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PM Refuses to Dole out 'Republic Gift' to Maoists

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PM Refuses to Dole out 'Republic Gift' to Maoists Kathmandu l 17-23 Spet, 2007 l # 34 l Price Rs. 25 Bhashwor Ojha Indian foreign secretary, Shiv Shankar Menon with PM Koirala on Sunday. Exit? PM refuses to dole out ‘republic gift’ to Maoists ä nf correspondent the party in favour of eight-party unity, but would also bring Ram Bahadur Thapa aka Badal, An intense tug of war among the top echelons in backed by Mohan Vaidya and C P Gajurel, in the the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN- forefront of the Maoist leadership. M) and Prime Minister GP Koirala’s refusal to Home minister K P Sitaula’s shuttled between gift them a republic Nepal ‘now’ has brought the the residence of the prime minister and government’s neck to a political guillotine. Prachanda to save the coalition, with an Maoists inched very close to withdrawing from assurance that a republic Nepal was just a Koirala led government ending their five and a couple of months away, and that collapse of the half month partnership in the coalition would weaken that eight-party coalition. The last hope Maoists told prospect, apparently failed to that the Maoists would reconsider convince the Maoists. “We have their extreme move was dashed; Koirala that had enough of assurance and we after Prachanda and Baburam they were not do not trust the Congress any explained Koirala’s acts of deceits, more,” Prachanda is believed to and pressure from their own scared of their have told Sitaula. The home cadres to quit the government, future political minister also assured that he when India’s foreign secretary prospects. would undertake to ensure that Shiv Shankar Menon met them on the Congress party’s republic Saturday evening. Maoists however, relented to agenda is endorsed by the general assembly of his advice and indefinitely postponed their round the party. table conference rescheduled on September Prachanda and Baburam last met Koirala at hours before Menon left for Delhi at the end of his his official residence on Saturday to inform him two-day trip to Nepal. that they were determined to withdraw from the There are growing worries within the coalition government in protest against his refusal to that the pull-out by the Maoists would have an abolish monarchy immediately. They told Koirala all round impact on issues like political stability of that they were not scared of their future political the country, leadership of Koirala and the prospects. The Prime Minister, according to credibility of the Maoists themselves. Political Baluwatar sources, warned them that they observers also believe that this would not only would be losing their last chance if they ran seriously discredit Prachanda-Baburam line in away from electoral politics. ä 2 17-23 Sept., 2007 News Butwal under curfew Nov. election ‘must’ An indefinite curfew was targeted twice by the Maoists clamped in Butwal and in the past. “We have no clue Menon says CA alone Taulihawa after, unidentified yet as to who killed him,” said assailants shot dead Mohit a police official. will give legitimacy Khan, a leader of anti-Maoist In the chaos that followed, for major decisions groups, and a violent protest government offices, vehicles against snow-balled into a and shops became immediate ä nf correspondent communal frenzy. targets paralysing normal life. According to incomplete In the meantime, an official of Election to the constituent assembly information, at three more Shital Niwas said that the on November 22 in an environment people including a policeman situation along the two border ‘free of fear and intimidation’ is the were killed, as miscreants towns were being monitored crucial, if not the sole, pre-condition targeted a place of prayer. closely and the government for India’s future support to Nepal. Locals gathered immediately would take it up with the That was the firm message that after the news, of Khan being government of India for tight foreign secretary Shiv Shankar gunned down outside his security on their side so that Menon conveyed to prime minister G residence in the morning, anti-social elements from P Koirala and other senior govern- Pix by Bhashwor Ojha spread. They demanded that across the border could not ment and political leaders including Indian foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon the culprits must be arrested take advantage of the situa- Maoist Chief Prachanda during his monarchy. “It is for the people of smooth supply of petrol. Menon is and punished. Khan had been tion. two-day visit to Kathmandu. Nepal to decide,” leaving it open to believed to have given positive During his meeting with Koirala on interpretation that India prefers response to the demand for Sunday, he gave enough indications decision on the issue not by leaders petroleum. that India would consider any crucial of eight parties but by the people. Menon described Terai problem as decision in absence of people’s He said India would support and Nepal’s internal one which Nepal mandate as seriously flawed. The assist the transition to a democratic, should be addressing, but admitted message assumes significance in the inclusive, stable and prosperous that he met some leaders from there. wake of Maoists’ demand that Nepal. He also refused to comment He also disclosed that India’s water declaring Nepal a republic immedi- on PM Koirala’s recent remarks that resources secretary would be visiting ately is the pre-condition for their Nepal faced a threat to its sover- Nepal to explore bilaterally the continuing in the government and eignty. “I am not going to comment on strategy for flood control on all the contesting election. this. This is not my place. This is not rivers that, “we share.” Menon was much more guarded my function,” he said, adding, “if you On the UN role, he said that when asked, during a press meet have any questions, you ask them.” UNMIN is here with a very clear before his departure to Delhi, Koirala’s demands from Menon mandate to help arms management whether India considered it necessary varied from exploring Man Mohan and election and added, “we hope to have polls first to abolish the Singh’s visit before the election to they do the two jobs well.” May all beings be happy ä nf correspondent Dharma by Buddha himself in his absence. These patrons of The 64th birthday ceremony of Dharma were invoked and offered His Holiness Sakya Trizin a Puja, so that Dharma may Rinpoche, the head of Sakya Sect prevail for a longer time in its purity. was celebrated under the Then the Mandala (a represen- auspices presence of: Dhungse tation of the entire world system Asanga Rinpoche; Ghar along with ones most precious Syabdrung Rinpoche; Guru Aama possessions) was offered to Guru Violating world heritage site Niru Rana of Byoma Kusuma Sakya Trizin, by the disciples, as a Buddha Dharma Sangha, Khenpo symbol of complete trust and Nawang Jorden; Khenpo surrendering. This was followed The government is in a soup over unauthorised ment Committee. The committee overruled the earlier Vagendrasila; Khenpo Nawang by offering the Shakyamuni construction of a road in Pashupatinath temple area, a objections raised by the Department of Archaeology Hoser Lama, president of Buddha’s Dharani, world heritage site. The World Heritage center (WHC) and the Pashupati Development authority on the plea Monastery Development mantra for the long life of the which oversees cultural heritage and their protection that no construction can be carried out in the area. Committee; and Chiniya Lama; at guru; seven-limb prayers activities on behalf of UNESCO, has sought the status As a signatory to the convention for protection of the Mustang Samag’s Monastery consisting of refuge, confession of about 800-metre long and 20-feet road that passes world cultural and natural heritage almost three located at Sitapaila, Swoyambhu. and so forth and a special long life through Sleshmantak forest linking Tilganga Hospital decades ago, Nepal is obliged to honour the guidelines The ceremony was organised prayer dedicated to the longevity with Guheshwari temple. regarding any construction works in the listed heritage by the monastic & lay disciples of of His Holiness. But the government is in total confusion about how site. Following the query from UNESCO, the minister the three Sakya monasteries: In addition, various Tibetan to respond to the situation. “The construction of the for tourism and culture is understood to have asked Tharlam, Thari and IBA in chants and songs were per- road is illegal,” a senior official at the ministry of culture the chief secretary to formulate government response Boudha. The program com- formed and an archery competi- and tourism told newsfront, admitting that it violates at the earliest. menced by taking refuge on the tion was held to represent the Nepal’s commitment to protect the world heritage site. Official sources said that the minister also asked triple gems and chanting culture of Mustang. Finally, as an “The road was built without any authorisation or senior officials to explain to him the cost of such Bodhisattva vows to liberate all the inevitable part of a Buddhist permission from the government,” sources said. violation. “We will soon be responding to the UNESCO sentient being from the ceremony, the merit accumulated However, the road was built with full support and as well as the world heritage center reaffirming our sufferings of samara. It was by all of those engaged in such a endorsement of the minister for physical works and commitment to protect the listed sites,” a senior followed by 16-Arhat Puja. 16- virtuous deed was dedicated for construction, Hishila Yami. The initiative to build the government official said. A Maoist source said that the Arhats were entrusted with the the benefit and happiness of all road was taken by Krishna KC, a Maoist leader, who is construction was carried in view of the local people’s responsibility to protect the sentient beings.
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