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War-era land deals: Maoists assure opposition parties of a ‘compromise’

KATHMANDU, FEB 08 -
The UCPN (Maoist) on Wednesday assured the opposition parties that it will offer an “acceptable solution” to concerns raised by opposition parties and resume parliament proceedings.

According to Maoist leaders, the government’s decision to legalise conflict-era land transactions will be made “inactive” through a Cabinet decision. In a meeting of the three major parties—UCPN (Maoist), Nepali congress and , CPN-UML—the Maoists just stopped short of saying that they will withdraw the controversial decision. The opposition parties have stalled House proceedings over the issue.

A government adviser said the decision will not be withdrawn, but added that the ‘solution’ will address the concerns raised by the opposition parties.

As a follow on measure, the parties are also mulling an all-party task force to look into cases of conflict-era land transactions sanctioned by the Maoists’ “parallel government”, especially in four districts of Rolpa, Rukum, Jajarkot and Pyuthan.

Leaders said they will initiate ‘serious and result-oriented’ discussions on state restructuring and system of governance on Thursday after the House stalemate comes to an end.

The meeting also agreed to lift the House blockade by discussing contentious issues related to the integration of Maoist combatants in the Special Committee and formation of a national consensus government. The Maoist commitment comes amid objections from the opposition parties that the government is taking unilateral decisions on army integration.

UML leader Pradeep Gyawali said the “acceptable solution” means the withdrawal of the decision to legalise the land transactions. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is likely to address the parliament on Thursday after the Cabinet addresses the demands of the opposition parties.

“I will address the parliament, considering our party’s bottom-line and to address your (opposition parties’) demands,” Gyawali quoted the PM as telling the meeting.

NC leader Ram Saran Mahat said they will continue to obstruct the House if the PM fails to impress them with his address.

According to leaders, the PM will not use the word “withdrawal,” but will “give the message that the decision will be inactive.”

PM’s political advisor Devendra Poudel said the government will tread a “middle path” in sorting out the problem.

After the opposition parties slammed the Maoists for not initiating the integration process as per the seven-point agreement, Bhattarai told them that he has directed the Nepal Army to take forward the process.

NC and UML leaders say there is no need to take a fresh decision on rank determination for the integration process as the seven-point agreement has already decided on this. The opposition parties, however, said the issue can be dealt at the political level if problems arise in implementing the decision.

The parties have agreed to form a mechanism to look into the seizure of combatants’ pay cheques by PLA commanders.

The parties also agreed to finalise the Truth and Reconciliation Bill and initiate discussions on the report submitted by the State Restructuring Commission.

In the six-hour-long meeting at the Gokarna Resort, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal proposed formation of a national consensus government to facilitate the peace and constitution writing processes.

Meanwhile, the parliament session scheduled for Wednesday afternoon was postponed after the major parties failed to reach an agreement.  The next session has been scheduled for 3 pm on Thursday.

Posted on: 2012-02-09 09:06

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