Diplomats urge Maoists to forge consensus

KANTIPUR REPORT

KATHMANDU, NOV 03 - The agitating UPCN-Maoist held discussions with envoys and diplomatic officials of 12 foreign countries on Tuesday.

The diplomats urged the Maoists to find a way out of the current political imbroglio through consensus. They envoys and the diplomats also urged the Maoists to make their protests peaceful.

Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the party's foreign department chief Krishna Bahadur Mahara, among other leaders, were present during the meeting held at Hotel Annapurna in the capital. Chairman Dahal reportedly sought international support to their peaceful protest.

The diplomats understandably expressed special concern over the peace process and Maoists' agitation.

"We presented our views on the current political situation and expressed our commitment to the ongoing peace process at the meeting," said Mahara after the meeting. He informed that the Maoists have asked apology for the inconvenience likely to be faced by the diplomats during their agitation. He further said that his party has assured the envoys that their protest will be peaceful.

The UCPN-Maoist, which launched its second phase of protests from Sunday, tried to convince the foreign diplomats about its commitment to the peace process.

Ambassadors of the UK, France, Finland and Denmark, among other countries, and diplomatic officials of the US and India were present at the meeting.