Unity depends on Maoists
Three parties in a huddle to seek way out
Useful Links
» A new way to read online, exact replica of your daily and magazine
» For all you tweety fans out there!
» Allows you to find only those news from any date you choose!
» Search any news/ articles by author/ category/ date/ keyword
KATHMANDU, DEC 27 -
Consensus can ensure extension, if Maoists agree on PLA rehabilitation date and timeline.
If the Maoists agree on the action plan on integration and rehabilitation of their combatants with specific timelines, consensus might come about for extending UNMIN’s tenure beyond mid-January, according to leaders of major political parties.
“Provided there is agreement among us on the integration and rehabilitation time-table, we can consider the option of requesting UN Security Council for UNMIN’s extension,”
said a senior UML leader involved in cross-party talks.
The proposal is under discussion among top leaders of the UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML since the Maoists announced last week they will ask for UNMIN’s term extension. “The three-party talks on Monday will take the matter further,” said the UML leader.
He said Maoist combatants should come under the purview of the Prime Minister-led Special Committee and be regrouped into three camps based on three choices on offer: integration, rehabilitation or voluntary retirement.
“Maoists should also agree on the rehabilitation package offered to the combatants,” added the leader. “Then we can start talks on sending consensual request for UNMIN’s extension.”
Maoist standing committee member Barsha Man Pun said the three major parties are trying to find common ground, including a possible continuation of UNMIN. “We hope there will be a decision in a few days,” he said.
NC leaders say they are concerned about the possible void after UNMIN’s departure but want its continuation to be conditional. “UNMIN has been a part and parcel of the constitution and key agreements related to the peace process. Should it depart now, well before the peace process is complete, we may need to revise these documents and amend the constitution—a tall order,” said an NC leader. “We are aware of the possible threat to the peace process in the absence of UNMIN since mistrust among the parties runs deep.”
Sources claimed they are in “close consultations” with representatives of five permanent members of the Security Council over the possible future scenario should there be an agreement on the integration and rehabilitation time-table.
The parties are also discussing the difficulties Nepal Army says it is facing due to its obligation mentioned in certain provisions of Agreement on the Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies (AMMAA). “Leaders are discussing the possibility of a gentleman’s agreement which would enable NA to import arms and ammunition for training purposes and open the avenue for recruitment within its 95,000-ceiling,” said the UML leader.
NC leader and Special Committee member Ram Sharan Mahat is on record that NC would consider seeking UNMIN’s extension if the Nepal Army is removed from its purview.
Posted on: 2010-12-27 08:46
Post Your Comment