[After the withdrawal of the strike, the UCPN(M) had announced a major street mobilisation and protest on May 25. That also by now stands cancelled. They then declared that they'd announce the Constitution from the streets n May 29. If of course by then Madhav Nepal does not resign and the CA term is not extended as a consequence. That declaration is still in place.
On the issue of resignation of the incumbent PM and the terms of the deal to extend the term of the CA, which needs the endorsement by the UCPN(M), occupying 40% seats, both sides remain adamant. Regardless of pressures exerted by the EU countries in particular on the incumbent PM to resign. Rather the ruling coalition, despite presenting a face of sweet reasonability, has incrementally hardened its stand. The CC of the UCPN(M) reportedly meets today to take stock of the current situation and decide further stand accordingly.] I/III. http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/1-top-story/6216-pm-nepal-rules-out-compromise-unless-on-number-of-combatants-fixed.html <http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/1-top-story/6216-pm-nepal-rules-out-compromise-unless-on-number-of-combatants-fixed.html> PM Nepal rules out compromise unless on number of combatants fixed Friday, 21 May 2010 Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has ruled out the possibility of political compromise with the Maoists unless there is an agreement on the number of Maoist combatants to be integrated in the state's security agencies. During his meeting with visiting Norwegian Minister for Environment and International Development Eric Solheim Friday morning, PM Nepal said the number of the combatants has been the main issue of contention during the negotiations for consensus, PM's foreign affairs advisor Rajan Bhattarai told reporters. According to him, Nepal told the Norwegian minister that there was an understanding on the number of combatants and their integration previously, but the Maoists did not stand by it. In response to Solheim's query over the extension of the Constituent Assembly's term, Nepal expressed confidence that the Maoists would finally go for the extension. The Norwegian minister, who arrived this morning, also met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala earlier today. He had canceled his visit to Nepal in March following the death of Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala. Solheim will also meet the top leaders of the major political parties before his return later today. II. http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/05/20/top-story/forces-asked-to-up-alert-level/208478/ <http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/05/20/top-story/forces-asked-to-up-alert-level/208478/>Forces asked to up alert level KATHMANDU, MAY 20 - The National Security Council (NSC) has directed security agencies to remain on high alert in view of the crisis that may arise if the tenure of the Constituent Assembly (CA) is not extended. Thursday’s meeting of the NSC also took the step in view of the Maoist announcement to hold mass protests. To lend its support to the term extension, the UCPN (Maoist) has put forth two conditions — the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and revival of the consensual system of government. “Today’s meeting was to tell the Maoists that the government will mobilise all its security apparatus to take control of the situation after May 28,” an official who attended the meeting said. Chiefs of the four security agencies — Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department — put forward their security analyses in the deliberations. “As the political impasse continues, the security forces have been asked to remain on high alert,” the official said. Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari dismissed speculations that the government may declare a state of emergency to extend the CA term. “There is no ground to declare emergency. The government will not abuse the emergency clause to extend the term of the Constituent Assembly. It is ready to take care of any untoward consequence that will result in case the tenure is not extended.” She said the Interim Constitution will continue to be the governing document even if there is no CA. The defence minister added that the government doesn’t want confrontation but security forces will be mobilised to maintain law and order if the Maoists declare a “people’s statute from the streets and start running a parallel government.” Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar expressed confidence that the main opposition will ultimately support the CA tenure extension. He said security forces have been urged to show restraint and maintain law and order. III. http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/05/20/top-story/street-statute-talk-baseless-dahal/208479/ Street statute talk baseless: Dahal MANOJ BASNET KAVRE, MAY 20 - UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday said the Constituent Assembly (CA) will not be dissolved even if the parties fail to strike a deal by May 28. He also said that reports that his party was declaring a “people’s statute” on May 29 are not true. “The House will be latent for a while, but it won’t dissolve,” he told reporters at a Dhulikhel-based resort. Dahal said that keeping the CA “alive” is the need of the hour. He, however, did not say how the CA will remain active even after its term expires on May 28. Reiterating that the CA’s term would be extended only after a broad consensus among political parties, he said his party has been flexible on creating an atmosphere conducive to agreement. “We have maintained maximum flexibility to resolve the contentious issues pertaining to the integration and rehabilitation of the People’s Liberation Army,” Dahal said. “It is the ruling alliance that must be flexible and pave way for national consensus.” He said reports about his party coming up with a new constitution on May 29 are mere rumours. “We are only publicising the party’s draft statute that day.” The party had said on Sunday that it would declare a draft of the ‘people’s federal democratic constitution’ on May 28 if the CA fails to promulgate the statute by May 28. -- Peace Is Doable -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
