UML, MAOIST START DIALOGUE TO EXPAND GOVT.

Kathmandu, 15 Feb.: Following Maoist decision to immediately join the government, top Maoist and UML leaders started talks to expand the 12-day small Khanal government.
Prime Minister Khanal, with the help of aides, held preliminary talks at for the delayed government expansion with a team of Maoists led Chairman Prachanda.
UML leader Bhim Acharya said a government could be assembled by Wednesday.
Maoists will join the government after Khanal and Maoist Chairman Prachanda redefine the contests of the controversial and secret seven-point agreement between the chairmen of the two communist parties.
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LIGHTNING STRIKES PRATAPPUR TEMPLE AGAIN
Kathmandu, 14 Feb. Lighting struck Pratappur temple at the eastern fringe of at Syambhunath Tuesday morning at five in the morning damaging the upper section.
The temple was reconstructed at a cost of three million rupees during King Birendra’s reign.
The faithful believe the destruction ushers in bad luck.
The Narayanhiti royal palace massacre followed the fist destruction.
Crown Prnce Dipendra shot dead his entire family, including King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, in the carnage.
Thetemple was built348 years ago by King Pratap Malla.
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PARLIAMENT TO APPROVE FINANCE BILLS TUESDAY
Kathmandu, 14 Feb.: Parliament is scheduled Tuesday to hurriedly approve four finance bills relating to extend an ordinance budget of November 2010 for the next five months when the fiscal year ends.
Parliament Monday unanimously agreed to discuss Tuesday replacement bills related to the ordinance budget presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari while unanimously approving to shorten parliamentary process to approve the bills.
The ordinance expires midnight and government will be cash-strapped without its extension.
Even amid deep differences between major parties on government formation, parties have agreed to the renewal of the bills without amendment giving the new Khanal administration some breathing time.
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US OFFICIAL CAUTIONS PREMIER KHANAL; OTHER DETAILS

By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 14 Feb.: US Under Secretary for democracy and Glogal Affairs Maria Otero Monday cautioned Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal days ahead for Nepal won’t be easy.
“The days ahead will not be easy, as your government works to conclude the peace process and constitution drafting, as well as rebuild Nepal’s economy.
“Addressing these critical challenges will require all Nepalis to work together,”
She urged flexibility as Khanal attempts to assemble a government 12 days after his installation with Maoist support.
“ Now is the time for flexibility, compromise, and cooperation for the national interest – not divisive politics for short-term goals.
“ As a long-time friend of Nepal, the United States shares your commitment to strengthen democracy, ensure peace and expand economic opportunities for your people,” she told a symposium on disaster management.
She said US was ready to help Nepal in disaster risk reduction.
She asked Nepal to implement the 2009 National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management would represent an important step forward.

“As Nepal pursues communication and coordination across its government, the United States is committed to leveraging the significant expertise of our agencies to help coordinate activities, identify any gaps, as well as resources that could potentially fill them,” Otero said.
She asked Nepal to reduce risk of disaster by strengthening regional engagement especially with India and China.
“… Nepal can reduce the risk of disaster by strengthening regional engagement. India and China will play important roles when a major disaster strikes Nepal—both as first responders and as potential victims themselves.
“Nepal should establish mechanisms for meaningful dialogue and cooperation with these countries and others. The United States will continue to support such critical efforts through the diplomatic community.”

Otero said: “Frightening as the prospects are, we have the relative benefit of knowledge. While we know that such devastation may be just around the corner in Nepal, we are familiar with the risks-- from Haiti to Chile to Pakistan – and we know that with determination, foresight, and partnership, we can begin to change the threat equation.”
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QATAR, TURKISH MINISTERS COMING TUESDAY

Kathmandu, 14 Feb.: Qatar Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr.Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Attiyah arrives Tuesday as a special envoy of his government to lobby for his country’s candidacy for the presidency UN general assembly for 2011.
Asian Ambassadors to the UN meet in New York 25 February to select Asia’s candidate.
Qatar is contesting for seat along with Nepal whose candidate is Kul Chandra Gautum, a retired UN employee.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmer Davutogula is also arriving Tuesday for consultations ahead of ministerial meeting hosted by India in New Delhi on 18,19 February on least developed countries (LDCs).
While Turkey is holding the fourth summit of LDCs this year Nepal chairman of the LDCs.
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ONE MORE HUMAN BODY EXCAVATED

Kathmandu, 14 Feb.: Body parts of one more person were exhumed from the bank of the Kamala river in Dhanusha Monday one day after digging was resumed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Body parts of four persons killed during the during the Maoist insurgency allegedly by security forces were recovered n 2010.
Near one of those supposedly killed by state security agencies demanded a search.
NHRC sent recovered body parts for forensic tests to laboratories at home and Finland.
Results haven’t been received.
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UNMIN HANDING OVER LOGISTICS TO GOVT.

Kathmandu, 14 Feb.: UNMIN, which quit Nepal after a four-year stay, is handing over Tuesday logistics and other equipment for the monitoring of 19,000 plus former Maoist fighters at cantonments and satellite camps to the government.
The previous government asked the UN for the handover to assist Nepal in work previously carried out by UNMIN.
The work is now being done by teams of three security agencies and Maoists.
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TWO SPLINTER COMMUNIST GROUPS HOLDNG GENERAL CONVENTIONS

Kathmandu, 15 Feb.: CPN (United) began its general convention in Janakpur Tuesday.
The Rashtriya Janamorcha of Chitra Bahadur KC is also holding its general convention in Pokhara from 26 to 28 February.
Janamorcha fiercely opposes federalism in a new republican order.
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PRISONER BRIBES UML ACTIVIST


Kathmandu, 15 Feb.: Police revealed Tashi Lama, who is in prison, attempted to gain freedom by bribing a UML student leader, Annapurna Post reports.
Lama offered two million rupees to Dipak Gautam he recommended his amnesty to the government.
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DEO SHOULD FIX FEES FOR PROVATE SCHOOLS





Kathmandu, 15 Feb.:- An education panel Monday decided to entrust District Education Offices with the job to fix private school fees in their respective districts, The Rising Nepal reports.
The Fee Determination Committee met at the Ministry of Education (MOE) and decided that DEOs would fix fee structures before 26 February.
The meeting also decided to take action against schools that, according to a monitoring committee report, did not implement fees fixed by the DEOs last year and admitted students before 27 February.
Dr. Laba Dev Avasthi, Director General of the Education Department, said there would be similar fee structures in private schools of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. A directorate would manage this aspect, he said.
Suprabhat Bhandari, president of Guardians Association and member of the Committee, said fees could increase if private schools raised the salaries of their teachers.
But this possibility was not there this year, Bhandari said.
DEOs had asked schools for reasons to increase fees by Febuary 13. Monday’s meeting followed the expiry of the deadline.
Last year, private schools hiked fees by 25 per cent on the average.




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US RAISES TIBET REFUGEE ISSUE








Kathmandu, 15 Feb.: Visiting US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero has expressed concern with Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal about the problems faced by Tibetan refugees in Nepal, Kosh Raj Koirala reports in Republica.

At a meeting held at Singha Durbar Monday afternoon, Otero also urged the government to treat Tibetan refugees as per the international human rights obligations.

Prime minister´s foreign relations advisor Milan Tuladhar said Otero put forth the problems faced by Tibetans refugees living in Nepal in the meeting.

Otero, who arrived in Kathmandu on a three-day visit, said that children of Tibetan refugees living here for several years had been facing problems due to lack of identity cards.

According to Tuladhar, Prime Minister Khanal said that they have been dealing with the issue of Tibetan refugees as per the international human rights obligations. "We will deal with the issue taking into account the concerns of our immediate neighbors -- China and India," he quoted the prime minister as saying.

After the meeting Otero told media persons, "We made it clear that this is an important issue for us and that we are concerned about. And we will proceed to look at it very carefully."

The meeting also dwelled on the issue of Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal. Otero suggested to the prime minister to take initiatives to resume dialogue with Bhutan to address the problems.

During the meeting, Otero extended best wishes from US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Prime Minister Khanal and expressed the view that his government will be able to establish consensus for completing peace process and drafting new constitution.

Otero had inquired about the expansion of cabinet, integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants and progress made in the direction of promulgating new constitution.

Earlier in the day Otero also visited Tibetan Reception Center in Kathmandu and also met with Tibetan refugee leaders to know about the problems and hardships they face in Nepal.
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