KATHMANDU, May 22: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has conveyed to the Nepali Congress (NC) that they will determine the number of combatants to be integrated in security agencies and categorize them for integration and rehabilitation, before May 28.
In his bid to solicit NC support for extension of the CA´s term, Dahal also said the Maoists would agree to joint monitoring teams comprising security personnel and Maoist army personnel for all the cantonments, to help bring the cantonments practically under the control of the Special Committee.
However, during his meeting with NC President Sushil Koirala at the latter´s residence at Maharajgunj, the Maoist chairman said they are not in a position to hand over weapons to the government as demanded by the NC unless all issues are settled.
On the NC´s demand for resignation of the prime minister to pave the way for a consensus government, Dahal told the NC leadership that it would be difficult to look for a new government at the moment as the incumbent government was formed at Maoist initiative, according to an NC leader. “Withdrawing support from the government immediately would put us in a difficult position,” the leader quoted Dahal as saying.
Dahal said it was not possible to fulfill all the demands of NC before May 28 as they are running short of time.
In reply, Koirala reiterated that the NC cannot support extension of the CA´ term unless its 10-point demand is met by May 24. He also stressed that the Maoists must be prepared to severe any links with arms and combatants right away and form a national consensus government of all major parties to deliver peace and a constitution.
Koirala asked Dahal to be responsible towards implementing all agreements reached in the past in regard to the peace process and constitution. Koirala was accompanied by Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel, Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and Dr Minendra Rijal during the meeting.
The meeting between Koirala and Dahal came a day after the NC made its stance on CA term extension public at a mass rally in Kathmandu. Dahal had reached Koirala´s residence after a meeting Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal at Baluwatar.
The meeting between Koirala and Dahal started at 8:45 a.m. and lasted about an hour. After the meeting, NC senior leaders gathered at Koirala´s residence to develop the party´s official position on Dahal´s proposal.
NC leaders are optimistic that talks will yield results. "Things are moving positively. Maoists have shown flexibility on number of stances," said NC leader Gopal Man Shrestha.
Later in the afternoon, NC Vice-president Paudel, General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Dr Rijal had a separate meeting with Prime Minister Khanal at Baluwatar.
The meeting with Khanal dwelled on NC´s 10-point demand on the peace process, constitution drafting and formation of a national consensus government before May 28 -- the statutory deadline for the new constitution.
Assuring that the government is committed to concluding the peace process at the earliest, Prime Minister Khanal had asked NC leaders for support to extend the CA. The NC leaders maintained that the government and the Maoists first address their demands by May 24 to create a conducive environment for CA extension.
The meeting between Khanal and NC leaders came shortly after the ruling parties agreed to bring a common proposal on the peace and constitution drafting processes.
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