BIG THREE AND MADESBADI MORCHA MEET TUESDAY TO GET TOGETHER A CONSTITUTION Kathmandu, 24 April: The Big Three and Madeshbadi Morcha resume efforts at nine in the morning to short out differences in five issues and themes for their incorporation in a constitution that has to be promulgated 27 May. There was no agreement despite two rounds of talks Monday morning and evening despite claims by the major players they were close to an agreement. The parties sought more time Monday to extend discussions for an agreement. A meeting of the constituent assembly (CA) to discuss a delayed constitution that was to begin Monday was even postponed until Friday by posting a notice on theboard of the assembly hall. A Prachanda sub-committee also meets Tuesday to attempt resolution of differences. RSS ADDS: Although the meeting of the three big political parties and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) is said to have reached near consensus over the disputed issues of constitution drafting, no concrete decision was made on the form of governance, restructuring of state, and electoral system on Monday. Leaders said the discussion was prolonged after the UCPN-Maoist stuck to the demand of adopting fully proportional electoral system. However, Prime Minister Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai said the discussion was going on intensively. Parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Congress, Ram Chandra Poudel, said his party could not agree on the fully proportional electoral system proposed by the Maoists. Because of the Maoists' stand on it, the discussion was prolonged, he added. Similarly, he said the discussion was on about the mixed system of governance with the allocation of power to both Prime Minister and the President. The Madhesi Front proposed for 200 constituencies for the direct election while three big parties proposed for a total of 300 representatives for both upper and lower house. The three parties are to meet next morning while all parties to meet in the afternoon, according to leader Poudel. CPN-UML leader Bhim Rawal said further discussion was needed for final consensus. The parties were made aware that political stability should be taken into account while determining form of governance. Similarly, Chairman of Nepal Sadbhavana Party, Rajendra Mahato, said the discussion was nearing consensus. The political parties had sat again for forging agreement on the disputed issues of constitution drafting after postponing the meeting of the Constituent Assembly today [Monday]. nnnn LOW KEY GOVT. CELEBRATION OF LOKTANTRA DAY Kathmandu, 24 April: Government celebration Monday of the 6th Loktantra Day was low key; virtually, it wasn’t observed except for a reception hosted by Vice-president Parmananda Jha. Government decided not to observe the day as a public holiday but changed its decision under pressure.. Government didn’t officially celebrate National Democracy Day on 7 Falgun. Nnnn MMC PLAYS FRIENDS CLUB IN LAST QUARTERFINAL OF BRITISHGURKHA CLUB TUESDAY Kathmandu, 24 April: Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) will play Friends Club Tuesday’s quarterfinal of the British Gurkha Cup. The match will be the last quarterfinal of the tournament—the first of the year 2069. Semi-finals will be played under floodlight Wednesday and Thursday. The final is on Saturday. nnnn NEPAL. INDIA TO DISCUSS RESUMPTION OF MILITARY ASSISTANCE Kathmandu, 24 April: Pokhara is all set to host the Nepal-India Bilateral Consultative Group on Security Issues, slated to begin on Wednesday, officials said today [Monday], the Himalayan Times reports. The four-day joint-secretary level meeting is to focus on military cooperation, real-time information sharing and border management, they said. “Preparation for the meeting is in the final stage,” said a senior officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that the meeting was a routine one. “Since it’s a regular meeting, there will be an open discussion on all security-related issues with focus on military assistance and intelligence sharing,” said he. Deepak Dhital, joint secretary at the ministry who looks after the India Division, and Akhilesh Mishra, joint secretary at the External Affairs Ministry of India (North), are to lead their respective country’s delegation at the meeting. Representatives from the defence and home ministries and security organs from both sides of the border will also attend the conference. A source said, the Nepali side will request for the resumption of military assistance to Nepali Army –– a promise made by New Delhi in the past. In the previous meetings, India had agreed, among other things, to assist Nepal in building an airbase for the Nepal Army in Surkhet, resume supply of non-lethal and other logistics, and to train security personnel. India stopped supplying lethal weapons to the Nepali Army after the 2005 royal takeover. “Lifting the ban will be on Nepal’s agenda,” added a military source. As both the countries are facing security challenges from criminals, who usually take refuge across the border after committing crimes, officials will also discuss how to share intelligence in real-time. The Indian side is certain to voice concerns that third country terrorists may use the Indo-Nepal porous border to target Indian interests and smuggle fake Indian currency south. Earlier, referring to the issue, Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram had stressed on better cooperation between Nepal and India in matters of security. nnnn