decisive dialogue may positive for the country

Though top leaders of three major political parties on Friday started a “decisive dialogue” in a bid to forge consensus on constitution drafting, the peace process and power sharing, they could not reach a conclusion. The high-level meeting at a hillside resort southwest of Kathmandu will continue on Saturday.Five senior leaders each from the UCPN (Maoist), the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML are attending the “secret meeting” that began at the Hattiban Resort on Friday morning. The discussions that are expected to last till Saturday evening are coordinated by the Home Ministry. Chiefs of the three main parties—Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal—and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal are attending the talks that aim to end the current political stalemate. Maoist leaders Mohan Baidya, Baburam Bhattari, Ram Bahadur Thapa and Dev Gurung, NC leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ram Chandra Poudel, Krishna Sitaula and Ram Sharan Mahat and UML leaders K.P. Oli, Ishwor Pokharel and Bharat Mohan Adhikari are also attending the meeting.“Today, the leaders of the three parties presented their views on ending the impasse, but we have not reached any conclusion,” Mahat said in the evening. “We will try to find consensus by tomorrow.” In Friday’s meeting, NC leaders stressed the need of an agreement on the modality of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and their number to be integrated into security forces. The Maoists, on the other hand, reiterated their commitment to scrap the paramilitary structure of the Young Communist League and resolve the “remaining problems” related to the land and property seized during the decade-long conflict. “We want the number of combatants to be decided only after providing options to individual combatants,” a Maoist leader said. Earlier, the leaders gathered at the Home Ministry on Friday before leaving. The Maoist leaders agreed to attend the discussions without their personal security guards after Home Minister Bhim Rawal assured them that the government would take care of their security. An employee at the resort said the leaders have booked rooms till Sunday morning. An aide of an NC leader attending the meeting said all the leaders have carried their belongings for the stay. “Intra-party and inter-party discussions are underway in different rooms of the resort,” the employee added. Media persons were not allowed to enter the resort.The farce of the Big 3KATHMANDU: It was disaster and chaos from the word ‘go’. The three parties had planned to hold “a serious dialogue in a peaceful place” to end the current political deadlock by the end of Tihar and Chhat. Nothing of the sort happened. Things went from bad to worse instead.They bickered over the venue and the size of the teams to accompany them. UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal insisted his son Prakash Dahal and the chief of his security team accompany him. So did the other parties’ leaders, with each naming their own favourites, ballooning the size of the teams. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal added fuel to the fire by demanding everyone pack enough clothes to last them for four days. On Wednesday, the parties had planned to meet up at Lukla. Five members from each of the three parties — UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML — were supposed to go. When the team sizes grew unwieldy, the original plan fell through and the leaders decided to converge at a resort in Pharping.That day’s three-party meeting had entrusted Home Minister Bhim Rawal to arrange a peaceful place with strong security measures. Rawal consulted the chiefs of security agencies and chose Lukla. All the leaders were asked to turn up at the Home Ministry at 6:30 Friday morning. Two Nepal Army (NA) helicopters were also booked. They gathered at the Home Ministry at the appointed time but true to character, started disputing over little nothings. A Ministry source said the parties cancelled the trip for Lukla as the teams got so big it was impossible to accommodate them in the helicopters. Finally, the leaders drove to Pharping's Hattiban Resort, 15-km southwest of Kathmandu.

Frist IED explosion in UN Preneses in Nepal

There was an IED explosion in the office premises of OHCHR in Nepalgunj on 13th Feb, evening. No damage and casualty was reported form the explosion. A leaflet of ‘Bhishan Himali Bagh’ (new revolutionary group) was found at the place of explosion. According to this leaflet, it is a Hindu Fundamentalist group and also pro-king. They have given ultimatum of two moths for their demands to be fulfilled. They have mentioned that the security of the CA members will be at risk if their demands are not addressed within the stipulated time. Their demands are as follows:
(1) Nepal be re-established as a Hindu state;
(2) Declare election-regions on geographical basis;
(3) Release all rivers and streams from the grips of the foreigners;
(4) Take strict actions against those groups or organisations involved in conversion of religion;
(5) Open all northern trade passes;
(6) Withdraw Citizenship Act-2063 (BS);
(7) Impose entry restriction to foreigners without permission letters;

China pledges military support worth Rs 207 million

A high Chinese defense official on Sunday announced that China will provide Nepal with non-lethal military support worth Rs 207 million.
Visiting Deputy Chief of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian pledged the support to Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa in the capital today.
In the meeting held at the Ministry of Defense, Nepali Defense Minister Thapa and Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian signed an agreement on this effect.
"The agreement has been made in a way not to affect the ongoing peace process in the country," said Minister Thapa, emerging from the meeting.
The defense minister further said that China is willing to help Nepal in the army integration.
Mentioning China expressed its commitment not to interfere with internal affairs of Nepal, Minister Thapa added, "They are ready to support Nepal to maintain national integrity and unity." Moreover, the visiting Chinese official praised Nepal's 'One-China Policy', according to Minister Thapa.
The meeting discussed the ongoing peace process, border security and mutual benefits between two neighbouring countries.
The high-level Chinese delegation is scheduled to visit Pokhara later today.
Following the high-profile visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to Nepal, the Chinese delegation led by deputy chief of the Chinese PLA had arrived here in the capital on Saturday to discuss military support and security.

Nepali young engineers successfully test-fly an ultralight plane

In a historic occasion, an ultralight aircraft built by Nepali engineering students has conducted a successful test flight, Saturday, in Pokhara.
The group of students of Pulchowk Engineering Campus led by Bikas Parajuli and Ganeshram Sinkeman had built the aircraft, which flew four times – each time for less than a minute as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
The aircraft was flown by Russian pilot Alexander Maximov of Avia Club.
The aircraft is fitted with Austrian engine while other parts and technologies used are indigenous.
After the successful flight, Parajuli said, "Seeing it fly, I feel my dreams have come true."
The students had to run from pillar to post for years to obtain permission from CAAN to conduct test flight.
The builders have said that the aircraft can fly for two hours at the speed of 100 kmph and at the altitude of 6000 feet.
The builders have named their aircraft 'Danfe.

A Maoist minister sees the need to dissolve YCL and Youth Force

A Maoist leader and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hisila Yami
A Maoist leader and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hisila Yami has said that the youth wings of her party the Young Communist League (YCL) and that of UML, the Youth Force should be dissolved.
Addressing the Bhedetar festival in Dhankuta, Saturday, Minister Yami said, "Their current activities have led to increased anarchy. It is necessary to dissolve them to maintain peace."
She said that at a time when youths should have worked together to build nation, they are engaged in clashes.
Referring to the trend of other parties, too, floating the youth wings, she said that none of such wings are necessary that could jeopardize the peace