Crucial Parley

PRIME Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the CPN (Maoist) leader Prachanda held consultations Sunday and established rapport to address key impending issues. The leaders were able to sort out differences and agreed to facilitate the process to ensure passage of laws and regulations pertaining to election to constituent assembly. The two leaders held similarity of views on the need for endorsement of the amendment bill to the interim constitution and banish obstacles, if any, for the polls to the constituent assembly. The parley between the key leaders of the Nepali politics yielded two immediate outcomes that is calling off the indefinite Bandh in Kapilvastu district called by the Maoists and early start of the second phase verification process of the PLA combatants lodged in different cantonment in the country. These developments have dawned fresh hopes in the otherwise stalled process of political negotiation and stalemate creating problems and despair in the country. The leaders recognized the fact that the impending political issues can be resolved only through dialogue and negotiation.

Last week, political and civil society leaders had also asked the parties to hold consultations to break the deadlock . Needless to say that the creation of the legal framework for polls to constituent assembly has been overdue and the subject needs to be taken up sooner .A small delay in the enactment of legal regime would create barriers to the election to the constituent assembly. It should be taken into consideration that apex level talks held at different times have been able to create fresh grounds to resolve difficult issues. What should not be overlooked also is the fact that the peace and democracy building process in the country is very crucial, and this can taken to new level only through mutual understanding and reciprocity. More important in today's context has been the need to assure an atmosphere of peace and harmony so that people can discuss issues relating to the constituent assembly in a free and fearless environment. It is expected that talks held between the Prime Minister and the Maoist leader will make important contribution to address the issues that have stood on the way of achieving new speed in peace building process

Source: The Rising Nepal, June 12, 2007