Baburam Bhattarai uninjured in bus accident

Kathmandu, 4 Sept.: Maoist Vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai escaped uninjured in when a bus hit his car at on a road in Chitwan while returning to the capital from Gorkha Friday.
The bus was impounded and the driver arrested.
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Former king, queen to visit Biratnagar

Kathmandu, 4 Sept. Former King Gayendra along with wife, Komal, are visiting Biratnagar 11 September to attend a religious
This was stated by Ganapati Samaroha Samiti in the industrial town Friday.
The couple will return to the capital the same evening.
The former king has been visiting temples in terai towns since March this year.
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European aid for Bhutanese refugees

Kathmandu, 4 Sept.: Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office of European Commission Friday announced a Rs 144 million aid for Bhutanese refugees in east Nepal for the next months from July.
The money will fund the nutritional needs of the refugees.
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Congress working committee passes policy, programmes

Kathmandu, 4 Sept.: Nepali Congress central committee Friday approved the party’s policy and programmes suggested by committee members.
The programmes and policy will be presented at the national general convention for approval 17 to 21 in the capital.
The document incorporates party view of current issues, economic, social and social policy, foreign policy and party organization.
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Cholera detected in Butwal

Kathmandu, 4 Sept.: Six cholera has been detected in Butwal where diarrhea broke out in the town one week ago,
The six patients returned home following treatment at Lumbini Zonal Hospital.
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SPORTS

Manita Shahi strikes gold

Kathmandu, 4 Sept.: Manita Shahi collected a gold at the sixth Korean International Taekwondo Championship in South Korea Friday.
She defeated her Thai opponent.
Shahi is a silver medalist of the 11th South Asian Games.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“When two separate letters reach the UN, they have to make a decision. Whatever decision they take, Nepal will be defeated.”

(Former foreign minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, The Himalayan Times, 4 Sept.)
‘There’s no basis in sight for the election of prime minister on 5 September.”
(UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Kantipur, 4 Sept.)


China funding horse trading
Ready to pay Rs 500 million to secure Prachanda's win
Kathmandu, 4 Sept.: With the sixth round of elections in the prime ministerial stakes about to take place, a large cast of characters seem to have become involved, some known, some unknown, The Himalayan Times reports.
Quite apart from the politicians and their hangers on, there are the power brokers on either side of the contest. Democracy seems to be taking root rapidly in Nepal with the buying and selling of votes (horse trading) becoming a regular feature. What’s more the price is more than keeping pace with inflation and is in inverse proportion to recessionary tendencies!

Much has also been made about “outside interference.” This is particularly so from the side of the UCPN-Maoists who have not minced words while denouncing interference from outside. They have also let it be known that foreign forces are not stinting in the money they pay to keep the Maoists away from the seat of power. So it might come as a shock to some that the Maoists themselves are no slouch at this game. Both when it comes to horse trading and cavorting with “foreign forces.” And in this case the Maoists are dancing a tango with is the neighbour to the north.

On September 1, there were two interesting telephonic conversations between an official from China and Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Maoist leader and former information and communication minister in the erstwhile government of Pushpa Kamal Dahal . The phone was tapped in a sting operation. The content of the conversation were made available to THT. They are self-explanatory and need no further elaboration.

And by the way like the others, we have been provided with a copy of the recorded conversation by our source who’s only wish is to protect Nepal’s infant democracy.

Transcript of conversation

Chinese caller: Mr Mahara, how is the trend in Nepal? The next (round of the prime ministerial) election is coming up and do you think… (what are you) hoping in the result?

Mahara: It (election) is very near, right now. It (the result) is also not clear.

Chinese caller: Do you think Maoists can get enough seats?

Mahara: No chance. We are trying but it is so difficult.

Chinese caller: What causing the problem to (get) enough seats?

Mahara: We have already 10-15 (extra) seats but may be (we need) around 50.

Chinese caller: You need additional 50? And Mr. Mahara what kind of help could help you to get the 50 seats?

Mahara: That is most difficult task, because the south (India) centre - they a are guided, control (by) them. So the first thing, it is necessary to neutralise south. Second thing some of money (is) also needed.

Chinese caller: What (is) the amount you are talking about?

Mahara: It is not clear; It must be discussed with our Chairman (Prachanda)

Chinese caller: Mr. Mahara, I have one of my friends who is thinking about (how) to help but he cannot come to Nepal. So we are wondering if we can set up a meeting somewhere else?

Mahara : Where is his convenience?

Chinese caller: Do you think Hong Kong is possible for you?

Mahara: With whom does he want to meet?

Chinese caller: For this matter only you and the Chairman (Prachanda). Nobody else.

Mahara: It is very difficult (for our Chairman) to move here and there. When he goes to Hong Kong, everybody propagates. Because he was prime minister and he is the candidate of the prime minister(ship) also.

Chinese caller: So you represent him to meet with my friend?

Mahara: Yes I am ready, everywhere I can go, here and there, but this message must be sent to him — to our Prachanda. If you send the message to Prachanda, then he can give me all authority.

Chinese caller: Okay this our plan, Mr Mahara. We are thinking about to meet you first to talk about detail how to help Maoists to get the 50 seats.

Mahara: The most important place is if you have (some meeting place in) China. China means in Chengdu. It is the best place nobody (will) know.

Chinese caller: This is very sensitive and we don’t want to have anything to do between (you) and the Government (of China). You know what I mean.

Mahara: Then Singapore is another place. In Hong Kong, there are lots of Nepalis. But Singapore is best.

Chinese caller: Let me talk to my friend.

Mahara: Hong Kong also may be … this evening I will call you.

Chinese caller: Can you let me know the possibilities of Hong Kong, next two days?

Mahara : In this phone?

Chinese caller: Yes, I am waiting for your call by this number.

Mahara: From your source, you must send this message to our Chairman.

Chinese caller: You want me to talk to Mr Chairman?

Mahara: I will call, Okay

(Follow-up conversation)

Mahara: (At) your suggestion – I have talked with my Chairman. One thing is that someone (from Chinese end) is also talking with our Chairman. That is correct?

Chinese caller: I don’t know, so far from my side only my friend, me, you and Mr Chairman.

Mahara: But he was not concrete. But I have discussed with my Chairman and he says because the election is now only four days left – from outside minimum 50 members (we) need. For 50 members, if we cost them then the minimum (needed is) 10 million Nepalese rupees per person.

Chinese caller: 10 million per person that is 100 lakh per person?

Mahara: Yes 100 lakh Nepali rupees per person.

Chinese caller: Alright. Actually, the friend that I have mentioned he might be…but I don’t want to mention his name over the phone for his own protection. Mr Mahara – You can come with some kind of help; he wants to talk to you first because he needs to know detail due to his … If you will be able to pay a visit to Hong Kong?

Mahara : Yes, it is okay, but Hong Kong is – there are so many Nepalis (there).

Chinese caller: For other countries he will need the special visa and that will (attract) people’s attention, that he doesn’t want. But for Hong Kong he can go there and nobody will know.

Mahara: When?

Chinese caller: We are open at any time but for you when will be good time?

Mahara : But it is only four days because we need before four days but - I will try to tomorrow or today?

Chinese caller: How long you need to stay in Hong Kong? One night?

Mahara: Yes, one night is sufficient.

Chinese caller: Okay, we can go anytime. So it is up to you.

Mahara: So I call to this 10 or 12 O’clock this afternoon, I can go this evening also. For discussion to me, it is not sensitive. I called an another name and please see my e-mail after 10 minutes.

Chinese caller: Yes, I am going to meeting, probably I will be able to check my e-mail around 10 am Nepalese time and Mr Mahara if you go to Hong Kong, you just need to tell me the place where I can pick you up.

Mahara: Okay.

Tape fake: Mahara

KATHMANDU: Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara claimed the audio tape was fake meant to muddy the political waters. “It is completely baseless and false. It is aimed at sullying my image,” he told THT.

Shen Yidau, political attaché at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, also claimed that the subject of the audio conversation was baseless. The audio conversation has come as a big surprise, he said. “We have often made telephonic and face-to-face conversations with Nepali leaders but we have no idea how such a conversation was made public. It is completely baseless,” he said. China believes election of Nepal’s PM is her own internal matter, he added.
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UDMF still undecided on voting

Kathmandu, 4 Sept.: The United Democratic Madhesi Front that holds the key to elect new prime minister, along with CPN-UML, is still undecided on voting during the sixth round of prime ministerial polls, The Himalayan Times reports.

However, the two parties in the Front – Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum and MJF-Democratic – are most likely to vote for Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday. “Talks between our chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar and Maoist chairman have moved in a positive direction but we are yet to decide,” Jitendra Dev, general secretary of MJF-D, said during an interaction here today.

“UCPN-M has been positive towards the concept paper of the Madhes-based parties,” said Jitendra. “The UDMF may give up its stance to stay neutral if the Maoists agree to its demands.” He, however, added that it would be better if both the prime ministerial contenders withdrew their candidacies for consensus government. MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav had been holding meetings with both the candidates. The leaders of TMDP and Sadbhawana Party, however, claimed that they would stay neutral even in the sixth round.
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•
'Nation at the most dangerous stage'
Kathmandu, 4 Sept.: -
UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai on Friday said that Nepal's present political situation has deteriorated so badly that the nation is at the most dangerous stage in its 200-year history after the Sugauli Treaty, The Kathmandu Post. reports .

The Sugauli Treaty was signed between the British East India Company and Nepal on December 2, 1815 and ratified on March 4, 1816, under which Nepal lost about one-third of its territory.

Bhattarai said the nation has been held hostage to indecision, hinting at the failure to elect a new prime minister even after five rounds of elections.

Speaking at a programme organised to mark the silver jubilee of Drabya Shah Multiple Campus here, Bhattarai said the sixth round of the election will also fail to elect the prime minister. "Nepal's current situation seems just as dangerous as it was in the aftermath of the Sugauli Treaty," Bhattarai said.

"Junga Bahadur was born to take the helm then, now plans are afoot to give birth to another dictator by creating an environment to obstruct the election of a prime minister," he said. The Maoist ideologue added that it was unfortunate that the prime minister's election is being held for the sixth time when the older system has not been completely removed and that the new structure has not been completed.

He was hinting at the monarchy, which was formally abolished by the Constituent Assembly (CA). Bhattarai was also referring to the pro-royalists' argument that if the current CA fails to bring in a new republican constitution, and if it is dissolved midway without promulgating the constitution, its decisions to abolish the monarchy and declaration of a republic would also be automatically invalid, thereby reinstating the older system.

Bhattarai said national and foreign powers are plotting to dissolve the CA by showing that the parties could not elect a new prime minister.

"These are preparations to strip the people of their achievements either through the president or a military dictator," said Bhattarai, who visits his home district every month.

He said that a new national government under the Maoist leadership should be formed to bail the country out of the current stalemate.

Bhattarai also said that the Nepali Congress has made the scenario more complicated by not withdrawing its candidacy for the prime minister's post. "We have been expressing a willingness to move ahead by withdrawing the candidacy," said Bhattarai. NC on Thursday declared that it would contest the sixth polls slated for Sunday.

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Ban may propose ending UNMIN mandate

Kathmandu, 4 Sept. UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has said that he will propose termination of the mandate of UNMIN, the United Nations Mission in Nepal, if parties here fail to reach consensus on fulfilling their commitments on the future of Nepal Army and the Maoist combatants and the phasing out of UNMIN, Republica reports.
Ban’s warning relating to the future of UNMIN, whose term extension beyond September 16 is under discussion, appears in his new report to be submitted to thr UN security council. The council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday September 7. An advance copy of the report has been circulated to Nepal and the UN security council members only.
“Should these discussions 0n UNMIN’s future offer neither clarity over the role of the Mission nor any prospect of consensus among the parties to the CPA(Comprehensive Peace Agreement and AMMAA (Agreement on Management and Monitoring of Arms and Armies) regarding a realistic and time-bound fulfillment of their commitment concerning the armies and phasing out of UNMIN monitoring, then I will propose alternative measures to the council, including the possible termination of UNMIN’s mandate,” Ban said in the report.
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