PM EFFORTS DEADLOCK END

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Wednesday has reconvened a meting of major political parties at his office in Singha Durbar Wednesday to create an effort to end a prolonged deadlock over election for prime minister and annual budget presentation.
Nepal has been with a caretaker government for more than four months.
Sixteenth round of opting to elect replacement of Madhav Kumar Nepal is being held Thursday before Bhai Tika.
In separate meetings with UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Speaker Subash Nemwang Tuesday, US Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi said US was constrained as it couldn’t conduct major businesses with a caretaker government urging early election of a government chief.
Only preliminary discussions were held at the meeting convened by the premier Tuesday as top NC leaders were busy with their parliamentary party meet.
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PRACHANDA-LED TASK FORCE MEETS AGAIN WEDNESDAY

Kathmandu, 3 Nov. A high-powered Prachanda-led seven-member task force meets again Wednesday and will discuss related to fundamental rights in an effort to speed up the delayed constitution drafting process
Maoist Chairman Prachanda said the language issue was resolved by the force which recommended Nepali in Debnagari script should be the official language at the center.
The ask force is preparing a report to be submitted to Chairman Subash Nemwang.
The body is attempting to eliminate or narrow down differences on 230 points on eight themes to be incorporated in a constitution to institutionalize a declared republic.
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YOUTH SHOT DEAD IN JANAKPUR

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: A police patrol shot dead a youth at Ram Janaki Chowk at Janakpur at four in the morning Wednesday following an attack.
The youth was aged at around 25 years.
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REPLACEMNT OF SP RAMESH KHAREL

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: DSP Bhog Bahadur Thapa has been transferred to Hanumak Dhoka on temporary duty to take over responsibilities as Chief of Kathmandu Police.
Thapa takes charge from SP Ramesh Kharel who leaves for China Wednesday, to attend an extended seminar to discuss security in major Asian urban centers.
Kharel has come into the limelight for his bold attempts to fight and curb crime in the capital.
A section in the unit is dissatisfied with Kharel.
Thapa was once assigned security officer of three-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
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3 JUDGES RECOMMENDED PERMANENT SC JUSTICES

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Judicial council Tuesday recommended Abhadesh Kumar Yadav, Girish Chandra Lal and Sushila Karki’s promotion to permanent judges of the supreme court (SC).
A parliamentary committee has to okay the promotions through hearings.
The council appointed Nirmal Dhungana head of foreign employment tribunal; he was Surkhet appellate court judge.
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DENGUE OUTBREAK IN DHANGADI AS WELL

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Dengue has broken out in Dhangadi in the far-West as well.
Sirjana Bhandri, 10, died while undergoing treatment at Seti Zonal Hospital.
Twenty positive cases have been confirmed the district—eight in Dhangadi municipality.
The disease, caused by malaria sting, has broken out in epidemic form in Butwal and Chitwan.
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COMMUNITY SCHOOLS CLOSED DOWN NATION-WIDE

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Community schools nation-wide were closed down for one day by teachers protesting the abduction and murders of teachers in Dhanusha and Bara.
Teachers closed down schools in five districts in Narayani anchal Tuesday.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

NEPSE INDEX SLIPS SLIGHTLY; OTHER DETAILS

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Nepse index fell 1.63 points on the third day of five-day weekly trading Tuesday to settle at 423.27 points at the end of the day.
The index gained 1.03 points Monday.
Altogether 52,832 shares of 67 companies worth Rs 1.38 million were traded in 1,145 transactions.
Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse), the country’s sole exchange has allocated 49 percent shares in the proposed Nepal Central Depository Company (NCDC) to Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) and a consortium of 19 commercial banks.
CIT and the consortium will have 12.6 and 35.4 percent stakes respectively in the proposed company.
Nepse will have a majority 51 percent stake in NCDC.
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NAC INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS CURTAILED AFTER GROUNDING ON ONE BOEING

Kathmandu,3 Nov.: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) Wednesday announced massive cancellations of its international flights following the grounding of one of two Boeings for engine repair during the peak autumn tourist season.
The country’s flag-carrier cancelled Kathmandn, Delhi flights on 5.6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 November.
Kathmandu/Bangkok flights on 3 and 12 November were also cancelled.
Kathmandu/Dubai/Doha flight on 4 November was cancelled along with flights to Hong Kong from the Nepalese capital on 4 and 11 November.
Flights between Kathmandu and Kuala Lumpur on 4, 7 ,9, 11 and 14 November have also been cancelled.
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USD 12M ADB GRANT

KATHMANDU, 3 Nov.: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tuesday announced USD 12 million grant assistance for Nepal to upgrade roads and transport projects for improved access to isolated and poor communities.

Dong-Kyu Lee, Senior Transport Specialist in ADB's South Asia Department in Manila said, "Making remote communities accessible by road or air is crucial to the growth of trade and tourism, and critical for the delivery of essential social services that so many of these poor communities lack.

"Nepal is highly reliant on road and air links to transport people and goods around its diverse terrain, which includes steep mountains in the north, hills in the centre and lowland plains in the south. However, the road network in remote, upland areas is in poor condition, while many of its 47 airports urgently need upgrading to improve safety and capacity," the bank said.



Two road transport projects and one air transport project will be prepared under the facility, with priority given to roads that link to sub-regional transport corridor routes.

ADB is funding 87 per cent of the total project cost of USD 13.8 million, with the government providing the balance of USD 1.8 million.
The facility will be completed in December 2015.
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PETROLEUM TRANSPORT ENTREPRENEURS END STRIKE

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Petroleum transport entrepreneurs Wednesday loading tankers with POL products at two points along the Indo-Nepal border after a prolonged strike was suspended.
They started loading and unloading at points on the border and in the hinterland.
Nearly 700 tankers are queuing up at the border to be loaded.
The disruption in the transport of POL products created shortages during the festive season.
Transport had been pressing 11 demands with Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).
The transport of POL products was disrupted from 24 October.
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Nabaratha starts Wednesday.

Rajandra mohtto google include Maois comment

FAKE CURRENCY, EQUIPMENT TO PRINT THEM RECOVRED IN KIRTIPUR RAID

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Police raided a house at Tanglaphat in Kirtipur Tuesday money and arrested Tirtha Raj Dhakal, Rajendra Deb Raya and Naresh Shrestha for allegedly dealing in counterfeit currency notes, Nagarik reports.
Police recovered equipment to print currency and counterfeit notes during the house.
The house was raided after a gang member was arrested in New Road while making purchases with fake currency notes.
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FORMER KING HOLDS DINNER DISCUSSIONS WITH SUPPORTERS


Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Former King Gyanendra 28 October held discussions with supporters over dinner, Naya Patrika reports.
They discussed present political situation.
Janashakti Party Chairman Surya Bahadr Thapa, RPP-Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa, Dr Tulsi Giri, Bishwabandhu Thapa, Prabhakar Shumshere Rana were present.
According to a source, they concluded it’ll be easier to take the issue to constitutional monarchy to the people if the present with the present situation.
The source said it’ll be best to maintain the candidacy of Paudel for prime minister, according to the source.
Meanwhile, Surya Bahadur Thapa held a dinner reception at his residence in Maligaon Tuesday.
Congress and monarchists concluded at the meeting government shouldn’t be handed over to Maoists under any circumstance, Naya Patrika adds.
Congress and former panchas were present at the meeting.
Deputy PM Sujata Koirala, NC prime ministerial candidate Ram Chandra Paudel and K.B. Gurung among others were present, The Himalayan Times reports.


DELIVERY OF MRPs MAY DELAYED WITH CARGO TRANSPORT CRISIS

Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: : French security printer Oberthur Technologies that bagged a multi-million dollar machine readable passport (MRP) contract is likely to miss the November 7 deadline to deliver MRPs due to the recent strikes in France, new measures for screening international cargos and eruption of volcano in Indonesia, Kiran Chapagain reports in Republica.

Knowledgeable three sources told Republica on condition of anonymity that the printing of 400,000 MRPs to be supplied in the first lot has already been completed but the dispatch of passport consignments, as of Tuesday, are yet to start in France.


Air shipments from France arrive in Nepal in three working days under normal conditions, according to information communicated by Oberthur to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). For this, French security printer has to start sending the passport consignments latest by Wednesday.

As per the agreement reached with the ministry on August 30, Oberthur Technologies has to deliver the first lot of MRPs within 70 days of signing of the deal, which falls on coming Saturday. And, the printer is also required to bring passports from France via air.

In the first instance, sources said, the security printer has faced difficulties in transporting the passports to a nearest airport due to ongoing strikes, which began last week after the retirement age was increased to 60 from 62. The strikes have also caused shortage of fuel, affecting transportation in France.

Second, the extra and tight security measures adopted to screen international cargos passing via Gulf countries after explosives were uncovered in air cargos last Friday in the UK and Dubai is likely to affect the Oberthur´s plan to deliver the passports on time.

"Cargos coming from the Gulf countries will take longer time for screening purposes following the cargo bomb incidents in the UK and Dubai," said one of the sources seeking anonymity.

Lastly, the eruption of volcano in Mount Merapi of Indonesia has affected air traffic in that region, said the sources. New York Times reported on Tuesday that there is possibility of eruption of more volcanoes in Indonesia.

The French company is also troubled by the fact that all the international flights coming to Kathmandu from abroad these days are packed with tourists.
"There is little space for passport cargo in the flights coming to Nepal," the source said.

The French firm had bagged the multi-million dollar MRP project in August after overcoming one after another hurdles since the tender was called in May.

As per the deal with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French printer will supply minimum 3.4 million MRPs to maximum 4.6 million passports in the next five years at a cost of US$ 3.59 per booklet.
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SECRET NC, UML TALKS FOR CO-OPERATION

Kathmandu, 3 Nov 3:


Leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML have decided to intensify bilateral talks between the two parties with a view to find common stances and work closely in constitution writing, Thira L. Bhusal writes in Republica.

The NC-UML move comes at a time when the high-level taskforce has expedited the work of resolving disputes in the statute-drafting process. NC leaders have also decided to reach out to other parties as well in a bid to convince them to incorporate democratic values and principles in the new constitution to the maximum.
Realizing the need of regular and enhanced inter-party coordination, Ram Chandra Paudel and Ramesh Lekhak from the NC and Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Bharat Mohan Adhikari of UML held a confidential meeting on Sunday.

NC leaders decided to talk to UML leaders in the hope that the third-largest party can be a major democratic ally in the constitution-writing process.

"As the NC and UML have similar views on over 90 percent of outstanding disputes related to statute drafting, we can find a common stance on those issues once we sit together and discuss things with each other," a NC leader told Republica.

NC lawmaker Ramesh Lekhak, who is involved in the talks, also floated the proposal at a parliamentary party meeting of the NC on Tuesday.

Lekhak said if the NC fails to go ahead with that approach it will fail to get its way in the ongoing meetings of the taskforce.

"We will also reach out to the Maoists and other parties but we have to have good coordination with UML leaders because we [NC and UML] have common views on the maximum number of issues," Lekhak said.

NC leaders believe that the Maoists can get support from even Madhes-based parties, among others, on various issues but the UML can be the major partner of the NC for the purpose of writing a democratic constitution.

On Sunday, NC leaders had to abruptly convene a meeting with UML leaders as UML´s Adhikari, at a meeting of the taskforce earlier the same day gave consent to the Maoist proposal that the judicial council be headed by the Speaker. The stance of the NC and UML is to form the council under the leadership of the chief justice (CJ).

After the talks with NC leaders, both Adhikari and Khanal realized the need for the CJ´s leadership of the council. "We are hopeful that UML leaders will stick to the stance of forming the council under the CJ´s leadership," the NC leader said.
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CALL FOR IMPROVED AIRLINE SAFETY STANDARDS
Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: The panel formed to probe the Agni Air plane crash has recommended domestic airlines operating Instrumental Flight Rules and Visibility Flight Rules to upgrade safety norms, The Himalayan Times reports..

The panel issued Interim Safety Recommendation to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, on October 13, to regulate all airline operators to fit flights with mass over 5,700 Kg with Emergency Power Supply and Artificial Horizon.

However, Binod Giri, director of Aviation Safety Department at CAAN denied ‘safety lapses’. “We have implemented all the rules of International Civil Aviation Organisation and CAAN’s regulations and all the planes have the devices,” claimed Giri.

But the panel’s findings contradict Giri’s claim. Talking to THT, Member-secretary of the panel Suresh Acharya said, “We found that some airlines operators had not installed the mandatory devices.”

As per ICAO Annex-13, the panel can issue interim safety recommendation for regulating safety measures.

All the aeroplanes in Nepal have got ‘type approval certificates’ from the authorities of the country where the planes are manufactured, Giri added. 3.4.2 (a) of the Flight Operations Requirements according to CAAN regulations reads: All aeroplanes of a maximum certified take-off mass of over 5,700 Kg shall be fitted with an emergency power supply, independent of the main electrical generating system, for the purpose of operating and illuminating, for a period of 30 minutes, and an altitude indicating instrument (artificial Horizon), clearly visible to the pilot-in-command. “CAAN should show us all the 29 flights abiding by the flight operations requirements as mentioned,” said Acharya.

Artificial Horizon is a useful device during poor visibility and indicates the horizon to the pilot-in-command. Emergency Power Supply supports when main generator fails.

According to an Engineer of Safety division at CAAN, there are 29 flights that weigh over 5,700 Kilogram: eight Dornier planes, 10 Jet Stream, five Beach Craft 1900D, one ATR 72 and two each of Beach Craft 1900 C and ATR 42. The panel has been probing the plane crash at Shikharpur, Makawanpur, 19.5 aeronautical miles south of Kathmandu and has to submit its report by November 3.

Acharya rejected media reports that both generators had failed. “We are waiting for the report on both generators, which have been sent to Germany,” he said.

The panel has already got the report of CVR and FDR from the US but is yet to get the report of the scripts of talks between

Air traffic controller, pilot and co-pilot.
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MAOISTS ISOLATE DISQUALIFIED FIGHERS IN SEPRATE CAMP


Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: The UCPN (Maoist) has been keeping its disqualified combatants in a separate ‘camp’ after their exit from UN-monitored cantonments, it was revealed, Mohan Budhair writes in The Kathmandu Post from Dhangadi..

The former Maoist soldiers, who were tagged ineligible by the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), are living under the care of the mother party and its youth wing, Young Communist League (YCL). The party has said the fighters are under it until they are rehabilitated.

In Kailali, the Maoist party is sheltering 372 former guerrillas disqualified from the seventh division camp of the Maoists People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The party has formed a military-like structure out of these disqualified fighters to camp them accordingly. A platoon-level camp has been set up in a rented building at Chatakpur in Dhangadi. The other ‘basecamps’ are set up at Attariya, Tikapur and Lamki in the district. “We are keeping the disqualified comrades under our supervision,” PLA Spokesperson Chandradev Khanal said. Around 4,000 PLA soldiers had left cantonments after they were disqualified after UNMIN verification nine months ago.

A Maoist source said the party is keeping in reserve the disqualified combatants as a ‘third force’ given the technical constraints in bringing them under the YCL.

Former PLA Platoon Commander Bharat Rokaya, who is commanding the platoon-level camp, said the party has camped the disqualified PLA soldiers in other parts of the country as well.

“Nine months have passed and there is no guarantee of our future and security at our homes, so it was best that we remain together,” he said. He said the combatants were just staying ‘well-organised’ and not forming a front like the YCL. He also said the Maoist district committee was helping them by providing them with house rent and other basic need of sustenance.

Hari Bahadur Gyawali, the Maoist district in-charge, said the disqualified combatants are party members and that they are being taken care of.

Maoist central member, Om Prakash Pun, said that if the party decides to feed and keep its members at a same place so their management can be easier. The source, however, claimed that the disqualified soldiers were being mobilised for jobs like contract procurement, patrolling border areas and donation collection.
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HAITI CHOLERA STRAIN MATCHES SOUTH ASIAN STRAIN
Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: A cholera outbreak that has killed more that 300 people in Haiti matches strains commonly found in South Asia, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday, according to a AP report from Port-au- Prince..

The finding intensifies scrutiny on a U.N. base above a tributary to the Artibonite River that is home to a contingent of recently arrived peacekeepers from Nepal where cholera is endemic and which saw outbreaks this summer.

It is also a significant step toward answering one of the most important questions about the burgeoning epidemic: How did cholera, a disease never confirmed to have existed in Haiti, suddenly erupt in the vulnerable country’s rural centre?

Speculation among Haitians has increasingly focused on the U.N. base. The outbreak began among people who live downstream from where the tributary meets the Artibonite and drank from the river.

The Associated Press found questionable sanitation in an unannounced visit to the base last week and an exclusive tour of the facility given by peacekeepers Sunday. Despite earlier statements that sanitation at the base was up to international standards, on Monday the mission acknowledged there are santiation problems and said they are being solved.

Following the CDC report, UN mission spokesman Vincenzo Pugliese said UN personnel took environmental samples around the base on Oct. 24, including from septic tanks, and tests by a private laboratory found no cholera.

He added that the mission “welcomes the scientific contribution of the national public health laboratory in Haiti and the CDC to the understanding of the current cholera outbreak in Haiti.”

CDC researchers identified the strain by analysing DNA patterns that can be compared with those from other regions of the world using a method of “DNA fingerprinting” called pulsed field gel electrophoresis. The samples were taken from cholera patients, and the results were released to the press Monday after first being given to Haitian health authorities. The finding does not identify the source of the disease or say how it arrived in Haiti.

Suspicions about the base were seized upon by politicians who oppose the 12,000-member UN mission, which has been the dominant security force in Haiti since it arrived after the 2004 ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Pugliese said peacekeepers do not see a need for an independent investigation in an effort to avoid “accusatory finger-pointing ... completely based on speculation that could really harm the reputation of our Nepalese here.”

“The soldiers are healthy. The test proved negative. The sanitary problem we had, we’re fixing it. I don’t see any need for an investigation into the base,” he said.
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NEPAL LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO COLLECT SUPPPORT FOR KUL CHANDRA GAUTAM





Kathmandu, 3 Nov.: Nepal has initiated an advocacy campaign in support of Kul Chandra Gautam as its candidate for the Presidency of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA, 2011-12) from member states of the United Nations, Rajesh Dahal writes in The Rising Nepal..
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs began the advocacy with the slogan ‘It’s a turn of Nepal’ on behalf of Gautam.
Two countries have so far declared their candidacies for PGA in 2011: Nepal and Qatar. Nepal has nominated Kul Chandra Gautam and Qatar has nominated its permanent representative to the UN Nassir Abdulazaz al-Nasser.
Deputy Prime-minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala informed that the ministry had instructed all Nepalese missions to lobby for Gautam.
She said that the ministry had written letters to all its line agencies for the campaign and added that the prime minister was also seeking support from international communities.
Nepal has been a loyal and committed member of the UN since 1955 and, in 55 years of its membership, Nepal has served with distinction in many organs of the UN funds and programs. Nepal has contributing as many as 29 UN Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) around the world with over 80000 Nepalese and 62 have died in the line of duty. Currently, Nepal is the 6th largest contributor to UN’s PKO.
This time, the campaign asserts, it is a South Asian turn. From the Asian region, Bahrain (2006), Republic of Korea (2001), and Malaysia

(1996) served as PGA in the past. Similarly, Bangladesh in 1986 served from South Asian region. South Asia has not got the opportunity for the past 25 years to serve the PGA. So Nepal should get the priority for PGA in 2011, the argument goes.
Foreign Minister Koirala said that she would write letters seeking support for Gautam from all international friends and added that Nepal’s candidacy had great chances.
In the 65 years history of the UN, only 5 countries in PGA were from the 49 low development countries.
Gautam, who was the highest ranking Nepali in the UN civil service, served as Assistant Secretary-General of the UN and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF in his 3 decade-long UN career. He said that all member countries of UN were positive about his candidacy.
He traveled over a hundred countries on official missions, dealing with heads of government, ministers and ambassadors, civil society leaders and private sector CEOs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and elsewhere. He has expertise in English, French, Spanish, Hindi, and Indonesian languages. He provided high level leadership for development of women, children and human development in over 150 countries. He is familiar with the UN system and has excellent diplomatic, negotiating and advocacy skills.
He is currently the special advisor to the Prime Minister of Nepal on international affairs and peace process. He was the key senior UNICEF officer responsible for drafting the Declaration and Plan of Action of the 1990’s World Summit for Children, the largest gathering of world leaders in history until that time. In 2002 he led the organisation of another major UN conference, the special session of General Assembly on Children.
Gautam said that he would try to take up the challenge facing this large group of UN member states, in particularly vulnerable situation in terms of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and environmental sustainability which are central concerns of the whole UN system.
Spokesperson of Foreign Ministry Durga Bhattarai said that the Nepalese candidate was in a strong position and the ministry started a high level advocacy for the presidency at UN.
He said that Nepal was strong on merit system and there was a possibility to achieve the goal.

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