Breakthrough on arms issue

By Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU, Oct 31 -

The government and the Maoists have made a breakthrough on the issue of arms management.

"A breakthrough acceptable to the government, the Maoists and also the international community has been reached," said a leader involved in the negotiations.

According to the understanding, all of the rebels' weapons will be stored and locked up in the respective cantonments where the combatants are cantoned, before the Maoists join the interim government. The Maoist leadership will keep the keys to the stores. But the UN will install fixed cameras to monitor the storage and will have the right to make inspections whenever it desires.
The deal also has an element of reciprocity: Equal number of weapons belonging to the Nepali Army will be stored and locked up at the barracks and the UN will inspect these as well. Until the constituent assembly elections takes place, both the Maoist combatants and Nepali Army personnel will be confined within their respective cantonments and barracks.

A cabinet sub-committee, which might potentially evolve into a separate ministry over time, will be formed to take up the issues of restructuring and reform of the Nepali Army, integration of the Maoist combatants into the army and reform of the whole security system. It will also develop a comprehensive plan to "right-size" the army and to rehabilitate the extra combatants from both sides into society.

The breakthrough on arms management came following a similar breakthrough on political issues last week. "Now the top level leaders will review the whole package of agreements and a 'summit meeting' will make the agreements public in a day or two," said the leader.
The leader, however, said the CPN-UML insisted even today that the future of the monarchy should be decided by a national referendum and the cut-off year for settling the citizenship dispute should be 1979. "But we think the UML will give up its stance eventually."

Commission for state restructuring

The parties and the Maoists have also agreed to form a powerful commission that will study and explore the options and modalities on restructuring the Nepali state to make it more inclusive and progressive.

Political agreements

On the political front the leaders have already agreed to form a 23-member interim government in which the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the Maoists will get five ministries each. The rest of the ministries will go to the Nepali Congress (Democratic) and fringe parties.
Similarly, the interim legislature will have 300 members with more or less equal representation for the NC, the CPN-UML and the Maoists. The NC, CPN-UML and other parties will nominate all the sitting lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the upper house to the new legislature.

Likewise, the Constituent Assembly (CA) will have 425 members. 205 members will be elected from the current constituencies and the parties will nominate 204 members in proportion to the popular vote they garner in the CA elections. The prime minister will nominate the remaining 16 members. The parties have agreed to decide the future of the monarchy through the first meeting of the constituent assembly. Posted on: 2006-10-30 22:06:00 (Server Time)

Deuba optimistic about success of upcoming peace talks

Kantipur Report

BHAKTAPUR, Oct 23 - Nepali Congress-Democratic President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Monday said that the upcoming peace talks between the government and the Maoists will resolve all the issues.

The peace talks between the two sides are scheduled to be held after the Tihar festival. Speaking at function held to mark the beginning of the new year of Nepal Sambat 1127 in Bhaktapur today, Deuba said that the unity between the seven parties is must to help succeed the peace talks.

Stating that it needs more exercise to part the Maoists from their weapon, Deuba said that the problem would not budge if the Maoists refuse to relinquish their arms.

Deuba expressed his concern over statements floated by some of the key leaders and added that the peace talks should not be given up without reaching a conclusion.

Prachanda assures Madi victims of relief package; addresses his military in Chitwan

Prachanda met with residents of Madi of Chitwan as well as relatives of victims who were killed or injured during tragic bombing of a passenger bus by the Maoist cadres one and a half year ago.

He assured them of providing a relief package. Prachanda, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur Thapa aka Badal went to Phulbari VDC – which is 40 km to the east of Bharatpur – where the Maoists had invited the victims on Friday. The Maoist leaders met with the victims for around two hours and assured them of short and long term relief package.

There were around 30 people who represented the victims of the bombing. They put forth nine-point demand including the immediate public disclosure of the culprits who bombed the bus; action against them; medical relief to the injured; provision of scholarship for higher studies to the children of victims; and building a memorial on the site of the bombing, among others. During the bus bombing in Bandarmudhe area of Madi (Chitwan district), 39 civilians were killed and six dozen injured. Prachanda has said that Madi incident was one of the greatest mistakes by his party.

Earlier on the day, Maoist chairman Prachanda accused that international forces were trying to compel Maoists to abandon arms. Addressing Basu Smriti 4th Brigade of the People's Liberation Army in Bhandara of Chitwan district, Prachanda said his party was currently in the forefront working to make the peace process successful. Stating that the Maoist army was ever ready for nation's protection, Prachanda directed his party workers to exercise restraint and patience. He also met with intellectuals, teachers and business representatives of Chitwan today. Prachanda had arrived in Chitwan to attend the 5th national convention of Maoists' peasant wing.

nepalnews.com sd Oct 21 06

Peace process still fragile: Arbour

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, Oct 20 - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, in her report on Nepal to the General Assembly Wednesday, warned that the ongoing peace process is "still fragile" and any setback to it risks a potentially devastating impact on the human rights situation.

The report has urged the parties to ensure that human rights remain central to the peace process in order to ensure that sustainable peace is secured.

The report - which has documented human rights violations over the months preceding the April movement and during and after it - has implicated the government and Maoists, as well as other armed groups, in committing human rights violations even after the ceasefire declaration.
"A major improvement in the human rights situation was observed immediately after the establishment of the new government," said the report, presented to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) of the 192-member General Assembly. "The current improvements remain fragile and any setback to the peace process risks a negative and potentially devastating impact on the human rights situation."

For peace to be sustainable in Nepal, the report said, "human rights must underpin the peace process throughout".

Arbour's report said tackling the climate of impunity remains the "single-most difficult human rights challenge".

The report has held all branches of security forces responsible for excessive use of force. It also said the pattern of long-term disappearances which dominated previous years ended during 2005. "There are, however, many challenges remaining with regard to upholding and strengthening respect for human rights… including ongoing violations and impunity."
The report has also urged the concerned bodies to empower the National Human Rights Commission, which is the "single largest human rights monitoring presence" in Nepal.
Another aspect seriously raised in the report is the weakness or absence of law enforcement and systems for administration of justice, which has deprived the people of fundamental public services. "...the state lacks the capacity or at times the will to undertake law enforcement and judicial functions… The security vacuum risks being filled… through communities taking justice into their own hands."

Despite the ceasefire in place, according to the report, continuing abuses by the CPN-Maoist - including abductions, ill-treatment, killings and child recruitment - and violations by the police and the Nepal Army are documented. "Despite the ceasefire, dozens of children - including some as young as 12 - were reportedly recruited in PLA and militia activities."

Such abuses, which undermine commitments given by the parties to respect human rights, must be ended, said the report. It has also rapped the rebels for continuing with forced collection of tax and donations.

The report has said two other armed groups -- Terai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha and vigilantes -- have violated civilian rights.

According to the Nepal mission in New York, general discussions on the agenda items will take place next week and Nepal will then post its reply to Arbour's concerns.

Keep peace process focused on HR: OHCHR report

BY TILAK P. POKHAREL

KATHMANDU, Oct 19 - In her report to the United Nations General Assembly, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has urged the Nepal government and the Maoists to keep the human rights agenda at the center of the ongoing peace process.

According to a reliable source at the UN, Arbour is expected to present the "Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Human Rights Situation and Activities of her office including technical cooperation to Nepal" at the General Assembly on Wednesday (Thursday according to Nepal standard time).

The 19-page report has "good paragraphs on impunity, accountability and disappearances", the source said Wednesday. "It (the report) really focuses on the peace process with human rights [concerns] at the center."

The source added that Arbour's report has urged the parties in the peace process to focus on respecting human rights while their negotiations are under way. The report will be made public after Arbour presents it in the General Assembly.

In a similar report last year - the first extensive report since the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was set up in Nepal in May 2005, the UN office had said that Nepal, under King Gyanendra's autocratic rule, had been experiencing "a grave human rights crisis". Last year's report had also implicated state authorities and Maoist rebels in "widespread human rights violations", besides recognizing vigilante groups as significant contributors to the armed conflict.

Recently, OHCHR expressed concern over inaction on alleged disappearance and possible extra-judicial killing of at least 49 persons by the army. Instead, the army on Monday dismissed the UN allegations.

Likewise, OHCHR said in a report on September 25 that the rebels had killed at least 16 persons since the ceasefire declaration in April, besides committing other fundamental rights violations against civilians.

Posted on: 2006-10-18 21:15:28 (Server Time)

Maoists must abandon arms before joining interim government, says an Indian analyst

The Maoists cannot join the interim government as a guerrilla organization, rather they must abandon arms before doing so, says a leading Indian analyst, retired General Ashok Mehta. Mehta, who is a frequent commentator on Nepalese situation, accused the Maoists of "shifting goalposts."

Talking to BBC Nepali Service on Wednesday, Mehta said New Delhi could still play the role of a 'facilitator' to help peace process in Nepal just like it did when bringing the 12-point pact between the SPA and the Maoists to fruition last November.

The former commander of Gurkha forces in Indian Army, Mehta said "there were still lack of confidence and trust" between SPA and the Maoists.

Mehta said that during recent trip to New Delhi, Ian Martin, Tamrat Samuel (UN officials) and Indian ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee focused their consultations on the issue of "arms management."

When asked about India's current position on Nepal, Mehta said that New Delhi has stopped stating the twin pillar theory of multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy. "Now, India has said that it will respect the decision of Nepali people through constituent assembly about the status of monarchy," he said.

Mehta also added that peace process anywhere is a time-consuming affair. He gave examples of Northern Ireland or Sudan or Rwanda where it took years for the peace process to complete. "It has just been six months in Nepal. There should not be any haste," he added.

Maoist leader invited by NRN to London

Six political leaders including spokesperson of the Maoists Krishna Bahadur Mahara have been invited to London by the Non Resident Nepalis (NRN) community in the United Kingdom.
According to Nepal Samacharpatra daily, Mahara is expected to elaborate about Maoists' economic policy and foreign investment during his London stay.

Mahara as well as Nepali Congress (NC) general secretary Ram Chandra Poudel, leader of Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and Speaker Subas Nemwang, NC (Democratic) leader Dr. Minendra Rijal, central member of People's Front Nepal Shashi Shrestha and Janajati leader Dr. Om Gurung will leave for London on Friday.

The leaders will take part in three programs to be hosted by NRN community in London between October 21-23. The leaders would also visit Germany and Belgium and attend NRN meetings there.

nepalnews.com sd Oct 19 06

Nepal: Precarious Premise Of Peacemaking

The two factors supposedly holding back the breakthrough that was so tantalizingly close – the monarchy and Maoist arms – have brought out the painful predicaments of peacemaking.......

By Sanjay Upadhya

The grins, quips and all the other breezy displays of optimism surrounding the post-Dasain phase of the peace process have dissolved in the somberness of the indefinite postponement of the Seven Party Alliance (SPA)-Maoist talks.

Given the murkiness of the enterprise, however, another phase of ebullience and enthusiasm could bounce back with surprising speed. The “homework” hiatus should afford the country an opportunity to reflect on the predicaments on both sides.

For the Maoists, blaming the palace and foreign powers for conspiring to keep them out of power would help energize the base and thwart the prospect of serious discontent over the political leadership’s capitulation to the machinations of the mainstream.

When the rebels continue to ascribe to the palace the ability to torpedo the peace process, they are virtually negating the finality of the “historic” proclamation the House of Representatives adopted in May. Yet the SPA – at least the sections of the two Nepali Congress parties that seem to be propelling the ruling alliance – does not seem too bothered.

The Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and the other communist constituents may be too busy protecting their own turfs against the imminent influx of their more radical cousins to challenge Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s deepening affection for the monarchy. The mainstream communists, like the republican wing of the Nepali Congress, have evidently recognized the asset a sufficiently and certifiably tamed palace could prove to be.

Providing revolutionary ardor to Prithvi Narayan Shah’s famous counsel, the Maoists describe Nepal as a dynamite between two boulders. The yam metaphor of the first Shah king may have contained traces of weakness – as the Maoists allege -- but it still pulsated with a quest for life. The two factors supposedly holding back the breakthrough that was so tantalizingly close – the monarchy and Maoist arms – have brought out the painful predicaments of peacemaking. The government’s annoyance with the Maoists eagerness to maintain simultaneous access to their arms and political power – in defiance of international pressure – is understandable.

No less so is the Maoists’ bafflement over the government’s refusal to “suspend” the monarchy, when, for all practical purposes, the House proclamation has already done that.

Introspection is in order. Considering the approaching anniversary, it should begin with the 12-point SPA-Maoist accord reached in New Delhi last year. The reality that the accord stands on flimsier ground than the 1951 Delhi Compromise rests not on the absence of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the preponderant player.

The real distinguishing feature is that Jawaharlal Nehru represented India far more credibly than the current Congress premier – and perhaps any future leader of the world’s most populous democracy – can expect to.

The fragility of the peace process becomes more ominous when Maoist chief ideologue Dr. Baburam Bhattarai praises India for facilitating the accord and then blames it for conspiring to keep the rebels out of power, almost in the same breath. If the adroit hair-splitter is making a distinction between those in the Indian Left who mediated the talks with the SPA and the “official sources” who leaked reports to the media that Indian intelligence agencies were “chaperoning” him around New Delhi, then he needs to be more explicit about those negotiations.

The question is, can he? When UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal traveled to Lucknow in November 2003 to meet with Prachanda and Dr. Bhattarai, there was palpable mix of outrage and embarrassment in both sides of the border over the ease with which the leader of the opposition could meet “terrorists” on Indian soil.

Those sentiments obscured the more relevant story: Dr. Bhattarai’s candid acknowledgement that the Maoists, like any other political organization in Nepali history, could not advance their objectives by criticizing India. The Indians, for their part, must be equally baffled by how the Maoists, who have vowed to launch massive peaceful urban protests in case the talks fail, could still keep their broader pledge to turn South Asia into a flaming field of Maoist revolutions.”
Such fiery rhetoric cannot obscure the flexibility behind the Maoists’ growth. An organization that took up arms against both the monarchy and parliamentary democracy – more vigorously against the latter until the June 1, 2001 royal palace massacre – has now allied with one.
A 40-point list of grievances heavily targeted against India has now been distilled into diatribe against the 238-year-old monarchy. The obfuscation and prevarication that has gone into justifying such shifts are not helpful. Yet the Maoists persist.

Providing revolutionary ardor to Prithvi Narayan Shah’s famous counsel, the Maoists describe Nepal as a dynamite between two boulders. The yam metaphor of the first Shah king may have contained traces of weakness – as the Maoists allege -- but it still pulsated with a quest for life.
The notion of self-destruction – and its wider devastation -- inherent in the dynamite analogy may not have alarmed many Nepalis. The international community has taken notice. No wonder U.N. General Assembly members on Monday refused to be taken in by the peace-and-democracy platform in Nepal campaign for a two-year seat on the Security Council.

(Upadhya is a political commentator and analyst currently based in the US and can be reached at supa62@yahoo.com . This article has been reproduced here courtesy http://www.scoop.co.nz/ )

Govt-Maoists struggle to reach deal, talks postponed indefinitely

KATHMANDU, Oct 15 - The much-awaited high-level talks between the seven-party alliance (SPA) government and the Maoist rebels have failed to reach any agreement on the position of the monarch and arms management, among other contents for the interim constitution but both the sides agreed to postpone the talks indefinitely.
The talks, which began at the prime minister's residence, Baluwatar at around 5 p.m., some three hours after the stipulated time, ended within a few minutes after the "formal meeting" between the SPA and Maoist top leaders on Sunday. PM Girija Prasad Koirala informed about the postponement of the talks after several informal meetings between the leaders.
According to sources, the talks couldn’t proceed after the four major political parties that include the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, NC-D and CPN-Maoist failed to reach a consensus on the arms management issue.
The government, in the meeting, had asked the rebels to lay down all their arms, while the Maoists insisted that they would put their arms and armies in the cantonment areas and put away "only a few" of their weapons. The Maoists put forward a new proposal that the Nepali Army should also lay down its arms if the government wants the Maoists to do so, sources said.
The government wants the weapons separated from the Maoist People's Liberation Army men so as to ensure that the Maoists do not have their personal army while in the interim administration. But the Maoists strongly object to the SPA proposal.
The Maoists have also been saying that they are ready to lock up their weapons provided the SPA agrees to declare a republic state in the interim statute or make a written commitment to go for the republican setup after the constituent assembly elections.
The leaders who attended the meeting said that PM Koirala would summon the next meeting after consulting with the other parties.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda with his talks team members had entered the talks venue after nearly one and a half hours.
The meeting discussed the finalization of the interim constitution, role of the monarchy in the interim period and arms management.
Meanwhile, the Maoists have said that the talks were postponed after the SPA and the rebels failed to reach any conclusion on the crucial issues, which were debated during today's sitting at Baluwatar.
"There are some crucial issues including arms management and the position of the king for which both sides need to reach an agreement," coordinator of the Maoist talks team Krishna Bahadur Mahara told ekantipur.
He, however, said that discussions are underway and the summit talks would "soon agree on a political package."
"We (the Maoists) have stressed on the political package which includes all contents of the interim constitution," Mahara said.
Likewise, Pradeep Gyawali, a member of the government negotiating team said that the talks were postponed after both sides still needed to undertake adequate homework on the contentious political issues.
This is the fourth sitting of the top brass leaders of the SPA and the Maoists in a week in an attempt to hammer out a peace deal, which is expected to open the door for the rebels, who launched a decade-old insurgency, to join the mainstream politics.
Last Tuesday, the SPA and the Maoists agreed to hold the constituent assembly elections, which will rewrite a new constitution permanently.
'Postponement of talks not unnatural'
Meanwhile, veteran political science teacher Dr. Lok Raj Baral said that the postponement of the summit talks was not unnatural, as a common stance on several issues among the eight parties who have their own party positions has to be reached.
"It's clear that there are several issues which have remained controversial among the seven parties. It takes time for them (SPA and the Maoists) to have a common view on the serious issues," he said.
Baral also said that there was no alternative left for the eight parties but to reach a consensus in order to create a political way out.

Prachanda meets PM, seeks common stance

Prachanda meets PM, seeks common stance
KATHMANDU, Oct 14 - As part of the ongoing homework to explore a common stance between the ruling alliance and Maoists on the issues of monarchy, interim statute and arms management, Maoist chairman Prachanda and second-in-command Dr Baburam Bhattarai met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Saturday.
The meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence at Baluwatar this evening, was aimed at preparing a framework of consensus on major contentious issues in the ongoing talks, a senior minister said.
"The informal talks have so far been positive in achieving a common view on several political issues," said Pradeep Gyawali, a member of the government talks team and Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation.
Gyawali said that the fourth session of the ongoing second round of the summit talks between the ruling seven-party alliance (SPA) and Maoists to be held on Sunday is likely to yield a consensus on "some" of the prickly political issues.
Earlier on Thursday, the summit talks had been postponed for Sunday, as the two sides could not reach any agreement on any of the contentious issues.
"The meeting between our Chairman Prachanda and PM Koirala was focused on how to prepare a conceptual framework for the consensus we are going to derive during the next summit talks," Dev Gurung, member of the Maoist negotiating team told ekantipur.
Gurung said the negotiating teams of both sides will start working on the nitty-gritty of the issues once a general framework is prepared by top leaders.
He, however, said that no agreement has been reached on any of the political issues so far.
All sides in the negotiations are engaged in internal homework for the next summit talks slated for Sunday.
The top leaders on Thursday had adjourned their meeting until Sunday to carry out extensive homework and develop common positions on contentious issues.
On Tuesday, the seven-party alliance (SPA) government and the Maoists agreed to hold the constituent assembly elections, which will rewrite the country's constitution permanently, by mid-June next year.
Senior rebel commanders in capital
The Maoists too including their senior leaders held an internal meeting in preparation for tomorrow's peace talks.
According to a Maoist source, senior commanders of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the Maoists too, who were hitherto in different districts, have joined their senior leaders to hold discussions in the preparatory meeting for Sunday's peace talks.
The source also said, tomorrow's peace talks will concentrate on completion of the interim constitution and resolving arms management issues.
On Tuesday, the seven-party alliance (SPA) government and the Maoists agreed to hold the constituent assembly elections, which will rewrite the country's constitution permanently, by mid-June next year.

Peace Committee begins discussions on peace accord

KATHMANDU, Oct 13 - Discussions on a peace pact to be signed between the SPA government and the Maoists began Friday.
Members of the Peace Committee formed to assist the ongoing peace process in a meeting discussed the pact today, said co-ordinator of the Peace Committee, Ram Chandra Poudel. "We have begun discussions today and will submit the draft to the government within a few days," he said.
The committee has already submitted its draft pacts on human rights and the ceasefire.
The meeting also discussed the ongoing peace talks between the SPA government and the Maoists.
The 10-member Peace Committee comprises leaders of 10 political parties including the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.

Significant progress in summit talks, says Prachanda; asks all to remain optimistic
KATHMANDU, Oct 12 - Maoist Chairman Prachanda on Thursday said that the ongoing high-level peace talks between the seven-party alliance (SPA) government and the Maoists were progressing significantly and asked everybody to remain optimistic about a positive outcome when the two sides meet next on Sunday (Oct 15).
"Today's talks were very positive. Learning from past experiences, we are seriously trying to take a mature decision instead of deciding in haste," said the Maoist supremo, adding, "Though today's talks ended quickly, the homework with the government has created a positive environment."
In an exclusive live interview with Kantipur Television after the end of Thursday's session of the summit talks, Prachanda also said that today's SPA-Maoist meeting was "qualitatively better" than the previous two sittings, adding that both the SPA and the Maoists were serious about a positive outcome.
"Though an agreement is yet to be reached, discussions have been held on all major issues with a view to conclude the talks positively," Prachanda said, "We hope that a positive outcome will come out after the interaction (between the SPA and the Maoists) in the next two days."
"We are saying the talks have been positive because the discussions on all crucial issues including the issue of monarchy, management of arms and armies, interim constitution, interim legislature, interim government, fixing dates for constituent assembly polls and its modalities have been positive," Prachanda said.
The spirit of the ongoing talks is to settle the issues of interim constitution-legislature-government by mid-November, he added.
"We are aware about the people's desperation for peace and progressive change…I appeal to everyone to remain convinced about the positive efforts being made for the success of the talks, and at the same time, keep raising voices in a positive way for a new conclusion by October 15," Prachanda said.
He, however, ruled out rumours that he had already reached a "secret agreement" during his informal meeting with PM Koirala, NC-D President Sher Bahadur Deuba, and UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, held at the PM's Residence prior to today's summit talks.
Saying that his party was constantly showing more and more flexibility to resolve the crisis, Prachanda also asserted that the Maoists were ready to lock up all kinds of arms in their possession under an agreement with the UN "if all the eight parties decide for a republic through the constituent assembly."

PM Koirala says govt-Maoist joint letter to UN today

KATHMANDU, Aug 9

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala assured a civil society delegation Tuesday that a joint letter to the United Nations would be sent by Wednesday, according to a civil society leader.
"There are only minor differences [between the government and the Maoists] over the issue of sending a joint letter to the UN," Koirala told the delegation, said prominent civil society leader Dr. Devendra Raj Panday. "It [the differences] will be bridged."
The prime minister also said that the letter would be sent on Wednesday.
A UN assessment mission had returned to New York last week virtually empty-handed after the government and the Maoists couldn't come up with a common understanding on managing Maoist arms with possible UN assistance.
Koirala, however, couldn't convince the civil society leaders over his controversial remark about giving political space to the king. "We didn't get a convincing answer in this regard," Dr. Panday said.
The seven-member delegation of the Citizens' Movement for Democracy and Peace (CMDP) had handed him a memorandum demanding, among other things, implementation of the eight-point agreement and the ceasefire Code of Conduct in letter and spirit.
Earlier, various members of civil society had marched about a kilometer to get to the PM's official residence and hand over the memorandum.
The memorandum has also demanded the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR) as agreed in the eight-point pact.
"As you are well aware, we citizens were forced to take to the streets earlier also when there were direct indications of undermining the aspirations of the people," the memorandum said. "However, the time to lead the peace talks to a logical end hasn't lapsed as yet," it suggested.
The memorandum has also demanded action against army officers involved in suppressing the peaceful demonstrations in April. It has sought immediate announcement of dates for the constituent assembly elections.
Posted on: 2006-08-08 21:21:53 (Server Time)

ICDC to submit proposed constitution

KATHMANDU, Aug 9 - The Interim Constitution Draft Committee (ICDC) is set to submit its draft constitution to the talks teams by Wednesday evening.
In spite of repetitive requests to the parties and Maoists, since none could arrive at common consensus on the issues of interim legislature, constituent assembly process, arms management and other political issues, the ICDC decided to submit the draft constitution handing over these issues to be resolved by the talks teams themselves.
A member of the ICDC Sindhu Nath Pyakurel informed that though decision on some issues were still due to be made, preparations were on to submit the draft constitution to the talks teams by today evening. However he didn't clarify the unresolved issues. The committee has mentioned that there would be a "single-house" interim legislature, in the draft constitution. However, it does not detail on its infrastructure and the number of members that it comprises. Similarly, it is known that only theoretical aspects of interim government and constituent assembly structure and process are included in the draft constitution.
In the proposed constitution, the state of the monarch is left as it is for now with a provision that the final verdict on this would be made by people themselves through constituent assembly elections.
Posted on: 2006-08-09 01:56:14 (Server Time)

Goverment asks UN mission to extend stay

BY TILAK P. POKHAREL

Staffan de Mistura, (L) head of the high-level UN assessment team,

turns to speak to the media after meeting PM Girija Prasad Koirala

at his residence in Kathmandu on Monday

KATHMANDU, Aug 1 - As the government and the Maoists haven't been able to reach a common understanding on the kind of support they will seek from the UN, the government Monday requested the high-level UN mission currently in Nepal to extend its stay.
During his meeting with the UN mission, Deputy Prime Minister Amik Sherchan requested the mission to extend its stay in Nepal so that the government and the Maoists may have more time to agree on a common understanding.
"They repeated that [three-day ultimatum given by the team yesterday to the government and the Maoists to come up with a common understanding on arms] even today, warning that they should return [empty-handed] if nothing comes up within this period," Sherchan said, after holding a meeting with the team.
He said he will talk to the prime minister and the other parties to concentrate on the UN ultimatum, setting aside all prescheduled programs for today.
Upset about dillydallying on the part of the government and the Maoists towards coming up with a common understanding on arms management, the chief of the mission, Staffan de Mistura, had warned yesterday that "an occasion" to get UN help could be missed. He had given three days' time to arrive at such an understanding.
Posted on: 2006-07-31 21:36:14 (Server Time)

Don't hamper talks, DPM Oli tells Maoists

KATHMANDU, June 3 -
Deputy Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Saturday requested the Maoists not to hamper the talks process.

Referring to past incidents of Maoists hampering negotiations, Deputy PM urged them to abide by the code of conduct and not to put unnecessary blame on the government.
"The intention of having a secular state is not to disregard Hinduism but to show respect to all religious beliefs," he said at a programme in the capital today.
He warned everybody not to politicize religion.
Oli's remarks come after the Maoist talks team's coordinator Krishna Bahadur Mahara recently said that the next round of talks would discuss the political roadmap also suggesting that the Maoists might demand the dissolving of the reinstated House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Member of the government negotiating team and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Pradip Gyawali today said that the government would not put forward any precondition that would create impediments to the ongoing peace parleys.
An alternative could be sought for the systematic management of the Maoist's "People's Liberation Army," and the present government is ready for working together with the Maoists toward that end, state-owned Rastriya Samachar Samiti quoted Minister Gyawali as saying at a press conference in Rajbiraj today.
"The government would not leave any stone unturned for giving the peace process a logical end," he said, adding that a reliable international monitoring committee needs to be formed for the purpose of the management of Maoists' weapons.
Separately, Speaker of the HoR Subash Nemwang today said that the reinstated House is yet to guarantee the rights of the people. The constitution of 1990 could not represent women, ethnic minorities and backward classes, said the Speaker stressing the fact that there is no alternative to elections to the Constituent Assembly (CA).
Speaking at a programme in the capital Nemwang said that elections to the CA is the most important national agenda since the Maoists' agenda meets it.
"Only the constitution made by the people can represent their interests fairly," Nemwang said. At the function, Speaker Nemwang and Sitaram Tamang, an ethnic minority leader, were felicitated.

Govt-Maoist talks:

Both sides agree on 25-point Code of Conduct

HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE: The government (right) and Maoist (left)

negotiating teams pose for a photograph during the first round of

preliminary talks at Gokarna Resort, Kathmandu, on Friday.
(Photo: Narendra Shrestha )

KATHMANDU, May 26 - At the end of the first day the government-Maoist peace talks, both sides have agreed on a 25-point Code of Conduct to go for the constituent assembly elections.
The talks ended at 10:15 p.m. after more than six hours of closed-door negotiations between the two parties at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort in Kathmandu on Friday.
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Krishna Bahadur Mahara, heads of the government and the Maoist negotiating teams respectively signed the Code of Conduct.
The 12-point understanding reached between the seven-party alliance (SPA) was also discussed during the negotiations today.
Both sides also agreed to hold another round of talks after reaching the agreement today.
However, no date has been set for the next round of talks.
During today's negotiations, both sides agreed to invite national and international teams to monitor the ceasefire. They also agreed not make any public statement or to undertake any activity that would provoke each other.
In the Code of Conduct, both sides have agreed, among others, to stop new recruitments in their armies and create for the environment to run regular educational institutions, hospitals and industries.
The government and the Maoists also agreed on ending the forceful collection of donations and financial assistance.
"We don't want to return to war again," said Mahara after the meeting.
He added, "This (talks) is the first step towards achieving our goal of a constituent assembly election."
Home Minister Sitaula said that the dialogue was held in a constructive environment.
"Now no Nepali will have to spill blood to for the reasons of an armed conflict," said Sitaula.
The government on Thursday had given full shape to its team headed by Home Minister Sitaula and formally called the Maoists for negotiations while the Maoist preparatory talks team headed by the party spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara had arrived in Kathmandu last week; another member Dev Gurung arrived on Thursday.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda has already said that he would lead the rebel negotiating team after the preparatory negotiations are held with the current teams.
Posted on: 2006-05-26 10:34:18 (Server Time)

Govt recalls ambassadors to 12 countries; annuls political appointments after Oct.4 royal move
Kantipur Report

Special advisor of the UN Department for Political Affairs,

Samuel Tamrat (second from left) meets Deputy Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli

at the latter's office in Singha Durbar. Also seen in the picture are

UN Resident Representative to Nepal, Matthew Kahane

(extreme right) and OHCHR-Nepal chief Ian Martin (extreme left)

KATHMANDU, May 7 - Annulling all the political appointments made by the previous governments after October 4, 2002, the government Sunday decided to recall Nepal's ambassadors to 12 countries.
The ambassadors of India, United Kingdom, United States of America, Japan, Russia, France, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Pakistan were recalled.
The decision to this effect was taken by the cabinet meeting held at the residence of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala this evening.
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula read out the government announcement following the two-hour-long meeting today.
This decision will affect all the political appointments to various corporations and state-owned institutions made by three governments after October 4, 2002 royal takeover.
Meanwhile, the government also formed a committee headed by Dr. Sudha Sharma, president of Nepal Medical Association, to recommend further treatment for those who were injured during the pro-democracy movement.
The recalled envoys are:

Karna Dhwoj Adhikari India
Kedar Bhakta Shrestha USA
Prabal Shumsher Rana UK
Narendra Raj Pandey China
Pushkar Man Singh Rajbhandari Pakistan
Rameshananda Baidya Japan
General Prajwalla Shumsher Rana France
Hiranya Lal Shrestha Russia
Shyamananda Suman Qatar
Abullaish ThakuraiSaudi Arabia
General Tara Bahadur Thapa Thailand
Victry Shumsher Rana Myanmar

Posted on: 2006-05-07 07:55:19 (Server Time)

Government annouces truce,.......

Journalists take part in a rally organized to mark

World Press Freedom Day in the capital on Wednesday

Govt announces truce, withdraws Red Corner Notice, terrorist tag on Maoists, annuls municipal elections
Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, May 3 - Reciprocating the Maoist announcement of a three-month-long ceasefire, the government on Wednesday evening withdrew the Red Corner Notice and removed the “terrorist” tag labelled on the Maoists.
The government’s move comes at a time when the reinstated House of Representatives unanimously passed PM Koirala’s motion to hold constituent assembly elections to write a new constitution.
Constituent assembly is one of the major demands of the seven-party alliance and the Maoists, who reached a 12-point understanding on November 22, last year.
PM Koirala while addressing the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed ministers at Singha Durbar said yesterday that the government would work as per the agendas of the alliance and the 12-point understanding reached between the SPA and the Maoists.
The government took the decision after holding a two-and-a half-hour-long formal meeting of the newly formed Cabinet at Singha Durbar today.
Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli read out the government decision.
Announcing a three-month-long ceasefire, Maoist Chairman Prachanda on April 27, said the truce was for facilitating the ongoing “people’s struggle” for a constituent assembly and a democratic republic “so as to lead the struggle to a historic conclusion” and for encouraging the parliamentary political parties to announce an unconditional constituent assembly.
The government also annulled the municipal elections conducted by the royal government recently.
With the major political parties boycotting the Feb.8 municipal polls conducted by the royal government, the turnout of voters was very poor—less than 21 percent of the total voters across the country.
The government also cancelled the appointment of regional and zonal administrators appointed by the royal government.
Tightening his grip on power, King Gyanendra on April 11, 2005 had appointed five regional administrators for the country's five development regions and 14 zonal administrators to replace bureaucrats.
Posted on: 2006-05-03 06:33:43 (Server Time)

Ram Bahadur Bhandari

Q & A with Ram Bahadur Bhandari

KATUNJE, 1 May 2006 (IRIN)

For the last 10 years, Nepal’s Maoist rebels have been waging an armed struggle to end the monarchy and establish a communist state in the Himalayan kingdom. King Gyanendra assumed absolute power on 1 February 2005 in frustration at the government’s inability to contain the rebellion that has cost the lives of at least 13,000 Nepalese. Last week the king announced an end to direct rule and reinstated parliament following days of protest throughout the country organized by the seven main opposition parties and the Maoists. The rebels, who have declared a three-month ceasefire, have now been invited to put down their weapons and join the political process. Senior Maoist leader Ram Bahadur Bhandari, based in the remote rebel-controlled village of Katunje, 150 km west of the capital Kathmandu, spoke exclusively to IRIN about where his movement, now at a critical crossroads, goes from here.

QUESTION: Are you optimistic that a political resolution to Nepal’s crisis is now possible?

ANSWER: Our main point is that if the seven party alliance leaders use us only as a weapon against the king, then we will continue with our political struggle to liberate the Nepalese people from all forms of repression.

Q: So, Nepalese civilians will have to endure more violence?

A: Not anymore. Since the repressive king is not ruling anymore, we shall continue in the most peaceful means. If there had been violence on our part then it was just to counter the violence penetrated by the repressive regime.

Q: What challenges do you foresee if you are to enter mainstream politics?

A: Our main goals have been to form an interim government with the presence of our Maoist party. The representatives of this government will be elected by the Nepalese people and the representatives will form a new constitution leading the way to forming a complete people’s democracy. Once they are achieved, there will no difficult challenges at all.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for confidence-building measures between Maoists and the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA)?

A: First of all, the ceasefire should be used to start the process of forming a new national army for Nepal. Both the Maoists and seven political parties should be working together to form that by merging both the RNA and PLA [Maoists’ People’s Liberation Army]. Most importantly, we need a trustworthy and reliable international body like the United Nations to help in managing that to make the merger possible. There is danger of another war if both armies are kept separately.

Q: What guarantees can you give civilians that their human rights will be respected in what could be a new era of understanding in Nepal?

A: We not only condemn such human rights abuses but also work to promote humanitarian and human rights. Of course, there have been violations on our part, also through torture to extract information. But we have firm belief that we have to respect international human rights laws. We have to be more answerable if we are to be an influential force. If we are to earn the trust of the international community, then we have to follow international human rights standards. And we will not forget that.

Q: Several reports suggest that over 100,000 Nepalese are reported to be displaced as a result of your insurgency. Do you have plans to assist these people back to where they used to live?

A: I don’t think we should be totally blamed for all the displaced population. There were many false reports that many fled out of our fear and intimidation but that is not true. We had only taken action against those involved in anti-social crimes. Of course, there were innocent villagers who were displaced due to some of our own cadres but we had taken action against those involved in hurting innocent civilians and getting rid them from their own homes. We have also gone around apologizing to such people on behalf of our members involved in such activities like targeting innocent people. But no matter what the cause, we are ready to integrate all of them back to their homes, which we have been doing in the past also.

Q: What about those innocent men, women and children who have been killed in the insurgency?

A: Our intention had never been to target innocent civilians but to target the elements of our enemies. Our main goals have also never been to kill RNA soldiers or the police. But if they came as shields of the regressive state force, they became the targets. If civilians get killed, it also breaks our heart and affects us very badly. What do we gain by killing innocent people? We know such deaths lose us support.

Q: Many NGO and development workers say they have been prevented from working by Maoist cadres. Can you say that your movement is going to promote development work in areas you control?

A: We have promoted the idea that even during war, development work should continue. But it is really disappointing to hear that several NGOs are blaming us for their activities not taking place. We have never said we are against development work. You find that some international media and some politically motivated organizations have been spreading false rumors that we are against development and that we favor violence. We have been accused of destroying roads, bombing schools and health clinics. Why not ask all the local and international NGOs how they have been so successfully working and implementing their projects without any problems even in our core areas? Besides, we have always welcomed aid agencies to invest in Nepal as much as they can without worrying about us.

Prime Minister designate Girija Prasad Koirala talks to Sitaram Yechury, politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) at the former’s residence at Maharajgunj, Kathmandu on Saturday. Koirala, who has still not sworn in due to ill-health, is scheduled to take the oath of office on Sunday.
(Photo: Narendra Shrestha )

Admiration from abroad

Kathmandu braces for more high profile visits

By John Narayan Parajuli

WASHINGTON DC, April 29 - With Nepal’s parliament restored, foreign diplomats have resumed their pending visits to Nepal to normalize the relationship that came under sever strain during King Gyanendra’s direct rule. Besides political support, these visits are likely to bring much needed economic aid to help Nepal cushion the effects of the insurgency.
U.S. assistant secretary for south and central Asia Richard Boucher is arriving in Kathmandu on May 2 to assess the situation following the King’s climb-down.
“We would like to have a normal relationship with Nepal across the board,” said Boucher, during a roundtable discussion with journalists before leaving Washington, “including a normal relationship with the army.”
The U.S. could resume military supplies if the new government requests.
“We'll look at all those things, and we'll' look at all those things based on what a democratic, what a civilian government, what a new Prime Minister is looking for from the United States,” he said.
Boucher will asses the needs of Nepal’s new government and is likely to announce a package soon, according to sources.
Similarly, the Norwegians are also gearing up to extend their support to the new government and the process of democratization in Nepal. Erik Solheim, Norway’s Minister for International Development is arriving in Kathmandu on May 2 for a four-day visit. Solheim’s visit is expected to provide a push to the prospects of talks between the government and the Maoists.
“Nepal is facing major political, economic and social challenges. Norway wants to help resolve these [issues] in consultation with the new government, the political parties and civil society,” Solheim said in a statement. “We hope these efforts will also help to pave the way for negotiations with the Maoists and resolution of the armed conflict.”
Solheim is a member of the Socialist Left party and a leader of Norway's peace mediation team between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers that help brokered the 2002 truce. On the question of Norway offering a mediatory role,
“Right now there is no plan for mediation between the government and the Maoists,” said May Elin Stener, an aide to Solheim and the Assistant Director General at Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During his visit, Minister Solheim will hold talks with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, and leaders and other representatives of several political parties. The programme will also include a visit to a Norwegian-supported development project. Solheim’s aides say that Norway’s assistance could be significantly increased to help Nepal mitigate the crippling effects of the insurgency.
Meanwhile, On Thursday, the U.S. senate passed a resolution expressing support for Nepal’s restored parliament and urged the government to help Nepal in the process of democratization.
According to a Congressional aide, the resolution was introduced by Republican senator Richard Lugar, who is also the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, and cosponsored by Senators Joseph Biden (D-Delaware), Norm Coleman (R-Minnesota), Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island), Dianne Feinstein (D-California), John Kerry (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), and John Sununu (R-New Hampshire).
The resolution calls on the U.S. to work closely with India, China, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United Nations to ensure a common and coherent international approach that helps bring about an immediate, peaceful transition to democracy and an end to the violent insurgency in Nepal.
In November last year, a group of senators and congressmen led by Congressman James Walsh (R-New York) had urged the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to provide Nepal a complete package to deal with the crisis in Nepal.
Posted on: 2006-04-29 08:51:39 (Server Time)

Seven Party Alliance pledges constituent assembly poll

Madhav Kumar Nepal addressing a gathering at

Khula Manch in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Kathmandu, April 27:Senior leaders of the seven-party alliance today vowed to meet people’s aspirations on the issue of election to the constituent assembly and to begin the process in the very first session of the reinstated House of Representatives beginning tomorrow.Addressing a huge gathering at Khula Manch, CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress (NC) vice president Sushil Koirala, president of Janamorcha Nepal Amik Sherchan, president of NC (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba, Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party president Narayan Man Bijukchhe and Bharat Bimal Yadav of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi) pledged to hold election to unconditional constituent assembly.Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala was conspicuous by his absence as he did not turn up at the venue to address the masses because of “health reasons”. Piqued by his absence some people even pelted stones and hooted when Sushil Koirala came to address the gathering.Nepal said CPN-UML would take to the streets again if the issue of constituent assembly was side-stepped. The UML chief also suggested that the new all-party government must change the name of the Royal Nepal Army to Nepal Army and that it should purely remain under the purview of the Parliament. He urged the Maoists to join the mainstream.Sherchan acknowledged the role of the Maoists in the success of the mass movement. “The Maoists were actively involved in the peaceful movement,” Sherchan admitted. He asked the people to gherao Singhadurbar to press for election to constituent assembly. He urged the HoR to end all formal procedures and act quickly and warned that the people would be compelled to go for a republican setup if the King poses any hurdle in constituent assembly poll. Sherchan opined that NC president Koirala should take oath before the public.Deuba said the new government should rechristen His Majesty’s Government as Nepal Government.Bijukchhe said the new government should fix a ceiling on property, allocate half of the budget on local development, check border encroachment, scrap all one-sided treaties and withdraw red corner notice and terrorist tag pinned against the Maoists.Yadav emphasised on election to constituent assembly for peace, stability, inclusive democracy and restructuring the state.People power• A huge banner warned GP Koirala: “Take oath from sovereign people in Khula Manch, not from the King. Be aware of conspiracies!”• Gathering wanted to hear from Koirala but was told that the NC supremo was “not well” and was being attended to by two doctors.• Anti-monarchy slogans all over.• Threat to gherao Singhadurbar from Friday unless the HoR decides on election to constituent assembly.• NC vice-president Sushil Koirala had to leave the mike following continuous hooting and stone pelting.• Nepal Bar Association president Shambhu Thapa and a comedian tried to calm down the crowd but failed.• Madhav Kumar Nepal pacified the crowd.

The Himalayan Times Online Printed from www.thehimalayantimes.com