Maoists agree to come to negotiating table
The rebels accept the ad interim government proposal. The Maoists want army reform while the EU is calling them to hand in their arms before the election for the Constituent Assembly.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) The Maoist leader Prachanda has accepted the invitation to talks of the ad interim Nepalese government. After accepting a cease-fire offer, the government called the rebels to the negotiating table to guarantee a future of peace and security for the country.
"We accept favourably the government decision that responds to the spirit of the people's movement, and is a step ahead towards democracy, peace and the radical change called for by the people," said Prachanda.
However the Maoist leader specified his conditions and said the country's future should be mapped out by both parties. He said the priorities were construction of a Republic and secular state, economic reforms and the removal of "feudal elements" weighing on the Nepalese since 1951. He also said he was in favour of military reorganization. "One of the most important factors right now is bringing the army under the control of the people and to democratize it." Prachanda added that his party was ready to work for the reorganisation of the People's Liberation Army (the Maoist army) into a new national army for the "democratic aspirations of the people" and he called upon the government to convert the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), the royal army, too. However he also that RNA "commanders", who suppressed the people's uprising against King Gyanendra, be punished.
Prachanda said the openness of the Maoists to dialogue should not be interpreted as "weakness". He accused the United States of striving for the failure of peace talks between the king and the opposition in 2001 and 2003.
Many people in the country are sceptical about the Maoists' will to dialogue. A social activist who asked to remain anonymous said the "Maoist strategy could be that of sounding out the strength of the political parties and seeking to obtain as many benefits as possible in view of the upcoming election. They can use the people's fear, especially in more remote areas of the country. In this context, even the election to the Constituent Assembly could be false".
The European Union is calling on the Maoists to hand in their arms before any kind of election. "Without such a commitment, free and fair elections to a Constituent Assembly will be impossible," said a statement of the EU.
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21/05/2011
