UML to throw weight behind NC candidate
Source: The himalayantimes
Party's central committee endorses roadmap prepared by the two parties
ARJUN BHANDARI
KATHMANDU: A day after the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress came up with a common roadmap to conclude the peace process, UML central committee meeting today concluded that the Unified CPN-Maoist could not be given the leadership of a consensus government unless the latter handed over its weapons to the government, officially announced the return of the seized property and ended the dual security enjoyed by Maoist leaders.
“But the UCPN-M is not prepared to meet these preconditions,” UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said at today’s meeting, chaired by party Chairman and Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal.
After party General Secretary distributed copies of the common roadmap prepared by UML and NC to all CC members, Nepal, as the coordinator of UML talks team, briefed the meeting about what had transpired during a series of bilateral meetings with the Maoists this week.
“There is a lack of credibility on Maoist side,” Krishna Gopal Shrestha, a CC member, quoted Nepal as telling the CC meeting. Nepal is learnt to have said that the Maoists changed their minds every time they met. “They are not prepared to sign any document that they verbally agree upon, and if they sign, they don’t implement,” Shrestha quoted Nepal. “Under these circumstances, we have no other option but to support the NC prime ministerial candidate.”
According to Shrestha, none of the CC members objected to what Nepal said. Shrestha added that it was the party’s official line and nobody could go against it.
Party Secretary Shankar Pokharel also said a national consensus government could be possible under the Maoist leadership only if the latter implemented all the previous pacts and completed the major tasks of the peace process (regrouping of combatants and detaching itself from its combatants and weapons).
It is learnt that Khanal and Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam wanted to support the Maoists to form a unity government by giving it specific timeline to complete major tasks of the peace process.
Sources said Khanal, party General Secretary Pokharel, KP Sharma Oli and Nepal had already reached a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ outside the CC meeting on supporting the NC candidate. “Therefore, there was not much debate on the issue,” said sources.
Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel, however, said they had no information about the common roadmap prepared by NC and UML. But he added that they were ready to discuss the possibility of forming a unity government on rotational basis.
The road to peace
• Integration of 5,000 combatants under Nepali Army directorate
• A 12,000-strong force with 35 per cent from NA and PLA each and 30 per cent from Armed Police Force
• All 28 camps of Maoist combatants will be brought under direct control and command of the Special Committee, and combatants will be given a choice for integration, rehabilitation and voluntary retirement
• The combined force to be deployed for protection of national parks and reserves, security of industrial estate and assistance during natural calamities
• On rehabilitation: A soldier will be offered Rs 4 lakhs and a commander Rs 6 lakhs as gratuity.
Maximum flexibility in case of a senior-level commander
• Educational qualification, age-limit and marital status of ex-fighters wishing to join national security forces will be taken into consideration. A soldier who has passed the Grade VII will be eligible for integration
• All the Maoist weapons stored in the containers should be handed over to the state
• After regrouping, the Maoist party has to detach itself from fighters
KATHMANDU: A day after the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress came up with a common roadmap to conclude the peace process, UML central committee meeting today concluded that the Unified CPN-Maoist could not be given the leadership of a consensus government unless the latter handed over its weapons to the government, officially announced the return of the seized property and ended the dual security enjoyed by Maoist leaders.
“But the UCPN-M is not prepared to meet these preconditions,” UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said at today’s meeting, chaired by party Chairman and Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal.
After party General Secretary distributed copies of the common roadmap prepared by UML and NC to all CC members, Nepal, as the coordinator of UML talks team, briefed the meeting about what had transpired during a series of bilateral meetings with the Maoists this week.
“There is a lack of credibility on Maoist side,” Krishna Gopal Shrestha, a CC member, quoted Nepal as telling the CC meeting. Nepal is learnt to have said that the Maoists changed their minds every time they met. “They are not prepared to sign any document that they verbally agree upon, and if they sign, they don’t implement,” Shrestha quoted Nepal. “Under these circumstances, we have no other option but to support the NC prime ministerial candidate.”
According to Shrestha, none of the CC members objected to what Nepal said. Shrestha added that it was the party’s official line and nobody could go against it.
Party Secretary Shankar Pokharel also said a national consensus government could be possible under the Maoist leadership only if the latter implemented all the previous pacts and completed the major tasks of the peace process (regrouping of combatants and detaching itself from its combatants and weapons).
It is learnt that Khanal and Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam wanted to support the Maoists to form a unity government by giving it specific timeline to complete major tasks of the peace process.
Sources said Khanal, party General Secretary Pokharel, KP Sharma Oli and Nepal had already reached a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ outside the CC meeting on supporting the NC candidate. “Therefore, there was not much debate on the issue,” said sources.
Maoist Secretary CP Gajurel, however, said they had no information about the common roadmap prepared by NC and UML. But he added that they were ready to discuss the possibility of forming a unity government on rotational basis.
The road to peace
• Integration of 5,000 combatants under Nepali Army directorate
• A 12,000-strong force with 35 per cent from NA and PLA each and 30 per cent from Armed Police Force
• All 28 camps of Maoist combatants will be brought under direct control and command of the Special Committee, and combatants will be given a choice for integration, rehabilitation and voluntary retirement
• The combined force to be deployed for protection of national parks and reserves, security of industrial estate and assistance during natural calamities
• On rehabilitation: A soldier will be offered Rs 4 lakhs and a commander Rs 6 lakhs as gratuity.
Maximum flexibility in case of a senior-level commander
• Educational qualification, age-limit and marital status of ex-fighters wishing to join national security forces will be taken into consideration. A soldier who has passed the Grade VII will be eligible for integration
• All the Maoist weapons stored in the containers should be handed over to the state
• After regrouping, the Maoist party has to detach itself from fighters
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