ID :
20401
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 11:41
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http://m.oananews.org//node/20401
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Nepal PM Prachanda heads to US, will meet Bush
Shirish B. Pradhan
Kathmandu, Sep 20 (PTI) Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa
Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' Saturday embarked on a five-day U.S.
trip during which he will meet American President George W.
Bush and address the U.N. General Assembly.
Prachanda is to meet Bush to seek American assistance for
redevelopment of his conflict-ravaged nation, despite the
former rebel Maoists remaining in the U.S. terrorist watchlist
even after returning to political mainstream two years ago.
A Foreign Ministry official said a formal invitation has
been received to attend a dinner hosted by President Bush.
Before his departure, the 53-year-old former guerrilla
leader told reporters that he would seek U.S. assistance for
the development of Nepal.
"The international community needs to change their
perspective about Nepal. I am taking a message of a new
republican Nepal to the U.N. general assembly," said the
Maoist supremo who will be accompanied by Foreign Minister
Upendra Yadav and top officials during his trip.
This will be Prachanda's third foreign tour after
assuming power last month. He had visited China during the
Beijing Olympics and travelled to India last week.
Prachanda Saturday held a series of meetings with
political leaders and diplomats, including Indian Ambassador
to Nepal Rakesh Sood and U.N. Special Representative Ian
Martin.
During his meeting with Sood, he discussed the
government's first budget unveiled on Friday and the agreement
signed between Nepal and India for financial assistance.
With Martin, the chief of United Missions in Nepal
(U.N.M.I.N.) that is overseeing the peace process, Prachanda
discussed the country's security management and the process of
the integration of Maoist combatants into the army.
Martin suggested to Prachanda that cantonments where the
Maoist combatants are being sheltered should be properly
managed, local media reported.
Prachanda also met several political leaders, including
Jhalanath Khanal, the General secretary of coalition partner
Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist).
Kathmandu, Sep 20 (PTI) Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa
Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' Saturday embarked on a five-day U.S.
trip during which he will meet American President George W.
Bush and address the U.N. General Assembly.
Prachanda is to meet Bush to seek American assistance for
redevelopment of his conflict-ravaged nation, despite the
former rebel Maoists remaining in the U.S. terrorist watchlist
even after returning to political mainstream two years ago.
A Foreign Ministry official said a formal invitation has
been received to attend a dinner hosted by President Bush.
Before his departure, the 53-year-old former guerrilla
leader told reporters that he would seek U.S. assistance for
the development of Nepal.
"The international community needs to change their
perspective about Nepal. I am taking a message of a new
republican Nepal to the U.N. general assembly," said the
Maoist supremo who will be accompanied by Foreign Minister
Upendra Yadav and top officials during his trip.
This will be Prachanda's third foreign tour after
assuming power last month. He had visited China during the
Beijing Olympics and travelled to India last week.
Prachanda Saturday held a series of meetings with
political leaders and diplomats, including Indian Ambassador
to Nepal Rakesh Sood and U.N. Special Representative Ian
Martin.
During his meeting with Sood, he discussed the
government's first budget unveiled on Friday and the agreement
signed between Nepal and India for financial assistance.
With Martin, the chief of United Missions in Nepal
(U.N.M.I.N.) that is overseeing the peace process, Prachanda
discussed the country's security management and the process of
the integration of Maoist combatants into the army.
Martin suggested to Prachanda that cantonments where the
Maoist combatants are being sheltered should be properly
managed, local media reported.
Prachanda also met several political leaders, including
Jhalanath Khanal, the General secretary of coalition partner
Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist).
