10th May, 2006 (Wednesday) Government annuls all ordinances, other details By Bhola B Rana Kathmandu, 9 May: The council of ministers Tuesday annulled all ordinances issued by the previous governments from 19 Magh 2061 nearly two years ago, an official announcement said. The cabinet also discussed the delayed cabinet expansion. A judicial commission headed by retired supreme court justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi to probe excesses by security agencies and officials during the seven party and Maoist opposition strike last month formally received its terms of reference from the government Tuesday five days after its appointment. The commission should complete its work in two months after taking an oath office from the supreme court justice Wednesday. UN under secretary general Samuel Tamrat delivered a letter from his secretary general Kofi Annan welcoming recent developments in Nepal. Koirala and Tamrat discussed decommissioning of Maoists for election to a constituent assembly, radio reports said. Even as Maoists declared a ceasefire last month, they continued money extortions from transport entrepreneurs in Panchthar and Taplejung, the Defence Ministry said. Maoists also stole property from the house of Lamjung district development chairman Jiban Raj Bista, the ministry said. People’s News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eight children swim to safety, other details [UPDATE] Kathmandu, 9 May: Eight school children swam to safety when a tempo fell into the Chatara canal in Saptari Tuesday, Radio Nepal said. Five other children are undergoing treatment at a hospital. Thirteen children drowned in the worst accident of its kind in the country. The steering wheel broke before the three-wheeler plunged into the canal. People’s News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Janamorcha Nepal on verge of split Kathmandu, 9 May: Janamorcha Nepal, a seven- party constituent is on the verge on a split. Thirteen rebels, including three members of parliament, accused party president Amik Serchan and Lilamani Pokhrel Tuesday of rank opportunist to join the government. Chitra Bahadur KC, former leader of the parliamentary party with six seats in the House of Representatives and enough to form a separate group in the legislature, led the charge. The split was imminent after the KC group came out against the 12-point accord between seven parties and Maoists in New Delhi. People’s News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Govt to suspend three security chiefs Kathmandu, 9 May: Reliable sources said government is to suspend three security chiefs for excessive use of force during the movement, Mahanagar reports. Government is to suspend Nepal Police IGP Shyam Bhakta Thapa, APF IGP Sahabir Thapa and Investigation Department Chief Debiram Sharma and hand them over to a judicial commission investigating excesses. Government is not touching the Chief of the Army Staff. People’s News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parliament meets Wednesday Kathmandu, 10 May: Parliament meets later Wednesday amid suggestions by Rashtriya Janasakti Party Tuesday to the ruling coalition not to take political decisions on every issue. The party headed by Surya Bahadur Thapa asked the government to move through the transitional phase under the constitution. Prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and NC(D) chief Sher Bahadur Deuba Tuesday discussed a common concept on political issues to be presented to parliament. They agreed to pass a political commitment and declaration through parliament. They also agreed to consult lawyers to form an interim constitution to empower parliament. People’s News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CIAA clears Koirala By Chudamani Bhattarai in Jana Aaastha Kathmandu, 10 May: One day after the fall of the last government, CIAA decided to clear NC president and prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala of corruption charges. Several days After his appointment as prime minister, CIAA chief Surya Nath Upadhaya, to suspend investigations as well. Sources said Koirala ignored the news which by delivered by a team of the CIAA led by Upadhaya. The team visited Koirala at his residence. People’s News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Koirala sick, going to Bangkok for treatment [Excerpts] Translated by Bhola B Rana from Jana Aastha Kathmandu, 10 May: The health condition of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala is deteriorating and he is flying to Bangkok for 15 days. Doctors are urging all to be serious because prime minister Koirala's health is deteriorating. He is suffering from chronic bronchitis after suffering a fractured spinal chord during last year's protest movement. He is on oxygen for two hours in the morning and evening. Major issues have to be resolved before Koirala leaves for Bangkok for medical treatment. New laws have to be enacted to replace annulled ordinances. Final decisions have also to be taken on a constituent assembly. Because of the workload, demands are being made for the continuity of parliament. If parliament recesses, others will benefit. For these reasons, parliament session could be extended. Government has adjusted the 22-point code of conduct proposed by Maoists. Government has added a point money should not be collected forcibly and called for the free movement and reintegration of the displaced. Maoists said in their code of conduct free movement of medicine food grains will be allowed. Final shape will be given to the code of conduct within one week. Prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and NC(D) chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba held discussions yesterday. They reached an agreement to until Sunday. Yesterday's cabinet discussions centered on the violation by Maoists of fifth point in the 12-point accord between Maoists and the seven party alliance. Government has objected to the Maoist extortion of money from industries and their free movement with weapons and combat dresses. Maoists haven't yet released CDO Bodhraj Adhukari who was abducted and displaced persons have not been able to return to their homes. Ministers yesterday expressed concern nobody condemned the shooting of a doctor and terrorization of professionals by persons in the name of Maoists. People’s News/BR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parliament to make special proclamation Kathmandu, 10 May: Parliament, reinstated through a movement, is preparing to make a special proclamation addressing fundamental issues, Budhabar reports. Senior leaders are holding serious discussions. A working group of seven parties are holding discussions on a draft to keep the army under parliament, suspend the Raj Parishad and empower parliament. Possibly, leaders of seven parties will finalize the draft today. People’s News/Kumod -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We cannot speak publicly: Moriarty Kathmandu, 10 May: US ambssador James F Moriarty called leaders of eight student unions to the American Center 5 May and took interest on how Maoists will lay down weapons before elections for a constituent assembly, Jana Aaastha reports. "What to do? We can't speak publicly. Maoists continue their attacks against us," Moriarty told student leaders. He asked: " What is your opinion on the surrender of weapons by Maoists?" Suresh Chalise appointed Koirala aide Kathmandu, 9 May: Suresh Chalise has been appointed principal private secretary of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala on the recommendation of Sujata Koirala, Rajdhani reports. Sushil Koirala has objected. Chalise has the status of a state minister. People’s News/Kumod -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parliament to probe Nagarkot, Belbari incidents Kathmandu, 9 May: Parliament will form a commission to probe the Nagarkot and Belbari incidents, Kantipur reports. The parliamentary working group of seven parties are preparing to present a proposal in parliament Wednesday [today]. The commission is expected to be announced Wednesday. People’s News/Kumod -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New government unable to control crime Kathmandu , 9 May: A well known pediatrician Hemang Dixit was shot by an unknown person three days ago in the broad daylight and yet the government is unable to capture the felon, writes Charcha weekly. Similarly, a group of robbers looted an estimated property worth one million Nepalese rupees in Bhakatapur. Since the formation of the new government the capital city is turning out to be one of the most dangerous places of Nepal as the rate of crime is soaring profusely. The administration of Central Secretariat located at Singha Durbar has also gone through the chains of turmoil as the new government seems unable to take its grasp in all parts of the nation as well as perform its administrative works. People’s News/Kumod