CHINESE AMBASSADOR RECALLED AFTER DIFFERENCES WITH MORE POWERFUL MILITARY ATTACHE

PRESIDENT CONTINUES POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS

Kathmandu, 28 March: President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav Monday continued political consultations with political party leaders with consultations amid open criticism Prime Minister Jhalanatha Khanal.
The president held discussions with NSP Chairman Rajendra Mahoto and discussed the current political deadlock as the second deadline to promulgate a constitution by 28 May approaches.
PM Khanal said recently he comes to know of the president’s meetings with political leaders only though television and news paper reports.
The president is a ceremonial head of state who acts on the recommendations and advice of government.
He earlier came into controversy for retaining sacked Army Chief Gen. Rukmangud Katawal on the recommendation of 18political parties.
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SENIOR UN OFFICIAL MEETS PM KHANAL

Kathmandu, 28 March: Samuel Tamrat, Chief of UN Asia and Pacific Division of Department of Political Affairs, held discussions with Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal Monday.
They discussed the delayed peace process while the visiting UN official pledged support for the integration and settlement of 19,000 plus former Maoist fighters, an aide to the government chief said.
Tamrat held separate discussions Monday with NC President Sushil Koirala.
He launched political discussions with Chairman Prachanda Sunday.
UNMIN, the UN political arm, closed shop 15 January after a failed four-year mission.
The entire operation is being shut down 15 April.
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CHINESE AMBASADOR RECALLED FOLLOWING DIFFERENCES WITH POWERFUL MILITARY ATACHE

Kathmandu, 28 March: Quin Guohong, Chinese ambassador to Nepal, has been recalled home before his tour of duty was to be completed following differences with a powerful military official in the embassy, The Kathmandu Post suggested.
“The senior colonel at the Chinese embassy, Cheng Xizhong, and envoy Qiu had some protocol related problems. Colonel Cheng is said to be senior than Qui according to the Communist Party of China (CPS) hierarchy,” informed sources, according to the newspaper.
‘Moreover, the colonel was more assertive that Ambassador Qui when it came to dealing with Tibetan issues and Beijing’s core concerns in Nepal,” they added.
The sources further said that Beijing read Qui as a ’weak’ ambassador, not so much active and not so assertive when dealing with Beijing’s vital concerns with Nepal.
The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu has told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Qui will be leaving of April 8.
(Note: The developments come after the just concluded
visit of Chinese Army Chief Gen. Chen Bingde.)
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