THREE PARTY EMERGENCY MEET Kathmandu, 28 April: The first round crucial emergency meeting between leaders of the Big Three and Madeshbadi morcha was inconclusive Saturday morning as they tackles issues related to a new federal structure to replace a traditional unitary state. Differences have developed mainly on a number of provinces and opposition to ethnic states in a multi-racial state with little resources. Only 30 days remaining to promulgate a constitution to institutionalize a declared republic. Provinces are being pushed by foreign elements through financing of ethnic groups; a case came to light of British DFID financing millions of rupees to a group espousing autonomy of the hilly region. The parties are meeting for the second round later Saturday. Fourteen, 10 and seven provinces were discussed by party leaders. Maoist Chairman Prachanda threatened to 14 if last proposal for 10 provinces weren’t accepted by other parties. Differences emerged in drawing up a federal structure with Maoists proposing 10 provinces in a federal structure while main opposition has officially suggested seven states without naming them and continuing with 75 districts. Opposition UML emergency central committee Friday night also opted for only seven provinces, am elected prime minister while opposing a proposed jumbo 385 member legislature. Nnnn CONSTITUTION DRAFTING COMMITTEE MEET POSTPONED Kathmandu, 28 April: A scheduled meeting of the main constitution drafting committee headed by Nilambar Acharya Saturday was postponed until Sunday. A two-day deadline was missed Friday to resolve differences on themes for inclusion in a proposed constitution. Deadlines to arrive at a consensus on themes haven’t been met. The meeting has to decide Saturday whether to ask for more time to attempt consensus or go for a vote in the 601-member constituent assembly which meets Sunday to adopt articles for a constitution. Nnnn SHERPAS STAGE SIT-IN AT PRACHANDA RESIDENCE Kathmandu, 28 April: Representatives of the famed Sherpa community began a sit-in in front of the Prachanda residence in Lazimpat Saturday after Maoists diddn;t propose a province for the group in a proposed constitution. Solokhumbu—the home of Mount Everest—is the district dominated by Sherpas who came into world prominence after Tenzing Sherpa climbed the world’s tallest peak with Edmund Hillary. Other communities who haven’t been promised provinces also staged protests in front of the Prachanda residence. nnnn