NEPAL, INDIA SECURITY TALKS 5 APRIL

MAOIST STANDING COMMITTEE MEET DISTURBED

Kathmandu, 1 April: Maoist standing committee meeting convened Friday to select remaining members of a government team was disturbed Friday by a youth pressure group demanding an end to inner party struggle between supporters of Chairman Prachanda and Vice-chairmen Mohan Baidya and Dr.Baburam Bhattarai.
The group leaders feared the differences may split the party.
A meeting has been scheduled for Saturday/Sunday; Friday’s meting didn’t take up the agenda items.
UML standing committee was also scheduled to meet Friday to select remaining members of its government team and fix dates for the meeting of the central committee.
Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal hasn’t expanded his government in nearly two months after his election by parliament 3 February with Maoist support.
The government team consists of eight members- four representatives each from Maoists and UML; MJFN is also joining government.
Chairman Upendra Yadav will lead his team in government—probably as foreign minister.
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CIAA DIRECTED TO PURSUE PASSPORT SCAM INVOLVING LAWMAKERS

Kathmandu, 1 April: Parliament’s public affairs committee Friday directed CIAA to prioritize investigation of misuse of diplomatic or red passports by lawmakers.
Complaints have been lodged against 15 lawmakers.
Probe of complaints against two lawmakers have been nearly completed.
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SOUTH KOREA ASSIST FOR INFORMATION CENTER

Kathmandu, 1 April: The foundation stone of a five-storied information technology center being developed with Rs. 53.5 million assistance of south Korea was laid in the premises of the Engineering Campus in Pulchowk, Patan, Friday.
Education Minister Ganga Lal Tuladhar and the South Korean ambassador jointly laid the foundation.
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NEPAL-INDIA SECURITY TALKS BEGIN 5 APRIL

Kathmandu, 1 April: Four-day Nepal-India bilateral security talks- the first in 14 months, will begin in New Delhi 5 April.
The last talks were held in Kathmandu December 2009.
The 15-member Nepali team will be led by foreign ministry Joint Secretary Hari Kumar Shrestha and will consist of representatives of four government security bodies, including Nepal Army.
Shrestha held preparatory talks with Defence Minister Bishnu Paudel Thursday.
The meeting comes at a time when India has shown interest in resuming military supplies suspended after the 2005 royal takeover and a growing insurgency in the terai adjoining India.
Maoists, while in the opposition, opposed resuming arms supplies to Nepal Army; they are now in government.
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