[The reported position of the PLA spokesperson (at III below) is a significant departure from and softening of the UCPN(M) stand on the issue. The UCPN(M) demand for integration of the PLA combatants with the NA as separate units was reportedly accepted in the 7-point secret deal between Prachanda and Jhalanath Khanal on the basis of which the UCPN(M) supported Khanal's candidature for the post of Prime Minister. The NC has rejected the deal outright and asked for its scrapping and the CPN(UML), the party to which the PM belongs, has also virtually rejected it.]
I/III. http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2011/mar/mar20/news11.php <http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2011/mar/mar20/news11.php>Last Updated: Sun, 20.03.11 18:07 Ruling parties agree to expedite integration, rehab of Maoist combatants The ruling parties, UCPN (Maoist) and CPN (UML), have agreed to expedite the integration of the Maoist combatants by exercising all possibilities. Leaders of both parties appeared unanimous on the issue of integration and rehabilitation of the combatants during a meeting convened at the UML parliamentary party office at Singha Durbar on Sunday. Senior UML leader and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal informed reporters after the meeting that leaders of both the parties decided to accelerate the works of integration, accepting the fact the adjustment and rehabilitation of Maoist PLAs is a major part of the ongoing peace process. "We held discussion on integration, peace process and drafting of new statute on time," Nepal told reporters,"Leaders have agreed that the prime agenda of the government should be integration of the Maoist combatants." According to Nepal, the meeting also discussed how to give full shape to the cabinet at the earliest possible, but failed to reach any definite conclusion on the matter today. Meanwhile, UCPN (Maoist) vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that UML leaders also briefed the Maoist leaders about the request of the Nepali Congress to scrap the 7-point deal signed by two left forces while installing Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal's government. Maoist leader Shrestha said, "The issue with Nepali Congress on the 7-point deal is not serious. We can go for fresh negotiation with the Nepali Congress if it accepts to join the government."* * II. http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Nepali+Congress+may+join+govt%3A+Mahat&NewsID=280861 Nepali Congress may join govt: Mahat Added At: 2011-03-21 3:59 PM Last Updated At: 2011-03-21 3:59 PM -- UDAYAPUR: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has hinted that his party could join the government if the seven-point agreement signed between the Unified CPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML is scrapped. Addressing a condolence meeting organised on the first death anniversary of Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala in Udayapur today, he said drafting of the new constitution and conclusion of the peace process should be completed on time. He also claimed that Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal is trying to cheat his party by assuring to give the Home Ministry portfolio. Congress will join the government if parties have a clear view on constitution and peace process, he said. III. http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2011/mar/mar20/news17.php Mixed force combining all security forces and PLA combatants appropriate to complete army integration task: PLA spokesperson Spokesperson of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Deputy Commander Chandra Prakash Khanal has claimed that the task of army integration and constitution drafting will be completed within two months if only there is political consensus among the parties and that the peace process won't move ahead if there isn't. Launching a memoir titled Jangako Maidan (Battle field) written by PLA 5th Division Commander Raj Bahadur Budha in the capital today, Khanal informed that the UCPN (Maoist) party has put forth three modalities to complete the task of army integration - separate force of Maoist PLA combatants, mixed force by combining all security forces and unit to unit army integration. "Since the Army (Nepal Army) doesn't agree to the group entry of PLA combatants into the security forces and we won't accept individual entry of combatants as per Nepal Army's established standards, so we think that establishing a mixed force by combining all security forces and PLA combatants would be appropriate in Nepal's context," he said. He also described as "inappropriate" the statement of the Nepal Army that the PLA combatants can be integrated only on the basis of NA´s established norms and standards. Speaking on the occasion, writer Budha said he has tried to depict the decade long war very clearly in his book. 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.
