MAOIST,UML TALKS INCONCLUSIVE

MAOIST, UML TALKS INCONCLUSIVE; OTHER DETAILS

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 Feb. Talks between UML and Maoists on the delayed expansion of the government led by Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal were inconclusive Monday even though the party chaired by the government said the dialogue would be ‘final and decisive’.
UML Monday told Maoists it cannot handover ‘security-related ministry’ or the home ministry to Maoists who are also demanding full implementation of a secret 7-point agreement between the chairmen of the two communist parties propelling Khanal to power with Maoist help.
Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kazi Shrestha said after the inconclusive talks UML attempt to amend a 7-point agreement wasn’t acceptable and his party will meet to decide its position.
UML decided Sunday its party decisions would be the basis in a search for a ‘common ground’ to expand the four-member cabinet of UML representatives only.
Khanal defended his 7-point agreement with Chairman Prachanda and pushed his party’s standing committee, politburo and central committee not to obstruct his attempt by bringing Maoists aboard by allocating the home portfolio to Maoists.
But a faction led former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Oli have obstructed Khanal’s drive; Khanal is considered a hardliner communist in his party while Nepal and Oli are close NC which says the secret agreement must be scrapped.
The prime minister is under intense Maoist pressure to meet commitments pledged in the secret agreement as the largest communist party makes a desperate attempt to join government again after 22 months.
Khanal has been caught in a quicksand unable to expand a government in three weeks.
Khanal held discussions with Prachanda Sunday and sought cooperation in his attempt to expand government.
The Maoist strongman Sunday revealed his party was preparing to capture power through extra-parliamentary means.
“Because capitalist powers won’t listen to us and we won’t agree with their views, now there’s no alternative to capturing power. For this, hotels and industries will be turned into barracks.
“Final preparation has to be made for forcible state capture. If attempts are made to foil the peace process and promulgate a constitution, all factories, hotels, industries and professional centers will be converted into barracks..
“Nobody believed us when we said we’ll launch a people’s war,” he told a rally of Maoist workers in Lalitpur.
Meanwhile, Maoist Vice-Chairman Mohan Baidya warned Monday in the capital his party’s support to government will be withdrawn if the 7-point agreement wasn’t implemented in totality charging UML for renegading of a commitment.
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SUB-COMMITTEE TO PUSH CONSTITUTION DRAFTNG

Kathmandu, 28 Feb.: Maoist Chairman was unanimously appointed coordinator of a five-member sub-committee to sort out differences on 75 contentious points in a constitution that has to be promulgated by 28 May to institutionalize a declared republic.
The sub-committee has to report to the main constitution drafting headed by Nilambar Acharya by 14 March.
Only 89 days remain to meet the deadline to announce a basic law amid fears the second deadline may also not be met,
The sub-committee adopted its work procedures and agreed to hold discussions in camera every day.
Deb Gurung of UCPN(Maoist) , Bimalendra Nidhi of NC , Dr Prakash Lohani of RJP, Sapana Malla and several others have been designated invitees to the sub-committee.
The sib-committee was formed after a controversial supreme court ruling the tenure of constituent assembly (CA) can be extended indefinitely until a basic law is promulgated.
Nepal Bar Association (NBA) asked for a review of the verdict and said it’s studying the verdict.
Nilambar Acharya also said the verdict can’t be used as a ladder to extend a tenure fixed by the people.
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NEPAL, CHINA SIGN THREE AGREEMENTS

Kathmandu, 28 Feb.: Nepal and China Monday signed two grant agreements totaling Rs. 547 million to undertake projects agreed by the two countries.
Another agreement was signed by visiting Chinese Vice-commerce Minister Fu Ziyang and Finance Rasmeshwor Khanal for a $ 100 million soft loan for the construction 60MW Upper Trishuli 3A hydro plant.
China Exim Bank will extend the load.
China will help widen a section of the ring road around the capital from four to six lane.
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FIVE KILLED, 17 INJURED IN TWO VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS

Kathmandu, 28 Feb.: Five persons died instantly and five others were injured overnight in a jeep accident at Pandabkhani in Baglung.
The jeep fell 200 meters off the road.
The jeep was ferrying volleyball players of a secondary school.
Twelve persons were injured, four seriously in a collision between two vehicles Monday morning at Jogimara in neighbourig Dhading.
A bus heading for the capital from Dharan collided with a vehicle heading for Chitwan.
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