DISSIDENTS IN UML AGREE TO HOLD TALKS WITH PARTY Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Dissidents in opposition UML, including Vice-chairman Ashok Rai, have agreed to hold discussions on their written nine demands submitted with the party Party’s chief of the disciplinary committee Amrit Bohara said the party has prepared a written reply to the nine-point demand amid assurances differing views wont be suppressed. Dissidents earlier has rejected invitation to talk with secretariat members. Rai has even threatened to launch a new party amid threat of a split in whatwas then the hird largest party before a split in UCPN Maoist and formation of a front of Madesshbadi parties. Rai and supporters oppose party policy of multi-ethnic federal units in and are emanding single ethnic units with identity in a new federal structure. Nnnn PM MEETS, CONGRATULATES IRANIAN PRESIDENT ON CONCLUSION OF NAM SUMMIT Kathmandu, 1 Sept. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai met and congratulated Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Friday on the successful conclusion of the two-day 16th on-aligned summit in Tehran. The summit began Thursday Nepal-Iran bilateral discussions have been strengthened with the summit , Bhattarai told the president. Western countries , including USA and Israel, pressurized Bhattarai not to personally attend the summit and send a lower level delegation instead. nnnn