Japanese Deputy FM meets PM, Maoist chairman; PM stresses on politics of consensus
Immediately after his arrival in Kathmandu Wednesday, Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Osamu Uno kept himself busy in high-profile parleys.
He held separate meetings with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and discussed the Japanese assistance to Nepal and the current political atmosphere in Kathmandu.
During the meeting with the Japanese Deputy FM held in Baluwatar, Prime Minister Koirala urged increased development assistance from Japan, and made especial request for help for developing West-Seti hydropower project, the Prime Minister's foreign affairs advisor Aditya Baral said.
According to Baral, Uno said that political uncertainty here had at times made it difficult for Japan to take quick decisions regarding development assistance, but he assured that Japan would continue its assistance to Nepal.
After the meeting, Foreign Secretary Gyan Chandra Acharya told reporters that the PM had briefed the Japanese minister about the peace process. "And he said that the politics of cooperation and understanding will have to continue," Acharya quoted the PM as saying.
His remarks on consensus politics have come at a time when the parties are increasingly drifting away from each other. Differences between his party Nepali Congress (NC) and Maoists, too, have widened after the Maoists – who are likely to lead the new government – declined from endorsing Koirala as the president.
Meanwhile, the Japanese minister also held a meeting with Maoist chairman. During his meeting with Prachanda, Uno asserted that Japan was willing to work with the upcoming Maoist-led government.
He responded positively to Dahal's request for increased Japanese assistance to Nepal, Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara said.
Uno, who arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon for a three-day official visit, will meet CPN-UML General Secretary Jhal Nath Khanal, leaders of Nepali Congress, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and few other party leaders and ministers Ram Chandra Paudel and Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat during his stay, the Japanese embassy said.
He is also scheduled to sign an agreement on improvement of Kathmandu-Bhaktapur road with Finance Minister Dr. Mahat. nepalnews.com July 16 08
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