PARTIES LOBBYING FOR SUNDAY'S PM PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

ELECTION FOR PM IN PARLIAMENT SUNDAY
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 27 Aug.: Parties in parliament will lobby support Saturday for Second Maoist Vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel, for Sunday’s vote for prime minister.
Major parties, including UML, haven’t publicly announced their positions on Sunday’s crucial vote; UML standing committee is meeting Saturday to decide its position.
The party is deeply divided between supporters of Caretaker Prime Minister and Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and rival former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
A front of five Madeshbadi parties hasn’t declared its position on the election as well.
Bhattarai and Paudel are the only contestants in the race.
Vice-president Paudel is also parliamentary party (PP) leader of the main opposition.
Parliamentary election is being held to elect the successor of Caretaker Prime Minister Khanal
Second Maoist Vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel, who is also parliamentary party (PP) leader are the only two contestants.
UCPN (Maoist) with 236 seats, needs the support of 62 more legislators for victory while Paudel will requires the support of a broad coalition.
NC has only 114 lawmakers in the legislaure.
Parliament has 594 members and 298 votes are required for victory.
Maoists and NC are the largest and second political party respectively.
The majority communist government collapsed in seven months after a faction in Khanal’s UML led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and KP Sharma Oli charged the party chief for overriding party directives to promote close ties with Maoists
Khanal replied he was only attempting to bring Maoists into government as they were being isolated by other parties, including main opposition NC.
Parties in parliament couldn’t assemble a consensus candidate in 10 days before Sunday’s vote.
To ensure results in three rounds of voting—if required—lawmakers can’t stay neutral or abstain during the vote
Khanal was elected after 17 rounds of voting after Paudel failed to get majority support in 16 rounds of extended vote during the last parliamentary election forcing parliament to amend election procedures.
Bhattarai and Paudel have said they are contesting to
complete delayed peace and constitution drafting processes incomplete in three years and three months; Paudel said he’s also contenting for a democratic constitution and an end to culture of impunity.
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SERGEANT BARUN RAI
OF US ARMY
TO BE LAID TO REST AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Kathmandu, 27 Aug.: Sergeant Barun Rai, 24, of US Army, who died 3 August 2011 in Logar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, 2 September, an announcement said.
He was a supply clerk and a unit armorer to 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Warner Barracks, Bamberg, Germany.
SGT Barun Rai, born in 1987 in Kathmandu, Nepal, was the oldest and second of three children of Mr. Kusum Rai and Mrs. Pushpa Rai.
He attended Araniko Secondary Boarding School in Kathmandu from Kindergarten to seventh grade and Modern Preparatory Secondary English School in Itahari -1, Sunsari from eighth through ninth grade.
In 2003, Barun and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Silver Spring, Maryland. He attended Montgomery Blair High School and graduated on June 2005.
Upon completion of his high school, Barun enlisted in the US Army. He served in the Army from 2006 – 2011. In his five-year military career, he completed one Iraq tour and was currently deployed in Logar Province, Afghanistan.
He is survived by his parents and brother Karun Rai and sister Sushma Rai.
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NC TO ACCEPT SUPREME COURT VERDICT ON CA FUTURE SAYS SUSHIL KOIRALA

Kathmandu, 27 Aug: Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala said his party would accept any decision that the Supreme Court will take in the case relating to extension of the Constituent Assembly´s term, Republica reports.
"Everyone should respect the rule of law. It is the obligation of every individual in a democratic system to abide by the rule of law, human rights, press freedom and independent judiciary that are fundamentals of democracy," Koirala said when asked what happens if the Supreme Court upholds its previous decision in the writ petition related to CA term extension.
Earlier, the Supreme Court decided that the CA term can be extended only for six months under emergency conditions. The CA term has already been extended for three months following the court verdict. And, some have been arguing that the CA term can be extended only for another three months. Similarly, the Supreme Court is giving its verdict on the CA term extension petition on Sunday.

Koirala´s remarks have come at a time when political parties have been arguing that the issue of term extension does not fall within the ambit of judicial review.

Replying to journalists´ question during an interaction at Reporters´ Club Nepal, Koirala termed the Maoist-floated proposal on management of the peace process as eyewash to fool the international community, political parties and the people.

"The proposal has backtracked on all the progress made in the past," said Koirala, "The proposal cannot be accepted and we cannot trust the sincerity of the Maoists. It is just eyewash to fool the international community and the people," Koirala said.

Koirala also expressed his concern over the closure of Surya Garments by the Maoist labor union. "There is insecurity in the country and investment is being withdrawn from the country because of the Maoists," Koirala said.
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INTERVIEW
TURKEY CAN HELP NEPAL ATTRACH HIGH PAYING TOURISTS SAYS TURKISH ENVOY

Kathmandu, 27 Aug.: Apart from opening its embassy in Nepal, Turkish government is keen on bilateral trade with Nepal with special focus on tourism. Dr. Burak Akçapar, Tukey´s Ambassador to India, was in Nepal to meet senior government officials and businessmen. Samiksha Koirala of Republica caught up with Dr. Akçapar to talk about possible areas of trade between the two countries.

What do you think can be the sectors of bilateral trade between Turkey and Nepal?

I see tremendous possibilities of bilateral trade between these two countries. Nepal and Turkey are both unique and young nations in terms of development. We can be source of inspiration to each other. Peace process of Nepal is also on track and I am optimistic that Nepal´s economy will boom. The first area would be tourism and the other can be infrastructure development. Last year alone, 27 million tourists visited Turkey and most of them were high-end tourists. Nepal is also favorite tourist destination but it should attract tourists with more spending capacity. There´s hardly anyone in Turkey who has not heard about beauty of Nepal. The promotion would not be the major concern. Better service, air-connectivity, and international standard infrastructure should be the priority for Nepal to enhance the tourism sector.

What Turkey can do to support Nepali tourism industry?

As I already told, 27 million tourists are visiting Turkey annually. Nepal can learn from the experience of Turkey. Turkish companies are internationally recognized for construction. We can help by building hotels, roads and infrastructure so that it suits the tourists. Turkish Airlines is already doing feasibility study to operate a direct flight. I am pretty much hopeful that a direct flight between Istanbul and Kathmandu will help tourism industry and businessmen in both countries. Our major products are cultural tourism and beach tourism. As Nepal is also promoting cultural tourism, both countries can share each other´s experiences.

Besides tourism, what are the areas of interest for the Turkish government in Nepal. Do you see possibility of export-import between these two countries?

Education is our priority as well as educated people are must to boost tourism and business. Trade can happen when people are made aware of its benefits. Turkish market offers full range of products. I am yet to learn what can be exported to Turkey from here.

What are the preparations on your part and what do you advise the Nepali government to make the bilateral relations smooth?

I have already met the president and the prime minister and have talked about possible areas of trade. We also held meetings with representatives of Nepal-Turkey Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Kathmandu. We are soon going to have a resident ambassador for Nepal that is definitely going to open new avenues for diplomatic as well as economic relations.

Double taxation has to be avoided for businessmen and also trade facilities are to be provided. We are preparing document and we want the Nepali government to act fast on this.
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