No renegotiation of seven-pt pact: Dahal
Admits transferring senior PLA commanders to YCL; says party won’t take a penny from the retirement package
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KATHMANDU, DEC 04 -
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Saturday said that separation of the combatants into different groups will commence shortly and that national consensus government will be formed at the earliest. Dahal also said he was committed to completing peace and constitution-writing processes without regard for his own political future.
In an interview with the Post on Saturday morning, Dahal exuded confidence that the peace and constitution-writing processes would be completed in the next six-months and elections would be held within a year.
Perhaps for the first time, he publicly acknowledged that many of the ex-combatants, especially those in senior positions, had been transferred to the YCL at the outset of the peace process and that addressing their fate was very important for the party.
Throughout the interview, he frequently referred to his personal sacrifice—calling for ‘honest’ scrutiny of his contribution and trying to impress that his commitment to peace and constitution was genuine.
Trying to dispel doubts about his party’s strategy, he said the Maoists weren’t seeking to renegotiate the terms of the seven-point agreement that formed the basis of the progress on integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants. Speculation is rife that the Maoists could push for renegotiation after the ranks of those seeking to be integrated swelled, and Maoist leaders including Dahal publicly called for accommodating the excess number in other security forces.
“We will hold discussion with other parties to solve few problems that have emerged, but we don’t intend to renegotiate the terms of the seven-point agreement,” said Dahal during a 45- minute interview at his residence in Naya Bazaar. He said the news reports about those opting for integration had been exaggerated. The number will come down as we go through the process as many injured and disabled have signed up too, he said. On the allegation that party pocketed the money received on behalf of the ‘deserters’, he said no money had been misused by the party, arguing that all the sum the party collected had been used for the upkeep and maintenance of the camps and combatants, including those deemed ‘disqualified’ by UNMIN.
“The combatants weren’t living a life of luxury and improving basic conditions in the cantonments didn’t come cheap,” said Dahal. “I understand many may have left over the past five years unable to withstand the hardship and uncertainty, but I wasn’t aware of the exact number.”
When asked about the fear that the party will keep a significant portion of the retirement package offered to the ex-combatants, Dahal said the party won’t keep a penny of it.
“I am aware of it, but let me clarify it through this interview that the party won’t take a penny of it. If some commanders have said differently, I urge our friends to notify it to the party headquarters,” Dahal said. Dahal said that the party had to address the fate of the ‘disqualified,’ and also the senior PLA commanders who were transferred to the YCL, but he said they won’t be seeking help from the government or other parties.
On returning the seized property, he expressed his commitment to abide by the agreement with other parties, but admitted that the issue was much more complex than it appeared to be.
Describing relations with other parties as excellent, he said a national unity government was essential in taking the processes to its conclusion. “Ideally, we would like to lead the government until completion of the peace process, but we won’t insist it to the point of affecting the environment for consensus,” Dahal said. On Nepali Congress ‘claim to lead the next government, he said the NC had a legitimate claim.
In the event there was an agreement on national unity government under the Maoist leadership, he said Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai would continue. He dismissed suggestions that he was in the race to become the PM. “I am not interested in becoming the prime minister until the peace process is completed,” he said.
On relations with India and China, Dahal said a balance was necessary and that he was neither pro this or that. “Indians would look after their own interests, so will the Chinese, and that is understandable. But as Nepalis we will also have to look after our own interests.” When asked if he was trying to establish himself as a statesman, he said he hasn’t done any grand planning and whatever he is doing is based on his conviction and the need of the hour.
“I haven’t over-analysed this. As a leader of the largest party, I have felt that it is my responsibility to fulfill public aspirations for peace and constitution.” Dahal said. “Some have raised the possibility that if I play the lead role in completing the peace and constitution-writing process, others will gang up to isolate me. And I have told them, so be it.”
Posted on: 2011-12-04 09:11
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