Maoists signed controversial Buddha deal, says Chinese envoy

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Maoists-signed-controversial-Buddha-deal-says-Chinese-envoy/articleshow/9542063.cms

KATHMANDU: A controversial plan by a dark horse Chinese NGO to transform the birthplace of the Buddha into a " Buddhist Vatican", that would also bring the dragon uncomfortably close to the Indian border, could be a gift by Nepal's ruling Maoist party.

The new Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Yang Houlan, tried to downplay the brouhaha over the $3 billion mega project by Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APEC) to develop Lumbini in Nepal's Terai plains, the birthplace of the Buddha, while paying a courtesy call on a Terai party in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Hridayesh Tripathy, an MP from the Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party, told the media soon after the visit that he had broached the controversial subject, mentioning that Nepal's foreign and culture ministries had said they had no clue about the Chinese organisation's plans and would not allow it.

In answer, the Chinese envoy, Tripathy said, replied that APEC had signed a memorandum of understanding with the tourism and civil aviation ministry and it was unfortunate that the other ministries did not know about it. The tourism ministry is headed by Maoist leader Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma. The Chinese envoy also pointed out that Maoist chief and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda was a joint chairman of APEC.

[rug]

1. Interesting.