Editorial»
Road to peace and conciliation
JAN 16 - The Fifth Central Committee meeting of the CPN (UML) held on January 6 to 10 in Kathmandu, has adopted a landmark resolution for the peaceful settlement of the political crisis existed in the country. This proposal has been put forward before the country after a close examination of the existing political balance, aspiration of different forces and possible common points of conciliation.
The Party had adopted a 22-point program in October 2000 and further had elaborated it as 35-point program in April 2003 for a forward-looking solution of the national problem. Based on those programmes, the Party had tried its best to convince other players of national politics in bringing constitutional amendments according to the need of hour.
However, the propositions were not materialized because of the indifference of other political parties, especially due to the stance of ruling Nepali Congress, in the parliament. At that time, there was a room for bringing in reforms and changes through constitutional amendments to address pressing demands of the people and the country.
Nevertheless, some of the parties and their leaders could not foresee the dangers of status quo overwhelmed by narrow partisan outlook. Thus the country was deprived of an opportunity of making exhaustive efforts towards political reforms and adjustments within the constitutional framework. Eventually, the country was pushed towards more complicated situation providing leeway to regressive elements to make undemocratic and unconstitutional strides.
The efforts and propositions made by either the state or the Maoists so far have proved unrealistic and insufficient for the peaceful resolution of the armed conflict confronting the country. The proposals and approaches put forth both by the state and the Maoists during the occasions of cease-fires and peace talks were seemed to gain upper hand tactically rather honestly aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement.
As a result, the Maoists unilaterally abandoned the dialogue of table and resorted to larger armed-attacks and the state forces retaliated accordingly. It shows that the repetition of same approach and proposition can not pave the way for peaceful resolution of the current political impasse. Therefore, a realistic approach and proposal is essential to open up dialogue and negotiation for peace. Such new approach and proposal, of course, has to recognize sensitivities and compulsions of the concerned political actors and maintain a logical equilibrium. Such equilibrium is needed while opting for a political solution of the conflict.
Similarly, everybody has to realize ground realities before embarking upon the road to peace. No one is denying the devastating effect of ongoing violence and counter violence in the country. People are warily awaiting the earliest resolution of the conflict. In this backdrop, the CPN (UML) has added its additional effort to break the present political imbroglio. The endorsement of 9-point proposal was preceded by dialogue with the King, the Maoists leaders and all major political parties.
The stipulations and anticipations of the Party are largely based on analysis of expressed views and orientations of different political forces and the objective circumstances of the country. The Party has given priority to the formation of an all-party government with all executive powers according to the prevailing constitution of Nepal. This government has to move towards the direction of establishing the House of Representatives.
The basis and modus operandi of an all party government should be a consensus to bringing about changes in the present crisis-ridden situation visualizing more advanced program best suited to the country. Mutual declaration of cease-fire followed by peace talks both by the government and the Maoists is considered second step in the peace process.
In this stage both sides have to adopt human rights code and code of conduct expressing their full commitments for complete adherence. All political parties in the coalition government have to chalk out a forward-looking common program to bringing about changes in the existing situation and to carry out dialogue with the Maoists. The burning issues relating to the rights of oppressed communities in general and oppressed people of Terai in particular, women, ethnic communities, remote and rural areas, unemployment and people living below poverty line are to be considered.
Similarly, incorporation of subject matters like decentralization, good governance, pro-people democracy, corruption control, end of impunity, democratization of society and the state and the promotion of national dignity and independence are conceived for the common programme.
The fifth stage of the peace process is to convene a round table meeting comprised of the delegates of all political parties represented in the dissolved House of Representatives, the Maoists and other indispensable personalities as agreed upon among the participating parties. The forward-looking common programme and the procedure of functioning have to be endorsed in the round table meeting. In the next stage, agreement or conciliation on the question of constitutional amendment or the framing of a new constitution is required.
The parties should have to agree to hold the elections for the House of Representatives whatever the option may be adopted by the parties in the round table meeting. The basic principle is to obtain fresh people’s mandate to settle the dispute and conflict. This agreement shall be followed by the formation of an interim government including the Maoists. A call has to be made to the United Nations Organizations to conduct the elections of the House of Representatives in a peaceful, impartial and smooth manner and to guarantee a fearless environment to the people to exercise their franchise. Moreover, all established norms and practices of the United Nations system are to be applied in the whole process of the elections.
The eighth stage of the peace process will be carried out within the newly elected House of Representatives. The House shall amend the existing constitution to incorporate democratic concerns of all concerned parties if all-party agreement is for the constitutional reforms. If the agreement is in favor of a new constitution, the House shall amend the existing constitution to pave the way for the formation of a constitution commission to draft the same. The constitution commission shall draft a new constitution and submit it before the House of Representative within a stipulated time. The new constitution shall be endorsed either unanimously or by two-thirds of majority in the House of Representatives. The present Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 shall be repealed immediately after the adoption and promulgation of the new constitution.
The ninth stage of the peace process is related to the rehabilitation programme. The government formed by the newly formed House of Representatives shall implement a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for the displaced people and for the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructures in the country.
Thus the UML’s proposal is aimed to preserve national independence, democracy, peace, stability, development and prosperity to resolve the existing national crisis. That is why the Party has appealed to the King, the Maoists, all political parties and people to make their contributions to solve the problems confronted to the country. In fact, the country is expecting serious thoughts and actions from all responsible quarters to bail out it from the present serious crisis.
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