promulgate the constitution.
The six-member council has ministers of defence and home and three other ministers appointed by the premier as members.
The council is meeting as Maoists announced they will proclaim a constitution from the street 29 May.
Government has registered a bill in parliament to extend the mandate two-year mandate of the constituent assembly (CA) for one year through an eighth amendment in the constitution.
Some constitutional lawyers there’s no provision in the interim constitution to extend the fixed mandate of the CA and the only solution is to hold fresh CA elections.
The decision to extend the mandate has been challenged in the supreme court.
Maoist have charged the amendment bill was registered in parliament without consulting the main opposition.
Maoist support is a must to amend the constitution by a two-third majority in the 601-member parliament.
The main opposition set two pre-conditions for the extension—the resignation of the Nepal government and an amendment in the interim constitution, to return to consensus politics.
Nepali Congress has rejected the second Maoist demand.
Thirteen small parties in the CA/parliament have invited leaders of UCPN (Maoist), NC and UML for a collective meeting Thursday to exert pressure on the biggest parties to come to an agreement on the peace process and constitution drafting.
The small parties blamed the big parties for the deadlock.
In a setback for Maoists, MJFN Co-chairman Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta
Wednesday.
“It’s irresponsible and also a conspiracy to trap the country in a crisis by saying the constituent assembly tenure won’t be extended without the resignation of the prime minister,” Gupta said and called the proposed constitution to be declared from the street a ‘constitution with a road seal’.
MJFN had previously been supporting Maoists.
Meanwhile, Maoist central committee meets Friday to discuss the party’s future course as the country heads towards confrontation.
“An agreement is not very far off if Maoists, like us, convert themselves into a civilian party, agree to integrate and resettle fighters and stop the language of capturing power,” Nepal said Wednesday.
“Opponents of a republic, federalism and secularism and hatching a plot to kill parliament,” Maoist Vice-Chairman Dr Babruram Bhattarai charged in the capital Wednesday.
Seven parliamentary parties and Maoists adopted a foreign agenda by signing a 12-point in New Delhi.
The vague and broad agenda for a republic, federal statet and transformation of society from a monarchy to a republic to be completed in two years.
The political players failed to deliver when differences erupted immediately after monarchy was toppled to the dismay of international players.
Nepali people are suffering; parties and leaders aren’t bothered.
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Still no trace of missing doctor

Kathmandu, 20 May: There was still no trace Thursday of missing Dr Bhaktaman Shrestha, Executive Director of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bhaktapur, Chitwan.
He went missing from the town Tuesday.
His car was recovered by police in Pokhara.
Police suspect the doctor was abducted.
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Commander killed in Mohottari

Kathmandu, 20 May: Central Military Commander Ram Kumar Singh Mahato of Terai Military Morcha was killed Wednesday in Mohittari,
Mahoto was killed by an unknown group, according to police.
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Portuguese drug trafficker arrested

Kathmandu, 20 May: Portugal’s Dr Cruz Fernandes was arrested at TAI with 3.14 grams of heroin as she was boarding a Dragon Air flight for Hong Kong Wednesday.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

Made in Pakistan Expo-2010

Kathmandu, 20 May: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala Wednesday inaugurated the Made in Pakistan Expo-2010 at Center in Trupureshwor.
The Expo to boost bilateral trade was held to commemorate the50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Pakistan.
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World Bank projects 3.5 pc growth

Kathmandi, 20 May: World Bank (WB) Wednesday projected a 3.5 percent growth for Nepal in the fiscal year 2009/10.
“Political uncertainties, a cooling down of new construction and energy shortages have constrained the growth rate,” the Bank said.
“Fiscal management has remained prudent: there has been progress in revenue administration,” the bank said in praise.
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NBL records Rs 595.7 million net profit

Kathmandu, 20 May: Nepal Bank Ltd. The country’s first commercial bank, recorded a net profit of Rs 585.7 million in Q3 of the current fiscal year, the bank said.
The bank has 800,000 customers in 52 districts and serves them through 107 outlets.
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Ethnic Nepalese fleeing Meghalaya

Kathmandu, 20 May: Nepali speaking community in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya have started fleeing their homes after the indigenous Khasis intensified attack on them, Kathmandu Post reports from Siligudi, West Bengal.
Sources said a large number India nationals of Nepali origin and Nepali migrant workers fled the area due to the increasing threats and attacks.
The Khasis killed three Nepalis speaking people at Langapi village on Monday following a clash on Sunday in which seven people were killed in police intervention.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“There’s no possibility of immediate presidential rule. Its only imaginary rumour to say there’ll be presidential rule after 28May).”

(President’s press advisor Rajendra Dahal, Rajdhani, 20 May)

“Offices in Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj were set up [by OHCHR] without informing the government.”

(An unidentified foreign ministry source in The Himalayan Times, 20 May)

“Foreigners have crossed diplomatic norms because of our character as well. One thing is being said publicly to fulfill the party’s interest while seeking support on the sly.”

(Dr Bhek Bahadur Thapa, Gorkhapatra, 20 May.)

“The government and political parties have failed not only to perform their duty of drafting a constitution but also to deliver the constitution but also to deliver justice to the incidents of human rights abuses committed during the conflict .period. This is direct mockery of the commitment they made to the people and nation.”

(National Human Rights Commission statement, The Kathmandu Post, 20 May)
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