UPDATE CHINESE PREMIER WEN ARRIVING AMID TIGHTEST, BIGGEST SECURITY ARRANGEMENT FOR VISITOR

TIGHTEST SECURITY ARRANGEMENT FOR PREMIER WEN UPDATE

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: The biggest and tightest security arrangement
has been laid out for Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao who breaks
his journey in the Nepali capital for five hours en route for a five-day visit of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates Saturday morning.
The streets of the capital are deserted and people aren’t allowed to
move in groups along the streets.
Police have been deployed heavily on the streets as a 15-day security operation was launched Friday ahead of the visit
The news of the visit was broken only in the media late Friday night
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Wen will hold official talks at
the Singha Durbar secretariat where a new red carpet which was ;aid out Friday to visit the premier from Nepal’s northern neighbour.
Wen will also pay a courtesy call on President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav at Shital Niwas.
Premier Bhattarai summoned opposition over telephone party leaders Sushil Koirala of NC and UNL Chairman Jhalanath Khanal to return to the capital from Nepalgunj and Birtamodh in Jhapa respectively for meetings with Wen Saturday.
Premier Zhu Rongi was the last Chinese to premier to visit Nepal in
May 2001.
The cabinet Saturday met in emergency to discuss the Wen visit.
Finance Minister Barshaman Singh Pun said after the meeting China
could provide security assistance and upgrade financial assistance as
Beijing emerges as the biggest aid contributor to Nepal which neighbours Tibet.
nnnn

COLDEST DAY OF WINTER RECORDED IN CAPITAL SATURDAY MORNING

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: The coldest day of winter was recorded at 06.30 Saturday morning in the capital.
The mercury fell of 0.67 degrees Celsius in the capital.
Heavy snowfall was recorded Friday in the hills and Himalayan region with several deaths reported in a cold wave in the terai.
Jumla recorded the lowest temperature Friday at district headquarter when the mercury fell to -10 degrees Celsius.
Nnnn

PRESIDENT TO LAUNCH VISIT LUMBINI YEAR 2012

Kathmandu, 14 Jan.: President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav will launch
Visit Lumbini Year 2012 in Lumbini, the birthplace of The Buddha
Saturday.
Elaborate preparations have been made for the launch.
The first tourist will be welcomed with gifts.
nnnn