PM-FM discuss envoy appointments, agenda for UN session and Bhutanese refugees

Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan called on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday morning to discuss the issue of ambassador appointments in over 15 countries.

The hearing of the proposed envoys is going on at the parliamentary special hearing committee.

During the meeting, which took place at the prime minister's residence in Baluwatar, they also discussed the agenda for Nepal's presentation at the forthcoming UN general assembly.

FM Pradhan is scheduled to head the Nepali delegation at the assembly in New York.

Nepal's statement is expected to draw attention during the UN session due to the involvement of the UN in peace process here.

Similarly, Pradhan and Koirala also talked about Bhutanese refugee issue. Though PM and senior government ministers have said that permission has been given for third country resettlement of the refugees, the council of ministers is yet to approve it formally.

The discussion on the Bhutanese refugee issue was held ahead of the planned visit by Indian Communist leader Sitaram Yechury to Thimphu. Yechury is scheduled to visit Bhutan by this month's end to discuss the refugee impasse. nepalnews.com ia Sep 12 07