From: World Tibet News May 25, 1995

KATHMANDU, May 23 (Kyodo). Nepal and China will start road transportation services between the Nepalese capital city Kathmandu and Lhasa, Tibet, next month, the Nepalese Works and Transport Ministry said

Tuesday.

A final decision on opening the services was taken during official talks between the two countries held here this week. A four-member Chinese delegation headed by the deputy director of Tibet's Transportation Department left here for home Tuesday after taking part in the talks.

From the Nepalese side, the state-owned Sajha Corp. will provide bus and truck services along the mountainous road for the first two years, a spokesman of the ministry said.

The spokesman said the road transportation facilities between Nepal and Tibet are expected to help Nepal diversify its trade.

Nepal built a 114-kilometer road linking Kathmandu with Koodari on the Nepal-Tibet border in 1966 with Chinese assistance.

Nepal and China signed an agreement in Beijing last year on opening road transportation between Lhasa and Kathmandu.