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Indian Air Force Chief in Nepal

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal A.Y. Tipnis arrived here Tuesday for a foundry visit, an announcement said.

He is visiting Nepal on the invitation of the Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Prajwal SJB Rana.

One Indian source described the visit as routine. Nepali sources were not available for comment. nepalnews.com br

Maoists Abduct 13 Civilians in Rukum

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Maoist rebels Sunday abducted 13 civilians including eight teachers from two villages near  district headquarters Khalanga in Rukum district, Radio Nepal said.

They were abducted while conducting classes in schools, the state owned Radio said.

Local unit of the ruling Nepali Congress party condemned the abductions and called for the release of the abducted. nepalnews.com br

Greece to Offer Scholarships to Nepalis

Kathmandu, Dec.19: In an effort to boost nominal bilateral ties, Greece has offered scholarships for Nepalis in archaeology, tourism and environment sectors besides initially giving a $50,000 grant to the Himalayan kingdom for environmental protection, an announcement said.

" To start with, Greece has granted a 50,000 dollar financial assistance to Nepal for environmental protection which will be followed up in the future," visiting Greek Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou said at the end of a two-day visit to Nepal Tuesday.

Papandreou  held preliminary talks with officials to develop Nepal's tourism, hydropower, protection of the kingdom's rich cultural heritage and environmental protection.

" Detailed procedural matters will be taken up at secretary level in the coming months," he told a news conference.

" This is the first formal talks between the two countries since we established diplomatic relations some 40 years ago," Nepali Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola told the joint news conference.

" We wanted to have direct knowledge about the Bhutanese refugee issues in Nepal about which the European Community takes a keen interest.

"As a EU member country, we are very much sympathetic to the Bhutanese issue," the visiting Greek Foreign Minister said.

"We want to develop our relations  with the South Asian region and  to follow-up our move for international relationship and expand co-operation with the South Asian nations to promote human rights and step up economic development through bilateral co-operation," he said of his three nation South Asian tour.

Bastola said Nepal sought free access for its garments, carpets and other products in Europe and the World Trade Organization zone. nepalnews.com br

Koirala comes under attack in NC meeting

Kathmandu, Dec 19:

As the central working committee of the ruling Nepali Congress Party met today, several leaders of the ruling Nepali Congress Party accused Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala of completely failing to give the nation a good and efficient government.

In the meeting held in the official residence of Prime Minister, some leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Bijaya Gachhadar and Chirnajibi Wagle criticized the present government headed by Koirala for failing to maintain law and order, improve economy and expedite development in the country, said a central committee member who attended the meeting.

They also accused Koirala, who is also president of the party, of failing to maintain unity in the party, he said.

However, Koirala did not refute the charges and said that he would give his specific answer in the next meeting of the Nepali Congress.

Other central leaders also did not defend the government and Koirala, a source in the party said.

According to party spokesman Narhari Acharya said that Prime Minister Koirala said that he would do every thing possible to maintain unity in the party and provide sense of security to the people.

The meeting was held in the morning today in which party general secretary Sushil Koirala, central leader Narhari Acharya, central leader and Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel and central leader and Defence Minister Mahesh Acharya presented their reports on party organization, constitutional amendments, law and order and security system, said the party spokesman.

As members could not express their views in the morning, the meeting was postponed until afternoon.

In the afternoon’s meeting, central committee members mostly Koirala’s detractors criticized the government and party president. The next meeting is to be held within a fortnight, according to party source.

Koirala’s rivals in the party have been active to challenge his leadership in the forthcoming national convention of the party.

Koirala has already announced his candidacy for the party president in the forthcoming convention.

 Another central leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has also announced to challenge Koirala in the convention.

Koirala’s detractors have demanded that Koirala relinquish one post—either prime minister of party president.

However, Koirala has refused to step down.

 In the forthcoming national convention, it is most likely that Koirala would be elected party president again with overwhelming majority. nepalnews.com yl

Nepal, Greece agree to expand cooperation

Kathmandu, Dec 19: Nepal and Greece agreed to increase and expand areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Greece is to support Nepal in areas like human rights, democracy, environment and health.

It was disclosed following an official talks held today in Ministry of Foreign Affairs between Nepal and Greece. 

Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola and visiting Greek Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou led the delegation of their respective countries.

Emerging from the talks, Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou said that " Greece as a member of the European Union wants to expand relations with other countries and support their development efforts".

Greece would support Nepal in areas like consolidation of democracy, human rights, health and environment, he said. Minister for Foreign Affairs Bastola said that Greece had shown keen interest in helping Nepal in several areas.

Papandreou is the first high Greek official to visit Nepal. Despite being a member of European Union, the involvement of Greece in the international affairs is less compared to other European nations. Greece now wants to increase its role in the international arena. nepalnews.com yl

Another Maoist Killed, Other Details

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Another Maoist was killed Monday in an exchange of  gunfire with police at Badabang village in Jajarkot district in west Nepal,  police said.

There were no casualties on the police side in a two hour exchange of fire. A Maoist was also killed in neighboring Rukum district this week.

The rebels also torched a house of an activist of the ruling Nepali Congress party at a village in Kavre in east Nepal Monday, reports said. Police had used the house as a shelter. 
nepalnews.com br

ADB Offers Nepal a Loan 

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Asian Development Bank Monday gave Nepal a Rs.2588.2million loan to implement a small town water supply and sanitation project to improve water supply and sanitation conditions in 50 towns of the kingdom to benefit 600,000 persons, the Finance Ministry said. 

The project will be implemented in the next six years. Finance Secretary Dr. Bimal Koirala and ADB Resident Representative Richard Vokes signed the loan agreement. nepalnews.com br 

Nepal Sri Lanka Business Council Formed 

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Nepal Sri Lanka Business Council has been formed to promote trade between the two South Asian nations. Bhakta Bahadur Malla is the chairman of the Council. 

Jaya Dewan and U.O. Jayaratne are vice-presidents; Balaram Rajbhandary is general secretary. 
Sri Lankan Ambassador Pamela Deen and President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce Rajesh Kazi Shrestha and Karna Sakya are advisors. nepalnews.com.br 

Papandreou Visit to Expand Ties 

Kathmandu, Dec.19: The first visit to Nepal of Greek Foreign George A. Papandreou will promote bilateral ties between Nepal and Greece. 

" The visit will pave the way for developing and expanding mutually beneficial relations between the two countries in the days ahead, " Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola said." The visit will work as a locomotive to consolidate and expand bilateral relations in economic, commercial and other areas in the days ahead." 

Papandreou said Monday Greece will help Nepal promote relations with the European Union of which it is a member. 

Bilateral ties have been nominal. King Birendra Monday evening granted an audience to the visitor. The Greek Foreign Minister Monday discussed co-operation in environment, tourism and hydropower sectors with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. 

Papandreou Monday inaugurated a photo exhibition of four noted Greek photoghraps at the Nepal Art Council Gallery. Papandreou ends his two-day Nepal visit Tuesday. nepalnews.com br 

Maoist Killed in Rukum

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Police shot dead a Maoist in Nuwakot village in Rukum district in west Nepal Monday morning, police said.

The rebel died in an exchange of gunfire with a police patrol in a forest near a village.

Police recovered a gun and two sockets bombs from the dead rebel. nepalnews.com br

Nepal, Bangladesh to Sign Transport Agreement

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Nepal and Bangladesh are to sign a transport agreement to begin direct bus service between Kakarvitta in east Nepal and Bangladesh later this year, a Nepali official said.

The first bus service between the two South Asian nations through narrow strip of Indian territory in West Bengal will help boost tourism and trade, officials said.

Nepal and Bangladesh have already exchanged drafts of the proposed transport agreement.
Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola is expected to pay an official visit to Bangladesh later this year to sign the accord. nepalnews.com br

Four Children Killed in Fire

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Four children of one family were killed in a fire this week in Gorgana village Saptari district, police said.

The children died when the fire engulfed the hutment of Ram Narayan Raya. The dead  aged between three and six years were all granddaughters of Raya from his son and daughter. nepalnews.com br

Two Killed, 38 Injured in Bus Accident

Kathmandu, Dec.19: Two persons were killed and 38 others were injured, two seriously, Monday when a bus travelling to Mahendranagar from Nepalgunj met with an accident at Suda village in Kanchanpur district, police said.

The bus driver lost control of the vehicle when a motorcyclist suddenly crossed the Mahendra Highway.

The injured are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mahendranagar. nepalnews.com br

British Gurkhas Deployed in Sierra Leone

Kathmandu, Dec.18: Nearly 300 British Gurkhas have been deployed to the west African state of Sierra Leone to train local soldiers, a British Embassy official said Monday.

" It is just a coincidence that they were deployed there after the visit of  a senior British official last week, " the official said." The Gurkhas are deployed to various parts of the world regularly." About 3,000 Gurkhas are currently serving in the British army.

British Gurkhas are currently deployed in Bosnia and East Timor as well. nepalnews.com br 

Big Marijuana Haul

Kathmandu, Dec.18: Illegal  marijuana has been recovered from various parts of the kingdom recently. Police recovered one kg of abandoned marijuana at the departure of lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport Saturday, police said.

Police arrested a resident of Dhading district in the capital with 12 kgs of the illegal drug Friday concealed in his body parts in the Kalanki area, officials said. Similarly, two persons were arrested recently in Parsa district with 10 kgs of the drug concealed in their body parts. nepalnews.com br

Bastola, Kadirgamar hold talks

Kathmandu, Dec 17: Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola and visiting Sri Laxman Foreign Minister discussed Nepal-Sri Lanka relations, regional cooperation and SAARC activities.

In an official talks held in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talks were focused on possibility of holding once postponed eleventh SAARC summit.

Both Foreign Minister also discussed holding the meeting of all SAARC committees within the next four months. They agreed to give continuity to all activities of SAARC.

After the talks, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Laxman Kadirgamar said that although the eleventh SAARC Summit is not possible in the near future, India has agreed to take part in the meeting of other committees.

The eleventh SAARC Summit was to be held in Kathmandu in November 1999. However, it was postponed because of India’s request citing Military coup in Pakistan against democratically elected government.

Kadirgamar arrived Sunday for a consultative meeting with Nepal on SAARC activites. Prior to coming to Nepal, he visited New Delhi for consultative meeting with Indian officials. 
nepalnews.com yl

Greek Foreign Minister in Capital

Kathmandu, Dec 17: Foreign Minister of Greece George A Papandreou arrived in Kathmandu for a four-day official visit to Nepal on Sunday.

Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Bastola received the Greek Foreign Minister at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

It is the first-ever visit of any high official from Greece. In a brief answer to reporter, Greek Foreign Minister said that his visit would strengthen relations between Nepal and Greece.nepalnews.com yl

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister arrives for consultation

Kathmandu, Dec 17: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Laxman Kadirgamar arrived in Kathmandu today
for consultative visit to Nepal. SAARC Secretary General Nihal Rodrigo received Sri Lankan Foreign
Minister upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Kadirgamar is to discuss with Nepalese leaders and officials regarding the next SAARC Summit that was postponed because of India's request.

" I am here to consult with Nepalese leaders and officials about the SAARC activities", Kadirgamar told reporters. He said that meeting of all SAARC committees would be held by March, 2001, which would finalise the agenda for SAARC standing committee meeting. The standing committee comprises the foreign secretaries, which is likely to meet in April next year.

He ruled out the possibility of eleventh SAARC Summit in the immediate future. He, however, said that the successful completion of meeting of all committees and standing committee would pave way for early Summit. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister also visited India prior to coming to Nepal.
The eleventh SAARC Summit was to be held in Kathmandu last year but India wrote to current SAARC chairperson Chandrika Kumaratunga, president of Sri Lanka, to defer the Summit citing the military coup against democratic government in Pakistan. Sri Lanka is the current chairperson of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), that groups Nepal, India, Sri Lanka,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives. 

Both Nepal and Sri Lanka are trying to hold once postponed Summit but India has not agreed to it. India also told Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, when he was in New Delhi for consultative meeting, that India was not ready for the Summit in the near future, which is considered a setback to Nepal.
When Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala visited India a few months ago, he also requested Indian Prime Minister to agree to the early meeting of the postponed SAARC Summit. nepalnews.com yl

Kathmandu, Dec.17: The central working committee of the ruling Nepali Congress party will meet in emergency session Tuesday ahead of its national convention next month in Pokhara and rumblings against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala who is also party president.

Young Turk Sher Bahadur Deuba is trying to wrest the presidency from Koirala with the blessings of former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai; Koirala is likely to be re-elected by the convention after securing a majority in local and regional internal elections, most analysts said.

But Deuba is expected to put up a stiff fight against Koirala. The central committee is meeting amid threats by Koirala critics to bring a censure motion against the Prime Minister in Parliament and calls by Bhattarai to Koirala to either renounce the presidency or the post of government head.
Koirala has refused to concede.

Party sources said the emergency meeting will also discuss a proposal of the Nepal Communist Party ( Unified Marxist Leninist ), the main opposition in parliament, to amend the constitution.
The ruling party is divided on the issue with Bhattarai opposing the opposition call.

The UML wants to amend the constitution to freeze the present electoral constituencies for parliament and provide for a neutral government to conduct national elections to ensure free and fair elections. nepalnews.com br