PM KHANAL DEFENDS 7-POINT AGREEMENT WITH PRACHANDA; OTHER DETAILS

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 18 Feb.: Embattled Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal who hasn’t expanded his government even 15 days after his installation Friday defended his 7-point agreement with Maoist Chairman Prachanda this week ensuring his election in a parliamentary vote with Maoist support.
Khanal defended the controversial agreement
in a nationally televised address one day after his UML standing committee rejected portions of the agreement defined as an ‘agreement between two persons’ by NC President Sushil Koirala.
The premier admitted he hasn’t assembled a government 15 days after his election and said he’ll start functioning in a few days to implement tasks.
He promised relief for people after government starts rolling.
He asked parties to join his government in a 13-mnute national address shortly after five in the afternoon from the auditorium of the National Planning Commission in the presence of senior civil servants, military and police officers whose cooperation he sought.
The address was televised live by radio and television.
“Government will start work in some days,” he assured.
“Political parties should come forward to meet challenges. There’s no alternative to understanding. Strong unity is needed between parties. Forces for change should unite”, he said asking them to work ‘shoulder-to shoulder’ with him.
Khanal denied the UML, Maoist was a left polarization.
‘It’s not for power-sharing and left polarization,” Khanal said referring to a agreement.
‘Maoist cooperation is essential,” he said.
‘Revolutionary forces should unite,” he said as he warned ‘difficulties could be created’ mentioning ‘regressive forces’..
“New constitution should be loktantrik with minimum understanding.” and based on ‘social justice’.
“It’s my duty to implement the agreement. It’s my responsibility,” the prime minister said.
He asked not question agreement or even seek clarifications after the second clarification on Khanal and Prachanda this week.
“Don’t raise questions on an agreement which has already been clarified.”
He asked not to take his effort to form a government of consensus as a weakness.
The premier asked NC to join the government ‘with a positive decision’. The government’s aim is to enforce ‘federal democratic republic’, he added.
“I come from a small rural agricultural family, There’s nothing more for me to achieve,” he said recalling his election by parliament 15 days ago and added be has only to ‘repay a debt’.
He asked people not be influenced by misconceptions even as he has encountered difficulty in expanding his four-member cabinet only of UML members.
Khanal said a constitution can be promulgated and the peace process completed in the remaining three months and several days.
“Don’t take my attempt for understanding as a weakness.”
‘Strong unity is needed between parties,” and avoid ‘leg-pulling’, the government chief added.
‘People won’t forgive us,” he said asking critics not to trade accusations.
The premier said constitution drafting, completing the peace process and giving relief to people were his government’s responsibility and priorties.
At a meeting Friday morning, Khanal and Prachanda agreed to resolve differences and complete government expansion even as Maoists decided not to join the government for the second time Thursday.
‘They agreed the coalition should continue and expanded,” a UML source said after the meeting between the chairmen of the two communist parties.
Prachanda quoted Khanal as saying during their meeting,” The position will be after the UML central committee meets.”
Khanal and Prachanda agreed to resolve differences and complete differences in time.
The UML politburo meets Sunday while the central committee will assembly Tuesday to discuss internal differences in UML.
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KRISHNA PASAD BHATTARA’S CONDTION IMPROVES

Kathmandu, 18 Feb. The condition of former Prime Minister Krishna
Prasad Bhattarai, 87, improved Friday, Dr. Shyam Bahadur Pandey
said.
“He’s fully conscious, alert and responsive,” the senior
physician said.
Condition of his lungs and kidneys is ‘satisfactory’
Bhattarai can be discharged from the hospital in one week if the
progress in his continues, Dr.Pandey said.
The only founding member of the nC which he has quit had tead, biscuits and jaulo Friday.
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TWO BURIED ALIVE IN HUMLA SNOWFALL

Kathmandu, 18 Feb.: Two persons have been buried alive in heavy snowfall at Rodipur in Humla, police said.
Their bodies are still buried in snow.
A third person was pulled out alive.
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FOREGN MINISTRY REQUEST

Kathmandu, 18 Feb.: The foreign ministry has asked the Nepal embassy in Qatar to monitor the condition of an estimated 40,000 Nepal workers in Bahrain where security forces shot dead three anti-government protesters.
Dozens were injured this week.
Government has asked manpower agencies not to sent workers to the embattled Gulf state.
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NEPAL DEFEATS THAILAND

Kathmandu, 18 Feb. Nepal defeated Thailand Friday by 21 runs in the first Group B match of the ACC T20 women’s cricket tournament in
Kuwait.
Nepal bowled out Thailand in 18.1 overs after setting it a runchase of 71 runs.
Nepal plays UAE Saturday.
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