MORE DETAILS ON PM BHATTARAI'S NEW YORK ACTIVITIES

MORE DETAILS OF PM BHATTARAI AND DPM SHRESTH’S NEW ORK PARLEYS
Kathmandu, 24 Sept.: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, who is currently in New York to participate in the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, Friday held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Rurk, The Rising Nepal reports.
The two leaders shared views on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister also had interactions with under secretaries general representing political affairs peace-keeping operations, economic and social affairs, LDCs, office of the Secretary General, children in armed conflict as well as senior officials from natural disaster management unit and UNDP, according to the press lease by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN.
Nepal’s peace process, development challenges, and Nepal’s involvement in UN peace keeping operations were among the issues on which wide ranging views were exchanged during the interaction.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha ‘Prakash’, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Gyan Chandra Achara, Acting Foreign Secretary and other members of the delegation were also present on the occasion.
Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai is scheduled to hold a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday.
Shrestha addresses high-level meetings
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha ‘Prakash’ attended the high-level meeting on Nuclear Safety and Security convened by UN Secretary-General. He also attended the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action.
Following the high-level meetings, DPM Shrestha addressed the interactive ministerial session ‘Strengthening Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Disaster Risk Preparedness’.
Addressing the meeting on nuclear safety and security, the DPM stressed on the need for maintaining the highest possible standard of nuclear safety and security in each and every nuclear power plant operating around world, as radiological effects do not respect national boundaries when accident takes place.
He underlined that as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and also a member of the Least Developed Countries, Nepal wished to take the enormous advantage of nuclear technology particularly in the medical and agricultural sectors.
"Nepal is fully committed to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and has already adopted a nuclear policy keeping the welfare and wellbeing of the people at the uppermost. We are ready and eager to work with IAEA for furthering our knowledge and developing necessary human resource as well as developing necessary infrastructure to harness the benefit of nuclear technology for the development and prosperity of our people," he said.
While highlighting Nepal’s commitment on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, DPM Shrestha called for strengthening the role of IAEA for furthering the knowledge on nuclear safety and security and assisting member states in developing necessary human resources as well as infrastructure to harness the benefits of nuclear technology for the development and prosperity of our people.
Addressing the round table on ‘Victims of Racism, racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance: Recognition, Justice and Development’ DPM and FM Shrestha underscored the fundamental changes that

had taken place in Nepal after the signing of the historic Comprehensive Peace Accord in November 2006.
He further said Nepal had made significant progress in promoting and protecting people’s rights by establishing necessary institutions and enacting legislations.
The rights to life, equality, personal liberty, justice, education and culture, religion, freedoms to form political parties and associations, rights against torture, exploitation, exile, untouchability, and racial discrimination have been recognized as inalienable rights of the people by the Constitution, said DPM Shrestha.
"Racism in all its manifestations must be put to an end forthwith to promote a global society that is just, humane and inclusive. Discriminatory practices based on races, decent, ethnicity, language, religion, culture and socio-economic status constitute severe violation of human rights and fundamental freedom. Racism runs counter to core of human values and human dignity," said the DPM.
He underscored Nepal’s commitment to human rights and said Nepal was party to more than 18 major international human rights instruments including the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination including endorsement of Durban Declaration and Program of Action.
Bilateral, regional meetings
DPM and FM Shrestha held a bilateral meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird on the sidelines of the 66th UNGA. He urged his Canadian counterpart to include Nepal in the priority list of countries eligible for official development assistance, as Nepal meets all the criteria set by the Canadian Government.
In response, the Canadian Foreign Minister said that he would discuss Nepal’s request with his cabinet colleagues in due course.
The DPM and FM also urged the Canadian side to encourage the Canadian business community to invest in the development of Nepal’s hydropower. Both sides also exchanged views on promoting bilateral economic cooperation by, inter alia, taking steps to conclude an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation.
DPM and FM Shrestha also held a bilateral meeting with Ruslan Kazakbayev, Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan. The two ministers exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, including through instituting bilateral consultative mechanism, exchange of visits and promotion of economic cooperation.
Likewise, the DPM took part in informal meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers hosted by the Foreign Minister of the Maldives. The Maldivian side provided a briefing on the upcoming SAARC Summit to be hosted by the Maldives.
On the occasion, DPM Shrestha had brief exchanges with his South Asian counterparts.
DPM Shrestha also attended a reception hosted by the Prime Minister of Japan.
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MADESH PARTIES OBJECT STRONGLY TO CRITICISM OF THEIR AGREEMENT WTH MAOISTS





Kathmandu, 24 Sept.: The ruling United Democratic Madeshi Front (UDMF) on Friday defended the four-point agreement struck between UCPN-Maoist and Morcha for the formation of Dr. Baburam Bhattarai-led government, The Rising Nepal reports.
The meeting of the Morcha decided that the agreement was not against nationalism, instead, it was for peace and constitution.
The Morcha also expressed its concerns over remarks that it went against nationalism. These remarks were irresponsible and against the Madesi people’s aspirations, it said.
"The argument that the agreement was anti-nationalist is totally irresponsible because the deal was for peace and constitution," Health Minister Rajendra Mahato, a member of the Morcha, said.
"We are concerned about such remarks against the Madhesi people’s aspirations," he said.
A faction within the ruling UCPN-Maoist, led by its senior vice chairman Mohan Baidhya, opposition Nepali Congress and CPN-UML parties are reported to have said that the agreement was anti-nationalist.
The Morcha warned that such statements would not be tolerable. It added those making these comments should be responsible for any backlash against them.
The meeting also reviewed the work of the present government.
It showed concerns over the peace process saying that it was not going ahead in the pace required for its completion in 45 days.
The Morcha will put forward its formal statement on the peace process after Sunday’s meeting, Madesi Janadhikar Forum-Ganatantrik deputy-chairman Raj Kishor Yadav said.
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