THREE CHINESE ARESTED FOR ILLEGAL CALL BYPASSES

PM KHANAL WARNS UNIDENTIFIED OPPONONTS NOT TO TAKE HIM AS WEAK

Kathmandu, 18March: As Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal encounters difficulties from within his UML party to expand his government, he asked not to take his efforts to form a ‘national government’ as weakness.
He didn’t specify from where criticism was coming.
‘Don’t take it as a weakness,:” Khanal told a programme in the capital.
The prime minister reiterated his support for a secret 7-point agreement with Prachanda that propelled him to power with Maoist support 3 February.
“I’m committee to the agreement,” he said.
The government chief said he’s efforting to give the communist majority government of UML and Maoists a ‘national character’
Khanal is facing stiff resistance within his party to award the home ministry to Maoists who he’s trying to placate to complete government expansion.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, who is also from UML, said Friday in Bhaktapur his party will administer the home ministry.
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ADD TO PRACHANDA STORY

Kathmandu, 18 March: Prachanda said he attended the Chinese NGO meet in Singapore as its vice-chairman.
‘”I am the co-chairman,” he told reporters at Tribhuvan International Airport Friday after returning home.
The Maoist said he attended a meeting of office bearers.



G.P.KOIRALA CENTER LAUNCHED

Kathmandu, 18 March: GP Koirala Center was launched in the capital Friday as his first death anniversary approached.
President Dr . Ram Baran Yadav, a former NC activist, launched the Center.
The function was attended by senior political party leaders.
Daughter Sujata Koirala is the Center’s chairperson.
“The peace process hasn’t moved an inch after Girijababu’s death,” said NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel.
‘”NC won’t compromise with anybody on democracy,” said party President Sushil Koirala.
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BELATED NC EFFORT TO FORM PARTY POSITION ON ISSUES

Kathmandu, 18 March: In a belated effort, NC central committee Friday formed two separate committees to determine official party positions on two major issues.
A committee headed by Sher Bahadur Deuba will determine party position on army integration to be forwarded to a special committee on integration headed by the prime minister.
Ram Chandra Paudel heads a committee to report official party position on a constitution to be sent to the constitution drafting committee, Bimalendra Nidhi said after the party central committee meet.
The decision comes after the party first decided to form two courts at the center-a supreme court and constitutional court- at a constitution drafting sub-committee headed by Chairman Prachanda .
But party President Sushil Koirala opposed it Thursday at a public meeting creating confusion.
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THREE CHINESE ARRESTED

Kathmandu, 18 March: Three Chinese nationals who came to Nepal five months ago on tourist visas were arrested in three raids in the capital Friday for alleged illegally bypass of international telephone calls.
Equipment and other accessories were seized.
Bangladeshis were involved in such illegal practices previously.
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