PRESIDENT, GOVT. ON COLLISION COURSE Kathmandu, 25 Nov.: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai met President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav Saturday evening and delivered to the head of stat a decision of the a special meeting of the cabinet that concluded the president isn’t empowered by the interim constitution to appoint or dismiss a government chief. The cabinet met for four hours to adopt an official government decision on Friday’s call by the head of state to form a consensus government by Thursday afternoon. The cabinet concluded the executive power is with the government. Government has taken a tough attitude against the president who said his action was for consensus and constituent assembly election sometime in April/May. Premier Bhattarai said after an hour-long meeting, the head of state and government chief agreed to more ahead together. Executive power is with the government, the cabinet concluded, according to a government spokesman.. The president acted against the spirit of the interim constitution which does not empower the head of state to appoint or dismiss the prime minister, the prime minister said. The cabinet angrily said the government is not a caretaker. MORE GOLD GAINS RS. 1,000 PER TOLA Kathmandu, 25 Nov.: Gold gained Rs.1,000 per tola Sunday in the local market compared to Friday after increase in the price of the yellow metal in the international markets Gold was traded for Rs. 61,750 in the local market Sunday. Nnnn OPPOSITION WITHDRAWS 30 NOV., 1 DEC. ANTI-GOVT. PROTESTS Kathmandu, Fifteen opposition parties Sunday withdrew anti-government and anti-Maoist protests 30 Nov., 1 Dec. UML”s Raghuji Pant said the move was aimed to promote talks with the government and ruling parties.