NEPAL: Civil society activists want voice heard as Nepal government and rebels hold peace talks

Nepal's government and Maoist rebel leaders were upbeat after peace talks on Tuesday (October 10), but adjourned for two days without resolving differences over the thorny issue of disarming the leftist insurgents. The dialogue, led by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda, was the second attempt in three days to negotiate the rebels' entry into an interim administration. Prachanda told reporters the talks were "positive" as he left the meeting. The two sides held long-delayed talks on Sunday (October 8) and Tuesday after serious differences over arms and the role of the monarchy in an interim constitution had dogged the peace process. Some civil society groups, however, expressed discontent over the fact that they were not made party to the talks. "The voice of the people has not been heard inside, our voice have been suppressed, they have tried to do away with these voices. We won't let it be done like this under any condition. Let the date of constituent assembly be announced immediately, let the interim government including Maoists be formed, these are our wants," said Sunder Mani Dixit, a civil society leader. Political parties were reserved in their comments when asked about their expectations from the talks. "The uphill task is too high, we will see how far we will be able to cross that barrier," said Madhab Nepal, General Secretary, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist). Officials said they would continue attempts to bridge the divide at lower-level discussions on Wednesday (October 11) before Koirala and Prachanda meet again the following day. They said a consensus on arms management, an interim constitution and other political subjects will be worked out and presented in the next meeting on Thursday (October 12). "Two points decisions have been taken. While discussing arms management and other questions on key issues of the interim constitution, of the political agenda, it was decided to have the government, and Maoist negotiating with them be present as the team on the table of summit talk scheduled to be held on October 12."said Krishna Prashad Sitaula, Home (Interior) Minister and Government Team Leader. "Second decision is to form the Election Commission by the end of this ongoing Nepali month of Asoj (just about 9-10 days left) and the recommendation to be given to the Commission to hold the election of the constituent assembly to be completed by the mid July of 2007, and to fix the date of the election of constituent assembly," he added. The Maoists said the talks were headed the right way. "The anxiety is seen among all the eight parties how to come to consensus rather than sticking on just the same point, this a positive way," said Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Maoist Team Leader. The government echoed the notion. "This talk will move ahead to solve all the issues which have not been possible to solve till now. And it can solve all the ensuing problems of our people and of our country," said Sitaula. "The country has sought peace, and also it is true that the country has sought change not limited to peace only," added Mahara. The peace process began in May after King Gyanendra surrendered political power following weeks of often bloody street protests. The government has bowed to a key Maoist demand to hold elections for an assembly to write a new constitution and decide the future of the monarchy. It has also promised to bring the rebels into an interim administration. Both sides have agreed to confine their armies to camps or barracks under U.N. supervision during the constituent assembly elections. But some members of the ruling coalition say the rebels should disarm before joining the interim cabinet that will supervise the planned elections. The Maoists, who see the constituent assembly elections as a tool to abolish the monarchy, say they would rather stay out of the administration than lay down their weapons. The rebels, wary of joining any government which pays lip service to the king, have also called for immediate suspension or abolition of the monarchy. More than 13,000 people have died since the conflict began in 1996. Previous talks with rebels foundered in 2001 and 2003 over the question of the monarchy. As the meeting began, hundreds of people carrying placards demonstrated outside the venue to press for the successful conclusion of the peace process. "Set up an interim government immediately," they shouted. "Declare the date for constituent assembly elections," another slogan said. It was not clear who had organised the protests but in the past the Maoists have used carefully orchestrated demonstrations to press their demands.

ITN Source | October 11, 2006

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