US not dropping Maoist terrorist tag any time soon

Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Dec 31 - The United States on Sunday said that it will not be dropping its terrorist tag on the Maoists immediately.

The US Ambassador James F Moriarty, who returned to Nepal after the Christmas holidays, today said that it was not deemed necessary to remove the terrorist tag since "There had been no apparent change in the Maoist activities."

Talking to "I am not sure what they've been doing. The violence is continuing, the intimidation, kidnappings are continuing. If they stop those, then it will be a good time to review the US's policy."

The US has been maintaining that it would not be softening its stance on the Maoists even after the Seven Party Alliance and Maoists signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord on November 21.

Likewise, it had also said that Maoist participation in an interim government could complicate US development assistance, since American law forbids support to terrorist organizations but added that development aid would continue even if it had to be restructured in certain areas.

Top leaders’ meeting ends inconclusive; next meeting tomorrow

The meeting of the top leaders of the seven-party alliance (SPA) and the Maoists has been postponed for Thursday afternoon as the leaders failed to reach consensus on the draft of the interim constitution.

The meeting that started at 4:00 pm at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar ended within two hours. The meeting will resume at 13:00 pm Thursday.

According to Nepali Congress (NC) general secretary Ram Chandra Poudel, some leaders demanded that they should be given a chance to go over the interim constitution draft submitted by the talks teams of the government and the Maoists.

“The leaders would go over the draft before 11:00 am and then sit for discussion at 13:00 pm tomorrow,” he informed.

“The concern that arms management and announcement of interim constitution should go side by side was also discussed at the meeting. The Maoist side argued that the delay in announcing the interim constitution was not because of them,” he said, adding “I’m not sure tomorrow’s meeting takes a concrete decision.”

Another NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC said there were a few theoretical and technical matters, which needed further discussion before the draft of the interim constitution could be finalised.
“There is no serious disagreement. Only a few theoretical and technical matters, and the phrasing of the interim constitution, remain to be decided,” he said informing that tomorrow’s meeting would dwell on these matters.

No top leaders preferred to speak to the media regarding the progress in the talks, or their differences.

Reports meanwhile said the issue of the head of the state and electoral system are some the key areas of dispute between the SPA and the Maoists.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist chairman Prachanda, CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba, Janamorcha Nepal chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Amik Sherchan, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe, Prabhu Narayan Choudhary who chairs the United Left Front chairman participated in the meeting.

Government and Maoist talks teams and central leaders of the eight parties including senior Maoist leaders Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ were also present at the meeting.

UN assessment team arrives

Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Dec 10 - As part of United Nations efforts to help Nepal build on last month’s landmark peace deal, an assessment team arrived in the capital on Sunday for a week-long mission to prepare for a fully-fledged UN operation.

This team will be led by the Secretary-General’s Personal Representative in Nepal, Ian Martin, and will include members of his staff based in Kathmandu as well as officials from Headquarters, with expertise in areas including political and military affairs, logistics and public information.
The UN technical assessment mission will be on the ground in Nepal from till December 16 and that the team will plan for a full-fledged UN mission to support the peace process.

UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Friday that the world body plans are also underway to send further personnel as requested by Nepal to assist with the constituent assembly elections to be held by mid-June next year.

“Recruitment continues for a team of up to 35 advance monitors to be deployed, ahead of a full-fledged mission, to monitor provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We also are proceeding with our efforts to recruit 25 electoral experts to assist in carrying out Constituent Assembly elections,” the spokesman said.

Interim statute, govt after arms management: PM Koirala

Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Dec 10 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Sunday said that the interim statute would not be issued and the Maoists would not be allowed to join the interim government until the rebel arms are locked up.

The Prime Minister made the comments during a tea reception to mark the 58th International Human Rights Day at Sital Niwas today.

"After the arms management, the interim constitution will be issued and the interim government (containing Maoists) will be formed," said PM Koirala talking to media persons. The prime minister also made it clear that the constituent assembly elections would be held by mid-June next year as per the agreement between the government and the Maoists. "The constituent assembly elections will be completed by the month of Jestha next year (mid-June)," Koirala said.

PM Koirala's commitment comes at a time when the delay in the interim constitution and the formation of a new government, which could eventually affect the deadline set to hold the CA elections, have been drawing grave concern.

PM's remarks upsetting: Dr. Bhattarai

Maoist second-in-command Dr Baburam Bhattarai today said that the prime minister's remarks could create a serious problem in the ongoing peace process.

Talking to Kantipur Television, Dr Bhattarai said, "The Prime Minister's comment today has somewhat terrified us (the Maoists)."

He added, "When it is clear that the political issue is more important than arms management, this attempt to entangle the peace process with arms management, has created a serious problem. However, we have tried to resolve all issues through dialogue."

The rebel leader said that if the interim constitution is not finalized and the interim government containing the Maoists is not formed within this week, the constituent assembly elections will be in danger, adding, "The whole peace process could be derailed if the poll is not held within the said time."

He said, "Girija Prasad Koirala's statement has upset the people and made them tenser. We want to request him not to say such things."

Meanwhile, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, at the tea reception hosted by the PM today, said lack of mutual trust between the government and the Maoists has effectively delayed the interim constitution.

Nepali Congress-Democratic President Sher Bahadur Deuba, however, said as "the Maoists' weapon threat still prevails in village areas, the management of arms is necessary first."
Deuba, who recently arrived in the capital after visiting the far western region, expressed his dissatisfaction over "the Maoists' continuation of intimidation and violence in the villages."