Quotes:
“There has been agreement among the parties represented at the Army Integration Special Committee to fix a calendar to take the peace process to logical end within next four months.”
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, addressing the meeting of Constitutional Committee of Constituent Assembly.
“We will wage a democratic war against the Maoists.”
Girija Prasad Koirala, former prime minister and president of main opposition Nepali Congress (NC).
“There is no question of NC joining the Maoist-led government.”
Sushil Koirala, acting president of main opposition NC, in response to reports that NC was considering joining the government.
“If the Maoists do not immediately stop its criminal activities and abide by the past agreements, the UML will be forced to rethink its continuation in the current government.”
Jhal Nath Khanal, chairman of the CPN-UML, after alleged YCL cadres kill a Youth Force activist in Butwal.
“The Maoists made the decision not to continue the tenure of Nepali Army generals after the meeting of the general staff of their PLA was held.”
Khadga Prasad Oli, senior UML leader, at a press meet.
“The center of our democracy and nationalism cannot be either India or China.”
Krishna Bahadur Mahara, senior Maoist leader and Minister for Information and Communication, in Gorkhapatra.
“The government will now take stern action against those engaged in money laundering.”
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Finance Minister, addressing a workshop on money laundering.
“Based on the current trend, I do not think the government can attain its target of seven percent growth.”
Deependra Bahadur Chhetri, governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), at a press meet.
Transition:
LEFT: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ for a weeklong visit to Norway and Finland on March 28. He will return on April 4.
RETURNED: Former King Gyanendra Shah, after a month long visit to India.
APPOINTED: Two ministers – Ram Charan Chaudhary as the Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare and Mahendra Paswan as the Minister for Land Reforms and Management, by the Prime Minister.
FORMED: The technical committee of the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC). The four main parties have sent their nominees in the eight member technical committee. They include Barshaman Pun and Dr Indrajeet Rai from the Unified CPN (Maoist); retired Nepal Army General Balananda Sharma and Shambhuram Simkhada from the Nepali Congress (NC); retired Brigadier General Gopal Singh Bohara and Deepak Prakash Bhatt from CPN-UML; and Rama Nanda Mishra and Sadananda Kurmi from Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF).
APPOINTED: Prof Surya Prasad Subedi as the next UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia, by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.
STAYED: The decision of the Minister of Defense to retire eight brigadier generals of Nepali Army (NA), by the single bench headed by judge Kalyan Shrestha of the Supreme Court (SC).
RELIEVED: The foreign ministry has relieved Nepali envoy to the United Kingdom Murari Sharma from his job.
