LEADERS OF BIG THREE MEETING SONIA GANDHI, MANMOHAN SINGH

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Leaders of the Big Three—currently in New Delhi—are scheduled to hold political discussions with de facto ruler land Congress (I) Chairman Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of a seminar on Nepal.
The two-day seminar begins where open and frank discussions will be held by political party leaders in the presence of foreigners as government formation, constitution drafting and completing the peace process have hit snags.
Maoist Vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai held discussions Wednesday with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and National Security Chief Shib Shanker Menon immediately after landing in New Delhi from Kathmandu,
Bhattarai is considered a pro-Indian in the main opposition.
The party leaders have been publicly saying India is obstructing the Maoist entry into government.
“India is concerned with the delay in the election of the prime minister. Mukherjee requested to move ahead with understanding,” Bhattarai told Nagarik in New Delhi after the parleys.
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MORE DETAILS OF MAOIST CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEET

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Maoists have reiterated the party should lead a
national government even as other major parties said the main opposition can’t lead a government while retaining arms and an army.
A three-day Maoist central committee meet that concluded Wednesday took the decision.
The committee also decided to push for the continued presence of UNMIN even as the political arm prepares to leave Nepal 15 January.
Parliamentary parties and Maoists invited the UN initially for six months but 19,000 plus former Maoist fighters haven’t been integrated and
resettled even in three years.
Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya has been entrusted with the responsibility of the organization department while Netra Bikram Chand will lead the YCL replacing Kul Prasad KC by Chairman Prachanda at the central committee meet.
Vice-chairman Baburam Bhattarai’s name was suggested as chief of the committee to coordinate a popular movement which the party has decided to launch if a constitution isn’t promulgated by 28 May.
Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha’s name has been
recommended as chief of parliamentary board.
Prachanda has appointed General Secretary
Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal In-charge of Tamsaling Newa state committee special.
Secretary CP Gajurel was nominated eastern central bureau chief and Secretary Post Bahadur Bogati chief whip by majority vote.
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83 CONTENTIOUS ISSUES DISCUSSED

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Twenty-eight parties in the constituent assembly (CA) Thursday discussed 83 contentious issues to be included in a constitutions to institutionalize a declared republic.
The constitution has to be promulgated by 28 May as time runs out.
The parties took over responsibilities in hammering out differences on 230 subjects from an empowered task force headed by Chairman Prachanda.
Parties Wednesday settled differences taken up by the constitutional committee.
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BIG THREE SUMMIT

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: A summit of the Big Three is being held Thursday.
The meeting is being held at the request of Maoist Chairman Prachanda to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Wednesday.
Maoists have been pushing for the continued presence of UNMIN even after 15 January.
The meeting starts at three in the afternoon.
Government will again propose bringing Maoists under a special committee headed by the prime minister.
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MAOIST, NC MEET INCONCLUSIVE

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.; A summit of UCPN( Maoist) and NC was held Wednesday.
Chairman Prachanda and Vice-chairman Mohan Bidya Kiran represented Maoists while President Sushil Koirala, parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel and Mahesh Acharya represented the NC.
The talks were inconclusive.
Power sharing, constitution drafting and the peace process were discussed as UNMIN prepares to leave 15 January without completing the peace process.
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DEFENCE MINISTRY PLAN ON NA

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Defence ministry Wednesday presented a plan on what it called ‘democratization’ of Nepal Army (NA) to parliament’s state
affairs committee Wednesday.
The plan was drafted by a team coordinated by Defence Minister Bidya Bhadari.
Defence Secretary Naveen Kumar Ghimere presented the plan to the committee members for comment.
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DABAR NEPAL OFFICIALS RELEASED ON BAIL

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Two senior officials of Dabar Nepal were released on a bail of Rs 50 million Wednesday by CIAA investigating malpractices in marketing its products
CEO Udayan Ganguli and Head Production Officer Indranil Gupta were released after four-day questioning.
The executives have been asked to appear before CIAA in one month.
The joint venture Indian company produces a popular brand of fruit juice marketed both n India and Nepal.
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BLAST IN RAUTAHAT, BOMBS DEFUSED IN CAPITAL

Kathmandu, 6 Jan. Several shoppers were injured in a socket bomb
explosion Wednesday at a shop in Gaur as violence continues in the teari.
A bomb was defused at the home of Dhriuba Thapa next to Pepsi Cola plant in the capital Tuesday.
A pamphlet of Jatiya Mukti Morcha was recovered.
Another bomb was defused in front of Machapuchhre Bank.
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KOSHI TAPPU OPENED TO PUBLIC

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Koshi Tappu, famed as a bird sanctuary, was opened to the public for one week Thursday to harvest tall grass in the reserve.
The grass is used for house construction and as fuel
Nearly 15,000 villagers entered the reserve Thursday.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

‘The three parties’ inability to take decisions has fuelled anarchy.”

(Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar, The Himalayan
Times, 6 Jan.)

SONAM KAPOOR PROMOTING NEPAL

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: She’s gorgeous, she’s candid and she’s stylist!
Sonam Kapoor is the new diva in the making, or perhaps she already is one, PTI reports.
Now, the dazzling actress is on a spree to promote Nepal and is asking tourists to visit the abode of Buddha.
Although Sonam is not the brand Ambassador of the country, she has revived the activist in her and feels that is she promotes the
beautiful nation, Nepal will benefit.
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PM ELECTION PROBABLY ON 12 JANUARY

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Speaker Subash Nemwang has initiated
homework to hold election of prime minister on 12 January, Nagarik reports.
Nemwang held discussions Wednesday with NC President Sushil
Koirala, UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and the only candidate
for prime minister Ram Chadra Paudel.
Parliament’s winter session begins Sunday.
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NEWLY WED COUPLE COMMIT SUICIDE

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: A couple wed in a civil marriage Monday 3 January after a week’s tour of Chitwan coinciding with the new year, Naya Patrika
Reports.
But the couple committed suicide Tuesday.
Karun Dhakal, 28, married Lila Shrestha, 30.
They committed suicide when the families of the Brahmin and Newar families didn’t accept the marriage.
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UNSC ENVOYS DISCUSS UNMIN's EXIT

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Kathmandu-based ambassadors of UN Security Council (SC) member states on Wednesday discussed UNMIN´s exit on January 15 and the future of the peace process, and also expressed concern over the lack of any agreement among the major parties on an alternative monitoring mechanism, Kiran Chapagain writes in Republica.

The ambassadors, according to diplomatic sources, likewise discussed two conflicting letters to UNMIN, one from the government and the other from the UCPN (Maoist), in regard to the handover of Maoist arms.

The government last Friday asked UNMIN to hand over the containers of Maoist arms to the Special Committee. But the UCPN (Maoist) sent another letter to UNMIN on Tuesday, objecting to any handover of arms to the Special Committee.

In the meeting, the UK, the lead country on the Nepal issue at the Security Council, was of the view that there should be no residual office or unit of UNMIN after January 15, said the source. The UK also held the view that there can be a post-UNMIN mechanism to report to the Security Council on the peace process and constitution drafting, but that such a move needs the consent of the government.

The source further said that the US was critical of the Maoist move. It was concerned over the Maoists not letting the peace process move ahead on one hand and seeking yet another term extension for UNMIN on the other.

China and Russia, according to the source, were not clear in their opinions.

Besides the ambassadors of China, France, the UK, the USA and Russia -- the five permanent members to the Security Council, the ambassadors of India and Germany -- new temporary members -- were also present in the meeting.

US to urge parties to honor CPA, avoid provocation

US ambassador Scott H DeLisi is meeting political leaders and government and military officials this week, to urge them to continue to honor the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and avoid provocation after the departure of UNMIN, and reaffirm continued US assistance to the peace process.

“Even though UNMIN departs on January 15, the US, as a member of the UN Security Council, will remain committed to moving the peace process forward and we will continue to follow developments closely and offer assistance where we can,” said US embassy spokesperson Heather Steil about the message that the ambassador is to deliver in his meetings.

Talking to Republica, Steil said the US envoy is also going to call on the government, party leaders and military officials not to involve themselves in any provocative activities and confrontational rhetoric because “they are inappropriate at this critical juncture”.

“…We believe that the people of Nepal would strongly reject those who undermine the effort for peace for their own political gain,” the embassy spokesperson further said about DeLisi´s message to the government, political leaders and military brass.
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UNMIN to WITHDRAW FIELD STAFF FROM THURSDAY

Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: As its exit deadline nears, UNMIN is starting withdrawal of its arms monitors and other supporting staff from cantonments from Thursday, leaving behind only minimum field staff to monitor Maoist combatants, Kiran Chapagain writes in Republica.

“As per our liquidation plan, we are withdrawing our arms monitors and other staff from Thursday,” said a knowledgeable UNMIN source, “Only a small number of field staff will stay till mid-night of January 15.”

The source said that there will be withdrawal of staff from all the seven main cantonments by Saturday.









The arms monitors are leaving ahead of time [January 15] but UNMIN will continue to have its presence till the end of its mandate,” said Kosmos Biswokarma, UNMIN spokesperson, when asked for an official comment.

Currently, a team of 71 arms monitors from 18 troops contributing countries have been stationed at each Maoist cantonment and at the weapon storage site of the Nepal Army at Chhauni. In addition to these international arms monitors there are also national staff working as support force and language assistants in the cantonments.

In the meantime, UNMIN officials on Wednesday met Balananda Sharma, coordinator of the Special Committee Secretariat, on Thursday to discuss possible handover of monitoring equipment and logistics, and arms containers after January 15.
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KIDNEY CENTER IN OFFING

Kathmandu, 6Jan.: Good news for patients with renal failure. A national kidney centre is coming into operation soon for the first time in the country to provide accessible, affordable and quality service to kidney patients, The Kathmandu Post reports.

Officials say the 100-bed national kidney centre has been set up at Bhaktapur Hospital that will provide kidney dialysis service, transplant and other services from this fiscal year.

In its bid to smoothly run the kidney centre, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) on Tuesday formed a nine-member committee led by Prof. Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sharma to about its organisational management and required financial as well as human resources.

“After the Finance Ministry okayed, the Health Ministry is set to start service to treat kidney diseases,” said Health Minister Uma Kanta Chaudhary.

The two government-run hospitals—TU Teaching Hospital and Bir Hospital—started kidney transplant service in 2008 and some half a dozen other hospitals across the country are providing dialysis service. As of now there is not a single health institution operated by government in Nepal to provide dialysis services.

“The existing services have failed to reach thousands of patients,” said Dr. Rishi Raj Kafle, chief consultant nephrologist. “It is a good step of the government that will ensure access to service for thousands of patients with kidney failure, who are dying for want of affordable treatment.”

According to Kafle, 70 percent kidney patients aged between 20 and 60 cannot even afford dialysis service. Currently, according to MoHP, about 2.7 million Nepalis have one or other kinds of kidney related problems. Of them, some 2,000 to 3,000 patients have complete failure of their both kidneys.
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NO ACTION ON ILLEGAL SIM CARDS
Kathmandu, 6 Jan.: Although no record of revenue-loss has been maintained by the government, it is clear that cross-border exchange of mobile SIMs between India and Nepal has hit the revenue high, according to the regulatory body of the telecom sector. “We don’t deny the practice of cross-border exchange of mobile SIMs,” said Bhes Raj Kanel, chairman of Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA). “Exchange of SIM cards not only hits the revenue but also poses a serious security threat to both the countries,” he said, The Himalayan Times reports.

NTA had carried out a site inspection of two bordering districts — Kapilbastu and Parsa — in January 2009 and reported a huge cross-border pilferage of telecom revenue. The report had recommended both long-term and short-term strategies to reduce signal proliferation of Indian mobile operators, according to NTA officials.

Proximity of mobile towers to Nepali territory is aiding in cross-border misuse of SIM cards. According to NTA, there are two types of threats — economical and security related as there is an increasing trend of illegal activities through mobile phones, especially when phones can be made across the border with SIMs easily exchangeable.

“We sent our recommendations to Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) but it asked us to come through Foreign Ministry,” he said, adding that NTA had forwarded a proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), asking for its help. “It is not easy to stop the use of Indian SIM cards in Nepal’s territory and vice-versa,” said Uday Raj Regmi, deputy director at NTA. “Frequency jam will not work as it will block both countries’ frequencies. The issue is of serious concern both to India for its security reasons and Indian telecom operators for revenue loss, he added. The report had further mentioned that Nepali criminals are using Indian SIM cards to call and threaten local businessman whereas Indian criminals are using Nepali SIM cards to threaten Indian businessmen.

“We cannot provide exact figure of revenue loss through illegal use of Indian SIM cards in Nepali territory,” Kanel said. “But Nepal has been losing millions,” he said. “Since Nepal’s 26 districts are located on the border area, it is difficult to regulate and calculate the actual users due to open border,” he said, adding that the use of Indian SIM cards by Nepalis and Nepali SIM cards by Indian on the bordering areas is rampant.

To reduce signal proliferation of Indian mobile operators, the study has also suggested some short-term recommendations like encouraging operators to have direct inter-connection, revision of tariff between India and Nepal, motivating operators to initiate talk and direct Nepali operators to improve quality of service (QoS) as well as coverage. Kanel said coordination with Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), setting up of joint working group consisting of Indian and Nepali operators and government officials and forming a joint cell constituting Indian and Nepali government officials can solve the problem. However, in two years none of the recommendations has been implemented.
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